The sudden turn of events left everyone in shock.

  In the midst of the enlightenment grounds, a woman in black and white abruptly appeared. Her long dress, sharply divided between black and white, fluttered in the wind, as if imbued with some profound and mysterious aura.

  Her hair was extraordinarily long, cascading down to her waist—one half pure white, the other jet black—giving her an eerily demonic allure.

  The arrival of such a bewitching yet terrifying woman froze the entire atmosphere.

  It was the overwhelming, dreadful presence radiating from her that solidified the air around them. Even the quasi-saint-level Black-and-White Beast could only cover its mouth and weep quietly off to the side.

  The Black-and-White Beast felt utterly wronged.

  Its master had told it to bite, yet just as it was about to sink its teeth in, she showed up and swatted it away with a single slap.

  How could it not feel aggrieved?

  The one who ordered the bite was her. The one who punished it for trying was also her...

  Women were impossible to please!

  Why did females always have to torment other females?

  It was just like how big fish eat small fish, and small fish eat shrimp.

  The Black-and-White Beast had casually swatted aside the Great Dao-tier divine-demonic Wood Spirit, and now this woman had done the same to the beast itself...

  The Wood Spirit's body was cracked and fractured, but he wasn't dead yet.

  The beast had only sent him flying with little effort. Though his physical form was on the verge of shattering, riddled with fissures, his Great Dao-tier regenerative abilities meant he could hold on for now.

  Still, gazing at the woman hovering in the void, the Wood Spirit's body began to tremble uncontrollably.

  It was a fear that came from the depths of his soul.

  "It's her... the terrifying chaos being who stole the Wood Origin Beast Ancestor statue!"

  Terror filled the Wood Spirit's face.

  He never imagined this chaos entity would appear here—an existence comparable to a divine-demonic emperor. If she went berserk, everyone in the enlightenment grounds would die.

  No one could escape.

  Even with the protection of the Elemental Gods, the Wood Spirit felt certain death awaiting him.

  Why was this woman here?

  Hadn't the Elemental Gods promised that the Beast Ancestor statues would be left for fair competition, with chaos beings staying out of it?

  The Wood Spirit watched in dread and difficulty.

  In the distance, Lu Jiulian had single-handedly held off the Great Dao-tier divine-demons, his reputation as a ferocious human genius preventing them from fighting him to the death.

  But they had still managed to pin him down.

  The woman's arrival drew Lu Jiulian's attention.

  "Who is she?"

  "Is she here for the Beast Ancestor statue too?"

  Lu Jiulian narrowed his eyes.

  The aura emanating from her was utterly horrifying. More importantly, she had slapped away a quasi-saint-level Black-and-White Beast with one palm—and the beast didn't even dare retaliate.

  This woman's strength clearly surpassed the beast's.

  Was the Wood Origin Beast Ancestor statue really that hard to claim?

  It had attracted a monster like her.

  Lu Jiulian hesitated. If he unleashed his full power... could he even beat her?

  Or would he just get himself killed?

  The eight Great Dao-tier divine-demons fighting Lu Jiulian also stopped attacking, overwhelmed by the oppressive pressure from the black-and-white woman.

  Sima Qingshan and the other human geniuses had barely held off one Great Dao-tier divine-demon together. As the enemy paused, the pressure on them eased.

  Overlord was already drenched in blood. Against a Great Dao-tier opponent, he couldn't counterattack, but he had blocked wave after wave of assaults—an impressive feat in itself.

  Tang Yimo, at the Ninth-Turn Golden Immortal realm, had opened seven veins, going all out.

  He wouldn't open the eighth unless absolutely necessary.

  Though he knew that with his current strength, unleashing the eighth vein of the Eight Veins Escaping Demon Technique would grant him explosive power, it came at the cost of burning his lifespan.

  Tang Yimo wouldn't make that choice lightly.

  Even with seven veins, he had managed to hold his divine-demon opponent at bay.

  The woman's appearance brought the battle to a halt. Tang Yimo panted heavily, dispersing his demonic technique. Covered in blood, he looked utterly wretched.

  Every gaze in the area was drawn to the woman.

  Yet she paid no attention to them at all.

