Boom!

  Crimson blood sprayed forth.

  It formed a rolling river, heavy beyond measure, threatening to collapse the void as it filled the skies of the Void Heaven.

  The massive severed arm plummeted, crashing into the underworld.

  Dense vital essence... boiled over in that instant.

  Within the underworld.

  Lord Beigong trembled in fear and excitement.

  Dantai Xuan's face flushed red.

  The surging essence in that broken arm made the entire underworld feel alive!

  This was treasure beyond measure!

  He craned his neck and barked an order!

  City gates swung wide.

  Countless yin attendants ghosted out like specters, hoisting the Saint Ancestor's arm together before fleeing with it.

  In the Void Heaven, rules manifested as blades.

  This was its most terrifying aspect—even Saint Ancestors avoided it. Ancient emperors had woven these special rules here.

  The more powerful the intruder, the deadlier the slaughter!

  Thus, the Upper Realm deemed the Void Heaven a ruin, a place for the desperate.

  No powerhouse dared linger.

  Yet...

  No plan was flawless.

  The Yun Clan's Saint Ancestor never imagined he would fall for such a trap, losing an arm to the Void Heaven's dreaded rules.

  He had clearly struck at the strange underworld appearing in the Yuan Magnetic Heaven, devouring countless souls. Why had his target shifted to the Void Heaven?

  What connection bound them?!

  Of course.

  The Saint Ancestor wasn't pondering that now.

  The blade-like rules rang with chilling chimes, carving terrifying gullies in the void, hungry to devour all.

  One arm lost, yet those fearsome rules burned like karmic fire, creeping up his stump to claim his entire being!

  The Saint Ancestor roared in fury.

  Such rules could never erase a saint.

  But he felt utterly disgusted!

  Outraged at capsizing in a gutter.

  The Yuan Magnetic Heaven shuddered!

  The colossal Saint Ancestor, vast as a titan propping up heaven and earth, sat upon the Upper Realm continent. Terrifying aura spread like entwining chains.

  Boom boom boom!

  From the continent's edge, monstrous waves surged.

  The Yuan Magnetic Heaven quaked. Many low and mid-martial worlds buckled under his pressure.

  Though protected by the Great Dao...

  Their inhabitants were crushed into bloody paste.

  A Saint Ancestor's wrath drowned worlds in blood!

  High-martial worlds fared worse—heaven and earth collapsed, countless lives extinguished...

  These fallen souls streamed into rivers of spirit, rushing forth to be absorbed by the underworld.

  This only fueled his rage!

  Across the Lower Three Heavens, all beings stood stunned.

  A Saint Ancestor—supreme, having endured hundreds of thousands of years!

  Progenitor of a saint clan!

  A saint-realm existence!

  Yet an arm severed before their eyes. Everyone gasped in horror.

  What a shocking sight.

  In ages without ancient emperors, Saint Ancestors reigned supreme.

  Yet even one had lost a limb!

  "The Void Heaven... truly harbors great terror, capable of severing even a Saint Ancestor!"

  "It's the burial ground of ancient emperors—severing a mere saint is no surprise."

  "A Saint Ancestor should know better than to tread such peril!"

  Holy lords of high-martial sacred grounds whispered.

  Then their gazes turned to the underworld, its immense pull drawing in souls of the dead from the Lower Three Heavens.

  This underworld was the culprit behind the Saint Ancestor's loss!

  "The 'Travel' array word?!"

  In the Upper Realm, Yun and Dao Clan experts narrowed their eyes. They had glimpsed silver-gray light moments ago.

  Spatial profundity.

  "Impossible... Even the 'Travel' array word couldn't shift a Saint Ancestor's arm into the Void Heaven. A saint's body is tempered by the Heavenly Dao—immune to myriad laws. Only another saint... or an ancient emperor could..."

  "An ancient emperor's handiwork?! Could it be..."

  "The Void Heaven awakens an ancient emperor's will?"

  "Is it truly an ancient emperor striking?"

  Upper Realm powerhouses speculated, growing ever more fearful.

  In another battlefield of the Yuan Magnetic Heaven, tension burned like fire.

  The Heavenly Gate manifested. Upper Realm experts had forced it open, yet now they hesitated.

  The Saint Ancestor's severed arm had shaken them deeply.

  But as the half-step Immortal Transformation summoner was struck dead by lightning...

  The gate began to close.

  "Attack!"

  The Saint Ancestor's voice thundered, cold and stern.

  As a saint, even battling the blood-robed Gu Mangran had never cost him a limb. Now, schemed against by lesser beings!

  An ancient emperor?

  He refused to believe it. If truly one, he would have lost far more than an arm.

