“Congratulations to the host for completing the [Glory Mission]: During the Grand Competition, make the beings of the Five Phoenixes Minor World feel glory and mission, and contend with the heaven’s chosen of various sacred grounds.”
“Mission completion rating: Grade A.”
“Rewards obtained: Heavenly Dao Tree Seed ×1, Heaven-Absolving Array, Spiritual Artifact Upgrade Qualification ×1.”
White Jade Pavilion.
Lu sat calmly as lines of system prompts scrolled rapidly before his eyes.
The Heaven and Earth Grand Competition mission had finally been judged complete.
From beginning to now—so much had transpired.
Because of this Grand Competition, the Five Phoenixes had begun contacting Upper Realm forces.
“Grade A rating…”
Lu’s lips curved slightly—satisfied.
This Grand Competition had profoundly impacted his mindset; Lu himself had undergone massive transformation.
More than a glory mission—it was one of mindset change.
Originally, Lu felt out of place in the Five Phoenixes.
Always detached—like existing outside it, somewhat aloof.
If forced to analogize: Lu saw himself as a “game player”—alien to the world.
Coming here—merely a game.
But post-mission, Lu felt Five Phoenixes beings flesh-and-blood—real people. Their lives and deaths affected his emotions.
Even non-natives—like old predecessor Qi Liujia—willingly died for the Five Phoenixes.
All taught Lu much.
Eyes closed—everything experienced flashed by.
He exhaled slowly.
Reopened eyes.
System panel emerged.
Host: Lu
Title: Qi Refiner (Permanent)
Qi Refining Layers: 7
Spiritual Energy Reserves: 76,523,456 / 100,000,000 strands
Primordial Spirit Power: 999 (yuan)
Chaos Power: 120 (He)
World Rating: Five Phoenixes Minor World [High-Martial]
In short time, spiritual energy reserves nearly doubled—mostly from breakthroughs in the time-reversal giant mirror.
Under heavy pressure, some shone brilliantly.
No surprise to Lu.
Primordial spirit power hit 999 yuan—Lu raised brows; another bottleneck.
“Need to accelerate Qi refining.”
“Grand Competition ended—Five Phoenixes should develop steadily awhile…”
Lu murmured.
Constant troublemaking—unfitting.
This time, stripped ten thousand Dao reserves—plus undistributed system rewards.
Hm?
Suddenly, Lu paused.
“System, where are those undistributed Dao reserve rewards?”
Though only hundreds—every bit counted.
For Five Phoenixes’ strength, Lu truly worried endlessly.
“Given host collected ten thousand Dao reserves, drawable shares converted to reward: Heavenly Dao Tree Seed.”
System prompt appeared.
Lu blinked.
Leaning in Thousand-Bladed Chair—deep thought.
Drawable shares plus Grade A—converted to Heavenly Dao Tree Seed?
Heavenly Dao Tree… name alone domineering.
Lu grew curious about the reward.
But as he prepared to inspect,
more system prompts emerged.
“Ascension path severed, immortal gates closed, hope extinguished. Immortal Transformation to Immortal Ascension hopeless; Immortal Ascension no place to refine energies toward origin. Lower Three Heavens sink into despair abyss.”
“[Challenge Mission]: Host please craft Ascension Gate in Five Phoenixes—make Immortal Transformation and Immortal Ascension beings from Pingyang Heaven, Blood Evil Heaven, Yuan Magnetic Heaven willing to ascend.”
“Current ascensions—Immortal Transformation: 0/1000, Immortal Ascension: 0/10.”
Lines wheeled—Lu’s eyes gradually focused.
Originally upturned lips from rewards—stiffened.
“What kind of divine mission is this?!”
Lu speechless.
Challenge mission?
Craft Ascension Gate in Five Phoenixes?
Meaning—turn Five Phoenixes into an immortal realm for ascension?!
Lu laughed wryly.
Preparing Five Phoenixes to compete with Upper Realm for “business.”
