Becoming Emperor

Nine Immortal Tribulations, peak of perfection.

Vast heavenly sounds like dragon roars, mixed with unknown imprints contained within the lightning tribulation, possessed infinite power.

This was his tribulation. The sea of lightning descended, manifesting myriad strange killing formations, far beyond anything the previous tribulations could compare to.

Zhang Huan stood ready, fighting with all his might. The nine-layered Immortal Tribulation pressed down, crushing eternity and ephemerality. The destructive power was akin to world-ending.

He was injured, bloodstains streaking across his skin. It was the first time he had bled, yet his fighting spirit surged.

This was a trial. During this process, his true spirit would be eternal, his immortal platform would undergo a great transformation, and resonate with other secret realms.

Boom!

The scene, like the splitting of heaven and earth, caused countless people to change color. In the midst of chaos, Zhang Huan glowed all over, confronting the world-shattering killing tribulation with his body.

Blood splattered, bones were even shattered, yet Zhang Huan's vitality never weakened. Instead, it became more solid and profound, with him gaining deeper insights within the lightning tribulation.

His Dao was gradually taking shape: to sever all beings, to sever all things, to sever everything outside himself, in order to achieve himself.

He was practicing his own Dao, and at this moment, he had to sever the world-shattering Immortal Tribulation, leap upwards, and even encompass the heavenly tribulation itself, to achieve his own Dao.

In the silent, chaotic land, Zhang Huan toiled for days and nights, unleashing a sudden strike with his immortal sword. It was sharp and astonishing, cleaving through the surging, world-covering Immortal Tribulation in one move.

This was not the immortal sword Zhang Huan had seen. He had referenced its appearance, integrating his own Dao insights into the immortal symbols, nurturing a divine form.

This was a killing move capable of slaying gods, no less potent than the forbidden secret arts of the Ancient Great Emperors.

The firmament was annihilated, and even chaos could not withstand it, exploding. The lightning tribulation, which had lasted for several days, was largely dispersed and now directly broken.

Zhang Huan stood and ascended to the realm of a Dao cultivator on the ninth heaven, on the verge of achieving Dao.

"Why haven't those Supremes made a move yet? What are they waiting for?"

Zhang Huan looked towards the Big Dipper. During his tribulation, only the Lord of the Underworld had interfered. The Supremes had been slumbering the entire time.

Did they think he posed no threat, or did they have no intention of emerging, waiting for the Path to Immortality and allowing beings in the outside world to achieve Dao?

Regardless of the reason, Zhang Huan immediately flew away, concealing his aura, and rapidly departed the tribulation site.

Ten thousand years ago, several Supremes had emerged and initiated the Dark Turmoil. In this era, no one even hunted a being on the verge of achieving Dao. Was this a decline after reaching its peak?

Zhang Huan did not know the reason, but ultimately, no Supreme had intervened.

"Whatever the reason for their inaction, it's not bad for me."

If they had the ability to withstand the Great Emperor's tribulation, they still wouldn't make a move.

Zhang Huan secretly returned to the Demonic Court.

Several hundred years had passed, and the Demonic Court had become even more prosperous, with significant changes.

Several Great Saints were overjoyed upon seeing Zhang Huan.

They had all sensed the tribulation in the desolate frontier of the universe and had speculated if it was Zhang Huan, as there were only a handful of Quasi-Emperors in the universe.

Now that it was confirmed, his unique aura matched that of the time, and they were all shocked that Zhang Huan had become a being on the verge of achieving Dao so quickly.

They hadn't expected that in just a few hundred years, he would leap to become an invincible being on the ninth heaven.

With such speed, it was likely that he wouldn't be far from proving his Dao.

The Lord of the Demonic Court in this era would become a true Great Emperor; everyone considered it a foregone conclusion.

"No wonder they had the confidence to contend with the Forbidden Zones. An Emperor is invincible; what of the Forbidden Zones?"

One Great Saint had already treated him as a Quasi-Great Emperor.

Zhang Huan smiled. Seeing that the Demonic Court was safe, he felt relieved and gave them some instructions.

Someone among them interjected, mentioning that the Underworld had been unusual recently, probing the Demonic Court's foundations, with signs of army movements, subtly pointing towards the Demonic Court.

