Heavenly Void Prince hopped away playfully on his palanquin borne by four stunning maidens, vanishing deep into the palace.

  Leaving only Zhao Qingzhi kneeling single-kneed outside—hair disheveled, face incredulous.

  High in the skies, Du Longyang, Ye Shoudao, and Ni Chunqiu said nothing.

  For the mentally crumbling Zhao Qingzhi, they offered no kicks while down—but no comforting words either.

  Youth could be arrogant—but within limits.

  Heavenly Void Prince—an old-timer from Five Phoenixes' mortal martial era to current immortal martial—was a veteran. Simply put, figures like him had endured more cultivation setbacks than Zhao Qingzhi had grains of rice eaten.

  Never underestimate any antique—each held unique persistence in cultivation.

  Onlookers outside Heavenly Void Palace dispersed.

  News of Great Xuan Dynasty third prince Zhao Qingzhi's failed challenge—first stop on his invincible path—spread worldwide via Heavenly Secret Pavilion.

  As Five Phoenixes' most mysterious force—even Golden Immortals avoided provoking it—rumored under White Jade Capital.

  Zhao Qingzhi's tale spread unchecked—even the current Human Emperor didn't suppress it.

  Heavenly Secret Pavilion untouchable.

  Zhao Qingzhi became cultivators' laughingstock—mentioned in every chat.

  He stood outside three days and nights, reflecting.

  Heavenly Void Prince's strength exposed his shortcomings.

  Pre-challenge arrogance contrasted starkly with post-defeat desolation.

  Rain poured.

  Torrential downpour churned yellow mud, splattering his golden armor.

  “Don't compare to Young Master Lu—you can't fathom his strength.”

  Heavenly Void Prince's calm words on palanquin—hammer blow to his chest.

  Zhao Qingzhi always saw himself Young Master Lu Ping'an's peer—prodigy talent, teacher Chai Feng praising Daluo potential.

  But this lesson left him lost.

  “Young Master Lu… truly that strong?”

  Zhao Qingzhi inhaled deeply—aura surge blasted rain away.

  Golden armor gleaming, spear on back—he left Heavenly Void Palace.

  White python-robed eunuch descended like teleport before him.

  “Third Prince, His Majesty summons you back to court.”

  Eunuch said.

  “I won't return—I seek an answer.”

  Zhao Qingzhi shook head, smoothing messy hair, picking fallen golden helm.

  Next step—cannon-fired, vanishing instantly.

  Eunuch sighed, bowed toward Heavenly Void Palace, then followed.

  Gradually, panic rose.

  Zhao Qingzhi headed not inland—but boundless sea.

  “Oh no, Third Prince—where to?”

  Eunuch hurried ask.

  “To seek White Jade Capital—witness true Young Master Lu's grace.”

  Zhao Qingzhi resolute.

  Eunuch clutched heart—face twisting.

  Third Prince… courting disaster.

  White Jade Capital legends known to all.

  Cultivation world knew Young Master Lu's pettiness—offending him could doom Great Xuan Dynasty.

  Eunuch couldn't persuade—turned back to dynasty.

  Zhao Qingzhi streaked boundless sea three days/nights—no White Jade Capital.

  Legends: mysterious island.

  Primordial spirit swept—nothing, even to world's end.

  Left him bewildered.

  Suddenly, on boundless sea—a white-robed youth with sea clan youths sat on mountain-like turtle back, drifting slowly.

  “Sea clan?”

  Zhao Qingzhi stirred.

  Youth long sensed him.

  Smiling at approach—sleeve flick.

  Sea water soared, forming curtain blocking Zhao Qingzhi. Brows furrowed—golden spear raised, myriad qi.

  Yet peak Mysterious Immortal power—couldn't pierce a hole.

  “Seeking White Jade Capital?”

  Faint voice from white-robed youth.

  “Who are you?”

  Zhao Qingzhi sheathed spear—realizing golden immortal before him.

