Heh heh heh...

  A light, uninhibited laugh echoed across the field.

  The surrounding scene seemed to freeze, as if held by some mysterious force.

  Even the mighty black-and-white beast remained poised mid-bite toward Azure Dragon.

  The Beast Ancestor statue, nearly in its jaws, radiated powerful, vigorous Wood Origin mysteries.

  Lu Ping'an controlled Lu Jiulian's body, slowly opening his eyes.

  He twisted his neck slightly, lips curving upward.

  Finally, the mystery ripples had been released.

  This Wood Origin Beast Ancestor statue was truly laid-back—completely different from the Gold and Fire Origin ones.

  Those had proactively unleashed ripples, saving him so much effort.

  But this Wood Origin one... if not for the black-and-white beast opening its mouth, nearly biting the statue, it might never have bothered.

  For a Beast Ancestor statue, such nonchalance wasn't ideal.

  "Still, this black-and-white beast wields quasi-saint power. Logically, a quasi-saint shouldn't be controlled by the statue's mystery diffusion..."

  "Perhaps because it intended harm to the statue."

  Lu Ping'an maneuvered Lu Jiulian's body, gliding forward smoothly.

  A metallic scrape rang out—the sword unsheathing, slightly grating.

  He drew the Blue Lotus Sword, but didn't stab the beast.

  After all, with quasi-saint strength, even immobilized in contemplation by the statue, its might was extraordinary.

  If he truly tried to kill it, the beast would awaken at the threat.

  Thus, his target wasn't the beast.

  "Hmm... feels like someone's watching."

  Lu Ping'an frowned briefly.

  But he glanced away. Let them watch—he controlled Lu Jiulian's body. Any issues? Blame Lu Jiulian.

  Holding the Blue Lotus Sword horizontally.

  He raised a finger, tracing slowly along the blade.

  Then, the sword shot forth.

  Carrying his primordial spirit fluctuations, it spread toward the surrounding demon powerhouses.

  Pfft!

  One thrust pierced an immortal-tier demon's chest instantly. The spirit within erupted, shattering its soul.

  Now, with qi refining at layer twelve, Lu Ping'an's strength had grown immensely—primordial spirit control effortless.

  Far easier than slaughtering demons in the Fire Origin ground.

  The sword swept sideways—each pass blooming blood flowers.

  Immortal-tier demons fell like harvested leeks, collapsing in waves like broken wheat stalks.

  Lu Ping'an moved Lu Jiulian's body casually.

  The sword danced like a dragon, threading through—blood spraying, demons perishing one by one.

  Even Great Dao-tier demons roared in dying fury—to no avail.

  His primordial spirit was far stronger now.

  "Can't keep killing... this ripple wave is about to end."

  Lu Ping'an frowned via Lu Jiulian's body.

  Then flashed before the black-and-white beast's maw.

  He yanked out the terrified, soul-shaken Azure Dragon.

  After thinking, he stuffed several Great Dao-tier demon corpses into the beast's mouth.

  Satisfied, he patted its plump belly.

  Just then, the Wood Origin statue's ripples trembled rapidly—soon retracting like a mirror reforming. Minds returned to bodies.

  Lu Ping'an made Lu Jiulian's body smile gently, raising a hand.

  The bloodied Blue Lotus Sword returned to Lu Jiulian's grasp.

  ...

  Huff!

  Great Dao-tier demon Mu Ling gasped heavily. The sudden violent Wood Origin ripple had caught him off guard.

  Fortunately, his talent in Wood Origin mysteries steadied him—no disarray.

  He comprehended some, forming a fifteen-thousand-li diameter mystery sea.

  Pleasing—at least some gain this time.

  The first wave's vast sea owed to the statue's ferocious ripples.

  This intensity rivaled three waves from Gold or Fire statues combined.

  His natural affinity yielded great harvest.

  But soon, he refocused—priorities elsewhere.

  Gaze shifted to the Wood Origin statue and the terrifying quasi-saint black-and-white beast.

  Mu Ling had thought success assured—the statue nearly theirs.

  Yet humans despicably woke the beast, ruining everything in its rampage.

  His gaze swept further—and froze.

  Rubbing eyes in disbelief, scanning around...

  Thick, acrid blood assaulted his senses.

  His body trembled.

