It wasn't truly deep thought—he was examining the system's rewards.
"As expected, completing the [Challenge Mission] ties to the Upper Realms' threat level against the Five Phoenixes. Now... with two Saint Ancestors' Emperor weapons trapped, the Five Phoenixes will be safe for a while. Thus... the mission is deemed complete."
Lu mused.
This aligned with his prior guesses.
In truth, the mission's difficulty was immense—worthy of the "Challenge" title.
A true extreme challenge.
Creating the ascension ground and drawing Lower Three Heavens cultivators wasn't hard; reaching the required numbers wasn't either.
The real difficulty: defending the Heavenly Gate, preserving the ascension ground from destruction.
That was the hardest part.
"Mission evaluation generating..."
"[Challenge Mission] complete. Evaluation: Lower A-grade."
Finally, the flickering system prompt settled.
"Lower A-grade..."
Lu's gaze sharpened. The evaluation surprised him—no perfect Upper A.
But thinking carefully, he understood...
It must be due to the rift's appearance in the Void Heaven, introducing an element of luck.
"Congratulations, Host, on rewards: Immortal Martial World Memory Fragment, Dao Source ×1,
What Lu anticipated most was the reward distribution.
As the prompt faded...
Lu narrowed his eyes.
This mission's rewards—names alone felt extraordinary.
"Immortal Martial..."
Lu's eyes blazed frighteningly bright.
Above high-martial... immortal martial?
Though the current Five Phoenixes was only Level 4 high-martial—far from immortal martial.
Immortal martial's power surely exceeded Lu's imagination!
His goal: forge a mighty super-fantasy world.
Now closer than ever, yet pressure mounted.
Even high-martial ascension was slow and arduous; immortal martial even more so.
"This reward likely bundles the eighth-layer Qi Refinement upgrade too."
Lu thought.
Beyond the shocking Immortal Martial World Memory Fragment, many new rewards appeared.
"What is Dao Source? Numbered suffix—collectible like the Phoenix Feather Sword segments?"
Lu flipped his hand, tapping the armrest lightly.
And
But Lu pondered, then paused.
"Could
Lu felt this feasible.
Emperor weapons... products of advanced forging?
Likely yes. With his prior forging level, crafting an Emperor weapon was impossible—even Saint Ancestor Dao soldiers difficult.
The unchanging Indestructible Demonic Body reward stirred no waves in Lu now.
A direct divine herb surprised him slightly.
Past rewards were seeds; now a full herb—saving time river catalysis, perfect potency.
Lu refocused.
Overall, satisfied with the rewards.
At least...
The [Challenge Mission] wasn't a loss.
The Immortal Martial World Memory Fragment alone made it worthwhile.
"Hmm... involving immortal martial—likely exploratory like before. Proceed cautiously; situation unclear—don't probe the fragment yet."
Lu frowned, solemn.
Caution needed—for something beyond high-martial.
"Then... check this 'Dao Source' first."
With a thought.
Couldn't summon it—required origin space.
"Dao Source: Source of Heavenly Dao. Heavenly Dao is high-martial's root, creation's foundation, wielding immeasurable power."
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System prompt appeared.
Lu scanned—eyes contracting.
Dao Source... Heavenly Dao's source?
Nine Heavens had a Heavenly Dao...
Did this mean Lu could separate from it, create the Five Phoenixes' own?
This Dao Source... extraordinary!
Lu sensed the gravity.
Buzz...
Five Phoenixes origin space.
Vast suction pulled Lu's soul in.
Boom!
The swirling vortex-like origin, stars orbiting.
Lu appeared. He felt the Five Phoenixes' origin subtly tied to the Nine Heavens.
Like an insect in a vast web.
"That invisible link... the Nine Heavens' Heavenly Dao?"
Lu hovered in the origin space, pondering deeply.
"Heavenly Dao conscious? If so, fusing Dao Source would enrage it."
"One mountain can't hold two tigers; one world won't tolerate two Heavenly Daos."
Lu stroked his chin—issue thorny and severe.
