Tang Guo was back.

  The taut nerves of everyone watching the Great Xuan Academy finally eased.

  This girl’s identity was simply too sensitive—Tang Yimo’s beloved little sister. She might not represent the entirety of Southern Commandery, but if anything happened to her, Tang Yimo would lose his mind and turn the whole kingdom upside down.

  And fortunately, Great Xuan had Lu Jiulian.

  After that earth-shaking battle and the world’s transformation, Lu Jiulian had been in seclusion ever since. No one knew exactly how strong she had become.

  Only one thing was certain—she was terrifyingly powerful.

  Even in his frenzied demonic state, Tang Yimo had been completely suppressed by her with ease.

  That was why the people of Great Xuan could finally breathe again.

  Without Lu Jiulian, Tang Yimo could have slaughtered his way through the capital unchecked.

  “Guo’er, are you alright?”

  Tang Yimo’s eyes softened as the demonic aura around him faded.

  “I’m fine, brother.”

  Tang Guo looked at his tattered training robes and the blood still seeping from his skin, warmth flooding her eyes.

  She knew—he had gone mad because of her.

  “Good… good…” Tang Yimo pressed his thin lips together.

  He took her hand and saw the dried blood caked all over her. His heart clenched.

  “Does it hurt?”

  Tang Guo touched the crusted blood on her cheek and smiled. It was the residue of her physique rebirth.

  Of course it still hurt.

  During the Divine King Physique transformation, she had nearly passed out from the agony—flesh being torn apart and reforged, bones shattered and remade. It was worse than having her heart carved out.

  But she thought of Tang Yimo. She didn’t want him to carry everything alone anymore. She wanted to share his burden.

  So she endured.

  “It doesn’t hurt!”

  She grinned.

  “Let’s go home,” Tang Yimo said seriously, gripping her hand.

  This academy wasn’t safe. She was leaving with him.

  “No… brother, I want to stay in the capital. There’s still so much for me to learn here.”

  Tang Guo shook her head.

  At that moment, Lu Jiulian drifted over like a celestial being.

  “Your physique… has changed.”

  She looked at Tang Guo and spoke softly.

  From afar, Dantai Xuan and Mo Ju approached as well. Hearing Lu Jiulian’s words, they froze.

  Only then did Tang Yimo, who had been wholly focused on his sister, sweep his spiritual sense over her. His expression trembled violently.

  Inside her body surged a power that made even him—someone deep in the Yin Spirit realm—feel a chill.

  “Will you take me as your master? I will teach you cultivation.”

  Lu Jiulian regarded Tang Guo calmly.

  Of course Tang Guo knew who Lu Jiulian was—the legendary prodigy of the Great Xuan Academy, a monster among cultivators, now standing at the very peak of the world.

  “Disciple Tang Guo pays respects to Master!”

  Without hesitation, she kowtowed.

  She might now possess the Divine King Physique, but she understood it was still in its infancy. She had a long road ahead.

  And truthfully, she had her own little schemes.

  If she had a master as powerful as Lu Jiulian, she would finally have real backing. Then her brother wouldn’t have to exhaust himself protecting her all the time.

  “Good.”

  Lu Jiulian gave a gentle smile.

  Tang Yimo stood awkwardly to the side.

  He had just fought the woman tooth and nail… and now his sister was apprenticing herself to her the moment she returned.

  “Hahaha!”

  “Not fighting means never knowing each other—this is fate! Shall this king host a banquet tonight? Let’s drink until we drop!”

  Dantai Xuan strode forward, laughing heartily.

  True, half the academy grounds lay in ruins, but a happy ending like this? Dantai Xuan was more than satisfied.

  “No need to trouble yourself, Your Majesty.”

  Tang Yimo waved him off.

  He had just demolished the man’s training field. How could he have the face to stay and drink?

  “Guo’er, where exactly did you go these past days?”

  This was the question burning in his heart.

  Tang Guo hesitated. The immortal had forbidden them from speaking of the immortal realm.

  But after a moment, she said, “An immortal patted my head… and I received a great immortal fate.”

  Tang Yimo’s eyes narrowed.

  Mo Ju’s eyes lit up beside Dantai Xuan.

