The Divine Dynasty shall rise!

  Word spread like wildfire across the cultivation world, leaving countless cultivators stunned.

  A divine dynasty was utterly different from a mortal empire. Any cultivator could topple a mortal kingdom with ease, but a divine dynasty—even the strongest cultivators would have to bow. Such dynasties could endure for endless ages.

  Never before had the Five Phoenixes seen such splendor.

  No nation in history had ever succeeded in founding a divine dynasty.

  Yet Dantai Xuan, cloaked in a hundred zhang of dragon qi, beloved by the people, diligent in governance, and backed by numerous experts… perhaps he truly could.

  The news sent ripples across the entire continent.

  In the cabinet hall, Mo Beike and Tang Xiansheng worked tirelessly, drafting plans for the divine dynasty. For men of their age, this was their final chance to etch their names into eternity. Otherwise, they would long since have retired to secluded cultivation.

  The allure of establishing a divine dynasty was simply too great—even for them.

  The western cult had been crushed, scattered to the winds. Only a few stray remnants remained, no longer a threat.

  The Madden Kingdom’s demon-crystal cultivators had been trampled beneath Great Xuan’s iron hooves.

  The Five Phoenixes continent was unified.

  The demon continent issue had been temporarily resolved; demons and humans coexisted in fragile peace.

  Great Xuan’s national fortune and momentum soared ever higher.

  Preparations for the divine dynasty began in earnest.

  One year. Two. Three.

  While Great Xuan prepared, the cultivation world exploded with growth.

  Someone witnessed the Overlord of Western Liang punch the Vast Sea, his demonic qi piercing the heavens, creating a whirlpool that refused to close.

  Fishermen off East Sun Commandery saw a swordsman thrust his blade skyward, sword qi tearing a hole through the firmament.

  Others beheld a youth bathed in golden light, visions of inverted star rivers swirling around him.

  The cultivation world was thriving.

  …

  Northern Commandery, Great Xuan Capital.

  Within the palace hall, charcoal crackled softly in the brazier, sparks dancing.

  Dantai Xuan leaned back in his chair, eyes half-closed, deep in thought. Frost now touched his temples.

  These years, he had poured his heart and soul into Great Xuan, determined to make it the strongest nation on the continent.

  And he had succeeded.

  Yet deep down, he still felt profoundly insecure.

  He feared enemies from beyond the heavens. Every time he closed his eyes to sleep, he saw the blood-soaked battlefield at Tianmen Gate—countless defenders erased by a single strike from an otherworldly powerhouse, leaving not even bones behind.

  It was his recurring nightmare.

  He would wake drenched in cold sweat.

  After finishing the memorials on his desk, he rested, sipping fine wine.

  Footsteps approached outside the hall.

  A servant announced the visitor.

  A stooped figure slowly entered.

  “Your Majesty.”

  Mo Beike bowed.

  Dantai Xuan rose barefoot, smiling as he helped the old minister up.

  “Old Mo, what brings you in such a hurry?”

  Mo Beike’s heavy eye bags trembled slightly.

  “After discussion among the cabinet elders, the ninth day of next month has been chosen—the day Your Majesty will ascend Mount Taihan and perform the ceremony to establish the divine dynasty.”

  “The beginning of the Great Xuan Calendar.”

  Dantai Xuan’s eyes flashed with sharp light.

  “Good.”

  Next month.

  Anticipation stirred in his chest.

  To be the first in the Five Phoenixes to found a divine dynasty—how could he not be excited?

  Mo Beike smiled, the deep wrinkles on his face folding like valleys. He exhaled slowly.

  Then his expression grew solemn.

  “Your Majesty, establishing a divine dynasty will inevitably entangle us with the cultivation world. This old minister begs Your Majesty to issue invitations to the leaders of every major cultivation force. Their presence will solidify the dynasty’s fortune.”

  “Naturally.”

  Dantai Xuan agreed immediately.

  A divine dynasty unrecognized by cultivators was no divine dynasty at all.

  But then hesitation crossed his face.

  “Old Mo… when sending these invitations, is there one power… we should invite?”

  His tone was grave.

  Mo Beike paused, then understood.

  The power Dantai Xuan spoke of…

  Was the unfathomable White Jade Capital.

