Chapter 429: Tai Bai Enters the Tribulation, the Old Dragon God's Journey, and Dream Heavenly Master

Chapter 429: Tai Bai Enters the Tribulation, the Old Dragon God's Journey, and Dream Heavenly Master's Transformation

Lian Gonggong never imagined that this trip to the Heavenly Origin Dao City to deliver the Emperor's decree would be his final journey in the mortal realm.

Facing the terrifying existence that emerged from the gates of the Netherworld Capital, whose position was even higher than that of the Netherworld King, Lian Gonggong felt a sense of overwhelming pressure.

He didn't think he would survive.

Divine Tribulation!

Undoubtedly, this was an existence beyond the Divine Tribulation itself!

Lian Gonggong knelt on the ground, feeling the terrifying pressure like a tidal wave, constantly crashing into him and striking his body with such force that he could barely breathe.

What a terrifying pressure it was! Even a grandmaster like Zhao Beidou, who had reached the Divine Tribulation level, might not have been able to exert such pressure on him.

Lian Gonggong collapsed to the ground, his eyes wide with fear, sweat pouring down his back. The sweat had barely formed before it evaporated in the scorching heat of the tent.

Every part of his body trembled in fear.

The Netherworld... its foundation was even deeper than anyone could have imagined! Even Xie Yunsen and the Yellow Eyebrow Great Mage were hidden members of the Netherworld, and there were still many more...

How many others were there with hidden identities as Netherworld malefactors? He didn't dare to think about it; it was unimaginable.

Lian Gonggong was not weak, but at this moment, he didn't even have the courage to resist.

He knelt on the ground...

Feeling lost and despondent.

"Your Majesty, this servant... can no longer serve you."

...

...

Snowflakes danced and fell from the sky.

Heavenly Origin Divine Sect.

In the study.

Li Che's figure returned, and on his head, purple flames burned. Under the flames, a golden skull appeared, as if revealing the essence of his bones.

With his five fingers spread wide, he pressed them into the raging purple flames on his head, as if removing a mask. Suddenly, he yanked, and the fire retreated, revealing his flesh and the sleek, black hair that floated like water weeds in the breeze.

With a flick of his finger, a black chess piece floated out, twisted and expanded rapidly, and then transformed into Lian Gonggong, bowing with utmost respect, fervor, and docility.

In the past, Lian Gonggong had only shown this level of respect, fervor, and docility to the Emperor.

Now, facing Li Che, Lian Gonggong displayed the same attitude.

At this moment, in Lian Gonggong's mind...

The master was his Emperor!

Our family... has a new Emperor!

Seeing Lian Gonggong, who was even more respectful than those bound by the Soul Binding Chess Pieces, Li Che had initially thought that this loyal old eunuch might not be willing to submit, which would be equivalent to killing him.

After all, an old eunuch who had escorted the Emperor's decree held a position equivalent to a royal envoy, and the death of a royal envoy could cause significant problems.

However, now, these worries were no longer an issue.

"Not bad... You can go back and continue your work. When I need you, I hope the dagger in your hand can accurately pierce the Emperor's heart."

Li Che said calmly.

Lian Gonggong's eyes shone brightly, "This servant will do her utmost and will not disappoint the master!"

Then, with a wave of Li Che's hand, Lian Gonggong's figure turned into a stream of light and disappeared, returning to the Soul Binding Chess Piece and the imperial army's camp.

After completing this, Li Che sat down in a chair and poured himself a cup of hot tea, sipping it leisurely.

In the center of his forehead, the Cinnabar Field trembled, and an image appeared.

A fragment of his consciousness had been keeping an eye on Xixi's training, so the image that appeared showed Xixi's current situation.

Xixi and her companions, having left the Guangling Dao, remembered the humiliation they had endured there. They shouted, "Thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west!" as they headed north.

Perhaps due to the unpleasant experiences in Guangling Dao, Xixi and her group decided to complete the task assigned by Li Che first.

They were to deliver the mechanisms to the True Martial Divine Sect in Tongyu.

However, Xixi may have underestimated the sensitivity of her identity as the young master of the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect.

On their journey, Xixi and her companions encountered an attack.

This was enough to startle Xixi, who was already feeling frustrated.

