Chapter 1764 - 1621: Emperor Huangquan
Chapter 1764: Chapter 1621: Emperor Huangquan
After emerging from his cultivation retreat, Chu Mu discovered that not only had the New Moon Land been buried under snow and ice for a long time but even several territories to the east of the New Moon Land were now blanketed in thick layers of ice.
Throughout this entire year, snow had fallen regularly. Each snowfall brought a biting chill. Strangely, some commonly-seen weak Soul Pets had completely vanished.
After more than a year of recovery, the New Moon Land gradually regained its vitality and began reopening to the outside world.
The victory in that war had transformed the New Moon Land into a sharp, cold-blooded blade. Many now looked upon this small piece of land with awe, and none dared to act recklessly.
In fact, when walking through the Wupan Continent or the Struggle Land, simply mentioning that one hailed from the New Moon Land would often spark astonishment among those nearby, followed by the question: "The New Moon Land that defeated the alliance of the Eight Great Powers?"
At that moment, everyone who had participated in the war would feel an immense sense of pride.
"Chu Mu, representatives from various major factions will be visiting our New Moon Land soon. It seems they’ve noticed something," Liu Binglan said to Chu Mu.
"Who’s coming?" Chu Mu asked.
"There are four leaders and ten sect masters. They’re from the Divine Sect, Monster Beast Palace, Elemental Sect, and the Mu Family Dynasty," Liu Binglan replied.
The factions that had invaded the New Moon Land were indeed part of these major powers. However, within these major powers, many factions were inherently at odds with each other. The New Moon Land had no reason to make enemies of all Eight Great Powers over the war.
Moreover, the New Moon Land had gained many new allies, some of which were forces led by Leader-Level Strong Ones.
The fact that these lofty figures were willing to personally travel to the New Moon Land for discussions—rather than summoning Chu Mu to their own territories—was sufficient evidence of their special regard for the New Moon Land.
"Yeah, I’ll meet them," Chu Mu nodded.
...
The snow continued to fall, boundless and unending. It appeared tranquil, yet buried beneath its surface lay unknown omens and secrets, difficult to discern.
Chu Mu reclined atop a snow-covered rooftop, gazing at the sky as snowflakes steadily descended. A sense of worry lingered in his heart.
This snow was too abnormal. Why hadn’t it stopped for so long?
"Woo woo woo~~~~" Mo Ye disliked the snow and often burrowed into Chu Mu’s arms. It was much warmer this way.
Looking up at the white expanse of sky, Chu Mu murmured, "Is the solar eclipse approaching?"
Chu Mu remembered Elder Li saying once that ten thousand years was akin to a giant wheel spinning.
And now it was the final few years of this ten-thousand-year cycle. What events would transpire as this wheel came to an end and transitioned to the next cycle?
Was it merely the awakening of the Ancient Jiao people? The emergence of the tenth-era Strong One? Or was it simply a marker that this living world had passed another ten thousand years?
What exactly was manipulated by the Heavenly Palace that loomed high above? Why could they behave as if they were rulers of all things? Or were they merely an isolated, powerful race?
Why did the White Sea God raise monstrous waves to challenge the Heavenly Palace, even though the Heavenly Palace seemed not to affect this realm of living creatures?
And why were the Seven Sins Foxes sealed? What sins had they committed?
Chu Mu lay there, allowing snowflakes to fall upon him as he quietly thought to himself.
"Chu Mu, what are you doing here?" A gentle voice sounded.
Wearing a form-fitting cheongsam, Ye Qingzi walked over gracefully. The soft, taut fabric perfectly outlined her increasingly curvaceous figure.
Her flushed cheeks, radiant eyes, and strands of wind-tousled hair exuded a womanly allure with every move.
Chu Mu remembered the first time he saw Ye Qingzi in that Cold Pool City; she had been somewhat inexperienced back then.
In what seemed like an instant, she had grown mature, confident, and captivating. The familiar fragrance on her was unmistakable to Chu Mu.
"I was just thinking about what might happen when the solar eclipse arrives," Chu Mu stretched out his arm and motioned for Ye Qingzi to lie beside him.
"Do you suspect something?" Ye Qingzi sensed Chu Mu’s calm yet slightly unsettled heart. Perhaps the imminent revival of the Ancient Jiao creatures was indeed weighing heavily on him.
The Ancient Jiao were Undying-Level beings, and this world held countless leaders yearning to step into the Undying Level, only to fail. How could Chu Mu cross that threshold and reach a realm capable of contending with the Ancient Jiao?
"It’s a bit chaotic," Chu Mu admitted, hugging Ye Qingzi a bit tighter.
"Woo woo woo~~~~~" Mo Ye, nestled in Chu Mu’s embrace, let out a faintly aggrieved cry after being squeezed.
Ye Qingzi noticed the adorable Mo Ye and, without hesitation, gathered it into her arms.
Little Mo Ye’s soft, furry, and warm body made Ye Qingzi enjoy holding it as well.
Mo Ye wagged its tail, found a comfortable position, and drifted back to sleep.
