"Hm?"

  "Breakthrough?"

  On the lake heart island, Lu held his wine cup, eyes closed as if savoring the rich liquor lingering in his throat. Slowly, he opened them—surprise flickering within.

  Surprise gave way to a gentle, spring-breeze smile.

  Natural, serene.

  As if this breakthrough were merely a breeze rippling a calm lake surface.

  His aura began to steady.

  Like boiling water cooling after the fire's removal.

  Qi Refinement ninth layer.

  Mind stirring, the system panel appeared.

  Host: Lu

  Title: Qi Refiner (Permanent)

  Qi Refinement Layers: 9

  Spiritual Qi Reserves: 11/100 (billion) strands

  Primordial Spirit Power: 10820 (units)

  Chaos Force: 59909 (Ha)

  World Rating: Five Phoenix Small World [High-Martial (Immortal Martial Foundation)]

  Reserves breached eleven billion—even after entry-level cultivators yielded no extractable qi.

  Lu was satisfied.

  He knew later layers harder. For steady Qi Refinement, Five Phoenix must strengthen—only then smooth to hundred layers.

  "Qi Refinement hundred layers—empower all..."

  "Tsk... seems tough."

  "Still too weak."

  Lu shook head—withdrawing gaze.

  With layer cross, system joyfully popped unchanging congratulations.

  "Tall towers rise from ground—congratulations host entering Qi Refinement ninth layer..."

  "Congratulations rewards: Indestructible Demonic Body ×1, Dao Origin ×1..."

  Seeing rewards—Lu paused slightly.

  Indestructible Demonic Body and Dao Origin?

  This time... rather ordinary.

  Lu had lost count of Indestructible Demonic Body acquisitions—nearly every upgrade.

  Numb to it.

  But undeniable—massive strength boost.

  Now standing—demonic qi hard to suppress.

  Perhaps ninth layer breakthrough too smooth—rewards mundane.

  Exhaling slowly—Lu ceased dwelling.

  Stored Dao Origin—now four total.

  Fusion enhances Heavenly Dao—accelerates reserve refining.

  Lu squinted.

  Mind moved—fused this one into Five Phoenix Heavenly Dao.

  Rumble...

  Primordial spirit spread.

  With Dao Origin fusion—Heavenly Dao surged faster, aura leaping.

  But Lu watched Nine Heavens Dao—for reaction, ready to counter.

  None.

  Nine Heavens Dao—unrippled.

  Lu's brows raised—tempted to fuse remaining three.

  Thought better—abstained.

  Intuition: all three—immediate response.

  But one more—refining speed much faster.

  Plus immortals' fortune cultivation aiding.

  Perhaps Heavenly Evolution Mirror's hundred thousand reserves—soon fully refined.

  Speaking of immortals' fortune cultivation—Lu frowned.

  As guessed—bottleneck hit.

  "Indeed—lacking combat, lacking breakthrough passion and opportunity."

  "Perhaps... time to research that idea."

  Eyes gleamed.

  Five Phoenix development—his Qi Refinement foundation. Poured heart into current form.

  Immortal martial foundation—he wouldn't invert priorities.

  "Perfect... studying imperial weapons—simulate many ancient emperors' auras. Combine with plan."

  Smiled—idea clearer.

  Fused Indestructible Demonic Body.

  Unsure total fusions—each tempered physique.

  Body refinement, essentially.

  Unknown current strength.

  Boom!

  Fusing this one...

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  Even seated on Thousand Bladed Chair—demonic qi barely contained.

  Though white robes unchanged—demonic qi surged endlessly.

  Hair flying—terrifying aura spreading.

  "Congratulations host Indestructible Demonic Body minor completion—custom divine ability opportunity..."

  As fusion complete—prompt appeared.

  Lu paused.

  "Indestructible Demonic Body minor completion?"

  Murmured—next, eyes blazing brilliantly.

  At least—not endless.

  Mind moved—over ten thousand unit primordial spirit entered body—observing every flesh inch.

  Flesh brimmed vitality, frenzied energy—each cell explosive. One blood drop—annihilate seventh/eighth-level high-martial.

  Strong!

  Immensely!

  Strength vastly increased—even saint ancestor Dao-tempered body—likely pummeled raw by current him.

  "Worthy minor completion Indestructible Demonic Body..."

  Lu marveled—strength sublimation.

  Physical extreme.

  "Custom divine ability?"

  Other feature—stunned Lu.

  Divine abilities familiar—like Zhulong's yin-yang millstone from innate yin-yang—solid power, foundation for crossing realms.

  Now Lu custom...

  Even he felt... flashy.

