The injured Heavenly God-tier demon let out a shrill, agonized roar before detonating its soul. Space shuddered violently as it dragged its half-crippled body away, tearing through the void to escape.
In its panic, it left behind one final sentence.
It left Xuan Cang stunned and disheveled amid the ancient starry sky for quite some time.
Watching the fleeing Heavenly God-tier demon, Elder Xuan Cang felt a twinge of frustration. He truly hadn't been able to hold it in any longer—that was why he'd rushed out of the Five Phoenixes in a hurry and released the arrow Lu had shot into the ancient starry sky.
A horde of demons had conveniently shown up, so he'd used them as sacrifices for the arrow.
Fortunately, he'd managed to contain himself. Otherwise, if he'd detonated the arrow inside the Five Phoenixes, disaster would have struck.
At first, Xuan Cang had been rather pleased. After all, sacrificing so many demons for one arrow meant he hadn't lost out—he'd even profited.
Of course, he was also shocked by the arrow Lu had unleashed.
The single shot from the Five Phoenixes Bow fused five entirely different raging energies, erupting with terrifying power that could rightly be called a ultimate killing move.
The dying Heavenly God-tier demon's final shout wasn't wrong... but unfortunately, this killing move didn't belong to him, Xuan Cang.
Raising his purplish arm, it gradually recovered under the soothing flow of spiritual energy.
Xuan Cang couldn't help but give a wry smile.
"What a pity—I didn't manage to kill them all in one go. One escaped... Now that the news reaches the Realm of Elements, in the next battle, I'll probably be targeted heavily."
"Whether I'll be ganged up on and beaten to death by the Elemental Gods... that's up to fate."
Xuan Cang exhaled. Though a bit depressed, his mood was still decent.
Confirming that Lu could protect the Beast Ancestor statue was great news—for him and for the entire human ancestral land.
At the very least, the human ancestral land no longer needed to divert two quasi-saints to guard the statue. Saving the manpower of two quasi-saints could accomplish a lot.
Losing even one quasi-saint guardian meant greater peril for the human ancestral land.
The demons' spies were watching it closely. The moment it grew vulnerable, the demons would surely launch an assault.
The Beast Ancestor statue was important, but so was the human ancestral land.
Though he'd been "shot" by Lu's arrow, he hadn't lost face and was quite satisfied.
As if something occurred to him, Xuan Cang's expression suddenly turned cold.
"That damned Tong Gu... Good thing I'm strong enough, or this time I'd have been utterly humiliated!"
Xuan Cang cursed angrily.
After venting, he didn't return to the Five Phoenixes. He'd just emerged with such immortal grace—going back now would be too embarrassing.
"Hmm, as for the conditions Lu Ping'an mentioned..."
Xuan Cang frowned.
After thinking it over, he shook his head. "Fine, fine. It's just nurturing thirty Emperor Realm experts and thirty Great Emperors... Not Supreme Emperors or Heavenly Emperors. It's tough and excessive, but the talents produced will belong to the human race. No loss."
Xuan Cang smiled.
Then, with hands clasped behind his back, he gracefully traversed the starry sky.
As for pitting some human prodigies, Xuan Cang didn't care.
Human prodigies were meant to grow by overcoming countless obstacles.
If they couldn't handle even this minor trouble, how could they be called human prodigies?
How could they shoulder the future of the human race?
Xuan Cang smiled. Everything he did was for the good of the human prodigies.
"If you're going to blame someone, blame that damned Tong Gu..."
Stroking his beard with a chuckle, he took a step, causing the stars to shift. In an instant, he vanished, returning to the human ancestral land.
...
In the Realm Ruins.
Tong Gu, who had just climbed into the palace via vines, suddenly felt an itch in his nose.
He sneezed loudly, the resounding sound echoing through the palace.
It drew furious glares from the Elemental Gods who had just arrived.
"What are you glaring at?"
"Are you lusting after this old daoist's body?"
"Dream on—this old daoist is the daddy you'll never have!"
Tong Gu wiped his nose, casting a sidelong glance at the Elemental Gods.
The Fire Elemental God and Gold Elemental God exploded in rage, barely containing themselves from attacking.
But Tong Gu showed no fear, rolling up his sleeves, ready to fight.
"If you want a battle, let's make it a proper one—until one side dies, or both do."
A faint voice echoed from the depths of the palace.
Tong Gu and the two Elemental Gods froze instantly. The Heavenly God-tier demons didn't dare speak.
The speaker was undoubtedly the chaos being in the palace...
