The Five Phoenixes had finally achieved Immortal-Martial.
In the instant the vast purple qi unfurled, the entire Origin Space underwent a world-shaking transformation. The once narrow space instantly expanded into a boundless universe.
Stars hung within the Origin Cosmos.
Lu hovered amid the cosmos, feeling his mind and spirit undergo sublimation.
In this moment, he seemed an absolute, supreme deity.
He spoke, and endless light surged into existence between heaven and earth.
Perhaps this was the power of controlling rules.
However, this control was limited to the Origin Cosmos. To wield such power in the real Five Phoenixes would still take time.
Perhaps this was the cultivation path of an Immortal-Martial Lord.
Buzz…
After breaking and rebuilding, the shattered Spirit-Pressure Chessboard reformed. Each piece on its surface shimmered with light.
The Spirit-Pressure Chessboard had become even more divine—its rank among Innate Spiritual Treasures had clearly risen.
Lu stored the North冥 Fishing Rod. This Innate Spiritual Treasure had provided immense help during this ordeal.
But what truly drew his attention was that wisp of purple qi.
“Planting good karma yields good cause?”
Lu’s mouth curved slightly upward, recalling the scene he had witnessed through the memory fragments of the Immortal-Martial world.
That old Daoist who had bestowed the purple qi seemed to have done so merely to plant good karma.
The powerhouses of the Immortal-Martial world were truly unfathomable. At least, in Lu’s view, even with his current realm, he still could not compare to that old Daoist.
“That old Daoist… is probably a Great Luo Immortal-level powerhouse.”
Lu pondered.
He withdrew his thoughts.
The Origin Cosmos was still slowly transforming—a process that would take time.
But this transformation no longer required Lu’s guidance.
One thing was certain: the Five Phoenixes had completely broken through the shackles of high-martial and achieved Immortal-Martial.
Watching the phoenix soaring freely through the Origin Cosmos,
unbound, its wings spanning billions of miles with a single flap.
Freed from the Origin Stars’ constraints, the phoenix had evolved from Dao Origin into Immortal Origin.
It was now the energy source of the Immortal-Martial Five Phoenixes.
As it soared, purple qi seemed to be born beneath its wings.
That was Innate Purple Qi.
With this Innate Purple Qi, the current Five Phoenixes now had the potential to birth Ninth-Revolution Golden Immortals—or even Great Luo Immortals.
Lu withdrew his focus.
He exhaled slowly.
As for the still-transforming Origin Cosmos affecting the real Five Phoenixes, Lu no longer interfered.
All he needed to do was wait quietly for the transformation to complete.
Perhaps after this, every star in the Origin Cosmos would correspond to the origin of each life star in the void starry sky.
This might be the greatest difference from the previous high-martial Five Phoenixes.
Before, in the Origin Space, Lu could only sense the Five Phoenixes’ own origin.
But now, in the Immortal-Martial Origin Cosmos, the Five Phoenixes’ origin had evolved into Immortal Origin, while the origins of other life stars had appeared here as well.
“Transformation… After this, the Immortal-Martial Five Phoenixes will give birth to its own unified Five Phoenixes Cosmos.”
Lu’s mouth curved upward, deeply satisfied.
Of course, the current Five Phoenixes Cosmos was still fragile—far inferior to the Primordial Starry Sky.
But at least… it had broken free of high-martial’s shackles.
It was already far better off than the Ninth Heaven, which could find no path forward.
“Time to settle some things.”
Silver blades stacked behind him, forming the Thousand-Blade Chair once more.
Lu’s hand rested on the armrest, tapping lightly.
He looked up, sensing a powerful force tearing open a corner of the Origin Space, ripping open a rift.
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s excited figure appeared before Lu’s eyes.
Lu’s mouth curved into a meaningful smile.
…
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor felt a chill run down his spine. Looking at the figure gripping his flame Emperor Weapon, an inexplicable pressure made his body stiffen.
