Elaina Cloud glanced at the Nethervault Demon King, frowning slightly. "A demon god at the Execution Platform stage, and so ugly—why does Shepherd Heavenly Venerable treat him so well?"
Quinn Shepherd smiled, "He's got talent, great comprehension, smart and tough—just got held back in his early years. The Nethervault Demon King is one of the few people I truly respect."
Elaina Cloud couldn't help but grow curious. "Who else is worth Shepherd Heavenly Venerable's respect?" she asked.
"Quite a few, actually."
Quinn began listing them as if counting treasured possessions: "The Ten Heavenly Venerables, Heaven Duke, Tu Bo, the Heavenly Emperor, the Empress, Madam Yuanmu, and other ancient gods, the Supreme Emperor, Pioneer Emperor Qin Ye, major Emperor's-Throne-level experts, and among the younger generation, a few dozen prodigies. All together, maybe a hundred or two at most."
Elaina Cloud laughed, her whole body trembling with mirth. "One or two hundred is 'quite a few'? Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, are you trying to scare people to death?"
Quinn nearly lost his soul to this woman, secretly marveling: "No wonder even the ancient Heavenly Emperor fell for her!"
Dragon-Qilin raised his head warily and coughed.
Quinn immediately snapped back to attention, shifting his gaze from Elaina Cloud to God-Queen Langwo. Instantly, Elaina's seductive pull lost all effect.
Appreciating the tranquil, refined beauty of God-Queen Langwo always calmed his heart. Though the two women looked identical, Langwo had none of Elaina's possessive intensity; her aura drew you in, made you quietly enamored.
Dragon-Qilin coughed again, making Quinn wonder, "I'm not looking at the little fox spirit anymore, so why is Fat Dragon still coughing to warn me?"
Dragon-Qilin furrowed his brow deeply, feeling uneasy inside: "Is there still hope for the cult master?"
Elaina Cloud looked at God-Queen Langwo, frowning slightly and thinking, "This little enchantress is even better at seduction than I am—what's her origin? Her aura feels like my elder sister's, but my sister is Liana Flowersoul, that little vixen. Surely they wouldn't send a second Absolute Dust body. I've tested her for so long and still can't see through her. Which of the Ten Heavenly Venerables is hiding in Absolute Dust? Could it be Palace Venerable? But it doesn't seem like her…"
Quinn joked with the two women for a bit, then stood up and left with the Nethervault Demon King and Dragon-Qilin.
"Old Nethervault, I'm putting the Hu-Heaven Bottle in Fat Dragon's care. From now on, just follow him."
Quinn made sure to avoid Elaina Cloud and God-Queen Langwo before saying, "Whenever you have time, settle your people inside the Hu-Heaven Bottle. That world is still a blank slate—plenty of space for your race to thrive. But remember, this bottle is just another Carefree Haven; hiding inside will only lead to stagnation. Sooner or later, you'll have to move out and settle in the wider world."
The Nethervault Demon King agreed, but said gloomily, "The heavens out there are already full. I fear there's nowhere left for my people."
Quinn smiled, "It's hard to make a name for yourself in Heavenly Court, but with me, it's not so tough. In Everpeace, there's a race called the Skyfeather Clan—their Skyfeather Realm was taken by another demon tribe. Their chief, Ariel Skyfeather, has asked me many times to help reclaim their world and rescue her people. I've promised, but never had the time. Soon, I'll be heading down to the mortal world—go find Ariel, help her retake Skyfeather Realm. It's a major heaven; you can carve out a piece for your people to settle in, at least for now."
The Nethervault Demon King hesitated, "A temporary foothold—if it lasts too long, it'll only breed trouble. Gratitude turns to resentment."
Quinn admired his worldly wisdom and laughed, "Who can say what the future holds? Maybe in a hundred years, the whole world will be thrown into chaos. In troubled times, heroes rise—your people may yet find a place to call home."
The Nethervault Demon King's eyes widened in disbelief. "Heavenly Court now rules over all the heavens, the Ten Heavenly Venerables suppress the myriad worlds—how could chaos possibly break out?"
One of his other heads suddenly had an epiphany and laughed, "Ah, right! With Shepherd Heavenly Venerable entering Heavenly Court, how could there not be chaos?"
Quinn laughed and cursed at him.
Just then, God-Queen Langwo arrived, parting the flowers and willows as she came. She glanced at Nethervault, her divine sense rippling, and sent a voice transmission: "Saint Baby, when will you go searching for the Ancestral Court?"
