Five Phoenix Continent.
Time flowed on, drop by drop.
In the blink of an eye, a century had passed in the mortal world.
Over these years, countless powerful cultivators crossed the vast sea, hoping to land on Lakeheart Island and pay respects to Young Master Lu. Every single one of them was blocked by Young Master Lu’s three maidservants.
The reason was simple—and incredibly irritating.
“Young Master Lu is sleeping. Come back after he wakes up.”
Of course, their irritation was directed at the maidservants. Who would dare feel displeased with Young Master Lu himself? They were simply annoyed that these servants kept using such an obvious excuse to brush them off.
After all, what kind of existence was Young Master Lu? A supreme being whose cultivation reached the heavens, capable of fighting twenty immortal-rank gods and demons alone—one of the absolute pinnacles of the entire Five Phoenix Continent.
A being like that… sleeping?
If they had said “Young Master Lu is in seclusion” or “Young Master Lu is comprehending the Dao,” it would have sounded so much more believable.
But no one dared to voice their complaints. The three maidservants of White Jade Capital were domineering, and their cultivation was terrifyingly strong.
Force their way in?
That would be courting death.
The reputation of Young Master Lu’s pettiness had long spread across the world. Who would dare storm White Jade Capital?
Even ten lives wouldn’t be enough.
Meanwhile, the Fortune Tower continued to operate smoothly, nurturing and giving birth to generation after generation of powerhouses.
In a hundred years, many Profound Immortals had broken through to Golden Immortal realm after completing Fortune Tower missions.
Among the Twelve Witch Kings, one had successfully advanced.
Of course, the demon race also had new demon saints reaching the Golden Immortal level.
The existence of the Fortune Tower had made fortune tangible, turning what was once an intangible resource into something that could be actively accumulated—making breakthroughs significantly easier.
Zhu Long had officially begun her attempt to reach the ninth turn of Golden Immortal. If she succeeded, even without Young Master Lu, the Five Phoenix Continent would have someone capable of standing against immortal-rank gods and demons.
Dantai Xuan managed the Six Paths of Reincarnation and the Netherworld with meticulous order.
He had also carefully selected many geniuses from the Netherworld and sent them into the Fortune Tower for cultivation.
The entire Five Phoenix Continent was brimming with vitality, operating in perfect harmony, steadily undergoing its transformation into an immortal-martial world.
From time to time, someone would look up and catch sight of a phoenix spreading its wings across the sky—that was the immortal source of Five Phoenix’s immortal-martial path.
Every appearance accelerated the evolution of the immortal-martial system, blessing the living beings of the continent with health, clarity of mind, and a sense of divine favor.
…
Above the vast sea, a lone boat drifted.
Emperor Tianling’s expression was somewhat grave, his figure cloaked in black robes.
In these hundred years, he had finally raised the little princess’s cultivation to the True Immortal realm. She had even begun to gain some fame within the Great Xuan Dynasty.
Originally, Emperor Tianling had hoped to push her to Profound Immortal level—at least then she would have the power to protect herself.
Unfortunately, although the pills, divine herbs, and other resources he obtained through Fortune Tower missions had cleansed and tempered her body, the little princess’s innate talent was simply too limited.
Even with all that help, she couldn’t cross the threshold into Profound Immortal.
Cultivation still required talent.
And the little princess’s talent was, frankly, rather poor.
But Emperor Tianling could no longer wait. The sealed memories in his mind tormented him every single moment, filling him with dread.
As he broke through his own limits time and again within the Fortune Tower, his strength continued to rise.
Now, he felt as though he was brushing against the edge of that sealed memory.
Every time he tried to force it open, terrifying array runes would surge forth, threatening to tear his soul apart.
Even though he had reached the peak of the sixth turn of Golden Immortal, he still couldn’t break the seal.
“This is Hao’s seal…”
Emperor Tianling sighed. Ancient Emperor Hao was an Extreme Emperor-level existence, a master of formations. The Nine-Character Array Words were his signature work.