  That mysterious immortal had appeared again!

  Tang Yimo understood immediately.

  He too had once entered the Land of Immortal Ascension. He knew the rules.

  He rubbed Tang Guo’s head gently.

  “Train well under your master.”

  “If she ever bullies you… tell your brother.”

  He looked up at Lu Jiulian, face calm.

  “Even if it costs me my life, I’ll get justice for you.”

  Tang Guo beamed like a flower. “Okay!”

  The next instant, Tang Yimo bowed slightly to Dantai Xuan, then vanished in a streak of black light.

  Lu Jiulian turned, hands clasped behind her back, green lotus robes swaying as she walked away.

  “Guo’er, let’s go.”

  “Ah? Coming!”

  “Master—wait for me!”

  Tang Guo hurriedly chased after her, trotting happily behind.

  …

  North Luo City.

  Nie Shuang returned.

  By the shore of North Luo Lake, a gentle breeze stirred the water.

  In the center of the lake, Nie Changqing sat quietly in a small fishing boat, conical hat on his head, raincoat draped over his shoulders, fishing in peaceful silence.

  As if sensing his son’s return, Nie Changqing’s voice drifted across the water.

  “Into the lake.”

  Nie Shuang stepped forward without hesitation.

  The moment his foot touched the lake, he broke into a sprint.

  The surface boiled and churned. Fish fled in panic to the depths.

  On the shore, Luo Yue and his son Luo Cheng stood with hands behind their backs, smiling as they watched.

  “Nie Changqing isn’t worried at all. His son vanished for nearly ten days, and he just… fished for ten days straight.”

  Luo Cheng shook his head.

  “With Nie Changqing’s current cultivation, he’s far beyond what we can fathom. He probably knew exactly where Nie Shuang was the whole time.”

  The two chuckled and turned to leave.

  Behind them, rows of Dragon Blood Army soldiers followed their commanders and withdrew.

  In the lake—

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  Water exploded upward.

  Nie Shuang’s heart raced with excitement.

  “Father—here I come!”

  He roared.

  His blood-stained upper body burst apart into strips of cloth.

  Torrents of mighty energy surged. It felt like a dragon was roaring inside him, shaking heaven and earth.

  BOOM!

  One step sent the lake surface caving inward.

  Nie Shuang charged, throwing a punch.

  The water around his fist instantly vaporized into steaming mist.

  BANG BANG BANG!

  In the instant he threw that punch, his aura skyrocketed—cultivation breaking through continuously!

  From the peak of Heavenly Lock, he stepped straight into Nascent Soul!

  “Hmm?”

  Nie Changqing’s brow arched slightly.

  He hadn’t expected his son to unleash such a terrifying strike.

  Nie Changqing smiled faintly.

  He didn’t move from his fishing posture.

  The Dragon Slayer at his waist flew out on its own, slicing across the water.

  A groove split the lake.

  Water sprayed into the air, twisting into a blade of pure liquid.

  Nie Shuang’s fist collided with the water blade!

  A horrific explosion erupted. Shockwaves rippled outward in perfect circles.

  Splash!

  Rain seemed to fall upside-down as water droplets hammered down.

  Nie Shuang’s body glowed with golden light. He planted his feet in a solid horse stance.

  Behind him, a vision appeared—stars shattering, galaxies swirling.

  BOOM!

  He threw another punch.

  This time, even Nie Changqing couldn’t stay calm.

  The fishing boat beneath him shattered.

  He flipped through the air, tapping the incoming fist with the tip of his toe, then shot upward like a carp leaping from the water. Dragon Slayer hovered at his side.

  BOOM!

  Power exploded from his foot.

  Nie Shuang was forced back several steps across the water. He huffed in frustration.

  “Dad, that’s cheating! You promised to only use power at my level!”

  Nie Changqing landed lightly on the lake, sheathed Dragon Slayer again, stroked his stubbled chin, and said nothing—just gave his son a sideways glance and a cold chuckle.

  Use the same level of power?

  Then I’d be the one getting beaten!

  Nie Shuang’s physical body had suddenly become monstrously strong—far beyond what Nie Changqing had anticipated.

