Quinn Shepherd crashed to the ground, dirt flying everywhere. His whole body was drenched in blood, droplets mixing with the soil as his hair whipped wildly. He strode furiously toward the just-risen First Human Emperor.
"You’re the deserter of this battlefield—you have no right to look down on anyone!"
Quinn roared like a beast and charged at the First Human Emperor.
Though his injuries were severe, his momentum was even more violent than before, and his moves grew more terrifying.
His fury boiled over. When the First Human Emperor tried to destroy the Second Human Emperor’s bones, Quinn felt as if his blood would explode from his heart. His Primordial Spirit fused with his flesh; within his Divine Treasuries, his spirit embryo stood atop the spirit platform, head touching the sky, feet planted on the earth. Clouds of yuanqi surged from all directions, flooding into his Primordial Spirit.
His yuanqi merged with his Primordial Spirit, and his Primordial Spirit fused with his flesh. Instantly, yuanqi coursed through every limb and bone.
In that moment, he grasped the true power of the First Human Emperor’s perfect fusion of Primordial Spirit and flesh.
Every cultivation technique takes time to run—any divine art needs time to erupt, the only difference is in duration and strength.
But with the Primordial Spirit residing in the Divine Treasuries, yuanqi could flow directly into the body, skipping the usual circulation time.
The First Human Emperor’s attacks were blindingly fast—not just because every aspect of his body was at the divine realm, but because his Primordial Spirit and flesh had become one.
Quinn demanded, and suddenly, a volcanic eruption roared behind him—flames shooting skyward. It was Human Emperor Connor Hayes’s boxing art, gathering heart-fire to build unstoppable force.
The First Human Emperor’s face changed slightly as the force in Quinn’s palms suddenly surged, sending him flying.
You did nothing!
The First Human Emperor was still airborne when Quinn planted his foot, spun around, and unleashed a barrage of multicolored spirit weapons—his yuanqi transforming into countless blades that struck at the target above.
That was Human Emperor Lambert Poe’s weapon refinement art!
The First Human Emperor’s sleeve swept out, shredding every spirit weapon. Before he could land, Quinn pointed—mountain ranges erupted from his fingertip, surging forward to engulf him.
Linked Skywall Mountains!
They may not be as talented as you, so teach them! Teach them!
The First Human Emperor forced his way through the attack, but before he could land, a massive bell crashed toward him—Quinn was already inside, striking out from within the bell’s walls.
The bell’s thunderous ringing grew stronger and stronger—sometimes tilting, sometimes overturning, sometimes slamming upright, sometimes aiming its mouth directly at the First Human Emperor.
Bruno the Dragon-Qilin opened his mouth, wanting to roar, but his jaws were still sealed—no sound came out.
The First Human Emperor glared at him; Bruno lowered his head, carrying the chest and Quinn away along the path they came.
I’ll kill you!
Quinn’s voice came from the chest: “I will kill you!”
The First Human Emperor shuddered but didn’t look back. Bruno carried the chest and Quinn out of the ancient ruins of the Heavenly Court.
I’m sorry…
Thud.
The First Human Emperor knelt before the Second Human Emperor’s hut, raising a cloud of dust: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t truly want to destroy your remains, I’m sorry…”
I forgive you.
A ghost rose from the shattered remains; the Second Human Emperor’s figure was ethereal, smiling: “I forgave you long ago. I know your thoughts. You want him to grow quickly—he’s an Overlord Body, right? He can carry the burdens we could not, right? I forgave you. Go back to Fengdu. They will forgive you too…”
In each ruined hut, a skeleton raised its head, silently watching the kneeling First Human Emperor.
We all forgive you…
They looked at their ancestor—the First Human Emperor had not taught them divine arts, but he had given them an indescribable spirit, an unyielding will.
I cannot forgive myself.
The First Human Emperor knelt, his body gradually turning to stone, his spirit departing.
The chest ran on, carrying Quinn over mountains and valleys; ahead, Bruno watched warily for wild beasts.
Two days later, they arrived at Dragoncrest City. Serena Yunxiang and Lina the Spirit Fox hurried to take Quinn in and care for him. After several days, Quinn recovered somewhat and began tending to himself.
I will kill him.
Quinn sat on the dragon’s head atop the city’s dragon pillar, eyes lifeless. He told Lynn Ling, who had carried him here: “I must kill him. I will never forgive him…”
Lynn Ling saw how despondent Quinn had been these days, but didn’t know how to comfort him. She left him in this place where they used to play, hoping he could overcome his gloom.
My father summoned me back, said he wants to send me to the Western Lands.
Lynn Ling hesitated, then said, “The Western Lands may have submitted, but there’s still no imperial power there. Want to come with me to clear your mind? Don’t dwell on things—it’s scary… Tell me what’s on your mind, maybe I’ll have an idea!”
Quinn stared at her, eyes dull. He used to pluck the stubborn whiskers from his chin, but hadn’t lately—his beard was now scruffy. He asked, “How do you kill a true god?”
Lynn Ling was stunned.
Quinn lay down. “Go to the Western Lands. The emperor wants you there, and Lucas Ling to the north—both places were just conquered. If you govern the West better than your brother, you’ll be Crown Princess. If you want to be Crown Princess, I can help; I have people in the West. I can’t go with you—I have things to think through.”
Lynn Ling lay beside him, hands behind her head, staring at the white clouds. Suddenly she said, “A few years ago, when we lay here together, we had no worries. I liked you, you liked me—why do we have so many troubles now that we’ve grown up? I miss those days…”
Maybe it’s just growing up." Quinn closed his eyes, voice low.
Lynn Ling rolled over, looked at him, and plucked a stray whisker from his cheek. “Are you still the same you?”
Quinn paused. “Starr said a person’s body completely changes every seven years. It’s been three or four—I should be half me now.”
Lynn Ling shivered, then plucked a few more whiskers, scolding, “You scared me again! Don’t turn into Starr!”
She thought for a moment. “If you don’t want me to go to the Western Lands, I can stay with you.”
Do you want to go?" Quinn asked.
I do!
Lynn Ling stood up, looking over the Great Ruins with pride. “I want to be Empress. I’ll defeat my father! I’ll make him see I’m better than all his sons!”
Quinn’s lifeless eyes lit up—this girl inspired him, bringing back his spirit, as if he were alive again.