Gales howled as the Emperor weapon shattered. Mirror fragments scattered inch by inch, exploding outward like a meteor shower, dense and covering all directions.
Most eye-catching was the terrifying surge blasting skyward—a pure white torrent of powerful Dao essence, churning endlessly.
Everyone stared in stunned silence.
The Emperor weapon... had actually been destroyed!
No one had anticipated this. How precious and mighty were Emperor weapons? Unless an Ancient Great Emperor appeared in person, who could destroy one?
Lower Three Heavens cultivators were horrified; Five Phoenixes Heavenly Humans equally shocked.
They had felt the weapon's might. When stripped from the Saint Ancestor and trapped in the Heavenly Gate, the waves nearly annihilated the entire ascension ground.
The leaking imperial pressure alone chilled souls!
Suddenly.
Lu Jiulian's body swayed—he shot forward explosively.
A mirror fragment the size of a fist fell into his grasp.
Boom!
He landed unstably, tumbling thousands of miles before steadying.
His palms—bloody pulp.
Lu Jiulian's action snapped Overlord and others awake!
Yes!
Fragments from the shattered Emperor weapon—supreme treasures!
Though the skyward Dao essence river was the core, it was intangible. Fragments were tangible riches.
If seized and forged by Master Aru—top spiritual tools possible!
All in the ascension ground realized.
Next moment—eyes bloodshot!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Breaking air sounds erupted. Figures soared, chasing fragments.
But not all were Lu Jiulian.
Many tried grasping—struck, flesh mangled, near death.
Even Five-Qi experts.
Thus, many calmed—silently trailing fragments, awaiting ground fall for collection.
The explosion's center—no one dared approach.
To this day—unknown what happened there. Why did a mighty Emperor weapon shatter?
Amid rolling smoke.
Lu sat upon the Thousand-Bladed Chair—unaffected by pressure.
Sensing essence flooding and merging into the ascension ground—his eyes brightened.
This essence volume... too vast. Hundred thousand? Million Dao reserves?
Lu uncertain.
The Dao Derivation Mirror imitated this weapon—principles similar.
Essence within—likely Dao Clan's million-year accumulation stored.
Meaning—merging into ascension ground: Dao Clan's million-year hoard.
Lu smacked lips—suppressing blooming smile.
Weapon shattered—he grieved too.
Intent merely disassembly research.
This essence into ascension ground—ultimately Five Phoenixes', as it belonged.
But Lu had an idea.
Mortal realm had Five Emperors Scripture; underworld Six Paths Reincarnation Visualization.
Ascension ground?
Current cultivators groped forward—no complete method.
System Upper Realm's.
Lu no strong objection—but with Five Phoenixes' own Heavenly Dao—distinction needed.
Not a "mini Upper Realm"?
Lu watched torrent inverting like waterfall into vault—eyes gleaming.
Idea present—but creating another method arduous; long-term.
Raised hand—grasped bronze frame.
Weapon shattered—Emperor will erased via Platform.
Now frame—vital forging material.
Spatial fluctuation—Lu wrapped weapon remnants, left ascension ground.
Arrival and departure—few noticed.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Boom!
Ascension ground vault—rolling Dao intent churned; sky colors shifted—auspicious multicolored clouds.
Pity: essence comprehension—little direct aid to Immortal Abode cultivation.
No immediate strength boost.
...
Vast Upper Realm continent.
Gazing collapsed temple—Dao Clan Saint Ancestor slumped powerlessly. Aged eyes on ruins.
Felt clan's Dao essence leaking.
Body trembled lightly—eyes grief-rage.
"Who... beast... weapon trapped Five Phoenixes less than half year—how disassembled?!"
Saint Ancestor rose—couldn't delay.
See essence: Five Phoenixes threat, Void Heaven's—terrifying.
Bold conjecture...
"Ancient Great Emperors returned? Heavenly Gate, underworld, Five Phoenixes—all their handiwork? Emperors behind everything?"
"Weapon fall—Emperor purpose? Use energy perfect underworld and Gate?"
More thought—more convinced.
Weapon fall—too coincidental.
