Boom!

  The terrifying explosion instantly created a massive void in the starry expanse of the void sky. Countless stars were blasted away by the immense force. If not for the Immortals and ancestors on those stars resisting with all their might—and the protection of the Heavenly Dao—

  Those stars would have long been annihilated and reduced to dust.

  On the ancient warship,

  The holy clan powerhouses were crushed to the ground by the pressure—shaking uncontrollably.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—a living Ancient Emperor—his aura dominated the world, invincible.

  They had pinned their hopes on the Five Phoenixes—seeking a sliver of survival there. But when the Ancient Emperor appeared and descended upon the Five Phoenixes—they finally understood: there was no longer any place for them in this world.

  One Saint had questioned the Emperor—and was nailed to the void by a casual sword.

  Tyrannical and unparalleled!

  Yet they dared not feel anger.

  The Emperor’s tyranny was built upon absolute strength.

  An Emperor had the right to be tyrannical.

  However, events unfolded far beyond their imagination and expectations.

  They had thought the Five Phoenixes would surely be doomed—yet Lu Ping’an of the Five Phoenixes, facing an Ancient Emperor, not only refused to retreat but struck first.

  Many Saints had heard the exchange between the Emperor and Lu.

  When the Emperor offered to spare Lu in exchange for Micah—they had breathed sighs of relief.

  As long as Micah was handed over—the Five Phoenixes would return to peace. Perhaps… they could still live.

  But they had gravely misjudged Lu Ping’an’s pettiness.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s words seemed to have struck Lu’s dust-sized ego. Furious, Lu actually attacked.

  He wanted to fight an Ancient Emperor!

  “Madness! Utter madness!”

  “That’s a true Emperor—a living Ancient Emperor! Even a Quasi-Emperor like Micah would be easily crushed before an Emperor.”

  “It’s a transcendence of life itself—beneath Emperor, all are ants!”

  The holy clan Saints despaired.

  They stared blankly at the spatial rift—at the two figures who had entered the outer void battlefield—their hearts sinking.

  Facing an Ancient Emperor—how could Lu Ping’an possibly win?!

  This was not the Emperor-realm Dao incarnation—which could be tricked into survival.

  This was a true Emperor who had transcended the Heavenly Dao—unmatched!

  On the Five Phoenix Continent,

  The Five Phoenix Xuan Immortals and True Immortals also sensed it.

  But they did not leave the Five Phoenixes. The time array covering all of Void Heaven had stopped.

  Yet Lu had not stopped the time array over the Five Phoenixes.

  Clearly—Young Master Lu’s intention was to let them use the world’s transformation to elevate their strength!

  While Young Master Lu himself blocked the Ancient Emperor!

  Atop a snowy mountain peak,

  Micah’s body trembled faintly. He understood—Lu was protecting him. Clearly, if Lu handed him over—the Emperor would leave.

  Even Micah had prepared himself to be handed over.

  Yet he never expected Lu not only to refuse—but to fight the Emperor.

  Micah’s heart surged. He forcefully suppressed the shock within.

  This debt—he, Micah… would remember.

  He closed his eyes—continuing his cultivation—walking his own “Extreme Realm Cultivation Path.”

  He believed this path was viable.

  A former Quasi-Emperor—abandoning everything—to start over.

  He had no retreat—only a fight to the death!

  …

  Bang! Bang! Bang!

  Outer void battlefield.

  The moment the two figures descended—all continental fragments in the battlefield exploded into dust.

  Boom!

  Their auras raged like storms—like two dragons tearing through the sky.

  The Ancient Emperor raised one hand—pinching Lu’s descending giant blade.

  That blade—formed from the fusion of the thousand-blade chair and phoenix plume sword—was incomparably sharp, radiating murderous intent.

  It also unleashed the full power of Qi Refining Layer Ten. A single slash—even a Quasi-Emperor would likely be killed.

  Yet the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor caught it—effortlessly, without any strain.

  “How is this Emperor’s pettiness… something you need to teach?”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor looked coldly at Lu.

  How many years had it been?

  How many years since anyone dared provoke him like this?

  Only in the ancient era—when Ancient Emperor Hao was still alive—had anyone dared such insolence toward him.

