The air above the Central Continent still thrummed with the aftershocks of Haotian's ascension. His silver hair rippled behind him, rainbow eyes glowing, as the Three Emperors and the Four Emperor Dragons awaited his next words.
Haotian inhaled deeply, steadying the pressure in his chest. "This must be taken seriously. I request that a summit be called. Every sect, every power from the Five Continents must send their leaders. We must plan the defense against the Immortals together—or fall apart separately."
Emperor Xuanming nodded gravely. "I will send word to the Central Continent's alliance."
Qianye folded his arms. "And I to the east."
Yuelian's voice softened, though her eyes remained sharp. "Then it shall be done. This summit must be held within the month."
Haotian dipped his head in acknowledgment. "I will be there. But for now, I must return to my wives—" He coughed suddenly, his words catching. "—and another."
The Four Emperor Dragons froze.
"...Another?" Yangshen's brows furrowed.
Jinhai's lips pressed into a thin line.
Meiyun tilted her head, expression unreadable.
But it was Yuying whose sapphire eyes narrowed into slits. "…Another woman?"
Haotian chuckled softly, spreading his hands with a wry smile. "It seems this descendant is too much for the maidens around him. Even transcending time itself, drawing their love and attention whether I will it or not."
His words hung in the air.
Meiyun blinked, repeating under her breath. "…Transcending time?"
Her eyes widened. Then Yuying's lips parted, her face paling as realization dawned. Her voice trembled before breaking into a horrified cry.
"Xiangyin. You and her…!"
Her voice cracked, both disbelief and betrayal in her tone, her centuries-old friendship with Xiangyin suddenly feeling threatened.
Haotian raised both hands quickly. "No! I didn't do anything to her. Do not misunderstand."
The tension thickened.
Meiyun studied his expression, her sharp gaze probing. Slowly, she exhaled, her face softening. "…He speaks truth. Nothing has passed."
But Yuying's disbelief only deepened. Her heart twisted, the thought of her closest friend entangled with her own descendant too heavy to swallow. Yet then—something struck her.
Her lips quivered. If Haotian truly claimed Xiangyin, if the Eternal Yin Orchid Sect's master would one day have to bow her head and call Yuying 'Ancestor' while also becoming Haotian's wife…
The absurdity overwhelmed her.
Yuying burst into uncontrollable laughter. "Ah—hahaha! This boy! He will turn my world upside down!"
Meiyun caught on first, hiding her mouth with her sleeve as giggles slipped through.
Yangshen's jaw dropped, black lines streaking his face.
Jinhai's temples pulsed. "You two… what are you planning?"
But the laughter of the two women only grew louder, echoing across the skies.
Haotian rubbed his temples, sighing with a wry smile. As if one Immortal invasion wasn't enough, now my ancestors tease me as though I were a boy again.
Far in the distance, the wives of the Eternal Yin Orchid Sect were already stirring, sensing his return. Their hearts ached with anticipation, unaware of the storm of laughter and disbelief Haotian had just endured in the skies above.
The skies above the Eternal Yin Orchid Sect suddenly split.
A spatial rift tore open, crackling with arcs of divine lightning as waves of chi distorted the air. The disciples below looked up in alarm, shields raised, expecting an intruder. The aura spilling from the rift was oppressive—majestic, overwhelming, unmistakably foreign.
Then a figure stepped through.
Silver-white hair streamed behind him, bound by a ribbon. His bare chest gleamed with power, eyes of rainbow light piercing down like galaxies. The rift sealed itself behind him with a clap of thunder.
Gasps rippled across the sect.
"That aura… it isn't Haotian.""Could it be… another War God?""No… it feels like… Alter?"
Even his wives froze in disbelief. Their eyes darted from his hair, his aura, his gaze—so unfamiliar, so impossibly heavy. Their hearts ached at the thought.
The figure descended slowly, step by step, each movement sending ripples of chi cascading across the courtyard.
Then he smiled.
And everything changed.
"Haotian!" Shuyue cried out, unable to contain herself. She shot into the air, wings of chi flaring, and threw herself against him.
His arms wrapped around her without hesitation, holding her close, warmth radiating from him.
"It's me," he whispered into her hair.
Relief spread like fire through the others. Yinxue, Ziyue, Yueru, and Lianhua all surged upward, tears streaking their cheeks as they surrounded him.
They clung to him, trembling, sobbing, laughing through their tears.
He soothed them with a chuckle. "Now, now… everything is fine."
His gaze shifted past them—and landed on Xiangyin, standing apart, her face pale with shock. She had not moved.
A voice slid into her mind, smooth and teasing.Still standing there? Why not come over too?
Her breath caught. She blushed, startled, then hesitated—until her body moved against her will. Slowly, she began to fly toward him.
