Across the Lower Third Heavens, a collective gasp rose like thunder on flat ground. Experts from every high-martial minor world stared at the heavens, straining to discern the situation in the extraterrestrial battlefield.

  A true saint-realm war!

  The combatants encompassed nearly all the major powers of the Nine Heavens.

  With the long-extinct Dao and Cloud Clans aside, the ten sacred clans were now fully represented!

  Thus, the outcome of this battle would shape the future landscape.

  In the Boundless Heaven, Blood Evil Heaven, and Primordial Magnet Heaven, the ascended ancestors of those realms wore worried expressions.

  In truth, they did not wish for Five Phoenixes to lose. If it fell, the Heavenly Gates would likely return to the Upper Realm sacred clans’ control. Given those clans’ temperament, finding such a nurturing ground for future growth would become impossible.

  Therefore, they hoped more for Five Phoenixes’ victory.

  Yet this time, the Heavenly Spirit Clan of the First Heaven was involved—a lineage of ancient heritage, backed by a living ancient Great Emperor.

  Compared to it, Five Phoenixes was far too weak.

  Winning this saint-realm war would be extraordinarily difficult—nearly impossible.

  In numbers, Five Phoenixes was outnumbered. In equipment, they were outmatched.

  Though Lord Lu had acquired several imperial weapons, they were sacred clan treasures. He could not wield them, so they provided no aid.

  The situation looked bleak.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  Every being on the Five Phoenixes Continent, along with the rest, lifted their heads toward the dome of the Void Heaven.

  Above it, in the extraterrestrial battlefield, terrifying explosions thundered.

  The next moment.

  Thick clouds rolled in.

  Splash… splash…

  As though heaven and earth played a mournful dirge, as though mountains and rivers wailed.

  Torrents of blood rain poured down.

  Heavenly phenomena emerged!

  “Blood rain from the skies—a sacred ancestor has fallen!”

  “It’s only been moments… another sacred ancestor dead? Who was it?”

  “Such fierce, terrifying combat… After the Fire Clan Sacred Ancestor, another has perished!”

  Experts felt chills course through them, gripped by profound dread.

  Though far from the scale of the primordial war, a sacred ancestor’s death was still momentous.

  Just as everyone thought one fallen sacred ancestor was grave enough—

  The void tore open.

  Wails of terror and agony echoed.

  The next instant, streaks of light shot from the extraterrestrial battlefield in the Void Heaven.

  Fleeing in blind panic, without hesitation—like meteors streaking across the sky, crashing toward the Upper Realm.

  Everyone in the Lower Third Heavens stood stunned.

  In that fleeting glimpse, the unrestrained saintly might radiating from them…

  Clearly, these desperate fugitives… were saint-realm beings!

  One sacred ancestor dead, and the remaining saints… fleeing in terror?

  Had the battle in the extraterrestrial battlefield concluded so swiftly?

  All were dumbfounded, unable to imagine the course of the fight.

  The rifts in the heavens gradually healed.

  Yet the world understood: with the sacred ancestors and saints fleeing, the scales of victory seemed to tip toward Five Phoenixes.

  Still, the Heavenly Spirit Clan saint had not escaped. Perhaps he could hold his own against six and defeat Five Phoenixes’ profound immortals.

  …

  Pfft!

  Brilliant light erupted in myriad rays.

  Uncontrolled imperial might surged in fury, like a blazing sun exploding in dazzling glory.

  Terrifying heat waves seemed ready to scorch the cold, dead void.

  Blood sprayed.

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan saint’s brow emperor imprint had an intimate encounter with Lu’s Heaven Stealing Tower.

  The collision was solid—emitting the bone-chilling crunch of flesh meeting unyielding hardness.

  Pain spread instantly.

  But pain was secondary. What drove madness was…

  The Heaven Stealing Tower’s weight—like an entire world. The emperor imprint seemed on the verge of shattering under the blow.

  The tower now held six imperial weapons, plus the Dao reserves absorbed from three more—nine in total.

  Its weight was naturally horrifying.

  Though short of a million Dao reserves… it approached it.

  Though merely Lu’s plain swing—

  The devastating power left the Heavenly Spirit Clan powerhouse in despair.

