Boom!

  The Flame God Mountain shattered.

  The black-robed figure who had suddenly appeared beyond the portal slapped it in half. The upper portion, still attached to the Fire Origin Beast Ancestor statue, was yanked into the passage behind the gate.

  This abrupt scene left everyone dumbfounded.

  Even the human quasi-sage Tonggu Daoist was utterly stunned.

  Staring at the halved mountain, he felt the urge to tug at his beard. Calling it an escalation was an understatement—stealing the Beast Ancestor statue was one thing, but taking half the terrain too?

  Digging up the very ground beneath their feet!

  Worthy of Brother Lu—his moves were as audacious as ever.

  Tonggu Daoist sighed inwardly.

  In the void, the Elemental Gods and numerous Celestial-tier god-demons were equally shocked.

  They never imagined a portal would suddenly appear in the Land of Enlightenment, connecting to a spatial passage.

  That black-robed figure was all too familiar to the Elemental Gods.

  None other than the thief who had stolen the Golden Origin Beast Ancestor statue last time!

  “Damn it!!”

  The Gold Elemental God roared in fury.

  He dared show up again?!

  Who was this person?

  How could someone so shameless, so cunning exist?

  They had guarded against everything—yet a door had opened right beside the statue and whisked it away.

  The Golden Origin statue was already gone.

  Now the Fire Origin one too?!

  And why take half the Flame God Mountain while he was at it?

  What kind of maniac was this?!

  Boom!

  A terrifying explosion rang out.

  The sea of fire boiled; the Flame God Mountain continued to crumble.

  “Stay!”

  The Fire Elemental God reacted, lungs nearly bursting with rage. He never dreamed the black-robed thief would reappear—and right in front of the Elemental Gods!

  He struck with his palm, as if piercing space and time, compressing everything to reach into the portal and drag the thief out.

  Lu was shrouded in his black robe.

  It was the same one the system had provided last time—excellent for blocking primordial spirit probes.

  Essential gear for sneaky operations.

  The horrifying strike felt suffocating.

  The human geniuses in the Dragon Gate passage stared at the seated black-robed figure who had hauled in both the statue and half the mountain—their scalps tingled.

  Lu Jiulian and Tantai Xuan exchanged glances, mouths twitching.

  That signature style—none other than Young Master Lu!

  But the Fire Elemental God’s devastating attack made many pale.

  If it landed in the passage, everyone would die.

  He was an Elemental God—top among Celestial-tier god-demons, ruler of an Elemental Realm.

  Lu’s black robe fluttered.

  He had already pulled the mountain and statue into the passage.

  Now seated before the gate, facing the terrifying palm, his robe billowed wildly.

  Beneath it, Lu narrowed his eyes.

  An Elemental God’s strike was indeed fearsome.

  Even with his nearly perfected Fire Indestructible Demon Body, Lu had no confidence in blocking it.

  So he didn’t try.

  With a thought, he shifted the Fire Origin Beast Ancestor statue back out.

  He placed it right in front of the passage—as a shield.

  Endless radiant flames surged before the Dragon Gate—the Elemental God’s divine fire illuminating eternity.

  The strike seemed capable of annihilating the void and all life within.

  The Fire Elemental God attacked with boundless fury, showing no mercy.

  But as it neared the gate,

  he saw the black-robed figure using the Beast Ancestor statue as a blocker.

  He nearly spat blood!

  Could this guy be any more shameless?!

  A resounding cry echoed.

  As if from the distant primordial era, countless stars trembled.

  Supreme beings in the starry sky seemed disturbed from slumber, gazing over as meteors streaked by.

  Boom!

  The Fire Elemental God’s face darkened!

  With the statue in front, his attack triggered its supreme pressure.

  That pressure was utterly terrifying!

  A soul-deep oppression.

  It made the Fire Elemental God nearly cough blood, as if a supreme entity stared him down.

  He forcibly dissipated his attack, eyes bloodshot—an act of helplessness.

  If he actually hit the statue…

  He truly feared erasure. Beast Ancestors rivaled chaos-tier god-demons and human starry sky sages.

  His ferocious assault dispersed swiftly, like a gentle evening rain pattering on the Dragon Gate—light and leisurely.

  Lu’s black robe lifted slightly as he smiled.

  He set the Fire Origin statue aside, then clapped his palms together as if pulling the gate shut.

  Boom!

  The Dragon Gate shuddered, creaking heavily and anciently.

  “Who the hell are you?!”

  “Return my Golden Origin Beast Ancestor statue!”

  Outside the gate,

  the Gold Elemental God and the internally injured Fire Elemental God shot forward, raising hands to seal space and sever the passage.

  But they found the portal’s spatial profound truths utterly different from theirs.

