Cough! Cough! Cough!

  Tian vomited three consecutive mouthfuls of blood.

  He then quickly operated the Dragon's Breath technique. This technique focused on amplifying the practitioner’s physical strength and breath. It included methods for enhancing strikes and using the body as a weapon.

  The Empyrean Compendium was indeed an ancient and revered artifact, said to contain the most powerful and unorthodox martial techniques ever known. Its origins were shrouded in mystery, with legends claiming it was copied right from the Creation Manual.

  The disciples’ gazes were all turned toward the secluded Phoenix mountain peak where Tian had been in seclusion.

  Even from this distance, they could feel it — the suffocating pressure, the creeping cold. The earth trembled faintly, and the wind carried an unnatural weight as if the world itself held its breath.

  “Is it true he’s about to break into the King Realm?” a younger disciple asked, eyes wide with both curiosity and dread.

  One of the senior disciples nodded grimly. “Yes. But before that, he must pass the Tribulation. It doesn’t even make sense why the Heavens will be jealous of our Young Master… I can't even begin to imagine what it will look like—Normally you don’t even have to go through such a terrible tribulation to ascend King Realm.”

  "That's the 40th thunder strike," Tang Ai broke the anticipatory silence within the High Elders garden.

  "Young Master has made it this far, but he still has 20 more to go," Yingsha said, his eyes never leaving the High Peak.

  “I heard he’s been in seclusion, in the Phoenix Temple for the last four years,” the younger one continued back in the Martial Arena. “And now... he’s undergoing a breakthrough? How could anyone advance levels so fast?”

  “His progress makes no sense,” the senior disciple muttered. “Even when he fought the Sword Emperor, he was still in the early stages of the Sky Realm. But now… that was a different person. He’s on a different level altogether.”

  Rumble!

  As they spoke, the entire lands of Kunlun found itself at the center of an unnatural phenomenon—the sky… was alive. Rather than being shrouded in the usual ominous darkness of a Heavenly Tribulation, it shifted, its colors flowing like the pulse of an ancient being. Gold, silver, violet, crimson, azure, emerald, and abyssal black—hues that could not be properly described by any mortal language—spiraled together, forming an endless vortex that stretched beyond the mortal realm itself.

  A divine aurora danced across the sky, illuminating the world in surreal brilliance. The very air quivered, saturated with thick, almost suffocating Ambient Qi. Thunder rumbled, not in chaotic bursts, but in a rhythmic, deliberate cadence—as if the heavens themselves were chanting an incantation.

  Boom!

  It began, a deafening blast of sound and light erupted as the first strike descended.

  A spear of golden lightning tore through the vast clouds above, shattering space itself, ripping through the sky as if to cleave reality apart—a spear of pure divine essence split the sky, tearing through the clouds as it crushed down on him.

  Such momentum descent was absolute.

  The moment it crashed down, a surge of raw devastation swept through the entire Kidron Sect. Shockwaves exploded outward, hurling debris like a storm of celestial blades. Mountains that had stood for millennia crumbled, reduced to nothing more than dust and fragmented stone.

  Crack!

  The very fabric of Kunlun trembled. But then—

  Something… was wrong.

  The energy of the divine strike should have been lethal, an undeniable death sentence from a divine decree. However, something even stranger happened—instead of being reduced to ashes, instead of his body shattering into nothingness—Tian absorbed it.

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  The golden lightning, meant to obliterate, did not destroy him, instead, the divine radiance flowed into his very being, as though he were a vessel designed to contain it.

  A deep gasp echoed across the sect which was followed by a deafening silence.

  An eerie, deafening silence.

  The entire sect held its breath, hundreds of disciples, dozens of elders—all frozen, unable to believe what they had just witnessed. He was literally absorbing the entire attack like a gluttonous demon, his pores fully opened and his meridians expanding by the moment.

  “What… what is going on?” Elder Wang’s voice finally broke the suffocating stillness. His hands trembled, his mind struggling to comprehend the impossible scene before him.

  “This…” he swallowed hard, eyes wide in horror. “This is no ordinary Heavenly Tribulation.”

  Everyone could feel it, or at least sense that something greater was at play…something primal, something terrifying.

