At dawn, Gu An emerged from the forest, Jiang Shi following closely behind, his expression somewhat dazed.
Nearby, Lu Jiujia, who was leading the disciples in morning exercises, turned his head to glance at Jiang Shi trailing behind Gu An. A flicker of surprise crossed his face.
"That brat actually dared to bother Senior Brother?"
Lu Jiujia sighed inwardly, noting Jiang Shi's slightly defeated look.
As Gu An continued forward, he casually joined the line of disciples, preparing to participate in their drills.
Lu Jiujia refrained from questioning Jiang Shi. Instead, he urged him to quickly take his place in the formation. The exercises were about to begin.
Half an hour later, Gu An left Xuan Valley, prompting Lu Jiujia to finally seize the opportunity to pull Jiang Shi aside for a private chat.
Under Gu An's divine sense control, the disciples in the valley had been completely oblivious to the events of the previous night. Even the proximity of Gu An and Jiang Shi's presence had gone unnoticed.
When asked about the night's happenings, Jiang Shi merely shook his head and replied, "Senior Brother, don't ask. Rest assured, I'm fine. From now on, I'll dedicate myself to building Xuan Valley, and I won't let either you or Master down."
Lu Jiujia felt a strange unease at this response.
Why did it seem like Jiang Shi had grown closer to Senior Brother Gu An? Closer than even himself?
Then again, on second thought, Lu Jiujia realized he didn't have many years left to live. Wasn't this exactly what he had hoped for?
Having great respect for Gu An and seeing Jiang Shi as his own child, Lu Jiujia naturally wished for a stronger bond between them.
"Just keep doing your best. Your master will notice your efforts," Lu Jiujia said earnestly, patting Jiang Shi on the shoulder.
Jiang Shi nodded, his eyes blazing with determination, the fire of ambition ignited within him.
As summer came to an end, Yang Xian Emperor officially began his tribulation.
Gu An settled into the attic of the Third Medicine Valley, his divine sense extending outward to witness the heavenly tribulation of a Divine Thought True Immortal.
He was curious to see if Yang Xian Emperor's tribulation would rival his own.
But as the tribulation commenced, disappointment crept into Gu An's heart.
It didn't seem all that powerful. Were he still at the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, he was confident he could have overcome it with ease.
While Gu An felt let down, the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals gathered in the outer cosmic layers were trembling with fear. Even at such a distance, the tribulation's oppressive aura was palpable.
"What kind of tribulation is this? Its pressure is terrifying even from this far away!"
"What realm's tribulation could this be? Surely not the fifth to sixth heavens; that wasn't nearly this overwhelming."
"And it's only just begun…"
"Will this tribulation affect the Heavenly Spirit World?"
"Immortal Dynasty's strength is incredible. The pressure we feel is just the aftershock. Look at the formation they've set up—so profound."
The Flying Immortals' discussions grew increasingly fervent as more Unrestrained Primordial Immortals and Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortals arrived to witness the spectacle.
As time passed, the tribulation became increasingly terrifying.
From the beginning, Gu An had glimpsed the ending. Even at its peak, the tribulation's power wouldn't have shaken his body when he was a Divine Thought True Immortal. If he were to face Yang Xian Emperor's tribulation, success would have been guaranteed on his first attempt.
The tribulation was set to last a full seven days.
On the second day, the sky glowed red, resembling a fiery cloudscape. While the disciples of the Tai Xuan Sect found it breathtakingly beautiful, they thought little of it. The same was true for ninety percent of the living beings across the world, who merely marveled at its beauty.
On the third day, the temperature of the world surged abruptly. The spiritual energy in the air became chaotic, forcing many cultivators out of their seclusion. Some even succumbed to inner demons during their meditations.
On the fourth day, earthquakes and tsunamis began to erupt across the world, forcing the Tai Xuan Sect to take defensive measures.
By the fifth day, Sacred Court finally made its move!
Gu An watched as countless Sacred Court experts, like a torrential rain of arrows, descended upon the cosmic expanse. Their combined mana coalesced into an unstoppable force, crashing against the Immortal Dynasty's great formation.
The powerful aftermath shattered stars and meteors in the surrounding cosmos, and the resulting shockwaves surged towards the Heavenly Spirit World.
What Gu An had foreseen unfolded before his eyes. Many Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals were instantly reduced to ashes, and the entire Heavenly Spirit World trembled violently.
