Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1324 - 1324 0756 Zhao Deyis Tribulation_2

Chapter 1324: Chapter 0756: Zhao Deyi’s Tribulation_2 Chapter 1324: Chapter 0756: Zhao Deyi’s Tribulation_2 Qi Tian ran until he was five miles from the city walls of Xidu and then, mounting a flying sword, flew into the sky and gazed from afar at the direction of Longqing Palace, preparing to observe carefully. He wanted to refer to this when he would face his own Nascent Soul Tribulation in the future.

Qi Tian remembered clearly that when he faced his Gold Core Tribulation, the Tribulation Clouds he attracted covered half of the Eastern Capital City, and their might was incredibly terrifying. At that time, he had only advanced from the Foundation Establishment Stage to the Gold Core Stage, yet the Heavenly Tribulation was so frightening. Therefore, in his eyes, Zhao Deyi, who was advancing from the Gold Core Stage to the Nascent Soul Stage, would attract a Heavenly Tribulation ten to twenty or even a hundred times stronger—this was perfectly normal. Leaving other things aside, the Tribulation he imagined Zhao Deyi attracting would at least cover the entire sky above Xidu. It was precisely because of this estimate that Qi Tian had kept his distance so far away.

However, Qi Tian soon realized his judgement was severely off. Dark clouds gathered from all directions, piling up rapidly to form an awe-inspiring mass of Tribulation Clouds, but to him, something felt awkward. These clouds covered such a small area; Qi Tian had expected they would at least blanket the entire Xidu, but in reality, this patch of clouds only enveloped Longqing Palace, its adjacent streets, and a small portion of the nearby imperial palace. Then, the clouds stopped spreading any further.

Seeing this almost made Qi Tian’s nose go out of joint with irritation. He seriously questioned whether Zhao Deyi was actually undergoing the Nascent Soul Tribulation. Why was the area covered by Zhao Deyi’s Tribulation so limited? It was significantly less than what was attracted during his own Gold Core Stage, by at least two or three times in terms of area. Was it that the Heavenly Tribulation was biased against him, or was it treating Zhao Deyi as a cherished son?

Qi Tian grumbled in his heart for a moment but regretfully received no answer. He quickly cast aside this petty annoyance and opened his eyes wide to continue observing the situation at Longqing Palace. No matter how small the Heavenly Tribulation might be, it was still the calamity of the Nascent Soul Stage and held considerable value for reference.

The Tribulation at Zhao Deyi’s location had already begun, with continuous bolts of Tribulation Thunder striking down from the sky, hitting inside Longqing Palace. Certainly, Zhao Deyi was trying every means at his disposal to resist the Heavenly Tribulation.

The cultivators in Xidu initially panicked like hornets with their nest disturbed upon realizing that the Heavenly Tribulation was erupting right at the city center, scurrying in all directions, trying to flee far from Longqing Palace. However, once they realized the limited extent of the Tribulation Clouds caused by Zhao Deyi, some of these frightened cultivators continued to run outside, while others began to entertain different thoughts.

Thus, outside the range of the Tribulation Clouds, more and more people gathered, eager to witness up close what the legendary Nascent Soul Tribulation looked like. They also wanted to see firsthand whether Zhao Deyi could successfully overcome the Tribulation. If he did, they would naturally be the first to congratulate him and seek a share of the good fortune. If Zhao Deyi failed to pass the Heavenly Tribulation, that would be even better.

A failure to transcend the Tribulation would mean total obliteration. Zhao Deyi was one of Longqing Palace’s primary forces, and his death would inevitably cause a significant decline in the Palace’s strength, which was an unbearable loss of life for them. But for those outside of Longqing Palace, it was an event worth celebrating with fireworks. Moreover, the Tribulation had broken out right above Longqing Palace, meaning it was destined to become a ruin during Zhao Deyi’s Tribulation.

With Zhao Deyi’s Tribulation arriving so abruptly, it was likely that many cultivation resources within Longqing Palace had not been evacuated in time. When the Tribulation struck, these resources would surely suffer, and by its end, the majority of palaces and natural treasures yet to be relocated might be destroyed. Longqing Palace would suffer greatly and likely never have the chance to dominate Xidu again.

Emperor Longqing understood the thoughts of these individuals very well. After he had retreated to the outskirts of Xidu with his brother and eldest son, he immediately sent a message to his subordinates, instructing them to rush over and join him.

Upon realizing that the range of the Heavenly Tribulation called forth by his second son was limited, Emperor Longqing calmed down. He began issuing orders again, this time instructing the courtiers of Longqing Palace to form a surveillance ring on the periphery of the Tribulation Clouds, under his leadership. Aside from a few who were left to watch over his brother and eldest son, everyone else was to join in, to guard against the possibility that the cultivators of Xidu might take advantage of his second son’s potential failure to survive his tribulation.

Qi Tian did not approach Longqing Palace like the other cultivators. He neither harbored any inclination to congratulate Zhao Deyi on a potentially successful tribulation nor any need to rush over and seize cultivation resources should Zhao Deyi fail. The position he occupied was sufficient to observe everything that might occur during the process of the Heavenly Tribulation, which was enough for him. Moreover, he harbored an additional worry. While reading texts from the Saint’s Tomb, he had come across records that mentioned the Heavenly Tribulation of cultivators was not always fixed and unchanging. There were instances where the tribulation could vary if disturbed by external forces or under exceptionally special circumstances.

Qi Tian was concerned that Zhao Deyi’s tribulation could change. This was the first time in over a thousand years since the founding of the Imperial Family Secret Territory that someone was undergoing the Nascent Soul Tribulation here. In such groundbreaking circumstances, it would be normal for accidents to occur during the tribulation. Qi Tian did not wish to test whether an accident would definitely happen.

If an accident did occur, his caution would help him avoid many troubles. If the Heavenly Tribulation proceeded smoothly and Zhao Deyi successfully survived it, there would be no adverse effects for Qi Tian. He had the confidence to control the situation and prevent it from developing in an unmanageable direction.

Above Longqing Palace, Tribulation Thunders kept crashing down. Zhao Deyi, crown fallen and clothes tattered, was covered in fresh blood from multiple injuries. He had given his all, exhausted every resource, yet still saw no end. He felt increasingly desperate. Knowing how difficult the Nascent Soul Tribulation was to endure, he thought he had made thorough preparations. Yet only when the tribulation actually struck did he realize, no matter how much one prepares, when the Nascent Soul Tribulation truly arrives, those preparations are still inadequate and lacking.

Finally, Zhao Deyi had exhausted all the magic artifacts, talismans, and other means he had prepared to combat the Heavenly Tribulation. He was drenched in blood, utterly exhausted, a substantial portion of his once black hair burned away, with the remainder disheveled. Lifting his gaze to the sky, Zhao Deyi saw the Tribulation Clouds remained, with flashing lights within, indicating a new bolt of Tribulation Thunder forming, ready to strike at any moment. How would Zhao Deyi respond then?

With his hands bloodied and caked in mud, Zhao Deyi looked at one, then the other, and with a grit of his teeth, he dashed toward the heavens. With no other options remaining, he could only gamble on this desperate attempt. Perhaps there was still a glimmer of hope, a chance to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage. If he did not try, he would lose everything.

To Zhao Deyi’s surprise, as he soared up and was about to enter the tribulation, the bolt of Tribulation Thunder that was condensing in the clouds suddenly burst forth, striking him squarely.

Zhao Deyi, like one hit by an unexpected blow, let out a miserable scream as he fell from the sky, crashing to the ground, his fate unknown.