Mo Beike's arrival shattered the tranquility of the Nine Phoenixes Institute.

  Jiang Li smiled and invited him up to the institute. Though Bai Qingniao's face remained sour the whole way, Jiang Li could only smile bitterly inside and pretend not to notice.

  Mo Beike knew full well Bai Qingniao disliked him, so he chatted only with Jiang Li along the path.

  Once at the Nine Phoenixes Institute...

  It truly was just a simple little courtyard.

  Enclosed by a bamboo fence, forming a modest yard.

  At the center stood a small bamboo building—not luxurious, but with the humble charm of a farmhouse.

  Mo Beike was taken aback, not expecting this.

  The "One Institute" of One Institute, Two Nations, Three Sects, Four Pavilions was really such a plain place.

  Jiang Li and Mo Beike talked extensively.

  From sunrise to sunset, they grew more engrossed.

  Bai Qingniao, apron-wrapped, wiped her water-stained hands.

  In the yard, under the sunset's glow, Little Phoenix One chased and pecked at Little Phoenix Two and Three, along with a few bewildered chicks.

  Night fell.

  Reluctantly, Bai Qingniao served Mo Beike a bowl of chicken soup.

  The clear broth had little oil but exuded an irresistible rich aroma.

  Jiang Li sipped blissfully—he adored Bai Qingniao's chicken soup.

  Mo Beike lifted the bowl, inhaling deeply; the intense fragrance filled his nose.

  He couldn't even identify the herbs used.

  One sip: rich chicken flavor blended with unique herbal freshness, warming from mouth to throat, lungs, chest—like admiring a blooming udumbara flower.

  "Excellent soup!"

  Mo Beike praised.

  Bai Qingniao huffed.

  "My soup—even Young Master Lu raves about it!"

  She declared.

  Mo Beike smiled broadly, nodding repeatedly.

  In the yard...

  Little Phoenix One, Two, and Three played, then suddenly fought.

  Little Phoenix One transformed into a fire phoenix, flames blazing half the sky. Two and Three refused to yield, joining the fray.

  They ended up beaten by One anyway.

  But their actions showed unyielding spirit.

  Life at the Nine Phoenixes Institute was truly peaceful.

  Peaceful enough to make one linger and forget return.

  Mo Beike sipped contentedly, thinking this.

  But alas...

  The world's tides were shifting; one couldn't control their fate.

  ...

  Dongyang Commandery.

  Martial Emperor City Branch.

  An old daoist carried Zhou Haisheng's corpse back to the grand hall.

  He cupped hands toward the hall's interior.

  After a long wait, a phantom flickered.

  Du Longyang, in training attire, appeared and descended step by step.

  "City Lord."

  The loose-robed elder bowed.

  Du Longyang nodded slightly, eyes on Zhou Haisheng.

  After a pause, he sighed.

  "Lifespan exhausted, Nascent Soul energy shattered, soul extinguished..."

  "Forced to burn out completely."

  Du Longyang said.

  The elder sighed too. "Sect Leader Zhou had already won, but the opponent suddenly revived, breaking two realms in a row, combat power soaring. Amplified by a third-sequence dao intent, he drained every bit of Zhou's Nascent Soul energy."

  "Sequence dao intent..."

  "A entirely new path, profoundly deep, terrifyingly amplifying combat. Higher tier, greater boost. Zhou only lost regrettably."

  Du Longyang explained.

  The elder hesitated.

  Finally, gritting teeth, bowed: "City Lord, is dao intent... truly that important?"

  Du Longyang, hands clasped behind, glanced at him—he knew the question.

  "Great Elder... you've been at perfected Nascent Soul for centuries, soon assaulting Infant Transformation. But beyond that, the only path is sequence dao intent."

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  "I don't know how high martial worlds cultivate past Infant Transformation, but... this seat knows dao intent absolutely breaks through!"

  Du Longyang stated.

  The elder's eyes flashed with realization.

  "Sequence dao intent divides by Nascent Soul strength too: initial comprehension, minor completion, major completion, perfection..."

  "Each level qualitatively transforms the intent's power."

  Du Longyang inhaled deeply.

  "Now, this seat's dao intent understanding is still 'initial comprehension.' I foresee minor completion condensing a 'Yin God Dao Lotus,' entering Three Gods Realm!"

  His words shocked the Great Elder profoundly.

  "Zhou used his life to probe White Jade Capital's bottom line..."

  "Go, bury Sect Leader Zhou honorably."

