The Heavenly Spirit Clan possessed a living ancient Great Emperor—this was the conjecture of every powerhouse in the Nine Heavens.

  Now, beyond the Boundless Heaven, violent tremors shook the void. From the torn rift emerged a bizarre world.

  A majestic mountain radiated seven-colored brilliance, like a divine miracle descending.

  Vast imperial might spread, making many hearts skip a beat.

  Like Lu, countless others speculated: was this the descent of an ancient Great Emperor?

  Bodies trembled. Eyes fixed unblinkingly on the rift.

  An ancient Great Emperor—the true object of faith, once the supreme existence of the Nine Heavens.

  Each heaven had birthed one, but now they lived only in myths and legends.

  To witness a living ancient Great Emperor… what fortune that would be.

  Boom!

  On the Five Phoenixes Continent.

  Every being’s heart pounded.

  Lu lifted his gaze to the heavens, but soon regret flickered in his eyes.

  “Not an ancient Great Emperor.”

  Regret mingled with a sigh of relief.

  A true ancient emperor’s descent would have given even him a headache.

  In the Boundless Heaven.

  A golden-haired figure in thick, ornate robes drifted out slowly, the heavy garments fluttering.

  An elder, face etched with wrinkles, yet his full head of golden hair gleamed like molten gold.

  At his brow, an emperor imprint—identical to the one on the Heavenly Spirit Clan saint whose head Lu had severed and turned into a tool person mascot in Five Phoenixes.

  The imprint all Heavenly Spirit Clan saints bore.

  Beyond the imprint, his aura was utterly supreme. No saint from the ten sacred clans could compare.

  That terrifying presence seemed capable of shattering mountains and rivers, collapsing heaven and earth with a mere gesture.

  A powerhouse who had walked the saint path to its utmost limit, augmented by the emperor imprint—doubly fearsome.

  Lu narrowed his eyes.

  Leaning in his Thousand-Bladed Chair, hands never pausing, he commanded the Heaven Stealing Tower to fully absorb the Dao reserves from the final imperial weapon.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  Suddenly.

  Across the Lower Third Heavens, countless experts widened their eyes. Uproar echoed endlessly.

  Terrifying aura—like an ancient emperor’s—spread, chilling bodies.

  That fearsome presence seemed ready to ignite the heavens.

  “Is this truly an ancient Great Emperor?”

  “Such overwhelming aura—how could it not be an emperor?”

  “No saint could possess such presence! This must be the living ancient Great Emperor!”

  Cultivators in the Lower Third Heavens cried out. The figure emerging from the rift radiated bone-chilling might.

  Though many Lower Third experts had joined the Five Phoenixes coalition assaulting the Upper Realm…

  Some remained to guard.

  The figure drifted through the Boundless Heaven, entering the Void Heaven.

  Upon entry, the Void Heaven’s rules stirred, chiming like bells.

  As though ready to strike.

  Yet the figure drifted in, raising a hand with a gentle smile.

  Soon, the restless rule power calmed!

  Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!

  Gasps rose endlessly.

  He… subdued the rule power with his aura alone?

  Truly an emperor!

  This scene shocked Five Phoenixes’ immortals.

  Figures soared skyward.

  The Overlord, Nie Changqing, and other half-step profound immortals had united to assail the Upper Realm, seeking saint-slaying breakthroughs.

  But not all had gone.

  Jing Yue, Li Sansui, Ni Yu, and others remained.

  Profound immortals like Lu Jiulian and Zhu Long stayed in Five Phoenixes.

  As the Heavenly Spirit Clan powerhouse’s aura spread.

  Li Sansui, Jing Yue, and others shot upward, expressions grave.

  A lotus bloomed in the void—Lu Jiulian emerged, staring at the intruder.

  His face sank.

  This was the foremost sacred clan’s powerhouse. Not an emperor, yet his might touched the Emperor realm’s edge—terrifying aura!

  In the ancient tomb, Gu Mangran awoke once more.

  He had barely lain down before being roused again.

  Clutching his chest, sensing the aura, his expression changed drastically.

  Appearing in the palace, he demanded a chrysanthemum divine medicine from Lu Changkong before vanishing over the vast sea.

  Reappearing beyond Five Phoenixes’ heavens.

  “Heavenly Spirit Clan, Master of the Sacred Hall—Mica!”

