*Great Xuan – Ask-Heaven Peak*

  Tan Taixuan hauled Xue Tao up by the armpits.

  “Overlord punched a seventh-turn golden core into soup.

  Black Dragon ran with tail on fire.

  Capital secure.”

  Xue Tao coughed blood. “Sire, he’s unstoppable.

  We just saved our future enemy.”

  Tan Taixuan paced the cliff edge, wind whipping his robe like war banners.

  “Enemy today, meat-shield tomorrow.

  Liu Yuanhao’s still breathing.

  Tell every garrison:

  Black Dragon steps on Xuan soil—bury them where they stand.”

  Xue Tao’s grin showed broken teeth. “Gladly.”

  He saluted and vanished down the dragon gate.

  Tan Taixuan stared east.

  Clouds were stacking like unpaid debts.

  …

  *Southern Prefecture – Flowerbed*

  Tang Xiansheng watered roses with the calm of a man watering graves.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Report delivered—Overlord’s fist, Zhou Liu’s brains on palace tiles.

  Tang Guo dropped her peach. “Brother Mo’s coming home?”

  Tang Xiansheng ruffled her hair. “Bedlam’s knocking.

  Time to fetch our scholar before the roof caves in.”

  …

  *Lake-Heart Island – Reward Screen*

  System popped champagne:

  > Branch Task Complete: “No More White Jade”

  > Reward: Heaven-Covering Formation (Earth-tier)

  Lu caught the array like a child catching fireflies.

  Eight trigrams spun above the preaching platform.

  He failed seventeen times—each collapse a small apocalypse.

  Eighteenth try: a dome of silver runes locked into place.

  Missing piece: one Earth-tier spirit weapon as array eye.

  Lu rubbed his jade hairpin. “Guess who’s getting an upgrade.”

  …

  *Xiliang – Command Tent*

  Overlord sat with Luo Mingsang under torchlight.

  “I killed Zhou Liu.

  No regrets.”

  Generals roared. “We’ll die first!”

  Overlord’s glare silenced them.

  “If the old monster comes, I fight in the desert.

  If I fall, kneel to no one—live quiet, live long.”

  Xu Chu punched the table. “Bullshit!”

  Overlord’s fist dented Xu Chu’s breastplate. “Orders.”

  Luo Mingsang’s fingers found his. “Bring Mingyue home.

  Half a White Jade disciple is still a dragon’s scale.”

  …

  *Wolong Ridge – Night*

  Overlord climbed the humble peak.

  Lv Mu tapped his cane. “Borrowing my girl as insurance?”

  “Insurance,” Overlord agreed. “And family.”

  Luo Mingyue hugged her guqin, veil fluttering like surrender.

  Lv Mu sighed. “Fortune says: nine parts death, one part miracle.”

  Overlord took the girl’s hand. “I’ll take the miracle.”

  …

  *Secret Realm Gate – Dawn*

  Clock Nan and Xiao Yue’er emerged, knives still hungry.

  They saw Overlord waiting—shirtless, axe across knees.

  Clock Nan spat. “Still breathing?”

  Overlord grinned. “Waiting for someone who punches harder than me.”

  Second Hell Gate rumbled.

  A barefoot madman strolled out, belly spilling over belt, four glowing runes dancing on his spine.

  Mo Tianyu yawned, scratched his navel.

  “Heard you need a sparring partner who won’t die.

  Lucky you—I’m immortal till the wine runs out.”

  He cracked his neck.

  Fourth-grade Dao Intent: *Drunken Calamity*.

  Overlord stood.

  Two monsters, one desert, one incoming ghost.

  The ridge trembled.

  Far away, an old man in black drifted closer—sword across his lap, sunrise bleeding behind him.

  Three days.

  Then the sky would fall, or the desert would drink blood.

  Either way, Five Phoenix would remember the sound of fists answering thunder.