In the dream-world, Victor Bloom finally finished learning all the成果 (fruits) of the reform. Though the dream seemed to last for two or three years—arduous and exhausting—in reality, they only woke up to eat two or three meals.
However, Quinn Shepherd's dream-world had not yet dissolved.
Victor Bloom was puzzled, but saw Quinn take out a mirror, stand it upright, and the surface of the mirror grew larger and larger, projecting countless jade slips within it.
Victor Bloom leaned in to watch for a moment, then asked in confusion, "Ancient-god Dao-runes? These are... Dao-runes parsed by the Classic Numerology Canon! Huh, some of these runes you've already recalculated with the Grand Micro Numerology Canon!"
He tilted his head, thinking, "That day, the Heaven-Guide Venerable we saw in the lower world—could it be that Heavenly Court constructed it using Classic Numerology Dao-runes?"
Quinn said, "That was Heavenly Court's strongest artifact, outwardly resembling the Heaven-Guide Venerable, but the one piloting it was actually a Heaven Alliance giant. Heavenly Court and Heaven Alliance can manufacture more of these strongest artifacts at any time."
Victor Bloom walked among the jade slips—there were simply too many. Quinn had recalculated many with the Grand Micro Numerology Canon, but even so, what he had computed was just a drop in the ocean!
In the dream-world, countless Quinn Shepherds were simultaneously computing and reconstructing the Dao-runes on the jade slips using the Grand Micro Numerology Canon.
Such a massive scale even startled Victor Bloom, though his demeanor remained as calm as ever, as if nothing could shake him.
Victor Bloom browsed the jade slips and said, "Heavenly Court is experimenting with a perfect Heavenly Court cultivation method—one that can unify all the ancient-god Daos. Creating the strongest weapon isn't their real goal; their true aim is to establish a unified Heavenly Court method."
Quinn said, "Their Heavenly Court cultivation method is built atop the Seven Divine Treasuries. The reform in the lower world has changed the original Seven Divine Treasuries, so no matter what, they must stop the reform. Otherwise, their million years of effort will end up as a joke."
Victor Bloom said, "But this weapon is simply too powerful. Heavenly Court is incredible—to even conceive and build something like this! Its body rivals the mightiest ancient gods, and if you add the Heavenly Court Realm cultivation method, once it's complete, no force could ever challenge Heavenly Court! Its only flaw is lacking the Grand Micro Numerology Canon. If that were added..."
He couldn't help but shiver.
If the Grand Micro Numerology Canon were added, it would become the most powerful body in history. With the Heavenly Court cultivation method, its wielder would likely be invincible—no matter if the ancient-god Heavenly Emperor were revived, or even if Heaven Duke and Tu Bo joined forces, they still wouldn't be a match!
"Cult Master, do you really intend to recalculate everything with the Grand Micro Numerology Canon?"
Victor Bloom suddenly said, "I'm suddenly feeling terrified."
Quinn looked at him, puzzled.
Victor Bloom said, "If the Grand Micro Numerology Canon falls into Heavenly Court's hands, they will be truly unbeatable. Even if it doesn't, and we keep it for ourselves, I still can't help feeling afraid—afraid that one day, we'll become the very Heavenly Court we fear today."
Quinn was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "We're barely keeping ourselves alive. Why worry about things so far in the future?"
Victor Bloom was silent for a while, then said, "Cult Master Quinn, in the Dragon-Han Era, Heaven Alliance was also the vanguard of reform. Didn't they end up corrupt too? If we gain power and status in the future, won't we become just as rotten? Can you guarantee that, faced with the temptation of power, you'll still keep your original intention? Even if you can, can you guarantee everyone else will be like you?"
Quinn raised his head, thought for a long while, then shook it and said, "I can't guarantee that."
Victor Bloom fell silent.
Quinn patted him on the shoulder and laughed, "If we do become corrupt one day, someone will overthrow us. No need to worry so much."
Victor Bloom protested, "But when you combine the Classic Numerology Canon and the Grand Micro Numerology Canon, the Dao-arts and divine abilities become flawless. Even if we rot in the future, no one will have a chance to overthrow us! We'll possess the greatest power in all history and the future—crushing any who resist will be effortless! Aren't we creating an even more hopeless future?"
