East Sun Commandery, East Sun Harbor.

  A grand ship slowly emerged from the endless Vast Sea, cutting through the waves as it returned.

  Dantai Xuan had long been waiting on the shore with his hundred officials.

  Mo Beike had ventured into the boundless sea to seek White Jade Capital and deliver the news that Great Xuan was about to establish a divine dynasty, hoping to invite Young Master Lu himself to the grand ceremony.

  Now Mo Beike was returning.

  Dantai Xuan could barely contain his anticipation. He had come personally with his entire court to greet him.

  Xue Tao and rows of Black Tortoise Guards formed an impenetrable defensive line along the harbor, eliminating any possibility of danger.

  When the luxurious vessel finally appeared on the horizon,

  Dantai Xuan shot up from his shaded chair, staring fixedly, breath quickening.

  The ship docked.

  Dantai Xuan hurried forward in great strides.

  But his heart sank.

  Only a small girl with a black pot on her back stepped off the deck, cheeks bulging as she chewed nonstop.

  The white-robed, peerless Young Master Lu he had hoped for was nowhere to be seen.

  “Your Majesty… Young Master Lu did not come in person. He sent only his attendant, Lady Ni Yu, to represent White Jade Capital.”

  Mo Beike reported.

  Dantai Xuan swallowed his disappointment and smiled.

  “It is regrettable that Young Master Lu himself could not attend, but White Jade Capital has sent a representative all the same. That alone is cause for celebration.”

  He laughed heartily.

  Orders flew.

  Great Xuan’s ritual officers stepped forward, ringing bronze bells and striking great gongs. Solemn sacrificial chants filled the air.

  “The sea offering begins.”

  Because White Jade Capital drifted upon the ocean, Dantai Xuan had chosen to hold a sea sacrifice. Otherwise, he would have skipped the formality.

  The grand procession returned to Northern Commandery.

  With White Jade Capital’s representative confirmed, preparations for the grand ceremony began in earnest.

  Great Xuan Calendar, Year One.

  Dantai Xuan personally ascended Tianji Peak, sought out Lü Mudui, and through the power of Tianji Pavilion, proclaimed to the world:

  Great Xuan establishes a divine dynasty.

  It was a once-in-a-millennium spectacle.

  From every commandery across the land, delegations poured toward Mount Taihan.

  After years of chaos, the Five Phoenixes continent was finally unified.

  On this day, common folk from every corner flocked to Mount Taihan to celebrate the founding of the divine dynasty.

  But the true focus was on the arriving cultivators.

  One after another, cultivators streaked across the sky in dazzling displays of power.

  Nascent Soul cultivators flew on their own. Sword cultivators rode flying swords.

  Recluses who had secluded themselves for years emerged from their mountains and caves to attend the founding of the divine dynasty.

  The Institute, the Three Sects, the Four Pavilions—all sent representatives.

  Bai Qingniao rode a blazing fire phoenix that spread its wings across the heavens, radiant as a celestial maiden.

  Sima Qingshan stood atop an unfurled painting scroll, drifting in like an immortal.

  From the Tianyuan Domain came Martial Emperor City, Heavenly Void Palace, Absolute Blade Gate—Du Longyang, Ye Shoudao, and other Grandmasters all appeared.

  For a time, Mount Taihan became the gathering place of the era’s strongest.

  Even the Azure Dragon, who had been flirting with female students at the Great Xuan Academy, nearly jumped out of his scales at the sight of so many top experts converging. He hurriedly transformed back into dragon form and returned to guard the Azure Dragon Gate.

  Sword Pavilion, Dao Pavilion, Tianji Pavilion—all sent delegations.

  Qi Liujia arrived with Li Sansui. Dantai Xuan had personally visited Qi Liujia, and the Human Emperor’s invitation could not be refused.

  As White Jade Capital’s representative, Ni Yu naturally drew countless eyes.

  Nie Shuang was delighted to see her, but when he noticed she was still the same petite, doll-like girl, he was momentarily speechless.