  Clearly, someone had borrowed the Void Heaven's rules against him.

  Thus, the one wielding array words and spatial profundity couldn't be too strong.

  "To sever my arm in the Void Heaven, they must ignore its rules. This schemer hails from there... Besides that half-dead Gu Mangran, could it be... the new high-martial Five Phoenixes' holy lord?"

  "Impossible. The Five Phoenixes' lord is merely an Immortal Host."

  The Saint Ancestor sat, aura vast.

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  At his command.

  Upper Realm assailants charged the gate.

  Nearly all were Immortal Hosts who had refined five qi!

  Leading them: a Five Qi Grand Primordial expert!

  This leader advanced, a two-foot shortsword hovering above his head.

  Drifting toward the gate!

  Boom!

  The shortsword erupted with vast saintly might!

  A Saint Ancestor's Dao weapon!

  Indeed—after ten years' preparation, though no imperial weapon, they deployed saintly Dao armaments!

  Hazy killing intent boiled.

  Atop the gate, mystical beasts stirred to life!

  Yet...

  The two-foot blade's cascading saintly aura suppressed the peerless killing formation, preventing its full activation!

  Saint Dao weapon pinning the grand array!

  Yun and Dao Clan experts exulted.

  This assault on the Heavenly Gate would succeed!

  Boom!

  Without the grand array's cover, Upper Realm forces swarmed the gate.

  The Saint Ancestor sat on the continent, slowly purging rules from his stump.

  His cold gaze fixed on the gate.

  He sensed a link between it and the underworld—similar auras.

  Seated impassively, he watched ahead... as the Heavenly Gate seemed to unfold before him into a vast chessboard.

  Lines crisscrossing.

  His invading Immortal Hosts: his pieces.

  ...

  On the Five Phoenixes Continent.

  Nanjiang City.

  Tang Mansion.

  Terrifying pressure pinned Tang Xiansheng; he dared not breathe.

  He stared at Lu in abject shock, body trembling faintly. Piece pinched in fingers, yet placing it felt impossible.

  As if he weren't truly playing against Young Master Lu.

  Lu smiled faintly, reclining in the Thousand-Bladed Chair, lines dancing in his eyes.

  Effortless, ethereal, dashing.

  Tang Xiansheng knew: Young Master Lu wasn't playing him.

  Lu lifted a piece and placed it.

  Invisible ripples spread.

  "Cultivated a century—time to fight when fight comes."

  ...

  Creak...

  The Heavenly Gate swung open; beasts atop it seemed alive.

  Yet without the killing array's boost, they couldn't break free to slaughter.

  "It's open!"

  Upper Realm experts gleamed with excitement.

  Boom!

  Immortal qi gushed forth—dense enough to make even Upper Realm cultivators' pores dilate in bliss!

  Open!

  They had forced the Heavenly Gate!

  Yet what greeted them... was a torrent of deadly assault.

  Refined immortal qi formed razor-sharp arrows, whistling with piercing roars, blotting the sky.

  At the gate's entrance.

  Horrific battle erupted!

  War cries shook heaven and earth!

  "The Upper Realm is unjust! Kill!"

  In the Yuan Magnetic Heaven, a high-martial holy ground's expert cried in shock then joy.

  "It's our ancestor! The ancestor's voice!"

  Familiar auras—those who had ascended long ago—exploded forth.

  Upper Realm forces clashed with defenders beyond the gate!

  Boom!

  The leading Five Qi Grand Primordial sneered in disdain.

  "A rabble. Even with abundant immortal qi, trash remains trash... Kill! Slaughter them all!"

  His cold command rang.

  At his order, the saint Dao weapon bearer charged.

  Without the grand array, pressure eased greatly!

  Sword light soared skyward. A Five Qi Immortal Host unleashed peak slaughter, plunging beyond the gate.

  One sword shook the world.

  Puff!

  Several Lower Three Heavens ascendants coughed blood and flew back.

  A century's cultivation had birthed many Immortal Hosts in the ascension land, but true elites were rare.

  Most had refined only two or three immortal qi.

  Challenging a Five Qi expert proved arduous.

  The Five Qi laughed, sword qi sweeping like apocalypse as he charged deeper.

  An axe cleaved forth.

  Overlord wreathed in demonic qi, like a divine demon reborn, swung with fury.

  Clashing against the Five Qi!

  "Perfect timing. A century without a beating—I've stacked my thickest armor. Don't disappoint this king!"

  Overlord roared with laughter.

  His hulking frame towered higher, vital blood surging, pinning the Five Qi.

  In the ascension land.

  A mountain exploded.

  Nie Changqing, Dragon Slayer at his waist, war intent boiling.