  Though simpler than the black-robed thief’s previous escape,

  it still eluded their grasp.

  As the gate slowly closed,

  Lu’s robed figure grew blurry and vanished.

  Yet in response to their demands, a faint laugh seemed to emerge from beneath the robe.

  “I borrowed these Beast Ancestor statues fair and square—why should I return them?”

  The calm words drifted from the closing portal.

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  They echoed across the heavens, overpowering the roaring sea of fire.

  The world fell deathly silent.

  Tonggu Daoist inhaled deeply, shocked and impressed. Those words… worthy of Brother Lu, backed by a sage—no wonder he was so bold!

  Look at the Gold and Fire Elemental Gods—stunned speechless.

  Borrowed?

  He called it borrowing?

  How shameless!

  But before they could retort,

  the Dragon Gate fully closed.

  The human geniuses, the Beast Ancestor statue, and the halved Flame God Mountain—cut off completely from the Land of Enlightenment.

  Humm…

  The moment the gate vanished, Little Red Dragon felt drained empty.

  But he was content—immensely proud to have contributed so greatly to Dad, helping accomplish something so monumental!

  Even if it meant certain death afterward, he was thrilled.

  Little Red Dragon dismissed the gate and plummeted weakly from the void, utterly spent—opening it had been far more taxing than imagined.

  But as he fell toward the sea of fire, a wide sleeve swept over.

  Tonggu Daoist scooped him up, tucking him into his sleeve’s universe, then erupted with heaven-shaking fury.

  “Who was that?!”

  “Where did he take so many of our human geniuses?!”

  Tonggu Daoist’s roar carried grief, heartbreak—the sorrow of cherished prodigies lost.

  “You damned god-demons! Was this your plot?!”

  His eyes bloodshot, face twisted in rage.

  In that moment of raw emotion, every god-demon in the Land of Enlightenment froze.

  The Gold and Fire Elemental Gods paused.

  They had been about to rebuke him—but were stunned by his villainous accusation.

  This scoundrel surpassed even the black-robed thief in shamelessness!

  “Silence!”

  The Gold and Fire Elemental Gods fumed.

  They realized instantly—Tonggu Daoist was stirring trouble.

  “Leave that little mudfish!”

  The Fire Elemental God’s body expanded millions of feet tall, enveloping the entire Land of Enlightenment.

  The other Elemental Gods unleashed their auras.

  The black-robed thief was gone—but he’d left one clue: Little Red Dragon.

  The gate had appeared because of him. Capture and interrogate the dragon, and they could uncover the statue’s whereabouts.

  But Tonggu Daoist had taken him.

  That alone convinced them Tonggu was in league with the thief.

  Feeling the overwhelming auras filling the space,

  Tonggu Daoist sighed, a trace of melancholy on his face.

  He couldn’t bluff them anymore.

  These god-demons had gotten smarter.

  But…

  He smiled, gripping his whisk and swinging it calmly.

  Now free of the human geniuses as burdens, as a quasi-sage—he truly had confidence in escaping.

  Though space was locked by the innate treasure “Void-Fixing Pearl,”

  Tonggu Daoist feared it not.

  The Space-Time Spirit Boat couldn’t break through—but he could.

  His whisk swept out.

  Its three thousand strands pierced like blades.

  They stabbed the void, shattering space like a broken mirror.

  Twisting spatial storms raged.

  Tonggu Daoist pressed his palms together, unleashing boundless aura.

  A vertical eye seemed to open on his forehead, containing infinite profound truths—gazing through past, present, and future.

  “It’s Tonggu’s divine ability—the Eye of Space!”

  The Gold Elemental God’s gaze sharpened.

  The Fire Elemental God had already unleashed endless aura; countless fire dragons rose from the sea, coiling like serpents to slay and detain him.

  “Open!”

  Tonggu Daoist’s eyes blazed white-hot.

  The vertical eye seemed to slash out a heavenly blade.

  Spatial chaos flowed like raging waters.

  The blade cut the flow, carving voids even in the turmoil.

  Countless spatiotemporal branches shattered under that slash. Tonggu Daoist flickered, becoming a streak of light that vanished into the unfolding void—merging with the chaos like a drop in the ocean.

  Gone in an instant.

  Boom!!

  Only then did the Elemental Gods’ attacks land.

  The entire Land of Enlightenment collapsed utterly—heavens cracked, mirroring the sea of fire.

  “Tonggu Daoist escaped after all.”

  “No choice—his comprehension of spatial truths nears ninety percent. Even the Void-Fixing Pearl couldn’t hold him.”

  “We lost big this time.”

  “Another Beast Ancestor statue gone—the god-demon race will suffer greatly.”

