Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1364 735: March Crossing Tribulation

White Jade Square, situated behind Dragon Claw Peak.

The azure sky was suddenly interrupted as the Nine Nether Tower, positioned in the square's center, erupted in brilliant light. Bells chimed in perfect harmony, creating a magnificent Dao resonance that filled the entire area.

Moments later, the tower's entrance swung open with a crash. Numerous figures were ejected from the gateway, scattered across every corner of the square.

"What is happening? Why have I been sent out?" one person shouted, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.

"No! Just a little more time and I would have broken through to the next realm! Why... why couldn't I have just a few more moments!" another cried out in fury, his features twisting with intense frustration.

"Has the trial concluded? It was so sudden!" a different individual remarked calmly, his eyes narrowed as he studied the Nine Nether Tower.

Zhao Xiandu cast a secretive look around, his eyes darting back and forth as he quickly cataloged everyone present.

"Zhao Changhu, Zhao Xiangang, Zhao Qingsu, Zhao Yanzhuo... wait, where is Zhao Sanyue? Where did she go? Is it possible... she was already disqualified?" Zhao Xiandu’s thoughts whirled, but he quickly rejected the idea: "No, Zhao Sanyue is no amateur. Even Zhao Changhu made it out; there is no way she is inferior to that Tiger Fool... what exactly occurred?"

In a heartbeat, the crowd shifted their focus toward the two Divinity Transformation Ancestors standing guard. Several people stepped forward, asking with great agitation: "Ping Ancestor, do you know..."

"This is completely unfair and makes no sense... we deserve an explanation!"

"Ping Ancestor, what are the rankings for this test?"

At that moment, the elderly Zhao Zhongping cleared his throat and spoke with a resonant, deep tone: "Silence!"

The square fell instantly quiet at his command.

With a grave expression, Zhao Zhongping let his clouded, aged eyes drift over the assembly. Every person lowered their head, unable to withstand the Ancestor’s piercing stare.

Only the two bearing the Yan surname seemed unaffected by the Ancestor’s aura, their expressions showing a detached acceptance of their fate.

"Your conduct today has deeply saddened this old man! It was merely a trial; does winning or losing matter this much? Where is that iron will you forged through a thousand years of Cultivation? Hmph, what a pathetic display. This is beneath you!"

The rebuke from Zhao Zhongping left the crowd flushed with shame, leaving them utterly quiet.

"Reporting to the Ancestor, Zhao Yanzhuo only seeks transparency. We were all bewildered when we were cast out of the tower; is an explanation not warranted? I simply wish to understand Ancestor Xi’s goal with this," Zhao Yanzhuo spoke up. Believing his life was nearing its end anyway, he dared to ask the question directly.

Zhao Zhongping’s expression turned grim as he let out a cold snort: "Hmph, an explanation? This old man shall provide one! Where is the Hall Master of Precepts? Step forward!"

"Ancestor, please temper your wrath!"

"Forefather, please be calm! Second Uncle was simply overwhelmed by emotion; he meant no disrespect!"

"Indeed! Second Uncle’s time is almost up, there is no need for the Ancestor to be troubled by his words."

"Second Uncle, you are being too impulsive. Forefather has always been kind, and yet you..."

As the Hall Master of Precepts, Zhao Xiangang, emerged from the group, over thirty Nascent Soul Elders from the Zhao family immediately began pleading for leniency.

Observing this, Zhao Zhongping kept a stern face, secretly waiting for Zhao Xuanji to step in and mediate for him.

It was all just posturing; what point was there in punishing a man who was already dying?

However, before Zhao Xuanji could utter a word, a sudden transformation in the environment caught everyone off guard!

Rumble!

A massive thunderclap suddenly tore through the heavens, the deafening sound vibrating through the clouds and causing the forest below to tremble, shaking leaves loose like falling rain.

Everyone turned toward the noise, their faces draining of color simultaneously.

The sky, which had been perfectly clear, was now being devoured by immense, dark clouds. Within seconds, the Heavenly Vault was obscured, plunging the world into a darkness as deep as midnight.

A heavy, low rumbling groaned from the heavens as the dark clouds crackled with lightning. Massive bolts of electricity and chains of thunder tore through the sky, illuminating the terrain and the terrified faces of the Zhao Family members.

"...The Divinity Transformation Heavenly Tribulation? That’s impossible! Who could be attempting to cross the tribulation right now?" Zhao Xiandu’s face twisted in shock as he screamed in disbelief.

"The tribulation clouds have materialized; the Heavenly Tribulation cannot be stopped! But... which 'Divine' would choose such a desperate moment to cross? Are they tired of living?"

"Only Ancestor Yan and Ancestor Qingjiang are absent and possess a cultivation at the Nascent Soul Perfect Realm. Could it be one of them?" Zhao Xiangang pondered aloud.

"Could Zhao Yan have actually reached the peak of his cultivation and decided to make a final, desperate gamble?" Zhao Yanzhuo wondered, unaware that Zhao Yan had already met his end.

Zhao Zhongping and Zhao Xuanji both stared intensely at the churning tribulation clouds, remaining silent.

In truth, they were also unsure which junior was undergoing the trial.

Still, it likely narrowed down to only a few candidates.

The critical issue now was whether the person could survive; if they failed, they would be reduced to ash in an instant!

At this moment, no matter how much they speculated, none could have guessed the true identity of the one facing the heavens.

Rewinding time just a moment!

Within the tower's ninth floor, Zhao Sheng was feeling satisfied, but his expression suddenly morphed into a mask of shock as he turned back toward the spot where Zhao Sanyue had vanished.

In that empty space, a figure suddenly materialized out of thin air. Who else could it be but Zhao Sanyue?

"Uh!" Zhao Sheng’s eyes went wide with astonishment, never imagining that Zhao Sanyue would "return" so soon!