Kill!

  Kill until madness!

  Every figure that emerged from the giant mirror radiated towering killing intent.

  Many closed their eyes, minds unable to calm, emotions surging like stormy seas.

  “Lu Jiulian: 123,600 points.”

  The moment this score appeared…

  The entire sea fell into absolute silence.

  What kind of immortal score was this?!

  Over 120,000 points?!

  Ordinary Yang Spirit cultivators barely reached ten points. Even Overlord and Tang Yimo hovered around forty to fifty thousand.

  Yet Lu Jiulian… over 120,000.

  How could the gap be this huge?!

  Even Overlord and Tang Yimo’s pupils contracted.

  They had experienced the battles inside the mirror—they knew exactly how difficult it was to earn such a score.

  The further the war progressed, the harder it became to rack up points.

  Because… the enemies grew stronger in response!

  Scoring wasn’t easy.

  After killing roughly a hundred infantry, the archers would act.

  After a hundred archers fell, the cavalry would charge…

  After a hundred cavalry died, the watching experts would strike…

  The more enemies you killed, the stronger the next wave became.

  Ordinary Distraction-realm soldiers were worth one point.

  Body Integration experts were worth ten.

  Tribulation Transcendence experts were worth a hundred.

  Immortal Transformation experts… a thousand!

  Even so, surpassing 100,000 points was nearly impossible.

  Unless…

  Lu Jiulian had slain something above Immortal Transformation!

  Everyone fell silent.

  Too strong!

  Even Lü Mudui was stunned for a long while before recovering and recording the score with a click of his tongue.

  Atop the White Jade Capital pavilion, Lu Ping’an rubbed his temples.

  He had sent Lu Jiulian in to familiarize himself with combat and deepen his understanding of the Heavenly Person realm.

  He never expected the man to produce such a monstrous performance.

  Lu Ping’an had watched the entire thing.

  In that war, Lu Jiulian had been a god of slaughter—killing anything in his path.

  He nearly wiped out the entire 100,000-strong invasion force.

  Tribulation experts fell to Tribulation experts, Immortal Transformation experts to Immortal Transformation experts…

  And the most outrageous part? He did it without a single drop of blood staining his robes.

  Like a blue lotus rising unsullied from the mud.

  In the end, several Immortal Constellation experts attacked together.

  Only then did Lu Jiulian bleed.

  But the man was stubborn—he smiled faintly, turned, and self-detonated…

  Taking one Immortal Constellation expert with him.

  “I wonder if Zhu Long entered the mirror, could she surpass Lu Jiulian’s record?”

  Lu Ping’an leaned back in his Thousand-Bladed Chair, pondering.

  He hadn’t let Zhu Long enter, so he had no way of knowing.

  “Girls shouldn’t be fighting and killing.”

  He shook his head and stopped dwelling on it.

  Everyone at Yang Spirit realm and above had now exited the mirror.

  This experience of reliving the past war had pushed many to breakthroughs in the face of despair.

  Nearly eighty percent of those stuck at ninth-step Yang Spirit had broken through under pressure, unifying their primordial spirits and achieving Body Integration!

  Overlord, Du Longyang, Ye Shoudao, and others had shattered the half-step Creation Venerable bottleneck and stepped into true Creation Venerable realm!

  Even more surprising to Lu Ping’an—Sima Qingshan, Bai Qingniao, Kong Nanfei, and others had experienced explosive enlightenments and breakthroughs.

  Overall, the secret realm’s effect far exceeded his expectations.

  The Five Phoenixes’ collective strength had skyrocketed!

  Even the former Tianyuan prodigies like Feng Yilou and Zhong Nan had unified their primordial spirits and become true experts.

  From the pavilion, Lu Ping’an was extremely satisfied. He grew even more confident about the special training mission he was about to announce.

  Above the vast sea…

  The cultivators who had emerged sat cross-legged, powerful auras swirling around them.

  Strands of origin qi descended from Lu Ping’an, stabilizing their emotions and helping them consolidate their new cultivation.

  Many Yin Spirit cultivators watched with envy—they could not enter the mirror and thus missed this opportunity.

  But more than regret, they felt excitement.

  The Five Phoenixes… were growing stronger!

  Stronger was always better!

  Lü Mudui, pale from coughing too much blood, finally finished recording everyone’s scores.

  He ranked them accordingly.

  White robes fluttering, he stroked his beard in satisfaction and wiped the blood from his lips with a white cloth.

