The gods of the Heavenly Court struggled to contain their anger, but the Eastern Azure Emperor remained composed, his expression stern as he said, "Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, there is nothing wrong with what you said. After all, you are a Heavenly Venerable, possessed of vast powers. But now, you are already a cripple. People say that a heroic spirit never perishes—yet you have lost your soul, and what supports you is nothing but your undying heroic spirit."
Emperor Evan and the Imperial Preceptor of the Everpeace Empire shuddered inwardly and turned to look at Quinn Shepherd.
A heroic spirit never perishes—what this meant was that Quinn Shepherd's soul had already scattered, leaving only his spirit behind.
In other words, of the Three Everpeace Reform Heroes, Quinn Shepherd was already dead!
Tears suddenly welled up in the Imperial Preceptor's eyes, and he thought, "Is Senior Brother lingering only because he can't let go of Everpeace, his obsession unyielding, his consciousness refusing to fade, forcing himself to hold on this far?"
He had seen many such people before—even if they died in battle, a powerful obsession in their hearts could keep them from falling. Even in death, they would keep fighting.
But Quinn Shepherd's situation was a little different—it wasn't quite as the Imperial Preceptor imagined.
The Eastern Azure Emperor grew even more solemn, his voice resounding like a great bell, echoing everywhere: "Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, Everpeace is but a small country, a mere speck in the Origin World. I was ordered to clean up Everpeace's mess, and only for your sake have I refrained from slaughter. Do not make this difficult for me. Because of Wayne Gale, I am already a criminal under Heaven, and the execution of traitors is imperative!"
Quinn Shepherd turned around, half-smiling as he replied, "If I don't make it hard for you, you'll make it hard for me."
The Eastern Azure Emperor said, "If their flesh is destroyed, leaving not a trace of bloodline, can't Shepherd Heavenly Venerable simply forge new bodies for them and bring them back to life?"
Quinn Shepherd shook his head and replied, "I can only reunite their souls and let them reincarnate. Twelve years later, I can guide them back, help them recover their memories of past lives, and let them return. If their bodies remain intact, then as soon as you leave, I could revive them instantly—it's even easier."
All around, the gods roared in anger.
The Eastern Azure Emperor raised his hand and said coldly, "Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, you are out of line! Where do you place Heaven's authority? Do you intend to destroy the prestige and dignity of the Heavenly Court?"
Quinn Shepherd waved his hand and said, "You're not the one in charge—go back and fetch someone who can actually make decisions!"
The gods grew furious; the sky darkened with clouds, thunder crashed, and lightning struck again and again.
"Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, stop resisting Heaven's might!"
Suddenly, among the kneeling Everpeace commoners, an old man kowtowed repeatedly and shouted, "That is Heaven! To defy Heaven is monstrous treason!"
Quinn Shepherd was stunned, his vision going black for a moment before slowly recovering.
More Everpeace citizens below began to shout, "That's right! Who are you to decide for us? If someone must die, let it be the Imperial Preceptor and Emperor Evan!"
"They're the ones who caused this disaster—why reform, why change anything? Just kill those two traitors!"
"Let Heaven rain down its wrath and kill Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, that treacherous villain, as well!"
...
Quinn Shepherd's eye twitched violently, but his expression quickly returned to normal. The Eastern Azure Emperor laughed loudly: "Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, the people you want to protect don't seem to appreciate you. You're sacrificing yourself for a herd of livestock, even gouging out your own eye and giving up your Netherworld Divine Son status, leaving yourself with only an undying heroic spirit—was it worth it?"
Quinn Shepherd sneered, "Go back and bring someone who can actually speak for Heaven!"
The Eastern Azure Emperor snorted and abruptly stood up, preparing to give the order to retreat. Suddenly, a voice drifted over, calm and unhurried: "Eastern Azure Emperor, if you simply order a retreat like this, where is the Heavenly Court's prestige? If you withdraw now, Heaven's authority will be swept away, and there will be even more traitors defying Heaven in the future."
The Eastern Azure Emperor was startled and quickly knelt down.
With a swish, countless gods turned and knelt. A figure as tall as Quinn Shepherd, the Heaven-Guide Venerable, strode forward, smiling: "Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, you really know how to cause me trouble. Everpeace, such a tiny place, and I have to come in person."
Quinn Shepherd coughed violently twice and said, "Only because you push people too far, Dao-brother."
Heaven-Guide Venerable smiled, "The Imperial Preceptor and Emperor Evan need not die, but defying Heaven and violating destiny cannot go unpunished, or Heaven's authority will be lost. I can spare their lives and suppress them instead, as a favor to Shepherd Heavenly Venerable and to preserve Heaven's dignity. What do you think?"
Quinn Shepherd said, "There must be a time limit, otherwise Dao-brother should just kill them."
Heaven-Guide Venerable said coldly, "You're pushing your luck."
Quinn Shepherd said nothing more.
After a moment, Heaven-Guide Venerable smiled, "There are many traitors in the Origin World; we can't kill them all. I'm planning to build a great prison, so I'll suppress them there. As a favor to you, I'll only imprison them for two hundred years. No bargaining."
Quinn Shepherd was about to speak, but Heaven-Guide Venerable said calmly, "Even if you can revive them, don't forget, the Heavenly Court has ways to prevent you from gathering their remnant souls. Haven't you failed to find even a wisp of Ethan Lan's soul?"
Quinn Shepherd was shocked, his gaze falling on Heaven-Guide Venerable.
The real Heaven-Guide Venerable was always somewhat dim-witted, with a wisp of his soul suppressed in the Heavenly Court's Fragrant Hall, preventing him from ever truly returning to his former self.
The Heavenly Court can indeed seal the souls of the Imperial Preceptor and Emperor Evan, leaving even a great mage like Quinn Shepherd helpless.
Heaven-Guide Venerable arrived above the capital, his gaze settling on Emperor Evan. Smiling, he said, "Heaven is merciful; your death sentence can be spared, but you will be eternally suppressed in the great prison. Everpeace cannot be without an emperor. Choose your successor."
Emperor Evan turned to look at his children. His gaze lingered on Lynn Ling, then shifted to Lucas Ling. Smiling, he said, "Lucas, come here. After I am gone, you will be Emperor of Everpeace."
The Imperial Preceptor understood his meaning and felt a bit bitter inside.