The Final Tribulation of Heaven and Earth!

Hearing the probing tone in Lü Xiao's words, the woman's eyes sparkled with allure, and her smile deepened.

"I've long heard that Mr. Lü has a powerful Divine Ability behind him, and now it seems that's true. But since Mr. Lü already has a backer, why bother joking with me and asking if I can use the Xie Household's connections to ascend to the upper realm?"

Lü Xiao appeared calm, as if he held the initiative, but in reality, his vigilance had reached its peak.

He was granted a Divine Ability by a being behind him, called [Foreknowledge of Fortune and Misfortune]. Relying on this Divine Ability, he has not only had a smooth life over the years, but has also avoided many calamities and seized many fortuitous opportunity.

At this moment, this Divine Ability was already warning him that the seemingly harmless Xie Household woman in front of him, who had never made a move, was extremely dangerous!

Lü Xiao sighed, his voice tinged with self-mockery, "Sister Xie Household, don't spout such nonsense. That's both a backer and a shackle. People like us are like dogs; no matter how far we run, as long as the other end of the leash around our necks is still in their hands, we can never escape, unless we ascend to the upper realm."

Xie Xiaoran's eyes showed a strange expression. "Brother Lü, is this... an attempt to get rid of the entity behind you?"

Lü Xiao stared intently at the woman. "People like us, who wouldn't want to get rid of the people behind us? Doesn't the Xie Household want to too?"

Xie Xiaoran chuckled, her eyes narrowing slightly, a hint of meaning in her gaze. "If Brother Lü truly wishes to rid himself of the forces behind him, I have another suggestion. It's not necessary to ascend to the Central Plains. To be honest, Brother Lü, at this critical juncture, there are far too many forces eyeing the Central Plains. Going there might not necessarily mean you're truly free."

"What suggestion?" Lü Xiao's gaze was intense. "If it's something like the Ascension Platform, it's best not to bring it up again."

Xie Xiaoran bit his lip lightly and whispered, "May I ask the specific identity of the person behind Brother Lü?"

After a moment of silence, Lü Xiao decided to take a gamble and made a gesture towards the sky.

"So, Brother Lü's backer is also a celestial being from Heavenly Court." Xie Xiaoran chuckled, but the light in his eyes was astonishing. "I wonder where they rank on the Immortals and Gods Rank Chart?"

Lü Xiao slowly opened his right hand, his five fingers spread wide.

Xie Xiaoran immediately understood, and his eyes revealed his excitement.

The fifth rank, which includes the star officials of various departments, the dragon kings of the four seas, and the Ten Yama Kings, are all true Orthodox God of the Heavenly Court. If classified by realm, the fifth rank belongs to the level of Immortals and Gods.

"If Brother Lü can reveal the whereabouts of that person to us, or provide more accurate information, the Xie Household can help Brother Lü resolve this trouble, and we swear to personally guide Brother Lü to ascend to the Central Plains when the time is right."

Xie Xiaoran smiled and his Divine Capital lit up.

Lü Xiao seemed to realize something, his expression changed drastically, and he looked at Xie Xiaoran in shock:

"You... you actually dared to..."

Xie Xiaoran pressed a finger lightly against Lü Xiao's lips, leaning forward to reveal a large expanse of her snow-white chest, and said in a seductive tone:

"Brother Lü, it would be best if you didn't say such things."

Lü Xiao didn't even glance at the snow-white expanse he had long coveted. He took two steps back, his gaze filled with surprise and suspicion as he looked at Xie Xiaoran.

Xie Xiaoran smiled and said, "Brother Lü, there's no need to be surprised. Immortals and Gods are also divided into levels. Although the ancient Immortals and Gods are powerful, the Great Dao is not easy to change in the present world. These beings are either asleep or have just awakened. How much power do they still have left?"

Lü Xiao asked with a hint of apprehension, "The Xie Household has produced a powerhouse at the level of Immortals and Gods in this generation?"

Xie Xiaoran neither admitted nor denied it, but simply smiled with his eyes crinkling, leaving plenty of room for imagination.

