Three Dao sources hovered around Lu.

  Before him lay Five Phoenixes’ origin Heavenly Dao—like a brilliant star, blooming with utmost radiance in the darkness.

  Atop the Heavenly Dao star, endless Dao reserves churned and flowed slowly.

  Lu sat in his Thousand-Bladed Chair, as though adrift in a starry expanse.

  On the chair’s armrest, the Heaven Stealing Tower rested quietly. Though it had devoured Dao reserves from so many imperial weapons, it bore no arrogance.

  No trace of pressure or presence.

  Yet Lu loved it—stroking it, deeply satisfied with this innate spiritual treasure.

  Low-key Heaven Stealing Tower—like low-key him. Plain and unadorned.

  “Per Mica, Nine Heavens Heavenly Dao distracted by critical matters—thus, opportunity to refine Dao sources.”

  “Test if Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao can accelerate refinement.”

  Lu pondered.

  He had obtained five Dao sources total—two already refined into Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao.

  Three remained in hand.

  Dao sources undeniably strengthened Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao. Of course, beyond sources—since bound to the continent.

  More powerhouses in Five Phoenixes minor worlds—stronger the Heavenly Dao.

  Thus, strengthening not solely via Dao sources.

  But truly influencing Heavenly Dao required profound immortals—or Golden Immortals.

  Heavenly Dao’s strength dictated Five Phoenixes powerhouses’ ceiling.

  Current Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao—birthing Daluo Immortal too improbable.

  Transcendent beyond Great Emperors.

  Three Dao sources—like tiny stars—floated around Lu. He raised a hand, cradling them, eyes gleaming.

  Faintly, he seemed to glimpse a starry cosmos.

  “Nine Heavens… vast, yet not starry mode. Each high-martial world continental plates…”

  “This Nine Heavens’ inherent mode—so…”

  Lu frowned faintly, mind catching a spark.

  “Thus, for Five Phoenixes to break Nine Heavens’ shackles—even suppress it—must form own mode…”

  Gazing at origin space scenes, then origin star.

  Lu pondered: perhaps future—he could craft exclusive starry expanse.

  Worlds as stars.

  Revolutionary for Nine Heavens… yet perhaps a new path.

  Forge a Five Phoenixes cosmos.

  Of course, current Five Phoenixes incapable.

  Lu lacked ability.

  Thus, thoughts set aside.

  Lu closed eyes.

  Fingers lightly tapping armrest.

  Primordial spirit stirring.

  Flicking one Dao source outward.

  It streaked like meteor—comet tail blazing, asteroid crashing into Heavenly Dao star.

  Boom!

  Origin space quaked.

  Lu didn’t fuse all three at once.

  One by one—higher fault tolerance. If anomaly—immediate halt. Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao needed adaptation.

  With first Dao source merging.

  Within Heavenly Dao star.

  A winged light bird soared excitedly, flapping joyously.

  Countless Dao reserves surged like heavenly rivers.

  Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao aura strengthened steadily.

  Heaven Stealing Tower soared out—Dao reserves pouring forth, entwining Heavenly Dao.

  Unrefined reserves.

  With another Dao source refined—Heavenly Dao refinement efficiency rose roughly thirty percent.

  Of course, Lu focused elsewhere.

  Ear cocked—as though sensing Nine Heavens Heavenly Dao reaction.

  “Hmm… no response.”

  Lu’s eyes brightened.

  As Mica said—Nine Heavens Heavenly Dao distracted by greater concerns.

  Heavenly Dao conscious—Lu knew well.

  As Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao grew—so consciousness. Especially Zhu Long inhaling/exhaling—maturing it further.

  Origin space fell silent.

  Lu didn’t immediately fuse second.

  He waited years—until Heavenly Dao fully refined and adapted first source energy.

  Then raised hand, flicking one of remaining two.

  “Second.”

  It shot like light, crashing into Heavenly Dao.

  Heavenly Dao star’s light bird soared excitedly—bright cry seeming to echo.

  Dao source enveloped in countless reserves.

  Boom!

  Second integration—Heavenly Dao strengthened further.