  "This seat enters seclusion next—disturb only for grave matters."

  Du Longyang ordered.

  With that, he vanished.

  The Great Elder stroked his beard, eyes gleaming sharply.

  Du Longyang's words clarified: the Four Great Holy Lands would lift restrictions on Tianyuan Nascent Souls...

  To them, Five Phoenixes Continent was fat meat, rich in resources.

  Like Nine Prisons Secret Realm, Dragon Gates, the Trial Tower.

  Occupying them would greatly benefit sect juniors.

  ...

  Western Commandery.

  Xiliang Prefecture.

  The entire city was deathly silent.

  Xiliang soldiers clenched fists, staring toward the inner city.

  How was the Overlord?

  Every soldier cared deeply.

  Luo Mingsang awoke, face pale as ash.

  "Sister... the Overlord lives."

  Luo Mingyue hugged her pipa.

  Not consolation—fact.

  Luo Mingsang's dead eyes sparked with light.

  The Overlord indeed lived.

  Carried back by soldiers, his heart still thundered like drumbeats.

  He was too strong—Seven Extremes Heavenly Lock, spine nearly dragonized, vital blood like mercury, heart immensely powerful.

  Xiliang's famed physicians were dragged in urgently.

  Diagnosing his pulse, they froze, faces ghostly.

  Headless... yet alive?

  "Can the King's head be reattached?!"

  Xu Chu, seeing one shake his head, temper flaring, grabbed him and demanded.

  The physician shook head frantically—beyond his skill.

  They'd never seen this; no daring to try.

  Luo Mingsang arrived, seeing the headless Overlord, blood draining from her face.

  But touching his chest, feeling the mighty heartbeat, color returned.

  The King... truly lived!

  But head severed from body—how to save?

  Would the Overlord... go without his head forever?

  All Xiliang chaos ensued; everyone scrambled for ways to reattach it.

  ...

  Origin Lake, Heart Island.

  Lu Fan returned to White Jade Capital's pavilion.

  Ning Zhao cultivated; Lu brewed plum wine himself. Green plums tumbled in the pot; clear liquor poured into a bronze cup, diffusing rich aroma.

  From the Mysterious Ring, he drew the Spiritual Pressure Chessboard, placing pieces in a yin-yang setup.

  His yin-yang chess research deepened; spiritual sense and soul strengthened greatly.

  Sipping fine wine, Lu smacked lips, missing Bai Qingniao's chicken soup.

  That girl's brew was delicious.

  Placing a few pieces, he leaned back, gazing at sky's colorful clouds.

  The giant whale breached the sea, spouting water, leisurely gliding.

  Once, it hid; now, with Lu, no need—his power erased its trace from worldly eyes.

  Sunset bathed the calm sea in ripples.

  Reflecting the whale, Origin Lake, and Heart Island on its back.

  "The sunset is endlessly beautiful, yet near dusk."

  Lu leaned, smiling suddenly.

  Pinching a chess piece, tapping the armrest.

  Feeling strength grow with more cultivators... he sensed faint boredom.

  Suddenly, something occurred.

  Gazing at the firmament.

  He recalled in Peacock Nation, crushing a Buddha seed. It threatened: killing it would draw the Great Buddha's notice, sending top mid martial worlds to punish.

  How...

  Still no sign?

  Lu sighed.

  ...

  Northern Commandery.

  Cold winds whistled.

  At horizon's end, iron-clad cavalry charged, dust billowing.

  Ahead...

  Black Dragon Cult members fled like startled birds into dense forest.

  A Black Dragon Guard in douli leaped, landing atop trees, racing on branches.

  Cavalry dreaded forests—speed plummeted, horses hindered.

  Xue Tao led one thousand Xuanwu Guards in pursuit.

  Cultists wouldn't wait for death.

  Seeing the guard vaulting above...

  Xue Tao unslung his bow, nocked an arrow, drew full—string taut.

  Like bending bow to shoot great eagles.

  Fingers released; string snapped back explosively.

  Arrow flew.

  Sky seemed cleaved.

  "Get down!"

  Xue Tao roared.

  He dismounted, spear in hand.

  Xuanwu Guards followed suit.

  Drawing back blades.

  Step by step into the forest.

  Boom boom boom...

  Forest quaked.

  Trees blocking? Blades slashed, halving them.

  Unstoppable, like terrifying war machines flattening all.

  Xue Tao's arrow closed on the leaf-treading guard.

