My son is about to break through.

The magnificent phenomenon of the Thirty-Six Grade Azure Lotus reflecting the endless immortal realm, after lasting for a considerable period of time, finally gradually faded away, and ultimately disappeared completely into the depths of the vast fortune of the Xuan Tian Immortal Court.

It merged with the lifeblood and foundation of the Celestial Court, transforming into an invisible yet omnipresent and magnificent foundation.

However, the transformation and sublimation brought about by the silence of the Azure Lotus have been deeply imprinted on every inch of the Xuan Tian Immortal Court's territory.

This grand feast of fortune brought about by the promotion is so astonishing that it would leave any ancient power speechless.

It is no exaggeration to say that the overall leap in strength brought about by this advancement of the Celestial Court has saved the Xuan Tian Celestial Court at least hundreds of millions of years of hard work and accumulation!

The path of the Celestial Venerable is a journey of one level after another. Each tribulation requires a deeper understanding of the laws of the Great Dao and unimaginable tempering and expansion of one's own origin.

The time required for this is often in the millions or tens of millions of years.

Countless brilliant talents have been trapped at a certain hurdle, wasting tens of millions of years without making any progress.

Even more extreme cases may exist for billions of years without ever seeing the threshold of the next calamity.

However, in the Xuan Tian Immortal Court, this miracle, created by Gu Qingfeng and fueled by the convergence of the fortunes of countless immortal realms, forcefully shattered this ironclad rule of cultivation.

Those core ministers who hold important positions and are most deeply bound to the fate of the Celestial Court will benefit the most.

Luo Tian, ​​Xu Tian, ​​and Yu Yang, all powerful figures who had already reached the Second Tribulation Heavenly Venerable Realm for many years, not only easily broke through their barriers this time by taking advantage of the torrent of fortune, but also made great strides all the way to the peak of the Third Tribulation Realm.

All that's missing is a suitable opportunity or a little time to settle things before they can try to knock on the door of the Four Tribulations.

Nan Haoran, the Minister of the Immortal Dao Department, also possessed considerable fortune.

Originally a First Tribulation Celestial Venerable, he broke through two barriers and stepped into the ranks of Third Tribulation Celestial Venerable in one fell swoop. Although he was only at the initial stage, the advancement across two major realms was enough to show the terrifying blessing of his luck.

Royal bloodline.

Gu Shengxing and Gu Shengan were already quite powerful, and this time they directly climbed to the peak of the Third Tribulation. Their aura was profound, and they possessed the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix, showing signs of their father's influence.

Princess Gu Shengnan of Anyang was already at the third tribulation level. This time, with the help of the luck she gained, she successfully stepped into the fourth tribulation Heavenly Venerable realm!
His cultivation level has reached the same level as several princes, including Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu.

Of course, the most dazzling one was none other than Crown Prince Gu Yang.

His cultivation as a Seven Tribulation Celestial Venerable made him a true pillar of strength within the Celestial Court, second only to Gu Qingfeng.

His majesty grew daily, and his every word and action could subtly influence a portion of the celestial court's fortune.

Roughly estimated, not counting the unfathomable Gu Qingfeng himself, the overall strength of the core and middle-level forces of the Xuan Tian Immortal Court has at least doubled after this battle!
Such a leap forward would not have been possible even with hundreds of millions of years of dedicated development, without such extraordinary opportunities. It might even have taken hundreds of millions of years to achieve such a significant collective breakthrough.

The benefits of advancement in the Celestial Court are evident from this; they go beyond simple advantages and can be described as a transformative change.

……

Inside the Immortal Palace.

The main road here is protected by layers of restrictions, isolating it from all external disturbances.

Gu Qingfeng sat cross-legged on the futon in the center of the hall, his eyes slightly closed, his mind completely immersed in the deepest part of his own sea of ​​consciousness, the underworld.

As the ruler of the underworld, comprehending the Great Dao of the Netherworld here will naturally be twice as effective, just like a helmsman observing every detail and operating principle of his ship.

However, the Netherworld Dao is one of the two supreme order Daos in the Endless Immortal Realm, alongside the Heavenly Dao, representing the ultimate law of the end of the universe, the destiny of all things, and the cycle of life and death.

Its profound mystery is as vast as the ocean. Even for the Lord of the Underworld, the difficulty of fully comprehending its true meaning is still beyond imagination.

At this moment, Gu Qingfeng completely abandoned all external trivialities and immersed his entire mind in comprehending the Great Dao of the Netherworld.

The immense fortune that flowed into him during his ascension to the Celestial Court was like a beacon illuminating his path, making many previously obscure and incomprehensible obstacles clear and offering limitless possibilities for breakthrough.

However, that final step, from the ultimate stage of the Nine Tribulations to truly stepping into the flawless peak of the Nine Tribulations, is still like a tough yet transparent membrane—visible, but difficult to truly break through.

