Chapter 143 Tribulation Transcendence
"Ding! Yun Chen's sense of belonging has increased to 45. Additional Destiny Points rewarded to the Host."
The system's voice rang out, and Li Changsheng smiled knowingly.
Enhancing his sense of belonging further would undoubtedly prove somewhat difficult; he would simply have to approach it from another angle.
"Let the feast begin."
Surveying the fully seated hall below him, Li Changsheng maintained a calm expression and spoke indifferently.
He picked up the chopsticks before him and began to eat at his own leisure.
The people below did not hesitate either, picking up their utensils and digging in.
Boom...
Just at that moment, a faint, muffled sound echoed through the air.
Looking closer, a soft white light flickered around Yun Chen's body, and his aura began to climb rapidly!
Having consumed a single bite of spirit meat, he had unexpectedly broken through to the first layer of Qi Condensation!
Gasp...
Yun Chen's breakthrough plunged the entire grand hall into instantaneous silence.
None of them had imagined that this mere mortal would break through at a time like this!
Could it be that the young lord had previously imparted cultivation methods to him?
The crowd wore varied expressions as they secretly pondered this thought.
Even Zhao Hao revealed a strange gleam in his eyes.
This person's aptitude was likely little inferior to that of Zhao Wan'er!
Back then, it was because he valued Zhao Wan'er's aptitude that he brought her into the Zhao family.
Through a twist of karma, he had now made the acquaintance of Li Changsheng.
Over the years, under the prestige of Li Changsheng,
the Zhao family had quietly overshadowed the Wang family, showing a clear trend of becoming the number one noble clan in Xianling.
Recalling the past, Zhao Hao felt a deep wave of nostalgia.
As he looked at Yun Chen, his gaze was filled with boundless warmth.
It was as though a gentle father bore endless expectations for a junior...
Gasp...
Noticing Zhao Hao's gaze, Yun Chen was also startled, his breathing growing slightly ragged.
This person...
Could he be out of his mind?
Earlier, in front of his master, he had behaved with such a complete lack of shame.
And now, the gaze he cast in his direction was equally scorching...
Yun Chen's heart trembled, not daring to meet his eyes any longer.
He hurriedly lowered his head and began to devour his food voraciously.
As long as his master was here, there was no need for him to worry about so much.
Though he had known Li Changsheng for only a short time, for some reason,
with his master by his side, Yun Chen always felt an inexplicable sense of peace.
Li Changsheng, meanwhile, watched all this with a calm expression, sipping his tea leisurely.
Zhao Hao's performance, though somewhat bizarre, was within expectations.
Much like Zhao Ming, those who craved power would resort to any means necessary.
As for Yun Chen,
with three hundred thousand Destiny Points to his name, would it make any sense if he lacked supreme aptitude?
"Patriarch! I am not convinced!!"
At that very moment, an angry roar suddenly echoed from outside the hall.
A brightly dressed youth with a face as flawless as jade stormed inside.
"Patriarch!"
"It was clearly agreed upon beforehand that I would be seated alongside the others to bask in the glorious presence of Young Master Li!"
"Why is the hall completely filled this time? Why is there no seat for me?!"
The youth's eyes held bitterness, his words ringing out with conviction.
His face was a picture of righteous indignation.
"I, Zhao Ritian, am at least the premier peer of our family's younger generation! Why should my rightful seat be given to a mere mortal?!"
"Could it be that my cultivation at the peak of Divineization is somehow inferior to that of a mortal?!"
Zhao Ritian wore an expression of furious resentment, pointing directly at Yun Chen as he shouted angrily.
If the seat had been given to someone at the Dharma-Passing realm, he, Zhao Ritian, would not harbor the slightest grievance!
But a mere mortal—how could he possibly be worthy?!
Hearing Zhao Ritian speak thus, Yun Chen was also startled.
Subconsciously, he pulled Yun Jue behind him to protect her.
This person's aura was as deep as an abyss; he was undoubtedly an immortal!
Moreover, to dare speak like this in such a place, he must have something backing him up!
Conversely, Zhao Hao's mental state collapsed on the spot.
"Get the hell out of my sight!"
Trembling all over, panic flashing in his eyes, Zhao Hao roared in haste!
He had finally managed to suck up to Young Master Li and elevate his presence.
Only to have it utterly destroyed by this beast of a descendant!
