Chapter 479

"Heavenly Tribulation!"

The emergence of such a great Dao celestial sound immediately startled numerous cultivators across Dongxuan Shenzhou.

The Heavenly Tribulation is obviously vastly different from other lightning tribulations.

Deep within the tribulation clouds, the Gate of the Celestial Realm will manifest.

This is an omen revealed by the external manifestation of the Immortal Dao laws.

It is also the result of ancient immortals contemplating the great Dao of heaven and earth and subduing the will of heaven and earth.

Above the void, one after another, primordial spirits of immensely powerful cultivators, even true immortals, flew out from their secluded places and entered the vicinity of Haojing City.

But as soon as they entered the vicinity of Haojing City, they were immediately blocked by several figures.

"The Emperor of Great Xia is about to undergo the Heavenly Tribulation; you uninvited ones, please stay five hundred li away from the tribulation clouds!"

Deep in the void, primordial spirit true lords emerged one after another from the surroundings.

They are the third-generation elites of the Tongshan Dao Lineage.

Wu Liang True Lord, Zhan Mo True Lord, Hun Gu True Lord, Qing Yun True Lord, Zhu Xing True Lord, Zi Jing True Lord, Yi Xing True Lord... one after another, primordial spirit powerhouses appeared, each manifesting their immortal-divine aspect, driving away numerous strong cultivators who had come to watch the spectacle.

Numerous cultivators, upon hearing the advice, immediately complied and temporarily left the vicinity of Haojing City.

It was not that they feared these third-generation true lords.

Rather, the elder council of the Tongshan Dao Lineage had arrived in advance.

Around Haojing City, several second-generation old ancestors stepped through the void and appeared, surrounded by numerous guardian elders of true immortal level.

Such a formation, even ordinary true immortals would not dare to approach lightly, lest they become the target of concentrated fire.

Before the magnificent thunder and lightning, Zi Dian Old Ancestor glanced upward with his eyes, landing upon the giant gate shining with golden light.

That is the Gate of the Celestial Realm!

The appearance of the Celestial Realm Gate will conveniently either suppress or amplify the tribulation lightning via the Celestial Thunder Palace.

This also facilitates the Heavenly Court's inspection of immortals and gods across all realms.

Those with abundant merit and fortune will have their tribulation lightning reduced, while those burdened with deep karmic evil and heinous sins will have the Heavenly Court's Thunder Department thunder gods participate in the tribulation to destroy the demonic tribulation-crossers, striking them down as much as possible.

This is a strike from the source to maintain the great trend of Dao prosperity and demon decline.

And Zhang Jian, as a disciple of the Tongshan Dao Lineage, is himself a disciple noticed by the Emperor, with deep background, plus over a hundred years of governing the extreme, diligent and administrating, he should possess abundant fortune and prominent merit, thus at that time being sufficient to reduce part of the tribulation lightning's power.

"Looking at the number of layers in the tribulation clouds, there are actually nine layers—surely it must be the strongest nine-layer tribulation!"

Chu Lao Zu gazed at the heavens above, glanced once, and immediately became somewhat solemn.

Nine-layer tribulation, each layer having nine waves, is actually what is rumored in myths as the ninety-nine tribulation.

This is truly astonishing!

But this is also normal.

Zhang Jian originally cultivated under the Holy King's Great Dao; although his fortune and merit are abundant, he will inevitably have stained himself with countless worldly karmic ties.

Even an ancient Holy King cannot guarantee that every subject under his rule has no complaints, or receives equal treatment.

Nor can he guarantee that every official in the court will be honest and incorruptible, not exploiting the countryside.

One can only strive to suppress it.

But such karmic evil and murderous aura will still rebound upon the strong cultivators cultivating the Holy King's Great Dao.

However, under normal circumstances, this karmic evil and murderous aura is suppressed by the dynasty's ritual vessels and the treasures that stabilize fortune, preventing it from erupting.

But now, as heaven faces a great tribulation, it will naturally stimulate the tribulation lightning to grow rapidly.

The ninety-nine-layer tribulation is already considered an ideal state.

Some cultivators of the Holy King's Great Dao will even undergo the Heavenly Chastisement Tribulation.

The Heavenly Chastisement Tribulation will exceed nine layers, with even more terrifying power.

……

Within Haojing City, there are also several graceful and varied figures gazing far toward the direction of the Observation Platform.

Leading them is the Western Palace Empress Bai Li Ying; behind her is the Noble Consort Ji Shi, then the Consort Yun Shi, and the Virtuous Consort Meng Shi.

