Primordial Era: A brick knocks Hongyun unconscious, and he seizes the throne at the start.

"You little thief! Put down Hongyun—!"

The roar of the Kunpeng tore through the chaos, its ten-thousand-foot true form blotting out the sky and the sun, its wings flapping for ninety thousand miles.

Without turning his head, Lu Chen, enveloped in the unconscious red clouds by the Qiankun Diagram, carved a path through the chaotic air currents with the golden light of merit.

too slow!

The Quasi-Saint's speed was too fast; even as he burned his essence blood, the distance between them was being closed.

"At this rate, we'll be caught up within thirty breaths!" Lu Chen's forehead was beaded with sweat.

The Qiankun Diagram in his arms suddenly vibrated—it was the purified fake purple energy that was resonating violently with the residual poison of the three races in Hongyun's body!

"not good!"

Lu Chen probed with his divine sense and saw that the purple energy had transformed into red, gold and yellow light, which was intertwined with the evil poison and had begun to backfire on Hong Yun's primordial spirit!

"Damn it, did Dao Ancestor Hongjun not completely purify it? Or is there another mystery behind the curse of the three races?"

He dared not stop, and while fleeing, he tried to suppress the attack with the Three Lights Divine Water.

But it was ineffective! The three-colored light grew brighter and brighter, and Hongyun's face began to turn black, his aura weakening rapidly.

"We must find a safe place to carry out the rescue..."

Lu Chen scanned the chaos with his eyes and suddenly saw a group of floating chaotic rocks to his left.

"Let's take a gamble!"

He changed direction and rushed into the rock formation.

The stone formations are vast, with some as large as mountains, floating randomly in the chaos, forming a natural labyrinth.

Lu Chen drilled into the densest part, and the Qiankun Diagram unfolded, transforming into a speck of dust that adhered to the back of a stubborn rock.

Conceal all aura.

Three breaths later.

"boom!"

The true form of Kunpeng smashed through several stubborn rocks and stopped outside the rock formation.

"The aura has disappeared?" Styx stood on the crimson lotus of karmic fire, his blood-red eyes scanning the area.

Emperor Jun's True Sun Fire transformed into a golden crow phantom, circling above the stone formation: "He's hiding. Search! Search every inch!"

The four quasi-saints dispersed and began searching the stone complex.

Amidst the dust, Lu Chen held his breath.

Anyone outside could easily kill him; he's only holding on thanks to the concealment function of the Qiankun Diagram.

But it won't last long—the divine sense of a quasi-saint is so sharp that it will be discovered sooner or later.

"We must save Senior Hongyun first..."

He looked into the space within the diagram.

Hongyun lay on the ground, the three-colored light spreading throughout his body, his primordial spirit fire flickering and about to go out.

"The Three Races' Deadly Poison... Purple Qi Energy... Wait a minute!"

A sudden inspiration struck Lu Chen.

The Three Races' Deadly Poison is a curse formed from the essence and blood of the Ancestral Dragon, the Primordial Phoenix, and the First Qilin. The Purple Qi energy, on the other hand, is a product of the purification of the false Purple Qi, and inherently contains the origins of the Three Races.

They share the same origin, hence their resonance.

But what if... a fourth power were injected?

For example—the merit of creating heaven and earth!

"Using merit as a lure to forcibly reconcile!"

Lu Chen activated the axe handle fragment, and a wisp of golden light from the merit of creation was injected into Hong Yun's body.

"Buzz—"

The golden light of merit flowed like a warm current, and wherever it passed, the three colors of light were forcibly "bonded" together and no longer conflicted.

But that's not enough!

The evil poison and purple energy are too immense; a wisp of merit can only be temporarily depleted.

"More merit is needed... or, more domineering power!"

Lu Chen looked at the black brick.

This natal magic weapon, fused with fragments of the Heaven-Opening Axe, contains the law of power, and is specifically designed to break through all fancy tricks.

"Smash it!"

He offered up a black brick, its body enveloped in golden light of merit, which hung three inches above Hongyun's forehead.

"Senior, please forgive me!"

The black brick fell gently, tapping on Hongyun's brow.

"clang--"

It wasn't the sound of physical collisions, but a tremor at the level of the primordial spirit!

The Law of Power flowed in through the space between the eyebrows, forcefully suppressing the rampaging three-colored light.

At the same time, Lu Chen poured out the remaining Three Lights Divine Water.

Sunlight wears it down, moonlight corrodes it, starlight dissolves it—the Three Lights Divine Water is actually the nemesis of the three races' evil poison!

The three-colored light melted away quickly, like ice and snow meeting the sun.

Hongyun groaned and opened her eyes.

"Young friend...you..." He was still somewhat bewildered.

"Senior, don't move, it's not over yet!" Lu Chen shouted.