At this moment, Zhao Hao's hatred for this person had escalated to the level of a life-and-death vendetta!
If Young Master Li took offense and implicated the Zhao family, he would strangle this wretch with his bare hands!
"I refuse!"
"I, Zhao Ritian, walk the righteous path and sit with an upright mind!"
"My conscience is clear!"
"Am I the kind of person who clings cowardly to life and fears death?"
"I, Zhao Ritian..."
Zhao Ritian's eyes displayed resolute determination, his expression steadfast.
With every word he spoke, he took a step forward, and the aura surrounding him climbed by leaps and bounds.
An oppressive might swept outward, rolling menacingly toward Yun Chen!
Boom!!
Yet, just as the pressure dispersed, before Zhao Ritian could finish his sentence,
he felt a colossal force press down upon him!
In an instant, he was slammed onto the ground, sprawling flat like a miserable stray dog!
Looking up in disbelief, he realized that the patriarch, Zhao Hao, had actually attacked him!
Sensing the bone-chilling cold in Zhao Hao's eyes, a profound sense of mortal peril surged from the depths of Zhao Ritian's soul!
The patriarch... wants to kill me?!
"I refuse to accept this!!!"
Zhao Ritian's eyes were bloodshot, and his roar resounded through the grand hall!
"You still dare to babble!"
The chill in Zhao Hao's eyes grew even more intense, his inner hatred having reached an irredeemable peak!
"Since he wishes to stay, let him stay."
At that moment, Li Changsheng set down his tea cup and spoke indifferently.
If you want to kill him, just kill him. What is with all the shouting?
He puts on quite a show, but when it truly comes time to slaughter him, can't he bring himself to do it?
The act was too clumsy; he couldn't even be bothered to expose it.
"Understood."
Since Li Changsheng had spoken, how could Zhao Hao dare say another word?
He hurriedly cupped his fists respectfully and retracted his oppressive aura.
Upon seeing this, the youth known as Zhao Ritian wore a look of delight.
He scrambled to his feet, brushed the dust from his clothes, pulled up a stool, and sat down.
Boom...
Just then, a faint radiance flowed around Yun Chen once again!
His aura surged upward once more!
The second layer of Qi Condensation! Breakthrough!
Boom...
Without pausing, another resounding boom echoed.
Third layer of Qi Condensation...
Fourth layer of Qi Condensation...
Until finally, the fifth layer of Qi Condensation!
Five realms broken consecutively in a single breath!!
The entire grand hall instantly fell into a dead silence!
Every single gaze in the room locked onto Yun Chen, who had appeared to be nothing more than a piece of trash!
This person actually possessed such monstrous aptitude!
No wonder Young Master Li kept him by his side...
Reflecting upon this, the crowd looked toward Li Changsheng with expressions tinged with deep admiration.
They had probed this person's aptitude just moments before, yet had discovered nothing.
It was only now, as Yun Chen achieved successive breakthroughs and revealed his true potential, that they understood.
How terrifyingly monstrous was this person's talent!
Young Master Li had discovered this talent well before any of them.
Such piercing insight truly lived up to the prestigious reputation of a supreme noble family!
Li Changsheng, however, maintained a calm expression, lowering his gaze to gently blow the steam from his tea.
He acted as though the commotion in the hall was of no concern to him whatsoever.
Seeing this, the crowd's respect deepened even further.
"Ding~ Disciple Yun Chen has shocked the crowd, enhancing the Host's aura. Additional Destiny Points rewarded."
As expected.
Li Changsheng's expression remained unchanged as he chuckled inwardly.
"Ding~ The Son of Destiny has suffered a mental setback; Destiny Value decreased by 2,000. Additional reward of 20,000 Destiny Points to the Host."
Hmm??
A Son of Destiny?!
"Open the attribute panel and inspect the person before me."
Sweeping his gaze over the dark-faced Zhao Ritian, Li Changsheng murmured silently to himself.
Gasp...
Are Sons of Destiny starting to be handed out for free now?!
Every time it's tens of thousands of Destiny Points?
Besides...
This guy's skull seems even thicker than Lin Hao's. Could it be because my own Destiny Value is too high,
so the ones I keep running into are all defective scraps like these?
Li Changsheng felt a slight sense of depression.
For a Son of Destiny of this caliber, he truly couldn't muster the slightest shred of interest.
