When an ancient scripture was split in two—one half descending into the Netherworld, the other rising through the Heavenly Gate—the entire cultivation world of the Five Phoenix Continent erupted in excitement.

  Even Golden Immortals would be moved by such a scripture; how could ordinary cultivators not be thrilled?

  The moment the Demon Lord and Devil Lord vanished, powerful Golden Immortals like Micah and Lu Jiulian had already set out.

  Numerous Profound Immortals followed closely behind.

  The Heavenly Gate had appeared. Even someone as mighty as Micah or Lu Jiulian could not freely travel between the Heavenly Realm and the Five Phoenix Continent without passing through it.

  This had always been a mystery.

  Where exactly was the Heavenly Realm? How did it exist? These questions had long puzzled cultivators.

  To move between the Five Phoenix Continent and the Heavenly Realm, one had to pass through the Heavenly Gate.

  Whether a newly ascended immortal or a fully realized Golden Immortal, all were bound by this rule.

  Logically, Golden Immortals should have transcended the Three Realms entirely. Yet this restriction suggested that, despite their immense power, they still fell under the jurisdiction of the Five Phoenix Continent’s heavenly laws.

  For the next six months or more, the Heavenly Gate remained visible in the sky above the Five Phoenix Continent. Immortals constantly came and went, so that even ordinary mortals could look up and clearly see the magnificent gate hanging in the Ninth Heaven.

  Historians of the mortal world recorded this period as the “Wrath of Heaven” era.

  The appearance of the Heavenly Gate triggered countless bizarre and inexplicable phenomena across the continent—events that defied common sense.

  Seawater surged violently, rivers raged with primal fury, and long-hidden sea beasts and river monsters emerged from the depths, attempting to storm the Heavenly Gate and bringing catastrophic disasters upon the mortal realm.

  Thus, the chroniclers named this time the “Wrath of Heaven” era.

  It felt like the prelude to a great calamity.

  Meanwhile, inside the Heavenly Gate…

  The attention of every immortal was fixed upon the towering golden stele.

  Micah and Lu Jiulian sat cross-legged before the stele that pierced the heavens, their expressions grave and eyes cold.

  Through their spiritual senses, they quickly confirmed that the scripture inscribed upon it was indeed a Golden Immortal-level cultivation method.

  The upper volume of the Nine Revolutions Golden Immortal Scripture was located in the Heavenly Realm, while the lower volume had undoubtedly fallen into the Netherworld.

  “So Golden Immortals are divided into stages after all. No wonder we always felt suppressed when facing those ancient Great Emperors.”

  Micah took a deep breath, realization dawning.

  Even though he had achieved dual enlightenment, his raw strength still lagged behind those ancient Great Emperors.

  It wasn’t a matter of experience, but of stage: Micah and the others were only at the first stage of the Emperor Realm.

  Most ancient Great Emperors, however, had reached the second stage—equivalent to the sixth revolution of the Golden Immortal Realm.

  The upper volume in the Heavenly Realm detailed cultivation methods from the third to the sixth revolution, including profound techniques for manipulating destiny and fortune.

  All the immortals within the Heavenly Gate sat before the stele, diligently studying the method.

  …

  On the Five Phoenix Continent, at the heart of the Origin Lake, on the central island.

  Having just finished directing another grand performance, Lu gave a faint smile.

  But soon his brows furrowed.

  The Demon Lord and Devil Lord… performing the same act once was fine, but doing it every day would eventually arouse suspicion.

  Perhaps for the next sermon, it was time to bring in fresh actors.

  “Hmm… maybe next time I should pull out the long-absent ‘Six Paths Immortal’ for a cameo?”

  Lu smiled thoughtfully.

  Many powerful cultivators on the continent had experienced the Sermon Platform and were familiar with that “Immortal.”

  The next time, perhaps he could let this “Immortal” take the stage.

  Although in the end it was still Lu acting alone, he had truly gone to great lengths to help the Five Phoenix Continent grow stronger.

  “The Golden Immortal cultivation method has been released, but there aren’t many Golden Immortals on the continent yet. The impact of this scripture on the world remains limited.”

  “As for the great heavenly tribulation I’ve been planning… I finally have some clear ideas. A true great tribulation should encompass all three realms: Heaven, the mortal world, and the Netherworld.”

  “Right now, most of the continent’s destiny is concentrated in the mortal realm. But Heaven and the Netherworld also possess vast reserves of destiny.”

  Leaning back in his Thousand-Blade Chair, Lu pondered deeply.

  Countless thoughts swirled in his mind.

  He entered the Sermon Platform and began to deduce.

  Because the ancient scripture had been divided, an idea had taken shape in his heart.