  Her eyes held indifference—an apathy toward all life.

  Azure Dragon clutched the Beast Ancestor statue, his body trembling slightly.

  After swatting away the Black-and-White Beast, an even scarier one had arrived.

  Azure Dragon was certain she wasn't here for his body. From years of experience, he could tell her eyes held no interest in him whatsoever.

  She was a cold, detached woman.

  The atmosphere grew tense and chilling.

  The woman stared at Azure Dragon with eyes of pure ice.

  Azure Dragon wisely kept silent, making no moves.

  He knew when to flirt and when to lay low.

  So he quietly dispersed the Dragon Gate...

  Why?

  He didn't want to get his big sister killed.

  This woman could slap a quasi-saint beast flying. Calling out his big sister now would just mean sending her to her death alongside him.

  Azure Dragon wasn't the type to betray his teammates.

  The black-and-white woman frowned slightly.

  The aura had vanished.

  Earlier, a familiar presence had faintly burst from Azure Dragon—the very aura of the girl she was searching for.

  But by the time she arrived, it was gone.

  What was going on?

  She furrowed her brows, sensing something odd.

  Was the issue with this azure dragon?

  Her black-and-white eyes locked onto him, making Azure Dragon's heart tighten.

  Yet he couldn't help feeling curious...

  Her eyes bore some resemblance to his big sister's.

  The difference was that big sister's gaze could kill, while this woman's was perfectly controlled.

  Thinking of this, Azure Dragon flashed what he believed was a suave, dashing smile.

  Boom!

  The oppressive force from the woman slammed him face-first into the ground.

  A terrifying aura leaked out, as if capable of annihilating everything.

  "Where did that aura you just leaked come from? Who does it belong to?"

  Her voice was cold and ruthless.

  It echoed through the enlightenment grounds, weighing heavily on everyone's bodies.

  Lu Jiulian frowned.

  He wanted to intervene, but he knew that even if he did, he'd likely be killed instantly.

  This woman was far too powerful.

  Azure Dragon wanted to cry. Entering these enlightenment grounds had been nothing but misery for him.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  First, some mysterious entity kicked his butt.

  Then the Black-and-White Beast chased him down. Now an even more terrifying female demon had her eyes on him.

  A handsome dragon's life was always filled with trials he shouldn't have to endure.

  "That aura I leaked?"

  "When I formed the Dragon Gate, it released big sister's presence... So this woman wasn't drawn by my charm, but by big sister's aura."

  "Her target is big sister... Damn, is she big sister's enemy?"

  "Cold as ice, murderous intent overflowing... She must have a grudge against big sister and wants her dead!"

  "Opposites attract, but same repels—this woman definitely has it in for big sister!"

  Thoughts raced through Azure Dragon's mind until everything clicked.

  He wasn't like Little Red Dragon—straightforward and stubborn.

  If it were Little Red Dragon here, he'd probably roar that she'd have to kill him first.

  But Azure Dragon thought things through.

  Still, he felt a deep sorrow. He absolutely couldn't summon big sister.

  In the end, he might do the same as Little Red Dragon: fight this woman to the death.

  But fighting to the death? No way. He'd just refuse to talk.

  If she wanted to kill him, so be it.

  Once he was dead, Dad and big sister would avenge their beloved Azure Dragon someday...

  With Dad's petty grudge-holding personality, this woman wouldn't get away with it.

  For the first time, Azure Dragon found his father's pettiness utterly endearing.

  Pinned to the ground by crushing pressure, Azure Dragon said nothing.

  He refused to speak!

  He might be a playboy, but he had his principles.

  The woman watched him grit his teeth, breathing heavily in silence, her expression growing even colder.

  "Speak!"

  Boom!

  She slowly raised a hand.

  Crack!

  The void around Azure Dragon began to collapse inch by inch, the world darkening as if shrouded in death.

  Azure Dragon's heart pounded. Her power filled him with despair.

  In the distance, Lu Jiulian and the others wore grim expressions.

  What could they do?

  They all sensed her terror. Stepping forward now would only get them crushed.

  "What do we do?"

  Lu Jiulian gritted his teeth.

