The clash between Lu and the giant whale ended swiftly.

  At least, for the people of Dongyang County, a great calamity had passed.

  The Overlord drew a deep breath. Lu had grown far stronger than before—always mysterious, his power unfathomable.

  But the Overlord knew clearly: Lu's strength advanced steadily. The world progressed, and so did Lu.

  Only he, the Overlord, stagnated.

  This time, Lu brought him to witness a battle of true great cultivation, partly as a warning.

  To make him realize he could not continue like this.

  The path of cultivation was long. He'd only just stepped onto the ladder—how could he let himself be shackled at the ankles?

  He had to break through.

  No more evasion; he must face his inner demon head-on.

  In the distance...

  A lone boat streaked forth, the Empress standing at its prow.

  Her dark hair danced; her crimson robes fluttered wildly.

  The battle's commotion was immense—an Infant Transformation-level clash. How could the Empress not sense it?

  Connecting it to the whale shadow she'd seen earlier, she knew: the whale was causing trouble.

  Ruling the Great Qian Women's Kingdom, near the Demon Domain and vast sea, she'd crossed paths with it before.

  An abyssal beast of endless ages, legend said a high-martial powerhouse enlightened it by chance, granting eternal life.

  Records claimed 100,000 years.

  100,000 years...

  The Empress couldn't imagine any creature enduring so long!

  Thus, when it invaded Five Phoenixes, she grew anxious.

  Boom!

  She leaped from the boat, robes billowing, treading the air.

  But soon, she saw the outcome afar.

  The irascible whale floated docilely on the sea; atop its back, white-robed Young Master Lu wheeled leisurely.

  The Empress exhaled in relief.

  Young Master Lu had handled the whale.

  Lu arched a brow at the approaching Empress. She carried a bundle, dressed plainly with light makeup—elegant yet understated.

  But her beauty remained captivating and alluring.

  "Young Master Lu."

  Spotting him, she smiled radiantly.

  Rumble!

  Below, the whale thundered, body swaying with a fearsome roar.

  It sensed an old acquaintance—the Great Qian Empress.

  Lu nodded slightly. Her departure from Tianyuan didn't surprise him much.

  He hadn't restricted them anyway; Tianyuan and Five Phoenixes were bound to interact eventually.

  "Well now, doesn't this whale usually mind its own business with humans? What made it snap this time?"

  The Empress lightly stamped her long leg on its back.

  Water jets erupted from its blowholes, a pillar soaring skyward, scattering like rain.

  Little Yinglong on Lu's shoulder brightened.

  A kindred spirit!

  This water spout rivaled his own.

  "Young Master Lu, how did you tame this whale?"

  "It's no weakling—Du Longyang challenged it once and nearly cried."

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  The Empress raised a fair hand, blocking all the rain.

  Lu sat in his wheelchair, chin propped, hand on the armrest.

  Glancing at her, he smiled: "Simple. Steamed, grilled, or braised—let it choose."

  The Empress was speechless.

  Then burst into laughter.

  Young Master Lu's humor was ice-cold.

  "Du Longyang, Tianxu, and Ye Shoudao should all have left Tianyuan by now, heading here."

  The Empress said.

  Lu's indifference made her purse her lips.

  She surveyed curiously.

  "So this is Young Master Lu's world? Not quite what I imagined."

  "Oh? How so?"

  Lu grew intrigued.

  She eyed little Yinglong on his shoulder, then the flaming Red Dragon, sensing the ambient spiritual qi. Shaking her head: "I thought a place nurturing a prodigy like you would be a top mid-martial world, at least on par with Tianyuan. But... it falls short."

  "Spiritual qi isn't dense; no powerhouses catch our eye."

  The Empress noted.

  Lu said nothing.

  She spoke truth.

  Five Phoenixes lagged behind Tianyuan now.

  "To shore."

  Lu said.

  They left the whale's back for the beach.

  The whale lay quietly in the water, subdued.

  A 100,000-year-old monster—steady as they come.

  Submitted to Lu, but unhurried. Temporary—outlast the human, reclaim sea dominion.

  Human spans paled against his.

  On the sand, Lu eyed the whale.

  Flicked a "Gen" gossip rune.

  It flew, merging into the beast.

  "Go. I'll summon if needed."

  Lu said faintly.

  The whale's massive eyes rolled, gazing at Lu.

  Complex emotions.

  Regret—delivering himself into peril.

  Thought this world harmless; met a monster like Lu.

  Charged aggressively, ended as a pet...

  Tail slammed, waves towering.

  Long cry, then dove deep, startling sea life.

  Surface calmed, waves receded.

  Gentle breeze brought comfort.

  "Let's go."

  Lu rubbed little Yinglong's head.

  Wheelchair spun, rolling inland.

  Red Dragon roared, soaring to its gate.

  Afar, the Overlord and Dongyang folk gathered.

  "Greetings, Young Master Lu!"

  The prefect thrilled.

  Lu: peerless cultivator, White Jade Capital lord! True mystic—tamed that horror!

  The Overlord watched Lu complexly.

  Then his eyes sharpened—spotting the Empress.

  First glance: stunned by her beauty.

  Grace and nobility added allure.

