Chapter 928
Bronze Coffin
"I told you long ago, I'm someone you can't afford to mess with."
Huo Tu put his hands on his hips and shouted triumphantly.
Although the elders of the Qian family were already heartbroken, they still couldn't help but look up at him and give him a disdainful look.
Are we someone you can't afford to mess with?
You were already our prisoner.
We simply cannot afford to provoke this powerful figure named Su Mu.
You, Huo Tu, are nothing but chicken feathers.
"Gong Liu, you are, after all, a member of the Qian family of the Ziwei Star—"
An elder of the Qian family, clinging to a sliver of hope, pleaded.
“I warned you, but you yourselves have chosen the wrong path.”
Qian Gong Liu said expressionlessly.
A favorable wind provides support.
If the Qian family of Ziwei Star had sent troops to him back then, he would already be outside the Star Gate helping Su Mu suppress the abyssal creatures.
As long as the Qian family of Ziwei Star makes a great contribution, given Su Mu's character, how could he possibly mistreat them?
Unfortunately, such a great opportunity was wasted by the Qian family of Ziwei Star.
If Su Mu hadn't come, Qian Gong Liu was certain that he would have become the ancestor's provisions by now.
Since the Qian family of Ziwei Star was unrighteous, then it's no wonder that Qian Gong Liu was unjust.
Besides, Liu Qian doesn't have that much influence to make Su Mu show mercy.
For a powerhouse like Su Mu, the cost of making a move is very high.
Especially now that Su Mu has put aside matters at the Star Gate and made a special trip to Ziwei Star.
If he didn't gain anything, he would feel that Su Mu had lost out.
He would absolutely not interfere in how the Qian family of Ziwei Star was dealt with.
He, Qian Gong Liu, was rescued by Su Mu himself. What right does he have to ask Su Mu to show mercy now?
Most importantly, the Qian family is not worth saving!
The elders of the Qian family all looked extremely grim.
"Gong Liu, the foundation of my Qian family of Ziwei Star is still intact. We can make amends for our past mistakes..."
One of the elders of the Qian family is still struggling.
"Make amends for past mistakes?"
Zhao Baiqi couldn't help but sneer, "Do you really think that without your Qian family from Ziwei Star, my Great Xuan Dynasty can't deal with the abyssal creatures?"
Qian Gong Liu and Huo Tu exchanged a glance and couldn't help but purse their lips.
When did Lao Zhao become a member of the Great Xuan Dynasty?
Although they had always followed Su Mu, the various forces under Su Mu's command had always been clearly distinct.
The Great Xuan Dynasty was Su Mu's earliest group, and those who joined on the Heavenly Road always formed their own groups.
They did not formally join the Great Xuan Dynasty.
To be honest, the Great Xuan Dynasty and Su Mu are not the same thing.
They followed Su Mu, not the Great Xuan Dynasty.
Old Zhao is just a suck-up!
"Old Zhao, when did you start representing the Great Xuan Dynasty?"
Huo Tu muttered to himself.
"I am a lowly envoy of the Taiping Division of the Great Xuan Dynasty, directly under the command of Lord Su."
Zhao Baiqi winked and said in a serious tone.
Huo Tu and Qian Gong Liu both rolled their eyes at him.
He's definitely a sycophant.
As they spoke, Su Mu slowly walked back to the group.
The Qianling Mountain collapsed, the Qian family patriarch died, and the Qian family head, Qian Nanke, also died.
With the Qian family leaderless, the group of elders faced a dilemma when confronted by Su Mu.
In theory, they should all rush forward to avenge their ancestor and the head of the family.
But now, no one dares to make a move.
Even someone as powerful as the patriarch was killed by a few punches.
What ability do they have to defeat others?
If their strengths are roughly equal, they might as well fight desperately.
However, the two sides are now worlds apart in strength. Even if the entire Qian family were to sacrifice themselves, they might not be able to harm the other side in the slightest.
The elders of the Qian family, having long held high positions, had long lost that bloodthirsty spirit.
As long as they live, with their cultivation level, they will always be able to enjoy a high and mighty status.
But if you die, then you really have nothing left.
"Qian Nanfeng of the Qian family greets Lord Su."
An elder of the Qian family gritted his teeth, steeled his resolve, and cupped his hands, saying, "Our Qian family has offended you greatly before."
Now that the adults have beaten and killed, I wonder if they can spare the lives of my Qian family?
Su Mu glanced at Qiannan Peak, then looked away and focused his gaze on Huo Tu and Qian Gongliu.
