Lu Ping’an returned to the island at the center of the lake.

  Seated atop the White Jade Capital Pavilion, he raised a hand and lightly swept it. The Spiritual Pressure Chessboard materialized, hovering before him.

  Leaning back in the Thousand Blades Chair, he warmed a pot of plum wine and began playing Go while sipping leisurely.

  A gentle breeze brushed the lakeside reeds.

  He had just crafted a special physique for Lu Changkong. Though artificially created, Lu believed it would rival even those naturally born alongside the Great Path.

  A loud boom echoed across the island, followed by a foul stench.

  Lu paused mid-move and looked into the distance.

  There, Ni Yu trudged out of a cloud of black smoke, face darkened, dragging her soot-covered cauldron behind her.

  The scene was all too familiar—another failed pill refinement.

  Little Yinglong floated on his back in the Origin Lake like a salted fish, seemingly contemplating the meaning of dragon life and whether he should remain a salted fish forever.

  Seeing Ni Yu’s soot-streaked, aggrieved face, Lu suddenly had an idea.

  He wheeled the Thousand Blades Chair down from the pavilion.

  “Young Master?”

  Ni Yu hurriedly wiped the ash from her cheeks when she saw him.

  “What pill have you been working on lately?”

  Lu asked with a smile, swirling a bronze cup of wine.

  Far off, Little Yinglong’s eyes rolled at the sound of Lu’s voice, but he quickly resumed his salted-fish posture, motionless.

  Ni Yu grinned, her white teeth dazzling against her blackened face.

  “I’m refining a fifth-grade pill—the Origin Fusion Pill!”

  Lu blinked in mild surprise.

  Fifth-grade?

  Ni Yu could already refine fifth-grade pills? The girl was progressing frighteningly fast.

  In the nine-tier classification, fifth-grade pills were true spirit pills, enough to make even Yang God realm experts drool.

  The Origin Fusion Pill recipe was the highest-grade formula Lu had ever given her—and the hardest to refine.

  It seemed this girl’s talent for “eat-and-cultivate” was growing stronger by the day.

  “Not bad.”

  Lu praised.

  Joy instantly bloomed across Ni Yu’s soot-covered face.

  Young Master… had praised her!

  So rare!

  “Hm. A mysterious ancient tomb has drifted in above the vast sea. If you hit a bottleneck in pill refining, you could explore it. You’re only an alchemist—you don’t need to fight and kill—but there might be rare herbs or precious pill recipes inside…”

  “Go adventure a bit. It’ll help you grow.”

  “Pill refining is a discipline. Talent is one thing, but shutting yourself away is another.”

  Ni Yu’s eyes sparkled with delight.

  Young Master was letting her go out again?

  Far away, Little Yinglong snapped out of his existential crisis. Adventure meant playtime!

  With a flap of his wings, he shot over and perched triumphantly atop Ni Yu’s head.

  Lu glanced at the dragon expressionlessly. This little guy… was thoroughly spoiled.

  He’d have to toss him to Zhulong soon for some proper discipline.

  “Go on. Both of you.”

  Lu waved them off.

  Ni Yu cheered and ran off to pack.

  Lu smiled and strolled around the island.

  The碧落 peach trees swayed, petals drifting like a beautiful pink snowfall.

  …

  Northern County.

  Great Xuan Imperial Palace.

  Tantai Xuan massaged his temples, brows furrowed.

  The current state of the realm gave him a headache. Memorial after memorial piled up—he was mentally exhausted.

  Ruling the world meant caring about everything, leaving no detail unattended. It was truly taxing.

  Especially after the latest heavenly transformation.

  Humanity flourished, cultivation boomed, and new sects sprouted like bamboo after rain.

  More sects were good for the cultivation world’s growth.

  But from another angle, they threatened Great Xuan’s authority.

  These sects acted as if they were above the law, completely ignoring imperial decrees.

  Some even treated commoners like ants, “bestowing immortal fate” while conscripting masses as labor, seizing land, and becoming local tyrants.

  The people suffered greatly.

  This bred conflict between the sect world and Great Xuan.

  Outside the palace hall, carriage wheels crushed the dust.

  Mo Beike, wrapped in thick robes, walked slowly forward, a faint smile on his aged face.

  “My liege.”

  He bowed.

  He had half-retired, but Tantai Xuan had summoned him specially this time. Clearly, the emperor was in trouble.

  Tantai Xuan quickly set down the memorials, barefoot, and hurried over to support the old man.