Haotian began greeting his wives one by one, kissing each deeply, savoring their relief. Yinxue's tears dampened his lips. Ziyue trembled against him. Shuyue pressed fiercely, as if never to let go. Yueru clung with desperate devotion. Lianhua's kiss lingered, grounding him.
Then, as Xiangyin reached them, he "accidentally" grabbed a wrist without looking.
His eyes were closed when he pulled her forward—and kissed her deeply.
The others froze in shock.
Xiangyin stiffened—then, to everyone's disbelief, she did not pull away. Her lips trembled, but she kissed him back, her centuries of restraint melting into the heat of that moment.
When he finally broke the kiss, he blinked. "That… was strange. That didn't feel like Yueru's kiss."
He turned his head. Yueru stood behind him, wide-eyed. "…I'm right here."
Haotian's brows shot up. He looked at Xiangyin, who stood frozen, lips parted, cheeks blazing. He scratched his head, feigning confusion. "Wait… Xiangyin? Why are you here kissing me? I thought you were Yueru."
The girls erupted. "You WHAT?!"
Haotian held up his hands innocently. "It was a mistake! I'm sorry! Oh no, I mistook her for Yueru… but since we're already here…"
He grinned mischievously—and leaned in to kiss Xiangyin again.
This time, the wives' protests nearly split the sky.
Later that night, chaos reigned in the pavilion.
Xiangyin lay unconscious in her bed, cheeks still pink, several disciples fanning her nervously. "Her pulse is steady—she just fainted…"
Haotian sat kneeling in the center of the room, his wives circling him like judges.
"You have FIVE wives already!" Yinxue snapped."And now you want a SIXTH?!" Ziyue growled."Right after this transformation?!" Shuyue added, her eyes narrowing."Is this you—or Alter acting through you?!" Lianhua pressed.Even Yueru crossed her arms, lips pouting in fury. "You better explain."
Haotian sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "…I plead the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination."
Everyone blinked.
"…What?"
The wives stared at him in baffled silence. The nearby disciples exchanged confused looks.
One whispered, "What is… a Fifth Amendment?"
Another shrugged helplessly. "Is it… a cultivation technique?"
Haotian smirked faintly, enjoying the confusion, though his wives clearly were not amused.
"Haotian!" they shouted in unison.
He only chuckled. Somehow… even surviving the Immortals might be easier than surviving my wives.
Xiangyin stirred awake to the soft rustle of robes. Her pulse quickened as memory flooded back—the kiss, the warmth, the way her knees had given out. She buried her face in her hands, cheeks burning. What… what did I do?
When she finally rose from bed, her steps were hesitant, her composure fragile. Outside her chambers, disciples bowed respectfully. Their faces were carefully neutral, though the faint glimmer in their eyes betrayed that they knew. Still, none dared speak of what had happened.
Xiangyin nodded stiffly, then glided past them, suppressing her blush.
The training grounds stretched wide before her. The morning air was crisp, filled with the sound of blades clashing and chi thundering as disciples drilled in formation. At the center of it all stood Haotian.
He wore a silver-white robe, his rainbow eyes softened, hair tied high into a flowing ponytail. His posture was tall, steady, commanding—yet serene. Every movement of his gaze seemed to steady the disciples, every shift of his aura a subtle guidance.
Her heart gave a small tremor.
He noticed her immediately. His head turned, and he smiled. "Good morning, Xiangyin."
Caught off guard, she bowed her head quickly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"G-Good morning, Haotian…"
The softness of her tone startled even her. She sounded… girlish.
His smile widened.
In an instant, his figure blurred—vanished—and suddenly his presence was behind her.
Warm breath brushed her ear. His voice slid against her heart like silk.
"Your voice this morning… is sweet."
Her breath caught, her face blazing red.
Then his words struck harder.
"By the way—Ancestor Yuying already knows. She has given her approval for you to call her 'Ancestor.'"
The mention of Yuying—her closest friend, someone she had shared centuries with—made Xiangyin's knees weaken again. The thought of Yuying's teasing, of being bound in such a way to Haotian, made her chest tighten.
Her blush deepened until her ears glowed scarlet.
She stumbled forward one step—and then vanished, her body flickering out of sight as she escaped in a flash of chi.
Haotian laughed heartily, his silver hair glimmering under the morning sun. "She escaped."
From across the courtyard, his wives had been watching.
They all scowled in unison.
Yinxue folded her arms, voice sharp. "This is definitely Alter's influence."
Ziyue jabbed a finger at him. "Flirting with her now?!"
Shuyue's cheeks puffed in indignation. "You're insufferable!"
Lianhua raised a brow, arms crossed, lips pressed in irritation.
Even Yueru pouted, her voice quiet but sharp. "…You really are impossible."