  Spitting blood? He was used to it by now.

  This ranking was essentially a definitive hierarchy of the Five Phoenixes’ top combat power.

  It had to be done properly—no pig blood this time.

  Shakily accepting a cup of tea from the beautiful woman beside him—tea infused with several radiant Heavenly Wolfberries and Blazing Dates he had begged from Lu Changkong—he took a sip. Color returned to his cheeks.

  He turned excitedly toward Lu Ping’an atop the pavilion, wanting to ask if the list should be announced.

  But just as Lu Ping’an was about to respond…

  His expression suddenly changed.

  At the same moment…

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  Every cultivator on the island felt a towering aura surge into the sky, as though a true phoenix was spreading its wings.

  …

  Gongshu Yu no longer knew how much time had passed.

  His blood had gone from boiling to ice-cold, his entire being sinking into an indescribable state.

  It felt as though his very soul had transcended.

  “Master… please rest.”

  Aru, bronze-skinned and muscular, spoke worriedly to Gongshu Yu, whose face was practically pressed against the forging furnace, one hand steadily wielding a small hammer for precise strikes.

  “No need.”

  “I can feel it… this spiritual tool is almost complete.”

  Excitement shone in Gongshu Yu’s eyes.

  Aru sighed softly.

  Ever since Young Master Lu had shared the concept of a weapon of apocalyptic destruction, Gongshu Yu had become possessed.

  For ten straight years, he had not slept or rested—every ounce of his being poured into forging this weapon.

  Even for a cultivator, ten years without sleep, mind constantly strained, was unbearable.

  And Gongshu Yu was only at the Nascent Soul realm.

  Aru couldn’t understand his master’s madness.

  Yes, if successful, this weapon would be a cornerstone of the Five Phoenixes’ defense.

  But…

  Gongshu Yu’s obsession went far deeper.

  Aru knew his master’s past.

  In ancient times, the Gongshu family of the Hundred Schools had been revered.

  But with the advent of the cultivation era, practitioners relied solely on personal power. Even auxiliary tools were swords, spears, and axes.

  Hidden weapons and mechanisms had been swept into the dustbin of history.

  Gongshu Yu had once lamented to Aru:

  What did the Gongshu family rely on?

  Not forging weapons—that was a blacksmith’s job.

  The Gongshu family excelled at intricate mechanisms and divine hidden weapons!

  That was how they had earned eternal fame!

  Aru had only half-understood.

  He was born in the cultivation era, when mechanisms and hidden weapons had already faded.

  So he could not comprehend Gongshu Yu’s obsession.

  It was the burning desire to prove the Gongshu family once more.

  Deep in Gongshu Yu’s heart, embers had smoldered for centuries.

  All it took was Lu Ping’an’s single breath of wind to ignite them into a heaven-reaching blaze!

  Clang! Clang! Clang!

  Gongshu Yu’s focus was absolute.

  The furnace burned with profound heavenly fire personally ignited by Young Master Lu—perfect for purifying impurities from ores.

  Gongshu Yu harbored a breath he needed to release.

  Staring into the flames, he seemed to return to his youth.

  He had spent half his life crafting the hidden weapon “Storm of Pear Blossoms.”

  It had been his proudest creation—shining brilliantly at the end of the Hundred Schools era.

  He had nearly wounded Young Master Lu with it!

  Though he ultimately failed, Young Master Lu’s praise had filled him with pride.

  But as the Five Phoenixes advanced and the cultivation era fully dawned…

  Powerful cultivators could block Storm of Pear Blossoms with their spiritual qi defenses alone.

  He had tried improving it—coating the needles in poison.

  It still worked against Golden Core and early Nascent Soul cultivators.

  But against Infant Transformation and Three Gods realm? Useless.

  Against Body Integration experts, the needles fell like ants crawling under primordial spirit perception.

  Gongshu Yu had despaired. He tried countless modifications, all failures.

  He accepted that outdated things were destined to be eliminated.

  Storm of Pear Blossoms had gathered dust for decades.

  Yet Lu Ping’an’s words had reignited hope.

  Hope for the resurgence of mechanical weapons!

  “Integrate the way of hidden weapons into Young Master Lu’s concept… it will surely burst forth with new life!”

  Gongshu Yu’s voice was hoarse, but his spirit burned brighter than ever!

  “Aru, assist me!”

  On the 99,999th hammer strike, a unique aura exploded from Gongshu Yu’s eyes!

  Within the furnace, beneath the mold, a phoenix seemed ready to emerge from the flames.

