Chapter 673: The Third Great Calamity Tribulation (4K)

The power manifested by this third Great Calamity Tribulation far exceeds that of the second.

Zhang Jian's mind and spirit entered it along with the projection of the primordial chaos ocean's power.

As he sensed it, the world formed by this primordial chaos power was filled with vast scenes of great destruction, and also contained a portion of annihilating power, world-destroying might.

The vast, all-encompassing aura of great destruction, the annihilating power, entered his entire body through the inhalation and exhalation of the rolling primordial chaos power, reaching even the depths of his Dao Fruit's auspicious clouds.

But in an instant, it was suppressed by a vast, boundless, eternal Dao cultivation.

Although his eternal Dao cultivation was also being destroyed, and the annihilating aura seeped in, it was extraordinarily resilient, and within it flowed layers of pure, purifying, redeeming immortal light, suppressing the great destruction phenomena.

Boundless, limitless light became manifest, and threads of primordial immortal light began to flow from the depths of his brow.

Infinite light merged into the eternal immortal light, instantly suppressing the surrounding vast killing aura, while his body blossomed with vast, boundless azure lotuses—chaotic-hued azure lotuses blooming within, their infinite chaos aura dulling and assimilating the boundless great destruction and annihilation will.

At this moment, his Dao Lord primordial spirit, eternal will, Dao heart, Dao cultivation, and Dao body were all extraordinarily formidable; this terrifying great annihilation and great destruction will, extraordinarily formidable, faced the layers of eternal immortal light flowing around him—against the will of great destruction and annihilation, oppression, he already possessed sufficient resistance, so much so that even annihilation and destruction could not directly destroy his surrounding eternal immortal light.

Purple-yellow immortal light flowed around his body, carrying a trace of the aura of being indestructible through myriad tribulations, continuously refining the contained great destruction and annihilation will within.

Layer upon layer of boundless great light power emanated from the eternal immortal light, dispersing the unknown, destructive forces within.

Zhang Jian's expression remained unmoving; he simply felt the power of this third great destruction tribulation, and did not use the power of the Pure Purple Rank to directly refine the contained annihilation and destruction will.

He merely opposed it with his own eternal Dao methods, using this layer of annihilation and destruction will to temper his eternal Dao cultivation.

This is a very common way to undergo tribulation.

During tribulation, if one still has surplus energy, they naturally have more choices, able to use this opportunity to temper their Dao cultivation, primordial spirit, Dao body, and so on, directly completing transformation.

This can save a great deal of cultivation time.

Otherwise, after merely passing through a great tribulation, one would still need a period of arduous cultivation before their five-in-one Dao cultivation, primordial spirit, eternal will, and Dao body could further transform.

At this moment, the purple-yellow immortal light within him continuously drew in the boundless great destruction and annihilation will; on one hand, he used eternal will to suppress and wear down the vast great destruction and annihilation will, strengthening eternal will while simultaneously refining his eternal Dao cultivation and eternal Dao body.

Yet within the tribulation's killing forces, he always maintained initiative.

By relying on the power of the Boundless Great Light Cloud, he could always keep the great destruction and annihilation will entering his body within a certain limit—neither excessive, to avoid overwhelming and polluting his Dao heart, nor too weak, so as to fail to produce tempering effects on his Dao cultivation, primordial spirit, and will.

After an unknown duration, he felt that when his eternal immortal light, Dao Lord primordial spirit, Dao Lord body, and the depths of his eternal will reached a certain intensity of undying, deathless aura reaching the far shore, his progress slowed, and he immediately ceased further tempering.

At this moment, within the primordial chaos space, the great annihilation and great destruction will had become intense enough to begin evolving into a vast heavenly realm collapsing into the abyss, myriad heavenly Dao crumbling, evolving into apocalyptic scenes, and growing ever more intense.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian raised his hand, and a strand of azure-green immortal light transformed into flowing light, shooting straight toward the azure heavens.

That azure-green immortal light revealed within it a power of infinite light that purifies all beings and redeems heaven and earth; under this azure-green immortal light, all kinds of great destruction and annihilation will were instantly shattered.

