On the back of the giant whale, Lake Heart Island.

  Ripples spread across the Origin Lake, releasing strange pulses of energy.

  Nie Zha ended her secluded cultivation for once. She sat cross-legged on the grass, Ni Yu (with Little Yinglong perched on her head) beside her. The Heaven-Spanning Mirror floated before them, showing the standoff at Buzhou Peak.

  “Twenty-seven Nascent Souls…”

  Worry creased Ni Yu’s face. “Can big sis Zhulong hold them off?”

  She passed Nie Zha a sugar-coated Body Tempering Pill. Nie Zha accepted it without ceremony and popped it in her mouth.

  Her expression was equally grave.

  Though her time on the island had pushed her to the Five Extremes Heavenly Lock—far beyond her old self—she still had no confidence against Nascent Souls.

  Zhulong was strong, but the enemy lineup was stronger.

  Little Yinglong, however, lounged carelessly atop Ni Yu’s head, lazily crunching another candy-coated pill. The pills barely helped him anymore, but they tasted amazing.

  As for the mess his big sister now faced?

  He wasn’t worried at all.

  Even if Big Sis somehow lost—which was ridiculous—she had Dad.

  A hundred Little Yinglongs’ worth of battle power wasn’t a joke.

  He snorted smugly, eyes full of disdain.

  Up in the White Jade Capital pavilion.

  Lu poured himself a cup of green plum wine, swirling it gently as lines danced in his eyes.

  “These Tianyuan cultivators have gotten a little too full of themselves…”

  The liquid clinked softly inside the cup.

  The ones moving now were all second- and third-rate Nascent Souls. The four holy lands stayed wisely silent—Du Longyang and the others knew exactly how terrifying Lu was and kept their people in check.

  The lesser powers, however, were beneath his notice.

  Lu tapped the armrest of his wheelchair.

  Pressure bred growth.

  The threat from Tianyuan had forced the Five Phoenixes’ cultivators to improve by leaps and bounds.

  Overlord, Nie Changqing, and the others were breaking through faster than ever.

  Even ordinary practitioners, starved of resources, trained desperately—because only strength could win those resources back.

  With the scraps they were given, they squeezed out maximum gains.

  So far, White Jade Capital’s seclusion strategy was working.

  As for twenty-seven Nascent Souls ganging up on Zhulong…

  Even Lu hadn’t expected that.

  Her appearance was meant to be a deterrent. Instead of scaring them off, it had drawn them together like wolves.

  “That Lei Liushui cultivates some kind of ocular art. He’s after Zhulong’s eyes, isn’t he?”

  A dangerous glint flickered in Lu’s gaze.

  “That girl’s temper… is nothing like mine. I’m the patient one.”

  He took a sip and chuckled.

  Good, though. Tianyuan needed a beating.

  After today, the balance between the Five Phoenixes and Tianyuan might finally settle into its proper track.

  Once that happened, growth would accelerate.

  Lu actually felt a spark of anticipation.

  He looked up at the boundless sky.

  He could already feel it—the powerful enemies drawn by the death of that Buddhist seed were almost here.

  The Five Phoenixes’ hope of leaping straight into a top-tier Mid Martial world, or even High Martial…

  It all rested on just how strong the world those enemies came from truly was.

  …

  Buzhou Peak.

  Zhulong sat on the green stone, long lashes trembling.

  Twenty-seven Nascent Souls.

  Her spiritual sense counted them clearly.

  Five were no weaker than Nan Yuefeng.

  One had half a foot in Infant Transformation.

  A formidable lineup.

  Yet her heart remained perfectly calm.

  Behind her, the Azure Dragon roared. All traces of its earlier pitiful, bruised act vanished. Radiant light poured from its body.

  Dark-golden eyes burned with fury.

  They dared bully Big Sis?!

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  The dragon coiled into the sky, unleashing a roar that shook the mountain.

  In the void, Lei Liushui and his twenty-six allies hovered, smiling as they looked from Zhulong to the dragon.

  Their attention stayed mostly on the girl sitting quietly on the stone.

  This was the one who killed Nan Yuefeng?

  The two Nascent Souls from South Dou Mountain stared at her with icy hatred.

  South Dou had been on the verge of becoming first-rate. Nan Yuefeng’s death had dragged them back down.

  Their remaining Nascent Souls—one early-stage, one minor accomplishment—had lost all voice in the alliance.

  Fewer resources, lower status.