An untouchable existence, capable of clashing with demon emperors at the chaos tier.
Creak... creak...
The palace gates were profoundly deep.
But the interior was utterly dark.
Tong Gu held his tongue, lifting his gaze along the corridor. All he saw were stacked, slender, perfectly toned long legs protruding from the shadows.
The owner of those legs—the upper body—was shrouded in darkness, completely invisible.
"No fighting? Then come in."
After waiting a while with no outbreak, the shadowy figure in the palace depths spoke leisurely, breaking the tense silence.
Tong Gu and the Elemental Gods exhaled in relief.
Then, straightening up, they strode into the palace.
As a human quasi-saint, Tong Gu had seen his share of the world over the years.
The Elemental Gods, needless to say, were powerful and high-status, carrying themselves with neither humility nor arrogance.
Stepping inside, darkness gradually enveloped their eyes, and the pale long legs vanished.
The palace was pitch black, fingers invisible even when held up, as if thick ink had wrapped everything.
After a long while...
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Clusters of white flames flickered to life.
They spread from the entrance all the way to the depths.
The scene within the palace gradually clarified.
This magnificent palace seemed crafted entirely from emerald jade, with a throne atop it.
On the throne lounged a woman, languid and seductive.
She wore a black-and-white gown with high slits, revealing slender, flawless long legs. One side of the gown was black, the other white—and so was she.
Half her body was inky black, the other half pure white as jade.
Strangely, the black half had white eyes, while the white half had black eyes.
A stark contrast.
Her aura was utterly ordinary, without the slightest fluctuation.
But that very lack of fluctuation was what made her terrifying and dreadful.
Her control over power had reached an unfathomable realm.
"Human race, demon race..."
"You've been fighting for so many years, and you're still at it? Utterly meaningless..."
"This ancient starry sky is just a massive cage. You're all merely beasts trapped inside—what's there to fight over?"
The woman leaned lazily against the black-and-white throne, speaking indifferently.
Below, Tong Gu smiled calmly. "How can we not fight?"
"The human race fights for survival, for a stable foothold in the ancient starry sky. There's nothing wrong with that..."
"To a supreme being like you, who sees far and wide, it may seem pointless. But to us weak, pitiful, helpless humans... fighting is how we stay alive."
Tong Gu remained composed, neither servile nor overbearing... and slipped in some flattery.
The Gold and Fire Elemental Gods cursed inwardly—Tong Gu's shamelessness was etched into his bones.
"Our demon race fights to defend our territory! To protect our living space! We are the true orthodoxy of the ancient starry sky!"
The Gold Elemental God hurried to say.
"Orthodoxy my ass!"
"Shameless bastard! You dare say that?!"
"You're just creatures born from primal energies, yet you feel superior? This old daoist thinks the human race is the true orthodoxy! Damn it!"
Tong Gu cursed outright.
"You!"
The Gold Elemental God's eyes blazed with killing intent.
"Interesting..."
The woman on the black-and-white throne smiled.
Her features were stunningly beautiful, but the black-and-white skin made her seem eerie—yet with a strange allure.
"There's no such thing as orthodoxy in the ancient starry sky... Demons or humans, you're all just dust."
She chuckled lightly, her black-and-white eyes holding a trace of reminiscence.
"Once, the human race ruled the ancient starry sky. So did the demons. Even some weak races you look down on were once invincible, dominating the stars..."
"But with each passing era, those former kings, those once-glorious worlds... in the blink of an eye, they've all become silent ruins in this Realm Ruins."
She smiled as if recounting ancient secrets.
Tong Gu's pupils contracted.
That person...
Who was it?!
"So there's nothing worth fighting for. When the time comes... just wait for death."
The woman yawned lazily, revealing no more secrets.
But her words sent chills down the spines of Tong Gu and the Elemental Gods.
"Wait for death? How could we just wait?"
"Even in the darkest trials, the human race will endure! Humans must strive for strength!"
Tong Gu declared solemnly.
He meant it. The human race's rise from obscurity, surviving countless demon sieges and growing stronger, embodied their refusal to bow to fate.
In the dark ancient starry sky ruled by demons with countless powerhouses, humans had carved a path, standing unyielding and unexterminated—thanks to their unbreakable conviction.
Though unreliable and shameless, Tong Gu had poured his heart into the human race's rise and strength.
Moreover, the feud between humans and demons couldn't be erased by a casual word from this woman.
"Strive for strength?"
"Your human race has three saints... If you meet them, ask: Is the demons your greatest enemy?"
