From the beginning, Ye Chui had sensed hostility from the Emperor. He had signalled Green, Leisha, and Celty to stay alert around him. He thought this Emperor was simply suspicious by nature, doubting strangers like them. But Ye Chui never expected that, upon seeing the Sea Beast clan leader, the old man would utter such words: “The one who guided the Church villains into the Tidal Empire and triggered the imperial rebellion was the Emperor himself!”
The Church had infiltrated the Tidal Empire, sparked the rebellion, and imprisoned the Emperor. The alliance between the Star Empire and the Tidal Empire had shifted because of it. The Emperor should have been a victim of the rebellion. Yet he was actually the instigator? As Emperor, what need did he have for a rebellion?
Countless doubts flooded Ye Chui’s mind. At the same time, he instinctively began summoning magic, at least to restrain the Emperor first.
Green, Leisha, and Celty moved simultaneously, preparing to attack the Emperor.
But it was already too late!
Old Zask appeared angry and reckless, but he was actually very wise. The moment he realised Ye Chui’s group had come to rescue them, he reacted swiftly. He immediately pointed out the Emperor as the rebellion’s mastermind, hoping to provoke a strong response from Ye Chui. But it was still a step too slow.
Just as Ye Chui’s group prepared to strike, the Emperor suddenly raised his hands. His palms turned smooth and crystalline like jade, glowing with soft, hazy light. It seemed some wondrous power. On the dungeon walls around them, magic runes suddenly lit up.
Beneath this dungeon lay a terrifying magic array. Under its influence, the bodies of Ye Chui, Leisha, Green, Guni, and Celty grew countless times heavier. Celty’s black fire magic had already spurted out, but it dissipated into the air under the array’s effect. Zask and the other two clan leaders in the dungeon, already weakened, softened further and slumped to the ground, gasping heavily.
They were like drowning people, struggling to breathe. Their bodies felt bound by gravity magic, unable to muster any strength.
Leisha and Celty collapsed one after another. Guni, physically robust, remained standing, but her vibranium greatsword drooped to the floor, too heavy to lift. Ye Chui’s body hunched slightly. His fingers rested on the pad magic guide book’s screen, yet he could cast no magic.
“The Ancestral God Execution Array!” Zask gasped, sitting before the cell door. One hand gripped the bars tightly. Sweat poured down his aged face. “The Zenith Palace dungeon has held countless terrifying enemies, so the Tidal Empire’s most powerful Ancestral God Execution Array was set here. This magic freezes anyone’s actions. Magic mentors, swordsmen, summoners, believers—all lose their power within it, except those wielding ancestral god strength.” He explained breathlessly.
Everyone in the dungeon lost freedom of movement. Only the Emperor remained unaffected. He laughed loudly now, eyes mocking Ye Chui. “Nothing more than this. I used a small trick to lure you here. Outside, you may be invincible. But here, before me, you are merely an ant!”
“I suspected something off about you long ago. But I never imagined you were the rebellion’s leader. Who would think the one causing the Tidal Empire’s rebellion was the Emperor himself…” Ye Chui said weakly. At the same time, he struggled to connect with the magic guide book, trying certain operations. Ye Chui had indeed been careless this time. But he was not entirely unprepared. Earlier, when entering the dungeon with the Emperor, he had quietly placed a magic bomb at the entrance, remotely triggerable.
He had thought that in an emergency, it could create chaos for an escape chance. Now the emergency had come, though unexpectedly from this Emperor.
The Ancestral God Execution Array resembled the dragon-trapping and demon-trapping arrays Ye Chui had encountered, greatly restricting magic flow. But at Ye Chui’s current realm, even restricted, he could mobilise some magic circulation to detonate the hidden bomb.
He needed only time.
“Why do this?” Ye Chui asked the Emperor. “You let Church forces enter the Tidal Empire. What benefit is there for you? You were already ruler of a nation. Currying favour with the Church—what good? Could they grant you greater power?”
“Greater power? No, I have no interest in authority. In truth, I disdain the Emperor’s position. I seek only strength. Ultimate, overwhelming strength!” The Emperor gazed at his palms. The soft glow emanating from them slowly turned into burning flames. “I want to claim all the ancestral god’s power!”
“The source of ancestral god power comes from the Puppet Graveyard. Ancestral god clan heirs can draw strength from it. That power is too immense, easily leading ancestral gods to lose themselves, tempted by it…” Zask explained weakly. “So the Tidal Empire’s founding ancestral god, to strengthen the empire without letting descendants stray, allied with the witch clan. He gave part of his gained power to the witch clan, letting them control the ancestral god clan’s absorption. The ancestral god bloodline is the door linking to the Puppet Graveyard. The witch clan is the key. That key’s role is not to open the door, but to lock it!”
