Boom!

  A terrifying explosion detonated in an instant.

  The deafening blast swept through Pingyang Heaven like a hurricane.

  Saintly pressure crashed down in vast waves, making countless beings feel as though blood might surge up their throats.

  Within the chessboard domain.

  Lu Jiulian and the others looked up in shock, pupils constricting.

  Overlord, Tang Yimo, Nie Changqing—their bodies trembled faintly. The other ascenders from the Lower Three Heavens felt as if the next moment would reduce them to ash.

  When the Saint Ancestor unleashed his punch, they had all believed death was certain.

  Yet someone had stood before them.

  "It's... Young Master Lu!"

  Overlord drew a deep breath.

  Nie Changqing's eyes betrayed panic. "The Young Master shouldn't have saved us... that was a saint-realm strike!"

  It wasn't only him.

  The others felt the same unease.

  To the Five Phoenixes' Heavenly Humans, Young Master Lu inspired profound respect.

  When they had stepped out of the Heavenly Gate, they were already prepared to die.

  But never had they imagined Lu would shield them.

  A single punch from a Saint Ancestor...

  Infused with the boundless imperial might of an Ancient Emperor weapon.

  Could Young Master Lu truly withstand it?

  Based on the strength Lu had displayed before, it seemed impossible—he might turn to ash under that blow!

  Their hearts quaked; sorrow surfaced in their eyes.

  In the Void Heaven.

  Gu Mangran's body shuddered violently. He couldn't suppress a cough of blood.

  Fragments rained from his coffin.

  "This foolish boy!"

  Gu Mangran's eyes reddened.

  Lu had acted too quickly—he hadn't had time to intervene.

  Otherwise, he would have stopped him without hesitation.

  Lu was the plane lord of the Five Phoenixes, master of the continent. Overlord, Nie Changqing, and the others could fall—but not Lu.

  If Lu died, the Five Phoenixes would lose its core and slowly wither.

  Of course, Gu Mangran deeply admired Lu. Seeing him rush out to face a Saint Ancestor's punch made his heart tighten.

  Young Master Lu was a man who sincerely fought for the Five Phoenixes' strength.

  Gu Mangran had witnessed it all: the continent's evolution, Lu leading its cultivators in fearless defiance against the Upper Realms.

  He knew Lu's intent was pure—to forge the Five Phoenixes into something greater.

  And now, this pure young man was about to perish.

  "No!"

  Gu Mangran lay in his coffin, coughing blood uncontrollably.

  Beyond Pingyang Heaven.

  The Cloud Clan Saint Ancestor's gaze remained cold.

  Yet beneath it lurked surprise—that Lu Ping'an had dared emerge from the Void Heaven to meet his punch head-on.

  He was a Saint Ancestor!

  A saint-realm powerhouse. Even Gu Mangran had fled gravely wounded. What could Lu Ping'an possibly use to block him?

  The lives of those ants below couldn't compare to Lu Ping'an's.

  If this punch erased Lu, he would rejoice.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  The explosion's shockwaves caused many Level 9 and Level 8 high-martial worlds in Pingyang Heaven to crumble, their inhabitants annihilated.

  What horrifying turmoil!

  It chilled the soul.

  Radiance bloomed brilliantly, like a fleeting night-blooming cereus.

  Soon, the light converged.

  As if instantly devoured by a black hole.

  Boom!

  A muffled roar erupted, like water long dammed suddenly bursting forth.

  A figure shot backward from the blast, streaking through the void.

  Finally slamming into the Void Heaven.

  The scene left everyone stunned.

  In Pingyang Heaven.

  The Five Phoenixes Heavenly Humans and Lower Three Heavens ascenders snapped from their daze.

  "Flee!"

  Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

  At a shout, they all became streaks of light, racing into the Void Heaven.

  Safety lay only within—protected by the terrifying rules left by Ancient Emperors.

  Even a Saint Ancestor entering carelessly would face supreme slaughter: flesh severed, primordial spirit eroded.

  In truth.

  No one heeded their retreat.

  The Cloud Clan Saint Ancestor stood frozen.

  This was his greatest shock yet. Even when Lu's arrow burst his eye, he hadn't reacted so strongly.