"Patriarch Zhao."
"Is this the extent of the spirit meat your Zhao family has to offer?"
Though feeling somewhat unenthused, Li Changsheng pondered for a moment before a plan formed in his mind.
He swept his gaze across Zhao Hao and spoke indifferently.
To let free benefits slip through his fingers would simply be inexcusable.
"Replying to the Young Master, these are already the fiercest spirit beasts farmed within the clan..."
"If the Young Master is displeased with these, I shall immediately set out for the Mist Abyss to hunt down Dharma-Passing level demonic beasts."
Zhao Hao felt a twinge of panic, rolling his eyes as he hastily cupped his fists and spoke respectfully.
He himself was only at the peak of the Divineization realm; a beast-hunting expedition...
was far too dangerous!
However, for the sake of the Zhao family... for the sake of pleasing the Young Master...
he had no choice but to risk his life in a desperate gamble...
Zhao Hao's gaze gradually grew firm, though his heart remained somewhat hollow.
The physical bodies of demonic beasts were generally far more formidable than those of cultivators...
If he went on this trip, he might never return...
"Dharma-Passing demonic beasts are not enough."
Li Changsheng saw through the man's thoughts at a single glance.
A look of disdain crossed his eyes as he sneered inwardly.
The worst beast meat he had ever eaten possessed cultivation at the peak of Void God.
Hunt Dharma-Passing demonic beasts?
And he hesitated so much over it?
You truly are useless.
"Young Master, this humble servant knows of a few places in Xianling where immortal-tier demonic beasts reside."
"Please wait a moment, Young Master; this servant shall go and return shortly."
At that moment, Zhao Wan'er suddenly cupped her fists in a bow and spoke respectfully.
Without a moment of delay after finishing her words,
Zhao Wan'er took a single step forward, and her figure abruptly vanished into thin air!
Li Changsheng had not spoken a single word from beginning to end, lowering his gaze to sip his tea leisurely.
Though Zhao Wan'er was only at the peak of Void God, slaying an immortal-tier demonic beast would not be difficult.
The Demonic Blade Annihilation was of a grade far surpassing Dao Weapons.
While her Void God peak cultivation was insufficient to unleash its full might,
just executing an immortal-slaying strike?
That was easy.
"Hum..."
Roughly a hundred breaths later, the entire grand hall trembled violently!
Ripples spread across the void, and Zhao Wan'er stepped out from the emptiness!
Boom!
With a wave of her delicate hand, accompanied by a deafening roar,
a massively sized, terrifyingly oppressive silver tiger slammed heavily onto the floor!
Roar!!
The giant tiger's body was covered in numerous blade wounds, looking ferocious in the extreme.
Its fur was completely soaked in blood!
Just as a shrill, miserable roar escaped its maw, a faint humming sound rang out!
A cold gleam flashed in Zhao Wan'er's eyes as her delicate hand twisted once more!
As the Annihilation blade spun continuously in her grip, the giant tiger's hide was rapidly sheared away!
Roar...
A weak, agonizing cry sounded, and the light in the giant tiger's eyes faded swiftly.
Its aura grew deathly feeble.
Within the span of just a few breaths, its life force was completely extinguished!
Those present stared at the scene in utter horror, a shock beyond words gripping their hearts!
The aura of this beast was little inferior to a human Earth Dao Immortal!
Yet under Zhao Wan'er's hands, it hadn't even possessed the power to put up a resistance!!
And yet, Zhao Wan'er was merely at the peak of the Void God realm!!
All of this dealt a monumental shock to everyone's minds!
That ferocious blade technique of Zhao Wan'er's—if applied to any of them, they would likely be slaughtered in an instant!
They probably wouldn't even last as long as that giant tiger!
Of course, they were inherently inferior to begin with.
After all, a giant tiger comparable to an Earth Dao Immortal could easily obliterate the entire Zhao family without breaking a sweat.
"Ding~ The Host's maid has shocked the crowd. Additional reward of 2,000 Destiny Points."
The system's voice rang out, but Li Changsheng ignored it.
Two thousand Destiny Points were far too meager.
It truly failed to stir the slightest interest in him.
"Give the order to have this beast cooked."
After issuing this casual command, Li Changsheng remained silent.
The licking-dog Zhao Hao did not dare delay, hastily performing a kowtow of flattery before dragging the beast away.
