Ding!
A clear sound rang out—like ripples across a vast ocean—echoing through every corner of the Primordial Starry Sky.
All eyes were drawn to it. This was a world-shaking clash!
The Myriad Pattern Cauldron, the number one imperial weapon of the Nine Heavens, was Ancient Emperor Hao’s most powerful creation. Its might was unparalleled, capable of suppressing the ages.
Though this Myriad Pattern Cauldron wasn’t the true imperial weapon body—merely formed by interwoven formation words—
Under Ancient Emperor Hao’s control through the possessed Water Tribe Ancient Emperor, its power was nearly as terrifying as the original, capable of crushing the starry sky!
The Immortal-tier gods and demons had unleashed their full killing intent precisely because of this strike.
They had clashed with Ancient Emperor Hao before and suffered under his Myriad Pattern Cauldron.
This time, with Ancient Emperor Hao wielding such a supreme killing move, they believed Lu Ping’an would be easily suppressed.
Yet, unexpectedly, Lu seemed completely unaffected by the Myriad Pattern Cauldron.
Instead, he struck first, binding them like dogs and parading them through the starry sky.
Then, he unleashed a devastating counterattack against the Myriad Pattern Cauldron!
Crack!
The shattering sound was crisp—like the sound of countless hearts breaking.
Ancient Emperor Hao, possessing the Water Tribe Ancient Emperor, stared with pitch-black eyes. His pupils reflected the cracked Myriad Pattern Cauldron. Shock and disbelief filled his gaze!
His Myriad Pattern Cauldron… had cracked?!
Even though it wasn’t the true body, its power was nearly identical…
Yet this imperial weapon had been forcibly shattered by Lu Ping’an!
“What… is that?!”
“Lu Ping’an’s imperial weapon?”
Ancient Emperor Hao’s black pupils gleamed with extreme sharpness as he stared at the Eight Trigrams Sermon Platform clashing with the Myriad Pattern Cauldron.
Both were imperial weapons formed from formation words, yet this Sermon Platform seemed more refined, more profound, and of a higher level than his Myriad Pattern Cauldron!
Lu Ping’an… had another trump card like this!
He had thought he had unraveled all of Lu’s secrets, yet just when he believed he understood, Lu revealed yet another!
These endless trump cards filled Ancient Emperor Hao with immense pressure.
A crisis lingered constantly in his heart.
Lu’s threat had thoroughly unsettled him.
He had already held Lu in high regard, yet he realized he had still underestimated him.
Or rather… underestimated the mysterious existence backing Lu.
That Voice of the Quasi-Saint had already terrified him.
And now, the Eight Trigrams Sermon Platform Lu had manifested was far beyond the Emperor realm!
Bang!
Like exploding fireworks, it shattered into pieces.
A whistling sound tore through the sky.
Then, clearly visible, the Myriad Pattern Cauldron broke apart and flew backward.
Lu stood in the Primordial Starry Sky, his golden robes billowing, radiating endless light.
He gripped the purple qi chains, binding twenty Immortal-tier gods and demons.
Against Immortal-tier gods and demons, Lu possessed overwhelming suppressive power.
The manifested Eight Trigrams Sermon Platform had shattered Ancient Emperor Hao’s Myriad Pattern Cauldron. Lu wasn’t surprised.
The Sermon Platform’s mysteries were something even Lu hadn’t fully uncovered.
At the very least, one thing was certain:
The Sermon Platform was absolutely not an Emperor-realm artifact. That was why the Myriad Pattern Cauldron had been destroyed.
Just as diamond would shatter ordinary stone—the higher-grade material naturally prevailed.
With the Myriad Pattern Cauldron shattered, terrifying energy storms raged through the starry sky.
Lu calmly regarded the possessed Water Tribe Ancient Emperor—Ancient Emperor Hao.
With a thought, the Eight Trigrams Sermon Platform pressed forward once more.
Boom!
It was as though the earth itself trembled. The stars in the sky seemed to collapse.
Wherever the Sermon Platform passed, spatial turbulence surged violently. Space was as fragile as paper beneath its might.
Ancient Emperor Hao gradually recovered from his shock, calmly watching the approaching Sermon Platform.
This wasn’t his true body—only a possession of the Water Tribe Ancient Emperor’s flesh.