  "Not... dead?!"

  He marveled.

  Blocked it?

  Impossible!

  Lu Ping'an of the Five Phoenixes had withstood a full-powered strike from a true Saint Ancestor!

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  As the dust settled.

  In the Void Heaven.

  The figure clarified.

  Lu sat upon the Thousand-Bladed Chair, white robes unstained, expression unchanged—hair slightly tousled from the recoil, but otherwise unscathed.

  Meaning...

  The Saint Ancestor's punch had been blocked without harm.

  Well—not entirely.

  Countless silver blades gathered.

  Keen eyes spotted cracks riddling each one. The Thousand-Bladed Chair was similarly marred.

  The crimson Phoenix Feather Sword bore the worst—cracks so severe it seemed forcibly glued.

  Lu's face darkened.

  Sensing the sword's plummeting aura, killing intent rose within him.

  The Phoenix Feather Sword...

  After blocking the Cloud Clan Saint Ancestor's strike—it was probably ruined.

  This was Lu's greatest loss yet!

  "You... ruined my sword."

  "I'll remember that."

  In the Void Heaven.

  Lu raised his head, hair sweeping his cheek.

  He stared coldly at the Cloud Clan Saint Ancestor.

  Ruined your sword?

  Just... your sword?!

  In Pingyang Heaven, the Cloud Clan Saint Ancestor—with the imperial furnace overhead—grew icy.

  A full strike from a Saint Ancestor, and it only damaged a sword.

  He had expected Lu's death, but Lu hadn't even bled.

  How?

  That punch carried saintly pressure and imperial might.

  Even Gu Mangran would struggle.

  Why... could Lu take it unscathed?

  It made no sense!

  After brief silence, the Lower Three Heavens exploded in uproar!

  Cultivators across Pingyang, Xuesha, and Yuanci Heavens felt reverence surge.

  Lu had saved their ascended ancestors!

  Preserving the spark for every high-martial world—what boundless grace!

  Once Upper Realm lapdogs, Lower Three Heavens cultivators now fully switched allegiance.

  At the Heavenly Gate, ascenders and Five Phoenixes Heavenly Humans had retreated into the Void Heaven.

  They trembled in aftershock.

  Fear from facing a Saint Ancestor's punch.

  But greater still—rage.

  The Upper Realms truly sought total annihilation.

  To them, Lower Three Heavens beings weren't people. Even a revered Saint Ancestor showed no mercy, aiming to erase all ascenders in one blow.

  What wrong had the ascenders committed?

  None. They sought only ascension, growth. Was that sin?

  The fault lay with the Upper Realms for cutting the path!

  "You okay?"

  Gu Mangran sat in his near-shattered coffin.

  He regarded Lu with concern.

  He regretted his lapse—nearly costing Lu his life.

  "No harm..."

  "Saint Ancestors are strong indeed. He damaged my sword."

  Lu sat solemnly on the Thousand-Bladed Chair.

  Gu Mangran: "..."

  Was that the focus?

  Blocking a saint strike and losing only a sword—that was a huge gain!

  Gu Mangran was baffled. How had Lu blocked it?

  No saintly pressure emanated from him—he hadn't entered the saint realm. How could he withstand such terror?

  Infused with imperial might!

  Lu offered no answer.

  He had believed eighth-layer Qi Refinement would allow combat against a Saint Ancestor. Now... it seemed challenging.

  A Saint Ancestor's eruption was overwhelming.

  In full Indestructible Demonic Body limit state, Lu might trade blows.

  But...

  Only a few.

  Victory near impossible.

  More likely—death.

  "I'm... still too weak."

  Eighth-layer Qi Refinement wasn't enough—far from it.

  For world peace... still a long way off.

  Lu sighed deeply.

  Boom!

  The Cloud Clan Saint Ancestor's gaze sharpened like blades.

  The furnace overhead activated, imperial might cascading.

  As if a true Great Emperor revived.

  He stared at Lu, eyes shocked yet brimming with killing intent.

  Lu blocking his punch proved what?

  Monstrous talent—even a Saint Ancestor felt alarm. Such a prodigy as the Cloud Clan's foe...