Five Phoenixes' antics—from heavenly competition—constant Upper provocation. Initial goal: weapons.
Provoke—force reaction, conflict, saint clan conquest.
Lu Ping'an—Emperor puppet. Repeatedly slapping saint clans—forcing dread, weapon deployment to destroy Five Phoenixes.
Once deployed—lost.
Dao Clan Saint Ancestor before temple ruins—stood slowly. Sunset shadow stretched endlessly.
Body swayed, trembling.
"Terrifying scheme..."
"Terrifying plan!"
Closed eyes—then opened.
"With Dao Clan's million-year accumulation... Five Phoenixes surges—stable growth."
"Then three realms form—new Heavenly Dao... separate Nine Heavens, unbound rules!"
"Then ten saint clans united—helpless."
Dao Ancestor sensed leaking essence.
Eyes firmed.
"Can't wait... must unite other saint clans."
"Cloud unreliable—lost my weapon! Likely colluded with Five Phoenixes!"
Dao Ancestor stifled.
Though Cloud lost too—ancestor halved by Lu.
But hindsight—too many holes.
"Why mine shattered—not Cloud's?"
Dao Ancestor colder.
All Five Phoenixes-Cloud conspiracy!
First Upper contact: Cloud!
More thought—chiller.
Yes...
Cloud—Five Phoenixes accomplice!
Uniting other seven—secret; hide from Cloud!
Boom!
Dao Ancestor streaked—vanished.
...
Five Phoenixes Continent.
Lu returned Lake Heart Island.
In Profound Mystical Ring—vast bronze frame hovered quietly.
Emperor material—imperial might, strange patterns.
Lu studied
Thousand Blades with remnants—might surged. Once half-saint soldier max—with remnants: true saint soldier.
Plus imperial might—though attack saint-level, presence: quasi-Emperor weapon.
Quasi-Emperor wheelchair—prestige soared.
Also fused remnants into Phoenix Feather Sword—already strong, now imperial trace.
Attack-focused—remnants boosted; strikes imperial might.
Even Saint Ancestors—wary.
Remnants vast.
Lu borrowed Ni Yu's refining pot—three days melting into black pot.
Ni Yu reclaimed—rubbed eyes repeatedly.
Pot... glowing!
Refined once—pills 30% more fragrant!
Ning Zhao and Yi Yue—upgraded gear.
Ning Zhao's Cicada Wing Sword—remnants forged.
Yi Yue's whip—bronze, ninety-nine blades linked; terrifying sharpness, slaughter.
Receiving—stunned.
New weapons—combat power up 30% at least!
Lu took Gongshu Yu's painstaking Five Phoenixes Bow—fused fragments; more terrifying.
Dao Clan Emperor weapon... divvied by Lu.
All done.
Gu Mangran ascended island.
Ascension ground weapon shatter's might—felt clearly; needed personal inquiry.
Ancient Emperor appeared?
Lu had Ning Zhao receive. She cherished new Cicada Wing—carried openly. Recognized en route.
Gu Mangran half-reclined coffin—lips trembling.
"Im... imperial might?"
Weapon?
Not quite—strength suggested fused fragments.
Gu Mangran ancient saint ancestor-level—quick judgment.
But more judged—more alarmed.
Young Master Lu... disassembled Ancient Emperor weapon?
Seeing Lu—chair under butt imperial might.
Gu Mangran nearly breathless—clutched chest.
No need confirm.
Shatter tied to Lu!
Likely Lu smashed!
Not Ancient Emperor—impossible destroy. But miracles on Lu—few?
"Old Gu—perfect timing."
Lu descended White Jade Pavilion—smiled at Gu Mangran.
Smile—Gu Mangran heart skipped. Kid... plotting again?!
"Young Master—what matter?"
Gu Mangran wary.
Lu smiled—strolled peach grove with him.
One wheelchair, one coffin.
Peach grove stroll... poetic?
Ning Zhao and Yi Yue watched combo—speechless.
"Young Master—big picture... Ancient Emperors layout: Five Phoenixes, Gate, underworld new Nine Heavens—grand plan. Success: soar, rival eternal saint clans!"
Gu Mangran earnestly.
