The First Marquis of Daxuan

He Tianzun saw Su Mu again several days later.

In the past few days, various celestial beings have come from all directions to visit Su Mu at Jianmen Pass.

Su Mu met with the various Celestial Venerables for the first time as the Lord of Yang, and also received representatives from various factions.

Yang Zhu Su Mu officially stepped onto the stage.

"You are now a true Yang Master, congratulations."

He Tianzun said to Su Mu with a complicated expression.

These days he has witnessed the changes in Su Mu firsthand.

The first Yang Lord since the creation of the Yang Realm, Su Mu is the most powerful person in the Yang Realm that He Tianzun has ever seen.

Even a Celestial Venerable would now have to show Su Mu some deference.

"That's not really something to congratulate."

Su Mu remained calm and slowly said, "The situation in the Yang Realm is currently precarious, and all the forces involved have their own ulterior motives. The Lord of Yang is the first to be affected, and his fate is uncertain."

He Tianzun was speechless for a moment.

Beset by internal and external troubles, this is indeed the current predicament of the Yang Realm.

If someone else had been chosen as the Yang Master, the outcome would have been uncertain; they might have met a terrible end.

But now that the Lord of Yang is Su Mu, He Tianzun thinks that Su Mu might really be able to lead the Yang Realm to a new peak.

"He Tianzun, what brings you here? We've been through life and death together in the Void Realm, so please speak frankly."

Su Mu looked at He Tianzun and said with a half-smile.

He Tianzun remained silent for a moment, feeling that Su Mu's words were somewhat meaningful.

However, he had already made preparations before coming here. He took a deep breath and no longer hesitated.

"I do have something I want to talk to you about."

He Tianzun said in a deep voice, "The Thousand-Faced Buddha and the Heart-Reflecting Mirror—"

"You don't mean to tell me that you are the Thousand-Faced Buddha, do you?"

Su Mu said with a half-smile.

"I am not a thousand-faced deity."

He Tianzun shook his head and said, "However, I do know the Thousand-Faced Buddha."

I think you've already noticed the problem with the "Mirror of the Heart."

"My weapon-making skills are passable."

Su Mu said noncommittally.

"I knew it; these things would be hard to hide from you."

He Tianzun sighed and said.

“Heavenly Venerable He, you can speak frankly. Colluding with the Void Realm is indeed an unforgivable crime, but considering that there were extenuating circumstances, I can give you a chance.”

Su Mu said slowly, "As long as you can convince me, I can forgive and forget what happened before."

He Tianzun is a dignified Heavenly Venerable. Logically speaking, even if Su Mu is a Yang Lord, he has no right to speak to a Heavenly Venerable like this.

The reason the Yang Realm chose the Yang Lord was to establish a successor system. The Yang Lord was responsible for leading all the warriors below the Heavenly Venerables in the Yang Realm, and was also accountable to the Heavenly Venerables.

In other words, the status of the Yang Lord is lower than that of the Heavenly Venerable.

This is completely different from the common ruler of the Void Beasts in the Void Realm.

Of course, in reality, Su Mu's status is now almost equivalent to that of a Celestial Venerable, and he coexists with the other Celestial Venerables on an equal footing.

Even so, Su Mu's tone when speaking to He Tianzun was still a bit too harsh.

He Tianzun, however, found this perfectly normal.

"We definitely made a bad move."

He Tianzun sighed and said, "At first, we stole the Meteor Shuttle from the Azure Sky Sect for two reasons: firstly, we did dislike the Azure Sky Sect, and secondly, we wanted to lure you into our scheme."

However, we truly had no intention of targeting the Great Xuan Dynasty or you. From the very beginning, our sole purpose was to lure you into refining the Heart-Reflecting Mirror.

"There should also be the Celestial Sphere of the Azure Sky Sect."

Su Mu smiled faintly and said, "Only by combining the Celestial Instrument and the Mind-Illuminating Mirror can you achieve your goal, right?"

"You really saw through it."

He Tianzun nodded and said, "That's right, we do want to obtain both the Hun Tian Yi and the Zhao Xin Jing at the same time."

Unlike the Meteor Shuttle, the Azure Sky Sect guards the Celestial Instrument so closely that even if the Heavenly Thief Venerable were to personally intervene, it would be very difficult for him to obtain it.

The Mirror of Reflection is even rarer; in the world today, you are the only one capable of crafting it.

That's why we came up with those solutions.

