Gripping the Water Clan imperial weapon—an azure long whip, shimmering with flowing light and surging imperial might.

  Yet Mica’s smile gradually vanished.

  His mouth twitched faintly.

  Hovering in the Boundless Heaven.

  Mica turned back toward the Void Heaven, as though trying to glimpse the accommodating Lord Lu within.

  He never imagined… Lu Ping’an would truly dare scam him.

  Raising a hand, spatial profound meaning surged. He tore into the extraterrestrial battlefield.

  Holding the Water Clan imperial weapon, Mica’s brow emperor imprint flashed. Next instant, he activated it.

  Boom!

  In the extraterrestrial battlefield, a colossal water dragon suddenly emerged, twisting from the void’s depths—its coils shattering space inch by inch!

  Immense power, worthy of an imperial weapon.

  But Mica deeply frowned, eyes revealing speechlessness.

  “This is actually… a fake imperial weapon, crafted indistinguishably from the real thing.”

  Mica shook his head, speechless yet inwardly wryly amused.

  Worthy of the Five Phoenixes that dared provoke high-martial worlds even as a mid-martial one.

  Lord Lu Ping’an of Five Phoenixes—foul-tempered, petty—lived up to his reputation.

  Humm…

  He lightly tapped the gourd.

  Golden light cascaded. Eight imperial weapons floated into the void.

  Mica took his time, testing each. Subdued imperial might surged, shattering numerous dead continents.

  Whipping the extraterrestrial battlefield into terrifying storms.

  Supreme Furnace, Fire God Fan, and others… all ancient emperor weapons—he tested them one by one.

  “Empty shells—internal Dao reserves utterly void, not even ancient emperor will remaining…”

  “Material imperial-grade, but ancient emperor intent and Dao reserves are an imperial weapon’s essence. Lacking both, these… barely qualify as quasi-imperial. No, not even that.”

  “Without sufficient Dao reserves, these are merely top-tier sacred ancestor Dao weapons.”

  Mica shook his head.

  Weapons prized material—imperial material supreme. But material alone insufficient; the inner essence defined an imperial weapon.

  Lu’s eight “imperial weapons” to Mica required deep probing to reveal as fakes. During the trade, Mica hadn’t bothered inspecting closely.

  “Well played, Lu Ping’an…”

  Mica’s smile long gone.

  As Heavenly Spirit Clan’s Sacred Hall Master, this loss… he couldn’t swallow.

  Moreover, returning with scrap metal—how to report to Emperor Heavenly Spirit?

  Humm…

  Spatial profound meaning flared. He tore void again, returning to Boundless Heaven.

  Then step by step toward the Void Heaven.

  Terrifying aura unrestrained—even the eight imperial weapons hovered around him.

  In Boundless, Blood Evil, and Primordial Magnet Heavens—experts stunned, gazing over.

  Heavenly Spirit Clan Sacred Hall Master Mica… returned?

  And murderous, clearly foul mood.

  Lower Third Heavens ancestors’ hearts sank.

  Flip-flopping!

  Upper Realm sacred clans truly turned hostile at whim—even the foremost no different.

  Weapons barely warm—already preparing to assail Five Phoenixes with them!

  Truly… shameless!

  On Five Phoenixes Continent.

  Gu Mangran, just lying down, snapped eyes open—fury and indignation.

  Let a man sleep peacefully in his coffin?!

  Why so difficult?

  This Sacred Hall Mica—excessive.

  Young Master Lu surrendered all eight imperial weapons—matter should have concluded satisfactorily. Why Mica’s aura raging again in Void Heaven?

  Truthfully, Mica’s offered resources were abundant, but…

  Still slightly short of one imperial weapon’s worth.

  Logically, Mica profited immensely.

  Gu Mangran understood Lu’s compromise: mainly fear of the Heavenly Spirit ancient emperor behind Mica.

  Otherwise, knowing Lu—he’d never surrender imperial weapons so easily.

  Not even for such resources.

  In Five Phoenixes.

  The crowd, just returning laden with resources, faces changed—reappearing beyond Five Phoenixes’ heavens.

  Eyes sharpened.

  At Void Heaven’s edge.

  Mica’s thick, ornate robes fluttered. He seemed to stride from the void’s end.