"The stronger you become, the clearer it is... where true terror comes from, and from whom."
"When he appears, it will be the end of all life."
The woman sighed, then smiled again.
As if mocking Tong Gu's ignorance, yet lamenting his persistence.
She seemed accustomed to such defiance—only for it to yield repeated disappointment and despair.
Tong Gu was stunned.
Was the demons not the human race's greatest enemy?
Or, as inspirational sayings claimed, was the greatest enemy... humans themselves?
Tong Gu's mind wandered.
The woman said no more. The Elemental Gods fell silent.
This being rivaled demon emperors—they dared not speak carelessly. Better to stay quiet than risk death.
Let Tong Gu talk himself to doom.
The woman seemed done talking.
"This lord knows why you've come."
"It's for the Wood Origin Beast Ancestor statue, right?"
She said.
At the mention, Tong Gu's eyes lit up.
He flung himself sideways to the ground.
"Senior..."
"Our human race is so pitiful! The demons are inhuman, bloodthirsty killers—they slaughter billions upon billions of our people every year, from hundred-billion-year-old elders to newborn infants, sparing none..."
"They hold four Beast Ancestor statues, committing atrocities, bullying our human race, and repeatedly tricking our prodigies into throwing away their lives..."
"We're so miserable!"
Tong Gu sat sideways on the floor, wailing tragically. At the emotional peak, tears streamed down.
The demons' existence was a sharp blade hovering over the human race, chilling them to the bone.
The Gold and Fire Elemental Gods' eyes nearly shot flames.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Damn it!
This bastard!
"Stop playing the victim! The human race just stole two Beast Ancestor statues from us demons! How are you miserable?! Your prodigy Lu Jiulian, at Supreme Emperor realm, killed fourteen of our Great Dao-tier demons—how is that miserable?!"
"Have some shame!"
The Gold and Fire Elemental Gods nearly roared.
They were the ones suffering—yet he made them sound utterly evil!
The black-and-white woman on the throne merely smiled.
The palace had been silent for billions of years, rarely seeing visitors. Boredom reigned.
She found this quite entertaining.
Hearing the Gold Elemental God's words, Tong Gu grew even more upset.
Tears flowed faster.
"Senior, look—they're slandering us... Our human race has no talent for comprehending Beast Ancestor statues! If one fell into our hands, I, Tong Gu, swear Xuan Cang will meet a bad end!"
Tong Gu pounded his chest.
The Gold and Fire Elemental Gods refreshed their view of Tong Gu's shamelessness.
Swear on yourself, damn it!
"Tong Gu, you thief! Return our Beast Ancestor statue!"
The enraged Fire Elemental God nearly attacked.
Pure origin fire flared around him.
But...
The moment the flames emerged, the black-and-white woman on the throne raised a finger.
Whoosh...
The palace suddenly turned freezing cold...
The origin fire froze solid.
The Fire Elemental God's anger vanished, replaced by deep fear.
He'd nearly been provoked by this bastard.
"Next time, I'll mince you and feed you to my black-and-white beast..."
She traced lightly in the air, her tone casual, but it sent the Fire Elemental God into an icy abyss.
"My black-and-white beast is so obedient and cute—it eats anything."
She glanced at everyone below and smiled.
Tong Gu stopped wailing, wiped his tears, stood up, and fell silent.
Know when to push and when to pull back—that's the way.
"My injuries are nearly healed. The Wood Origin Beast Ancestor statue is useless to me now... It keeps getting eyed by my black-and-white beast, so I'll give you a chance."
Hmm?
Her words brightened Tong Gu's eyes.
The Gold and Fire Elemental Gods hadn't expected such luck.
They'd prepared many plans, even to summon a demon emperor for a forceful seizure. Now, it seemed unnecessary.
The woman flicked her finger.
A water droplet formed above the hall.
Within it reflected scenes.
Human prodigies and demon elites.
"The Wood Origin Beast Ancestor statue is in the comprehension ground... Whichever side obtains it can take it away."
She said.
Her words changed Tong Gu's expression slightly.
It was a contest among those inside the comprehension ground.
Humans were clearly at a disadvantage.
After all, demons outnumbered them vastly, and every demon was an elite.
Tong Gu regretted not insisting on bringing more human geniuses from the ancestral land.
That would have increased their chances.
"But the statue is held by my black-and-white beast..."
"So seizing it carries certain risks."
She crossed her long legs, gazing at her slender fingers.