“Lu Ping’an…”
Ancient Emperor Hao stared at Lu and slowly spoke.
“The secrets you carry… I will uncover them eventually!”
With those words,
His consciousness withdrew from the Water Tribe Ancient Emperor’s body.
The Water Tribe Ancient Emperor trembled.
Her long lashes fluttered. When her eyes opened again, they had returned to deep blue.
And in those blue pupils reflected only the ever-growing Eight Trigrams Sermon Platform, carrying spatial turbulence as it bore down.
Terrifying pressure and the aura of death enveloped her.
A trace of sorrow flickered in her eyes.
She… had been abandoned?
After defeat, Ancient Emperor Hao had discarded her body without hesitation.
For a moment, the Water Tribe Ancient Emperor felt a pang of sadness and vulnerability.
Lu glanced at the pitiful Water Tribe Ancient Emperor.
Then slowly waved his hand.
The Eight Trigrams Sermon Platform crashed down with even greater force.
Boom!
The Water Tribe Ancient Emperor’s body instantly exploded into a mist of blood. Even transformed into water, she couldn’t withstand the terrifying power that had shattered the Myriad Pattern Cauldron.
Her soul was torn apart by the overwhelming force.
Following Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor, the Water Tribe Ancient Emperor… had fallen.
Lu, who had ruthlessly destroyed a flower, remained calm and emotionless.
The Sermon Platform dissipated.
His lips curved slightly as he surveyed the many gods and demons present. His eyes narrowed.
“So many gods and demons… truly a bountiful harvest. What immense destiny they carry—enough to nurture countless Five Phoenixes powerhouses.”
Lu smiled.
The Destiny Tower’s operation required gods and demons as fuel.
And with so many, it could run for a very long time.
Moreover, twenty Immortal-tier gods and demons were equivalent to cultivating at least twenty Ninth Revolution Golden Immortals for Five Phoenixes.
This battle had been highly satisfying for Lu.
Just as the saying goes—harvest season had truly arrived.
The only regret was that Ancient Emperor Hao had escaped—or rather, he had never truly appeared in person.
Though Lu very much wanted to eliminate this ancient Emperor who constantly brought trouble to Five Phoenixes,
The feeling of danger emanating from beyond the void rift was too strong. His instincts warned him against stepping in rashly.
Perhaps the danger of the rift was tied to its secrets.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Previously, Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor had glimpsed something and nearly exploded mentally, choosing to self-destruct.
Lu grew more and more curious about the secrets hidden deep within that rift.
But it wouldn’t be long. With Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s current growth, he would soon have the strength to break through the memory seal.
Moreover, Lu’s own power had increased significantly—he could now suppress the seal.
Once this was over, Lu planned to find time to probe Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s memories and uncover the secrets of the rift.
Until then, he wouldn’t feel at ease.
Boom!
Turbulence surged through the Primordial Starry Sky.
Lu slowly pulled the purple qi chains closer.
The twenty Immortal-tier gods and demons’ eyes filled with terror.
They realized they had truly become prisoners.
Lu smiled faintly at the gods and demons.
“You gods and demons are truly foolish. Sold out, yet still counting money for the seller.”
“Hao and this Young Master have long been allies. Did you really think his imperial weapon, the Myriad Pattern Cauldron, could be shattered so easily by me?”
“That was just a show for you—to make you accept captivity willingly.”
Lu said.
“This Young Master merely mentioned to Hao that I needed some gods and demons as reserve resources. I never expected Hao to be so enthusiastic.”
Lu sighed with emotion.
Behind him, Zhu Long, Lu Jiulian, Tantai Xuan, and the others were dumbfounded.
They had almost believed Lu’s words. Was it true?
Could everything really have been a joint scheme between Ancient Emperor Hao and Young Master Lu to trap these gods and demons?
If so… these gods and demons were truly pitiful!
But even if it wasn’t true, they were still pitiful.
The twenty Immortal-tier gods and demons bound by purple qi chains stared in shock. Their eyes widened, killing intent and rage surging.
“Hao! That bastard from the Nine Heavens!”
“He really deceived us! Hao and you are in cahoots! Everything was a trap, everything was a lie!”
“We hate this! We hate this!”
The gods and demons roared in unwillingness.
