Chapter 820: Divine Ancestor Discusses the Dao, Touching the Emperor Realm

With a wave of his hand, Divine Ancestor Cang Qiong caused the space atop the Myriad Worlds Tower to twist and shift, transforming into a simple, ancient Quiet Room. He turned to look at Lin Xuan, his eyes filled with scrutiny and appreciation: "Young man, would you be willing to come up and have a chat with this old man? The nine Divine Emperors were inevitably a bit rude when they first met you, but I am quite interested in a genius such as yourself."

Lin Xuan pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement. He could sense that although this Divine Ancestor's strength was unfathomable, there was no malice. Moreover, being able to communicate with an Emperor Realm powerhouse would be of immense benefit to his own breakthrough in cultivation.

The two figures flashed and appeared within the Quiet Room. This place was isolated from the outside world, and no divine sense could probe it. Divine Ancestor Cang Qiong sat upon a meditation cushion and, with a casual wave, a pot of spirit tea appeared on the table. The fragrance of the tea drifted out, containing a rich Dao Rhyme that made one feel refreshed and clear-headed upon smelling it.

"Taste this Enlightenment Tea; it is a spirit item I have cultivated over ten thousand years of time," the Divine Ancestor said with a smile. "In all the heavens and myriad worlds, no more than ten people have ever tasted this tea."

Lin Xuan did not stand on ceremony and picked up the teacup to take a light sip. As the tea entered his mouth, a profound realization surged into his heart. He felt as if he saw countless Great Daos intertwining before his eyes, each leading to a different supreme realm. This was the comprehension of the Heavenly Dao by an Emperor Realm powerhouse, condensed into this single pot of tea.

"Good tea," Lin Xuan praised, a flash of enlightenment crossing his eyes. "Many thanks to you, Senior, for the tea."

"No need for formalities," Divine Ancestor Cang Qiong waved his hand. "I called you up today for two reasons: first, I wanted to see just how profound your Law of Lun Hui truly is; second, I wanted to ask you a question." He paused, his gaze becoming deep and distant. "Do you know why there is a Great Tribulation in these heavens and myriad worlds?"

Lin Xuan's heart stirred. Just a moment ago, outside the Divine Court's main hall, he had heard the nine Divine Emperors mention the Great Tribulation. It seemed to be some kind of periodic catastrophe capable of destroying countless planes and annihilating countless powerhouses.

"I ask that you please enlighten me, Senior," Lin Xuan said sincerely.

Divine Ancestor Cang Qiong sighed: "The Great Tribulation is the Heavenly Dao's process of self-purification. Every million years, the heavens and myriad worlds accumulate too much karma and karmic debt. When this karma and debt become entangled, it causes the Heavenly Dao to function poorly and the laws to fall into chaos. Thus, the Heavenly Dao descends with a Great Tribulation to cleanse everything."

He raised his hand, and a star map appeared in the Void. On the map, countless stars were trembling, and the power of the laws was in utter disarray. "I have divined the heavenly secrets and discovered that this Great Tribulation will be more violent than any before it. When it arrives, not only will ordinary cultivators perish, but even those at the Supreme Realm will face the danger of falling."

Lin Xuan's brows furrowed tightly: "Then why did you, Senior, have the Divine Court and the Lun Hui Empire cease hostilities? If we joined forces, wouldn't we have a better chance of facing the Great Tribulation?"

"Because conflict itself is karma," Divine Ancestor Cang Qiong shook his head. "If the Divine Court and the Lun Hui Empire continue to fight, it will only accelerate the accumulation of karma and karmic debt, making the Great Tribulation arrive faster and more violently. It is better for each to guard their own side and improve their own strength, then join forces when the Great Tribulation arrives."

He looked deeply at Lin Xuan: "Moreover, I saw a glimmer of opportunity in you. Your Law of Lun Hui is the very nemesis of purifying karma and karmic debt. If you can break through to the Emperor Realm before the Great Tribulation, you might just be able to bring a glimmer of survival to these heavens and myriad worlds."

Lin Xuan was silent. He had not expected that his establishment of the Lun Hui Empire would involve such a grand destiny. But since he had already reached this point, he would not retreat.