  "What ability? Must relate Indestructible Demonic Body..."

  Pondered—entered preaching platform, deducing extremes.

  Tried many.

  Finally recalled Devil Lord debut—that backward glance's oppressive terror.

  Thus customized.

  "Customize divine ability: Devil Lord Glance?"

  System prompted.

  Lu lips curled—confirmed.

  Deduced via platform—maximizing minor completion power.

  Devil Lord might vast—glance: mountains/rivers collapse, sever vitality.

  Rumble!

  Ability confirmed.

  Vast Ocean surged heaven-shaking waves.

  Endless demonic qi soared—entire ocean quaking.

  Whale bearing immortal island—trembled.

  This human growing stronger—waiting him out for freedom: increasingly unrealistic.

  But whale unpanicked—long lifespan. Cultivate slowly—to Great Luo Immortal.

  Then...

  Kill... nah.

  Then—free!

  Whale thought—spouted water pillar, scattering rainbow—like celebrating freedom path found.

  Lu retracted aura—Devil Lord shadow faded.

  Unsuppressible demonic qi dispersed gradually.

  Seated Thousand Bladed Chair—opened eyes, depths like dying stars.

  "Unexpected joy—Indestructible Demonic Body minor breakthrough."

  Smiled.

  "Minor completion... greater completion too?"

  Minor so terrifying—greater: how strong?

  Hand raised—slowly clenched. Void pinched—inch by inch exploding.

  Strength ever greater.

  "Breakthrough done—primordial spirit grown much, essence/spirit/ qi peak. Time arrange plan."

  Squinted—primordial spirit entered preaching platform.

  Within.

  Lu white robes flowing—true immortal.

  Around—gossip runes rose, swirling rapidly.

  Strength risen—runes ever mysterious, powerful.

  Even ancient emperor nine-character arrays—seemed weaker.

  Seated gossip platform—pondered.

  "Great Luo Immortal Scripture worldwide—fortune cultivation. Five Phoenix fortune total limited, but grows with Heavenly Dao refining reserves."

  "But truly utilized fortune—not much."

  Pondered.

  "Fortune thirds: human one, demon one, remaining scattered heaven-earth."

  Eyes gleaming.

  Hand raised—pushed forward. Five Phoenix projection appeared.

  Holographic-like.

  Above continent—three massive gas clusters.

  Three fortune shares.

  Growing—from Heavenly Dao refining reserves.

  Human/demon untouched.

  But scattered third—Lu planned utilize.

  Great Luo spread fortune method—breaking celestial limit, aiming Mysterious/Golden Immortal...

  But world unfamiliar—imperfect utilization.

  Thus Lu aid.

  World stronger—he stronger.

  "Void heaven vanished ancient emperors..."

  Smiled.

  Mind moved—gossip runes floated, simulating Water imperial emperor aura.

  "Use Water emperor aura—gather fortune, form vicious beast. Suppress/slay: gain its fortune..."

  Eyes gleaming.

  Yes...

  Five Phoenix needs combat—upper saint clans insufficient, stingy. Others refused million reserve business.

  Lu DIY.

  Fabricate beasts—only suppress/slay for fortune.

  Origin: simulated ancient emperor auras.

  Beasts: ancient emperor lingering thoughts corrupted, fused ancient battlefield killing qi and current Five Phoenix fortune—born/changed.

  Hand raised—gossip runes struck.

  Soon beast prototype emerged.

  Water emperor aura-based—water-related.

  In water: tenfold power, profound water dao intent.

  Free simulation—soon: slender snake tail, robust body, six long-neck dragon-like heads...

  Lu continued—covered black sinister scales: eerie, demonic.

  "Resembles legendary vicious beast Jiuying..."

  "But six heads—call Liuying."

  Eyes gleaming.

  Hand raised.

  Demonic qi heaven-soaring—one demonic body blood drop flew.

  Scattered—infused Liuying body.

  Soon body solidified.

  Body built—needed will. Lu fragmented memories—intermittent. Etched Water ancient emperor scenes, ancient emperor war fragments.

  Temperament—from fragmented memories: frenzied. Injected ancient war killing/murderous qi—simulated.

  Will frenzied—destructive desire.

  Fits vicious beast.

  Done.

  Lu activated Liuying.

  Hum...

  Endless dark—twelve crimson eyes slowly opened. Cold light illuminated world.

  ...

  Lu exited preaching platform.

  Expression unchanged—creating Liuying consumed energy, but ninth layer breakthrough: negligible.

  Creating one beast—like forging ascension ground.

  Thus rested briefly—reentered, deducing.

  Cloud/Dao emperor auras—simulated two more beasts.

