Lu glanced at the plump Little Yinglong, then at the perfectly spherical Five Phoenixes Immortal Source.

  He let out a long sigh in his heart.

  Birds of a feather flock together—truer words never spoken.

  Leaving Little Yinglong in this origin universe had clearly been a grave mistake.

  Look at this—the Five Phoenixes Immortal Source had lost all semblance of dignity.

  The Five Phoenixes source had devoured too much of the shattered Hunyuan Immortal Domain source. It had swollen considerably, but digesting such vast energy wouldn't be easy—it required eons.

  Lu had no quick fix. He could only shoo the Five Phoenixes source aside to quietly process what it had gorged.

  Little Yinglong's aura had reached half-step Quasi-Saint, largely from the Hunyuan source's energy—not truly his own.

  Lu decided special training was in order—to help him adapt.

  "Hm... leave it to Zhu Long."

  "If needed, a good beating works—promotes digestion."

  Lu muttered.

  His parenting philosophy: one word—"beat."

  Zhu Long's might be more varied.

  He ignored the pair afterward.

  Primordial spirit surged—enveloping the entire Five Phoenixes origin universe.

  The scattered Hunyuan source fragments pulsed intensely.

  Lu sat on his Thousand-Bladed Chair—white robes fluttering—traversing the origin universe unhurriedly.

  A serene space—free from outer starry clamor.

  Crossing, he beheld myriad vibrant stars twinkling.

  "Hunyuan Immortal Domain—once peak immortal martial. Inferior to Elemental Realms, yet its source coveted even by Elemental Gods."

  Lu pondered.

  Originally, he planned gathering the Hunyuan source—rebirthing the domain, restoring it.

  But...

  Impossible now.

  Not just fragmentation—the shards had fused into the Five Phoenixes origin universe.

  Rooted like the Five Phoenixes source.

  Lu's eyes grew solemn.

  "Extracting them now... far harder than imagined."

  He flicked a silver blade—attempting to sever a half-merged Hunyuan shard.

  It clung stubbornly—unyielding in the Five Phoenixes space.

  Risk of dove occupying magpie's nest.

  If the shattered source regained will—Lu doubted the headstrong Five Phoenixes source could compete.

  It might be devoured clean.

  A dilemma.

  Two choices.

  First: forcibly excise the integrated Hunyuan source—expel it.

  But damage Five Phoenixes origin—recovery time needed.

  Second: fully merge Hunyuan source into Five Phoenixes—dominated by the latter.

  Second favored Five Phoenixes most.

  But equivalent to devouring Hunyuan source.

  Denying its will rebirth—one world, one source. Five Phoenixes—only Five Phoenixes source.

  Lu contemplated.

  No rush.

  He took Little Yinglong—exiting to Buzhou Peak.

  Five Phoenixes Continent.

  Northern Domain, Buzhou Peak.

  Now emanating profound aura—black-and-white energies intertwining, unique profundities surging.

  At its base—many powers rooted, revering Zhu Long atop as a deity.

  Long exposure to her black-and-white profundity...

  Offspring below often born with yin or yang gifts.

  Birthing the Black-and-White Holy Land.

  Every century—a saintess selected, ascending steps for teachings.

  When free, Zhu Long instructed—making the land famed in Five Phoenixes.

  Now inheriting Black-and-White Empress—Quasi-Saint, peak among Five Phoenixes.

  Holy Land's status soared accordingly.

  Yet Zhu Long unchanged—kneeling on bluestone, piping her flute.

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  The land disturbed her life little.

  Lu soon appeared atop. Zhu Long opened curious eyes—black-and-white profundity swirling. She controlled her pupil force now—no casual destructive beams.

  "This guy—train him well. Help master the source power within."

  Lu tossed the rotund Little Yinglong to her.

  With her cultivation—aiding digestion and mastery no great challenge.

  Zhu Long stared at the round dragon—stunned.

  Eons without seeing—she'd nearly forgotten him.

  Thought he suffered.

  Yet living better than imagined.

  Plump.

  "Okay, Daddy."

  "Leave it to me."

  Zhu Long nodded—big sister duty to educate little brother.

  Lu smiled—chatted briefly—then left Buzhou.

  With Empress inheritance—her path her own. Lu interfered little.

  Post-Buzhou—he visited Azure Star.

  Found Tonggu—shared origin universe issue.

  "Hunyuan source... forcibly merged into Five Phoenixes origin space?"

