Deep in the ancient starry void.
A sleek god-demon streaked through space at terrifying speed. Each leap traced a graceful arc, landing briefly on an ancient star before launching forward again, accelerating relentlessly.
It was like a nimble beast bounding through an ancient starry forest—agile, swift, unstoppable.
This was the very god-demon that had hidden in the void and overheard Lu’s words.
He had to deliver this news to the Elemental Realm!
He needed to rally the mighty god-demons there to resolve this crisis.
Whether it was the Five Phoenix Continent or the Nine Heavens, both had to be dealt with.
Two human powerhouses—Ancient Emperor Hao and Lu Ping’an—had worked together to slaughter countless immortal-rank god-demons, along with a vast number of initial- and high-rank god-demons…
For the god-demon race, this was an unforgivable catastrophe.
In the ancient starry void, god-demons had always reigned supreme. Other races trembled before them.
Even humanity had been squeezed until it had almost no space left to survive.
Yet now, two humans had killed so many god-demons!
This was absolutely intolerable!
Boom!
Suddenly.
The god-demon landed on a star.
Even with his immortal-rank strength, he felt his heart pound violently—as though a dark cloud was rapidly approaching from afar, plunging the heavens and earth into pitch blackness.
He looked up.
Five figures were strolling through the starry void.
The auras radiating from them made this god-demon tremble uncontrollably.
“Mighty god-demons of the Elemental Realm!”
The immortal-rank god-demon’s eyes lit up.
Though all god-demons were born from chaos, there was still a vast divide between geniuses and ordinary ones.
Some genius god-demons were born at immortal rank—or even above it. With cultivation from powerful elders, they became the backbone of the race.
In comparison, ordinary immortal-ranks like him were insignificant.
They held some status in the Elemental Realm, but nothing remarkable.
The five powerful beings he had encountered were none other than the prized disciples of the Elemental Gods.
They had left the comprehension ground and received a mission from the Elemental Gate: investigate whether any gold-elemental god-demons had perished.
They hadn’t expected to run into an ordinary, frantic immortal-rank god-demon.
The hierarchy among immortal-ranks was extremely strict.
As disciples of the Elemental Gods, their talent was extraordinary—they had already reached the level of great-path god-demons.
They even had the potential to step into the origin-chaos rank, rivaling humanity’s quasi-saints…
So they naturally looked down on ordinary immortal-ranks.
They assumed this was just some wandering god-demon from the ancient starry void.
But the ordinary god-demon’s eyes brightened.
Ignoring the oppressive pressure of their superior bloodline, he soared into the sky and waved frantically at the five disciples of the Elemental Gods.
The five paused and exchanged glances.
They actually stopped.
They wanted to hear what this god-demon had to say that was worth stopping them.
The bloodline pressure made the ordinary god-demon tremble.
But he could barely contain his excitement.
“Speak. Why have you stopped us?”
“If you can’t give a good reason, you know the consequences.”
The calm voice carried cold indifference and heavy pressure.
For a moment, the ordinary god-demon felt a surge of regret.
What if Lu Ping’an and Ancient Emperor Hao’s actions failed to catch the attention of these noble god-demons? Wouldn’t he be punished?
But he had already stopped them—he had no choice but to speak.
“A new immortal-martial world has been born in the ancient starry void. Its immortal source has formed and is slowly integrating… and already, twenty-two immortal-rank god-demons have perished in this newborn high-martial world!”
The ordinary god-demon hurriedly explained. He told the five noble god-demons how Ancient Emperor Hao had collaborated with them to trap and kill their kin.
“A newly born immortal-martial world?”
The five disciples exchanged glances.
“A human immortal-martial world?”
They asked again.
The ordinary god-demon nodded vigorously. Lu Ping’an was human. Ancient Emperor Hao was human too…
Both the Nine Heavens and the Five Phoenix Continent were human worlds.
“A new human immortal-martial world… Master instructed us to suppress humanity. Very well. Since we’ve encountered it, we’ll destroy its immortal source.”
“Qiang Huo, you go with him. The rest of us will continue searching. Once you’ve dealt with it, return to the Gold Elemental Realm and regroup with us.”
The other four disciples said.
“Understood.”
The burly god-demon wreathed in fiery red light nodded.
Then he grabbed the ordinary god-demon and tore through the void.
“Di Jin, the gold-elemental god-demons are mainly raised by your Gold Elemental Realm. Finding the human thief who stole the statue will depend on you.”
After the fiery god-demon left, the void fell silent again. The remaining four exchanged a few words, then departed in streaks of light.
…
On an ancient, dead star.
The white-robed figure, Tonggu, held a divination seal, performing calculations.
Suddenly, he sensed something and looked toward the direction of the Nine Heavens.