  Yet this youth—not even Emperor realm—dared provoke him.

  “This Emperor gave you a chance.”

  “Since you seek death—then… die.”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor said coldly.

  Though he had just returned—

  Though he had just fought a great battle—carrying the coffin from the end of the nine heavens—

  This did not mean Lu could provoke him.

  He clenched his fist.

  Immense power erupted—causing the outer void battlefield to explode with pitch-black rifts.

  The rifts twisted and spread—like tearing open chasms.

  Silver blades shattered. Phoenix plume sword flew apart.

  Lu’s black robes whipped wildly—demonic qi roiling.

  Today—he had entered Qi Refining Layer Ten. He, Lu Ping’an… would fight an Emperor!

  The Immortal Demon Body stood tall. Behind Lu—seemed to emerge a towering demonic shadow.

  His aura climbed relentlessly—like a god or demon descending.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor narrowed his eyes—slightly surprised.

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  “Special physique?”

  “But this is not reason enough for your arrogance.”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor said.

  With that—he moved like light—instantly traversing the void. His speed was too fast—impossible to react to.

  Lu’s Immortal Demon Body was completely suppressed.

  Countless silver blades flew around Lu. Red phoenix plume sword left trails of sword marks in the void.

  Yet none could touch the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s body.

  That overwhelming speed advantage left Lu stifled.

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan… excelled in spatial talent.

  As the strongest ruler of the Heavenly Spirit Clan—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor naturally possessed even greater spatial talent.

  This was the first time Lu had been at a disadvantage.

  Qi Refining Layer Ten was his foundation. Of course—this Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor was also the first true Emperor Lu had ever faced.

  Not a mere shadow reflected in the river of time.

  Perhaps because he had just broken through—though his spiritual energy had increased dramatically—

  The Emperor’s pressure had no effect on him.

  But in raw power—in combat experience—Lu was indeed still far behind.

  Boom!

  Silently—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor appeared above Lu’s head.

  He looked down coldly at Lu—who had remained entirely on defense.

  The massive demonic shadow had long been shattered—constantly crumbling.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s lips curved slightly—carrying a trace of disdain.

  Though he was surprised by Lu’s strength—able to withstand his Emperor pressure and even counterattack—

  But…

  That was all.

  “Next life—don’t be so arrogant.”

  “What a pity for a heaven-defying genius like you.”

  “If given time—you might truly use this newborn Heavenly Dao to step into true Emperor realm.”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor said.

  With that—

  He stomped down.

  His robes whipped wildly.

  Descending like a massive mountain—crushing toward Lu.

  Demonic qi surged. Lu’s expression remained cold—swinging a fist.

  Boom!

  Countless demonic qi exploded—forming ripples that spread in all directions.

  The outer void battlefield shattered instantly—swept clean into a vacuum.

  Terrifying energy raged.

  Even a Saint here would be instantly severely injured.

  Countless silver blades stacked—combined with phoenix plume sword—forming three thousand layers of armor around Lu.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s foot landed on the armor—causing the three thousand silver blade layers to cave in.

  Lu felt pressure.

  So strong—this Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor was truly strong—stronger than the Emperor-realm Dao incarnation!

  “Stubborn resistance.”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor said calmly.

  His foot pressed down harder—intending to crush Lu completely.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  In the outer void battlefield—

  Only powerful, rhythmic heartbeats remained.

  Two heartbeats clashed against each other.

  Lu’s face was cold—brows slightly furrowed.

  He was thinking of countermeasures.

  The gap in strength still existed—but Lu was not truly helpless.

  Countless lines flashed through his eyes.

  In an instant—with his body as the center—

  The Spirit-Pressure Chessboard’s domain expanded.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor paused—suddenly enveloped by the Spirit-Pressure Chessboard domain.

  “Domain?!”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor drew a deep breath.

  He had not expected Lu to possess a domain. But domain was merely the foundation of Emperor realm.

  “Ten millionfold Spirit-Pressure!”

  Lu’s divine soul surged—forming a terrifying storm on the Spirit-Pressure Chessboard.

  Boom!

  Suddenly—a Spirit-Pressure beam crashed down—slamming toward the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s body trembled—but showed no major reaction.