Quinn replied via divine sense, "Just a few days ago, I stole the Heavenly Emperor's eggshell. The Ten Heavenly Venerables are all suspicious of each other, and I'm sure some suspect me. If I leave Heavenly Court now, I bet some Venerable won't be able to resist testing me on the road."
He frowned, "The Ten Heavenly Venerables have always had divisions and mutual suspicion. Now I've brought them news that the Supreme Emperor is hiding among them, but they're still holding back—no infighting at all. Even after I stole the Heavenly Emperor's eggshell, they're keeping their forces in check, acting calm and united on the surface. I'm starting to feel powerless."
He shook his head, sighing, "I revealed the whereabouts of Taixu and Carefree Haven, and still they don't react. I'm no longer confident I can provoke a civil war among them. Maybe only if I expose which of the Ten is actually hiding the Heavenly Emperor, Empress, and Madam Yuanmu will they finally turn on each other?"
"Saint Baby, you're being too impatient."
God-Queen Langwo advised, "Haste makes waste. You should leave Heavenly Court now and watch how things unfold. The contradictions and hatred will build up over time, growing deeper and stronger. If you try to spark a war among the Ten Heavenly Venerables too quickly, you'll leave traces others can use against you. Your trick of using the Heavenly Emperor's body to steal the eggshell—I didn't approve; it was far too risky."
She spoke gently, "The Supreme Emperor is hidden among them, and so is the Heavenly Emperor. There are many powerful figures among the Ten Heavenly Venerables—someone is bound to notice your tracks. Before, if you'd left Heavenly Court, they'd have only sent someone to watch you in secret. But now, after stealing the eggshell, if you try to leave, you'll be in real danger. I don't know the Heavenly Emperor's methods, but the Supreme Emperor is supremely cunning—he'll probably suspect you."
Quinn nodded, "I was a bit reckless. Sister Langwo, did you know the Heavenly Emperor was born from an egg?"
God-Queen Langwo shook her head.
"Langwo is still a young Creator. Looks like I'll have to ask God-King Shu Jun."
As Quinn thought of this, he was about to send someone to find Shu Jun when suddenly Annie's startled cry rang out: "Where did this stray cat come from? Fat Dragon, get over here—there's a wild cat in the residence!"
Dragon-Qilin perked up his ears and rushed over, calling, "Old Nethervault, come help!"
The Nethervault Demon King hurried over, laughing, "Sister Annie is a profound master—she can't catch a stray cat in Heavenly Court?"
Quinn's heart stirred, "Annie is at the High Heaven Hall stage, trained since childhood by Heaven Venerable Yue—how could she not catch a stray cat? Heavenly Court is full of gods and demons; how could there be a wild cat running around? Something's off about this cat!"
As he pondered, he heard chaos erupt in the paramour. Annie transformed into her blue-sparrow form, flapping around, while Dragon-Qilin, the Nethervault Demon King, and a crowd of palace maids tried to corner the cat, but still couldn't catch it.
Quinn focused his gaze—it was a white cat, moving like a ghost, slipping past everyone with uncanny agility. Even Annie and Nethervault, both top experts, couldn't catch it together.
Annie shouted, "This cat is impressive—look at those muscles! It must taste delicious!"
"Looks like it's Consort Yana's cat!"
Quinn was taken aback and glanced at God-Queen Langwo.
God-Queen Langwo whispered, "Alive or dead?"
Quinn was about to reply when Langwo's expression changed slightly. She murmured, "A Heavenly Venerable is coming!"
As soon as she finished speaking, a palace maid rushed to the garden and announced, "Master, Consort Yana is here to visit!"
Quinn was about to get up to greet her when Consort Yana's laughter floated over: "Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, no need to come out. Your residence is quite splendid—the Emperor gave you a fine place."
Quinn went to meet her, smiling, "What brings you here, Consort?"
Consort Yana replied with a gentle smile, "I was passing by your estate and my cat ran off. I thought it might have come to the Venerable's house, so I came to look. Before I could announce myself, I heard a commotion about catching a cat. This cat is my little darling, so in my panic I barged in without permission. I hope Shepherd Heavenly Venerable will forgive me."
As she spoke, a flash of white light—the white cat leaped into her arms, curling up against her, baring its teeth at the approaching blue sparrow and Dragon-Qilin, fur on its tail bristling.
Consort Yana stroked its head, and the white cat finally calmed down, narrowing its eyes and occasionally glancing at the blue sparrow, Nethervault Demon King, and others, letting out low, threatening growls.
Quinn smiled warmly, "Consort, your cat is truly spirited—even a master at the High Heaven Hall stage couldn't catch it."
"A Heavenly Venerable's cat is bound to have some skills."
