This was the first time Lu had ever encountered a situation like this.

  He had originally planned to use the possession of Lu Jiulian's body as an opportunity to reason properly with this black-and-white woman.

  Normally, Lu Ping'an didn't bother reasoning with others. But this time, he chose to.

  Not because of her saint-level strength—no, it was simply because he genuinely loved reasoning. He believed it was the proper way for cultivators like them to uphold the right values.

  Yet he never expected... this black-and-white woman wouldn't reason with him at all.

  The moment they met, she started flirting.

  It completely disrupted his plans.

  "Miss... you've definitely got the wrong person."

  Lu controlled Lu Jiulian's body and spoke earnestly.

  Her enthusiasm made even him feel too embarrassed to strike.

  The woman smiled, and much of the murderous aura around her dissipated. Earlier, it had flared because she sensed Zhulong's presence, making her somewhat anxious.

  Now, compared to Lu's aura, Zhulong's could wait.

  Her hand remained on his shoulder.

  "I didn't get it wrong. The essence of a person... never changes."

  "For example... your pettiness."

  She said.

  Lu froze, then his expression turned grave.

  He suddenly felt like hitting someone—what should he do?

  Wasn't his temper good?

  Who had ever seen him lose it?

  Any survivors want to step up and discuss it with him...?

  "Miss, you can't just say things like that..."

  Lu replied.

  She waved her hand dismissively.

  "Whether it's random or not, you know in your heart."

  "You can call me 'Black-White,' or 'Black-White Empress.'"

  "On you, I sense the aura of my offspring. Can you take me to see her?"

  The Black-White Empress asked.

  Compared to her aggressive, ruthless demeanor when interrogating Azure Dragon, she now spoke much more gently.

  Lu paused, falling into thought. This woman... seemed far more reasonable than he'd imagined.

  Was it some kind of scheme?

  Perhaps Zhulong had something special that could help her recover her strength—that's why she was so eager to find her.

  He'd heard she was injured; it was quite possible.

  But then Lu pondered deeper. Zhulong was created by him through the system and the preaching platform...

  Yet this woman claimed Zhulong was her child. Did the system have some connection to her?

  Vaguely, Lu felt he was grasping some clues. The secrets of the system's existence were starting to surface.

  What exactly was the system? Who created it? These had always been deep mysteries in Lu's mind.

  Still, the system had helped him immensely, aiding the Five Phoenixes' rise from obscurity—from a low-martial world to the current Immortal Martial World.

  Of course, while the system helped, Lu had put in tremendous effort himself to reach this point.

  "Can you?"

  Seeing Lu lost in thought and zoning out, the Black-White Empress prompted.

  Lu looked up, expressionlessly glancing at her.

  "No."

  He said flatly.

  A direct refusal.

  Nonsense—Zhulong was his most cherished little padded jacket. No one would harm her!

  The Black-White Empress's expression stiffened. She hadn't expected him to be so unyielding.

  "You say you know me, that we've met before... Then tell me, who exactly is this 'me' you've seen?"

  Lu asked curiously.

  But at this question, her exquisite face suddenly changed.

  "I cannot say! I must not..."

  "It would bring terrible calamity, a crisis of annihilation to this world!"

  She shook her head.

  Lu frowned. Was it really that exaggerated?

  Just a name—yet she didn't even dare mention it?

  This only piqued his curiosity more. Perhaps she mistook the system's aura for someone she'd met before—maybe the system carried traces of that being's presence.

  Since she wouldn't say, Lu didn't press further.

  The atmosphere grew awkward.

  Buzz...

  The profound truth ripples from the Wood Origin Beast Ancestor statue began to tremble, as if they couldn't hold much longer.

  The Black-White Empress frowned and muttered under her breath: "Useless piece of wood!"

  Then, looking at Lu: "Really no chance?"

  "If I don't see her this time, I'll see her eventually. As her strength grows, our bloodline connection will strengthen. I'll find her sooner or later."

  She said.

  "Fine. If you won't allow it, I won't force it..."

  She shook her head, dropping the insistence.

  Lu, controlling Lu Jiulian's body, raised an eyebrow.

