Chapter 2042

Guarding Ye Zhangqing through his tribulation was not something Yun Xiantai and the other masters had experienced for the first time.

Therefore, when they sensed that the terrifying Heavenly Tribulation above was about to descend, their first thought was to give their all in safeguarding Ye Zhangqing.

However, at this very moment, Ye Zhangqing's complexion showed something strange.

He glanced at everyone with a deep look and softly uttered a sentence.

"Ancestor, this is a Heavenly Tribulation of the Immortal King Realm."

Time flew, and in the blink of an eye ten years had passed.

Nowadays, Ye Zhangqing's cultivation is no longer what it once was.

Relying on his profound realm and keen insight, he could tell at a glance that Yun Xiantai and the others' cultivation remained only at the Ancestor Realm level.

You should know, the gap between the Ancestor Realm and the Immortal King Realm is as vast as heaven and earth.

Describing an Ancestor Realm expert confronting the Immortal King Realm's Heavenly Tribulation as a mantis trying to stop a chariot is not an exaggeration; it is practically seeking death.

Not to mention protecting others, even if one were merely slightly affected by the aftermath of this Heavenly Tribulation, everyone present would likely be unable to withstand it.

Upon hearing Ye Zhangqing's words, Yun Xiantai initially could not immediately grasp their deeper meaning and instinctively replied.

"What of the Immortal King Realm's Heavenly Tribulation, old man…"

But before he could finish speaking, he suddenly seemed to wake from a dream, abruptly cutting off his words, widening his eyes, and staring at Ye Zhangqing with utter shock.

At this moment, Yun Xiantai finally realized the gravity of the situation, his eyes filled with complex, unfathomable emotions.

After scrutinizing Ye Zhangqing from head to toe, he could not help but feel a surge of astonishment.

Because he suddenly realized that, with his current cultivation and perception, he could not see through Ye Zhangqing before him at all.

It has only been a short ten years—how could this brat have grown so rapidly?

Could it be that he has truly reached a height that even we, old cultivators of many years, must look up to?

Such a cultivation speed is practically heaven-defying.

Looking back at ourselves, breaking through even a minor Ancestor Realm requires immense effort.

Just then, Ye Zhangqing spoke calmly.

"Ancestor, please you and the other seniors retreat a bit for now; after I successfully pass this Heavenly Tribulation, we can catch up later."

It turned out that what Ye Zhangqing was about to face was the Immortal King Realm's Heavenly Tribulation, whose terror is beyond ordinary imagination.

Even a being as powerful as Yun Xiantai now lacks the qualification to protect him.

Upon hearing Ye Zhangqing's words, although everyone was immensely reluctant, they ultimately had no choice but to follow his instructions.

After all, no one dares risk their life, so they all quickly withdrew from the area covered by the Heavenly Tribulation at the first opportunity.

At this moment, they could only stand far off, staring anxiously at Ye Zhangqing undergoing the Heavenly Tribulation, feeling worried yet helpless, knowing that even if they wanted to help, they would be powerless.

However, unlike the others, Ye Zhangqing, amidst the Heavenly Tribulation, remained calm and composed from start to finish, handling it with ease.

As top-tier Yāoniè, undergoing the Heavenly Tribulation is not only easy for Ye Zhangqing, but also for Tianlin and them.

After all, the Heavenly Tribulation is an indifferent force; it does not care about a cultivator's extraordinary talent, only valuing their cultivation realm.

Only see, the Heavenly Thunder filling the sky like madly dancing silver snakes continuously struck down, immense in momentum, shocking and terrifying.

Yet, Ye Zhangqing, amidst it, displayed extraordinary calm and composure, standing firmly in place from beginning to end, neither dodging nor evading.

Accompanied by deafening booms, terrifying bolts of Heavenly Thunder slammed toward Ye Zhangqing, yet astonishingly, these seemingly world-destroying thunderbolts were shattered head-on by Ye Zhangqing through sheer force.

Each impact sparked countless sparks and energy fluctuations, as if seeking to tear this heaven and earth apart.

Yet even so, these violent forces inflicted not the slightest harm on Ye Zhangqing; he was like an immovable mountain, silently enduring the baptism of the Heavenly Tribulation.

Thus, this shocking Heavenly Tribulation lasted a full seven days.

Finally, when the rolling thunderclouds above gradually dissipated, Yun Xiantai and the others, who had been anxiously watching from afar, dared to approach cautiously.

Because Ye Zhangqing bore the Heavenly Thunder head-on throughout the tribulation, the Dao One Immortal Sect below fortunately suffered no collateral damage or destruction.

At this moment, the thunderclouds dispersed, and sunlight once again fell upon the earth.

Yun Xiantai and the others hurried to Ye Zhangqing's face, their expressions full of disbelief.

Yun Xiantai was the first to unable to hold back and speak.

"You brat, ten years without seeing you—I truly don't know how you cultivated, yet you can so easily withstand this Heavenly Tribulation's might."

Facing everyone's astonishment, Ye Zhangqing smiled faintly and replied humbly.

"Ancestor, you overpraise me; I merely had good luck and fortuitously broke through."

Hearing this, everyone shook their heads in disbelief, but seeing Ye Zhangqing unwilling to discuss further, they ceased pressing.

Afterward, they exchanged a few pleasantries, and the atmosphere gradually grew harmonious.

Finally, they then leapt down together, flying toward the Dao One Immortal Sect below.

At this time, the Dao One Immortal Sect was merely in its initial establishment stage, the sect interior appearing rather desolate and lonely, with hardly any people in sight.

Looking around, only Yun Xiantai and his few companions, plus a handful of structures on the mountain peak, and the bare, undecorated Shanmen at the mountain base.

Nevertheless, this place still exudes a mysterious and tranquil aura, making one cannot help but look forward to this nascent Xianmen.

Ten years without meeting, yet they have not become strangers because of it.

Ye Zhangqing originally intended for Yun Xiantai and the others to stay peacefully cultivating in the Cooking King Immortal City, for there they need not worry about safety, nor lack cultivation resources.

Given his importance to the Cooking King Immortal City, having the city provide cultivation resources for Yun Xiantai and them is no problem at all, after all there are not many people.

However, Yun Xiantai and them wanted to establish the Dao One Immortal Sect in the Immortal Realm, which is not a bad idea, and Ye Zhangqing did not oppose it.

Nevertheless, after being led by them on a tour and seeing the already-built houses and Dong Fu, Ye Zhangqing looked at Yun Xiantai with some complexity and asked.

"Ancestor, please tell me honestly—are the recent rumors of the Thieves' Sect spreading in the Immortal Realm actually you?"

Huh???

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, but Hong Zun was the first to regain his composure and blurt out.

"This is all that brat Xu Jie's idea; it has nothing to do with us old-timers."

Huh???