"Oh, what a ruckus!"

Xixi's eyes lit up, and she felt no resentment towards the assassins from the Hunting God Sect. In fact, she was even grateful for the excitement they brought to her otherwise boring journey.

Then, Xixi mercilessly killed these assassins.

But as they continued on their journey, they encountered not only assassins from the Hunting God Sect but also assassins and killers from various noble families and sects.

Most importantly, there were also members of the Corpse God Sect!

When Xixi encountered the Corpse God Sect's attack, she instantly recognized them. She was all too familiar with this sect.

The Spirit Infants Sect was also part of the Corpse God Sect, and they had lived under the shadow of the Corpse God Sect since childhood.

Therefore, Xixi had no good feelings towards the Corpse God Sect.

She dealt with them even more ruthlessly, turning the Corpse God Sect's evil followers into mincemeat.

"Big sister, come and help me!"

Xixi, carrying a Divine Artisan Gatling, had just blasted several Corpse God Sect's Cursed Silver Corpses into mud and finally let out a sigh of relief.

There was a hint of disappointment in her heart.

The big sister ignored Xixi and didn't listen to her pleas and desires.

Xixi wanted to borrow the power of the big sister within her to become stronger and improve herself.

However, no matter how many times Xixi called out, the big sister didn't respond to her at all.

Xixi felt dejected.

Xixi didn't understand why the big sister ignored her.

However, Xixi began to reflect on the two occasions when she had been saved by the big sister's power.

The first time was in the Divine Capital, when she was competing with Zhang Yuanlong for the Dragon Embryo Leader position.

Facing Zhang Yuanlong, who had given his entire physical body to the Temple Deity, Xixi was pushed to her limits. At that time, the big sister asked if she wanted to kill him.

Xixi, without hesitation, chose to kill.

That was the first time Xixi borrowed the big sister's power.

For some reason, Xixi didn't feel any aversion to it; in fact, she felt a bit comfortable, as if that power had always belonged to her.

The second time was when she faced the Martial Sage, Gu Chuan, directly...

"Oh!"

"Empress Xixi has attained enlightenment!"

Xixi clenched one fist and slapped the other against her palm.

Yun E, sitting in the carriage, looked at Xixi with confusion, wondering what she was muttering about.

"What did Empress Xixi realize?" Cloud E asked with a smile as she stroked the little rabbit in her arms.

Xixi smiled but didn't say much.

She felt that perhaps facing danger head-on and being stimulated by real danger would cause her older sister to appear and lend her strength.

And with that borrowed strength, she could gradually become stronger.

So, Empress Xi had to face the crisis head-on!

Xixi didn't tell Cloud E and the others because she knew that they would want her to complete her training safely.

However, Xixi felt that since she had come out to train, it was natural to face some danger.

Moreover...

With the Flying Thunder Chess Piece given by her father in her hand, Xixi felt that she could be a little braver!

So, she should go and face some danger.

That set of the Third Prince's Divine Armament, the Immortal Lotus Heaven-Enveloping Silk, seemed to have fallen into the hands of the headquarters of the Corpse God Sect...

Perhaps, Xixi could try to secretly retrieve it?

That Divine Armament...

Belonged to Xixi.

Yes, she had to get it back.

Xixi's connection with the Divine Armament was becoming increasingly close, especially after borrowing her older sister's strength, and her speed of refining the Divine Armament was getting faster and faster.

Therefore, she could feel the strong desire of the Divine Armaments to reunite.

Xixi stood up and leaned against the car window as the carriage continued to bump along.

"Sister Cloud E..."

Xixi gazed at the rapidly changing and fleeting scenery outside the car window.

Suddenly, her emotions took a downturn.

"It's been a long time."

"Xixi misses her father and mother..."

Looking at the rapidly passing scenery, in Xixi's eyes, it seemed to transform into the gentle and doting faces of her father and mother.

Xixi's eyes were covered with layers of mist, and she didn't know when it happened.

Upon hearing this, Cloud E was momentarily stunned.

Her eyes couldn't help but become gentle.

Even though the little girl could now pitfall and kill a Martial Sage...

She was still just a seven-year-old girl.

...

...

"Sigh."

Li Che looked at Xixi with tear-blurred eyes and let out a soft sigh.