This is the Fourth-Rank Eternal Dao Method: Azure Lotus Purifying Soul Incantation.

The Fourth-Rank Eternal Dao Method Azure Lotus Purifying Soul Incantation contains infinite salvific divine power.

Under the infinite azure-green immortal light, it resolves the infinite great destruction and annihilation aura, giving rise to a vast pure land.

Zhang Jian used this as a source, continuously devouring the boundless great destruction and annihilation aura, strengthening this Fourth-Rank Eternal Dao Method.

Zhang Jian's eyes remained still; the Azure Lotus Purifying Soul Incantation cultivated to this level had actually not yet reached its limit.

Accompanied by vast salvific merit, the Azure Lotus Purifying Soul Incantation still has great room for advancement.

Moreover, he still possesses redemption and netherworld authority on his person.

Only after passing through this third Great Calamity Tribulation will he be able to elevate this Fourth-Rank Eternal Dao Method to the Fifth Rank, becoming the first Fifth-Rank Eternal Dao Method he holds in hand.

In the void above, Zhang Jian sat cross-legged upon the azure lotus; the infinite azure lotus pure land, along with his eternal Dao cultivation and incantation's support, gradually absorbed and merged this primordial chaos space filled with great destruction and annihilation will.

The terrifying sight of the boundless heavens and earth collapsing, all things falling, was gradually fading away.

In its place emerged a realm of auspiciousness, tranquility, free from disaster and tribulation—the azure lotus pure land.

Soon after, the infinite primordial chaos aura was also absorbed and merged by this azure lotus pure land world.

The Third Great Calamity Tribulation completely dissipated.

In the celestial palace, upon the Heavenly Emperor's throne, Zhang Jian's form appeared out of nowhere.

A layer of intense, vast immortal light flowed around his body.

Within the eternal immortal light lay an intense, ultimate eternal, immortal Dao rhythm, as if heaven and earth perish while I alone remain, all things vanish while eternity endures.

Deep within Zhang Jian's brow appeared a purple-yellow Dao Fruit aura, within which layers of purple-yellow auspicious clouds surged, gradually approaching perfection, completeness.

Like the great Dao source of the heavenly void, the beginning of law.

What is the far shore? What is the Dao Venerable? In Zhang Jian's view, it is simply comprehending a great Dao principle to its utmost, stepping out of the rut—naturally, that is reaching the far shore, that is, the Dao Venerable realm.

Upon reaching this realm, a mere gesture can generate boundless might.

At this moment, bearing two layers of Pure Purple Rank, Zhang Jian is even more convinced of this.

And the Three-Reincarnation Dao Lord is truly one who has comprehended a great Dao principle to its utmost, thus being called a Great Divine Ability Wielder by the myriad immortals and gods of the heavenly void.

At this moment, Zhang Jian feels the transformed eternal will, eternal Dao cultivation, Dao Lord primordial spirit, as well as Dao heart and Dao Fruit, and he can sense the changes within.

Even if he has not continued to master third-rank, fourth-rank, or fifth-rank Eternal Dao Methods.

The Three-Reincarnation Dao Lord is not something an ordinary Two-Reincarnation Dao Lord can contend with.

Unless one possesses special spiritual treasures, acquired spiritual treasures, or innate spiritual treasures—such rare treasures alone can catch up to this gap.

Zhang Jian feels the formidable Dao cultivation, eternal will, and Dao Lord body after his transformation.

Next, he naturally seeks to elevate all the Eternal Dao Methods he controls.

As for how to become a Dao Venerable thereafter, that is for him to seek his own path.

Each Dao Lord's path to the far shore differs.

……

Within the celestial palace, eternity, auspiciousness, purity, and dignity seem to be the eternal essence here; Zhang Jian's breakthrough did not cause the great destruction aura to break through the divine power-formed divine prohibitions of the Heavenly Emperor, and many fairies and goddesses still fluttered about like butterflies among flowers upon the vast celestial pavilions, immortal isles, and celestial palaces.

In the Heavenly Empress's Hall.