  His son had clearly obtained an extraordinary immortal fate.

  “Special physique?”

  Nie Changqing asked.

  Nie Shuang grinned, clenched his fist, and the air thundered.

  “The Sacred King Physique.”

  Nie Changqing laughed.

  “Good. Looks like you can take more of a beating now.”

  Nie Shuang’s smile froze.

  A line streaked across the lake.

  Ding.

  Like a single drop falling into still water.

  An overwhelming blade intent slammed into Nie Shuang.

  Before he could react, he was smashed straight to the bottom of North Luo Lake.

  Damn it!

  This has to be a fake dad!

  …

  Origin Lake, Lake Heart Island.

  With the special physiques distributed, Lu Fan considered one small goal accomplished.

  These seeds wouldn’t show their brilliance yet, but as they grew, they would surely dazzle the world.

  Still, special physiques had limits. To reach the absolute peak, they would still need to rely on their own effort.

  Lu Fan took out his spiritual pressure chessboard, warmed a pot of plum wine, and leisurely drank while placing pieces.

  After only a few moves, he paused, rolling a black piece between his fingers, eyes narrowing.

  Soon, lines danced in his pupils.

  He checked on those who had received the Four Kings’ inheritances from the ancient tomb.

  Jiang Li was training in Great Xuan, his cultivation soaring after receiving the Soldier King inheritance, completely immersed in the study of military formations.

  Consolidating his explosive growth would still take time.

  Luo Mingyue had returned to Western Liang to stabilize the Piano King inheritance in seclusion.

  Mo Liuqi was consolidating in the desert.

  Ximen Xianzhi, heir to the Sword King, secluded himself atop Mount Zhongnan. The sword intent leaking from his retreat benefited countless disciples of the Sword Pavilion.

  Lu Fan withdrew his gaze and fell into thought.

  These ancient tomb inheritances—he couldn’t quite judge if they were good or bad.

  But their benefits were undeniable. The rise in strength of these individuals also increased his own spiritual energy reserves. Lu Fan was happy to let it be.

  He had originally planned to create more inheritances himself, but now he changed his mind.

  He had a few fixed candidates in mind—people he favored.

  But giving them inheritances directly felt too forced. It might even limit their growth.

  Better to let nature take its course. Perhaps that would bring even greater surprises.

  The piece hovered above the board, faint killing intent humming around it.

  Lines flickered in his eyes again as he observed several figures.

  …

  Outside a small city near Wolong Ridge.

  Bai Qingniao, bored and squatting by a chicken coop, suddenly felt something.

  The Nine Phoenix Transformations in her mind began spinning wildly.

  The little chicks running on the grass erupted with terrifying auras.

  Flames burst from their bodies—fire phoenixes that seemed to blot out the sky.

  “The sixth transformation of the Nine Phoenixes…”

  Bai Qingniao murmured.

  This time, it wasn’t just the chicks that changed.

  Her own body transformed dramatically.

  Her clothes seemed covered in fiery feathers. She grew taller, more regal…

  Her black hair danced like flames. Her eyes burned. Faint golden light shimmered in her pupils.

  …

  Last night the east wind returned to the small tower.

  Sima Qingshan painted by the window. Outside, the mountains after fresh rain were quiet and serene, filled with the cooing of birds.

  His brush moved like a swimming dragon. The scroll on the table seemed to come alive.

  As he painted, his aura grew denser. The painting gradually turned into a real world.

  Sima Qingshan closed his eyes.

  When he opened them again, the entire world looked like an ink wash painting.

  Everything was within his scroll.

  With a lift of his hand, he could change anything.

  He smiled.

  With a splash of ink, a mountain shifted. An ancient tree shot toward the heavens.

  The world within the painting had become his domain.

  …

  Atop the snowy peak.

  Kong Nanfei opened his eyes.

  Biting wind and snow had piled thick layers upon him, but he paid it no mind.

  Lines of poetry seemed to form in his chest.

  He laughed.

  Facing the vast white expanse, he opened his mouth.

  Righteous haoran qi poured forth like a great river, sweeping across the snow-capped mountains.

  Snow melted. Green sprouts pushed through the earth.

