Could It Be That the Tribulation Immortal Pill Had Really Succeeded?
That pill came from Chen Changqing.
A junior at the Middle True Lord Stage unhesitatingly offered up a fortuitous opportunity that would drive the entire Mount Shu mad.
This mindset and courage made Heavenly Origin Patriarch even more gratified than his breakthrough to the ninth level of the Ninth Layer Tribulation Immortal realm.
He remained silent for a moment, seemingly sensing the new power within him.
Then, he turned around and gave Daoist Qingyuan and Daoist Wuzhen his first order after becoming Ninth Layer Tribulation Immortal.
The command was only one sentence, yet it sent a jolt through the minds of both master and disciple.
"Go and bring Chen Changqing here."
Meanwhile, throughout the Nine Provinces World...
Inside a celestial Immortal Palace suspended in the clouds, an old monk who had been sitting cross-legged for a thousand years suddenly opened his eyes.
The Buddhist prayer beads in front of him suddenly exploded with a "crack," scattering all over the ground.
"Tribulation Immortal of the Ninth Layer!"
The old monk's voice was filled with awe, and even the gesture of his hands clasped together was somewhat distorted.
"In this world, another Tribulation Immortal of the Ninth Layer has been born!"
Tribulation Immortal of the Ninth Layer —that's the limit of this world.
Beyond that, the only path is ascension.
Throughout the entire Nine Provinces, there are no more than three publicly known Tribulation Immortal of the Ninth Layer. Each of them is an ancient monster who has lived for countless millennia and is a true being capable of suppressing an entire era.
Now, the fourth one has appeared!
In the Northern Border Icefield, there Ice Palace that has remained frozen for millennia.
A figure shrouded in icy cold suddenly stood up, and dozens of cracks appeared in the ice of the palace in an instant.
"Who?"
Her voice was icy cold, yet it couldn't hide her shock.
Who achieved the Tribulation Immortal of the Ninth Layer?
On the coast of the East Sea, in a bottomless trench.
A pair of eyes, larger than mountains, opened in the darkness.
"The aura of Tribulation Immortal of the Ninth Layer... Damn it, another problem."
A deep Dragon Roar's roar echoed across the seabed, stirring up towering waves.
Almost simultaneously, all the major powers in the Nine Provinces sensed that earth-shattering Dao Resonance.
Although that aura only appeared for a moment before disappearing, that level of power could not be hidden from these top experts.
Everyone is investigating.
Everyone is speculating.
Finally, all the Divine Sense pointed in the same direction—
Shu Mountain Sacred Land!
"Mount Shu? Could it be that old guy Heavenly Origin has broken through?"
"Impossible! Heavenly Origin Patriarch's lifespan is almost exhausted, how could he possibly still have the strength to break through to the ninth level?"
"But besides him, who else in Mount Shu could..."
All parties involved were caught up in a frenzy of speculation.
Some were delighted, some were wary, but most were filled with fear.
Mount Shu is the foremost of the Orthodox Ten Great Sacred Lands, possessing an unparalleled profound heritage.
Now that another Tribulation Immortal of the Ninth Layer has taken the helm, their status is likely to rise even higher.
Inside the main hall of Evergreen Peak, Chen Changqing sat cross-legged on Meditation Cushion, his eyes closed as he reviewed his gains from the recent Heavenly Void Grand Tournament.
Within his Sea of Consciousness, the Nine Great Red-Gold Primordial Spirits shone brightly, each radiating an aura far surpassing those of their peers. His remaining five million AFK Points lay quietly on the panel, awaiting his allocation.
Just as he was about to activate the AFK System to advance to the Late True Lord Stage, hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard.
"Changqing."
The voice of Daoist Chen Yuan rang out from outside the door, carrying a hint of barely perceptible excitement in his tone.
Chen Changqing opened his eyes, got up, and pushed open the door to go out.
