Reckoning would come—of that there was no doubt.
But Lu Ping’an was in no hurry.
On the origin lake, the morning sun broke through thick clouds, scattering golden rays across the spirit pressure chessboard.
Black and white pieces stood in stark contrast, forming a vast game that resembled a peerless painting—each stone a world unto itself, black for darkness, white for light.
“This Gu Mangran plays a decent game,” Lu Ping’an murmured with a faint smile, reclining in his silver Thousand-Bladed Chair.
He exhaled slowly, gazing at the newborn sun rising over the vast sea—fiery red, brimming with hope, beginning yet another cycle.
He stared, entranced.
With his current power, he could gaze directly at the blazing sun without fear.
The sun filled his eyes, stirring a strange sense of familiarity, as if it overlapped with the sun of his previous life.
In that instant, countless scenes flashed through his mind—towering skyscrapers, roaring cars, flickering neon lights… and then terrifying tongues of flame.
Everything blurred past in a heartbeat.
Lu Ping’an closed his eyes and tilted his head, fingers pressing against his temple.
It felt as though, in that single moment, his primordial spirit had torn through some terrifying barrier—like a dream returning him to a world he once knew.
But soon, he chuckled.
When he opened his eyes again, he was still on the familiar island at the center of the lake.
He had lived in this world far longer than in those memories.
He could no longer tell which life had been the dream.
Straightening, he leaned back in his chair.
Clink.
He poured himself a cup of wine. The liquid burned down his throat, stirring a flood of thoughts.
It had been a long time since he’d dwelled on such things. Now, savoring the taste, he found it oddly enjoyable.
What kind of world had that been?
Low Martial? Mid Martial?
Or… High Martial?
He smiled.
The recent invasion from the upper realms and the Heavenly Grand Competition had changed him. The man who once stood apart from the Five Phoenixes, watching everything with detached amusement, had finally admitted—this world was his.
And now, those old memories had resurfaced.
His thoughts surged like waves.
He cleared the spirit pressure chessboard.
Rolling up his sleeves, he drank and played—placing pieces with growing speed and focus.
Suddenly, his fingers froze.
Then—he burst out laughing.
He slapped his knee, laughing like a man who had just realized something profound.
“The Five Phoenixes are too weak?”
His laughter faded.
He narrowed his eyes.
Stroking his chin, he stared at the sun now high in the sky.
The Five Phoenixes were indeed weak. Compared to those upper-realm High Martial worlds with legacies spanning hundreds of thousands—even millions—of years, the gap was astronomical.
In third-grade and fourth-grade High Martial worlds, Immortal Constellation experts were commonplace. There were even beings beyond that—realms Lu Ping’an couldn’t yet fathom.
Even with the time array, catching up would take ages.
And he had no idea when the Void Heaven’s protection would vanish. What if the mysterious imperial weapon emerged tomorrow? The Void Heaven would become a battlefield for every High Martial world. The Five Phoenixes would be caught in the crossfire—erased without even a chance to speak.
So…
He needed a new approach.
At the very least, the Five Phoenixes needed the power to protect themselves in the short term—and the ability to stand against those top-tier worlds.
If nothing else… they needed something that could make even the strongest hesitate.
His eyes gleamed.
“Build a nuke?”
He shook his head.
A nuke’s power might be stopped by a single high-level expert.
But the idea sparked something.
What if he combined transcendent power with the concept of a nuke?
A transcendent nuke?
It was just a sudden, wild thought.
Too far-fetched for now.
Maybe start smaller—a transcendent cannon?
Once the idea formed, he could test it.
This was the kind of crazy inspiration that came from remembering his past life.
What kind of spark would fly from combining technology and the transcendent?
He was actually a little excited.
Technology gave mortals terrifying power.
If that power could be amplified through transcendent means… the results could be devastating.
It would give the Five Phoenixes immediate defensive strength—enough to deter enemies and buy time to grow.
The only worry: did third- or second-grade High Martial worlds already have something similar?
But then he remembered his conversation with the blood-clothed Gu Mangran.