  The purpose of a great heavenly tribulation was to propel the Five Phoenix Continent forward—to allow more and more powerhouses to emerge through the shifting tides of destiny.

  Otherwise, at the current pace, even powerhouses like the Hegemon or Tang Yimo would need countless years to become Golden Immortals.

  Lu had a vague premonition: the ancient Great Emperors hidden in the void rifts would not allow the Five Phoenix Continent to develop smoothly. They would surely bring terrifying disasters.

  But what form would those disasters take?

  For now, Lu couldn’t see it clearly.

  The ancient Great Emperors in the void rifts were a hidden threat. If possible, Lu would love to strike immediately and wipe them out.

  Unfortunately, that was nearly impossible.

  That was why he had to rapidly strengthen the Five Phoenix Continent—nurturing more Golden Immortals, and eventually even Ninth-Revolution Golden Immortals who could give birth to purple qi. With a host of Golden Immortals guarding it, the continent would have nothing to fear.

  Even those ancient Great Emperors in the void rifts could then be swept aside with ease.

  Lu sat cross-legged.

  Though he desperately wanted the Five Phoenix Continent to reach the Immortal-Martial level immediately, he knew it couldn’t be rushed.

  Moreover, he understood very well that every world ascension would face an extremely difficult ascension trial.

  The trial for ascending to the Immortal-Martial level would undoubtedly be even harder.

  It might very well involve the gods and demons of the Primordial Starry Sky… or even those ancient Great Emperors in the void rifts.

  So if the Five Phoenix Continent truly touched the threshold of the Immortal-Martial ascension trial, it would be bad news—not just for Lu, but for the entire continent.

  His mind sank into the Sermon Platform.

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  Lu’s gaze burned brightly. Like an exiled immortal seated upon the Eight Trigrams Array, countless array runes swirled around him, and faint, ancient voices seemed to echo in the distance.

  It looked as though he was deducing, yet also as though an ancient god was performing a sacrifice.

  Bit by bit, the shape of a great heavenly tribulation formed under his calculations.

  As the mastermind behind the tribulation, Lu had to consider every detail.

  He deduced again and again, overturning and restarting countless times.

  The effort left him mentally exhausted.

  Even creating the world hadn’t tired him this much.

  A true heavenly tribulation must have a beginning, a process, and an end.

  Moreover, since Lu was orchestrating this tribulation, it was not meant to destroy the Five Phoenix Continent—there had to be opportunity hidden within the disaster.

  BOOM!

  When the terrifying rumbling within the Sermon Platform finally subsided,

  It was as though ten thousand rays of divine light burst forth.

  The corners of Lu’s mouth curved upward as he slowly exhaled.

  His powerful primordial spirit pulsed.

  He withdrew from the Sermon Platform and returned to the pavilion.

  The world was utterly silent.

  At some point, a wind had risen.

  Lu’s white robes fluttered in the breeze as a light rain began to fall, pattering softly.

  The Spirit-Pressure Chessboard glowed faintly.

  Lu picked up a chess piece and slowly placed it.

  The moment the piece landed, it was as though the curtain had risen on a grand drama.

  War erupted across the chessboard—the war between the Demon Race and the Witch Race…

  “Since that’s the case, let this war be the beginning.”

  “This tribulation… shall be called the Calamity of Witches and Demons.”

  As Lu’s words fell,

  An invisible wave of energy seemed to radiate outward from him in all directions.

  …

  In the Great Xuan Divine Dynasty, at Heavenly Secrets Peak,

  Lu Mudui and Mo Tianyu suddenly opened their eyes.

  Both of them, masters of heavenly secrets, felt a tremor in their hearts.

  Rumble…

  The sky instantly turned dark and oppressive.

  Lu Mudui looked up, his expression grave. “This weather… it seems something monumental is about to happen.”

  Mo Tianyu, bare-chested as always, nodded solemnly.

  The two exchanged a glance.

  Because they walked the path of heavenly secrets, their cultivation progress had been slow.

  Mo Tianyu was stuck at the half-step Profound Immortal level.

  Lu Mudui, having repeatedly divined the great trends of the world, was also stuck at half-step Profound Immortal.

  But this time, both their hearts suddenly pounded violently.

  They turned their gazes toward the Eastern Sea.

  It felt as though an enormous chessboard was rapidly spreading from that direction.

  Both men felt an overwhelming sense of oppression.

  Lu Mudui pinched his fingers in calculation while Mo Tianyu closed his eyes.

  The wind blew past.

  After a long moment, they opened their eyes—bloodshot.

  “A great heavenly tribulation is descending. It will sweep through all Three Realms. Even Golden Immortals will struggle to stay uninvolved!”

  “Yet this is both a calamity and an immense opportunity! If one can seize the chance within this tribulation, they might ascend to Golden Immortal in a single leap!”