  “Your Majesty, if we are to found a divine dynasty, White Jade Capital must be invited.”

  “Without White Jade Capital’s acknowledgment… the dynasty will lack true legitimacy.”

  Mo Beike said seriously.

  Dantai Xuan smiled, but there was nervousness in his eyes.

  Could they truly invite Young Master Lu?

  Soon, Mo Beike took his leave.

  Snow continued to fall outside, year after year, as though the world itself was caught in an endless cycle.

  For the next month, undercurrents surged across the Five Phoenixes.

  News of Great Xuan’s divine dynasty spread like lightning.

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  The common people were ecstatic, chanting Dantai Xuan’s name until their voices shook the heavens.

  Cultivation forces reacted differently—some curious, some wary, some eager.

  Every major power received a personally written invitation from Dantai Xuan, brimming with sincerity.

  All accepted. They would attend.

  …

  In a small city near Wolong Ridge stood the Nine Phoenix Institute.

  Jiang Li, clad in silver armor, rode a fiery red steed into the city.

  The city lord hurried out with his entire guard to greet him.

  Jiang Li—Great Xuan’s God of War.

  His status alone was enough to terrify any official, never mind the countless Nascent Soul cultivators who had died beneath his military formations when he crushed the western cult.

  But Jiang Li was not here for the city lord.

  He rode alone to a quiet corner of the city.

  A humble farmhouse courtyard.

  Nine Phoenix Institute.

  Once one of the top powers—One Institute, Two Nations, Three Sects, Four Pavilions.

  As Jiang Li stepped through the gate, his expression grew complicated.

  Six years.

  Great Xuan was about to found a divine dynasty, and he had been campaigning for five of those years.

  He felt almost dazed.

  Was the innocent chicken-raising girl from back then… still the same?

  The wooden gate creaked open.

  Chi Lian, dressed simply, saw him and froze.

  “General!”

  Joy flashed across her face as she cupped her fists.

  When Jiang Li marched to war, he had left Chi Lian behind to protect Bai Qingniao.

  Though he knew Bai Qingniao was strong, he still worried.

  Six years. Chi Lian had reached Nascent Soul realm—clearly she had not neglected her training.

  “Where’s Qingniao?”

  Jiang Li tied his horse and asked.

  “Stewing chicken soup.”

  Chi Lian led him inside.

  Nine fluffy chicks scampered across the yard.

  Jiang Li swept his spiritual sense over them and was stunned.

  The weakest among them possessed aura comparable to Yin Spirit realm.

  Little Phoenix One, now massive and domineering, bullied Little Phoenix Eight and Nine away from the food like a tyrant.

  Sensing Jiang Li’s gaze, it shot him a sharp glare, then spread its wings protectively over its meal and turned away, presenting only its wriggling tail feathers.

  The rich aroma of chicken soup wafted from the kitchen.

  Jiang Li looked over.

  A graceful, elegant figure stood there.

  Thanks to cultivating the Nine Phoenix Transformations, Bai Qingniao now carried an otherworldly aura. She had grown even more beautiful, more mature. The childishness of youth had faded, replaced by quiet poise.

  A faint noble fire seemed to flicker in her eyes.

  “Uncle Jiang.”

  She smiled gently, a little surprised but warm.

  “You’ve grown up, little girl.”

  Jiang Li smiled, emotions swirling.

  “I just finished a pot of soup. Perfect timing—Uncle Jiang gets to enjoy it.”

  She led him inside, still smiling.

  But Jiang Li felt a subtle distance between them now.

  One bowl of soup went down—still as delicious as ever, making his blood roar and surge.

  This was no ordinary soup.

  He reached out instinctively to pat her head, but his hand froze mid-air.

  She was no longer that little girl.

  He withdrew his hand and handed her Dantai Xuan’s personally written invitation.

  Bai Qingniao accepted it, glanced at the contents, and smiled brightly.

  “Don’t worry, Uncle Jiang. Qingniao will definitely attend the founding ceremony.”

  Jiang Li nodded.

  After sitting a while longer, he stood to leave.

  “Cluck cluck cluck…”

  Once he was gone, Bai Qingniao scattered spirit crystal crumbs in the yard, playing happily with her nine phoenix chicks.