"Of course, besides this method, if you provide information I desire, you may take the Wood Origin Beast Ancestor statue. It's useless for my injuries now—just an ugly, rotten thing to me..."
Her words first dashed hopes, then reignited them.
Tong Gu and the Elemental Gods focused intently.
"What information?"
The Gold Elemental God couldn't resist asking.
Her black-and-white eyes swept over everyone.
"Seen my eyes?"
"Remember them."
"Whoever provides information on a being with eyes exactly like mine can take the Wood Origin Beast Ancestor statue."
She said.
"Otherwise, let your outstanding juniors fight desperately... But the end might be becoming food for my cute black-and-white beast."
"My little cutie's tiny fists aren't something many can withstand."
Her tone grew colder.
The Gold and Fire Elemental Gods were stunned.
"A being with eyes like hers—mastering black-and-white mysteries?"
"Many master black-and-white mysteries, but exact eyes like these are rare..."
The Heavenly God-tier demons huddled to ponder.
On the other side.
Tong Gu maintained a smile, but inside he was frozen solid.
He hadn't expected this saint-level terrifying woman to make such a demand.
A being with black-and-white eyes...
He knew one!
Wasn't that little Zhu Long?!
Lu's precious little girl!
Damn...
Tong Gu's thoughts raced. He glanced at the black-and-white woman on the throne, then recalled Lu's face.
Gossip flames burned fiercely.
"Could it be a romantic debt left by brother Lu Ping'an?"
"No... wait..."
"Something's very wrong!"
"How could brother Lu have history with this woman?"
They were worlds apart!
"Impossible... Different races. Sure, she looks beautiful, but who knows what horrifying primal beast her true form is..."
Tong Gu took a deep breath, shaking his head, frowning.
He knew about Zhu Long, but should he tell?
What if... she meant harm?
If he revealed Zhu Long, and she learned her daughter had called a human "daddy" for years—would she fly into a rage?
Lose face?
Then take it out on brother Lu, tearing him apart?
A saint-level fury—one slap could shatter the Five Phoenixes!
Even Lu's saint master might not withstand it!
Tong Gu was torn.
He sneaked a glance at the throne. She was now icy and ruthless—completely different from her earlier chatty self.
Tong Gu's heart sank.
He knew women best.
A woman's mood changes like summer weather. This icy demeanor—for Zhu Long's information—definitely wasn't benevolent!
So, Tong Gu decided not to tell.
But if not, the human geniuses in the comprehension ground would all die...
So painful...
Tong Gu winced, yanking at his beard.
"Does anyone know?"
She seemed to sense something.
Terrifying pressure erupted from her black-and-white eyes, sweeping down.
Heavy as mountains, it left Tong Gu and the Elemental Gods breathless.
"We... do not know."
The Elemental Gods shook their heads hurriedly.
"This old daoist knows nothing either!"
Tong Gu shook his head blankly.
Inside, he sighed.
Brother Lu, my loyalty to you is true—I resisted the temptation of the Wood Origin statue and didn't betray you!
Still, Tong Gu pinned hopes on the human geniuses.
Most were ordinary.
But there was Lu Jiulian!
The human ferocious god Lu Jiulian, who kept creating miracles without ever falling...
This time, perhaps another small surprise for him?!
So, Tong Gu held back, waiting expectantly.
It's just a black-and-white beast.
She called it cute—it couldn't be too ferocious... right?
Thinking this, Tong Gu looked up at the floating water droplet.
Trying to peer into the scenes within.
...
Five Phoenixes Starry Sky.
Elder Xuan Cang's departure eased the tense atmosphere.
The human prodigies felt awkward.
Their situation was truly uncomfortable—after all, Xuan Cang had sold them out.
Chai Feng and Luo Yang sighed in relief. It was all an act. With Senior Xuan Cang's status, he wouldn't do such a thing.
The Beast Ancestor statue appearing in the Five Phoenixes was a blessing for humans. Turning blessing into tragedy would be terrible.
As for the price the extra human prodigies had to pay for comprehension.
Chai Feng and Luo Yang said nothing.
Living in the Five Phoenixes these days, they knew Lu Ping'an's temperament.
Him not slaughtering these prodigies outright was already merciful.
Though the Heavenly Emperor prodigies were dissatisfied, seeing Lu's earlier arrow silenced their complaints.
If Lu shot at them, they'd all turn to dust.
Lu Ping'an shot even quasi-saints without hesitation—would he fear mere Heavenly Emperors?
Though Lu was also Heavenly Emperor realm, wielding a supreme treasure made that his strength.