Lu plucked peach blossom—nodded smiling.
Whatever you say.
Then sighed: "But Old Gu—heaven thwarts wishes. Remember escaping Saint Ancestors?"
Lu said.
"Gate and underworld hold weapons—one destroyed. Weapons clan foundation; Five Phoenixes mortal enemies two clans."
"This time—sleepless nights, twitching eyelids—great crisis looms."
"Thought... only saint clans threaten so."
"Young Master knows Five Phoenixes needs development—but threat like needle under butt."
"Five Phoenixes—can't develop peacefully."
Lu grave.
Gu Mangran frowned: "Young Master intends?"
"Old Gu—peak you vs Cloud Saint Ancestor?"
Lu asked.
Gu Mangran squinted: "Peak me—Cloud nothing."
"This divine herb—restore how much?"
Lu drew reward: Vermilion Bird Fruit.
Hm?
Dense energy—blood surge faint.
Gu Mangran eyes brilliant.
"Top quality!"
"Only Level 2-1 high-martial now. Upper divine herbs banned..."
"Young Master—how obtained?"
Gu Mangran breath quickened.
Lu mysterious smile—no answer.
Gu Mangran inhaled: "Top—consume: 80% recovery."
"80%?"
Lu frowned.
"Kill Cloud Saint Ancestor?"
Gu Mangran proud smile: "Near certain."
Suddenly—wrong flavor.
"Young Master—what exactly?"
"Wasn't steady Five Phoenixes development? Why ask killing saint?"
Gu Mangran highly wary.
"Steady development—only remove Upper threat. Needle-like Cloud and Dao... must destroy!"
"Then—Dao Saint Ancestor to General Gu."
"Cloud... damaged my sword. Personal grudge to settle."
Lu earnest.
Gu Mangran: "..."
Suspected Lu's saint clan assault, extermination—personal grudge motive?
Young Master Lu's heart... narrow as dust speck!
Opened mouth—persuade; words failed.
"Of course—not immediate. General Gu—rest well..."
Lu smiled.
Had Ning Zhao escort back tomb.
Lu sensed gravity.
"Must accelerate Five Phoenixes..."
"One weapon energy into ascension ground—utilize well."
Buzz...
Mind entered Platform—deduced ascension ground method.
Ascension ground—planned immortal realm; underworld counterpart—method can't lag.
Matching "Six Paths Reincarnation"—vast effort, time.
Thus—Lu secluded.
...
Back tomb—Gu Mangran intended sleep recover.
But couldn't—Lu's words too stimulating.
Heart hung—uneasy; unknown when Lu invades Upper, assaults saint clans.
But time passed—hundredfold acceleration.
Lake Heart Island—Lu secluded motionless; Gu Mangran's heart settled.
...
Time array vast—Five Phoenixes developed rapidly.
Compared ascension ground—mortal realm centuries in outer year.
Great Xuan Divine Dynasty and Demon Court rivalry—constant competition.
Demon-human conflicts—Five Phoenixes' grandest fireworks.
War birthed powerhouses; prodigies emerged.
Cultivation flourished—both races supreme geniuses.
Years—many heavenly demons, humans ascended.
Five Phoenixes thrived prosperously.
...
Lake Heart Island.
Lu opened eyes—melancholy, headache.
Deduced ascension ground method—immensely difficult; clueless.
Wanted independent Nine Heavens system—Immortal Abode, Five-Qi Chaoyuan perfected; but Lu sought own path—like "Six Paths Reincarnation."
But Six Paths—from mortal life insights.
Mortal life—once; insights once.
Secluded years—Platform tens thousands deductions—failed.
Pinched temples.
First melancholy, pressure.
Now forging top high-martial arduous—future immortal martial, super-fantasy... how grueling.
"This... arduous, solitary path."
Lu inhaled deeply.
Suddenly—recalled.
Squinted slightly.
"Clueless..."
"Why not experience 'Immortal Martial World Fragment Memory'?"
Held since reward—unresearched. Now lost—thought of it.
Action.
Inhaled deeply.
Raised hand.
Palm—emerged teardrop azure crystal gem.
Within—endless splendor shifting.