  But appear after Liuying slain—together.

  Pressure gradual—overwhelm world: bad.

  Three beasts—about one Five Phoenix year.

  Next: release.

  Like ruins.

  White Jade Capital pavilion—Lu held piece.

  "Beast emergence—not random. Location: remote. Reason: fabricate, but logical."

  "Next: Five Phoenix vicious beast frequent era—with world-warning opener..."

  "Or Liuying appears—world unaware: waste my efforts."

  Rested days on island—idea formed.

  Entered preaching platform—simulated ruin construction.

  Opener needs world-shocking guest...

  Five Phoenix shocking beings: few.

  Tomb Old Gu one.

  Lu Jiulian, Zhulong etc. saint-level.

  Of course Lu—but excluded.

  Who else?

  Shocking, mysterious...

  Lu had candidates.

  Brief stunning appearances—world-shaking... Demon Lord and Devil Lord!

  Though both Lu avatars.

  But...

  Life play—acting key.

  For Five Phoenix cultivators strengthen—he labored heart.

  Lies many—more: fine.

  White Jade Capital pavilion—Lu leaned Thousand Bladed Chair, spring breeze.

  Island eternal spring.

  Chrysanthemums brilliant, green peaches娇艳, purple bamboo rustling.

  Lu seated pavilion—ocean waves lapping.

  White robes hunting, black hair flying—dashingly free.

  Hum...

  Spiritual Pressure Chessboard emerged.

  Drank Heavenly Immortal brew—liquor surged energy.

  Lu lips curled—light smile.

  "Now... performance begins."

  Chessboard shone brilliantly—Five Phoenix projection.

  Piece taken—suddenly down, flashing light tail between fingers.

  Clack!

  Crisp—like echoing heaven-earth.

  ...

  Vast Ocean above.

  Breeze stilled.

  Unnoticed—two figures appeared.

  One demonic qi heaven-soaring—hazed, shocking aura.

  Other demonic qi surging—vague robust form hidden.

  Stood ocean surface—ten thousand li apart confronting.

  Demonic qi spread—clashing demonic surge.

  Gazes collided suddenly.

  Collision—heaven-earth fortune rivers churned, trembled!

  Terrifying auras abruptly released.

  Vast Ocean raised dozens-meter waves!

  Rumble!

  Terrifying boom echoed entire Five Phoenix continent.

  Tranquil Five Phoenix—like meteorite into great lake—heaven-shaking waves and sound.

  Cultivators hearts jolted.

  All meditating opened eyes—gazing Vast Ocean.

  What... happened?!

  Terrifying auras.

  Might... like two Mysterious Immortals clashing auras!

  Eastern Sea, demonic sect.

  Overlord eyes snapped open—body demonic qi uncontrollably surging!

  "This unique demonic qi... Devil Lord?!"

  Pupils contracted—light tearing skies.

  Unforgettable: Wolong Ridge, sacrificing to devil—encountered Devil Lord.

  Life-changing pivotal experience.

  Mysterious powerful Devil Lord—deeply etched mind.

  Guessed Devil Lord Young Master Lu...

  But now—not...

  This time... Devil Lord aura alone!

  Boom!

  Overlord no longer hid—soared.

  Body shook void—axe/shield back, exploding sound—streaked toward Vast Ocean.

  Demon clan court.

  Demon Monkey King eyes snapped—monkey face excited.

  "Demon Lord!"

  Scratched cheek.

  Hand raised—iron staff humming, gripped.

  Demon Lord changed life—demon guardian. Now appeared—how not thrilled?

  Staff swept void—Monkey King excited screech. Bearing demon fortune—pillar descended, streaked Vast Ocean.

  Not just Overlord/Monkey King.

  Nearly all continent immortals awakened.

  Martial Emperor City Du Longyang, Tianxu Palace Tianxu公子, Empress Ni Chunqiu, Absolute Blade Sect Ye Shoudao etc...

  Sima Qingshan, Jiang Li, Kong Nanfei, Bai Qingniao etc.

  North Luo City Nie Changqing, father/son astonished—rushed out.

  Great Xuan Academy depths—Lu Jiulian hands behind, with disciple Tang Guo—toward Vast Ocean.

  South River City—Tang Yimo soared, hurrying Vast Ocean.

  Ancient tomb.

  Sleeping Gu Mangran jolted awake.

  Primordial spirit spread—sensing two exploding heaven-earth auras.

  Gu Mangran clutched chest—grabbed chrysanthemum medicine.

  Hurrying Vast Ocean crowds—barely stabilized, unclear distant scene.

  Expressions drastically changed.

  Demon Lord... Devil Lord—fighting!