  “Surname Gu, name Mangran. Fate to meet—reminder: seek White Jade Capital sincerely. Insincere—even Lake Heart Island before you, unseen.”

  Gentle laughter rose.

  Boundless sea fogged—turtle bore Gu Mangran and others away.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Gu Mangran? Sea clan ancestor Gu Mangran?”

  Zhao Qingzhi inhaled. Legendary—single-handedly elevated ordinary sea clan to power.

  Gu Mangran's words enlightened.

  No more primordial sweeps—slow steps on boundless sea.

  Ten days/nights later—at dawn's first light, amid purple qi—a misty island veiled in fogs.

  “Lake Heart Island?!”

  Zhao Qingzhi startled—then ecstatic.

  White Jade Capital legends… true!

  Step by step toward Lake Heart Island.

  But before entry—a girl with black cauldron on back blocked him.

  “Who are you?”

  Ni Yu—dispatched to guard—unhappy.

  “Great Xuan Dynasty Zhao Qingzhi… crossed seas to pay respects to Young Master Lu.”

  Zhao Qingzhi said.

  “Pay respects to my Young Master?”

  Ni Yu paused.

  Suddenly, Lu's transmission reached her—listless eyes brightened.

  “You here to challenge?”

  “Seeing Young Master not hard—beat me first.”

  Ni Yu said.

  Zhao Qingzhi blinked, scratching head.

  Girl looked childlike—he uncomfortable fighting one.

  “This improper? Perhaps… someone else?”

  Zhao Qingzhi said.

  Fighting fine.

  But child—no.

  “Oh? Looking down on who?”

  Ni Yu displeased.

  “I'm weakest on island—can't beat me, want swap?”

  Ni Yu snorted.

  Next—body shook, tiny foot tapped sea.

  Sizzle…

  Vanished.

  Zhao Qingzhi eyes narrowed—instinctively swept golden spear. Terrifying aura closed—like towering mountain!

  Beside him, girl swung black cauldron smashing.

  Clang!

  Spear met cauldron—instantly shattered.

  Caudron slammed his body.

  Puff!

  Zhao Qingzhi coughed blood—utterly baffled.

  How so heavy?

  Worse—girl slapped his face, stuffing pills in mouth. Cauldron mountain-like crushed—driving him into boundless sea. Water exploded, cratering like giant bowl…

  Zhao Qingzhi stunned.

  This child… Golden Immortal?!

  Insane…

  White Jade Capital this terrifying?

  Mere child maiden—Golden Immortal?

  How fearsome mysterious Young Master Lu?

  First taste of White Jade Capital's dread.

  Worse—what pills?

  Why endless sea water flooding mouth?

  As Zhao Qingzhi suffered,

  eunuch returned to Great Xuan Dynasty.

  Current Human Emperor—hearing report—nearly collapsed.

  As emperor, from records and oral traditions—knew White Jade Capital's terror truly.

  Hurried eunuch fetch Chai Feng.

  Zhao Qingzhi challenging Heavenly Void—fine, youth needed setbacks for growth.

  But seeking White Jade Capital—risk dynasty!

  Chai Feng shocked hearing Zhao Qingzhi sought Lu.

  Disciple young/hot-blooded/arrogant… but not brainless?

  Chai Feng glad not at Golden Origin star.

  Streaked to boundless sea.

  Soon found Lake Heart Island.

  Boom!

  Chai Feng landed, aura restrained.

  Ni Yu mid-cauldron smash—forcing Zhao Qingzhi gulp bellyful sea water.

  Seeing Chai Feng—reluctantly sheathed.

  Chai Feng wry smile—relieved inwardly.

  Alive good.

  “Thank you Young Master Lu sparing this unworthy disciple.”

  Chai Feng cupped hands, slight bow toward island.

  “No harm… youth—more sea water good for health.”

  Lu's ethereal voice drifted from immortal-misted, purple-veiled island.

