Chapter 614: Dao Sovereign's Name Quota, the Site of Tribulation Transcendence (4K)

In the land of Qingqiu, beneath the jia-ling green banyan tree.

Zhang Jian sat cross-legged, and the rolling innate vital energy containing the life force of jia wood gathered from all directions, merging into his Dao Sovereign body, where a dense and eternal immortal light arose from his immortal form, wandered, then gathered into eternal will, finally merging into his primordial spirit.

This caused his primordial spirit, flowing with platinum-hued radiance, to be stained with a layer of eternal Dao resonance.

This layer of eternal Dao resonance grew increasingly dense.

This transformation occurred rapidly.

At most, two to three thousand years would suffice to condense a Dao Sovereign primordial spirit.

Zhang Jian felt a hint of awe in his eyes; this was not the result of his actively inhaling and exhaling the earth's vital energy, or the essence of sun, moon, and stars.

If he were to actively inhale and exhale the earth's vital energy, borrowing the power of the earth and the Nine Netherworlds, the speed would be even greater.

Perhaps only a few hundred years would be needed to succeed.

For any other immortal or deity, this would naturally be eagerly sought—faster is better.

But for him, it felt rather rushed.

Once the Dao Sovereign primordial spirit takes form, it will inevitably trigger the apocalyptic tribulation from the depths of the primordial chaos ocean.

If unprepared, he would inevitably be flustered and panicked.

Therefore, during this period, Zhang Jian consciously expended his own cultivation to perfect the various immortal arts within his body.

Simultaneously, he cultivated three new second-rank eternal Dao arts.

These three second-rank eternal arts were transmitted by the Qingqiu Empress, the Tushan clan.

They are respectively the Xuanhuang Dingyuan Grand Method, the Three Yuan Golden Lamp Tribulation-Cutting Secret Art, and the Burning Fortune Strike.

Each of these three immortal arts has its own wondrous use.

The Xuanhuang Dingyuan Grand Method can condense one's merit into a Xuanhuang Grand Cauldron to stabilize the Dao heart and prevent external demons from arising.

The most marvelous aspect is that, using the State Sovereign Cauldron envisioned from the《Wang Ding Damo Secret Record》as a foundation, one need only add a portion of merit-golden light to achieve completion.

As for the Three Yuan Golden Lamp Tribulation-Cutting Secret Art, it adds blessings and longevity, serving as a supreme Dao art to suppress tribulation calamities.

By this method, one can draw upon the threefold blessings of heaven, earth, and humanity—fortune, prosperity, and longevity—to condense three golden lamps, which suppress the boiling tribulation qi erupting around the body during tribulation transcendence, thereby reducing accidental tribulation occurrences.

The transmission of this golden lamp secret art is ancient.

It is said to be closely related to the Dao lineage of an ancient great teaching that once governed heaven and earth in primordial times.

In that teaching's lineage, there existed many supreme secrets dedicated to condensing auspicious cloud golden lamps, protecting the Dharma and subduing demons.

However, after this method was transmitted outward, it was elaborated upon by the immortals, and then—

As for the Burning Fortune Strike, it is a life-risking immortal art.

At critical moments, it can burn one's entire vital energy to exchange for a final all-out strike.

At critical moments, it is also a supreme secret art for preserving life.

Among the three great eternal Dao arts, the Xuanhuang Cauldron-Forging Grand Method is the easiest to cultivate.

Next is the Three Yuan Golden Lamp Tribulation-Cutting Secret Art.

The most crucial aspect of this method is still condensing the power of the three realms—heaven, earth, and humanity—and the three stars of fortune, prosperity, and longevity.

The Three Sovereign Emperor Zhang Jian is very familiar with.

The three stars of fortune, prosperity, and longevity are also frequently encountered.

Performing a single ritual suffices to master this art.

Conversely, cultivating the Burning Fortune Strike afterward proves rather troublesome.

Zhang Jian was not in a hurry; after elevating all the immortal arts within his Mountains and Rivers State Map to perfection, he spent nearly a thousand years, then began cultivating the three great tribulation-transcendence Dao arts.

……

Meanwhile, Yu Wang acted swiftly; upon confirming Zhang Jian's imminent breakthrough, he and the Three Sovereigns and Five Elders Assembly applied for and obtained an official Dao Sovereign quota.