Ye Chui understood suddenly. Fiorre had mentioned ancestral gods and witches like door and key. Ancestral gods could open the channel to the Puppet Graveyard. Witches assisted in opening it. Ancestral gods needed witch help to gain power. Now it seemed Fiorre was wrong—or perhaps deliberately hid the truth, or simply did not know. Ancestral gods did not need witch “help” to gain power. They needed witch “permission”.
This made the Emperor’s goal clear.
Ye Chui looked at the Emperor. “You allied with the Church to eliminate the witch clan entirely, so you could fully claim the Puppet Graveyard’s power?”
“From age seven, I awakened the ancestral god clan bloodline. I sensed the ancestral god’s might and the terrifying power in the Puppet Graveyard. That power intoxicated me deeply. I could not escape it. Every moment, I craved more… even to enter the Puppet Graveyard and fully possess it!” Madness flickered on the Emperor’s face, turning to rage. “But too many obstacles blocked me!”
“The Puppet Graveyard has protected the Tidal Empire for countless years. The empire endures thanks to the ancestral god power from it. When the ancestral god gained that power, he swore to guard the Puppet Graveyard forever. This is the pact followed by countless Emperors. You seeking to enter it breaks that ancient vow!” The woman with fiery red hair said angrily from her cell.
She must be the imprisoned Fire Fox phantom beast clan leader among the three.
“Such mighty power left unused—too wasteful. I could not bear it. Vows? What do vows matter? Why should I follow them!” The Emperor shouted hysterically.
Ye Chui suddenly recalled the time echo dream he experienced. In the dream, the Faceless God protected the Puppet God’s body. After perishing together with the demon, his soul still guarded it. Ye Chui had heard his vow: Old friend, I will protect you forever…
That voice, filled with sorrow yet resolute, echoed in Ye Chui’s mind. Not heard, but the lingering obsession crossed countless years into his thoughts.
The Faceless God’s soul guarded the Puppet Graveyard. Perhaps thousands of years ago, as more people gathered on this island, his soul felt compassion for them. He gave the key to open the Puppet Graveyard to the ancestral god of the time, letting them use the Puppet God’s power within, and established the eternal guardianship vow…
Hearing the Emperor’s words now, anger rose in Ye Chui’s heart. He looked seriously at the Emperor. “You defile the Faceless God’s obsession and the ancestral god’s vow.”
The Emperor’s face showed confusion. “Faceless God…”
“And another thing.” Ye Chui continued. “Do not defile the Puppet Graveyard’s power!”
The Emperor paused, then laughed madly. “You covet the Puppet Graveyard’s power too? No, it is mine. No one can take it…”
“You are wrong. It was mine to begin with!” Ye Chui roared. Yes, the Puppet Graveyard’s power was Jarvis’s body. Now Jarvis was his security guard. Thus, the power in the Puppet Graveyard was his!
“How dare you!” The Emperor shouted, like a petulant child whose toy was stolen. He could bear no more. His jade-smooth hand swung fiercely at Ye Chui. A beam filled with deadly intent shot towards him. It was power from the Puppet God.
To Ye Chui, it felt like a “laser” from his previous world. Scorching light, brimming with destruction.
In that moment, Ye Chui finally connected to the bomb he had placed earlier at the dungeon entrance. He was about to detonate it. But a shadow drifted from his body—Security Guard Jarvis!
The armoured swordsman’s hand rested on Ye Chui’s, as if stopping the detonation. His other hand extended, palm open, receiving the incoming beam.
The murderous beam entered the armoured swordsman’s palm and vanished.
Ye Chui instantly received feedback: Jarvis had absorbed the Emperor’s attack!
The Emperor’s power originated from Jarvis’s body. Using it to attack Jarvis was like returning that portion to him. Originally, Jarvis would depart once the passive defence ended and the attack vanished. But this time, he lingered. He stood before Ye Chui, curiously surveying the surroundings. His gaze finally settled on the Emperor.
Everyone was astonished. The Ancestral God Execution Array suppressed all power. Only the Emperor, wielding ancestral god strength, moved freely here. Yet Ye Chui’s summoned armoured swordsman remained unaffected!
“No, impossible!” The Emperor’s face panicked. His hands waved wildly. Beam after beam shot forth, striking Jarvis continuously.
This time, Jarvis neither dodged nor evaded. He even opened his arms, welcoming the beams onto his body.
Behind him, Ye Chui fully sensed Jarvis’s power growing with each attack. His form became more substantial. Ye Chui’s will felt Jarvis’s strength surging rapidly.
Even Jarvis’s originally plain armour began silent changes and evolution. His body grew taller, more imposing and impressive!
Everyone in the dungeon stared dumbfounded at the scene.
The Emperor soon exhausted himself, panting heavily. His eyes feared Jarvis.
Jarvis spoke to the Emperor in a deep, magnetic voice. “That felt so good. Keep going. Faster. Do not stop…”