Not long after, an exquisite aroma of meat wafted through the air, and Zhao Hao carried in a large wooden basin.
Inside was a piece of cooked meat that looked unimaginably succulent!
Behind Zhao Hao followed dozens of maidens in an orderly line.
Each maiden held a plate laden with tiger meat,
which they respectfully placed before the guests in the hall.
As for the large wooden basin in Zhao Hao's own hands, it was placed upon the main table; no one dared to touch it.
Even the skull-headed Zhao Ritian wore a respectful expression, not daring to act presumptuously.
Are you kidding me? A maid could effortlessly slaughter an immortal-tier entity.
Wouldn't the strength of this young lord be defying the heavens?
If he were to incur the displeasure of this lord, it would truly be game over...
"Dig in."
Seeing the crowd's cautious demeanor, Li Changsheng found it rather dull and gave a casual command.
If you don't eat, how am I supposed to act cool?
Hearing this, the guests finally began to eat with nervous trepidation.
Boom...
At that moment, a muffled explosion rang out.
A strong white light flashed around Yun Chen, and his cultivation broke through once more!
Boom...
Immediately following that, another blast echoed.
Yun Chen's cultivation broke through yet again!
Boom...
Boom...
......
The crowd watched with widened eyes of shock, and even Zhao Ritian wore a blank, stupefied expression.
Does this guy not have any cultivation bottlenecks at all?!
A single bite of spirit meat, and he shoots straight to the peak of Foundation Establishment?!
Is he even human?!
Zhao Ritian felt as though his face had been thoroughly slapped.
No, it was far more than just a slap!
It was a naked, blatant insult!!
Hadn't he just claimed moments ago that the boy was nothing more than a mere mortal?
And the very next second, he reaches Foundation Establishment?!
Did the reversal have to happen this fast?!
No, I need to break through too!
Suddenly, determination flashed in Zhao Ritian's eyes. He grabbed the plate of tiger meat in front of him and began to devour it ravenously!
After finishing a plate, he felt it wasn't quite enough.
Rolling his eyes, he retrieved a storage bag from his robe and tossed it to the person beside him.
Amidst that person's astonishment and horror, Zhao Ritian snatched away their plate of tiger meat and once again gorged himself like a starving beast!
Hum...
With two plates of tiger meat in his stomach, Zhao Ritian felt a surging wave of heat rush through his body.
A faint white light flickered around him, and his cultivation broke through in an instant!
Stepping from the peak of Void God straight into the Dharma-Passing realm!
It wasn't necessarily that Zhao Ritian possessed exceptional aptitude; rather, the tiger beast was an immortal-tier entity.
Even a mere wisp of its flesh and blood contained boundless spiritual energy!
Let alone the fact that Zhao Ritian had consumed two whole plates!
Hoo...
Following that, fierce winds suddenly swept up outside the hall, and boundless dark clouds gathered!
Arcs of lightning flashed across the sky!
It was a Heavenly Tribulation!
"Just in time!"
Seeing this, brilliant light flashed in Zhao Ritian's eyes, and he stepped into the air, flying upward!
Facing the Heavenly Tribulation head-on!
Didn't you all look down on me earlier?
Today, I, Zhao Ritian, will show you what a true heaven's chosen looks like!!
Boom rumble!
Lightning struck down right on cue, and Zhao Ritian met it directly!
The sound of an explosion rang out, leaving Zhao Ritian severely wounded and covered in blood!
Yet the light in his eyes burned even brighter, and his aura climbed at an explosive rate!
He looked like an unyielding god of war, striking awe into the hearts of all who watched!
At that moment, the aura brewing within the heavenly tribulation grew increasingly terrifying...
Seemingly on the verge of collapsing the heavens...
The crowd watched the scene with shocked expressions, their hearts filled with disbelief.
Who would have guessed that this Zhao Ritian actually possessed such monstrous talent!
Li Changsheng, too, was somewhat taken aback.
Ten-odd thousand Destiny Points—does it really make someone this fierce?
As he pondered inwardly, Li Changsheng swept his divine sense outward to scan the area.
Through the River of Underworld, when he finally discerned the true source of the heavenly tribulation,
the look in his eyes as he swept them over Zhao Ritian suddenly turned peculiar.
He even felt a slight urge to laugh.
That isn't even your bloody tribulation; what the hell are you showing off for?