Lü Xiao's breathing became heavier, and after hesitating for a long time, he finally said, "The Xie Household wants to make a vow with me."

"Of course." Xie Xiaoran's smile deepened, and she softly exhaled, "When the time comes, I will personally escort Brother Lü to ascend to the Central Plains. With Brother Lü's strength, he is more than qualified to be a guest elder in my Xie Household."

Lü Xiao's gaze pierced the woman's deliberately exposed, almost bursting breasts. Just as he was about to speak, he heard hurried footsteps coming from outside.

A man dressed in black strode into the hall, his expression grim. "Elder," he said, "Something has happened."

Xie Xiaoran frowned. "What's going on?"

"The formation sealing off Antarctic Mountain recently failed, and the seven strongest individuals from various races who were closest to it rushed in," the man said, sweat beading on his forehead. "But not long after, the snowstorm on Antarctic Mountain abruptly stopped, the clouds dispersed, and someone sensed a tyrannical will, terrifyingly domineering, at least at the Late External Scenery! And those seven powerful individuals... have already extinguished six Soul Lamps!"

"Late External Scenery?" Lü Xiao said decisively, "Impossible! The suppression of this world can only accommodate the highest External Scenery Second Layer, how could there be a late stage?"

"Seven people went together, and in such a short time, they extinguished six soul lamps?" Xie Xiaoran's beautiful eyes revealed a hint of interest. "Which powerful being's avatar has arrived, or is it an inheritor of some extraterrestrial lineage?"

Suddenly, something occurred to her. Her beautiful eyes widened in surprise and elation. She abandoned Lü Xiao on the spot, turned around, and vanished into the Void, arriving at the deepest part of the palace.

An altar has been erected here.

Xie Xiaoran took out a jade bottle that had been prepared beforehand, poured out the viscous, crimson blood inside, and activated the altar.

Soon, a grand and majestic will forcefully squeezed into this realm from the depths of the Void, as if an eye spanning the heavens, indifferently casting its gaze upon this small altar across countless world barriers.

Xie Xiaoran had already knelt down with utmost respect, his forehead pressed against the ground:

"Paying respects to the progenitor."

"There's movement over at Antarctic Mountain. The mountain-guarding formation has inexplicably disappeared, and powerful figures have descended. Xiao Ran suspects that the Great Emperor of Longevity's lineage has finally 'descended' to the mortal realm!"

"Furthermore, Xiao Ran has preliminarily persuaded Lü Xiao, who is willing to reveal the coordinates of the entity behind him. This person seems to possess a supernatural Divine Ability to foresee good and bad fortune, and the Immortals and Gods behind him is unknown. Xiao Ran speculates that it may be the God of Fortune among the Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity stars, or it may be from the Antarctic Changsheng Lineage."

After hearing her report, the will that had forcibly squeezed into this world from the depths of the Void fell silent for a moment.

Xie Xiaoran knelt throughout the entire process, appearing extremely respectful.

Before long, a smooth jade ruyi slowly materialized from the Void, hovering above the altar, its body shimmering with a faint celestial light, carrying a concise command:

[kill]

Xie Xiaoran held the jade ruyi in both hands, feeling an extremely powerful and awe-inspiring force emanating from it, easily breaking through the upper limit of this realm, and felt reassured.

Even if the other party is an important figure in the Antarctic Longevity Dharma Lineage, or even an incarnation of a Immortals and Gods, they are doomed to die!

"I will respectfully follow the decree of the founding ancestor."

Xie Xiaoran held the jade ruyi above his head with both hands and replied respectfully.

She only breathed a sigh of relief when that grand will disappeared, her forehead already covered with fine beads of sweat.

The aura of the progenitor is becoming increasingly terrifying; I wonder if it's related to Ancestor Changgeng's advancement to the Dharma Aspect...

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Xie Xiaoran stood up, carefully put away the jade ruyi, and then strode out to gather everyone and head towards the Antarctic Mountain.

The progenitor's decree was simple and direct, but she wanted more.