  Blood blurred his vision.

  The imprint teetering on collapse filled him with dread.

  Who… was this Lu Ping’an?

  The emperor imprint had been his trump card. Now facing Lu, it felt insufficient.

  This man… could even shatter an emperor imprint!

  Boom!

  His body hurled backward, smashing an entire dead continent.

  Gu Mangran, Lu Jiulian, Zhu Long, and others soared upward.

  The situation in the extraterrestrial battlefield was now clear.

  Water Clan Sacred Ancestor dead. Remaining sacred clan saints fled. Only the Heavenly Spirit Clan saint remained.

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  Yet even he had nearly been bludgeoned to paste by Lu.

  Five Phoenixes… held absolute dominance.

  Gu Mangran hovered, blood-red robes fluttering.

  He glanced at Lu with complex emotions.

  Unknowingly, the once-young Young Master Lu now matched him in raw strength—on par.

  Gu Mangran felt a twinge of loss.

  Yet curiosity stirred: which ancient Great Emperor’s inheritance had Lu received?

  Only an ancient emperor’s legacy could explain such rapid growth.

  Legacies had styles.

  But from Lu’s approach, Gu Mangran—familiar with the emperors—could discern none.

  He frowned. This might remain an unsolved puzzle.

  Or perhaps…

  Lu had no ancient emperor inheritance?

  The thought made Gu Mangran inhale sharply.

  Boom!

  A terrifying explosion erupted.

  On the dead continent.

  The swaying Heavenly Spirit Clan saint rose unsteadily, face drenched in blood. The imprint at his brow dimmed.

  “Lu Ping’an…”

  He gritted his teeth, blood streaking his features.

  In the void.

  Demonic Lu stood, radiating oppressive aura that inspired awe.

  “Offending my clan’s Sacred Hall… Five Phoenixes’ future is doomed to utter annihilation.”

  “Collecting so many imperial weapons—your intentions are impure. Our ancient emperor will not spare you!”

  The saint swayed, glaring at Lu.

  Lu held the Heaven Stealing Tower, demonic qi surging as black robes drifted.

  In utter disadvantage, on the brink of doom, this man still dared threaten him.

  Lu Ping’an hated threats most.

  “Hahaha…”

  The handsome Heavenly Spirit Clan saint laughed wildly.

  “You have no idea the terror of the Heavenly Spirit Clan—the foremost sacred clan of the Nine Heavens!”

  His laughter dripped with unrestrained mockery.

  Lu narrowed his eyes.

  Gu Mangran spoke gravely: “Young Master Lu, he’s provoking you.”

  Lu smiled—he had guessed as much.

  Clanging resounded. Myriad silver blades stacked behind him, forming vast silver wings that blotted the sky.

  The nine-segment Phoenix Feather Sword orbited him, radiating light.

  “Good intention, poor acting.”

  Lu said.

  Gu Mangran could see it—how could Lu not?

  “He wants to enrage you into shattering the emperor imprint. The imprint links to the ancient emperor at the source. Breaking it would alert the emperor to your actions.”

  “No matter your purpose, killing one bearing an emperor imprint is provoking the emperor—it would draw his hand…”

  Gu Mangran said solemnly: “Current Five Phoenixes cannot face an Emperor-realm being.”

  On the dead continent.

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan saint stood calmly—his intent exposed.

  Old ginger is indeed spicier. This Gu Mangran truly lived up to it!

  But exposed—so what?

  With Gu Mangran’s words, the saint felt confident. He doubted Lu would dare act.

  After all, killing him might summon the Heavenly Spirit Clan’s ancient emperor.

  For a developing Five Phoenixes, that calamity would dwarf even peerless ferocious beasts.

  He gambled… Lu wouldn’t dare kill him!

  In the void.

  Lu sprouted silver wings, brow arching.

  “Are there truly living ancient emperors in the Nine Heavens?”

  Lu asked.

  Gu Mangran fell silent.

  Whether the Heavenly Spirit Clan’s ancient emperor lived or not—no one could say.

  But his absence from the primordial war was certain.

  Saints lived hundreds of thousands of years. Emperors… far longer. High chance he lived.

