(Note: In the previous chapter, the Dao-Entering divine art was the fifth move, but Zhai Zhu mistakenly wrote it as the fourth; this has been corrected.)
The Eastern Emperor arched his brow, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes. Quinn Shepherd’s words landed like a blade—painful, but honest. He truly could not read Quinn’s divine arts.
Wanderer Among Blossoms—an errant soul drifting through purple-flowered lanes.
Snow-laden branches cradle the midnight moon; upon which tier of the Jade Terrace does that wandering spirit dwell?
Quinn Shepherd’s fifth Dao-Entering divine art carried a depth that seemed to echo through eternity. Forged from the wisdom of the Creators of the Supreme Divine Sense Domain, it fused his own insight and vision, woven through with countless strands of knowledge and marked by an unmistakable originality.
The Eastern Emperor is an ancient god, bound by his own Great Dao. Though he could recognize many of the Dao methods within Quinn’s move, to truly learn and comprehend them would be a monumental challenge.
Ancient gods are constrained by their own nature—this is common knowledge. Except for the Heavenly Emperor, most ancient gods can only follow the path of the Dao they were born with, rarely able to transcend it.
Heaven Duke is so; Tu Bo is so; the Eastern Emperor Azure Dragon is so as well.
Many ancient gods have tried to break free from the shackles of their innate Dao, some even reincarnating again and again. But they discovered that there’s only one way to truly break through: death.
Only through death—abandoning their original flesh and Dao—can they escape those bonds.
Thus, reincarnated bodies cannot truly escape the shackles of their original Great Dao. Tu Bo’s Ah Chou is a prime example.
"My reincarnated body is still wandering the vast worlds outside. It will arrive at Eastern Extremity Heaven in a few days."
The Eastern Emperor chuckled. “Grand Archmage, just wait a few days. I’ll have someone arrange accommodations for you.”
Quinn Shepherd replied, “I’m used to staying at the Jade Pool, Your Majesty. No need to trouble yourself—Dragon Island in the Jade Pool will do for me.”
On Dragon Island, his children lay scattered like fallen petals, too weak even to stir. The Eastern Emperor’s brow furrowed as he summoned a retinue of dragon attendants to restore order, clearing the largest palace for Quinn’s use.
Quinn moved in, finding the palace a marvel of splendor—beams carved with intricate dragons, rafters awash in jewel-toned murals, treasures glittering in every alcove. He couldn’t help but marvel, “Luxurious beyond compare.”
The Eastern Emperor said, “Grand Archmage, stay for a while. When my reincarnated body returns, we’ll proceed with the second trial.”
Quinn laughed, “The longer the wait, the sharper the anticipation! Your Majesty has already put me through one trial—I’m itching for the second. If only your reincarnated body would arrive this instant! I promise, Your Majesty, you won’t be disappointed!”
"You won’t disappoint me…"
The Eastern Emperor’s heart skipped a beat, then he burst out laughing. “Grand Archmage, I’m busy with official affairs, so I won’t disturb your rest.”
Quinn saw him off, earnestly saying, “Your Majesty, I hope you can sense my eager anticipation. May your reincarnated body arrive soon.”
The Eastern Emperor departed, returning to the High Heaven Hall of the Azure Dragon Palace, where he summoned all the civil and military officials.
All these officials were his own children—no outsiders here. The dragon sons and grandsons looked up at the throne, seeing the Eastern Emperor’s gloomy face, each puzzled at his mood.
Crown Prince Rowan Drake coughed and bowed. “Father God, why do you look so troubled?”
The Eastern Emperor sighed deeply and explained the situation: “Only now do I realize I barely understand this Grand Archmage or his divine arts. I was too arrogant. His arts are endlessly profound—even that Dao-Entering move, ‘Wanderer Among Blossoms,’ I can’t see through its mysteries or flaws. If that art is so inscrutable, I know even less about his other divine arts. That’s why I fear I’ll lose the second trial to him.”
The officials were all alarmed.
The second prince stepped forward and bowed. “If you lack confidence, Father God, why not cancel the second trial?”
“He pressed me with words, caught me at my weak spot.”
The Eastern Emperor frowned. “He’s determined to surpass me and break my prestige—I can’t back down. I had to claim my reincarnated body was away traveling, just to buy a few days.”
