This day, the Five Phoenix Continent was destined for unrest.

  Even mortals could feel the oppressive atmosphere—like the suffocating tension before a storm.

  Cultivators sensed it even more clearly—they knew what it meant.

  The auras of peerless powerhouses were clashing—confronting each other!

  The Five Phoenix Xuan Immortals raised their heads. Bai Qingniao, Nie Changqing, Overlord, Tang Yimo, and other Xuan Immortal powerhouses—all wore grave expressions.

  Then—they soared into the sky. The Heavenly Gate manifested. One by one, the Xuan Immortals entered.

  Beyond the Heavenly Gate.

  No clamor.

  Only one figure stood alone between heaven and earth.

  Micah stood before the gate—gazing ahead—directly at a blooming green lotus.

  Atop the green lotus was Lu Jiulian.

  Within the Ascension Land, all Immortals retreated far away. Their hearts surged—they smelled gunpowder.

  Next—perhaps a battle unforgettable to the world would erupt.

  Sure enough.

  As the Five Phoenix Xuan Immortals entered the Heavenly Gate—

  Micah and Lu Jiulian charged into the outer void battlefield—beginning their clash.

  This was not a fight to kill—but a battle to impact Extreme Realm.

  Both unleashed their absolute strongest power!

  Micah’s “Extreme Realm Cultivation Method” was now quite famous on the Five Phoenix Continent. Many had heard of it.

  After all—starting from scratch—pushing every realm to its absolute limit.

  This was something ordinary people could not imagine.

  Micah had created a path—for those stuck at bottlenecks, or whose talent had reached its limit.

  A path of hope. Thus—Micah gained vast fortune.

  His cultivation rapidly recovered to its current level.

  Boom!

  Their battle shook heaven and earth. Even Lu—sipping Heavenly Immortal Wine—watched leisurely.

  Micah and Lu Jiulian both displayed peak strength.

  Micah had great audacity. He scattered his cultivation—starting over from a mortal—now reaching Xuan Immortal Extreme Realm.

  Such perseverance—ordinary people could not match.

  Perhaps Micah chose Lu Jiulian because he sensed a familiar aura.

  A familiar taste.

  Lu Jiulian had studied every realm to perfection. This was also why Micah sought him.

  Tang Guo—worried—entered the outer void battlefield to watch Lu Jiulian and Micah’s battle.

  Not just Tang Guo—Micah and Lu Jiulian were still at Xuan Immortal level—not like Lu and the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s battle before.

  No one in the world dared watch recklessly.

  This battle drew immense crowds.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  This was Quasi-Emperor-level combat. The shockwaves terrified every True Immortal.

  They retreated again and again—only able to watch two lights—one azure, one gold—clashing from afar.

  Two masses of light—like the purest energies between heaven and earth—colliding, intertwining.

  Occasionally tearing space—unleashing world-shaking attacks.

  Vast energies clashed—creating crisscrossing void rifts.

  The void—once healed after Lu and the Ancient Emperor’s battle—cracked open again.

  This battle lasted half a month.

  Both fought daily—maintaining peak condition.

  Overlord, Tang Yimo, and other Xuan Immortals were amazed.

  Because Lu Jiulian and Micah used only the most basic attack methods.

  Lu Jiulian’s combat was textbook-perfect—flawless.

  Micah’s combat style was more aggressive.

  Each had strengths and weaknesses.

  Boom!

  A heaven-shaking explosion.

  Two Quasi-Emperor-level powerhouses flew backward.

  Each crashed into withered world continents.

  Micah rose—hair whipping. Lu Jiulian sat on his green lotus—cold and unsmiling.

  The surrounding spectators’ blood boiled. They saw long-range bombardment and extreme close-combat techniques.

  This scene might forever be recorded!

  Finally—

  On the withered continent—

  Micah and Lu Jiulian stopped fighting. They bowed slightly to each other.

  As though shaking hands in reconciliation.

  The Quasi-Emperor-level battle thus concluded.

  As for who won—no one knew. Neither spoke of the result.

  After this battle—Micah returned to Quasi-Emperor!

  Even more—he gained clearer understanding of his own path.

  Both exited the outer void battlefield.

  Lu Jiulian left with hands behind his back.

  Micah returned to the mortal world—to his snowy mountain peak—sitting cross-legged—contemplating the battle’s details.

  Comparing it to when he previously possessed Quasi-Emperor power.

  …

  Underworld.

  Tantai Xuan emerged from the bitter sea.

