Old Man Xuancang hadn't entered the Five Phoenixes. He was wandering the ancient starry sky instead. Originally, he should've stayed around the Five Phoenixes much longer.

  But after Lu's arrow made his hand tremble, as a human quasi-saint, he felt too embarrassed to enter. So he roamed the stars.

  Conveniently picking fights with divine-demons, clearing those around the Five Phoenixes to delay exposure.

  Yet he never expected to sense Tonggu Daoist's aura erupting.

  A human quasi-saint unleashing full aura only meant one thing: dire crisis, life-or-death peril.

  Normally, human quasi-saints avoided blatant releases in the ancient starry sky—too conspicuous, easily drawing divine-demons.

  But in desperation, it served as a distress call.

  If a fellow human quasi-saint passed nearby, they could rescue.

  An unwritten human rule, a survival tactic for wanderers in the stars.

  Though luck-based...

  In desperation: last hope.

  And Tonggu's eruption was close to human ancestral lands—perhaps reinforcements.

  Xuancang's face turned grave. He disliked Tonggu; their relationship poor.

  But...

  As human quasi-saints, no matter the grudge: humans stuck together in crisis. Xuancang wouldn't abandon him.

  Though he knew aiding might bring terrifying danger.

  He couldn't retreat.

  Perhaps his hand could save Tonggu from doom?

  "That dog Tonggu took human geniuses to the Boundary Ruins, Wood Origin grounds—why here, signaling distress?"

  Xuancang narrowed eyes, thoughts racing—no time to ponder.

  Body flashed through void, closing in.

  Faster!

  Even faster!

  In one or two breaths, he spotted Tonggu besieged afar in the ancient starry sky.

  Floating bloodied in robes, pale-faced, oil lamp flickering.

  Yet aura ferociously defiant as ever.

  Nearly six heavenly god-tier divine-demons ganging up—plus a gruesome chest wound: clearly heavily injured before the siege.

  Only an Elemental God could wound Tonggu so.

  Xuancang's eyes sharpened, killing intent surging.

  A human quasi-saint falling: massive crisis for already weakened humans.

  One hair moves the body—could doom ancestral lands.

  Tonggu held little hope.

  But sensed a crossing aura.

  Xuancang exploded from afar—first strike: palms filling sky. Water truths surged layer upon layer, turning to raging waves crashing down.

  "Hold on!"

  Xuancang roared.

  Eyes furious, as if torrents rolled within.

  "A human quasi-saint—Xuancang? Why here?"

  "Human reinforcements so fast?"

  "Block him! Kill Tonggu first—he's faltering."

  Heavenly god-tiers exchanged glances, deciding swiftly.

  Six total: four diverted, striking together against surging Xuancang—halting him in the stars.

  Remaining two: thunderous kills on teetering Tonggu!

  Xuancang's expression changed—Tonggu worse than imagined!

  Divine-demons sent four to block him!

  "Courting death!"

  "Tonggu old thief, hold!"

  Xuancang roared, striking thunderously—needing bloody path through blockade to Tonggu.

  But four heavenly god-tiers resolute. Xuancang strong, but felt powerless.

  They fought fearlessly—even trading lives.

  Years warring divine-demons: first time Xuancang saw such desperation. Usually no life-trading—too many battles; elites would burn out.

  "What did Tonggu do to provoke so many heavenly god-tiers into blood frenzy?"

  Xuancang's heart sank, pressure mounting.

  He might not reach Tonggu in time.

  Pale-faced Tonggu, facing two closing heavenly god-tiers: burst into laughter.

  Unexpected reinforcements.

  "Hahaha... You sanctimonious Xuancang!"

  Tonggu laughed.

  Cursing, but excited.

  Felt... survival chance!

  Though Xuancang pretentious and face-loving... strength undeniable. Among human quasi-saints: below only Xiaoyaozi and himself.

  With such aid: escape possible.

  "Just two heavenly god-tiers to stop this old Daoist... Think injury means I can't wield a blade?"

  Tonggu's eyes murderous.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Two heavenly god-tiers charged—sharp auras sealing corners, every retreat space.

  Heavenly god-tiers strong—quasi-saint level. Hence sieges strained human quasi-saints.

  One-on-one: no fear. Multi: difficult.

  Tonggu deathly pale—energy strain overburdened wounded body.

  Gold Elemental God's strike lingered, Gold Origin eroding internally—no calm healing amid battle and flight.

  Wounds worsening.

  Boom!

  Tonggu clapped hands—spaces layered like mirrors reflecting starry light.

  One heavenly god-tier tore void madly—ignoring spatial cuts spraying blood, ferocious as if mutual destruction.

  Tonggu fearless. Ruthlessness? Divine-demons couldn't match humans!

  Pfft!

  Terrific clash—violent boom in void.

  Tonggu retreated steps in stars. Sleeve realm geniuses burdened—strength dropped severely.

  Plus wounds: aggravated under one heavenly god-tier assault.

  Pfft...

  Blood sprayed.

  Tonggu forehead veins bulged—loss!

  The hard-clashing heavenly god-tier: gravely wounded, gasping in void.

