Beiluo, Western Mountain.

  Snow swirled, blanketing the already pristine White Jade Tower in another layer of goose-down white.

  At its base, cultivators sat cross-legged, diligently condensing spiritual energy, striving for the ninth-stage Qi Core—the minimum to enter the Trial Tower.

  Young Master Lu of Beiluo imposed no other restrictions, but cultivation had to reach that threshold.

  Nie Changqing had sat motionless for ages, snow piling thick on him.

  Suddenly, his eyes snapped open—blade aura flashed like sparks, carving light through the air before fading.

  He rose, shook off the snow, exhaled steam. Pig-slaughtering knife at his waist, white robes fluttering, he strode toward the tower.

  Ning Zhao's long lashes trembled; she opened her eyes.

  Glanced at Nie Changqing—each floor allowed only three attempts.

  Fail all three, and even if you survived, you lost the chance to proceed.

  She cherished every opportunity.

  In the distance.

  Ni Yu and Nie Shuang flexed eagerly, primed and ready.

  Bai Qingniao still recovered from injuries—too soon; failure likely.

  Ning Zhao said each floor had three precious shots.

  Lü Dongxuan pondered with Lü Mu aside.

  Mingyue hugged her pipa, curious about the tower but content to watch first.

  Her Western Prefecture battle had skyrocked her cultivation—near Body Storage, Qi Core saturated.

  Lü Mu drooped.

  "Another Heavenly Secret Decree?"

  Lü Dongxuan chuckled, gold chain quivering.

  "No, just spreading word... that Beiluo has a Trial Tower."

  Lü Mu gripped bamboo staff, expressionless.

  "So..."

  Lü Dongxuan squinted.

  Lü Mu ignored—not a decree, still coughing blood?

  Dream on!

  Blood's not free!

  Was he a blood-dispensing tool?!

  Soon.

  Lü Mu clutched chest, pale on the bluestone before the tower, blood at lips.

  Aura of tragedy.

  Next time... pig blood!

  Sworn!

  Lü Dongxuan cheerfully penned on yellow paper.

  "Heaven and earth first transformed; all cultivate. Young Master Lu, pitying the hardship, built White Jade Trial Tower. Ninth-stage Qi Core may enter—comprehend Dao, break realms, transcend mortal, one thought to longevity."

  Flourish, done.

  Lü Dongxuan fingered chain, beaming.

  Mingyue peeked, inhaled sharply—Pavilion Master indeed extraordinary; words stirred her blood.

  "Mingyue, know Young Master's intent with this tower?"

  Mingyue shook head.

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  "Young Master embraces the world—shares this sacred cultivation site. He said cultivators need Hundred Schools contention. I doubted—how easy? But this towering jade... now I believe."

  "He's truly devoted to cultivation's prosperity."

  Lü Dongxuan sighed.

  Glanced at Mingyue, inhaled: "You're not Heavenly Secret Pavilion. Though guided by Young Master, not Baiyujing disciple."

  "Stay in Beiluo lifelong, but remember his nurturing."

  "Your pipa melody path—unique, can found a school. Once weak girl under Master's care; now strong—wander jianghu, establish sect, contribute to Hundred Schools. Repay his teachings."

  Mingyue froze, pipa grip tightened.

  Unexpected words—left her lost.

  Lü Dongxuan patted her head—she needed growth.

  Rolled paper, summoned Heavenly Secret Pigeon, tucked in tube, released. White feathers mingled with snow.

  Nie Changqing re-entered tower.

  Sat on mat; scene shifted—primeval jungle.

  Five early Body Storage masked beings, central hole eyes cold.

  Buzz...

  Pig knives materialized; charged.

  Auras shredded jungle, branches flying.

  Nie Changqing wielded knife—slashes afar, blade qi迷茫.

  Fierce battle.

  Their synergy flawless; individual knife skills mediocre, but united—taxing even for him.

  Outside tower.

  Ning Zhao rose, inhaled, entered.

  Saw Nie Changqing on mat, "four" flashing above.

  Suddenly...

  She trembled—"four" blurred to smoke, reformed "five".

  Nie Changqing passed fourth!

  Pressure crushed her—stuck on third, Old Nie on fifth.

  Similar strength... such combat gap?

  Ning Zhao sat, calmed.

  Tower door pushed.

  Sloppy Taoist staggered in; Ni Yu, Nie Shuang together; Jing Yue with Jingtian Sword.

  Ning Zhao nodded, closed eyes, challenged.

  "Three" appeared above.

  Kong Nanfei parted forehead hair, excited.

  Recall Lu's words—fifth floor gift for noble spirit.

  Young Master's reward—no trinket.

  Excited.

  Followed suit, sat on mat.

  Suction—scene changed.

  ...

  Baiyujing pavilion.

  Lu sat; breeze and snow swayed him.

