Chapter 507 - 360: Zi Ling Emperor

Chapter 507: Chapter 360: Zi Ling Emperor

"I don’t think... so? But they... they all seemed to call me... Emperor?"

The Purple Child shook his head, then spoke after a moment of thought.

"I see... The Purple Bamboo Emperor, then..."

Yu Changsheng frowned slightly, tapping his head gently. He asked tentatively, "In that case, from now on, you’ll be called the Zi Ling Emperor. And this sword... let’s call it the Purple Spirit Emperor Sword."

The Purple Child thought for a moment, then, after a while, nodded at Yu Changsheng and gave him a sweet smile. He was clearly quite satisfied with the name.

The moment the words were spoken, three small words—"Zi Ling Emperor"—naturally engraved themselves upon the body of the Purple Jade Sword in a flourish of elegant script. They glowed with a faint, noble, violet-gold light.

"How wonderful."

A strange light flashed in the Sui Xian Sword Spirit’s eyes as he smiled faintly, but inwardly he was deep in thought.

’This little one was born from Purple Bamboo, nurtured by Imperial Qi—a special Spirit Body created by heaven and earth. Now that it’s become a Sword Spirit... although it wasn’t naturally born from a Sword Body, in some respects, it can be considered an Innate Sword Spirit...’

’With its help, it won’t be difficult for this sword to be promoted to the level of Divine Soldiers. In fact, its upper limit might be even more astonishing. This kid’s fortune is truly profound...’

’But since he’s Master’s junior brother, I suppose I haven’t failed my Master... Sigh.’

As the Sui Xian Sword Spirit thought this, a flicker of loneliness flashed deep in his eyes, followed only by the echo of a soft sigh.

The shift in the Sui Xian Sword Spirit’s mood happened in a single thought. In just a moment, he had composed himself. Looking at the two jubilant figures, he coughed twice and spoke coolly:

"Alright. Since it has come to this, the entire legacy trial is now over. I can no longer stand in your way. If you wish to leave, you may do so now."

The three stages of the trial were, in reality, three inheritances. The first was an inheritance of the Sword Dao, during which Yu Changsheng comprehended the Taichu Heaven Opening Sword, a Quasi-Saint Level Killing Technique. His gains were, needless to say, immense.

In the second stage, he completed the Ten Thousand Spirits Technique, allowing it to fully ascend to a Saint-level Technique. The opportunity this presented was even greater than the first stage. To say nothing of its other benefits, the functions that came with the Ten Thousand Spirits Technique alone were outrageously powerful.

As for the third stage, the fusion of the two Dao, the Purple Spirit Emperor Sword was the greatest fortuitous encounter of all. After all, an Unparalleled Spiritual Treasure that could grow into Divine Soldiers, complete with its own Sword Spirit—such a thing would undoubtedly make countless Sword Cultivators green with envy.

Add to that his fifth, exceptionally rare tamed beast—a Heaven and Earth Spirit Body, the Zi Ling Emperor... one could say Yu Changsheng’s journey had been incredibly fruitful.

’The only thing I’m still lacking is...’

Yu Changsheng thought for a moment, his gaze turning serious. He clasped his fists and spoke to the Sui Xian Sword Spirit in a deep voice:

"Senior, thank you for everything on this journey. This junior has benefited immensely. However, there is one last matter I hope Senior might be able to help me with."

The Sui Xian Sword Spirit glanced at Yu Changsheng and said with a laugh:

"You’re planning to undergo your tribulation here, to break through and form a Heavenly Dao Golden Core, aren’t you?"

With the Sui Xian Sword Spirit’s level of cultivation, he had naturally seen at a glance that Yu Changsheng had been suppressing his Realm, and thus exposed his intention in a single sentence.

"Yes. Senior’s insight is sharp."

Yu Changsheng lowered his head slightly and nodded.

"Very well. You can undergo it here. This place is isolated from the outside world, so you won’t have to worry about external interference. Furthermore, the unique environment can weaken the power of the Celestial Tribulation to some extent."

"It is precisely because the connection between this place and the outside world is so faint that you’ve been able to suppress your Realm for so long. Otherwise, even with that certain existence obscuring the heavenly secrets for you, the Celestial Tribulation would have descended long ago had you been in the outside world."

The Sui Xian Sword Spirit spoke coolly, a keen light flashing in his eyes as he looked at Yu Changsheng with a hint of curiosity.

"Excellent. A Heavenly Dao Golden Core... after so many years, I’d like to see one again. But I must remind you, you are not just forming a Heavenly Dao Golden Core. You also carry Heavenly Dao Qi, and it has completely merged with your Dao Foundation."