  The Hell Hound appeared. The nine city lords emerged. Beigong Saint Lord stood at the bitter sea’s edge—welcoming Tantai Xuan together.

  During this time—Tantai Xuan had submerged himself in the bitter sea.

  Neither pleased nor saddened by external things.

  Single-mindedly converting sin into karma.

  Now—he finally emerged—having completed the transformation of his sins.

  The bitter sea brought endless pain—constant erosion by its waters. Ordinary people could not endure it.

  Yet Tantai Xuan persisted so long.

  Now returning—with Quasi-Emperor cultivation.

  As though summoned by fate.

  Or as though agreed upon—

  Quasi-Emperor powerhouses like Tantai Xuan, Micah, Lu Jiulian—emerged one after another.

  …

  Origin Lake, Origin Island.

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  After forging the innate spirit treasure—Heavenly Thunder Hammer and Chisel—completing the heavenly tribulation system—

  Lu returned—finally free.

  He gazed at the astronomical spiritual energy reserve on the system panel—calm.

  Qi Refining grew harder the further one advanced.

  If he panicked every time—why bother refining qi?

  Now—the greatest restriction on the Five Phoenixes was the lack of anyone proving the Dao—truly achieving Golden Immortal—becoming Emperor.

  Lu did not count. He, Lu Ping’an, was just an ordinary Qi Refiner.

  Though he possessed Emperor-realm combat power—his strength was rooted in the Five Phoenixes—so his power was natural to the world.

  Thus—not counted.

  So—Lu waited.

  Waiting for the Five Phoenixes to birth a true Emperor.

  Only then might the Five Phoenixes have a chance to ascend—enter immortal martial.

  “But truly impacting Emperor realm—I cannot help much. They must comprehend it themselves.”

  Lu shook his head—fingers tapping the armrest.

  Eyes gleaming.

  Now—the Five Phoenixes had Emperor-realm seedlings.

  Micah, Lu Jiulian, Zhu Long, Tantai Xuan…

  All at Quasi-Emperor—capable of impacting Emperor.

  As for other Xuan Immortals—they still fell short—searching for their own paths.

  Micah’s path was Extreme Realm—breaking through via extremes.

  Lu Jiulian’s was Perfection—Lu’s clone—experiencing cultivation perfectly—each realm textbook.

  Perfection was Lu Jiulian’s path.

  Who would ultimately succeed—Lu did not know.

  The world quieted again.

  But this time—it was the calm before the storm.

  In the mortal realm—Micah sat atop a high mountain.

  Comprehending. Seeking the Dao.

  In the Ascension Land—Lu Jiulian sat on his green lotus—also comprehending.

  Atop Buzhou Peak—Zhu Long played her bamboo flute—melody lingering.

  In the Underworld—Tantai Xuan paced the Yellow Springs’ banks—hands behind back.

  As though racing against time.

  …

  Nine heavens.

  Heavenly Spirit Clan ancestral land.

  Suddenly—a terrifying aura descended—the Heavenly Dao will.

  A massive human face coalesced.

  Heavenly Spirit Clan powerhouses trembled in fear—staring horrified at the sky.

  This was the Heavenly Dao will manifest—bringing overwhelming life-level pressure.

  Deep in the palace—

  The golden-haired Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor slowly emerged.

  Standing before the palace steps—he raised his head—calmly meeting the massive face of the Heavenly Dao will.

  “The Five Phoenixes is about to birth an Emperor… so you want this Emperor to destroy the Five Phoenixes?”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor seemed to converse with the Heavenly Dao will.

  The will’s intent—even Heavenly Spirit Clan Quasi-Emperors could not understand.

  But the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor heard clearly.

  This was the privilege of transcending the Heavenly Dao—speaking as equals.

  He laughed.

  A sneer.

  “You want those cowards hiding in the shadows—thinking they’re playing a grand game—to act? Isn’t this mess their own doing? Whoever made the mess cleans it up.”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor sneered.

  The Heavenly Dao face trembled—shifting—seeming to question him.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor continued shaking his head.

  “Nothing to say. Why should this Emperor sit in the Primordial Starry Sky—dying for hundreds of thousands of years? Fighting with my life—while those guys enjoy themselves in the rear?!”

  “Now—they made a mess—and expect this Emperor to clean it? Do they think this Emperor is some cheap thug?”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor said coldly.

  He raised his hand—pointing at the Heavenly Dao face.

  “If you want this Emperor to act—offer sufficient price. If not—shut up. Even the Heavenly Dao—this Emperor fears not. I’ll shatter it too!”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s domineering words echoed through the entire Heavenly Spirit Clan ancestral land.