  Gu Mangran rose from his coffin, voice heavy with solemnity.

  Mica?

  On the island.

  Lu’s hands never stopped, brow arching.

  To him, an utterly unfamiliar name.

  But to Gu Mangran, it thundered like legend.

  “Under Emperor Heavenly Spirit, the foremost powerhouse… Sacred Hall Master, Mica.”

  Gu Mangran repeated, thick with wariness.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Even at his peak, Gu Mangran had no confidence against this man.

  Hundreds of thousands of years ago, Mica had reached the saint path’s pinnacle. Had Emperor Heavenly Spirit perished, he might have become the clan’s new Emperor.

  One could say Mica was born in the wrong era.

  “Gu Mangran… you still live.”

  Mica hovered, gazing at the coffin-bound Gu Mangran with a faint smile.

  In the Lower Third Heavens, experts hearing Gu Mangran name the intruder recalled Mica’s origins.

  Many felt regret—not a true ancient emperor.

  After all, the world yearned to behold one.

  Yet reconsidering: Mica, so mighty, was not Emperor-realm. How terrifying then a true Emperor?

  “Lord Mica, what brings you to Five Phoenixes? To conquer it?”

  Gu Mangran inhaled deeply, swallowing the divine medicine without hesitation, unleashing his aura.

  Even at peak, blocking Mica was uncertain—let alone half-crippled now.

  Mica sat cross-legged in the void, smiling at Gu Mangran’s actions.

  Unfazed by the recovery—absolute confidence in his strength.

  “Gu Mangran, you once served as General under Emperor Hao. We are old acquaintances—no need for worry.”

  “My visit bears no malice.”

  Mica said.

  Wrinkles creased his aged face, yet vitality surged boundless.

  Gu Mangran narrowed his eyes, one hand gripping the coffin lid, silent.

  Sensing the stance, Mica sighed, gaze shifting to Five Phoenixes Continent.

  Past the orbiting temporal array, his eyes seemed to pierce, beholding the resplendent world within.

  Admiration crossed his face.

  “Truly a beautiful world.”

  Mica said.

  Whoosh! Whoosh!

  Two breaking winds resounded.

  Lu Jiulian and Zhu Long soared, flanking Gu Mangran.

  Profound immortal auras erupted, fortune rivers flowing.

  “Hmm? Saints utterly unlike the Nine Heavens’ cultivation system…”

  Mica’s eyes sharpened on Lu Jiulian, surprise in his voice.

  Gazing at Zhu Long, they contracted further—faint horror.

  As though seeing not a person, but a world-shaking aberrant beast.

  A beast of boundless potential!

  “Truly perfect…”

  Mica murmured, staring at Zhu Long.

  Gu Mangran frowned.

  “Mica!”

  Panic stirred in him. The Heavenly Spirit Clan reacted too swiftly. Lu spared their saint—yet they came regardless.

  When the Heavenly Spirit Clan intervened, seeking the lost imperial weapons, he sensed gravity.

  Now their attitude and speed sank his mood further.

  Against Mica’s strength, Gu Mangran had no confidence.

  Unless restored to peak.

  “General Gu, my personal visit is not to destroy Five Phoenixes. Current Five Phoenixes rivals third-tier high-martial. Any such world holds vast Nine Heavens Dao reserves, intertwined with the Heavenly Dao—cannot be lightly annihilated.”

  Mica said.

  His words carried implication.

  Yet tone shifting to amusement: “My purpose: days ago, a Sacred Hall saint came to mediate… yet lingers without return. Imprint intact—no death—but whereabouts unknown?”

  Mica floated, voice gentle.

  “I suspect… in Five Phoenixes?”

  “Thus, I come personally to retrieve our Sacred Hall member. The Hall abandons no saint.”

  Mica said.

  Gu Mangran frowned, at a loss for words.

  Mica smiled again.

  Turning to Five Phoenixes: “Lord Lu, is it not so?”

  “I come in person to reclaim our Hall member—no impropriety? I hope Lord Lu grants this favor.”

  He cupped hands, courteous.

  Attitude refined, scholarly—evoking goodwill.

  Silence gripped heaven and earth.

  Lu Jiulian and Zhu Long remained silent.

  On Lake Heart Island.

  Lu’s hands never paused, commanding the tower to devour Dao reserves.

  Now nearing a million accumulated.

  Yet one doesn’t strike a smiling face.

