The fluctuation from the primordial spirit platforms instantly piqued Lu Fan’s interest.

  Someone had achieved Primordial Spirit Unity, transforming their spiritual sense into a true primordial spirit, stepping from the Ninth Turn of Yang God into the realm of Unity.

  The very first Great Power of the Five Phoenixes small world had been born.

  “Let’s go take a look.”

  Lu smiled, in an excellent mood. The spiritual energy reward from a single Great Power was quite substantial.

  “Understood.”

  Qi Liujia also wore a faint smile. The stronger the Five Phoenixes became, the greater their chances of surviving the great tribulations to come.

  Thus, he was in high spirits as well.

  However, Lu and Qi Liujia traveled concealed, making themselves undetectable to the world.

  Primordial Spirit Platforms.

  Statues stood tall across the vast sea, each with unique postures, radiating powerful primordial spirit fluctuations. These waves spread outward, allowing cultivators to easily grasp the profound mysteries within and comprehend their own primordial spirits.

  The only blemish was the look of abject terror frozen on every statue’s face, somewhat ruining the sacred atmosphere.

  At this moment, a huge crowd of cultivators had already gathered around the platforms.

  Excitement shone on every face.

  Waves rippled across the sea as rings of energy spread outward.

  Primordial Spirit Unity was the hardest threshold among the Three Gods Realm, but once crossed, the transformation was terrifying.

  It was no exaggeration to call it ascending to the heavens in a single step.

  The birth of a primordial spirit was a qualitative leap.

  Du Longyang and Ni Chunqiu wore slightly bitter expressions, yet their bitterness was tinged with joy as they looked toward Ye Shoudao in the distance.

  Indeed—the first to break through to Unity and become a Great Power was none other than Ye Shoudao.

  His single arm fluttered in the wind. Eyes closed, he hovered in midair, powerful primordial spirit fluctuations rolling off him in waves.

  Mysterious energy descended from the heavens.

  The world origin turned into a galactic cascade, pouring down onto his body.

  BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

  Ye Shoudao’s primordial spirit emerged.

  Above his head, an illusory scene materialized.

  Within it, Ye Shoudao sat upon a Dao lotus, gripping a blade. He swung it again and again, blade qi flooding the air.

  This was the manifestation of the blade art most suited to him.

  Many who watched felt tears well up—not from sorrow, but because the blade light was so sharp it pressured their spiritual sense, forcing tears.

  Some couldn’t bear it and turned away.

  BOOM!

  Finally, Ye Shoudao opened his eyes.

  A surge of qi pierced the horizon like a rainbow.

  His primordial spirit, sharp as a blade, slashed downward. The vast sea split cleanly in two.

  Rumble!

  A massive chasm appeared. Seawater on both sides cascaded like waterfalls.

  Crack…

  Cracks spider-webbed across one of the statues on the primordial spirit platforms.

  The next instant, the statue exploded into countless fragments, turning into boulders that crashed into the sea and sank into the depths.

  Many cultivators inhaled sharply, horrified.

  There were only a limited number of statues on the platforms.

  Ye Shoudao’s breakthrough had destroyed one.

  What did that mean?

  It meant that once all the statues were shattered, this miraculous cultivation ground might vanish forever!

  Du Longyang, Ni Chunqiu, and even Young Master Tianxu watching secretly from afar—all felt the pressure intensify.

  Opportunities were finite. If they didn’t seize them now, they would slip away forever.

  An oppressive aura suddenly radiated from Ye Shoudao.

  “Fight!”

  Du Longyang stepped forward.

  BOOM!

  His presence erupted skyward.

  Half-step Great Power at the Ninth Turn of Yang God, Du Longyang’s aura blazed like a scorching sun. His spear thrust forth, spear light dazzling and blinding.

  The sea itself seemed to sink beneath the pressure.

  Everyone nearby staggered back several steps.

  Winds howled; colossal waves surged across the vast sea.

  Ye Shoudao gripped his blade with his single arm and actually smiled.

  “Good timing.”

  He drew his blade with one hand, eyes closed—as though the blade existed in his heart.

  Du Longyang’s spear was incredibly powerful, but under Ye Shoudao’s current primordial spirit perception, it was laughably frail.

  Before his breakthrough, Ye Shoudao might have been cautious.

  Now? He felt no tension at all.

  Swish!

  A single draw.

  Drawing the blade to sever water.

