Within the garden, the atmosphere was somewhat peculiar.
Dongbo Xueying, along with the Great Venerable Pusu and the Swordmaster of the Demon Blade, remained composed, sitting cross-legged in quiet anticipation of the more critical Ninth Tribulation. Meanwhile, the Hunter and the Black Monarch glanced at Dongbo Xueying before turning their mocking gazes toward the skeletal, red-robed Bone Sovereign.
“Hmph.” The Bone Sovereign’s gaunt face darkened with displeasure. His left hand was missing, and the severed bones were still regenerating.
During the Eighth Tribulation, he had been the only one injured.
It was inevitable.
Though they were all Venerable-level experts, they had only achieved the ultimate realm of Cosmic Deity in certain aspects by relying on peak-tier treasures. Most of their abilities remained at the second level of Cosmic Deity. The Bone Sovereign, for instance, had suffered severe damage to his body under the relentless assault of the warships.
“Boy from the Southcloud Nation, Pusu and the Swordmaster may protect you now, but as the trials grow harder, they won’t be able to shield you forever,” the Bone Sovereign sneered.
“Thank you for your concern, Sovereign. Unfortunately, you may not live to see me defeated,” Dongbo Xueying retorted with a faint smile. Since the Bone Sovereign had openly mocked him, there was no need to spare his pride.
The Bone Sovereign’s expression twisted.
“Haha, Emperor Feixue speaks wisely. Bone Sovereign, you might not witness that day,” the Black Monarch chimed in. “Among us, you’re likely the first to be expelled.”
The Hunter merely glanced at him, disinclined to comment further.
The Great Venerable Pusu and the Swordmaster of the Demon Blade also spared the Bone Sovereign a brief look before closing their eyes to meditate.
“Is that so? We’ll see,” the Bone Sovereign growled, his anger mounting. Deep down, he knew his survival skills were the weakest among them. Though Dongbo Xueying was weaker, with Pusu and the Swordmaster aiding him, the Bone Sovereign might indeed be the first to fall.
This humiliation gnawed at him.
Because…
Across the vast Heartworld Continent, Cosmic Deities were naturally ranked by strength.
At the apex stood the invincible existences—supreme beings of unparalleled might. Few Cosmic Deities could survive their wrath, though history had recorded their rare falls, whether in the Broken Tooth Mountain Range or in battles among themselves.
The next tier comprised those at the ultimate realm of Cosmic Deity without supreme treasures, as well as rare Venerables like the Great Venerable Fuyi and the Southcloud Monarch, who could survive against invincible foes.
Below them were the standard Venerables—those wielding peak-tier treasures, capable of unleashing a few ultimate-level techniques. Yet their survival, evasion, and domain abilities often remained at the second level of Cosmic Deity, leaving them vulnerable to the invincible existences.
Still, compared to the Southcloud Monarch and others, some among them were no weaker in combat—some even stronger. Their only deficiency lay in survival skills.
They had every right to look down upon second-level Cosmic Deities without peak-tier treasures.
“Let’s see how long your luck lasts,” the Bone Sovereign muttered, casting a final glare at Dongbo Xueying before sitting down to meditate. He refused to believe that a mere guest of the Summerflame Kingdom could surpass him, a true Venerable.
Dongbo Xueying paid him no mind, focusing instead on refining his *Hunyuan Seven Strikes*.
Integrating the techniques of the first strike, *Mist Cloud Surge*, into his existing combat methods was no simple task. Some moves, like *Graceful as a Painting*, proved difficult to enhance, while others, like the *Crimson Cloud Combat Art*, adapted more smoothly due to their inherent similarities.
—
A millennium passed in the blink of an eye.
The Ninth Tribulation arrived.
With the aid of the Great Venerable Pusu and the Swordmaster of the Demon Blade, Dongbo Xueying breezed through this trial, contributing only with his Illusory Realm.
“Hahaha! Emperor Feixue had an even easier time this round,” the Black Monarch laughed.
“Humph. The first nine trials are nothing compared to the last nine. He won’t find it so simple later,” the Bone Sovereign scoffed.
