The Upper Realm had made its move!

  In Yuan Magnetic Heaven, atop the Black Magnetic Minor World,

  the Immortal Ascension ancestor—forced to kneel on the continent by Lu’s thousandfold spiritual pressure—appeared utterly aged. He lifted his weary eyelids, glancing at the vast Upper Realm continent emerging from the torn void.

  His face twitched, twisting into a smile uglier than tears.

  “As expected…”

  “They act neither early nor late—but precisely when the Dao Evolution Mirror has harvested over ten thousand Dao reserves. The intentions of those in the Upper Realm are crystal clear.”

  “Heh…”

  “We of the Lower Realms… are mere pawns.”

  “Discarded when no longer useful.”

  The ancestor shook his head in sorrow, then raised it, gazing at the ripped-open Upper Realm.

  And at the ancient warships fleeing desperately…

  A low, mocking laugh escaped him.

  “Holy Lord Lu of the Five Phoenixes… heh, for all his brilliance, hasn’t he become nothing more than a tool for the Upper Realm to gather Dao reserves?”

  “Pathetic.”

  Blood Evil Heaven and Yuan Magnetic Heaven boiled with excitement.

  Light pierced the darkness like dawn’s first rays, cascading like a waterfall from afar.

  The two Five Phoenixes warships were like tiny boats fleeing massive waves.

  Gradually overtaken, then capsized and swallowed.

  The Upper Realm had finally intervened—many experts in Blood Evil Heaven and Yuan Magnetic Heaven breathed sighs of relief.

  The Five Phoenixes’ reckoning should end here.

  The Lower Three Heavens had truly been terrified by a single Five Phoenixes.

  Of course, the Five Phoenixes had taught them one harsh truth:

  Might makes right.

  With a big enough fist, the Five Phoenixes declared reckoning—and reckoned. They forced Grand Competitions. Dare refuse?

  This “reasonable” approach stripped worlds of Dao reserves, letting them feel despair as their worlds slowly withered and collapsed.

  That was the cruelest part.

  …

  Boom boom!

  The ancient warships swayed under the white light beams.

  Spatial profound rippled, tearing massive rifts behind both vessels.

  In an instant, the fluctuations could swallow the warships, pulling them from Yuan Magnetic Heaven and Blood Evil Heaven.

  On the vast Upper Realm continent—dense with immortal energy—emerging from the massive void tear,

  the loosely robed figure’s eyes sharpened.

  He gazed with interest at the warships shrouded in spatial fluctuations.

  “Intriguing…”

  “Confusing the real with the fake?”

  “The fake remains fake. I hold the true, half-activated ‘Travel’ Array Word. With a thought, I can disable even massive teleportation arrays. Yet… this time, it failed.”

  His gaze pierced distance, falling on the swaying ancient warships, filled with curiosity.

  Boom boom boom!

  Light continued projecting, suddenly forming colossal palms in Blood Evil Heaven and Yuan Magnetic Heaven.

  Palms immense—larger than the entire Black Magnetic continent—exuding sky-obscuring might.

  Shaking the void itself.

  This was the Upper Realm’s power.

  Blood Evil Heaven.

  Overlord stood aboard the warship, sensing unparalleled, terrifying pressure.

  He stared intently at the torn-open Upper Realm, thick with immortal energy.

  “That… is the Upper Realm?!”

  Overlord murmured.

  His first clear sense of its existence. The pressure from the giant palm of light left him no thought of resistance.

  He knew he was no match.

  Even against Immortal Ascension experts, he had never felt this.

  Yet now, such helplessness arose.

  “The Upper Realm… also has beings who’ve comprehended third-sequence Dao intent.”

  Overlord said.

  Tang Yimo, Nie Changqing, and others stood at the prow.

  As for life and death—they cared little. The descending beams carried a familiar aura.

  Young Master Lu’s aura. With him watching personally, they faced no danger.

  “So… we’ve been opposing existences like this?”

  Du Longyang spoke suddenly.

  His words echoed aboard the ancient warship. Gripping his Martial Emperor Spear, his body trembled slightly.

  “Scared?”

  Ye Shoudao glanced at him.

  Du Longyang fell silent.

  Fear flickered in Ni Chunqiu’s eyes.

  An overwhelmingly unmatched foe could indeed breed despair.

  “We’re growing stronger.”

  “One day, we’ll reach heights to rival the Upper Realm.”

  Tang Yimo bound white cloth around his hands, speaking calmly.

  Everyone aboard smiled. Yes—they would grow stronger, ever stronger.

  The Five Phoenixes would too.

  One day, they’d stand against the Upper Realm!

  Boom!

  The giant palm of light slammed down.

  Larger than the Black Magnetic world, it crashed against the white beam.

  The beam seemed a mere thread beside it.

