Chapter 95: Dongfang Yuan's Rise

Dongfang Yuan felt a vague unease welling up in his chest, as if a dark cloud weighed heavily on his heart. This ambush actually brought five great Heavenly Origin Grandmasters, each immensely strong, far from ordinary.

These past days, he scoured ancient texts and finally found records of the Great Sun Nirvana Tribulation. It turns out this is a means Heaven and Earth use to suppress peerless monsters. Those whose talent transcends the mundane, exceeding what Heaven and Earth allow, will face this evolved tribulation, struck down by tribulation lightning bolstered by Heaven and Earth's power, to prevent the emergence of beings even the Heavenly Dao struggles to control.

Recently, news about him spread throughout Canglan Yu like wildfire, and the fact that a high bounty had been placed on his head became common knowledge. Yet this ambush is beyond imagination! Five grandmasters joining forces—what a tempting reward must it be to drive them to such extremes?

The Grand Elder stood on the airship, his face grim enough to wring water from it, and said coldly: "Five Elders of Heavenly Mountain? You dare ambush the Profound Yang Sect's airship—do you know what consequences this will bring?"

The Five Elders of Heavenly Mountain constitute a respectable orthodox tradition, also somewhat known in Canglan Yu. Yet now, for that generous bounty, they have moved against the Profound Yang Sect, targeting their own prized disciple.

The leader of the Heavenly Mountain Chief, clad in silver armor and surrounded by a faint divine radiance, spoke calmly: "Since we have already acted, we naturally know there is no turning back. But I long to break into the Venerable realm, yet resources are scarce, and these resources are firmly controlled by your several orthodox traditions. Now that such a generous bounty exists, we can only obtain it from your Profound Yang Sect. Even if Venerable Yangtian intervenes, after I break through, fleeing will not be difficult. Moreover, with the protection of the Myriad Sea Sect and the Floating Light Sect, we need not fear your Profound Yang Sect."

The Myriad Sea Sect and the Floating Light Sect are powerful orthodox traditions, together boasting nearly seven or eight Venerables. The Heavenly Mountain Chief thought that if he could break through, he would not only gain great strength but also secure a foothold in these two powers, grasping authority. After all, though the five of them are not weak, facing these ancient, top-tier sects with deep foundations, they remain at a disadvantage, living in constant anxiety.

The last time the Profound Yang Sect fell from its divine pedestal, it clashed with several orthodox traditions in a shocking great war that engulfed all of Canglan Yu in battlefire. Many mountain gates founded by grandmasters were reduced to ashes in that war. For in such a situation, no faction lets others profit easily—one must either submit or face only a dead end.

Thus, the Heavenly Mountain Chief understood that if Forefather Yangtian were to fall, Canglan Yu would inevitably plunge into another melee, and they too must secure a backer in advance. Since a high bounty now exists, and this offers a chance to ally with a powerful orthodox tradition, why not? Moreover, he felt that someone like Dongfang Yuan, who had undergone the peerless tribulation, must possess an extraordinary physique; if he could be slain, perhaps unexpected fortunes might be gained.

"Chief, cut the talk—let's strike now, lest plans go awry," urged one behind the Heavenly Mountain Chief, eyes flashing with eagerness. He knew well that this was Profound Yang Sect's territory; if the enemy were prepared, they might well perish here.

"Attack—kill everyone on these airships!" the Heavenly Mountain Chief shouted angrily, bursting with blinding light like a sudden sun rising in the sky, illuminating the entire firmament. That terrifying aura surged forth, making even the void tremble and sway.

Yet at that critical moment, a fleeting, hardly noticeable smirk crossed the Grand Elder's eyes. "Do you really think this old man is unprepared?" he inwardly sneered, then loudly commanded: "Activate the formation! Profound Yang Guard, you may act."

