“Hm? Brother Lu, you know this chaos entity?”

  Tonggu Daoist noticed Lu's contemplative expression and quickly stuffed the half-bitten green jade cake into his mouth whole, eyes sharpening as he asked.

  “No idea.”

  Lu shook his head.

  “What's your plan, Brother Lu? This Wood Origin profound truth Land… shall we get involved?”

  Tonggu Daoist's eyes held hope. Though no confidence in snatching the Wood Origin Beast Ancestor statue from the chaos entity,

  in his view—perhaps Lu could?

  Of course, if Lu lacked certainty, Tonggu wouldn't let him risk death.

  Lu's talent exceeded imagination—given time, a pillar for humans, at least quasi-sage level.

  Human quasi-sages weren't easy to birth.

  “I feel a deep affinity with the Wood Origin Beast Ancestor statue—like heaven destined it for me.”

  Lu rolled his sleeve, picked a piece, placing it slowly on the board.

  Gentle breeze stirred fallen peach petals.

  “So, we must find a way to borrow this Wood Origin statue.”

  Lu's words—shameless, hardly human—but Tonggu Daoist's eyes lit up.

  “Worthy of Brother Lu—far bolder than those old fogeys. No wonder leading Five Phoenixes from obscurity to current immortal martial world…”

  “Worthy of the man I favor!”

  Tonggu Daoist eyes slitted in delight.

  Lu smiled, waving off: “Of course, no full certainty—you know, Wood Origin statue held by chaos entity comparable to human sages…”

  “Borrowing it means clashing head-on with that entity…”

  Tonggu Daoist nodded gravely.

  “So, real danger—abandon the statue… God-demons wanting it won't come cheap. Without losing several Celestial-tier—heh…”

  “Above Great Dao-tier: Celestial-tier. Elemental Gods are Celestial-tier—but top among them.”

  Tonggu Daoist explained.

  Lu nodded—god-demons seizing Wood Origin likely cost Celestial-tiers, same for humans.

  No quasi-sage deaths—hard to wrest from sage-comparable.

  “Then Brother Lu, select a few with wood affinity talent…”

  Tonggu Daoist stuffed three-four more cakes, grinning.

  “Once gathered, I'll set off.”

  Lu nodded slightly—unmindful of emptied cakes.

  Tonggu Daoist didn't linger—spatial shuttle away, checking human geniuses' cultivation in Five Phoenixes.

  Lu sank into thought.

  “If guess right—that chaos entity owner of eyes in Zhulong's will space…”

  “Black-white truth… isn't that Yin-Yang truth?”

  “Zhulong entered Daluo thanks to projected Yin-Yang truth from those eyes.”

  “Interesting…”

  Lu fingers tapped armrest lightly.

  Zhulong—preaching platform/system's first heavenly dragon species, profoundly mysterious. Now, even familiar with platform, Lu couldn't recreate another Zhulong.

  Unique in the world.

  “Child's mom?”

  Lu lips curved slightly.

  Time for formal meeting.

  But soon pondered—if entity saw him, might slap Lu Ping'an dead?

  After all—he'd “abducted” Zhulong.

  Now, girl's eyes held only world's best Dad.

  No room for others.

  “Plus serious issue…”

  “Send Zhulong girl to this Wood Origin Land?”

  Lu narrowed eyes.

  Pondering, unconsciously arranging board pieces.

  “If send Zhulong—risk real recognition, tadpole finding mom… meat bun beating dog—one way trip?”

  “Then no world's best Dad in her eyes—I'd grieve to death.”

  Lu shook head—denying sending Zhulong openly.

  “No sending Zhulong—at least not blatantly.”

  “Send that scoundrel Azure Dragon probe waters…”

  Lu grew solemn.

  Zhulong personal—too risky. Years nurturing—if abducted, uncomfortable.

  So Lu decided Azure Dragon test.

  Worst case—Dragon Gate linked, retreat route.

  That scoundrel Azure Dragon…

  Thinking him, Lu long sigh, head shake—full disappointment.

  If not harmless—Lu would've reforged him.

  Offspring nearly a race.

  …

  Tonggu Daoist left Lake Heart Island—soon atop Fire Origin star.