This is tantamount to He Tianzun directly admitting that he and Dao Tianzun impersonated the Thousand-Faced Buddha, instigated the Void Beast to attack the Yangzhu Assembly, framed the Cangqiong Sect, and then cried wolf, making the Cangqiong Sect ask Su Mu to refine the Heart-Reflecting Mirror.

It was pretty much what Su Mu had guessed, except that Su Mu still didn't know what their purpose was in doing this.

Ning Hongchen and Mao Jiu initially wanted Su Mu to forge the Heavenly Weapon in order to summon back the Great Heavenly Venerable.

Why did He Tianzun and Dao Tianzun want the Heart Mirror and the Armillary Sphere?

Su Mu voiced his question.

With a serious expression, He Tianzun said in a deep voice, "Since I have chosen to be honest, I will no longer hide anything."

I will tell you everything. As for whether you will still make the Heart-Reflecting Mirror for us after hearing it, that is up to you.

Even if you reject us later, we won't hold a grudge against you.

Su Mu smiled sarcastically.

Would he be afraid that He Tianzun and Dao Tianzun would hold a grudge?

He was never afraid of the Heavenly Venerable when he was weak, let alone now.

"Actually, there is one thing we did not lie about."

The Heart-Reflecting Mirror and the Armillary Sphere were used to find the Thousand-Faced God.

He Tianzun said in a deep voice, "The ultimate purpose of all the things we have done is to find the Thousand-Faced Buddha."

Su Mu's heart stirred slightly.

Searching for the Thousand-Faced Buddha?

As far as he knew, the Thousand-Faced Buddha had once competed with the Thief Heavenly Venerable for the position of Heavenly Venerable, but ultimately lost to the Thief Heavenly Venerable.

Such a person may be a genius among geniuses, but he has already lost to the Heavenly Thief, and is a loser. Why would the Heavenly He and the Heavenly Thief go to such great lengths to find him?
Although he was puzzled, Su Mu did not show it on his face. He just looked at He Tianzun quietly, waiting for He Tianzun to give him an explanation.

Now the initiative is entirely in Su Mu's hands; whether or not the Heart-Reflecting Mirror is refined is entirely up to Su Mu.

To this day, no one in the world can force Su Mu to do anything he is unwilling to do.

In a sense, He Tianzun's choice was correct.

If he doesn't come to Su Mu and confess everything, he will never see the appearance of the Mirror of Reflection.

He Tianzun has now figured it out: everything is difficult at the beginning. Bowing down to a martial artist at the Heavenly Fate Realm is certainly an extremely difficult thing for Tianzun.

But once he did it, He Tianzun didn't feel so bad anymore.

In any case, Su Mu was no ordinary Heavenly Fate Realm martial artist.

He was the first Yang Lord since the creation of the Yang Realm.

I don't think I've lost face.

He Tianzun thought to himself, but continued aloud, "You must be very curious as to why we went to such great lengths to find the Thousand-Faced Buddha."

I can tell you that we suspect the Thousand-Faced Buddha is the legendary Great Celestial Venerable!
He has mastered the true method of transcendence!

"Great Celestial Venerable, the method of transcendence?"

Even though Su Mu was prepared, he couldn't help but frown.

He knew that the Great Celestial Venerable was not dead.

According to Ning Hongchen, the Great Celestial Venerable was merely in a deep slumber and could only be awakened by a divine weapon of destiny.

Su Mu could probably imagine the method to transcend.

But Su Mu hadn't expected these two things to be associated with the Thousand-Faced Buddha.

"The method of transcendence you speak of is the way to break free from the constraints of the Heavenly Dao and grant the Heavenly Venerable freedom?"

Su Mu pondered for a moment before speaking.

If that's the case, then he seems to understand the so-called method of transcendence.

"You really do know more than other Heavenly Fate Realm warriors."

He Tianzun sighed, “You could say that, but the method of transcendence is not just that. It’s hard for me to describe it clearly to you.”

You can understand it this way: the method of transcendence allows the Celestial Venerable to ascend to a higher level.

"To elevate the Celestial Venerable to a higher level?"

Su Mu's face showed a thoughtful expression.

As everyone knows, the Celestial Venerable realm is the pinnacle of martial arts, and can even be considered the limit.

What realm is it when the Celestial Venerable ascends to a higher level?
"Are there realms above the Celestial Venerable?"

Su Mu asked in a deep voice.

I can't answer that question because I don't know either.

He Tianzun said solemnly, "Perhaps it exists, perhaps it doesn't, but transcendence itself is also a very important thing for us Tianzun."

