Five Phoenixes Continent.

  Origin Lake, Lake Heart Island.

  The Spiritual Pressure Chessboard hovered before Lu, emitting a faint glow. His hair danced in the wind, loose white robes billowing as if stirred by airflow—an immortal seated in tranquility.

  His finger pressed a piece firmly into the board's center.

  In his eyes, scenes of starry seas flowed. Faintly, a figure sat amid the stars.

  Upon closer look, it was none other than the Ancient Great Emperor "Hao"—the one Lu had repeatedly used as a scapegoat.

  The chessboard displayed the underworld.

  Lu simulated Emperor "Hao's" aura to provoke the furnace's imperial might.

  The clash of two imperial forces rocked the underworld like mountains crumbling and seas roaring. Countless souls wailed in terror.

  This was precisely Lu's intent.

  To make the dissemination of the Six Paths Reincarnation Method more mysterious, more awe-inspiring.

  ...

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  In the Nine Prisons Underworld.

  Terrifying might surged, causing mountains to collapse and heavens to cave in.

  True imperial power—from a Great Emperor.

  It swept through, reversing Bitter Sea waters. Flames pouring from the furnace warped space itself.

  Imperial might induced trembling.

  Yet...

  What unfolded now wasn't one imperial force—but two clashing.

  Six stone walls bore hazy, indistinct murals.

  Power from the walls shifted mountains and subdued seas—matching the ancient furnace's might blow for blow.

  At the Bitter Sea's edge.

  Tan Taixuan, Beigong Holy Lord, and the nine city lords stood.

  They gazed at the murals on the six walls.

  Indeed—murals. From ancient eras, recording great events. Though progress favored text now, murals' pictorial style—rigid yet charming—held unique allure.

  Boom!

  As their eyes fell upon them, scrolls seemed to unfurl before them.

  As if transcending time and space.

  Tan Taixuan's eyes widened.

  From becoming Human Emperor, he'd been cut off from immortal opportunities—his only one perhaps becoming a necropolis lord.

  Earned through a lifetime's merits, post-mortem.

  In short, Tan Taixuan had never encountered true fortune. Now...

  These six walls brought the breath of destiny for the first time.

  Eyes wide—nearly tearing up—he strained to see every detail.

  He felt transported through time.

  Into an ancient cavern.

  A majestic, supreme back silhouette.

  Just the back unsettled his breath.

  As necropolis lord, Tan Taixuan's soul power had grown vastly—especially with recent influxes.

  Yet this silhouette alone pressured him.

  The figure painted on the wall.

  With reverence and sentiment.

  Tan Taixuan's gaze drawn—fixing on the mural.

  The first wall held not one image—but an event.

  Ancient script named it: Human Path.

  Then Tan Taixuan immersed.

  A peak cultivator—one thought inverting day and night—hit a bottleneck. Called "sage" in antiquity. Glimpsing mortal dust, inspired—he sealed cultivation, became ordinary, wandering the red dust. Experiencing birth, aging, illness, death; time's blade.

  Finally, the ancient sage died plainly. In death's instant—enlightenment. Created a visualization method.

  Recording his life—for visualization yielding great fortune.

  The sage named it: Human Path.

  Tan Taixuan trembled. Mind returned—gazing further. The figure painted the second mural—another event.

  Still that mysterious sage—eternal in time's river. Great being. Second mural: from mortal to Heavenly Human. Profound visualization—soul-piercing.

  Named: Heavenly Human Path.

  Tan Taixuan dared not visualize—sensing vast fortune.

  But forced gaze onward—third, fourth...

  By fourth—exhaustion.

  Sweat poured; head near bursting. Yet persisted—fifth, sixth...

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Finally, Tan Taixuan staggered.

  The painter ceased.

  "This method... Six Paths Reincarnation."

  "Purify sentient obsessions—gain supreme karma."

  Boom!

  The enigmatic being spoke. Tan Taixuan convinced: this timeless sage in time's river.

  Murals recorded the sage's created method.

  Though called sage—while Upper Realm foes were Saint Ancestors.

  Both "saint."

  But Tan Taixuan knew: those ancestors unworthy to carry this mural-painting sage's shoes.

  Instinct!

  Boom!

  Tan Taixuan exited the profound state.

  In the abyss.

  Two imperial forces gradually faded.

  But in Tan Taixuan's fervent eyes—the walls' might suppressed the furnace's.

  "Purify sentient obsessions... this visualization—for the underworld?"

  "Or... remnant from its past decline!"

  Tan Taixuan thrilled.

  "City Lord—look at the Buddha!"

  Suddenly, weakened Beigong spoke. Tan Taixuan glanced—abyss wall. Massive Buddha—once sky-pointing hand now aimed abyss bottom.