Qi Shi's body flowed with a vast, intense divine light; countless currents of fortune gathered around her, manifesting various auspicious omens of light, and faintly, countless scenes of phoenix worship could still be seen.

From the day the Heavenly Empress took form, she has held the rank of Three-Reincarnation Dao Lord, second only to the Heavenly Emperor's rank in the celestial court.

That is to say, as long as Qi Shi proceeds step by step, she is not without opportunity in the future to step into the Dao Lord realm.

This is a great fortune.

The Qi clan has recently also been practicing the Dream Journey to the Great Void Dharma, entering the myriad heavens' void in dreams, cycling through rebirth to temper the Dao-heart.

With the Heavenly Emperor of the Immortal Court as her backing, her cultivation proceeds very smoothly.

Not far from her is the Holy Empress Si Li'er, whose body similarly manifests a magnificent phoenix dharma-image, exuding a rich aura of dignity and noble elegance.

Assistant Minister Zhang Zhao has confirmed the ancient sage-king's Dao, and with the opening of the Immortal Court's celestial star sea, her accumulated imperial fortune is also extraordinarily vast.

Shortly after, Qi Shi opened her eyes first; deep between her brows radiated intense immortal light, carrying the aura of nurturing all living beings, and she sighed.

"The method of condensing fortune-rank in this realm can also be considered a great Dao to heaven, using rank evolution to forge an innate divine body; in the future, it is certainly possible to transform into a top-tier divine body!"

Upon hearing this, Si Li'er slowly opened her eyes, smiling faintly as she spoke.

"Good it is, but the consumed fortune is perhaps too much—this is a flaw!"

Qi Shi smiled, pursing her lips.

"Quite suitable for this palace's ordinary-talented ones like us!"

Si Li'er smiled charmingly, immediately stepping forward to embrace one of Qi Shi's hands, laughing coquettishly.

"The Empress's talent cannot be considered ordinary; it's only that the Empress's Dao-heart of this elemental meeting has not yet formed. Once the Dao-heart is tempered to completion, the next elemental meeting will surely be a case of profound accumulation leading to sudden brilliance!"

Qi Shi laughed.

"You, you're best at comforting the Empress!"

As she spoke, a hint of helpless smile appeared on her face, glancing at Si Li'er as she said.

"Speak—have you recently encountered any difficulties again? You and your husband manage myriad affairs, yet you rarely come to see this Empress!"

Si Li'er spoke coquettishly.

"Empress, your servant and her husband often think of you, but her husband has just established the Holy Court, which is not yet stable; he must also stabilize the celestial star sea and construct the Great Array of the Celestial Stars—indeed, there are many difficulties, leaving no room to enter the Immortal Palace to visit you!"

"But her husband also feels deeply guilty..."

Qi Shi smiled faintly, then said.

"Alright, this palace knows your filial devotion; if there's anything, just say it straight—if you don't speak, don't blame this palace for not helping you!"

After a slight pause, she continued.

"Have the immortals and gods of the Heavenly Court come looking for you again?"

"Your servant knew she couldn't hide it from the Empress!"

Si Li'er's beautiful face also showed a hint of helplessness.

"Recently, the associates of the Purple Micro Emperor's mansion have contacted her husband again; although we temporarily refused them, they likely won't give up, and there are other major powers' immortals and gods as well!"

Since learning that Zhang Jian, the Nine Abysses Impeaching Spirit Emperor, solely governs one heavenly realm, various immortals and gods have sent envoys to contact the Zhang clan's immortals and gods; each visit brings heavy gifts.

As visits increased, the clan heads of the Zhang immortal families across the major heavenly realms also felt unable to bear it, so they could only relay information back to Zhang Zhao and her husband.

Ordinary immortals and gods are still tolerable, but some immortals and gods hold extraordinary status, making direct refusal difficult.

For example, the Three Stars of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity, or some ancient Dao lineages in the Kunlun Heavenly Realm, or even the Heavenly Court Emperor, and many ancient immortals—each has their own interest-exchange demands.

Such interest-exchange may seem simple, but who knows if there are no traps within?

Therefore, Zhang Zhao and her husband can only hope Zhang Jian emerges from seclusion to take charge.