The princes grew furious. “That Shepherd Heavenly Venerable is so unreasonable—doesn’t he know to save some face and give Father God an easy way out?”
They discussed a plan and said, “Father God, don’t worry. Since Shepherd Heavenly Venerable beat up our younger siblings, we have a perfect pretext to go ‘seek justice’ for them. All we need to do is force him to display more of his divine arts and secret techniques. With Father God watching in secret, you can study his moves and find a way to counter them. Then, when you face him, victory is assured!”
The Eastern Emperor was delighted. “My children, you’ve eased your old father’s worries.”
The princes left the hall. Outside, the third prince said, “Father God is treating this Shepherd Heavenly Venerable like a mortal enemy—his arts must be truly formidable. Besides forcing him to expose his divine arts, there’s another way: just beat him up every few days until he has no choice but to leave Eastern Extremity!”
Crown Prince Rowan Drake said, “Father God still needs Shepherd Heavenly Venerable—he doesn’t want to fall out with him. We’ll just say we’re seeking justice for our siblings and force him to use his best divine arts. That’s enough.”
The second prince said, “Eldest Brother, you’re at the Emperor’s Throne realm. You’ll anchor the formation, while the rest of us go first. Remember, we’re here to stand up for our siblings—don’t bring up anything else!”
With their plan set, they rode wind, clouds, thunder, and lightning in grand style to Dragon Island in the Jade Pool. Countless dragon gods coiled among the clouds, peering down at the island below.
A dragon prince descended from the clouds, loudly declaring he’d come to avenge his siblings and challenged Shepherd Heavenly Venerable to a fight.
After a moment, a slightly coquettish girl stepped out and said, “The young master is resting. I’ll deal with you instead.”
The dragon prince was enraged. “Does Shepherd Heavenly Venerable think too highly of himself, sending a maid instead of coming in person?”
Yan’er sneered, “I’m not the young master’s maid—I just like serving people. If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth off!”
The dragon prince was enraged, transforming into a dragon-headed, human-bodied form and wielding a coiled dragon halberd. He shouted, “First I’ll beat this maid, then I’ll beat Shepherd Heavenly Venerable—justice for my siblings!”
Yan’er soared into the air. The two clashed midair; after several exchanges, she tore his mouth apart, beat him so badly he reverted to his true form, and he fell unconscious into the Jade Pool.
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Fortunately, the Jade Pool’s waters are brimming with life force—he couldn’t die even if he wanted to.
“You hit the Eighty-Seventh Brother!”
Another dragon god charged forward, shouting, “I’ll avenge the Eighty-Seventh Brother!”
Yan’er showed no fear, meeting the dragon god head-on and beating him half to death.
Other dragon princes stepped up to challenge her, but without exception, all were defeated. Yan’er, however, began to feel exhausted. Just then, Quinn’s voice called out, “Yan’er, step down.”
Yan’er acknowledged the order and withdrew.
“Pi, your turn.”
Quinn’s voice rang out: “Dear nephews and nieces, since you’ve come to challenge me, I won’t rely on seniority. I’ll have Pi face you first. If any of you can defeat Pi in the same realm, I’ll fight you myself.”
As he spoke, a massive creature with a dragon’s head, qilin body, and dragon tail strode out of the hall, transforming into a burly youth as he walked. “I’m in the True God realm—who dares face me?”
The dragon sons and grandsons of Azure Dragon Palace continued to step forward, but this youth named Pi fought with fierce, overwhelming divine arts, dazzling everyone and defeating twenty or thirty challengers in a row.
When Pi grew tired, Yan’er took his place. For three to five days, neither suffered a single defeat!
Crown Prince Rowan Drake frowned, coughed, and said, “Step aside, I’ll take over.”
He stepped forward. Pi glanced at him, hesitated, and called into the hall, “Cult Master, this one’s Heaven Court is full and his chin is broad—he must be an Emperor’s Throne powerhouse. I’m no match for him.”
Quinn emerged from the hall, smiling. “Fat Dragon, step down.”
Rowan Drake greeted Quinn respectfully. “My siblings have been mischievous and offended you, Shepherd Heavenly Venerable. I, Rowan, have come to offer apologies…”
Quinn raised a hand and laughed. “No need—I know why you’re here. I have eight Dao-Entering moves. If you can withstand all eight, I’ll let bygones be bygones.”
Rowan Drake was pleased and said gravely, “Venerable, please—”