This was a golden star orbiting the outer edge of the Five Phoenix Continent. Waves of majestic Gold Origin mysteries radiated from it.

  Lu hadn’t placed the Gold Origin Beast Ancestor statue on the Five Phoenix Continent itself.

  After all, the entire Five Phoenix starry void now formed a single world. Placing the statue on a star was perfectly fine.

  In fact, it had advantages. If something went wrong with the statue, Lu could easily relocate the entire star out of the Five Phoenix starry void without affecting the countless lives on the continent.

  Tonggu landed on the star. His eyes fixed on the golden pyramid, reflecting its brilliant golden light. He clicked his tongue in admiration, praising it endlessly.

  “As expected of a saint’s work. Look at this grandeur, this meticulous design. Using pyramid stairs ensures fairness while maintaining beauty. It’s ten thousand times better than the Elemental Realm’s comprehension ground. Those god-demons’ designs are garbage.”

  “Amazing. Just looking at it brings endless benefits. No wonder the senior is a starry saint—far beyond what a quasi-saint like me can compare to. The difference is like heaven and earth!”

  Tonggu clasped his hands behind his back, sighing in wonder, praising nonstop.

  Lu sat in the Thousand-Blade Chair, white robes fluttering. Beside Tonggu, his old face reddened slightly.

  Such praise actually made him a little embarrassed.

  But Lu didn’t show it. He remained calm, as though sharing in the honor.

  This only convinced the old daoist further that everything had been arranged by Lu’s mysterious starry saint master.

  “Now humanity possesses a Beast Ancestor statue…”

  Tonggu sighed. His eyes flickered with countless emotions.

  “Is this Beast Ancestor statue really that powerful?”

  Lu asked curiously.

  “Of course. There are five Beast Ancestors in total, representing five primordial starry forces… the origin of all things, the root of heaven, earth, and all life!”

  “These five forces transformed into countless lives and gave birth to the gods and demons of the heavens…”

  “Originally, the ancient starry void was pure chaos. It was the five Beast Ancestors’ energies that brought life to the dead starry void.”

  Tonggu said.

  “Each Beast Ancestor is an ultimate chaos creature. Even human starry saints might not gain the upper hand against them. That’s how terrifying the Beast Ancestors are.”

  Lu’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at the little statue atop the pyramid.

  This adorable little Beast Ancestor statue… was actually this powerful?

  “Little brother, since the senior has already built such a comprehension ground, I can’t waste it… I plan to return to the human ancestral land once and secretly bring some prodigies with talent for mystery comprehension to the Five Phoenix to study these Gold Origin mysteries.”

  Tonggu suddenly grew serious and looked at Lu.

  Lu nodded. He didn’t refuse.

  “This Beast Ancestor statue is incredibly important… perhaps the foundation for humanity’s rise, the key to standing against god-demons. So, little brother, you must guard it well.”

  Tonggu drew a deep breath.

  He glanced lovingly at the pyramid again. To him, its value wasn’t in its grandeur—it was in its potential to cultivate countless human Heavenly Emperors.

  That was what mattered.

  “Unfortunately, the Five Phoenix is too far from the human ancestral land. We can’t build a spatial passage. Even if we did, it would easily be detected by god-demons. Otherwise, a passage would connect the Five Phoenix and Primordial Immortal Domain. Bringing prodigies here for comprehension wouldn’t be difficult.”

  “Though humanity lacks talent in mystery comprehension compared to god-demons, we excel in diligence. No talent? Then make up for it with effort. If one day isn’t enough, try a hundred, a thousand…”

  Tonggu said.

  “At least we won’t have to beg god-demons pitifully for a few slots like before.”

  “And even with slots, we had to hide our excellence in the comprehension ground to avoid being killed by god-demons.”

  Tonggu exhaled.

  “So this time, I’ll go back and forth myself. Besides preventing god-demons from discovering the Five Phoenix, it’s also to ensure the safety of the human prodigies.”

  Tonggu said to Lu.

  Lu nodded slightly.

  A streak of light arrived. Chai Feng, awakened from meditation, stared in shock at the pyramid and the little Beast Ancestor statue at its peak.