  Saw Luoyang attempting ninth thousand steps.

  Plain-robed human prodigy Luoyang on flame mountain steps—vast Fire Origin truths rolling like worldly sea of fire, threatening incineration.

  Luoyang gritted teeth, hands behind back, sweat-drenched—lifting foot for step, but like crushing atmospheric pressure—couldn't land.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Boom!

  Summit Fire Origin Beast Ancestor statue released rolling aura.

  Luoyang grunted.

  Ejected from flame mountain, landing base.

  He remained composed—brushed ash.

  Failure routine—decades assaulting ninth thousand, that one step—like heaven and sea apart.

  “Senior Tonggu?!”

  Luoyang spotted him—eyes brightening.

  “Good—truth mastery forty-nine percent, far better than that Chai kid.”

  Tonggu Daoist surprised by Luoyang's progress. At Heavenly Emperor—truth comprehension key.

  Later percentages—vast differences.

  Seventy percent qualified quasi-sage assault.

  Eighty—basically quasi-sage.

  Ninety—strong among quasi-sages.

  Full hundred—perfect truth: quasi-sage pinnacle, half-step sage.

  Luoyang encouraged by praise—embarrassed head scratch, smile.

  “Mainly Phoenix Blood Pool on Fire Origin star—bathing greatly boosted.”

  Luoyang said.

  Tonggu Daoist paused—Phoenix Blood Pool?

  Gaze shifted to fifth thousand steps pool.

  Step out—space tore.

  Instantly above pool—gazing leisurely blood pool, containing vast Fire Origin power.

  “Incredible… this pool alone supreme treasure!”

  Tonggu Daoist marveled.

  “Brother Lu's master truly thoughtful—prepared blood pool…”

  “Could… Golden and Fire Origin statues acquisitions—all in that mysterious starry sky sage's calculations?”

  Tonggu Daoist felt high likelihood.

  Suddenly found Lu's master so kind.

  “Wonder if Brother Lu's master still takes disciples…”

  “Or let old daoist hug thigh.”

  Tonggu Daoist muttered.

  Then had Luoyang gather human geniuses.

  Tonggu Daoist saw them diligent in Five Phoenixes—significant gains, surprising.

  Without two statues—Five Phoenixes cultivation environment lagged far behind Primordial Immortal Domain.

  Previously seeing Chai Feng—thought all slacking.

  Unexpectedly all progressed visibly—only Chai Feng…

  Thinking this, gaze on Chai Feng soured.

  Chai Feng wronged—head lowered.

  His fault?

  Golden Origin pyramid lacked Phoenix Blood Pool equivalent—and lost bet to Five Phoenixes cultivators, nurturing thirty Emperors…

  Chai Feng tough?

  “This time, Wood Origin Beast Ancestor statue Land opened… those skilled in healing step forward.”

  Tonggu Daoist said.

  Long pause—rustling ten human geniuses emerged.

  Luoyang and Chai Feng knew selves—no wood talent.

  These ten talented in healing—hence Tonggu's call.

  “Not bad…”

  “Others stay guard Five Phoenixes. Rest—with me to Wood Origin profound truth Land…”

  Tonggu Daoist said.

  “This Land—face terrifying chaos entity, possible god-demon encirclement. Afraid?”

  Tonggu Daoist grave.

  “Any afraid—leave now.”

  He watched ten human geniuses—stood straight, no retreat.

  Fire Origin Land encirclement experienced—comrades died.

  Hearts burned—how fear, retreat?

  “Good…”

  Tonggu Daoist nodded satisfied.

  Ancestral old fogeys no send—he'd lead himself.

  Death—what fear?

  Strength without daring death?

  On Fire Origin star,

  Overlord, Tang Yimo, and other Five Phoenixes cultivators heard Tonggu Daoist's mobilization to humans.

  Exchanged glances—heavy in eyes.

  “Wood Origin profound truth Land?”

  Overlord inhaled deeply.

  “This time—we can't miss…”

  Overlord and Tang Yimo eyes met—unyielding resolve.

  Indeed—poor in Golden/Fire truths. Watching others comprehend, break Daluo—while they bottlenecked Golden Immortal.

  Deep anxiety.