Their unwillingness brought Lu joy.
He had only casually mentioned it, yet it had successfully poisoned their view of Ancient Emperor Hao.
Allying with gods and demons to attack Five Phoenixes…
Lu wouldn’t let Ancient Emperor Hao off easily.
Did they really think Five Phoenixes was easy to bully?
“This was supposed to be a secret. This Young Master only wanted you to lose with understanding…”
“But since you’ve fallen into my hands, you can’t spread the news anyway.”
Lu said.
Suddenly,
Lu’s brow lifted.
He looked toward a silent, desolate corner of the Primordial Starry Sky!
“Who?!”
Lu said.
Buzz…
Space distorted. An Immortal-tier god and demon appeared, eyes filled with madness and terror—as if he had discovered an unimaginable secret!
“Quickly spread the news!”
“The ancient Emperor Hao of the Nine Heavens cannot be trusted! Absolutely cannot be trusted!”
“Allying with Hao was the greatest lie! Report to the Elemental Realm—avenge us!!!”
The gods and demons sensed the one who had appeared and let out anguished roars.
Blood even flowed from their eyes—a sight of weeping blood.
“Oh no!”
“Trouble!”
Lu put on a shocked expression.
His silver wings flared. Spatial laws surged as he pulled the twenty Immortal-tier gods and demons along, streaking through the starry sky.
The fleeing Immortal-tier trembled. Then, coughing up mouthfuls of blood, he burned his soul and ignited his blood essence, exploding with tenfold speed and vanishing into the distance.
After chasing for a short distance, Lu stopped.
A trace of regret appeared on his face.
“Sigh, Hao… our little secret is gone.”
Lu mimicked Ni Yu’s dramatic chest-thumping in the void.
The gods and demons bound by purple qi chains revealed expressions of satisfaction.
Lu’s face turned cold. With a wave of his hand, he sealed all these gods and demons into the Destiny Tower as strategic reserves.
The low-tier and high-tier gods and demons suppressed by Lu’s God and Demon Hunter aura were also imprisoned in the Destiny Tower.
The Destiny Tower was itself a prison for gods and demons.
With all the gods and demons sealed away,
Lu dispersed the purple qi around him and calmed the boiling Golden-Element Immortal Demon Body.
He returned to his snow-white robes, sitting once more on the Thousand-Blade Chair.
The perfected Golden-Element Immortal Demon Body was increasingly terrifying, as if it could barely be contained, constantly leaking destructive aura.
Even seated on the Thousand-Blade Chair, Lu faintly felt it was hard to suppress.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
With the matter settled,
The Overlord, Tang Yimo, and the others also restrained their auras.
Filled with excitement, they appeared before Lu.
“Young Master Lu… as magnificent as ever! I’m in awe!”
Tantai Xuan laughed heartily.
Watching Young Master Lu dominate and parade those arrogant gods and demons like dogs had been as refreshing as drinking iced watermelon in June.
Mi Jia, Tang Yimo, and the others also congratulated him.
This time, suppressing so many gods and demons would surely serve as a massive deterrent to those in the Primordial Starry Sky.
Next, Five Phoenixes could gain breathing room. Other gods and demons wouldn’t dare invade easily.
It bought them precious time to grow stronger.
The strategic significance of this battle was immense!
Lu Jiulian’s expression remained complex. He gazed at Lu, eyes deep. The image of Lu using Shift and Swap still lingered in his mind.
The others hadn’t noticed his abnormality.
Tantai Xuan was curious. He looked at Lu. “Young Master Lu, did you really conspire with Ancient Emperor Hao to stage this grand play? Were these gods and demons truly deceived?”
Not just Tantai Xuan—Lu’s earlier words had convinced many of them.
Their hearts were filled with doubt.
Lu glanced at them as if looking at fools.
“How could that be…”
“I just said it casually. The ones who got hurt were those gods and demons—not this Young Master.”
Lu shook his head.
Ancient Emperor Hao was plotting against Five Phoenixes’ Immortal Origin.
Lu didn’t need to guess to know that.
Thus, Five Phoenixes and the Nine Heavens were now sworn enemies.
The Nine Heavens had no hope of becoming an Immortal-Martial world. Ancient Emperor Hao could only pin his hopes on Five Phoenixes’ immortal fortune.
