Pfft!

  When the golden spear pierced the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s chest, the golden light bursting through his body shone with extreme brilliance.

  It was as though the Ancient Emperor’s blood had stimulated the spear, cleansing it of all tarnish.

  Even Lu was stunned.

  He hadn’t expected this sudden turn—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor pierced through by a single spear—and the aura from that spear was in no way inferior to Emperor realm.

  Who struck? One look at the rift made it clear.

  An Ancient Emperor had acted!

  An Ancient Emperor who had been hiding in the shadows all along.

  Meanwhile—

  Micah, Lu Jiulian, Zhu Long, and Tantai Xuan—the four newly ascended Emperors—were utterly shocked, frozen by this sudden development.

  A spear thrust from the void—impaling the incomparably powerful Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor straight through?!

  This scene… was too shocking, too impactful.

  How strong was the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor?

  Extremely strong. Even the four of them working together had no guarantee of victory—they could only barely hold him off. Without Young Master Lu’s assistance, they might have already been defeated.

  An Ancient Emperor—and one at the absolute peak—his combat power was unimaginable!

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor was undoubtedly among the strongest in the nine heavens.

  Yet now—this golden spear… what was it?

  Who was it?!

  They looked up—toward the massive rift in the sky.

  The spear had emerged from that rift—impaling the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—nailing him in place in the outer void battlefield.

  “Who exactly is it?!”

  Micah’s lips trembled. He drew a deep breath.

  Suddenly—a chill surged through him.

  A phrase flashed in his mind:

  *The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.*

  So—while they battled the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—someone had been lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike with lethal force.

  Micah’s soul trembled.

  The waters of Emperor realm… ran this deep?!

  Lu Jiulian and Tantai Xuan were also shaken, but quickly turned vigilant.

  Zhu Long, however, remained unconcerned. As Father’s most favored child—

  She didn’t believe anyone could sneak attack her.

  As the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s body was pierced through, fresh red blood flowed—soon followed by golden blood.

  That was the Ancient Emperor’s heart blood—the essence of his vitality, true Emperor blood.

  As the golden blood flowed—the golden spear’s surface revealed strange patterns, like a whale swallowing—as it devoured the golden blood.

  And in that moment—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s domain lost control.

  Boom!

  Lu Jiulian’s mind stirred. His domain surged wildly—unleashing powerful impact.

  Tantai Xuan, Micah, and Zhu Long also reacted.

  Ignoring their shock—they unleashed their domains.

  The four Emperors’ domains—like collapsing mountains—crashed down instantly.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s originally indomitable domain shattered in this moment—crumbling apart.

  Completely losing power.

  Even countless cracks interwove within it.

  The dense, crisscrossing sword qi—now shattered one by one.

  In this moment—it was as though… the sky had fallen!

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s flesh was wounded—and domain collapse damaged his divine soul.

  In an instant—double blow.

  “Damn it!”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s face paled instantly. With his Emperor flesh—he should have been immortal.

  But this spear was extraordinary—possessing the ability to devour his power.

  This was why he felt himself growing weaker.

  “This Young Master kindly reminded you—someone’s behind you. Why wouldn’t you believe me?”

  Lu sat back in his thousand-blade chair—white robes fluttering—shaking his head.

  Next—it seemed there was more drama to watch.

  Those Ancient Emperors who had been hiding and scheming—finally showing the tip of the iceberg.

  The vanished Ancient Emperors of the nine heavens—the vanished Ancient Emperors of the holy clans.

  Perhaps in this moment—they would return to the world?

  Pfft!

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—who had endured without spitting blood despite being pierced through and having his domain crushed—finally couldn’t hold back.

  Hearing Lu’s words—his heart trembled.

  These infuriating words—more hateful than the spear in his chest—made him spray blood.

  His appearance utterly miserable.

  “You… are all so vicious!”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor turned—staring at the rift.

  The spear extended from the rift—impaling him.

  Blood-soaked—golden heart blood flowing—he gripped the spear—eyes fixed on the rift in the sky.

  “You actually want to kill me!”

  “You plotted for me to sit in the Primordial Starry Sky for hundreds of thousands of years—now you strike to kill! Is your heart… this black?!”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor seemed to demand an answer!