Lu gazed calmly at Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor.
The wheels of the Thousand-Blade Chair turned slowly, pushing him out of the Origin Space.
“Lu… Lu Ping’an?!”
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s pupils contracted.
But in the next moment, endless killing intent surged in his eyes.
“Finally found you!”
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s mouth curved into an icy smile.
BOOM!
As a Great Emperor-level powerhouse, his aura erupted madly from his body.
Lu was strong—Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor dared not relax even slightly.
Just as Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor unleashed his overwhelming aura,
behind him, a figure of light transformed into a streak and shot toward the Origin Space.
“Hm?”
Lu raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
“The Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao?”
Lu raised his hand to stop it but paused, as though thinking of something.
His blocking motion slowed.
Then, the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao slipped through the Origin Space like an eel…
Seeing the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao enter the Origin Space, Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor revealed wild joy.
“Lu Ping’an… you were careless!”
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor said.
Then, his entire body erupted with endless flames—an extreme heat that transformed him into a flame giant.
He stood in the Five Phoenixes, towering ten thousand zhang.
His terrifying aura spread, causing the temperature across the entire Five Phoenix Continent to skyrocket.
The Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao had entered the Five Phoenixes’ Origin Space.
Now, Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s task was simply to hold Lu back!
As long as the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao devoured the Five Phoenixes’ Heavenly Dao, his mission would be perfectly accomplished.
The Ninth Heaven would also have the chance for a massive leap forward.
As for stopping Lu Ping’an—Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor was confident.
After all…
Even if Lu unleashed that special physique, he was only at the extreme of Great Emperor—not yet at Peak Emperor.
Unless he received the Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao’s blessing—but now, the Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao was threatened by the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao.
There was no opportunity for Lu to receive its blessing.
Thus, Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor believed he could go five-and-five with Lu Ping’an.
As long as he didn’t lose, that was enough. His goal wasn’t to defeat Lu Ping’an—but to stall him.
BANG!
A massive flame hand slammed down. The void’s heat distorted space.
The earth seemed to crack and burn.
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Lu’s white robes fluttered. He sat calmly in the Thousand-Blade Chair, black hair flowing.
He paid little attention to Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s strike.
“Stalling me to buy time for the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao?”
Lu instantly understood Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s intention.
But the corners of Lu’s mouth curved into a meaningful arc.
Since that was the case… he would oblige.
In the distance,
Gu Mangran and the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor saw Lu Ping’an appear and both breathed sighs of relief.
They understood—the crisis facing the Five Phoenixes had been temporarily resolved.
Though Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor was powerful, he might not gain any advantage against Young Master Lu.
The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s sword had completely shattered.
He straightened, preparing to leave.
He did not want Lu Ping’an to discover his reborn identity.
Thus, he had to go.
If he stayed, with Lu Ping’an’s strength, his identity would surely be exposed.
When Gu Mangran turned back, he found the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor had vanished. Gu Mangran did not know his identity—only that the Five Phoenixes was truly filled with hidden experts.
He never expected someone capable of surviving Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s attacks.
If not for this person delaying Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s departure went unnoticed by Lu.
Since the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor wished to remain hidden, Lu was happy to continue the act with him.
With a flick of his finger on the armrest,
silver light shot into the sky.
BANG!
The flame pillar slammed down. Sparks flew. Each stray spark became a world-destroying fireball, burning massive craters into the earth.
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s strike was blocked, yet he felt no surprise.
The flame serpent lunged toward Lu.
Lu flicked his finger again. Silver blades shot forth, weaving into a vast net.
“Is it Emperor Hao who sent you?”
“Do you know what I, Lu Ping’an, hate most?”
“What I hate most are peach-pickers—especially those who try to pick my peaches.”
Lu said calmly.
In the next moment, he shook his hand. The Innate Spiritual Treasure North冥 Fishing Rod appeared.