The peerless Lord of the Underworld was most likely heading for the Demonic Court, but he was drawn away by Zhang Huan, thus saving the Demonic Court from a calamity.

"Oh? My identity has been exposed? Well, if they can't figure out the culprit from that day after several hundred years, the Underworld would be too incompetent."

Zhang Huan muttered to himself, not overly surprised. The Ji Family had already been investigated, so the exposure of his background was only a matter of time.

However, this would make it difficult for the Demonic Court to focus on dealing with the Divine Ruins, as his forces were not yet strong enough to contend with two Forbidden Zones simultaneously.

He would not stay in the Demonic Court for long. He was only one step away from proving his Dao and needed to dedicate himself entirely to it. Once he became an Emperor, all problems would be solved, and there was no need to be delayed by these matters.

"I need to get those Supreme Dao forces to increase their investment, at the very least, invite the Void Mirror to guard the Demonic Court at all times."

The Ji Family was in the Big Dipper, and the Underworld dared not act rashly. However, his Demonic Court could not afford to stay in the Big Dipper and had to reside in the starry sky. This would inevitably make them conspicuous, and the Underworld would target them first if they wanted true revenge.

"I have my own ways to deal with the Underworld. I just killed their Lord, so they won't attack in a short period. You all can focus on dealing with the Divine Ruins. If one day there is a threat of annihilation, summon me with this talisman, and I will appear."

Zhang Huan conjured a golden talisman for long-distance communication. If summoned, he would be able to sense it.

Now, the Underworld also knew he was on the verge of achieving Dao, which was a deterrent. Unless a Supreme personally appeared, he was synonymous with invincibility in the starry sky.

Even the Underworld had to weigh the consequences of provoking him, with the Lord of the Underworld serving as a cautionary tale, having even suppressed the Heavenly Halberd Emperor Weapon.

Let the Demonic Court leverage his reputation for now, spread the news of him, and secure a few hundred years of peace. If necessary, the Supreme Dao forces would offer mutual support, and the situation wouldn't deteriorate to the worst possible outcome.

Zhang Huan only needed to refine his various secret realms during this period and then impact the Great Emperor realm when he was ready.

He left behind some things, including the Quasi-Emperor Artifact Demonic Box obtained earlier, to serve as the foundation of the Demonic Court.

He then came to the Ji Family and invited the major Supreme Dao forces to negotiate. The Void Mirror agreed to go to the Demonic Court to guard it when necessary, and other forces would also contribute.

With the worries of the Demonic Court resolved, Zhang Huan arrived at a desolate frontier. Deep within an ancient star, he released the Bronze Immortal Palace and entered it to go all out in his attempt to break through to the Emperor Realm.

More than ten years later, a wedding invitation with extreme Dao fluctuations shot up from the Divine Ruins and headed towards the Demonic Court's headquarters. It was intercepted halfway by the Void Mirror.

It was handed over to the Great Saints of the Demonic Court for careful study. The writing on it turned out to be from the Supreme Being's son from the Divine Ruins, who had never appeared before. He invited Zhang Huan to a decisive battle in an uninhabited star field.

Zhang Huan had broken through several realms consecutively, reaching the Ninth Heaven. This made him feel unprecedented pressure, so he decided to stop holding back and engage in a life-and-death battle with Zhang Huan.

The invitation clearly stated that his cultivation level was not as high as Zhang Huan's, but this Supreme Being's son was still determined to fight, to settle a lifelong obsession.

The Void Mirror chimed softly, and after conferring with the Great Saints, they knew Zhang Huan was at a critical juncture of his final leap, which was extremely important. In the end, they did not inform Zhang Huan.

One hundred and fifty years later, several waves of people from the Underworld, fearless of death, charged towards the Demonic Court. They were annihilated near the headquarters. This was the first time the Demonic Court's fact that Zhang Huan was not stationed at the headquarters was exposed.

The Underworld must have known something to dare to send people to probe the Demonic Court's reaction.

One hundred and eighty years later, a Great Saint in the Demonic Court discovered a traitor who was colluding with people from the Underworld and secretly passing information.

The Demonic Court began a purge. Through the Void Mirror's investigation, nearly a hundred spies were identified, with varying levels of strength.