  Behind him, Meng Haoran sucked in a stunned breath.

  His master… had grown stronger again!

  A single breath of righteous qi, altering the very terrain.

  It was practically a divine ability!

  After a long while, Kong Nanfei closed his eyes, then opened them again.

  Snow began falling once more.

  He sighed wistfully.

  “Righteous haoran qi is truly powerful.”

  “If the Master were still alive, how terrifying would his haoran qi have been?”

  Meng Haoran fell silent.

  After a long pause, Kong Nanfei grabbed his wine gourd and took a huge swig.

  Laughter echoed across the peak.

  “What a glorious era… what a pity.”

  …

  Lu Fan withdrew his gaze and smiled.

  Plop.

  The piece fell onto the board with a crisp sound.

  Bai Qingniao’s Nine Phoenix Transformations were mysterious—even he couldn’t fully grasp them.

  Sima Qingshan had walked the path of painting and formed the prototype of a domain. Its power was immense—he could easily fight above his level and trap experts with a flick of his brush.

  Kong Nanfei, with the righteous haoran qi passed down from the Master, had developed techniques comparable to divine abilities. Though still weaker than Zhulong’s innate gifts, they were nonetheless divine-ability-level moves. Nothing to scoff at.

  Therefore, Lu Fan decided—he would no longer grant inheritances.

  Let them grow naturally.

  He believed the future would bring great surprises.

  Time flowed on.

  Ni Yu sat before the Dao Stele, her black pot confiscated. Strangely, she had entered a profound state of enlightenment.

  At the Primordial Spirit Platform, many figures sat in meditation, trying to capture stray primordial spirit energy drifting in the air, hoping to comprehend the primordial spirit.

  Ye Shoudao’s breakthrough into the Spirit Unity realm had shocked everyone.

  Ni Chunqiu, Du Longyang, Young Master Tianxu, and other top experts all gathered here from time to time.

  Overlord, Nie Changqing, Ning Zhao, and others visited occasionally.

  The Nine Prison Secret Realm of Wolong Ridge also drew countless cultivators hoping to comprehend Dao intent from the steles.

  Lu Fan paid special attention to Lu Changkong.

  After the River of Time disappeared, his father had left the immortal ruins and returned to the ancient tomb to continue researching spiritual herbs.

  He was still crossbreeding spirit plants, using herbs touched by the River of Time as catalysts. He had entered a state of total immersion, forgetting the passage of years.

  Rumble…

  Beyond the void, the massive sundial hovered.

  The great time formation spun endlessly, cloaked in drifting clouds.

  Under its influence, time in the Five Phoenixes flowed ten times faster than the outside world.

  One year passed quickly.

  At the Primordial Spirit Platform, majestic essence, qi, and spirit surged.

  Du Longyang broke through!

  He stepped into the Spirit Unity realm, earning the title of Grandmaster!

  One thrust of his spear pierced a hole through the vast sea that refused to heal for a long time.

  Ye Shoudao strode out from the Absolute Blade Gate, laughing heartily as he slashed the air.

  His blade scattered like pear blossoms in a storm—thousands of blade lights raining down. It was the very slash Lu Fan had once taught him.

  This blade celebrated Du Longyang’s ascension!

  Another primordial spirit statue shattered.

  Du Longyang stood in the void for a long while, waiting.

  Alas, Lu Fan did not appear.

  He sighed in deep regret.

  Ye Shoudao had been the first to reach Grandmaster and received personal instruction.

  Second place had always been forgotten by history.

  Though disappointed, Du Longyang felt no dejection—only greater drive.

  If he became the first to reach the Tribulation Realm… would Young Master Lu teach him personally?

  Another year passed.

  Someone else broke through.

  From Martial Emperor City, Du Longyang soared into the sky.

  From Absolute Blade Gate, Ye Shoudao flew out.

  They both thought it would be Ni Chunqiu this time.

  Yet to their shock…

  It was Young Master Tianxu who stepped into the Spirit Unity realm.

  Ni Chunqiu had actually been one step behind.

  Time trickled on.

  Changes quietly swept through the Five Phoenixes.

