Crown Prince Yooming chatted for a while with the Northern Emperor, earning his admiration and feeling overjoyed inside.
Xuan-Emperor said, "It is better to split from Heavenly Court sooner rather than later. We should set out immediately and return to Northern Extremity Heaven."
Wu-Empress smiled, "Although they now control the Heavenly Emperor's flesh, the spoils are unevenly divided. This is the perfect moment to break away. If we wait until they've sorted out all the details, it will be much harder to leave Heavenly Court and live freely."
"But separating each Heaven Palace from Heavenly Court is a major event—there will surely be obstacles. If we act, the Four Directional Emperors should move together!"
Xuan-Emperor and Wu-Empress rose and said, "My son, we've already discussed this with the Southern, Western, and Eastern Emperors. This time, we'll leave without Heavenly Court's restraint, each ruling our own territory and enjoying freedom, each governing a cosmic quadrant. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be Heavenly Emperor in our own quadrant?"
Yooming was delighted, but suddenly felt a bit regretful. "I have many old friends in Heavenly Court. If we leave now, it may take years before I see them again."
"Those friends of yours are just wine-and-meat companions, not worth lingering over!"
Wu-Empress, ever efficient, said, "Letting go of them will be better for you. In the Four Extremity Heavens, you'll be Crown Prince of a Heavenly Emperor—how carefree is that?"
Xuan-Emperor said, "The separation of the four great Heaven Palaces from Heavenly Court is a major matter, and there may be trouble. My son, you will command Black Tortoise Palace to fly out of Heavenly Court, heading north along the Celestial River. Your mother and I will remain in Heavenly Court to hold the fort, guard against troublemakers, and escort your departure."
Yooming, being entrusted with such responsibility, was very happy.
Wu-Empress, feeling for her son, took out the Glass Azure Firmament Banner and handed it to him, saying, "This treasure was forged from our family's lifetime savings. With it, you can block all dangers on your journey north. Remember, don't lose it."
Yooming nodded quickly.
The Northern Emperor couple finished their arrangements and exchanged a smile. Suddenly, a thunderous boom rang out as Black Tortoise Palace shook and began to rise, gradually separating from Heavenly Court's Heavenly Avenue and climbing higher and higher.
The Great Sun Star Lord and other ancient gods were shocked and hurriedly mobilized their troops to intercept.
Meanwhile, violent tremors erupted in the south, west, and east of Heavenly Court. Under the incredulous gaze of the gods, Vermilion Bird Palace, White Tiger Palace, and Azure Dragon Palace also broke away from Heavenly Court, rising higher and higher!
The Seven Dukes, Five Assistants, Four Celestial Teachers, and other high ministers of Heavenly Court rushed toward the four Heaven Palaces to seek an audience with the Four Directional Emperors and persuade them.
The Northern Emperor and Wu-Empress came forward and exchanged pleasantries, but secretly used their power to drive Black Tortoise Palace farther away from Heavenly Court.
The Great Sun Star Lord hurried to High Heaven Hall to report. At that moment, the Heavenly Emperor was surrounded by many Heavenly Venerables and leaders of various races, apparently discussing major affairs in a tense atmosphere.
The Great Sun Star Lord quickly explained the situation. The Heavenly Venerables and race leaders sat with eyes closed, deep in thought, saying nothing.
The Ancient-God Emperor spoke: "I have urgent matters to discuss with my ministers and cannot go to persuade them. Star Lord, mobilize the Celestial River Fleet, the Four Grand Sects, the Ten Guards of Heavenly Court, the Five-Chariot corps, and the Heavenly and Earthly Star Generals—block their Heaven Palaces first."
The Great Sun Star Lord bowed and accepted the order.
The Ancient-God Emperor waved his hand and gave him the command token to mobilize the Ten Guards of Heavenly Court.
The Great Sun Star Lord hurried away.
Silence returned to High Heaven Hall. After a long while, Flame-Venerable suddenly sneered, "If we keep stalling, all Four Directional Emperors will escape! The ancient gods must be killed, and not a single Directional Emperor should remain! Hand over the Heavenly Emperor's flesh to me—I'll kill the Directional Emperors, and I don't even want the body. When they're dead, you can fight over it as you please!"