  Senior Tonggu was nowhere to be found...

  Their only hope was him.

  From Lu Jiulian's perspective, Lu watched everything unfold, his face grave.

  On the island in the lake, a gentle breeze blew.

  But the atmosphere felt like a battlefield thick with killing intent.

  Lu leaned against the railing, a chessboard before him.

  The scene from the Wood Origin enlightenment grounds appeared vividly around him.

  Gazing at the distant black-and-white woman, at the aura that seemed capable of shattering the void, his expression was solemn.

  "That familiar presence... It must belong to the owner of those eyes from Zhulong's will space..."

  Lu took a deep breath.

  A chaos being comparable to a saint—what he had imagined as some monstrous creature turned out to be a woman.

  Her appearance was strange, but her aura... was undeniably powerful.

  Good thing Azure Dragon closed the Dragon Gate in time. If Zhulong had stepped out, things would have gone horribly wrong.

  This woman clearly had some special connection to Zhulong.

  She was here to steal his little padded jacket!

  Lu grew serious.

  He needed to do something.

  ...

  Boom!

  Azure Dragon felt like he was about to burst under the pressure, consciousness fading.

  In the palace, Tonggu Daoist saw the scene through a water droplet and paled.

  The Gold and Fire Elemental Gods exchanged odd glances.

  They hadn't expected this terrifying woman to leave the palace...

  All because of one human.

  Did that human hold some great secret? To move a being rivaling saints and emperors, there had to be something huge.

  Otherwise, an apex existence from the ancient starry sky wouldn't be stirred so easily.

  Even the collapse of the Immortal Martial World wouldn't faze her.

  The Gold and Fire Elemental Gods grew excited. If there truly was a major secret, mastering it could greatly strengthen the divine-demons.

  Or, reporting this to the emperors might offset their failure to protect the statue!

  So they moved, speeding toward the enlightenment grounds.

  Tonggu Daoist's expression shifted. After a moment, he too left the palace.

  He couldn't beat her, but...

  They had agreed to let humans and divine-demons compete fairly for the statues. Her interference broke that deal.

  "Senior... let's talk this out nicely."

  Mastering spatial profound truths, Tonggu stepped forward, space shattering as he instantly appeared in the grounds, smiling broadly.

  Azure Dragon, face deformed against the ground, nearly wept.

  Senior... you finally showed up!

  "Senior, save me!"

  Azure Dragon cried out with difficulty.

  Lu Jiulian, Overlord, Tang Yimo, and the others appeared behind Tonggu—the strongest present, a quasi-saint.

  On the other side, the Gold and Fire Elemental Gods hovered in the air. The terrified divine-demons huddled near them like they had found their backbone.

  The two gods didn't intervene, watching the show with amusement.

  If the humans suffered, they were happy to see it.

  If this meddlesome Tonggu got killed, even better.

  Losing a quasi-saint like him—powerful and troublesome—would be a massive blow to human morale.

  Without him defending the ancestral lands, the Elemental Realm would have a real shot at conquering them.

  In this era without saints or emperors, quasi-saints were critical strategic assets.

  Losing one meant losing immense deterrence—and risking annihilation.

  Tonggu knew this, his scalp tingling.

  But Azure Dragon had been entrusted to him by Lu. He felt obligated to bring the dragon back.

  He'd try to save him. If he failed, he'd explain to Lu later.

  Tonggu wasn't foolish. Trading his quasi-saint life for Azure Dragon's would be too great a loss for humanity.

  If he were alone, he'd sacrifice himself without hesitation.

  But as a human quasi-saint, his existence carried too much weight.

  The woman stared at Azure Dragon, slowly pressing her palm downward.

  The earth cracked. The entire enlightenment grounds seemed on the verge of collapse under the pressure.

  She ignored Tonggu's words entirely.

  Azure Dragon coughed blood, streaming from his mouth and nose.

  Despair deepened in his heart.

  In this moment, memories flooded him: his beloved Dad, big sister, straightforward Little Red Dragon, lazy Little Yinglong, Yunlong, Shenlong...

  And the beautiful wives in his dragon palace flashing before his eyes.

  Today, Azure Dragon might bid them farewell forever.

