Venerable Vastflood chuckled and said, "Supreme Emperor? Who is the Supreme Emperor?"
Quinn Shepherd only smiled, saying nothing.
Venerable Vastflood laughed, "You returned from the Grand Void, bringing this young lady with you, but she is not the Empress. There are Creators in the Grand Void, so I dared to guess that she might be a Primordial God-King. As for the Supreme Emperor, that was your own claim."
He sighed, "You said the Supreme Emperor is hidden among the Ten Heavenly Venerables, but you never revealed who exactly. Now we’re all left doubting and suspecting each other. You don’t suspect me, do you?"
Quinn praised, "Venerable Vastflood’s explanation is flawless—truly admirable."
Venerable Vastflood laughed heartily, then looked at Langwo, smiling, "So, is this young lady truly a Primordial God-King?"
Langwo shook her head and answered softly, "I come from the Remote Ancient, not the Primordial Age."
Venerable Vastflood said, "The boundary between Primordial and Remote Ancient is the founding of the Dragon-Han Heavenly Court. With Dragon-Han came the Remote Ancient civilization; the Scarlet Emperor era marks the Antiquity, lasting four hundred thousand years. The Pioneer Emperor era is the Near Ancient, or Ancient Era, which lasted twenty thousand years. From the fall of the Pioneer Emperor to now is the Modern Era, totaling a million years. So, are you a Creator born in the Dragon-Han era?"
Langwo smiled sweetly, and for a moment, everyone in the carriage was captivated by her smile. She said, "Why are you so certain I am a Creator, Venerable?"
Venerable Vastflood stroked the ring on his thumb and smiled, "Because you came out of the Grand Void. In the Grand Void, aside from Creators, there is only Carefree Haven. You were born in the Primordial Age, but Carefree Haven was only founded at the junction of Near Ancient and Modern, twenty thousand years ago. So you cannot be from Carefree Haven."
Western Emperor kept staring intently at Langwo, and at these words grew even more tense.
Quinn Shepherd laughed and said leisurely, "Venerable Vastflood, I didn’t invite you here to discuss where my elder sister comes from. Since you’re not the Supreme Emperor, whether she’s a Creator or a God-King has nothing to do with you. I called you here just to tell Western Emperor: if she’d attacked your Sky-Bulwark City and tried to seize your Heaven-Guide Divine War-Body, she’d already be a dead tiger."
Western Emperor’s heart tightened, and she fell silent.
Ever since Venerable Vastflood stepped into the palanquin, he had seized the initiative, casting aside Quinn’s hints about his schemes and instead successfully sowing discord between Quinn and Langwo.
Now, Quinn had skillfully steered the conversation back.
Facing these two old foxes, Western Emperor felt it best to say nothing at all.
The more you say, the more mistakes you make; the more you do, the faster you die.
Even that ever-calm Langwo, she felt she couldn’t see through.
Only now did she realize, among the four in the palanquin, she was actually the most naive.
Quinn Shepherd stood up and said, "A catastrophe has been averted; Venerable, you should return now."
Venerable Vastflood also stood up, putting on the air of a kindly old man, and chuckled, "Dao-brother, you’ve ruined my plans, but you’re a senior—I can’t do anything about it. You’ll have to make it up to me someday."
"No problem, no problem."
Quinn saw him off, saying, "Since I spoiled your plans, let me compensate you with some news. The Ancient-God Heavenly Emperor is among the Ten Heavenly Venerables, as are the Empress and Madam Yuanmu."
Venerable Vastflood’s body shook slightly. He turned, half smiling, "That’s truly shocking news, but it makes sense. Even Earth Mother Primordial Lady is so hard to kill, always causing trouble after death; how much more so the Heavenly Emperor, who’s even stronger? Still, even though this news is valuable, it hardly makes up for my losses. Western Extremity Heaven is one of the Four Extremity Heavens—the four poles of the cosmos—no small matter."
Quinn said calmly, "What if I told you Queen Serena Gong is also among the Ten Heavenly Venerables? Would that be enough?"
"Who is Queen Serena Gong?"
Venerable Vastflood asked suspiciously, "Could it be Venerable Gong?"
Quinn watched his face, noting every subtle expression, but saw no trace of deception. He replied, "Queen Serena Gong, also known as Lady Xinfu, was one of the three God-Kings of the Primordial Age, wife of the Supreme Emperor. The Ancient-God Heavenly Emperor and Queen Serena Gong gave birth to Jadecrest God-Emperor."
Venerable Vastflood was deeply shaken, but laughed, "So many secrets among the Ten Heavenly Venerables! I’ve called them Dao-brother for hundreds of thousands of years and never knew their origins! I’m enlightened, truly enlightened!"
Quinn still couldn’t detect any flaw in his expression and silently admired, "This is what the village chief called an old hand—never leaves a clue, depth unfathomable."
"Vastflood, I’ve ruined your plans this time. Even these two pieces of news can’t make up for it, but I’ll repay you someday."
Quinn said sincerely, "Dao-brother, let Western Extremity Heaven go for now—leave it for the future."
Venerable Vastflood laughed, "It’s not that I don’t trust you, Dao-brother. You owe me a favor, but I’ll need you to put it in writing."
Quinn took out paper and brush and wrote out the note.
Venerable Vastflood pocketed the note and drifted away.