  Must strengthen!

  Five Phoenixes surely quotas—minds stirred, left Fire Origin star.

  …

  Five Phoenixes Continent.

  Lu placed pieces on board—each representing Wood Origin expedition selectee.

  Click!

  Piece fell.

  Subtle ripple spread faintly.

  Great Xuan Dynasty capital.

  Pre-dawn darkness—newborn vitality.

  Spring Wind Pavilion.

  In heavenly room—Azure Dragon suddenly shivered.

  Jolted from gentle haven—behind bed vast white softness. Perhaps too abrupt—coquettish protests rang.

  Tinkling voices drifted.

  “Oh—Dragon brother, stay longer—still early.”

  Charming girl lotus arm hooked Azure Dragon's neck.

  Azure Dragon forehead cold sweat.

  Hurriedly disentangled, swallowed—staring silent ceiling beam, inexplicable oppression, dread.

  Heart raced.

  Bed's six—from human, demon, sea clans—no longer fragrant.

  Stared long.

  No movement—Azure Dragon exhaled.

  Scratched lipstick-marked neck base.

  For strength… sacrificed too much.

  “Hurry back?!”

  “Need personal invite?”

  Faint voice—unangered authority, terrifying pressure—fresh-relieved Azure Dragon huge jolt.

  Voice echoed room.

  Only Azure Dragon heard clearly.

  “D-Dad?!”

  Azure Dragon ignored all—dressed hastily, heedless six girls' resentful gazes—exited Spring Wind Pavilion.

  Azure Dragon streaked sky—soon over Lake Heart Island.

  Belt tightened—Azure Dragon silent. Ni Yu eyed unclean lipstick on neck base, thick rouge scent—disdainful.

  “Heh—scum dragon!”

  Ni Yu stared, sneered.

  “Mind your business, little girl…”

  Azure Dragon rolled eyes.

  Feared Dad—not fearing stunted Ni Yu.

  But on Lake Heart Island—low-key, head down.

  Outside—unrestrained 360-degree flirt. Here—flirt once, no tomorrow's sun.

  White Jade Capital pavilion.

  Azure Dragon familiarly ascended. Lu seated Thousand-Bladed Chair, lightly tapping piece.

  Azure Dragon saw Lu—no words, pinched ears—kneeled double knees.

  Fluent, seamless.

  “Dad—we dare not again…”

  “We'll cultivate diligently—no crooked paths. Offspring many—no match hard work. You right—diligence path to books mountain, boundless learning sea…”

  “Enough—shut up, kneel.”

  Lu faint—cutting Azure Dragon's repentance.

  Not first brothel catch.

  But this time—Azure Dragon sensed severity.

  Dad truly angry? Just few more cuties—why so mad?

  Jealous?!

  Azure Dragon mind whirred.

  Suddenly—Lake Heart Island mist stirred. Ning Zhao led several ashore.

  Lu Jiulian, Sima Qingshan arrived together.

  Sima Qingshan—early Five Phoenixes Golden Immortal batch. Years no lag.

  Now Ninth-Turn Golden Immortal.

  Low-key, uncontending—cultivation via painting.

  Lu Jiulian needless mention—this Wood Origin Land, Lu no personal go—so Lu Jiulian, cheat tool essential.

  Sima Qingshan—Lu favored. From poor painter to Five Phoenixes painting sage—Lu watched grow.

  Sima's serene mindset suited Wood Origin.

  Azure Dragon too—Wood Origin vitality.

  Azure Dragon overflowing vitality—perfect.

  “Here?”

  Lu smiled.

  Sima Qingshan neat green robes—gentle bow.

  Lu Jiulian bowed.

  “Simple matter—Jiulian experienced. This time Primordial Star Sky Wood Origin profound truth Land opens. Compared prior two—crucial…”

  “Thus send you three. But high danger—Wood Origin statue held by chaos entity.”

  Lu said.

  Kneeling Azure Dragon eyes brightened.

  Dad not mad over brothel.

  But soon tangled—heard Little Red Dragon: Lands dangerous—god-demon chases, now terrifying chaos entity…

  Azure Dragon reluctant—didn't want die.

  But thought something.