Although the three-colored light was suppressed, it had already partially merged with Hongyun's primordial spirit, and forcibly separating it would damage its foundation.

"The only option is... conversion!"

Lu Chen's mind raced as he recalled the "Nine Transformations of the Ancestral Dragon," the "Nirvana Scripture," and the Qilin Clan's cultivation techniques.

He had learned a little about all three clans' secret techniques from the spoils of war.

"Senior, follow my guidance and circulate your energy!"

He transmitted his divine sense into the basic operating routes of the three cultivation techniques.

Although Hongyun didn't understand, she trusted Lu Chen and did as he said.

"The Ancestral Dragon Transformation - Water Element!"

"Phoenix Rebirth - Fire Element!"

"Qilin Stomps the Earth - Earth Element!"

Under the harmonizing influence of the golden light of merit, the three forces began to slowly merge, transforming into the pure essence of the five elements, which then nourished the red cloud.

The crimson cloud's aura began to rise again, and even... became stronger!

"This is... a blessing in disguise?" Hongyun was shocked.

He was already at the peak of the Great Luo realm, but now he has actually touched the threshold of the Quasi-Saint realm!

"Senior, please consolidate your strength first. There are still four Quasi-Saints searching for us outside." Lu Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

Hongyun nodded and closed her eyes to regulate her breathing.

Lu Chen, on the other hand, was focused on the outside world.

The four quasi-saints have searched most of the stone group and are getting closer and closer.

"This can't go on..." he frowned in thought.

Suddenly, my gaze fell on the corner of the Qiankun Diagram—there were three phoenix eggs, one celestial phoenix egg (the little golden phoenix had already hatched), and three qilin eggs (the last spark of life).

A bold plan emerged.

"To frame someone, and to lure the tiger away from the mountain!"

He took out the empty shell of the Heavenly Phoenix Egg and infused it with a trace of the Primordial Phoenix Core's aura.

Then take a drop of the essence blood from the ancestral dragon's reverse scale and smear it on the eggshell.

Take another fragment of the Chaos Qilin's finger bone and embed it into the egg.

Then, he poured all the remaining fake purple energy after purification into the Heavenly Phoenix Egg!

"Buzz—"

The Heavenly Phoenix Egg burst forth with dazzling light, its aura a mixture of the origins of the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin races, and also carrying the Daoist charm of Primordial Purple Qi!

Although it wasn't real purple aura, it was enough to fool people—especially in the chaos, when divine sense was obstructed.

"go!"

Lu Chen disguised the Heavenly Phoenix Egg as "Primordial Purple Qi," wrapped it in the Qiankun Diagram, and secretly sent it out from behind a stubborn rock.

At the same time, he manipulated his clone "Ao Chen" (a dragon clone) to appear from another direction, pretending to flee in panic.

"There it is!" Di Jun was the first to spot the clone.

"Chase!" The Taiyi Chaos Bell rang, locking space and time.

The clone deliberately revealed a flaw, allowing the four to see that "he was holding a glowing Phoenix Egg in his arms."

"The purple aura is on him!" Kunpeng screamed.

The four Quasi-Saints instantly abandoned their search and pounced on the clone.

"Now!"

Lu Chen, carrying Hong Yun, fled at full speed in the opposite direction.

The clone then led the four of them into the depths of chaos.

The plan was successful!

But Lu Chen had only flown 100,000 miles—

"boom!"

Chaos exploded ahead, and a dark figure blocked the way.

With a bird's head, a human body, and two wings on its back, it is none other than the Kunpeng!

"You little thief, do you think I'll fall for the same trick twice?" Kunpeng sneered.

Lu Chen's pupils constricted sharply: "Your main body went to chase after the clone, this is... a second primordial spirit?"

"That's right!" Kunpeng sneered. "While I went to seize the Purple Qi, I stayed here to wait for my prey. I didn't expect to actually get what I wanted—Hongyun is severely injured. You, a mere Taiyi ant, die!"

With a single claw, the power of a quasi-saint shattered the void.

Lu Chen gritted his teeth, protected by the Wuji Apricot Yellow Flag, with the black brick in his hand.

"Senior, are you still able to fight?"

Hongyun opened her eyes, her breath having recovered to about 80%: "Alright!"

The Nine-Nine Soul-Scattering Gourd was unleashed, and crimson mist transformed into a barrier.

"Bang!"

With a single swipe of its claw, Kunpeng shattered the mist, sending the two men flying backward, coughing up blood.

The gap is too big!

"An ant trying to shake a tree." Kunpeng raised his hand again, preparing for a fatal blow.

Just then—

"Chirp—!"

The sleeping little golden phoenix in Lu Chen's arms suddenly woke up.

It seemed to sense a deadly crisis; three golden feathers on its head ignited, and its wings spread wide.

Time stopped!

