Chapter 173: Ancient Wild Divine Dynasty

Boom!

Suddenly, in that instant, the carriages emitting distinct auras shattered simultaneously, revealing dozens of physical bodies, each with a completely different appearance.

Indeed, these were solid physical forms, every one resembling a robust and powerful individual. Their eyes were closed, and they were in a semi-conscious state, their souls not yet fully recovered. However, their bodies' powerful instincts were already rapidly restoring their combat capabilities.

At the same moment, the massive dark-blue formation pattern above them began to spread, quickly forming a golden light screen that covered almost half of the void!

A majestic draconic aura transformed into several tangible beams of energy, plummeting towards the bodies of those dozens of powerful beings.

This was life-source energy! It became clear that this was the true Dragon's Treasury. The True Dragon's energy could grant these ancient warriors, dormant for tens of thousands of years, a chance to awaken and revive their sealed life essence, thus leaving an opportunity for future generations to restore the ancient imperial legacy of the Ancient Desolation Dynasty.

So that was it! Xu Yang and the others had a sudden realization. Regardless of whether this was the true core of the Dragon's Treasury, the arrival of these True Dragon's energies was enough to prove that their journey had not been in vain; at the very least, it confirmed the existence of the True Dragon's aura.

After absorbing the True Dragon's energy, those dozens of forms began to emit a rich golden glow from their entire bodies. Throughout this process, Xu Yang and the others did not interfere; they simply wanted to witness the true extent of the Dragon's Treasury's miraculous power.

As the first powerful being opened his eyes, a momentary daze gave way to what seemed like a complete recall of everything. His gaze finally settled on Xu Yang and the others.

He mused, speaking of the countless millennia that had passed, how the world had changed, and how cycles had turned, marveling that he had truly awakened once more.

The bearded man slowly rose, standing proudly in the void. The feeling of being from another era made his movements seem a bit sluggish, but as he waved his hand and his immensely powerful Heaven-Splitting Halberd returned to his grasp, the killing aura unique to a peerless general rapidly revived.

Xu Yang warned everyone to be careful, stating that this was a peerless general at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm.

Xu Yang's words once again shocked everyone. At his signal, Long Kun slowly retreated with the three goddesses and Little Tuan Tuan, clearing sufficient space for Xu Yang and the newly awakened general to engage.

Xu Yang acknowledged the general's strength but stated that this era no longer belonged to him, and that eternal slumber was his destiny.

The general seemed in no hurry to attack; instead, he calmly looked at Xu Yang. He remarked that Xu Yang was very strange, as he clearly had the ability to break into the Imperial Tomb, yet the general could not perceive his cultivation realm, while he could clearly see the realms of the others. He asked how this was possible.

Xu Yang chuckled and shook his head. He replied that the general didn't need to know the answer. Comparatively, Xu Yang was more interested in hearing what the general had to say: what kind of golden age the Ancient Desolation Dynasty experienced, what caused its decline, and who created what they were today.

With a light sigh, the general began. He said, "Very well, since you wish to know, I will tell you. In the past, my Ancient Desolation Dynasty’s Great Emperor Huang Tian forged an unprecedented golden age, where gods and demons were revered, and myriad races paid tribute. To eternally enjoy this prosperity, Great Emperor Huang Tian, who had already reached the peak of the Tribulation Transcension realm, sought an opportunity to ascend and gain eternal life."

Unexpectedly, at the critical moment of the Great Emperor’s ascension, the Nine Dragons Heavenly Tribulation descended. The Three Thousand Dao Provinces plunged into a catastrophe. More than half of the Ancient Desolation Imperial Dynasty's foundation, which had prospered for countless generations, was destroyed, and countless top-tier experts perished in this calamity.

After that, various forces across the continent seized the opportunity to plunder, causing the Ancient Desolation Dynasty's lineage to rapidly decline.