  The spear light was casually cleaved apart, as though Ye Shoudao had seen straight through its weakness. The spear intent scattered into a gentle breeze that brushed across his cheek.

  Everyone was stunned. How could it be so effortless?

  Was this the might of a Great Power?

  A realm of true metamorphosis.

  Qi Liujia had once said: below Great Power, all are weak.

  Only upon entering Great Power could one begin to touch the true secrets of the world.

  The crowd erupted in shock.

  Du Longyang landed on the sea, retreating several steps. His expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he was utterly shaken.

  Ye Shoudao was about to speak when his face suddenly shifted. He released his primordial spirit and stared into a patch of empty void that gave him chills down his spine.

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  “Young Master Lu!”

  His expression tightened as he bowed slightly toward the emptiness.

  Everyone turned to look.

  Ni Chunqiu’s eyes lit up; she stared eagerly in the same direction.

  Yet… there was nothing.

  Old Ye, you’re getting cocky right after breaking through, huh?

  Ni Chunqiu felt empty and even a little annoyed.

  “Not bad…”

  Suddenly.

  Every pore on every cultivator’s body constricted.

  A faint, amused voice drifted from that empty space.

  Young Master Lu… was really there?!

  The next instant, everyone followed Ye Shoudao’s example and respectfully bowed toward the void.

  “As the first cultivator of the Five Phoenixes to achieve Primordial Spirit Unity and earn the title of Great Power, I gift you one blade today.”

  Lu’s ethereal voice rang out from nowhere.

  Ye Shoudao froze, then looked up in wild excitement, eyes blazing.

  There was such a reward?!

  Du Longyang, Ni Chunqiu, Young Master Tianxu, and the others felt their hearts bleed with envy.

  Personal instruction from Young Master Lu—this was a supreme opportunity!

  They cursed themselves—why hadn’t they been the ones to break through first?!

  Hum…

  The air rippled like water.

  Spiritual energy condensed into a giant palm that grasped the void, forming a long blade.

  The blade slashed down.

  An ordinary-looking slash that stretched hundreds of li through the air—then split: one became two, two became four, four became eight…

  In moments, the sky was filled with blade light, falling like endless rain.

  The entire firmament trembled.

  Ye Shoudao’s entire body shook uncontrollably.

  This single blade left him in complete awe.

  After a long while, the blade lights faded.

  “How much did you comprehend?”

  Young Master Lu’s voice echoed through the heavens once more.

  “Thirty percent.”

  Ye Shoudao answered respectfully.

  “Acceptable.”

  “Young Master, what is this blade art called?”

  Ye Shoudao looked up anxiously and took a step forward.

  “A casual slash. Call it whatever you like…”

  Lu’s voice drifted away, growing distant.

  Ye Shoudao stood lost in thought, eyes swirling with confusion and madness.

  Ni Chunqiu stared longingly at the empty space, eyes shining like the brightest stars in the night sky.

  “Young Master has left.”

  Ye Shoudao glanced at her and said.

  Ni Chunqiu instantly deflated with regret.

  Why did he have to leave so soon?

  The crowd gradually dispersed. Ye Shoudao’s experience only fueled their determination.

  Even those who had come merely to watch flew off to cultivate harder—perhaps one day Young Master Lu would notice them and impart his teachings.

  …

  After parting with Lu, Qi Liujia returned to his disciple Li Sansui.

  Li Sansui was speaking with Li Sansi, who was wrapped in a black robe.

  Seeing their master, joy lit up Li Sansui’s face.

  “Master.”

  She bowed.

  Li Sansi also saluted Qi Liujia.

  Qi Liujia looked at Li Sansi. “You possess the Vine Demon Physique—a blessing and a curse. If it matures, it can rival first-rate special physiques. If it stagnates, it will be worse than third-rate.”

  “You’ve already reached Soul Projection, and stepping into Unity won’t be difficult. But once you do, advancing further will be nearly impossible. Your physique both makes and breaks you.”

  As the former sect master of the Six Armored Formation Sect, Qi Liujia saw through the issue instantly.

  Li Sansui’s heart clenched—Li Sansi was her brother; she couldn’t just ignore him.

  “Master, is there any way to change this?”

  Li Sansi’s eyes beneath the black robe gleamed.

  He wanted to grow stronger. He still had a girl to catch up to—he refused to remain weak.

  “I have no solution. If you want one, seek the Young Master.”

  Qi Liujia shook his head.

  Li Sansi’s face stiffened beneath the robe.

