Since the Ancient God Palace was destroyed five hundred years ago, why did Luo Miaomiao claim that her mother was a disciple of the Ancient God Palace? And why did she mention that the sect and the Phoenix Clan had a blood feud, with the union of her parents being forbidden by both sides?

  The Ancient God Palace has been destroyed—how could they still harbor such a feud?

  Han felt his mind growing dizzy. The sudden influx of information was a lot to process.

  Noticing Han's confused expression, Lu Qingmo asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

  "Nothing." Han took a deep breath. "Aunt Mo, can you tell me more about the Ancient God Palace?"

  "Of course." Lu Qingmo nodded.

  "The Ancient God Palace was an ancient and powerful sect. Long ago, they produced experts of the rank of Sect Master, whose influence was immense."

  The mark of a true power in the world was to have, at some point, a strong figure listed in the 'Heavens and Earth' rankings. Only those who had such a figure could truly be called a top force, a ruler of cultivation.

  Those of that caliber could dominate the world. Even after their passing, their methods were so powerful that they ensured the sect’s legacy remained unchallenged for a long time.

  "The Ancient God Palace stood tall on the Eastern Zhou land for nearly a thousand years before its destruction," Lu Qingmo continued slowly. "Their cultivation methods were unique, requiring the blood of various powerful beasts and demons to cultivate and forge the Godly Body."

  "Naturally, the best results came from dragon and phoenix blood. Since the Eastern Zhou borders the Shanhai Region, the Phoenix Clan became the main target of the Ancient God Palace."

  "One palace, one clan, and thus, a blood feud was born."

  "Did the Eastern Zhou also have dragons?" Han asked.

  "Of course," Lu Qingmo replied, shaking her head. "But the Dragon Clan was too powerful. The Ancient God Palace didn’t dare provoke them openly."

  "Five hundred years ago, before the current Phoenix Clan leader ascended to immortality, the Phoenix Clan hadn’t produced a power of that level for a long time."

  "While powerful, they were not quite on the level of the Shanhai Region's rulers."

  Han nodded in understanding.

  "Then, five hundred years ago, someone from the Phoenix Clan ascended to immortality, and the Ancient God Palace stopped its attempts, even offering precious gifts as an apology."

  "The Phoenix Clan accepted their apology, after all, the Ancient God Palace was still a human faction."

  "How was the Ancient God Palace destroyed?"

  "It was destroyed by the Phoenix Clan leader, who shattered their Sect's sacred artifact," Lu Qingmo said with a hint of sadness.

  "According to records, she left the Shanhai Region alone and entered the Ancient God Palace. Three days later, a battle broke out."

  "Even with the full strength of the entire sect, they couldn’t stop that Phoenix Immortal. The sacred artifact was shattered, and the Sect Master, along with several elders and their factions, were all slain."

  "The ancestral land of the Ancient God Palace was completely destroyed. The ground collapsed, and the stars fell from the sky. Only a few disciples managed to escape, and that was only because the Phoenix Immortal didn’t take action against them."

  "Even if some survived, the Ancient God Palace was considered destroyed."

  "That battle solidified the Phoenix Immortal's status. Other immortals now regard her with great fear."

  Han was silent. While the Phoenix Clan had accepted the apology, why did they still have to destroy the Ancient God Palace? That didn’t seem quite right.

  "Were there no other powerful figures intervening?"

  While this was a personal vendetta between the two sides, it involved two different races.

  It wouldn’t be right if human cultivators didn’t step in.

  "Actually, there was one human expert, now passed away, who tried to intervene. But for some unknown reason, they didn’t act."

  "Many speculated that the Phoenix Immortal's destruction of the Ancient God Palace wasn’t solely because of the blood feud. If it were, the human expert would have intervened."

  "Unfortunately, five hundred years have passed, and everything has faded into history. Apart from the Phoenix Immortal, no one knows the true reason behind that event."

  Five hundred years ago, even the current Sect Master of the Xuan Du Sect hadn’t been born.

  "If I hadn’t gone to the ruins of the Ancient God Palace and specifically looked through the records in the Xuan Du Sect, I wouldn’t have been able to answer your questions today," Lu Qingmo said, glancing at Han.

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  "Do you have any more questions?"

  "The leader of the Phoenix Clan—what’s her name?" Han asked.

  "No one knows her real name," Lu Qingmo shook her head.

  "Everyone calls her the 'Emperor of the Ages'."

  At this, Lu Qingmo’s expression grew a little strange.

  "You might not be able to guess, but this Phoenix leader, the one who took the Phoenix Clan to new heights, is actually..."

  "A half-demon."

  She had publicly revealed her half-demon identity to the world.

  Han’s mind exploded, as if a bomb had gone off inside it, leaving him dizzy and disoriented.

  The Emperor of the Ages... a half-demon... the Ancient God Palace, mysteriously destroyed five hundred years ago...

  Han covered his face with his hand, a tangled mess of thoughts swirling in his mind.

  Is this a coincidence? Or is it something more?

  "Emperor of the Ages..." Han muttered.

  Five hundred years ago, there was an Emperor of the Ages, and now, within the Phoenix Clan’s territory, is the one who made a vow to Han the same?

  What are the chances that a half-demon Emperor of the Ages and a dying half-demon servant could coexist?

  But if this 'Emperor' is the same one...

  But how could that be?

  It’s been five hundred years!

  Such a long time—enough for an entire dynasty to rise and fall.

  Five hundred years ago, even the Great Qi Kingdom didn’t exist yet.

  If there were a river, the wish bottle would have drifted along it.

  He is the river’s end, but where is the beginning?

  Is it in some corner of this world, or another world, or perhaps...

  A different time?

  This was all too strange, and Han felt utterly lost.