"Therefore, the Thunder Tribulation you will attract will be far from ordinary; I fear it will be terrifyingly powerful. Back then, when your senior brother—my master—was breaking through this stage, he faced a near-death experience. You must be fully prepared."

Back then, when Yu Changsheng’s senior brother, Cao Jinxian, broke through to the Golden Core realm, he also formed a Heavenly Dao Golden Core and possessed Heavenly Dao Qi—two strands of it, in fact. The Celestial Tribulation he triggered was nothing short of cataclysmic.

However, the boost in power he received after successfully Crossing the Tribulation was also immense.

"Right after my master advanced to the Golden Core realm, he was already capable of fighting against a Purple Mansion expert. Your own foundation has also reached the absolute limit of the Foundation Establishment realm..."

"A Nine-Layered Spirit Platform, Heavenly Dao Qi, a peak physical body, a powerful Divine Soul, mastery of the Sword Dao, and five tamed beasts with extraordinary bloodlines... I wonder, once you break through, just what heights will you reach?"

Filled with anticipation, the Sui Xian Sword Spirit silently waved his sleeve. One after another, seals appeared, floating in the void before imprinting themselves in the eight directions of the sky. The vast expanse of stars began to twinkle brightly, linking together.

The Sui Xian Sword Spirit formed hand seals, causing wondrous Runes to appear and strike the stars. And so, the stars connected, and mysterious fluctuations spread out in all directions, forming a heaven-shaking Array that enveloped the entire world.

After finishing all this, the corners of the Sui Xian Sword Spirit’s mouth turned pale. He panted slightly, his aura suddenly weakening.

"Senior, you..."

Yu Changsheng was visibly moved by the scene, looking at the Sui Xian Sword Spirit with gratitude.

The Sui Xian Sword Spirit waved his hand, took a deep breath, and said coolly:

"This is all I can do. When Crossing the Tribulation, although outsiders cannot interfere, you can still rely on external objects. I have now used the stars as the formation and the heavens and earth as the boundary to lay down this Protective Array for you. It should give you a better chance of success."

Yu Changsheng was speechless. He could only bow deeply to the Sui Xian Sword Spirit.

"That’s enough. Hurry up and get ready. When you feel you’re prepared, summon the Celestial Tribulation. Break through, and then get the hell out of here."

The Sui Xian Sword Spirit suddenly cursed with a chuckle.

Yu Changsheng nodded, his expression solemn. He sat down cross-legged on the ground and swallowed two Elixirs to recover. Then, he began circulating his Cultivation Technique, his mind completely immersed.

As his life-bound treasure, the Purple Spirit Emperor Sword was recalled into his body. The Zi Ling Emperor, though an Imperial Beast, was also a Sword Spirit, and thus took up residence within the Purple Spirit Emperor Sword. As it nurtured the sword, the sword also nurtured it in return.

However, as an Imperial Beast, the Zi Ling Emperor could naturally be recalled to the Inner Realm if he wished. But compared to the Inner Realm, he much preferred to stay within the Purple Spirit Emperor Sword.

Yu Changsheng let him be and did not force him.

...

’Since I’m Crossing the Tribulation, I need to make sure everything is perfectly prepared and that I’m in my absolute best condition.’

Yu Changsheng’s breathing was long and steady. With his eyes shut and his mind immersed, he sensed every part of his body, deep in thought.

’I’ll raise everything I can to its absolute limit and face the Celestial Tribulation in my strongest possible state to ensure the highest chance of success... After I pass the tribulation, I wonder just how astonishing my combat power will be...’

’Also, I need to make good use of my Divine Techniques. Since the Ten Thousand Spirits Technique is now a Saint-level Technique, then...’

As Yu Changsheng thought this, he swallowed, his eyes fluttering open. With a thought, he released the Golden-Winged Eagle, the Colorful Star Deer, and the Red Purgatory Dragon to stand guard beside him.

As for the Profound Turtle, Yu Changsheng didn’t move it. The creature was currently helping him suppress his aura; the moment it stopped, the Celestial Tribulation would descend.

"Relax your minds. Let me enter and acquire your Talent Divine Techniques."

Yu Changsheng spoke concisely. Naturally, he had to make good use of the properties of the Saint-level Technique, the Ten Thousand Spirits Technique. Previously, he had only touched the Red Purgatory Dragon to acquire "Evil Fire Purgatory"; he couldn’t pass up the other Divine Techniques.

After all, under Yu Changsheng’s continuous nurturing, these few tamed beasts had become quite formidable. The power of their Divine Techniques had long surpassed that of most ordinary Magic.

The only unfortunate thing was that Yu Changsheng had already tested it: Divine Techniques obtained from others using the Ten Thousand Spirits Technique could not be registered by his system, and thus could not be upgraded with Essence Points.