Yet faintly, Lu sensed: separating, birthing its own Heavenly Dao—Five Phoenixes' growth would accelerate vastly.
Like shifting from wage work to entrepreneurship...
Entrepreneurship harder, but promising.
Buzz...
Lu raised his hand.
Origin space distorted—a black hole forming in his palm.
Expanding, extreme darkness blooming white light.
The light... Dao Source.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Lu squinted.
Dao Source pulsed like a heart...
Each beat—not blood, but unique Dao essence surging.
Lu held it, streaking to the massive Five Phoenixes origin.
Now etched with Dao reserves—each like veins, filling it with vast aura.
But prior etching slow.
The ten thousand Dao reserves plundered from the heavenly competition—unfinished.
System's rewarded ten thousand—untouched.
Not unwillingness—etching took time; more reserves, longer.
Etching strengthened the Five Phoenixes.
Why wouldn't Lu want that?
Buzz...
Suddenly.
Dao Source shot from Lu's hand.
A streak like raindrop—falling onto the origin.
Lu's gaze sharpened. In surprise, he retreated from the origin star.
A white glow tore endless darkness—like dawn, unleashing boundless light.
The Five Phoenixes origin flickered brighter and brighter!
Finally—a massive white bulb!
Like a grand star.
Dazzling.
Buzz... buzz...
Unique emotion surged from the origin.
Tied intricately to Lu.
As if... the Five Phoenixes came alive!
"As expected... Heavenly Dao is conscious!"
"Dao Source fused—turning the origin into Heavenly Dao..."
Lu frowned gravely.
He held breath, listening.
The Five Phoenixes' Heavenly Dao—hazy, nascent.
Not listening to it—but the Nine Heavens' reaction.
A new Heavenly Dao emerging—would it notice? Descend terrifying punishment to erase?
Lu doubted Void Heaven rules could block Heavenly Dao.
Those rules... were Heavenly Dao.
Time ticked.
Lu heard his heartbeat.
Long after—he exhaled.
Apparently... Five Phoenixes' Heavenly Dao too weak.
Slightly stronger—Nine Heavens would react.
Like a 1.8m adult staring ahead—a silent <1m infant flailing unnoticed without focus.
But eventually—discovered. Then... trouble.
Lu needed preparation.
Boom!
Suddenly.
Lu narrowed eyes.
He saw—Dao reserves in the Dao Derivation Mirror rapidly drawn, fusing into Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao.
Far faster than before.
Heavenly Dao's emergence—like an engine, accelerating etching and fusion!
Lu's eyes lit—unexpected boon!
Soon, remaining dozens fused.
Lu thought—tossed the rewarded ten thousand pending.
Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao accepted all.
Reserves swirled around the star-like Heavenly Dao.
Bottomless pit!
Once slow development—but now, Lu found rapid growth path!
Fast Dao reserve fusion!
"Now, Lower Three Heavens severed from Upper. Pingyang, Xuesha, Yuanci—many high-martial worlds, abundant Dao reserves..."
"Fusing them—Five Phoenixes surges; even Level 1 not hard."
"But..."
Lu soon thought seriously.
"Devouring Lower Three Heavens' reserves—worlds collapse..."
"Thus, enhancing via their reserves—unrealistic."
Lu needed alternatives.
Deep glance at Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao.
He exited origin space.
Underworld.
Lu opened eyes.
Around him—Tan Taixuan and nine city lords stood.
When Lu contemplated—they dared not breathe, fearing disturbance.
Now open—they spoke.
"Young Master Lu, enlightenment complete?"
Tan Taixuan smiled.
Enlightenment?
Lu chuckled silently—nodded.
"Young Master Lu... war ended, but Lower Three Heavens lost countless lives. Most souls absorbed by Nine Heavens Heavenly Dao, but some streamed into underworld."
"Underworld growing stronger..."
Tan Taixuan's eyes worried: "Too much energy... flooding us. Young Master Lu... I fear losing myself! Becoming slaughter machines!"
"Thus, I beg—if I fall to slaughter, erase me immediately!"
Lu paused—understood.