  “Never mind. I’ll find my own way.”

  He turned and vanished.

  Qi Liujia was puzzled.

  “Why not? I think Young Master Lu has a good temper and is very generous to Five Phoenixes cultivators. Seeking his own solution will be far too difficult.”

  Li Sansui sighed—she had a guess why.

  …

  Lu returned to Origin Lake.

  The Thousand-Bladed Chair glided forward, stirred by a gentle breeze.

  Ni Yu arrived proudly with her newly refined fifth-grade Origin Fusion Pills.

  “Young Master, try one?”

  She offered them like treasures.

  Lu popped a sugar-coated pill into his mouth.

  To him, it was just candy. Though Origin Fusion Pills aided primordial spirit formation, his own primordial spirit was already at 99 Yuan. Even an entire cauldron wouldn’t move the needle.

  “Hmm… a bit too sweet. Use less sugar next time.”

  Ni Yu’s expectant face froze.

  Was sweetness the point?!

  Little Yinglong perched on Lu’s head cackled, “Kekeke!”

  Hearing the laugh reminded Lu of something.

  With a wave, he grabbed Little Yinglong by the scruff of his neck.

  He sliced open the air.

  Space itself seemed cut.

  He tossed Little Yinglong inside.

  The dragon vanished into the swirling vortex, still confused about what he’d done wrong.

  “Beat him thoroughly. Don’t let him out until he reaches Great Power.”

  Lu said.

  “Got it, Daddy.”

  Zhulong’s voice echoed from the void.

  Ni Yu, carrying her cauldron on her back, shrank her neck.

  Little Yellow… your life is too hard.

  “Young Master, I’ll go practice alchemy now.”

  Ni Yu said obediently.

  “Wait.”

  Ni Yu’s heart skipped a beat.

  “You just mastered fifth-grade pills. Don’t rush to refine more. Go to the Dao stele and comprehend a Dao intent first.”

  Ni Yu’s chubby cheeks trembled.

  Dao intent… so hard…

  “However, since you succeeded with fifth-grade pills, I’ll upgrade your cauldron… Come find me when you comprehend a Dao intent.”

  Lu added, beckoning.

  Ni Yu’s black cauldron flew into the air.

  Tears welled in Ni Yu’s eyes as she clutched it and was lifted off the ground.

  Meeting Lu’s calm, gentle gaze, she seemed to see the reflection of an extremely tiny heart in his pupils.

  Wisely, she let go.

  She fell on her butt, looking like life had lost all meaning.

  Lu stored the cauldron, glanced at her, and left.

  Ni Yu pounded the ground in despair.

  Why did she have to show off?

  Why show off to Young Master?

  Was refining fifth-grade pills that impressive? Why brag?

  Now look—she’d shown off her cauldron right out of existence.

  Resigned, Ni Yu dragged her sorrowful body to the Dao stele, sat cross-legged, tilted her head back, and began cultivating.

  White Jade Capital Tower.

  Lu returned.

  Seated in his chair, he took out the Spiritual Pressure Board, warmed a pot of plum wine, and prepared to relax.

  The 《Northern Emperor Scripture》 had been spread, the Grand Time Array deployed.

  For the next period, the Five Phoenixes would enter a phase of explosive growth.

  Every high martial world had accumulated strength over countless ages.

  The Five Phoenixes was the exception—thanks to Lu’s interference, its development had been nothing short of meteoric, so fast it left people breathless.

  But such speed came with terrifying drawbacks: unstable foundations.

  The cultivators of the Five Phoenixes were gradually falling behind the world’s own ascension speed.

  Even in a Yan Nine high martial world, the presiding sacred land’s Holy Lord would be at the Fortune Venerable level.

  Every Holy Lord was a Fortune Venerable Great Power.

  In the current Five Phoenixes, aside from Lu himself, there wasn’t a single Fortune Venerable.

  Even Unity-level Great Powers were pitifully few.

  So Lu needed the Five Phoenixes to slow down and consolidate.

  That was the entire purpose of the time array.

  With a thought,

  Lu drew a wisp of powerful aura from his mysterious ring.

  Dragon roars faintly echoed.

  This was the Ancestral Dragon Qi he had captured when transcending the high martial tribulation.

  His eyes flickered with glowing lines.

  The images of the Heavenly Dragon species appeared before him.

  Red Dragon had raised his combat strength to Yang God level in the dragon blood pool and was still training diligently near the Dragon Gate.