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan beings were stunned.

  This was their Emperor? So domineering—he dared challenge the Heavenly Dao!

  “Price? You ask what price this Emperor wants?”

  “I’ve been Emperor for three million seven hundred twenty thousand years—bitterly seeking the path beyond Emperor. If you, Heavenly Dao—open that path beyond Emperor—this Emperor… will help you once. What’s the harm?”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor said calmly.

  Like a market auntie haggling.

  The Heavenly Dao face raged—thick clouds roiling—seeming to summon apocalyptic disaster.

  “Don’t play this game with this Emperor!”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor clenched his fist—striking out.

  Terrifying light pierced the clouds—shattering the apocalyptic disaster instantly.

  Everything vanished.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor sneered coldly.

  But soon—his smile faded.

  Gazing beyond the nine heavens—toward the void starry sky.

  The Five Phoenixes’ existence had made the nine heavens’ Heavenly Dao anxious—worried…

  From the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s understanding of the Heavenly Dao—there was only one reason…

  “Even the Heavenly Dao is anxious. The Five Phoenixes truly is about to birth an Emperor?”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor narrowed his eyes.

  “The Heavenly Dao only became anxious now. So Lu Ping’an is not a true Emperor—his combat power came from some external cause.”

  “Now—the nine heavens’ Heavenly Dao worries. The Five Phoenixes is about to birth a true Emperor.”

  “Who? Micah?”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor pondered.

  Micah betrayed the Heavenly Spirit Clan—betrayed the Holy Hall—joined the Five Phoenixes.

  All for breaking through to Emperor.

  “But is it possible? With the nine heavens’ Heavenly Dao blocking the path—even if Micah is a genius—he cannot become Emperor.”

  “And betraying the Heavenly Spirit Clan—requires payment.”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s face turned cold.

  Then—he withdrew his gaze from the Five Phoenixes—looking at the sky.

  Many holy clans speculated that in the ancient war—the Heavenly Spirit Clan gained the most—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor even orchestrated it—forcing many Emperor realms to flee.

  But the true reason—only the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor knew.

  He was the greatest victim!

  As for where those guys went—Ancient Emperor Hao and other Emperors—what happened—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor was unclear.

  Until this return.

  He saw Lu—and the troubles entwining Lu.

  Rage surged.

  While he fought desperately in the Primordial Starry Sky—those guys relaxed in the rear—using heaven, earth, and all beings as chess pieces—playing leisurely.

  How could he, the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—accept this?

  Did he look like a cheap laborer?!

  In the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s view—the Five Phoenixes’ growth to this point was likely those guys’ doing in the shadows.

  As for what those guys wanted—

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor had guesses—but dared not be certain.

  After all—those guys were old foxes—living countless years.

  Easily guessing their thoughts might be deliberate misdirection.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor turned—returning to the ancestral land.

  But soon after—

  Thick clouds gathered again.

  The nine heavens’ Heavenly Dao reconverged—appearing above the Heavenly Spirit Clan.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor walked out.

  Meeting the Heavenly Dao face.

  They seemed to converse.

  After a long time—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s eyes suddenly brightened.

  “You said it yourself—the Heavenly Dao does not jest!”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s eyes gleamed.

  “This Emperor helps you destroy the Five Phoenixes—you open the path beyond Emperor!”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor said.

  Boom!

  The nine heavens’ Heavenly Dao roared.

  Seeming to say—the Heavenly Dao does not jest.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor laughed heartily.

  Finally—the opportunity had come.

  Sitting in the Primordial Starry Sky—fighting desperately for hundreds of thousands of years—all for this day?

  The Heavenly Dao dispersed.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s aura began rising relentlessly.

  His gaze swept—leading the remaining Holy Hall Saints—preparing to move out.

  One by one—Saints appeared. Even the aged Quasi-Emperor stepped forward.

  “The former Holy Hall Master Micah betrayed the Heavenly Spirit Clan. This Emperor hates traitors most. Follow this Emperor—invade the Five Phoenixes—capture Micah! If the Five Phoenixes resists—kill without mercy!”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor said.

  With that—

  The many Saints roared in response.

  Their voices echoed through every corner of the nine heavens.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor turned—once more shouldering the resealed coffin.

  Then—carrying the coffin—step by step—toward the Five Phoenixes.

  He carried the coffin—to avoid another accident.

  The many Heavenly Spirit Clan Saints followed behind.