The higher the grade of a High Martial world, the more it relied on individual power.
A Five Qis Immortal Constellation expert in a fourth-grade world was essentially a walking nuclear deterrent—one person capable of holding an entire faction in check.
Or a faction with an imperial weapon—same principle.
Actually, Lu Ping’an’s idea wasn’t far from the purpose of imperial weapons.
Gu Mangran had said that in the Nine Heavens, almost no faction dared to fully activate their imperial weapons.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
They all feared triggering some unspeakable calamity.
Wasn’t that exactly like nuclear deterrence?
The difference was that imperial weapons required top-tier experts to wield them.
Lu Ping’an wanted something that even weaker cultivators could use to unleash devastating power.
Mind stirring, he entered the preaching platform.
He would simulate and refine the concept there. The idea had potential, but execution would be difficult.
If the final weapon could only threaten Immortal Transformation experts, it would be useless to the Five Phoenixes.
He needed something truly terrifying.
…
Pingyang Heaven.
Little Thunder Sound Buddha Realm.
Golden pagodas towered into the sky, bathed in radiant Buddha light. Ancient bells tolled as mighty Buddha Lords stepped onto lotus platforms and gathered from every corner of the realm.
The Joyful Venerable wore a face full of worry.
The Great Venerable sat solemnly upon the spirit platform. After sweeping his gaze over the assembled monks, he spoke.
“We underestimated the Five Phoenixes. Their Holy Lord, Lu Ping’an, wields Immortal Constellation-level combat power. He crushed the sacred clan’s Divine Son, punched an imperial weapon, and slaughtered Immortal Constellation experts…”
Even as he spoke with dignified composure, the Great Venerable’s cheek twitched slightly.
He never imagined that the High Martial world born from the Void Heaven had quietly grown so monstrous.
Even the sacred clan’s invasion had failed.
The Buddha Lords’ expressions turned ugly.
The Great Venerable continued, “Pingyang Heaven borders the Void Heaven. The sacred clan has retreated. The Five Phoenixes stand unscathed—and riding high on momentum. With Lu Ping’an’s vindictive nature, he will not let us off easily.”
“Blood Fiend Heaven and Yuan Magnet Heaven are far away—they would need spatial arrays to reach us. But the Five Phoenixes… they need no such thing to come here.”
Fear flickered across every monk’s face.
How could they forget the battle in the Void Heaven?
Immortal Constellation experts had died like flies.
A world with even one Immortal Constellation expert was qualified to be fifth-grade High Martial.
So now, the Five Phoenixes had to be treated as a top-tier fifth-grade world—no, perhaps even higher.
After all, their Holy Lord had punched the Yun Clan’s Divine Son into paste and battered an imperial weapon like a god of war.
No one in Pingyang Heaven could stand against him.
“I summoned you all to discuss how to quell Holy Lord Lu’s wrath,” the Great Venerable said. “If we do nothing, when he begins his reckoning… catastrophe will follow.”
A Buddha Lord spoke up. “Great Venerable, we could request the sacred clan to station experts here.”
The Joyful Venerable shook his head mournfully. “Protect us for a day, but can they protect us forever? And have you truly measured Lu Ping’an’s strength? What if even their experts cannot stop him?”
“He crushed the Yun Clan’s Divine Son with his fists. That’s at least One Qi Immortal Constellation power. Do you think inviting such a being comes without cost?”
His words silenced the assembly.
The price would be enormous.
Their entire Little Thunder Sound Buddha Realm might change hands.
But…
If they didn’t invite such a powerhouse, they would still be crushed by that demon Lu Ping’an.
“Actually, there’s no need to panic,” another monk said, eyes gleaming. “Lu Ping’an dare not leave the Void Heaven for long. As the only High Martial world to emerge from it, he is tied to the Five Phoenixes’ will. The moment he steps out, upper-realm supremes will hunt him down with heaven-shaking methods. A man who built a High Martial world in that forsaken land must be hiding countless secrets.”