After the failed ascension, the Great Emperor, unwilling to accept defeat, used his remaining resources to personally build this Imperial Tomb Palace. He hoped that one of his future bloodline descendants, through a peerless fortuitous encounter, could inherit everything here, recreate the golden age of the Ancient Desolation, and even break the limits of ascension, thereby destroying the Nine Dragons Heavenly Tribulation.

From the general's words, Xu Yang discerned some unknown secrets about the Nine Dragons Heavenly Tribulation.

Xu Yang inferred from the general's words that the Nine Dragons Heavenly Tribulation seemed to be encountered only by those who had reached the limits of cultivation and were preparing for ascension.

The general shook his head. He replied that he didn't know the exact reason, only that when that heavenly tribulation descended, he witnessed what true world-destroying power was. Even the Great Emperor, whose achievements startled both humans and gods, could not withstand the combined might of those nine heavenly dragons. His physical body was instantly annihilated into nothingness; had it not been for the protection of the peerless divine artifact, Huang Tian Wuji, the Great Emperor would surely have been annihilated, body and soul, on the spot.

Someone exclaimed their disbelief that such an event had occurred, then asked if this meant the calamity in the Three Thousand Dao Provinces ten thousand years ago was also due to an unparalleled expert preparing for ascension.

The general looked bewildered. He stated that to find an answer to that question, they would have to ask someone who had experienced that catastrophe. As for now, since they had come here, a descendant of his Ancient Desolation lineage must have activated the Sealing Stone. He then asked who among them possessed the imperial bloodline.

Everyone simultaneously looked at the adorable Little Tuan Tuan.

The general understood. He immediately knelt on one knee, greeting the little girl with the reverence due to a monarch.

The general bowed, addressing her as "Your Holiness" and asking her to accept his humble obeisance.

Little Tuan Tuan merely giggled, mischievously leaning onto Xu Yang’s shoulder, her large eyes blinking incessantly, showing no intention of having the general rise.

Xu Yang asked the general if he knew what was sealed within the palace at the very top of those thousand steps.

The general replied that it was precisely the supreme divine artifact of his Ancient Desolation lineage – Huang Tian Wuji. He explained that countless years ago, the first king of his Ancient Desolation clan had ascended to dominion over the world by virtue of this artifact, thereby establishing a legacy renowned through the ages. He further stated that only those with heaven-defying fortune had the ability to ascend to the top of those heavenly steps, and that every hundred steps required enduring a baptism of tribulation-destroying power.

Long Kun shivered, questioning the mention of "tribulation-destroying power." He pointed out that only breakthroughs beyond the Nascent Soul realm involved transcending tribulation, then asked if the general meant that without cultivation above the Nascent Soul realm, one didn't even qualify to set foot on those heavenly steps.

“Precisely,” the general affirmed.

Upon hearing the general's response, everyone collectively deflated, except for the formidable Xu Yang, who wore a look of fascination.

What attracted him had never been divine artifacts or fame; what truly interested him was the ultimate limit of the cultivation path: severing one's dao and ascending! The secrets between the Nine Dragons Heavenly Tribulation and ascension were where his true interest lay.

The general smiled as he looked at Xu Yang, stating he believed Xu Yang had a chance to try, having sensed a distinctly different Dao essence from him.

Xu Yang replied that he did indeed intend to try.

The general cautioned that although Xu Yang possessed an extraordinary, non-mundane aura, he was ultimately not a direct bloodline descendant of the Ancient Desolation clan. To challenge the heavenly steps, he would need to obtain the Holy Lord’s permission and promise to forever protect her safety and fulfill her wishes in the future.

Xu Yang chuckled, glancing at the little darling on his shoulder. Tuan Tuan, still giggling and biting her finger, suddenly darted forward and pecked Xu Yang's cheek, looking incredibly endearing.

Little Tuan Tuan chirped, asking Xu Yang if he would marry her when she grew up.

Xu Yang exclaimed in shock.

Behind them, the three goddesses instantly turned to stone, and as for Long Kun, he simply tilted his head and fainted.