  As someone who had comprehended Gold Origin mysteries in the comprehension ground, he knew exactly what this statue meant.

  So he was excited.

  Chai Feng never imagined he could continue comprehending Gold Origin mysteries here.

  “Chai Feng, stay here. I’ll return to the ancestral land and bring some prodigies with talent for mystery comprehension… to comprehend the Gold Origin mysteries and advance further.”

  Tonggu said to Chai Feng.

  “Bring others here?”

  Chai Feng froze, his expression changing slightly.

  “But the risk is huge… so many god-demons are watching our human immortal domain.”

  Chai Feng said.

  Tonggu naturally understood.

  He glanced back at the pyramid, eyes shining.

  “Fortune favors the bold. Now that humanity possesses a Beast Ancestor statue, this is our chance to rise.”

  “Besides, I’m quite accomplished in spatial mysteries. Unless three or more Elemental Gods come to hunt me, they won’t be able to keep me.”

  Tonggu spoke with confidence.

  “Little brother Lu, I’ll take my leave for now.”

  Tonggu smiled at Lu.

  Lu nodded.

  Then Tonggu soared into the sky, turning into a streak of light. Space compressed around him as he crossed the Void Abyss, left the Five Phoenix, and entered the Nine Heavens.

  On the golden star, only Chai Feng remained.

  Chai Feng drew a deep breath. His eyes burned with excitement as he gazed at the pyramid.

  “Don’t rush. Wait until Senior Tonggu brings the geniuses from the ancestral land. Then we’ll compete in Gold Origin mysteries comprehension with the Five Phoenix cultivators.”

  Lu said.

  Chai Feng paused.

  “Compete?”

  His eyes flickered. He didn’t mind.

  The Five Phoenix was impressive—a newborn immortal-martial world. But aside from Lu, who made Chai Feng wary, no one else in the Five Phoenix caught his attention.

  Zhu Long might count as half. After all, she had surprised Tonggu and earned his high praise. He took her somewhat seriously.

  Besides, comprehending mysteries depended on talent. The prodigies from the human ancestral land were carefully selected. It wasn’t arrogance—Chai Feng simply believed the ancestral land prodigies started far ahead of the Five Phoenix cultivators.

  Lu naturally sensed Chai Feng’s attitude.

  The Five Phoenix was being looked down upon?

  Lu smiled.

  Though some Five Phoenix cultivators indeed had mediocre talent… only he, Lu Ping’an, was allowed to criticize them.

  “Brother Chai should understand—comprehending mysteries has little to do with cultivation level. It’s more about affinity with the origin power, right?”

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  Lu sat in the Thousand-Blade Chair and said to Chai Feng.

  Chai Feng still gave Lu face. He smiled and cupped his hands.

  “Of course. Cultivation level doesn’t prove much in mystery comprehension…”

  Lu looked at Chai Feng and narrowed his eyes.

  The corner of his mouth curved into a gentle smile.

  Anyone familiar with Ni Yu and the others would know—Lu was about to scheme.

  “Brother Chai… how about a bet?”

  “A bet?”

  Chai Feng paused.

  “What kind of bet?”

  Lu tapped the armrest lightly.

  “Just compete in mystery comprehension…”

  Chai Feng’s expression changed slightly. He quickly waved his hand and smiled awkwardly.

  “No, no. Little brother Lu’s talent in mystery comprehension is far beyond mine. You dominated the comprehension ground and suppressed countless god-demons. Comparing myself to you would be asking for humiliation.”

  “It’s not me competing with you.”

  “I’ll select three from the Five Phoenix to compete with Brother Chai in mystery comprehension… The winner will be decided by who climbs the most stairs. How about it?”

  Lu said.

  Chai Feng exhaled in relief.

  Not competing against Lu himself? Then he relaxed.

  And from Lu’s words… he was being challenged.

  Though Chai Feng lacked confidence in his Gold Origin mystery comprehension—his performance in the comprehension ground had been poor, greatly disappointing Tonggu.

  But Chai Feng was still a prodigy from the human ancestral land. He had his own pride. He might not match god-demons in mystery comprehension.

  But against Five Phoenix cultivators—who were also human—he was confident.

