Annie was torn, but the lantern-carrying maid kept urging her forward. Annie followed, glancing back every few steps, until she disappeared into the depths of the peach forest.
Dragon-Qilin came up to Quinn Shepherd and asked, "Cult Master, where are we going?"
Quinn lowered his head. After a moment, he raised it and said, "First, to Dragoncrest City."
Dragon-Qilin shook his body and revealed his true form.
Dao Lord Lucas Lin stepped forward and said to Quinn, "Cult Master Quinn, Dao Ancestor has ordered Dao Gate to relocate, to leave Everpeace and seek refuge in Azurecloud Heaven."
Quinn nodded silently.
"Cult Master, aren't you going to say anything?" Dao Lord Lucas Lin couldn't help but ask.
Quinn jumped onto Dragon-Qilin's forehead and looked down, saying, "Perhaps if we leave some green hills behind, there will still be a chance to rekindle the flame. Dao Lord Lin, take care!"
Dao Lord Lucas Lin hurriedly asked, "Cult Master Quinn, aren't you going to hide?"
Quinn smiled. To Lucas Lin, that smile was unexpectedly genuine and pure.
“The Chiming Revolution was to prove that humans could be as strong as gods. The Supreme Sovereign Revolution seized the right for humans to live—human life equal to the gods, life above heaven. The Pioneer Emperor’s reforms continued those gains: not only is human life above heaven, but gods and demons are caged and made to serve humanity.”
Quinn said, “Everpeace Reform carries on the Pioneer Emperor’s reforms, returning the Dao to the common people—everyday use is the true Way. These three eras of revolution and reform must not end with Everpeace, their fruits stolen by the Outer Heaven Court. In Chiming, Supreme Sovereign, and Pioneer times, too many heroes gave their lives as sacrificial offerings for reform, so future generations could live better. If Everpeace’s reform also needs sacrificial victims…”
He pressed his lips together; his voice was soft, but each word rang out with force: “Then let it begin with the Three Reform Heroes! As Cult Master of the Heavenly Saint and Human Emperor Quinn Shepherd, one of Everpeace Reform’s Three Heroes, I am ready. Dao Lord Lin, go to Azurecloud Heaven—preserve a spark of the reform. Fat Dragon, let’s go—”
Dragon-Qilin set off, clouds forming beneath his feet, racing toward Dragoncrest City.
Dao Lord Lucas Lin watched them go, stunned. "For an ideal... Cult Master Quinn, I once thought you were just a castaway from the Great Ruins, a demonic cult leader. I never considered you a true Everpeace man. Yet when disaster strikes, it’s you who stands firm. And I, born and raised in Everpeace, must now lead Dao Gate away…"
Dragon-Qilin poured all his strength into running, dashing ahead at full speed.
This time, he didn’t slack off or hide his speed to earn extra elixirs—he ran for his life.
In the past, he’d only gradually increased his speed to impress Quinn and get more elixirs. Now, all such schemes were gone.
Dragon-Qilin ran for two days and still didn’t see the old Great Ruins boundary. But now, with his boundless stamina, even after two days of sprinting he didn’t feel tired.
Suddenly, a blue sparrow swooped down from behind, landed on Dragon-Qilin’s head, fed him an elixir, and chirped with a laugh, “I’m back!”
Quinn and Dragon-Qilin were both shocked and delighted. “Annie, why did you come back?”
“There are plenty of maids around the mistress. She doesn’t need me.”
The blue sparrow chattered rapidly, “Besides, the mistress doesn’t like me serving her. She always says I’ll feed her into a fat lump. This time I made myself into a fat lump—she’ll probably like me even less. Rather than staying there and getting scolded, I’d rather be out here having fun. At least you two aren’t afraid I’ll feed you into fat lumps.”
Quinn shook his head. “It’s dangerous with us, Annie. You should go back. When chaos erupts, probably only the peach forest will be safe.”
Annie laughed, “I’ll go back when danger actually comes. I just can’t rest easy with you two—without me, you’d never manage on your own. You’re both fledglings. And Fat Dragon, you’re way too slow!”