Dongbo Xueying ignored them.
His goal was to advance as far as possible in the *Eighteen Tribulations* with Pusu and the Swordmaster’s help, buying himself time to perfect his techniques. A single *Hunyuan Strike* was far from enough to bridge the gap between him and the Venerables, who wielded peak-tier treasures and had honed their skills for ages.
He needed time—time to refine his methods, to grow stronger.
“Almost there. The *Crimson Cloud Combat Art* is nearly perfected,” Dongbo Xueying mused eagerly.
—
**Rumble—**
Six short stone pillars rose from the garden’s tiled floor, each bearing a stone chest.
“Rewards have arrived.” The other five Venerables strode forward, each drawn to a pillar by instinct.
Each pillar corresponded to one cultivator. Only they could open their chest.
“Every three trials, a reward is granted,” Dongbo Xueying noted, approaching his chest. He lifted the lid to reveal two golden-hued ores shimmering with inner fire.
“*Golden Pupil Blueflame Stones*—two of them?” He recognized them instantly. “Together, they’re worth over ten billion cosmic crystals.”
These stones, perfect for crafting treasures, were as valuable as a single *Crimson Cloud Spear*.
As he stored them away, a stream of information flowed into his mind—details about the stones, the *Eighteen Tribulations*, and the location of the next three trials.
Every three trials, they would move to a new site.
—
The other Venerables, sharp-eyed as they were, noted that everyone’s rewards were of comparable worth.
“What? He barely contributed, even skipping the Seventh Tribulation, yet his reward matches ours?” The Bone Sovereign, the Hunter, and the Black Monarch exchanged thoughtful glances. Even Pusu and the Swordmaster seemed intrigued.
According to the accumulated knowledge of the Six Great Nations, rewards were influenced by performance. Those who relied on others typically received lesser prizes. Yet Dongbo Xueying, who had joined midway and contributed little, was granted equal treasure—an anomaly.
“Legends speak of Cosmic Deities whose monstrous talent and comprehension earn them the favor of the *Heartworld Palace*,” the Great Venerable Pusu mused silently. “They receive greater rewards.”
—
**Whoosh—**
The garden walls twisted and shifted, revealing a dark underground passage.
“Let’s go.”
The Great Venerable Pusu and the Swordmaster of the Demon Blade led the way, with Dongbo Xueying following closely. The other three trailed behind.
As they ventured into the shadowy tunnel, the entrance sealed shut behind them.
The path ahead writhed and transformed continuously.
—
Soon, they arrived in an expansive hall. The tunnel deposited them onto the floor, which then sealed itself seamlessly.
The six sat down to meditate. The information from the chests had revealed that the next three trials would take place here.
“Emperor Feixue,” the Swordmaster of the Demon Blade transmitted mentally.
Dongbo Xueying turned to him.
“The latter nine trials are vastly different from the first. As the danger escalates, Pusu and I may struggle to protect you further,” the Swordmaster warned.
“I understand. I’m already deeply grateful for your aid,” Dongbo Xueying replied sincerely. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the Swordmaster’s kindness carried a strange familiarity.
The Swordmaster nodded and resumed meditation.
—
Dongbo Xueying knew the truth.
The *Eighteen Tribulations* were insurmountable for Venerables. Completing them would grant a supreme treasure—a prize even invincible existences coveted but rarely obtained.
Clearing fifteen trials was already a near-impossible feat, rewarding at least a peak-tier treasure—or, with luck, something even rarer, like a life-preserving artifact capable of defying invincible foes. None present harbored such hopes.
Most aimed only for the twelfth trial.
Success there typically yielded treasures worth a hundred billion cosmic crystals. Exceptional performance might even grant a peak-tier treasure—a prize worth the risk.
Thus, the first nine trials were mere warm-ups, with modest rewards. The real challenge—and the true rewards—lay ahead.
“The next three trials—Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth—will grow increasingly perilous. The Swordmaster and the Great Venerable Pusu may soon be fighting for their own survival, let alone mine.”
Dongbo Xueying steeled himself.
The time for reliance was ending.
The time to stand alone had come.
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