Quinn watched him depart, then returned to the carriage, where Western Emperor was still staring at Langwo. Langwo’s expression remained calm, letting her look as she pleased.
Quinn sat down, his face darkening. Western Emperor said coldly, "So, Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, is this young lady a Creator...?"
"Enough!"
Quinn snapped, "If Western Emperor hadn’t been so reckless trying to seize the Heaven-Guide Divine War-Body, I wouldn’t have been so passive in front of Vastflood! I even had to write him a debt note—I owe him a favor, and who knows how I’ll pay it back! I protected your Western Extremity Heaven, I saved your life—what more do you want?"
Western Emperor flushed, then laughed, "You men—why do you lose your temper so easily? No composure at all. People say Shepherd Heavenly Venerable is as sly as a fox, as cunning as a rabbit, but you seem more like a male lion, scaring people’s hearts into a flutter."
Quinn’s expression softened, and he said gently, "I’m not actually angry—just worried for your safety, Sister Western Emperor. Otherwise, how would I dare offend Vastflood or ruin his plans? Don’t blame me, please."
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Western Emperor stood up, solemnly saying, "It was indeed my recklessness this time—my fault. Luckily you arrived in time, or the consequences would’ve been unimaginable. I apologize." With that, she actually bowed to Quinn in apology.
Quinn was surprised and hurriedly rose to help her up.
Ancient gods are usually proud and aloof—even those close to Quinn, like Earth Lord Tuber, have an innate pride and look down on postnatal beings. They rarely ever admit fault.
Some, like Eastern Emperor Azure Dragon, not only scorn postnatal beings, but treat even their own children as tools, showing no affection at all.
But Western Emperor White Tiger is an exception among ancient gods—straightforward, bold, willing to admit mistakes, and genuinely likable.
"It’s not your fault—the Ten Heavenly Venerables are just too cunning."
Quinn invited her to sit, saying, "I was just too anxious about your safety, so I kept provoking and scheming—without considering your feelings. I apologize to you as well."
Western Emperor didn’t sit, laughing, "I broke your seat; this throne is no good anymore." As she spoke, the seat crumbled to dust.
Western Emperor’s cheeks reddened. "I’ll make it up to you, don’t rush off yet. Western Extremity Heaven has plenty of skilled craftsmen; I’ll call the palace’s artificers to fix your palanquin, and it’ll be even more splendid than before."
Quinn breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Sister. I still need to hurry to Southern Extremity Heaven and check if Sister Vermillion Bird made it through safely."
"Zhu Zhu is much cleverer than me. If I can’t see through things, she surely can. No need to worry about her."
Western Emperor stepped out of the palanquin and glanced down, seeing the wheels squashed flat by her. She stuck out her tongue in embarrassment.
Inside the carriage, Quinn reached out to the motionless Langwo. She didn’t respond, looking displeased. Quinn kept his hand out, and after a moment, Langwo closed her eyes, then finally placed her delicate hand in his palm.
Quinn gently pulled her up. Langwo withdrew her hand and walked outside. "Qin Lang, should I call you Holy Infant or Shepherd Heavenly Venerable?"
Quinn lifted the beaded curtain and smiled, "Sister, you’re angry. When you’re angry, you seem more human."
Langwo sighed and left the palanquin. "You still haven’t answered my question."
Western Emperor was directing the White Tiger Heavenly Palace’s gods to pull the Southern Heavenly Gate out of the ground. The warriors of Western Extremity Heaven all urged on their primordial spirits, finally lifting the palace.
The palace slowly rose. Western Emperor led the way inside, removing her armor as she walked. "Brother Shepherd, and that young lady, you two go in first while I change clothes. I was so tense earlier that my garments tore... You all, come here—escort my brother and sister to the Jade Pool!"
She hurried away, while Quinn and Langwo, accompanied by Dragon Qilin and Yan’er, entered the White Tiger Heavenly Palace, led by several female generals.
The female divine generals of Western Extremity Heaven walked ahead, removing their armor as they went, revealing vibrant dresses underneath and striking, alluring figures.
Only now did Quinn notice that most in the palace were women, with few men present—even the generals were mostly female. It was truly an army of beautiful heroines!
"Sister, Shepherd Heavenly Venerable is me, and Holy Infant is also me."
Quinn admired the scenery of the White Tiger Heavenly Palace, feeling as if he’d entered a woman’s boudoir. The palace was decorated in a riot of colors, with a feminine touch everywhere—flowers in every corner, vines climbing the palace walls.
"I know there’s deep hatred between Creators and ancient gods, but for now, I have to work with them. I need to find a way out not just for the Creators, but also for humanity and for Yankang."
A pure, innocent smile appeared on Quinn’s face. "I’m the Holy Infant of the Creators, but also Shepherd Heavenly Venerable of humanity."
They arrived at the Jade Pool, where many artisans were rushing out—presumably to repair the Heavenly Dragon Imperial Palanquin. Quinn was surprised to see that the artificers of Western Extremity Heaven were all women, each carrying a great furnace and toolboxes, very much like Grandpa Deaf’s attire.
"Grandpa Deaf would love these strong girls! He always taught me that strong girls are the prettiest!"
Quinn was delighted. "I wonder if Western Emperor would let me have some of Western Extremity Heaven’s artificers?"
As he was thinking this, Western Emperor, now changed, walked over. Quinn’s eyes lit up, and he silently praised, "Such an adorable ancient god!"