Time stands still within the palace.

Only the Daoist aura flowing around Gu Qingfeng was undergoing a silent change.

In the void, strange phenomena spontaneously manifested.

First, a hazy, ethereal aura rose and fell like the tides. Then, this aura began to evolve, transforming into a phantom river that seemed to span the past, present, and future, flowing quietly through the hall.

In the long river, every drop of water, upon close inspection, resembles a miniature model of the universe, containing the birth of stars, the rise of civilizations, the proliferation of all things, and then, after the ultimate prosperity, the inevitable decline, annihilation, and return to nothingness...

Life and death, creation and destruction, unfold continuously in this illusory river of Taoist philosophy, in an endless cycle.

Each time a cosmic droplet is destroyed and reborn, the aura of life and death permeating Gu Qingfeng's body intensifies, deepening his understanding of the true meaning of death.

The netherworld is the manifestation of the order of the underworld, and is the final destination and starting point of the cycle of life and death for all things.

It is not simply destruction, but also contains the supreme philosophy that life is born from death and that the end is the beginning.

Gu Qingfeng's mind followed this endless cycle of life and death, sinking deeper and deeper, as if trying to touch the most essential and coldest core of the end.

I don't know how many years have passed.

"Boom!"

A soft sound, seemingly emanating from the depths of the soul or the very source of the Great Dao, echoed in the silent celestial palace.

Gu Qingfeng, who was sitting cross-legged like a statue, suddenly shuddered!
An indescribable, contradictory yet unified aura, seemingly capable of ending all things yet also capable of revitalizing everything from deathly silence, erupted from his body like a slumbering ancient beast awakening.

This aura was not a violent energy surge, but a higher-level Daoist fluctuation, formless and intangible, yet it instantly pierced through the layers of restrictions of the Immortal Palace, spreading rapidly in all directions from Gu Qingfeng as the center.

The ripples swept across the Xuan Tian Immortal Realm, and countless cultivators, as well as flowers, trees, birds, and beasts, felt a sudden, inexplicable tremor in their hearts at that instant.

But the feeling came and went quickly, and in the blink of an eye, everything returned to normal; it was just a fleeting illusion.

The ripples continued to spread, bursting out of the Immortal Realm and disappearing into the endless starry sky, skimming over the cold stars and broken meteorite belts, and rippling towards the more distant depths of chaos.

Wherever it goes, some powerful beings who are particularly sensitive to the Dao of life, death, and annihilation may be awakened from their deep seclusion, frowning as they look in the direction of the Xuan Tian Immortal Court, sensing that pure yet terrifying Netherworld Dao charm.

Inside the Immortal Palace of Enlightenment.

Gu Qingfeng slowly opened his eyes.

The instant he opened his eyes, it seemed as if the phantom images of countless beings flashed past in the depths of his eyes.

The cries of a newborn infant, the sweat of a young man's training, the heroic spirit of a middle-aged man's battles, the vicissitudes of a man's twilight years, the groans on a sickbed, the unwillingness of a fallen soldier on the battlefield...

Joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness; greed, hatred, delusion, and resentment; birth, old age, sickness, and death; separation from loved ones; encountering those one hates; and not getting what one desires...

The myriad aspects of human life, the vastness of the mortal world, all that sentient beings experience and go through are reflected and flow in his deep, dark eyes, like a revolving lantern.

However, all these vast and diverse aspects of life ultimately boil down to two most essential colors.

Life and death!
"The so-called joys and sorrows, the so-called seven emotions and six desires, the so-called birth, old age, sickness and death... Strip away all the external appearances, the core is nothing more than a variation of the two words 'life' and 'death'."

Gu Qingfeng spoke, his voice calm and even, yet it seemed to carry an all-knowing indifference and understanding.

"All things in heaven and earth, chaotic stars, the universe, and even the laws of the Great Dao itself are bound by these two words."

Where there is life, there is death.

Every birth must have an end.

The myriad images of all living beings reflected in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by two more magnificent and fundamental images.

On one side is the vibrant, boundless, and all-encompassing azure torrent of the Heavenly Dao.

On the other side lies a long, dark, and desolate river, silent and cold, devouring everything and ending all things.

"The Way of Heaven governs life, and its creation is infinite; it is the source of all things."

"When the Lord of the Underworld dies, all will return to nothingness and vanish, marking the end of all existence."

Gu Qingfeng's gaze finally settled entirely on the underworld imagery representing death and the end, and a mysterious smile slowly crept onto his lips.

"However, the cycle of life and death, and the transformation of yin and yang, are never fixed and unchanging iron laws."

From the extreme of Yin arises Yang; from the extreme of death arises rebirth… Only by facing death can one attain life! This is the deeper truth of the Great Dao of the Netherworld!

"Buzz!"

As he finished speaking, the last trace of strangeness in his eyes completely disappeared, returning to the deep, still look of a deep well.