  Nie Shuang himself had grown into a dashing young man. With the Sacred King Physique, his vitality and presence radiated the aura of a heaven-chosen genius.

  Nie Changqing and Jing Yue arrived together. Seeing Ni Yu stuffing her face nonstop, they smiled.

  “How fares the Young Master?”

  “The Young Master is doing very well.”

  Ni Yu answered while shoving another handful of pills into her mouth.

  Most who approached her only wanted news of Young Master Lu. Aside from a few familiar faces, she ignored everyone else.

  “Aiya! Little Yu Yu!”

  Ni Chunqiu arrived in a swirl of crimson robes, breathtakingly gorgeous. Many male cultivators were entranced, but none dared approach—she was simply too exalted.

  Ni Chunqiu swept Ni Yu into a big hug. The two quickly fell into animated discussion about the perfect sugar-to-syrup ratio for pill coatings.

  The topic was so arcane that no one else could get a word in.

  DONG! DONG! DONG!

  The founding ceremony began.

  Drums and bells thundered without cease.

  Stolen story; please report.

  A crimson carpet unfurled from the Great Xuan Palace all the way to the foot of Mount Taihan.

  Escorted by ritual officers, Dantai Xuan appeared in majestic black imperial robes and a crown with dangling jade beads, walking slowly and steadily.

  Every cultivator in the world turned to watch.

  Mo Beike and Tang Xiansheng, dressed in splendid court attire, eyes shining with excitement—few things could still stir men of their age.

  DONG!

  Drums and gongs shook the earth beneath Mount Taihan.

  ROAR!

  Atop Wen Tian Peak, the Azure Dragon materialized, its colossal shadow blotting out the sky.

  The worshipping masses screamed in fervent ecstasy, kneeling and shouting toward the dragon.

  Outsiders saw spectacle. Experts saw truth.

  Cultivators paled as they watched Dantai Xuan approach step by step.

  Terrifying golden dragon qi soared into the heavens, coiling like a divine golden dragon. Overwhelming essence, qi, and spirit surged.

  Imperial dragon qi of the Human Emperor!

  Many recognized it instantly.

  And under the grandeur of this ceremony, the dragon qi continued to swell.

  Soon—it surpassed a hundred zhang!

  Even Du Longyang, Ye Shoudao, and the other Grandmasters grew solemn.

  This ceremony was not just celebration.

  It was Great Xuan’s show of force to the entire cultivation world.

  And indeed it was.

  Beyond the sacrifices came martial demonstrations.

  Students of the Great Xuan Academy displayed astonishing prowess.

  Jiang Li transformed into a blood-soaked war god, leading the Black Tortoise Army in perfect formation, marching from the distant horizon.

  The earth quaked. A crimson war deity seemed to roar at the heavens.

  Every cultivator present was stunned.

  Even the Grandmasters wore grave expressions.

  In terms of raw military might, the Great Xuan Divine Dynasty was terrifying.

  Though it lacked a Grandmaster of its own, Jiang Li—who had inherited the Soldier King legacy—commanded the Black Tortoise Guards with killing power rivaling a Grandmaster.

  Dantai Xuan stood atop the high platform, resplendent in imperial robes. Though frost touched his temples, his spirit was indomitable, his gaze swallowing mountains and rivers.

  “Today—I found the Great Xuan Divine Dynasty!”

  He raised his arm. Imperial robes flared. Jade beads clinked.

  The Imperial Dragon Seal in his hand blazed with light.

  Hundreds of officials knelt.

  Millions of commoners prostrated.

  Overwhelming dragon qi pierced the firmament like a blazing sun, bathing Wen Tian Peak in blinding golden radiance.

  Far away,

  The court historian recorded with trembling brush:

  “Five Phoenixes, Great Xuan Calendar Year One, Spring.

  Northern Xuan King Dantai Xuan ascends Mount Taihan, raises the Imperial Dragon Seal, questions the heavens. Dragon qi breaks one hundred zhang. Founds the Great Xuan Divine Dynasty and proclaims himself Emperor.”