Before him, the Spirit-Pressure Chessboard unfurled.
Buzz…
One hand held the fishing rod; the other picked up a chess piece and placed it on the board.
A crisp sound rang out.
Spirit-Pressure beams descended like heavenly pillars, smashing into Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor.
Terrifying power rippled outward.
The entire Five Phoenixes Continent trembled.
The ten-thousand-zhang flame giant staggered under the Spirit-Pressure beams.
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor roared, bearing the Spirit-Pressure as though carrying heaven and earth on his back.
Flames that could burn rules blazed in his eyes.
He withstood the Spirit-Pressure beams.
Provocatively, he stared at Lu. His goal was to buy time—he was happy to let Lu entangle him like this.
The Spirit-Pressure beams pinned Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor.
Lu propped his chin on one hand, holding the fishing rod in the other.
“This thing was meant for fishing Divine Demons… but for now, I’ll use it to whip people.”
“Pretty much the same thing.”
In the next moment, he swung the North冥 Fishing Rod.
Snap!
The void shattered beneath the strike, as though endless darkness surged from the cracks.
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s eyes narrowed.
Whipping? Smacking?
Then, he let out an earth-shaking roar of fury.
“Lu Ping’an… you dare humiliate me?!”
Lu’s greatest offensive techniques were the Phoenix Plume Sword and Heaven-Stealing Tower.
And that extremely powerful special physique!
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor had watched Lu from the rift and knew this well.
Yet now, facing him, Lu used an ordinary fishing rod?
And wielded it like an elder disciplining a child!
What did this mean?
Looking down on him, Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor?!
His Fire Spirit Divine Body was also a top-tier special physique—its power rivaled high-tier Divine Demons, with extremely strong defenses.
He paid no mind to Lu’s whip.
If Lu had unleashed his special physique directly, Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor would have been wary.
But since Lu dared underestimate him like this, Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor felt both rage and secret delight.
Underestimate him? Fine.
The longer Lu entangled him, the more time he bought.
Pfft!
Yet when the North冥 Fishing Rod struck Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor,
his eyes nearly popped out.
The resentment in his heart seemed to vanish with that single whip.
Because this lash… nearly killed him!
His ten-thousand-zhang body was instantly shortened by the whip—reduced to only a thousand zhang.
Burning pain transmitted from his flesh to his soul.
Lu Ping’an’s attack was terrifying!
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s eyes filled with disbelief. When had this kid gained such a technique?!
“Hm?”
Lu’s eyes lit up. He hadn’t expected the North冥 Fishing Rod to produce such excellent results.
Its power was quite impressive.
So Lu raised his hand and whipped twice more.
Snap! Snap!
Two lashes struck Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor.
Magma-like blood sprayed like a breached flood, smashing into the earth and incinerating everything.
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor let out a scream of agony.
But his thousand-zhang body shrank again—now only a hundred zhang.
He began fleeing madly.
Yet he soon discovered that escape was impossible before Lu Ping’an.
A chess piece landed on the Spirit-Pressure Chessboard.
Lu Ping’an’s most infuriating Spirit-Pressure beams smashed down again, slamming the staggering Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor to the ground.
Snap!
Another lash fell.
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s body shuddered violently on the earth. Blood gushed. His divinity seemed to drain away.
“So painful!”
He had been tricked. Lu Ping’an truly had techniques they didn’t know about—and he had used them now.
“I must endure! I must endure! As long as the Heavenly Dao devours the Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao… that will be Lu Ping’an’s death!”
“Then… I’ll kill this bastard!”
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor was covered in whip marks.
He gritted his teeth, claws digging into the Five Phoenixes’ earth, plowing massive trenches.
Snap!
Lu Ping’an sat calmly in the Thousand-Blade Chair, whipping relentlessly.
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor sprayed scorching breath. Tears of humiliation welled in his eyes.
In the distance,
Gu Mangran stared in shock.