  “Since it’s a bet, there should be stakes. Little brother Lu… what are the stakes?”

  “If Brother Chai climbs the most stairs, I, Lu Ping’an, will give you a top-grade innate spiritual treasure. How about that?”

  “If Brother Chai loses, for each person who beats you, you’ll cultivate ten emperor-realm powerhouses for the Five Phoenix. Fair?”

  Lu smiled lightly.

  Chai Feng narrowed his eyes. The stakes were reasonable—not excessive.

  In Chai Feng’s view, he might even profit slightly.

  After all, cultivating emperor-realm powerhouses was easy for a Heavenly Emperor like him—just took some time.

  But a top-grade innate spiritual treasure… that was something rare and precious.

  Above innate spiritual treasures were innate supreme treasures.

  For Heavenly Emperor-level powerhouses, possessing an innate spiritual treasure was already impressive.

  Thinking of this, Chai Feng’s lips curved upward.

  “Then I’ll thank little brother Lu for the innate spiritual treasure in advance.”

  Chai Feng said.

  Oh?

  Lu glanced at Chai Feng. This guy… very confident.

  …

  Tonggu entered the Nine Heavens.

  Looking at the dead-silent Nine Heavens once more, he sighed heavily. The fate of the Nine Heavens was the fate of many human worlds in the ancient starry void.

  Not every human world was as fortunate as the Five Phoenix—with a starry saint backing them.

  He soon found Ancient Emperor Hao sitting alone on a star.

  Ancient Emperor Hao was shrouded in thick resentment.

  These were the resentments of the countless lives that had died in the Nine Heavens. Though most had been gathered into the twelve-petaled blood lotus and entrusted to Tianling to beg Lu for reincarnation,

  resentment still lingered.

  This was karma—unbreakable, inescapable karma.

  Tonggu floated over, his quasi-saint aura radiating.

  Ancient Emperor Hao looked up.

  “Would you follow this old dao to the human ancestral land, Primordial Immortal Domain?”

  Tonggu asked.

  For Ancient Emperor Hao, he felt mostly sympathy. He had seen too many such cases among humans.

  But those who walked this path were ruthless—and geniuses.

  Moreover, a Heavenly Emperor-level powerhouse was valuable to humanity.

  Ancient Emperor Hao’s gaze was calm. It seemed he had been waiting for Tonggu.

  In truth, during this time, his heart had been struggling.

  Now, seeing Tonggu, Ancient Emperor Hao suddenly understood his own thoughts. He had made his choice.

  “No.”

  “I may choose to wander the ancient starry void, hunting god-demons.”

  Ancient Emperor Hao said.

  “This is the consequence I must bear for the sins I carry.”

  Tonggu froze. He hadn’t expected Ancient Emperor Hao to refuse—and choose to wander the ancient starry void.

  This was a very dangerous decision.

  Though the ancient starry void was vast, powerhouses could sense each other’s auras.

  With Ancient Emperor Hao’s cultivation, encountering a few great-path rank god-demons would spell doom.

  So the best choice was to follow Tonggu back to Primordial Immortal Domain, find ways to wash away his karma, and try for quasi-saint realm.

  Though Ancient Emperor Hao could never become a saint, quasi-saint was still possible.

  “Wandering the ancient starry void—you’ll die.”

  Tonggu said.

  “Many human Heavenly Emperors made similar choices. In the end… they vanished without a trace, silently falling in the starry void.”

  Ancient Emperor Hao smiled faintly.

  “Since I’ve made this choice, I’ve already prepared myself for death.”

  Tonggu said nothing more.

  Since Ancient Emperor Hao had decided, he wouldn’t force him.

  “Then take care of yourself…”

  Tonggu clasped his hands behind his back and prepared to step into the void and leave.

  But before departing, he glanced meaningfully at Ancient Emperor Hao.

  “Before wandering the starry void, you could calm your heart and visit the Five Phoenix Continent. Feel its atmosphere. Wash away some of the killing intent on you.”

  Ancient Emperor Hao paused, then nodded.

  “Thank you for the advice, senior.”

  Then Tonggu said no more. He sighed.