  Five Phoenixes could not afford the gamble.

  If an emperor descended, the Void Heaven… could not hold.

  Below.

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan saint narrowed his eyes: “Lord Lu, care to wager? Kill me, shatter the imprint—will it summon the ancient emperor to annihilate Five Phoenixes?”

  Lu Jiulian frowned.

  Zhu Long kept eyes closed, long lashes trembling as she shook her head imperceptibly…

  This guy…

  Courting death with flair?!

  He clearly didn’t know Dad’s terror.

  Sometimes, living… was worse than death.

  Lu laughed.

  Gentle, devoid of malice—yet it unnerved inexplicably.

  The next instant, silver wings flashed. He streaked like lightning.

  Landing on the dead continent.

  Boom!

  Lu stepped forward. Terrifying aura rippled. The ground cracked inch by inch, stones exploding outward.

  Smoke and dust billowed.

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan saint’s pupils contracted. Watching Lu approach, dread suddenly gripped him.

  “No…”

  “Stay back!”

  In the void.

  Lu Jiulian paused in surprise. Gu Mangran’s face grew grave.

  Young Master Lu… was truly acting?

  As expected of Young Master Lu’s pettiness…

  Finer than dust!

  “Don’t fear. After all, this young master isn’t some bloodthirsty maniac. I won’t kill you.”

  Lu’s light voice drifted from the continent.

  Boom!

  A terrifying explosion erupted. A dead continent rivaling a seventh-tier high-martial world detonated!

  Billowing smoke and dust—shocking to behold.

  Amid the blast, chilling wails of terror and agony rang out.

  The screams… echoed across the entire extraterrestrial battlefield!

  Whoosh!

  The nine Phoenix Feather Sword segments merged into a red streak, plunging into the dust.

  Pfft!

  The sound of blade slicing flesh resounded.

  When all fell silent.

  From the smoke.

  Demonic Lord Lu emerged step by step.

  To Gu Mangran and others, like a peerless demon god striding forth.

  Dust cleared.

  Behind Lu remained only a headless corpse.

  In his hand, he held a head.

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan saint’s head…

  Brow emperor imprint intact.

  Beheading a saint did not kill them.

  Only destroying the body, leaving the primordial spirit nowhere to reside, brought true death.

  Gu Mangran froze, confusion crossing his face.

  Lu… hadn’t killed this saint?

  Merely severed his head?

  Since when was Lu Ping’an so merciful?

  “Re… release me!”

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan saint’s handsome face twisted. Head alone, he could not resist Lu.

  “Can’t kill you. Killing you shatters the imprint, drawing the ancient emperor…”

  “This young master knows the terror of ancient emperors better than you.”

  Lu glanced at the head, speaking casually.

  Speaker unintentional, listeners took heed.

  Gu Mangran and the severed head both felt pupils contract.

  As expected…

  The Lord of Five Phoenixes’ White Jade Capital had contacted an ancient emperor—likely an inheritor.

  But in truth, Lu meant no such thing.

  After all, the most widespread cultivation method in Five Phoenixes—the Daluo Immortal Scripture—was his own creation. Even he had not reached the Golden Immortal realm within it.

  Golden Immortal clearly equated to Great Emperor.

  Lu knew its power well.

  Utterly beyond profound immortal!

  “Don’t worry. So I won’t kill you. But… Five Phoenixes hasn’t had a new tool person in ages. Conveniently, your imprint holds emperor-realm profound mysteries. Perhaps Five Phoenixes’ profound immortals can glean insights toward breaking into the Emperor realm?”

  “Great Venerable-level insights no longer suit current Five Phoenixes.”

  Lu smiled.

  Gu Mangran paused in shock.

  The now-head-only handsome Heavenly Spirit Clan saint felt chills.

  “No… just kill me! I am a Sacred Hall saint of the Heavenly Spirit Clan—I cannot suffer such humiliation!”

  The saint roared madly.

  Yet after the Heaven Stealing Tower’s strike and demonic Lu’s beating…

  Head alone, he had no resistance.