  Though few in number—a true Ancient Emperor—plus dozens of Holy Hall Saints—was a terrifying force in the current nine heavens!

  …

  Void abyss.

  The barrier between Pingyang Heaven and Void Heaven—cleaved by Lu into nothingness.

  Isolating two heavens.

  Containing terrifying corrosive power.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—carrying the massive blood-dripping coffin—arrived majestically.

  Behind him—Holy Hall Saints followed. The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor spread his power—enveloping them—resisting the void abyss’s corrosion.

  Such a grand force crossing borders.

  Lu naturally sensed it.

  “Again?”

  Lu raised a brow—but felt no great worry.

  If it were before—Lu might struggle against the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor.

  But after refining the Golden Element Immortal Demon Body—Lu had confidence.

  Moreover—facing this grand procession—

  Lu was not alarmed—but delighted.

  He looked toward the Five Phoenix Continent.

  Seeing Micah—seated atop the snowy mountain peak—in seclusion.

  “Just right. The Five Phoenix Quasi-Emperors lack pressure. The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s arrival brings exactly that…”

  Lu smiled.

  Using an Ancient Emperor as a tool—perhaps only Lu dared.

  Thus—above Origin Lake—

  Lu smiled.

  He took out the Spirit-Pressure Chessboard.

  In his eyes—white lines interwove.

  The chessboard domain slowly expanded in the void starry sky.

  In the pavilion—Lu sat in his thousand-blade chair—carrying ease—picking up a chess piece.

  Slowly placing it.

  Snap!

  The chess piece landed on the board.

  Instantly—a Spirit-Pressure beam descended in the void starry sky.

  As though Lu’s aura climbed relentlessly.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—within the void abyss—

  His divine soul power spread—enveloping dozens of Saints.

  When Lu’s Spirit-Pressure beam descended—

  He snorted coldly.

  “Defeated opponent—dare come again?”

  Lu said lightly.

  His voice echoed through the void starry sky.

  “Lu Ping’an—you seek death!”

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan Quasi-Emperor roared in fury.

  Daring to call an Ancient Emperor a defeated opponent? How arrogant!

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s aura fluctuated—carrying the coffin—his face revealing rage.

  When had he been defeated by Lu Ping’an?

  “Defeated opponent? When did this Emperor become your defeated opponent?”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor suppressed his fury.

  Lu smiled—saying nothing.

  The world heard only the sound of chess pieces landing.

  The next moment—

  A scroll seemed to slowly unfurl between heaven and earth.

  In the scroll—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor was smashed on the head by Lu’s Heaven-Stealing Tower—head bleeding—face dazed—then fleeing in panic.

  “See… isn’t it?”

  Lu said.

  The world fell silent.

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan Saints—seeing the scene—felt their faith crumbling!

  “Impudent!”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor roared. Terrifying divine soul fluctuations swept—tearing the image apart.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor no longer suppressed his aura. Terrifying pressure capable of shattering the starry sky erupted.

  Many life-bearing stars were blasted away by this force.

  This Lu Ping’an… was truly infuriating!

  That smug little face made the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s rage burn.

  Boom!

  Vast Emperor pressure spread—sweeping the entire starry battlefield.

  On the Five Phoenix Continent—Origin Lake—

  The sea surface surged with monstrous waves.

  Lu smiled.

  Picking up a chess piece—placing it slowly.

  Snap!

  The vast Emperor pressure was instantly drawn by Lu’s chess piece—like a heavenly river pouring down.

  Boom!

  Within the Five Phoenixes—

  All powerhouses paled.

  Countless cultivators—struggled to breathe.

  In the ancient tomb—Gu Mangran clutched his chest—gripping the Chrysanthemum Divine Herb—suddenly awakening.

  Atop the snowy mountain peak—

  Micah suddenly opened his eyes—exhaling slowly.

  “Ancient Emperor… has come again…”

  “It seems I can no longer continue accumulating.”

  “Scattering cultivation—restarting the path—everything… for this moment.”

  Atop the snowy peak—Micah smiled.

  He shook off the snow covering him.

  Standing—gazing at the starry sky.

  With a carefree smile—

  “Wait for me to stretch… then I’ll become Emperor!”

  With that—

  Micah truly stretched atop the snowy peak.

  As he stretched—the entire snowy mountain collapsed.

  As though a slumbering peerless beast had awakened!

  As though a path sealed for endless years—burst open as Micah stretched!

  Boom!

  Buzz…

  Great winds rose—clouds flew.

  Above the Five Phoenixes—Golden Immortal tribulation clouds gathered.