  Eyes lines danced, watched anti-Zhou war at capital.

  Full-map view required focus—not constant.

  Without Jiang Li, Daxuan momentum a tier below Xiliang.

  Overlord's Xiliang could withstand two Five Barbarian forces—elite.

  Anti-Zhou no suspense to Lu.

  Great Zhou lost Master and Jiang Li—toothless tiger, no threat to united Daxuan-Xiliang.

  Curious: who profits—Daxuan or Xiliang?

  Sipped plum wine.

  Peach fragrance lingered.

  Leaned wheelchair, watched on.

  ...

  Outside Great Zhou capital.

  Each flake weighed tons.

  Pingnan and Zuilong forces mobilized to capital—Great Zhou's all, yet weaker than either foe alone.

  World saw no comeback.

  Tantai Xuan armored, red cape billowing; Jiang Li, Xuanwu Guards escorted to Xiliang flank.

  Overlord on chariot, three horses heavy steps, wheels turning.

  Bold Overlord alone approached.

  Eyes met; Tantai Xuan laughed.

  "Still came to this."

  Overlord nodded slightly.

  Raced speed—yet both breached defenses simultaneously.

  Intriguing.

  Both at gates—who enters palace first? No clear winner.

  "Didn't expect you before me."

  Overlord eyed Tantai Xuan.

  "But you're too weak."

  "In this era, without world-suppressing power, you can't hold cultivation age."

  "Even emperor—floods will topple you one day."

  Tantai Xuan silent.

  Overlord spoke truth.

  Unbelievable he'd reach this—final rival to Xiliang.

  His immortal path tortuous; Overlord's smooth.

  Jiang Li silver-armored, eyed Tantai Xuan—mustn't falter now.

  Kings' standoff—weak momentum huge impact.

  "Fear what? Daxuan has Xuanwu Guards, capable generals. They follow me not for heaven-piercing strength—but trust, recognition."

  "So, worry?"

  Tantai Xuan tugged reins, smiled.

  Faced Overlord's mountain aura—held firm. Body Storage peerless.

  Jiang Li relieved.

  Overlord deep glance, turned horses, charged capital walls.

  "Xiang King—truly unmatched dominance."

  Tantai Xuan inhaled gravely.

  "Hundred Schools era, he overwhelmed; now cultivation age, more so."

  Jiang Li said.

  Lifted eyes to Overlord kicking snow-mud toward walls—grave.

  Three horses accelerated to charge.

  Overlord on chariot, Qianqi on back, hair like steel needles in wind-snow.

  Eyes torches on ancient walls—bearer of Zhou imperial ages.

  Childhood visit—ant beneath.

  Now returned.

  Tiger!

  Roar!

  Overlord charged walls.

  Xiliang erupted; soldiers slammed halberds—thuds!

  Drums like endless thunder.

  Reached base.

  Yanked reins; eyes lightning, scanned faces.

  Masked Black Dragon Guards.

  "War!"

  Veins bulged, roared.

  Beneath Great Zhou capital—Overlord challenged!

  "Who dares fight?!"

  Thunder voice echoed every corner, fading.

  Zhou generals paled.

  Overlord called.

  None dared.

  Who was he?

  Peerless cultivator—death to face!

  Thus, none.

  "Trash!"

  Overlord barked.

  Black Dragons ugly beneath masks.

  Zhou generals ashen.

  Disappointed—no challenger. Great Zhou... utter letdown.

  A Black Dragon growled.

  "Archers ready!"

  Flags waved; Zhou elites drew bows.

  Cultivator Black Dragons aimed at lone chariot Overlord.

  Overlord sneered.

  Took chariot longbow.

  Drew iron arrow.

  "Come!"

  Bellow shook walls.

  A Black Dragon enraged at solo archer Overlord.

  "Fire!"

  Flag shook; spiritual roar.

  Whoosh!

  Whoosh whoosh!

  From capital walls.

  All loosed—feathered arrows arced from heights, whistling at lone challenger.

  Dense like arrow rain.

  Overlord laughed.

  Laughter battlefield-wide.

  Drew bow full.

  Released!

  Iron arrow screamed.

  Above—black cloud arrows; his lone shot faced myriad.

  One arrow fearless—tragic beauty.

  Scene froze.

  But!

  Shocking...

  Overlord's arrow spun, clashed—shattered several, dragon-roar.

  Pierced Black Dragon chest—blood mist.

  Nailed to wall.

  Myriad fell.

  Overlord stood alone.

  Gripped axe.

  Arrows froze mid-air...

  Demonic aura spread, hair wild.

  Back to Xiliang; axe swung forward.

  Boom!

  Myriad exploded to fragments!

  Xiliang side.

  Warriors blood-boiled at god-demon figure.

  Xu Chu swung spiked balls, roared!

  "Assault the city!"