  Each person had their own path. Even saints wouldn’t lightly change someone’s resolve.

  Tonggu soon left the Nine Heavens. He concealed his aura. Space folded around him, and in an instant, he vanished.

  In the Nine Heavens.

  On a desolate, ruined continent.

  Ancient Emperor Hao’s gaze was calm. Following Tonggu back to the human ancestral land was indeed the best choice.

  But he swept his gaze across the Nine Heavens. He needed to restore life and vitality to this world. That was the promise he had made to her.

  Tonggu’s final suggestion had also made him think.

  He turned and looked toward the other end of the abyss.

  Compared to the dead silence of the Nine Heavens, the Five Phoenix Continent on the other side brimmed with vitality.

  Ancient Emperor Hao rose from the desolate continent.

  The next moment, he stepped forward.

  Crossing the abyss, he entered the Five Phoenix Continent. His aura rapidly concealed and sealed itself…

  Becoming plain and unremarkable. He vanished into the vast Five Phoenix Continent.

  …

  Lu naturally sensed Ancient Emperor Hao entering the Five Phoenix.

  But when Ancient Emperor Hao sealed his cultivation layer by layer, Lu paused.

  “What is this guy planning?”

  “Washing his heart and starting anew?”

  Lu tapped the armrest lightly. He didn’t stop Ancient Emperor Hao.

  But a wisp of his divine soul followed, locking onto Ancient Emperor Hao. Lu still needed to watch him. If this guy planned revenge or something, Lu could intervene quickly.

  With that done, Lu withdrew his mind.

  He had made a bet with Chai Feng.

  Lu cared deeply about this bet.

  After all, if he won, Chai Feng would cultivate thirty emperor-realm powerhouses for the Five Phoenix—thirty Golden Immortals. His spiritual energy share would skyrocket…

  He might even break through in cultivation!

  So Lu was very serious.

  …

  North Luo City.

  Nie Changqing and his son Nie Shuang sat meditating on a pleasure boat on North Luo Lake.

  Now that the world was at peace, all they could do was cultivate.

  Nie Changqing had reached Golden Immortal realm. In the Fortune Tower, he had completed his third-turn Golden Immortal breakthrough and entered sixth-turn. Further progress would be difficult for now.

  So he focused on guiding Nie Shuang.

  Nie Shuang’s talent was excellent. He had already reached Profound Immortal.

  The father and son were like immortals in North Luo City.

  Luo Yue and Luo Cheng, father and son, had also retired long ago. Their cultivation was solid.

  Luo Yue was at True Immortal, while Luo Cheng had used the world’s transformation to reach Profound Immortal.

  The boat rocked gently on the lake.

  Suddenly.

  Spatial energy fluctuated.

  Nie Changqing, meditating with eyes closed, abruptly opened them.

  Hm?

  On the lake, a silver boat shone with extreme light. On it stood a white-robed youth, ethereal and immortal.

  “Young Master?!”

  Nie Changqing’s calm face lit up with excitement.

  On the lake, Luo Cheng and Luo Yue also rushed over excitedly. Seeing Lu’s familiar yet distant figure, their faces filled with joy.

  Lu smiled and nodded.

  “Old Nie, come with me. There’s a small opportunity.”

  Lu said.

  Nie Changqing quickly shouldered his Dragon-Slaying Blade and stepped off the boat.

  White light swept over.

  Nie Changqing and Lu vanished.

  …

  Not far from North Luo City was a blessed cave heaven.

  Though called a blessed cave heaven, it was extremely perilous—a sharp sword peak piercing the clouds.

  Atop the sword peak sat a figure in meditation.

  A sword case was strapped to his back.

  Inside the case was a single sword.

  Its name—Jing Tian.

  Jing Yue meditated with eyes closed. His white robes fluttered. His bearing was lofty.

  Sitting at the sword peak’s summit, he resembled a jade carving.

  A condensed sword intent surrounded him—steady but unleashing. Once drawn, it could cleave the heavens.

  For so many years, he had nurtured a single sword.

  Suddenly.

  Jing Yue opened his eyes.

  On the peak, without him noticing, Lu appeared—white robes fluttering, seated in the Thousand-Blade Chair, smiling at him.