  Yet…

  that slender thread blocked the palm!

  Countless radiances halted behind the white beam.

  The same in Yuan Magnetic Heaven.

  Blocked?!

  All watching were stunned, horrified.

  This was a strike carrying Upper Realm might—yet halted by a thin white beam.

  Everyone thought of one possibility.

  Holy Lord Lu of the Five Phoenixes?!

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Only the Young Master Lu—who shattered an Upper Realm Sacred Clan divine son with one punch—could achieve this!

  Hum hum hum…

  On the torn Upper Realm continent, thick with immortal energy,

  figures emerged one after another.

  All in loose robes, immortal energy swirling.

  Eighteen in total—nine for Blood Evil Heaven, nine for Yuan Magnetic Heaven.

  Each wreathed in immortal energy, eyes indifferent, arrogant, cold.

  All… Immortal Ascension realm!

  In the Lower Three Heavens, supreme and revered—yet eighteen appeared at once.

  “The Five Phoenixes of Nihility Heaven stole the Upper Realm immortal-tier artifact, the Dao Evolution Mirror. Committing vile acts—forcing other worlds, plundering their Dao reserves, severely disrupting the Lower Three Heavens’ balance. This is an unforgivable crime!”

  The barefoot figure with the “Travel” mark in his palm narrowed his eyes at the beam-shrouded warships.

  A smile of interest spread.

  “Since you can wield space profound… why not flee?”

  He gazed at Overlord, Lu Jiulian, and the others, asking aloud.

  Then his vision seemed to bridge space-time.

  As though peering into the Five Phoenixes’ Origin Lake, White Jade Pavilion.

  His eyes manifested above the pavilion.

  Lu held a chess piece, white robes fluttering under the gaze.

  “Why not escape?”

  The figure grinned coldly.

  Lu remained expressionless, piece in one hand, bronze wine cup in the other—warm liquor steaming with rich aroma.

  Waves rose on the vast sea, white surges forming a serpent that crashed distantly against the ancient tomb, splashing foam.

  Inside the tomb,

  emaciated Gu Mangran’s dark eyes flashed.

  “Mr. Lu… how many divine herbs have been prepared?”

  Gu Mangran asked gently.

  Lu Changkong, configuring divine herbs with Bu Nanxing, paused.

  “Nine.”

  Lu Changkong replied.

  Bu Nanxing glanced at Gu Mangran seated in the coffin, swallowing hard.

  “The General needs divine herbs?”

  Lu Changkong wondered.

  Gu Mangran smiled.

  “No… just in case those fellows lose composure and attack shamelessly. Better measure the dosage precisely—to avoid wasting divine herbs.”

  Gu Mangran said.

  Lu Changkong narrowed his eyes.

  Holding a vibrant, multicolored spirit herb, he looked beyond the tomb.

  The Five Phoenixes seemed calm, but faintly… he sensed terrifying killing intent swirling outside.

  …

  Pingyang Heaven.

  Pagoda.

  Joyful Venerable and Great Venerable stared fixedly at the golden alms bowl’s projections.

  Not just them—nearly every cultivator in Pingyang Heaven watched.

  Standoff!

  Finally, confrontation!

  The Five Phoenixes sent two warships to conquer Blood Evil Heaven and Yuan Magnetic Heaven.

  With boundless dominance and utter unreasonableness, forcing Yan Five worlds into Grand Competitions—stripping their Dao reserves entirely.

  Acts no different from demons.

  Many in Pingyang Heaven, shocked, had predicted Upper Realm judgment.

  Now, Upper Realm experts acted!

  Would the Five Phoenixes… finally pay for their deeds?!

  …

  “Flee?”

  Overlord cracked his neck.

  Clad in black armor, he had expected fierce battles in this Blood Evil Heaven campaign.

  Yet…

  he was wrong. No true great war came; he barely fought to satisfaction.

  His body itched for battle.

  Unfulfilled.

  Now, the Upper Realm stirred, Young Master Lu’s beams descended, spatial profound opening behind.

  Overlord knew the trial ended.

  Tang Yimo, Nie Changqing, and others had exhilarating fights, great gains.

  Only he, Overlord, felt unsatisfied.

  His one chance at release—when the Hexagram Immortal Ascension ancestor attacked.

  Pity—Aru’s arrow exploded him.

  So Overlord burned with unwillingness!

  He craved battle!

  Boom!

  He stepped off the warship, striding void like a cannonball.

  Luo Mingyue, Ximen Xianzhi, and others stared briefly.

  “Come on!”

  “Let me see the strength of Upper Realm experts!”

  Demonic energy soared from Overlord as he roared domineeringly.

  Thud thud thud!

  He marched through void.

  Black flames seemed to burn around him.

  He had known lows and bottlenecks. Now he understood: breakthroughs came in life-and-death struggles.