  Even atop Heavenly Dao star—scenes of Five Phoenixes Continent illuminated, as though all under surveillance.

  Lu unsurprised. Heavenly Dao’s purpose: set rules, oversee realm.

  Like Lu’s constant worry—Nine Heavens Heavenly Dao discovering Five Phoenixes’.

  Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao growing—would become similar.

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  Heaven Stealing Tower released more Dao reserves. Lu sensed increasing chaos energy.

  Clearly—Heavenly Dao refinement efficiency rising.

  Lu held breath, primordial spirit encompassing Void Heaven.

  Awaiting…

  “Second Dao source merged—Nine Heavens Heavenly Dao… still unaware!”

  Lu narrowed eyes.

  Gaze locking third Dao source.

  Brows faintly furrowed.

  More Dao sources merged—longer adaptation time. This fourth fusion.

  Future more sources—longer waits for adaptation?

  “Perhaps… restriction against over-relying on Dao sources.”

  Lu mused.

  Then calmed—quietly waiting in origin space.

  Only fusing third after adaptation.

  Though lengthy—perhaps decades.

  …

  With Lu entering seclusion—Five Phoenixes Continent regained peace and tranquility.

  Five Phoenixes coalition assailing Upper Realm sacred clans returned.

  Overlord, Tang Yimo, and half-step profound immortals back from battle—ultimately failed saint-slaying.

  Upper Realm sacred clan saints no weaklings—and they not saints.

  Saints—not slain casually.

  Even Overlord’s unyielding Dao Intent—hard to kill one.

  They received Lu Jiulian’s message—initially refused. Sought saint-slaying for fortune blessing—shatter barriers, achieve profound immortal.

  When Lu Jiulian said Young Master Lu’s intent.

  Overlord and others relented.

  After all—Lu’s pettiness known… old acquaintances.

  Provoking it—who knew consequences.

  Five Phoenixes immortals returned one by one.

  Yet this war boosted morale.

  Lower Third and Five Phoenixes coalition invaded Upper Realm—catching sacred clans off-guard. Sacred clan saints stunned.

  Five Phoenixes cultivators came with intense saint-slaying intent.

  Seeming frenzied.

  Fourth Heaven’s Water and Fire Clans thus extinguished—mainly by other saint-bearing sacred clans.

  Pity—even extinguishing them—Dao reserves unclaimable.

  Only cultivation resources gained—many sacred clans regretted.

  But clear: imperial weapons trapped in Five Phoenixes—reclaiming Water/Fire accumulations required them.

  With Lu Ping’an and Gu Mangran—sacred clan saints sans imperial weapons lacked courage to assail Five Phoenixes.

  Coalition withdrew—they could only watch grudgingly.

  Many sacred ancestors jointly messaged First Heaven—seeking Heavenly Spirit Clan justice.

  Foremost sacred clan—surface honorable.

  Yet shocking sacred ancestors…

  Messages to Sacred Hall—suppressed. No ripple.

  Heavenly Spirit Clan’s Sacred Hall—saints exceeding other nine clans combined.

  Yet no intent aiding.

  Even informing of Hall saint’s fall in Five Phoenixes—unmoved.

  Were Sacred Hall not Heavenly Spirit’s…

  Sacred ancestors might suspect collusion with Five Phoenixes.

  Meanwhile.

  Army returned—Lower Third resumed. Five Phoenixes immortals back.

  Temporal array activated—sundial radiance. River of Time surged beyond continent.

  Of course, Overlord, Tang Yimo, and Upper Realm crusaders remained vigilant.

  Ever guarding against counterattack.

  But Upper Realm silent—they too returned to Five Phoenixes cultivation.

  Five Phoenixes changed.

  Heavenly fortune denser.

  Under Lu’s hundredfold time flow—years flew.

  …

  Decades since Liu Ying calamity.

  Five Phoenixes immortals resumed prior cultivation rhythm.

  Preaching to gain racial fortune.

  Human immortals—rooted in Great Xuan Divine Dynasty, aiding stability for fortune.

  Demon clan—Demon King Court base.

  Though modest—stable.

  Five Phoenixes immortals’ strength climbed gradually.

  Meanwhile.