The Great Venerable nodded slightly.
The Joyful Venerable shook his head again. “Pingyang Heaven is too close to the Void Heaven. If Lu Ping’an slips in, slaughters everyone, and escapes before the upper realms react… what then? The Little Thunder Sound Buddha Realm will still burn under his wrath.”
He looked utterly miserable.
The crowd fell silent once more.
The Great Venerable turned to him. “Then what do you suggest, Joyful Venerable?”
The Joyful Venerable’s chubby face twitched. He bowed deeply.
“This monk believes… we should proactively beg Holy Lord Lu for mercy. With the right attitude, everything can be discussed.”
The square in front of the pagoda erupted in outrage.
Truth be told, they still looked down on the Five Phoenixes.
In their eyes, despite its growth, despite Lu Ping’an, Zhu Long, and Lu Jiulian who could fight Immortal Transformation experts, the Five Phoenixes were still upstarts—nouveau riche.
They couldn’t shake their sense of superiority.
The Joyful Venerable smiled bitterly. “But that Holy Lord can kill Immortal Constellation experts. The Five Phoenixes are now comparable to a top-tier fifth-grade world. What exactly are you still feeling superior about?!”
Silence fell like a hammer.
After a long pause, the Great Venerable nodded.
“The Joyful Venerable speaks wisely. Then… let him represent all of Pingyang Heaven and bring gifts to the Void Heaven to express our sincerity.”
The Joyful Venerable froze.
Wait—
He didn’t want to go!
The Void Heaven was terrifying!
One wrong step and he was dead!
Had he just dug his own grave?!
…
After countless simulations in the preaching platform, Lu Ping’an emerged, rubbing his temples.
The concept was there, but turning it into reality would be hard.
“Fine… I’ll drag Gongshu Yu into this later.”
Creating a strategic weapon of devastating power in a short time was unrealistic anyway.
Boom!
A deafening explosion suddenly rocked the island.
No surprise—Ni Yu had blown up another cauldron.
Lu Ping’an glanced over.
Ni Yu’s hair stood on end like a porcupine, her face pitch-black like a soot-covered cat. She wore a bitter expression as she prepared to catch the flying cauldron.
A deep, dark crater smoked nearby.
The explosion’s power… had improved again.
The pit slowly healed under the nourishment of origin qi.
“This girl still needs to work on her alchemy,” Lu Ping’an shook his head with a smile.
This kind of warm, everyday chaos was much better.
Killing and scheming really weren’t his style.
Leaning against the railing, listening to the wind, playing Go and watching the clouds—how relaxing.
Suddenly, his eyes narrowed.
He turned toward Ni Yu.
A flash of inspiration struck him.
“Little Ni.”
Ni Yu, limping from the blast, looked up in confusion, her soot-streaked face bewildered.
Was Young Master calling her?
“Blow up another cauldron for me.”
He leaned on the railing with a gentle smile.
“Huh?”
Ni Yu blinked, utterly lost.
She hadn’t offended him recently, had she?
Why was his petty side acting up again?
Little Yinglong, floating on his back in the origin lake and kicking his legs lazily, giggled at the show.
Lu Ping’an glanced at him.
The dragon’s laughter died instantly.
But just as Lu Ping’an grabbed the scruff of his neck—
Jing Yue returned gracefully.
“Young Master.”
“The Joyful Venerable from Pingyang Heaven’s Little Thunder Sound Buddha Realm requests an audience.”
Lu Ping’an raised a brow. “I haven’t even gone to settle accounts yet, and they’re already coming to me?”
“Let him wait.”
Jing Yue bowed and turned to leave.
Lu Ping’an called her back.
“Did he say he brought gifts of apology?”
Jing Yue nodded.
“Fine. Let him onto the island.”
He casually tossed Little Yinglong to the soot-covered Ni Yu.
“Here.”
Jing Yue hid a smile behind her sleeve, bowed, and flew toward the sky.
“Wash your face. Don’t embarrass White Jade Capital.”