  Crucially... perilous stone stairs appeared on the arm!

  "Stairs to abyss depths?"

  Tan Taixuan found it eerie.

  The statue... alive?

  "No—the ancient sage's guidance?"

  Not just him—others exclaimed similarly.

  They sped across abyss.

  Soon on stairs. Tried examining Buddha for clues—but too divine. Cradled silhouette still back-turned—eerie.

  The smile—bone-chilling.

  "What Buddha is this?"

  Beigong asked.

  Underworld dwellers—how know origins? All shook heads.

  They descended treacherous stairs.

  Long way.

  Abyss bottomless; Buddha arm endless—countless steps.

  Finally.

  On stairs—hovered ancient wall.

  Murals vivid!

  "First mural!"

  Tan Taixuan said.

  Tried descending further—impossible.

  Vast imperial might below—shred them.

  "Weapon suppressed! Its fall revived ancient murals!"

  "Those Upper saint ancestors... good deeds."

  Tan Taixuan sighed.

  They stood on stairs—visualizing.

  Excess soul power—purified.

  Obsessions evaporated like boiling water—vanishing.

  Strange power coursed limbs.

  Powerful—meridians channeling destructive might.

  Pure karma—obsession-free soul power!

  "So... strong..."

  Tan Taixuan flushed; aura majestic.

  Nine city lords similarly—Lower Three Heavens influx slowly becoming karma.

  Karma directly assaulted souls—terrifying.

  Beigong thrilled—growth less, but vastly stronger.

  Upper Immortal Abode—no fear; dare clash!

  Underworld... his fortune land.

  "Hahaha... Six Paths Reincarnation! Underworld's blessing!"

  Tan Taixuan laughed.

  Had Beigong copy first mural—distribute to all yin messengers. From today—underworld fully practices "Six Paths Reincarnation Visualization."

  With this—underworld births supreme experts!

  Boom!

  Above Tan Taixuan—vast soul power funneled like vortex.

  Nine city lords too.

  Once headache—even threatening balance—soul power resolved. Became rise's key!

  ...

  Five Phoenixes Continent.

  White Jade Pavilion pavilion.

  Lu exhaled slowly—guidance ended.

  Six Paths Reincarnation disseminated. With his deception—Tan Taixuan unlikely suspect him.

  "The deeper you visualize—more karma; stronger my primordial spirit."

  Lu smiled.

  Underworld crisis resolved—Lu eased.

  Heavenly Gate method—not urgent.

  "Handle Emperor weapons first."

  Lu murmured.

  Ancient Emperor relics—in his created worlds—thorn in throat.

  Resolve early.

  Mind entered Platform—simulated weapons for dismantling.

  Unsure if Platform could—Emperor weapons bore insights, Dao and principles.

  Attempted—Lu inhaled sharply.

  Furnace easily simulated.

  System/Platform—higher than Ancient Emperors.

  "Indeed..."

  "High-martial level... above lies immortal martial."

  Lu smiled.

  Gaze sharpened—deducing 108 dismantling ways.

  ...

  Buzhou Peak base.

  Thatched hut.

  Small fence. Black-robed figure emerged slowly.

  Watered divine herbs in field.

  Glanced towering, immortal-like Buzhou Peak—smiled lightly.

  Under robe—if Lu here, surprised: Li Sansi.

  Qi Liujia once assessed: Vine Demon Body—strong early, bottlenecked.

  Indeed stuck—restrictions many.

  After Li Sansui ascended—Li Sansi secluded at Buzhou base. Diligent, but physique-limited gains.

  Centuries passed—peers ascended Heavenly Gate.

  Li Sansi couldn't summon Gate. Not rushed—useless. Now Creation Venerable—far from Heavenly Human.

  Vine Demon aided early—later hindered speed.

  Once considered seeking Young Master Lu overseas for physique fix.

  But recalling attitude—abandoned.

  Visited ancient tomb—sought Gu Mangran.

  Saint Ancestor-level—likely solution.

  Ximen Xianzhi old acquaintance; Gu taught method for sword king descendant.

  "Vine Demon parasitic—find true treasure tree, parasitize."

  "But rare. Even found—will likely overwhelmed; trapped lifelong."

  Gu informed and warned.

  Splash.

  Set down gourd ladle. Removed hat. Entering Creation Venerable—appearance normalized.

  But combat—grotesque again.

  "Treasure tree... what rivals Heavenly Dao Tree?"

  Li Sansi gazed distant Heavenly Dao Tree piercing skies—eyes deep.

  Boom!

  Sensing Buzhou terror; star-falling visions.

  Li Sansi closed eyes.

