Quinn Shepherd's heart trembled slightly, and he instantly guessed why the Dao Lord was so certain he was the current Human Emperor.
He had only mastered two moves from the Village Chief’s Sword Diagram and hadn’t used them often. Aside from showing them before Emperor Evan and the Imperial Preceptor, he’d displayed them in front of Bangongcuo and Lucas Lin, Dao Heir of Dao Gate.
When Lucas Lin followed Danyangzi to blockade the Imperial Academy, he was defeated by the first move of the Sword Diagram—Sword Treading the Rivers and Mountains.
After returning to Dao Gate, he must have tried to demonstrate Quinn’s Sword Treading the Rivers and Mountains for the Dao Lord. Most likely, that’s when the Dao Lord realized Quinn’s sword arts came from the Village Chief, though he couldn’t be sure Quinn was the Human Emperor.
The reason his tone was so certain was, in fact, just to test him.
Quinn, ever perceptive, guessed the Dao Lord’s intent but didn’t challenge him. Instead, he scooped water and began to irrigate the Yellow Jingfolk, flashing a smile. “Dao Lord, your powers are vast and your wisdom unmatched.”
The Dao Lord and Lucas Lin used leaves to scoop water, while Quinn simply summoned spring water with his yuanqi—swift, effortless.
The old Dao Lord watched Quinn’s technique and shook his head. “Dao follows nature. Human Emperor, why such hurry?”
Quinn grinned. “Nature is pure, but learning is for use. If Dao Lord never puts it into practice, why bother learning?”
The Dao Lord frowned, then his expression softened. “Our differences are all about how we live, not doctrine. It’s been centuries since a Human Emperor appeared—surely you have some reason for coming forth?”
Quinn continued watering, his tone earnest. “Purpose? Our Village Chief always said the Human Emperor is a responsibility. I still don’t see the appeal—no power, no influence, just a burden. If Dao Lord wants the title, it’s yours.”
The Dao Lord paused, leaf in hand, and quickly shook his head. “I couldn’t bear it.”
The two continued—one with leaves, one with spells—irrigating the Yellow Jingfolk in silence.
Lucas Lin watched, shaking his head inwardly. Both elder and youth were stubborn, each clinging to their beliefs.
After an incense stick’s time, Quinn finished watering. The Dao Lord planted his leaf in the soil, straightened up, and sighed. “I’m old, my body’s failing. Since the Human Emperor is also Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon, Dao Gate cannot oppose him. I came to appoint my successor. Lucas Lin paid respects just now—when I die, he will be Dao Lord.”
Quinn saluted Lucas Lin, who hurriedly returned the gesture. “I’m not Dao Lord yet—I don’t dare accept such courtesy.”
The Dao Lord smiled. “Once you become Dao Lord, you’ll have to lower yourself by half a generation—when saluting, your hand must be lower by half.”
Lucas Lin was startled.
The old Dao Lord continued unhurriedly, “Twenty thousand years ago, we qi-refiners received great favor from the first Human Emperor. Since then, all sects and clans jointly honor the Human Emperor. Each offered their finest treasures to forge the Human Emperor Seal, so we must observe ritual propriety and never be careless. May this old Daoist request a look at the seal?”
Quinn took out the ugly black lump of the Human Emperor Seal and tossed it to him. The old Dao Lord hurriedly caught it, his face twitching, exclaiming, “How can you throw it? How can you throw it? I bathed, changed clothes, and washed my hands many times before meeting the Human Emperor, all out of utmost respect—how can you just toss the Human Emperor Seal?”
Quinn was puzzled. “Village Chief just tossed it to me—I didn’t even want it, so I threw it back. He insisted I take it, and I couldn’t beat him, so I had to accept.”
The old Dao Lord looked bitter, holding the Human Emperor Seal in both hands and examining it repeatedly. After confirming it was genuine, he said, “Human Emperor, please take it back.” He stepped forward, respectfully offering the seal with both hands.
