Since ancient times, those who shattered the void and ascended to the Upper Realm had to experience various trials, the most common being struck by lightning, commonly called tribulation crossing.
This tribulation came from the Upper Realm, condensed from Great Dao power.
Under normal circumstances, ascenders would be struck once, or unluckily struck multiple times. Successfully crossing meant ascending, failing to cross meant soul annihilation.
Tribulation crossing wasn’t unchanging.
Because there were always restless mortal beings requiring special treatment, the Upper Realm derived the Ten Thousand Tribulations Heavenly Thunder Array specifically for entertaining unruly troublemakers who refused to submit to heaven or earth.
Jun Changxiao bringing the entire sect to smuggle to the Upper Realm absolutely qualified as a super restless type, so receiving the Ten Thousand Tribulations Heavenly Thunder Array’s special attention fit standard procedure.
However, Black and White Rakshasa’s faces changed.
They had heard of this array far more terrifying than tribulation crossing. Supposedly since its creation, nobody had ever succeeded—the outcome invariably being soul annihilation.
Moreover, the Ten Thousand Tribulations Heavenly Thunder Array had another setting: it increased power based on numbers, thereby crushing the notion of using special storage treasures to smuggle martial artists up.
The Sect Master bringing a hundred thousand disciples this time, caught red-handed by the Realm Hall, then having to endure this array’s trial would definitely…
“Little brother!”
Black Rakshasa urgently transmitted, “A wise man doesn’t fight when the odds are against him. We should go back first!”
Jun Changxiao said seriously, “We must ascend to the Upper Realm. Nobody can stop us!”
The five energies within the array had already consumed more than half. Returning to Xingyun Continent definitely couldn’t activate it a second time, so the only choice before him was to force through!
“This empress needs to remind you.”
Empress Lingyao said, “The Ten Thousand Tribulations Heavenly Thunder Array increases tribulation lightning power based on numbers. You bringing so many people up will face trials that will…”
“Stop the nonsense!”
Jun Changxiao said proudly, “This master is in a hurry. Quickly bring out the array!”
Though the woman before him was difficult to see clearly, the aura she emanated was absolutely overwhelmingly strong. If directly fighting, he probably couldn’t withstand her, but if switching to tribulation lightning to block him, conversely in desperate straits there remained a thread of hope.
“Since you’re being obstinate, prepare to accept the Ten Thousand Tribulations Heavenly Thunder Array’s sanction.” After Empress Lingyao finished speaking, she turned and flew outside. Though she had long since captured Ye Xingchen’s presence, she never once looked his way.
“Master.”
The hunched old man transmitted, “The Upper Realm had you come stop them, probably with another meaning. You letting them cross the Ten Thousand Tribulations Heavenly Thunder Array—won’t this invite complaints?”
“This empress follows the procedures they established. Why would it invite complaints?” Empress Lingyao said.
“…”
The hunched old man fell silent.
“Whoosh!”
Empress Lingyao flew out of Wangu Sect, withdrawing the power suppressing their advance, allowing Tiegu Mountain to continue forward again using the Heaven-Seizing Creation Array’s propulsion.
“Hum hum!”
At the boundary between Lower and Upper Realms, a visible array barrier suddenly began gathering, that vast thunderous electrical power instantly erupting.
This was the Ten Thousand Tribulations Heavenly Thunder Array.
Rather than saying it was artificially arranged, better to say it was the final defense preventing mortal beings from trespassing without permission.
“Tsk tsk.”
Standing before the just-activated thunder array, the golden-armored man sat leisurely on his war chariot as it slowly appeared. “The Realm Hall had you intervene to destroy them, yet you opened the Ten Thousand Tribulations Heavenly Thunder Array, letting them attempt passage.”
“Is there a problem?”
Empress Lingyao said indifferently.
“No problem.”
The golden-armored man smiled. “It fits Upper Realm regulations.”
“However…” He paused, smiling strangely. “Don’t get your hopes up too high. After all, this is the Ten Thousand Tribulations Heavenly Thunder Array, different from the battlefield’s thunder punishment power. If they force through, the outcome will inevitably be certain death.”