Next came the tribulation-transcendence site.

The tribulation-transcendence site lies within the Three Sovereigns City.

Although Yu Wang's actions were covert, they still fell into the sight of the Three Sovereigns and Five Elders Assembly, and even many powerful figures of major factions.

Yet by this time, despite their suspicions, they could not, through the protection of the Three Sovereigns and Five Elders Assembly, influence anything.

Instead, the Water Sovereign Emperor, Tianhe Zhenren, upon receiving Yu Wang's message, returned to the Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm.

At Jiu Ling Peak, Tianhe Zhenren removed the robes of the Water Sovereign Emperor, wearing a single heavenly-blue silk robe, wide-sleeved blue garment, with a carefree sash tied behind his head; the heavenly-blue robe bore flowing water patterns, and he gazed afar toward the direction of the jia-ling green banyan, the heavenly-earth spiritual root, his eyes holding some contemplation and a faint sigh.

Undoubtedly, he was the loser in this competition.

He lost swiftly, even failing to have time to engage in the imagined contest with his opponent.

In an instant, his heart stirred, yet he heard the jingling of pendants from within the Jiu Ling Hall; Tianhe Zhenren turned his gaze, only to see the Qingqiu Empress, Tushan Shi, emerging slowly from the side hall, surrounded by a youth in azure clothing, peerlessly handsome, attended by attendants.

"Tianhe pays respects to my master's wife!"

Tianhe Zhenren slightly bowed, yet his gaze fell upon that peerlessly handsome youth in azure robes.

This azure-robed jade youth, he naturally recognized.

He is the elder ancestor of the Si family of Zhou Shan Realm, and also the son of the Holy King.

Si Yunzhen.

Among Yu Wang's twelve disciples, he ranks tenth.

"Yunzhen pays respects to his third senior brother!"

Si Yunzhen also slightly bowed with clasped hands.

Tianhe Zhenren's face bore a hint of smile; his eyes glanced upon Si Yunzhen, clearly sensing that the latter's cultivation was profoundly deep, vastly different from tens of thousands of years ago, and he could not help but say:

"It appears your journey to the Demon Beast Realm has yielded great gains, junior brother!"

Si Yunzhen briefly recalled, his expression carrying a hint of fortunate emotion, and sighed:

"Not much gain to speak of—merely fortunate to have saved my life after a narrow escape, and gained some insight!"

The True Person of the Heavenly River was slightly surprised.

Lady Si Yun is indeed the son of the two Dao Lords.

Naturally, he also possesses the protective treasures bestowed by the two Dao Lords, yet he merely said he had salvaged his life—it seems he encountered great peril even in the Heavenly Demon Realm.

Lady Si Yun also sighed somewhat at this moment.

"I never expected that, upon returning, the Nine Abysses Emperor's cultivation would have reached such an astonishing level!"

He sighed somewhat.

Although he ranks tenth in the Tongshan Dao lineage, his cultivation still surpasses most of his fellow disciples; he had already attained the rank of Taiyi Celestial Immortal before, and upon this return, he has entered the state of Taiyi Perfection.

To attain Taiyi Perfection at this time means that, at the end of this Yan Era, there is hope to assault the Dao Lord realm.

Of course, it is only hope.

But the hope may not be great.

Ultimately, to assault the Dao Lord realm, one may have to wait until the next Yan Era.

Thus, naturally, there will be no competition with the True Person of the Heavenly River.

At this moment, Lady Tu Shan of Qingqiu smiled and said.

"With an innate divine body, born close to the Dao, one is naturally different from others!"

"But you need not belittle yourselves; as long as you persist in cultivation, you will eventually attain the Dao!"

Immediately, Lady Tu Shan's gaze fell upon the True Person of the Heavenly River, and she comforted him.

"True Person of the Heavenly River, although you have lost the initiative this time, you need not be anxious; some elders in the Assembly of the Three Sovereigns and Five Elders hold quotas, many of whom are preparing to sell or trade quotas—you still have a chance!"

After a brief pause, she continued.

"Moreover, in the Central Heavenly Realm, your master is also inquiring about the remaining conditions for exchanging public quotas!"

The True Person of the Heavenly River nodded slightly.

For now, this is all we can do.