What did you two say?
Su Mu said calmly, "They imprisoned you. How do you plan to take revenge?"
"us?"
Qian Gong Liu and Huo Tu exchanged a glance.
"Everything is decided by the sect leader."
The two of them said.
They've made a complete fool of themselves.
Not only did it not help at all, it also caused Su Mu to come to Ziwei Star to save people.
At this point, how could they possibly have the nerve to make any demands?
“I have no grudges against the Qian family of Ziwei Star. This matter arose because of the two of you, so it is naturally up to you to decide.”
Su Mu said calmly.
"You guys think about it slowly. This Qianling Mountain is quite interesting. I'll go take a look."
As Su Mu spoke, he put his hands behind his back and slowly walked into the ruins.
From beginning to end, Su Mu ignored the Qian family elders, as if these Yuanshi Realm experts were nothing more than insignificant ants.
The faces of the Qian family elders turned pale and then flushed.
In all their years, when have they ever suffered such an insult?
Some elders even clenched their fists, almost unable to resist attacking Su Mu.
"What does the sect leader mean?"
Huo Tu scratched his head, looking somewhat puzzled.
He's giving you a chance.
Zhao Baiqi said, "The survival of the Qian family of Ziwei Star is not worth mentioning to the Marquis."
He's giving you two chances now.
If you spare the Qian family of Ziwei Star, wouldn't they be eternally grateful to you?
The elders of the Qian family looked at each other in disbelief. "You're saying this to our faces?"
"How can I not repay a life-saving debt with my life?"
Zhao Baiqi continued.
He glanced at the Qian family elders, giving them a look that said, "You all know what to do."
"A bunch of cowards who are afraid of death. I wouldn't even accept their offer of life in return."
Huo Tu curled his lip.
The elders of the Qian family hardened their fists.
How dare a junior be so presumptuous in front of them?
If it were in the past, they would have slapped Huo Tu to death long ago.
But now, the powerful figure who killed the patriarch and the family head is nearby. If they dare to make a move, none of them will survive.
Now, if they want to continue living, their only option is to bow their heads.
I could only bow my head.
"Gong Liu, we are willing to recognize you as our new head of the family. From now on, all of us in Ziwei Star will follow your lead."
Qian Nanfeng said to Qian Gongliu.
Huo Tu was an outsider, so he simply skipped over the topic.
As long as Qian Gong Liu agrees, what does it matter if they let Qian Gong Liu become the head of the family?
Anyway, Qian Gong Liu is also of the Qian family bloodline.
Under normal circumstances, if Qian Gong Liu were strong enough, he would have had a chance to compete for the position of family head.
Now it's just a change of head of the family; they continue to serve as elders, still holding the same prestigious status.
The ancestor is dead, but now, behind Qian Gong Liu is an even more powerful being than the ancestor.
Even their Qian family patriarch was killed in just a few punches and kicks, so Su Mu's backer is even stronger.
Qian Gong Liu has latched onto this powerful figure. If he becomes the head of the Qian family of Ziwei Star, the Qian family of Ziwei Star will actually benefit from this misfortune!
The elders of the Qian family were all shrewd and experienced people, and they made a judgment in an instant.
They looked at each other and saw the excitement in each other's eyes.
That's right, a blessing in disguise!
Looking at Qian Nanfeng and the others, Qian Gongliu noticed the excitement in their eyes and couldn't help but feel speechless.
He was born into the Qian family, so he was naturally very familiar with the way these elders behaved.
I never thought much of it before.
Now, however, I feel an indescribable disgust.
Is the Qian family really just a group of people who consider themselves noble?
They are high and mighty, occupying the cultivation resources of Ziwei Star, but inside they are full of thieves and prostitutes, and are afraid of death.
It's disgusting to think that I used to be part of such a group of people.
"If it were up to me, you would all deserve to die!"
"Qian Gong Liu said coldly."
"Gong Liu, we are, after all, your elders—"
An elder of the Qian family couldn't help but say.
“I am deeply ashamed to have elders like you.”
Qian Gong Liu snorted coldly.
“Gong Liu, you’re not a child anymore. You should know that there are no eternal enemies in this world, only eternal interests.” Qian Nanfeng said in a deep voice, “I know you are guarding the Star Gate and dealing with the abyssal creatures.”
You are short of troops.
"The Purple Star exists; you know that very well."