  The Sacred Hall Master Mica so courteous—Lu couldn’t ignore.

  Clearing throat, primordial spirit vibrating in response.

  “No worry, sir. Your friend enjoys Five Phoenixes immensely—thrilled, forgetting clan. This young master ensures companionship twelve hours daily, discussing profound paths. Fine food, fine drink—never lonely at night.”

  Lu said.

  Five Phoenixes stone mountain: “…”

  Tears nearly fell.

  The saint’s primordial spirit within heard clearly.

  Not lonely at night… my ass!

  This Lu Ping’an—filthy and vicious.

  Lies without blinking!

  In the Void Heaven.

  Mica advanced step by step, mild surprise.

  “Oh? Enjoying himself?”

  “Then might Lord Lu allow our Hall member a word? I have matters to entrust.”

  Mica asked.

  Lu, enthusiastic and sincere: “Cannot.”

  Mica paused briefly.

  “Why?”

  “Deep in revelry—ignores you. Can’t rouse him.”

  Lu’s hands continued, absorbing the last imperial weapon’s remnants.

  Void around the Heaven Stealing Tower twisted increasingly violently.

  Mica narrowed eyes, smiling.

  Then pressed forward.

  Gu Mangran erupted with astonishing aura, blocking.

  “General Gu, if I truly wished entry—you could not stop me.”

  Mica said.

  Gu Mangran’s voice sank: “Primordial war shattered Void Heaven—all high-martial worlds ruined, reduced to wastes… Now, rare revival. If you, Mica, seek annihilation—even at cost of this half-crippled body, I, Gu Mangran, will detain you.”

  His words halted Mica.

  He shook head helplessly.

  “Lord Lu, since General Gu insists—I won’t enter Five Phoenixes. Intended to admire Lord Lu’s grace and the land captivating our Hall member.”

  Mica said.

  Lu offered no reply.

  Coldly so.

  Mica paused, then spoke again: “Lord Lu, one more humble request.”

  “Beyond retrieving our lost Hall member, I come on ancient emperor’s orders—to reclaim the ten sacred clans’ lost imperial weapons.”

  “Sacred clan imperial weapons—once wielded by ancient Great Emperors—intimately tied to Nine Heavens’ Heavenly Dao.”

  “Thus, Lord Lu… might you entrust them to me for return to Heavenly Spirit Clan?”

  “Ancient emperor’s command—do not make it difficult for this old man.”

  Mica’s words.

  Instantly tensed the atmosphere in Lower Third Heavens and Void Heaven.

  Gu Mangran’s pupils contracted, saintly might surging from gripped coffin lid.

  Lu Jiulian and Zhu Long braced.

  Ready to strike at Lu’s word.

  Lower Third experts held breath—silent.

  All awaited Lu’s response.

  Dead silence.

  Tension froze the air.

  Lu did not reply immediately.

  Lower Third and Void Heaven sank into graveyard hush.

  Long moments…

  A sigh of task completed echoed.

  “Huu…”

  “You want the imperial weapons?”

  Lu countered.

  Mica paused.

  Then solemn, cupping hands.

  “I hope Lord Lu grants this.”

  Mica remained refined and amiable.

  Boom!

  Suddenly.

  Clouds over Five Phoenixes Continent churned. Overwhelming auras erupted.

  Beams of radiance soared.

  Piercing clouds skyward.

  Plus Cloud Clan’s Supreme Furnace—eight imperial weapons hovered above Five Phoenixes, gleaming brilliantly.

  “Dao Clan’s Heavenly Evolution Mirror shattered by mysterious force—utterly destroyed, irretrievable.”

  “Only eight remain. Care for them?”

  Lu’s voice rang from the continent.

  Eight imperial weapons.

  Breaths grew heavy.

  Eyes gleamed on the radiant seven.

  Even mighty Mica was drawn by the dazzling sight.

  Eight imperial weapons…

  Per Sacred Hall intelligence.

  Five Phoenixes’ Lord Lu—foul-tempered, petty, difficult.

  Now…

  Intelligence erroneous.

  “Unexpected… Lord Lu so generous and righteous.”

  Mica laughed.

  Gu Mangran, Lu Jiulian, and others truly baffled—Lu surrendering the weapons?

  Due to Mica’s terrifying might?

  Fearless Young Master Lu… yielding to superior strength?