  …

  Martial Emperor City.

  A Yin Spirit elder hurried along, leading a man in Great Xuan’s fish-dragon robes—Xue Tao, Commander of the Black Tortoise Guards.

  Xue Tao had been sent by Dantai Xuan to deliver the invitation.

  Martial Emperor City, Absolute Blade Gate, Qiannu Kingdom, and Heavenly Void Palace—the four great powers ruled by four apex experts—were the top forces beneath White Jade Capital.

  Du Longyang sat upon his throne, glancing at the invitation.

  The overwhelming pressure of a Grandmaster bore down on Xue Tao, making him pale.

  Grandmaster…

  A terrifying realm.

  Fortunately, these four powers harbored no hostility toward Great Xuan.

  Xue Tao visited all four. All agreed to attend.

  Invitations had been sent to nearly every major power.

  Only one caused Dantai Xuan endless headaches:

  How to invite White Jade Capital?

  He sent men to Nie Changqing—they were refused.

  “I cannot represent White Jade Capital. Unless the Young Master speaks, I will not go.”

  Nie Changqing’s reply.

  Ning Zhao refused similarly.

  Dantai Xuan knew only Young Master Lu himself could move White Jade Capital.

  But White Jade Capital floated somewhere in the boundless Vast Sea—how could it be found?

  Mo Beike personally sailed out, searching for half a month.

  Nothing.

  White Jade Capital seemed to have vanished from the Five Phoenixes entirely.

  Mo Beike grew anxious, his aged face etched with worry.

  If they could not secure White Jade Capital’s presence, the divine dynasty would always feel incomplete.

  …

  Lu Fan, of course, had no idea anyone was looking for him.

  For years, he had been in seclusion, refining his qi.

  *Host:* Lu Fan

  *Title:* Qi Refiner (Permanent)

  *Refinement Level:* 6

  *Spiritual Energy Reserves:* 5,423,500 / 10,000,000 strands

  *Primordial Spirit Power:* 99 yuan

  *Chaos Energy:* 32 he

  *World Rating:* Five Phoenixes Small World [High Martial]

  *Mystic Qi Refinement:* 5,423,500 / 4,223,400 strands

  *Abilities:* Preaching Platform (Upgraded), Spiritual Energy Deployment (Upgraded)

  With the time formation active, six years had passed in the Five Phoenixes.

  Multiple Grandmasters had emerged, and the cultivation world had grown explosively. Lu Fan’s spiritual energy reserves had skyrocketed.

  Yet he was mildly disappointed—only two people had comprehended Dao Intent in six years, and both were low-tier, seventh or eighth sequence.

  Both were students from Great Xuan Academy.

  He wasn’t too bothered. Dao Intent could not be forced.

  Over the past five years, aside from occasionally playing chess, Lu Fan had focused on Mystic Qi Refinement—tempering his spiritual energy for perfect control.

  With reserves growing so rapidly, much of it had been wild and unresponsive.

  Now, after refinement, every strand obeyed his will perfectly.

  That was the purpose of Mystic Qi Refinement.

  Buzz…

  Suddenly, Lu Fan, who was placing pieces on White Jade Capital’s pavilion, looked up.

  A strange Dao resonance emanated from the Dao Stele.

  His eyes lit up.

  “This girl… finally comprehended her Dao Intent.”

  “Five years. I wonder what tier it is.”

  He smiled in anticipation.

  The next moment, he vanished.

  Appearing before the Dao Stele.

  Ni Yu sat cross-legged.

  Five years had passed in a flash, yet her body remained childlike—round-faced and baby-fat.

  No one could blame her.

  She had eaten far too many Body Tempering Pills.

  Her hair floated. Her chubby cheeks trembled.

  Rumble!

  On Lake Heart Island, the Bluefall Peaches swayed. Sky-Reaching Chrysanthemums roared.

  This girl’s breakthrough was far more intense than Lu Fan had expected.

  Soon—

  The Dao Stele revealed her intent.

  *Ni Yu — Third-Sequence Dao Intent: Gluttony*

  Brilliant light poured down like a waterfall, shaking heaven and earth.

  Lu Fan’s brow arched in shock.

  Third-sequence?!

  Even he was stunned.

