Gu Ruochen, the Cautious One

"Ancient King, why have you come to the Imperial Mausoleum so suddenly?" Gu Qingfeng asked.

Gu Ruochen let out a slight sigh. "This king has received news. Recently, all the major Immortal King forces have been acting strangely. It seems they intend to make a move against the Seven Stars Ancient Kingdom."

Gu Qingfeng understood immediately. It must be because he had selflessly helped too many people these past few days, causing the news to spread and attracting the attention of the major Immortal King powers.

To the other Immortal Kings, as established beneficiaries, they naturally were unwilling to see more Immortal Kings appear to share the benefits with them.

They hadn't acted before because they knew Gu Ruochen was doomed—with his foundation and strength, he simply couldn't survive the Immortal King Tribulation.

But now, with Gu Qingfeng appearing out of nowhere, capable of helping others overcome their tribulations, they naturally wouldn't just stand by and watch.

Even if they found it ten thousand times unbelievable that someone in this world could help another survive the Immortal King Tribulation, what if there was a ten-thousand-and-first chance?

They would rather make a wasted trip than risk losing their interests.

"Young friend Gu, to avoid complications, this king must undergo the tribulation now. May I ask, are you prepared?"

Gu Qingfeng smiled faintly. "It's merely the Immortal King Tribulation. No preparation is needed."

His tone was filled with immense confidence and a hint of disdain for the Immortal King Tribulation.

This powerful confidence slightly affected Gu Ruochen as well. He increasingly felt that Gu Qingfeng was very likely a terrifying existence from legend, one that surpassed even Immortal Kings. Only such an existence could face the Immortal King Tribulation with such an expression of disdain.

Gu Ruochen took a deep breath. "Very well. Then everything is entrusted to you, young friend Gu."

As he spoke, he began setting up formations. Terrifying immortal light erupted from his body. With the execution of hand seals, billions of dazzling rays of immortal light, like shooting stars, shot across the entire space of the Imperial Mausoleum.

"Ancestors, grant your protection! Your descendant, Gu Ruochen, seeks success in overcoming the tribulation!"

With Gu Ruochen's loud shout, an eerie humming sound suddenly arose from the vast expanse of mausoleums. The sound grew louder and louder, like the heavenly tones of the Great Dao, becoming increasingly deafening.

One after another, pale blue, semi-transparent humanoid phantoms rose from the mausoleums. Flecks of blue light drifted from their forms, converging towards Gu Ruochen.

These pale blue, semi-transparent phantoms grew more numerous, and the specks of blue light multiplied accordingly.

Simultaneously, as Gu Ruochen absorbed the blue light points, his aura skyrocketed, and a power of world force began coalescing around him.

Watching this scene, Gu Qingfeng immediately understood why the other had chosen to undergo the tribulation here at the Imperial Mausoleum.

Damn! Just look at all the family members covering the mountains and plains!

Not only could this place shield them from the sight of other Immortal Kings, but it also allowed him to borrow the power of his ancestors and the world's force. It was undoubtedly an ideal location for undergoing the tribulation.

Probably, even without his help, Gu Ruochen's initial plan had always been to face the tribulation within the world of the Imperial Mausoleum.

Yet, despite all these preparations, Gu Ruochen still lacked confidence, which spoke volumes about the terror of the Immortal King Tribulation.

However, precisely because of this, Gu Qingfeng grew even more excited. The stronger the Immortal King Tribulation, the better. His family members were finally saved.

At that moment, Gu Ruochen also took out the Heaven-Shielding Umbrella, which had long since belonged to Gu Qingfeng. It was an umbrella entirely black, as if cast from metal, without any patterns, possessing only endless darkness.

The moment the Heaven-Shielding Umbrella appeared, a terrifying Immortal King's pressure filled the world, a formidable aura emanating from the Immortal King weapon.

Looking at this umbrella was like beholding an Immortal King in the flesh.

Swish!

Gu Ruochen opened the Heaven-Shielding Umbrella, covering his body beneath it.

Hmm?!

