A divine herb—rich life essence coiling around it like little dragons.

  Emaciated Gu Mangran stuffed it into his mouth, chewing lightly. Energy surged into his body.

  The ancient coffin quivered slightly—as though Gu Mangran were about to rise.

  With the herb swallowed, his once skeletal, bloodless, withered frame suddenly swelled.

  Boom boom boom!

  Terrifying aura spread.

  A vision of golden cavalry and iron horses, murderous intent soaring, materialized in the skies.

  All of Yuan Magnetic Heaven seemed on the verge of collapse—trembling in this moment.

  Every high-martial world, every Holy Lord—scalp tingling, sensing immense calamity descending.

  In the void tear revealing the vast Upper Realm continent, a figure emerged—pressure world-shaking, unviewable, godlike.

  Terrifying pressure emanated from this being!

  Many worlds in Yuan Magnetic Heaven seemed unable to bear it—slipping like falling stars.

  Sacred Ancestor!

  A great terror with power to destroy heaven and earth!

  The Immortal Ascension ancestor kneeling on Black Magnetic felt hair stand on end—body quivering, daring not move.

  He never imagined this battle would rouse a Sacred Ancestor!

  Lu turned back—sensing oppressive aura. It weakened his heartbeat.

  Terrifying!

  Top-tier expert of the Nine Heavens?

  Lu saw Gu Mangran stuff the chrysanthemum into his mouth—odd, but as divine herb, it restored immense power.

  “Young Master Lu, didn’t I say not to look back?”

  Gu Mangran’s voice held helplessness.

  Yet after swallowing,

  the ancient coffin unleashed vast aura.

  Boom!

  In an instant—like streaking void, a ten-thousand-zhang divine statue.

  Forcibly repelling the Cloud Clan Sacred Ancestor’s dreadful pressure.

  Bang bang bang!

  Pressures clashed.

  Yuan Magnetic Heaven suddenly quieted.

  Silent—no sound, as though restored to primal peace and harmony.

  Lu furrowed brows, staring where the two vanished.

  He sensed confrontation.

  Seeming beyond Nine Heavens.

  Glancing at ravaged Yuan Magnetic Heaven—endless explosions, the kneeling Immortal Ascension ancestor.

  Lu’s lips curled slightly.

  Chair turned; white robes billowed; he tossed the Dao Evolution Mirror lightly.

  Behind, silver-gray light surged—soon engulfing him, vanishing into void.

  Nihility Heaven.

  Lu emerged; both ancient warships hovered quietly.

  Silver-gray spatial energy dissipated.

  All grew calm and harmonious.

  Overlord and others aboard exhaled—relieved at unharmed Lu.

  They returned alive.

  This trial—undeniably thrilling, unique.

  Seventeen total from two warships—invaded Blood Evil Heaven and Yuan Magnetic Heaven, stirring storms, silencing worlds with slaughter.

  Each gained much.

  Insights in cultivation; breakthroughs in realm.

  Most importantly: strength was truth. Strong enough—heaven and earth yielded.

  “Return first.”

  Lu glanced at crews, speaking slowly.

  Overlord, Tang Yimo, and others bowed.

  Then steered warships speeding toward Five Phoenixes.

  Lu controlled Thousand-Bladed Chair—landing on a lifeless land.

  Dead silent continent drifting quietly in Nihility Heaven—no vitality.

  Hair whipping; white robes unchanged; leaning in chair, gazing beyond Nihility Heaven.

  As though watching that silent yet terrifying battle.

  Gu Mangran fought—but where, unknown.

  Yet Lu sensed danger.

  Time passed—days in a blink.

  Void tore.

  Ancient bloodstained coffin emerged—drifting quietly in Nihility Heaven.

  One corner stained with blood—containing terrifying energy.

  Gu Mangran rose from coffin—seemingly thinner; divine herb’s energy fully consumed.

  “Ended.”

  Blood-robed Gu Mangran—seeming to drip blood—smiled at Lu.

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  “Slain him?”

  Lu asked.

  “How? A Cloud Clan Sacred Ancestor… repelling suffices. Killing—with this withered body—impossible.”

  Gu Mangran shook head, smiling.

  “But this matter settled. Short term, Upper Realm won’t crusade Nihility Heaven.”

  “Because of you, General?”

  Lu gazed at Gu Mangran.

  Since Upper Realm halted—likely Gu Mangran’s display deterred them.

  “Where did you fight earlier? No fluctuations sensed.”

  Lu asked curiously.

  Gu Mangran sat in coffin, smiling—pointing beyond Nihility Heaven.

  “Sacred Ancestor clashes too strong—full battle easily shatters continents, tears origins. Thus, rarely fight. When they do—tacitly beyond Nine Heavens.”

  “Beyond—vast endless chaos. There… Sacred Ancestor power unleashed freely—no fear of destruction.”

  Gu Mangran explained.

  Beyond heavens?

  Lu understood—why sensed battle yet unseen.

  “Young Master Lu—this reckoning stripped over ten thousand Dao reserves from Blood Evil Heaven and Yuan Magnetic Heaven. Fully integrated—Five Phoenixes leaps to Yan Four high-martial continent.”

