An antique grocery store suddenly appeared on the streets of Tokyo's Shinjuku District, with passersby occasionally glancing at it. It's quite rare to find such an inconspicuous little shop in a place where every inch of land is worth a fortune.

However, the people of this nation have been living under oppressive rules for too long and have never developed any extra curiosity, nor do they wish to involve themselves in others' affairs. As long as it doesn't trouble them, even if war breaks out, they probably won't have any additional thoughts, at most they might care about wages and prices.

Occasionally, some passersby go in to buy something and come out, completely oblivious to anything unusual.

Huai Yin sat reclining behind the counter, calmly watching the television.

But what this old television displayed wasn't a program from any of the world's stations. The screen showed a massive volcano spewing terrifying smoke, charred flesh, and blood like molten lava bursting into the sky, with ash falling like a torrential sea tide, accompanied by a terrifying landslide, countless crystal-white bones scattered down.

The image finally froze at that moment, with the collapsing volcano resembling a gigantic carrion bird's corpse.

The rolling smoke eventually condensed into a face of desperate wailing.

"Even the great Ancient Ancestors can't escape this temptation?"

Jing Ci walked in from outside the shop and hung the umbrella on the stand by the door.

He wore an all-black suit today, without a hint of extra color. Even his wristwatch was removed, making him look as if he was attending a funeral, solemn and dignified.

"Back?"

Huai Yin smiled and asked, "Didn't cause any trouble, did you?"

Jing Ci shook his head and replied, "You instructed, the collaboration between the Ether Association and Lishan Tiyan Pavilion is the foundation of the entire Human World. How could I mess it up? Besides, I just went to see her, those Pseudo Ancestors might not like it, but would they really summon a Primordial to kill me?"

"If it really comes to that, then I won't hold back anymore."

He walked into the bathroom, saying, "Just have an itch to scratch."

"Take it easy, okay?"

Huai Yin chuckled, "This time, the Human World indeed achieved an unprecedented great victory. Not only did we completely kill an Ancient Ancestor with no loss, but we also lured out the great divine entity behind it."

Jing Ci washed his hands and casually asked, "Complete death? That's rare for the Ancient God Clan."

"If the Kui Bird Ancestor hadn't been seeking evolution, it wouldn't have completely died. Lin Dong's Strategy Group wouldn't have killed it so easily either."

Huai Yin glanced at the white, gnawed bones and sighed, "Take a look at what this is."

Jing Ci walked over for a look, "Human bones."

"The Kui devoured countless humans, using its own bones and blood to create this body. Unfortunately, none could bear its power. Otherwise, it had a chance of reincarnation. After endless years, Buzhou Mountain might give birth to a new Kui, but it would have no connection with it anymore."

Huai Yin sipped hot tea and said, "Because that would be an entirely new entity."

Jing Ci said softly, "Transplantation, Candle Dragon Venerable also used this method. The difference is that she is a true Supreme. Oddly, in ancient mythologies, only gods of higher rank would manifest in human form, while the lower they are, the more they turn beast-like. Thus, in ancient murals, we often see godly figures in human form sitting in high heavens, with myriad beasts running underneath their seats."

"That's because only the most powerful Supremes are adaptable, but their overwhelming power confines them, forcing them to take risks."

He suddenly said, "But if Candle Dragon Venerable's true identity is indeed who we think it is, then she has truly adapted to human rules, even mastering the Heavenly Person's Breathing. The Stairway to Immortality is a life-and-death checkpoint for Thunder, so what does it mean for Candle Dragon Venerable?"

After a brief silence, Huai Yin sighed, "Evolution."

Jing Ci said expressionlessly, "Even the Ancient Supremes pursue evolution?"

"Of course, it was something my junior and I confirmed after returning from space. In the vast universe, among countless galaxies, the Ancient God Clan is capable of interstellar travel. Why did they choose Earth in the end? It's because this planet is special, forcing them to come here, seeking an opportunity for evolution."

Huai Yin took out a quaint wooden box from a cupboard, containing a golden branch, and said softly, "This planet isn't as simple as we thought. You've seen the true history and should know what happened here billions of years ago. The Ancient God Clan, too, has its enemies."

Jing Ci poured himself a drink, calmly saying, "The Order of the Hidden, right? After this event, I thought the true leader of The Order of the Hidden might be Vermilion Bird Venerate, but based on your suggestion, there's more to it, isn't there?"

Huai Yin shook his head, "Who knows? If there were a divination pathway of my level in this world, it might already be clear, like even your Grandmaster couldn't determine who ambushed her."

Jing Ci drank his wine in silence and asked, "There's something I'm quite curious about."