  “Useless. Though my imprint holds emperor-realm cultivation mysteries, no one can break through using it. Current Nine Heavens forbids new emperors! The Heavenly Dao forbids it—the ancient emperor forbids it!”

  He howled.

  But Lu ignored him.

  The Nine Heavens’ Heavenly Dao might forbid it… but Five Phoenixes’ Dao might not.

  Clang! Clang! Clang!

  Silver blades stacked.

  Lu seated himself atop them. Black robes turned white—he regained his elegant demeanor.

  Merely holding a blood-drenched head.

  The head’s roars grew annoying.

  With a thought.

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan saint’s head gradually petrified.

  Like the great venerables Lu had once tossed into Five Phoenixes as statues.

  Yet the emperor imprint remained unfossilized—mysterious, radiating profound fluctuations.

  Emperor-realm profound meaning.

  Lu surveyed the ravaged extraterrestrial battlefield and smiled.

  Then tore the void to return.

  Demon Lord and Demon Master vanished into Five Phoenixes.

  Gu Mangran and Lu Jiulian watched them go, eyes full of curiosity.

  Returning from the extraterrestrial battlefield.

  Dead silence gripped the Lower Third Heavens.

  Especially seeing unharmed Lu, Gu Mangran, Lu Jiulian, and others—shock filled the air.

  And the petrified Heavenly Spirit Clan saint head in Lu’s hand—sent the world into uproar.

  “Dead… dead?!”

  “The Heavenly Spirit Clan saint… beheaded by Lord Lu?”

  “Lord Lu… as domineering as ever! Slaying all invaders!”

  Lower Third Heavens experts gasped.

  While Five Phoenixes’ immortals cheered!

  Victory!

  Internal and external threats—external ones now fully resolved!

  “Return.”

  Lu said calmly.

  He glanced at the Lower Third Heavens and smiled.

  Gu Mangran returned to his coffin, streaking away. This time, consuming enhanced chrysanthemum medicine plus Vermilion Bird divine fruit.

  Immense divine energy stored within.

  Perfect for lying low, digesting it.

  Back in the ancient tomb.

  Bu Nanxing, nerves frayed, exhaled in relief, smiling.

  “Lord Lu, we’re safe! Another crisis averted…”

  Lu Changkong stood with hands behind back, gaze profound, expression calm—as though expected.

  He smiled, turned, resuming divine medicine research.

  Atop Asking Heaven Peak.

  The Human Emperor sweated coldly. Only when the dynasty’s overseeing heavenly immortal informed him of safety did tension ease.

  He spread the joyous news empire-wide and began sacrifices atop the peak.

  In the Nether Realm.

  Dantai Xuan laughed heartily, then focused on the fortune-fused peerless beast about to emerge—the Hell Hound.

  No external worries—his eyes burned with battle intent.

  Slay it the moment it appeared!

  Lu returned to the Five Phoenixes Continent.

  Excitement lit his face.

  “Nine sacred ancestors’ imperial weapons—all collected. Converting their Dao reserves… should propel Five Phoenixes to first-tier high-martial.”

  Lu’s eyes gleamed.

  “No, still one short. Ten sacred clans mean ten imperial weapons. Missing the Heavenly Spirit Clan’s.”

  Lu pondered.

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan was strong—perhaps with a living ancient emperor.

  Their imperial weapon would be hard to scheme for. Logically…

  With a living emperor, it should be in his hands.

  Hard to obtain from an ancient Great Emperor.

  Negotiate business with one?

  Suddenly.

  Lu paused.

  He tossed the petrified Heavenly Spirit Clan saint head to the ground.

  Lifted his gaze to Five Phoenixes’ heavens.

  Boom…

  Five Phoenixes’ Heavenly Dao emerged from the origin space.

  Hovering overhead, coiling.

  The next instant, surging fortune cascaded down, blessing Five Phoenixes’ immortals.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  Vast auras erupted. The immortals’ strength soared!

  A wave of massive transformation.

  The fallen petrified head stared at the heavens—at the emerging Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao.

  Lu, satisfied and sighing.

  Suddenly turned in shock.

  Even through petrification, the saint’s terror was palpable.

  Disaster… catastrophe!

  Five Phoenixes… had birthed an independent Heavenly Dao?!