  Eight imperial weapons orbited him—each shimmering, radiating soul-shaking might.

  Five Phoenixes immortals’ expressions darkened.

  “Upper Realm sacred clans… lost all reason?”

  “So impatient—trade barely done, already wielding traded weapons to assail Five Phoenixes. Upper Realm sacred clans truly trash!”

  “Young Master Lu scammed! This man so shameless and vicious… Young Master Lu endured humiliation for our survival chance—yet Heavenly Spirit Clan insists on eradication!”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Five Phoenixes immortals’ eyes filled with sorrow.

  Gu Mangran hovered.

  Zhu Long and Lu Jiulian soared again.

  “Mica, you renege?!”

  Gu Mangran’s aura surged, killing intent sharp as he questioned the approaching Mica.

  Mica’s golden hair danced, robes fluttering, eight imperial weapons orbiting.

  Face calm, eyes faintly serene.

  “The imperial weapons Lord Lu gave… all fakes.”

  Mica said evenly.

  Words fallen.

  Uproar in Lower Third Heavens and Five Phoenixes.

  Shamelessness invincible.

  Human words?

  Gu Mangran gazed at Mica with disappointment and disgust…

  Top saint from first-tier high-martial—such lame excuse. Think us fools?

  Imperial pressure and might clearly genuine—where fake?

  Mica… merely pretext.

  Or sophistry!

  Just seeking excuse to strike Five Phoenixes.

  Boom!

  Gu Mangran’s aura spread. He advanced step by step toward Mica.

  “Want war? Then war… spare useless excuses.”

  Gu Mangran inhaled deeply.

  Yet his stance pessimistic.

  Eight imperial weapons orbiting Mica—strength boost unimaginable.

  “General Gu, these imperial weapons truly fakes. I wish to speak again with Lord Lu.”

  Mica said.

  Words fallen, eyes shot golden beams—piercing void toward Five Phoenixes.

  Hostility without word.

  Gu Mangran roared in fury. Coffin lid swung, blood robes billowing, boundless killing intent surging.

  As though a blood battlefield formed behind him.

  Within, Gu Mangran’s combat power soared.

  “Heavenly Dao Domain?”

  Mica paused.

  Golden beams clashed with coffin lid.

  Heaven-shaking explosion thundered in Void Heaven—space unable to bear, shattering endlessly.

  “Hundreds of thousands of years… General Gu comprehended ‘Heavenly Dao Domain’… Worthy of former Emperor Hao’s fiercest general.”

  Mica sighed.

  Terrifying blast raged.

  Next instant.

  Smoke cleared—Gu Mangran emerged.

  On Five Phoenixes Continent.

  Lu in Thousand-Bladed Chair watched, mild surprise.

  “Heavenly Dao Domain?”

  “Like the Spirit Pressure Chessboard’s domain?”

  Lu frowned.

  Mind flashing comparisons—conclusion: chessboard domain weapon-inherent. Gu Mangran’s Heavenly Dao Domain vastly different in power.

  Heavenly Dao Domain—manifestation of transcending Heavenly Dao constraints.

  One element… of emperorship.

  Hundreds of thousands ago, Gu Mangran lacked it. Long slumber simulated that primordial war’s carnage—comprehending its mysteries, birthing Heavenly Dao Domain.

  Leaping beyond Nine Heavens’ shackles.

  Gu Mangran gravely eyed Mica. Though exposed—no ease.

  Mica’s strength surpassed his—even peak Gu Mangran uncertain.

  Heavenly Dao Domain—Mica wielded it too!

  Hailed Nine Heavens’ likeliest to achieve emperorship.

  Heavenly Spirit Clan Sacred Hall Master—foremost below Emperor realm!

  Eight imperial weapons orbited Mica.

  He said calmly: “These imperial weapons indeed fakes. I act on ancient emperor’s orders—cannot return with counterfeits.”

  Mica glanced gravely at Gu Mangran, explaining earnestly.

  Comprehending Heavenly Dao Domain—Gu Mangran deserved explanation.

  “These imperial weapons genuine—how fake?” Gu Mangran countered.

  Mica’s eight—each real, flawlessly replicated even minute nicks.

