The fortune of the demon race surged dramatically overnight.

  Human Immortals descended upon the Demon Court one after another, vying for the great opportunity of worldly fortune.

  This was a grand turning point. Countless Immortals competed fiercely.

  The Demon Monkey King stood atop the mountain peak, his gaze filled with melancholy. This was clearly an opportunity meant for the demon race—yet the demons were powerless to protect it.

  Fortunately, this opportunity would not slip away from the demon race entirely. It was closely tied to their fortune.

  Mainly because the ten recipients of the opportunity were all demon race beings. This gave the demon race hope.

  He sought out the Thunder Eagle King and met his seventh son.

  At first glance—even the mighty Demon Monkey King felt a faint tremor in his bloodline.

  It was a suppression of bloodline.

  Clearly, the Thunder Eagle King’s seventh son had undergone a bloodline transformation due to the opportunity.

  The Demon Monkey King was delighted. He took the seventh son as his disciple and began teaching him cultivation—placing great hope in him.

  After learning the details, the Demon Monkey King discovered the little demon bird’s bloodline.

  “Golden Crow bloodline?”

  The Demon Monkey King was astonished.

  In all his years ruling the demon race, he had never heard of a Golden Crow bloodline.

  When the little demon bird displayed the power of his bloodline, the Demon Monkey King was utterly shocked.

  The bloodline transformation not only elevated the little demon bird’s cultivation but had even formed a demon core within him.

  Moreover, the scorching nobility of the Golden Crow bloodline left the Demon Monkey King in awe.

  “From now on, you shall be known to the world as Golden Crow.”

  The Demon Monkey King declared.

  From that day forward, the Demon Monkey King’s first disciple became known as Golden Crow.

  Meanwhile, the other little demons selected by the Transmission Platform had also undergone bloodline transformations—carrying the faint potential to alter the demon race’s fortune.

  Most of them were taken as disciples by human Immortals.

  …

  Time flew by. Decades passed in the blink of an eye.

  Western Continent.

  The Witch Clan tribes grew ever more prosperous. Their population multiplied rapidly. Witch Clan children were born with powerful physiques—capable of wrestling ferocious beasts even as infants.

  The twelve Witch Kings fought less frequently. They grew increasingly united and harmonious.

  Every day, they would head to the valley containing the spatial vortex—which they had named “Overlord Valley” as a small token of respect for Overlord.

  At first, when Overlord fought the twelve Witch Kings, he was often beaten black and blue. This was mainly because he had not used demonic qi—relying solely on his physical body and Body Refining techniques.

  As a result, he frequently ended up bruised and swollen.

  Yet Overlord was not angry. Instead, he felt enlightened.

  He had rediscovered that feeling.

  Thick armor. Heavy blows!

  This was how he had grown stronger in the past.

  His Body Refining technique grew ever more perfect. His recovery speed from injuries also increased significantly.

  Though still far slower than the twelve Witch Kings’ own recovery,

  It at least represented progress.

  As the twelve Witch Kings grew stronger, Overlord finally began to feel real pressure.

  One day,

  Overlord could no longer hold back.

  He unleashed his full Xuan Immortal cultivation and combat power. No longer relying on his physical body alone, he fought the twelve Witch Kings—and fought to a draw.

  Overlord was shocked. The twelve Witch Kings were also growing stronger. Their potential had yet to be fully tapped.

  Overlord began to learn about the Witch Clan. He had originally thought they were a race from beyond the Five Phoenixes—only to discover they had been born in the Western Continent.

  They worshipped the “Heavenly Witch.” In Overlord’s view, the Heavenly Witch must have been an ancient powerhouse—far surpassing Xuan Immortal level.

  Overlord and the Witch Clan had fought until they earned mutual respect.

  Though they still fought every day, both sides were growing stronger together.

  Finally, one day, Overlord clashed with Wu Qi again. Unleashing demonic qi and fortune power, Overlord completely dominated. Wu Qi was beaten until he howled in pain. Yet in this battle—under Overlord’s relentless assault—Wu Qi comprehended his innate divine ability: spatial traversal.

  That speed of spatial movement far exceeded what his flesh could endure.

  Overlord took a beating.

  While Wu Qi laughed wildly, Overlord pummeled him mercilessly.

  In the end, Overlord gradually realized one person might not be enough to handle the twelve Witch Kings.

  Especially Wu Qi, who had comprehended spatial divine ability.

  Overlord had no counter.