  For high-level cultivators, years felt like moments—seclusion could last decades.

  But for the mortal kingdoms… for Dantai Xuan…

  The passage of time brought monumental change.

  In just a few short years, Great Xuan had become the supreme mortal empire of the Five Phoenixes.

  Southern Commandery and Western Liang reached an agreement to support Great Xuan’s growth. With no major rivals, Great Xuan dominated the mortal world.

  When the cultivation sects resisted Dantai Xuan’s decrees, he didn’t bother arguing.

  The cult west of Demon Continent had infiltrated many of those sects.

  So Dantai Xuan issued cold orders.

  In one month, Jiang Li and Xue Tao led the Black Tortoise Guards on a campaign that shook the continent.

  The cultivation sects were uprooted. Countless died.

  Cultists were hunted beyond Great Xuan’s borders, fleeing back west of Demon Continent.

  But Liu Yuanhao, leader of the cult, refused to yield.

  His followers disguised themselves as Great Xuan cultivators, slaughtered demon tribes, and harvested demon crystals—sparking war between demons and Great Xuan.

  Learning from past failures, Liu Yuanhao did not act personally.

  He sent several Nascent Soul cult elders to assassinate Dantai Xuan in the capital.

  That night—

  Golden dragon qi soared a hundred zhang above the imperial city.

  Dantai Xuan uttered a single command.

  Every Nascent Soul assassin was annihilated—body and soul turned to ash.

  The world was stunned!

  The cultivation realm boiled over!

  This assassination attempt had finally awakened the sleeping lion that was Great Xuan.

  Dantai Xuan sat high upon his throne, eyes blazing like torches.

  With a wave of his hand, he commanded the world.

  Domestically, he poured resources into the Great Xuan Academy—waiving tuition for the poor, showering rewards, igniting a cultivation frenzy.

  Externally, he gave the order.

  Great Xuan’s iron cavalry, led by Jiang Li and Xue Tao, marched through Tianhan Pass.

  Even when three Demon Kings personally blocked their path, they could not stop the tide.

  Had the mysterious Demon Lord not intervened, Jiang Li’s military formations might have trampled the entire Demon Continent flat.

  After negotiations with the Demon Lord, Jiang Li chose not to linger. Their true target was not the demons, but the cult.

  So the cavalry swept past Demon Continent and charged westward.

  From the west, Xichu’s Xu Chu and Zhao Zixu, alongside Tang Yimo’s Southern Commandery army, poured through Tiger Entwining Pass, straight toward the cult’s headquarters.

  Liu Yuanhao rallied his forces, but they shattered at the first clash.

  The cult collapsed.

  Within a year, the western Madden Dynasty was smashed to pieces by Great Xuan’s armies.

  Dantai Xuan swept his arm and annexed the entire western dynasty into Great Xuan territory.

  As for Demon Continent, he held back out of respect for the mysterious Demon Lord.

  Still, it remained a thorn in his heart.

  Non-humans could never truly be trusted—especially demons.

  So Dantai Xuan personally led an army into Demon Continent.

  The three Demon Kings greeted him with utmost courtesy.

  In their eyes, Dantai Xuan was the Human Emperor. How could they dare show disrespect? This concerned the future relations between humans and demons.

  Dantai Xuan spoke amiably with the three kings and learned of the demons’ tragic history—how the Madden Dynasty had deceived and slaughtered countless demons for their crystals.

  His wariness toward the demon race eased.

  The three Demon Kings led Demon Continent in pledging allegiance to Great Xuan.

  Dantai Xuan laughed heartily and held a grand enthronement ceremony on demon soil, bestowing upon the three kings the title of Great Xuan’s heterodox princes.

  When Dantai Xuan returned from Tianhan Pass, commoners lined the roads for hundreds of li, cheering until the heavens shook.

  He stood atop his war chariot.

  Imperial dragon qi surged once more—finally breaking past a hundred zhang!

  With hundred-zhang dragon qi cloaking him, a single shout carried the fury of a Spirit Unity Grandmaster.

  With Mo Beike and Tang Xiansheng at his side…

  Dantai Xuan finally began his ultimate ambition—

  To found the Great Xuan Divine Dynasty!