When Gu Mangran left the Five Phoenixes, Lu—who was deducing the Five Phoenixes' tribulations—suddenly opened his eyes.

  A faint sense stirred within him. He looked toward the direction where Gu Mangran had vanished.

  It was as though he knew exactly what Gu Mangran intended. Lu slowly exhaled, not planning to interfere.

  The Five Phoenixes must hold special meaning for Gu Mangran.

  After all, when Gu Mangran first arrived, the Five Phoenixes were weak. Watching it grow stronger step by step—perhaps Gu Mangran could not easily let go.

  As for the final choice, it could only be made by Gu Mangran himself.

  Lu could intervene, but he chose not to.

  Sipping Heavenly Immortal Wine, he smiled faintly.

  His divine sense sank back into the Transmission Platform.

  …

  Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

  Four golden streaks streaked through the sky.

  Lu Jiulian, Zhu Long, Tantai Xuan, and the reclusive Micah all appeared—hovering beyond the Five Phoenixes.

  Their gazes pierced through the vast starry void—toward Gu Mangran crossing the void abyss.

  “Blood-Robed General Gu—what is he doing?”

  Micah frowned, watching Gu Mangran’s figure disappear into the void abyss.

  Tantai Xuan stood with hands behind his back, gaze deep.

  Lu Jiulian and Zhu Long remained silent. They had fought alongside Gu Mangran before.

  In truth, they knew Gu Mangran’s identity—former Blood-Robed General, the most loyal subordinate under Ancient Emperor Hao.

  Now—Ancient Emperor Hao seemed alive and at odds with the Five Phoenixes. Thus, the time had come for Gu Mangran to make his choice.

  “He must be seeking an answer.”

  Tantai Xuan said.

  That answer might decide Gu Mangran’s future.

  Micah nodded slightly—he seemed to understand Gu Mangran’s purpose.

  He sighed softly.

  “If Ancient Emperor Hao truly orchestrated everything… then Gu Mangran’s journey this time—life or death is uncertain.”

  “But this is ultimately his own decision.”

  Tantai Xuan replied. He understood well how agonizing it was to choose sides—how confusing.

  Sometimes—clarifying one’s stance, even at great cost, brought peace of mind.

  For a moment, the four Golden Immortals hovered silently—watching the void beyond.

  …

  A massive rift stretched across the void.

  Terrifying Emperor pressure surged endlessly.

  Gu Mangran hovered—feeling immense pressure. His body trembled slightly.

  This was true Emperor pressure.

  With his strength—facing these Ancient Emperors—he would be easily killed.

  Though he had gradually recovered Quasi-Emperor power—he was still too weak.

  Boom!

  The rift widened further.

  Terrifying pressure descended—oppressing his body.

  Gu Mangran breathed heavily—staring at the figure deep within the void rift.

  He knew—his call had been answered.

  Suddenly—he saw vague figures. Each radiated overwhelming terrifying pressure.

  Indeed—the vanished Ancient Emperors.

  So—their disappearance was not true disappearance.

  “Emperor Hao.”

  Gu Mangran’s heart suddenly became strangely calm.

  Scenes flashed through his mind.

  His four kings—once fighting by his side—now vanished in the river of time.

  The four kings stayed with him until life’s end.

  In truth—the four kings’ talents were extraordinary. Had they left the ancient tomb—they could have shaken the nine heavens—peerless in glory.

  Yet they turned to dust beside him—sleeping eternally in the tomb.

  Back then—his heart was filled with grievance—but for his convictions—he endured.

  Now—he was about to face the one he had always faithfully awaited.

  Buzz…

  From the rift depths—Gu Mangran saw a pair of eyes.

  A pair of eyes and a gaze he could never forget.

  He had once been Ancient Emperor Hao’s most loyal subordinate—thus he remembered that gaze deeply.

  Indeed—Ancient Emperor Hao… still lived.

  Lu had not lied.

  Gu Mangran’s heart grew complex—a feeling of drawing his sword, looking around in bewilderment.

  Vaguely—he seemed to sink into those eyes—as though whispers summoned him from his ears.

  This made Gu Mangran step uncontrollably toward the rift.

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  Gazes fell upon him.

  From the surrounding Ancient Emperors—but mostly from the rift depths.

  Gu Mangran felt summoned—walking inward uncontrollably.

  To follow the Emperor he once followed and revered.

  Suddenly—

  Gu Mangran stumbled.

  He seemed to see the Five Phoenixes Continent collapse—Heavenly Dao shattered—countless Five Phoenixes lives perishing.

  He saw Young Master Lu—face bloodied.

  He saw Tantai Xuan weeping blood and wailing.

  He saw Lu Changkong—holding the Chrysanthemum Divine Herb—peacefully closing his eyes…

  Familiar faces—familiar Five Phoenixes lives—and the Five Phoenixes Continent he had personally witnessed rise from weak high-martial to now—First-Derivation high-martial.