Lower Three Heavens wailed endlessly—Lu sensed it. Many Immortal Transformation raged; Immortal Ascension ancestors roared at heavens.
Lu could see clearly if he wished.
Upper Realm sealed ascension—initially surprising to Lu, but likely fearing divine herb loss to Lower Three Heavens.
Thus, Lu crafting an Ascension Gate—allowing ascensions—equivalent to stealing food from Upper Realm mouths?
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Sealed path would reopen instantly.
“Troublemaking rhythm again…”
“But… feasible.”
Lu narrowed eyes.
Troublemaking—no fear. Even enmity with Upper Realm—Lu unafraid?
Killed many Upper Realm Immortal Ascension experts already—so enmity not main hesitation.
“If successfully fuse ten thousand Dao reserves from Dao Evolution Mirror—Five Phoenixes elevates to Yan Four high-martial.”
“Yan Four—Upper Realm’s Five Heavens standard… roughly that.”
Lu narrowed eyes.
“Thus, first priority… inscribe ten thousand strands into Five Phoenixes origin!”
Crafting Ascension Gate, stealing from Upper Realm—set aside for now.
“Other two rewards: Heaven-Absolving Array and spiritual artifact upgrade qualification…”
Lu’s gaze flickered. Heaven-Absolving Array stirred ripples in his heart.
He once mastered Heaven-Covering Array—defensive, blocked much slaughter for Five Phoenixes.
Heaven-Absolving Array—from same source.
One of the “Four Heaven-Punishing Arrays.”
“Heaven-Absolving Array: Killing array, Heaven-tier grade—specific tier depends on array eye strength.”
Killing array?
Lu narrowed eyes. Heaven-Covering merely Earth-tier defensive.
This time—killing array!
“Wonder… if deployed, with killing array might—could it slay a Sacred Ancestor?”
Lu pondered.
In Yuan Magnetic Heaven, mere aura from Upper Realm Sacred Ancestor showed Lu no match now.
Pressure too great.
Perhaps…
Lu felt—Qi Refining ninth or tenth layer needed to fight Sacred Ancestor level.
Last reward.
“Spiritual artifact upgrade qualification…”
Lu murmured.
Seemingly low prestige—but most practical, straightforward for him.
Hum…
Raised hand.
Phoenix Feather Sword and Spiritual Pressure Chessboard floated out.
[Phoenix Feather Sword] Heaven-tier Low Grade.
[Spiritual Pressure Chessboard] Heaven-tier Low Grade.
Lu regarded both. Chessboard originally Earth-tier—but nurtured by Lu, upgraded to Heaven-tier.
Growth-type from start—followed Lu at merely Xuan-tier low grade.
When Lu Qi Refining second layer.
Now seventh—chessboard Heaven-tier.
“Thus… which artifact to upgrade?”
Lu pondered.
Finally stored Phoenix Feather Sword.
Chose chessboard—mainly because, as master refiner now, crafting sword Heaven-tier artifacts not hard.
If Phoenix Feather insufficient…
Remelt.
But chessboard-type artifacts—Lu less certain.
Seemingly started Xuan-tier—now matched Phoenix Feather might.
“Hum…”
Using qualification,
faint light flashed over Spiritual Pressure Chessboard.
Then reverted to plain ancient look.
But Lu sensed… now terrifyingly formidable!
[Spiritual Pressure Chessboard] Heaven-tier High Grade—possesses “domain” release ability; within domain, spiritual pressure amplified tenfold.
Viewing description,
Lu slightly stunned—hadn’t expected post-upgrade chessboard so fearsome.
Domain release!
“Not bad.”
Lu satisfied—this boost worthwhile.
Chessboard alone—massive leap in strength from before.
Retrieved chess box; Lu rolled sleeves, leisurely placing pieces.
…
Boom!
Beyond Five Phoenixes.
Dense mist swirled; Heaven-Covering Array reactivated. Massive sundial hovered; time river surged, rapidly sweeping around Five Phoenixes.