Massive souls—overwhelming energy.
Tan Taixuan and city lords strengthened via soul energy—but exceeding limits assaulted will.
Turning power-dominated monsters.
"No worry... solutions come."
Lu consoled.
In fact—he had ideas.
Underworld... needed soul energy cultivation method.
Tan Taixuan smiled—assuming acceptance.
Then gazed abyss—flames pouring from furnace.
Confined—he paid little heed.
Bid farewell—returned to city, handling souls.
Lu didn't linger—left soon.
Heavenly Gate closed; underworld operated.
All returned to normal.
Lu back to Five Phoenixes.
Sky blue.
Azure vault—clouds drifting gently.
Beautiful world—Lu gazed entranced.
Floating above ninth heaven.
Wind biting.
Lu spread arms—robes billowing.
As if merging with heaven and earth.
Unique profound—Dao intent elevating.
Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao loosened Dao intent shackles—upgradable via comprehension.
Surprised Lu.
Meaning... Nine Heavens Heavenly Dao fixed Dao intents—preventing comprehension upgrades.
Why?
Lu couldn't fathom immediately.
Long after.
Lu opened eyes—gazing continent. Clearly felt expansion.
"World expanding rapidly... but cultivators lagging. Next—accelerate strength growth."
"Upper Cloud and Dao clans—weapons trapped; won't rest. Always plotting Five Phoenixes' fall..."
"Wait for attack? Better strike first—wipe saint clans."
"Of course—strengthen people first."
Lu's gaze flickered.
Next.
Spatial energy surged.
Vanished from vault—reappeared East Sea immortal island on giant whale.
Lake Heart Island.
Lu returned—mild surprise.
Young Yinglong lay supine on origin lake, drifting leisurely.
Ni Yu refining pills; Ning Zhao and Yi Yue cultivating.
No restrictions—Ning Zhao fused two immortal energies—Two-Qi Immortal Abode.
Unnoticed by Ni Yu etc.
Lu planned quiet return to pavilion for thought.
But Yinglong startled him.
"Didn't throw this little guy into time-reversed war for tempering? Back so soon?"
"Escaped?"
Thought entered reversed war.
Azure Dragon still tearfully slaying.
Young Yinglong... truly farmed points—now lounging.
"Without pressure... didn't know your potential."
Lu smiled surprised.
But no action—returned pavilion.
Drifting young Yinglong shivered suddenly.
Wings wrapped body—shifted pose, slept on.
As heavenly dragon seed of eight dragon gates—always coveted. Habitual.
Bore pressure beyond his age.
Pavilion above.
Lu took
Suddenly—Lu recalled.
Massive sundial on board.
Array words struck—time river surged, coiling faster outside continent.
Lu felt rapid primordial spirit and spiritual energy drain—smiled.
"To accelerate—strengthen people—Five Phoenixes time flow: hundredfold outside one."
Lu's gaze gleamed.
His burden—but gains outweighed; acceptable.
Boom!
Not only.
Heavenly Gate ascension ground and underworld—Five Phoenixes' domains.
With Heavenly Dao birth—both transformed variably.
Many sensed Heavenly Dao for cultivation.
Especially Five Phoenixes natives—clearer, easier comprehension.
Thus faster cultivation!
Even—Dao intents evolving!
Ancient tomb.
Gu Mangran slowly opened eyes from coffin.
Felt Lu's accelerated time array.
Eyes warmed comfort.
"That's right..."
"Develop properly—strengthen selves fundamental."
Gu Mangran closed eyes again.
Palace aura quieted.
Though coffin cracked—heart joyful.
Buzhou Peak.
Zhu Long on bluestone—long lashes trembled.
Raised face—sensed world's change.
Boom!
Candle Dragon form—eyes open, black and white filling heaven earth.
Seemed to see Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao origin.
Mouth opened—inhaled exhaled, Heavenly Dao cascaded. Approaching—energy scoured body, aura strengthening ceaselessly.
White Jade Pavilion pavilion.
Studying
Surprised gaze toward Buzhou Peak.