  Gu Mangran said.

  “But sheer quantity—best fully converted to cultivators’ innate talent…”

  “Otherwise—like moon in well—ripples shatter it.”

  “Thus, Five Phoenixes needs rest, quiet transformation.”

  Gu Mangran weary.

  Lu caused too much trouble.

  Without his intervention—Sacred Ancestor strike likely doomed Lu.

  Lu nodded slightly, smiling.

  This haul overflowing—no need for more trouble.

  After feast—digest.

  Fully absorb gains.

  Besides—he, Lu Ping’an, truly disliked violence. His wish: pick chrysanthemums under eastern hedge, leisurely view southern hills—a peace-loving Qi Refiner.

  Seated in Thousand-Bladed Chair, Lu looked up—gaze beyond Nihility Heaven.

  Faintly,

  many in Pingyang Heaven saw—bodies weakening.

  Lu’s deeds in Blood Evil Heaven and Yuan Magnetic Heaven terrified them.

  Pingyang already weak—couldn’t withstand such.

  Light flashed.

  Lu teleported back to Five Phoenixes.

  Nihility Heaven.

  Bloodstained ancient coffin drifted.

  Gu Mangran leaned on it.

  Smile faded as Lu left.

  “Is Five Phoenixes truly key to ‘imperial weapon’ emergence?”

  “Stronger Five Phoenixes—closer to that dust-sealed ancient imperial weapon’s awakening?”

  Gu Mangran exhaled.

  Growing thinner.

  No more dwelling.

  Boom!

  Coffin streaked.

  Soon entering Five Phoenixes.

  …

  Upper Realm, vast continent.

  Blood rain drizzled.

  Hurrying Cloud Clan experts paled.

  Recovering from meat paste, divine son led many—arriving to bloodied skies, thick bloody scent, raining crimson.

  Such phenomenon… Sacred Ancestor bled?!

  “No divine herbs left in Lower Three Heavens—all seized for clan. Blood-Robed Gu Mangran—vitality exhausted, half-buried—how oppose our Sacred Ancestor?!”

  Divine son incredulous.

  “No herb—how rival?!”

  “Some clan secretly sent divine herb?!”

  “Or Gu Mangran’s ally in Lower Three Heavens obtained immortal herb from Upper Realm?!”

  Divine son’s eyes flickered.

  Standing in blood rain, staring toward Nihility Heaven.

  There—he suffered great loss, humiliated in own imperial weapon—pounded to paste. Utter scandal.

  News spread Upper Realm—his name a joke.

  Thought this battle—slay Lu, massacre Five Phoenixes cultivators—vent fury.

  Yet Sacred Ancestor acted—and bled.

  Divine son hands clasped, gazing at two massive craters—eyes gleaming.

  Five Phoenixes wielded such slaughter.

  Gaze shifting to ravaged Yuan Magnetic Heaven and Blood Evil Heaven.

  Suddenly expression changed.

  Sensing overwhelming pressure descending.

  Divine son knelt hastily.

  “Greetings, Sacred Ancestor!”

  Cloud Clan, arriving Dao Clan experts—all knelt.

  Lofty Sacred Ancestor aura surged; profound words—like decree—echoed heaven and earth.

  All listened.

  Next, many expressions shifted drastically.

  “Sacred Ancestor orders… seal Lower Three Heavens ascension to Upper Realm?!”

  “Why?!”

  Many puzzled.

  Some confused, some excited—no opposition.

  Sealing harmed Lower Three Heavens—Upper Realm unaffected, so indifferent.

  Divine son raised head—shock turning to glee.

  “Good seal!”

  “Lower Three Heavens trash—ascending only adds Upper Realm trash!”

  “Also cuts divine herb flow downward!”

  …

  Ravaged Yuan Magnetic Heaven and Blood Evil Heaven Holy Lords—expressions grim.

  Five Phoenixes bullied excessively—they wanted to curse, but recalling Lu Ping’an’s arrow cratering Upper Realm continent—no curses left.

  That white-robed, peerless youth.

  Absolute ruthless.

  Look at Hexagram and Black Magnetic Minor Worlds…

  Once Yan Five—now declining after losing all Dao reserves. Soon Yan Six, then Yan Nine—even falling from high-martial…

  Experts in both worlds planned exodus.

  Boom boom boom!

  Suddenly,

  the torn vast Upper Realm continent began healing.

  Dense immortal energy surged—fully retracting into Upper Realm. Many in Yuan Magnetic Heaven, Blood Evil Heaven, Pingyang Heaven stared at closing rift.

  Suddenly!

  Experts’ pupils contracted.

  After closure—chains began coiling in void.

  “Chains? Why chains?!”

  Yuan Magnetic Heaven—kneeling Black Magnetic Immortal Ascension ancestor looked up sharply—reflecting void chains.

  “No!”

  Boom!

  He rose abruptly; single immortal energy soared.

  Streaked into rainbow—crashing void.

  Yet chains wove—dropping dreadful aura.