  Tonggu frowned.

  No small matter—mishandled, grave.

  Hunyuan source might usurp—slowing, hindering Five Phoenixes growth.

  Lu seeking advice—knew severity.

  Tonggu comforted—Lu could devour outright.

  But consulting—respecting former Hunyuan Quasi-Saints.

  Lu shared choices—and preference.

  "I lean toward the second..."

  Lu said.

  Fully integrating Hunyuan into Five Phoenixes.

  As creator—elevating from low martial to immortal—he favored it.

  First harmed Five Phoenixes—recoverable, but Lu disliked loss.

  Lu Ping'an hated disadvantages.

  Tonggu understood.

  "First... damages origin space—delaying peak immortal martial longer..."

  Tonggu frowned.

  Hands behind back—amid quiet ridges, watching blooms fade.

  Long after—smiled: "Brother Lu, I support second..."

  "But not my sole decision."

  Lu consulted Old He—similar view. Unsurprised.

  Tonggu and Lu left Azure—his first in millennia seclusion.

  To Five Phoenixes—gathering red-dust wandering human Quasi-Saints—sharing.

  Consensus mirrored Tonggu's.

  Then—to beyond Nine-Layered Heaven.

  Elder Xuancang sat guarding passage.

  "Merge Hunyuan source?"

  Complex emotions—strictly, its loss tied to him.

  "Second better. But... a request, young friend Lu."

  "Move the ruined Hunyuan continent... into Five Phoenixes starry sky?"

  "Successful merge—Hunyuan part of Five Phoenixes."

  Suggestion stunned Tonggu and Lu.

  Tonggu nodded sentimentally: "Possible..."

  "Though ruined—former ancestral land, birthed countless experts. Reviving honors memory."

  Lu agreed.

  Ruined like former Nine-Layered Heaven—but full merge—rebirth as cultivation ground possible.

  Action swift—Tonggu volunteered, exiting passage.

  Into ancient starry—seeking Hunyuan ruins.

  Fortunately near Five Phoenixes.

  Soon found vast continent.

  Now desolate—life drained, barren earth exposed, ruins whispering past glory.

  Tonggu lifted ruined land—heading Nine-Layered Heaven/Five Phoenixes.

  Lu on island—awaited return.

  Placed piece—tearing massive starry passage.

  Boom!

  Tonggu shouldered continent—stepping from outer starry into Five Phoenixes.

  Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

  Luo Yang, Chai Feng etc. geniuses rose.

  Complex gazes on dead land Tonggu carried.

  Former ancestral Hunyuan Immortal Domain.

  Vast—filling Void Abyss (compressed by Five Phoenixes universe).

  Abyss gone—propped by Hunyuan.

  Now Nine-Layered Heaven and Hunyuan—Five Phoenixes guardians.

  Invading Five Phoenixes—breach both defenses first.

  Hunyuan return excited former ancestral geniuses briefly—barrenness evoked sorrow.

  Soon—returned holy lands, cultivating.

  Five Phoenixes atmosphere pressured them—no falling behind native geniuses.

  With Hunyuan in—Lu sensed unique bond.

  Reentered origin universe.

  Little Yinglong with Zhu Long—only misguided Five Phoenixes source remained.

  Lu's gaze swept every corner—mind emanating unique intent.

  Via Preaching Platform—deduced refining/merging Hunyuan source.

  Vast project—shattered by Gold Elemental God into countless fragments.

  Though Little Yinglong/Five Phoenixes devoured much.

  Immense remnants.

  Lu devoted time refining Hunyuan fragments.

  Gradually integrating into Five Phoenixes origin.

  Completion—Void Abyss' Hunyuan regained vitality.

  Like world evolution.

  Basic life spread rapidly—prospering over time.

  Faster than Azure—due to reiki.

  Strong foundation—rapid grade ascent.

  From dead land—low martial soon.

  Century—mid martial. Ancestral experts returning—high martial swift...

  Full refining—restore past glory inevitable.

  Native beings returned—rooting, cultivating, rebuilding prosperous era.

  But Hunyuan no longer ancestral land.

  Five Phoenixes now—human center.

  Starry sky.

  Tonggu hovered—nostalgic gaze.

  Watching reviving Hunyuan—gradually reclaiming glory—endless emotion.

  All improving—humans overcame obstacles.

  No domination ambition—merely develop, survive.

  Watching revival—Tonggu lingered not—stepped back to Azure.

  Invested much here.