"It won't be more hopeless than today."
Quinn spoke earnestly, his voice deep: "Brother Bloom, even now, Heavenly Court believes they've forged the strongest artifact and discovered the ultimate cultivation method. Their reign will last forever, and no one can overthrow them. But we found the Grand Micro Numerology Canon and, through the Yankang Reform, their strongest artifact and cultivation method are no longer invincible—there's hope for overthrowing them. How do you know future generations won't find another path, exposing flaws in what we think is perfect?"
He was full of confidence and laughed heartily: "From ancient times to now, Dao-arts and divine abilities have always progressed, each generation surpassing the last. What once seemed perfect is riddled with flaws in the eyes of those who come after; what once was strongest may not remain so. Isn't that progress?"
"What we must do is realize our ideals and ambitions. The way of the sage lies in daily life among the people. Gods must no longer stand above all, controlling life and death, but should serve humanity and bring blessings to the people!"
Quinn clenched his fist: "I firmly believe that one day, gods will serve and work for the people. If they don't, reformers will overthrow them! Brother Bloom, my companion and dearest friend! If we ever become corrupt, someone will surely overthrow us!"
Victor Bloom calmed down, thought carefully, and realized Quinn made a lot of sense. He said, "I don't know why, but whenever you're around, I'm always full of energy and hope for the future, no longer pessimistic. Cult Master Quinn, you're too good at stirring people's hearts!"
Quinn laughed, "Isn't it precisely because our interests and ideals align that we call each other Dao-friends? You sometimes lose your way, and I only help you step out of confusion, that's all."
Victor Bloom couldn't help but burst out laughing, a hearty, genuine laugh.
He was always stoic and reserved, but today, for once, he laughed out loud—such open joy was truly rare.
Quinn handed over his own insights, saying, "Emperor Evan and the Imperial Preceptor are also studying ancient-god Dao-runes, and Dao Lord Lucas Lin has gone even further in this field. They may all seek you out soon."
Victor Bloom nodded lightly, listening with full attention.
Quinn recounted the Heaven-Guide Venerable opening the Spirit Embryo Treasury and Star River Treasury, and also described how he himself split open heaven and earth to recreate his soul. Victor Bloom was both impressed and a little worried.
Quinn then entrusted him with all the成果 of the Everpeace Reform, the ancient-god Dao-runes, and even the cultivation structures of Heaven-Guide Venerable and his own Divine Treasuries—nothing left out, as if making arrangements for what might come after him.
Victor Bloom studied even the methods he couldn't use himself—like Quinn's technique for recreating a shattered soul—with utmost seriousness.
Quinn wanted to pass on Great Brahma King Buddha’s Immeasurable Kalpa Sutra, but found he couldn’t; the scripture was too peculiar. When Great Brahma King Buddha taught him, there was no actual text—Quinn simply slept and woke up able to practice the art.
He tried to transmit it to Victor Bloom, but simply couldn’t.
Quinn could only give up, dissolving the dream realm. The two of them stepped out of the great hall—outside, only six days had passed.
"This trip to Heavenly Court is truly perilous, and no one knows where the danger will come from. If the Cult Master goes, his fate is uncertain—life or death hangs in the balance.
Victor Bloom said, "I know many people misunderstand you. They think you're arrogant, reckless, and always making trouble, but I understand you. They only see your brilliance and think you love being in the spotlight and stirring things up. They have no idea how much danger you face, or how much you've sacrificed. You're staking your life to win a future for Everpeace, to fight for a path forward."
Quinn smiled, "Going to Heavenly Court is dangerous, yes, but it's not completely hopeless. Because there's even a sliver of hope, I have to go. If I don't, Everpeace—and maybe all living spirits—will truly have no chance at all."
His eyes were clear as he said, "Don't worry too much about me. If I die, the Overlord Body's fate will pass to you. Once you inherit my destiny, you'll no longer be a pseudo-Overlord, but the true Overlord Body."
Victor Bloom let out a low, muffled sound.
Quinn continued, "If you fail too, then a new Overlord Body will inherit your destiny and keep moving forward. Sooner or later, one Overlord Body will be cleverer and stronger than either of us, and do what we couldn't. Stop here, Dao-friend."