  Born in the sensitive Void Heaven's lone high-martial world.

  A future calamity!

  Buzz...

  The Dao Clan Saint Ancestor emerged from a heavenly rift.

  A mirror of woven Dao essence exuded terror.

  The two hovered in Pingyang Heaven, colossal, filling it utterly.

  "This youth is indeed monstrous."

  The Dao Clan Saint Ancestor's face obscured, light ribbons veiling him.

  Ethereal.

  But his aura matched the Cloud Clan's.

  "Brother Dao."

  "The Heavenly Gate, underworld, Five Phoenixes... forging new Nine Heavens. Likely the vanished Ancient Emperors plan a new 'Great Emperor.'"

  "Since fate brings this chance... shall we risk it?"

  The Cloud Clan Saint Ancestor proposed.

  The veiled Dao Clan Saint Ancestor hesitated.

  "Brother Dao, word will spread to other saint clans soon. No time to waver."

  Boom...

  They conversed, saintly pressure muffling words from the world.

  In the Void Heaven.

  Lu frowned, turning to Gu Mangran.

  "What are they saying?"

  Gu Mangran, vitality withered, ever gaunt in his coffin.

  "What else? Debating invasion for enlightenment chance."

  "The Heavenly Gate, underworld, Five Phoenixes—profound mystery. Likely Ancient Emperors' design, enlightenment legacy. Irresistible to Saint Ancestors."

  "Don't see them as exalted. Saint Ancestors' lifespans end too. Emperors age; saints more so."

  "That Cloud Ancestor—I saw him in ancient war, mere grunt..."

  "Hundreds of thousands years later, his lifespan nears end."

  "Unless half-dead like me—sealed, vitality withered."

  "Their talk is obvious."

  He sighed.

  Lu frowned, sensing difficulty.

  Invasion would trouble them. Five Phoenixes had Absolute and Covering Heaven arrays...

  Guardian formations with Ancient Emperor array words.

  But the Emperor weapons overhead were the thorn.

  "Then?"

  "Fight?"

  Lu asked.

  "Fight?"

  "Without weapons, your domain aiding, another herb—I could hold. With them... we'd best flee."

  Gu Mangran shook his head.

  Boom!

  His words ended.

  Pingyang Heaven unleashed tsunami-like terror.

  Both Saint Ancestors eyed the Void Heaven.

  Lower and Upper Realms beings trembled. Their stance... invasion?

  "Brother Dao, you take the Gate; I the underworld. Seal with weapons... Five Phoenixes—we divide later."

  The Cloud Clan Saint Ancestor's voice boomed.

  Hearts surged in shock.

  Lu's brows knit.

  Already planning to divide underworld and Gate?

  "Agreed."

  The veiled Dao Ancestor replied slowly.

  Next.

  The giants moved.

  Stepping into Void Heaven, massive forms shrank to normal.

  Jingle!

  As auras spread.

  Rules rang like cats to blood.

  Buzz...

  A colossal beast formed, roaring—threatening to scatter souls!

  "As expected!"

  Gu Mangran's face grim.

  Five Phoenixes grew too slowly—no, too little time.

  No solid defense.

  Yet growth wasn't slow—enemies simply too strong!

  "Then... fight."

  Lu's gaze surged. He rose from the chair.

  Demonic energy roared, demonic god in darkness.

  "This aura... half-saint. No wonder he blocked."

  Gu Mangran marveled.

  Recalling Lu's mortal century.

  Likely breakthrough then.

  Even he admitted—monstrous talent!

  Given time, saint realm certain.

  Even Emperor potential!

  Pity...

  "Can't win. Live for comeback."

  Gu Mangran said.

  Clang!

  Demonic energy surged. Silver blades stacked into metallic wings.

  Lu hovered coldly.

  "General Gu, hold the Five Phoenixes."

  Underworld and Gate—if lost, rebuildable.

  Thought triggered.

  Spatial energy erupted.

  He flashed away.

  Gu Mangran, in crumbling coffin, eyes emotional.

  Deep sigh.

  Lu wasn't resigned—using Mobility word for harassment.

  But outcome unchanged.

  Boom!

  Void Heaven boiled.