  “Young Master!”

  Jing Yue’s calm heart rippled. He grinned with nostalgia.

  “Not bad. This sword has been nurtured with great care.”

  Lu looked at Jing Yue in surprise.

  If not for this Gold Origin mysteries comprehension competition, Lu might not have remembered Jing Yue.

  This guy was too low-key.

  His cultivation was decent—peak Profound Immortal. But the sword he nurtured was terrifying.

  “Come with me. There’s a small opportunity.”

  Lu said.

  Jing Yue stood. Sword qi roared from his body. The entire sword peak trembled.

  White light soared. The two vanished.

  …

  On the golden star.

  At the base of the Beast Ancestor pyramid.

  Nie Changqing stared in shock at the towering golden pyramid. A vast, majestic aura made his face flush.

  It was an overwhelming pressure that left him unable to muster any resistance.

  When Lu arrived with Jing Yue, Nie Changqing paused. Jing Yue—an old friend he missed dearly.

  Jing Yue and Nie Changqing exchanged smiles.

  In Lu’s mind, Jing Yue and Nie Changqing were the best at comprehending Gold Origin mysteries.

  Jing Yue’s relentless sword intent matched Gold Origin mysteries perfectly. Though his cultivation talent was average, in Gold Origin comprehension, he might surprise Lu.

  Nie Changqing’s Dragon-Slaying Blade had similarities with Jing Yue’s sword intent. Gold Origin mysteries suited him best.

  Besides Old Nie and Jing Yue, Lu had called one more person—Lu Jiulian.

  As Lu’s clone, he was Lu’s guarantee of victory. Even if Nie Changqing and Jing Yue lost, Lu Jiulian would ensure Chai Feng cultivated at least ten emperor-realm powerhouses for the Five Phoenix.

  Though Lu Jiulian’s Gold Origin mystery talent might not match Lu’s, it wouldn’t be far off.

  After all, he was a clone.

  Around them, the Overlord, Tang Yimo, Sima Qingshan, and other Five Phoenix Golden Immortals watched curiously.

  They had all heard about Lu and Chai Feng’s bet.

  “Young Master Lu, these are the people you’ve chosen?”

  Chai Feng clasped his hands behind his back, looking somewhat elegant. His appearance was indeed handsome.

  In Chai Feng’s senses, Lu Jiulian and Nie Changqing had decent cultivation.

  Jing Yue’s cultivation didn’t even register in his eyes.

  Not arrogance—after all, he was Heavenly Emperor level. Even if mystery comprehension didn’t depend on cultivation, at least they should be emperor-realm, right?

  Competing with him without even reaching emperor-realm—how could he take it seriously?

  If not for Lu’s sincere expression, Chai Feng would have thought Lu was mocking him.

  Lu smiled.

  “This pyramid contains Gold Origin mysteries. Comprehending them can lead to breaking through to Great Luo Immortal level…”

  “This is Chai Feng, a prodigy from Primordial Immortal Domain. I’ve called you here to compete with him in mystery comprehension…”

  Lu explained the rules clearly.

  Then he waved his hand. The barrier at the pyramid’s base opened.

  The four stepped forward.

  Chai Feng smiled and said nothing. He took a step onto the first stair of the pyramid.

  Lu Jiulian and Nie Changqing exchanged a glance and followed.

  Jing Yue didn’t rush.

  After so many years, this was the first time Young Master had sought him out and given him an opportunity. His heart surged with excitement.

  Along with excitement came nervousness.

  He feared disappointing Young Master. After all, among those present, his cultivation was the weakest.

  “Go. Unleash your relentless sword intent…”

  “Treat this as simple sword intent cultivation.”

  Sensing Jing Yue’s tension, Lu transmitted.

  Jing Yue paused.

  He tightened his grip on the Jing Tian sword in the case on his back and exhaled slowly.

  The next moment.

  He took a step.

  The instant his foot landed—

  Sword qi erupted from beneath his sole.

  A soaring sword intent surged upward—like peerless sharpness ready to cleave everything.

  Chai Feng, already on the pyramid stairs, sensed it and turned back in surprise.