  Since comprehending third-sequence unyielding Dao intent,

  he rarely danced on death’s edge.

  Overlord’s path:

  Thickest armor, heaviest beatings.

  Each endured beating yielded massive growth.

  He hoped Upper Realm experts wouldn’t disappoint!

  From the massive rift,

  on the endless, vast Upper Realm continent—seven-colored lights soaring, immortal energy dense—

  the array word holder laughed.

  He hadn’t expected a Five Phoenixes cultivator to charge out.

  Upper Realm Immortal Ascension… far beyond Lower Three Heavens equivalents!

  Nine dispatched experts in loose robes.

  One stepped forward against charging Overlord.

  Silver-gray light flashed.

  Instantly bridging distance, closing on Overlord.

  “Good!”

  Overlord’s demonic energy erupted; his battle axe swung fiercely.

  Immortal energy whipped down.

  Thud!

  Axe met energy—tremendous shock rippled through Overlord’s palms.

  Tiger’s mouth split, blood spraying.

  “Pathetic.”

  The Immortal Ascension expert—ethereal and refined, hands clasped—swept immortal energy.

  Boom!

  Overlord defended.

  Energy struck; axe and shield dented, axe slamming his body, armor shattering. He hurled back hundreds of li.

  Not dead?

  The expert blinked in surprise.

  Overlord was mere Tribulation Transcender—his energy whip could slay hordes.

  In void, Overlord rose.

  Laughing wildly.

  He cracked his neck, then slapped his ear.

  Smack!

  Head soared skyward; he stored it.

  Headless Overlord’s demonic energy formed a tornado!

  Silent roar—like a demon defying lofty immortals!

  The expert grew serious.

  Boom!

  Fist intent erupted into myriad streams!

  Primordial spirit flower, golden body flower bloomed!

  Overlord leaped; axe cleaved.

  Demonic energy gathered behind, forming giant demon shadow.

  Pity.

  Overlord’s assault crumbled instantly!

  Body cannonballed away; Upper Realm strikes rained like storm on him.

  Bang bang bang!

  Explosions hurled Overlord onto the ancient warship.

  Tang Yimo and others watched the brutal beating in silence.

  “This guy… so tough…”

  The expert—immortal energy swirling, robes billowing—said disdainfully.

  “Like a stone in a latrine—stinking and hard…”

  Crack crack…

  Headless Overlord rose slowly. Armor cracked, falling in shards; blood seeped from every pore.

  Body trembling—he suppressed himself.

  “Upper Realm experts… just this much?”

  Overlord’s primordial spirit vibrated.

  Boom!

  Demonic energy surged again; he charged madly once more.

  Boom boom boom!

  The expert raged.

  Unleashing terrifying slaughter repeatedly.

  Each time, certain Overlord would die.

  Yet…

  Overlord stood!

  Wounds covered him; gruesome gashes exposed bone.

  Still, he rose.

  Even his fortune golden body shattered.

  Aboard the ancient warship,

  Du Longyang and Ye Shoudao clicked tongues.

  “Overlord’s still the same…”

  “How is he unkillable?”

  Luo Mingyue’s expression complex—recalling her sister’s words, she sighed softly.

  As though expecting this.

  She drew her pipa.

  Half-veiled behind it.

  Pluck!

  Gentle strum.

  Radiance fell, enveloping Overlord.

  Healing his wounds.

  “No…”

  Overlord’s primordial spirit roared.

  Don’t heal me!

  Luo Mingyue froze.

  Then, somewhat huffily, sheathed the pipa.

  “Reckless brute.”

  Luo Mingyue said.

  Tang Yimo’s eyes gleamed at Overlord.

  Grow stronger from beatings?!

  That was the deal he once begged from immortals.

  So envious.

  “Die!”

  In void,

  the Upper Realm expert fumed.

  Body streaked; terrifying aura burst—fifth-sequence Dao intent, not weak!

  Immortal energy coiled his fist into spiraling cone!

  Pfft!

  Pierced Overlord’s flesh!

  Headless body seemed ready to explode.

  Primordial spirit flower emerged; cracked golden body flower too.

  On death’s door,

  Dao intent surged.

  “Third-sequence…”

  “Unyielding!”

  Primordial spirit roared like tsunami, shaking heaven and earth.

  Great terror in life-and-death… but great opportunity too!

  Next instant,

  a slightly blurred Dao intent flower condensed.

  Three flowers gathered—enter Heavenly Human!

  Now, Overlord half-step Heavenly Human!

  He seized the immortal energy whip.

  Axe gripped tight.

  Endured endless beatings, impacts, pent-up rage.

  All unleashed now!

  Your past beatings—returned in full!

  Boom!

  Axe swung, aiming for the expert’s head.

  Pfft!