  Corpses floated everywhere—chilling.

  Not others—their demon kin!

  Even a nearby Great Dao-tier comrade lay twisted in unwilling death.

  The trail of deaths halted just before him.

  Cold sweat drenched Mu Ling. As Wood Elemental God's favored disciple, he'd never brushed so close to death.

  He'd known Qiang Huo's demise under Fire Elemental God—mocked his weakness then.

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  Now, true fear gripped him.

  Death had passed him by!

  "Why?!"

  Mu Ling reacted, scanning painfully—eight Great Dao-tier dead, fifty-six immortal-tier...

  The numbers plunged him into icy despair.

  How?!

  Who did this?

  The beast during comprehension?

  Gaze shifted—beast retching demon corpses distastefully, clawing throat, paw slamming ground in dry heaves.

  Utter revulsion and agony.

  It refused handouts!

  Truly the beast!

  Mu Ling chilled, eyes reddening—this damned creature...

  Most entrants were Wood Realm elites—Wood Realm's foundation. Such losses devastated!

  "No... wait..."

  Something dawned. He turned.

  Saw Lu Jiulian gripping Blue Lotus Sword somewhat blankly, tip dripping demon blood.

  "Human ferocious god Lu Jiulian?! You! It was you!!!"

  "You kill during comprehension!"

  Mu Ling shrieked, trembling in disbelief.

  His cry drew gazes.

  Surviving demons quaked—fearful confusion. What happened?

  Over two hundred immortal-tier—fifty-six dead. A quarter gone!

  Worse: eight Great Dao-tier!

  Elite demons!

  Lu Jiulian regained composure—expression complex.

  Here it came again...

  This familiar, monotonous... little universe burst.

  Shaking head, he sighed, sheathing Blue Lotus Sword adeptly.

  Calmly scanning.

  "Yes..."

  "It was me."

  Humans equally shocked.

  Overlord, Tang Yimo, Sima Qingshan wide-eyed—they'd missed it... Lu Jiulian slain so many.

  Eight Great Dao-tier among them!

  Worthy of rising from mid-martial prodigy to immortal-martial—terrifying!

  His nonchalant demeanor stunned them.

  Accustomed?

  They'd thought "human ferocious god" mere nickname.

  Now: earned sword by sword!

  Overlord's eyes blazed with battle intent.

  Tang Yimo's gleamed—new pursuit goal.

  Sima Qingshan smiled, shaking head.

  Lu Jiulian's strength blessed humans—safety assured.

  "It was you... You must die! You'll die!"

  "Demons swear eternal enmity with you, Lu Jiulian!"

  Mu Ling raged—fearful, terrified.

  Unknown bred fear.

  Killing during comprehension—how dare anyone comprehend?

  A nightmare.

  With him, grounds became demon graveyards!

  This monster, this ferocious god—eliminate early!

  He must report to Elemental Gods!

  Lu Jiulian remained calm.

  Kill him?

  If words sufficed, he'd died thousands in Fire ground.

  Meanwhile, discarded Azure Dragon awoke suddenly.

  Clutching statue, twenty-thousand-li mystery sea roiled overhead.

  But face ashen.

  Muttering.

  "Big sis, save me... save me..."

  "Your dearest little Qing is dying!"

  "Forget it—this black-and-white beast too brutal. Big sis coming risks grave injury—better not... Let me die, at least big sis grieves!"

  Azure Dragon despaired.

  Beast too overpowering.

  Even Zhu Long might lose.

  Quasi-saint!

  She'd just entered Great Luo—far from quasi-saint.

  Calling her useless—just more food, turned to beast droppings...

  Handsome, dashing Azure Dragon as droppings? Sorrow and regret surged.

  Should've sired more offspring—boosted strength, survival chance.

  Hm?

  Suddenly stopped calling—pressure gone.

  Looking—beast retching furiously, paw quaking ground, as if gravely insulted.

  Azure Dragon beamed.

  Alive again?

  Glanced statue—excitement. Precious statue secured...

  He, Azure Dragon... awesome!

  Scanned—Lu Jiulian saved him.

  Terrifying feats—slain hordes, eight Great Dao-tier. When so strong?!

  Single life strengthens?!

  But Azure Dragon hugged statue, soared.

  "Jiulian rocks! Worthy of man I taught!"

