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

"A traitor?"

The Ancestral Dragon's eyes flashed like lightning as it stared intently at the illusory figure of the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth.

The seawater froze, and time stood still. All the billions of aquatic creatures in the East China Sea lay prostrate on the ground, trembling in fear.

Lu Chen was almost suffocated by the dragon's might, but his brain was working frantically.

What does the Ancestor Qiankun mean by that? Is there a traitor within the Dragon Clan? Yes, with the three races locked in war, there are bound to be traitors within each race. But how does the Ancestor know this? And why is he so certain?

The illusory figure of Qiankun calmly said, "Fellow Daoist Ancestral Dragon, the restrictions on your Dragon Clan's treasure vault were set up by you yourself. Only those of Dragon Clan blood can enter, is that right?"

"Not bad." Zu Long's voice boomed like thunder.

"Then look at this boy." The illusory figure pointed at Lu Chen. "Is he a dragon?"

Zulong swept his divine sense across the area and sneered, "Human ants, merely disguised by a drop of essence blood."

"That's strange then." The illusory figure smiled faintly. "How did a non-dragon human manage to enter the third level and, just before your Third Prince arrived, steal the treasure?"

The ancestral dragon's whiskers trembled slightly, and a thoughtful look flashed in its eyes.

"you mean……"

"I didn't say anything," the illusory figure waved his hand. "I just reminded you, fellow Daoist, that you must investigate the whole case. Killing this brat is easy, but if the real thief is still within the Dragon Clan, next time it won't just be the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl that gets stolen."

These words are utterly hurtful!

The First Emperor's eyes were unpredictable, sometimes bright, sometimes dark.

Of course, he suspected there was something fishy going on inside. The treasure vault's protective barriers were intact, the guards didn't notice anything unusual, and the Third Prince just happened to arrive... everything was too coincidental.

If it truly is an inside job colluding with outsiders, then the problem is huge. Those who have access to the third level of the treasure vault are at least high-ranking members of the Dragon Clan!

"Speak! Who are your accomplices!" Zu Long's dragon might intensified as he pressed down on Lu Chen.

Lu Chen nearly vomited blood, but gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay upright: "This junior...this junior was merely being used!"

His mind raced, and he began to make up a story: "Half a month ago, a senior in black robes found me and bestowed upon me the essence of the Ancestral Dragon and a talisman to break the seal. He told me to come to the Dragon Palace to retrieve a few things, and that he would give me 30% of the proceeds afterward... I was greedy, so I agreed."

"A man in black robes? What does he look like?" Zu Long pressed.

"I couldn't see his face clearly, but he had a token hanging on his waist, engraved with... an image of a Qilin riding on clouds!" Lu Chen made up on the spot.

"The Qilin Clan?!" The Ancestral Dragon was furious, but quickly calmed down. "No, the Qilin Clan could not possibly possess the essence blood of my Dragon Clan."

"So," the illusory figure of Qiankun interjected at the opportune moment, "this matter is suspicious and needs to be investigated carefully. Perhaps we should entrust this boy to this old man's care for now, and deal with him after you have investigated the truth."

The First Emperor remained silent.

He certainly wanted to slap Lu Chen to death. However, although the Ancestor Qiankun had perished, his remaining power was still considerable, and he maintained good relations with many powerful figures. More importantly, the fact that this illusory figure could manifest out of thin air indicated that Qiankun still had a backup plan, so it was not advisable to turn against him.

"Alright." Zu Long finally nodded. "But if it is confirmed that this boy is the main culprit, you must give me an explanation."

"Naturally," the phantom smiled.

The dragon's might dissipated, and the seawater resumed its flow.

Lu Chen felt a sudden lightness throughout his body, and almost collapsed.

The illusory image of heaven and earth swept him up, turning him into a stream of light that vanished into the horizon in an instant.

Deep in the East China Sea, there is a deserted island cave.

The illusory figure put down Lu Chen, its form already much dimmer.

"Boy, this remnant of my spirit can only last for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn," the illusory figure said. "You've got some nerve, daring to even steal from the Dragon Clan's treasure vault."

Lu Chen quickly bowed and said, "Thank you so much, Ancestor, for saving my life!"

"No need to thank me. Since you have received my inheritance, you can be considered half a disciple of mine." The illusory figure waved his hand. "But after today, I will no longer be able to protect you. Although the Ancestral Dragon is temporarily intimidated, he will find out the truth sooner or later."

"I understand," Lu Chen said with a wry smile.

"However, your performance today has impressed me greatly." The illusory figure sized him up. "You remained calm under pressure, displayed remarkable quick wit, and even knew to have a backup plan—you didn't take all those treasures, did you?"