  “What kind of technique is this? Something that Emperor newly researched?”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor wondered.

  Buzz…

  Suddenly.

  His body shook. Radiant light blazed—like a star burning at its limit.

  The ten millionfold Spirit-Pressure beam instantly collapsed.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor hovered in the outer void battlefield.

  Brows slightly furrowed.

  “Why haven’t they acted yet?”

  He raised his head—gaze deep—as though piercing through the void—seeing the massive rift—and the familiar figures seated within—like a council meeting.

  “Hmph.”

  Seeing this—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor seemed to understand. His lips curved in disdain.

  Then his gaze shifted—falling on Lu.

  “So—you’re merely an abandoned pawn.”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor said—regretful and sympathetic.

  Lu’s brows furrowed slightly. His black hair whipped in the wind.

  The shattered silver blades and phoenix plume sword stacked behind him—forming metallic wings.

  “Abandoned pawn?”

  The next moment—Lu laughed.

  Though black demonic qi coiled around him—giving him a sinister air—when Lu smiled—he was still that gentle young master of the Jiangnan water towns—warm and refined as jade.

  “Are they even worthy?”

  Boom!

  Lu moved. Endless demonic qi surged.

  Within the chessboard domain—his aura climbed relentlessly.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor laughed.

  Lu was arrogant.

  Yet inexplicably—he somewhat admired Lu’s arrogance.

  “Well said—they’re not worthy.”

  “This Emperor rather likes you.”

  With that—

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor slowly waved his sleeve.

  A sword light descended from the heavens.

  Slashing toward Lu.

  Lu’s metallic wings unfolded—countless silver blades slashing to block the sword.

  Clang!

  Sparks flew—like apocalyptic flames—more terrifying than heaven-and-earth profound fire.

  Vast ripples swept outward—turning this battlefield into purgatory.

  Lu trembled slightly—exhaling hot breath.

  His blood boiled—bringing an exhilarating clarity.

  This unrestrained battle—Lu enjoyed it immensely!

  Buzz…

  The wings suddenly spread wide.

  Lu’s eyes blazed. Countless invisible slender hands seemed to appear—picking up a chess piece and placing it on the board.

  Snap!

  A thick beam crashed down.

  In an instant—it slammed toward the sword-wielding Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor had not cared at first. But the moment the beam neared—ripples stirred in his heart. When he prepared to dodge—

  Because he was mid-swing—he could not evade in time.

  In that instant—

  The Spirit-Pressure beam crashed down.

  Boom!!!

  As though the entire world had smashed down—a massive crater appeared in the outer void battlefield—filled with terrifying intersecting spatial cracks.

  Countless cracks lashed at the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s body.

  “One hundred millionfold Spirit-Pressure!”

  Lu laughed.

  With that—silver light flashed. His body vanished like teleportation.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—suppressed by one hundred millionfold Spirit-Pressure—felt as though bound by chains in an abyss—movement extremely difficult.

  His body erupted with energy—attempting to break the Spirit-Pressure restraints.

  But this required time.

  And Lu—using spatial mysteries—appeared beside the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor.

  “Emperor realm…”

  “That’s it?”

  Lu smiled.

  A white jade small tower appeared in his hand.

  No fluctuations—plain and unremarkable.

  The next moment—Lu gripped the tower and swung it down.

  Destruction intent surged.

  Making the Heaven-Stealing Tower even more terrifying!

  Smashing toward the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s head!

  Pfft!

  The white jade Heaven-Stealing Tower struck hard—crashing into the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s forehead.

  In an instant—skin split. Flesh tore.

  The Ancient Emperor’s flesh was smashed open by the Heaven-Stealing Tower—blood spraying.

  Boiling Emperor blood scattered—each drop heavy—as though it could crush eternity.

  Blood splattered across Lu’s face—leaving a streak.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor was completely stunned.

  Stunned by the blow.

  In that moment—everything between heaven and earth seemed utterly silent—quiet enough to hear a pin drop.

  The instant the Heaven-Stealing Tower struck his head—it seemed a strange power shocked his divine soul.

  His divine soul—in that instant—fell into a brief daze.

  Lu’s eyes narrowed slightly.