Su Mu nodded and fell into deep thought.

To be honest, he himself is not even a Celestial Venerable yet, so it is difficult for him to understand the restriction imposed on a Celestial Venerable.

All he knew was that in order to escape the mission of the Heavenly Venerable, Lei Tianzun and others chose to support him in becoming the Lord of Yang, and Qi Lingyun even wanted to fake her death to get rid of the mission on her shoulders.

It's not hard to understand why He Tianzun and Dao Tianzun are now trying to transcend.

"How can you be sure that the Thousand-Faced Buddha is the Great Celestial Venerable?"
If he truly is the Great Celestial Venerable, why would he compete with the Thief Celestial Venerable for the Celestial Venerable's position?

Su Mu asked.

The Great Celestial Venerable was the first Celestial Venerable in the world. If he were still alive now, his strength would be unimaginable.

Moreover, Ning Hongchen and his group had obtained the Heavenly Mandate Divine Weapon Chart left behind by the Great Celestial Venerable.

The Seventy-Two Sages worked for many years in order to awaken the Great Celestial Venerable.

Now that He Tianzun says that the Great Heavenly Venerable has actually been active in the world all along, it is really hard to accept.

"Both Daotianzun and I have dealt with the Thousand-Faced Buddha. I can only tell you that I am certain."

He Tianzun said in a deep voice, "If you don't believe me, then refine the Heart-Illuminating Mirror. As long as the Heart-Illuminating Mirror and the Celestial Instrument are combined, then you can find the Thousand-Faced Buddha."

Once you see the Thousand-Faced Buddha, you'll understand why.

Once you see him, you won't need any evidence at all; you'll know he is the Great Celestial Venerable!

He Tianzun's words were mysterious and profound, but Su Mu knew he had no reason to lie.

There was no point in telling such a lie to him.

"If everything you said is true, then the Thousand-Faced Buddha is the Great Celestial Venerable, and he has mastered the method of transcendence."

How can you be sure that once you find him, you will obtain the method for transcendence?

You don't actually think the Great Celestial Venerable is someone who can be easily manipulated, do you?

Su Mu said slowly.

Who is the Great Celestial Venerable? He is the first Celestial Venerable in the world.

The martial arts that exist today were created by the Great Celestial Venerable.

Just think about it and you'll know how difficult such a person is to deal with.

Su Mu didn't think that He Tianzun and Dao Tianzun could control the Great Tianzun.

Since the Thousand-Faced Buddha is the Great Celestial Venerable, the story that the Thousand-Faced Buddha lost to the Thief Celestial Venerable is naturally false.

Based on the abilities displayed by He Tianzun and Dao Tianzun, it seems impossible for them to defeat Da Tianzun.

By going to such lengths to find the Great Celestial Venerable, they might be digging their own grave. If they actually find him, it's uncertain who will be in control.

In short, Su Mu did not think highly of He Tianzun and Dao Tianzun.

“I can tell you that although the Thousand-Faced Buddha is a Great Celestial Venerable, he is no longer the Great Celestial Venerable he once was.”

He Tianzun said, "He hasn't even reached the Heavenly Venerable realm yet. As long as we find him, we'll find a way to make him hand over the method of transcendence."

Su Mu neither confirmed nor denied He Tianzun's statement.

He Tianzun and Dao Tianzun are too naive.

Even if the Great Celestial Venerable loses his strength due to some circumstance, he is definitely not so easily manipulated.

Otherwise, why has no one ever been able to obtain the method of transcendence from him after all these years?

Su Mu even felt that whether they could find the Thousand-Faced Buddha was a question.

“Su Mu, I have already told you the whole story. As long as you help us find the Thousand-Faced Buddha, I can guarantee that we will copy the method of transcendence for you.”

He Tianzun said with a serious expression, "Although you are not a Tianzun yet, with your talent and ability, you will become a Tianzun sooner or later."

Once you become a Celestial Venerable, this method of transcendence will be useful.

Moreover, to put it bluntly, the method of transcendence is something no celestial being can refuse. If you obtain the method of transcendence, all celestial beings will treat you as an honored guest.

"Wouldn't they try every means to snatch the method of transcendence from me?"

Su Mu curled his lip and said with some disdain.

He was not interested in this so-called method of transcendence.

If this method of transcendence is really that good, why didn't the Great Celestial Venerable himself transcend?
If it's merely to break free from the constraints of the Heavenly Dao, then he can do it himself.

He had absolutely no need to go to such lengths.