Lu’s words left Tantai Xuan and the others speechless.
Young Master Lu… are you a devil?
Your skill at messing with minds is top-tier.
He had already won completely, yet he still toyed with the gods and demons’ minds one last time.
“The Destiny Tower released by White Jade Capital—you should all visit when you have time. It will benefit you.”
“Those gods and demons are mostly imprisoned in the Destiny Tower. Besides destiny cultivation, don’t neglect your combat skills.”
Lu said.
Everyone nodded, breathing slightly faster. The Destiny Tower… White Jade Capital’s spiritual treasure designed to strengthen all of Five Phoenixes!
“Hm. The god and demon that escaped earlier should spread the news. From now on, it will be hard for Ancient Emperor Hao to unite gods and demons against Five Phoenixes. In fact, many gods and demons may become hostile toward him. Consider it a little surprise for Ancient Emperor Hao.”
“As long as we keep watch on the Nine Heavens, Five Phoenixes will have time to grow stronger.”
Lu said.
Everyone nodded.
But soon, Lu’s expression grew serious again.
Seated on the Thousand-Blade Chair, white robes fluttering, he slowly raised his head and gazed deep into the Primordial Starry Sky.
“The Primordial Starry Sky is too ancient. These gods and demons may be just a drop in the ocean. Perhaps there are even more terrifying existences and forces…”
“Now that Five Phoenixes has achieved Immortal-Martial, could there be Immortal-Martial worlds in the Primordial Starry Sky as well?”
“You all must grow stronger quickly.”
Lu said, “To protect Five Phoenixes, to protect our home—your current level… is far from enough.”
Zhu Long, Tantai Xuan, the Overlord, Tang Yimo, and the others’ expressions grew solemn.
Lu’s words weighed heavily on their hearts.
Indeed, the Primordial Starry Sky was so ancient, so vast. Perhaps deep within it lay worlds they couldn’t imagine—perhaps even more mature Immortal-Martial realms than Five Phoenixes!
The true crisis was still brewing.
Young Master Lu stood alone. If they didn’t grow stronger quickly, they would only hold him back.
Everyone bid Lu farewell and turned into streaks of light, returning through the passage.
Only Lu Jiulian remained, gazing at Lu with a complex expression.
The two stood silently in the starry sky.
Lu’s white robes fluttered as he leaned on the Thousand-Blade Chair, saying nothing.
Lu Jiulian wore his green lotus battle attire, his brows slightly furrowed in a daze.
Suddenly, Lu smiled.
“Don’t overthink it. If your heart is yours, then you… are you.”
“You have flesh and blood. You have people you must protect.”
Lu said.
Lu Jiulian took a deep breath. His eyes flickered. Then he bowed deeply toward Lu.
“Thank you, Young Master Lu, for your guidance.”
Though Lu’s words were simple, they struck straight at Lu Jiulian’s heart.
Lu Jiulian might have some guesses, but…
As Lu said, he had people he needed to protect. His heart belonged to him—so naturally, he was himself.
Lu smiled and waved his hand. “Cultivate well.”
Lu Jiulian nodded.
With Shift and Swap, he returned to Five Phoenixes.
This domain ability was indeed… quite powerful. Even spatial seals couldn’t stop it.
It was like instantaneous material transfer between two coordinates.
Even Lu admired this technique.
Looking back at the depths of the Primordial Starry Sky,
During the battle with the gods and demons, Lu had gained much information.
“Who is this ‘God of Elements’ the elemental god and demon spoke of? And what is this ‘Elemental Realm’ they mentioned? Is it an Immortal-Martial world within the Primordial Starry Sky?”
Lu’s eyes gleamed.
The Primordial Starry Sky was too vast, filled with ancient and majestic auras.
It was a complete, boundless universe.
Lu’s divine sense spread, feeling the endless expanse.
He didn’t probe further. He withdrew his divine sense and returned to Five Phoenixes Continent.
As for the passage mouth, Lu directly sealed it.
Upon returning, Lu needed to enter seclusion. With the Golden-Element Immortal Demon Body at perfection, he was ready to attempt fusing the Fire-Origin Immortal Demon Body.
The immense power from perfecting the Golden-Element Immortal Demon Body left Lu astonished.
