"Those gods from High Heaven aren't hiding their auras—they seem to have gone to Granny Sue's place."
Butcher and Grandpa Blind were living far away in Shuzhou, and Grandpa Blind seemed to sense these visitors, his expression odd. "It's night now—Old Demon Li has come out," he said.
Butcher was startled. "If they've run into Old Demon Li wearing Granny Sue's face, they're probably doomed."
Grandpa Blind's expression grew even stranger. "Old Demon Li is chatting and laughing with them."
Butcher said, "Then they're really doomed. Back in the village, everyone was bewitched by Old Demon Li—no one could resist. Even Village Chief didn't dare look directly at her. Only you ignored Granny Sue's beauty. So, when do you think these four gods will turn on each other and start fighting?"
Grandpa Blind shook his head. "They're gods—they wouldn't fight over a woman. I think... Wait, they're fighting!"
Grandpa Blind 'watched' for a moment, then relaxed. "It's just a bit of sparring, but they're fiercely competitive. Not far from real fighting. Granny Sue truly could topple cities and kingdoms!"
Butcher shook his head. "Granny Sue never brings disaster—it's Cult Master Li who does. Granny Sue is kind and never harms us, but when Cult Master Li comes out, he nearly tears the village apart. By the way, have you seen Deaf and Mute lately? They're always together."
"Haven't seen them."
Grandpa Blind said, "Mute chased after a ship and ran off; Deaf went after him, but probably couldn't catch up. Mute's speed is just a bit slower than Crippled Joe's. So, when do you think these four gods will turn on each other?"
Butcher chuckled, "Then it all depends on how long Cult Master Li wants to keep playing. Those Four Lords of High Heaven aren't much of a threat anymore—we can afford to keep our distance. Once Cult Master Li gets bored, we'll reassess and decide what to do."
Riding atop Dragon-Qilin, Quinn Shepherd suddenly remembered something and turned to Sage Nicholas Tranquil, asking, "Sage Nicholas, when Victor Bloom entered the Three Origins Hall, which breakthrough did he choose?"
Sage Nicholas replied, "He didn't say it himself, but the Three Origins Elder told me—it was a Heaven Origin breakthrough. He made it look easy, but later regretted not attempting a full Three Origins breakthrough."
"Then in the Five Qi Hall, which breakthrough did he choose?" Quinn asked again.
"Earth Luminary breakthrough in the Five Qi Hall. Among the Five Luminaries, Earth is the strongest foundation," Nicholas answered.
Quinn nodded. Victor Bloom truly was formidable; in the past, he never fell short in any real contest. Though his cultivation was just a hair weaker than Quinn’s, his divine arts were even more refined.
This time, Victor Bloom achieved breakthroughs in both the Three Origins Hall and the Five Qi Hall, patching up his previous shortcomings. Quinn’s Three Origins breakthrough had strengthened the foundation of his Spirit Embryo Treasury, while Victor now possessed both Heaven Origin and Earth Luminary breakthroughs—the latter forming the bedrock of the Five Luminaries Treasury.
Whether Quinn’s own mana could still suppress Victor by a margin was now hard to say.
"I had no idea he was a disciple of High Heaven," Quinn mused. "I even asked him to share some tea; I still owe him a round of drinks."
In his heart, Quinn thought, Victor Bloom is truly a rare and worthy rival—dignified, generous, and admirable. I want to meet him again, yet at the same time, I dread another encounter.
"Village Chief, what exactly is High Heaven?" Quinn asked.
"High Heaven? It’s the land where true gods raise dogs—the place where those true gods keep their pets," Village Chief replied.
Village Chief continued, "It’s somewhere in the Western Lands, shrouded in mystery. I’ve never been there myself, so I can’t say for sure where exactly it is. I only know that some people can climb certain god-mountains in the West, burn Divine Incense, and have their prayers reach High Heaven. But I’ve never had that incense—it must be something special. If I did, I’d have killed my way up there long ago."
Quinn couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time—Village Chief had probably fought the strongest of High Heaven for a lifetime and had no fondness for that sacred place.
"Palace Mistress, have you ever heard of High Heaven?" Quinn asked Raina Bear.
"High Heaven is definitely in our Western Lands. True Heaven Palace has met people from there before, but that sacred place is even more secretive than Little Jade Capital," Raina Bear replied.
Raina Bear’s eyes flashed as she spoke softly, "The incense Village Chief mentioned is called Divine Incense. True Heaven Palace holds three sticks. If Cult Master Quinn helps me reclaim my position as Palace Mistress, I can gift you one."
Quinn blinked, sidestepping the offer. He mused, I wonder if Loulan Golden Palace has any Divine Incense. Ben Coates has lived so many lives and hoarded countless treasures—he might have one. The Imperial Preceptor still owes me a hundred precious items... And where is Crippled Joe? Little Jade Capital has probably already been robbed blind by now.
Raina Bear sighed.
When they arrived at the Imperial Capital, Quinn led the group to the Imperial Academy. There weren't many students left; most had already gone to the front lines, heading to the battlefield.