Daoist Chen Yuan stood at the courtyard gate, his expression complex. His gaze lingered on Chen Changqing's face for a moment, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, it only turned into a sigh.
"Come with me."
"Master, where are we going?" Chen Changqing's heart stirred slightly.
"The back mountain," Daoist Chen Yuan paused, "Nine-Layer Heavenly Palace."
Chen Changqing's pupils contracted slightly.
The Nine-Layer Heavenly Palace, the true core forbidden area of Mount Shu, is where nine Tribulation Immortal Realm slumber. Although he had only been a disciple for a few years, his name was already renowned far and wide.
What is Master taking me there for?
A possibility instantly flashed into his mind—had that Tribulation Immortal Pill already been consumed by one of the Nine Elders?
Without offering further explanation, Daoist Chen Yuan transformed into a streak of light and sped towards the back mountain. Chen Changqing quickly followed, and the two of them, one in front and one behind, soon passed through numerous restrictions and arrived above the sea of clouds at the back of Mount Shu.
The scene before him startled Chen Changqing.
Nine majestic Heavenly Gate floated in the sea of clouds, each exuding an ancient and vast aura. These Heavenly Gate were either magnificent palaces, ancient Daoist Temples, or soaring Sword Qi energy; each was different, yet they all exuded an awe-inspiring majesty.
"Is this the Nine-Layer Heavenly Palace?" Chen Changqing couldn't help but ask.
"Indeed," came Daoist Chen Yuan's voice from ahead, "This is the land of the Nine Elders of Mount Shu; ordinary disciples don't even know this place exists."
They traveled through the sea of clouds and soon arrived at the ancient and simplest-looking stone temple.
Daoist Chen Yuan stopped and turned to look at Chen Changqing, his expression becoming more solemn than ever before.
"Disciple, this is the residence of the First Elder among the Nine Elders." His voice was low. "When you go in later, remember to behave yourself."
Chen Changqing's heart skipped a beat.
The First Elder is the head of the Nine Elders of Mount Shu, a Tribulation Immortal Eighth Stage Peak, and one of the strongest experts in the entire Nine Provinces.
He quickly straightened his clothes and nodded respectfully.
"Disciple understands."
Then Daoist Chen Yuan led him toward the stone hall.
Before even getting close, Chen Changqing felt an invisible pressure emanating from the stone hall. The pressure wasn't sharp, but it was so heavy it was suffocating, as if the weight of the entire world was pressing down on his shoulders.
His Nine Primordial Spirits trembled under this oppressive force, instinctively feeling an indescribable fear.
Is this the aura of Ninth Layer Tribulation Immortal?
Etc!
Ninth Layer Tribulation Immortal?
Chen Changqing suddenly raised his head and looked at the stone hall in disbelief.
He wasn't mistaken; the Dao Resonance emanating from the stone hall surpassed all the Tribulation Immortal Qi he had ever sensed before, including True Lord Qingxiao's Sixth Layer of Tribulation Immortal, and even the descriptions of the Tribulation Immortal Eighth Stage he had read about in the classics.
That is a higher level of power, a true existence standing at the pinnacle of this world.
Could it be that the Tribulation Immortal Pill was truly successful?
Did the First Elder break through from the Tribulation Immortal Eighth Stage Ninth Layer Tribulation Immortal by taking a pill?
Chen Changqing's heart pounded wildly.
Daoist Chen Yuan seemed to notice his shock, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, but he didn't say anything. He simply quickened his pace and walked to the front of the stone hall.
The door was already open.
A gentle yet undeniable voice emanated from within the hall.
"Come in."
Daoist Chen Yuan bowed respectfully and stepped inside first. Chen Changqing took a deep breath, suppressing his shock, and followed him in.
The scene inside the hall once again exceeded his expectations.
This was not what he had imagined; it was a void. There was no sky or earth, no directions, only endless stars slowly revolving, as if he were at the center of the universe.