The True Person of the Heavenly River is not disheartened.

Zhang Jian has his own path, and he likewise has his own direction.

As for the path Zhang Jian walks, deep in his heart he still harbors a few traces of curiosity.

Nevertheless, at this moment, he still wishes to meet Zhang Jian, and also to inquire about his insights as he faces the impending tribulation, to gain some experience, lest he be caught off guard.

……

The Three Sovereigns City.

As Zhang Jian successively cultivated the Profound Yellow Cauldron Forging Great Law and the Threefold Golden Lamp Tribulation-Reduction Secret Art, Yu Wang brought Zhang Jian to the tribulation site in the Three Sovereigns City.

At this moment, Zhang Jian also felt his primordial spirit gradually merging completely with the Dao Lord's status; the formation of the eternal primordial spirit may occur within a few hundred years.

A slight stimulation might occur in the very next moment.

Yu Wang led Zhang Jian forward, and ultimately arrived not far from the Fire Cloud Grotto-Heaven.

Familiar puffs of fire clouds appeared on the horizon, forming a vast, boundless ocean of fire clouds.

Near the edges, there were also some seven-colored or white clouds, quite extraordinary.

Yet Zhang Jian is quite familiar with this place.

"Ancestral Master, is this tribulation site located near the Fire Cloud Grotto-Heaven?"

Zhang Jian glanced briefly, his eyes somewhat surprised.

Yu Wang spoke with a hint of a smile.

"Not bad; the tribulation site is indeed around the Fire Cloud Grotto-Heaven—look, that place is called the Three Sovereigns Platform, and it is also your tribulation site!"

Following Yu Wang's gesture, Zhang Jian saw a deep expanse of white cloud ocean.

There, it is rather special: surrounding it are spacetime-bound seals, with innate runes forming pillars of cloud-light descending from the firmament, like hundreds of cloud-built rings encircling a vast, protruding Dharma Platform.

The Dharma Platform floats in the cloud sea, extraordinarily vast.

The Dharma Platform appears to be forged from a special material, permeated with a heavy, turbid qi of chaos.

"Ancestral Master, what can be said of the formation surrounding it?"

Zhang Jian slightly sensed it, his expression solemn.

"As for its nature, this formation is called the Three Realms' Great Prohibition Formation!"

Yu Wang's expression smiled.

"This formation can sever the heavenly and earthly Dao laws in the surrounding area, creating its own spacetime; besides that, it has no other use!"

"Severing the heavenly and earthly Dao laws?"

Zhang Jian's gaze flickered slightly, a hint of speculation in his eyes.

Is this, during the tribulation, to reduce external interference?

He knows that when undergoing the Great Tribulation of Annihilation, all manner of heavenly and earthly tribulation qi comes from all directions, ultimately evolving into the scene of heavenly and earthly total annihilation, including the tribulation transcender's own magical power, cultivation, and even Dao heart and primordial spirit—all will be utterly annihilated, leaving only the Dao.

If one passes through, their own Dao can transcend all, eternally free, and they can be reborn from the Dao, transforming into the Dao Lord's Dao Fruit.

During this process, if the heavenly and earthly Dao laws resonate with the Dao Fruit, it will naturally interfere with the efficiency of one's transformation of the Dao Fruit.

Indeed, it is of great help.

"And there is this talisman!"

Yu Wang's hand produced another talisman, beautiful jade-like, crystal clear and translucent, with countless beautiful golden lines flowing upon it, splendid and moving.

"Ancestral Master, could this not be...?"

Zhang Jian received the talisman, his mind already forming a guess.

Yu Wang nodded slightly, confirming Zhang Jian's guess.

"This is what is called a quota; it is refined by the exalted ones of the Assembly of the Three Sovereigns and Five Elders using part of the Three Sovereigns Heavenly Realm's heavenly origin and part of the fortune's qi; when the tribulation comes, you shall use it thus, and at that time it will surely lend you aid..."

Yuwang personally instructed him on the key points, and upon hearing the profound subtleties, Zhang Jian's eyes instantly lit up with bright light.

He immediately took the talisman, refined it, and nurtured it.

This treasure has other great uses.

……

After Yuwang gave further instructions, Zhang Jian transformed into a streak of flowing light and flew toward the Three Emperors Platform, instantly landing far above the vast altar.