"I kept 30%," Lu Chen confessed honestly.

"Smart." The illusory figure nodded. "Remember, always leave yourself an out; it's both a way out and a fog of uncertainty."

Lu Chen respectfully accepted the instruction.

"Alright, time is running out," the illusory figure said seriously. "What are your plans now?"

"This junior wishes to go to the Phoenix Clan's territory," Lu Chen said without hiding anything. "With the three clans locked in a fierce battle, it's the perfect time to fish in troubled waters."

"The Phoenix Clan..." the illusory figure murmured, "The Undying Volcano is the lair of the Primordial Phoenix, and its restrictions are even stricter than those of the Dragon Palace. However, if you possess this item, you might have a chance."

He reached out and tapped, and a message entered Lu Chen's mind.

[The Method to Break the Nirvana Restriction - Qiankun Deduction Version]

[Vulnerability: Every month during the full moon, the Nirvana Flame dies down to nourish the phoenix eggs. The core area is weakest at this time.]

[Suggestion: Disguise yourself as a phoenix and steal the highest quality phoenix eggs]

Lu Chen's eyes lit up.

Stealing the eggs! That's much safer than storming the treasure vault. The hatched phoenix will recognize you as its master, making you a top-tier spirit pet and mount!

"But be careful," the illusory figure warned, "Phoenix eggs are divided into three grades: mortal phoenix, spirit phoenix, and celestial phoenix. A celestial phoenix egg is extremely rare, occurring only once every ten thousand years. If it contains the bloodline of the Golden Crow, it is the most precious of all treasures."

Golden Crow Bloodline? Lu Chen's heart skipped a beat.

The ten future princes of the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court are three-legged golden crows, born from the sun. However, in the early primordial era, the golden crows and phoenixes seemed to have a connection…

"I will remember this," he said solemnly.

The illusory figure nodded, and its form began to dissipate.

"One last reminder: the great calamity has begun, and the karma of slaughter is boundless. You are burdened with merit, so do not become entangled in too much karma, otherwise when calamity befalls you in the future, no one will be able to save you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the phantom image vanished completely.

The cave returned to silence.

Lu Chen remained silent for a moment, then bowed three times towards the spot where the illusory figure disappeared.

"Rest assured, Ancestor, this junior will do his best."

He spent three days recuperating to restore himself to peak condition before setting off for the Undying Volcano.

The Undying Volcano is located in the southern part of the prehistoric world. It erupts year-round, creating a raging inferno. Ordinary cultivators who approach within a hundred miles will be burned to ashes.

With the essence of Zhu Rong protecting him and the Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner, Lu Chen was able to barely withstand the outer flames.

Following the method given by the Ancestor of Heaven and Earth, he found a hidden volcanic crater and dived into the underground lava river.

Deep within the lava river, a crimson palace floats—the Nirvana Palace, the core of the Phoenix Clan's territory!

Eight phoenix guards stood watch outside the hall, each a Golden Immortal, patrolling vigilantly.

Lu Chen lay hidden in the magma, concealing his aura and waiting quietly.

Three days later, on the night of the full moon.

As expected, the Nirvana Divine Fire in the center of the Nirvana Hall began to recede, transforming into a gentle halo that enveloped a certain area within the hall.

The guards' attention was also focused on the halo—that was the phoenix egg incubation area!

"The opportunity has arrived."

Lu Chen took out the phoenix tail feather (which he had previously taken from the divine phoenix) and a bottle of phoenix essence blood (obtained from refining the divine phoenix), and smeared it on his body.

The Nine Transformations of the Ancestral Dragon can transform into a dragon. He made some modifications and created the Phoenix Transformation Technique. Although it was crude, it was enough to disguise himself as an ordinary phoenix when combined with the tail feathers of the primordial phoenix.

"Buzz—"

He transformed into a three-zhang-tall fire phoenix, his aura indistinguishable from that of the Phoenix Clan, and swaggered towards the Nirvana Palace.

"Halt!" The guard stopped him. "Tonight, the Nirvana Forbidden Grounds are not open to anyone but an elder!"

Lu Chen imitated the arrogant tone of the Phoenix Clan: "I have been ordered by Lord Yuanfeng to come and check on the progress of the Heavenly Phoenix Egg's hatching."

As he spoke, he revealed the phoenix tail feather—although it was plucked, its aura was unmistakable.

Sensing the phoenix's aura on the tail feathers, the guards immediately became respectful: "So it's your special envoy, sir. Please come in."

successfully passed!

Lu Chen entered the Nirvana Hall.