Several years ago, the Thunder Ministry of the Heavenly Court stirred up strange phenomena, and the [Supreme Divine Firmament Jade Purity Mansion] appeared in the world, indicating that the remnants of the Antarctic Changsheng Lineage had shown signs of activity again.

If they can find the exact location of these remnants in outer space from the people who have descended this time, they might be able to find the sleeping place of the Great Emperor of Longevity of the South Pole!

"Pass down the order: everyone assemble and follow me to the Antarctic Mountain."

Xie Xiaoran's voice was cold and clear, echoing throughout the palace. There was no trace of coquettishness left, only a chilling killing intent.

At the summit of the mountain.

The last cultivator collapsed to the ground, his eyes vacant, his Primordial Spirit forcibly breached and searched.

Yu Tunzhou withdrew his Primordial Spirit power, his eyes calm, as he gathered the scattered information he had collected from the two people's minds.

First, there is news from this world.

Strictly speaking, this place is not a lower realm; it is essentially a fragment that was separated from the "Central Plains" when the world collapsed.

When the Heavenly Court collapsed and overthrew, the Central Plains also collapsed. Some non-core areas were stripped away and scattered into the Void, evolving into large and small remnants of the outer world.

The mountain he stood on was called Antarctic Mountain, one of the four pillars that supported the Heavenly Court in ancient times.

Back then, Antarctic Mountain was located overseas, not in the heart of the Central Plains, but it was a renowned "place of ascension."

Having clarified the origins of this realm, Yu Tunzhou was particularly interested in news about the Northern Plains Xie Household.

According to the information he found, this group of people were not from the same place, but came from different sects and lineages across the country.

Interestingly, he had never heard of most of these sects and lineages; they were all truly from the lower realms. However, there was one exception—

"The Northern Plains Xie Household..."

Yu Tunzhou read it aloud in a low voice.

He hadn't expected the Xie Household's reach to be so extensive, not only occupying the Northern Plains but also infiltrating this area.

They had clearly mastered the methods of the "lower realm" long ago; their resources and ambitions were even greater than he had anticipated.

The purpose of this group of people coming to this world is singular: to refine the bloodline of Immortals and Gods.

As the place of ascension in the past, many of the remaining beings in this world are descendants of Immortals and Gods. Although time has passed and their bloodlines have become so diluted that they are no longer visible, these people have their own ways of dealing with the situation.

Within the last two Primordial Spirit, Yu Tunzhou saw this group of people attacking cities and plundering strongholds, slaughtering tens of thousands of living beings. The method they adopted was nothing more than "winning by sheer numbers," extracting a trace of insignificant Immortals and Gods blood from the blood of countless living beings.

These Immortals and Gods bloodlines can not only accelerate cultivation progress, but if they are compatible with one's own, they can also be fused and awakened, allowing one to obtain the bloodline inheritance of ancient Immortals and Gods.

This behavior reminded Yu Tunzhou of the Eastern Wilderness.

There are also many Immortals and Gods bloodlines left in the Eastern Wilderness, and the [Heavenly Origin Pill] left by the Human Emperor is far more efficient than the various methods of fusion and utilization he saw in the Primordial Spirit of these people.

Yu Tunzhou suddenly realized something.

The Xie Household family is among the Five Rivers Chamber of Commerce in the Eastern Wilderness!

His mind raced with various stories about the Xie Household: the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart... the Gods and Devils Bloodline...

Who is the powerful figure behind the Xie Household?

The Yu Tunzhou and looked towards the Lu Di.

Master Lu visited this realm ten years ago, so he must have already seen through the Xie Household's scheme. I wonder if he has conducted any investigation or made any countermeasures.

If so, the layout would probably be mostly in the Northern Dark Sea.

In the memories of these two people, there was one more thing that Yu Tunzhou cared about.

This land had long since fallen, and countless lives had been lost, but these people did not retreat. Instead, they continued their attack into the Antarctic Mountain.

Legend has it that there is an ancient Ascension Platform on the Antarctic Mountain, which is the origin of the place where people ascended to heaven.

