Deep in the starry sky, where the Heavenly Court's headquarters stood, magnificent palaces stretched in clusters. The Emperor Venerable Heavenly Palace towered at their very center, looking especially solemn and majestic.
At that moment, the Heavenly Court's Five Heavenly Venerables had gathered in the Central Heavenly Palace and sat together within it. Emperor Venerable occupied the seat of honor, his expression solemn, betraying neither joy nor anger.
Earlier, after taking He Mu's unrestrained God-Slaying strike, the chaos in Annihilation Heavenly Venerable's primordial spirit had been brought under some control, and he had returned to normal. He was now unconscious and had yet to awaken.
The Myriad Things Origin Cauldron, used to seal Annihilation Heavenly Venerable temporarily, hovered quietly in the middle of the hall. Shimmering immortal light blossomed over it like an illusory dream, offering no sign that a peerless powerhouse was suppressed inside.
Of the four Ancient Heavenly Venerables seated in the hall, only Longevity Heavenly Venerable still looked somewhat displeased. The others wore their usual expressions as they waited for Emperor Venerable to speak first.
After a long while, Emperor Venerable finally moved. He slowly rose, turned toward He Mu, and asked a question.
"Divine Venerable, you were the first to notice signs that something was wrong with Annihilation Heavenly Venerable, and you were also the one who ultimately suppressed him. May I ask how you would explain his current condition?"
At Emperor Venerable's question, He Mu raised his brows slightly. Only after sweeping his gaze over everyone in the hall did he slowly speak.
"Annihilation Heavenly Venerable was only suppressed and subdued through the combined efforts of all you Daoist Friends. I truly cannot claim the credit."
"However, I do have a few conjectures about his condition. Since Emperor Venerable has asked, I might as well share