Upon hearing this, Qi Shi glanced at her and said.

"Hmm, rest assured—your father has already sent a message to this palace recently; he is about to emerge from seclusion!"

Upon hearing this, Si Li'er's eyes lit with joy, but just then her expression stirred—she saw, before the Empress's Palace, a voice transmitting from afar.

"I have already emerged from seclusion; Li'er, you need not worry—leave these matters to me!"

Far off, as the voice appeared, Zhang Jian's figure also appeared before the palace gate.

Before the palace gate, at this moment Bai Xianyun and Feng Ling, the two deities, stood nearby; hearing the words, their eyes flickered with joy.

"Your Majesty!"

The two immediately performed rites; Zhang Jian waved his hand, a divine power lifting the two women up as he laughed.

"We are family—no need to be so strict with etiquette!"

As he spoke, he had already stepped into the Heavenly Empress's sleeping palace.

"Your Majesty!"

"Father!"

Qi Shi, Si Li'er saw Zhang Jian arrive; both women were somewhat delighted, rising in unison.

Zhang Jian gazed at the two women, his expression unchanged, merely greeting them to sit down; after inquiring in detail about the situation Si Li'er controlled, he quickly proposed some solutions.

The Immortal Court's heavenly realm will certainly not be opened to the outside within twelve elemental meetings.

This is to ensure Zhang Jian can fully control the Immortal Court's heavenly realm, but some resources, and even authority, can be exchanged in advance.

For example, facing the master of the Donghua Heavenly Realm, the Pure Yang Dao Sovereign, who sent forth an incarnation to contemplate mastering this realm's Pure Yang Dao laws for a hundred elemental meetings, Zhang Jian considered briefly and agreed.

As a condition, he likewise needs to control the Donghua Heavenly Realm's earthly origin for a hundred elemental meetings.

This is the transaction between them.

There are also similar conditions from some powerful heavenly realm masters, or from ancient Dao lineages proposing terms—nothing more than negotiation.

If unwilling, he can also refuse at any time.

Now that he solely governs one realm, he already possesses the confidence to refuse these ancient Dao lineages.

At this moment, Qi Shi also spoke.

"Your Majesty, not long ago, the Yu Wang Ancestral Master also came; the Three Sovereigns and Five Elders, and the Heavenly Court, are all awaiting our reply!"

Upon hearing this, Si Li'er's eyes turned toward Zhang Jian; she knew Zhang Jian's choice might affect the fate of the entire Immortal Court's heavenly realm.

Speaking frankly, as the leader of the Zhang clan's second generation, Zhang Zhao and she naturally lean toward solely governing one heavenly realm.

But she also knows that currently, the Zhang clan does not yet have the ability to swallow one heavenly realm entirely.

Zhang Jian thought for a moment; he already knew the conditions offered by the Three Sovereigns and Five Elders Association and the Heavenly Court.

The conditions offered by both sides were extraordinarily generous.

The Heavenly Court was willing to grant him the position of Emperor of the twelfth rank, which was an actual position of authority.

They also offered a long list of items, including many extremely precious heavenly and earthly divine treasures, even extending to partial authority over parts of the heavenly realms under the Heavenly Court's jurisdiction, and even to the origin of the Great Dao.

What made Zhang Jian hesitate was that one of the Heavenly Court's conditions required him to establish an Inspection Palace in the Immortal Court's heavenly realm and to accept a portion of the Heavenly Court's garrison troops.

Actually, this condition was quite normal.

When Donghua Heavenly Realm ascended, after receiving the Heavenly Court's investiture, it also accepted these conditions.

But the Pure Yang Daozun behind them had the support of the Xuan Du Zi Fu Group of Immortals from the Kunlun Heavenly Realm, so they were not afraid of the Heavenly Court's move to take over the magpie's nest.

But he was different.

Next were the various conditions offered by the Three Sovereigns and Five Elders Association.

The conditions offered by the Three Sovereigns and Five Elders Association were also extraordinarily generous.

However, the Three Sovereigns and Five Elders Association also had their own demands.