The vast sea fell deathly silent.

  Lu Fan’s voice wasn’t loud, nor was it some impassioned battle cry that set blood ablaze.

  Yet those calm, almost casual words sent a torrent roaring through every Five Phoenixes cultivator’s heart.

  Overbearing.

  Who in the world didn’t know Young Master Lu’s temper?

  Short-fused, petty, and vindictive—everyone knew it by heart.

  So when he said something like that, it meant only one thing: if Blood Evil Heaven and Origin Magnet Heaven refused the gamble, Young Master Lu wouldn’t just sit back and watch. He would strike like thunder.

  Lu Fan straightened, leaning back in the Thousand Blade Chair, one hand resting lightly on the armrest. He looked utterly relaxed.

  “This Young Master has always been merciful. They gathered a million troops to raze the Five Phoenixes, to slaughter every living soul, to humiliate me personally. Yet I repaid evil with kindness and gave them a chance. Otherwise—by the normal rules—anyone who dares bully the Five Phoenixes, anyone who dares bully me, would have rivers of blood to pay for it.”

  He smiled faintly.

  “So settling this grudge through the Heavenly Grand Competition format? That’s me being generous.”

  Many exchanged stunned glances.

  Inside the Ancient Tomb.

  Gu Mangran, skin and bones, twitched at the corner of his mouth.

  He could hear every word, of course. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined Lu Fan would choose this path.

  It sounded noble enough, but in Gu Mangran’s eyes, the truth was simple: Lu Fan had his eyes on the origin dao reserves of those high-martial worlds.

  Still, a gleam soon flickered in his sunken eyes.

  For the Five Phoenixes to evolve, they needed massive amounts of origin dao reserves. Waiting for a world to naturally produce them would take eons.

  This bandit-like method was the fastest way to grow.

  Immoral? Absolutely.

  But Blood Evil Heaven and Origin Magnet Heaven had once led a million-strong army against the Five Phoenixes. The grudge was to the death.

  So the Five Phoenixes doing the same? Perfectly justified.

  Gu Mangran smiled.

  He found himself… looking forward to it.

  …

  “Are you afraid?”

  Lu Fan gazed at the sixteen still bathing in origin energy, healing the scars on their souls, and asked softly.

  In truth, this was also their trial. Calling it a training mission was no exaggeration.

  “I, Xiang Shaoyun, accept.”

  The Overlord rose from the origin mist, wild hair whipping in the wind, sharp eyes blazing.

  Reliving that hopeless war in the Giant Mirror had left a fire smoldering in his chest.

  And the humiliations of the previous Heavenly Grand Competition—he remembered every single one.

  It was time to pay them back.

  Afraid?

  He only wanted to kill until the heavens flipped.

  Lu Fan nodded slightly.

  “This Young Master already gave them a chance. The various realms of Pingyang Heaven personally came to apologize. I gave Blood Evil Heaven and Origin Magnet Heaven plenty of time too.”

  “I was merciful to the end. Unfortunately, they didn’t cherish it.”

  “So the reckoning begins.”

  His voice was calm.

  “Anyone who doesn’t want to go—step forward now.”

  He swept his gaze across the top sixteen.

  Every breath caught.

  A breeze blew past.

  No one moved.

  Obviously, no one was backing down.

  “I’ve been itching to go,” Tang Yimo said, cracking his neck as he stood.

  “Consider this a warm-up for storming the Ninth Heaven,” the Overlord growled.

  Sima Qingshan, Kong Nanfei, Nie Changqing—all rose.

  BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

  Mighty auras and primordial spirits erupted, sweeping across the entire sea.

  “Young Master Lu!”

  Suddenly, from the crowd, Jiang Li stepped forward.

  He had missed the rankings this time. Though he’d inherited the Soldier King legacy, his individual combat power wasn’t top-tier.

  “Little Bluebird is still just a child. May I take her place?”

  Worry creased his brow as he bowed toward Lu Fan.

  Lu Fan’s gaze shifted to White Bluebird.

  “No!”

  “Uncle Jiang… I’m not a child anymore.”

  White Bluebird shook her head firmly.

  “Stop treating me like one.”

  “I have to go to this war.”

  Flames danced deep in her pupils.

  Jiang Li fell silent.

  “Very well…” Lu Fan said. “Then this Young Master awaits your triumphant return.”

  With a flick of his finger—

  Two ancient bronze warships, radiating primordial aura, appeared on the sea.