  “The real issue: the human race now has two statues. They’ll cultivate countless Heavenly Emperor powerhouses—that’s the greatest threat to us!”

  The Elemental Gods spoke one after another.

  Their faces dripped with gloom.

  Despite all precautions, the black-robed thief had slipped through again.

  “Who is that black-robed figure? His spatial escape methods twice surpassed ours—even hinting at sage-level shadows. Human sages are few—which one backs him?”

  They debated endlessly.

  But his origins and master remained unknown.

  “Regardless—issue warrants for those human geniuses… and the black-robed thief. As for the Water and Earth Origin statues, delay their openings…”

  The delay was to avoid tempting the thief!

  The Elemental Gods were truly spooked.

  The thief wasn’t strong—but utterly infuriating.

  Twice now, shaking their composure.

  …

  Space shattered inch by inch.

  In a corner of the Primordial Star Sky, a tattered whisk emerged. Tonggu Daoist broke through the void.

  His robes hung in shreds like noodles, torn by spatial chaos.

  He looked utterly disheveled—using the Eye of Space had cost him dearly.

  Escaping encirclement by Elemental Gods and Celestial-tiers demanded a price.

  Fortunately… the gains were immense.

  Tonggu Daoist’s eyes gleamed.

  “Fire Origin Beast Ancestor statue secured…”

  “Hahaha… the human race is turning fortunes around!”

  He laughed heartily.

  Eyes shining brightly.

  But losing two statues in a row would enrage the Elemental Gods—the Primordial Star Sky would grow more dangerous.

  “No… the Five Phoenixes world is still far from the human ancestral land. With two statues, its status is entirely different.”

  “Originally, I planned to persuade Brother Lu to migrate the Five Phoenixes nearer the ancestral land upon return. But now—major moves are out.”

  “A world migration would draw god-demon attention. The Five Phoenixes might be exposed. Currently, the Elemental Gods haven’t noticed it.”

  Tonggu Daoist wiped blood from his face, shook himself.

  Blood evaporated; he regained his immortal, refreshed demeanor.

  “But without migration, once the Elemental Gods discover the Five Phoenixes… it would be catastrophic.”

  “After all, Brother Lu’s master is wandering the starry sky…”

  “A starry sky sage’s wanderings—who knows how long? Millions, tens of millions of years…”

  Tonggu Daoist sighed.

  Suddenly, gaining another statue felt troublesome.

  He needed a way to protect the Five Phoenixes.

  He flicked his sleeve.

  Little Red Dragon appeared, pale from exhaustion.

  “You’ve earned great merit. Who’d have thought Brother Lu planned from the start of the Land of Enlightenment—incredible depth. Even I’m impressed.”

  “Who could imagine a little dragon with mere initial Emperor strength would be key to the human retreat?”

  Tonggu Daoist now found Little Red Dragon increasingly pleasing.

  Honest, resilient, diligent, uplifting—he couldn’t help but admire him.

  “I owe you this time. Let me grant you a fortune.”

  He narrowed his eyes.

  Then flipped his hand.

  A dazzling flame swirled.

  “This is the soul crystal of a fire-attribute Celestial-tier god-demon I slew long ago. Take it.”

  With a flick, the flame burrowed into Little Red Dragon’s forehead.

  Little Red Dragon felt flames envelop him, twisting in agony.

  Yet his body underwent miraculous transformation.

  His aura surged—from initial Emperor to Great Emperor, peaking there…

  Without any side effects.

  “Comprehend it well. Fully absorbing it will benefit you greatly. With the Fire Origin statue, reaching Heavenly Emperor limit isn’t impossible.”

  Tonggu Daoist smiled.

  Then tucked the meditating dragon back into his sleeve.

  One step shifted the stars; he streaked through the Primordial Star Sky.

  In high spirits, hands behind his back, whistling—almost humming a tune.

  In the distance,

  god-demons peeked out.

  Spotting Tonggu Daoist, they fled in terror—only watching from afar. A human quasi-sage could kill them on a whim.

  Their task was mere surveillance—no need to risk lives.

  Tonggu Daoist wandered the starry sky.

  Stopping and starting, leading his pursuers in circles.

  He had time—dragging them along as long as possible.

  …

  Silence filled the Dragon Gate passage.

  The human geniuses eyed each other awkwardly, unsure what to say.

  Tantai Xuan plopped down, exhaling in relief.

  It was over.

  This journey to the Land of Enlightenment had shown him the human race’s weakness against god-demons.

  Humans needed strength. Tantai Xuan burned with desire to grow stronger.

  One day, he—the Lord of the Netherworld—would stand atop the Primordial Star Sky.

  “Thank you for your aid, brother…”

  After a long pause, the human geniuses recovered.

