"Shepherd Heavenly Venerable is truly aloof."
A faint ripple of the Heavenly Emperor’s divine sense drifted over, murmuring, "How many years has it been since I bestowed the title of Heavenly Venerable upon you? Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, you’ve endured until now before opening my imperial decree—your patience is admirable. You’ve already met Lila Swallowfeather, haven’t you? She’s reported your situation to me. I was surprised, but also gratified. Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, you are indeed the one I value most. Your appearance has helped me understand many things."
"Humph!"
The black pig, panic-stricken, immediately bolted, crashing headlong into the mountains and barreling through the dense forest, snout and tusks flailing.
"Hmm?"
The Heavenly Emperor’s divine sense sounded a bit surprised, then chuckled, "Is that all you have to say to me, Shepherd Heavenly Venerable? You avenged Heaven-Guide Venerable, which I greatly admire. I granted you the title of Shepherd Heavenly Venerable because your divine arts surpass even those of the Dragon-Han Era—you are a pioneer, and even now your skills are worthy of the title. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity—a chance to purge the traitors and rebels. Lady Umbral was resurrected by you, wasn’t she? Earth Mother Primordial Lady found you, also to have you revive her, am I right?"
The black wild boar dashed and crashed about, snout and tusks thrashing, but it could never escape that strange voice in its head.
Soon after, the pig demon found its den and huddled with its piglets and mate, but the voice echoed again: "...You cannot escape me. I need you to perform a grand resurrection ritual for me. I died in the Origin-Capital Realm, my three souls scattered throughout it. Holding the resurrection rite for me won’t be too troublesome for you."
"Oink, oink, oink, oink..."
"Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, you’re asking for trouble! You probably don’t even know what real fear is. I can show you true terror!"
The Dragon-Qilin raced ahead at breakneck speed, yet even so, the journey to Yong River would take several months. Qin Mu gazed into the distance at a heroic mountain—its pillar stretched three thousand li around, vast and imposing, thrusting straight into the sea of clouds. The cloud belt wrapped halfway up the mountain’s waist, and thunder rumbled at mid-slope.
One mountain, and it contained all four seasons: white snow lay on some slopes, blazing sunlight scorched others. Rivers flew in suspended arcs down its cliffs, and lakes and inland seas—like blue gemstones—dotted the peaks.
Looking higher, Qin Mu could vaguely see this heroic peak had already pierced the sky of Everpeace, propping it up to dizzying heights.
The sky above Everpeace was false—just a massive formation array, ten thousand li high and three hundred zhang thick. Sun, moon, and stars were all formation runes etched into the array.
This mountain was so tall it lifted the sky itself, making the sun, moon, and stars twist and warp into bizarre, uncanny patterns as they moved through this region.
Especially when the sun passed overhead, the sky itself would contort, and the sun would be stretched and wrinkled like a ragged scrap of cloth.
Qin Mu sat atop the Dragon-Qilin’s head, continuing to lecture the Human Emperors on how to sense the power of the Celestial River. Human Emperor Connor Hayes and Human Emperor Ethan Graves both looked listless, sipping medicine as they listened.
The other Human Emperors had already decided, without a hint of guilt, to sacrifice the two—letting the First Human Emperor personally shatter their Divine Bridge Treasuries.
The First Ancestor was much gentler than the Warfist Celestial Teacher, but even so, they were gravely wounded—after all, they didn’t have Qin Mu’s ox-like body. With their Divine Bridge Treasuries destroyed, their vitality was severely damaged.
Fortunately, Qin Mu was right beside them, able to treat their injuries at any time.
Apart from that, he also saw many ancient ruins, filled with a dangerous aura—as if fearsome monsters lurked within.
Between these mountains and rivers lay palatial cave-mansions; atop the peaks, ornate palaces rivaled dragon scales in splendor, and some places boasted clusters of grand buildings.
As they passed through great marshes and rivers, they encountered immensely powerful demigods emerging from nowhere—their auras blazing, twisting the sky into strange, dazzling phenomena. Some commanded water, others wielded fire, but none attacked; they merely watched from afar.
Whenever this happened, the First Human Emperor would reveal his Heaven Palace—his Primordial Spirit standing tall atop the Jade Capital City’s tower.
At such moments, the demigods would quietly withdraw.
Half a month later, Quinn Shepherd and his companions arrived at Bazhou City.
Bazhou City had expanded many times with Everpeace’s development, growing vast. Yet after seeing the scale of Origin-Capital, Quinn felt Bazhou City was now tiny—a mere speck in the ocean of Everpeace, barely worth mentioning.
Inside the city, two gods stood atop a tall bell tower, one to the left and one to the right. Divine light radiated in all directions, watching over the city and guarding against demigod attacks.
Quinn Shepherd glanced up and recognized State Duke Wei among them, calling out a greeting.
State Duke Wei remained on the bell tower, but his Primordial Spirit descended to greet the group, lowering his voice: "Cult Master, you’ve come from the capital? How is it there now?"