Although they only had a tenth of a breath left, Lu Chen and Hong Yun were both experienced fighters and seized the opportunity instantly.

"Smash it!"

"cut!"

The black brick and the red gourd struck Kunpeng's chest simultaneously.

"Pfft—!" Kunpeng's second primordial spirit was caught off guard and was sent flying backward, his chest caved in.

"Let's go!" Lu Chen dared not linger and pulled Hongyun away to escape again.

"Don't run!" Kunpeng's second primordial spirit roared in fury as he gave chase.

But he was injured, which slowed him down.

They chased and fled, flying for countless miles.

Chaos had no direction, so Lu Chen could only fly towards the primordial wilderness based on his intuition.

Gradually, the aura of the Kunpeng behind them grew farther and farther away—the second primordial spirit was seriously injured and could not catch up.

"It's safe for now..." Lu Chen said, panting heavily as he stopped to rest.

Hongyun's face also turned pale: "Young friend, this time... thank you so much."

"You're too kind, senior." Lu Chen smiled wryly. "I've dragged you into this."

"No." Hongyun shook her head, her eyes filled with complex emotions. "That fake purple aura was meant for me. If it weren't for you, I would have perished outside Zixiao Palace."

He paused, then said solemnly, "Young friend Lu Chen, I have no way to repay your life-saving grace. If you ever need my help in the future, I, Hongyun, will do my utmost, even at the cost of my life."

Lu Chen quickly waved his hand: "Senior, you flatter me."

After a brief moment of rest, the two prepared to continue their journey.

But just then—

"Buzz!"

Amidst the chaos ahead, a crack suddenly appeared.

A figure stumbled out, covered in blood, clutching a glowing Phoenix Egg in his arms.

It was none other than Ao Chen, the clone!

"How could you..." Lu Chen was stunned.

Shouldn't the clone have drawn away the four Quasi-Saints? Why is it back?

And judging from his appearance, he is critically injured and on the verge of death!

"Main body... run..." the clone transmitted with difficulty, "They... discovered it was fake... and are on their way..."

Before he finished speaking, four cracks appeared in the chaos behind him.

Di Jun, Tai Yi, Styx, and Kunpeng themselves, all charging after them with murderous intent!

"You little thief, how dare you play us—!" Di Jun was furious, his hair standing on end, and the true fire of the sun scorched the heavens and boiled the earth.

The Taiyi Chaos Bell locks down all directions of spacetime.

The Styx Demon Lord and the Avici Sword slashed down.

The true form of the Kunpeng blots out the sky and the sun.

The four Quasi-Saints, filled with rage, surrounded and killed him!

This time, there is no turning back!

Lu Chen looked at the heavily injured clone in his arms, then at the weak Hongyun beside him, and gritted his teeth.

"Senior, please trust me one last time."

"What are you going to do?" Hongyun had a bad feeling.

Lu Chen took out the "fake purple aura" disguised as the Heavenly Phoenix Egg and stuffed it into Hong Yun's arms.

Then, he shouted at the top of his lungs:

"Senior Hongyun—quickly take the purple aura and leave! I'll hold them off—!"

The sound, with all its might, resounded throughout the chaos.

The four Quasi-Saints instantly locked their gazes on the "glowing purple aura" in Hongyun's arms.

"The purple aura is still in his hands!" Styx screamed.

"Chase!" Di Jun Taiyi changed direction and pounced on Hongyun.

Hongyun was stunned: "Young friend, you..."

"Hurry! Go find Senior Zhen Yuanzi!" Lu Chen shoved him, simultaneously transmitting his voice, "This is fake, I'll explain later!"

Although Hongyun didn't understand, she trusted Lu Chen and gritted her teeth to escape.

All four Quasi-Saints went to chase after Hongyun.

In the chaos, only Lu Chen and his heavily injured clone remained.

"Main body... your move... was too risky..." the clone said with a wry smile.

"Dangerous, but useful." Lu Chen's eyes were icy. "Senior Hongyun has the Nine-Nine Soul-Scattering Gourd, and his escape skills are first-rate. The four Quasi-Saints won't be able to catch up for a while."

"So, what's next..."

"What's next?" Lu Chen looked in the direction where the four Quasi-Saints had left, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"It's time to close the net."

He took his clone and quietly followed them.

Half a day later.

Somewhere in the chaos, Hongyun was surrounded by four Quasi-Saints and was in grave danger.

"Red Cloud, hand over the Purple Qi, and I'll spare your life!" Kunpeng roared.

Hongyun, clutching the Heavenly Phoenix Egg, was deathly pale: "This thing...this thing is poisonous!"

"Still trying to fool us?" The Taiyi Chaos Bell trembled, and Hongyun coughed up blood.

Just as the four Quasi-Saints were about to deliver the killing blow—

"stop!"