The several consorts each display dignified and graceful postures.

Over eighty years have passed, and their demeanor has merely gained a few more touches of maturity and maternity.

The three consorts each bore children during the eighty years.

Even similar to Ji Shi, who has already become a great-grandmother.

Yet these changes have not altered their hearts seeking the Dao.

Especially Ji Shi, whose entire body flows with the Dao rhyme of the Immortal Dao, abnormally intense, clearly indicating her accumulation in the Immortal Dao laws far surpasses that of ordinary true lords.

Yun Shi and Meng Shi are both heavenly proud daughters by birth.

Their cultivation has similarly advanced by leaps and bounds, yet compared to the Noble Consort Ji Shi, they still fall considerably short.

"The first layer of nine waves of tribulation has arrived!"

At this moment, the Noble Consort Ji Shi gazed upward; her entire body surged with the dynasty's dragon aura, as if phoenix aura were circulating, dragon and phoenix aura transforming into the Dragon-Phoenix Secret Law coiling, serving a warning function.

The leading Western Palace Empress Bai Li Ying merely furrowed her brows; after condensing her Profound Void Dragon Carp true form, she perceived this terrifying tribulation more clearly and could better know the horror of such tribulation.

Moreover, the first wave of tribulation that came straight at them was none other than the Great Cave Divine Thunder among the Three Cave Divine Thunders, which is likely not easy to endure.

Above the void, numerous high-level great cultivators also witnessed this scene.

Usually, when cultivators undergo tribulation—similar to the Form Transformation Tribulation, the Thousand-Year Divine Tribulation, the Dragon Transformation Tribulation, before the True Immortal Tribulation, the first three waves of tribulation are the Three Cave Tribulations, and the middle three waves are the Five Extremes Tribulations.

If it is a sixty-nine tribulation, the fifth wave might possibly be one of the nine kinds of Burning Heart Tribulations, specifically targeting the primordial spirit's Dao heart.

The final wave might possibly be the most fearsome final tribulation.

And the first wave of tribulation before them directly manifested as the Great Cave Divine Thunder, clearly showing the horror of this nine-layer tribulation.

Numerous high-level cultivators each had their eyes flickering.

Observation platform, inside the Hall of Celestial Origin.

Zhang Jian's entire body radiated vast imperial aura, dragon energy flowing and circulating.

After more than eighty years of arduous cultivation, he had not only transformed his primordial spirit into the State and Altar Emperor, but his true form had also fully merged with the State and Altar Emperor's primordial spirit, his innate divine body perfected to completion.

Within the sea of consciousness of his primordial spirit, three-tier immortal laws were arranged densely like woven threads.

Resembling countless stars flashing with intense immortal Dao principles, each radiating undying immortal light and charm.

There were indeed dozens, nearly twenty or so kinds.

Including the five three-tier immortal laws of the Xiyue Sword Sect, the Ten Directions Immortal Dao Absolute Spirit Law, the Instant Freezing Yuan Great Law, the Taiyin Slaughter God Immortal Light, the Guanghan Moon Mirror Immortal Light, and the Guanghan Sword Technique.

Also included were Zhang Jian's own creations: the Taiyin Refining Form Great Law, the Soul-Restraining Law, the Dream Wander in the Great Void Great Law, and the Qinglian Purifying Soul Mantra.

Furthermore, there were the 《Nine Nether Life and Death Golden Chapter》, the 《Wood Virtue Creation True Classic》, the 《Eight Extremes Spacetime》, and the 《Heavenly Dao Tremor》!

Additionally, among the fourth-tier divine techniques, the 《King's Way Subjugation》 and the 《Earthly Laws》 had each been cultivated to the third tier.

Furthermore, among the immortal laws forming the main framework within the Mountain River State and Altar Diagram were the 《Golden Crow Splitting Transformation Great Law》, the 《Yellow Court Blessed Land Great Law》, the 《Nine Revolutions Like Intention Time Wheel Classic》, the 《Small Samsara Myriad Heavens Law》, the 《King Cauldron Subduing Demons Secret Record》, the 《Innate Yin-Yang Elemental Magnetic Divine Blade》, the 《Central Wu Earth Great Primal Qi》, and the 《Nine Nether Corpse Shedding Orthodox Law》, etc.

Also included were several state-fate-type immortal laws, the Nine Dragons True Classic, and the All-Heavens Heavenly Canopy!

This was an astonishing foundation.