  The awkward silence lingered, neither knowing what to say.

  But it didn't last long.

  Lu picked up the Green Lotus Sword.

  Under the Black-White Empress's curious gaze, he swiftly shuttled through space, appearing beside each entranced divine-demon.

  Raising the sword, he stabbed down—one sword per divine-demon.

  In Lu's view, dealing with this woman was exhausting. Since he didn't know what to say, why not kill some divine-demons for fun?

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  The Great Dao-tier divine-demons roared in fury just before death.

  Watching this, the Black-White Empress pursed her lips. So... insidious!

  So this was how the human ferocious god earned his infamous reputation...

  She couldn't help feeling a twinge of pity for those divine-demons Lu assassinated. Meeting such a sneaky bastard—they died too unjustly.

  Lu continued, slaying one Great Dao-tier after another.

  Feeling it wasn't enough, a bold idea emerged.

  His gaze shifted to the Elemental Gods, comparable to quasi-saints.

  The Gold and Fire Elemental Gods—top among heavenly god-tier divine-demons. Killing one could shift the balance in the ancient starry sky.

  The Black-White Empress crossed her arms, watching the show from afar.

  When she saw Lu sneaking toward the entranced Fire Elemental God with the Green Lotus Sword, she was stunned.

  "So bold... That's a peak heavenly god-tier divine-demon, practically half-step chaos rank..."

  "You're actually targeting one like that."

  After the shock, amusement crept in.

  Her lips curved as she watched quietly.

  Immortal-tier divine-demons could be killed silently. Great Dao-tier ones screamed before dying...

  A heavenly god-tier, even in enlightenment, would instantly awaken to danger. Lu in Lu Jiulian's body had no chance against one.

  In her eyes, this was recklessly bold.

  But for her, it was good news.

  If the Elemental God retaliated thunderously, she could "save" Lu—making him owe her a favor.

  A favor from this being...

  Her black-and-white eyes gleamed brightly at the thought.

  Lu, of course, had no idea of her calculations.

  He was just trying his luck. He knew Elemental Gods were hard to kill—apex powerhouses in the ancient starry sky.

  This one might even surpass the Xuancang quasi-saint he'd once full-drawn the Five Phoenixes Bow against.

  But seeing the enlightenment ripples around it...

  Lu saw a golden opportunity. Fortune favors the bold.

  The Five Phoenixes were a human force.

  The divine-demons had always opposed humans, seeking their extinction. The Five Phoenixes remained hidden in a remote location, undeveloped—any divine-demons who came were either killed or turned into strategic reserves.

  No news reached the Elemental Realm, allowing the Five Phoenixes peaceful, rapid growth.

  In short:

  If this Elemental God learned of the Five Phoenixes and the two Beast Ancestor statues there, he'd spare no effort to wipe them out—slaughter every living being, eradicate them completely.

  So killing him? No issues at all.

  It was for the Five Phoenixes' own good.

  Lu truly worried himself sick over them.

  The Fire Elemental God was immensely powerful. Even in enlightenment, terrifying flames surged around him, as if scorching the void.

  A horrifying divine-demon.

  To the Black-White Empress, he wasn't much. But to current Lu, he was the strongest opponent yet!

  (Excluding her, of course.)

  Raising the Green Lotus Sword.

  Lu wiped the blade.

  Metal Origin, Fire Origin, and the freshly comprehended Wood Origin truths...

  All three poured madly into the sword.

  Without the Five Phoenixes Bow, he couldn't merge five powers.

  But he'd mastered the bow's principles long ago. Using the sword as base, he simulated it.

  Buzz...

  The Green Lotus Sword—a congenital treasure forged after Lu Jiulian's Golden Immortal ascension, decent materials.

  But under this strain, cracks began appearing.

  As the three truths flooded in, fissures spiderwebbed across it.

  No innate purple qi available.

  So Lu added primordial spirit power!

  Tricolored sword light threatened to cleave the entire grounds.

  The Black-White Empress's eyes showed surprise.

  Merging four energies—even she hadn't expected it.

  "Metal and Fire Origins are mastered by Beast Ancestor-level beings. The five Beast Ancestors restrain each other—how can their truths fuse?"