"That lord just now did not intend to exterminate us. Otherwise, with his abilities, he could have easily killed us after killing the ancestor."
Why did he leave us behind?
It's because we're still useful.
Gong Liu, when serving your superior, you must understand their intentions.
Why didn't this person take action? Instead, they gave you the choice.
Because you are of the Qian family bloodline, and we are all your relatives, he knows you wouldn't have the heart to kill us.
In this way, both sides will have a way out.
You can gain the strength to fight the creatures of the abyss without bearing the infamy of causing the death of your people.
Qian Nanfeng analyzed carefully.
Qian Gong Liu snorted coldly.
"To judge a gentleman by the standards of a petty person."
He understood Su Mu better than Qian Nanfeng and the others, and he knew that Su Mu wouldn't mean it that way.
If Su Mu wanted to reclaim the Qian family of Ziwei Star, he wouldn't resort to such tactics.
Su Mu will take direct action.
The Ziwei Star Qian family is not worth Su Mu using so many roundabout methods.
Qian Nanfeng thought himself clever, but he was really just a frog in a well with a limited view of the sky.
"There's no loss either way. If you ask me, I suggest you become the head of the Qian family."
Zhao Baiqi shrugged and said, "The Qian family of Ziwei Star earned their reputation through battle back then."
The reason they've become like this is simply because they've lived a peaceful life for too long, and they've forgotten what they were originally like.
When facing creatures from the abyss, they will have no choice but to live or fear death.
At that time, the inherent fighting spirit of the Qian family of Ziwei Star might be unleashed.
"It's not bad to keep them as cannon fodder."
Huo Tu also chimed in from the side.
Qian Gong Liu remained expressionless.
"If you want to live, you can. I will not take over the Qian family. From this day forward, Ziwei Star will become an army, and I will be its commander. From now on, we will serve under the Great Xuan Dynasty."
"Qian Gong Liu said coldly."
"As you command."
The elders of the Qian family exchanged glances, then bowed their heads and spoke.
…………
Su Mu flicked his sleeve, and the rubble in front of him parted automatically, clearing a path.
He slowly walked into the depths of Qianling Mountain.
Qianling Mountain is the burial site of the strongest members of the Qian family throughout history.
But in reality, this is just a large tomb.
Apart from the patriarch of the Qian family, the remains of the other powerful members of the Qian family had long since vanished.
Although it was called a burial, they were actually all buried at the hands of the Qian family patriarch.
Throughout history, powerful members of the Qian family, once their lifespan was nearing its end, would enter Qianling Mountain and offer themselves as sacrifices to the Qian family's ancestor.
Qianling Mountain is less a large tomb and more the secluded cave dwelling of the Qian family patriarch.
Previously, the Qian family patriarch took the initiative to appear and fight Su Mu, which directly caused the Qianling Mountain to collapse.
However, the ancestor of the Qian family's cave dwelling is located beneath the Qianling Mountain and is protected by a formation.
After Su Mu drove away the rubble, the entrance to a cave appeared before him.
Su Mu raised his hand and touched the array light screen with his fingertips.
Click!
With a sound like an eggshell cracking, the formation shattered.
Immediately, a force pushed open the two heavy stone doors.
Beyond the stone gate lay a long passageway.
The passageway was paved with white jade, and inlaid with bowl-sized luminous pearls on both sides, illuminating the entire passageway as bright as day.
Martial artists have other methods for illumination.
The Qian family patriarch acted this way simply for the sake of a luxurious feeling.
Su Mu walked forward with his hands behind his back, and as he walked through the passageway, he couldn't help but feel a sense of感慨 (gan3kai3, deep emotion).
The cost of building just this one passageway is unknown.
This might not mean much to a Primordial Realm expert, but it is a heavy burden to the exploited people.
If a Primordial Realm expert can live such a luxurious life, then the oppressed people must suffer immensely.
With the Qian family of Ziwei Star behaving this way, it's no wonder that they are all indulging in pleasure and have lost all their fighting spirit.
If you live a life of luxury for too long, who would be willing to work hard?
It's no wonder the Qian family of Ziwei Star has become what it is today, given that they've been supporting such a cowardly old man with the resources of an entire clan.
As Su Mu pondered this, he reached the end of the passageway.
What appeared before him was a vast space.
This space has been transformed into a grand hall.
The main hall was lavishly decorated, with golden candlesticks, white jade steps, and a sandalwood dragon throne.
The ceiling of the main hall was even inlaid with pearls to depict the stars in the sky.