Moreover, he had condensed a fourth-tier fundamental immortal law.

That was the Mountain River State and Altar Dao Diagram.

And during his over eighty years of arduous cultivation, his two innate treasures within his body had also transformed to the realm of second-tier immortal treasures.

With such a foundation, even those ancient immortal masters would be shocked upon seeing it.

Even ancient immortals might not necessarily master so many third-tier immortal laws, let alone a fourth-tier Dao Fruit-level immortal law.

Gazing at the myriad heavenly cavern divine thunders descending from the azure heavens above, Zhang Jian's eyes flickered slightly in their depths; at this moment, his expression remained indifferent, merely by activating his will, he saw his form appear beneath the thunderclouds.

Gazing at the layered, vast heavenly tribulation above his head, Zhang Jian's expression revealed a hint of a faint smile; with a wave of his hand, a surge of magical power gathered and transformed into streaks of azure-green thunder dragons, like torrential floods.

This was the true transmission of the Tongshan Dao Lineage: 《Nine Heavens Riding the Wind to Control Thunder Law》!

At this moment, the gathered innate thunder talisman could likewise suppress and gather the myriad heavenly thunders.

Wherever the azure-green thunder dragon passed, it opened its blood-filled maw wide, completely devouring the thunder balls, thunder mountains, and thunder prisons formed from the myriad heavenly cavern divine thunders.

The first wave of heavenly tribulation was directly devoured clean by the azure-green thunder dragon.

Many primordial spirit true persons watched this scene with changed expressions.

Though the power of these heavenly cavern divine thunders, falling like raindrops, was not weak.

Yet it was suppressed by this Great Xia Emperor Emperor with a mere gesture.

After the first wave of heavenly tribulation was swiftly destroyed, the second wave descended immediately.

Above the azure heavens, countless splendid red lights burst forth.

Crimson lightning leapt and danced.

"The Pure Yang Bing Fire Divine Thunder among the Five Extremes Divine Thunders!"

In the distance, the Zi Dian Old Ancestor, nearly an expert in this field, had some ripples in the depths of his eyes.

The second wave of heavenly tribulation directly brought down the Five Extremes Divine Thunders.

Such heavenly tribulation power was even more astonishing than the heavenly immortal tribulations endured by these ancient immortals.

One could imagine that the following seven waves of heavenly tribulation would each be stronger than the last.

It was still unknown whether external tribulations might interfere!

Although the Pure Yang Bing Fire Divine Thunder was strong, it primarily targeted the demon race and those cultivators undergoing tribulation who practiced yin-attribute cultivation methods.

As for Zhang Jian, this overwhelming innate emperor, it was likely completely ineffective.

Indeed, within the heavenly tribulation, Zhang Jian merely used the azure dragon true form transformed from this innate thunder talisman to devour the myriad Pure Yang Bing Fire Divine Thunders.

Among the crowd, many cultivators of the Tongshan Dao Lineage gazed at this scene with slight astonishment.

Although the 《Nine Heavens Riding the Wind to Control Thunder Law》 was intense among many thunder laws, it was actually merely an primordial spirit-level transmission.

But it was not an immortal Dao-level secret transmission.

Yet in Zhang Jian's hands, it far surpassed a first-tier immortal law, reaching the realm of nearly a second-tier immortal law.

Such capability was truly astonishing.

After consecutively using the 《Nine Heavens Riding the Wind to Control Thunder Law》 to devour two waves of tribulation thunder, Zhang Jian waved his hand, and that thunder dragon instantly transformed into a streak of fierce divine light that fell into his body; arcs of lightning appeared on his body surface.

Having endured two waves of tribulation, he not only suffered no loss of magical power, but seemed to have gained a slight benefit from devouring those two waves of tribulation, his magical power slightly increased.

Watching this scene, many primordial spirit true persons nodded silently to themselves.

This was also the most orthodox way of tribulation transcendence in the cultivation world.

To pass through tribulation with the least magical power, striving to maintain peak combat power.

Using various high-powered techniques was unnecessary.

Cultivators must ensure every bit of magical power and cultivation is spent on the cutting edge; only then is there a way to survive.

Every cultivator with accomplished cultivation is skilled at managing their own time, even learning how to conserve their own magical power, to exert every ounce of their strength to the utmost.

Boom—!

At this moment, above the azure heavens, after the second wave of heavenly tribulation ended, vast expanses of golden radiant thunder light appeared in the depths of the void, countless thunder balls hanging like grapes upon the celestial dome.