  Pfft!

  Terrifying might swept; he exploded into blood mist—hurled back to Black Magnetic continent.

  Continent collapsed; countless cracks emerged.

  “What a fine Upper Realm… fine Sacred Clans!”

  He rose wretchedly from land.

  Bloodied; once ethereal demeanor gone.

  He laughed miserably.

  Once-yearned Upper Realm—now fully sealed.

  Upper Realm, called Immortal Realm…

  “Immortal Realm closed—ascension severed! We Lower Three Heavens cultivators—no longer ascend!”

  “No immortal energy—we Immortal Ascension stagnate! Ruthless Upper Realm!”

  His wretched words echoed every corner of Yuan Magnetic Heaven.

  Blood Evil Heaven—Immortal Ascension ancestors roared in fury!

  Boom boom boom!

  Assaults soared; unwilling Immortal Transformation experts struck.

  Yet assaults hit void—no ripple.

  Dark void—like terrifying beast—mocking all.

  Ascension path to Upper Realm… sealed!

  Many Immortal Transformation, even Lower Three Heavens Immortal Ascension ancestors—stared blankly.

  Losing ascension qualification.

  Meant what?

  Immortal Transformation couldn’t refine energies into Immortal Ascension.

  Immortal Ascension—no energies to refine; cultivation stalled.

  Over time—Lower Three Heavens fully decline and fall.

  Pingyang Heaven.

  Great Venerable soared from pagoda.

  Buddhist light burst—like great Buddha propping heaven and earth, standing mid-air—seeking palm-tear ascension path.

  Futile.

  Great Venerable fell back into pagoda.

  Blood sprayed—staining robes; eyes ashen.

  His life goal: elevate Little Thunderclap, half-step Immortal Ascension himself—refine energies, ascend Upper Realm—transcend.

  Now path severed; Upper Realm gate closed—cutting his advancement.

  Thunderbolt from clear skies.

  …

  Five Phoenixes.

  Vast sea rose and fell.

  Lu returned to Origin Lake sea—waves crashing giant whale; immortal islands drifting, immortal mists curling.

  Both ancient warships hovered quietly on sea.

  Figures shot from warships—landing solid islands.

  “Young Master Lu.”

  All bowed.

  Lu regarded them—gentle smile.

  “This trial—you all performed well. Strength elevated variably; even unchanged gained insights.”

  “This trial—you upheld Five Phoenixes prestige, showed our spirit. With you—Five Phoenixes future prosperous.”

  Lu smiled.

  White Jade Pavilion—gentle breeze.

  Lu raised hand—waving lightly.

  Jade-like spiritual energy cups condensed—floating mid-air.

  “This wine—victory toast.”

  Lu smiled.

  Gilded wine pot emerged.

  Whoosh.

  Cups floated before Lu; pot tilted—crystalline liquor poured like starry river—dazzling.

  Origin Lake island—dense spiritual energy surged.

  “Please.”

  Lu gestured.

  Cups streaked to each.

  Overlord and others blinked—then grasped cups.

  Liquor within—immensely alluring.

  Starry gleam in cups—each entranced.

  Young Master Lu personally poured!

  “Thank you, Young Master Lu!”

  Seventeen bowed with cups.

  No poison fear—Lu wouldn’t; and if wished death—no need for tricks.

  More likely—opportunity from Young Master Lu!

  Glug glug!

  Downed.

  Bodies quaked abruptly.

  Lu seated in Thousand-Bladed Chair—sipped his own.

  Heavenly Immortal Brew—first taste; celebratory whim.

  Into throat—initial ice, then fire.

  Ice-fire duality wondrous.

  Most importantly—liquor energy surged every corner—like cleansing body.

  Refreshed entirely.

  Lu opened eyes—gazing below.

  Slight surprise.

  All below—aura surging; black impurities exuded from pores.

  “Heavenly Immortal Brew—marrow cleansing, alters aptitude!”

  Lu’s eyes focused.

  Useless to him—but to Five Phoenixes cultivators—immortal elixir.

  Though Overlord and others tempered bodies to extreme, condensed golden body flowers—still impurities cleansed. Showed brew’s dominance.

  Exception: Lu Jiulian—post-drink, golden body, primordial spirit, Dao intent flowers bloomed—no thick impurities.

  Lu smiled.

  “This brew—excellent.”

  Surprise in eyes.

  Through cleansing—many aptitudes soared.

  Breakthroughs easier henceforth.

  “This Heavenly Immortal Brew—as reward for ‘time-reversal’ array trial. Those scoring fifty thousand points—gain one cup!”

  Lu said.

  Words fallen—kept half pot; remaining half streaked into vast mirror over sea.

  “Thank you, Young Master Lu, for the grace!”

  On island—all awoke; one cup left them tipsy.

  Shocked at impurities—yet felt transformation.

  Thanked Lu—then streaked away as lights.

  After departure,

  Lu—intending leisurely rest—felt heart stir.

  Countless lights flashed before eyes.

  Rows of system prompts popped rapidly.

  Lu glanced—startled awake, energized.