Chapter 174: Treading a Thousand Steps

"My silly girl, you wouldn't be happy as my woman. But if you were my sister, even if you wanted the entire world, I would turn it upside down and place it in your hands! Tell me, which do you choose?"

Tuan Tuan was originally joking, but for some reason, she loved being close to Xu Yang. Everything about him deeply attracted her.

"Alright then, you have to promise me that no matter what happens in the future, you won't leave me, and you'll protect me for life!"

Xu Yang affectionately stroked Tuan Tuan's little head and interlocked fingers with her.

"I promise you."

*Swoosh!* The General immediately waved his hand, and a brilliant golden light enveloped Xu Yang. It was the True Dragon's Aura, which had previously emanated from the array above them.

A powerful life force rapidly surged through Xu Yang's entire body. Even a peerless expert like him couldn't help but marvel at the formidable strength of the True Dragon's Aura.

"May I ask, sir, where does this True Dragon's Aura originate?"

The General pondered for a moment before slowly replying, "Legend has it that the first king of the Ancient Wilderness personally slew a true dragon. However, as you surely know, who among the living has ever truly seen a dragon? The Dragon Clan remains the supreme mystery of this continent. The True Dragon's Aura is also a unique inheritance of my royal lineage. The powerful array you see above was formed from the soul source of Emperor Huangtian of the Ancient Wilderness after his failed ascension, and the True Dragon's Aura emanates from his soul source."

"I see..."

After the General's explanation, Xu Yang's team finally gained a new and broader understanding of the entire secret. However, the most crucial core mystery remained unsolved.

According to the memory fragments Bai Lianxue possessed from before her revival, legend states that after the Nine Dragon Heavenly Tribulation ten thousand years ago, nine dragon souls descended from the heavens and concealed themselves within the continent's nine dragon veins. If this is true, then the current Imperial Mausoleum is merely one of those nine dragon veins.

Since Tuan Tuan is a descendant of the Ancient Emperor's royal lineage, she should also possess the hidden power of the True Dragon within her. Regardless of their personal feelings, considering it a responsibility, Xu Yang and his companions were determined to look after this young girl's future.

To draw closer to the great secret of the Nine Dragons and to reach the realm of ascension sooner, Xu Yang resolutely embarked on the journey up the thousand heavenly steps.

"Brother, be careful!"

Xu Yang smiled faintly, waved his hand, and calmly said, "Don't worry, I promised to protect you forever. Before that, no power can kill me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Yang stepped onto the first heavenly stair. A shimmering pulsation spread outwards from beneath his feet, and simultaneously, immense pressure poured down from above.

*Rumble!* From the heavenly array above, a faint blue lightning flame struck Xu Yang's head, but it couldn't even damage his Tai Chi totem in the slightest.

Undoubtedly, this was just the beginning. The power of the lightning tribulation would intensify as Xu Yang ascended higher.

Yet, at this moment, Xu Yang was like a traveler bearing the weight of the entire world. The conviction in his heart provided him with endless motivation, and it seemed no power could truly threaten him.

Ever since comprehending his own Dao, Xu Yang had gained the ability to effortlessly handle all matters and challenges.

With every step, his Dao deepened. No matter how dazzling the lightning tribulation power above him, he continued to advance as if walking on flat ground.

Watching this scene, the General beside him nodded repeatedly, filled with awe.

"The Saint Lord is truly fortunate to have such a person guarding her! Given time, this individual will undoubtedly achieve even greater things!"

As time passed, the remaining powerful individuals who had revived alongside the General gradually regained consciousness.

The General transmitted a spiritual message to the people behind him. Those valiant experts promptly knelt on one knee, performing a royal salute to little Tuan Tuan, and no one dared to disturb Xu Yang.

*Crack!*

When Xu Yang stepped onto the eight hundredth stair, the array totem above changed color, and a purplish-red tribulation of annihilation struck down directly!

"Heavens... this tribulation power has exceeded the limit a cultivator of the Nascent Soul realm can bear! What should we do..."

Bai Lianxue was genuinely worried. She never doubted Xu Yang's foundation, but with such immense power, no one knew if Xu Yang could truly withstand it.

Previously, Xu Yang always appeared to be in the Qi Condensation realm. However, ever since he emerged from the Library of Scriptures and created his own Dao, his cultivation level became unreadable. No one could discern his cultivation status, let alone understand what stage he had reached.

Rather than saying Xu Yang had merely grown stronger, it was more accurate to say he was forging a completely new path, one that no one before him had ever taken.

And this, perhaps, was the most crucial prerequisite for him to break through the rules that even Emperor Huangtian failed to overcome, and become the foremost person of all time!

*Rumble!* The power of the lightning tribulation continued to intensify, and the destructive might never ceased.

When Xu Yang stepped onto the nine hundredth layer, the purplish-red lightning tribulation abruptly ceased. All activity above him completely dissipated in that instant.

The entire Imperial Mausoleum space seemed to fall into an unprecedented silence.

"What? What the heck? Is it over?"

Long Kun looked around, utterly bewildered, and scratched his head.

"No, before true annihilation power descends, it's always extremely quiet! I think the next step Master takes will be the truly terrifying tribulation!"

"Look, that is..."

The Mystic Moon phenomenon behind Ling Qingshu instantly vanished. The array light above became intensely strong, radiating an oppressive aura that even Bai Lianxue and the others found unbearable.

Fortunately, the Nascent Soul realm generals nearby immediately intervened, extending an aura of dragon energy that resonated with the array's power, allowing everyone to recover.

In the very center of the array patterns, the outline of a colossal sword, shimmering with golden light, slowly emerged and descended towards Xu Yang's head.

Each inch of its descent brought the force of ten thousand jin closer.

Even a powerful figure like Xu Yang felt, for the first time, the emergence of a force that could truly threaten him.

"Heavens! This power is simply..."

Everyone was dumbfounded. No one noticed that Ling Yao, who had been silent for a long time, was actually the most agitated. She realized that the Heavenly Sword within her was reacting with an extremely violent vibrational sensation, stimulated by this sword light!

"Sister, what's wrong with you?"

Bai Lianxue immediately noticed Ling Yao's unusual state but did not touch her.

At this moment, Ling Yao's eyes were incredibly ethereal. She stared directly at the sword light, and a dark golden radiance gradually began to rise around her.

"Don't disturb her. This is a crucial moment for comprehending the Sword Intent. I never imagined that the arrival of this tribulation would also help this young girl achieve such an epiphany. Your team is truly full of astonishing talents!"