With a furious shout, Zhen Yuanzi arrived!

The Earth Book unfolds, its illusory image of thousands of miles of mountains and rivers enveloping the red clouds for the time being.

"Zhen Yuanzi, do you want to be our enemy?" Di Jun said coldly.

"Hongyun is my best friend. Anyone who dares to touch him is a sworn enemy of Wuzhuang Temple!" Zhen Yuanzi refused to back down.

The two sides are locked in a standoff.

In the distance, Lu Chen lurked in the shadows, watching this scene unfold.

"That's about it..."

He manipulated his clone, Ao Chen, who suddenly appeared from the other side, shouting in panic:

"Disaster! The Dragon Clan's treasury has been robbed! The Ancestral Dragon is furious and has ordered a thorough investigation—!"

The sound echoed across the battlefield.

The four quasi-saints were taken aback.

The Dragon Clan's treasure vault was robbed? When did that happen?

Taking advantage of their momentary distraction, Lu Chen transformed into a streak of light and rushed into the battlefield, snatching the Heavenly Phoenix Egg from Hong Yun's arms.

"Fellow Daoists—this purple aura is truly poisonous! I'll prove it to you!"

He held the Heavenly Phoenix Egg high and, under everyone's gaze, squeezed it hard.

"Snap!"

The eggshell broke.

There was no purple aura inside, only a destructive energy mixed with the evil poison of the three races, which exploded with a bang!

"What?!" The four Quasi-Saints' expressions changed drastically, and they quickly retreated.

An energy explosion, a chaotic oscillation.

When the smoke cleared, Lu Chen lay on the ground, seemingly on the verge of death, clutching a broken eggshell in his hand, and gave a bitter laugh:

"Look...you see...this isn't Primordial Purple Qi at all...it's a trap left behind by the three races...whoever touches it dies..."

The four quasi-saints probed with their divine senses and indeed sensed the residual curse aura of the three races on the eggshell.

"This is a trap..." Styx's face turned grim.

Di Jun and Tai Yi exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with resentment, but there was no reason for them to continue arguing.

Kunpeng stared intently at Lu Chen: "You little thief, you knew all along?"

"Me too... I just realized..." Lu Chen said weakly, "Senior Hongyun... quickly... quickly give me that bottle of antidote... I've been poisoned..."

Hongyun was taken aback, but seeing Lu Chen wink at her, she quickly took out a bottle of ordinary healing pills (pretending they were an antidote).

Lu Chen took the medicine, and his complexion improved.

Upon seeing this, the four Quasi-Saints dispelled their last trace of doubt.

"What bad luck!" Taiyi put away the Chaos Bell. "What a waste of time."

The four left dejectedly.

Once they were out of sight, Zhen Yuanzi finally breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Lu Chen: "Young friend, what exactly happened...?"

Lu Chen got up, dusted himself off, and grinned:

"Senior, the play is over."

He retrieved his true gain—the purified fake purple energy, of which 30% remained.

"Although the purple aura is fake, the energy itself is real. Senior Hongyun has turned misfortune into blessing and has already touched the threshold of Quasi-Saint. And I, too, have received a share."

Hongyun and Zhen Yuanzi were dumbfounded.

"You...you've been acting from the very beginning?" Hongyun stammered.

"What else?" Lu Chen shrugged. "If we fight the four Quasi-Saints head-on, we'll die. We can only outsmart them—first frame them, then expose them, let them think they've seen the truth, and they'll naturally stop bothering us."

Zhen Yuanzi gave Lu Chen a deep look: "Young friend, your wisdom is...a rarity in the primordial world."

"You flatter me, senior." Lu Chen cupped his hands in greeting. "This place is not safe to stay any longer. Let's return to the Primordial World first."

Just as the three were about to leave, a soft laugh suddenly came from the depths of the chaos:

"Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!"

A figure in black robes slowly emerged from the void.

His face was blurred, and his body was filled with overwhelming demonic energy.

"I thought the schemes of the three races were interesting enough, but I didn't expect there to be something even more interesting."

The man in black robes fixed his gaze on Lu Chen:

"Kid, you've got potential. Want to... join me?"

Lu Chen's pupils suddenly contracted.

This aura... Rahu?!

Didn't the Demon Ancestor perish in the struggle between the Dao and the Demonic Path?!

The remnant soul of Rahu appeared, actually trying to recruit Lu Chen! What's even more terrifying is that two phantom figures followed behind him—the remnant spirits of the Ancestral Dragon and the Primordial Phoenix!

The three clan leaders were actually colluding with the Demon Ancestor?!

At the same time, a thunderous roar echoed from the primordial wilderness: the Dragon-Han Calamity had ended, the three races were in decline, and the Heavenly Dao's merits were about to descend! And Lu Chen still carried the immense karma of the three races on his shoulders…