After breaking through their Spiritual Sense, it was discovered that not all of these people were from the Underworld; some were from other forces.

As they developed and grew, it was inevitable that some people of unknown origin would infiltrate their ranks.

Moreover, they had actively spread the word that the Lord of the Demonic Court was a soon-to-be Dao attained cultivator, attracting the attention of the entire universe. People kept applying to join, leading to lax screening and infiltration.

At this critical juncture, the Demonic Court's high command decided to temporarily halt their development and shrink their sphere of influence.

Two hundred and thirty years later, the Supreme Being's son from the Divine Ruins, having waited in vain, returned with a wry smile and did not make things difficult for the Demonic Court.

Two hundred and fifty years later, the Demonic Court stabilized and gradually faded from public view. All that was known was that the Demonic Court had a soon-to-be Dao attained cultivator.

Two new stars emerged on the Human Ancient Road, successfully breaking through to the Quasi-Emperor realm. One was a Hegemon Body, and the other was a prodigy from the Divine Race.

They broke through to the Quasi-Emperor realm in less than seven hundred years of cultivation. Some speculated that they had a high chance of achieving full Dao attainment in the future and making a concerted push for the Imperial Seat.

Of course, this was assuming the presence of that soon-to-be Dao attained cultivator. Although this individual did not reveal himself and rarely appeared in public, the incredible feat of enduring four heavenly tribulations in one day was still remembered by countless powerful beings.

Three hundred years precisely, the new Lord of the Underworld emerged. He was a contemporary figure who had also reached the Quasi-Emperor realm and vowed to avenge the Demonic Court.

Although his confidence was unknown, he acted on it. His army pressed forward, commanding a hundred ghosts to march at night. Dense masses of Yin corpses and ghosts obscured even the starlight, attacking the Demonic Court with the souls of millions of the dead.

The Void Mirror speculated that this person might have received instructions from a Supreme Being, and his target was not the Demonic Court itself but its Lord, to force this soon-to-be Dao attained cultivator to appear.

An anomaly would occur in the future.

With the Void Mirror guarding it, the Underworld's forces failed to break into the Demonic Court after ten years of intense assault, resulting in a stalemate.

Three hundred and thirty years later, world-shattering heavenly lightning struck a desolate region of the universe. The Great Emperor's tribulation descended, overwhelming the mortal realm and surging towards all corners of the universe.

Thousands of heroes grieved, and even the two new stars from the Ancient Road sighed in dejection.

A new era was about to dawn.

As if responding to a call, the Underworld's army madly charged towards the Demonic Court. An Emperor Weapon engaged the Void Mirror in combat, while the remaining Yin corpses and ghosts, with bloodshot eyes, broke into the Demonic Court's headquarters, destroying the ancient star itself.

Bloody flowers bloomed, and lives were ruthlessly taken. In the critical moment, the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Jar flew out, unleashing an extreme Dao light wave, instantly reversing the situation.

Zhang Huan then focused on dealing with the Emperor's tribulation. After nine days and nine nights of fighting, even he felt somewhat exhausted. Finally, he reached the end and was about to truly step into the Great Emperor realm.

Suddenly, someone intervened, disrupting the tribulation. The heavenly secrets became chaotic, and several colossal palms attacked, spanning across the star sea. Stars were like dust in comparison, carrying infinite Imperial Dao pressure, shattering all obstacles, and striking directly at Zhang Huan.

"They've finally come."

Sparks flew from Zhang Huan's eyes. The Supreme Being could no longer hold back. He wondered which Forbidden Zone the Supreme Being was lurking in.

Zhang Huan fought and flew backward, swallowing the peerless Corpse Pill he had prepared, instantly regaining some strength. He dodged the giant palms and fled further away.

His Emperor's tribulation was nearing its end. The great dragon formed by his spine was about to connect with his entire Sendai, and he was about to enter the Imperial Dao domain.

A sharp cry echoed from an infinitely distant Forbidden Zone, reaching all corners of the universe. The Supreme Being was displeased, unwilling to watch Zhang Huan truly attain Dao. He acted with lethal force.

This time, it was not a giant palm carrying Imperial Dao laws but a true killing move. Daoist sound waves roared, and the Supreme Being's killing intent arrived in an instant. An Imperial Dao killing move could only be blocked by a Great Emperor, and Zhang Huan was repelled, bleeding.