  Heavenly Emperor Luoyang sheathed his fiery spear and cupped his fists toward the robed Lu with a smile.

  Lu waved it off casually.

  Lu Jiulian, Bai Qingniao, Tantai Xuan, and others bowed deeply.

  “Young Master Lu…”

  Lu dismissed the black robe, revealing white robes purer than snow, seated on the Thousand-Bladed Chair.

  He smiled at them.

  “Good to have you all back safe.”

  Lu said.

  “No need to worry about Little Red Dragon. Senior Tonggu couldn’t escape with so many—but one little dragon is easy.”

  The human geniuses stared at Lu in surprise.

  The black-robed thief… was the Five Phoenixes’ Young Master Lu.

  Unable to store the statue in a spatial treasure, Lu held it directly.

  The Fire Origin statue shrank in his hand—soon trophy-sized like the Golden Origin one.

  Hummm…

  Vast Fire Origin power surged from it.

  Lu’s white robes turned crimson; his hair reddened.

  The power coiled around him, seeping into his body.

  His Fire Indestructible Demon Body began its final ascent toward perfection.

  “Congratulations, Host, on obtaining the adorable little Fire Origin Beast Ancestor statue…”

  System prompts flashed.

  But Lu was focused on gathering Fire Origin power—ignoring the messages and rewards.

  Everyone held their breath, watching Lu.

  The human geniuses were astonished—who was this man?

  He held the statue directly, absorbing its power.

  The statue’s pressure could crush souls.

  Ordinary cultivators struggled even nearing it—absorbing leaked power was already difficult.

  Yet he grasped it outright.

  Fire Origin power soon saturated him.

  Boom!

  Like a volcanic eruption.

  Lu’s eyes sharpened; his presence grew heavier.

  Then heaven-shaking thunder roared—as if overturning the world.

  Fire Indestructible Demon Body… perfected!

  Lu’s lips curved upward. His power had soared.

  Now, facing Qiang Huo, he could subdue him easily.

  “Time to spar with the giant beast Qu Si…”

  Lu cracked his neck, dismissing the demon body.

  His gaze shifted to the halved Flame God Mountain. With a flick, compressed pure Fire Origin power wrapped it.

  Sizzle…

  The mountain melted visibly—soon forming a house-sized crimson crystal.

  “Fire Spirit Divine Stone! Supreme ore—for crafting treasures!”

  Luoyang’s eyes widened. No wonder Lu took half the mountain.

  Refined to purity, it yielded such exquisite Fire Spirit Divine Stone.

  Lu nodded, satisfied. He hadn’t been petty—the stone was perfect for reinforcing the Five Phoenixes Bow.

  He stored everything.

  Then led the group out of the Dragon Gate space.

  Luoyang and the human geniuses made no moves.

  Lu’s aura seemed unremarkable—yet even Heavenly Emperor Luoyang dared not act rashly.

  Plus, Tonggu Daoist’s close ties with Lu ensured cooperation.

  Emerging from the gate,

  dazzling light flashed.

  Rich spiritual energy washed over them—the splendor of the Five Phoenixes world unfolded.

  They were home!

  On the Five Phoenixes Continent, Chai Feng—cultivating human Emperor-realm talents—narrowed his eyes.

  He sensed many familiar auras.

  The human geniuses who had ventured to the Fire Origin Land of Enlightenment?

  Returned?!

  And thick with bloody scent—his expression shifted.

  A terrible battle had occurred!

  Chai Feng immediately roared.

  Protocol for returning warriors from the ancestral land.

  As a human Heavenly Emperor, his aura soared, stirring storms across the Five Phoenixes.

  Fresh from the gate, Luoyang’s eyes wavered—then filled with warmth.

  “Brother Jiulian…”

  He gazed deeply at Lu Jiulian with a gentle smile.

  Lu Jiulian was still dazed.

  Luoyang’s next action baffled him further.

  The human Heavenly Emperor stepped forward, aura blazing.

  His roar pierced the heavens.

  “In the Fire Origin Land of Enlightenment, human prodigy Lu Jiulian, with Supreme Emperor realm, slew fourteen Great Dao-tier god-demons and dozens of Immortal-tier! Glorifying the human race!”

  “Congratulations to the human race! Congratulations to Brother Jiulian!!”

  The words boomed across the Five Phoenixes.

  Chai Feng, hearing the feats, flushed red.

  He bellowed in response.

  “Congratulations!!!”

  The call and response left every powerhouse in the Five Phoenixes stunned.

  Even Lu’s mouth twitched…

  What the hell?!

  Lu Jiulian pressed his lips.

  He wanted to calmly say, “No surprise—it’s just my signature move,” but glancing at Lu beside him…

  He couldn’t bring himself to.

  Why… did it suddenly feel so embarrassing?!