  This girl… how?!

  The lazy glutton who only wanted to eat her way to supremacy—how did she comprehend third-sequence Dao Intent?!

  Currently in the Five Phoenixes, only two beings possessed third-sequence intent: Lu Fan himself… and the Overlord.

  Now there would be a third.

  Ni Yu.

  “Gluttony Dao Intent…”

  “Even her Dao Intent is about eating.”

  Lu Fan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

  Beneath the stele—

  Ni Yu opened her eyes, filled with melancholy.

  GURGLE!

  A thunderous growl erupted from her stomach.

  “Young Master… Ni Yu is starving to death…”

  She turned, completely oblivious to what she had just achieved, looking at Lu Fan with tragic, resentful eyes.

  Speechless, Lu Fan flicked his finger, returning her modified black pot from his spatial ring.

  Ni Yu hugged the pot and zoomed away, eager to refine pills—and eat.

  Lu Fan sat in his Thousand-Bladed Chair, shaking his head in exasperation.

  Once, Ni Yu refined pills because he forced her.

  Now she refined pills just to fill her stomach.

  Hmm?

  Lu Fan’s brow suddenly rose.

  Far away, across the Vast Sea, a large ship had entered the Giant Whale’s immortal island territory.

  “Mo Beike?”

  Lu Fan blinked.

  Perhaps Ni Yu’s breakthrough had been so dramatic that it guided Mo Beike here through the endless sea.

  With a thought, Lu Fan allowed the ship to approach Lake Heart Island.

  He rarely interfered with the outside world these years, letting it develop naturally. Unless a cultivation extinction event occurred, he wouldn’t intervene.

  Thus, though he occasionally checked on the Five Phoenixes, he hadn’t delved deeply.

  Lines danced in his eyes. His primordial spirit stirred.

  Soon he understood Mo Beike’s purpose.

  “Mo Beike greets Young Master Lu.”

  The old minister’s wrinkled face lit up with excitement.

  Stepping onto the island, every pore in his body seemed to relax.

  A true immortal realm.

  Among the peach blossoms, the sound of wheels crushing fallen petals rang out.

  Mo Beike looked up and saw the familiar white-robed youth, unchanged as ever.

  Among the peach trees, the youth plucked a blossom and waved lightly.

  The invitation flew from Mo Beike’s hand.

  Lu Fan glanced at it.

  Written personally by Dantai Xuan, far more respectful than the others.

  It requested White Jade Capital’s presence at the founding of the divine dynasty.

  “Founding a divine dynasty?”

  Lu Fan smiled.

  He looked at Mo Beike.

  On the island, Mo Beike suddenly trembled and fell to his knees.

  Just meeting Lu Fan’s gaze felt like a mountain crushing down on him.

  He felt as though he stood before a true god.

  Young Master Lu… had become even more unfathomable.

  “Founding a divine dynasty is fine…”

  “Ni Yu.”

  Lu Fan called.

  From the purple bamboo forest, Ni Yu zoomed over, mouth stuffed with pills, mumbling unclearly:

  “Young Mashtur, I’m here!”

  Lu Fan smiled warmly.

  “You’ll attend the ceremony.”

  Ni Yu’s eyes instantly sparkled.

  She swallowed all the pills in one gulp and stared at Mo Beike with burning intensity.

  “Will there be food at the ceremony?”

  Mo Beike was briefly stunned, then bowed.

  “Of course. You may eat as much as you like.”

  Ni Yu cheered.

  But her stomach growled again like thunder.

  She hurriedly stuffed another handful of pills into her mouth.

  “Go.”

  Lu Fan waved her off in disdain.

  Mo Beike rose and solemnly took his leave.

  Ni Yu, black pot on her back, happily followed behind him.

  The ship drifted away, swaying as it vanished into the Vast Sea.

  Once they were gone, Lu Fan leaned back in his Thousand-Bladed Chair, one hand propping his chin, the other idly spinning his spatial ring.

  “A divine dynasty…”

  “A Human Emperor who is not a cultivator has limited lifespan. When the emperor changes… can the dynasty withstand the turmoil?”

  “Only a dynasty that flows long and enduring is truly divine. If it collapses from mere upheaval…”

  “Then it’s nothing but a joke.”