  And yet high above, the vortex in the sky continued to expand—its colors deepening, its power growing. The heavens had not finished rumbling.

  “What are those clouds all about anyway?” Tang Ai shrugged, looking at the High Elder for answers.

  "This... This is the Universe Tribulation!" High Elder exclaimed, his shock evident.

  A deathly silence enveloped the High Elder’s garden. Everyone present there felt their knees grew weak, legs trembling. It was as if a divine decree had just been issued and each one faced their judgment—this was a calamity that was only whispered in the oldest of records, something that should not exist in every sense of the word within the current era.

  The very notion was absurd. Universe Tribulations did not descend on mortals. It was a phenomenon that only occurred at the birth of realms, divine beings, and cosmic epochs.

  Meanwhile…

  At the heart of Kunlun, stood the Capital city—the pride of Kunlun, it buzzed with whispers of the extraordinary events happening. Built upon the remnants of the divine era, its very foundation laid upon the bones of fallen gods and a hidden history. The streets were paved with emerald stones that shimmered under the moonlight.

  At the center were the Imperial Palace stood, and three elders, dressed in flowing robes and adorned with expensive ornaments arrived at the royal palace, causing quite a stir. Their co-ordinated walks, drew the eyes of servants and guards alike as they made their way to the Emperor’s Hall.

  The Emperor, seated on his gilded throne, frowned as he listened to the report from his advisors. "What is this commotion about? And why do they seek an audience at this time?"

  A courtier stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty, they are elders from the East. They claim to have information regarding the lost prince."

  The Emperor's grip on the armrest tightened. ‘High Prince?’ He signaled to his guards. "Bring them in."

  The grand doors creaked open, and the three elders entered, bowing respectfully. The eldest among them stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with deep power.

  "Long live, The Emperor," he began. "We are Sages of the East, advisors to the royal Wei house. Our Oracle has guided us to your land. We received news of the emergence of the supposed “dead” High Prince. This development doesn’t just affect the Emperor but all of us."

  The Emperor’s lips curved into a forced smile, though unease gnawed at him. "High Prince, you say? How curious. I was not informed of such an event. Tell me more about this Oracle of yours."

  The second Wise Man, younger and with a calm demeanor, spoke. "The Oracle’s prophecy is unlike any we have charted. It rose with a brilliant flame, moving westward. My Lord, the rising of the Ancient Sacred Dharma is what led us here, to the city of kings."

  Emperor Zhang's mind raced. ‘Could this child bring threat to my throne?’ He leaned forward, masking his concern with an air of curiosity. "Your journey must have been arduous. Surely, you deserve rest and refreshment. But tell me, why do you believe this prophecy to be about the High Prince?"

  The third Elder, his voice steady and reverent, answered, "Numerous previous prophecies had foretold his return, Your Majesty, the rightful ruler to the Ancient Throne. The Oracle confirmed it."

  Emperor Zhang feigned interest, nodding solemnly. "Ah, prophecy. Indeed, a matter of great importance. Yet, I must admit ignorance. I will consult my council on this matter. Meanwhile, stay as my honored guests."

  After dismissing the three elders, Elder Zhang summoned his military advisors. "Where is the High Prince hiding?" he demanded.

  The chief guard unrolled a scroll, his voice echoing in the chamber. "In Persia of the West, Your Majesty. The Holy Lady said that 'In Persia, the land of Eternal Sands, is the High Prince disguised himself as a common native.' Our spies also mentioned that The Lone Sword is headed there."

  Emperor Zhang's smile returned, though this time, it carried a sinister edge. He ordered the three Elders back to his throne room.

  "Honored guests," He began, "I have learned that the High Prince is indeed in Persia. Here’s my verdict: tell the Commendary Prince Wei Dongfang to go and search diligently for him. There shall be no mistakes in this!"

  The three elders exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. "We are grateful for your guidance, Your Majesty," the eldest said, bowing once more.

  With that, the Sages departed, their caravan heading back to the East. The bright moonlight in the multi-colorful skies guided them along them as they carried the news back to their master.

  Overcome with joy, they laughed and chatted about the Emperor’s plan to finally put an end to the Sacred family.