The temperature inside the hall was extremely high, and in the center was a crimson jade platform with nine phoenix eggs floating on it.

The eggs are arranged in three layers: the bottom layer contains six eggs, which are crimson red and are eggs of ordinary phoenixes; the middle layer contains two eggs, which are purplish red and are eggs of spirit phoenixes; and the top layer contains only one egg, which is golden red and has sun patterns on its surface!

Phoenix Egg! And Golden Crow Bloodline!

Lu Chen's heart raced.

But he didn't act immediately. The jade platform was protected by the Nirvana Divine Fire, which, though dormant, would be awakened if touched.

He observed carefully and discovered that the circulation of the divine fire had a subtle pattern—there was a fluctuation interval every nine breaths, lasting for one-tenth of a breath.

"A tenth of a breath is enough for me to take the top one."

He timed it perfectly, and the moment the divine fire fluctuated, the Qiankun Diagram unfolded and rolled towards the Heavenly Phoenix Egg.

It worked!

But just as the Heavenly Phoenix Egg was taken away—

"Click..."

A phoenix egg in the middle layer suddenly cracked open.

A wet little head popped out and looked at Lu Chen groggily.

"grumble?"

Lu Chen: "..."

Little Phoenix: "Chirp chirp?"

Eyes facing each other.

The next second, the little phoenix suddenly screamed at the top of its lungs:

"A thief is stealing my eggs!!!"

A sharp phoenix cry resounded throughout the entire Nirvana Hall!

"Oh no!"

Lu Chen felt a chill run down his spine. He rolled up the Qiankun Diagram and took away the remaining two Spirit Phoenix Eggs and three Mortal Phoenix Eggs—since he had already been exposed, he might as well take as many as he could!

"Enemy attack—!"

The guards rushed in and their eyes turned red when they saw the empty jade platform.

"Stop him!"

Eight golden phoenixes joined forces, and the Nirvana Divine Fire transformed into a fire net that enveloped them.

Protected by the apricot-yellow flag, Lu Chen forced his way through the fire net, smashing through black bricks.

"Bang bang bang!"

Three guards were knocked away, but more Phoenix Clan experts surged in from all directions.

The aura of the Great Luo has descended!

"You little thief, leave your life behind!" With a phoenix cry, a thousand-foot-long fiery phoenix swooped down, its sharp claws tearing through the void.

Yuan Feng's personal guards are Great Luo Golden Immortals!

Lu Chen gritted his teeth, burned all the remaining phoenix essence blood, and his speed increased dramatically as he rushed towards the volcano.

"Chase! Activate the Undying Volcano Formation!"

The entire immortal volcano has come back to life.

Countless volcanoes erupted simultaneously, lava cascading like waterfalls, and the sky was covered in fiery clouds. A vast, innate array covering tens of thousands of miles was activated, sealing off all exits.

Lu Chen was trapped in the middle of the sea of ​​fire, surrounded by Phoenix Clan experts.

Desperate situation!

He looked at the Heavenly Phoenix Egg in his arms, gritted his teeth, and dripped a drop of Three Lights Divine Water onto the eggshell.

"Little guy, it's all up to you!"

"Buzz—"

The Heavenly Phoenix Egg burst forth with dazzling golden light, its shell shattered, and a palm-sized golden phoenix chick emerged.

It has three golden feathers on its head and three legs on its belly—a hybrid of the three-legged golden crow and the phoenix!

The little thing opened its eyes, and the first thing it saw was Lu Chen. It then affectionately rubbed against his hand.

Then, it looked at the sea of ​​fire and seemed somewhat dissatisfied.

"Chirp—"

A soft chime.

At this moment, all the flames of the immortal volcano were completely still!

Even the Great Phoenix's movements were a hundred times slower!

Time stopped?!

Before Lu Chen could even be shocked, he grabbed the little golden phoenix, rushed out of the sea of ​​fire, and vanished into the void.

Behind them, Yuan Feng's furious shriek rang out:

"You stole my Heavenly Phoenix, you stole my Divine Egg—Lu Chen of the Human Race, I will surely kill you!!!"

Lu Chen escaped the Undying Volcano, but the little golden phoenix in his arms fell into a deep sleep, as if its cry had exhausted its strength.

What's even more troublesome is that the phoenix tail feathers on his body suddenly burst into flames, turning into a brand that was injected into his body—[Phoenix Clan Eternal Pursuit Order]!

At the same time, in the eastern sky, a purple aura stretched across thirty thousand miles, and the sound of bells resounded throughout the primordial world: Dao Ancestor Hongjun was about to preach the Great Dao of Hunyuan at Yujing Mountain! The three-thousand-year promise had come to an end!