Haotian only chuckled again, spreading his arms innocently.
"What? I only said her voice was sweet."
Their combined glares could have burned holes in stone.
But deep down, Haotian could not deny—Alter's mischievous streak was alive and well.
The wives surrounded him in the courtyard, their stares sharp and unrelenting. For once, Haotian did not grin or deflect. His smile faded, and he raised his head with solemn eyes.
"I will not reject anyone who is truly attracted to me," he said plainly.
The words froze the air.
Before they could protest, he continued. "My Dao of the Universe… it has advanced farther than I could have ever imagined. At times, I want to resist it—but it consumes me. It pulls me to act, to respond. This is Alter's doing, yes, but also the nature of the Dao itself. The Dao of the Universe encompasses everything beneath it—love, hate, desire, virtue, sin. All of it."
His wives stiffened, expressions shifting from anger to dawning worry.
"It is fortunate," Haotian pressed on, his tone steady, "that I do not lean toward the negative daos—slaughter, killing, the seven evil desires. If I did…" He exhaled. "I would have already taken every maiden in this sect, drained them of their yin, and left this place hollow. That… is the danger."
Shock rippled across their faces. Even Lianhua faltered, her fists loosening at her sides. They realized suddenly—the Dao within him was not simply power. It was a force vast enough to break a man's will if left unchecked.
Yinxue whispered, "…Then you mean… your Dao of Love compels you to respond to every heart that turns toward you?"
Haotian nodded slowly. "Yes. If I sense love—true, sincere love—I cannot ignore it. My eyes see everything, even feelings left unspoken."
Lianhua clenched her teeth, glaring at him, though her voice cracked with frustration. "Those damn eyes… now they backfire, letting you even see love itself!"
The others blinked—then, despite themselves, a laugh escaped Ziyue. Shuyue covered her mouth, giggling. Even Yueru and Yinxue cracked smiles, and soon their laughter spilled into the courtyard, the tension breaking like morning frost.
Finally, Yinxue wiped her eyes and grinned at him slyly. "Then it's simple. If the Dao of Love pulls you this strongly… we, your wives, will keep you so satisfied, you won't need to look at another woman."
The others nodded with mock solemnity, then broke into mischievous smirks.
Before Haotian could argue, they seized his arms, pulling him back toward their chambers.
Lianhua whispered in his ear, her voice husky and playful. "Since your Dao demands love, we'll bury you in ours."
Shuyue chuckled. "Don't expect to leave the chamber alive."
Their laughter and teasing carried through the halls as the door shut behind them.
For days, no one in the sect saw Haotian or his wives again.
Only the faint echoes of laughter and muffled cries drifting through the Moon Lotus Pavilion reminded the disciples that the Eternal Elemental Dragon still walked among them.
Haotian stood before the Eternal Yin Orchid Sect, silver-white hair bound high, rainbow eyes gleaming with cosmic light. His voice rolled across the courtyard, calm yet unshakable.
"I have forged a new cultivation method. With it, you will rise beyond mortality and step into the Immortal Realms. This is the Phoenix's Eternal Rebirth Sutra. It carries all who walk it into eternity."
A wave of awe spread through the disciples, their hearts pounding.
Haotian raised his hand, weaving golden flame into the air. Images of phoenixes unfurled, wings spanning across the courtyard, each one burning brighter as his words deepened.
"These are the realms you must now engrave into your hearts."
13. Immortal Ascension Realm"Breaking the mortal coil, transcending life and death. Through lightning tribulation, body and soul are reborn. From this point, you no longer age naturally. Only battle and defeat can end your existence."
14. Immortal Lord Realm"Mastery over higher spiritual laws. You will form immortal palaces, forge divine treasures, and cultivate disciples of your own. From Lesser Lord, to Greater, to Supreme Lord—you command fragments of time, space, and harmony itself."
15. Immortal Emperor Realm"At the peak of immortal power, each cultivator embodies a supreme Dao. A Flame Emperor, a Frost Emperor—your strikes will change landscapes, your authority engraves Law into the world itself. Weaker beings will submit without resistance."
16. Celestial Realm"Beyond emperors lies the Celestial path. Here, your Dao resonates with the stars themselves. You may travel between realms freely, wield astral flame, shape constellations, and command celestial rivers. From Minor Star, to Grand Star, to Constellation—you climb into the heavens."
17. True God Realm"When your Dao crystallizes into absolute dominion, Heaven and Earth themselves recognize you. A True God commands a single Law in full—fire, space, dreams, fate. Incarnation, Manifestation, Eternalization—each step turns your existence into divinity."
18. World God Realm"At this height, your Dao becomes creation itself. A world seed blooms inside you—skies, rivers, mountains, even life. You command gravity of existence, and lesser beings cannot resist."