  And the cause of it all was this serene young woman.

  Lei Liushui had brought twenty-six Nascent Souls to crush her—they were delighted.

  “Her aura isn’t even that impressive… just ordinary Nascent Soul.”

  Many floated overhead, sizing her up.

  “But she killed Nan Yuefeng. She must have some hidden trump card.”

  “Her eyes—rumor says when she opened them, heaven and earth lost color and Nan Yuefeng fell instantly.”

  “Some kind of divine ocular ability! Valley Lord Lei must want it!”

  “He’s half a step into Infant Transformation. With that ocular power, he could rival Du Longyang and the others.”

  Spiritual messages flew between them.

  The four holy lands had suppressed Tianyuan for too long.

  There had once been five—until the Bitter Buddha Temple launched its apocalyptic war and was erased.

  The fifth holy land seat remained empty.

  Lei Liushui wanted Thunder Sound Valley to claim it.

  “Young lady.”

  Lei Liushui floated forward in his black-and-white checkered robes, sleeves billowing like an immortal, smiling warmly.

  “I am Lei Liushui, Valley Lord of Thunder Sound Valley. There aren’t many Nascent Souls in the world, so I formed an alliance…”

  “Now that the Five Phoenixes and Tianyuan are one family again, and since you are a Nascent Soul of the Five Phoenixes, I have come personally to invite you to join us, to maintain order together.”

  “Of course, as a member, you would have the chance to win many resources for the Five Phoenixes.”

  At the foot of the mountain, Dantai Xuan stood with his thousand Xuanwu Guards.

  Mo Ju fanned himself slowly. “This is an open scheme…”

  “He wants to bind her and crush the Five Phoenixes’ rising momentum at the same time.”

  “‘Win resources for the Five Phoenixes’—empty words.”

  “The alliance decides allocation. Alone, she would be at their mercy.”

  Dantai Xuan’s rage boiled over. He bellowed up the mountain:

  “Lady Zhulong! Don’t listen to that liar! Men are all deceivers! Don’t join their stupid alliance!”

  Mo Ju’s mouth twitched.

  Every Nascent Soul in the sky heard him perfectly.

  Lei Liushui’s elegant smile froze, face turning livid.

  “Hmph!”

  “Noisy insect!”

  “How dare an ant interrupt Nascent Soul talk!”

  He flicked his sleeve.

  Terrifying energy exploded overhead, thundering downward like a tidal wave.

  Mo Ju paled.

  Xue Tao roared, spear raised to the heavens.

  BOOM!

  Mountain-like pressure crushed down.

  Suddenly—a sword beam slashed through the darkness like starlight, cleaving the oppressive aura in two.

  Jing Yue gripped his Jing Tian Sword, thrusting upward as though splitting the sea itself.

  Sword intent erupted, shattering the pressure.

  Nie Changqing landed beside him, drawing Zhanlong in a flash of black.

  Together their sword qi severed Lei Liushui’s suppression completely.

  In the sky, Lei Liushui’s brow furrowed.

  “Disciples of White Jade Capital…”

  Caution flickered in his eyes.

  White Jade Capital was still untouchable. He couldn’t kill their people.

  He dispersed the pressure and turned back to Zhulong with a renewed smile.

  “Will you join us, young lady?”

  Zhulong’s long lashes trembled.

  After a long silence, her full lips parted.

  “Scram.”

  Her clear, bell-like voice rang out.

  Lei Liushui’s face froze, then twisted with rage.

  The surrounding Nascent Souls looked stunned—this girl was insane!

  Killing Nan Yuefeng was impressive, but Lei Liushui could do the same.

  And there were twenty-seven of them. Was she not afraid?

  All around Buzhou Peak, more figures gathered at a distance, watching the confrontation.

  Twenty-seven floating experts surrounding one young woman…

  “Are they saying the Five Phoenixes have no one?!”

  A cold, domineering voice boomed.

  Demonic qi surged like a tidal wave.

  Overlord had arrived.

  Clad in black Tyrant King Armor, eyes sharp within his helmet, axe-shield on his back, he strode up the stone steps.

  With every step, his presence grew more terrifying.

  Spine like a dragon, blood and qi roaring.

  His Seven Extremes Heavenly Lock realm had fully stabilized—he was stronger than ever.

  Beside him, Sima Qingshan walked leisurely, book box on his back, gentle as spring breeze.

  The Nascent Souls above glanced down at Overlord and frowned slightly.