"Any objections?"
Lu calmly scanned the human prodigies.
"This is the price we must pay. Dao brother jests—we have none."
"We'll nurture the thirty Great Emperors."
A human Heavenly Emperor cupped his hands with a smile.
"But dao brother, could you be flexible? Let us comprehend after nurturing ten Great Emperors... The remaining twenty can be cultivated slowly as repayment?"
Leaning on his Thousand Blades Chair, Lu's gaze fell on this Heavenly Emperor.
"Bargaining?"
"You..."
"Add ten more Great Emperors."
Lu's calm words echoed through the void, turning the speaker's face black.
This guy... doesn't play fair!
Chai Feng gave him a sympathetic look. Idiot—reasoning with Lu Ping'an?
Senior Xuan Cang's mess, and Lu not wiping them all out was already kind.
Besides, nurturing Great Emperors for the Five Phoenixes—what's wrong with that?
Chai Feng's reputation in the Five Phoenixes was stellar now.
After all, thirty Emperor Realm experts from his guidance earned him the title "Emperor Master."
The other prodigies fell silent.
Lu seemed to sense something.
His brows furrowed.
He waved his hand.
"Fine. Time acceleration in the Five Phoenixes—thirty means thirty. No bargaining."
Lu said.
With that, his mind stirred, and he vanished from the starry sky.
The tense atmosphere dissipated with Xuan Cang and Lu's departures.
Lu returned to the lake island.
Instructing his three maids—Ning Zhao and the others—that he was entering seclusion.
He sealed the island.
The Spiritual Pressure Chessboard unfolded.
Gentle breezes blew, lending a somber air to the lake island.
Lu's brows knit tightly, worry filling him.
He no longer concerned himself with ancestral land matters.
If they pushed further, Lu Ping'an had a temper too—he wouldn't stay polite.
This seclusion was because Lu Jiulian had entered the Wood Origin comprehension ground.
Lu sensed it vaguely.
Through Lu Jiulian's aura, his eyelids twitched incessantly—as if something major loomed.
Could it be... Lu Jiulian and the others were in big trouble?!
Chapter 624: Just Because I Looked at You One Extra Time
On the lake island, Lu frowned.
He and Lu Jiulian shared a unique karmic connection. Through it, he sensed a strange causality.
That's why he felt trouble brewing for them.
Such causality usually only surfaced when trouble arose.
Now, it seemed Lu Jiulian and the others had reached the Wood Origin comprehension ground.
"As Tong Gu said, a chaos being resides there—immensely powerful, ancient beyond measure, rivaling human saints. It seized the Wood Origin Beast Ancestor statue from demon emperors..."
Lu held a chess piece, lost in thought.
Thus, the Wood Origin ground was far more dangerous than the Fire Origin—mainly due to that uncontrollable chaos being.
Most crucially...
According to Tong Gu, it related to the eyes that appeared in Zhu Long's will space—likely their owner.
So, Lu had crossed that being.
Lu Jiulian was his avatar, carrying a trace of his aura. Ordinary folk might not detect it, but a saint-level existence likely could.
Would the chaos being vent its anger on Lu Jiulian?
Lu sighed at the thought.
The possibility was high.
"If worst comes to worst, use the Dragon Gate to bring Lu Jiulian back..."
"A saint-level chaos being isn't easy to handle. No Wood Origin statue now—wait until my qi refining advances further, or until a saint emerges in the Five Phoenixes... then settle scores."
"Can't beat it? Five Phoenixes cultivators can play coward—they're not like me, Lu Ping'an. Revenge can wait ten years."
Lu smiled.
Thinking this calmed him.
He was glad for his foresight—not sending Zhu Long.
Otherwise, she'd be the one in trouble now.
Her connection to that being was even closer—exposure would be worse.
Leaning on the Thousand Blades Chair, Lu felt pleased with his prescience.
The chess piece in hand suddenly dropped.
Plop!
Like a water droplet in a vast ocean.
The scene around Lu rippled, shifting to Lu Jiulian's first-person view.
...
Wood Origin Comprehension Ground.
Lu Jiulian, Overlord, Tang Yimo, Sima Qingshan, and Azure Dragon—five powerhouses from the Five Phoenixes—gathered cautiously in this unknown realm.
They proceeded warily. Even Lu Jiulian, who dominated the Fire Origin ground, remained extremely vigilant.
Now a Great Luo Immortal, his primordial spirit clearly sensed a terrifying hidden aura.