  “The disturbance to the destiny of heaven and earth… it’s simply too massive!”

  Lu Mudui and Mo Tianyu looked at each other. Though they had only glimpsed a corner of that terrifying chessboard, even that glimpse was enough to make breathing difficult.

  “No… this is far too big.”

  Mo Tianyu stood up, his face deadly serious.

  Lu Mudui gripped his bamboo staff tightly, his expression equally grim.

  They exchanged another glance and began to divine again.

  Mo Tianyu held three copper coins. With a sudden flick, radiant light burst between them.

  His consciousness seemed to soar out of his body, rushing into the clouds and landing upon the heavenly chessboard ahead of time.

  Suddenly,

  He stood upon the board and looked up—only to see a colossal figure faintly watching from beyond the chessboard.

  That figure was all too familiar to Mo Tianyu!

  “It’s the Immortal!”

  Mo Tianyu’s breath caught in his throat.

  This was the ancient Immortal who had appeared back in the Five Phoenix Continent’s low-martial era—

  The very Immortal who had guided the Hegemon, Tang Yimo, and others to become supreme cultivators!

  “Is the Immortal the one behind this?!”

  “The Immortal led the Five Phoenix Continent into the age of cultivation… and now is going to end it?!”

  “The mastermind of this great heavenly tribulation… is the Immortal?!”

  Pfft!

  But Mo Tianyu had probed too deeply.

  The terrifying pressure nearly shattered his mind and primordial spirit.

  He opened his eyes. The three copper coins cracked. Blood flowed from his nose and mouth. His face was pale and sallow.

  He had paid a heavy price for peering into the secrets of heaven.

  “I must go to the Central Island. This is too big… I need to find Young Master Lu.”

  Mo Tianyu wiped the blood from his face.

  Lu Mudui understood the gravity as well.

  The two rose into the air, transforming into streaks of light as they sped toward the Eastern Sea.

  Soon they arrived at the Central Island and respectfully stopped before it.

  On the island,

  Lu leaned against the railing, listening to the wind and sipping Heavenly Immortal Wine.

  Sensing their arrival, he smiled and said to Yi Yue, “Let them in.”

  Yi Yue bowed and stepped out across the waves.

  Mo Tianyu and Lu Mudui were respectfully led onto the island.

  “Young Master Lu.”

  Lu Mudui’s old face trembled slightly as he gazed at the seated Lu, feeling more and more the unfathomable power and divinity emanating from him.

  “I know why you’ve come.”

  Seated in his Thousand-Blade Chair, Lu strolled slowly through the peach blossom grove, twirling a peach petal between his fingers with a faint smile.

  “Everything is predestined in the dark. This is an inevitable stage in the development of cultivation. A great heavenly tribulation is both disaster and fortune. Some will perish forever in the calamity, while others will seize the fleeting opportunity and soar to the heavens.”

  Lu spoke calmly.

  Lu Mudui and Mo Tianyu exchanged a glance, feeling slightly relieved.

  As expected, Young Master Lu already knew.

  There was nothing in the world that Young Master Lu did not know.

  The White Jade Capital’s Young Master Lu was, after all, the very founder of the path of heavenly secrets.

  “Young Master Lu, once this tribulation begins, heaven and earth will suffer. Countless cultivators will die, rivers of blood will flow… Is there any way to avert it?”

  Mo Tianyu bowed deeply.

  Lu shook his head, gently stroking the peach petal.

  Ning Zhao stood behind him, quietly pushing the Thousand-Blade Chair.

  “This is a great heavenly tribulation. It will encompass Heaven, the mortal world, and the Netherworld—the Three Realms. No one can escape it. Not even Golden Immortals will be spared, because this tribulation stirs the destiny of all Three Realms.”

  “There is no hiding, no running… The only way to overcome the tribulation is to enter it—to seek that single thread of survival within the disaster.”

  Lu’s voice was steady.

  Mo Tianyu and Lu Mudui fell into thought.

  Lu’s words seemed to have enlightened them.

  He smiled again.

  Then he slowly scattered the peach petal in his hand, letting it fall to the ground.

  “A butterfly flaps its wings on the Western Continent… and it may cause a tsunami to rage across the Eastern Sea.”

  “That is what it means to pull one hair and move the whole body.”

  “The tribulation arises from this.”

  With those words, Lu had Ning Zhao push him back to the pavilion.

  Hearing this, Lu Mudui and Mo Tianyu felt a jolt of realization.

  Then the two left the Central Island.

  “Young Master Lu seems to have been giving us a hint…”

  “A butterfly on the Western Continent… could he mean the Witch Race, who are currently at war with the Demon Race?”