  The man who killed Zhou Haisheng—Xiang Shaoyun.

  “Sect Master Nan, stop Xiang Shaoyun. Can you manage it?” Lei Liushui asked the South Dou sect master casually.

  The man’s eyes narrowed—South Dou had fallen so low they were being ordered around now.

  But he didn’t refuse. Crossing Lei Liushui offered no benefit.

  He shot downward toward Overlord.

  Overlord’s pace quickened, then turned into a full charge!

  BOOM!

  One step cracked the stone.

  Demonic qi exploded like a roaring devil.

  He swung axe and shield, charging the sect master.

  Sima Qingshan smiled, found a flat stone halfway up the peak, and sat cross-legged.

  “Overlord, allow me.”

  Ink and brush in hand, a blank scroll floated before him.

  Spiritual qi became ink as he painted.

  With each stroke, strange images flickered into being.

  The South Dou sect master was furious—his supreme elder dead, his sect weakened.

  Xiang Shaoyun was only Golden Core. The scholar too.

  A minor accomplishment Nascent Soul afraid of two Golden Cores?

  Overlord had killed Zhou Haisheng, yes—but he himself was in his prime!

  BOOM!

  He flicked his sleeve. Terrifying energy blasted Overlord’s axe-shield, smashing him back to the ground.

  But just as he moved to finish him—

  A massive ink-painted boulder materialized and smashed down.

  “Petty tricks!”

  He shattered it with one punch.

  Below, Sima Qingshan’s expression turned solemn.

  He painted faster.

  A stroke—and an entire ink-black mountain crashed toward the sect master.

  Lift brush, move mountain.

  Overlord sprang up like a coiled spring, armor glowing, demonic qi swirling, and slammed into the sect master again.

  Sima Qingshan smiled.

  Together, the two Golden Cores actually suppressed a Nascent Soul.

  He had kept a low profile in the Nine Prisons Secret Realm for too long.

  But low profile didn’t mean weak.

  His eyes flashed. Ink surged.

  He began his masterpiece: Genesis Painting.

  BOOM!

  The South Dou sect master suddenly found himself inside a world-ending catastrophe—sky splitting, continents falling, oceans pouring through the cracks.

  What in the—?!

  His face paled.

  Overlord seized the opening, shield swinging like a battering ram.

  CRACK!

  The sect master was smashed across the face and sent flying.

  The entire battlefield fell silent.

  Above, Lei Liushui frowned.

  “Useless.”

  A minor accomplishment Nascent Soul—beaten by two Golden Cores.

  But he ignored it.

  His gaze returned to Zhulong.

  “Scram.”

  Zhulong rose from the green stone.

  Lei Liushui’s unsaid words died in his throat.

  Then he laughed, cold and furious.

  His eyes spun. Tears of light glimmered—deep within his pupils, a thunder lake churned.

  Heavenly Thunder Eyes!

  “You will join this alliance whether you wish to or not!”

  His voice thundered across the sky.

  Dark clouds gathered instantly, as though heavenly tribulation itself descended.

  Every Nascent Soul unleashed their aura.

  Behind Zhulong, the Azure Dragon roared and shot upward.

  An elder at greater accomplishment Nascent Soul stepped forward with a smile, locking the dragon in combat.

  The remaining twenty-four locked onto Zhulong alongside Lei Liushui, ready to crush her.

  On the green stone.

  Zhulong held her bamboo flute. Her lashes trembled.

  “You… threaten me?”

  Her voice was soft.

  She raised one delicate hand and pointed at the elder fighting the Azure Dragon.

  A strand of milky-white chaos-infused light shot out.

  Pfft!

  A dull explosion.

  Before the greater accomplishment Nascent Soul could react, his forehead burst open in a cloud of blood.

  A tiny infant Nascent Soul fled from his skull in terror.

  But it too bore a hole between its brows.

  Soul and consciousness unraveled, dissolving into raw energy.

  The Azure Dragon, who had been snarling ferociously at the elder, froze for a split second.

  Then it smoothly resumed looking fierce, as if nothing had happened.

  “Daddy was right,” Zhulong said lightly.

  “Good girls should have sweet tempers.”

  She raised her hand again, slender finger now aimed at Lei Liushui.

  Her beautiful face tilted upward, closed eyes trembling.

  “So, just like Daddy does…”

  “Kill every last one of you.”

  “No one will ever know I have a bad temper.”