“That black-robed man must have a starry saint protecting him. I can’t divine anything—karma doesn’t touch him. But… I didn’t come up completely empty. This person once lingered on this nearly destroyed world.”
Tonggu murmured.
Then he beckoned.
Among the nine human prodigies he had brought along,
one was summoned.
It was the human prodigy he had placed among the top hundred stars.
“Chai Feng, come with me.”
“The rest of you, return and cultivate diligently. Also, strengthen your vigilance. The gods and demons may lash out in anger and launch an attack.”
Tonggu said.
The disciples bowed, then turned into streaks of light and departed.
Tonggu, taking Chai Feng with him, set off toward the Nine Heavens.
With his speed, it was like the stars themselves shifted—soon they would arrive.
…
White Jade Capital, Lakeheart Island.
The moment Tianling tore open the abyss and descended into the Nine Heavens,
Lu returned to the upper pavilion and took out the Spirit Pressure Chessboard.
Though he didn’t care much about the Nine Heavens’ affairs, he had given Tianling his word—and boasted about being the strongest support. If he did nothing, wouldn’t he be slapping his own face?
So while contemplating how to construct a secret realm for the adorable little Beast Ancestor statue,
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he also kept an eye on Tianling’s situation.
The island was serene, suffused with immortal aura.
Purple bamboo groves rustled in the wind, playing a melody of immortal music. To ordinary mortals, even listening to it could cleanse the soul.
Ning Zhao, in flowing white robes, brought Lu a warmed cup of Heavenly Immortal Wine.
She poured the crystalline liquid into a flawless white jade cup. The wine shimmered, releasing a rich fragrance.
Afterward, she gracefully withdrew and sat cross-legged on the island, handling matters in the Fortune Tower.
There were simply too many cultivators training in the Fortune Tower.
From mighty sixth-turn Golden Immortals at the top,
to weak Heavenly Human cultivators at the bottom.
But no one could guarantee there wouldn’t be accidents. During the century Lu slept, Ning Zhao and the others had dealt with countless crises.
Of course, there was also the matter of Empress Ni Spring and Autumn. Ning Zhao had wanted to tell Lu, but he had been so busy. Right after waking, he dealt with Tianling, and now he was remotely connected to the Nine Heavens’ affairs.
So she didn’t disturb him.
“Everything can wait until Young Master finishes his important matters.”
Ning Zhao sighed softly.
…
Nine Heavens.
Tianling sensed wave after wave of ancient emperor auras blazing like suns. His expression darkened.
He looked up at the rift in the void.
Ancient Emperor Hao was the Heavenly Dao. The Heavenly Dao was Ancient Emperor Hao…
The revelation struck him hard. But the greatest shock was that all the Nine Heavens’ ancient emperors were dead.
Completely dead.
In Tianling’s eyes now, the rift emanated a bone-chilling cold—like the maw of a demonic world.
“These ancient emperors still don’t know they’re dead. They think they’re carrying out some grand plan…”
Tianling sighed.
When he had self-destructed, he had hated these ancient emperors.
But now that he knew the truth, he still found them hateful… yet also pitiable.
Dead, yet unaware of their own death.
Tianling moved forward. He had to do something.
Of course, it was to resolve his karma and clear his mind.
And also to prevent this world—where he had once lived—becoming a river of blood.
What was Ancient Emperor Hao planning?
Having devoured all the ancient emperors, his next step was to absorb the energy of every world in the Nine Heavens…
This energy originally came from the Heavenly Dao, maintaining the balance and operation of the Nine Heavens.
Once reclaimed,
Ancient Emperor Hao’s strength would skyrocket to terrifying levels.
But…
Worlds stripped of energy would become cannon fodder in the void. All living beings within them would face total annihilation.
Blood would flow through every corner of the Nine Heavens!
And the energy of cultivators would also be devoured, leading to rivers of blood.
So Ancient Emperor Hao had to be stopped!
By manifesting these ancient emperors, Ancient Emperor Hao was already beginning to absorb the Nine Heavens’ energy.
The Nine Heavens was simply too vast—so each ancient emperor acted like a straw, collectively drawing it in.
And every ancient emperor… was actually Ancient Emperor Hao.
In the end, all of it would flow into Ancient Emperor Hao’s body!
Boom!
Tianling descended upon a first-layer high-martial world in the First Heaven.
After the Heavenly Spirit Clan migrated, the Nine Heavens’ Heavenly Dao had created another first-layer high-martial world.
Now, Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor occupied it.
“Stop this!”
Tianling’s massive form manifested, blotting out the sky.
All living beings in this first-layer high-martial continent knelt in reverence.
Tianling’s arrival snapped Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor back to awareness.
“Tianling… you’re not dead.”
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor narrowed his eyes.
“I’m not dead. You’re the one who’s dead… all of you are dead. Every last one. The current you is nothing but a puppet controlled by Hao!”