Yu Tunzhou closed his eyes, releasing his Primordial Spirit to perceive. His cultivation of Nature Cultivation was standing on the threshold of [Nature-Seeing Heaven], with all sorts of wonders in the making, the earliest of which was [Heavenly Hearing and Observation].

The Primordial Spirit, like mercury spilling onto the ground, silently seeped into the mountain.

The internal structure of the Antarctic Mountain gradually became clearer to the eye, revealing two completely different sets of array patterns intertwined deep within the mountain.

The underlying patterns are ancient and rustic, carrying a primordial charm as if the world had just begun. The patterns are perfectly natural, as if they were not carved by human hands, but were formed innately.

Above this innate pattern, another set of array patterns was forcibly embedded, its trend domineering yet exquisitely ingenious, forming a strange symbiotic relationship with the underlying array patterns—like grafting a new branch onto an ancient tree, nourishing the growth of the new branch with the roots of the ancient tree, and concealing the existence of the ancient tree with the lushness of the new branch.

Yu Tunzhou felt a slight tremor in his heart.

If he wasn't mistaken, this was probably Master Lu's doing.

He actually managed to reconstruct a new array diagram using the original innate array patterns as its core?

No wonder these people have tried all sorts of methods over the past ten years, even bringing in the spiritual power left behind by Immortals and Gods, but they still haven't been able to break through this place.

At the call of Yu Tunzhou, Huntian also saw the array pattern through its eyes.

"A fragmented Ascension Grand Formation?" Huntian suddenly exclaimed in astonishment, his tone inexplicable, "This is... Spirit-Bewildering Formation? This thing can be embedded within Ascension Grand Formation? Impressive!"

"Judging from its appearance, the inscription is not very old. Is there really such a prodigy in this world who can comprehend innate array patterns?"

Hearing Huntian's exclamation, Yu Tunzhou couldn't help but sigh. People like Master Lu, even when their Martial Dao are blocked, can find another way and a new path.

"Etc..."

The Huntian eye shone with golden light, piercing through the array patterns before it.

It has recovered considerably in recent days, though it is still far from its peak, it has regained some of its mystical power.

At this moment, Huntian exclaimed in surprise, "This Ascension Grand Formation is mostly incomplete and should not be able to be activated again. However, the person who set up this Spirit-Bewildering Formation actually had a hidden trick up their sleeve. Now that the Spirit-Bewildering Formation has been broken, it has triggered that hidden trick, repairing part of the incomplete Ascension Grand Formation. Could it be that we can still ascend through this?"

Yu Tunzhou's eyes gleamed; was the real clue left by Master Lu hidden here?

He arrived here through Heavenly Court Fragment; but where does this Ascension Platform beneath his feet lead?

Yu Tunzhou did not act rashly. He looked towards the Lu Di and said, "Did Master Lu tell you to follow Martial Ancestor back then?"

Lu Di nodded hesitantly.

Yu Tunzhou stared at the young man in front of him.

It now appears that the so-called departure does not refer to returning to the Central Plains, but rather using this ancient Ascension Platform beneath their feet to go to another place.

And does this place even need Lu Di?

Yu Tunzhou suddenly wondered if Master Lu had something to hide, leaving behind only clues without revealing anything directly.

Is this a concern that they might be spied on by some being?

The Yu Tunzhou and looked up at the sky.

Within the Primordial Spirit of those two individuals, this world had already been breached, and the rift between heaven and earth was continuously widening.

Countless Immortals and Gods are watching this place.

With this in mind, Yu Tunzhou abandoned his idea of leaving temporarily.

This was his first encounter with the forces of the Heaven Beyond Heaven.

Many of these extraterrestrial forces are lineages of ancient Immortals and Gods!

Among them were even disciples of the Three Pure Ones.

"The Xie Household..." Yu Tunzhou looked in a certain direction, which was also the Xie Household's headquarters.

This force's desires and ambitions are too deep and numerous, and its schemes are too grand. Just from the ruthless methods and mass killings within this realm, Yu Tunzhou concluded that the two sides were not of the same ilk.

Furthermore, there's the irreconcilable conflict between the Northern Dark Continent and Northern Plains...