  Infinite light from Dao Ancestor.

  Whisk soared, netting the void.

  Ding!

  Beast struck, dimming it.

  "Dao soldiers hold ten breaths."

  "Quick!"

  Dao Ancestor urged.

  Cloud released his without pause.

  Post-battle, both ruined.

  But for Emperor secrets—worth it!

  Boom!

  They suppressed rules.

  Weapons overhead, charged in.

  Suddenly.

  Spatial surge.

  Demonic Lu appeared coldly.

  Thought: Covering Heaven Array.

  "All" word infused, empowering vastly!

  Boom!

  Mist roiled.

  Enveloping them.

  "Hinder us?"

  "Laughable."

  Weapons stirred, imperial might tearing array fiercely.

  Even "All" word useless.

  Cloud Ancestor, furnace overhead, burst forth.

  Punching void.

  Demonic Lu watched blankly.

  Lips curled.

  Spatial surge—vanished.

  Boom!

  Strike hit nothing, black hole punched.

  "Mobility word."

  Cloud Ancestor realized—stalling.

  Dao soldiers short-lived.

  Without weapons, dared not linger in Emperor-aura places.

  "Ignore. Direct to underworld and Gate!"

  Breath crossed distance, nearing.

  Behind Gate: Lu Jiulian, Overlord, Nie Changqing, ascenders—fists clenched, furious.

  Five-colored lotus spun in Lu Jiulian's palm.

  Underworld.

  Tan Taixuan led yin messengers on walls, cold.

  Nine city lords behind—unyielding!

  "Scram!"

  Hair wild, Yama-like.

  Hands back, spine straight.

  Spatial energy mad.

  Demonic Lu appeared.

  "Temporal" word overhead, sundial turning.

  Time river lashed, halting invaders.

  "If Emperor 'Hao' or peer saint used time... I'd fear."

  Cloud Ancestor sneered.

  Furnace tilted. Flames cascaded, shattering river.

  Lu frowned, killing intent sharp!

  Spatial vanish.

  Thought.

  Silver-gray enveloped Tan Taixuan, Lu Jiulian, others.

  Teleporting them safe.

  Sweat beaded—mass teleport strained.

  Face cold. Pupils: array platform flickered.

  Mysterious words.

  Preaching Platform—trump.

  Rarely used.

  Touched "system" secrets.

  Boom!

  As Qian, Dui, Li, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Gen, Kun runes entwined.

  Void sensed.

  Faint ripple.

  Next...

  Void Heaven tore!

  Vast chasm!

  Chaos within—nothing visible.

  But...

  Whoosh!

  Two energy beams shot from rift.

  Blinding speed!

  Cloud Ancestor at underworld.

  Silver-gray swirled around Tan Taixuan as he stepped in.

  Underworld quaked.

  Suddenly!

  Cloud Ancestor cried.

  Pfft!

  Beam struck. Furnace dimmed.

  Power stripped.

  Panic—he yanked foot back.

  Furnace took it, tumbling into underworld abyss.

  "No!"

  What force?!

  Death's brink.

  Gazed abyss: Buddha statue on wall, cradling silhouette.

  Pupils shrank.

  Statue... eerie smile?

  Pores tightened, hairs erect.

  Retreated fast.

  Dao Ancestor screamed terror.

  Mirror fell, might lost—into Gate.

  Reached to retrieve.

  But...

  Ascension ground forbidden zones—terrifying gazes.

  Chills; instinctive withdrawal.

  Sizzle...

  Void Heaven.

  Dao soldiers dimmed under rules. Ten breaths gone.

  Once gone—without weapons—rules' thousand cuts!

  "Go!!!"

  Dao Ancestor roared reluctance!

  Clan weapon—lost!

  Gone!

  Lost all!

  That death-palpitation force?

  Without weapon—he'd die!

  Cloud soared.

  Both fled Void Heaven desperately.

  Lu watched.

  Brow raised.

  Looked healed rift...

  Narrowed eyes.

  Not time for that.

  Ceased Platform.

  Silver flash.

  Reappeared—behind them.

  Grabbed ankles.

  "Rare visit. Don't rush off."

  Lu said earnestly.

  To them—utterly revolting.