  He laughed.

  "Statue ours—withdraw!"

  Boasted triumphantly—no trace prior misery.

  Lu Jiulian studied at Great Xuan Academy—then at Tai Ling under his preaching peak. True—he'd taught him.

  Others speechless at claim.

  But latter words brightened eyes.

  "Statue secured?"

  Even Lu Jiulian stunned.

  Then realized—ripples ended comprehension unknowingly.

  During, he not only killed—formed twenty-thousand-li mystery sea!

  Sima Qingshan looked—nine-thousand-li overhead.

  Sighed—Wood affinity mediocre, as expected.

  Other human prodigies checked.

  Ancestral land prodigies yielded dark horse—fifteen-thousand-li, rivaling Mu Ling.

  Overlord excited—thick armor, endured beats, born for Wood—how much his sea?

  Hopeful glance.

  Froze.

  Others dense black seas.

  His... basin-sized?

  Face darkened...

  Tantai Xuan's misfortune contagious?

  So confident.

  Yet... joke-sized sea?!

  Iron-blue, embarrassed.

  He'd boasted Wood genius.

  Now this farce.

  Low-key Azure Dragon—doubted hope—twenty-thousand-li.

  Overlord jealous, unwilling.

  Why this promiscuous dragon such talent?!

  Unfair.

  Promiscuity boosts comprehension?!

  But glancing Tang Yimo's thousand-li—balanced.

  "Go!"

  Lu Jiulian said nothing.

  Seeing statue with Azure Dragon—joy.

  Flashed beside, pulling back to humans.

  "Run!"

  No hesitation.

  Grabbed Azure Dragon, streaked as cyan light distant.

  Human prodigies reacted.

  Statue theirs—flee!

  Swish!

  Sprang away like coiled springs.

  Sima Qingshan grave.

  Brush in hand, scroll unfurled.

  Ink splashed.

  Scroll became mini-world, barring demons.

  Then fled.

  "No! They stole Wood Origin statue!"

  Mu Ling realized.

  Chilled, fury consumed.

  "Chase!"

  Statue vital—mission core.

  Loss unforgivable by Elemental Gods.

  But as pursuit began...

  Beast finished retching—watery eyes aggrieved, earth-shaking roar.

  Craving fresh kills to rinse mouth!

  Remaining demons targeted.

  Mu Ling nearly coughed blood.

  Ruthless—bloodline power surged.

  "All immortal-tier scatter—distract beast!"

  Words paled immortals.

  Suicide!

  Beast's roars slapped them dead—no escape.

  Vast gap.

  They craved life—but bloodline compulsion forced sacrifice.

  "Go! Humans only one Heavenly Emperor Lu Jiulian—we can reclaim!"

  "But if ripples spread, flee instantly—Lu Jiulian kills in comprehension!"

  Mu Ling declared.

  He'd pierced the secret.

  Mystery gone—fearless.

  Twelve remaining Great Dao-tier streaked after humans.

  Statue mandatory.

  Boom!

  Blocking scroll—mountains shifted.

  "Hmph! Petty tricks!"

  Mu Ling's spirit storm tore scroll.

  Distant fleeing Sima Qingshan frowned, sighed.

  Early Ninth Revolution—ineffective against Heavenly Emperors.

  No rush—mere ordinary scroll.

  Pressed to limit...

  Humble painter—but trump cards!

  ...

  Comprehension ground palace.

  Atmosphere heavy.

  Wood Origin spread—droplet flooded green brilliance, blinding details.

  Tong Gu worried—last glimpse: beast biting statue-holding Azure Dragon.

  Human side.

  Thought beast truly cute as woman claimed.

  Cute?! Nowhere!

  Quasi-saint pet...

  He, Tong Gu—pet-qualified before her.

  Green faded.

  Palace: Tong Gu, Elemental Gods pupils contracted.

  Next—Tong Gu ecstatic.

  "Well done!"

  "Worthy ferocious god Jiulian! Hope of human rise—my chosen junior!"

  Exultant.

  Demons heavy losses again.

  Great Dao and immortal-tier slain by Lu Jiulian.

  Feats rivaled war casualties!

  Crucially: Azure Dragon lived.

  Snatched statue!

  Tong Gu thrilled most.

  Gold/Fire Elemental Gods sank.