  The immense pressure drained his life force bit by bit.

  He felt death approaching.

  In the distance, Tonggu gritted his teeth.

  Raising a hand, silver-gray spatial energy surged, slicing the void. The cut space twisted and constricted, pressing toward the woman to free Azure Dragon.

  "Did I allow you to interfere?"

  Suddenly.

  The woman's black-and-white hair whipped upward. Her dress billowed under a surge of power, revealing long, elegant legs.

  One leg swept in an arc toward Tonggu.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  Tonggu's face flushed red, as if an entire cosmic starry sky crushed down on him.

  Pfft!

  The void exploded. Spatial fluctuations shattered.

  Tonggu paled, sent flying, crashing into the ground and plowing two mountain-like ridges with his legs.

  Eyes wide, sweat pouring, he gasped.

  This woman... was too strong!

  Was this saint-level power?

  They weren't even on the same plane. She could kill him in one move.

  Blood trickled from Tonggu's mouth and nose. He gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

  Looking at Azure Dragon...

  "This old Daoist... can't save you."

  Regret filled his eyes. Azure Dragon had been entrusted by Lu—dying here pained him.

  Most of all, the dragon's talent in Wood Origin profound truths was extraordinary.

  Given time, he could have achieved greatness.

  Humanity had few such geniuses in Wood Origin.

  Sighing, it was fate. Even a quasi-saint couldn't change it. Blame Azure Dragon's bad luck.

  Even watching from the sidelines, the Gold and Fire Elemental Gods broke into cold sweats.

  "This woman... seems even stronger now!"

  "Her injuries have healed more than when she fought the Wood Emperor."

  "Back then she suppressed him—now she could probably take on five divine-demonic emperors!"

  They whispered gravely.

  But her casual display gave them valuable intelligence. Reporting it would earn major merit.

  Lu Jiulian, Overlord, Sima Qingshan, and Tang Yimo looked grim.

  Too... too powerful!

  Even Tonggu couldn't save Azure Dragon. They had no chance.

  The woman's black-and-white eyes shifted back to Azure Dragon.

  The Black-and-White Beast waddled over, looking somewhat fawning.

  She glanced at it and nodded slightly.

  The beast beamed.

  Its mountain-sized body shrank back into the adorable black-and-white fluffy ball everyone had seen before, perching on her shoulder.

  Big watery eyes spun cutely.

  Thanks to Tonggu's intervention, the pressure on Azure Dragon eased slightly.

  Clutching the statue, he looked miserable—but still managed to spit blood and mutter:

  "So jealous..."

  "Being cute really pays off."

  Even now, he envied the beast.

  If Lu Jiulian knew, he'd be torn between laughter and tears.

  "Will you talk?"

  Her dress fluttered, long legs flashing beneath the hem—legs that had just sent Tonggu flying with a casual sweep.

  Azure Dragon clamped his mouth shut, shaking his head stubbornly.

  He might be a rogue, but he had his bottom line.

  A glint flashed in her eyes. The beast on her shoulder stared curiously with its big watery eyes.

  She raised her hand.

  "If you don't talk, you die."

  "If you do, you live."

  Azure Dragon actually believed her.

  At her level, she wouldn't go back on her word.

  But he shook his head again.

  Closing his eyes, hugging the statue, arms spread—he looked like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water.

  She lifted a finger, pointing at him from afar.

  Ready to kill.

  Suddenly.

  Azure Dragon's closed eyes trembled. A faint sigh seemed to echo in his mind.

  "Dad?"

  Tears streamed down his face in excitement.

  He was so touched. In this desperate moment, only Dad still cared.

  "This woman covets your big sister. You did well not exposing her."

  "Strike the Beast Ancestor statue with full force..."

  "Dad's taking you home."

  Lu's calm voice drifted into his ears.

  That simple "taking you home" made Azure Dragon's heart quake with emotion.

  His eyes sharpened.

  Anyone else telling him to attack the statue—he'd refuse.

  The statue had spirit. He feared backlash killing him before the woman could.

  But if Lu said it, there was a reason.

  No hesitation.

  From defiant resignation, he suddenly opened his eyes.