Empress Lingyao said indifferently, “Do you think this empress using the thunder array as a trial is helping them?”
“With your strength, crushing these Xingyun Continent martial artists would be effortless. Why go to such trouble?” Jin Hao shrugged. “Because at least there’s a thread of hope. If they get through, it equals legitimized ascension. The Realm Hall won’t say anything either.”
“Jin Hao.”
Empress Lingyao said, “People like you who think too much often die young.”
“Hahaha!”
Jin Hao laughed loudly. “Are you planning to kill me to silence me?”
Empress Lingyao remained shrouded in cloud and mist, her facial expression changes impossible to see. “Is there a problem with this empress using the Ten Thousand Tribulations Heavenly Thunder Array to stop mortal beings from forcibly ascending en masse?”
“So when it comes to scheming, I can’t compare to you.”
Jin Hao spread his hands. “You’re not unaware of the Ten Thousand Tribulations Heavenly Thunder Array’s terror. With so many people smuggling up, once they approach the array’s edge they’ll definitely be annihilated.”
“Failing to get through means deserved punishment. Successfully getting through means destined fortune—stop worrying about it.” Empress Lingyao said indifferently.
“I won’t leave.” Jin Hao smiled. “Because the Realm Hall sent me to supervise, fearing certain people might be softhearted because of hometown sentiment.”
“Crack crack crack!”
Just then, thunder serpents began spewing from the Ten Thousand Tribulations Heavenly Thunder Array’s flowing light barrier, erupting with even more powerful lightning-type waves.
This attribute was the same as the thunder punishment power that had sanctioned Jun Changxiao, but in terms of scale and intensity, clearly much stronger.
“Little brother!”
Black Rakshasa released his spiritual sense, capturing the thunder punishment array blocking the space tunnel ahead. “Are you certain you want to force through?”
“Certain!”
Jun Changxiao’s gaze was resolute.
Time no longer allowed starting over, so even if ahead lay mountains of blades and seas of flames, he had to push through. Moreover, with rich clinical experience being struck by lightning, he at least had some confidence.
“Good!”
Black Rakshasa clenched his fist. “Brother will force through with you!”
“Dammit!”
White Rakshasa rolled up his sleeves, cursing. “This old man has experienced plenty of life and death in his lifetime—long since looked past it all!”
Both deeply knew the Ten Thousand Tribulations Heavenly Thunder Array’s terror, but since little brother wouldn’t retreat, as sworn brothers they naturally had to share fortune and face hardship together!
“Kekeke!”
Demon King Zilin leaped down from Spirit Beast Peak, standing on the training ground with a strange laugh. “This king has never played anything this exciting!”
Stealing dragon eggs was certainly thrilling, but compared to this kind of power representing Upper Realm Heavenly Dao will, it was utterly insignificant.
“Step!”
“Step!”
Elder Wei, Ding Xingwang and other sect leaders walked out.
They stood behind Jun Changxiao, their gazes all showing resolve.
“Here.” Jun Changxiao said seriously, “Leave this to this master and the two protectors!”
“Step step step!”
Li Qingyang, Xiao Zuiji and other core disciples also walked over, standing behind and shouting loudly, “We want to share honor and disgrace with the sect, advance and retreat together!”
Drawing ever closer to the thunder array containing Heavenly Dao power, the powerful aura pressed down making breathing somewhat difficult, yet the disciples showed not the slightest fear, because they kept in mind Wangu Sect’s first principle—be an iron-boned person, do iron-boned deeds!
“You all…”
Jun Changxiao shook his head, then raised his head to look at the thunder array representing Upper Realm authority, his spirit swallowing mountains and rivers. “Then follow this master in taking the first step toward conquering the eight directions!”
“Whoosh whoosh!”
“Whoosh whoosh whoosh!”
Tiegu Mountain, carrying over one hundred thousand Wangu Sect disciples, charged toward the Upper Realm with fearless momentum, charged toward the Ten Thousand Tribulations Heavenly Thunder Array blocking their path. Whatever the outcome, it would ultimately become legend in the mortal world!