"Tu Bo, you have no right to speak of morality!"
Qin Mu felt a surge of indignation, but dared not voice it.
The battle in Youdu was clearly Tu Bo’s attempt to use him to purge the Heavenly Court’s influence there. Because both his parents were in Youdu—and Tu Bo had treated them decently—he had no choice but to help.
Yet now, it seemed that besides the blame from the Heavenly Court, Earth Mother Primordial Lady also had a heavy burden waiting for him.
In the battle at Youdu’s Jade-Lock Pass, the Earth Mother’s son who died by his hand should have been Rockwell Nine-Gifts. During the fight, Rockwell Nine-Gifts mentioned he was of Earth Mother Primordial Lady’s bloodline—a son of Earth Mother.
Moreover, the divine art Rockwell Nine-Gifts wielded was Primordial Magnetism Divine Art.
Although his Primordial Magnetism Divine Art was not as refined as Granny Sue’s, it was still formidable enough to force Qin Mu to counter it with the Heavenly Fire Dao.
As for Rockwell Nine-Gifts, his fate was to be devoured by Qin Fengqing.
However, since Earth Mother Primordial Lady is already dead, there’s no need to worry.
The number of primordial spirits my brother has devoured is immense—I have no idea how many burdens still await me.
Qin Mu thought to himself: Granny Sue’s use of the Primordial Magnetism Divine Art has caused the Origin World to reappear—has Earth Mother Primordial Lady truly died? Why would the Primordial Magnetism Divine Art trigger such a change here?
The Great Ruins was like a folded fan.
But now, the fan has opened.
When closed, it was the Great Ruins; when opened, it became the Earth-Mother Origin World.
Why did the Earth-Mother Origin World fold itself into the Great Ruins, and why has it now unfolded?
Who had the power to fold such a vast, magnificent world as the Earth-Mother Origin World into the Great Ruins?
Why did the Primordial Magnetism Divine Art almost disappear after Earth Mother Primordial Lady’s death?
Could it be that someone wiped out all practitioners of the Primordial Magnetism Divine Art?
Nowadays, the only remaining records of the Primordial Magnetism Divine Art are found in the Great Nurturing Heavenly Demon Sutra, and even those are few and incomplete. That’s why I had the idea to create a full system of Primordial Magnetism runes.
Qin Mu thought: Who exactly wiped out the Primordial Magnetism Divine Art? Were those who destroyed it the same ones who killed Earth Mother Primordial Lady? Granny Sue’s use of the art has opened the Origin World—could this be a contingency Earth Mother Primordial Lady left behind to revive herself?
He withdrew his divine sense and looked around. The Origin World was now even more vast—Everpeace was nowhere to be seen, and the former South Sea had vanished as well.
The expansion of the Great Ruins gradually slowed. In the distance, magnificent peaks rose, shrouded in clouds and mist.
“The Great Ruins has changed so dramatically—has Everpeace undergone similar changes?” Granny Sue asked.
Everyone felt a chill. If Everpeace had also expanded, the distances between cities would become vast, and the imperial court’s control would be reduced to its lowest.
Reduced control over distant regions is a precursor to dynastic collapse.
The Everpeace Empire once ruled the western grasslands and northern ice fields, but now, who could say?
A heavy weight settled in everyone’s hearts.
Most important of all is the safety of the people.
Qin Mu said in a deep voice: "The Great Ruins has transformed into the Origin World. Many places are erupting with radiant light, but that’s not true radiance—it’s lingering divine art. Anyone who enters those areas may suffer tragic deaths. The Great Ruins is now perilous everywhere. We must warn the people!"
Everyone nodded. Now was not the time to worry about Everpeace—the safety of the Great Ruins’ people was paramount.
True God Pang Yu, please have the divine art practitioners and gods of High-Emperor Heaven go to each region and warn the people.
Qin Mu said: "Everyone else, go to each region and make sure every city and village is informed."
True God Pang Yu said: "Don’t worry, I’ll go right away!"
He was about to head to the divine city of High-Emperor Heaven when a deep, thunderous roar echoed from the mountains of the Origin World. True God Pang Yu stopped and looked toward the sound.
Amid the vast mountains, a giant beast appeared, its massive blue back rising above the ridges.
Everyone was startled. God Sang Ye murmured, "What is that thing? It’s so huge…"
Qin Mu’s heart trembled, and he exhaled a breath: "Demigod."
Everyone was puzzled and looked at him: “What is a demigod? Is it a false god?”
Qin Mu said gravely, “These demigods are extremely dangerous. They are offspring of ancient gods and possess primordial bloodlines. Be careful! With the Great Ruins’ seal broken and transformed into the Origin World, many demigods may have survived.”
Sang Ye asked, “What is an ancient god?”
Qin Mu explained, “Ancient gods are natural-born deities like Heaven Duke, Tu Bo, and Earth Mother. Demigods are their descendants. For example, the dragon qilin is a demigod and grows stronger with age. Demigods rely on bloodline power, but they can also cultivate like us—and become even stronger. Be careful!”
True God Pang Yu shouted, “Soldiers of High-Emperor Heaven, follow me!”
He led the group away. Victor Bloom said, “I need to return to the Western Lands to check on its safety.”
Qin Mu nodded, “It may take you a year or more to reach the Western Lands. Be careful on the way.”
Victor Bloom hurried off, saying, “Don’t worry. I didn’t die by your hand, and I won’t die at the hands of a demigod.”
Granny Sue led the Heavenly Saint Academy disciples to pack up. “Mu’er, I’ll go with these disciples to warn the villagers in West Great Ruins. Be careful.”
Qin Mu said, “Don’t worry, Granny. You head west; I’ll go east. Also, don’t use your primordial spirit to contact Everpeace—it’s too dangerous with all the battles and demigods around. Be careful not to damage your primordial spirit.”
“You brat, now you’re teaching me.”
Granny Sue led the group away, laughing: “I raised you, after all. Every one of your tricks was taught by me!”
Qin Mu watched them leave, thinking: “Now I should seek out the Bullfighting Realm and Martial Heaven Master. If I ask the warriors of the Bullfighting Realm for help, we can notify the people of the Great Ruins much faster.”
He oriented himself, then led the Celestial Venerable down from High-Emperor Heaven, heading straight for the small mountain village where the Bullfighting Realm lay. “I wonder if the Bullfighting Realm has been cast out by the Origin World…”
When the Great Ruins underwent its upheaval, many heavens flew out from the cliffs—these were cast out by the Primordial Magnetism power when the Origin World’s seal was broken.
The Bullfighting Realm is also one of the heavens, forged by the Bullfighting Palace. Martial Heaven Master hid this heaven within the Great Ruins, but it too may have been cast out.
“Brother Mu, slow down!” The Celestial Venerable panted, struggling to keep up.
Qin Mu circulated his vital energy, using his magic power to lift the Celestial Venerable and increase their speed.
With his deep cultivation, it was no effort to carry the Celestial Venerable.
Qin Mu raced ahead, entering what seemed like a completely unfamiliar primeval forest. Towering mountains surrounded him, and even the trees were enormous, much larger than those in the Great Ruins.
The Origin World hid many mysteries—an entirely unfamiliar realm to him. But despite the dangers, he had to venture inside.
The Great Ruins was where he grew up; its people were his family.