  This new "cheat code" was giving him an overwhelming shock.

  Lu Qingmo quietly observed Han but said nothing.

  She could tell that something was bothering him, but she wasn’t going to pry.

  Everyone has their own secrets. When Han is ready to share, he will.

  A while later, Han’s mood seemed to settle.

  "Aunt Mo, I..."

  "Do you have more questions?"

  Han froze for a moment before smiling and shaking his head. He looked at Lu Qingmo, his heart racing, unable to control his emotions.

  "Aunt Mo, thank you."

  Lu Qingmo stiffened for a moment, then glanced at her hand.

  It was being covered by another large hand.

  Is this how you thank me?

  She pulled her hand away, concealing her feelings.

  "If there’s nothing else, you can go now."

  After Han left, Lu Qingmo’s face slowly turned red, a slight frown of displeasure crossing her mind.

  However, the Ancient Divine Palace and the Phoenix Clan...

  Lu Qingmo’s expression became contemplative as she thought about Han’s strange behavior just now.

  Could these two forces somehow be connected to him?

  But how could he possibly have ties to the Ancient Divine Palace or the Phoenix Clan, especially the Sovereign of the Phoenix?

  Lu Qingmo’s sharp eyes noticed that Han’s reaction was particularly odd when she mentioned the Sovereign.

  Back in his room, Han stared at the drop of Phoenix blood in his Soul Land, lost in thought.

  Where do you really come from? Are you some half-demon on the brink of death, or the legendary Phoenix Sovereign who once ruled the world?

  Han silently decided that, unless absolutely necessary, he would avoid the Mountain Sea Domain and especially the Sovereign.

  It’s a pity. Without the Appearance Bottle, this new cheat code might as well not exist. Unlike Brother Tree, who has a physical form Han can touch and study at will.

  "Maybe I’ll have to wait for the Appearance Bottle to appear again," Han mused.

  Later that evening, Yuan Fang came to Han with an invitation to a banquet. After some thought, Han agreed to attend.

  As they left the Ghost and Deity Bureau, Han was surprised to find Yuan Hua standing by the entrance.

  "Hey Han, good to see you again!" Yuan Hua greeted with a smile, still wearing his signature ocean-blue outfit.

  It seemed that this color was his favorite.

  The three of them walked together to Tian Yue Restaurant, where two women were already waiting.

  "This is my fiancée, Fang Xue, and my younger sister, Yuan Mei," Yuan Fang introduced Han. He had mentioned earlier that this banquet wouldn’t just be the three of them.

  The dinner was lively and enjoyable, and afterward, Yuan Hua suggested that they go watch some exciting shows.

  But Han glanced at the sky and politely declined.

  Lu Qingmo had specifically asked him to return early that night.

  If he went with Yuan Hua, Han was sure he wouldn’t be getting any sleep the next day.

  Once back at the Ghost and Deity Bureau, Han headed straight to Lu Qingmo’s room.

  "Mo Aunty, I’m back early, aren’t I?" Han beamed, trying to impress her.

  Lu Qingmo glanced at him and simply said two words.

  "Practice."

  "Oh," Han responded, and then spent the night in quiet solitude.

  Life in Tian Yue City was relatively peaceful for Han. After his daily practice, he’d wander around, observing the lives of the city’s residents.

  The Ghost and Deity Bureau had plenty of business to handle, but none of it required his attention.

  The Bureau had been running smoothly for countless years, and there wasn’t a situation so urgent that it would grind to a halt without Han’s help.

  Every evening, Yuan Fang and Yuan Hua would invite Han to dinner, often bringing along friends or family from the Yuan family in the city.

  While Han didn’t exactly make many new friends, he certainly became acquainted with a number of important figures in Tian Yue City.

  By now, Han’s name had spread throughout the city. Black Cloud Town’s growing ties with the capital meant that the rumor of Han, the first genius of Black Cloud, had made its rounds.

  The Yuan family, along with the Huang family, were the ruling powers of the city, but they weren’t the only ones.

  There were several other families, large and small, in Tian Yue City. Many of these families relied on the Yuan family for their livelihood.

  "I heard the Huang family has been facing some trouble lately," Yuan Hua said with a sly grin.

  "Some Bone Refining Warrior was killed outside Tian Yue City, and there was a mysterious death of a Sun-Walking cultivator too."

  "Heh, the Huang family must be grieving over this," he added, clearly enjoying their misfortune.

  "Watch your words," Yuan Fang gave his younger brother a warning look.

  "Watch what? Everyone in the city knows about this by now," Yuan Hua said dismissively.

  "If only more Bone Refining Warriors died," he added with a smirk.

  Han’s thoughts stirred. Had this news really spread throughout the entire city?

  Bone Refining Warriors and Sun-Walking cultivators were pivotal to any force’s stability. Each ruling family only had a few.

  The Huang family had suffered significant losses, and word of it was spreading fast.

  "Han, let me tell you..." Yuan Hua continued, dragging Han into an excited monologue.

  He went on and on about the Huang family's bad luck.

  "Honestly, I wonder which hero is targeting the Huang family. Such strength and audacity! If they came for a few more Bone Refining Warriors, I’d call them my hero," Yuan Hua exclaimed, thrilled by the chaos.

  Han kept his smile in place.

  The hero is right in front of you.

  "The Huang family won’t just let this slide, will they?" Han asked.

  "How could they? They can’t even find the culprit. What can they do?" Yuan Hua sneered.

  "They can only seethe with rage," he added.

  "As for that hidden hero, I just hope they stay safe... and kill a few more Bone Refining Warriors from the Huang family. I’ll even call him 'father' if he wants!"

  "..."

  Han, who had considered him a friend, was now left speechless by his words.