  Staring at the woman, he flashed a wicked grin.

  "Heh heh heh..."

  The smile stunned her. The beast on her shoulder popped out tiny paws, covering its eyes in disgust.

  Then Azure Dragon erupted with astonishing aura.

  Pulling out the Wood Origin Beast Ancestor statue, he slammed a palm toward it with full force.

  Hmm?

  Everyone's expressions changed.

  The Gold and Fire Elemental Gods froze. Was he going to destroy it if he couldn't have it?

  So the divine-demons couldn't have it either?

  Humans... truly mad.

  But they didn't think his strike could shatter it.

  Boom!

  His palm struck the statue solidly.

  Buzz...

  Dazzling green light burst forth.

  Blindingly bright!

  The next instant, energy ripples spread wildly, accompanied by roaring booms.

  Wood Origin profound truth ripples surged madly.

  In an instant, they engulfed the entire enlightenment grounds.

  Everyone was enveloped.

  Lu Jiulian's face shifted—this familiar sensation. Before he could think, the ripples hit, plunging him into enlightenment.

  Overlord, Tang Yimo, Sima Qingshan—all the same.

  Even Azure Dragon, closest to the statue, fell into it.

  Quasi-saint Tonggu, the two Elemental Gods, and countless heavenly god-tier divine-demons—all succumbed.

  Even quasi-saints struggled against the statue's ripples.

  The ripples swept over the woman too.

  The beast on her shoulder blinked, then closed its watery eyes.

  Lu Jiulian opened his eyes.

  Lu, controlling Lu Jiulian's body, exhaled slowly.

  "Who exactly is this woman?"

  Lu shook his head. This Wood Origin enlightenment trip had gone far beyond expectations.

  Controlling the body, green lotus robes fluttering.

  He flashed through the void.

  Planning to take Azure Dragon and the human experts away.

  As for the statue—if he could grab it, great...

  Lu landed beside Azure Dragon, who still wore that wicked grin, palm pressed to the statue.

  Mad Wood Origin ripples poured from it.

  Lu breathed deeply. Through Lu Jiulian's feedback, vast Wood Origin truths flowed into his indestructible wood-element demonic body.

  The effect was good, but holding the statue directly would be better.

  Controlling the body, Lu grabbed Azure Dragon and scooped up the statue, preparing to leave.

  "Shame—time's tight, or I could've killed a few Great Dao-tier divine-demons. There are heavenly gods and Elemental Gods too... Wonder if I could take out an Elemental God?"

  Lu was ambitious.

  But he decided against it.

  Mainly, the woman might wake any moment.

  Suddenly.

  Lu, in Lu Jiulian's body, stiffened.

  At some point, a pale black hand rested on the shoulder.

  "I feel like... I've seen you somewhere before."

  A cool, clear voice sounded in his ear.

  A faint fragrance brushed past, stirring stray hairs.

  Lu's pupils contracted.

  This woman...

  Hadn't fallen into enlightenment!

  His heart froze for an instant.

  But quickly, he suppressed the turmoil, remaining calm and composed as he turned to face the woman whose hand rested on his shoulder.

  Black-and-white woman—appearance bizarre, yet features exquisitely perfect, as if crafted by heaven itself.

  Up close, even Lu felt a flicker of admiration.

  But admiration passed, leaving only calm.

  No matter how beautiful—if she threatened him, he'd kill her all the same.

  "You've got the wrong person, miss."

  Lu said.

  "Wrong person?"

  Strange light swirled in her black-and-white eyes.

  As if seeing through Lu Jiulian... straight to Lu possessing him.

  Her gaze burned. She leaned closer.

  That flawless face drew nearer to Lu's in Lu Jiulian's body.

  "I feel like I've seen you somewhere!"

  "I wasn't sure before, but now... I am."

  "No matter if it was the last cosmic era, or the one before—even if heavens grow old and chaos collapses... I'd never forget your aura."

  Her breath brushed his face, making Lu's eyes narrow.

  This woman... her flirting lines were professional!

  Master-level!

  It actually made his guarded heart skip!

  Lu Ping'an...

  Had been flirted with?!

  Wait—what do you do when someone flirts with you like this?