  …

  Origin Lake, Lake Heart Island.

  Lu Fan sat leisurely in his Thousand-Bladed Chair, gentle breeze stirring his robes.

  He was not playing chess atop White Jade Capital’s pavilion today. Instead, he strolled unhurriedly across the island.

  When dragon qi pierced the heavens, dyeing the sky gold,

  Lu Fan’s eyes flickered.

  “Who would have thought—the most underestimated Dantai Xuan would be the first to found a divine dynasty.”

  He smiled, fingers lightly tapping the armrest of his wheelchair.

  The Overlord had abandoned worldly conquest for pure cultivation. He was now half a step into Grandmaster and could break through any day in the coming years.

  Tang Xiansheng, surprisingly, chose to support Dantai Xuan instead of scheming.

  Lu Fan had not expected that from the old fox.

  “A divine dynasty rises. But alas… it is not as stable as it appears.”

  Lines danced in Lu Fan’s eyes.

  He saw through many things.

  Whether the demon continent or the remnants of the western cult and Madden Kingdom—though Dantai Xuan had ordered their extermination, progress was slow.

  Though Great Xuan had crushed the Madden Kingdom, its king had escaped and now colluded with the cult leader Liu Yuanhao.

  That force was quietly growing stronger.

  “Liu Yuanhao… what a resilient cockroach. Still alive and kicking.”

  Lu Fan raised a brow.

  “And he seems to have realized something.”

  “He’s waiting.”

  No matter how mighty a divine dynasty, time was the most terrifying blade—it could erode everything.

  If it could not withstand time’s erosion, it would eventually crumble.

  Hm?

  While strolling the island, Lu Fan suddenly paused.

  His figure blurred into a stream of light and vanished.

  When he reappeared, he was beyond the Five Phoenixes continent.

  Six years had passed inside due to the time formation, but outside, less than one year had gone by.

  In the void,

  A streak of Buddhist light flashed past.

  The long-absent Venerable Joyful arrived, trembling.

  His face was bitter. He truly did not want to come to the Five Phoenixes—the only High Martial in the Nihility, shrouded in strangeness.

  The death of the Venerable Justice had shaken him deeply.

  That Lu Ping’an was a complete madman—he dared kill anyone.

  Even when the Great Venerable had entered the Nihility, Lu Ping’an had slashed off a chunk of his flesh without hesitation.

  That was the Great Venerable!

  A Transcending Tribulation cultivator who had condensed both Primordial Spirit Flower and Golden Body Flower!

  Yet Lu Ping’an had still drawn his sword with absolute confidence.

  So the Venerable Joyful was terrified. If he accidentally provoked Lu Ping’an and got chopped down, the Great Venerable might not even avenge him.

  Rumble!

  He sped through the Nihility.

  Countless Low and Mid Martial worlds glimmered faintly under their protective barriers as they drifted past.

  Many wanderers on cold, dead continents saw him and stood up.

  Another Grandmaster from Pingyang Heaven heading to the Five Phoenixes?

  Was something big about to happen again?

  To the wanderers of the Nihility, the Five Phoenixes had become a legend.

  It had offended countless Grandmasters and many High Martial worlds of Pingyang Heaven—yet not only survived, it had faced no retaliation.

  But most believed the reckoning would come eventually.

  So many experts had fallen in the Nihility—several Holy Lords and Venerables among them.

  The matter would not end so easily.

  The Venerable Joyful paid the wanderers no mind.

  To him, they were less than ants.

  Suddenly,

  His expression changed drastically.

  A colossal hand formed of spiritual energy shot toward him through the void.

  It seized him instantly. Terrifying aura surged. Countless formation runes cascaded down like razor-sharp blades.

  “Lord Lu, mercy!”

  “It’s good news this time! Good news!”

  The Venerable Joyful’s soul nearly left his body.

  He hadn’t expected the formations around the Five Phoenixes to have multiplied again!

  He could try to break through by force, but that would be declaring war on the incredibly petty Lu Ping’an—and he might actually get killed.