The Immortal Dynasty's great formation was obliterated in an instant, but at that moment, blinding flames erupted from Yang Xian Emperor, radiating an even more dazzling and overwhelming brilliance than the seven days of heavenly tribulation. The scorching aura swept across the void.
Yang Xian Emperor raised his hand, and with a single gesture, he repelled over ten thousand Sacred Court experts, including five Divine Thought True Immortals!
As if that wasn't enough, Gu An witnessed a mysterious scene—the whirlpool of reincarnation spat out one after another of fearsome Immortal Spirits, all exuding immense power. Each was a Divine Thought True Immortal or a Dao Void Profound Immortal, and their karmic ties were shrouded in an eerie veil, making them impossible to divine.
It was as if they were not living beings, but entities emerging from the Nine Nether Yellow Springs.
These Immortal Spirits did not assist Yang Xian Emperor but instead charged directly at the Sacred Court forces.
Thus began a world-shaking battle!
Gu An observed as Divine Thought True Immortals clashed in the cosmos, Dao Void Profound Immortals fought amidst the great paths, and Wondrous Mystical Spirit Immortals and Unrestrained Primordial Immortals dueled in realms imperceptible to ordinary beings.
The Sacred Gods made their move as well.
Every Sacred God of the Sacred Court was a Divine Thought True Immortal, and their arrival resembled celestial deities descending upon the mortal plane, their majesty unmatched.
Gu An watched the chaos with great interest. Yet, in the presence of others, he feigned concern, ensuring his demeanor aligned with the circumstances.
By the seventh day, Yang Xian Emperor had successfully entered the Free Immortal Realm, radiating a divine presence akin to the midday sun.
Fierce winds and torrential rains swept across the world.
Beneath the attic, Ji Xiaoya gazed up at the rolling thunderclouds with a furrowed brow.
Beside her, the Sun and Moon Nether Emperor suddenly appeared, murmuring in awe, "This is the Destiny Tribulation of the Three Realms. This Yang Xian Emperor is truly a once-in-an-era prodigy. His talents rival even those of the Divine Sovereign. For two unrivaled geniuses to coexist in the same grand world—how terrifying. Fortunately, they are enemies."
On the second floor of the attic, Gu An overheard this statement, his expression turning peculiar.
Destiny Tribulation of the Three Realms?
His own tribulation, when breaking through to the Dao Void Profound Immortal Realm, had been named the Destiny Tribulation of the Six Realms. Did that mean his tribulation had been three realms more challenging than Yang Xian Emperor's?
Ji Xiaoya commented, "Indeed. If the Heavenly Spirit World had a stronger guiding force to unify them, the realm could soar to unprecedented heights. But unfortunately, there is no such supreme figure. Only one unparalleled prodigy can survive this conflict. From my perspective, the Divine Sovereign is most likely to emerge victorious."
The Sun and Moon Nether Emperor chuckled and replied, "I believe Yang Xian Emperor stands a better chance. The Sacred Court entered the Reincarnation Tribulation later than Your Majesty. By the time Yang Xian Emperor unifies the Heavenly Spirit World, the Divine Sovereign may not have even emerged from the Reincarnation Tribulation."
Ji Xiaoya fell silent at this, her gaze fixed intently on the skies.
With a deafening crack, a thunderbolt streaked across the heavens, coiling like a massive dragon—an awe-inspiring sight.
"I am Yang Xian Emperor, ruler of the Immortal Dynasty, and today I ascend to the pinnacle of the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Dao! Yet, the Sacred Court dares to hinder my tribulation. From this day forward, I declare an all-out war against the Sacred Court! This battle shall decide: only one shall remain—Immortal Dynasty or Sacred Court!"
Yang Xian Emperor's voice echoed with boundless rage, yet it carried a subtle resonance that only beings of the Immortal Dao could perceive. Mortals were utterly unaware of his proclamation.
Gu An couldn't help but admire his performance.
This was clearly a trap, waiting for the Sacred Court to strike.
The Sacred Court had no choice but to intervene; they could not allow the Immortal Dynasty to produce a Free Immortal unimpeded.
But their failure today marked the second time the Sacred Court had lost to the Immortal Dynasty!
Gu An looked forward to the chaos that was sure to ensue. As the world descended into turmoil, countless fools seeking death would inevitably challenge the Tai Cang Continent.
It had been far too long since he last made a move.
It was about time to show the world his divine prowess.