  One day, as the sun set in crimson glory,

  Overlord cursed and retreated from the Western Continent.

  The twelve Witch Kings laughed heartily, shoulder to shoulder, feasting on meat and drinking wine.

  The wine had been brought by Overlord—and soon spread wildly among the Witch Clan.

  Everyone—from Witch Kings and great warriors to ordinary Witches and children—became obsessed with it.

  They learned to brew wine. They ate meat, drank, danced, and celebrated.

  Overlord—bruised and swollen—returned to the Eastern Continent.

  After much thought, he felt aggrieved. He decided to find help. One person against twelve was too unfair.

  So he went to the Southern Domain, entered the Body Sect, and found Tang Yimo.

  The next day,

  With Tang Yimo in tow, Overlord charged back into the Western Continent.

  Another grand battle erupted!

  With Tang Yimo’s help, Overlord fought like a god. His Body Refining technique reached its peak—unleashing heaven-shaking power.

  Tang Yimo was also thrilled. His blood boiled.

  The twelve Witch Kings were powerful. Tang Yimo opened six meridians—growing fiercer with every clash.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  His body grew massive. His skin turned purple.

  The twelve Witch Kings thought one of their own had arrived.

  Tang Yimo was irritable and lightning-fast. Some Witch Kings were beaten until they roared in fury.

  Then—in the midst of this brutal beating and battle—they comprehended divine abilities!

  Their power surged dramatically.

  Even Overlord and Tang Yimo together struggled.

  Though only at the initial comprehension of divine abilities, each of the twelve Witch Kings now matched Xuan Immortal strength!

  This left Overlord and Tang Yimo stunned.

  They finally realized the true terror of the Witch Clan!

  Twelve Xuan Immortals—even without any top-tier Xuan Immortals or Quasi-Emperor figures—

  Were still not to be underestimated.

  Fortunately, the twelve Witch Kings were somewhat simple-minded and straightforward.

  Overlord and Tang Yimo fought until they earned their friendship.

  From time to time, they would visit the Witch Clan tribes for feasts.

  …

  While the Witch Clan developed rapidly, the demon race was also undergoing dramatic changes.

  The demon race’s fortune surged wildly.

  In just a few decades, ten heaven-defying geniuses were born among the demons.

  They possessed supreme bloodlines—innately forming demon cores that only demon kings could possess.

  Moreover, their bloodlines could continue to evolve.

  Among them, the Demon Monkey King’s first disciple—Golden Crow—was the most famous and dazzling.

  Not only because he himself shone brightly—but because of his strength.

  In mere decades, his bloodline had evolved to the extreme.

  His combat power now rivaled True Immortal experts.

  Thus, Golden Crow was arrogant—arrogant because of his bloodline, and because he bore the demon race’s fortune.

  Countless great demons followed him—becoming his followers.

  One day,

  Golden Crow radiated dazzling light—like the sun itself.

  His wings spread, fanning terrifying flames that seemed capable of incinerating the world.

  This was the flame born from his Golden Crow bloodline—he called it “Solar Divine Fire.”

  He was arrogant beyond measure. He soared over the Demon Court—patrolling its lands.

  Wings spread, he gazed down upon the vast Demon Court. His eyes gleamed brilliantly.

  He had ambition. He wanted to become the ruler of the Demon Court!

  Born as the Thunder Eagle King’s son, he had always been lofty. Now, with Golden Crow bloodline, his siblings followed him unquestioningly. Even his father treated him like a treasure.

  Unlike ordinary demons—who cultivated slowly, accumulating power over endless years—Golden Crow’s strength grew rapidly!

  With his demon core and bloodline, his cultivation speed far surpassed that of ordinary demons.

  His ambition swelled.

  Every day, he patrolled the Demon Court like a blazing sun.

  Overlooking all.

  Finally, one day, Golden Crow could no longer hold back. He sought the Demon Monkey King and declared:

  “Master, I wish to become the ruler of the Demon Court!”

  The Demon Monkey King opened his eyes and looked at him in surprise:

  “The current Demon Court is governed by demon kings. Six demon kings with True Immortal-level combat power rule together.”

  “If you wish to become the ruler of the Demon Court, your master will offer you no assistance. You must prove yourself with your own strength.”

  “In the demon race, strength reigns supreme. If you are strong enough—you are king.”

  From that day forward, for this goal, Golden Crow cultivated with even greater fervor.

  Meanwhile, the other demons who received opportunities also displayed astonishing talent.