Yu Tunzhou's mind was made up.

--The plan to wipe out the Xie Household here.

Yu Tunzhou raised his hand, extinguishing the last intruder's life, and turned to look at the Lu Di.

"You go back to the cabin first; I have some things to take care of."

"Wait for me to come back, and I will take you away."

Lu Di paused, then hesitated, "Will you teach me martial arts?"

Yu Tunzhou calmly said, "When I used my aura to suppress you earlier, you didn't show the slightest fear or intention to back down, which is enough to prove that you are qualified to inherit my Martial Dao."

Lu Di hesitated and asked, "How does your Martial Dao compare to that of the Martial Ancestor?"

Yu Tunzhou chuckled, "That old bastard is nothing but a skeleton in a tomb. Give me another ten years, and I'll personally send him on his way."

He and Lu Daolin both owed each other a duel.

"You should go back to the cabin first," Yu Tunzhou suddenly said, his gaze fixed on the distance.

Before he could even go looking for it, someone else had already come looking for him.

The wind howled, sweeping across the vast land.

Xie Xiaoran's gaze swept over his surroundings.

Her order was given out in no time, and the news spread like wildfire.

There was no need for her to waste her breath.

These cultivators from all corners of the heavens, like sharks that have smelled blood, spontaneously converged on this place.

Xie Xiaoran stood in mid-air, coldly scanning the throng of people, a sneer in his heart: they were perfect for scouting the way.

At this moment.

A powerful aura burst forth from behind the crowd, causing cultivators to scatter in its wake. Several who couldn't dodge in time were thrown back by the force, tumbling several times in the air before regaining their footing.

"Haha, everyone, I'll take my leave first!"

The man was burly, his black bodysuit bulging as if about to burst from his muscles. He carried a giant sword wider than himself on his shoulder and strode ahead, each step sending visible ripples of air through the Void.

Xie Xiaoran's eyes flickered; he recognized the person.

Xiao Cheng, an attendant of a certain Immortals and Gods being from beyond the heavens, possesses a divine Divine Ability that is no less than Ultimate Art. With this power, he can contend with those at the External Scenery Third Layer, and even in the Central Plains, he would rank at the bottom of the Earth Ranking.

Therefore, it is most appropriate for this person to go and scout the way.

Xie Xiaoran's lips curled up slightly, and he raised his hand to signal the Xie Household members to remain still, allowing the extraterrestrial cultivators to swarm forward and follow Xiao Cheng toward the Antarctic Mountain.

The Antarctic Mountain are now in sight.

The towering mountain peak, now free from wind, snow, and the maze of obstacles, revealed its dark gray body and jagged rocks.

Above the mountaintop, the clouds were torn open by some force, creating a huge hole, and sunlight poured down like a waterfall, enveloping the entire mountain in a holy glow.

"The Primordial Ascension Platform!" A cultivator's voice trembled with excitement. "The Primordial Ascension Platform must be up there!"

"Quick! Don't let Xiao Cheng get there first!"

Greed overcame caution, and dozens of streaks of light suddenly accelerated, rushing towards the Antarctic Mountain, right behind Xiao Cheng.

Xiao Cheng charged ahead, but he was completely different from his previous arrogance; instead, his eyes were deep and thoughtful.

He knew very well that the Antarctic Mountain would not suddenly open without a reason; there must be one.

However, the Immortals and Gods behind him had personally told him that this world was suppressed by the Heavenly Dao, and any incarnations or projections of Dharma Aspect and Immortals and Gods from outside would be forcibly suppressed to the limit that this world could contain.

In other words, even if a powerful being descends, no matter how high their cultivation level, the laws of heaven and earth they can manipulate are limited!

However, the mobilization of legal principles will be limited, and Divine Ability powers will also be severely reduced, not exceeding the second level.

If that's the case, what does Xiao Cheng have to fear...?

"Bang!"

A muffled thud, like a blood-soaked gourd exploding.

The domineering and fierce figure charging at the forefront exploded into a cloud of blood mist right before everyone's eyes!