Only when Quinn picked up the Human Emperor Seal did the old Daoist step back and lower his hands, turning to Lucas Lin. “Remember, this is how you receive the Human Emperor Seal—never break ritual propriety.”
Lucas Lin agreed, but saw Quinn casually toss the Human Emperor Seal into his Glutton Dragon Pouch and dared not say a word.
"He’s the Human Emperor—he can be disrespectful. We cannot."
The old Dao Lord explained earnestly, "This seal was forged by our ancestors from all clans and sects, using their finest treasures as an offering to the Human Emperor, the acknowledged sovereign of all humanity. That’s why Dao Gate must treat it with reverence. But since it was made for the Human Emperor, he can be irreverent. Do you understand?"
Lucas Lin nodded. "I understand, Master."
Quinn couldn’t help feeling moved. The old Dao Lord’s lifespan was nearly exhausted; in a few years, he’d be gone. Yet he still poured everything into teaching his disciple.
Such a traditional master-disciple relationship is more likely to produce outstanding talent.
Now that the old Dao Lord was aging, he must have hoped to train the Dao Heir in his final years so he could take over.
"Dao Lord, aside from seeing the Human Emperor Seal, is there anything else you wish to discuss?" Quinn asked with a smile.
The old Dao Lord looked deeply at him. "The Human Emperor should understand—Imperial Preceptor and Emperor Evan’s revolution and reforms are not the true path, and will bring down heaven’s wrath. This recent snow disaster is a warning. For the sake of all common people, the Human Emperor should put a stop to these reforms."
Quinn shook his head. "The momentum of the world is a surging flood—time flows on, never resting day or night. Anyone who dares stand in its way will be ground to dust. I can only follow the trend, go with the flood. Elder brother, you’ve suffered plenty already—must you remain stubborn?"
The old Dao Lord sighed. "I won’t argue with you. All our disputes come down to doctrine—neither side can convince the other, so why bother? If you insist on supporting the Preceptor’s reforms, I’ll say just one thing: Dao follows nature, but reform changes the dao, alters nature itself. Gods are born of nature, the great dao is its transformation. If you seek to change the dao, you know full well the risks. The Great Ruins are a warning—Human Emperor, you must not ignore it."
Quinn was slightly stunned—the Dao Lord clearly knew far more of the inside story.
But the Dao Lord was unwilling to say more. "I came to see the Human Emperor to make my position clear: Dao Gate will oppose Everpeace, but will not be enemies with the Human Emperor. Disciple, bring out the Dao Sword Fourteen Chapters."
Lucas Lin took a stone slab from a leather pouch at his waist. When he pulled it out, it was nearly two zhang tall, crisscrossed with sword marks.
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Lucas Lin hesitated. "Dao Lord..."
"Let him see it."
The old Dao Lord said, "The sword arts of the old Human Emperor were superior to mine, more profound. I let the Imperial Preceptor view the Dao Sword Fourteen Chapters—why shouldn’t I let the current Human Emperor see them too?"
Lucas Lin set the stone slab to one side. The old Dao Lord said, "Dao Sword Fourteen Chapters—one sword, one chapter. When the Imperial Preceptor came to study at Dao Gate, I allowed him to view them for fourteen days. So I’ll grant the Human Emperor the same: fourteen days. As for our Dao Gate’s Innate Arcane Canon, that I won’t allow the Human Emperor to see."
Quinn looked surprised. The old Tathagata had allowed him to read the Grand Sutra of Tathagata, but only permitted him to see the teachings, not the gate—he had the method, but not the entrance.
Now the Dao Lord was allowing him to see the gate of the Innate Arcane Canon, but not the teachings. Both great sect leaders were truly generous.
Quinn pondered for a moment, then took out the Grand Fostering Heavenly Demon Sutra. "I’m not used to accepting favors. Here’s the Grand Fostering Heavenly Demon Sutra—I’ll allow Dao Heir to view it for fourteen days."
