Aboard the Solar Ark, the pure yang energy here was even denser, but it wasn't scorching—instead, it carried a gentle warmth, like the feeling of spring.
The Solar Ark was enormous, its deck vast and sprawling. But for the Sun-Herders, this land was not so spacious—after all, they were giants, towering more than ten zhang high!
Lynn Ling, Serena Yunxiang, and the others couldn't help but marvel at the god-clan filled with giants as large as small mountains—even the Sun-Herders' children stood two or three zhang tall, their bodies packed with muscle, exuding raw strength; even the slightest movement made their muscles bulge.
"That Sun Warden must be a giant as well."
Lynn Ling breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, 'So the cowherd really did come to help reignite the sun, not to flirt with anyone. There's no way a giant like that would fancy a little guy like him. And Crystal Blaze, even as a goddess, must be even more imposing—just a smile would make her face bulge with muscle, terrifyingly strong. Quinn's tastes might be odd, but not that odd!'
Quinn glanced around—the Sun-Herder tribe lived here. Their name was no exaggeration: they were a people who herded the sun itself.
It was the same for the Moon Shepherds—their name meant 'herders of the moon.'
If they were herders, then surely there were not just one sun or moon, but whole flocks of them. In some distant age, the Sun-Herders must have guided sun after sun across the continent, driving away the darkness from east to west.
And at night, the Moon Shepherds would lead moon after moon through the Great Ruins, circling endlessly.
The Solar Ark looked even more battered than before. Last time Quinn had seen the great ship, its deck was still intact—though scarred by battle, the Sun-Herders had kept it spotless and sacred.
Now, ruins lay everywhere, and many among the Sun-Herder tribe were wounded. As the Sun-Herder Clan Chief led Quinn and his companions through, the injured held their breath, only letting out quiet groans after they'd gone by—still gritting their teeth, keeping their voices low to preserve their dignity.
They struggled to maintain their dignity.
'Clan Chief, you have the bravest warriors in the world!' Quinn said, full of respect.
"There are no cowards among Sun-Herders!" the old clan chief thundered.
Quinn noticed wisps of black smoke drifting from some Sun-Herders' wounds—scorch marks left by powerful demonic arts. The pure yang from the Sunwell was helping them burn away the lingering demonic qi.
Soon, they passed a dilapidated Sun-Herder shrine. A half-broken war halberd was thrust into the center, billowing black smoke and emitting piercing screams.
"Cult Master, that's a demonic god-weapon!" Serena Yunxiang whispered.
Quinn nodded without a word. As the Heavenly Demon Cult Master and head of Everpeace Empire's greatest demonic sect, he was hardly unfamiliar with the ways of demons.
Quinn believed in investigating things to gain knowledge, uniting theory with practice, and the subtlety of application lying in one's heart. The first part was study, discovery, and action; the latter was pure naturalness—this, he called Dao.
So he didn't bother distinguishing between gods and demons.
In some ways, Quinn and Crystal Blaze were kindred spirits.
When Quinn was young, he too had no companions. Each day he learned from the village elders, diligently practicing, with no one his age to play with.
But Quinn had nine elders who cared for him, while Crystal Blaze's elders regarded her with the same reverence.
Serena Yunxiang, Lina the Spirit Fox, and Lynn Ling approached Crystal Blaze, their hearts aching. Though she was about their age, the weight she bore was immeasurably greater.
Serena Yunxiang couldn't help but ask, "The sun has gone out, but there are so many in the Sunwell. Why not replace it with a new one? I saw you have chains binding the black sun—can't you use those to catch a new sun?"
"These chains were forged by the Celestial Artificer Clan. That clan is extinct now," someone replied.
The Sun-Herder Clan Chief said, "The chains we forge with our true fire can't withstand the sun's true fire; we've tried countless times to fish out a new sun, but always failed."
Quinn was struck by a thought, recalling a conversation between Dragon Reaver and Mute. He said, "There are still Celestial Artificers in this world—they can forge such chains."
The Sun-Herder Clan Chief glanced at him and shook his head. "The remaining Celestial Artificers live in Carefree Haven. If you could return there, perhaps you could bring one to save our clan. But you haven't made it back yet, have you?"
Quinn shook his head. "I haven't returned to Carefree Haven. I came this time to help you reignite the sun. Even if I can't, I have other skills—I learned smithing from Celestial Artificers, so I might be able to forge new chains to fish out a new sun."
He flashed a sunny smile at the thin girl, whose head alone was visible. "I've come to keep my promise. I won't go back on my word."
He stood, gazing up at the black sun in the sky, his expression calm. "You once told me that reigniting this sun would set you free. If I do it now, can you escape the Solar Ark?"
"I don't know," Crystal Blaze replied, the flames in her eyes suddenly burning brighter—as if hope had returned.
The Sun-Herder Clan Chief's face darkened. "Quinn, you may be a guest from Carefree Haven, but you haven't returned there, nor do you have the power to reignite the sun. Even if you succeed, the Sun Warden has little time left; her life is nearly spent. When the oil is gone, the lamp goes out..."
He straightened, rallying his spirits. "Don't waste your efforts! We Sun-Herders are choosing the next Sun Warden. As a guest from Carefree Haven, you should witness the birth of the new Sun Warden. Tonight, monsters will attack again—we must choose a new Warden to prepare!"
Quinn shook his head stubbornly. "No matter what, I'll try to reignite the sun!"
The old Clan Chief shook his head and left with the clansfolk to prepare for the selection of the new Sun Warden.
Quinn took out the Solar Jade Eye, placed it on the ground, then lifted it high and raced along the chains toward the black sun. "Wait here for me—I'll reignite the sun and come right back!"
Lynn Ling called out anxiously, "The burning sun will kill you!"
"It won't!" Quinn replied.
A flute sounded, and fire flood dragons soared through the air, following Quinn. He called back, "With these dragons, I can escape!"
Lynn Ling called out, "Sun Warden, is that sun real or artificial?"
"It's a god-made treasure," Crystal Blaze replied. "Legend says Heaven-God Zi Qing forged it."
"Oh no!"
Lynn Ling's scalp tingled. Quinn hadn't asked enough questions before rushing over. If that god-made treasure ignites, its divine power will fill the air—Quinn and the flood dragons could be burned to ashes!
Serena Yunxiang's eyes lit up. "Does this mean I can be the next Cult Master?" Lynn Ling glared at her, and Serena quickly added, "Just kidding! I don't want to be a young widow. But since Quinn is with the Sun-Herders, maybe the old Clan Chief can help protect him."
Lynn Ling shot her a look, and Serena quickly smiled. "I'm only joking—I don't want to be a young widow. Since he's with the Sun-Herders, maybe the old Clan Chief can help protect the Cult Master."