If he could also complete the Fire-Origin Immortal Demon Body, perhaps… he could surpass the peak Emperor realm?
Additionally, the unexpected reward from perfecting the Golden-Element Immortal Demon Body—the qualification to comprehend the Gold-Origin Profound Meaning—Lu needed to investigate.
So he chose to seal the passage.
…
In the Nine Heavens,
Within the void rift,
An oppressive low pressure hung over every corner.
The ancient Emperors remained silent.
They had failed.
Uniting twenty Immortal-tier gods and demons to surround and kill Lu Ping’an—failed.
The Water Tribe Ancient Emperor had perished.
“Lu Ping’an… has truly matured.”
“This is trouble. The Nine Heavens can’t deal with Lu Ping’an. Five Phoenixes’ rise is unstoppable.”
“Another plan has failed. Can we still obtain Five Phoenixes’ Dao Origin?”
The divine wills of the ancient Emperors surged, communicating.
Repeated failures had shaken their confidence.
Buzz…
Suddenly, powerful energy fluctuations erupted from the rift depths.
Just like when Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor fell, the Water Tribe Ancient Emperor gradually recovered.
“Lu Ping’an grows too fast. To deal with Five Phoenixes, we must complete our plan…”
“Only after the plan succeeds will we have a chance to devour Five Phoenixes.”
“From now on, ignore Five Phoenixes. Shift all focus to the plan.”
“Lu Ping’an has someone behind him. The gods and demons have the ‘Elemental Realm.’ The Nine Heavens has no backing—we can only rely on ourselves.”
Ancient Emperor Hao’s voice slowly emerged from the rift depths.
The ancient Emperors fell silent. Then, they all quieted.
They still remembered that Voice of the Quasi-Saint—Lu Ping’an had someone behind him.
As for the “Elemental Realm” behind the many innate gods and demons of the Primordial Starry Sky—that was an existence that made them tremble.
Perhaps… they truly needed to adjust their plans.
…
Whoosh!
Space shattered.
An ancient primordial star was blasted apart.
The Immortal-tier god and demon who had burned his soul and ignited his blood essence to escape slid through the starry sky, finally crashing onto another star to stop.
“The ancient Emperor Hao of the Nine Heavens colluded with Lu Ping’an… to scheme against us innate gods and demons!”
Twenty Immortal-tier gods and demons and hundreds of low-tier and high-tier gods and demons captured—this was a catastrophic blow to the god and demon race of the Primordial Starry Sky.
“Ancient Emperor Hao… too despicable!”
“Deceived countless gods and demons!”
“Perhaps I can use this chance to connect with the Elemental Realm! Maybe there’s still a chance to join the Elemental Realm!”
The god and demon was covered in blood, yet his eyes shone with excitement.
After resting briefly on this primordial star, he turned into a streak of light and sped away.
…
Lu returned to Heart Island.
The perfection of the Golden-Element Immortal Demon Body had elevated his strength.
But to break through the barrier and enter the Daluo Immortal realm, Lu felt he was still lacking.
Of course, he wasn’t in a hurry.
“System, what is this qualification to comprehend the Gold-Origin Profound Meaning?”
Lu sat on the pavilion, poured a cup of Heavenly Immortal Wine, took a sip, and asked.
But his question sank into silence.
The system didn’t respond.
Lu wasn’t surprised.
After a long while,
A system prompt appeared.
“Host has obtained qualification to comprehend the Gold-Origin Profound Meaning. Proceed with comprehension?”
Lu looked at the prompt. His brow lifted slightly as he pondered.
Five Phoenixes was temporarily stable.
With so many gods and demons as reserve resources, the Destiny Tower could operate until at least twenty Ninth Revolution Golden Immortals were nurtured.
So Lu could rest easy.
Draining the cup of Heavenly Immortal Wine, Lu slowly exhaled.
He had a feeling this Gold-Origin Profound Meaning was crucial—perhaps the key to breaking through to the Daluo Immortal realm.
So Lu didn’t hesitate.
“Then comprehend it.”
Lu lightly tapped the armrest of the Thousand-Blade Chair and said.
With those words,
The system prompt before Lu dimmed.
A powerful suction force instantly pulled Lu’s soul into a strange space.