19. Eternal God Realm"Here lies the mastery of time and immortality. Your body and Dao stretch across past, present, and future. Even death cannot erase you—unless every trace of your cause and effect is destroyed. From Temporal Body, to Timeless Will, to Eternal Source—you erase the limits of mortality."
20. Primordial Realm"And beyond all… is the Primordial. To return to chaos. To merge with pre-creation essence. Reality bends to your will—you may erase Daos, birth new universes, weave new laws. Even the Heavens and the Dao bow to you. Only myths speak of such beings—closer to Supreme Creators than gods."
The flames condensed into a single phoenix above them, its cry reverberating through the courtyard like a divine bell.
Haotian's rainbow gaze swept over them."This sutra is yours. The Eternal Yin Orchid Sect will walk this path. Your bodies will refine, your Daos will ascend, and one day—you will rise beyond even the stars."
Xiangyin trembled, her hands curling into fists. Her breath caught as she whispered, almost unable to contain herself."Phoenix's Eternal Rebirth… this is no mortal scripture. This is divine…"
The disciples fell to their knees in reverence, voices rising in unison as they cried out:
"Phoenix's Eternal Rebirth Sutra!""Guide us, Commander!""Lead us to immortality!"
And in that moment, the Eternal Yin Orchid Sect was reborn—not as a sect of survival, but as the cradle of future immortals.
Haotian stood in the courtyard, his rainbow eyes steady as the phoenix flames dissolved around him. His voice rang firm:
"This cultivation has one weakness. It requires Immortal Chi—and it does not yet exist within our world. But once the veil shatters, the Immortal Chi will flood the Five Continents. When it does, your cultivation will accelerate beyond anything you've known."
He raised his hand, releasing waves of golden script that scattered like feathers of fire, falling into the brows of every disciple, elder, and wife before him.
"The Phoenix's Eternal Rebirth Sutra now rests within you. Go, cultivate. Rise."
The crowd bowed as one, their voices shaking the heavens.
The very next days shook the Eternal Yin Orchid Sect.
The wives were first to experience the surge. Their cores throbbed, meridians stretched, and the sutra's rhythm harmonized with their breathing. Breakthroughs exploded like thunderclaps across the pavilion.
Ziyue and Shuyue soared into late-stage Sovereign within days. Yinxue's dao of love flared brighter, elevating her foundation. Yueru's body cultivation roared, melding seamlessly with the new sutra. Even Lianhua, already strong, refined her power with terrifying speed.
But it was Xiangyin who stunned them all. Her aura surged higher and higher until it peaked, shattering the bottleneck. She emerged at Peak Sovereign Realm, her robes fluttering under the sheer force. She trembled as she steadied herself, whispering:
"This sutra… its profundity is beyond mortal comprehension…"
The disciples followed soon after. Waves of breakthroughs spread across the sect like a rising tide. In mere days, dozens stood at late Sovereign. Some who had once struggled at Dao Comprehension now soared through bottlenecks as if chains had been cut.
The Eternal Yin Orchid Sect was no longer simply a refuge. It had become the furnace of a new generation of immortals.
Meanwhile, Haotian secluded himself in silence.
His chamber glowed dimly, scrolls spread around him. His hands traced runes, his mind weaving methods.
He forged a generalized cultivation—a path for ordinary mortals to climb toward immortality, widening the gate for all. Then he shaped elemental methods, tailored for each affinity: flame, frost, wind, thunder, earth, wood, water, metal, light, and darkness.
His mind lingered on his ancestors. Alter's gift had carried them to Peak Emperor—but without Immortal Chi, they could climb no higher. Haotian's eyes hardened.
That must change.
He penned new scriptures for them as well, each designed to bridge their foundations into Immortal Realms once the veil broke.
But above all, he recorded the Dual Body and Spirit Cultivation Method. A balanced path—body and soul cultivated in unison, required to step into the true immortal stages.
He sighed as he sealed the final scroll, slipping it into his storage ring. These books were no longer simple tools—they were weapons. Preparations for the invasion.
Finally, Haotian sat cross-legged. His breath slowed, and his eyes opened.
The universes within his pupils spun—galaxies and nebulae wheeling as if he were gazing into infinity itself.
He entered a trance, studying all Daos simultaneously. Fire and frost. Wind and thunder. Love and slaughter. Virtue and desire.
And when the negative Daos stirred too strongly, threatening to twist his mind, he anchored himself with the Dao of Yin and Yang, the eternal balance. It wrapped around him like a shield, steadying his heart and soul.
The sect outside roared with breakthroughs. But within, Haotian sat like the eye of the storm—preparing himself, step by step, to bear the weight of a world against the Immortals.