  "Old Nie! Don't steal from this king! He's mine!"

  Overlord bellowed.

  Nie Changqing sighed in regret.

  The pinned Five Qi raged.

  "Refined only three qi—who gave you such courage?!"

  Boom boom boom!

  The century-quiet ascension land ignited in war.

  Battle raged.

  No one regretted it; most stirred with eagerness.

  Lower Three Heavens ascendants fought with do-or-die resolve.

  Cornered by the Upper Realm, defending the ascension land was their last chance—their final dignity.

  Five Phoenixes cultivators differed.

  They had battled their way here. Combat didn't frighten—it thrilled!

  Tang Yimo laughed freely.

  Two immortal qi coiled around him. Late ascendant, few qi refined—but battle? He feared none!

  Atop a peak, demonic arts surged.

  Body soared, skin purpling, veins bulging like a primordial sky-splitting demon.

  Opening six pulses, he roared—sound waves exploding—locking onto an invading Five Qi and charging!

  Yet with fewer qi, he soon endured brutal onslaught.

  Nie Changqing joined, one slash wailing with dragon cries.

  Tang Yimo glanced—no refusal of aid.

  Alone, he couldn't match a Five Qi.

  Unlike Overlord, who grew stronger under blows...

  Flames roared!

  Bai Qingniao sipped fresh chicken soup in her courtyard.

  Nine phoenixes rose, flames spreading, effortlessly pinning a Five Qi!

  Sima Qingshan and Kong Nanfei laughed.

  Geniuses both—century focused solely on refining qi, three each.

  Brush strokes moved mountains.

  Together, they entangled another Five Qi!

  Five Phoenixes celestials displayed monstrous strength.

  In short order.

  Upper Realm Immortal Hosts couldn't breach the gate!

  "Kill!"

  Lower Three Heavens ascendants, united in enmity, watched Five Phoenixes celestials fight fiercely. Flames ignited in their hearts.

  In that moment, a spiritual ascension.

  Puff!

  Many coughed blood and retreated, but more surged forward, fearless of death!

  Yet the defensive line steadily yielded to Upper Realm advance.

  At the Heavenly Court ruins.

  Lu Jiulian slowly opened his eyes.

  Profundity swirled within.

  This century, his strength had skyrocketed—terrifyingly fast, even to himself.

  He didn't know why; insights flooded him.

  Even his Dao intent strengthened...

  From third-sequence destruction... to second.

  The upgrade had startled him.

  Dao intent could evolve?

  He felt like an anomaly—kept quiet, speaking softer than ever.

  Gazing afar at the brutal gate battle.

  Watching bloodied ascendants.

  All Immortal Hosts, numerous ascendants—no casualties yet short-term.

  But prolonged, Upper Realm's superior might would breach. Expanded battlefield meant inevitable losses.

  His turn.

  Lu Jiulian rose.

  Raised a hand; a five-colored lotus spun slowly in his palm.

  Formed from refining five qi.

  Infused with upgraded destruction intent.

  Unrivaled offense!

  Testing it, he had sought Overlord.

  Had him stack thickest armor.

  Then tossed a mere three-colored lotus—not full power.

  Overlord lay frozen in a cold hall three years recovering.

  At the gate.

  Sudden silence.

  Blood-soaked Lower Three Heavens Immortal Hosts brightened.

  A lean figure emerged before the gate, cradling a five-colored lotus.

  Upper Realm forces grew wary.

  Unlike others, Lu Jiulian had refined five qi—immense pressure.

  He gazed calmly at the invading horde.

  Sighed softly. His intent... couldn't stay hidden.

  Then gently tossed.

  The lotus, wreathed in fearsome destruction, arced toward an oncoming Five Qi!

  BOOM!!!

  Destruction erupted.

  The narrow gate became a deadly cage.

  Upper Realm Immortal Hosts swallowed by onslaught.

  Wails pierced the air.

  Streams of light fled desperately.

  But azure robes billowed.

  Lu Jiulian hair flying, chin raised, blocked their escape.

  He lifted hands slowly upward.

  Beneath each gravely wounded Upper Realm Five Qi... a lotus bloomed silently.

  Boom!

  Explosions thundered.

  Unmatched slaughter engulfed Immortal Hosts!

  Brilliant fireworks bloomed before the gate.

  All in the Yuan Magnetic Heaven stared dumbfounded.

  Ascension land's Lower Three Heavens ascendants equally stunned.

  The unassuming Lu Jiulian of this century... so strong?

  No—just him. All Five Phoenixes celestials were monsters!

  Many rejoiced allying with them; otherwise, war would leave ascendants insufficient for Lu Jiulian's slaughter alone.