  “Yes!”

  Since he couldn’t stop his master…

  Aru could only give his all.

  Spiritual qi surged from his body. Strange patterns appeared on his skin—his unique physique.

  With a surge of divine sense, he controlled the molten metal, sending it soaring into the air.

  Though aged, Gongshu Yu’s black hair danced as youthful vigor returned.

  He gripped the massive hammer with both hands!

  Spinning in place, he swung the mountain-heavy hammer!

  Each swing seemed to shatter space itself!

  BOOM!

  BOOM! BOOM!

  Every strike produced countless sparks, like volcanic eruptions.

  Each swing drained his life force.

  After just a few, Gongshu Yu felt as though he had aged countless years.

  He coughed blood.

  Yet his eyes grew brighter!

  He felt as though he had returned to the days when he poured half his life into crafting Storm of Pear Blossoms.

  He suddenly laughed wildly.

  This weapon would restore the glory of the Gongshu family!

  Gradually…

  The mold transformed into the shape of a longbow.

  But it was no ordinary longbow.

  At its center were five phoenix heads!

  As though reborn from endless flames!

  Clang! Clang! Clang!

  Gongshu Yu was utterly exhausted, as if he had aged centuries in an instant.

  Yet his heart grew more excited, more frenzied!

  Of the Hundred Schools of old, who remained?

  Kong Xiu had been dead a century. Mo Beike had gone into seclusion. Sword Saint Hua Dongliu no longer carried the spirit of “one sword to suppress the world”…

  They were old.

  Their era had vanished.

  But were they truly willing to fade into history’s river?

  BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

  Suddenly, terrifying auras crisscrossed the air!

  Even Aru, with his special physique, felt crushing pressure.

  His flesh split open, blood pouring from countless wounds.

  “Master!”

  Aru’s pupils shrank in terror!

  If this continued, unimaginable disaster would strike!

  Five phoenix heads on a bow—what kind of weapon was his master forging?!

  Pfft!

  Aru coughed blood, drenched in crimson, utterly wretched.

  Yet Gongshu Yu’s manic laughter echoed endlessly.

  One hammer after another—each strike seemed to birth boundless vitality!

  His black hair turned snow-white in an instant.

  “Fuse the array!”

  Gongshu Yu roared.

  Aru gritted his teeth and slapped forward.

  Two golden array blocks engraved with the “Stabilize” inscription shot forth.

  Burned by the profound fire, they melted and fused into the bow.

  The five phoenix heads grew increasingly lifelike, as though about to come alive. Every feather seemed to flutter in the wind, as if they were real phoenix feathers.

  “Hahahaha!”

  “It’s done!”

  “Young Master Lu… this old man has not failed you!”

  White-haired Gongshu Yu threw his head back and laughed.

  Tears of joy streamed down his face.

  “But… it still lacks one thing.”

  “A treasure has spirit—it needs a fitting soul!”

  Gongshu Yu’s eyes blazed like fire.

  He raised a trembling hand and pointed at his own forehead.

  Aru was horrified.

  Covered in blood, carrying the bow that felt like the weight of heaven and earth, he screamed.

  “Master, what are you doing?!”

  Buzz…

  The void trembled.

  The next moment, Lu Ping’an appeared, seated in his Thousand-Bladed Chair.

  Sensing the disturbance, he had rushed over.

  He hadn’t expected that in just ten years, Gongshu Yu had succeeded.

  Though…

  It was a bow.

  Not quite what he had imagined.

  “There’s no need for this.”

  Lu Ping’an frowned.

  But Gongshu Yu tore open his forehead with a finger.

  His Nascent Soul leaped out.

  “Young Master Lu… this is the proudest creation of my life.”

  “If I cannot be fully satisfied, I would rather die than live!”

  White-haired Gongshu Yu looked at Lu Ping’an with respect—and deep gratitude.

  He was grateful Lu Ping’an had given him this chance.

  “There’s no need. A treasure needs a spirit, but we can find another.”

  Lu Ping’an said.

  His primordial spirit surged, seizing control of Gongshu Yu’s Nascent Soul.

  Aru exhaled in relief.

  But the next moment—his heart nearly exploded!

  “Do you not understand forging, Lu Ping’an?!”

  “If you stop me again—I’ll self-detonate right now!”

  Gongshu Yu roared, hair and beard bristling with fury.

  Lu Ping’an was stunned.

  This old man… was yelling at him?!

