The Human Emperors of all generations nodded in agreement, deeply resonating with the sentiment.
Although every generation of Human Emperor has always seemed to deserve a beating in their master's eyes, this is the first time they've met one quite this cheeky.
Every Human Emperor was the most outstanding powerhouse of their era—not only did their status command respect from all sects, but their strength was truly overwhelming, sweeping aside rivals with few equals.
Any Human Emperor who, while alive, hadn't fought the gods of High Heaven a few times would be embarrassed to face their ancestors after death—and how many such figures could there be in a single era?
Yet when faced with such domineering powerhouses, Quinn Shepherd actually claims he's afraid of injuring them—and says their techniques and divine arts are outdated. How could they possibly tolerate that?
The Third Ancestor stretched, saying coolly, "Human Emperors have always been arrogant, and every one of us is full of bluster after death, always itching for a fight. But you're the first to call us outdated! Human Emperor Quinn, that's impressive."
The Fourth Ancestor said mildly, "It's common for disciples to defeat their masters—I've beaten my old man before. But to take on all the old-timers at once? Human Emperor Quinn, you've got quite the mouth. I'd like to see if you really have the skills!"
The Third Ancestor shot him a glare.
The Second Ancestor, face stern, said, "Human Emperor Quinn is still alive, so fighting us is a tricky problem. But the First Ancestor left behind a treasure here called 'Between Life and Death.' With it, we can exist in the liminal space between life and death—perfect for a duel."
All the Human Emperors frowned. "The First Ancestor isn't here—who can wield 'Between Life and Death'?"
The Second Ancestor smiled, "As the First Ancestor's disciple, and current master of the Five Suns Shrine in his absence, I can naturally wield 'Between Life and Death.' Be patient—I'm more familiar with this place than my own home. Give me a moment and I'll fetch the treasure."
Everyone was curious. They'd heard of 'Between Life and Death,' but never seen it. The story went that the First Ancestor, longing for his deceased wife, forged it to open a path to Youdu and reunite with her.
But such treasures are rare and not very powerful, so few ever bother to make them. Still, for a showdown between the living and the dead, 'Between Life and Death' is absolutely perfect.
Before long, the Second Ancestor returned. Seeing his empty hands, everyone was puzzled and asked, "Second Ancestor, where is 'Between Life and Death'?"
"This is 'Between Life and Death!'"
With a shake of his sleeve, the Second Ancestor released a long river from his cuff. The great river surged out of the Five Suns Shrine, growing wider and broader until it stretched hundreds of li, floating above Nether City.
Everyone hurried outside the Five Suns Shrine to look. They saw the river suspended in midair, with a flying bridge spanning it and a painted pleasure-boat moored beneath the bridge.
Everyone exclaimed in admiration, praising, "The First Ancestor went to such lengths, expending great power to forge this treasure just to see his wife again! Come on, let's go up onto the bridge!"
Quinn followed them onto the long bridge. The moment he set foot on it, something miraculous happened—his flesh and blood were restored!
In the Dead-Alive Realm of Nether City, the dead return to life and the living become skeletons. Yet on this river and bridge, Quinn could regain a body of flesh—truly uncanny!
Yet the Human Emperors standing on the bridge didn't lose their flesh either—they remained in their full bodies. Clearly, this was another marvel of 'Between Life and Death.'
"When I piloted the Lunar Ark as Moon Warden, I managed to resist the Dead-Alive Realm's suppression and keep my flesh. It seems the First Human Emperor's power must be far greater than a Moon Warden's!"
Quinn marveled—the First Human Emperor's strength was unfathomable, truly a hero of the Pioneer Era!
"But this 'Between Life and Death' isn't useless at all—in fact, it's a formidable weapon!"
He blinked, heart pounding, as the greatest use for 'Between Life and Death' suddenly struck him: it could let Nether City intervene in the living world—interfere with reality itself!
'Between Life and Death' could let the underworld meddle in the world of the living, allowing Nether City's gods and demons to reappear in fleshly form—even if only on the river's surface, it's no small thing!
Just imagine—if the gods and demons of Nether City, numbering in the tens of thousands, could descend upon the living world, who could possibly stand against them?
"Used well, 'Between Life and Death' is a weapon of tremendous power!"
Standing at the head of the bridge, Quinn looked out and saw the great river flowing toward Youdu. In the distance, the darkness of Youdu itself loomed at the other end—this river was no ordinary waterway.
Within Nether City, countless gods and demons looked up to see the great river floating in the sky, shimmering and magnificent.
The other Human Emperors, worried Connor Hayes would say too much, coughed in unison. Connor stretched lazily, grinned, and said, "Quinn Overlord Body, you just said we’re old, useless, outdated, washed up, can’t fight anymore. Time for us to get some justice!"
Quinn hurriedly said, "Grand-master, I only said your dao arts and divine techniques were outdated—I didn’t say anything else..."
"Hah!"
Connor Hayes bellowed, leaping off the bridge and landing on the river’s surface. He threw his head back and laughed, "Enough talk! Come down here and let’s see who’s better!"
