"Boom..."
The thunder rumbled nine times before finally dissipating from Bai Zihuo's mind.
Bai Zihuo didn't pay it much heed.
After all, tribulation, tribulation, the tribulation was the nine-layered heavenly thunder tribulation. There was nothing to be said about it; all he needed was sufficient preparation.
However.
This also made Bai Zihuo realize one point.
Even in the current era, which was considered to have spiritual energy so thin it was no longer suitable, it was still possible to undergo tribulation and ascend.
As for...
Why, among the many cultivators in the Great Xia at the Tribulation Crossing stage, no one had ever heard of anyone succeeding or failing their tribulation, Bai Zihuo did not know the reason.
And while the thunder warned him.
Outside, Ji Xianyuan also sensed the thunder and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"Little junior brother..."
"Truly a once-in-a-million cultivation prodigy."
"After merely meditating inside for ten days, he actually broke through to the Tribulation Crossing stage. This can be considered exceptional talent!"
"This great calamity this time..."
"Perhaps, it will be the most perfect one in history."
"It was not in vain that I, against all dissenting opinions, postponed the opening time of the ancient ruins."
Yes.
When Ji Xianyuan initially led Bai Zihuo inside, she only wanted him to gain some insight and see if he had a connection with the primal chaos energy.
Who would have thought.
The wordless heavenly book on Bai Zihuo's body directly completed its ultimate evolutionary form, becoming the legendary number one book in the world.
And Bai Zihuo also comprehended its profound mysteries, and in such an excellent cultivation environment, he took this crucial step.
However, the ancient ruins were scheduled to open the very next day.
Therefore.
Ji Xianyuan could only postpone the time, to give Bai Zihuo a chance.
"Swish..."
As she was thinking, Bai Zihuo emerged from within.
"Eighth senior sister..."
"Has the ancient ruin already passed?"
Emerging from the cave, Bai Zihuo first examined his own condition and, after understanding it, slowly came out.
It was only on the way that he remembered this matter.
"It's nothing."
"I've already postponed the time for the ancient ruins to half a month later, which is six days from now."
This is also acceptable!
Bai Zihuo was both excited and moved.
Although it seemed that his relationship with his eighth senior sister was somewhat more distant than with his senior eldest sister and second senior sister.
However.
Ever since Bai Zihuo returned from Dragon Island, his eighth senior sister had been paying attention to him.
From the first encounter with the dark anomalies, to later having Qi Tianhe watch over Bai Zihuo, and now, to her dissenting opinions and postponing the time for Bai Zihuo in front of the entire cultivation world...
This still required a certain amount of influence to accomplish.
Bai Zihuo instantly felt that his relationship with this eighth senior sister had become much closer.
"Thank you!"
Bai Zihuo solemnly bowed to Ji Xianyuan.
Ji Xianyuan pursed her lips and said unhappily, "I am your senior sister, and I can help with this small matter."
"Haha..."
Bai Zihuo gave a hearty laugh.
Yes, he was being too formal, he shouldn't have been like this.
For the next few days.
Bai Zihuo stayed at Xuanyuan Palace.
Occasionally, he would check on the progress of his senior sisters, occasionally go to some blessed lands of Xuanyuan Palace to cultivate and gain insights, and occasionally spar in the Tongtian Tower.
It's worth mentioning.
After Bai Zihuo successfully broke through to the Tribulation Crossing stage.
His battles in the Tongtian Tower were also smooth sailing. He directly reached over two hundred floors, which made adjusting the flow of time even easier for him.
And after breaking through the two hundredth floor...
The treasures in Bai Zihuo's possession, such as the Haotian Tower, Xuanyuan Sword, Kongtong Seal, and Pangu Axe, could all unleash their second form.
Bai Zihuo had tried.
The second form of the Xuanyuan Sword was already terrifying.
If he encountered the Heavenly Sword Elder again, in his demonic state, Bai Zihuo was confident that he could slay him with a single sword!
Even a normal sword strike, without using the "Heaven-Splitting Earth" technique!
One could imagine how powerful Bai Zihuo had become!
Of course.
Compared to Ji Xianyuan, Bai Zihuo still had a significant gap.
With his current strength, if he wanted to challenge Ji Xianyuan, he was still a bit lacking, a fact Bai Zihuo could not deny.
Besides this.
The outside world had also undergone earth-shattering changes.
Tianshan Sword Sect...
Such a sect with a long history and powerful strength, due to the actions of the Heavenly Sword Elder this time, had lost almost all of its top experts.
Within the sect...
Only the Young Sect Master and a few scattered elders remained.
In total.
The Young Sect Master was only at the Mahayana stage, and among the few surviving elders, only one was at the Tribulation Crossing stage.
It could be said.
The sect's status plummeted.
And losing its powerful protection.
Former enemies and some rogue cultivators swarmed in, causing chaos in the Tianshan Sword Sect.
The sect's secret manuals were looted.
The sect's treasures were all taken.
A grand sect like the Tianshan Sword Sect disintegrated within a few days.
Only...
The whereabouts of the Young Sect Master were unknown!
As for whether there were supporters from some sects behind the scenes, or if they had acted covertly, that was unknown.
Kicking someone when they're down, the law of the jungle – these have been precedents since ancient times and are not surprising.
And Suhang City...
After Bai Zihuo's family relocated, some forces with ulterior motives had tried to step forward and seize market share, but they were severely beaten by the awakened Qin Yuan.
Since then.
No one in the secular world dared to covet Bai Zihuo's industries in Suhang City.
Xuanyuan Palace.
As calm as ever.
"Dong..."
A bell suddenly chimed.
Bai Zihuo was already accustomed to it; this was a signal for assembly in Xuanyuan Palace.
And this time, it was for the ancient ruins!
Thus.
Bai Zihuo soon arrived at the grand hall of the outer palace of Xuanyuan Palace.
"Everyone..."
On the throne in the grand hall.
Ji Xianyuan looked down, her eyes flowing, and when she saw Bai Zihuo, she nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then said, "Today... is the day the ancient ruins will open."
Everyone pricked up their ears.
Today.
Besides the many experts of Xuanyuan Palace who were usually present, there were also Tribulation Crossing stage experts or elite disciples from each sect who had traveled from afar, with one spot per sect.
"Regarding the ancient ruins..."
Ji Xianyuan scanned her surroundings and slowly said, "I believe you are all well aware of them, so I will not elaborate further."
"Now, all selected individuals, follow me to the secret realm!"
With that.
Ji Xianyuan soared into the sky.
She personally led the numerous experts and flew out.
A group of people followed closely behind.
Bai Zihuo was among them.
"Whoosh..."
Streams of light cut through the sky.
Ji Xianyuan headed towards a forest deep within the Kunlun Mountains.
"Swish..."
"Swoosh..."
"Rustle..."
The many experts naturally did not lag behind in the slightest.
At this moment.
Bai Zihuo suddenly sensed a faint wave of hostility coming from his side.
He turned his head to look.
The source of the hostility was none other than a genius contestant from Xuanyuan Palace this time – Dugu Jian!