Grace Gongsun was a little reluctant, but she could only watch as Quinn Shepherd left.
"He said this place is his root—he really is a tree... When will a phoenix finally come to roost in my phoenix nest?" The girl dreamed of the future.
Quinn Shepherd arrived at the former Imperial Preceptor White Jasper's (Jiang Ling) residence. The Imperial Preceptor's wife was teaching Yunjian (their son) cultivation and divine arts. They also had a young daughter, only five years old, named Chloe Jiang.
"Don't worry, sister-in-law. Junior brother won't be trapped in the Great Prison for long."
Quinn Shepherd instructed Yunjian on cultivation, then passed on the methods for cultivating the Heaven-Guide Venerable's Spirit Embryo Divine Treasury and Star River Divine Treasury. He said to the Imperial Preceptor's wife, "Don't worry about a thing—he'll be back. Over the next few years, I'll have people send you everything you need for daily life so you won't have to worry about making ends meet. Just focus on teaching your children well."
The Imperial Preceptor's wife thanked him, but looked puzzled. "Why only two Divine Treasuries? What about the rest?"
Quinn Shepherd smiled. "That will have to wait for someone to create them. I hope they'll overturn my own Divine Treasuries. If Yunjian can open up these two in a few years, that'll be impressive. Let him practice for now—when I return next year, I'll find him a silly teacher."
The Imperial Preceptor's wife couldn't help laughing and crying. "A silly teacher? I wonder who the Cult Master is talking about..."
Quinn Shepherd left the capital and found that a new city was already being built outside. It would give the people a place to live—one city every thousand miles. The buildings were simple, meant only for shelter.
Some divine-art practitioners were opening farmland, building irrigation and roads. This couldn't be rushed, yet was the most urgent task.
Quinn Shepherd sought out the Oldridge Village elders. Apothecary led many students working in the fields, using Creation Art to plant crops and ease the urgent food crisis. Mute and the others were rebuilding the Supervising Foundry, while Village Chief and the rest had their own tasks.
Apothecary examined Quinn Shepherd's body and laughed, "Nothing serious. Eat what you want, drink what you want, and go wherever you like."
Quinn Shepherd said, "I told you I was fine. Village Chief and the others are always worrying."
Apothecary watched him leave. Village Chief said, "Apothecary, I never hid the truth about the Overlord Body from you, so you can't hide anything from me. What's Quinn's real condition?"
Apothecary hesitated, then shook his head. "Not great. His Indestructible Divine Sense is strong, but not strong enough to last forever. Right now, he's like a candle in the wind, ready to go out at any moment..."
Village Chief was stunned.
Apothecary said, "But I also sense a vibrant new life force growing inside him, like something is being born—a power different from Creation Art. There's hope, but it's still just a sprout. Whether it can break out of its shell, I can't say."
Village Chief was silent for a long time. "Suddenly, I really hope there is an Overlord Body..."
Quinn Shepherd then went to find Lila Swallowfeather. She said, "I still have to return to Heavenly Court, to His Majesty's side. I won't stay in the lower realms."
Quinn Shepherd said, "Your mistress asked me to look after you before she died..."
"Just take care of yourself!"
Lila Swallowfeather gave a half-smile. "Even if the Heavenly Emperor doesn't want you dead, don't forget—plenty of others do. The Origin World may be under his control, but he can't fully command the Heavenly Court Grand Army occupying it. The Heaven Alliance giants won't let him swallow the Origin World whole; they've surely planted countless spies, informants, and factions. You have no soul now—if they destroy your consciousness, you'll truly die. To the Heavenly Emperor, you're a treasure. To them, you're not."
She clearly knew a lot of inside information. "There are already gods and demons in the Origin World planning to deal with you. Be careful. I'm leaving!"
Quinn Shepherd waved goodbye.
Zechariah Lee walked over, giving Quinn Shepherd a long look. "Cult Master Quinn, does Everpeace still have hope?"
"As someone who entered Dao by the saber, you shouldn't be asking that question."
Quinn Shepherd said, "Asking that means you've betrayed your demon blade."
Zechariah Lee smiled. "I'm just worried about you. If you live, I believe Everpeace can be saved. If you die, I'll leave this place and never come back."
Quinn Shepherd laughed, "Don't worry—you'll be stuck to this land forever!"
Zechariah Lee laughed and walked away.