  Mysterious runes crawled across their hulls, and on each prow soared a phoenix in flight.

  These were Five Phoenixes warships—rebuilt and improved from the spoils of the upper-realm invasion fleet.

  Now, they would carry the expedition.

  …

  The new training mission spread across the world via Sky Messenger Pigeons.

  Nearly every cultivator learned of this insane task.

  In the Heavenly Origin Domain, Martial Emperor City, Qian Female Palace, Absolute Blade Sect—every faction trembled with both worry and pride when they heard their ancestors would take part.

  Worry, yes.

  But also a burning sense of honor.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  They knew exactly why these sixteen fought.

  For the Five Phoenixes!

  Ten years had passed since that war, yet the brutality, the oppression—every image remained vivid.

  How could any Five Phoenixes cultivator forget that suffocating despair?

  Human Emperor Tantai He couldn’t sit still when he heard the news.

  He gathered the army and set sail—to send off the warriors marching in the name of reckoning!

  …

  Lu Fan did not immediately dispatch them.

  He gave them three days to say their goodbyes.

  Southern Prefecture.

  Tang Yimo stood outside the Tang Manor gardens.

  His mother, a mortal with no cultivation, had long since passed despite life-extending pills.

  Of his blood kin, only Tang Guo remained—and one other: Tang Xiansheng, whose heart knot had never truly unraveled.

  “Young Master.”

  A guard spotted him and bowed.

  Tang Yimo nodded, straightened his black robes, and stepped inside.

  Tang Xiansheng sat in his rocking chair, white-haired and frail as ever.

  “I heard you’re representing the Five Phoenixes on this expedition…”

  His voice was hoarse.

  Tang Yimo walked to his side without stopping.

  “Take care of yourself…”

  Tang Xiansheng sighed.

  “We father and son lived a hundred years together, yet the knot between us never untied…”

  His cloudy eyes softened as he looked at Tang Yimo.

  Tang Yimo said nothing.

  “Come back alive.”

  “Your father and Guo’er will be waiting in the Five Phoenixes.”

  Tang Xiansheng rose shakily. His hunched frame barely reached Tang Yimo’s chest.

  He smiled, stood on tiptoe, and patted his son’s head.

  …

  Western Liang.

  The Overlord sat cross-legged on the Dongyan River, axe and shield on his back.

  The mirage dragon churned beneath the surface.

  His gaze wavered slightly.

  Behind him stood Xu Chu, Zhao Zixu, and the others.

  Xu Chu carried two spiked iron balls, eyes trembling.

  This mission was perilous beyond words—challenging the top holy lands of two second-tier heavens.

  Yet the honor of representing the Five Phoenixes in this reckoning filled his chest with pride.

  “While I’m gone, protect Western Liang well. As for the Great Xuan Divine Dynasty, follow Mingsang’s orders. She reads the situation better than I do.”

  The Overlord’s voice was deep.

  Xu Chu and the others bowed solemnly.

  The Overlord exhaled, closed his eyes.

  He remembered the war inside the Giant Mirror—the Five Phoenixes shattered, oceans of blood, mountains of corpses, utter silence.

  That scene had carved itself into his soul.

  He had to grow stronger.

  He had to fight until the Five Phoenixes’ name shook the heavens.

  Inside the main tent.

  Luo Mingyue finished speaking with Luo Mingsang and stepped out.

  Luo Mingsang smiled calmly, hiding her fear.

  She would not let her weakness show—not when sending both her beloved and her sister into battle.

  “Don’t worry,” the Overlord said, walking beside her. “Young Master Lu promised—we’ll be fine.”

  Long after, two beams of light shot skyward from the Dongyan River.

  The Overlord and Luo Mingyue streaked toward the vast sea.

  Luo Mingsang stood alone on the bank, staring until they vanished.

  …

  Three days.

  Sixteen warriors said farewell to family, friends, and home.

  This expedition was doomed to be perilous. They refused to leave regrets.

  Lake Heart Isle, White Jade Capital Pavilion.

  After bidding Nie Shuang goodbye, Nie Changqing ascended the tower.

  Ning Zhao tossed a green plum into the warmer; wine steamed and filled the air with fragrance.

  Lu Fan sat with eyes closed.

  A gentle breeze stirred. All restlessness melted away.

  Nie Changqing sat quietly in meditation.

  Ning Zhao finished brewing and stood silently behind Lu Fan.

  The two ancient warships floated beside the giant whale, waves crashing against their hulls like war drums.