  The spear slowly withdrew—squeezing out more blood.

  Each drop contained terrifying energy—as though it could crush eternity.

  But the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s blood-drenched hand gripped the spear tightly—eyes locked on the rift.

  He demanded an explanation! His unwillingness was overwhelming.

  He never expected—not to die at the hands of innate divine demons in the Primordial Starry Sky.

  Nor at the hands of the Five Phoenixes’ newly ascended Emperors.

  Nor even to be infuriated to death by Lu Ping’an’s infuriating words.

  Instead… to be betrayed and killed by his former comrades—the Ancient Emperors he once fought alongside in the Primordial Starry Sky.

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  This left him utterly despairing.

  “It was always to kill you.”

  “You are destined to die.”

  A calm voice echoed from the rift.

  This was the first time Lu heard voices from the rift. His eyes brightened.

  He stared at the rift—seeming to want to see through everything within.

  Buzz…

  Lu’s divine soul surged like a storm—seeking to enter the rift.

  But just as it approached—

  Many equally powerful divine soul fluctuations crashed down.

  Lu’s divine soul shuddered—after a clash—it returned to his body.

  Lu smacked his lips—somewhat regretful. He had almost uncovered the Ancient Emperors’ great secret.

  But he still gained something. In that fleeting glimpse through the rift—

  Lu seemed to see countless figures—like constant stars—radiating immense energy—as though in a meeting.

  Each aura—no weaker than the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor.

  So…

  Lu could confirm: those vanished Ancient Emperors of the nine heavens—including the legendary Ancient Emperor Hao—were all inside that rift.

  “Always to kill me?”

  “I am destined to die?”

  Hearing the voice—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor burst into wild laughter—insane and unrestrained.

  He sneered at fate’s cruel joke.

  Who could have imagined—the ones most eager to kill him—were his former comrades.

  “No matter what—from this day forward—I, Heavenly Spirit, swear undying enmity with you all!”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor stared at the rift—issuing an icy vow.

  Buzz…

  A powerful energy surged from the rift—pouring into the golden spear.

  The golden spear blazed again.

  As though to tear apart the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s flesh.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor let out a miserable howl.

  Boom!

  Terrifying explosion erupted.

  Micah, Lu Jiulian, Tantai Xuan, and Zhu Long swiftly retreated.

  The explosion was immensely terrifying—containing dreadful killing intent. They did not wish to be caught in it.

  Micah’s expression was extremely complex.

  He had always respected the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—yet also burned with the desire to challenge him.

  Now—watching the Heavenly Spirit Clan’s Emperor suffer such heavy injury—

  He felt turmoil in his heart.

  He looked toward the rift.

  From the brief exchange—he could tell—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor had been betrayed by those vanished Ancient Emperors.

  Having lived hundreds of thousands of years—Micah knew some things about the Ancient Emperor era.

  In that era—the Ancient Emperors were divided into three camps.

  One was Ancient Emperor Hao of Void Heaven—standing alone.

  The others split into two camps—one dedicated to opposing and killing Ancient Emperor Hao.

  The other advocated harmony—not siding with Ancient Emperor Hao nor the opposing camp.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor belonged to the harmony faction—put bluntly, a fence-sitter.

  But in the ancient war—for unknown reasons—

  Ancient Emperor Hao seemed to have provoked the wrath of many Ancient Emperors—becoming the target of a siege. Even the neutral faction chose sides—attacking Emperor Hao.

  The final result—all Ancient Emperors vanished.

  And at that time—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—for unknown reasons—did not participate in that war.

  Now—those vanished Ancient Emperors sought to kill the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor.

  What exactly had happened?

  The more he thought—the more confused he became.

  Because—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor belonged to the neutral faction. He should have been on the side of those vanished Ancient Emperors.

  Bang!

  A figure flew rapidly through the void.

  Blood sprayed continuously.

  It was the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—pierced by the spear.

  At this moment—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor was utterly miserable.

  His originally brilliant golden hair had turned pale—losing its luster—dull and lifeless.

  His skin aged rapidly.