The terrifying Daoist aura that had erupted from his body quickly receded into his body like a tide, disappearing without a trace.

His entire aura became increasingly simple and unadorned, yet it gave people a sense of unfathomable fear, as if they were facing the end of the universe itself.

"I see……"

Gu Qingfeng muttered to himself, his smile growing ever clearer.

"This is the deeper truth of the Netherworld Path: from death comes life. Only by truly comprehending the ultimate meaning of death and understanding the inevitability and emptiness of the end of all things can one glimpse a glimmer of life within that absolute nothingness and death, thereby breaking through the barrier between life and death and achieving true transcendence and freedom... Only by being free from the cycle of life and death can one establish the foundation of immortality!"

However, there was also a hint of understanding and clarity in his smile.

"However, while it sounds simple to say that death is a way of going against nature and going against common sense."

Now, with the help of good fortune, I have gone into seclusion to contemplate and comprehend the true meaning of death, and thus I have finally opened the door to the peak of the Nine Tribulations.

However, to truly practice facing death, find that glimmer of hope within it, and then achieve a state of effortless transition from life to death, is still a long way off—

This is not self-deprecation, but a clear understanding of one's own level of understanding.

He understood where the road led, and had even reached the starting point, seeing the road signs.

But to truly complete this journey and reach the destination, one needs not only deeper insights and accumulation, but also a mysterious and profound opportunity.

This opportunity might be a brush with death, or it might be a sudden flash of insight during the long course of life.

"But at least... the path is clear now."

Gu Qingfeng felt the boundless, flawless power flowing within his body. It was the cultivation level of a peak Heavenly Venerable at the Nine Tribulations Peak, the ultimate state before reaching the threshold of immortality.

Compared to the state of mind before the retreat, it's like night and day.

If he were to face the Void God Lord again now, he would be confident that he could suppress him in an even shorter time.

The vague anxiety in his heart caused by his eagerness to break through to immortality has now subsided, becoming like the Yellow Springs water beneath his feet—seemingly calm, yet containing boundless inner power, but no longer rushing forward.

The road is already under our feet, the direction is clear, all that remains is to move forward steadily and wait for the moment when everything falls into place.

A forced attack might backfire.

With a single thought of enlightenment, the mind becomes increasingly clear and lucid.

Gu Qingfeng did some quick calculations, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes before turning into a calm smile.

"Thirty million years... It seems that this final step is a bit more significant than I expected."

Originally, it was thought that with the help of the remaining fortune, success could be achieved within a million years; unexpectedly, it took thirty million years.

Thirty million years is an unimaginable length of time for mortal beings, enough for civilizations to cycle through countless times.

However, for a Celestial Venerable who has reached the peak of the Nine Tribulations and glimpsed the path to immortality, especially for a crucial breakthrough in comprehending the supreme Dao, this time is not long, and can even be said to be extremely efficient.

He felt no regret whatsoever, only a greater sense of awe for the profound mysteries of the Great Dao.

……

After leaving the pass, Gu Qingfeng did not summon the Crown Prince or important officials to the Imperial Study Hall as usual. Instead, on a whim, he quietly left the depths of the Heavenly Palace and came to the heavily guarded and magnificent Crown Prince's residence.

The people in the mansion were all terrified and excited to suddenly see the Celestial Emperor arrive in person, and hurriedly spread the word.

Upon hearing the news, Gu Yang, who was handling government affairs, immediately put down the jade slip in his hand, straightened his clothes, and arrived at the front hall of the mansion as quickly as possible.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty! I was unaware of Your Majesty's arrival and failed to greet you from afar. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Gu Yang bowed respectfully, his attitude still respectful, but the composure of a Seven Tribulation Heavenly Venerable allowed him to maintain basic composure in front of his invincible father.

Gu Qingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, surveying the Crown Prince's residence, which now exuded a magnificent and independent atmosphere. He then looked at his eldest son, whose demeanor had become increasingly profound and reserved, and a rare, gentle smile appeared on his face: "No need for formalities. I'm just taking a stroll; there's no need for formalities."

"Thank you, Father."

Gu Yang straightened up and keenly sensed the increasingly profound and unfathomable aura emanating from Gu Qingfeng, a aura that seemed to have returned to its original simplicity.

This was completely different from the fierce and domineering pressure he had before his seclusion. It was more like a bottomless, silent abyss of stars, seemingly calm, yet containing an ultimate power that made even him feel his heart tremble.

A slight stirring in his heart, filled with anticipation and curiosity, prompted him to ask tentatively.

"Father's aura upon emerging from seclusion this time is profound and mysterious, surpassing even his former self... Could it be that his cultivation has broken through again, reaching a new level?"

"That's it!"

Gu Qingfeng did not deny it, and nodded slightly.

"Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go before one can truly merge with the Dao and reach the realm of immortality!" (End of Chapter)