Origin Lake, Heart Island.

  The island was serene, a gentle breeze whispering through, rustling the grass with soft susurrations.

  In the bamboo grove, leaves swayed like an ocean, producing a melodious harmony that blended perfectly.

  Lu Fan sat in the Thousand Blades Chair, jade crown atop his head, clad in white robes.

  Leaning back, he fingered the Mysterious Ring on his thumb, a faint smile playing on his lips.

  "Interesting... Defying Fate intent clashing with Unyielding intent produced an unexpected result."

  Lu murmured with a chuckle.

  Mo Tianyu's cultivation differed from the norm. He could advance step by step, but it demanded far more effort than usual.

  Beyond standard breakthroughs, Mo Tianyu had a maverick path: reversing hexagrams!

  Defying heaven to alter fate, going against the divination.

  It felt like shattering shackles.

  By breaking predetermined destiny, he achieved breakthroughs.

  The greater the reversal's difficulty, the better the outcome.

  This time, Mo Tianyu had pulled off something massive.

  Without him, the Overlord would be truly dead, his soul dragged into the Nine Prisons Gate.

  The Nine Prisons Gate wasn't just a simple cultivation secret realm; it was Lu's creation... a domain to harbor the souls of the dead.

  Much like a reincarnation hell.

  But with Lu's current power, crafting a full reincarnation world was still too challenging.

  Yet, Lu believed that with growth, the Nine Prisons Secret Realm could evolve into a true reincarnation hell, cycling the souls of all beings in the Five Phoenixes world.

  "Still... Mo Tianyu's Defying Fate intent is one thing."

  "Pulling the Overlord from the grasp of the Nine Kings in the Necropolis? Mo Tianyu couldn't do that alone. It was more guidance and a call—the Overlord's own will did the rest."

  "The Overlord manifesting the Demon Lord with demonic qi... he borrowed the Demon Lord's momentum to break the Nine Prisons' chains and revive."

  Lu smiled.

  In a way, the Overlord had borrowed his momentum.

  The Demon Lord was Lu's avatar, and the Nine Kings were his creations. Facing the Demon Lord, they hesitated, giving the Overlord his opening.

  In truth, the Overlord's demonic qi Demon Lord was just an empty shell.

  "A little trickery, but no big deal..."

  Lu tapped his armrest lightly.

  He was curious, though—what collisions would follow between the Five Phoenixes Continent and Tianyuan?

  Tianyuan, a well-developed top-tier mid-level martial world—not the pinnacle, but a massive boon for the current Five Phoenixes.

  And with the spread of dao intents...

  The Empress, Du Longyang, and others grew stronger comprehending them, as did Tianyuan's overall power.

  Controlling the Thousand Blades Chair, he strolled leisurely across the island.

  Ni Yu and Ning Zhao wanted to watch the Overlord's aftermath in the Universal Mirror.

  But cultivation time arrived; the image cut off abruptly.

  Ni Yu smacked her lips, reluctant to set down the mirror.

  Ning Zhao showed no attachment, rising to cultivate on her own.

  The Overlord had grown stronger...

  She needed to catch up fast.

  Young Master said when White Jade Capital reemerged, if she wasn't invincible, she'd embarrass him.

  Thinking this...

  Ning Zhao felt immense pressure.

  Unlike Ni Yu, now the world's top alchemist, Ning Zhao's path was pure strength—many surpassed her.

  ...

  Grains of sand rolled.

  The Overlord, revived from death, erupted with extreme combat power. Headless yet demonic, breaking into Seven Extremes Heavenly Lock, he outlasted Zhou Haisheng until the man died of exhaustion.

  The atmosphere turned deathly quiet.

  Everyone stared at Zhou Haisheng's bowed, lifeless head, then at the Overlord collapsed on the ground, heart thundering like collapsing mountains. They gasped in unison.

  Rumble!

  Terrifying thunderclouds gathered in the sky.

  Someone was crossing a Heavenly Lock tribulation!

  Many eyes shifted to the figure below.

  There, Kong Nanfei's tattered scholarly robes fluttered wildly in the wind, while Mo Tianyu's hair scattered like dandelion seeds.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Mo Tianyu was transcending the tribulation!

  Jing Yue and others were stunned.

  Nie Changqing nodded knowingly—of course, the Overlord's revival was Mo Tianyu's doing.

  His methods... terrifying.

  Defying Fate intent!

  Was this its fearsome power?

  Nie Changqing suddenly felt envy. After this, he should focus on comprehending dao intent.

  But it wasn't easy; even qualification was rare and elusive.

  Many from Tianyuan Domain turned their attention.

  Heavenly Lock tribulations were commonplace now.