Far stronger than the Great Dao-tier demon Fire Eye he'd slain.
A demon powerhouse?
Lu Jiulian frowned. Demons likely invested heavily in the Wood Origin statue.
But Tong Gu had stressed its importance—they knew it too. Though outnumbered and strained, they had to fight for it.
"Wonder if this Wood Origin comprehension will release insight ripples triggering epiphany... If so, my little universe might open again."
Lu Jiulian took a deep breath.
Everything here was unknown.
A primal forest—vitality dense, life essence floating in the air. Trees towered; single leaves like houses.
Everything ahead was pitch black.
They felt shrunk to ants in a vast ancient forest.
Overlord's eyes gleamed. This time, he might comprehend mysteries.
Fire Origin no, Gold Origin no.
But Wood Origin—he could!
He had the foundation!
From low-martial Five Phoenixes, stacking the thickest armor, tanking hits all the way to immortal-martial world!
How many wounds had he endured?
Each time taking the deadliest blows, yet never dying!
Didn't that prove his life's resilience?!
Such tenacious life perfectly matched the vibrant Wood Origin!
"I, Xiang Shaoyun... was born for Wood Origin mysteries!"
Overlord declared brightly.
Tang Yimo was equally resolute. Rare chance to venture—he wouldn't waste it.
Like Overlord, both Ninth Revolution Golden Immortals—breakthrough remote.
To Great Luo required mastering mysteries—now their last hope.
Sima Qingshan remained calm, book box on back, brush in hand, scroll floating before him.
Sketching the Wood Origin ground.
He felt no affinity for Wood Origin.
Just a poor painter who loved drawing—no connection. So he stayed relaxed.
Always had.
Azure Dragon stuck close to Lu Jiulian, confidently.
He'd heard from Little Red Dragon about Lu Jiulian's Fire Origin feats—knew this was the thickest thigh. Hug it, and there'd be benefits.
Even if no soup, at least safety.
They sped through the dense forest.
A vague attraction pulled them one way—Lu Jiulian knew: the statue.
Same as Fire Origin.
"Follow the feeling!"
Lu Jiulian said.
All nodded. For ground experience, Lu Jiulian led.
Time passed.
Soon, Lu Jiulian frowned.
"Something's off."
"Why no first wave of mystery ripples after so long?"
His doubt; others confused—they knew little.
Elsewhere in Wood Origin.
Scattered demons grew grave.
"Strange—by norm, first wave should have erupted..."
A green-glowing demon said.
The oddity made demons hesitate—something bad loomed.
Buzz...
In the palace, Elemental Gods and Tong Gu transmitted via powerful primordial spirits.
The black-and-white woman allowed brief transmission—after, no more interference.
Or she'd kill mercilessly.
Even Elemental Gods—before a demon emperor-rivaling her: only death.
Transmission ended quickly.
Palace quieted, each scheming.
Comprehension ground exploded...
Human prodigies' expressions shifted.
Tong Gu's transmission revealed dire disadvantage.
"Rush at full speed to the center—seize the statue before demons!"
"This trip's goal isn't comprehension... it's treasure snatching!"
Lu Jiulian grew serious, grim.
Facing over two hundred immortal-tier demons and twenty-plus Great Dao-tier encirclement!
Vast disparity!
No choice—fight with backs to the wall.
"Pity... no mystery ripples, no little universe burst, no reliving my title as human ferocious god."
Lu Jiulian lamented.
From today, his peerless glory might bury in dead demons' memories.
"Go! Full speed—seize the treasure!"
Lu Jiulian ordered.
"Treasure snatch? No comprehension?"
Overlord's face changed, baffled. Born for this mystery—why skip?
"No ripples mean triggering requires specific stimulus. To comprehend: seize it."
Lu Jiulian explained.
Overlord reluctantly accepted.
Five Phoenixes group and human prodigies moved.
Azure Dragon low-key—this wasn't his stage for flair. Hug Lu Jiulian's thigh.
Boom!
Powerful auras erupted across the ground.
Lu Jiulian focused—Great Dao-tier demons.
They got transmission too.
Race to seize first!
Whoosh!
Lu Jiulian tilted, foot cratering wood trunk, shooting forward.
Others followed.
Swish!
House-sized leaves rustled in wind.
Figures streaked as light through forest.
All fast—human or demon.
Soon, core area.
Entering, dense forest gave way to vast emptiness—trees flattened, like a sunken space...
Lu Jiulian, Overlord, etc., perched on massive tree.
Some crouched, some touched trunk.