The others responded with cold smiles.
Flame-Venerable grew furious, suddenly withdrew his Primordial Spirit hidden in the Heavenly Emperor's flesh, and rose to his feet. "I'm going to kill the Southern Emperor!"
Prince Umbral hesitated, then said, "I'll go take a look at Black Tortoise Palace."
The two left one after another.
The remaining people stayed unmoved.
Cloud-Venerable suddenly said, "This stalemate won't solve anything. I have a proposal: let the Heavenly Emperor's throne rotate among us, each taking turns, mutually restraining one another. Let's establish a system so no one can monopolize the Heavenly Emperor's flesh!"
After a moment, Vast-Sky Venerable smiled and said, "I agree."
In Black Tortoise Palace, Yooming quickly found Annie and the others. He grinned at Dragon-Qilin, "Brother, you truly have keen insight and a unique perspective—one glance and you saw through Heavenly Court's situation. But this time, my father and mother have ordered me to escort Black Tortoise Palace to Northern Extremity Heaven. I'm powerless alone, so I ask you and my cousin to lend me a hand!"
Dragon-Qilin exchanged a glance with Annie. Annie was about to agree, but Dragon-Qilin looked troubled and said, "Our cultivation and strength are not even on par with yours, elder brother. How could we possibly help?"
Annie quickly held her tongue.
Dragon-Qilin hesitated, then said, "To be honest, I've glimpsed the workings of fate and studied numerology; my plans are never wrong. This time, escorting Black Tortoise Palace north will surely meet resistance from Heavenly Court's gods: the Ten Guards, Celestial River Fleet, Five-Chariot corps, Tiangang, Disha, Zhou Tian Star Proper Gods..."
He watched Yooming's face, and with each army he named, Yooming's expression twitched.
Dragon-Qilin sighed, "With all these armies attacking, we can't possibly hold out. Without a powerful treasure, we can't even protect ourselves, let alone defend Black Tortoise Palace! Elder brother, let us leave the palace and return home."
Yooming quickly grabbed his hand and laughed, "Brother, cousin! You can't go back even if you want to! Vermilion Bird Palace and Azure Dragon Palace have already left Heavenly Court—where would you go? The Four Directional Emperors are all one family, always close. Help me reach Northern Extremity Heaven, and I promise to personally send you home afterward!"
He said sheepishly, "I'm no good at leading troops or strategy. If the armies attack, I'll need you, Brother Dragon, to help me deploy the palace disciples and arrange the defenses."
Dragon-Qilin hesitated.
Yooming said, "Don't believe me? Come with me!"
He led everyone to the palace gates and pointed into the distance. "Look!"
Dragon-Qilin and Annie gazed toward Heavenly Court and saw enormous Heaven Palaces, each bearing thousands of halls, already sailing away from Heavenly Court!
Aside from the Heaven Palaces of the Southern, Western, and Eastern Emperors, several other grand Heaven Palaces were also departing—likely those of Heaven Duke, Earth Mother, and Lord of the Soil.
With these Heaven Palaces no longer anchoring it, Heavenly Court began to drift upward, as if about to float out of the Primordial Realm!
They also saw gods and immortals flying around Heavenly Court, delivering orders, as armies of divine beings streamed out to pursue the fleeing palaces.
Dragon-Qilin turned pale and stomped his foot. "Elder brother, you've brought us nothing but trouble!"
Yooming grinned apologetically, "I know it's my fault. But we still have a chance—before leaving, my father and mother gave me the Glass Azure Firmament Banner to protect the palace. This treasure is truly extraordinary, honored by the Heavenly Emperor as the greatest under heaven! With this treasure, and your wisdom, brother and cousin, we can surely turn misfortune into fortune!"
Dragon-Qilin groaned, "How can a single treasure block Heavenly Court's armies? Elder brother, you'd be better off abandoning Black Tortoise Palace and escaping with the treasure while you can."
Yooming pulled them toward the High Heaven Hall of Black Tortoise Palace, laughing, "That's only because you haven't seen the Glass Azure Firmament Banner yet. Once you do, you'll feel completely reassured!"