Eight thousand years—an unimaginably long lifespan for a mortal—was merely a few long slumbers for ancient beings who often hibernated for millennia. For the existence of an entire realm, it was but a fleeting moment.
One day, eight thousand years later, in cities large and small across the Wind Yuan Continent—now a dominant force—countless ordinary mortals poured out of their homes, gathering in squares and teahouses, their faces alight with excitement as they discussed something fervently.
On the streets, fully armored warriors patrolled, while squads of cultivators swept through the skies.
At the massive border fortresses of the human territories, all defensive formations were activated. Enormous flying artifacts rose into the air, manned by rows of armored guards, their vigilance sharp as they monitored any disturbances beyond the walls.
Atop a towering mountain tens of thousands of miles from the city, three Great Ascension beings of different races sat cross-legged on boulders, facing one another.
Among them were a savage-looking man clad in multicolored beast hides, gulping down wine; a pale-faced youth in white robes, holding a scroll; and a wrinkled old man in green, his eyes tightly shut.
“Lord Bitian, shouldn’t it be about time?” the savage man asked after a long silence.
“To undergo the Heavenly Tribulation of Ascension, the peak of yang energy at noon is ideal. As the so-called strongest in the Spirit Realm, how could he lack such common sense? Just be patient a little longer,” the old man replied calmly, finally opening his eyes.
“True. At this distance, if the tribulation truly descends, we’d sense it immediately. Still, after so many years, someone dares to attempt ascension again—I can’t help but feel excited,” the savage man chuckled, running a hand through his short blue hair.
“I can’t recall the last successful ascension—it feels like an eternity ago. But this Han Tianzun of the human race, to rise so swiftly and openly declare his tribulation without secrecy—what boldness! Past ascendants all hid in fear of discovery,” the white-robed youth mused, setting down his scroll.
“Over the years, many old faces have vanished. Clearly, some attempted ascension in secret, but we sensed nothing. They must have failed and perished,” the old man remarked leisurely.
“We suppress our power daily, fearing the tribulation, yet Han Tianzun dares to challenge it in under ten thousand years of reaching Great Ascension. Just his courage alone earns my respect. By the way, Lord Bi, you met him once—what’s he like?” the savage man asked.
“Indeed, I’ve been in seclusion and never met him,” the youth admitted, intrigued.
“I saw him once at a gathering, but words fail to describe him,” the old man frowned, hesitating.
“Surely you sensed his power?” the youth pressed.
“If strength is the question, then I’d say he’s formidable—so much so that even three or four of me combined wouldn’t stand a chance,” the old man replied, his face twitching.
“What? You jest! We’ve known each other long enough—your power is no secret!” the youth exclaimed in disbelief.
The savage man, too, looked skeptical.
“I wouldn’t joke about this. One glance from him sent shivers down my spine. Only if his divine sense far surpassed mine could that happen,” the old man said bitterly.
The two exchanged uneasy glances.
“Well, the stronger he is, the better his chances. If he succeeds, the ripples of immortal energy from the ascension channel will let all powerful beings in this realm glimpse the laws of the Immortal World. And we, being so close, stand to gain the most,” the savage man said, regaining composure.
“Precisely why we came so far,” the youth chuckled.
After a brief exchange, they fell silent, waiting.
Similar scenes unfolded in other hidden spots beyond the city. Unnoticed, an astonishing number of Great Ascension beings had gathered near the human territories—many reclusive elders who usually suppressed their power to avoid the tribulation.
—
On a desolate island at the edge of the Endless Sea, a man and woman stood side by side on a reef.
The woman, clad in white, was the stunning Ice Soul Fairy. The man, dignified with piercing eyes and a beard, was Hu Jun, another Great Ascension cultivator who had emerged in the human race over the past ten thousand years.
“Brother Hu, Senior Han must have great confidence in his tribulation. Observing this closely will surely benefit us immensely,” Ice Soul said.
“Indeed. Without the elixirs from the Qing Yuan Palace, I’d never have reached Great Ascension,” Hu Jun replied respectfully.
The former human Great Ascension elder, Mo Jianli, had perished in a heavenly tribulation centuries prior.
Elsewhere on the island, over a dozen cultivators of varying strength stood before a massive black ship. Among them, three peerlessly beautiful women—Nangong Wan, Yuan Yao, and Silvermoon—gazed solemnly toward the island’s center.
Yuan Yao had returned to the human race with Yan Li after Han Li’s split soul came back from the lower realm, residing in a side palace on Yuanhe Island ever since. Silvermoon, having overcome the backlash of the Emotion-Severing Art, had ascended to Great Ascension a decade prior.
Behind them stood Bing Feng with Han Li’s disciples—Qi Lingzi, Hai Dashao, Bai Guo’er, and others. Over millennia, all had reached the Body Integration stage, though whether they’d advance further depended on their own fortunes.
Like Nangong Wan and Yuan Yao, Bing Feng remained one step from Great Ascension, but her ice phoenix heritage gave her higher odds than most.
Though these closest to Han Li had faith in him, traces of worry flickered in their eyes at the legendary tribulation.
High above, a black-clad girl stood barefoot on a strange bird, her expression complex as she stared toward the island. Beside her, a violet-robed woman sighed.
“Dai’er, if you wish to bid farewell, why not go directly? Lingering here may leave regrets.”
“No need. Big Brother Han has always treated me as a sister. With Sister Nangong there, I won’t intrude. Watching his ascension from here is enough,” the girl replied calmly.
The woman sighed but said no more.
At the island’s center, within a massive prearranged formation, Han Li stood with Xie Daoren, Huo Xuzi, and Mo Guang, all gazing skyward.
Above them, a five-colored cloud, fed by converging spiritual energy, slowly expanded, its growth visible to the naked eye.
“It won’t be long before you can no longer suppress the tribulation. With your strength, overcoming it should be effortless,” Mo Guang remarked.
“Brother Mo flatters me. Countless Great Ascension beings have fallen to this tribulation—I dare not underestimate it,” Han Li replied mildly.
“Ha! For others, I might believe that. But you? After mastering the third layer of the Divine Refinement Art and the Five Viscera Tempering Technique, your power rivals even ordinary immortals. If Ma Liang faced you now, suppressed as he was, you’d slay him in moments. Strange—your aptitude isn’t extraordinary, yet you’ve mastered these celestial arts like no other,” Huo Xuzi marveled.
“Perhaps these techniques simply suit me,” Han Li smiled.
“Master, once in the Immortal World, don’t forget your promise,” Xie Daoren interjected tonelessly.
“Since regaining your memories and pledging loyalty, I’ll honor my word,” Han Li replied solemnly.
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