All eyes fixed center...
A vine.
Vine secondary—crucial: statue entwined densely.
High cultivation let them see beneath.
Vine wove nest-like—but no bird.
A round, fluffy black-and-white ball lay inside.
"What's that?"
Tang Yimo narrowed eyes—furry, seemingly cute.
"Unknown. The chaos being Tong Gu mentioned? Saint-rivaling?"
A human prodigy said oddly.
If so, too undignified—like a furball.
"Probably not—this ball..."
"So cute—want to take home."
Sima Qingshan's eyes brightened.
"Miaoyu loves fluffy things—bring for her?"
He considered.
"Careful."
As all eyed it covetously...
Azure Dragon behind Lu Jiulian poked head out.
"Fluffy things... not always cute!"
As heavenly dragon, he instinctively dreaded the core black-and-white fluff—soul-deep, like facing big sister.
Definitely extraordinary... and ferocious!
Lu Jiulian nodded.
Humans held back.
No rush—someone would test waters.
Looking up, Lu Jiulian, Overlord eyed opposite side—demons perched on branches, varied forms.
Demons stared humans—standoff.
Terrifying auras clashed overhead.
"Humans..."
Leading green-glowing demon grave.
Gaze on Lu Jiulian.
"Human ferocious god Lu Jiulian... Supreme Emperor who slew fourteen Great Dao-tier demons in Fire Origin!"
Dread in eyes.
Not just him—all demons dreaded Lu Jiulian.
How could they not? His feats horrifying.
Lu Jiulian calm, hands behind back.
He understood—shocked by his record.
Though from little universe burst—he couldn't now...
Didn't stop deterrence.
Greater power, greater pressure—even beyond his age.
"Ignore these humans—mere dozen, no threat..."
"If Lu Jiulian acts, eight Great Dao-tier intercept. Others seize statue!"
"Remember: seize and flee. Not safe here!"
"The human thief specializing in stealing statues lurks unknown—deliver to Fire and Gold Gods safest!"
Leading elite Great Dao-tier demon ordered.
Boom!
Next moment.
It waved—two Great Dao-tier, dozen immortal-tier shot out.
Space cracked—fast as black lights toward statue.
Ignored black-and-white ball.
No threat sensed. Sleeping—no need wake.
Seize and run—goal met, no extra trouble.
Humans stirred—unwilling to yield statue.
Prepared to act.
But Lu Jiulian stopped.
"Wait..."
"Can't wait—Wood Origin strategically vital—can't let demons have..."
Some humans urged.
Lu Jiulian silent, watching field.
Demons fast.
Soon tiptoed around vines.
Exchanged glances, suppressed auras, cautiously approached center—aiming quiet seizure without waking fluff.
Tension peaked.
Even perched demons held breath, watching careful moves.
Humans too captivated—breathless.
From Lu Jiulian's view, Lu felt speechless.
Watching silent, tense humans—Lu shook head. Only wind and leaves rustling.
"Are these really Five Phoenixes graduates?"
"Not a bit of my Lu Ping'an's wit inherited?"
Lu disappointed.
Now wasn't prime... mind-game time?
You're rivals! Why cooperate with their act?
"Got it!"
Suddenly.
Reaching Great Dao-tier demon thrilled—grabbed trophy-sized statue.
Previous Gold/Fire huge—piercing worlds. This Wood small, pre-shrunk.
Joy—he seized without waking...
Perfect!
But extracting silently key.
Both sides hearts in throats.
Lu Jiulian squinted—watching demon carefully angle extraction from nest...
Thrilling, nerve-wracking—blood froze, breathless.
So tense.
In palace.
Water droplet reflected.
Woman on throne watched lazily, half-smile.
Gold/Fire Elemental Gods hearts pounding—immersed.
Tong Gu tense briefly.
Then realized.
Seeing Lu Jiulian, Overlord, Tang Yimo tense silently.
Tong Gu kidney-ached in fury.
"Why tense?!"
"Idiots!"
"Opponents! Provoke! Mess with them—wake the sleeping black-and-white beast!"
"Stir it up! Why watch show?! Damn—old daoist furious!"
Tong Gu fumed, pounding chest.
Distant Gold/Fire Elemental Gods shifted, glaring maliciously.
"Despicable!"
"Bastard!"
Tong Gu ignored, raging.
On trunk.
Tension mounted—humans wide-eyed.
Azure Dragon hid behind Lu Jiulian, neck stretched, staring high-difficulty demon.