Victor Bloom felt a surge of heroic passion in his chest, wanting to roar at the sky and let himself be swept up in wild, unrestrained emotion. But his upbringing had taught him never to let his feelings run free, never to be ruled by emotion.
He suppressed that surge of emotion, stopped in his tracks, and didn't see Quinn off. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he'd become just as bold and unrestrained as Quinn.
The longer he spent with Quinn, the easier it was to be infected by that wild courage.
Selena walked over and asked, "Husband, Quinn said he's heading to Heavenly Court—does he know how to get there?"
Victor replied, "Cyrus Qi knows. He's going to find Cyrus."
Victor put his arm around her waist, gazing up at the Red Empress's palace. He said slowly, "Quinn's carrying way more than I ever did. I never really felt it before, but when he handed me the reform's legacy and said that if he dies in Heavenly Court, the burden falls to me—I finally got just how heavy that load has always been for him."
Selena leaned on his shoulder, her voice soft: "Quinn's always running around, never a free moment. Compared to him, we're living easy."
"Yeah."
Victor let out a long sigh. "But who knows how long this good life will last? I just hope Quinn makes it back alive. If he does, then I can keep taking it easy."
He paused, then said, "In the dream, Quinn called me Dao-friend. When I was lost, he led me out of confusion. But I could tell—he's got his own doubts and struggles, and I can't help him with those. He treats me as a Dao-friend, but I just can't live up to that."
Selena looked at him quietly.
Victor gave a wry smile. "I used to be just a guest from High Heaven, obsessed with Dao. It was Quinn who woke up my stubborn side, made me want to outdo him, so I joined the Everpeace Reform. I've always been chasing after him. Without his push, I'd probably still be some pseudo-god in High Heaven—maybe I'd get somewhere, but not far. It's thanks to him I'm here now. So when he calls me Dao-friend, I really don't feel worthy."
Selena squeezed his hand and grinned. "So, who's smarter—you or Quinn?"
"Me!"
Victor shot back without missing a beat, "Quinn's sharp, sure, but I'm still a notch above!"
Selena giggled. "If you're smarter, why not be his Dao-friend? I don't see you lacking anything compared to Quinn—except maybe his sharp edge. You don't have that fearless drive to take on the heavens and never back down!"
Victor blinked, then pulled her into a hug. "The luckiest thing in my life wasn't meeting Cult Master Quinn—it was meeting you."
Red Empress's palace.
Cyrus Qi waved his hand, dismissing the Southern Heavens gods from the palace. "Second Brother already told me—Cult Master Quinn wants to go to Heavenly Court and plans to use me as a path. Fine, I'll go with you all to Heavenly Court."
Quinn raised his eyebrows, about to say something, but Cyrus cut him off with a cold snort: "I'm not doing this for you—I'm doing it for my Second Brother! I swore the Tu Bo's Pact with him, so if he follows you to Heavenly Court and dies there, I die too!"
Cyrus looked frustrated, thinking back to how he got drunk in the Godsever Divine Blade cavern and became sworn brothers with Dragon-Qilin. Now he's stuck with a bellyful of complaints and nowhere to vent.
Quinn shot Dragon-Qilin a look, thinking, "Weird—Fat Dragon's getting smarter and more responsible. He was always clever, but used to be too lazy to bother. Now he's actually stepping up to help me out. Could it be..."
He glanced at Annie, who was carefully feeding Dragon-Qilin.
Quinn smiled. "Brother Cyrus, how do you plan to get to Heavenly Court?"
Cyrus said, "If we were just ordinary divine-ability cultivators, we could have a god send us straight through the world barrier. But Annie here..."
Dragon-Qilin coughed. "Third Brother, call her 'Sis.'"
Cyrus's eye twitched, but he kept his temper. "But Sis Annie is a demigod at High Heaven Hall Stage. If she wants to go to Heavenly Court, there are only two ways: either Emperors at the Emperor's Throne realm punch through the world wall, or we borrow a ship from the Red Empress. Since none of us are Emperor's Throne experts, borrowing a ship from my master is our only option."