  Nether Realm’s peerless beast Hell Hound slain.

  Like Liu Ying—absorbed primordial battlefield’s war killing intent/ferocity, fused heavenly fortune.

  Spitting hellfire—incinerating all.

  Upon emergence—Nine Prisons Nether Realm army entangled decades.

  Dantai Xuan never rested—fully suppressing Hell Hound.

  Clear: if emerged.

  Nether Realm chaos—countless souls annihilated, denied reincarnation.

  Thus Dantai Xuan personally held—battling Hell Hound.

  Other city lords maintained reincarnation order.

  This day.

  Dantai Xuan sat abyss edge.

  Abyss floated stone slab—engraved Six Paths Reincarnation Visualization Method, fourth scroll. Decades contemplation—breakthrough.

  This day, comprehending fourth visualization.

  Karmic merit cascaded like rivers.

  He glimpsed shattering Nether King shackles.

  Nether Realm strength tiers now perfected. Six Paths Reincarnation Visualization Method—stable cultivation for all.

  Compared to Daluo Immortal Scripture—profound immortal equated Nether King.

  Half-step profound immortal—city lords.

  Yin emissaries, registrars… comparable heavenly/true immortals.

  Nether Realm’s rise—unignorable, immensely powerful. Rivaled Five Phoenixes immortal realm.

  Though Dantai Xuan comprehended fourth visualization.

  He chose not breakthrough—rallying army for final Hell Hound war.

  Achieving Nether King—profound immortal level—barred acting against it.

  Thus suppressed breakthrough—battling Hell Hound.

  This war shook Nether Realm—Bitter Sea boiled, Yellow Springs surged.

  Countless souls nearly shattered.

  Wails faintly escaped Nine Prisons mystery—chilling Five Phoenixes cultivators.

  Ultimately, Dantai Xuan staring hellfire—slayed Hell Hound.

  Moment of slaying.

  Dantai Xuan broke through—achieving Nether King comparable Five Phoenixes profound immortal.

  Truly Nether Realm’s rightful Nether King.

  That moment—Dantai Xuan regained former human emperor’s peerless grace, overlooking all.

  Hell Hound’s contained karma divided.

  Dantai Xuan’s karma river thickened vastly—even nearing karma sea of Golden Immortal.

  All participating in encirclement gained karma blessing.

  Strength rose.

  Nine city lords—no profound immortal breakthrough, but karma boosted to half-step.

  Once-weak Nether Realm—fully risen.

  After Nether King ascension—Dantai Xuan spent decade refining Hell Hound corpse—making it Nether Realm guardian beast.

  Upon Dantai Xuan’s Nether King ascension.

  Though in Nether Realm.

  Part of Five Phoenixes three realms—entire continent boiled instantly.

  Fortune surged—heavenly phenomena.

  Countless gazed upward.

  Overlord, Tang Yimo, half-step profound immortals astonished.

  Atop Heavenly Secret Peak—Lu Mudui broadcast, interpreting phenomena: Five Phoenixes birthed new profound immortal—unnamed.

  Heavenly Gate, ascension grounds.

  In secluded blessed land.

  Lu Jiulian cultivated with disciple Tang Guo. Long profound immortal—he entered ascension grounds, using energy to strengthen.

  Fortune accumulation aided realm—but realm needed energy too.

  Post-profound immortal—he chose ascension grounds’ immortal qi consolidation.

  Hands behind back, green lotuses blooming—he gazed Nine Prisons direction.

  Nether Realm birthed profound immortal-level powerhouse.

  Now—Nether Realm had one, Five Phoenixes Continent Zhu Long, ascension grounds him Lu Jiulian.

  Five Phoenixes three realms—all profound immortal guardians.

  Like precise machine operating.

  Beyond heavens.

  Upper Realm sacred clans ceased assaulting Five Phoenixes. Dreaded Heavenly Spirit Clan vanished.

  Five Phoenixes finally gained peaceful development time.

  With time’s accumulation—future profound immortals inevitable.

  …

  Origin Lake, Lake Heart Island.

  Lu exited Preaching Platform.

  Slow exhalation.