  “Perfect timing, Old Mo.”

  Smiling, Tantai Xuan explained his troubles.

  Silence fell over the hall.

  After a long while and a sip of tea, Mo Beike coughed and spoke slowly.

  “My liege… you’re overthinking.”

  “You must distinguish between the true cultivation world and the sect world.”

  “One Academy, Two Nations, Three Sects, Four Pavilions—that is the real cultivation world.”

  “Great Xuan itself is a major power within the cultivation world.”

  “Those newly founded little sects and clans? They are merely the sect world. How can a great power let itself be led by the nose by them?”

  “My liege, you only need to care about the people’s peace and prosperity. Those sects—aside from Nine Phoenix Institute, Body Storage Sect, Painting Sect, and the like—you need neither fear nor heed them.”

  “They exist within Great Xuan’s borders, so they fall under Great Xuan’s jurisdiction. Issue decrees and set rules. Those who obey live. Those who don’t…”

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Send the Xuanwu Guards to flatten them.”

  Mo Beike spoke plainly.

  Tantai Xuan was stunned.

  That… simple and brutal?

  “Compared to the common folk, the real problem has never been the people. Make their lives good and comfortable, and no citizen will ever rebel against you.”

  “But these small sects and clans—with power comes ambition. Add the infiltration of cults, and storms will brew. Your Majesty need only crush them with force.”

  “All land under heaven belongs to the king… except, of course, White Jade Capital.”

  Mo Beike continued.

  Tantai Xuan couldn’t help but click his tongue.

  “As for the conflict between humans and demons, cults are the root cause. But now the two sides are irreconcilable—demon crystals benefit human cultivation. Peace is nearly impossible.”

  “Resolving small sects and clans, however, is simple.”

  “My liege should not be troubled by these matters.”

  “An ancient tomb has appeared above the Eastern Sea. The cultivation world is already in an uproar. What Your Majesty should do is dispatch experts. Great opportunities surely lie within. How could Great Xuan let them pass?”

  “Secure those fortunes, nurture experts beyond Yang God realm, and Great Xuan will prosper for a thousand—no, ten thousand years.”

  Mo Beike spoke slowly.

  In an era of cultivation, nations faced countless difficulties.

  But once they overcame them, they could become divine dynasties—eternal and immortal.

  Mo Beike naturally hoped Great Xuan would become such a divine dynasty, not a fleeting mortal kingdom.

  “My liege… this old minister has a proposal.”

  Mo Beike suddenly performed a deep bow.

  Tantai Xuan started. “Speak, Old Mo.”

  “This is an era of cultivation. A divine dynasty must be established. This old minister is willing to devote his life to it…”

  “Your Majesty may create the Mysterious Strategies Pavilion and invite capable individuals to assist in governance.”

  Tantai Xuan inhaled deeply.

  “Create the Mysterious Strategies Pavilion… and whom should I invite?”

  He frowned and asked.

  “Tang Xiansheng of South County, Luo Mingsang of Xiliang, Xie Yunling of the Dao Pavilion…”

  Mo Beike named three people.

  Tantai Xuan stood barefoot in the palace corridor, gazing at the bowing elder, eyes narrowing.

  After a long moment, he waved his hand and issued orders.

  He decreed that Xue Tao lead troops to suppress the rebellious sects and establish rules.

  All new sects and clans must submit to Great Xuan’s rule and pay annual tribute.

  Every year, they were required to send outstanding disciples to study at Great Xuan Academy.

  Defiance meant annihilation.

  The moment the decree was announced, Xuanwu Guards clattered in formation. Under the now-Nascent Soul realm Xue Tao, they marched on numerous sects.

  Great Xuan instantly erupted into turmoil. Many sect masters were stunned.

  They had founded their sects for freedom—yet this decree turned their faces pale.

  But they had no power to refuse.

  A few resisted and had their gates crushed.

  Xue Tao did not massacre them—he imprisoned them all and sent them to Tianhan Pass to fight the invading western demons.

  Tantai Xuan then proclaimed the creation of the Mysterious Strategies Pavilion to jointly govern the nation.

  Invitations flew out swiftly.

  He also dispatched several thousand troops under Jiang Li aboard great ships to the Eastern Sea to explore the ancient tomb.

  …

  South County.

  Tang Xiansheng read the letter in his hand.

  A servant stood respectfully nearby.

  “The Mysterious Strategies Pavilion…”

  “Great Xuan intends to found a divine dynasty.”