  Cloud Dragon coiled atop Tian Dang Mountain, watching clouds roll by with leisurely enjoyment.

  Mist Dragon swam happily in the Dongyan River, occasionally snatching fat fish.

  Coiled Dragon in South County was playing in the mud.

  On Buzhou Peak, Zhulong was giving Little Yinglong special training—miserable whimpers occasionally rang out.

  Green Dragon, in human youth form, was at the Great Xuan Academy discussing life philosophy with a female disciple.

  Lu’s mouth twitched.

  Among the Heavenly Dragons, perhaps only Little Zhulong and Little Red were normal.

  The rest… were simply indescribable!

  Lu rubbed his forehead.

  Then he split the Ancestral Dragon Qi into eight portions of varying sizes and flicked them outward.

  Eight streaks shot toward the dragons.

  Bathed in Ancestral Dragon Qi, each underwent transformation and growth.

  They roared toward the vast sea in gratitude.

  With the nourishment of Ancestral Dragon Qi, these Heavenly Dragons would steadily grow stronger over time.

  Lu smiled, satisfied, and withdrew his gaze.

  He set up the Heaven-Asking Game, sipped plum wine, and enjoyed a rare moment of tranquility.

  Three days later,

  Lu ended the game and stretched.

  His consciousness sank into the Preaching Platform.

  Seated on the array, black hair vigorous, robes fluttering.

  His gaze sharpened.

  Primordial spirit trembled; vast power surged.

  The mountain blooming with physique flowers rose before him.

  Spiritual energy churned into seas of clouds that swirled around the peak.

  Now—he would spread these physique flowers.

  “Hmm… but who should receive these special physiques?”

  Lu pondered.

  Overlord? Nie Changqing?

  He shook his head and dismissed the idea. They belonged to the first generation who had seized the initial opportunities.

  These special physiques were part of the second phase in Lu’s plan.

  So he would choose others.

  Glowing lines danced and crisscrossed in his eyes.

  Rumble!

  The spiritual sea roared with towering waves, as though trying to swallow him.

  In the old Preaching Platform, selection had been random.

  Now…

  He could choose based on what he had seen and heard.

  “First batch—twenty young geniuses.”

  They would compete for seven special physique flowers.

  Lu raised his hand; array runes surged.

  BOOM!

  Terrifying rumbles resounded.

  Countless faces from across the Five Phoenixes continent flickered before his eyes.

  …

  Western Prefecture, Liangzhou City.

  Ding Jiudeng, who had been meditating, suddenly opened his eyes. The aura he had been suppressing burst forth, instantly extinguishing his oil lamp.

  He shot out of the room.

  A strange fluctuation rippled through the void.

  “This aura… the same as that immortal encounter!”

  “That mysterious immortal… is moving again.”

  Ding Jiudeng took a deep breath.

  He entered the room where the little monks slept—only to find one of them missing.

  …

  Northern Prefecture, Great Xuan Academy.

  Lu Jiulian opened his eyes, a strange light within.

  His green lotus robes fluttered. With each step, a lotus bloomed beneath his feet.

  Sensing the mysterious aura spreading through the air, his gaze sharpened.

  His spiritual sense swept out.

  Soon he discovered a student from the academy had vanished.

  “Hmm?”

  “That Tang girl…”

  Lu Jiulian frowned.

  …

  Within the Western Liang army.

  Zhao Zixu, cultivating under the moonlight, suddenly felt the world spin. An overwhelming force seized him, and the scene before his eyes changed.

  Atop a snow-swept mountain peak,

  Meng Haoran, who had been following Kong Nanfei to cultivate righteous qi, abruptly disappeared.

  A falling snowflake was torn apart midair.

  Kong Nanfei opened his eyes, glanced at the empty space behind him, and raised an eyebrow in surprise.

  Beiluo City—Nie Shuang, jogging around the city walls for training, suddenly stepped into nothing and vanished like a burst bubble.

  This night was destined to be restless.

  Across the Five Phoenixes, young cultivators were mysteriously spirited away by an unseen force, destination unknown.

  Within the Preaching Platform,

  Lu’s lips curved slightly as he savored the familiar atmosphere.

  Newcomers entering always brought back fond memories.

  “Newcomer Tang Guo, enter the Preaching Platform.”

  “Newcomer Nie Shuang, enter the Preaching Platform.”

  …

  “Newcomer Meng Haoran, enter the Preaching Platform.”