  All shattered before terrifying attacks.

  And he—followed the orchestrator—witnessing it all.

  Gu Mangran’s heart clenched—like knives twisting.

  He seemed to tear apart the confusion binding his heart.

  Eyes suddenly cleared.

  “No!”

  Gu Mangran gasped—eyes gradually firm. He stopped before the rift—said solemnly.

  His halt seemed to change the eyes deep in the rift.

  They became terrifyingly sharp—carrying heaven-crushing pressure—as though to crush Gu Mangran.

  Gu Mangran instinctively retreated.

  This retreat—was his decision.

  “You were once Void Heaven’s ruler—why now destroy the world that brings hope to Void Heaven!”

  “You once spoke of truth—the beautiful nation and world you wished to create… have they turned to dust with endless time?”

  Gu Mangran asked.

  From the rift depths—terrifying aura erupted.

  An angry snort thundered.

  Gu Mangran—instantly—crushed bloody—blood spraying from mouth and nose—kneeling before the void rift.

  “You are not Emperor Hao—at least… not the Emperor Hao in my heart…”

  Gu Mangran breathed heavily—struggling to raise his head—shaking it.

  He realized—he knew what his heart truly wanted.

  “Once—Emperor Hao was the truth in my heart. Now—the truth in my heart… is the Five Phoenixes.”

  Gu Mangran said.

  He had finally made the choice that felt so agonizing.

  He chose—the Five Phoenixes!

  The Five Phoenixes he had personally witnessed rise!

  Boom!

  “Impudent!”

  From the rift depths—terrifying pressure crushed down.

  Gu Mangran’s flesh cracked continuously.

  Yet Gu Mangran—coughing blood—laughed.

  “Emperor—my cultivation—all taught by you. Since you want it back—take it.”

  Gu Mangran said.

  The next moment—his body erupted with torrential blood mist—each wisp containing immense power.

  As the power released—

  Gu Mangran’s aura rapidly faded—rapidly diminishing.

  Blood robes whipped—but his lips carried a relaxed smile.

  When the power fully dissipated—

  Gu Mangran’s body could no longer hold.

  He felt vitality rapidly draining—disappearing.

  “Emperor—I have changed.”

  Gu Mangran stood unsteadily—sighing.

  Indeed—perhaps Emperor Hao had not changed.

  It was he who changed.

  This sigh—seemed to exhaust all his strength.

  Gu Mangran’s body—losing power—fell toward endless void.

  The void rift remained silent.

  Only those eyes coldly watched Gu Mangran’s falling body.

  Allowing him to fall into the void—turning to decay.

  Gu Mangran’s blood robes whipped—maintaining his falling posture—feeling vitality rapidly drain.

  Yet he revealed a satisfied smile.

  A sense of liberation.

  Farewell—Five Phoenixes.

  Gu Mangran murmured.

  Boom!

  Suddenly—a streak of light shot over.

  Catching Gu Mangran’s body.

  Micah—golden hair whipping—held Gu Mangran—expression filled with emotion.

  “Questioning the heart—breaking the shackles of inner confusion.”

  “Brother Gu—you deserve my respect.”

  Micah said slowly.

  Next—he took the Chrysanthemum Divine Herb from Gu Mangran’s hand—energy interwove—crushing the herb—feeding it into Gu Mangran’s mouth.

  Perhaps due to consuming too many divine herbs—Gu Mangran absorbed it differently—fully absorbing the herb’s potency instantly.

  The fading vitality—was forcibly pulled back by the herb.

  The moment Micah and others appeared—

  Terrifying auras erupted from the void rift figures.

  Especially the eyes deep in the rift—cold and merciless.

  Boom!

  From behind the rift—a giant palm slammed down.

  Void shattered inch by inch!

  Seeming to crush Gu Mangran—along with Micah, Lu Jiulian, and the others.

  This was killing intent.

  Lu Jiulian drew his Green Lotus Sword—sword light flashing—like a green lotus blooming in the sky.

  Tantai Xuan roared—imperial aura erupting.

  Zhu Long opened her eyes—yin-yang millstone crushing down.

  Boom!

  Terrifying explosion—turning the area into vacuum—all energy swept clean.

  The spear’s power exceeded expectations—no wonder it pierced the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—driving him to despair.

  Rolling energy dissipated.

  Then—the golden spear—after pausing—thrust again from within.

  The nine heavens’ Heavenly Dao appeared—acting instantly. Endless rule power transformed into order chains—entangling.

  In an instant—everyone fell into terrifying killing intent.

  Gu Mangran—revived by the divine herb—saw this—expression filled with guilt.

  If Zhu Long, Lu Jiulian, and others fell in the nine heavens because of him—he would be the Five Phoenixes’ sinner!

  How could he face the Five Phoenixes?

  Face Young Master Lu?!

