Chapter 1158 — The Contention of the Venerables
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 3
Kaihuang pressed step by step toward the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, the force of his presence mounting with every stride; the sword qi bursting from all around him seemed fit to cleave the Heavenly Court in two.
He had come to the foot of the Lingxiao Treasure Hall. His sword still rested in its sheath, yet the man himself was a blade of incomparable keenness.
The Supreme Sword Dao: trample the celestial gates and behold the Heavenly Emperor!
Even should the Heavenly Emperor, that ancient god, not emerge, he would cut his way into the Lingxiao Treasure Hall and take the Heavenly Emperor's head outright!
The Heavenly Court was in utter chaos. Countless gods and demons darted to and fro like headless flies; some hurried toward the Lingxiao Hall of the Jade Capital City, some seized the confusion to flee the Heavenly Court, and others seized it to loot and strip the place of treasure.
Those gods and demons who held office in the Heavenly Court hid themselves in their homes, their lovely wives and fair consorts trembling. One divine official reassured them: "It is nothing. It makes no difference who sits as Heavenly Emperor. So long as the Heavenly Emperor means to rule the myriad heavens and worlds, he cannot do without us. Even if Kaihuang kills the Heavenly Emperor, he will not kill us."
Because of Kaihuang's coming, the Heavenly Court, which had seemed so well ordered, its order like iron chains, like the celestial net, had fallen into chaos. On this day the Heavenly Court's bright and glossy surface was torn open, and beneath it lay something so squalid, so rank with stench, it could scarcely be borne.
Whoosh—
A flash of light, and Celestial Master Hao stood before the Lingxiao Hall, his face overcast. He stepped forward and looked down from his height upon Kaihuang as he came, and said coldly: "Shen Ye, you are presumptuous!"
Kaihuang held the Carefree Sword in his hand and said unhurriedly: "Celestial Master Hao, you murdered the Heavenly Emperor, usurped his authority, and set a false Heavenly Emperor to hold the seat within. Who is presumptuous, me or you?"
Celestial Master Hao's aura erupted. One heavenly palace after another sprang from the wheel of light behind his head, spreading across the Heavenly Court at his back. He said indifferently: "Six Celestial Masters have gone to the Void, and the Heavenly Court stands empty, yet four Celestial Masters remain to hold it. Shen Ye, you are truly seeking your own death."
"Four Celestial Masters to hold it?"
Kaihuang rested his hand upon the sword hilt and said unhurriedly: "In truth, so many are not needed. It takes only a battle between you and me to shatter the entire Longhan Heavenly Court!"
"It will not come to that."
Celestial Master Xiao walked out from behind him, a file in his hand, filing his nails, and said with a smile: "Fellow Daoist Shen, truly it will not come to that."
"It will come to that nonetheless."
A massive claw descended. A colossal Void Beast appeared in the Heavenly Emperor's rear palace, and Divine King Langwan stood upon the mountain of bone behind the Void Beast's head. Divine King Langwan said mildly: "Now that there are four Celestial Masters, it goes without saying that this battle will shatter the Heavenly Court completely."
Celestial Master Xiao's eye twitched. Suddenly Consort Qiang's voice came, laughing lazily: "Being a Celestial Consort, this palace is not suited to showing her face about, and so I did not go to the Void. Little did I think I would run into Celestial Master Shen come to the Heavenly Court. And who might this elder sister be?"
Divine King Langwan stood on high, sleeves and hems fluttering, and said nothing.
Kaihuang's hand stirred slightly; the Carefree Sword slid half an inch from its sheath. He said unhurriedly: "It seems the Lord of Heaven and the Lord of Earth have found their chance."