  "Interesting..."

  She was genuinely intrigued.

  "Stab!"

  Cracks spread like serpents.

  Lu knew the sword wouldn't hold long.

  Gripping it, he thrust toward the Fire Elemental God's heart.

  Boom!

  At the same moment.

  The statue's ripples trembled faintly.

  Soon, like a river cut off, they calmed—no more fluctuations.

  The Black-White Empress glanced over, her smile deepening.

  Ripples ceased.

  The atmosphere shifted abruptly.

  The sword's cataclysmic surge woke the targeted Fire Elemental God instantly.

  "COURTING DEATH!!!"

  He roared in earth-shaking fury!

  But too slow—the sword already pierced his chest.

  Clang!

  Sparks flew, the crisp ring echoing through heaven and earth.

  Yet the strike infused with three truths... failed to breach his physical defense!

  Half-step chaos rank, after all!

  His body was terrifyingly tough!

  Divine-demons prized physical defense. Immortal and Great Dao tiers fell easily to Lu in Lu Jiulian's body—but not an Elemental God.

  The awakened roar formed a flaming storm, sweeping out.

  It jolted everyone from the Wood Origin enlightenment.

  The Gold Elemental God snapped open his eyes, incredulous at Lu Jiulian stabbing the Fire Elemental God's chest.

  He knew Lu Jiulian well—the human ferocious god's name spread widely among divine-demons!

  Practically on their must-kill list.

  Yet even he never imagined Lu Jiulian mad enough to assassinate an Elemental God with mere Emperor strength?!

  The human geniuses awoke.

  All gasped in shock.

  Brother Jiulian... terrifying!

  Overlord, Tang Yimo, Sima Qingshan opened their eyes, stunned.

  Tonggu Daoist sucked in a breath, emerging from enlightenment drenched in cold sweat—the Black-White Empress's pressure weighed heavily on him.

  He worried endlessly, unsure how to resolve this crisis.

  Azure Dragon had likely enraged her, possibly triggering a massacre.

  She was capable—when she seized the Wood Origin statue, she'd slaughtered through the Wood Elemental Realm, taking it forcibly from an emperor!

  So Tonggu's first glance upon waking was toward her.

  Only to find her arms crossed, hovering quietly... watching the show.

  What show?

  Following her gaze...

  "Holy crap!"

  Tonggu's scalp exploded!

  Insane?!

  How dare Lu Jiulian try killing an Elemental God?!

  It was like Tonggu assassinating the Black-White Empress—impossible!

  The gap was too vast!

  "No penetration?"

  Lu blinked.

  Then his eyes sharpened.

  Buzz!

  Hand shaking, the sword spun rapidly.

  Lu clenched a fist, slamming the hilt!

  Immense force erupted!

  Boom!

  The sword shattered.

  Countless fragments scattered in dazzling brilliance.

  Pfft!

  The exploding three-truth energy drove the blade into flesh.

  Blood sprayed.

  The converged sword light pierced clean through the Fire Elemental God's body.

  The scene sparked uproar again.

  Divine-demons ignored the slain Great Dao tiers—all eyes on this battle.

  The human ferocious god Lu Jiulian was truly ferocious!

  Claws reaching even Elemental Gods.

  The Wood Spirit watched in disbelief, like witnessing a madman.

  An Elemental God versus Lu Jiulian?

  Without his uniqueness, the Wood Spirit could suppress him one-on-one.

  Yet now, trying to slay a god?!

  And he actually pierced the chest!

  Shocking, indeed.

  The Fire Elemental God burned with cold rage—insulted.

  A mere early Emperor human ant daring to kill him?

  Though pierced, his body could regenerate from a drop of blood—no fear.

  But after penetration, Lu withdrew satisfied.

  Because his primordial spirit on the sword... was about to erupt fully inside!

  Lu released control of Lu Jiulian's body, preparing to confront the god head-on.

  Lu Jiulian's vision blurred, then cleared—consciousness returned.

  The ripples told him he'd done something big again.

  His small universe bursts always led to astonishing feats.

  How many Great Dao tiers this time?