Of course, his Chaos Divine Weapon can only remove the shackles on the Celestial Venerables, freeing them from the constraints of the Celestial Venerables' mission, but it cannot allow the Celestial Venerables to advance their strength further.

Furthermore, the Chaos Divine Weapon can even restrict the Celestial Venerable's power.

In this respect, the Chaos Divine Weapon is indeed inferior to the transcendence method mentioned by Celestial Venerable He.

"Someone might try to take it from you, but with your current strength, you're not afraid of anyone stealing it from you."

He Tianzun said somewhat awkwardly, "Besides, since you've helped us, we're friends now. We'll stand by your side, just like Lei Tianzun and Gu Tianzun. With our support, who in the world would dare to provoke you?"

"The pie picture is quite good."

Su Mu said, "Since you're being so frank, I won't beat around the bush either."

"Leaving aside all that other stuff, if you want me to help you refine the Heart-Reflecting Mirror, that's fine, but we'll have to follow the rules."

"What rules?"

He Tianzun said subconsciously.

"We weaponsmiths are paid to do our jobs. As long as you pay me enough, I can give you any divine weapon you want. What you do with it is none of my business."

Su Mu glanced at him and said meaningfully, "Whether the Thousand-Faced Buddha is a Great Celestial Venerable or not is none of my business."

Su Mu is already facing enough troubles, and he doesn't want to get involved in the affairs of He Tianzun and Dao Tianzun anymore.

Regardless of whether this Thousand-Faced Buddha is the Great Celestial Venerable or whether he possesses any so-called method of transcendence, it is meaningless to Su Mu at this moment.

The most important thing for Su Mu right now is how to deal with the threat from the Void Realm.

Compared to the distant path to transcendence, Su Mu is now more interested in finding a way to eliminate Zhu Tongtian, the ruler of the Void Beasts.

Moreover, besides the Void Realm, there is also the Great Qian Dynasty eyeing it covetously.

Su Mu's initial statement to He Tianzun that the position of Yang Lord was not easy to hold was not just being pretentious, but a fact.

The mortal realm is beset by internal and external troubles. If it is not careful, the entire mortal realm will be completely wiped out, and its people will become slaves of a conquered nation.

He Tianzun and Dao Tianzun pursued the path to transcendence, which was none of Su Mu's business.

But if you want him to help forge divine weapons, you have to give him enough benefits.

He Tianzun was not truly a fool.

Hearing Su Mu say that, he realized what was going on.

"understood."

He Tianzun said solemnly, "You shall pay whatever you are owed. I will not haggle with you."

That's when.

A figure suddenly burst in like the wind.

"Oh no!"

The newcomer was none other than the Heavenly Thief.

He Tianzun wanted to be honest with Su Mu, but Dao Tianzun felt it was too shameful, so he didn't come along.

Now that he had suddenly barged in, shouting that something bad had happened, even He Tianzun frowned.

"Brother Thief, you're a Celestial Venerable now, can't you be a little more prudent in your actions?"

He Tianzun said in a deep voice, "I have already reached an agreement with Su Mu. The past has been put behind us. He has also agreed to help us refine the Heart-Reflecting Mirror and lend us the Celestial Instrument."

That's not what I meant!

The Heavenly Thief said, "Something really bad has happened."

Zhu Tianzun is dead.

"Zhu Tianzun?"

He Tianzun was stunned. "He was always a steady man, how could he have died so suddenly?"
"Didn't Zhu Tongtian, the ruler of the Void Beasts, promise us he wouldn't send troops first?"

"Who am I asking you to ask me?"

Dao Tianzun shook his head and said, "It's still uncertain whether the Void Realm was behind it. In any case, Zhu Tianzun is really dead. His body was placed outside Yanmen Pass and placed in a kneeling position."

This is naked humiliation!

An insult to all the celestial beings of the mortal realm!

Throughout history, there have been instances of celestial beings being killed, but never before has a celestial being been placed in this kneeling posture after death.

"Zhu Tianzun—"

Su Mu's expression was solemn.

He didn't have much contact with this Zhu Tianzun, only remembering that he was a Tianzun who always had a smile on his face, even more kind-hearted than He Tianzun.

Zhu Tianzun also participated in the Yangzhu Conference before, but he always followed the crowd and never easily expressed his own opinions.

How could such a cautious celestial being suddenly die?

First it was Martial Ancestor, then it was Heavenly Venerable Zhu; this is clearly targeting the Yang Realm.

However, Zhu Tongtian, the ruler of the Void Beasts, had just reached an agreement with him that the Void Realm would not send troops within three years.