  Chai Feng smiled: “Young Master Lu right.”

  Sea-water-bellied Zhao Qingzhi teared from choking—originally unconvinced, seeking Young Master Lu's strength.

  Unexpectedly bullied by maiden.

  Ni Yu chubby hand fished boundless sea.

  Zhao Qingzhi retching—floated to Chai Feng.

  Belly swollen—dry heaving, couldn't expel.

  Chai Feng paused—even his power helpless.

  Ni Yu beckoned—pulled Zhao Qingzhi, slapped belly.

  Mouth spat azure pill.

  “'Sea Gathering Pill'—barely poison immortal pill…”

  Ni Yu reclaimed, tossing vomiting Zhao Qingzhi to Chai Feng.

  Zhao Qingzhi felt emptying East Sea—body hollowed.

  “Thank you Master Ni…”

  Chai Feng wry—nearly forgot Young Master's little maiden Five Phoenixes' top alchemist.

  Her pills only Mysterious/Golden Immortal task rewards in Destiny Tower.

  Zhao Qingzhi realized—child authored pills he'd joyfully earned brushing tasks.

  “Qingzhi—talent good, but curb pride/impatience…”

  “Return—stay by master, century seclusion.”

  Chai Feng shook head at wretched disciple—helpless.

  Most talented disciple—also most wayward/arrogant.

  Hoped lesson taught.

  “Young Master Lu—I'll depart. Much disturbance—forgive.”

  Chai Feng smiled, lifting Zhao Qingzhi.

  Island little ripple.

  Chai Feng minded not—prepared leave.

  Suddenly—

  Body jolted.

  Near island—void twisted, vast spatial chaos surged, shattering void.

  Murderous Tonggu Daoist tore space stepping out.

  Chai Feng tensed.

  “Senior Tonggu!”

  Chai Feng hurried bow.

  Tonggu Daoist frowned: “Golden Origin only forty percent? With statue—why slack cultivation? God-demons all slain—no pressure? Statues not enticing?”

  Tonggu Daoist's barrage baffled Chai Feng.

  Dry-heaved Zhao Qingzhi incredulous—his teacher, Daluo-equivalent human Heavenly Emperor—publicly scolded?

  Chai Feng hasty smile—grabbed Zhao Qingzhi, fled fast.

  Tonggu clearly fuming—best slip away.

  Tonggu Daoist watched departure—disappointed head shake.

  Then turned to Lake Heart Island.

  “Hey—little Ni girl good, cultivation up. Brother Lu in? Message for old daoist?”

  Tonggu Daoist grinned.

  Ni Yu gripped cauldron tighter—chubby hand out.

  Tonggu familiarly produced rare ancestral land treasure herb from sleeve.

  Ni Yu got herb—giggled, leading way.

  Lake Heart Island.

  Lu chuckled head shake—Zhao Qingzhi farce mere boredom relief.

  Sending Ni Yu teach manners—senior guiding junior, not pettiness over disrespect.

  Lu rolled sleeve—piece placed. Island spiritual energy stormed, purple qi thundered.

  Gaze shifted to boarding Tonggu Daoist.

  Tonggu Daoist just ashore—eyes sharpened.

  Sensed Lu's aura… stronger again…

  Even he felt faint pressure. Brother Lu… advanced once more?

  Ning Zhao graceful—white skirts fluttering, led Tonggu Daoist up pavilion.

  Tonggu Daoist narrowed eyes, chuckling praise: “Sister Ning Zhao—prettier again.”

  Ning Zhao polite lip smile—withdrew pavilion.

  “Brother Tonggu—back so soon?”

  Lu pinched bronze cup, sipped wine—curious.

  Tonggu said leading ancestral land near Five Phoenixes.

  Not easy—top immortal martial migration lengthy, defending god-demon raids.

  “Sigh—long story…”

  Tonggu Daoist sat, sipped tea—resentment surged, pouring woes to Lu.

