No one expected Chen Chang'an to return, and even more astonishing was the incredible transformation he had undergone after just one trip away.
When everyone snapped out of their daze, their hearts suddenly trembled.
What had Chen Chang'an just said?
Chen Yunxuan had reached the summit?
And he had even broken through to the Immortal Realm?
So, the one who had ascended to the Immortal Realm was truly Chen Yunxuan?
Had he triggered the heavenly tribulation after reaching the summit with his Immortal Realm cultivation?
"This is strange, truly strange. Although Chen Yunxuan is a peerless prodigy, he reached the peak of Mount Taihua with just the first level of the Immortal Realm. Why didn’t other Immortal Realm experts reach the summit first?"
"What’s so strange about that? Have you forgotten Chen Yunxuan’s test results? A combat power rating of one hundred stars—do you know what that means?"
"His cultivation may be at the first level of the Immortal Realm, but his strength is far beyond that."
"If I’m not mistaken, Chen Yunxuan is now invincible below the Great Emperor level. In other words, to reach the summit of Mount Taihua, one would need at least… the peak of the ninth level of the Immortal Realm."
"The peak of the ninth level of the Immortal Realm… That’s nearly impossible, isn’t it? In the entire Tai Xuan Realm, who under a hundred years old could reach such heights?"
"There wasn’t anyone before, but now there is."
"Including these past two years, Chen Yunxuan is only twenty-four years old. A twenty-four-year-old in the Immortal Realm… Just thinking about it is terrifying."
"So, does that mean the heavenly tribulation only triggers after reaching the summit of Mount Taihua?"
"Possibly!"
Hua Wulei and the others had already gathered around Chen Chang'an, their excitement at his return barely contained.
"Palace Master, your strength…?" Hua Wulei couldn’t help but ask curiously.
"A slight improvement. Well, a bit more than slight," Chen Chang'an replied with a smile.
An improvement?
Even before this, the former Palace Master Luo Yiyi had been no match for Chen Chang'an. Now that he had grown stronger, just how formidable had he become?
"Master, does that mean your current strength has surpassed the peak of the Great Emperor realm?"
The Heavenly Sword Emperor’s question made everyone even more curious. Surpassing the peak of the Great Emperor realm? Wouldn’t that mean ascending to the higher world?
But since Chen Chang'an was still standing here, that didn’t seem likely.
"In terms of cultivation realm… no. But in terms of strength… I surpassed that long ago."
"I’ve killed peak Great Emperors before."
Chen Chang'an’s casual remark sent a wave of shocked gasps through the crowd.
Peak Great Emperor!
That was the true pinnacle of the Tai Xuan Realm! And Chen Chang'an had actually slain such a figure?
Defeating a peak Great Emperor was one thing—there were differences in strength even among them. But killing one? That meant Chen Chang'an’s power was several times greater, if not more.
"The heavenly tribulation has begun."
Before the words even faded, a bolt of heavenly lightning descended from the sky, striking directly toward Chen Yunxuan at the summit of Mount Taihua.
Facing the tribulation, Chen Yunxuan’s battle spirit surged. Instead of defending, he soared into the sky to meet it head-on.
Boom!
A deafening explosion echoed as Chen Yunxuan’s fist collided with the falling lightning.
The terrifying force reverberated against the surrounding barriers.
"Holy shit! Chen Yunxuan is insane! I’ve never seen anyone face a heavenly tribution like this!"
"Is he really matching the heavenly tribulation with just his physical strength?"
"Wait, the barriers haven’t disappeared. Did the heavenly tribulation bypass them, or is there no barrier above Mount Taihua?"
"Hard to say. Only those inside the barriers would know for sure."
As bolt after bolt of heavenly lightning struck, Chen Yunxuan continued to meet each one with a single punch.
His overwhelming power left the onlookers utterly dumbfounded.
After nine bolts, the crowd finally exhaled in relief—many had even forgotten to breathe in the tension.
"Wait… something’s not right!"
"The heavenly tribulation… why hasn’t it ended?"
"What the hell? There’s more? I thought heavenly tribulations only had nine bolts!"
"That’s for ordinary tribulations. Is Chen Yunxuan ordinary?"
"His tribulation is probably far from over."
The tribulation’s persistence renewed the tension. None of them had ever witnessed a heavenly tribulation exceeding nine bolts.
"Palace Master, how many bolts will Chen Yunxuan’s tribulation have?" Hua Wulei asked curiously.
"I don’t know. We’ll just have to wait and see," Chen Chang'an replied calmly.
"Isn’t Chen Yunxuan a junior from your family? Aren’t you the least bit worried?"
Hua Wulei voiced the question on everyone’s mind. Chen Chang'an’s indifference was baffling. Didn’t he fear Chen Yunxuan might perish in this tribulation?
This was a once-in-an-era prodigy! Losing him would be an unimaginable waste!
"Life and death are fated. If he lacks the ability, there’s nothing I can do."
"Besides, the Chen family has plenty of members. Losing one or two isn’t a big deal."
"His father can always make another."
The crowd could only sigh at his words.
"Eighteen, nineteen, twenty…"
"Over twenty bolts and still going?"
"My god, this is terrifying! At this rate, who could possibly endure it?"
"Well, Chen Yunxuan is holding up just fine. Honestly, the scariest thing here isn’t the tribulation—it’s him."
"Damn, fifty bolts now? Still not stopping?"
"Eighty! Eighty bolts of heavenly lightning!"
"I can’t take this—my heart’s racing, and I can barely breathe."
"This… is beyond insane."
"Ninety-nine! A full ninety-nine bolts of heavenly lightning!"
"Surely it’s over now?"
By now, the spectators were numb. Ninety-nine bolts defied all logic.
Only someone as monstrous as Chen Yunxuan could withstand it. Anyone else would have been reduced to ashes long ago, not even a speck left behind.
"It’s finally over."
"Damn, who would’ve thought a heavenly tribulation could last seven whole days? It felt like an eternity!"
Chen Yunxuan had successfully endured the tribulation, officially becoming an Immortal Realm expert.
But just as everyone relaxed, the dissipated heavenly tribulation suddenly began gathering again.
"What the hell?! Again? When will this end?"
"Didn’t he already survive the tribulation? Why is it back?"
"No… this isn’t Chen Yunxuan’s tribulation anymore."
If not Chen Yunxuan, then who…?
"Indeed. This time, it’s Ye Zhiqiu—he’s also reached the summit of Mount Taihua!"