Lucas Lin was tempted, glancing at the old Dao Lord. The Dao Lord’s expression changed slightly; after a moment’s thought, he said, "If you’re allowed to see it, then study it. The Grand Fostering Heavenly Demon Sutra—if you cultivate its good, you become a god; if you cultivate its evil, you become a demon. If you fall into demonhood, it means your cultivation and temperament aren’t strong enough."
Lucas Lin acknowledged.
Quinn sat before the stone wall, gazing at the sword marks upon it.
Quinn stared at the sword marks, which crisscrossed the stone wall in wild, chaotic patterns. At first, nothing revealed itself—just lines etched in rock. But as he let his mind sink into the marks, a strange sword intent began to surface, subtle and elusive.
Suddenly, the sword marks seemed to dissolve. In their place, mathematical truths unfolded before his eyes—he imagined a Daoist scribbling furiously, inscribing arcane numerological laws. The lines twisted and evolved, forming a swirling taiji diagram of black and white, yin and yang in perpetual motion.
A single point pierced the void, linking vast flows together. Within the Two Forms, yin and yang cycled endlessly—an infinite dance.
Quinn’s heart thudded. The Dao Sword’s cultivation was truly unique. Each sword mark on the wall contained profound intent, and deep within that intent, numerology. The numbers formed the backbone of the Dao Sword’s first technique.
The first form—binary yin-yang calculation!
“This matches perfectly with the Grand Mystery Numerology Canon,” Quinn thought.
He had already mastered most of that canon, so the Dao Sword’s first move was not difficult for him.
Before long, he unraveled the first form and moved to the next sword mark.
Dao Sword’s second form: Five Qi and Three Origins converge, beauty rising as clouds and chariots intertwine!
This mark concealed ternary and quinary numerology—Three Origins, Five Qi. The numbers built sun, moon, and earth, Five Qi rising to the source!
This move was no obstacle. Within the time it takes incense to burn, Quinn grasped its essence and turned to the third mark.
Dao Sword’s third form: Auspicious five-colored clouds shroud the sky, celestial melodies ringing from the three heavens.
Again, Three Origins and Five Qi, but now the changes were deeper, more intricate.
Quinn spent most of an hour untangling its mysteries.
Dao Sword’s fourth form: Silently turning the celestial cycle, witnessing myriad phenomena shift and evolve. The numerology here was already daunting—numbers of ‘three giving birth to all things.’ Even with the Grand Mystery Numerology Canon, deciphering this form’s secrets was a struggle.
When Quinn finally unlocked the fourth sword mark, he realized dusk had fallen—the sun was sinking into the sea, crimson light bathing the island.
“I might not be able to unravel the Dao Sword’s fifth chapter!” he murmured, tension tightening his face.
Each technique was harder than the last; the numerology more obscure, more profound. Fourteen days was not enough—perhaps even the fifth chapter would elude him.
He could only focus on absorbing the sword intent, taking in what he could. The rest—he would have to let go.
With this in mind, Quinn turned to the fifth sword mark.
Dao Sword’s fifth chapter: Jade Cavern gathers all transformations, wind and moon shimmer atop Kun Mountain.
He studied the mark with utmost care. The numerology hidden in its sword intent was nearly incomprehensible. Though he had mastered most of the Grand Mystery Numerology Canon, some mysteries lay beyond its scope—he guessed they were hidden in the Mystic Maiden Numerology Canon.
Nearby, the Dao Lord sat in meditation, perfectly composed, seemingly untouched by hunger.
When Quinn’s stomach rumbled, he left the stone wall and sought out Lynn Ling and Serena Yunxiang. The two girls had already cooked a meal. As they chatted, Quinn mentioned the old man was the Dao Lord—both girls were stunned, instantly becoming cautious.
On the third day, Vance Skyler arrived by boat. The moment he saw the Dao Lord, he collapsed into tears and kowtowed several times. The old Dao Lord opened his eyes, his face calm. “So you’ve joined the Heavenly Demon Cult? I knew I wasn’t wrong about you—your heart was never upright. Go on, I won’t kill you.”
Vance sobbed, wiped his tears, and sailed away.