  “Brother Lu—told you five Beast Ancestor statues: four god-demon held, one chaos entity. Now entity awakened… Wood Origin Land opening.”

  “Previously only statue not god-demon controlled.”

  Tonggu Daoist inhaled, recounting Xiaoyao Zi talk.

  Lu listened—eyes brightening.

  “Wood Origin profound truth Land?”

  Fingers tapping armrest lightly.

  Hearing Wood Origin—Lu stirred greatly.

  But felt too coincidental.

  His demon body type—corresponding Land opens?

  Coincidence?

  Or arranged?

  Lu narrowed eyes—recalled unclear figure at Layer Twelve breakthrough.

  “Feels orchestrated—for me Lu Ping'an to 'borrow' this statue.”

  Lu muttered.

  Mid-woes Tonggu Daoist paused.

  Dry-mouthed glance at Lu.

  Human words?

  Why not claim all statues yours?!

  “Brother Lu—this Wood Origin statue hard to steal…”

  “Not steal—borrow. Brother, mind words. Scholar's affair—how call stealing? I Lu Ping'an upright—borrow if can, never steal.”

  Lu dissatisfied.

  Upright?

  Tonggu Daoist mouth twitched—shamelesser than him.

  “Right right—borrow. Borrow without return—easy next borrow.”

  “This Wood Origin statue—chaos entity holds. Extraordinary—even your master might fail… So no antics. Comprehend Wood Origin—disrupt god-demons' plans.”

  Tonggu Daoist said.

  Lu brows raised.

  “Entity that strong? Sage comparable?”

  Lu surprised—never met sage-level. Unsure if ancient immortal martial memory's old daoist was.

  “Born chaos—rumored Beast Ancestor era contemporary, immensely strong. God-demon chaos emperor fought—couldn't seize statue.”

  “Wood Origin statue—robbed directly from god-demons.”

  Tonggu Daoist smacked lips.

  Lu nodded gravely—borrowing from sage-level… harder.

  Previous two Elemental Gods—quasi-sage.

  This chaos entity—apparently sage.

  Stealing sage-level…

  Lu felt dancing death's edge.

  “But even without statue—comprehending Wood Origin good… Oddest of five truths—not offensive, supreme healing.”

  “Comprehend—immense benefits.”

  Tonggu Daoist persuaded.

  “Came hear Brother Lu's thoughts.”

  “If unwilling—recommend Wood-talented cultivators accompany.”

  Tonggu Daoist smiled.

  Then expression grave.

  “Brother Lu—not deceiving: this Wood Origin venture dangerous… possible annihilation. Even I—no full retreat confidence. Entity's mood unpredictable.”

  “If wants all dead—only starry sky sage saves. Not even Elemental Gods.”

  Tonggu Daoist said.

  “So think carefully. No send—I won't blame.”

  Lu pondered.

  Indeed high risk.

  Unfathomable sage-battler—no confidence.

  Lu thought—Tonggu Daoist unhurried, occasionally snagging green jade cake.

  Cakes tasty—satisfying, one led another.

  “Brother Tonggu—entity no weakness?”

  Lu asked seriously.

  Aim: collect five statues—so if possible, attempt…

  “Weakness?”

  “Heard from sage: severely injured. Seized Wood Origin statue for healing… But injured—still terrifying.”

  “Also—not any five elements truth—black-white truth.”

  Tonggu Daoist said.

  “Comprehenders exist—rare, one in billions. That Zhulong girl similar—rare, but vast gap to entity.”

  Lu paused.

  Tapping halted.

  “Black-white truth?”

  Lu frowned.

  Linked to chaos entity awakening timing—perhaps related to Yin-Yang eyes in Zhulong's will space?

  Or… entity owner of those eyes?!

  Recalling eyes' actions in Zhulong's will.

  Lu narrowed eyes.

  Wood Origin Land—another must-go reason.