Now, Pingyang Heaven, Blood Evil Heaven, Yuan Magnetic Heaven—Lower Three Heavens in utter chaos.
Upper Realm sealed ascension—devastating blow to Immortal Transformation and Ascension beings.
Yet none dared question Upper Realm.
All knew: Upper Realm Sacred Clans never regarded Lower Three Heavens beings highly—always overlooking from above.
Sealing ascension—like closing backyard gate.
Yuan Magnetic Heaven—Immortal Transformation tried ascending.
Body exploded by Upper Realm; primordial spirit nearly slain—barely surviving, falling to dust.
Upper Realm sealed gates—not even dog hole left.
Many high-martial worlds in Lower Three Heavens—wails everywhere.
Five Phoenixes ignored.
Lu reactivated Heaven-Covering Array, operated time array—Five Phoenixes entered “ears deaf to outside, focused humble development” phase.
…
Five Phoenixes continent.
Buzhou Peak.
Peak summit—spring year-round; flowers bloomed endlessly, breathtaking.
On blue stone, girl Zhu Long sat eyes closed; legs together; holding long flute, playing slowly. Melodious notes lingered atop peak.
Suddenly.
Silver-gray light flashed.
Wheels crushed fallen leaves—figure appeared on summit.
Lu in Thousand-Bladed Chair; white robes fluttering—arrived atop Buzhou Peak.
Flute notes ceased abruptly.
Joy lit Zhu Long’s pretty face.
“Daddy!”
Zhu Long teleported beside Lu—no wind stirred.
“Good—cultivation improved again.”
Lu sensed powerful aura within Zhu Long—smiled.
Zhu Long shyly smiled; cute dimples bloomed.
Lu raised hand—palm held seed radiating seven-colored brilliance.
Next,
Lu smiled.
Tossed seed lightly.
It streaked into light—flying horizon.
“Planning to plant a tree—visiting you incidentally.”
Lu said.
Seed fell lightly—like floating fluff—slowly sinking into soil.
Hearing “incidentally”—Zhu Long’s heart dimmed slightly, disappointed.
Suddenly,
earth quaked; vast energy rippled across Five Phoenixes.
Then,
soil parted; tender sprout grew—raging like flood beast!
One zhang, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand!
Soon!
Trunk towered ten thousand zhang; dense green leaves flourished; mysterious fluctuations spread.
“This is Heavenly Dao Tree—irrigated with chaos power; now merely sapling…”
Lu smiled.
“Sense the profound meanings spreading from tree—beneficial to you.”
Lu said.
Zhu Long’s heart rejoiced instantly. As expected—she Daddy’s favorite child.
Planting such treasure beside her—for her cultivation!
Turning back—Lu already gone; only faint silver-gray spatial profound lingered.
Wind blew.
Rustle rustle.
Heavenly Dao Tree leaf drifted—landing in Zhu Long’s palm.
Hum…
In wind,
ten-thousand-zhang tree seemed to hum profound Dao sounds.
Zhu Long’s understanding of innate divine ability—grew clearer.
Northern region—sudden towering tree.
Countless cultivators sensed mighty heaven-earth fluctuations.
Rushed over.
Overlord, Tang Yimo, Du Longyang, and others landed beneath.
Sensed mysterious fluctuations—their Dao intent comprehension steadily rose!
Tianji Pavilion soon messaged world via Tianji Pigeons.
Pigeons—repeatedly selected and bred—now streaked like meteors.
Messages lightning-fast.
“This is Heavenly Dao Tree?!”
“Heavenly Dao Tree releases Dao sounds—aiding Dao intent comprehension?!”
Tianji Pavilion announced—world shocked.
Such treasure—Five Phoenixes’ fortune!
Dao intent comprehension—immensely difficult; even with Dao steles—arduous.
Now Heavenly Dao Tree—besides steles, another way. Cultivators rejoiced.