  For example, a one-legged ox from the great marsh—whose aura was only slightly inferior to Golden Crow’s.

  And a nine-tailed fox—fierce and terrifying, its roars shaking mountains.

  Yet behind each of these top demons stood a human True Immortal—nurturing and guiding them as their protectors.

  Curiously—

  The human Xuan Immortals seemed to have no interest in this matter.

  Logically, with such dramatic shifts in demon fortune, Xuan Immortals should have sensed it more keenly.

  Yet none of the Xuan Immortal powerhouses appeared.

  Overlord, Tang Yimo, Nie Changqing, and the other Xuan Immortals seemed uninterested in this surge of demon fortune.

  Or perhaps… they sensed something.

  These demon geniuses became the brightest stars in the Demon Court.

  With monstrous talent and supreme bloodlines, they were instantly revered as the center of the demon race.

  Some were arrogant. Some kept a low profile.

  The little snake demon—who followed the Empress in cultivation—was very low-key.

  Now, the little snake demon had become a Heaven-Swallowing Python. Ni Chunchiu taught her cultivation like a sister—never burdening her with heavy tasks.

  This was different from the other protectors.

  Ni Chunchiu named the little snake demon Bai Su.

  The two secluded themselves in Qingyun Mountain—living like carefree hermits.

  Ni Chunchiu was very lazy. Decades had left no trace on her stunning face.

  She often reclined on a couch, chin propped on her hand, idly playing chess.

  Bai Su occasionally played with her—but her chess skills were terrible. She was often scolded by Empress Ni Chunchiu.

  Of course, sometimes Ni Chunchiu would tell Bai Su stories of the outside world.

  Stories of the past.

  Like the old Five Phoenixes and Tianyuan.

  And tales of White Jade Capital.

  “Teacher… is White Jade Capital very powerful? Stronger than the Demon Court?”

  Bai Su asked curiously, tongue flicking.

  Ni Chunchiu smiled: “In all the world, White Jade Capital reigns supreme. If White Jade Capital claims second—no one dares claim first…”

  “Let alone the Demon Court—even the Heavenly Court above the Heavenly Gate, the human divine dynasties, or the Ten Halls of the Underworld combined—none can compare to White Jade Capital!”

  The Empress smiled radiantly, placing a chess piece while casually praising White Jade Capital.

  Bai Su was shocked.

  White Jade Capital… so powerful?

  Why had she never heard of it when she was just a little demon?

  “Why? Does White Jade Capital have Xuan Immortals?”

  Bai Su asked, tongue still flicking.

  “Xuan Immortals? Hah… not even enough to withstand one chess piece from the master of White Jade Capital.”

  “Do you know—even the idle, gluttonous maidservant in White Jade Capital is a Xuan Immortal?”

  “As for the master of White Jade Capital… he is above Xuan Immortal—a carefree Golden Immortal!”

  The Empress smiled, eyes distant.

  Bai Su’s heart raced. A maidservant was already a Xuan Immortal?

  White Jade Capital… incredible.

  …

  Great Xuan Divine Dynasty.

  Micah traveled famous mountains and rivers. Now, he had reached Human Immortal realm.

  Restarting his path, he still possessed his Quasi-Emperor foundation.

  Upon entering Human Immortal, Micah did not establish a sect. He spread his “Extreme Realm Cultivation Method.” Many cultivators who learned it were astonished.

  Most importantly—countless cultivators stuck at bottlenecks for hundreds of years found a brand-new path.

  They began squeezing their potential—walking the Extreme Realm!

  This allowed them to gain combat power far beyond their realm—even achieving breakthroughs.

  Thus, through this cultivation method, Micah gained a grand opportunity.

  And this was when his “Extreme Realm Cultivation Method” was still incomplete.

  Atop a vast mountain,

  Micah sat cross-legged.

  He breathed in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Distorted vortexes swirled around his body.

  Every movement twisted spiritual energy.

  This was Extreme Realm Cultivation.

  His tempered Extreme Realm flesh also released immense power.

  Suddenly.

  Micah’s eyelids twitched.

  He narrowed his eyes—as though sensing something—and looked beyond the Five Phoenixes toward the vast starry sky.

  “It seems… time is running out.”

  Micah drew a deep breath.

  With one step, he transformed into a streak of light and soared away.

  He needed to hasten his cultivation.

  Though he trusted Young Master Lu, he could not entrust his life entirely to him.