With a seal placed by Ancient Emperor Hao, even if Emperor Tianling reached the ninth turn of Golden Immortal, breaking it would be nearly impossible.
So he could wait no longer.
He bid farewell to the little princess, crossed the sea, and came in search of Lakeheart Island.
With his strength, he had faintly sensed the island’s location through the mist.
“I request an audience with Young Master Lu. I have urgent business and require his assistance.”
Emperor Tianling stood on the lone boat, black robes whipping in the wind, gazing at the island shrouded in immortal mist, and spoke.
Silence.
After a long pause, a faint, ethereal voice drifted across the sea.
“Young Master is resting. Return after he awakens.”
The cold, clear female voice floated out.
Emperor Tianling was momentarily stunned. So it really was that excuse. Rumors had spread throughout the world that Young Master Lu had been sleeping for decades and was refusing visitors. It seemed they were true.
Using “sleeping” as an excuse was just… too cliché.
Emperor Tianling slowly exhaled.
Feeling the seal in his mind throbbing as though it might explode at any moment, he knew he couldn’t wait any longer.
“I truly have urgent matters and must see Young Master Lu.”
“Please inform him.”
But this time, his words fell into silence. No reply came.
Emperor Tianling’s expression darkened.
He feared Young Master Lu, but that didn’t mean he feared even Lu’s maidservants.
Boom!
With a single step, he unleashed the full aura of a peak sixth-turn Golden Immortal!
The vast sea seemed to invert in that moment.
“I must see Young Master Lu. Forgive my offense.”
To be honest, Emperor Tianling really didn’t want to do this. No one knew better than him how petty Young Master Lu could be.
This act would surely offend Lu—but he had no choice.
In the entire Five Phoenix Continent, the only one whose formation attainments could possibly rival Ancient Emperor Hao’s was Lu Ping’an.
“Insolence!”
Hum—
A figure in black robes appeared—Yi Yue, her expression icy.
“This is White Jade Capital. You will not act with impunity here.”
“Young Master is resting. Anyone who disturbs his rest will be suppressed!”
Yi Yue’s enchanting fox-like face was filled with cold killing intent.
Emperor Tianling’s aura continued to climb. In that moment, the entire Five Phoenix Continent sensed this terrifying power.
Everyone’s expression changed.
Figures shot through the sky, gazing toward the scene from afar.
They could clearly see Emperor Tianling attempting to force his way into White Jade Capital.
“Who is this person?”
“Is he insane? Daring to storm White Jade Capital?”
“Doesn’t he know what kind of temper Young Master Lu has?”
True Immortals and Profound Immortals clicked their tongues in disbelief.
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Having failed their Fortune Tower missions and suffering soul injuries, they were in seclusion recovering—only to stumble upon such a spectacle!
In the ancient tomb.
Lu Changkong also sensed it, frowning deeply.
Bu Nanxing, on the other hand, was stunned. If he was the number one coward of the Five Phoenix Continent, then this guy trying to force his way into Lakeheart Island was undoubtedly the number one death-seeker.
You dare to storm Young Master Lu’s island?
Gu Mangran emerged from the Sea King Palace, transforming into a streak of light as he rushed over. He recognized Emperor Tianling—it was this very person who had once held back Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor, buying time for Young Master Lu.
“Sir, listen to my advice: life is precious. Do not force your way onto Lakeheart Island.”
Gu Mangran hurriedly tried to dissuade him.
Such a young, promising figure—why was he throwing his life away like this?
But Emperor Tianling had his own reasons.
He still had his pride. If not for the seal in his mind driving him to desperation, he would never have lowered himself to seek help from Lu Ping’an.
In fact, he had hesitated for a very long time before making this decision.
He simply couldn’t bear to part with the little princess. Otherwise, with his temperament, he would have long ago forced open the seal.
If he was going to die, he’d die cleanly.
Love and attachment had a way of softening even the hardest hearts—even the hearts of ancient emperors.
Boom!
Emperor Tianling ignored the advice.
He stubbornly pressed forward toward Lakeheart Island.