  Terrifying energy erupted; axe seemed to split heavens!

  Arced blast forced anguished howl from the Upper Realm expert!

  Instantly bloodied; blood sprayed from pores. Hurled thousands of li by one strike…

  Blood Evil Heaven fell pin-drop silent.

  Overlord… had blasted an Upper Realm Immortal Ascension expert’s body?!

  Overlord reattached his head, spitting blood while sneering.

  “Upper Realm Immortal Ascension… nothing special.”

  “As for taking beatings—you’re far behind.”

  Hum…

  Ni Chunqiu flung red silk, wrapping Overlord, pulling the immobilized man back aboard.

  Tang Yimo stepped forward, pouring two bottles of pills down Overlord’s throat.

  Meanwhile,

  the remaining eight Upper Realm experts in Blood Evil Heaven turned icy.

  Killing intent sharp.

  The array word holder on the vast continent darkened.

  Overlord’s act—a resounding slap to the Upper Realm.

  “Third-sequence… worthy of Nihility Heaven beings.”

  “Kill.”

  He said coldly.

  Pinching seals.

  Instantly, experts in Blood Evil Heaven and Yuan Magnetic Heaven stepped forth.

  Silver-gray flashed underfoot.

  Like teleportation—breaths later, closing on the beams and shrouded warships.

  Boom!

  Several struck simultaneously.

  Immortal energy whips cracked void!

  Overlord and Lu Jiulian steered warships into Lu’s spatial rifts.

  On Upper Realm continent,

  “Think you can leave?”

  The figure’s eyes focused, pinching seals rapidly.

  Next, massive “Travel” Array Word glowed overhead!

  “Stay!”

  “Before the true Travel Array Word… all fakes reveal themselves!”

  Boom!

  Invisible waves spread.

  Aboard warships,

  Lu Jiulian, Overlord, and others paled.

  Prior talisman failure left shadows.

  Truly trapped?

  Yet…

  warships slid smoothly into spatial rifts.

  Effortlessly—beyond imagination.

  Upper Realm expert stiffened again.

  Failed?!

  Why?

  Was… his “Travel” true word truly… fake?!

  Failing to detain the warships—somewhat awkward.

  Yet…

  his eyes focused.

  Unhurried.

  Hum…

  Primordial spirit surged, activating array word.

  …

  Origin Lake,

  central island.

  Lu sipped wine with a slurp.

  Hm?

  He tilted his head—spatial energy flowed from the Dao Evolution Mirror.

  Whoosh!

  Mirror vanished.

  …

  Instantly appeared in Yuan Magnetic Heaven.

  The overhead array word expert on Upper Realm continent smiled.

  He raised his hand.

  Fingers hooked toward the mirror.

  Silver-gray spatial energy seeped around it.

  Soon, engulfed.

  Snap.

  Mirror grasped.

  But…

  not by the Upper Realm expert.

  By Lu.

  The expert’s pupils contracted… why?!

  He looked toward the Yuan Magnetic beam.

  Unbeknownst when,

  beneath the beam, a white-robed youth sat in a silver chair, holding the Dao Evolution Mirror.

  He… hadn’t seized it from the youth?!

  “Bold—stealing this young master’s Dao Evolution Mirror.”

  Lu said calmly.

  Next, effortlessly erased Upper Realm spatial marks, storing it in his Mysterious Ring.

  Lu raised his hand; silver-gray flashed.

  The Five Phoenixes Bow in Aru’s arms vanished, enveloped.

  Reappearing in Lu’s grasp.

  One hand on bow.

  Lu drew with two fingers on invisible string.

  Hum…

  Three energies formed an arrow.

  Lu aimed at the boundless Upper Realm continent.

  And the overhead array word figure.

  The latter stiffened.

  Death intent surged from soles, engulfing him!

  Hair stood on end.

  He frantically activated “Travel” Array Word, seeking spatial shift.

  If fast enough, Lu’s bow couldn’t target him.

  Yet what drenched him in cold sweat:

  His spatial profound…

  failed.

  No matter how urged, no shift.

  Incredulous, he stared at Lu.

  Lu gazed calmly back.

  “I said your array word is fake—believe me?”

  The man’s heart clenched.

  Sorrow, confusion, anger.

  He finally understood—not weakness, but his array word…

  truly fake!

  Qi Liujia gave him a counterfeit!

  Lu, seeing the man’s sorrowful rage, felt speechless.

  He actually believed it?

  Of course, Lu cared little whether he believed.

  Fingers released.

  The long-charged arrow…

  shot forth explosively.

  Boom!

  Rainbow tore void.

  Several Upper Realm experts in path instantly burst—bodies to blood mist.

  The arrow…

  dragging collapsing void like a comet with dazzling tail.

  Unhurriedly,

  fired toward the Upper Realm.