Training was indeed a huge boost for Xixi. Nowadays, when facing a crisis, she no longer had the previous blind arrogance, nor would she be afraid. Instead, she would think of ways to solve problems.

For example, when she bombarded Martial Sage Gu Chuan with the Mushroom Array or faced the endless assassination attempts by the Hunting God Pavilion's assassins, Xixi was able to confront and deal with them.

This was a form of growth.

During her learning period, Xixi had to learn, learn some things, learn how to respond when facing danger, and so on. These were all things that Xixi should learn during her learning period.

Li Che didn't know what Xixi's next step in her learning period would be.

But during this learning period, learning the things she should learn was always good.

If Xixi was always sheltered under his wings, not even allowed to step out of the door, how could a hawk soar in the vast sky?

Xixi, it's time to let go and grow. Dad will also strive to become stronger and protect you.

Dad will always watch you grow up and become stronger.

Li Che's eyes were gentle.

He stood up. Since Xixi missed her father and mother, he would naturally take his wife to see Xixi.

As he walked out of the courtyard, he saw Zhang Ya sitting under the eaves, which were covered in thick snow, holding a cup of hot tea and daydreaming during her break from cultivation.

"Master," the Golden-Haired Qilin respectfully said.

For the current Li Che, the Golden-Haired Qilin's respect was sincere. With Martial Sage's four openings and his identity as the Divine Falcon Saint, he was crushed by Li Che in both strength and intelligence.

Li Che nodded to the Golden-Haired Qilin and then looked at Zhang Ya.

"Wife, what are you doing?"

Li Che sat down beside his wife and gently hugged her shoulders.

Zhang Ya glanced at Li Che and smiled, her eyes curving into a crescent shape as she leaned against Li Che's shoulder.

"I was thinking about Xixi. I wonder if she's eating well outside. She's such a glutton; if she goes hungry, she'll feel so pitiful. I also wonder if she's dressed warmly enough in this freezing weather. What if she gets cold?"

Perhaps it was Li Che's arrival that made Zhang Ya start talking non-stop.

"Husband, I miss Xixi."

Zhang Ya leaned into Li Che's embrace, her eyes welling up with tears.

Li Che rubbed his wife's head. "Then let's go see her."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ya immediately straightened her long legs, which were crossed, and her entire body shot up.

"Really?"

Zhang Ya had absolute faith in Li Che's abilities. If he said he could take her to see Xixi, then he definitely could.

Li Che led Zhang Ya into the study and had her sit in a chair.

Then, he snapped his fingers.

In his chest, the Dream Heavenly Master's Dao Fruit began to throb.

Subsequently, multicolored smoke wafted and intertwined around Zhang Ya, enveloping her in a dreamy haze, and she fell into a deep sleep.

On the other side.

Xixi, who was sitting in the galloping carriage, had cried for a long time. She didn't know if it was because she was tired from crying, but she fell into a deep sleep.

In her dream, Xixi found herself meeting her long-missed father and mother!

When her mother saw her, she cried and ran to her. Xixi couldn't help but cry as well, feeling her little heart trembling non-stop.

"Mother!"

Xixi cried out and ran towards her mother, burying herself in Zhang Ya's embrace, causing Zhang Ya's body to stagger.

Zhang Ya's face turned pale, but as she looked at Xixi rubbing against her, the light in her eyes softened.

Li Che stood by, gently extending his arms.

He embraced his wife and daughter.

It was as if he was embracing his own unique world.

...

...

After carrying his wife, who was deeply asleep and completely relaxed, to the bedroom and covering her with a blanket, Li Che walked to the bedroom window and pushed open the carved wooden window. A red lacquered desk was placed there, and the cold wind blew in, gradually clearing Li Che's eyes.

In front of him, the flowing light flickered and intertwined, forming a dreamy and illusory prompt.

Dao Fruit: Dream Heavenly Master (lv4, 0%)



In his chest, the Dream Heavenly Master's Dao Fruit pulsed slightly, as usual, not very intense, and somewhat lazy.

The colorful light gradually blossomed in Li Che's eyes, like a piece of colored glass, reflecting a radiant glow in the sunlight around Li Che, who was sitting in the courtyard.

Li Che's breathing was calm and steady.