From Lu Jiulian's view—Lu helpless, shook head.
Then picked chess piece.
Plop.
Corner board.
Instant—like invisible toe.
Hm?
Puckering butt, tiptoeing, neck-craning Azure Dragon felt cold neck base.
Suddenly!
Invisible foot kicked puckered butt.
Bullseye...
Force irresistible.
Azure Dragon face flushed red.
"Ohhh~!"
Involuntary cry—soulful yet mostly excruciating.
Next, stumbled off trunk—kicked by giant force.
Cry shocked all!
Lu Jiulian, Tang Yimo, Overlord snapped awake.
Right!
Why tense?!
Azure Dragon tumbled, furious.
Twisted—see who kicked bullseye.
Nothing behind.
Thud!
Crashed field, shattering vine.
Crisp sound rang.
"Whimper..."
Whimper from nest.
Black-and-white fluff seemed woken, rolled.
Fluffy black-white revealed watery, lively big eyes—opened spiritedly.
Black-and-white beast first eyed waker Azure Dragon.
Watery eyes met flushed, awkward Azure Dragon.
Instant—just extra glance—Azure Dragon felt heart struck.
"So cute..."
Beast eyes swirled, quickly fixed on thief demon nearly extracting statue.
Tension froze.
Azure Dragon's entrance broke stalemate, woke beast.
Gripping statue demon nearly flamed inside!
So close—just bit more success!
Guardian woken at brink!
That damn thing!
Great Dao-tier scanned, glared Azure Dragon!
But acted fast—no caution, yanked violently.
Rip!
Vine tearing resounded.
However...
Next.
Demon body stiffened.
Fluffy black-and-white beast—seeing thief—eyes raged.
Killing intent boiled.
Bloody aura thick!
Roar!
Heaven-shaking roar.
Fluffy ball inflated, enlarged...
Became ten-thousand-zhang terror—like rage bear propping sky!
Black-and-white beast eyes crimson, claws sharp, fur like steel needles.
Hot breath from nose.
Mouth slightly open—rows knife-sharp teeth, dense gears—chilling.
Pfft!
Boom!
No visible move.
Huge beast lowered head, mouth clamped.
Fierce shake!
Blood sprayed...
Great Dao-tier demon swallowed whole—one bite. Gripping arm spared—beast wary statue.
Arm clutched statue, flung with it—smashed ground, blood from stump.
Beast unsatisfied—raised plump paw.
Clang!
Paw sharp as fork.
Stabbed down.
Pfft pfft!
Two Great Dao-tier demons pierced before escape—like skewered steak, stuffed mouth.
Crunch crunch chewing silenced field dead.
"This... quasi-saint stellar beast!"
Demons paled.
Harmless ball to terrifying beast—instant.
Beast mouth gaped, roared—gale like blades.
Vines shattered—many immortal-tier demons roared to bloody explosion.
Fallen Azure Dragon terrified—nearly couldn't stand.
Cute... my ass!
Pig-eating-tiger!
Azure Dragon fled.
But spotting statue gripped by severed arm.
Eyes brightened.
Behind—transformed ferocious beast targeted him.
Pounced.
Huge toothed maw gaped—biting Azure Dragon.
First eye-contact waker, extra-glance one—deserved respectful bite.
Quasi-saint terror paralyzed Azure Dragon—chilled, no courage move.
On trunk.
Lu Jiulian etc. shocked by change.
Fluffy beast's sudden ferocity stunned.
Seeing Azure Dragon targeted—Lu Jiulian shifted.
Raised hand.
Fire/Gold mysteries condensed—dual mystery rage lotuses.
Flash—domain swap, appeared over Azure Dragon.
Threw lotuses.
Boom!
Terrifying explosion.
Lu Jiulian felt immense pressure.
Smoke cleared.
Beast drooling, huffing—maw biting them.
Azure Dragon escaped pressure via aid.
Rolled, grabbed statue.
Lu Jiulian teleported away.
Beast bit Azure Dragon—he clutched statue madly.
Doubted beast bite statue too!
Yet...
Chilling—darkness enveloped.
Beast eyes ignored statue—only Azure Dragon.
Boom!
Bit down—Azure Dragon and statue, raising dust.
But mouth closed.
Wood Origin statue erupted green ripples.
Vast mystery ripples swept instantly.
Buzz...
Ripples spread.
Engulfed field.
Humans and demons entered comprehension...
Including beast—and Azure Dragon in mouth.
Silence brief.
Laughter echoed overhead.
"Heh heh heh..."