But just as his aura reached its absolute peak—
Ning Zhao, Yi Yue, and Ni Yu appeared together, floating above the island, coldly staring down at him.
The next moment.
Their wills connected.
A colossal projection of the Fortune Tower descended.
The Fortune Tower was a supreme innate spiritual treasure personally refined by Lu—its might was terrifying.
Even a peak sixth-turn Golden Immortal like Emperor Tianling was forcibly suppressed by it.
However, he was, after all, a half-step ninth-turn, half-step Extreme Emperor powerhouse.
He withstood the Fortune Tower’s pressure. Given enough time, he would eventually break through and set foot on the island.
Suddenly.
A massive shadow blotted out the sky!
A deafening whale cry echoed. A pillar of water shot into the clouds, exploding into a torrential downpour.
Emperor Tianling froze.
The next moment, the colossal whale carrying the immortal island surfaced.
Its enormous tail swept out with terrifying force.
Slap!
Emperor Tianling, who had been resisting the Fortune Tower, was sent flying by a single tail swipe.
“A third-turn Golden Immortal whale?”
Emperor Tianling was utterly dumbfounded.
Lakeheart Island was actually being carried by such a beast? What kind of resources did Lu Ping’an have at his disposal?
The whale itself didn’t really understand why it had become so strong. It had simply been carrying the island for so long, constantly bathed in fortune, that its strength had grown without it realizing.
Its original goal was to outlast the human on its back—but until that human died, it would naturally not allow anyone to harm him.
Emperor Tianling was only sent flying by the tail; with his sixth-turn Golden Immortal strength, he was unharmed.
Just shocked.
But one thing was certain: Young Master Lu really was indisposed and unable to see him.
A trace of disappointment flickered in Emperor Tianling’s eyes.
The next moment, he stopped forcing his way in and sat cross-legged.
“I will wait here. When Young Master Lu awakens, please inform him that an old acquaintance is waiting outside the island.”
“Very well.”
From within the immortal island, after a long silence, Ning Zhao’s cold voice drifted out.
The world returned to peace.
The onlookers—True Immortals and Profound Immortals—felt a pang of regret.
But they weren’t too disappointed. After all, they had just witnessed the might of White Jade Capital: a third-turn Golden Immortal whale and three maidservants working together with a supreme treasure had actually repelled a peak sixth-turn Golden Immortal!
It only underscored how terrifying White Jade Capital truly was.
…
What happened on Lakeheart Island naturally escaped Lu’s notice.
Right now, his mind was entirely focused on comprehending the Gold Origin mysteries.
He discovered that after activating the Indestructible Golden Body, he became like a bottomless pit, frantically devouring wave after wave of Gold Origin essence.
His understanding of the mysteries deepened with every passing moment. Now, even a casual strike from him probably carried devastating destructive power.
“This place is incredible…”
“Maybe after I go back, I should figure out a way to bring the cultivators of the Five Phoenix Continent here to comprehend as well.”
“Comprehending such mysteries might provide unexpected help for breaking through to the Great Luo Immortal realm.”
Lu pondered.
“That golden beast statue… does it have some connection to the Indestructible Golden Body? There’s an incredibly strong resonance between them.”
Lu was puzzled.
From the beginning of comprehension until now, he had endured eight waves of essence ripples. Each wave deepened his insight into the Gold Origin mysteries.
And each time, the Indestructible Golden Body felt as though it was being tempered and purified.
Lu had a feeling that his Indestructible Golden Body had reached absolute perfection. If he fused the Indestructible Fire Body now, it would definitely succeed without fail.
“The ninth wave is coming!”
Lu’s gaze sharpened.
He focused completely, preparing to meet the storm.
…
In the ancient starry void.
The giant beast statue seemed to truly come alive. Light burst from its eyes, as though it were genuinely sentient.
Even the Elemental Gods and the white figure felt a chill.
They restrained their auras, afraid of drawing the statue’s attention.
“The ninth wave of Gold Origin essence ripples…”
“Incredible… humanity is actually rising. To think such a genius would appear. If he obtains the inheritance of the Gold Origin Beast Ancestor, it might completely change humanity’s status in the ancient starry void.”