  But purpose achieved: worsened Tonggu severely.

  Companion: thunderous strike to finish.

  In Tonggu's state: possible kill!

  Xuancang saw—helpless, eyes reddening.

  Never imagined reuniting with Tonggu thus.

  Ancestral standoffs, cursing—but battlefield: trusted backs.

  Facing life-trading heavenly god-tier.

  Tonggu's heart sank.

  Feared—such trade: sleeve geniuses die too.

  Unacceptable outcome.

  Smart play: one life for Tonggu, geniuses—including ferocious Lu Jiulian. Huge profit!

  Hence frenzy.

  But.

  As heavenly god-tier closed for mutual death.

  Suddenly: oppressive space-tearing screech.

  Like chalk scraping glass.

  Ear-piercing.

  The nearing heavenly god-tier alerted—turned: five-colored arrow spinning through space.

  Pfft!

  Arrow instantly pierced skull.

  Immense force dragged body far.

  Nailing it dead in space.

  Tonggu stunned. Distant battling Xuancang eyes lit—this familiar arrow...

  Five Phoenixes' Lu acted!

  Boom!

  Terrific explosion!

  Three truths, spirit power, innate purple qi—ultimate arrow detonated.

  Red-white sphere like fusing star—dazzling!

  Heavenly god-tiers stunned.

  Never expected...

  This explosion: pierced heavenly god-tier... likely no corpse left.

  Human reinforcements?!

  Wounded heavenly god-tier and Xuancang besiegers shocked.

  "Human assault treasure!"

  "Human aid arrived!"

  Arrow's power: capable of killing heavenly god-tiers.

  All wary, vigilant.

  If aimed at their heads... unlikely survive.

  "Withdraw!"

  Unwilling, but no killing Tonggu now.

  Xuancang alone stalled four; remaining wounded useless.

  Plus hidden sniper arrow.

  Despite reluctance: no choice—withdraw.

  Or die pointlessly.

  Five heavenly god-tiers retreated—no further clash.

  Meaningless continuation.

  Couldn't kill Tonggu—risk annihilation.

  Xuancang no pursuit. Normally might.

  But worried for Tonggu—no chase. Otherwise: drag-kill one.

  "How are you?"

  Xuancang eyed blood-soaked Tonggu, frowning. Known years: first time this wretched.

  90% spatial truths Tonggu: hard to wound unless five Elemental Gods.

  Tonggu waved.

  "Won't die... Huge haul this time!"

  "Luckily ignored you fools' advice—not contest Wood Origin statue... Otherwise: divine-demon hands now."

  Tonggu grinned, terrifyingly pale.

  Xuancang stunned.

  Instinct to retort.

  But Tonggu waved.

  Light surged—sleeve realm released: human geniuses and Five Phoenixes cultivators emerged.

  Xuancang understood: protecting them.

  Suddenly.

  Eyes contracted.

  Gaze on Azure Dragon's clutched Wood Origin statue... body stiffened.

  Rising retort swallowed.

  "This... Wood Origin Beast Ancestor statue?!"

  Xuancang horrified, incredulous.

  Tonggu snatched from chaos being?!

  No wonder pursuit.

  He'd chase to death too.

  This dog... how?!

  From chaos being?!

  Plus Five Phoenixes' Metal and Fire: humans three—overtaking divine-demons.

  How not shocked?

  Strategic meaning: activate—cultivate countless Wood Origin talents?

  Healing truths: restore how many crippled human powerhouses? Back to starry battles?

  Xuancang flushed, thrilled.

  Soon paled: Tonggu got it—divine-demons could've.

  Without trip: likely theirs.

  Chill retroactively.

  "Scared now?"

  Tonggu shook head. "We don't understand that chaos being—her thoughts unknown..."

  "Not what you think—she decides..."

  Tonggu smug—proved right. Back ancestral: slap those old fools.

  No face given: slapped!

  "Right—that arrow?"

  Tonggu asked.

  "Five Phoenixes' Lu Ping'an."

  Xuancang honest.

  "Brother Lu?"

  Tonggu eyes lit—incredulous. So soon: kill heavenly god-tiers.

  Three days apart: admire anew.

  "Brother Lu's arrow repelled—but exposed Five Phoenixes. Good or bad unknown."

  Tonggu frowned.

  Not chat spot.

  Sleeve realm again—geniuses and Five Phoenixes cultivators: to Five Phoenixes.

  Xuancang pondered—for statue: followed.

  Through Ninth Heaven—into Five Phoenixes.

  Tonggu bloodied return: noticed by many cultivators.

  Five Phoenixes.

  Lake island.

  Mist around dispersed.

  Lu in Thousand-Bladed Chair—slightly pale, calm. Arrow draining—but fine.

  Instructed Ning Zhao greet.

  Leaned railing, eyes lightly closed—recovering spirit power.

  Tonggu bloodied, wretched—but ecstatic.

  Released geniuses. Overlord and Tang Yimo dark-faced, silent departure. Sima Qingshan regretted—no fluffy beast for An Miaoyu pet.

  Thought: paint one, manifest.