Ni Yu hurriedly used Little Yinglong like a towel, wiping all the pill ash onto the dragon’s now thoroughly miserable body.
Lu Ping’an sat properly in the pavilion, set out the spirit pressure chessboard, and poured a fresh cup of warm plum wine.
The heavens split open with radiant light. The vast sea parted in great waves.
The chubby, perpetually grinning Joyful Venerable followed Jing Yue nervously.
Jing Yue stepped onto the island.
The Joyful Venerable did not dare.
He stood atop the sea and immediately felt crushing pressure bearing down on him.
“H-Holy… Holy Lord Lu…”
He swallowed hard, forcing a wide, toothy smile.
“You’ve got some nerve showing your face.”
From the pavilion, Lu Ping’an didn’t even glance at him. He simply placed a piece on the board.
Clack.
The Joyful Venerable trembled, nearly in tears.
He didn’t want to be here!
He’d been set up!
“This monk has missed Holy Lord Lu dearly since last we met…”
“Speak like a human.”
The Joyful Venerable’s fat jiggled. He straightened his kasaya and bowed deeply.
“This monk comes on behalf of the Little Thunder Sound Buddha Realm and all of Pingyang Heaven to offer our humblest apologies.”
“We beg Holy Lord Lu’s magnanimity—grant Pingyang Heaven and our Buddha Realm a chance to redeem ourselves.”
He dropped to his knees and kowtowed hard.
If you’re going to apologize, at least look like you mean it.
“If you’re here to apologize, why isn’t your Great Venerable here himself?”
Lu Ping’an finally turned his head slightly.
Clack!
The piece in his hand fell.
BOOM!
A beam of spirit pressure descended like a heavenly pillar, slamming down onto the Joyful Venerable.
The sea caved into a massive crater, waves surging outward.
The Joyful Venerable knelt in the center, crushed so hard he could barely breathe.
Cold sweat poured down his face.
He opened his mouth—but the pressure choked his throat. Not a sound escaped.
Suddenly—
A grand, resonant voice boomed from beyond the Five Phoenixes’ heavens.
“Holy Lord Lu, do not make things difficult for the Joyful Venerable. This venerable one has come personally to atone.”
The voice carried solemn dignity.
Outside the heavens, an old monk in plain robes stood quietly, wrapped in faint silver-gray light.
It was the Great Venerable of the Little Thunder Sound Buddha Realm.
The Joyful Venerable’s heart shook—the Great Venerable had actually come himself?
Lu Ping’an stared at the silver-gray glow.
“Spatial power?”
He murmured.
“Since you’re here, come down.”
Unhurried, he picked up another piece.
Clack.
A beam of light shot down from the depths of the Void Heaven.
BOOM!
It struck the old monk square in the back.
The Great Venerable staggered, vision blurring, and plummeted.
Every cultivator in the Five Phoenixes saw it—a dazzling white pillar piercing the sky.
KABOOM!
The sea exploded. The entire ocean seemed flipped upside down.
Countless cultivators looked over in shock.
Lu Ping’an watched calmly as the Great Venerable stood in the center of the inverted tsunami, palms pressed together, gazing up with neither humility nor arrogance.
“Amitabha. This monk has come to beg forgiveness.”
Behind him, ten thousand rays of Buddha light bloomed, holding back the pillar of spirit pressure.
Lu Ping’an smiled.
A black piece and a white piece rested in his palm.
He weighed them, then tossed them lightly into the air.
Clack.
The white piece landed first.
BOOM!
A white rainbow beam crashed down from the heavens.
The Great Venerable’s knees buckled. He could no longer maintain his calm—his legs bent as if to kneel.
“If you want to apologize…”
The black piece finally fell.
Clack.
An even thicker beam, carrying terrifying spirit pressure, smashed down.
The Great Venerable’s back arched. His pupils contracted, losing focus.
The pressure was like the entire vault of heaven crushing him.
The sea detonated.
His body was compressed to its limit.
Thud.
His knees finally gave out.
He knelt heavily onto the seafloor.
The entire ocean trembled.