  When the yolk-sun rose over the horizon, scattering molten gold across the sea—

  Black silhouettes appeared within the dawn light.

  BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

  Figures tore across the sky, streaking toward the fleet.

  “They’re here!”

  Cultivators who had rushed over upon hearing the news stared intently.

  The ancient warships rocked as if ready to split the ocean.

  The Overlord landed first—heavy, domineering, murderous intent boiling in his eyes.

  Whoosh!

  Du Longyang, Ye Shoudao, and the others followed.

  “Young Master, we go too.”

  Nie Changqing and Ning Zhao spoke together.

  Lu Fan opened his eyes and smiled.

  “Go.”

  Nie Changqing strode out, dragon-slaying sword at his hip.

  Ning Zhao floated after him, landing gracefully on deck.

  Lu Jiulian arrived like a drifting lotus.

  Tang Yimo shot forward like a dark arrow.

  Soon, all sixteen stood aboard the bronze decks.

  …

  Artifact Refining Pavilion.

  Master Gongshu Yu, ancient and frail, gazed gently at Aru carrying the great bow.

  “Go.”

  “Your master is fine. I’ll stay alive until you return.”

  “I want to see the day you come home victorious.”

  He smiled.

  Tears gleamed in Aru’s eyes. He clenched his fists, stepped back, knelt, and kowtowed three times.

  Then he rose, shouldered the Five Phoenix Bow, and marched away with heavy steps.

  BOOM!

  He crashed onto the warship like a meteor, the deck dipping into the sea.

  “He is your substitute,” Lu Fan’s voice rang in everyone’s ears.

  Aru stood at the stern, unmoving as a mountain.

  Every gaze that fell on the bow sent a shiver through their hearts—an aura of utter terror.

  Two warships, two teams.

  One ship: Overlord, Tang Yimo, Ning Zhao for individual battles; Du Longyang, Ye Shoudao, Ni Chunqiu, Luo Mingyue, Ximen Xianzhi for team battles—headed to Blood Evil Heaven.

  The other: Lu Jiulian, Jing Yue, Li Sansui for individual; Nie Changqing, White Bluebird, Sima Qingshan, Kong Nanfei, Mo Liuqi for team—headed to Origin Magnet Heaven.

  Aru and the Five Phoenix Bow stood with the Overlord’s ship.

  Terrifying auras wove together above the decks.

  The warriors on both ships locked eyes and grinned.

  The Thousand Blade Chair glided forward.

  Lu Fan appeared at the shore, white robes fluttering.

  Ni Yu stood behind him, carrying her black pot, Little Yinglong perched on her head, eyes red.

  “Ready?”

  His voice was soft.

  From both warships, every warrior answered with their aura.

  BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

  Mighty pillars of light shot into the sky, blasting waves across the sea.

  Lu Fan’s eyes brightened. The corner of his mouth curled.

  “Then… depart!”

  Lines danced in his pupils.

  The Spirit Pressure Chessboard materialized before him.

  Hum…

  Mysterious runes ignited across both warships. Silver-gray spatial light flared.

  The profound meaning of Space—the “Travel” Array Word!

  Bzzz…

  Space tore open like a gaping maw before each prow.

  BOOM!

  The cultivators unleashed their auras, steering the warships into the voids.

  From the horizon, a fleet of wooden ships sailed in.

  Human Emperor Tantai He stood at the lead vessel’s bow.

  “Send off our warriors!”

  His roar thundered.

  “May you return victorious!”

  “Fight!”

  On every ship, armored soldiers stood ramrod straight, roaring as the bronze warships vanished into the rifts.

  “Fight!”

  Atop the Ancient Tomb.

  Gu Mangran’s tattered robes flapped in the wind.

  His eyes flickered with emotion.

  When the tomb first arrived in the Five Phoenixes, this world had been laughably weak.

  Now, it dared march on Blood Evil Heaven and Origin Magnet Heaven.

  He had watched the Five Phoenixes grow step by step.

  As an ancient expert of the Void Heaven, seeing the only high-martial world here reclaim its former glory—his blood, dormant for countless ages, began to boil.

  He truly wished to see the day the Five Phoenixes ruled the upper realms, standing proud above the Ninth Heaven.

  …

  Pingyang Heaven.

  Inside the pagoda, the Grand Venerable meditating suddenly snapped his eyes open.

  Not just him—every holy land master in Pingyang Heaven felt their primordial spirits tremble.