  Lu Jiulian silent leave—answer clear.

  Not his strength—framed by stronger.

  Frustrated.

  No linger—back ascension ground: harder cultivation.

  Tonggu with statue-clutching Azure Dragon: to continent.

  Xuancang tagged eagerly.

  Ning Zhao awaited outside. Seeing bloodied Tonggu with Azure Dragon: understood ordeal. Smiled, curtsied respectfully.

  Xuancang tried slipping in—but blocked.

  "Senior, Young Master's order: only Tonggu senior and Azure Dragon. No entry without command."

  Ning Zhao said.

  Even quasi-saint: calm, neither humble nor arrogant.

  "This old man... just peek, no talk!"

  Xuancang aggrieved. Years quasi-saint—blocked. Ancestral: crowds everywhere.

  Uncomfortable...

  "Forced entry?"

  Xuancang unhappy.

  "Forced?"

  "Try..."

  "Young Master: ten-eight more arrows no issue..."

  Before Ning Zhao: Lu's voice drifted from island.

  Xuancang stiffened, huffed dissatisfied.

  Knew bluff—but no insist.

  Petty brat!

  Earlier teasing—probe only. Still grudge-held.

  Xuancang no force—dark-faced, low pressure sitting vast sea: quiet wait Tonggu.

  Island.

  Tonggu beaming.

  "Brother Lu—you, right?!"

  "Fire Elemental God—you killed?!"

  Tonggu near dancing.

  Fire fall, Wood statue gained... massive harvest!

  "Must be— so insidious, mind games... only you!"

  Tonggu bloodied, seated—gulped tea, panting.

  Now island: absorbed qi healing.

  Trip: badly wounded. Without Lu's arrow: traded by heavenly god-tier.

  Azure Dragon excitedly handed long-hugged statue to Lu.

  Tonggu glanced—twitched lips.

  Wanted ages: no release.

  Lu took Wood Origin statue—eyes brightened.

  "Congrats host: cute Wood Origin little statue."

  System cheer prompt flashed—faded.

  Lu lips curved—anticipation.

  Robes green, hair emerald glow. Vast suction: absorb Wood Origin power.

  But...

  Absorbed briefly—stopped.

  Wood indestructible demonic body just starting—gone?

  Pants down—just this?

  "So weak?"

  Lu surprised.

  Wood Origin statue: "..."

  Truly aggrieved...

  Most energy absorbed by Black-White Empress. Remaining: squeezed out—decent already.

  Out wolf den—into tiger mouth.

  Empress drained; Lu too...

  Lu regretfully stored statue—plan Wood enlightenment grounds like others.

  "Statue's Wood power mostly Empress-absorbed. For energy: cultivate Wood talents—enlightenment aids accumulation."

  Tonggu said.

  "Right, Brother Lu... arrow used spatial truths—but exposed Five Phoenixes. Unpeaceful ahead."

  Tonggu grave.

  "Inevitable..."

  Lu waved—unconcerned.

  But strengthen plan: accelerate.

  Lu pondered—eyed Tonggu.

  "Tonggu brother—healing pills? Need?"

  Lu asked.

  Tonggu waved: "No waste on old Daoist. Heavy wounds: quasi-saint body recovers soon."

  "Fine."

  Lu smacked lips—continued: "For Five Phoenixes quick quasi-saint birth—what conditions?"

  Tonggu stunned—unexpected question.

  Shook head: "Hard answer. Humans unlike divine-demons—you know human quasi-saints in Primordial Immortal Domain?"

  Before Lu: self-answered. "Ten total: five early, two mid, one late, two peak."

  "Unlike divine-demons born chaos—heavenly god-tiers bloodline-based. Some born; lifelong. Humans: long cultivation, trials from weak."

  "But human quasi-saints generally stronger ordinary heavenly god-tiers. For quasi-saint: truths at least 70%+—plus soul strength."

  "Not just strength: soul level—quasi-saint potential."

  "Like Ninth Heaven's spirited youth Ha—soul transformed second level. Enough accumulation, chance: quasi-saint."

  "Like you, Brother Lu—second level too..."

  Tonggu smiled.

  Soul levels?

  Lu narrowed eyes—thoughtful, recalling.

  "Such transformations: chance, not sought. Human harshness: few quasi-saints—current plight."

  "Third level... saint. Even I... short."

  Tonggu smiled—unmindful.

  "Xiaoyaozi close: truths enough, accumulation enough—needs soul level."

  Lu nodded.

  Understanding.

  Thought ancestral quasi-saints many—only ten.

  "Human saints—how many?"

  Lu curious.

  Quasi-saints few: saints fewer?

  "Excluding your mysterious saint master..."

  "Known: two."

  Tonggu said.

  Two?

  Lu shocked—so few?!

  "Yes, two. Don't think little... saint birth hard. One revives humans eons."

  "Even: saint undying, humans undying."

  Tonggu grave.

  "But current two: not ancestral—deep ancient starry sky, confronting divine-demonic emperors."

  "Preventing emperor interference in divine-demon human strife..."

  "Holding glorious human future."