  Lately pondering crafting Five Phoenixes starry expanse.

  But too difficult.

  Nine Heavens worlds inherently continental plates. Crafting starry expanse—only by shattering Nine Heavens rules, redefining.

  No other way—Lu set thoughts aside.

  Third Dao source long fused. Joyously—Nine Heavens Heavenly Dao faintly rumbled during third fusion.

  But rumble subsided.

  Sparing Lu trouble. Now Five Phoenixes Dao reserve refinement far faster—continent expansion nearing full Void Heaven coverage.

  But fifth Dao source—full refinement perhaps century.

  Each source longer.

  Fortunately—no more Dao sources in hand.

  Plus Heaven Stealing Tower nearing million Dao reserves.

  Relying solely on Heavenly Dao—even improved efficiency—long ages needed.

  Could aid via cultivators refining fortune on continent.

  But current Five Phoenixes cultivators steady—no intense fortune fluctuations, refinement.

  Leaving Lu speechless.

  His fortune rules… mistaken?

  Of course—no intent modifying.

  Leaning in Thousand-Bladed Chair—descending pavilion, strolling peach blossoms and purple bamboo.

  Returning to pavilion.

  Leaning railing—setting chessboard.

  Living leisurely.

  …

  First Heaven.

  Mica sat mountain peak.

  Void tore repeatedly.

  Figures bathed in spatial profound meaning energy emerged.

  Sacred Hall saints—all brow emperor imprints.

  “Lord Mica…”

  “Five Phoenixes now fully rules Lower Third Heavens—why block our action?”

  One saint shrouded in mist couldn’t hold back.

  “Indeed… now in Nine Heavens, our First Heaven, Heavenly Spirit Clan’s deterrence… less than Five Phoenixes.”

  “Thus—our foremost sacred clan dignity?”

  Void echoed voices.

  Mica slowly opened eyes—golden hair flying, aged face stern.

  “Five Phoenixes deeply involved—perhaps contingency for primordial war vanished ancient emperors’ return… Without emperor directive—action passive, even disrupting emperor’s plans.”

  “Thus—observe quietly.”

  Mica said.

  Words fallen—Heavenly Spirit Sacred Hall saints whispered doubtfully.

  Let Five Phoenixes develop peacefully?

  Its growth speed?

  Short time—from obscure ninth-tier high-martial to current second-tier!

  Soon perhaps threaten Heavenly Spirit Continent—first-tier status!

  “How? Doubt my words?”

  Mica suddenly opened eyes—golden hair flying, ornate robes fluttering.

  Terrifying aura spread—cloud sea blasted.

  Saints fell silent.

  Sacred Hall Master Mica’s status—none dared speak.

  “We dare not—Lord calm.”

  Saints apologized, departing.

  Peak quiet again.

  Mica sat.

  Slow exhalation.

  Complex gaze toward Void Heaven.

  This gamble—life and all.

  Yet soon—Mica laughed freely.

  Little lifespan left—gamble… why not?

  This life no emperorship—what meaning peaceful end?

  …

  Void Heaven.

  Remote corner.

  Cold, dead—sole area uncovered by Five Phoenixes expansion.

  Yet future expansion—cover all Void Heaven.

  Suddenly.

  Cold dead void trembled faintly.

  Rift tore.

  Behind—seemed massive eyeball peering through, observing all.

  Boom…

  Then eyeball vanished.

  Rift widened—something squeezing out.

  Boom!

  Rift exploded.

  A drop of golden blood seeped from rift.

  Hovering.

  Then silently streaked golden light across sky—toward vast Five Phoenixes Continent.

  Heaven Covering Formation, temporal array…

  Ignored by this golden drop.

  Drop entered Five Phoenixes—piercing clouds, finally dripping into Great Xuan Divine Dynasty palace.

  Instant drop entered.

  Lake Heart Island.

  Lu propping chin, idly pondering chessboard—paused faintly.

  Brows furrowed.

  Eyes lines dancing—seeking anomaly source.

  Yet heaven and earth calm.

  Unable to find—Lu ceased probing.

  …

  Great Xuan Calendar Year 572—Fifth Human Emperor gains son.