  As though deprived of immortality—or cursed by some vicious malediction.

  Coughing blood in the void.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor… still had not died.

  That spear’s killing strike—he had dodged.

  The outer void battlefield continued collapsing.

  Yet the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor laughed madly.

  His body stood tall.

  Carrying unyielding defiance against fate.

  The Heavenly Spirit Sword rose—suddenly thrown.

  Sword light tore through everything.

  Terrifying Emperor pressure surged.

  Clang!

  However—the golden spear clashed with the Heavenly Spirit Sword—the Heavenly Spirit Sword was sent flying.

  This golden spear was extraordinary—not an ordinary imperial weapon. It contained the aura and energy of multiple Ancient Emperors—even possessing the strange ability to devour an Ancient Emperor’s vitality.

  In that clash—the Heavenly Spirit Sword lost its luster—a crack appearing.

  Then—it fell into the void.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor turned—fleeing in a bloodied state.

  Lu—white robes fluttering—raised a brow.

  Meanwhile—Micah, Lu Jiulian, Tantai Xuan, and Zhu Long stopped—expressions calm—but hearts shaken as they watched.

  Like watching a grand drama.

  The spear continued thrusting from the rift.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s flesh was pierced again and again.

  Carrying the coffin—he fled frantically—trying to return to the nine heavens.

  This was his only chance of survival.

  Of course…

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor had another choice—he could ask Lu for help.

  This Lu Ping’an—far more than he appeared—definitely had hidden cards.

  But…

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor could not swallow his pride.

  Having just fought Lu—

  To turn and beg him?

  He, the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—would not accept Lu’s infuriating attitude.

  Moreover—even if he begged—why would Lu Ping’an save him?

  Thus—his only path to survival—was returning to the nine heavens.

  The nine heavens’ Heavenly Dao was powerful. With its help—he could block this golden spear.

  Boom!

  Void shattered instantly!

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—carrying the coffin—crashed through the outer void battlefield’s restraints—rushing into the nine heavens.

  Meanwhile—

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan Holy Hall Saints were completely terrified—bodies ice-cold—losing all strength.

  Their Emperor—their god in their hearts—had… been defeated!

  The Five Phoenixes… was this strong?

  Had the current Five Phoenixes become invincible?!

  “Flee!”

  One Holy Hall Saint thought this.

  Instantly—without hesitation—he fled through the void.

  One by one—the Saints followed. Even the aged Quasi-Emperor—dragging his old, declining back—headed toward the nine heavens.

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan had lost—lost utterly—lost completely.

  Boom!

  In the void—a massive rift like an abyss stretched across.

  The next moment—this rift moved rapidly—chasing the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s figure.

  This change—while shocking and confusing many—also filled their hearts with tremors.

  That was the former rift of Void Heaven—containing Ancient Emperor secrets.

  Gu Mangran soared upward.

  Staring at the rift.

  The Ancient Emperor Hao he revered—had vanished. Was he deep within that rift?

  Micah, Lu Jiulian, Zhu Long, and Tantai Xuan—the four newly ascended Emperors—frowned. Especially Micah—he sensed a massive conspiracy.

  And at this moment—

  Within the void abyss.

  This void abyss—the product of heaven and earth’s separation—contained terrifying corrosive power.

  Even Saints could not linger long—must cross quickly.

  Otherwise—even Saints’ flesh could not withstand the corrosion of creation energy—eventually melting into blood water.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  Now—within the void abyss—

  Terrifying battle continued.

  The spear pursued the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—his aura growing weaker.

  Many Heavenly Spirit Clan Holy Hall Saints—struck by Emperor pressure—coughed blood.

  Some weaker Saints—unable to resist—were crushed to pieces.

  Seeming to sense the Holy Hall Saints’ plight—

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor gritted his teeth—turning back.

  These were the hope of the Heavenly Spirit Clan. If this continued—their hope and strength would be completely destroyed.

  He still cared deeply for the Heavenly Spirit Clan.

  After all—this was his holy clan.

  Thus—he turned—resisting the golden spear. Both palms were pierced through.

  “Hurry!”

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—withstood the spear—coldly urging the Holy Hall Saints.