  Tang Xiansheng smiled.

  Different eras demanded different ambitions.

  In the Hundred Schools era, overthrowing Great Zhou and founding a new dynasty would have been impressive enough.

  But now, with cultivators everywhere, a dynasty without the power and resolve to suppress them would collapse.

  The rise of the sect world was both a test and a fuse.

  What was a divine dynasty? One whose court overawed the cultivation powers, bringing peace and prosperity to the people—that was a divine dynasty.

  “To witness the birth of a divine dynasty in my lifetime is an honor.”

  Tang Xiansheng laughed heartily, clearly delighted.

  When Tang Yimo arrived, he gave a few instructions, then set off cheerfully with Tang Guo for Northern County.

  …

  Xiliang.

  Overlord had already left for the Eastern Sea to explore the tomb—the news had shaken the entire cultivation world.

  Luo Mingsang stayed behind to govern Xiliang, keeping everything in perfect order.

  “Young Mistress, could this be a trap?”

  A maidservant, a Golden Core cultivator personally assigned by Overlord to protect her, asked worriedly.

  Luo Mingsang smiled.

  “The Mysterious Strategies Pavilion?”

  Her eyes gleamed as she looked skyward.

  A divine dynasty must rise…

  This world was vast.

  And Great Xuan’s future might not be confined to Five Phoenix alone.

  …

  The situation across the land shifted constantly.

  Lu Ping’an paid it little mind.

  He rarely interfered in worldly affairs now. Unless cultivators faced mass extinction-level stupidity, he generally stayed out.

  His focus was creating secret realms, helping the world’s cultivators grow stronger—thereby growing stronger himself.

  He also pondered how to elevate Five Phoenix beyond its new High Martial status.

  Its previous rise from Low to High Martial had been straightforward: domineeringly fusing other worlds’ origins.

  That method was unreplicable for others but perfect for Five Phoenix.

  Now Lu wondered whether to continue that path.

  Yet advancing a High Martial world required more than just devouring origins—it demanded merging with the Great Path…

  Leaning back in his Thousand Blades Chair, basking in the breeze, Lu played Go and pondered.

  “If only I had another High Martial world’s origin to experiment with.”

  He licked his lips.

  “Integrating a High Martial origin would be far more complicated and dangerous—because it also involves stripping away its Great Path…”

  Lu smiled and placed another piece.

  For now, it was only a rough idea.

  After all, Five Phoenix had only just become High Martial. There was no rush.

  Chess was played one move at a time; meals eaten one bite at a time.

  Hm?

  Suddenly, as Lu placed a stone—

  His brows raised.

  His spiritual qi had stopped draining. The ancient tomb was no longer absorbing it…

  What did this mean?

  It meant the tomb’s hunger was finally sated.

  Lu couldn’t help but sigh in relief.

  Compared to the tokens, this tomb’s appetite was monstrous—dozens of times greater.

  He had barely kept up by playing Go all day to recover qi.

  Anyone else would have been drained dry long ago.

  No one else could have opened this tomb.

  He stopped playing, sipped his bronze cup of wine, and swept his sleeve.

  Buzz…

  Eleven tokens floated up, gleaming brilliantly.

  The once-dormant tokens now blazed with light.

  “Go.”

  Lu flicked his finger.

  The eleven tokens shot forth like missiles, roaring with terrifying auras that split the sea into raging canyons.

  White waves parted on either side of the streaks.

  …

  Rumble!

  Above the vast sea.

  Cultivators jolted awake.

  Everyone heard the deep, mournful roar—like the heavens themselves weeping.

  What was happening?

  Confusion spread.

  Before the ancient tomb, countless experts had gathered, packing the walls shoulder-to-shoulder.

  Overlord, Xu Chu, Zhao Zixu, and the rest from Xiliang.

  Jiang Li, Lu Jiulian, and others from Northern County.

  Tang Yimo, Sima Qingshan from South County.

  Nearly every major power in the cultivation world was present, along with Heavenly Origin sacred ground cultivators, Nie Changqing, Ning Zhao, and more—representing the full might of Five Phoenix’s cultivation era.

  Rumble!

  The deafening roar echoed from all directions.

  Eyes shone as everyone stared.

  White streaks flashed like shooting stars.

  “What are those?!”

  Someone cried out.

  Half-step Mighty Beings like Du Longyang and Ye Shoudao shot upward.

  “Ha!”

