Chapter 183: Chapter 183: The Tribulation of the Celestial Essence Realm
Emperor Ye lectured, and everyone was listening attentively.
This was a Great Saint imparting the Dao, and every word was a truth. How much one could comprehend depended entirely on one’s talent and opportunity.
In the square, Ji Chen was also sitting cross-legged. His cultivation was now at the Ninth Layer of the Returning Ruins Realm, not far from breaking through to the Celestial Essence Realm. If he could comprehend something during this lecture, he might encounter his Celestial Essence Tribulation.
The fourth day.
The Saint King stopped teaching, allowing everyone to discuss their insights with each other.
At this time, a strong figure from the Demon Race came before Emperor Ye.
He hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke, "Junior is Elder Yao Fengnian of the Demon Race, I have seen the Saint King."
"So, a demon from the West Desert? I have been to the West Desert several times in the past and have some connections with the Demon Race. Speak freely about your concerns." The Saint King said, treating the Human Race and the Demon Race equally without any distinction of status.
"It’s like this, regarding the matters between the Demon Race and the Hongmeng Body..."
Yao Fengnian began to explain things in detail.
He did not seek to resolve any cultivation doubts but spoke of the grudges between the Demon Race and Ji Chen.
Everyone knew that Ji Chen of the Hongmeng Body was a grandson of the Ye Family.
The blood flowing in him was half of Emperor Ye’s lineage.
Now that Emperor Ye had returned to the world, he naturally would want to protect his descendants. If resentment arose with the Demon Race because of Ji Chen, it would be very troubling for them.
Emperor Ye remained silent upon hearing this.
He scanned the crowd with his gaze, then spoke, "Today was supposed to be a grand meeting for the reconciliation of our two races. Since I am here, acting as a mediator is not out of the question. Any grievances you have with each other, speak them, and I can mediate for you all."
Hearing this, several strong individuals from other ancient races like the Dragon Race stepped forward.
"In the past, in Li Yuan’s Tomb, our Dragon Race also had some unpleasant encounters with Ji Chen..."
Everyone spoke in turn about how Ji Chen took their Ancestral King’s Weapon in the tomb of the Demon Emperor. Though it has been returned, the grievances have not been completely resolved.
With the Saint King’s return, they dared not harbor any further thoughts about Ji Chen; they only hoped to resolve these misunderstandings, turning major issues into minor ones and minor ones into nothing.
Otherwise, making an enemy of Emperor Ye’s descendants was clearly an unwise decision.
"Is Ji Chen present?"
After hearing the representatives from the Dragon and Demon Races speak, Emperor Ye nodded, then turned his gaze to the square again.
Ji Chen frowned slightly. Hearing the Saint King’s summoning, he did not hesitate, stood up, and approached, saluting, "Junior Ji Chen greets the Saint King."
"You are also one of my descendants and have received my true teachings in the ancient ruins. There is no need for formality, please sit here."
He gestured to an empty seat on his right side, inviting Ji Chen to sit.
"Yes."
Ji Chen did not refuse.
Shortly after sitting down, he heard the Saint King speak again, "The grudges between you and the Dragon Race, the Demon Race, and others, can they be resolved?"
"I have no objections, as long as they are willing." Ji Chen shrugged.
After all, it was the ancient races that suffered losses all along. Moreover, back in Yao City, he had killed many cultivators of the ancient races without suffering any repercussions himself.
"What do you all think?" Emperor Ye turned his gaze to the ancient race powerhouses.
"Whatever the Saint King decides." They replied with folded arms.
Even if they were foolish, they could now see that Emperor Ye valued Ji Chen highly, letting him sit beside him, treating him nearly as well as Ye Yunge, his legitimate grandson.
Moreover, from Emperor Ye’s words, they learned that Ji Chen’s knowledge of the Array Dao originated from Emperor Ye’s Cenling Array Canon!
This meant he was essentially a disciple of the Great Saint. To remain in conflict with Ji Chen was to oppose Emperor Ye, and who would want to stand against an invincible Great Saint?
"In that case..."
The Saint King nodded, pondering for a moment before speaking, "Henceforth, neither side may trouble the other without cause. Past grievances are settled today. Should anyone provoke the other, I will intervene personally. How does that sound?"
"Saint King’s insight is wise."
Everyone spoke in unison, clearly accepting such a resolution.
Soon, the Saint King continued teaching, with Ji Chen by his side, asking many questions about cultivation and gaining enlightenment.
Ji Chen had to admit that the Great Saint had an extraordinary understanding of the laws of the world.
Though he was a Saint in his previous life, he was no match for a Great Saint. Gaining clarity from Emperor Ye was naturally a significant enhancement for Ji Chen.
During this time, on the Ancient Starry Path, numerous cultivators from the Outer Realm continued to arrive.
But unlike the first wave who landed during the Celestial Martial era, these ones were different.
With the Saint King presiding over the Divine City, a Great Saint-level powerhouse, in the current Star Domain, he was considered an invincible presence, so these Outer Realm cultivators dared not act erratically. After offering distant worship, they simply left, keeping a low profile within Celestial Martial.
"Buzz..."
Finally, on the seventh day of the Saint King’s teachings.
At noon, the clear sky suddenly trembled slightly at that moment.
Immediately after, everyone could feel an overwhelming pressure pervading from the endless sky above, as if forming a great mountain pressing down on the entire Divine City.
"Crack!"
"Crack!"
"Crack!"
In just a few breaths, dark clouds enveloped the void, dense purple lightning interweaving within the cloud sea, emanating a terrifying tribulation power that made onlookers’ scalps tingle.
"Celestial Tribulation!"
Someone exclaimed, eyes wide with wonder as they looked skyward, "Who is about to break through?"
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
As people spoke, the muffled thunder echoed between heaven and earth, deafening, the impending Celestial Tribulation clearly fearsome.
All eyes scanned for the one preparing to undergo tribulation.
Only Emperor Ye’s gaze was fixed, looking at the white-robed youth beside him—Ji Chen.
At this moment, Ji Chen’s aura was surging, as if he was about to break through a bottleneck.
He sat with eyes closed, and as the dark clouds high above turned the world dim, finally, Ji Chen stood up, then leapt into the air, rising above the Divine City to face his Celestial Essence Tribulation!