  But upon waking...

  He stared in horror at the Fire Elemental God, sword hilt protruding from his pierced chest.

  Flames raged in the god's eyes.

  He was injured!

  Pierced by a newbie human Emperor brat!

  "YOU COURT DEATH!!"

  Terrifying murderous intent exploded. Flames surged, threatening to incinerate the grounds into a sea of fire.

  The Gold Elemental God raged too.

  But Tonggu reacted, grabbing the void—space shattered, blades encasing the Gold God.

  "The Fire Elemental God bullying our human junior is one thing—but you, old gold fart, joining in shamelessly? Two Elemental Gods ganging up on a junior—proud of that?!"

  "Have you no face left?!"

  Tonggu roared, striking thunderously.

  His words nearly gave the Fire Elemental God internal injuries from anger.

  Damn it... Lu Jiulian struck first!

  Did he look like he enjoyed bullying a mere Emperor junior?!

  The Gold God's clash with Tonggu canceled out invisibly...

  Lu Jiulian was dumbfounded.

  What had he done?

  His small universe burst... what did it do?!

  Facing the god who seemed ready to tear him apart, he felt drained.

  He'd done nothing—yet carried the massive blame.

  In the distance, the Black-White Empress's eyes lit up. With her strength, she sensed Lu's primordial spirit poised to shatter the god's.

  "Need my help? I can assist..."

  She smiled.

  Her voice wasn't loud, but it echoed—shocking all powerhouses.

  Her strength was terrifying, rivaling human saints—Tonggu vomited blood from one casual move.

  So her offer stunned them.

  "This being wants to help Lu Jiulian?"

  "What face does the human ferocious god have to make a chaos entity act?"

  "Unbelievable!"

  Divine-demons gasped.

  Azure Dragon, awakened and distanced, hugged the statue in shock.

  Gasped deeply.

  "Worth teaching under me, Jiulian!"

  Eating soft rice like this—new waves pushing old, each stronger!

  Far behind him!

  Tonggu and the Gold God, mid-battle, pupils contracted.

  Tonggu stunned, then ecstatic!

  The Gold God horrified!

  What deal had Lu Jiulian struck with the Black-White Empress?!

  ...

  Five Phoenixes, lake island.

  Lu's surroundings turned into a sea of fire.

  He frowned.

  On the Spirit Pressure Chessboard, pieces glowed hot, flames dancing across the board.

  The Fire Elemental God was strong—extremely so!

  Even current Lu found him daunting.

  "Need my help? I can assist..."

  The Black-White Empress's voice drifted over, echoing on the island.

  Lu's gaze sharpened.

  Her origins unknown—he remained wary.

  But now... her help would ease things greatly.

  After thought, Lu murmured seriously:

  "It's not me asking—it's Lu Jiulian requesting..."

  Then he placed a piece decisively!

  ...

  Hearing her words, Lu Jiulian paused.

  So familiar... déjà vu.

  Was she speaking to him?

  Turning, he met her black-and-white eyes sparkling with amusement, lips curved into mature, charming dimples—gazing at him.

  The scene felt so familiar.

  Glancing back at the flaming sea, the Fire Elemental God poised to devour him.

  The gap was insurmountable.

  Without his small universe, no way he'd pierce the chest.

  So Lu Jiulian knew his choice.

  He looked at the distant Black-White Empress.

  Shook his head, sighed.

  He'd become his original self again.

  "Miss, I don't want to work hard anymore."

  Lu Jiulian said.

  The Black-White Empress laughed.

  Her eyes gleamed.

  Not because of his words—but Lu's agreement.

  In her view, Lu Jiulian was dust. But Lu was different.

  Helping now meant Lu owed her a favor.

  Worth it.

  Next instant, she acted—flicking a finger.

  The pierced Fire Elemental God felt the world darken. Black-and-white light filled his vision, forming a cage. His body forced to one knee...

  A mighty force yanked his mind.

  Into a hazy primordial spirit battlefield!

  There, a white-robed youth sat calmly on an Eight Trigrams platform, robes fluttering, immortal aura surging, purple qi vast.

  Gazing peacefully at him.