His aura erupted—seven thunderous booms rang out as seven divine treasuries opened! His Primordial Spirit, towering and fierce, stood atop the Divine Bridge. Stars howled and gathered, swirling into a vast star-river circling him. Beneath the bridge, darkness of Youdu loomed; above, sun and moon, five elements and five celestial bodies merged into the Seven Stars, each with its own godly figure standing tall!
Beneath the Seven Stars, the continent formed by the Spirit Platform appeared, Six Directions realm established!
Connor Hayes’s aura was overpowering. He raised his hand, sealing his Divine Bridge treasury—Divine Bridge vanished. Next he sealed Life-and-Death treasury—Youdu disappeared. Then he sealed Heaven-Man treasury—Primordial Spirit retreated.
His aura weakened, but his spirit remained wildly fierce. Standing on the river, a vision of erupting black volcanoes flared behind him!
Connor Hayes stretched out his right hand, clenched his fist, then crooked his index finger at Quinn: "Quinn Overlord Body, come here!"
Quinn’s heart thumped wildly, excitement rising despite himself. He hesitated, "Second Ancestor, Third Ancestor, our Human Emperor line doesn’t have some torture for hitting our own grand-masters, like ‘three blades and six holes,’ right?"
All the Human Emperors burst out laughing: "We’re not some demonic cult like the Cult of the Heavenly Demon—why would we have torture like that? Go ahead!"
Relieved, Quinn stepped out, landing on the river. He solemnly said, "Grand-master, if I offend..."
"If you’re going to fight, then fight!"
Connor Hayes roared, stepping forward and punching out. Instantly, the volcano vision behind him grew wild—mountains exploded, flames roared, the black volcanoes turned to surging magma, fire and smoke filling the sky. The river boiled!
His fist force and intent were so fierce that Quinn and the surrounding river water were blasted into the air. The terrifying shockwave split the river into countless droplets, each linked by trembling threads, gently flowing upward toward the sky.
Connor Hayes charged through the flying river, his fist growing larger and more domineering, his momentum even more violent!
Quinn’s pupils spun with layers of formation rings; star-rivers coiled around burning suns in his eyes. He could see every detail—Connor Hayes’s face colliding with droplets, each bead bursting and scattering across his features.
Grandpa Blind’s Ninefold Heaven Eye Art!
Boom—
A violent shockwave shook the river—Quinn’s fist collided with Connor Hayes’s. Their robes snapped backward, and the volcanic magma and flames behind Connor shot skyward, only to suddenly bend as if snapped by a hurricane, streaming back in perfectly straight lines!
Connor Hayes’s expression changed dramatically, his chest aching: "Such monstrous yuanqi..."
The river droplets flying upward suddenly froze. Quinn’s fist became a palm, yuanqi surging violently!
"Eight Thousand Swords!"
In an instant, all the river droplets were pulled into straight lines, transforming into fine swords—eight thousand of them! Thrust, lift, cloud, chop, cleave, point, collapse, hang, rake, wipe, sweep, block, intercept, flower, coil, roam, drill—seventeen sword forms, shifting unpredictably, all attacking Connor Hayes at once.
Connor Hayes’s face changed again. He leapt backward, body dipping and skimming along the river like a wild goose, touching down three times—his footwork bizarre and precise, dodging the shifting Eight Thousand Swords again and again!
Quinn stepped forward with impossible speed, hands raised high. With a whoosh, countless droplets fell into his palms, forming a long sword—he chopped down!
Whoosh!
Countless sword-lights erupted from that strike, swift as a storm, engulfing Connor Hayes.
Connor Hayes roared, body soaring, waving his hands—palms filled the sky to meet the blow. Suddenly, a barrage of slicing sounds—Quinn’s sword-lights spun and cut through his palms, leaving both hands riddled like sieves.
"Ha!"
Quinn stomped hard on the river, sending a water-dragon surging skyward. He grabbed it, wielding the water-dragon as a spear, stabbing at Connor Hayes again and again in midair.
Connor Hayes was caught on the spear, then Quinn spun him around and smashed him down onto the river, which exploded with a thunderous crash.
The water-dragon spear in Quinn’s hands shattered. He raised both hands, reaching upward—thunder gathered in midair, forming a lightning dragon that crashed down where Connor Hayes fell!
"Grand Firmament Star-Palm!"
Quinn struck out with a palm, Da Luo Heaven’s stars swirling behind him, forming a terrifying divine force-field. Three hundred sixty godly phantoms appeared in the star-field, all striking together.
There was no sound from this strike.
But a moment later, the great river shuddered violently, twisting in midair as three hundred sixty palm forces exploded, warping the force-field.
Quinn lowered his hands. After a moment, Connor Hayes floated up from the riverbed, stiff as a board, drifting downstream beneath the bridge.
On the bridge, generations of Human Emperors leaned over to watch, exchanging glances. After a long moment, the Fourth Ancestor whispered, "Did Village Chief trick us about the Overlord Body? Could it be that such a thing really exists?"