A chaotic great bell materialized, intending to crush him. This was the time of ultimate transformation, and Zhang Huan had to face the most terrifying lightning tribulation. The Supreme Being had chosen the timing perfectly.

Zhang Huan dodged, and suddenly red hair grew from his body. The long-suppressed curse power surged, making his aura like a dark moon, unavoidable in the eyes of the Supreme Being.

The curse was linked to the chaotic great bell, having an unusual connection. As the two pulled at each other, Zhang Huan entered the bell. The Supreme Being's prepared world-shattering killing tribulation struck him, nearly shattering his body.

With a roar, he sacrificed the Bronze Immortal Palace, smashing it at the chaotic bell. He broke through the world-shattering killing tribulation and, in that brief moment, turned and charged towards the heavenly tribulation, enduring the final lightning tribulation.

The secret realms transformed and connected. A great dragon surged into the Sendai and pierced through it. The five secret realms resonated perfectly, evolving into various Dharma forms.

Zhang Huan officially entered the supreme domain.

The lightning tribulation dissipated, but the Supreme Being was still unwilling. He unleashed several more killing moves, intending to kill Zhang Huan while his realm was unstable.

"I know you're not reconciled. You revealed your true nature but failed to intercept me, and now you have to watch me become a great enemy."

Zhang Huan said across the void.

He already knew where his opponent came from. Such obvious chaotic power and curse aura clearly indicated he was hiding in the Underworld.

Controlling the Bronze Immortal Palace to shatter all the killing moves, his overwhelming aura surged. He fought the Supreme Being for several hours, finally annihilating the killing move where chaos evolved into all things and ultimately returned to unity. The Supreme Being made no further moves.

He couldn't do anything to Zhang Huan anymore; he had already allowed him to achieve Dao.

Fighting further would only leave him with the option of emerging from seclusion to fight to the death, but even then, it would be difficult for him to survive, and he wasn't sure if he could take Zhang Huan down with him.

After all, an Emperor in this era had a powerful Blood Essence, and they were both in the same realm. A sublimation and desperate fight would most likely result in his death.

Zhang Huan sat still. From beginning to end, only one Supreme Being from the Underworld had made a move, which greatly reduced the pressure on him.

He repaired his own injuries. His Emperor Body could recover on its own, absorbing the essence of the universe and the eight directions, and he was restored to his pristine condition in an instant.

Without hesitation, Zhang Huan proceeded to the final step: merging himself with the Heart of Heaven.

The rules of the Great Dao rearranged themselves, constantly changing. From then on, his Dao was the only one, dominating the universe, and he could suppress the Daos of others invisibly.

He imprinted his own mark into the Heart of Heaven, merging with the universe and becoming the sole entity of an era, his Dao resonating with the Heart of Heaven.

His aura shook the past and shone through the present. The Emperor's Dao laws suppressed the world, and everyone knew that a new Emperor had emerged in this era.

He sat in meditation for a hundred years, comprehending the mark of the Heart of Heaven. No one dared to disturb him. Even a Quasi-Emperor would only dare to observe from afar, not daring to step forward and disturb him.

An Emperor's might represented the strongest laws in the universe, and no one could help but feel reverence.

After honing his Emperor Realm to perfection, Zhang Huan took up permanent residence in the Divine Forbidden Zone. With one step, myriad golden lights erupted, and a golden path stretching to infinity appeared.

He arrived at the Demonic Court. The Heaven Swallowing Demonic Jar annihilated all the Yin soldiers and Yin generals, and the nameless Emperor Weapon retreated upon seeing him achieve Dao.

Since he achieved Dao, the Underworld had been like a stepped-on tail, acting low-key and no longer possessing their previous arrogance.

Under the watchful eyes of all beings, Zhang Huan personally enfeoffed the Emperor forces of this era. Countless people rejoiced. With a living Great Emperor, the Demonic Court would become synonymous with supreme power in the starry sky of this era, surpassing even the Supreme Dao forces.

"There are at least several Supreme Beings from the Underworld lying dormant in this era, not unlike the Ye Fan era in later times."

"With the Nether Treasures, if they wish to hide, no one will be able to find them. It's better to do the opposite and let them come to their deaths willingly."