  "Gap... widening."

  Murmured.

  Closed eyes—turned, stepped toward Buzhou stairs.

  But as foot lifted.

  Boom!

  Buzhou pressure descended—Heavenly Dao laced!

  Nearly floored him.

  Pfft!

  Pressure merciless, unfamiliar.

  Li Sansi staggered back—eyes dimmed instantly.

  Puchi...

  Flesh—vines erupted, shielding pressure.

  Gap vast—one ninth heaven, one ninth abyss.

  Fisted.

  He strove for Heavenly Gate ascension—now Zhu Long perhaps one-palm killed Heavenly Humans; unimaginable realm.

  "Perhaps... abandon pursuit."

  Li Sansui dimmed.

  But recalling wooden sword, limping vow.

  Teeth gritted—unwilling.

  Retreated from Buzhou—exhaled.

  Rehooded—turned toward Heavenly Dao Tree.

  Unwilling to quit.

  Perhaps... no choice.

  ...

  Heavenly Dao Tree base.

  Figures sat meditation.

  Li Sansi approached slowly.

  Unmasked aura—Creation Venerable: mortal realm supreme now.

  Heavenly Humans ascended era—Creation top-tier.

  Cultivators parted. Li Sansi sat closest.

  Black-robed—face obscured.

  Gazed towering Heavenly Dao Tree—opposing Buzhou distantly.

  Eyes starry.

  Perhaps fusing with it—eye-level Buzhou.

  Sat.

  Closed eyes. Primordial spirit surged—vines pierced soil silently toward tree...

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  Suddenly!

  Earth exploded.

  Vines like earth dragons charged tree.

  Vision—awakened surrounding cultivators.

  "Destroying Heavenly Dao Tree!"

  "Stop him!"

  "Damn... tree Five Phoenixes' fortune—vile intent!"

  Cultivators raged.

  Boom!

  Creation Venerables acted. Tree rise's root; Heavenly Human foundation—intolerable destruction.

  Li Sansi rose—robe fully vines.

  Waved.

  Vines formed sky walls—blocking.

  Boom! Boom!

  Strikes shattered vines scattering.

  Li Sansi unrelenting—vines underfoot propelled toward tree.

  Creation Venerables blocked—faces changed.

  "Half-step Heavenly Human?"

  "Such cultivation—why destroy? Comprehend Dao essence—ascend soon!"

  Creation roared—halt him.

  Li Sansi smiled faintly.

  "You don't understand."

  Boom!

  Suddenly!

  Terrifying explosion.

  Li Sansi blasted by irresistible force—half body shattered, vines scattering.

  Ground—a flute stuck.

  "Dad tasked protecting tree. Said—destroyers, kill."

  Faint voice—like thunder.

  Li Sansi flipped up—vines rebuilt body. Eyes contracted—glanced flute.

  Then unrelenting—extreme speed toward tree.

  Zhu Long protecting tree?

  Unimagined.

  Suddenly.

  Void tore.

  Terrifying roar tsunami-like from Buzhou.

  Around tree.

  Cultivators bowled over—even Creation Venerables terror-felled.

  Li Sansi pressure immense—speed maxed.

  Finally myriad vines—charged tree.

  Boom!

  Graceful figure emerged—fist halted inch from trunk. Wind punched imprint on indestructible bark.

  Li Sansi's form vanished—only withered vines ground. Merged into tree.

  Zhu Long eyes closed—long lashes trembled.

  Raised hand—touched forehead.

  "Done... Dad will be mad."

  Zhu Long closed eyes said.

  She borrowed Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao cultivating—distracted, Li Sansi slipped in.

  Around.

  Five Phoenixes cultivators terrified gazed girl-like Zhu Long.

  "Buzhou... demoness!"

  "Terrifying—as heavenly might..."

  "Even ascended Heavenly Humans—perhaps not withstand one punch!"

  First sighting in centuries.

  Zhu Long closed eyes—heard chattering behind, frowned slightly. Mild anger.

  But Dad said—girls good temper.

  So pondered—kill all?

  Dad said: kill them—no one knows bad temper.

  Thought—abandoned.

  Raised hand—delicate fingers tapped tree. No reaction—grabbed flute, returned Buzhou.

  Awaited Dad's scolding obediently.

  Tree surroundings cultivators still marveled demoness' peerless grace.

  Unaware—brushed underworld gates.

  Zhu Long back on Buzhou.

  Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao vanished again.

  Closed eyes—sat bluestone, played slowly.

  Mellow flute wound peak—notes faint sorrow impending Dad's anger.

  Buzhou opposite.

  Towering Heavenly Dao Tree.

  Faintly—with flute winding, leaves gently swayed.

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