  Imperial weapons—highly identifiable, impossible to fake.

  “Ask Lord Lu.”

  “These imperial weapons mere shells—devoid Dao reserves and ancient emperor aura…”

  “Lacking both—how differ from fakes?”

  “Even inferior to my sacred ancestor Dao weapon.”

  Mica said faintly.

  Gu Mangran paused, inhaling sharply.

  Lower Third cultivators gasped in awe.

  Lu Jiulian and Zhu Long sensed Mica’s dominance—daring claim imperial weapons inferior to his Dao weapon. Likely only Mica under heavens.

  “These imperial weapons this young master personally handed you—now you call fakes?”

  “Doing business like this?”

  “This young master gave inspection chance.”

  Lu’s voice drifted from Five Phoenixes.

  Lower Third uproar quieted slightly.

  Lord Lu finally responded.

  “You wanted imperial weapons—not Dao reserves…”

  “Want these? Should’ve said so.”

  Lu said leisurely.

  “We can negotiate properly. Business thrives on harmony.”

  Lu’s words echoed every corner of Void Heaven.

  Yet everyone’s expressions turned strange.

  Because…

  Lu essentially admitted—these imperial weapons incomplete.

  Many gasped, gazing at Five Phoenixes—eyes gleaming.

  Young Master Lu remained Young Master Lu…

  Earlier honest trade—many lamented his change.

  Now…

  Flavor returned!

  Dismantling imperial weapons for trade—who’d think of it?

  Gu Mangran baffled…

  Young Master Lu’s tricks… endless?

  Young Master Lu possessed means to strip imperial weapons’ Dao reserves?

  Gu Mangran licked lips.

  What most precious in imperial weapons?

  Not the weapons—but accumulated Dao reserves over millions of years per sacred clan.

  Eight imperial weapons—eight clans’ million-year accumulations…

  Vast beyond measure!

  Stripped and merged into Five Phoenixes—enough to catapult it to first-tier high-martial with million Dao reserves.

  Rivaling First Heaven’s Heavenly Spirit Continent.

  Mica stared at Lu—eyes strange.

  Stripping Dao reserves—not difficult.

  But required imperial weapon aid.

  Other sacred clans needed it; Heavenly Spirit Clan did not—living ancient emperor.

  One thought—easily strip from any emperor weapon.

  “Care to discuss?”

  Lu sat in gleaming Thousand-Bladed Chair, lazy yet smirking.

  Mica’s mood settled after fluctuation.

  Warily glancing Void Heaven again.

  Smiled: “Since Lord Lu willing—excellent…”

  “How does Lord Lu intend selling these imperial weapons’ Dao reserves?”

  “If Lord Lu dares sell—I dare buy.”

  Mica said.

  Like vegetable market haggling—atmosphere suddenly grave.

  Gu Mangran withdrew Heavenly Dao Domain—immensely draining. Relying on divine medicine energy—no waste.

  Seemed no fight now.

  No need keeping domain active.

  Lu’s fingers tapped armrest, meeting Mica’s gaze.

  Gu Mangran’s scalp tingled.

  Lu… always inscrutable.

  Mica—far more mysterious, mastermind of Heavenly Spirit Clan’s Sacred Hall.

  Gu Mangran felt Lu vs. Mica—like young fox vs. old fox…

  Helplessly sidelined.

  “How does Lord Lu plan selling?”

  Mica calmed, storing eight imperial weapons in gourd—asking leisurely.

  Lu toyed with Profound Mystery Ring.

  Faintly: “Dao reserves unlike those imperial scrap…”

  “With them, Five Phoenixes… leaps to first-tier high-martial.”

  Lu said.

  Words fallen—Lower Third breaths stilled.

  Even Gu Mangran gasped.

  Grand stroke!

  Upper Realm sacred clans’ assault—a catastrophe. Yet in Lu’s hands—Five Phoenixes’ great fortune!

  Lord Lu truly Lord Lu—suffers no loss.

  “Though to wealthy Heavenly Spirit Clan, nearing million Dao reserves trivial… to Five Phoenixes, priceless.”

  “Original goods—multiply tenfold.” Mica offered.

  Words out.

  More gasps.

  Mica’s original goods per portion—enough nurture half-step saint with emperor chance.