  So he shamelessly shouted for mercy.

  Within the Five Phoenixes,

  At the height of the ceremony,

  Qi Liujia’s aged eyes flashed.

  He vanished and reappeared outside the continent.

  Soaring forward, he saw the Venerable Joyful trapped within the formation.

  “Sect Leader Qi, perfect timing! Please explain to Lord Lu—monk brings only good news this time!”

  “What good news?”

  Qi Liujia asked.

  “Sect Leader Qi must know of the ‘Heavenly Grand Tournament,’ yes?”

  The Venerable Joyful hurriedly said.

  Qi Liujia froze. His old face flushed slightly.

  “Impossible! The Heavenly Grand Tournament is held only once every thousand years!”

  “The last one was only seven hundred years ago…”

  He knew these things well.

  “The Upper Realm has issued a decree. This tournament is being held early—in ten years. And the designated location… is the Nihility, the Five Phoenixes.”

  The Venerable Joyful’s eyes narrowed into joyful slits.

  What wonderful news!

  The surrounding wanderers were stunned.

  Qi Liujia, however, paled.

  “Held in the Five Phoenixes Small World?”

  “Why?!”

  Instead of joy, terror flooded his heart.

  The Upper Realm’s supreme powers… had finally set their sights on the Five Phoenixes?

  “The Five Phoenixes has only just become High Martial. Even if we win nothing in the tournament, hosting it grants five strands of Dao Intent as reward. This is a heaven-sent opportunity!”

  The Venerable Joyful laughed.

  He truly believed it was good news. High Martial worlds struggled to produce even one strand of Dao Intent in centuries or millennia.

  Hosting the tournament alone earned five strands—like manna from heaven.

  In the past, only Sixth-Tier High Martial worlds qualified to host.

  “Sect Leader Qi, please inform Lord Lu. As for the previous matter with the Venerable Justice, the Upper Realm has ruled he abused his authority and deserved death. As long as the Five Phoenixes properly hosts the Heavenly Grand Tournament, the Upper Realm will pursue it no further—and the five Dao Intent rewards are guaranteed!”

  Qi Liujia’s face grew even whiter.

  His lips trembled.

  He saw far more clearly than the Venerable Joyful.

  The Upper Realm was never benevolent.

  Offending it never ended well.

  Even the Great Venerable feared touching the Venerable Justice.

  Yet now the Upper Realm was offering sweets?

  Dismissing the Venerable Justice’s death entirely?

  Something was deeply wrong.

  “Venerable Joyful… can the Five Phoenixes refuse to host the Heavenly Grand Tournament?”

  Qi Liujia asked gravely.

  What the Five Phoenixes needed now was to keep a low profile and develop quietly.

  They had many heavenly geniuses. In recent years, Qi Liujia had discovered numerous special physiques. Given time, they would become the pillars of the Five Phoenixes.

  And given the Five Phoenixes’ unique nature, staying hidden was essential.

  The only High Martial in the Nihility—it clearly harbored enormous secrets.

  Wasn’t Lu Fan’s time formation meant precisely to accelerate quiet growth?

  Yet the Upper Realm had deliberately chosen the Five Phoenixes to host the tournament.

  If this wasn’t intentional, Qi Liujia would eat his hat.

  “Re… refuse?”

  The Venerable Joyful was stunned.

  Then realization dawned. His expression flickered.

  His heart pounded.

  Delivering this “good news” suddenly felt incredibly dangerous.

  If Lu Ping’an blamed the messenger… he might be the first to die.

  His face darkened.

  Suddenly—

  Terrifying aura surged.

  A sea of thunder roared from the distance.

  Countless lightning bolts danced.

  A white-robed figure sat within the thunder sea, hair whipping wildly.

  Lu Fan appeared in his Thousand-Bladed Chair, one hand on the armrest, fingers tapping rhythmically, crisp sounds echoing endlessly.

  He looked at Qi Liujia and spoke calmly:

  “Refuse?”

  “Why would we refuse?”

  “This tournament—the Five Phoenixes accepts.”