Flesh and blood, Primordial Spirit... everything in Xiao Cheng was reduced to dust in an instant. He didn't even have time to utter a single scream before he vanished into the wind and snow.

The giant sword, wider than his entire body, broke in two, spun as it fell from mid-air, and with a clang, embedded itself diagonally into the rocks at the foot of the mountain. The sword trembled and emitted a long, mournful cry.

The world suddenly fell into a deathly silence.

All those rushing forward were abruptly stopped in their tracks, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over their heads.

The sounds of the wind, the falling snow, and the beating of my heart were jarringly clear at that moment.

Xie Xiaoran, standing behind, also changed his expression.

Although she had expected it and guessed it, she didn't even see where he was before Xiao Cheng, who was comparable to the External Scenery Second Layer, was blown into a cloud of blood mist!

What kind of Divine Ability is this?!

Even incarnations of Immortals and Gods should follow the rules of heaven and earth!

She suddenly looked at Lü Xiao, and her heart sank.

Lü Xiao froze on the spot, sweat pouring down his forehead like rain, his lips trembling, and a patch of blackness between his brows, as if shrouded in death.

This is... a very bad omen?

Xie Xiaoran unconsciously gripped the Ruyi scepter in his hand, only then did a trace of confidence begin to emerge.

It seems her previous thinking was too naive.

A truly remarkable figure has emerged from the lineage of Antarctic immortals!

Yu Tunzhou, its feet paved with starlight, walking freely in the Void, yet at this moment it looks up.

This very place was actually "thanking" him.

Is it because the person they just killed was burdened with too much karmic debt?

Yu Tunzhou couldn't help but sigh. The person he had just killed with his fist carried the blood of millions of lives on his body.

In theory, an External Scenery expert could easily destroy an entire prefecture, but in the Central Plains, no External Scenery expert has ever dared to kill so recklessly, for there are the rules of the imperial court and the public opinion of the people.

He finally understood why the Central Plains had always regarded the Heaven Beyond Heaven and overseas regions as major enemies.

These cultivators from other realms, like locusts crossing the border, devoured the resources and lives of other realms.

This moment.

Yu Tunzhou entered a state of Unity of Heaven and Celestial Person that was completely different from the past and unprecedented.

And so, in that instant, he saw the entire world—

He saw the city engulfed in flames, and mortal beings driven in droves like livestock, their blood drained and their souls refined, all to extract that rare, almost nonexistent bloodline of the Immortals and Gods;

He saw the green mountains wither, the rivers dry up, and the earth's veins forcibly carved through, extracting primordial Spiritual Qi to supply cultivators from beyond the heavens;

He saw mothers shielding their children with their bodies before dying, elderly people kneeling and pleading only to be beheaded, and young children crawling in pools of blood toward their parents' corpses, their eyes filled with bewilderment...

ten years.

In just ten years.

This once sacred place of ascension has been ravaged by a group of outsiders, leaving only a crumbling remains.

This is not invasion, it is extermination.

It is a complete and utter extinction of all living beings in a given area.

At this moment, Yu Tunzhou's breathing gradually synchronized with the pulse of heaven and earth, reflecting the will of heaven with his own heart and bearing the will of earth with his own body.

What resonated with him was no longer the laws of heaven and earth, but the wrath of heaven and earth suppressed for ten years, the resentment of hundreds of millions of dead and buried underground, and the lament of mountains collapsing and rivers drying up...

Everything converges at this moment, like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, like ten thousand thunderclaps resounding, undergoing an incredible qualitative change.

When all emotions and will are concentrated to their extreme, an aura of desolation, annihilation, and the Guixu of all things to nothingness slowly spreads out.

That is...

The prototype of the Final Tribulation.

It is the final manifestation of all destructive forces converging when a world comes to an end.

At the very moment the first wisp of Final Tribulation energy was born, the Dao Sprout Immortal Embryo that stood quietly within Yu Tunzhou's body suddenly trembled.

The tender stems unfurled, the leaves swayed gently, exuding an unprecedented sense of joy, as if they had finally found the perfect...

nourishment.