In an instant, several figures appeared in the void—the leaders of the Profound Yang Guard. As it turned out, the Grand Elder had not only brought a few capable elders but also mobilized the entire Profound Yang Guard, drawing nearly half the sect's strength, all to escort his disciple to the ancient relics contest. He knew clearly that if this succeeded, establishing Dongfang Yuan as a true peerless heaven‑chosen, even if the disciples who had genuinely undergone tribulation a few days earlier appeared, no one would believe them. Then the Profound Yang Sect would naturally fall into his hands, fulfilling his years of obsession. Once the idea settled, his breakthrough to the Venerable realm would be all but certain. With Lin Wu Ren holding the fort, plus himself, the Profound Yang Sect would stand as firm as Mount Tai.

"Oh no, an ambush!" the Heavenly Mountain Chief's face instantly showed alarm. He saw nearly ten Heavenly Origin Grandmasters swoop down like tigers descending the mountain, countless obscure runes drifting in the air, quickly forming a shocking killing formation. Turbulent killing intent surged within, enveloping this void. In an instant, explosions rang out continuously, echoing across the heavens.

This heart‑pounding battle lasted a full half‑hour. In the end, under the killing formation's aid, the five masters of the Five Elders of Heavenly Mountain all fell on the spot, turning to dry bones in the grave. Naturally, the Profound Yang Sect also paid a heavy price. One leader of the Profound Yang Guard, while preventing the enemy's self‑destruction, was tightly entangled and perished together with the foe, body and Dao extinguished. Several elders also suffered grave injuries, for both sides were evenly matched peers; even though the Profound Yang Sect held numerical advantage, casualties could not be avoided.

Dongfang Yuan's suspended heart finally settled. Yet a wave of despair rose in his chest. "Will I still be able to go out and train alone in the future?" Merely a leaked piece of news had drawn the encirclement of five masters. He knew well that without a Venerable's protection, wandering Canglan Yu would be tantamount to courting death.

At this moment, many inner disciples looked upon Dongfang Yuan with eyes full of admiration.

"Senior Brother Dongfang has survived the Great Sun Nirvana Tribulation, and now top‑level experts besiege him; if he endures this trial, he will surely sweep the entire Canglan Yu in the future."

"The revival of our Profound Yang Sect rests entirely on Senior Brother Dongfang; henceforth we will rely on his continued guidance."

One inner disciple after another expressed the desire to follow Dongfang Yuan. Most of them had previously remained neutral. Even the people around Li Xuan began to dwindle. Although they acknowledged Li Xuan's talent, no matter how, Li Xuan could not compare to Dongfang Yuan, who had survived the forbidden tribulation.

Elder Hai stood to the side, his expression grim. He understood that their side was doomed. Dongfang Yuan had already risen to prominence—whether in personal strength or the backing of elder forces behind him, Li Xuan fell far short. In the younger generation's reputation, the two were incomparable. They had been utterly defeated.

Dongfang Yuan observed the crowd's expressions, his eyes flashing with brilliance. The top inner disciples, who had mostly stayed neutral before, were basically at the second or third level of Spirit Entry, and each had a core elder as their master. Now that they all declared support for him, he knew victory was assured. He could not restrain the urge to let out a long, sky‑reaching whistle.

Even if he could not easily go out to train in the future, as long as he became sect leader, drawing on the sect's resources he could still swiftly increase his strength. He smiled faintly and said: "Thank you, junior brothers and sisters, for your support. From now on I will surely bear the heavy burden of reviving the sect. The Profound Yang Sect nurtured me, and I will naturally not forget its kindness. Once I have grown, the Myriad Sea Sect and the Floating Light Sect will be nothing more than a trivial side dish."

At this moment Dongfang Yuan's spirit soared, his heart brimming with heroic fervor. Yet he had not forgotten how, in the Profound Yang Hall, a Foundation Establishment disciple had humiliated him. In his view, the sect leader and elders were blind as bats, actually valuing a mere Foundation Establishment disciple. Once he secured the position of junior sect leader, he would immediately suppress that disciple. Even if he were a second Lin Wu Ren, in the face of absolute authority he would be utterly helpless.

Afterward, the flying boat set sail again, and many disciples wore smiles, their expressions excited.