“Unfortunately, humanity is too weak. Even if this child obtains the inheritance, the gods and demons of the Elemental Realm—and the supreme Elemental Gods themselves—will never let him leave easily. Not even with Tonggu here.”
Whispers filled the air.
The silent starry void gradually grew noisy.
No one had expected such a dark horse to appear in this comprehension session.
Humanity had always been weak at comprehending the Gold Origin mysteries. No one had ever held high hopes—not even humanity itself.
Yet this time, the outcome defied all expectations.
“Across billions of years, only one being has ever withstood the ninth wave of Gold Origin essence ripples… and now, that record has been equaled!”
“Humanity has always excelled at creating miracles.”
“What’s most amusing is that the prized disciples of the Elemental Gods… have become mere foils for this human. Quite interesting.”
Amid the chatter.
The powerhouses on the top five stars radiated terrifying auras.
Each of them surpassed the immortal rank, capable of annihilating an ancient star with ease.
Their gazes fixed on the black-robed figure seated outside the top hundred.
Right now, they shared only one question.
“Who exactly is this human?”
Rumble!
The ninth wave of essence ripples surged forth.
It took the form of a real beast claw—as though the statue itself had come alive and struck out.
Under this claw, it felt as though the heavens and earth could be torn apart, everything annihilated.
No one believed the human could withstand it.
After all, the previous prodigy who reached the ninth wave had ultimately fallen to this very claw. But surviving long enough to experience it was already an immense gain.
If one could comprehend this claw and fuse it with the Gold Origin mysteries, crossing ranks in battle would become trivial.
The white figure felt strangely relaxed. Even if he failed, so what?
This time, humanity had finally held its head high.
What he cared about now was—who was this person?
As Tonggu, the supreme powerhouse of humanity’s immortal-martial worlds, he had never even heard of such a prodigy.
Just when everyone thought the human would fail—
Boom!
A terrifying explosion rang out. The beastly roar became tangible.
Then…
Silence.
On the desolate star, the black-robed figure remained motionless, solid as a rock.
The sea of mysteries above his head had expanded to a diameter of sixty thousand miles during the ninth wave.
Perhaps because no one else was competing for the essence, this wave had actually produced an even more terrifying reverse growth!
Everyone was stunned.
Including the Elemental Gods.
“He withstood it?”
Tonggu’s face was filled with disbelief. Though they were both human… this level of excellence made even him uneasy.
The more outstanding the person, the less likely the Elemental Gods would let him leave.
While everyone’s thoughts churned, waiting for the unprecedented tenth wave—
It was as though a terrifying explosion had occurred, followed by an extreme compression and retraction.
From within the giant beast statue erupted an unimaginable suction force.
All the essence ripples in the heavens and earth returned to the statue at light speed.
The star on which Lu sat was rapidly pulled closer.
It came to rest right in front of the Gold Origin Beast Ancestor statue.
Under countless gazes, the black-robed human slowly stood up and raised a hand to touch the statue.
Lu himself was surprised. He had expected the tenth wave to be terrifying.
But it seemed… surprisingly easy.
Countless ripples washed over him, merging seamlessly. In an instant, he comprehended the profound power of the mysteries.
Gold Origin mysteries…
In that moment, Lu felt his Indestructible Golden Body become even stronger.
Boom!
The aura of the Indestructible Golden Body uncontrollably leaked from beneath the black robe.
Hm?
In the void.
The golden Elemental God suddenly frowned. That aura felt somewhat familiar.
“This aura… contains the energy signature of the gold-elemental god-demons we raised!”
But before he could think further—
Boundless golden light surged from the Beast Ancestor statue.
Lu’s black robe whipped wildly in the wind.
Vaguely, it seemed as though the Beast Ancestor statue was looking at him—with a trace of a smile.
“Congratulations to the host for completing comprehension of the Gold Origin mysteries. Reward obtained: one adorable mini Gold Origin Beast Ancestor statue.”
The instant all the essence energy was sucked back into the statue—
The world fell deathly silent.