  He needed the power to protect himself before the irresistible force arrived.

  …

  Origin Lake, Origin Island.

  Decades had passed.

  Lu sat in his thousand-blade chair. Through the Spirit-Pressure Chessboard, he had witnessed the vicissitudes of the world.

  Of course, he mainly observed the changes among the three races.

  The Witch Clan had changed the most. The strength improvements of the twelve Witch Kings and their tribesmen provided Lu with massive spiritual energy contributions.

  In fact, when Wu Qi comprehended his divine ability and reached Xuan Immortal level, Lu’s total spiritual energy had already met the requirement for advancing to Qi Refining Layer 10.

  But Lu did not rush to break through. He suppressed his cultivation—waiting for the right moment.

  Waiting for Little Yinglong to fully refine all the Dao essence for the Heavenly Dao.

  He wanted to ascend together with the Five Phoenixes—attempting to break into immortal martial realm in one leap.

  As for humanity—there was little change. No new Xuan Immortals had been born in all these years.

  The demon race’s changes were no less dramatic than the Witch Clan’s. Though no Xuan Immortal had yet appeared, in Lu’s view, it was only a matter of time.

  Lu rolled up his sleeve and placed a piece on the chessboard.

  Moreover—

  Lu occasionally looked up. He vaguely sensed that beyond the Five Phoenixes—in the vast starry void—there were powerhouses spying on the Five Phoenixes.

  And the faint aura they leaked made even Lu feel solemn and serious.

  “Ancient Emperors?”

  Lu smiled, eyes gleaming.

  Only those who had transcended the Heavenly Dao’s restraints—true Emperor realm—could spy on the independent Five Phoenixes and its starry void.

  But Lu was unafraid.

  Even without advancing to Qi Refining Layer 10—simply holding the trump card of controlling the Five Phoenix Heavenly Dao was enough to make him fearless.

  Now, under Little Yinglong’s desperate efforts for freedom, the Heavenly Dao had refined nine hundred and fifty thousand Dao essence strands.

  Soon, it would complete the full million.

  The current Five Phoenix Heavenly Dao was no longer weak.

  Holding the bronze wine cup, Heavenly Immortal Wine entered his throat. Lu smiled.

  Though the Five Phoenixes was weak today—even if Ancient Emperors came tomorrow, Lu would ensure they never left.

  Draining the cup,

  He rolled up his sleeve and placed another piece.

  Lines appeared in his eyes.

  The Witch Clan and demon race were developing too slowly. He needed to… add fuel to the fire.

  …

  Between heaven and earth, the faint sound of chess pieces landing echoed.

  In an instant, the worldly fortune surged.

  Demon Court.

  On this day, Golden Crow set forth fully prepared. His gaze blazed like torches.

  He was ready!

  Years of bitter cultivation—all for this day!

  With one step, he spread his wings.

  In an instant—dazzling golden light filled the sky.

  The Demon Monkey King had said: if he wished to become ruler of the Demon Court, he must prove it with strength.

  And today—he would rewrite the history of the Demon Court!

  Golden Crow’s ambition burned high. Yet toward the other nine demons with similarly supreme bloodlines, he showed great respect.

  He believed these demons—sharing his noble bloodline—were heaven-blessed.

  He wanted to subdue them—make them his left and right arms.

  Of course—all of this could only come after he became the sole ruler of the Demon Court.

  With wings spread,

  Golden Crow patrolled. But this time, his patrol carried an air of aggression.

  Golden Crow entered deep into the Demon Court and challenged an old demon king who governed the court.

  He battled this demon king in the vast marsh for three days and three nights.

  The old demon king was defeated. Golden Crow returned in blazing golden light. Instantly—the entire Demon Court erupted!

  Rumble…

  The moment the old demon king fell to Golden Crow, the demon race’s fortune surged.

  Human Immortals’ eyes gleamed.

  They had waited for this!

  There were many demon kings governing the Demon Court.

  Golden Crow feared none. He challenged them one by one—with arrogance.

  Every battle—he won. He grew fiercer with each victory!

  The Demon Court boiled.

  Yet when Golden Crow defeated all the governing demon kings and prepared to ascend to the peak of the Demon Court—becoming its sole ruler—

  His momentum suffered an unprecedented blow.

  He stared in disbelief—nearly collapsing in shock.

  Because these two demon kings were not ordinary demon kings.

  They were his father—the Thunder Eagle King.

  And… the Demon Monkey King—iron staff in hand.