She revealed her true form—a plump Dragon-Sparrow—and laughed, “Hop on! I’m way faster!”
She carried Quinn and Dragon-Qilin forward. In less than a day, they reached the area near Dragoncrest City. Quinn landed and surveyed the terrain. With the Origin World unsealed, the geography had changed; he could only estimate Dragoncrest City’s location without a detailed map.
“Over there—that’s the Temple of the Sea-Guarding King!”
Quinn’s eyes lit up as he spotted a dilapidated temple. “The Temple of the Sea-Guarding King isn’t far from Dragoncrest City. If we find this temple, Dragoncrest City should be close! Fat Dragon, do you remember the time the stone idol rode you to execute the Dragon King? That’s the temple up ahead!”
Dragon-Qilin snorted. That incident was still vivid in his memory.
At that moment, a squad of skeletal couriers rushed over, carrying a sign reading 'Silence, Make Way,' heading straight for the Temple of the Sea-Guarding King. Even from afar, their voices could be heard: “Heavenly King Seaguard, an imperial decree from the Pioneer Emperor: chaos is coming—gather all sea forces, abandon the Great Ruins, enter Nether City, and avoid the Outer Heaven Court’s assault! After gathering your troops, join the Azure Emperor’s command.”
Heavenly King Seaguard’s voice answered, “I receive the order!”
The squad of skeletons left the temple, sign in hand, and sped away.
Quinn was startled and uncertain, but then heard Heavenly King Seaguard’s voice from inside the temple: “Bring my blade! Bring my horse!”
Dragon-Qilin shivered at the words 'bring my horse.'
Quinn stepped forward and saw a stone idol emerge from the temple, rapidly transforming from stone into flesh and blood.
Heavenly King Seaguard, now armored and wielding the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade, vaulted onto the stone horse at the temple gate. The horse itself transformed: its scales turned blue, hooves became dragon claws, its tail became a dragon’s tail, and its mouth filled with fangs, roaring thunderously.
Quinn saluted. “Heavenly King Seaguard, I am Quinn Shepherd, the 107th-generation descendant of the Pioneer Emperor. We’ve met before. May I ask, what is the Emperor’s command this time?”
Heavenly King Seaguard reined in his dragon-horse, looked at Quinn, and laughed, “I remember that Dragon-Qilin. I once rode him at midnight to execute the rebel Eastern Sea Dragon King. The Pioneer Emperor has sent word from Worryless Land: all gods under the Azure Emperor’s banner must abandon the Great Ruins, regroup, and preserve their strength. As a descendant, you should know how dangerous things are—go to Nether City for safety. Hyah!”
He spurred his horse and rode off, blade in hand.
Quinn frowned, uneasy.
The Pioneer Emperor’s order is a full retreat—to preserve strength. That means the Woodcutter, Martial Celestial Master, Empress Yiyue, Tian Shu, and the Four Celestial Masters and Four Heavenly Kings will also receive the order, abandoning Everpeace.
Everpeace only survived under the Pioneer Era’s protection. Now, with this order, the Four Celestial Masters, Four Heavenly Kings, and even Nether City will all withdraw, leaving Everpeace helpless.
He steadied himself, voice hoarse: “Let’s go—to Dragoncrest City.”
On the way, Quinn saw statues waking in village squares and city gates—transforming from stone to flesh. Gods of the Pioneer Era gathered, forming armies and leaving the lands they once guarded.
The people of the Great Ruins stood at their village entrances and city gates, watching their guardian gods depart, their eyes filled with confusion and helplessness.
Quinn followed the army of gods to Dragoncrest City, where they crossed the bridge between life and death and entered Nether City.
Dragoncrest City was silent. The city was filled with temples and countless statues; now, these statues too awakened and entered Nether City in succession.
“Cult Master Quinn!”
Most people in the city were disciples of the Heavenly Saint Cult. They quickly noticed Quinn’s arrival. Heavenly King Shi led several hall masters over, panic-stricken. “Cult Master, what’s happened?”