  “Is the Witch-Demon War the starting point of this great tribulation?”

  “To preserve ourselves in the tribulation, we must enter it and seek that thread of survival… Is Young Master Lu suggesting that we choose a side between the Witch and Demon Races?”

  The two looked at each other, understanding dawning.

  The next day, when the brilliant Morning Star rose above the sea,

  Mo Tianyu and Lu Mudui cupped their hands, gave each other a faint smile, and parted ways.

  Neither told the other which side they would choose. They left with tacit understanding.

  If they chose the same side, they could face the tribulation together.

  If they chose differently…

  Then they would become enemies.

  …

  The opening of this great heavenly tribulation did not attract much attention at first.

  But the Golden Immortals all felt it keenly. Their sensitivity to destiny was too sharp—they could clearly sense that the destiny of heaven and earth was being scorched by invisible flames, gradually coming to a rolling boil.

  On Mount Buzhou,

  Zhu Long sat cross-legged on a green stone, eyes closed, pondering what kind of Emperor Weapon she should forge.

  Father had said that only one she forged herself, one that suited her perfectly, would be the best.

  So what should her Emperor Weapon be?

  Suddenly, she seemed to realize something. She patted the green stone beneath her.

  This stone had accompanied her for a very long time. From the day she first arrived on Mount Buzhou, it had been here.

  Now it possessed superb spirituality and had become top-grade material.

  Influenced by Zhu Long’s aura over the years, it contained immense power.

  Zhu Long’s eyelashes trembled lightly. She finally knew what her Emperor Weapon should be.

  BOOM!

  Her aura surged, transforming her into a Candle Dragon that coiled around Mount Buzhou.

  Her eyes opened, and innate Yin-Yang qi poured forth.

  The qi poured into the green stone, which began to glow with azure light. Soon, under the tempering of innate Yin-Yang qi, the stone was reshaped into a massive grinding disc.

  Within the disc, Yin-Yang qi swirled, greatly enhancing its power.

  Combined with the stone’s already top-tier material quality, now tempered by Zhu Long’s growth, it was truly supreme.

  Zhu Long returned to human form, grabbed the disc, and swung it.

  Each swing seemed capable of shattering the void.

  Zhu Long grinned with satisfaction, cute dimples appearing on her cheeks.

  Her Emperor Weapon was complete!

  The moment Zhu Long’s Emperor Weapon was finished, Lu naturally sensed it.

  “Using a grinding disc as an Emperor Weapon… tsk. Every fight she’ll just swing a giant millstone. Where’s the elegance in that?”

  Lu couldn’t help but laugh.

  But if it suited Zhu Long, then it was the best choice. He didn’t object.

  With a thought, he placed a piece on the chessboard.

  He summoned heavenly lightning to temper Zhu Long’s Emperor Weapon, completing the final step to turn it into an Innate Spiritual Treasure.

  The tribulation was effortless for Zhu Long.

  Once the lightning tempering was complete, the “Yin-Yang Grinding Disc”—forged from a single green stone—became her true Innate Spiritual Treasure.

  …

  In the Netherworld,

  When the prelude to the great heavenly tribulation began, Tantai Xuan immediately sensed it.

  It felt as though a colossal calamity was enveloping the entire world—even the Netherworld was included.

  Tantai Xuan’s expression was extremely grave.

  He couldn’t understand: what kind of disaster could possibly involve even the Netherworld?

  He arrived before the half-page of the ancient scripture that had fallen into the Netherworld.

  The scripture recorded the lower volume of the Nine Revolutions Golden Immortal Scripture.

  “Is this great tribulation somehow related to this scripture?”

  Tantai Xuan frowned.

  After a long silence, he made his decision.

  Hands behind his back, he issued an order with the will of the Nether Emperor: the Netherworld was to be sealed.

  Except for the reincarnation of souls, no living being was permitted to enter or leave until the tribulation ended.

  The Netherworld governed the reincarnation cycle of the Three Realms. If anything happened to it, order would collapse, and the entire Five Phoenix Continent would be affected.

  Thus, Tantai Xuan decisively ordered the seal without hesitation.

  He knew sealing the Netherworld would cause dissatisfaction—after all, the lower volume of the Nine Revolutions Golden Immortal Scripture was still here.

  But Tantai Xuan no longer cared.

  If other Golden Immortals came knocking, then he would fight them.

  Moreover, Tantai Xuan believed that the other Golden Immortals must have already sensed the impending tribulation.

  After issuing the order,

  Tantai Xuan walked across the lands of the Netherworld.

  Whether to face the coming great tribulation or to prepare for the ancient Great Emperors in the void rifts…

  Tantai Xuan felt it was time for him to begin forging an Emperor Weapon of his own.