Guarding the River of Time

Chapter 598 - 588: Battle Against the Three Pristine Ones! The Ultimate Downfall!

Three figures stood firm before the Stone Sect, forming a triangular stance, surrounding Su Mu within.

With the descent of these three figures, ripples continuously surged from the surface of the water beneath Su Mu’s feet. Under the immense pressure, all the fish beneath the water died, floating to the surface and turning into blood-colored particles, merging into the water without leaving behind any bodies.

The sound of the Chen Drum emanated from the Stone Sect, echoing over the Long River, endlessly spreading....

Su Mu slowly raised his head, and the moment his gaze collided with one of the figures, a fierce wind sprang up, creating terrifying whirlpools on the river’s surface.

The figure ahead was a middle-aged man, dressed in a golden robe adorned with cloud patterns, stars, crescent moons, and other patterns emanating the Immortal Light. On his head was the Yuqing Flower Crown, his appearance was solemn and dignified, with an air of majesty etched between his brows, as if the truths of heaven and earth were subtly present.

He was shrouded in Chaotic Profound Yellow Qi, with the illusionary shadow of a Golden Lamp floating above his head, glowing with a golden light. Holding a Purple Gold Long Banner, he exuded an aura of invincibility, with Divine Fire arising and extinguishing in his eyes.

....

The figure on the left was an old man with white beard, clad in a relatively simple black and white yin-yang robe compared to the previous golden robe. His build was slightly slender, holding a Duster, with a kind face like a jade crown. Yet beneath this kind face was a pair of deep, abyss-like eyes, flickering with Yin Yang Pill Fire, making it daunting to meet his gaze.

Surrounded by Profound Yellow Qi, with a golden Tower Body Dharma Aspect above his head, Tai Chi Yin Yang Light flowed from his opening and closing eyes, and a faint Pill Fragrance lingered around him.

...

The figure standing on the right appeared relatively young, with the appearance of a young man, eyebrows like flying swords reaching his temples, and a spot like a blood-red vermilion bead at the end of his brows, with a bloody sword mark on the forehead, emanating a murderous aura.

Dressed in a black robe with broad embroidery, embroidered with four sword cloud patterns, he held four long swords behind him, manifesting the Dharma Seal of the Slaughter Soul Sword Qi, displaying utmost sharpness.

With brows sharp as a sword abyss, and a calm demeanor, he exuded a proud and aloof aura, making it difficult for others to meet his gaze.

....

The appearance of these three also stirred up waves in Su Mu’s previously calm Sea of Consciousness.

The pressure these three exerted on him was the strongest he had ever felt, and it also gave Su Mu a sense of danger.

At this point, Su Mu looked at the white-bearded old man, and the moment their gazes collided, Su Mu’s pupils suddenly contracted. Although the appearance was unfamiliar, the gaze was very familiar to him.

Upon sensing Su Mu’s gaze, the white-bearded old man also smiled.

A ethereal voice followed.

"Su, it’s been a long time...."

Upon hearing these words, Su Mu frowned slightly, feeling very familiar, but couldn’t recall the exact person for a moment.

Seeing this, the white-bearded old man smiled and said, "Perhaps you don’t recognize me, but do you remember Jiang Yuan?"

Upon hearing the name "Jiang Yuan," Su Mu raised an eyebrow, and a figure riding a Cyan Ox emerged in his mind.

"The first time you were called Jiang Yuan, the second time when I saw you, you called yourself Jiang Qing."

"So this third meeting, what will you call yourself...." Su Mu raised an eyebrow, sneering coldly.

...

"Taiqing."

Taiqing the Celestial Lord of Tao and Virtue, holding a Duster, spoke to Su Mu.

Upon hearing this name, Su Mu’s body froze, recalling his long-suppressed memories in his mind.

His memories before crossing over....

His hometown, the Blue Star where he lived, the Dragon Country surrounded by myth and legend, contained this name.

If Su Mu’s memory is correct, the full name should be—"Taiqing the Celestial Lord of Tao and Virtue."

"I only know Jiang Qing, not Taiqing."

Su Mu looked at Taiqing the Celestial Lord of Tao and Virtue, coldly said.

Because this third meeting in such a way implied that they were enemies from the start, so Su Mu wouldn’t show him a favorable expression.

Upon hearing these words, Taiqing the Celestial Lord of Tao and Virtue smiled and said, "It’s a pity, if I were Jiang Qing, we could have been friends."

At this moment, Su Mu suddenly thought of something, his heart tightened.

If Jiang Qing were Taiqing himself, then his Spirit Pet under him, the Cyan Ox he rode, was a pawn he had placed by Su Mu’s side?!

If that’s the case!

Then the household is in danger!

Because the old Cyan Ox had been with him for so many years, Su Mu always considered the old Cyan Ox as family, staying by Nannan’s side, protecting her safety.

At this moment, despite his inner worries and great anger, he showed no indication on the surface but sneered coldly, "Great move, placing your Spirit Pet by my side, truly a great move, great move."

Upon these words, Taiqing paused, then smiled and said, "Su, you misunderstand."

"The Cyan Ox was given to you by Jiang Qing, and has nothing to do with me."

"Although I stand on a different position now, it doesn’t change the fact that Jiang Qing is your friend, and the Cyan Ox stays by your side voluntarily."

Taiqing the Celestial Lord of Tao and Virtue’s words were truthful; the old ox was no longer his Spirit Pet and had nothing further to do with him.

Although Jiang Yuan was him, and Jiang Qing was also him, they were merely several Chapters of Taiqing’s lives in Reincarnation. He only retained the memories. As to what "Jiang Qing" did and how he became Su’s friend, it was "Jiang Qing’s" matter, unrelated to Taiqing himself.

Thus, Jiang Qing indeed treated Su Mu as a friend, which was a fact, and he didn’t deceive Su Mu.

....

Su Mu didn’t take Taiqing’s words entirely at face value; now he just wanted to return home first and take a look.

Just as Su Mu was about to leave, the middle-aged man in a golden robe and purple crown stood in front of Su Mu, and his authoritative voice descended upon him: "Your name is well-known, and I wish to witness it."

The meaning of these words was clear: you cannot leave now.

"I once lived in a place where there were legends about you all."

"If I’m not mistaken, you must be the renowned Primordial Venerable...."

Su Mu stared at the man in the golden robe with the purple crown, articulating word by word.

"Merely a false reputation, incomparable to You," Primordial Venerable’s voice was deep and resonant, causing the water surface to ripple with flakes of snow.

...

"This one, protected by the Immortal Slaying Sword Array, with a Heaven-Reaching Joy Cloud above."

"Must be the Sect Leader Tongtian known for ’teaching without discrimination’?"

Su Mu turned to look at the imposing Cyan Ox, and asked with a sneer.

Upon hearing this, Sect Leader Tongtian looked at Su Mu, his eyes filled with fighting spirit, and he slightly clasped his hands, saying, "Between you and me, there is no enmity; I also bear no animosity towards you."

"Paths differ, and I am not my own man, so you cannot leave this place."

Although Sect Leader Tongtian spoke very straightforwardly, with a cold tone, it showed that he was a man of character.

Moreover, from the words, his admiration for Su Mu could be sensed. Were it not for the position differences, they might have become friends.