Then the colossal Beast Ancestor statue—once larger than the nine heavens—began to shrink rapidly. In the blink of an eye, it reduced to the size of a small trophy.
Under the black robe, Lu froze.
A little trophy?
Was this some kind of affirmation of his talent?
Lu couldn’t help but laugh wryly.
But since it was his reward, there was no reason not to take it.
He reached out, grabbed the mini Beast Ancestor statue, and let his wide sleeve fall to conceal it.
Holding the small statue, Lu’s heart stirred.
He could feel the vast aura emanating from it, along with the constantly flowing Gold Origin mysteries…
His eyes lit up. An idea immediately formed.
Perhaps…
With this adorable little Beast Ancestor statue, he could recreate an environment for comprehending Gold Origin mysteries back in the Five Phoenix starry realm.
At the very least, comprehending these mysteries could greatly boost combat power—and might even allow someone to touch the threshold of the Great Luo Immortal realm!
Thinking of this, Lu was overjoyed.
This reward… worth every second!
Even the ferocious-looking mini statue suddenly seemed cute.
And the moment Lu put away the small statue…
Everyone was dumbfounded.
The sudden change, the sudden twist—caught them completely off guard. No one had anticipated this outcome.
“What… what just happened?”
“The Beast Ancestor statue shrank? Was it taken by that human?”
“Our place for comprehending Gold Origin mysteries… is gone?!”
“This person… is he a bandit?”
Countless powerhouses stared in shock.
But soon, their hearts began pounding wildly.
Why?
Because they smelled opportunity!
The Beast Ancestor statue was an incomparably precious treasure.
Though it had shrunk, it was now something that could actually be taken!
If they could seize it, it would be enough to become the supreme treasure of their entire race!
Now that the statue had seemingly exhausted its pressure and fallen into the hands of that human, wasn’t this the perfect moment to snatch it?
In an instant, countless eyes turned predatory green.
In the void.
Even the Elemental Gods and Tonggu were stunned.
Even beings who had lived for endless ages had never imagined such a scenario.
After all, no one had ever withstood the ninth wave before.
“The Beast Ancestor statue… was taken?”
“Then this comprehension ground… is gone?”
“Look at what your humans have done!”
The Elemental Gods finally reacted. Their breathing grew ragged as cold fury filled their faces.
“Stop him! Take back the statue!”
The five Elemental Gods spoke in unison. Their thunderous voices echoed through every corner of the starry void.
An irresistible majesty spread out.
The next moment, their auras blazed like five suns, illuminating the entire ancient starry void.
The mere release of such terrifying power could reduce countless worlds to ashes.
Tonggu let out an angry snort.
He reached out with a massive hand, creating a pocket heaven that briefly blocked the eruption of the five Elemental Gods.
Bang bang bang!
The five prized disciples on the top five stars moved the instant their masters spoke.
They turned into streaks of light, charging toward Lu.
Their breathing was rapid, tinged with greed.
Failing the comprehension didn’t matter. If they could seize the statue from that black-robed human, they would still be the ultimate victors!
In the sky.
Tonggu was ultimately unable to hold back five opponents at once.
After only a brief delay, the Elemental Gods broke past him.
Tonggu felt a wave of grief.
This was the tragedy of humanity. If they weren’t strong enough, even the greatest treasures would only be taken away.
When one is weak, even breathing is wrong—let alone possessing a supreme treasure.
Lu naturally sensed the shift in atmosphere.
Five god-demons whose auras surpassed the immortal rank turned into five streaks of light, charging straight at him.
Even more terrifying was the black-hole-like pressure from the Elemental Gods, rapidly sealing the space around him. Even tearing space apart was now impossible.
Even Lu felt his heart race in that moment.
Suddenly, a system prompt appeared before his eyes.
“Congratulations to the host for completing comprehension. Would you like to return?”
Lu took a deep breath. No pretense, no posturing, no fearless defiance of authority.
Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately chose.
“Return. Return now. Hurry up and return.”
“I’ve shown off enough. Time to go!”
