At the gate of Oldridge Village, the Village Chief, Old Mark, Deaf, Blind, and the others stared blankly at the grand ceremony unfolding in the neighboring village. Their hearts surged with emotion. Who would have imagined that the Cult of the Heavenly Demon—the most renowned demonic sect—would, in this remote backwater, welcome its future leader? And that this Young Cult Master was not even twelve years old?
Witnessing this event, they felt as if they were watching a living legend unfold. Even the bright sunlight seemed to take on a strange, surreal quality.
Suddenly, Granny Sue began to weep, choking out, "He will leave us..."
"That's a good thing, Granny."
Apothecary smiled gently. "A young bird will always grow up. One day, it must fly out to see the wider world, face the storms, and leave home to witness the dangers beyond. We can't keep him by our side forever—us old cripples."
Blind’s expression was calm as he said serenely, "The legend began with his very first step out of the village."
Mute smiled, gesturing with a couple of 'ah ah's. Deaf laughed, "You're right. Quinn’s future will be far richer and more colorful than ours."
Yong River, riverbank.
One by one, ornate and luxurious tower-ships arrived and docked along the riverbank. Many villagers from Heavenly Demon Village gradually departed—some stepping directly into the air, some leaving aboard the ships, others transforming into strange beasts and slipping into the mountains, some vanishing in bursts of firelight, and still others diving into the water and disappearing.
Each possessed their own unique skills. Quinn Shepherd watched in awe; though he had defeated them at the Spirit Embryo realm, he lacked these bizarre and extraordinary abilities.