  Eight portions—now tenfold…

  Hiss…

  Many Lower Third ancestors felt hearts race.

  They inflated—daring eavesdrop such tier trade.

  “Tenfold?”

  Lu shook head.

  “Beggar’s alms? Those imperial weapons worthless here—scrap metal. Dao reserves priceless… insincere.”

  Lu said.

  “Add a digit.”

  “Hundred thousandfold.”

  Words fallen.

  Even Mica’s refined face twitched.

  Hundred thousandfold goods…

  Lion’s mouth—not like this?

  Others dumbfounded.

  One portion already unattainable—hundred thousandfold…

  What?

  Young Master Lu planning ten thousand half-step saint army?

  Planning apocalypse?

  Mica hovered in void, smiling gently—still refined and amiable.

  “Seems… Lord Lu unwilling to negotiate?”

  Mica said.

  Lu’s lion mouth—clearly refusing million Dao reserves.

  Hundred thousandfold—Heavenly Spirit Clan couldn’t produce, even selling all.

  “This young master curious. Heavenly Spirit Clan already first-tier, over million Dao reserves… why need another million?”

  “To transcend first-tier, escape Nine Heavens?”

  Lu said.

  Words fallen—Gu Mangran, enjoying drama, felt chills.

  Lu’s reminder woke him.

  Not just him—Lower Third experts realized.

  Mica narrowed eyes.

  “Lord Lu jests. Merely return stripped Dao reserves to imperial weapons—lest returning ancient emperors from primordial war find clan treasures missing.”

  Words thick with threat.

  Warning Lu.

  Yet beyond expectation—Lu merely shrugged.

  “Several sacred clans already extinguished by Five Phoenixes. Returning emperors would obliterate us anyway—so these Dao reserves more valuable to Five Phoenixes.”

  “Millionfold goods price.”

  Lu said faintly.

  Doubled again—Mica’s amiable eyes narrowed dangerously.

  “No deal then?”

  Mica said.

  Golden hair flying.

  Mica’s smile vanished entirely. He glanced boundless void, then fearless Lu in Thousand-Bladed Chair.

  “Lord Lu, final advice… sometimes, seen allies not true enemies.”

  “Today’s aid and confidence—tomorrow’s despair source.”

  Mica sighed.

  “No deal… then seize by force.”

  “Emperor Heavenly Spirit rarely tasks this old bone—cannot fail, lose face.”

  Boom!

  Suddenly.

  Silver gleams flashed.

  Spatial profound meaning surged.

  Mica streaked through Void Heaven.

  Like light—closing on Lu.

  Gu Mangran reacted—roaring.

  Blood domain reopened.

  But domain expansion lagged Mica’s shift.

  Lu raised hand—“Travel” array glyph vast silver covering heaven and earth.

  Yet… Mica’s prowess ignored ancient emperor array glyph.

  Boom!

  Silver shattered.

  Against Heavenly Spirit top powerhouse—Lu’s spatial profound meaning fell short.

  Mica avoided clashing Lu.

  Wary of Void Heaven’s unseen existence.

  He bypassed Lu.

  Streaking toward Five Phoenixes.

  Lu frowned.

  Pursued swiftly.

  Two silver streaks tangled above Five Phoenixes. Heaven Covering Formation surged, misty rain roiling.

  Yet Mica tore formation with brute force.

  On Five Phoenixes Continent.

  All beings looked up.

  Two comet-like silver gleams drew every eye.

  Thud! Thud!

  Next instant—vast sea exploded.

  Boundless waves surged skyward.

  As torrents became downpour.

  Mica’s thick robes untouched by rain, hair flying, gazed at Lu seated in Thousand-Bladed Chair amid splashing rain.

  Splash…

  Rain pelted sea with crackles.

  “These Dao reserves Five Phoenixes cannot fully absorb soon. Let me search… where Lord Lu hid them?”

  Mica smiled.

  Words fallen.

  Primordial spirit surged boundlessly.

  Even probing Five Phoenixes’ origin space…

  Lu raised hand—Phoenix Feather Sword stacking, fiery light descending.

  Opposite.

  Mica’s smile—like detecting fake imperial weapons—gradually… solidified once more.

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