The sun hit the citadel spires just right the next morning, turning everything gold like Mom's rice paddies on a good day. I lounged on the throne—a fancy, absolute one now—but feet up casual, munching a steamed bun she'd sent over with a village kid. Tasted like home. Yue Zhilan leaned nearby, spear propped, smirking. "Lord, you smell like flour. Mom's cooking beats multiverse feasts?"
"Shut it," I grinned, tossing her half. She caught it mid-air and bit in. "Better than phoenix rebirth soup." Pantheon buzzed quietly—Soul Sovereigns x200 chatting with farmers, and Absolute Sovereigns x500 teaching kids basic qi swings. Kingdom felt... normal. Weird after devouring emperors.
Lu Din burst in, charts flapping. Sweaty, even with infinite qi. "Lord Chen! Two things. Mom's at the gates—says, 'talk sense into the thick-skulled boy.' And... primal god ping. Primal God Emperor Varak stirs the outer edges. Scouts say he's chewing kingdom essence slowly, like bad rice."
Pantheon tensed. Yue's spear glowed. Lian, now Absolute Sovereign Early, gripped his fist. "Primal again? We just did absolutes!"
Mom pushed through the doors then, apron still dusted, basket swinging. Village aura on her—simple Peak Origin now from my leaks, but eyes with the same sharp mom stare. "Chen! Heard rumours. Gods joining? And some chewer outside?" Guards bowed deep; she ignored them and plopped the basket on the throne arm. Buns steamed out. "Eat first. Talk later."
Everyone froze, then grabbed. Even Vespera, the Void Empress, turned Absolute Early and nibbled politely. Mom eyed her. "You're the void girl? Chen mentioned. Skinny—more rice." Laughter rippled. Tension gone.
Sat her on the throne cushion—my spot. "Mom, Pantheon's family now. Gods, emperors, all loyal. You could join. Qi boost, eternal life, lead mortal wing. Village too."
She chewed slowly, eyes scanning the hall. Dragons curled rafters politely. Non-sovereigns x20 whispered non-secrets. "Fancy. But how's my qi? The village needs hands in the dirt. Gods fight chewers—you handle." Paused, soft. "Proud, boy. But roots stay roots."
Nodded. Expected it. Hand on hers. "Fair. Guardians forever. Visit anytime."
Then Lu Din coughed. "Primal God Emperor—Peak Primal Realm. Devouring essence borders. Legions ready?"
Mom perked up. "Chewer? Like a village rat?" Standing, grabbed a hoe from the basket—glowing now, origin-fused casual. "Show me."
We portaled borders—me, Yue, Mom, and the core pantheon. Primal haze loomed: Varak was huge, and the body primal storms were chewing kingdom edges slowly. Eyes locked on mine. "Sovereign... your paradise offends primal chew!"
Mom snorted. "Big rat." Swung hoe—simple arc, but origin qi exploded. Hit Varak's leg casually. He howled, his primal leg cracking. Pantheon blinked.
"What?!" Yue gasped.
Mom shrugged. "Farmers know pests. Swing true." Varak raged; storms are incoming. I leapt, Fang, slashing my arm off. Yue speared the heart. Pantheon swarmed—Soul Legions 50M flooding, Absolute 100M chaining. Mom dodged the storm easily, her knees cracking. "Stay down, rat!"
Varak crumbled fast—+Infinite EXP! Soul Sovereign Early → Primal Sovereign Early! Mom Qi: Peak Absolute casual! Followers: +13 Realms! Primal God Slain!
The system dinged wildly. "Ding! Maternal Combat Unlocked. Kingdom Pest Defence Max. Mom's Title: "Origin Farmer Sovereign".
Back on the throne, Mom dusted her hands. "Easy. Buns now?" Pantheon cheered, bowing to her. Vespera knelt. "Lady Li... teaches void farming?"
She laughed. "Tomorrow, girl."
I hugged his side. "Join or not—family eternal."
Mom winked. Visit the village. Grandkids soon?"
The heat rose. Kingdom warmer. One pest down, Mom legend.