"Does Senior know how to break through to the Emperor Realm?" Lin Xuan asked.

Divine Ancestor Cang Qiong smiled: "You have already touched the threshold. One more step forward, and you will be an Emperor. But this step is as difficult as ascending to heaven." He paused. "The Emperor Realm requires one to condense their own Dao Fruit. This Dao Fruit contains a cultivator's lifelong insights, laws, and will. Only by perfectly fusing all of this can one step through the gate of the Emperor."

"When I broke through back then, it took me three thousand years to condense my Dao Fruit. I experienced nine deaths and one life during that time, and only then did I barely succeed," Divine Ancestor Cang Qiong recalled. "Although your Law of Lun Hui is profound, it will likely be even more difficult to condense a Lun Hui Dao Fruit. Because Lun Hui encompasses everything, it requires a deep understanding of all six paths."

Lin Xuan nodded; he understood. Breaking through to the Emperor Realm was not a simple accumulation of power, but the ultimate realization of the Heavenly Dao. Although he could currently wield the power of Lun Hui, his understanding of Lun Hui was not yet profound enough.

"Many thanks for your guidance, Senior," Lin Xuan rose and bowed. "I have benefited greatly today."

"Go," Divine Ancestor Cang Qiong waved his hand. "Remember, the Great Tribulation is approaching, and there is not much time left for you. The most I can do for you is to ensure the Divine Court no longer troubles you. As for the rest, it depends on your own fortune."

Lin Xuan nodded, his figure flashed, and he vanished from the Quiet Room. When he appeared again, he was back above the Divine Court. The nine Divine Emperors were still guarding there, looking at him with complex expressions.

"Everyone, let today's matter be put to rest," Lin Xuan said calmly. "But if the Divine Court dares to provoke the Lun Hui Empire again, I would not mind coming back."

Having said this, he did not wait for the nine Divine Emperors to respond, but tore through the Void and disappeared. Watching the direction in which Lin Xuan departed, Divine Emperor Cang Tian gave a bitter smile: "The prosperity of this child's Qi Luck is rare in ancient or modern times. The Divine Ancestor actually lectured him personally; even we have never received such treatment."

"So what?" Divine Emperor Bai Hu was unconvinced. "Let's wait until he breaks through to the Emperor Realm. The path of the Emperor is filled with thousands of dangers; how many brilliant and talented people have fallen along the way?"

"I hope so," Divine Emperor Xuan Ming sighed. "However, I have a premonition that this child will surely break through. When that time comes, these heavens and myriad worlds will likely change."

Lun Hui Star Domain, Lingxiao Hall.

When Lin Xuan's figure reappeared in the great hall, the nine Empress Emperors collectively breathed a sigh of relief. They had been on tenterhooks these past few days, fearing that His Majesty might meet with disaster in the Divine Court. After all, that was the Divine Court's lair, with Emperor Realm powerhouses sitting in command; no matter how strong His Majesty was, he might not necessarily be able to retreat unscathed.

"Your Majesty!" Sima Xue was the first to greet him, her beautiful eyes filled with concern. "Are you alright? Regarding the Divine Court..."

"It is of no concern," Lin Xuan waved his hand, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I have reached an agreement with the Divine Court. From now on, the Lun Hui Empire and the Divine Court will treat each other as equals and refrain from mutual aggression."

Once these words were spoken, the nine Empress Emperors were stunned. They had originally thought it would be a stroke of great luck if His Majesty could return safely from the Divine Court; they had not expected him to force the Divine Court to compromise and sign a treaty of equality. One had to know, the Divine Court had ruled the heavens and myriad worlds for hundreds of thousands of years—when had they ever treated any force as an equal?

"His Majesty's divine might!" Murong Xue said excitedly. "From this day forth, our Lun Hui Empire truly stands firm among the heavens, and no force will ever dare to slight us again!"

The other Empress Emperors also offered their congratulations, and the Lingxiao Hall was filled with jubilation. But Lin Xuan did not feel much joy; instead, his brows were slightly furrowed. The words Divine Ancestor Cang Qiong had told him kept echoing in his heart. The Great Tribulation was approaching—this was a crisis far greater than the Divine Court.