  The Heavenly Spirit Clan Holy Hall Saints froze—then felt a tumult of emotions.

  “Emperor…”

  One by one—the Saints’ eyes reddened.

  They wished to fight to the death for the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—but they knew—with their strength—they were mere cannon fodder against the enemy.

  One by one—the Saints fled through the life-path the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor opened—escaping the void abyss.

  They returned to the nine heavens—as though reborn.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s shoulders were pierced—the golden spear radiating strange energy—ruthlessly devouring his power.

  He grew weaker.

  The battle within the void abyss grew even more terrifying.

  Yet the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor remained as ferocious as ever.

  Even now—at the end of his rope—he still fought ruthlessly.

  Using his remaining Emperor essence blood to detonate power—blasting the golden spear away—gaining a chance to escape.

  Carrying the coffin—he fled frantically.

  But the loss of power slowed him.

  He was only one step from crossing the void abyss.

  Yet this step—he could not take.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s eyes flashed with fury. He was enraged!

  A generation of Emperor—not dying in the Primordial Starry Sky against innate divine demons.

  Not dying at the hands of the Five Phoenixes’ newly ascended Emperors.

  Not infuriated to death by Lu Ping’an’s infuriating words.

  Instead… betrayed and killed by his former comrades—the Ancient Emperors he once fought alongside in the Primordial Starry Sky.

  This left him utterly despairing.

  “Emperor—this old one comes to assist!”

  Suddenly—

  The aged Heavenly Spirit Clan Quasi-Emperor—who had already returned to the nine heavens—his turbid eyes flashing with youthful vigor.

  His originally hunched back suddenly straightened.

  Step by step—he reentered the void abyss.

  “Fool—flee!”

  Seeing this—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor cursed.

  Quasi-Emperor—though bearing the word “Emperor”—was still far inferior to true Emperor realm.

  The gap between Emperor realm and Quasi-Emperor was immense.

  Even ten Quasi-Emperors might not match one Emperor.

  Yet the old Quasi-Emperor smiled.

  “This old one has lived nine hundred ten thousand years—already at life’s end. This life—no chance to prove Emperor…”

  “Micah’s choice was right. This old one even envies him.”

  “But back then—this old one was no less monstrous than Micah!”

  Boom!

  The aged Quasi-Emperor’s body erupted with immense energy.

  In this moment—he burned all vitality.

  Displaying peerless brilliance.

  His state returned to peak—as though he had become a youth in his prime.

  One strike shook the heavens!

  The golden spear’s assault—in this moment—was momentarily stalled by the old Quasi-Emperor’s strike.

  And in that instant—

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor seized the opportunity—flashing out of the void abyss.

  Escaping into the nine heavens.

  Within the void abyss—

  The old Quasi-Emperor fell.

  His flesh burned—turning to ash. But in his final moment—eyes closing—he revealed a satisfied smile.

  “Micah—this old one once shook an Emperor’s power!”

  “This old one… is no less than you!”

  Boom!

  With a carefree laugh—the sound echoed.

  Micah stood in the void—expression extremely complex—sighing deeply.

  “You truly were no less than me… but this… is the reality of the nine heavens.”

  Micah shook his head.

  Within the nine heavens—

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor—blood-soaked—seethed with endless rage.

  He was furious beyond measure.

  Carrying the coffin—his icy voice echoed through every corner of the nine heavens.

  “Heavenly Dao—aid me!”

  With that—

  Waves surged in the nine heavens. Powerful Heavenly Dao fluctuations rolled.

  A massive face appeared in the sky.

  Appearing behind the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor.

  Carrying the coffin—the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor sensed the Heavenly Dao’s arrival. He knew—his chance to turn the tables had come.

  He stared fixedly at the rift stretching across the sky.

  Killing intent surged.

  Boom!

  Suddenly—

  The spear from the rift thrust again—straight toward the Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor.

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor spread his arms—fearless.

  With the Heavenly Dao’s aid—he could still fight!

  But after waiting a long time—

  The Heavenly Spirit Ancient Emperor’s expression changed drastically. His entire body turned ice-cold.

  Because…

  The Heavenly Dao… did not aid him!