  “The Five Phoenixes are moving…”

  “Two warships—one heading to Blood Evil, one to Origin Magnet!”

  “So the reckoning finally begins?”

  Holy masters across Pingyang Heaven murmured, gazes fixed on the void.

  Joyful Venerable sat beside the Grand Venerable.

  “Two ancient warships… seventeen people in total…”

  “Is Lu Ping’an seriously planning to settle accounts with just this? What gives him the confidence?”

  “What exactly is he trying to do?!”

  The Grand Venerable stared intently.

  Joyful Venerable was equally baffled.

  He knew Lu Ping’an well—vindictive to the bone. He would never send people to die for nothing.

  There had to be something they couldn’t see.

  Hum…

  The Grand Venerable waved a hand.

  A golden alms bowl rose, projecting golden light.

  The two warships, traveling via the “Travel” Array Word, appeared in the projection—now above Blood Evil Heaven and Origin Magnet Heaven.

  The Grand Venerable saw the figures seated on the decks.

  He saw the Overlord who had cleaved a Tribulation Transcender in half with one axe during the Heavenly Grand Competition.

  He saw Tang Yimo, who had opened six meridians and nearly beaten a holy-land master to death.

  “All elite geniuses of the Five Phoenixes… What is Lu Ping’an planning?”

  “Is he sending them to their deaths?!”

  He couldn’t understand.

  Blood Evil Heaven and Origin Magnet Heaven were stronger overall than Pingyang Heaven.

  They didn’t just have Level-6 high-martial worlds—some were Level-5!

  Level-5 worlds might have Immortal Constellation experts sitting in them!

  So…

  He truly couldn’t fathom Lu Fan’s goal.

  But he wasn’t in a hurry.

  He would watch.

  …

  Blood Evil Heaven.

  The terrifying spatial distortion faded.

  An ancient warship hung in the boundless void.

  The Overlord rose slowly and walked to the prow.

  Black hair whipping, axe and shield on his back, he stared ahead.

  “Blood Evil Heaven…”

  “Xiang Shaoyun has arrived.”

  BOOM!!!!!

  A horrifying aura erupted from the depths of Blood Evil Heaven.

  “People from the Five Phoenixes… you really dared come!”

  A nearby holy-land master appeared in the void, robes snapping, eyes strange and cold.

  “Here to die?”

  He laughed.

  “By Young Master Lu’s command—we come to settle accounts with Blood Evil Heaven.”

  The Overlord’s voice was calm.

  He stepped forward onto the prow, body leaning, radiating crushing pressure.

  “Insolence!”

  “A measly Five Phoenixes dares speak of settling accounts?!”

  The holy master roared.

  The Overlord smirked.

  Demonic energy exploded around him like a storm.

  He leaped from the warship.

  Black mist coiled, turning him into a towering demon.

  One axe swung down.

  Third-tier sequence dao intent roared. The strike could split mountains and seas.

  The clash detonated shockwaves that tore the void.

  Moments later—

  The Overlord stood domineering in the emptiness, one hand holding the holy master’s severed head.

  The body had exploded into blood mist.

  Even the primordial spirit was crushed beneath the Overlord’s tyrannical will.

  A holy-land master—slain on the spot.

  BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

  Countless terrifying auras erupted from every corner of Blood Evil Heaven.

  The ancient warship groaned under the pressure, as if it might shatter.

  From every world, icy gazes locked on, crushing auras pressing down.

  The Overlord returned to the deck.

  Du Longyang, Ye Shoudao, Ning Zhao, and the others stood behind him—unflinching.

  Surrounded by enemies in the heart of Blood Evil Heaven, they were truly alone against the universe.

  Yet not one trace of fear showed on their faces.

  Because behind them stood someone.

  The Five Phoenixes.

  White Jade Capital Pavilion.

  Lu Fan’s white robes fluttered, lines dancing in his eyes.

  He rolled up his sleeve, picked a chess piece from the box.

  Watching the countless holy-land auras rising in Blood Evil Heaven, converging to crush the lone warship—

  He smiled.

  The piece fell.

  Plop!

  In Blood Evil Heaven—

  A single chess piece tore through the void from nowhere.

  It descended like divine judgment.

  Pfft!

  In that instant, every holy master who had unleashed their aura against the warship felt ultimate terror grip their hearts.

  Their towering auras shattered like glass.

  One after another, they coughed blood, faces pale with horror!

  The Five Phoenixes’ Lu Ping’an…

  He had truly come to settle the score!