  Yet Gu Mangran knew—he was insignificant now. The Ancient Emperors in the void rift cared not for his life—only for Micah, Tantai Xuan, and others.

  “When we return—we must begin forging our own imperial weapons!”

  “Without imperial weapons—we… are too disadvantaged.”

  Tantai Xuan said gravely.

  Lu Jiulian and Zhu Long nodded.

  Indeed—they were disadvantaged due to lacking imperial weapons. This golden spear was imperial weapon level—in true Ancient Emperor hands—it erupted heaven-shaking power.

  Even their attacks could not damage the golden spear!

  But the premise—was escaping this place.

  Now—this had become a death trap.

  The terrifying existences in the rift unleashed sky-toppling killing intent.

  On Origin Lake—Origin Island—

  Lu sipped Heavenly Immortal Wine.

  His eyes reflected this scene.

  Frowning slightly—his gaze flashed with ruthless light.

  “Bullying my Lu Ping’an’s little cotton-padded jacket… and bullying my Five Phoenixes Golden Immortals?”

  Lu sneered coldly.

  “Since so—take this golden spear as compensation.”

  Lu said slowly.

  With that—

  From behind his thousand-blade chair—he drew a great bow.

  The Five Phoenixes Bow.

  Drawing it—a surge of energy poured from five phoenix mouths—converging into a five-colored arrow.

  Boom!

  Lu’s hair turned golden—Golden Element Immortal Demon Body activated—his entire body enveloped in golden energy.

  Standing on Origin Island.

  He drew the bow fully—creaking…

  The bow reached full moon.

  The dazed giant whale felt its scalp tingle.

  What was the human on its back doing?

  Tired of it—wanting to kill it?

  This terrifying and oppressive aura made the giant whale tremble.

  Bang!

  Suddenly—a terrifying explosion—as though even light was torn apart.

  In the instant the arrow shot—

  The entire vast sea roared.

  Centered on Origin Island—the surrounding sea water caved in—like blasted by the arrow’s massive recoil.

  The arrow was originally brilliant—but when its speed surpassed light—

  It turned pitch black—as though even light could not catch it.

  Whoosh!

  The arrow shot out of the Five Phoenixes Continent—crossing the void abyss instantly.

  The next moment—like a fierce beast—it plunged into the nine heavens!

  Bang! Bang! Bang!

  Terrifying explosions erupted continuously.

  Zhu Long and others felt terrifying pressure surge.

  Tearing through the nine heavens’ Heavenly Dao’s defensive line.

  Rule chains exploded—like pierced and shattered.

  The nine heavens’ Heavenly Dao light figure coldly looked over.

  Seeing the five-colored arrow—slamming into the golden spear.

  Terrifying explosion soared.

  Spear and arrow collided—void groaning under the strain.

  A massive spherical annihilation energy sphere formed in the void—its destructive power even Ancient Emperors dared not touch lightly.

  Micah was shocked.

  Lu Jiulian’s eyes blazed—it was Young Master Lu’s attack!

  This was the Five Phoenixes World-Destroying Arrow from the Five Phoenixes Bow!

  Zhu Long smiled—adorable dimples appearing. With Father present—no need to worry.

  Tantai Xuan laughed heartily.

  “Young Master Lu’s shot—beautiful!”

  Crack!

  A crisp sound rang out.

  The annihilation energy sphere contracted sharply—then suddenly expanded—turning into a raging energy storm.

  Finally—scattered and vanished into the void.

  The arrow disappeared.

  The golden spear’s surface—now covered in dense cracks—like fine porcelain struck by a hammer—suddenly shattered—covered in fractures.

  This sight made Micah draw a deep breath.

  Young Master Lu… had such a method?

  This arrow—truly domineering!

  The figures in the void rift watched coldly.

  Suddenly—

  Everyone was stunned.

  At some unknown moment—a white small tower hovered above the cracked golden spear.

  The tower descended—shattering the spear completely—then suction erupted.

  The golden spear—was fully absorbed—taken into the tower.

  All this happened in a flash.

  Micah, Zhu Long, and others had no time to react—the tower had already completed its operations.

  Then—it turned into a streak of light—crashing into Zhu Long’s embrace.

  Zhu Long pursed her lips—without hesitation—holding the tower—flying rapidly toward the Five Phoenixes.

  Micah, Tantai Xuan, and Lu Jiulian reacted instantly.

  Turning to flee.

  If they didn’t run now—it would be even harder later.

  Thanks to the arrow—the blockade was torn. They easily shattered the seal—turning into four streaks of light—plunging into the void abyss—returning to the Five Phoenixes.

  In the nine heavens—

  The atmosphere was deathly silent.

  The nine heavens’ Heavenly Dao silently dispersed—vanishing.

  In the rift—though the Ancient Emperors’ faces were obscured—the embarrassment was palpable.

  The golden spear… was gone.

  An imperial weapon—just lost like that.

  Robbed right in front of them—by that damn Lu Ping’an… brazenly!