Tianling didn’t mince words. He wanted to awaken these ancient emperors.
He believed that if they were truly alive, they would never accept the Heavenly Dao’s actions.
In truth, the Nine Heavens no longer had any emperors—only the Heavenly Dao. Ancient Emperor Hao was merely its incarnation.
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor sneered. Terrifying blazing flames erupted around him, twisting the void.
“Since you’re still alive, I’ll capture you.”
Without another word, Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor attacked.
Tianling’s expression remained calm. “Have you forgotten you already died once? When you were in the Five Phoenix Continent, Lu Ping’an killed you!”
“One punch—body exploded, soul annihilated!”
“You’re full of shit! Lu Ping’an may be strong, but he wouldn’t dare come to the Nine Heavens. How could he kill me? Why would I ever go to the Nine Heavens?”
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor sneered disdainfully, thinking Tianling was talking nonsense.
Tianling understood. Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s memories must have been sealed—or erased—by Ancient Emperor Hao, just like his own had been.
So he had forgotten he died once. Like a system reset.
A wave of tragic pity washed over Tianling.
But now wasn’t the time for sentiment.
Because Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor was already attacking. Terrifying flames instantly turned the void into a sea of fire.
The current Tianling was no longer the newly ascended Golden Immortal who had been beaten down.
Now a sixth-turn Golden Immortal at the peak—equivalent to the peak of Great Emperor, half a step into Extreme Emperor—he had gained many insights.
He had come here to clear his mind and break through to Extreme Emperor.
So Tianling fought back.
After several exchanges, he handled it with relative ease.
The clash between two emperor-level powerhouses instantly stunned every living being and powerhouse in the Nine Heavens.
What in the world was happening?
Some saint-realm powerhouses recognized that the one fighting Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor was the long-fallen Tianling.
Tianling had returned… for revenge?
In an instant, the atmosphere in the Nine Heavens grew strange.
Tianling paid little attention to the reactions of the weak.
He frowned, deep in thought.
“Young Master Lu… can you awaken Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s memories?”
Tianling asked.
He believed Lu could hear him.
“Yes—but you have to subdue him first.”
Lu’s somewhat lazy voice rang out, followed by the sound of a chess piece being placed.
Tianling’s gaze sharpened. Without hesitation, his combat power surged.
He unleashed his full strength. Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor was momentarily stunned.
Originally, Tianling should have been roughly equal to him. But now… Tianling was so strong!
Half a step into Extreme Emperor!
But Tianling also felt pressure. As he fought Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor, the other emperors in the Nine Heavens began converging.
The pressure on Tianling quickly grew heavy.
After all, he had not yet stepped into Extreme Emperor. He couldn’t suppress multiple emperor-level powerhouses alone!
…
On Lakeheart Island.
Lu shook his head. Tianling still needed more tempering—he was too weak.
The next moment, Lu placed a piece on the chessboard.
Pop!
A chess piece fell. Tens of thousands of rays of white light blazed.
Of course, if he acted directly, Ancient Emperor Hao would surely notice…
But what did Lu have to fear?
…
Boom!
The void tore open.
A pillar of white Spirit Pressure light descended from the heavens.
It smashed into Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor, who was battling Tianling, causing him to stagger.
“Lu Ping’an?!”
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor roared.
This familiar tactic, this familiar way of messing with people’s heads—only Lu Ping’an could do this!
Tianling and Lu Ping’an were working together?!
Taking advantage of the moment, Tianling closed in instantly. A palm struck out. The sea of flames was compressed, compressed again.
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor grunted. Then a powerful force drilled into his mind.
“Young Master Lu, thank you for the trouble.”
Tianling said.
Lu paid no mind, casually placing another piece.
Crack!
The seal on Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s memories shattered. In the next instant, long-buried memories flooded back like a reversed tide. Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor froze…
He remembered many things.
The scene of being obliterated by Lu Ping’an with a single punch. The moment he died fighting gods and demons…
Scene after scene. His face grew paler and paler.
“So… I died long ago?”
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor murmured.
Thump thump!
His heart beat violently.
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor clutched his chest.
A coffin. A heart embedded in it. Threads connecting with each beat…
Cold. Desolate. Dead.
The scene of the coffin flashed through his mind. In the next moment, his entire being nearly exploded.
The image filled him with bone-chilling horror.
…
In the void rift.
Ancient Emperor Hao, eyes closed, radiated white light.
He had finally begun his plan.
To avoid being devoured by gods and demons. To break free from this cage…
Ancient Emperor Hao had no choice.
When he finally awakened to the truth—that he was the primary incarnation of the Heavenly Dao—he had struggled to accept it.
But when he saw one Extreme Emperor after another fall at the hands of gods and demons,
sacrificing their lives to take down god-demons…
Ancient Emperor Hao understood. He had to make a choice.