They can't go back on their word so quickly.

"Heavenly Venerable, the matter of the Heart-Reflecting Mirror needs to be postponed."

Su Mu said in a deep voice, "The death of Zhu Tianzun is probably aimed at the Yang Realm. I must find out the truth about this matter first."

"It's alright. We've already waited for so many years, so waiting a little longer won't hurt."

He Tianzun said in a deep voice, "I also think this matter is too strange. With Zhu Tianzun's strength, who could kill him so easily?"

Moreover, not only did they kill him, but they also adopted such an attitude of humiliating the Celestial Venerable; the other party probably has ill intentions.

"Could it be Zhu Tongtian, the ruler of the Void Beasts? It has the power to capture Heavenly Venerables alive—"

"The Heavenly Thief said in a deep voice."

"It relies on magical treasures; its own strength is only average."

"He Tianzun said."

"It's not that."

Su Mu shook his head and said, "Zhu Tongtian, the ruler of the Void Beasts, obtained the Five Elements Mountain. At this time, it should be in seclusion healing its injuries."

I've done some tricks on Five Elements Mountain. It will take some time for it to take control of Five Elements Mountain. Right now, it can't spare the time to kill people.

And I doubt it would dare to break its promise to me.

"The Wutian Staff can indeed deal with the Heavenly Venerable, but with Su Mu here, if I were Zhu Tongtian, the Lord of the Void Beasts, I would absolutely not be able to use the Wutian Staff so casually."

What if we anger Su Mu and he destroys the Wutian Staff?

He Tianzun nodded.

The Thief Celestial knew about He Celestial and Su Mu's previous escape, and also knew that Su Mu had once snatched half of the Wutian Staff from Zhu Tongtian, the Lord of the Void Beasts.

"If it weren't for the Wutian Staff, who else could have killed Zhu Tianzun?"

Stealing the Dao of the Heavenly Venerable.

"Let's go to Yanmen Pass first."

Su Mu said in a deep voice, "No matter who it is, if they dare to kill my Yang Realm Heavenly Venerable, we will make them pay the price!"

Su Mu's eyes flashed with killing intent.

He has just won a great victory, and the morale of the mortal realm is soaring.

What a promising situation, now it has all been ruined.

The dignified Heavenly Venerable of the Yang Realm was killed and forced to kneel outside the Nine Gates of the Yang Realm.

If the murderer isn't found, all of Su Mu's previous efforts will be in vain.

He Tianzun and Dao Tianzun exchanged a glance.

To be able to kill a Celestial Venerable, the opponent's strength must have reached an unbelievable level.

Even if they do find the other party, what can they do?
“Su Mu, Li Tianzun and the others have gone to guard the outer realms. Now it's just the two of us with you. What if we encounter the murderer—”

He Tianzun said in a deep voice, "We two are not afraid, but your identity is different, and we cannot afford to lose you."

If you ask me, I'll go with the Thief of Heaven to Yanmen Pass to check the situation. You stay here and wait for news—"

"If they really intend to attack me, will I be safe staying at Jianmen Pass?"

Su Mu snorted coldly and said, "Lord Thief, you're fast, pass on my order."

"Summon back Lei Tianzun, Gu Tianzun, Zeng Tianzun, and the rest of them!"

"They'll listen to you?"

"The Heavenly Thief Venerable blurted it out."

The Lord of Yang has no control over the Heavenly Venerable.

He and He Tianzun are currently seeking help from Su Mu, which is why they have been staying by Su Mu's side.

Although Su Mu has now established prestige and all the Celestial Venerables respect him, it would be a bit too much for him to think he can boss the Celestial Venerables around like that.

"Whether they listen to you or not is not your concern. You just need to find them and tell them my orders."

Su Mu said in a deep voice.

“He Tianzun, go to the Void Realm and ask Zhu Tongtian, the Lord of the Void Beasts, whether this matter has anything to do with the Void Realm.”

Su Mu continued.

"Is this necessary?"

He Tianzun hesitated.

“Even if we’re sure it wasn’t them, we still need to make our stance clear. After we’ve asked around, then you can go to Yanmen Pass.”

Su Mudao.

“We’ve all left, but what about you? It’s too dangerous for you without a Celestial Guardian by your side.”

He Tianzun said.

"Don't worry about me, killing me won't be that easy."

Su Mu said slowly, "Before going to Yanmen Pass, I need to see someone."

He might know clues about the killer. (End of Chapter)