Gu Qingfeng immediately frowned, looking at Gu Ruochen. The feeling Gu Ruochen gave off had completely changed.

Although the two were close at hand, there was a sense of distance as if they were separated by an entire world.

After observing for a moment, Gu Qingfeng discovered the secret. So this was the effect of the Heaven-Shielding Umbrella—to isolate worlds!

Inside the umbrella was one world; outside was another. The Heaven-Shielding Umbrella could separate worlds. This made it extremely difficult for anyone to attack someone in another world. Even some mighty figures would have to exhaust considerable effort to pierce the world barrier to harm the umbrella's owner.

Moreover, besides defense, the Heaven-Shielding Umbrella could also be used to imprison others, trapping them directly within the umbrella's world.

Such profound mysteries truly lived up to its status as an Immortal King weapon.

Watching Gu Ruochen finish all this, Gu Qingfeng thought, surely the tribulation would start now. But who knew, Gu Ruochen still wasn't done.

First, he took out several pills and held them in his mouth, in case he was severely injured later and couldn't take them in time.

Then he took out several sets of formation disks, placing them one by one in the void. Instantly, at least a hundred defensive formations appeared around him.

The corner of Gu Qingfeng's mouth twitched. He really wanted to remind the other that it wasn't so troublesome, that he didn't need to do anything, just watch from the side would be enough.

But in the end, he didn't say it. This was a matter of trust.

Let him fuss.

One hour later.

Gu Ruochen's major acupoints were plastered with immortal talismans, and arrays of talismans also stood erected at his feet.

Another hour later.

A golden, radiant immortal pagoda, an ancient bronze cauldron, and a deep blue pearl hovered above Gu Ruochen's head. Three-colored light enveloped him tightly.

Then he took out a set of Primordial Dragon Scale Armor, preparing to put it on.

"Enough! Are you ever going to finish?!" Gu Qingfeng, having reached his limit of patience, suddenly roared.

Gu Ruochen frowned but dared not offend him at such a time.

Instead, he explained, "Young friend Gu, this is the Immortal King Tribulation. We must be cautious.

Also, once the tribulation begins, this king will first try to withstand a few strikes. After the treasures are nearly exhausted, then you can intervene, to prevent excessive depletion of your strength."

"Ancient King, you don't need to go to such trouble. Once the tribulation begins, you only need to watch quietly from the side."

Gu Ruochen didn't respond and continued arranging his treasures, clearly not believing Gu Qingfeng's words.

For this Immortal King Tribulation, he had almost emptied the treasury of the Seven Stars Ancient Kingdom.

Seeing this, Gu Qingfeng was utterly speechless, thinking to himself, if you were a demon or monster, this Emperor would definitely teach you a lesson.

Another hour later.

Finally, Gu Ruochen had armed himself to the teeth. He was practically buried under treasures, wearing full-body armor with only a pair of eyes exposed.

"Young friend Gu, this king is about to begin. The Immortal King Tribulation has nine strikes in total. This king is confident about the first six. The last three will require your assistance."

Gu Qingfeng couldn't even be bothered to respond to him anymore.

Subsequently, Gu Ruochen unleashed his aura without reservation, no longer suppressing the arrival of the Immortal King Tribulation.

Instantly, the heavens and earth changed color. Deep within the sky, a patch of pitch-black, ink-like tribulation clouds silently appeared.

Within the depths of the tribulation clouds, eerie, forbidden-like purple lightning flickered.

At that moment, a terrifying pressure descended upon the world. That apocalyptic heavenly might made both Gu Ruochen and Gu Qingfeng tense up simultaneously.

"So this is the Immortal King Tribulation? It is indeed extraordinary." Gu Qingfeng murmured to himself. With his current strength, facing the terrifying Immortal King Tribulation, he couldn't help but feel as insignificant as an ant.

At that moment, the Prison Demon Sword within his palm world began to tremble with excitement, eager and ready.

Sensing this scene, Gu Qingfeng was instantly overjoyed. Faced with such a terrifying heavenly tribulation, the Prison Demon Sword reacted in this manner. One could imagine just how powerful the sword spirit sealed within must be.