News spread—countless rushed north to behold.
Centered on tree—dense seated cultivators.
Sensing profound Dao sounds—hearts calm, spirits serene.
Of course, nearby Buzhou Peak—still feared as forbidden ground.
After all, Demon Girl’s name—still world-shaking.
…
Five Phoenixes, origin space.
Lu drew Dao Evolution Mirror.
Now fully erased Upper Realm will within—mastered by him.
Functional Heaven-tier artifact—though niche—convenient for Dao reserve transport.
Inscribing himself—tedious and boring.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Under primordial spirit release,
mirror projected beams.
Impacting vortex-like Five Phoenixes origin—inscribing strand by strand.
As inscription proceeded…
Heavenly Dao Tree began bearing “Dao Intent Fruits.”
When first “Dao Intent Fruit” fell—Lu understood reward’s immense value!
First fruit dropped—streaked into light, darting wildly.
Under countless gazes—hovered before obscure Great Xuan Academy Nascent Soul student.
Instantly spotlighted—he ate fruit.
Instantly comprehended Dao intent—though fifth-sequence… this scene shook entire Five Phoenixes!
Originally Dao intent required comprehension; eating fruit guaranteed it.
Lu’s stripped ten thousand strands—fed back to Five Phoenixes this way!
Dao Evolution Mirror in origin space—leisurely inscribing.
Lu happily idle.
Left origin space—let mirror inscribe slowly; Five Phoenixes gradually transformed—gentle, subtle; over time—ever stronger.
Returned to lake island.
Teleported Aru and Gongshu Yu off.
Island now only Lu, Ni Yu, Nie Changqing, lurking Yi Yue in shadows, and Little Yinglong backstroking in Origin Lake.
Chose seclusion again—with Ni Yu and others; giant whale carried immortal island—vanishing into vast sea. World no longer found White Jade Pavilion.
Secluded researching and crafting Ascension Gate—how to entice—no, make Lower Three Heavens Immortal Transformation and Ascension beings willingly ascend… Five Phoenixes.
Difficulty considerable.
After all—system-called [Challenge Mission]—not trivial.
…
Time trickled.
Eighty years passed in blink.
To cultivators—eighty years nothing; to mortals—a lifetime.
Great Xuan Calendar year 100.
Historians recorded: Northern region Buzhou Peak side—ten-thousand-zhang tree appeared; heavenly phenomenon protected Great Xuan.
Human Emperor Dantai He traveled; held grand sacrifice beneath divine tree.
Many cultivators welcomed.
Year 110.
Western Liang—sky-piercing light; three flowers bloomed in heavens; domineering figure stood between heaven and earth.
Western Liang great cultivator—Overlord Xiang Shaoyun—entered Heavenly Human realm.
Human Emperor personally visited Western Liang—congratulated.
Unofficial histories: Human Emperor invited Overlord to govern Qishi Mansion; Overlord refused again.
…
Year 150.
Human Emperor Dantai He showed initial age; entered Qishi Mansion—seeking immortality method.
Yet Qishi Mansion cultivators—helpless.
Emperor raged; purged many useless cultivators.
Minister suggested establishing crown prince—poking sore spot; Emperor killed minister on spot—court terrified; dared not mention again.
Unwilling to age, Emperor sent envoys overseas—seek… White Jade Pavilion.
Year 160.
Emperor increasingly aged; hair graying. Despite many alchemists’ pills—aging unrelenting.
Coincided with decade-sailing envoy group seeking White Jade Pavilion immortal traces—returned empty-handed.
Emperor personally greeted at port—suffered massive blow. That day, decade envoys imprisoned.
Aged Emperor frantically sought immortality—all futile.
Same year, Qishi Mansion cultivator entered imperial capital; personally met Emperor—suggested demon race demon crystals not cultivation path; but essence could extend life, grant immortality.
Emperor denounced—imprisoned cultivator in dungeon.
Year 161.
One imperial decree—flew to Demon Continent.