  Again...

  Fire Origin replay.

  Lu Jiulian... cursed!

  Black-and-white throne.

  Woman watched droplet interestedly.

  Green surprised her.

  She'd drained Wood power for healing.

  Statues recovered over time.

  But this ripple—she'd underestimated.

  "However..."

  "Sensed familiar fluctuation?"

  Black-and-white eyes narrowed—excitement gleamed.

  Lu controlling Lu Jiulian slyly—quasi-saints missed, but her saint spirit caught.

  Tiny—but evident.

  "Seems the one in girl's will space..."

  Eyes squinted.

  Interest sparked.

  Endless Realm Ruins ages—boredom exhausted.

  Now... fun.

  Long legs shifted, recrossed.

  Black hand propped smooth chin, lips curved.

  Spirit fluctuation spread from palace.

  "Gun Gun, stop playing."

  "Obey—attack the statue! Want to bite? Bite big."

  Voice echoed on rampaging beast slapping immortals.

  Beast paused.

  Rage subsided—confused head-scratch.

  Owner changed tune?

  But no overthink—bite statue allowed—interested.

  "Roar!"

  Ignored annoying distracting immortals.

  Plump black-white fluff quivered—limbs pounded.

  Chased statue's direction.

  Boom!

  Ground quaked...

  "Damn! Beast insane?!"

  "So many immortals can't distract?"

  Pursuing Mu Ling etc. raged.

  Dared not vent at beast.

  Lu Jiulian carried Azure Dragon.

  Most humans Supreme Emperor.

  Overlord, Tang Yimo not fastest.

  Soon overtaken by dozen Great Dao-tier!

  "Lu Jiulian—strong exterior, weak core. Without comprehension... nothing!"

  "Surrender statue—or all humans die today!"

  Mu Ling cold.

  "Heh."

  "No skill to kill you?"

  "Try?"

  Lu Jiulian sword slung, calm.

  Mu Ling anxious—beast approaching.

  Waved—twelve Great Dao-tier attacked!

  Lu Jiulian focused.

  Fire, Gold, new Wood mysteries...

  Palm: brilliant tri-color rage lotus spun.

  Might stronger!

  Eight Great Dao-tier blocked Lu Jiulian—fearing reputation.

  Tri-color lotus suppressed eight!

  Tang Yimo activated seven meridians—inflated ferociously, clashed head-on.

  Overlord picked one.

  Instant heavy wounds—but endured!

  Professional tank!

  Sima Qingshan, prodigies combined—suppressed one.

  But Azure Dragon exposed.

  Hugging statue—weak, pitiful, helpless.

  "Surrender—or die!"

  Mu Ling killing intent.

  Azure Dragon clutched, gritted.

  "Don't come closer... or I'll call help!"

  Big sis loses to beast—but crushes same-tier?

  Invincible peer!

  "Call help?"

  Mu Ling sneered—afterimages, space cracked, closing.

  "Big sis!!!"

  "Save me!"

  Mu Ling charging—Aure Dragon exploded blood, wretched—shrieked.

  Dragon qi surged—cyan Dragon Gate formed.

  Behind gate.

  Bu Zhou Peak Zhu Long sensed.

  Closed eyes trembled—dived in.

  Palace.

  Gate instant.

  Amused woman bolted upright—black-white eyes terrifying glare, collapsing space.

  Sizzle—vanished.

  Mu Ling ignorant of gate.

  Unconcerned.

  Closing Azure Dragon—statue soon—excited.

  Secured—Elemental God favor!

  Suddenly...

  Horrific bear paw slapped.

  Beast appeared—pawed Mu Ling aside like trash—heavy injury, body near pulp.

  Ignored.

  Maw gaped—teeth gleamed.

  Stared Azure Dragon—roared.

  Bit again.

  Azure Dragon liver-colored face.

  Damn...

  What grudge?!

  Craving his body so?!

  Trembled sorrow—dissipated qi, gate vanished—no sending big sis to death...

  Sighed.

  Wham!

  As bite neared.

  Suddenly—beast slapped like ball—rolled pitifully, clutching mouth.

  Before Azure Dragon.

  Half-black, half-white strange woman hovered.

  Looming down coldly.

  Azure Dragon stared—stunned.

  This chick... also craving his body?!