  Mica’s primordial spirit swept the eight—weapons’ imperial might genuine.

  No fakes.

  How could one half-step from Emperor realm fail to discern?

  Imperial weapons—not easily counterfeited.

  Whoosh!

  Spatial profound meaning flared. Mica tore void, appearing amid the eight.

  Raised hand to grasp one.

  Snap!

  Between heaven and earth, a chess piece landing resounded crisply.

  A spirit pressure beam crashed down.

  Millionfold spirit pressure!

  Boom!

  It slammed Mica’s outstretched palm.

  Golden hair flying, ornate robes fluttering.

  He held the pressure with bare suspended palm.

  “You want imperial weapons—this young master naturally won’t deny. Such things in Five Phoenixes spawn peerless beasts… not ideal.”

  “Thus, if you wish to take them—I won’t object.”

  Lu’s voice echoed.

  Five Phoenixes stone mountain: “…”

  Tears flowed again.

  The saint’s primordial spirit within roared: Lu Ping’an, you said otherwise before!

  Bully the weak, fear the strong!

  Of course, Lu heard no roars.

  He continued: “Want them? Fine. This young master’s demands modest—trade goods. Divine medicines, spirit stone veins, heavenly treasures… equivalent value.”

  “General Gu can appraise your offerings.”

  Lu’s words drifted.

  Gu Mangran, Lu Jiulian, and others exhaled in relief.

  Lower Third experts understood.

  Familiar recipe, familiar taste. Lord Lu remained the petty Lord Lu…

  Though goods incomparable to imperial weapons, Lord Lu’s concession was already compromise.

  Mica laughed heartily.

  Truthfully…

  He wished no involvement in Void Heaven, no battle there.

  Head tilting, Mica seemed to glimpse a rift in the Void—eyes beyond watching him.

  Those eyes brought extreme terror.

  “Naturally—fair exchange. Lord Lu’s principles ease my conscience.”

  Mica said.

  Heavenly Spirit Clan occupied First Heaven—first-tier high-martial Heavenly Spirit World.

  Divine medicines, veins… abundant!

  Trading goods for imperial weapons—he welcomed it.

  “Lord Lu, wait briefly.”

  Mica’s gaze deepened.

  Words fallen.

  Spatial profound meaning exploded.

  Tearing void, stepping in—vanishing.

  Watching the instantaneous disappearance, Gu Mangran exhaled suppressed breath.

  “Heavenly Spirit Clan innately profound in space—shuttling void…”

  “Like born comprehending the ‘Travel’ array glyph’s mysteries.”

  Gu Mangran said.

  Source of his pressure.

  Even if he could match Mica, escape—he could not stop.

  As for the beheaded saint—utterly dazed by Lu’s tower smash.

  Mere breaths.

  Mica tore void returning.

  Holding a spatial profound-meaning-crafted belt ornament.

  Mica gripped it, smiling faintly.

  “One imperial weapon—I offer equivalent: ten supreme veins, one top divine medicine, ten heavenly treasures… For eight weapons: eighty supreme veins, eight divine medicines, eighty heavenly treasures.”

  Primordial spirit surging.

  Next instant, in Void Heaven.

  Dense goods materialized—laid bare.

  Lower Third Heavens experts stunned.

  Utterly mesmerized.

  “Acceptable.”

  From Five Phoenixes, Lu sounded reluctantly parting, like flesh cut.

  Goods stored in spatial belt.

  Lu’s thought—Travel array glyph, spatial profound meaning tearing void.

  A hand extended before Mica.

  Mica narrowed eyes—unexpected Lu’s spatial mastery so profound. But indifferent—weapons secured.

  After Lu took the belt.

  Mica tossed a gourd.

  Dao reserves swirled within, drawing all eight imperial weapons inside.

  Payment one hand, goods the other.

  Both seemed satisfied.

  “Transaction complete. Safe travels.”

  Lu said calmly.

  Mica smiled, pocketing gourd, cupping hands in farewell.

  Spatial profound meaning flared—figure vanishing from Void Heaven, reappearing in Boundless Heaven. Void’s invisible pressure discomforted him.

  Yet mission accomplished.

  All sacred clan imperial weapons reclaimed.

  Smiling, primordial spirit moving—he drew one from gourd: Water Clan’s azure whip.

  Gripping the deep blue whip.

  Suddenly, Mica’s smile… gradually faded.