Within his chest, the Dao Fruit of Dream Master pulsed, each beat like an invisible butterfly fluttering its wings.

A familiar feeling flooded his heart.

Li Che felt as if his soul had frozen in this moment.

Outside the carved wooden window, a seven-colored butterfly hovered, its wings fluttering.

Seven-colored lights danced in the air.

Li Che closed his eyes, his breathing even and steady.

As the butterfly's wings fluttered, ripples formed in another dimension of time and space.

...

...

Li Che dreamed.

It was different from guiding his wife, Xixi, to meet in a dream through the Dao Fruit of Dream Master.

In his dream, he saw a familiar black-haired girl with long straight hair. She looked much younger than the last time they met, but despite her youthful appearance, her eyes held a maturity beyond her years.

It was as if she had experienced too much—betrayal, backstabbing, slaughter, and pursuit.

She seemed accustomed to these things, just like in the dream, where a young girl with a naive face fled swiftly through the forest.

Behind her, shadows chased her relentlessly.

Li Che watched silently, his brows furrowing as he noticed the overwhelming number of pursuers. However, the girl skillfully navigated the forest, setting up traps and even using Divine Talismans to form arrays.

Her face remained expressionless as she killed her pursuers one by one.

When the last enemy was pierced by a hidden weapon and pinned to the ground, blood flowing everywhere, the enemy finally showed signs of terror and madness.

"Don't kill me! We were teammates on the same journey!"

"Don't kill me... Don't kill me... Ahhh!"

A sharp, ink-colored longsword slashed, and a head was severed.

The enemy's head was cut off, and the splattering blood sprayed onto the girl's young, fair, and white face.

The moonlight was cold, and the forest was filled with the scent of blood.

The black-haired girl threw the severed head to the ground and kicked it away.

Then, with a light touch of her toes, she leaped gracefully, leaning against a tree, and perched on a branch, looking up at the stars in the sky.

"Father said... When people die, they become stars in the sky."

The girl's eyes, which had been cold and unmoved even when she killed, now trembled violently, and misty fog rose.

"Father, mother, I miss you."

...

...

A loud buzzing sound rang in Li Che's ears.

He opened his eyes, and all sounds seemed to rush away from his ears and then quickly returned.

The wind howled outside the window, and snowflakes danced in the air.

The Dao Fruit of Dream Master transformed, and the Dream Butterfly emerged...

Every time the Dream Butterfly flapped its wings, Li Che entered a dream, seeing things related to Xixi.

It was like a glance and gaze across time and space.

Or perhaps the stars in the sky were watching over those left behind on earth.

[Dao Fruit of Dream Master, Fourth Level, Second Transformation, Embryonic Divine Ability: Dream Master, Divine Ability: Nightmare]



[Divine Ability: Nightmare - A dream-induced terror, lingering even upon waking, a nightmare that haunts the soul, never wanting to wake.]



[First Layer of Divine Ability: Formless Nightmare]



Li Che's eyes showed neither joy nor sorrow as he continued to ponder the dream, his gaze revealing a hint of pity.

The transformation of the Dao Fruit of Dream Master seemed less exciting than he had imagined.

Other Dao Fruit transformations had stirred his emotions, but this one left him with a faint sense of sadness.

Perhaps it was because he saw Xixi's lonely and suffering state, causing him to subconsciously reject the idea.

He sighed softly.

In different dimensions of time and space, what could he do?

All he could do was strive to ensure that the Xixi in this world grew up safe, happy, and content.

As for the newly acquired Divine Ability: Nightmare, Li Che briefly studied it.

His eyes revealed a strange color.

The Formless Nightmare allowed his physical body to become insubstantial in reality, like a dream, a shadow, or the moon in the water, immune to attacks, even if the void shattered.

However, the only drawback was that this divine ability's formlessness could only be maintained for three attacks.

After the third attack, the Formless Nightmare state would automatically exit.

Subsequent attacks would have a substantial impact on his body.

Zhang Ya woke up and spent some intimate moments with Li Che before the couple left the bedroom.

Li Che then entered the study, while Zhang Ya continued to train with the Golden-Haired Dragon in the courtyard, rapidly improving her skills.

Having met Xixi in her dream, Zhang Ya was in high spirits, knowing that the Xixi she saw was real.