  Third-layer soul birth—milestone for humans.

  Origin universe.

  Lu cross-legged mid-air—continuing refinement.

  Five Phoenixes source slimmed under guidance. Millennia refining—time sense faded.

  Each fragment—elevated immortal martial grade.

  All on track.

  Task: fully refine—vast, taxing.

  But strengthening Five Phoenixes source—accelerated.

  Ten thousand years fleeting.

  Lu immersed nearly fully.

  Origin universe...

  No longer one phoenix source. Refining Hunyuan—condensed three more.

  Four phoenixes soared.

  Unified will—maintaining Five Phoenixes rules.

  Finally—last fragment refined.

  White-robed Lu slowly opened eyes.

  In origin—time meaningless.

  Refining cleansed soul—purer, closer to third-layer though not yet.

  Opening eyes—four phoenixes encircled.

  Lu raised hand—gentle strokes.

  Farewell.

  Resounding cries tore silence—four phoenixes winged, soaring origin.

  Expanding territory—strengthening source, elevating world beyond immortal martial.

  Lu smiled contentedly—influenced by him, these phoenixes reliable now.

  Exited origin.

  Returned Lake Heart Island.

  Ten millennia passed—island unchanged.

  Only bearing whale faintly reacted.

  Ten thousand years... still not dead, this human?

  Ning Zhao, Ni Yu, Yi Yue sensed—rushed over.

  Ning Zhao broke to Daluo—millennia not wasted.

  Ni Yu childlike—strength rivaling Ning Zhao. Combat? Hundred Ni Yus lose.

  Yi Yue slightly behind—Nine-Turn Golden Immortal, not Daluo—solid foundation, hard work evident.

  Lu nodded satisfied.

  Primordial spirit swept.

  Ten millennia—not short, not eternal.

  For powerhouses—fingertip.

  Few new Daluo in Five Phoenixes.

  Expected yet surprising.

  Beyond Nine-Turn Golden Immortal—Daluo.

  Five statues aided profundity comprehension.

  But breakthrough hard.

  Ten thousand years—eight new Daluo Five Phoenixes side.

  Hunyuan—nearly twenty Heavenly Emperors. Strong foundation.

  Though domain breached—Xiaoyao Zi sacrifice preserved most.

  Many prodigies—normal breakthroughs.

  Most surprising millennium: new human Quasi-Saint.

  Not Five Phoenixes—former ancestral prodigy Chai Feng (shared name with Luo Yang? No—Chai Feng).

  Eight millennia into Lu's seclusion—via White Jade Palace, soul second-layer; Gold Source Pyramid—firm steps to nine thousand.

  Achieved Quasi-Saint on pyramid steps.

  Lu smiled.

  Unsurprised.

  Five Phoenixes—no new Quasi-Saint millennium. Accumulation lacking.

  Aside Zhu Long's Empress inheritance Quasi-Saint.

  No new from Lu Jiulian, Tantai Xuan etc.

  Gap evident vs. Hunyuan accumulation.

  But Lu believed—god-demon threat minimal—eons ahead, Five Phoenixes close gap.

  Buzz...

  Mid-thought...

  System prompt appeared.

  Lu glanced subconsciously—long-absent panel. Face slight freeze.

  Unknowingly—Qi Refining twelfth to thirteenth accumulation complete...

  Lu realized—eyes brightening.

  "Five Phoenixes source devoured Hunyuan—integrating fully. Hunyuan cultivators... count as Five Phoenixes'."

  Leaning on Thousand-Bladed Chair—gazing boundless ocean beyond island—heart surging.

  "Meaning... I can draw qi commission from Hunyuan cultivators?"

  Excitement uncontainable.

  Top immortal martial—countless human experts.

  Of course—no from Tonggu, Xuancang etc. Quasi-Saints—severed ties pre-collapse.

  Hard rebuild bridges post-reshape.

  No wool from ancestral Quasi-Saints.

  Saints—impossible.

  But new Five Phoenixes Quasi-Saints—massive commission.

  Lu anticipated.

  Could this vast commission propel two layers at once?

  Originally near thirteenth completion—plus Zhu Long Quasi-Saint, Overlord/Tang Yimo/Tantai Xuan Daluo.

  Primed for thirteenth—perhaps fourteenth.

  Low odds.

  But dreams... what if?

  "Skyscrapers rise from ground. Congratulations, Host—qi accumulation complete, meets advancement conditions. Advance?"