  Du Longyang roared, reaching for one of the tokens.

  BOOM!

  To his horror, the token carried an unstoppable force.

  Blood sprayed—his arm was wounded.

  He fell back to the sea as the eleven tokens converged from every direction and hovered before the ancient, weathered gates.

  Every breath grew rapid.

  How could they not understand?

  The mysterious ancient tomb… was opening!

  Qi Liujia trembled, his cloudy eyes filled with disbelief.

  The tomb… could actually be opened?

  This was a relic from the Ancient Emperor’s era…

  What was buried inside?

  Ice Towers.

  The imprisoned Holy Sons and Maidens pressed their faces against the frozen walls, staring at the radiant tomb.

  Their hearts pounded.

  A great opportunity had appeared in this newborn High Martial world!

  That ancient aura—combined with the sealed history of the Void Heaven…

  This tomb surely held fortunes from the Ancient Emperor’s age.

  None of them could sit still any longer.

  Even the usually composed Tuoba Holy Son perched on his ferocious bird grew restless.

  He was confident that now the protective barrier had fallen, someone would come to rescue them—perhaps even Holy Lords in person.

  It would just take time.

  But this opportunity shattered his calm.

  He found the Azure Spirit Holy Son.

  Placing a heavy hand on the thinner man’s shoulder, he whispered,

  “The moment the tomb opens, get me out of this ice tower…”

  Azure Spirit Holy Son narrowed his eyes, glanced back, and smiled.

  They understood each other perfectly.

  …

  As the tomb erupted with myriad radiant lights, movements stirred everywhere.

  Buzhou Peak.

  Zhulong set out. She stepped through a Dragon Gate—the red dragon lying atop it brightened at her aura and carried her swiftly toward the tomb.

  Giant Whale Island.

  Ni Yu rode her cauldron with Little Yinglong in tow. The misty island vanished behind them like an immortal realm hidden away.

  Immortal Legacy Ruins.

  Behind the Origin waterfall, Lu Changkong emerged in coarse robes, hair and beard fluttering, eyes deep.

  “I’ve exhausted every spirit herb in the fields… To find new ones, I must enter this tomb. I hope it holds rare miraculous herbs.”

  He sighed.

  For this journey, he had prepared extensively—grinding many “mildly toxic” herbs from his Compendium into powder and mixing them into various tools.

  “Though only mildly toxic, it should be enough for this old man to protect himself.”

  Lu Changkong nodded in satisfaction.

  Then he set off toward the tomb.

  He had only ever wanted a simple life picking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern fence.

  But to complete his Herb Compendium, he had to leave the mountain.

  …

  Void Heaven.

  The ancient Buddhist temple streaked across the darkness, shattering dead continents and floating rubble.

  Terrifying auras provoked the Void Heaven’s rules into descending suppression.

  Yet the temple’s Buddha-light illuminated everything—a supreme artifact that ignored the rules entirely, crossing the heavens at blinding speed.

  Behind it followed bronze warships, giant birds with wings spanning thousands of li, chariots, and black-and-white immortal cranes…

  Together they formed a murderous pressure that nearly collapsed the Void Heaven.

  Soon, they arrived outside Five Phoenix.

  BOOM!

  Their terrifying auras made the lingering wanderers who spied on Five Phoenix tremble in fear.

  Buddha-light swept past.

  Wanderers too slow to flee were purified into ash.

  A powerful wanderer clad in flaming armor screamed in terror.

  “Holy Venerable of the High Martial Buddha Realm!”

  “And the Holy Lords of every sacred ground!”

  They had all come!

  “Five Phoenix is finished!”

  “This newborn High Martial world… is done for!”

  The man shrieked like a madman, trying to flee.

  But a giant Buddha hand reached out from the temple and crushed him to paste—like swatting a pesky insect.

  A snake-tongued beauty shrieked in regret. Why had she lingered to watch the show?

  “Mercy, Venerable! Mercy, Holy Lords!”

  She knelt in the void, trembling and kowtowing.

  But—

  From atop the black-and-white immortal crane came a furious, icy snort.

  A stream of black-and-white qi swept past.

  The woman was sliced in half with a wretched scream, her divine sense extinguished.

  Atop the crane stood a figure in black-and-white daoist robes, hands clasped behind his back, aura piercing the heavens.

  He gazed coldly at the hazy outline of Five Phoenix.

  “You killed my wife and imprisoned my children.”

  “For these crimes—you will be exterminated!”