Everything was too real—Xixi's reactions, sensations, and everything else were the same as in reality.

This reassured Zhang Ya.

Meanwhile, Li Che was about to return to the study.

Suddenly, the previously peaceful Heavenly Origin Divine Sect was shaken violently, as if a terrifying earthquake had occurred!

The ripples of this shockwave formed a ring, constantly expanding and spreading in all directions, shaking the entire Heavenly Origin Dao City.

And it was still spreading beyond the city!

Dark clouds gathered, snowflakes howled, and the Grand Canal surged with terrifying waves, its waters rolling and churning.

It was as if the heavens and earth had fallen silent in an instant.

In the sky, a terrifying will of heaven and earth pressed down, rolling in like a wave.

It was incredibly oppressive and suffocating.

At some point, pitch-black clouds began to gather, completely enveloping the city.

The atmosphere became stifling.

Everyone looked up at the dark clouds, falling into an endless silence.

The sound of breaking the air echoed.

These were the Divine Embryo Great Gods, Martial Gods, and Martial Immortals from various great families of the Heavenly Origin Dao City.

Their faces were filled with horror.

"This... This is one of the Three Disasters: Divine Annihilating Wind Tribulation!"

"The true Tribulation of the Three Disasters!"

"Someone is about to break through to the Divine Tribulation Realm?"

Who is it... who is about to break through the Divine Tribulation?"

...

The elders of several aristocratic families were startled and trembling.

Feng Zhichi, Yu Wenlong, Hong Shifo, and others rose into the sky.

Feng Zhichi's body was tall and robust, and his eyes shone with brilliance.

"The Three Disasters Tribulation! Divine Annihilating Wind Tribulation... This... Could it be that the Sect Master is entering the Tribulation?"

Breaking through the Divine Tribulation is the same as entering it.

This is the common understanding throughout the world.

Buzz—

The air trembled, and a pure and mighty Vast Profound River surged and rippled, then spanned across the sky.

Vast Profound Qi filled the air, as if attracting all the terrifying Heavenly Will and pressure.

It was none other than Fang Hanshu.

At this moment, Fang Hanshu's scholar's robe fluttered, and his magnificent beard danced in the wind. His eyes revealed a hint of solemnity.

"Lu Taibai...

Is about to enter the Tribulation!

Whether entering the Tribulation succeeds or not determines life and death!

Challenging the Divine Tribulation has only two outcomes: one is to successfully enter the Tribulation and step into the Divine Realm, and the other is to fail, resulting in death. Failure to break through the Tribulation means death and the end of the Dao.

No one is exempt; failure means death.

The Divine Tribulation is so cruel. Since the appearance of the strange temple, divine energy has filled the heavens and earth. From the birth of the first Divine Tribulation, there have been too many talented individuals who turned to ashes when facing the tribulation.

No matter how gifted you are, no matter how grand your ambitions are, and no matter how unparalleled you are in the world, if you can't pass the Divine Tribulation, you will die.

Li Che, with his golden lotus embroidery on his ink-black robe, had his jet-black, robust hair dancing wildly.

He also rose into the sky, taking a step and shooting up to appear beside Fang Hanshu.

"Is the Sect Master about to enter the Tribulation?"

Li Che asked with narrowed eyes.

"Yes... Life and death... are at stake in this Tribulation."

"To be honest, the Sect Master's foundation is still a bit lacking. He's too anxious, but there's no other way... The pressure of the crisis leaves him with no choice but to make this decision."

"But it's also because of this decision that there's a chance to take a gamble, with the thought of protection and the hope of success."

Fang Hanshu stroked his beard and spoke in a deep voice.

Li Che nodded.

Fang Hanshu looked at Li Che and slowly exhaled, "The Sect Master's breakthrough is too noticeable. The heavenly might when entering the Tribulation is something no one can withstand..."

"So, the court will definitely know about the situation. The news of the Sect Master's breakthrough can't be hidden. With Xie Yunsen's intelligence and the Ancient Dragon God's shrewdness, they won't let go of such a good opportunity..."

"Moreover, they will never allow Lu Taibai to step into the Divine Tribulation."