"Don’t think so hard. If necessary, we can just leave this place," Ye Qingzi suggested.
"Yeah, though there’s something else that’s increasingly unsettling. I feel as though I’ve grasped something important, but the moment I scrutinize it, it slips away," Chu Mu said.
"What is it?" Ye Qingzi asked.
"The Monument Weeper. I don’t know what this identity truly signifies. When I visited the Heavenly Palace, I saw something vitally significant. It felt like I understood everything, yet everything remains shrouded in mist, obscuring my vision," Chu Mu replied.
"Then stop overthinking it. Should we take a walk?" Ye Qingzi gently pulled Chu Mu up and suggested.
"Alright," Chu Mu got to his feet and accompanied Ye Qingzi out of the New Moon Palace.
The streets were still piled high with snow. Many children, impervious to the cold, frolicked around, drawing the scolding voices of adults.
Some older teenagers were summoning their Soul Pets to compete in spacious areas. Watching their nervous and excited expressions, Chu Mu couldn’t help but smile.
Back in the day, he’d been just like them, and his Soul Pets had been the same—memories worth cherishing.
Skirmish matches, Beast Pet tournaments, adventures in the Mysterious Realm—there had been so much to experience.
Now, all of Chu Mu’s Soul Pets were incredibly high-level. He could hardly find a worthy adversary, nor places suitable for trials or challenges...
Crossing into the Undying Level. If not for the threat posed by the Ancient Jiao, achieving the Undying Level wouldn’t have much significance to Chu Mu.
He already possessed all the Soul Pets he wanted and elevated their levels to the utmost peak. Even if his strength ceased to grow further, Chu Mu felt not an ounce of regret.
Perhaps what he should do now was quietly watch over the next generation—observe them starting from the Soul Disciple phase and gradually ascend to his pinnacle, or even higher peaks.
Watching the playful children, the competing teenagers, seeing their effort to attain stronger Soul Pets, Chu Mu found himself longing for the past. To relive journeys with Soul Pets that hadn’t even reached the Tenth Rank, embarking once again on an arduous, bittersweet path was undeniably preferable to his current stagnant state.
But reversing time was impossible. Perhaps this was the moment for a child, someone to embark on a brand-new journey...
Chu Mu glanced at Ye Qingzi.
In truth, this thought had long existed for the two of them. Yet, as Elder Li had pointed out, the stronger they became, the less likely Ye Qingzi would be able to conceive. Moreover, Chu Mu’s bloodline was no longer fully human—a factor that complicated matters further and caused Ye Qingzi, as his wife, to feel a lingering sense of loss.
"What are you two up to, sneaking off for a secret rendezvous?" A young girl with a fluffy rabbit-ear hat suddenly dashed over.
Though she was approaching womanhood, the pure and sweet expression on her face carried an irresistibly adorable charm. One couldn’t help but want to pinch her delicate cheeks.
"Do we even need to sneak?" Ye Qingzi teased, smiling at Ning Man’er, who’d dressed herself like a snowy white rabbit.
"Who knows? Brother spends so much time locked away cultivating. Every time I try talking to him, he ignores me. Now that he’s finally stopped cultivating, older sister must want to hold onto every bit of time he has, just in case someone snatches him away," Ning Man’er remarked bluntly.
"If someone tries to steal him, I’ll just let them have him," Ye Qingzi replied casually.
"Really?" Ning Man’er’s eyes gleamed as she sidled up to Chu Mu, clinging to his arm and grinning at Ye Qingzi. "In that case, can I steal him? Would older sister let me?"
"Sure. Why not? Men who aren’t much good are everywhere in this world. I won’t be short of a replacement," Ye Qingzi quipped.
"Alright, then tonight, Brother will accompany me," Ning Man’er said cheerfully, her face aglow.
Chu Mu felt a bead of sweat form. For some reason, Ning Man’er’s words sounded peculiar.
What did she mean by spending tonight with her?
"Why does it have to be at night?" Ye Qingzi interrogated Ning Man’er.
Ning Man’er’s cheeks flushed immediately. She hurriedly defended herself, "Don’t misunderstand, older sister. I just wanted Brother to take me to the highest point where we can gaze at the night sky."
Ye Qingzi and Ning Man’er were always joking like this. Chu Mu was used to it by now. Often, Ye Qingzi purposefully dangled such tempting comments right in front of him, testing his resistance.
Chu Mu never took their bait, instead choosing to stay silent most of the time and simply listening to their banter.
"Brother, did you know? I met the Sea Race’s Huangquan Emperor," Ning Man’er said to Chu Mu.
Chu Mu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Where?"
"At East Sea City!"
The Emperor Huangquan—the supreme leader of the entire Sea Race!
This powerhouse of the Millennium Era was supposed to reside deep in the ocean. Why had he suddenly appeared so close to humanity at the East Sea?
"Did you speak with him?" Chu Mu asked.
"Yes. He said he greatly appreciated our care for his most hopeless child," Ning Man’er replied.
(Chapter Two~~) (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please feel free to visit Qidian () to vote with recommendation votes or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m..)