A powerful martial artist actually likes such shiny things; Su Mu didn't know how to comment on the Qian family patriarch.
These things are indeed priceless in the secular world, but they are not very useful to powerful martial artists.
Su Mu glanced at it and then paid it no further attention.
His gaze fell upon the bronze coffin in the center of the hall.
In such a luxurious hall, a large but unrefined bronze coffin stands out conspicuously.
The bronze coffin looked old and worn, covered in patina, and the patterns carved on it exuded a rough and unrefined feel, which was quite out of place with the exquisite hall.
When Su Mu arrived in front of the coffin, he even felt a sense of oppression.
He felt a chill run down his spine.
It seems that before the Qian family patriarch died, he wanted to exchange some secret for his own life. Now it seems that the secret of the Qian family patriarch should be this bronze coffin.
Su Mu raised his hand and pressed it on the lid of the bronze coffin. With a forceful push, he shook the lid open.
The moment the coffin lid was opened, Su Mu felt a wave of chaotic energy rush towards him.
His inner power surged, and a burst of light erupted from his body, blocking the chaotic aura outside.
Su Mu's expression turned serious as he looked into the inside of the bronze coffin.
Inside the bronze coffin, a cloud of grayish-white mist swirled, and a jade pillow could be seen lying there.
It seems that the Qian family patriarch usually slept in this bronze coffin.
Su Mu raised his hand, clenched his fist, and the grayish-white mist seemed to come alive as he held it in his hand, twisting and struggling.
Su Mu observed the grayish-white mist, his expression constantly changing.
"I see."
Su Mu muttered to himself, "No wonder the Qian family patriarch was able to live for so many years and even deceive the Heavenly Emperor..."
I wonder where he got this coffin from.
Su Mu did not regret killing the Qian family patriarch directly.
After all, you can't expect to hear the truth from the Qian family patriarch unless you kill him.
Now that the bronze coffin has fallen into his hands, he can investigate it at his leisure.
The Qian family patriarch needed this coffin to maintain his life and avoid the Heavenly Emperor's perception, but Su Mu did not.
If the Heavenly Emperor had known about the existence of the Qian family patriarch back then, he certainly wouldn't have tolerated the Qian family patriarch vying with him for the power of heaven and earth.
But now, the Heavenly Emperor has long since vanished, and no one in the universe can threaten Su Mu.
If there is any, it's the group of abyssal creatures.
For Su Mu, he had every opportunity to study the bronze coffin at his own pace.
Su Mu slowly raised his hand.
call!
The grayish-white mist inside the coffin surged wildly into his palm.
Su Mu unleashed a powerful force from his palm, continuously compressing the grayish-white mist.
The gas was compressed into a liquid, and then the liquid was compressed into a solid.
When the grayish-white mist inside the bronze coffin completely disappeared, several finger-sized pills appeared in Su Mu's palm.
Nine in total, no more, no less.
Su Mu picked up a pill and put it in his mouth.
A surge of power instantly flowed into his body.
He carefully sensed the medicinal power of the pill, and a look of "I knew it" appeared on his face.
"The power of time—"
Su Mu muttered to himself, "This power can actually freeze time. After taking this pill, a force field will be formed. Within this force field, time will stop, and a person's state will be frozen at the moment of taking the pill."
It will not age, will not weaken, and will not even die, until the medicine's effects wear off, at which point time will begin to return…
This was the first time Su Mu had ever seen a materialized form of time. Even with his cultivation level, he had never imagined that such a wondrous thing existed in the world.
The downside of this thing is that once you take it, your condition is permanently fixed, and you won't get stronger anymore.
The moment the pill is swallowed, it's as if the person has jumped out of the river of time, their body frozen at that moment forever.
The Qian family patriarch did not possess Su Mu's abilities, so he could only enjoy this state when shrouded in gray-white mist.
Therefore, the Qian family patriarch usually slept in a bronze coffin. Once he left the bronze coffin, time would return to him, which is why he died at Su Mu's hands.
Otherwise, the state is permanent, almost equivalent to immortality.
This is a power that even the Heavenly Emperor has not mastered.
"This bronze coffin can actually seal this grayish-white mist, so it must be no ordinary object."
Who exactly forged this bronze coffin, and who possesses the means to seal time?
A person who has mastered this method should, in theory, be truly immortal.
Su Mu put away the pills and turned his gaze back to the bronze coffin.
Compared to elixirs, this bronze coffin is perhaps the more precious thing. (End of Chapter)