  Second: her power—unfathomable, oppressive as the sea, pores tightening.

  Terrifyingly strong woman!

  Lu exchanged little with Dongyang's people—nodded, a word or two—then left with little Yinglong and the Overlord.

  To Red Dragon Gate.

  The Empress observed curiously.

  "Empress, perfect timing. Something to discuss with you all."

  Lu said.

  "Young Master Lu, no need for formality. This palace is Ni Chunqiu—call me Chunqiu."

  She smiled brightly.

  Lu hesitated, then nodded: "Alright."

  Her eyes sparkled, smile blooming.

  The Overlord beside: held his breath.

  Said nothing, asked nothing.

  Through the gate, the Empress marveled.

  Space-folding—even she was amazed.

  "Like a teleportation array."

  She said.

  "Rumors say high-martial worlds have them—cross hundreds of thousands of li instantly."

  "This gate works similarly."

  Lu raised a brow.

  High-martial teleports?

  Suited vast realms—millions of li; one jump hundreds of thousands.

  Five Phoenixes smaller; gates sufficed.

  Emerging to Lake Heart Island, dense spiritual qi enveloped.

  Thicker than Tianyuan.

  The Empress stepped on rippling waters, inexplicably at ease. Divine sense swept—many Qi Condensation, some Foundation, few Golden Core.

  Overall, not strong.

  Confirmed: Lu's world weaker than Tianyuan.

  On the island...

  Nie Changqing, drilling Nie Shuang, snapped eyes open.

  Sharp glint.

  Stepped out, appearing on the lake.

  "Young Master."

  Dragon Slayer at waist, he bowed to Lu.

  Then saw the red-robed Empress.

  He knew her—Great Qian ruler, Infant Transformation terror.

  But...

  Here? Lake Heart Island...

  She escaped the forbidden domain?

  Mind chaos.

  The Empress smiled at him—familiar from Martial Emperor City battles.

  Talented, Human List potential.

  Lu's disciple—explained his prowess.

  Her sense swept the island unnoticed.

  Ashore.

  Skyward chrysanthemums swayed; azure peaches bloomed.

  Heart-refreshing—immortal haven.

  No wonder denser, comfier qi—thanks to these spirit plants.

  Sensing Lu's business...

  The Empress excused herself, wandering the island.

  Lu let her.

  Ni Yu finished refining, eagerly offering fresh Body Tempering Pills like treasure.

  First batch drew lightning; subsequent none—easier.

  Lu took them, nodded—better quality; her skill improved.

  Picked one, eyed the Overlord.

  "For you now, minimal effect. Break your demon first—then it'll shine."

  Lu said.

  The Overlord nodded.

  He knew.

  Lu waved to distant Lü Dongxuan.

  He rushed, gold chain jingling.

  "Young Master..."

  Eyes expectant—summons meant big moves.

  "Announce worldwide: three days hence, White Jade Capital auction. Spirit pills, artifacts, other treasures."

  Lu said.

  Not just Lü stunned.

  Nie Changqing and Overlord too.

  Auction?

  Why?

  Lu short on cash?

  Money meant nothing to White Jade Capital.

  One call—piles delivered.

  But Lu explained not; they couldn't guess.

  Wheelchair turned to the pavilion.

  Gazing at the lake-floating library: "Month ends. Pavilion closes. Idlers depart."

  Voice soft, yet clear to all.

  Sima Qingshan bowed with An Miaoyu, left.

  Bai Qingniao excitedly dragged Jiang Li and Chi Lian away.

  Readers inside jolted.

  Reluctant, but replaced books.

  Some scholars recited, memorizing more.

  Lu waved—doors boomed shut.

  Boats rippled out; many gazed back, wistful.

  Month too short—barely three books for some.

  Over ten thousand volumes—impossible.

  "Cultivation endless. Greed chews poorly. Focus one path."

  Lu finished, waved.

  Boats blasted from the lake.

  Silence; pavilion sealed, less clamor.

  Lü recovered, prepared without question.

  Intuitive—he sensed deeper purpose.

  Overlord's eyes flickered, bowed, departed.

  Glanced at pill.

  Auction might have them?

  Deep breath—if so, compete.

  But first: breakthrough.

  Shatter the demon.

  Lu had Ni Yu resume; he returned to the pavilion's second floor.

  The Empress curiously watched behind Ni Yu—refining with a black pot? Eye-opening.

  Sensed the pot extraordinary—an artifact.

  She knew alchemy—prestigious in Tianyuan.

  Pot-refining: novel.

  During, she advised; Ni Yu enlightened.

  Grateful, Ni Yu offered a sugar-coated Qi Gathering Pill.

  The Empress popped it—sweetness brightened her eyes.

  Women's bonds: simple.

  Not disturbing Ni Yu further, she wandered on.

  Odd—cultivators weak, yet comfy atmosphere lingered.

  Looked up: towering trial tower, noticed upon arrival.

  Artifact—stronger than first-grade!

  Suddenly...

  Intuition.

  Breeze.

  Figure descended pavilion.

  Amid peach petals, the Empress turned—saw Ning Zhao.

  White skirt fluttering; calm gaze.

  Eyes met—subtle sparks.