He had thought the clash between Lu and Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor would be evenly matched.
Yet who could have expected… such a father-beating-son style of battle? He was caught completely off guard.
The fleeing Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor was equally dumbfounded, watching Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor groan helplessly under Lu Ping’an’s whip.
The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor drew a deep breath.
“Time to go. I absolutely cannot let Lu Ping’an discover my identity…”
Meanwhile, in the Origin Space,
the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao had entered and transformed into a figure of light.
In an instant, it erupted with blinding radiance, intending to envelop every corner of the Origin Cosmos.
However…
the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao soon felt the difficulty.
It discovered the Five Phoenixes’ Origin Space was unimaginably vast—like an endless expanse.
The concept of an Origin Cosmos surpassed the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao’s understanding.
Still, it quickly began searching for the Five Phoenixes’ origin.
Its goal was to devour it.
The Five Phoenixes Heavenly Dao, in the midst of ascension, would be extremely weakened—even if successful, it would be at its most vulnerable moment…
Surely it could be devoured easily!
BOOM!
The Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao spread its aura.
Soon, it locked onto the Five Phoenixes’ origin and looked toward a direction in the Origin Cosmos.
There, a flash of purple suddenly appeared.
In the next moment, a phoenix spread its wings and soared, purple qi billowing beneath them.
The figure of light shot skyward.
It transformed into a streak and charged toward the phoenix.
The phoenix’s eyes gleamed with delight—great nourishment!
Then, they collided.
Pfft!
Under the purple qi’s impact,
the figure of light was sent flying like a broken kite. Its body shattered.
The Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao instantly felt the pressure of a superior origin—the oppression of a higher-grade origin over a lower one!
“Immortal… Immortal Origin!”
The Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao’s will flickered intermittently.
The Five Phoenixes’ origin had already successfully evolved into Immortal Origin! And with that purple qi entwining it… the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao was no match!
Devour… devour my ass!
Run!
The survival instinct of an origin’s will erupted to its limit in this moment.
The Heavenly Dao’s will was very pragmatic.
Devouring each other—or being devoured…
was the most primal rule of survival.
Originally, the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao had been stronger than the Five Phoenixes’. That was why it had been so eager to devour it.
But now, within the Five Phoenixes’ Origin Cosmos…
the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao discovered that the once-weak Heavenly Dao could no longer be touched.
It could even be devoured in return!
Thus, the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao very pragmatically began to flee.
…
On the Five Phoenix Continent,
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor was still enduring. He had been whipped again and again…
His spirit had suffered immense humiliation.
Yet Lu restrained him with Spirit-Pressure beams while whipping him with the rod.
He was desperate, yet also secretly delighted.
In the short term, Lu couldn’t kill him!
The longer he stalled, the greater the chance the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao had to devour the Five Phoenixes’ Heavenly Dao.
Then, with the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao transformed and possessing him, he could unleash Peak Emperor power and kill Lu Ping’an…
Gradually, Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor sensed Lu’s whipping rhythm growing erratic.
Lu’s mind was in chaos!
He was anxious!
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s heart filled with wild joy. His guess had been correct!
Suddenly,
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor looked up.
A massive rift appeared across the sky…
Beyond the rift was the Five Phoenixes’ Origin Cosmos.
“Hm… you actually know how to run?”
Lu’s surprised voice rang out.
In the next moment, he flicked his finger. The “Jie” character array rune formed a sealing formation, covering the rift’s exit.
BOOM!
The Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao slammed into it, bouncing back like a ball against glass.
It couldn’t escape.
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s expression gradually froze.
Watching the figure of light frantically pounding the sealing array, its desperation and plea for help… Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor realized something was very wrong.
The Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao… was terrified?!
This wasn’t how it was supposed to be!
A resounding phoenix cry echoed. Purple qi surged. In the next moment, the phoenix descended, tearing at the figure of light from behind. Strands of Dao Origin scattered.