  Not even shattered?!

  Against a Quasi-Emperor—this blow from the Heaven-Stealing Tower would have exploded their head!

  Emperor realm—worthy of being Emperor realm!

  Tough enough!

  Lu grinned—preparing to strike again.

  Let you act arrogant!

  Let you try to kill this Young Master!

  So what if you’re an Emperor?

  Think you’re the only petty one?!

  Lu felt immense satisfaction. Though suppressed earlier—

  This blow!

  Worth it!

  All grievances—all suppression—vented in this single strike!

  …

  Nine heavens.

  First heaven.

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan’s Quasi-Emperor sat cross-legged. Besides him—several Saints also sat in the void.

  In the center—countless chains wrapped around a coffin.

  The coffin the Ancient Emperor had carried back from the end of the nine heavens.

  When the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor entered the Five Phoenixes—he had ordered them to guard this coffin. Even the Quasi-Emperor dared not slack.

  And just as the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s head was smashed by the Heaven-Stealing Tower—flesh torn—divine soul shaken—

  Whoosh! Whoosh!

  The coffin trembled slightly.

  The tremor transmitted through the chains.

  Clanking sounds echoed in the Heavenly Spirit Clan’s ancestral land in the first heaven.

  The aged Quasi-Emperor suddenly opened his eyes—gaze grave.

  “Not good!”

  The Quasi-Emperor’s aura erupted.

  His body flashed—sitting atop the coffin. He formed hand seals—his entire being transforming into a towering mountain.

  The other Holy Hall Saints also paled.

  They did not know what the Emperor had brought back—but something he sealed with order chains and rules—must be extraordinary.

  Thus—when the coffin trembled—their hearts jolted.

  After the Quasi-Emperor sat on it—the coffin’s shaking seemed to stabilize.

  The aged Quasi-Emperor had just begun to relax.

  Suddenly!

  A furious roar seemed to erupt from within the coffin.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  As though something was slamming against the coffin from inside.

  Pfft!

  The Quasi-Emperor guarding the coffin suddenly spat blood—face pale—divine soul severely injured.

  Crack! Crack!

  Order chains snapped one after another.

  The coffin nearly flipped open!

  A hand suddenly gripped the coffin’s edge. Terrifying aura spread…

  Accompanied by heaven-shaking roars.

  The Holy Hall Saints were terrified. Wherever that aura touched—their bodies froze.

  What terrifying thing had the Emperor left in the Heavenly Spirit Clan?!

  …

  Outer void battlefield.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor snapped back to reality.

  His expression changed dramatically!

  Seeing Lu—full of excitement—gripping the small tower stained with his Emperor blood—about to smash his head again.

  Rage surged in the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s chest—like endless fury!

  “I…”

  Yet the fury ultimately turned into hesitation.

  He was furious!

  He never expected Lu to suddenly unleash one hundred millionfold Spirit-Pressure—causing him to freeze for an instant.

  In an Emperor-realm battle—even an instant of stagnation was fatal.

  And that small tower in Lu’s hand shocked him.

  He felt as though… something had been sucked from his body by the tower.

  Of course—for the current Emperor—

  None of that mattered.

  What mattered…

  His divine soul had nearly shattered from the Heaven-Stealing Tower’s blow!

  Causing the divine soul seal suppressing the existence in the coffin to nearly collapse!

  Something big was about to happen!

  Boom!

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor erupted with terrifying aura. Domain activated—instantly vanishing as though shrinking space.

  “Lu Ping’an!”

  “This time—you got lucky…”

  “Next time—if you don’t hand over Micah—this Emperor… will trample the Five Phoenixes to ruin!”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor said coldly.

  A streak of blood—like a small snake—trickled crookedly from his forehead.

  A disheveled figure speaking the harshest words.

  Without lingering—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor tore through the void—rushing back to the Heavenly Spirit Clan.

  In the shattered outer void battlefield—

  Lu held the white jade Heaven-Stealing Tower in one hand—watching the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s retreating figure.

  His black robes whipped wildly—his cold face showing faint astonishment.

  He… just ran?

  So…

  I, Lu Ping’an… defeated an Ancient Emperor with one strike?