"Once Lu Taibai enters the Divine Tribulation, the Sect Master will cultivate the Divine Annihilating Wind Tribulation, one of the Three Disasters! It's even more challenging than ordinary tribulations."

"Once the Sect Master breaks through the realm, he can suppress the Bashu Sword Pavilion's Gu Qianchi single-handedly, as long as he adapts to the tribulation power."

"The Ancient Dragon God will definitely not allow this to happen..."

"With Zhao Beidou unable to intervene, the court will have one more Divine Tribulation than us. Once the Sect Master breaks through, he can turn the tables."

Fang Hanshu's eyes became profoundly deep.

"The Heavenly Earth Divine Sect is a good place. I hope I can contribute to the sect for a few more days."

"A Che, are you confident?"

Fang Hanshu asked Li Che.

Because he knew that if the other party took advantage of Lu Taibai's breakthrough to attack the Heavenly Earth Divine Sect, the only hope for the sect's defense would be Li Che.

In the Netherworld, the Horse-Faced Demon, Li Che.

"Yes."

Li Che's eyes flickered slightly, sensing the excitement and trembling of the Binding Chess Piece.

This made his heart surge with excitement.

"Heaven Toxic Pill... Successfully refined!"

Now, he can meet this Ancient Dragon God!

Li Che's eyes gleamed.

He gently tapped his fingers in the void.

Connecting with Xie Yunsen, who was eight hundred li away.

...

...

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

On the vast surface of the Grand Canal, the waves suddenly surged, forming a circle of extremely powerful waves.

From the direction of Heavenly Earth Dao City, a line of river waves like white foam suddenly surged forward with a mighty roar!

It seemed to have the power to destroy the heavens and the earth!

Boom! The water of the Grand Canal exploded.

As the saying goes, "The spring river water is warm, and the ducks know it first." For the Ancient Dragon God, who was cultivating with the Dragon Deity Prince and other dragon children in the Grand Canal,

The vibrations from Heavenly Earth Dao City were impossible to hide from him. The Ancient Dragon God soared into the sky, his white beard flying, and his two dragon horns emitted a sharp light, piercing through the void. His eyes flashed with a cold light.

In the court's camp.

A sharp sword light also soared into the sky!

It bloomed in the high sky, but the sword light was restrained, without any overly arrogant and domineering release.

At this moment, the Heavenly Will was extremely sensitive. If they provoked a disaster, it would be difficult to deal with.

When Lu Taibai attracted the aura of disaster, Gu Qianchi, the founder of Bashu Sword Pavilion, who was extremely sensitive to sword energy, also sensed something amiss.

"This is..."

Gu Qianchi's face turned extremely solemn.

"That's right. The Sect Master of Heavenly Earth Divine Sect, Lu Taibai, is challenging the Divine Tribulation. He's about to enter the Tribulation to break through!"

The Ancient Dragon God's voice boomed, echoing above the court's army.

Gu Qianchi's face changed slightly: "He has the courage... This Lu Taibai indeed has some courage. With the sense of responsibility and pressure from the sect's crisis... He might just succeed in entering the Tribulation!"

"We can't wait any longer!"

Even Gu Qianchi was getting anxious at this moment.

The Ancient Dragon God narrowed his eyes, placing his hands behind his back.

"The Ancient Dragon will go and see... Is the National Tutor really going to wait in the face of this situation? If he continues to wait, I won't accompany him. I'll go directly to the Divine Capital and ask the Great Jing Emperor if the National Tutor he chose is truly... thinking of destroying sects and gathering the world's fortune!"

The Ancient Dragon God's tone carried a hint of coldness, as if he was being tricked onto the shore and toyed with.

However.

Just as he landed in front of the main general's tent.

Suddenly, the curtain was lifted.

Xie Yunsen, wearing a crane robe, gently fanned himself, his scholar's robe fluttering as he walked out step by step.

"I didn't expect that Lu Taibai would actually dare to break through the realm and enter the Tribulation. He does have the courage."

"It seems we can't wait any longer..."

"Tonight, we will attack Heavenly Earth Dao City again!"

"We must not let Lu Taibai break through the Tribulation!"

Xie Yunsen suddenly lifted his fan and pointed it towards Heavenly Earth Dao City.

"Ancient Dragon God, let's go!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end