Consort Yana glanced at God-Queen Langwo and Elaina Cloud, who had just arrived, and looked surprised. She smiled, "And who are these two sisters?"
God-Queen Langwo said nothing. Elaina Cloud greeted Consort Yana with a smile, "I am Elaina Cloud of the Cloud family, greetings to Consort Yana. For the Consort to leave the harem and come to Shepherd Heavenly Venerable's residence—doesn't that break imperial protocol?"
Consort Yana's gaze flickered, and she replied gently, "Sister Cloud, you may not know, but though I am a consort, I am also a Heavenly Venerable. Shepherd Heavenly Venerable is one of the Five Elders of the Heavenly Alliance, and thus my senior. As a junior, it's perfectly proper to visit my elder. If I were to meet Shepherd Heavenly Venerable in secret every day and never return home, that would break imperial protocol."
Elaina Cloud grew suspicious, "Consort Yana speaks so forcefully—could this little minx actually be my elder sister?"
Ever since she'd discovered Liana Flowersoul was actually the Empress, she'd been a bit paranoid.
Consort Yana took her leave, smiling, "Now that I've found my cat, I can rest easy. I won't disturb Shepherd Heavenly Venerable's cultivation any longer. After all, I am a consort—if I linger here, people will gossip. Next time, I'll send a formal invitation before visiting."
Quinn escorted her out, "Consort, I plan to leave Heavenly Court in a few days—if you come looking for me, I may not be here."
Consort Yana was surprised, "Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, you only just returned from Taixu a few days ago, and now you're leaving again? Where are you headed? When will you return?"
Quinn sighed, "It was only after coming to Heavenly Court that I realized how vast the world is. That's why I want to travel and see more of it. I plan to wander the Four Extremities, visit the Four Emperors, climb to the highest places to meet Heaven Duke, descend to the deepest to visit Tu Bo. As for when I'll return—who can say?"
Consort Yana looked envious and let out a sorrowful sigh, her voice tinged with melancholy: "I'd love to roam freely like Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, but ever since I married into the imperial family, I've been confined to this deep palace. The farthest I've ever gone is Jade Capital City. It's rather pitiful, really—I envy you, Venerable, able to travel the world. Farewell, Venerable."
Quinn escorted her to the door, where a grand carriage awaited. Many palace maids stood by, and two girls parted the beaded curtain. Consort Yana, holding her white cat, boarded the carriage and sat down, nodding gently to Quinn.
Quinn bowed in return.
The two palace maids lowered the beaded curtain, and the carriage rolled away from the Venerable's residence.
Quinn turned back inside and immediately began writing a memorial to submit to the court, reporting to the Heavenly Emperor his intention to leave and travel.
"I want to go too!" Elaina Cloud cheered, bouncing with excitement.
Quinn frowned deeply, thinking, "Last time, I could only kill her in Taixu without alarming Madam Yuanmu's true body—of course, it was thanks to the ruthless Lona Blade. Now she wants to come along again—how can I get rid of her? Maybe I should head to Everpeace first and find Lona Blade to deal with this little fox spirit…"
In the carriage, Consort Yana gently stroked the cat's head. The white cat licked its paw and said leisurely, "The Consort guessed right. That day, it was Shepherd Heavenly Venerable who used the Heavenly Emperor's body to steal the eggshell. He can fool others, but not me."
Consort Yana stroked its tail, and the white cat lifted its tail high, thoroughly enjoying the attention.
"Now this is getting interesting."
Consort Yana chuckled softly, "Shepherd Heavenly Venerable's cultivation isn't high, yet he could control the Heavenly Emperor's body—he couldn't have managed that even with High Heaven Hall-level cultivation. So how did he do it? The Supreme Emperor should be capable of such a feat; his divine sense is incredibly strong and can substitute for vital energy cultivation. It seems Shepherd Heavenly Venerable must have encountered a Creator in Taixu, a great stroke of fortune that dramatically enhanced his mastery of divine sense."
The white cat said, "Then what about the Heavenly Emperor's eggshell...?"
Consort Yana smiled, gazing out at the bustling Jade Capital City, "The Supreme Emperor will make a move against him. If I can guess that Shepherd Heavenly Venerable had a fateful encounter with the Creators, so can the Supreme Emperor—he is, after all, the foremost expert in divine sense. I'd love to know who the Supreme Emperor really is."
She rubbed the white cat's cheek, her eyes turning sly, "The Supreme Emperor refuses to die, and it's unsettling. That scene years ago, when he controlled the Heavenly Emperor's true body to assassinate Heaven Venerable Ling, still chills me to the bone."