  Mo Tianyu passed with some shocks but no real danger.

  Though lightning charred him black, smoke rising... he survived.

  "Old Kong, quick... get me out of here!"

  Mo Tianyu glanced at Feng Yilou's cold stare from afar.

  His face changed; he urged Kong Nanfei.

  Kong Nanfei grabbed him without hesitation, hauling Meng Haoran as they fled swiftly.

  Elsewhere...

  Western Liang powerhouses swarmed in.

  They supported the Overlord's massive frame, retrieving his severed head.

  The Xiang Family Army soldiers exchanged glances—what now?

  The King's head was gone, yet he lived... how to proceed?

  Tianyuan powerhouses eyed Western Liang deeply.

  Many departed.

  Affair concluded, no point lingering; better to venture the Nine Prisons Secret Realm for comprehension qualifications.

  Zhong Nan, Xiao Yue'er left.

  Hidden Nascent Soul experts vanished like wind.

  But undercurrents stirred quietly.

  Even with the Overlord beheaded, White Jade Capital hadn't intervened...

  The Five Phoenixes might face Tianyuan's full oppression next.

  Yellow sands rolled in the desert.

  Soon, Zhou Haisheng's cold corpse was buried under thick layers.

  No one claimed it.

  His status was tricky.

  Tianyuan cultivators avoided touching him—pawn to test White Jade Capital, they feared karma and future reckoning.

  Five Phoenixes cultivators dared not— a Nascent Soul's body might hold traps.

  Suddenly...

  The sweeping sands froze.

  A figure floated in.

  An elderly man in loose robes, vigorous despite age.

  He landed before Zhou Haisheng, sighing at the lifeless form, Nascent Soul energy cracked and dry.

  "Why bother?"

  "You could have retreated and risen again... why fight to this end?"

  The elder sighed.

  He swept his sleeve; robes enveloped the corpse, whisking it away.

  Sands rolled, leaving only dried bloodstains.

  ...

  Outside Wolong Ridge.

  Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.

  The tapping of a bamboo staff on ground halted abruptly.

  Then, eyes opened slowly... gleaming with unusual light.

  "The Overlord battles a Nascent Soul, finding life in nine deaths! Defying fate triumphs over Nascent Soul! Congratulations!"

  Lü Mudui grinned, revealing gap-toothed smile.

  He had a beauty fetch玄黄 paper, dip in chicken blood, and write the Overlord's feats.

  Sent via Heavenly Mechanism Pigeon worldwide.

  The pigeons spread news lightning-fast; soon the world knew.

  Great families, powers—all received it.

  The Overlord defeated a Nascent Soul?

  Shock rippled.

  The Overlord invincible—Heavenly Lock Golden Core slays Nascent Soul!

  A miracle!

  Southern Command.

  Tang Xiansheng read the pigeon message, his wrinkled face twitching.

  "The Overlord... won?"

  Unexpected.

  Initially, when the Nascent Soul targeted him, Tang Xiansheng was pessimistic.

  He guessed Lu and White Jade Capital wouldn't act.

  The Overlord might sacrifice to usher Tianyuan's suppression era.

  But victory surprised and relieved him.

  After all, the Overlord was Five Phoenixes' own.

  Represented them.

  "Five Phoenixes, Tianyuan..."

  Tang Xiansheng watered flowers, droplets sparkling.

  Competing, progressing mutually?

  He smiled wistfully—Young Master Lu's vision surpassed his.

  Northern Command.

  Tai Ridge, Asking Heaven Peak.

  Dantai Xuan clenched fists at the message.

  Rivals with the Overlord, but his erasure by Nascent Soul would choke him—fox mourns rabbit.

  This outcome was perfect; the Overlord's battle boosted Five Phoenixes' momentum.

  Dantai Xuan foresaw Tianyuan cultivators unleashing dominance soon.

  But it proved Five Phoenixes could fight back!

  In the distance...

  Xue Tao rushed over.

  "My King!"

  He cupped hands, excited.

  "Traced the 'Black Dragon Cult.' Liu Yuanhao leads remnants, planning to cross Tianhan Pass, leave the domain, enter the boundless desert..."

  Xue Tao reported.

  Dantai Xuan frowned.

  "Liu Yuanhao dreams big—boundless desert means freedom..."

  "But with world transformation, powerful beasts emerged... plus the repelled Maton Kingdom. Black Dragon Cult's days will be tough."

  "Yet with Liu Yuanhao's cunning, he might control the beasts, even Maton—becoming a major threat."

  Dantai Xuan paced the peak.

  Breeze whispered.

  "Xue Tao!"

  "Here!"