Yuwang stood on auspicious clouds, gazing at this scene, his eyes holding a hint of anticipation.

Zhang Jian possesses a divine body, is protected by an innate spiritual treasure, and additionally holds the title of Dao Lord of the Three Emperors Heavenly Realm; he should have great hope of breaking through the Great Calamity of Annihilation.

However, assaulting the Great Calamity of Annihilation has always been a near-certain death, with immense difficulty; even Yuwang lacks absolute certainty that Zhang Jian will definitely succeed.

At this moment, several figures appeared out of nowhere around him.

Leading them were three individuals dressed in primitive, ancient attire—the human ancestors.

Suiren Shi, Youchao Shi, and Ziyi Shi.

"Greetings to the Three Holy Ancestors!"

Upon seeing the human ancestors arrive, Yuwang also performed a salute as a junior.

"Young one of the Si family, no need for excessive courtesy!"

The leading figure, Suiren Shi, held a wooden staff, his fiery red hair and beard dancing as if born from flames, his entire body radiating a lofty Dao resonance.

Yuwang remained solemn in expression; these three Holy Ancestors were not only the ones who guided humanity through its most difficult era, but also renowned powerhouses of the human race.

The title of Ancestral God is not merely an honorific.

The Ziyi Shi had a kind countenance and spoke with a smile.

"Wenming, it seems not long before your Dao lineage will produce its first Dao Lord—and moreover, a Dao Lord of divine lineage; this child shall surely help you establish your gate!"

"Ziyi Holy Ancestor overestimates A Yu; although he possesses a divine body, the time he has spent attaining the Dao is ultimately too short, and I still worry his foundation is unstable!"

Yuwang voiced his inner concern.

Although he has a divine body, Zhang Jian's cultivation speed is too fast.

In less than a hundred thousand years, he has attained such cultivation level; I truly fear he may falter at a critical moment.

Perhaps Zhang Jian himself is aware of his shortcomings.

After all, he lacks the time to settle, reflect, and gain experience.

Ziyi Shi shook his head and said.

"Each person has their own karmic path; attaining Dao Lord status does not necessarily require gradual, step-by-step refinement of the foundation—between heaven and earth, nothing is impossible!"

Suiren Shi and Youchao Shi nodded slightly.

They too are beings who attained the Dao in ancient times, having witnessed too much along this path.

Similar to their experiences, yet still stuck at the cultivation threshold, while some young deities boldly advance and early pass the barrier to the other shore.

Thus, it is evident that abundant experience does not guarantee achievement.

Yuwang pondered, and his heart eased considerably.

Only the Dao.

"May he pass through the Great Calamity of Annihilation and add another Dao Lord to our human race!"

The three ancestral gods nodded slightly, their eyes holding a hint of smile.

The more powerful beings in the human race, the more secure humanity's position among the myriad heavens and worlds.

Only with an endless stream of fresh blood being born within the clan can there be a lasting way.

……

Upon the vast chaotic-colored altar, Zhang Jian emerged from the flowing light, subtly sensing the surrounding spacetime.

The Three Emperors Platform isolates all connection with the Three Emperors Heavenly Realm.

Yet it is indeed located within the Three Emperors Heavenly Realm.

Most miraculous.

In this independent spacetime, his vast and eternal will cannot sense any trace of heavenly Dao laws' qi mechanism—not even spacetime; here, it has become an independent chaotic space, as if standing amidst chaos.

Yet Zhang Jian simultaneously discovered that although the Three Emperors Platform forbids the void, it still continuously provides him with refined, pure chaotic essence after transformation.

He can use this to replenish his cultivation.

After briefly exploring the Three Emperors Platform and becoming familiar with it, Zhang Jian continued to sink his mind into cultivation, practicing the final secret law of burning and operating a single strike.

Six hundred years later, Zhang Jian suddenly felt his body tremble, as if countless smoke, dust, and rosy light were dispersing from his surroundings, his body emitting a dense, eternal, transcendent aura.

At this moment, he felt his Dao Lord primordial spirit suddenly accelerate its transformation, nearly coalescing into form in an instant.

Simultaneously, a terrifying heavenly-earthly omen surfaced deep within his Dao heart.

He knew: the Great Calamity of Annihilation has come!