  Aru nearly dropped the bow in terror.

  Master, don’t lose your mind!

  Lu Ping’an fell silent.

  The white-haired, red-eyed Gongshu Yu radiated nothing but madness and resolve.

  Lu Ping’an released his hold.

  Buzz…

  Gongshu Yu’s Nascent Soul shot forth!

  Like a moth to flame, it plunged into the golden bow shrouded in profound fire.

  “Young Master Lu… forgive this old man’s rudeness.”

  Just before entering…

  Gongshu Yu’s Nascent Soul cupped its hands toward Lu Ping’an.

  Then, with a carefree laugh…

  Full of the joy and freedom of walking the great dao, it crashed into the bow.

  Buzz…

  The Nascent Soul was instantly incinerated.

  The moment it burned away, the five phoenix heads on the bow opened their eyes—brilliant light shining within.

  As though five fire phoenixes were truly about to spread their wings and soar!

  Gongshu Yu’s physical body slumped to the ground as his life force drained away, merging completely into the bow.

  Yet the white-haired old man showed no regret.

  He stared at the bow and laughed like a child.

  Aru trembled violently.

  Forging with his very soul!

  Was it worth it?!

  At that moment, Aru’s beliefs were shattered.

  Lu Ping’an flicked his finger.

  He locked away the last of Gongshu Yu’s fading life force.

  But with his Nascent Soul and soul fused and burned away, Gongshu Yu could never cultivate again—he was reduced to a mortal.

  Thud!

  The bow fell to the ground, shattering the stone tiles.

  The profound fire vanished.

  A golden bow, radiating ancient aura, lay quietly on the ground.

  Shaped like a phoenix spreading its wings, yet with five phoenix heads at its center.

  Each head’s eyes gleamed with life.

  An intimidating presence emanated from it.

  “Heavenly-tier spiritual tool?”

  “Yet… not quite.”

  “Let this bow be called… the Five Phoenix Bow.”

  Aru knelt, covered in blood, somewhat dazed. He didn’t fully understand his master’s realm, but the impact was overwhelming.

  “Young Master… this old man… may I beg you to personally test the bow?”

  Gongshu Yu sat on the ground, ancient and frail, his vitality and cultivation stripped away, now a mere mortal.

  Yet his cloudy eyes held no regret—only a light brighter than the stars.

  “Very well.”

  Seated in his Thousand-Bladed Chair, Lu Ping’an heard the old man’s plea and agreed.

  He reached out and grasped the Five Phoenix Bow.

  Rumble!

  The bow was as heavy as a mountain.

  Lu Ping’an’s expression remained calm.

  He gripped the bow and vanished.

  In the Void Heaven.

  Lu Ping’an appeared out of thin air, white robes fluttering, holding a golden bow. The five phoenix heads radiated powerful fluctuations.

  Though the “Stabilize” inscription and concept had come from him…

  To forge such a bow in just ten years spoke volumes of Gongshu Yu’s genius.

  Though the old man had yelled at him, he was truly worthy of respect.

  Lu Ping’an’s lips curved upward.

  He slowly rose from the Thousand-Bladed Chair.

  BOOM!

  His white robes turned pitch black.

  Demonic qi surged like a storm.

  The Five Phoenix Bow floated before him, pulled by his aura.

  He lifted one leg, knee pressing against the bow.

  Leaning back…

  He hooked the invisible string with two fingers.

  Creak…

  A sound like rolling thunder exploded outward.

  Primordial spirit power, Dao Intent, chaos force.

  All three were poured into the bow.

  Three of the five phoenix heads blazed like stars!

  Everyone in the Five Phoenixes seemed drawn to the blinding light.

  The three energies erupted from the phoenix mouths, converging under the “Stabilize” inscription into a slowly rotating tri-colored arrow at the bow’s center.

  Black robes whipped in the wind.

  Lu Ping’an’s sharp eyes narrowed.

  The arrowhead pointed toward Pingyang Heaven.

  Of course.

  He was just posing—feeling the power. He wouldn’t actually shoot.

  He could tell one arrow would cause serious problems.

  Suddenly…

  In Pingyang Heaven.

  Atop the towering pagoda.

  The Great Venerable, eyes closed while chanting sutras, felt his scalp explode. A wave of mortal danger surged through him.

  The wooden fish before him shattered.

  His eyes snapped open, bloodshot with shock, confusion, and fury.

  Then all emotions merged into one desperate cry:

  “No! Holy Lord Lu, NO!!!”