  Xue Tao bowed solemnly.

  "Lead one thousand Xuanwu Guards—annihilate the Black Dragon Cult! No crossing Tianhan Pass!"

  Dantai Xuan ordered.

  "One thousand Xuanwu Guards—can we capture Liu Yuanhao?!"

  Confidence flashed in Xue Tao's eyes as commander.

  "Yes!"

  ...

  In a barren Northern Command valley.

  Black Dragon Cult remnants hid.

  "Cult Leader... Great Xuan's forces hunt us relentlessly. We're trapped; surfacing means pursuit. We may not reach Tianhan Pass."

  A douli-hatted Black Dragon Guard reported to Liu Yuanhao.

  Campfire flickered.

  Liu Yuanhao stood hands clasped, staring at flames, face impassive.

  Events had spiraled beyond expectation.

  Great Xuan's aggression—to eradicate them—was unforeseen.

  Why the insistence?

  "This Leader never provoked Great Xuan... has Dantai Xuan lost his mind?!"

  Liu Yuanhao snarled, cold white flames coiling.

  The Overlord was Great Xuan's enemy; targeting him should please them, yet Dantai Xuan hounded him.

  Now, even fleeing via Tianhan Pass was denied.

  "Fine Dantai Xuan..."

  Liu Yuanhao clapped mockingly.

  "Cult Leader... what now?"

  "We'll be cornered and die."

  A Black Dragon Guard urged.

  "Even cornered dogs jump... Dantai Xuan's too arrogant."

  Liu Yuanhao raised a hand; white flames surged with chilling vapor.

  He stood, scanning.

  Cultists stared hopefully.

  He pointed at one Black Dragon Guard.

  "You lead the rest to break for Tianhan Pass..."

  "You come with this Leader..."

  Liu Yuanhao said.

  The guard blinked. "Cult Leader... what for?"

  Liu Yuanhao gazed outside; red dawn rose slowly on the horizon.

  "Dantai Xuan's arrogant... but does he think he's the Overlord?"

  "The Overlord has peerless cultivation... but you, Dantai Xuan?"

  "A mortal untouched by immortal fate, even as Northern Xuan King, remains mortal..."

  "Now is the era of cultivators! Mortals should accept their place as mortals!"

  Killing intent gleamed coldly in Liu Yuanhao's eyes.

  Black Dragon Guards and cultists breathed heavily.

  They sensed his madness.

  "You and I assassinate the Northern Xuan King!"

  Liu Yuanhao squinted at the guard.

  Silence engulfed the valley.

  Then... heavy breaths.

  Assassinate the Northern Xuan King...

  The Leader had gone mad!

  This would churn the Five Phoenixes' waters!

  But then...

  The Northern Xuan King, severed from immortal fate... perhaps assassin's prey?!

  ...

  Outside Wolong Ridge.

  Nine Phoenixes Institute's blessed land.

  At the mountain's base.

  Spiritual qi formed mist, swirling like thick milk.

  A carriage rolled slowly.

  Neighs echoed.

  Then, from the carriage, Bai Qingniao emerged, Little Phoenix One—now plumper—perched on her head.

  Chi Lian and Jiang Li followed.

  Jiang Li's heart shook; witnessing the Overlord vs. Zhou Haisheng taught cultivation truths—strength was everything.

  Back at Nine Phoenixes Institute, Bai Qingniao beamed; it was home, her peaceful haven.

  Feeding chickens, simmering soup, cultivating... carefree days she cherished.

  "Uncle Jiang, hurry back to Nine Phoenixes Institute—Qingniao will make chicken soup for you."

  Bai Qingniao hopped excitedly.

  Jiang Li smiled.

  Chi Lian pursed lips.

  "Sister Chi Lian gets some too!"

  Bai Qingniao said earnestly.

  Chi Lian's eyes curved into crescents.

  No more killing, no battlefields... this life seemed nice.

  But Chi Lian glanced at Jiang Li; beneath his smile lurked depth.

  Bai Qingniao missed it, but sensitive Chi Lian, following him years, sensed it.

  Suddenly...

  Jiang Li halted.

  Little Phoenix One on Bai Qingniao's head raised its head, looking one way.

  Jiang Li followed—afar, a hunched figure with bamboo staff approached slowly.

  "Grandmaster?"

  Jiang Li froze.

  Mo Beike's heavy eye bags twitched; wrinkles creased into a smile. Seeing Jiang Li, he set down the staff, dusted robes, cupped hands:

  "General Jiang, long time no see."

  At the foot of the mountain.

  They gazed across; a breeze stirred thick white mist.

  Bai Qingniao's joyful smile faded bit by bit as she watched them.