  “Entity male or female? Send me—use charm conquer her?”

  “Life for seduction?”

  Azure Dragon eyes lit.

  Azure Dragon felt—average cultivation/talent, only standout charm—high female attraction.

  So—Lu planning beauty dragon scheme!

  “Shut up!”

  Lu mouth twitched.

  Nearly couldn't resist reforging messy-minded Azure Dragon.

  Suddenly.

  Lu narrowed eyes—head turned outside Lake Heart Island.

  Ning Zhao understood—floated out.

  Mist parted—revealing outside: Overlord and Tang Yimo arrived together.

  “Young Master Lu—heard Primordial Star Sky Wood Origin Land opens. We two wish venture.”

  Overlord and Tang Yimo unison.

  Lu paused.

  First proactive volunteers.

  But no refusal—allowed aboard White Jade Capital pavilion.

  Lu no deny—Lands extreme danger, but tempering grounds.

  Survive return—vast cultivation gain.

  Like Tantai Xuan, Bai Qingniao.

  Now half-step Daluo—accumulation sufficient, soon assail.

  Though Lu doubted Overlord/Tang Yimo Wood Origin affinity—but participation key.

  Thus Wood Origin expedition: Overlord, Tang Yimo, Lu Jiulian, Azure Dragon, Sima Qingshan five.

  Humm…

  Void twisted.

  Space tore.

  Tonggu Daoist with ten human geniuses appeared outside Lake Heart Island.

  Groups met.

  Tonggu Daoist surprised seeing Lu Jiulian—again?

  Golden Origin you, Fire Origin you—this Wood Origin too?

  So outstanding—friendless!

  “This… Jiulian going too?”

  Tonggu Daoist asked.

  “No harm—try, tempering.”

  Lu smiled.

  Lu Jiulian no objection—Lands hugely beneficial, worth trip.

  Tonggu Daoist no more words.

  “No delay—I'll depart with them now…”

  Tonggu Daoist said.

  But Azure Dragon spoke.

  “Wait…”

  “Haven't bid wives farewell!”

  Azure Dragon shy.

  Tonggu Daoist laughed: “Quick go quick return… one hour here wait.”

  Tonggu Daoist thought farewells normal.

  Lu glanced Azure Dragon—cold smile.

  “One hour maybe not enough… three days? I'll hurry?”

  Azure Dragon timid.

  Tonggu Daoist face stiffened.

  Farewell three days?

  Wives encircle Five Phoenixes?!

  “Ignore him.”

  Lu said.

  “Early go early back—stay safe.”

  Lu eyed Azure Dragon—silencing objections.

  Tonggu Daoist eyed Azure Dragon oddly—now understood Lu's choice.

  Guy brimming vitality—perhaps extraordinary Wood Origin talent.

  Old daoist smiled—no more.

  Hand beckoned.

  Rip!

  Void tore.

  Space-Time Spirit Boat materialized.

  Ten humans, Lu Jiulian, Overlord etc. Five Phoenixes expeditioners boarded.

  Tonggu Daoist floated up—whisk sweep, seated front.

  “Brother Lu—until next.”

  “Safe return—I'll treat wine!”

  Tonggu Daoist hearty laugh—eyes gleaming.

  Ancestral old fogeys dare not—he would!

  Boom!

  Spirit Boat silver-gray light enveloped—plunged void. Next instant—vanished spatial chaos.

  Space-Time Spirit Boat—spatial supreme treasure, unique.

  Watched departure.

  Lu exhaled slowly.

  Waved Ning Zhao etc. cultivate—leaned rail, drew Spirit Pressure Chessboard.

  Board faint glow—this Wood Origin Land trip—Lu quite concerned.

  Mainly that chaos entity—curious.

  Of course, Wood Origin statue too.

  After all, fresh-fused Wood Indestructible Demon Body—to perfect, relied on it.

  Time flew.

  Stars shifted.

  Five Phoenixes time arrays—decades passed.

  One day.

  Meditating Golden Origin star human Heavenly Emperor Chai Feng, Fire Origin star Luoyang—sensed.

  Eyes opened—brow light burst.

  Next—distant starry gaze met—eyes bright, excitement surging.

  “Ancestral land's aura!”