  Douli pierced.

  Bang!

  Spiritual qi-infused arrow exploded.

  Sharp head shattered into deadly shards, blasting the guard.

  Pfft!

  Guard dodged midair.

  But shards struck; he grunted, crashing down.

  Xue Tao charged foremost, spear gleaming with qi.

  Swept it, massive arc clashing with the guard.

  One thrust—guard retreated steadily.

  Xue Tao's strikes heavy, wide.

  Though Body Storage, the guard was utterly suppressed.

  Cultists fled madly regardless.

  But Xuanwu Guards faster—in squads, corralling scattered prey like cornered beasts.

  Pfft!

  Spear pierced.

  Qi transfixed.

  Nailing the guard to ground.

  Blood gushed; Xue Tao stood spear poised, scanning cultists.

  Suddenly...

  Something off.

  "Missing people."

  "Where's Liu Yuanhao?"

  "And one Black Dragon Guard?"

  Xue Tao demanded.

  Hearing the pinned guard's low chuckle.

  Rage surged; Xue Tao gripped spear, thrusting repeatedly.

  "Where's Liu Yuanhao?!"

  He bellowed.

  Pain drew roars from the guard.

  Bloodshot eyes glared, veins bulging, sinister laugh only.

  Chilling Xue Tao's heart.

  Diversion?

  Liu Yuanhao targeted... the Northern Xuan King?!

  ...

  Liu Yuanhao in douli, beside another douli-clad Black Dragon Guard.

  Gazing at the flickering lights of Great Xuan Academy, his lips curled.

  Eyes shifting to Tai Ridge above.

  Dantai Xuan resided there.

  "The Northern Xuan King is indeed confident."

  The guard's hoarse voice.

  "Choosing not the heavily patrolled palace but a cold, isolated peak... if attacked, who saves him?"

  "Confidence is good; without it, Dantai Xuan wouldn't be king."

  "Nor endure repeated immortal fate misses without crumbling."

  Beneath douli, Liu Yuanhao's eyes gleamed.

  "Of course, his confidence stems from Xuanwu Guards."

  "But dispatching a thousand to eradicate us... total annihilation."

  Liu Yuanhao's face iced over.

  "I'll ask him face-to-face... why despise my Black Dragon Cult so?"

  Against the king, Liu Yuanhao cared not.

  His strength... mere Qi Core.

  First or second stage—ant to Liu Yuanhao.

  Even with dynasty dragon qi.

  Useless for cultivation—limited, ribald.

  Thus, with most Guards gone, assassination failure? Unthinkable.

  Words fallen...

  Liu Yuanhao blurred, rushing silently—only fallen leaves' warmth hinting prior presence.

  ...

  Tai Ridge Summit.

  A modest pavilion—not lavish—served as the Northern Xuan King's quarters.

  Defenses solid.

  Xuanwu Guards patrolled; a Body Storage commander guarded.

  Pavilion lights flickered, candle flames swaying in midnight mountain chill.

  Dantai Xuan, thin cloak wrapped, reviewed Great Xuan Academy students' scrolls.

  The academy now thrived.

  Mo Beike's returned Hundred Schools paths let students shine, easier finding their dao.

  Of course, Dantai Xuan demanded rigor—not just cultivation.

  Calligraphy, politics, military—all assessed.

  These students: Great Xuan's future pillars.

  Hm?

  Suddenly...

  Desk candle flickered.

  Icy wind-like chill brushed face.

  Outside: blades unsheathed.

  Dantai Xuan paused, set down scroll, looked up.

  At the door...

  As exclamations erupted outside.

  A black shadow stood; arms ablaze with pale white flames, blade-shaped, piercing two Qi Core Xuanwu Guards' throats...

  Flames fiery yet chilling, distorting air.

  Dantai Xuan's eyes narrowed.

  Killing intent crashed like waves.

  He frowned.

  Eyes on desk, carefully tidying students' scrolls, then looked up coldly at the douli shadow. Drew a sharp guard sword from behind; blade reflected candle's dim light.

  Dantai Xuan seemed to guess the intent—surprised but calm, unflustered:

  "Who are you?!"

  "Breaking into this king's quarters is death."

  Words fallen...

  Suppressed laughter from beneath douli.

  Figure raised head, slowly withdrawing flame blades from the Guards, smiling at Dantai Xuan.

  "Northern Xuan King, a pleasure... I am Black Dragon Cult Leader, Liu Yuanhao."