Each golden ball resembled a thunder gourd on a gourd vine.

"Mutant Divine Thunder!"

Gazing at this golden radiant thunder light, the expressions of many onlookers changed slightly.

Within this golden radiant divine thunder lay a force of utmost rigidity and yang, seeping out; at a glance, it was clearly an extreme yang divine thunder.

In the imperial city, the ladies also witnessed this scene.

The Noble Consort Ji of the Imperial Consort rank had an unusual expression.

Ninefold Heavenly Tribulation usually consists of Three Caverns Divine Thunder, Five Extremes Divine Thunder, and Burning Heart Tribulation Thunder as the main components, and may finally include Final Divine Thunder, but Yin-Yang Divine Thunder and similar thunder are extremely rare.

Once it appears, it means the birth of mutated tribulation thunder.

According to the enlightenment of some immortals of the Ji clan, the appearance of mutated tribulation is related to the physical constitution and foundation of the one undergoing tribulation.

The consecutive appearance of two pure yang thunders, according to research related to tribulation laws, indicates that the Emperor of the Great Xia Dynasty has profound attainment in secret arts concerning yin attributes or death-related attributes, thus giving rise to such targeted pure yang tribulation thunder.

"Extreme Yang Gourd Divine Thunder!"

In the depths of the void, Zhang Jian watched this scene, a hint of surprise flashing at the corner of his mouth, with some ripples in his eyes.

This ninefold heavenly tribulation looks truly miraculous.

Is the appearance of Extreme Yang Gourd Divine Thunder because he possesses the authority of Taiyin?

Or is it because the immortal arts he cultivates are predominantly of the Taiyin type?

Zhang Jian's expression softened into a slight smile; as he focused his mind, countless dragon qi gathered above his head, and a golden canopy appeared above him.

Third-rank National Fortune Immortal Art, All-Heavens Golden Canopy!

As this golden canopy appeared, Zhang Jian's entire body simultaneously manifested nine dragon shadows.

Nine Crimson Pulse Fire Dragons, each a hundred zhang in length, their entire bodies entwined with intense divine fire qi, as if burning all living beings.

Another third-rank National Fortune Immortal Art, Nine Dragons True Scripture!

At this moment, Zhang Jian had indeed refined nine Crimson Pulse Fire Dragons.

The magnificent nine Crimson Pulse Fire Veins each burst forth with magnificent extraordinary power; their cultivation faintly surpassed the Heavenly Immortal level, possessing a layer of void-refining ability.

Gazing upon these nine dragons containing magnificent dragon qi and imperial aura, terrifying crimson dragons, many cultivators in the distance froze in expression.

Each crimson dragon seemed like a true dragon reborn; the might emanating from the crimson dragons was so immense that even the old ancestors of some true immortal clans, upon slight perception, felt like ants in comparison.

Such divine power is truly too terrifying.

Moreover, there are nine of them.

This is almost equivalent to having nine powerful assistants at the Heavenly Immortal level!

Moreover, they are in tune with his heart's intent and can at any time transform into the Nine Dragons Refining Realm Grand Formation!

"It seems that Your Majesty overcoming this Heavenly Immortal Great Tribulation is a matter of course!"

Above the imperial city, the Imperial Noble Consort Ji of the Ji clan gazed upon this scene; deep in her phoenix eyes, aside from shock, there was also a hint of a smile.

Born into the Ji clan, she was all too clear about this special human dao inheritance, the Nine Dragons True Scripture.

This National Fortune-type immortal art was uniquely created in ancient times by numerous human sages for the ancient holy kings.

The Ji clan also possesses this inheritance.

This art can be said to be one of the most powerful slaughter-type immortal arts of the ancient holy king lineage.

Observing the power of the nine Crimson Pulse Fire Dragons condensed by the Emperor of Great Xia, it seems to have already surpassed the Heavenly Immortal realm.

It is likely a third-rank immortal art.

Just this one third-rank immortal art is sufficient to protect the Great Xia Empire through the Heavenly Immortal Tribulation!

In all directions of Gaojing City, the elders of the Tongshan Dao lineage also witnessed this scene, each of them showing some shock in their expressions.

The Nine Dragons True Scripture, they are equally familiar with.

Great Yu Wang also left behind this National Fortune-type immortal art inheritance.

This innate emperor has almost certainly proven himself as a Heavenly Immortal.

I just don't know whether, after overcoming the Heavenly Immortal Great Tribulation, the other party will directly ascend to the Heavenly Gate?