  Some sensed deeper meaning.

  "Sec... second-sequence intent!"

  Watching Lu Jiulian single-handedly hold the gate.

  Even Upper Realm experts paled.

  The saint Dao weapon bearer, Grand Primordial, pupils contracted—feeling the intent's might.

  Second-sequence: supreme genius even in Upper Realm!

  The colossal Saint Ancestor on the continent tilted his head slightly.

  Before him, the board...

  His position teetered on collapse.

  Boom!

  From the Dao Clan.

  Another Grand Primordial advanced, a whisk atop his head.

  Gleaming, stepping toward the gate.

  Saint Dao energy cascaded down.

  "Another saint Dao weapon?!"

  "This one's the Dao Clan's Saint Ancestor's!"

  Gasps rose.

  Two saint Dao weapons—what dominance!

  The Upper Realm was determined to breach!

  Not only that.

  As the whisk-bearer charged, more Five Qi Immortal Hosts surged from the Upper Realm.

  Boom!

  Intent... unyielding!

  With a furious roar.

  Terrifying axe light cleaved the ascension land's sky.

  The Five Qi coughed blood, retreating in staggering steps.

  Nearly cleaved in half by Overlord's full outburst.

  Lu Jiulian flicked a green lotus, finishing him—stealing the kill.

  He stood before the gate, gazing coolly at nearly a hundred Five Qi and the whisk-bearing Grand Primordial.

  Behind him.

  Blood-drenched Overlord, six-pulse demonic Tang Yimo, Dragon Slayer-bearing Nie Changqing, and others hovered.

  Joined by countless Lower Three Heavens ascendants.

  Unyielding, fearless against Upper Realm assault.

  ...

  Nanjiang City.

  Tang Mansion courtyard.

  Lu held a piece, smile deepening.

  "I've never lost a game as Lu Ping'an."

  Lifted one.

  Gazed at the board, unhurried, placing it slowly.

  Clack.

  Silver light bloomed.

  ...

  Yuan Magnetic Heaven.

  The Saint Ancestor on the continent narrowed his eyes.

  He felt his board... position collapse instantly!

  Suddenly.

  He gazed at the gate—familiar silver-gray light, familiar spatial profundity...

  Linking to the Five Phoenixes celestials guarding.

  Rage erupted.

  "Retreat!"

  His thunderous roar echoed across the Yuan Magnetic Heaven.

  All stunned.

  Clearly, persistence would breach the gate.

  Why retreat?

  Soon understood.

  Silver radiance blazed.

  Next instant.

  The Heavenly Gate vanished from the Yuan Magnetic Heaven.

  Reappearing... in the Void Heaven.

  Puff puff puff!

  Blade-rules that severed his arm lingered.

  Now, so many Upper Realm intruders arrived.

  Blade seas swept; countless corpses flew in the Void Heaven!

  Blood rain poured!

  Only the two saint Dao weapon bearers survived!

  Hidden in the gate, Lower Three Heavens ascendants paled.

  Fearing the rules would claim them too.

  Yet...

  Soon realized: rules ignored them. Many laughed in mad joy.

  They ascended via Void Heaven's gate—insiders now, safe!

  "Damn it!"

  Boom!

  Beyond the Void Heaven.

  The Saint Ancestor, once in Yuan Magnetic, vanished.

  Colossal form descended like a firmament.

  Five Phoenixes.

  Tang Mansion courtyard.

  Lu took the Five Phoenixes Bow from his chair; the small bow enlarged.

  Chin raised, he drew from the seated chair.

  Qi Refinement Level Eight primordial spirit, chaos force, Dao intent...

  Poured in.

  Whoosh!

  Fingers released.

  Three forces merged into an arrow.

  Puff!

  Instantly.

  A rainbow streaking from Five Phoenixes toward Void Heaven...

  Beyond the Void Heaven, the Saint Ancestor's eyes blazed like twin suns, light melting heaven and earth.

  The two saint Dao bearers fled desperately.

  Around them, a hundred Five Qi slain by rules!

  Corpse mountains and blood seas enveloped them.

  They rejoiced in saint Dao protection—else dead like the rest.

  Racing outward toward the blotting Saint Ancestor—escape the Void, his shelter meant life.

  Yet joy lasted mere seconds.

  The arrow approached silently.

  Puff!

  Pierced both bodies, carrying horrific force, bursting from Void Heaven—accelerating them toward the Saint Ancestor.

  Beyond.

  The Saint Ancestor raised his hand—vast might, boundless saintly aura.

  To catch them.

  Yet...

  Unexpectedly.

  The arrow pierced his palm, enlarging in his sun-like eyes.

  Finally... plunging into his pupil!