He opened his eyes.
His gaze shifted, landing on the coffin containing Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s heart.
The heart embedded in the coffin was beating violently, as though it would burst.
Ancient Emperor Hao froze.
Then his expression changed. His eyes reflected Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s current state.
“It’s finally come.”
“Unfortunately… there’s no other way.”
“If the Nine Heavens’ Heavenly Dao is destroyed, the living beings of the world… will have no path to survive.”
“I only seek a future.”
“So, do not stand in my way.”
The faint voice echoed in the cold, desolate, lonely depths of the rift.
…
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s madness gradually subsided.
His eyes turned pure white.
“Tianling, why bother?”
“Your soul fragments were taken by Lu Ping’an. He revived you, gave you a second life. Why couldn’t you just live well in the Five Phoenix Continent? Why must you come back to obstruct me?”
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s gaze blazed white. At this moment, he was Hao.
The Water Clan Ancient Emperor moved, blocking Tianling.
Tianling’s expression shifted slightly.
“Continue the plan.”
The calm voice came from Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s mouth.
The next moment, the ancient emperors scattered, descending upon various worlds.
Rumble!
In that instant, the entire Nine Heavens seemed to become a massive furnace.
The protective power of low- and mid-martial worlds was stripped away.
The Dao essence of high-martial worlds was torn off, swirling like tornadoes into the bodies of each ancient emperor.
Countless saint-realm powerhouses and cultivators in the Nine Heavens sensed something was terribly wrong.
“Emperors! What are you doing?!”
“Why do this? Stripping the energy—we’ll all be annihilated in the void!”
“The emperors have returned to bring us a golden age! How has it become a great calamity? We refuse! We refuse!”
Miserable cries rang out.
But every ancient emperor remained cold and merciless. Their divine souls surged, stripping away the Nine Heavens’ energy.
And this was only the beginning…
…
On Lakeheart Island.
Lu’s expression turned grave. The lazy demeanor vanished. He became fully alert.
He’s really doing it?
This Ancient Emperor Hao… is ruthless enough!
He’s sacrificing the entire Nine Heavens to break through his shackles and reach the Great Luo Immortal realm!
Insane!
Even Lu was shaken in that moment.
After all, how many living beings were there in the Nine Heavens?
Trillions upon trillions—sacrificed. What a terrifying sea of blood that would be!
Even Lu couldn’t bear to imagine it.
…
The Nine Heavens was, after all, very close to the Five Phoenix Continent—separated only by the Void Abyss.
The commotion naturally alerted the many Golden Immortals of the Five Phoenix Continent.
Dantai Xuan, holding the Book of Life and Death, rose into the air. His black robes whipped in the wind as he gazed toward the Nine Heavens. His expression turned grave.
Lu Jiulian, Sima Qingshan, Bai Qingniao, and other Golden Immortals also sensed it.
They emerged from the Fortune Tower and stared at this scene of world-ending destruction.
This was true extinction—the annihilation of an entire high-martial golden age.
Mi Jia fell silent. He didn’t know what to say.
The saint-realm experts of the Heavenly Spirit Clan, along with many former saint-realm experts of the Nine Heavens’ Saint Clan, vaguely saw what was happening in the Nine Heavens. The atmosphere grew unbearably heavy.
…
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s memories were resealed.
For Ancient Emperor Hao, resealing Fire Spirit’s memories was far easier than resealing Tianling’s.
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor descended upon a world and began absorbing the energy the Heavenly Dao had once bestowed upon the Nine Heavens.
Bit by bit, the Nine Heavens’ energy was stripped away.
And the auras and strength of these ancient emperors soared, soon breaking through their shackles.
Boom!
One Extreme Emperor after another was born.
This should have been a cause for universal celebration.
Yet the Nine Heavens was filled with wails and anguished howls.
The Water Clan Ancient Emperor’s eyes were clear. She blocked Tianling, who wanted to act.
“I know what you want to say. I know I’m already dead.”
The Water Clan Ancient Emperor sighed.
Tianling froze, staring at her in disbelief.
“You don’t understand what the Nine Heavens is about to face… there’s simply no other path.”
“You don’t understand the pressure Hao carries.”
The Water Clan Ancient Emperor looked gently toward the void rift. But beneath that gentle gaze was endless sorrow.
“When the road ahead is completely blocked, what else can be done? Only by smashing through with fists until they bleed can a hole be made…”
“If the Heavenly Dao dies, how can the living have any path to survive?”
Boom boom boom!
Her voice was gentle, even tinged with grief.
But to Tianling, it rang like thunder.
He turned.
Behind him, the massive rift spanning the Nine Heavens tore wider.
Threads stretched out, pulling coffin after coffin.
An old, hunched figure slowly stepped out from the rift, calm and unhurried.