Under Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s stunned gaze, the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao was carried away by the phoenix…
Along with Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s lifelong conviction.
Snap!
Another lash fell.
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor let out a scream of ultimate agony.
This time… it hurt body and soul.
“Lu Ping’an… you did this on purpose?!”
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s eyes blazed red. He rose furiously, staring at Lu.
“You were stalling on purpose?!”
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor nearly spat blood, glaring at Lu. Lu Ping’an had known all along that the Five Phoenixes’ Heavenly Dao could devour the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao. He had deliberately acted, luring them into a trap, buying time for the Five Phoenixes’ Heavenly Dao to devour it!
Otherwise, if they had noticed something wrong, Emperor Hao in the rift would have rescued the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao.
Lu leaned back in the Thousand-Blade Chair, swinging the fishing rod, smiling faintly: “Yes, what a coincidence.”
Acting—Lu Ping’an was a professional.
Pfft!
Coincidence my ass!
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor spat blood.
His mentality completely shattered.
All those whips… had been for nothing?
He had let Lu Ping’an whip him like a son all this time?
BOOM!
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor erupted with terrifying aura. Flame pillars shot into the sky. He soared upward, intent on escape.
He didn’t want to die!
“Escape?”
Lu’s eyes gradually turned cold.
During the Five Phoenixes’ Immortal-Martial ascension, all who offended it must pay the price.
He clapped his palms lightly.
In the next moment, he rose slowly from the Thousand-Blade Chair.
Golden light burst forth. Lu transformed into a golden figure.
A wisp of purple qi coiled around him.
He moved at the speed of light.
Before Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s fleeing figure, Lu appeared—unleashing his Indestructible Golden Body.
“No…”
Sensing the terrifying aura erupting from Lu,
a deathly feeling enveloped him.
He would die!
Lu Ping’an truly intended to kill him!
“Hao! Save me!”
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor roared!
Become an immortal, stand as a demon.
Lu’s golden hair flew. On his Indestructible Demon Body, purple-gold light flowed, growing ever more divine.
Facing the fleeing Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor,
he threw a punch!
This punch shattered the void inch by inch, like a mirror breaking. Endless darkness spread around his fist.
Above the Five Phoenix Continent,
everyone instinctively looked up, feeling an astonishing power erupting in the sky.
The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor stood atop a mountain peak, his gaze deep and grave…
“This aura… comparable to Peak Emperor?!”
Who exactly was this Lu Ping’an?
His growth… was truly too fast!
Back when the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor fought Lu, Lu had only barely reached Emperor Realm.
High above,
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s eyes filled with terror as Lu’s fist grew larger in his vision.
Death enveloped him.
He didn’t want to die!
Beside him,
a massive “Xing” character array rune suddenly appeared. Space tore open.
Then, a voice filled with cold fury resounded.
“Stop!”
An arm reached out from the spatial rift, blocking Lu’s punch.
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor revealed wild joy.
However…
that joy lasted only an instant before transforming into shock and terror!
Because Emperor Hao’s palm, before Lu’s fist, was like paper!
It formed no resistance at all!
Meanwhile, at the Origin Cosmos rift,
the array Lu had set was shattered by overwhelming force.
The heavily damaged figure of the Ninth Heaven’s Heavenly Dao was forcibly pulled through the spatial rift and taken away.
“Lu Ping’an…”
From beyond the rift, cold eyes glanced at Lu. Then the rift closed, and they departed without hesitation.
Even Lu was momentarily stunned.
A Great Emperor-level powerhouse—discarded just like that?
But Lu’s fist did not stop.
It smashed toward Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor’s head!
In an instant!
High above,
it seemed as though extreme light and heat erupted.
Like a sun being shattered!
Brilliant radiance illuminated the Five Phoenixes’ sky.
Fire Spirit Ancient Emperor…
was exploded with a single punch!
