Chapter 175: Miraculous Journey

Within the colossal sword, Ling Yao seemed to experience an unending surge of concentrated sword energy, like standing in the ocean, facing endless monstrous waves continuously crashing upon her. The sheer force of it brought Ling Yao an unprecedented shock!

Since attaining the pinnacle of swordsmanship, Ling Yao learned any sword technique with incredible speed, and her comprehension of the sword dao far surpassed that of ordinary people.

Her gaze remained fixed on the surface of the colossal sword's radiance. Listening to the roaring sound like churning ocean tides, Ling Yao finally had an epiphany, grasping a completely new sword technique.

While her Heavenly Sword Eight Styles possessed incredibly powerful area-of-effect damage capabilities, when it came to absolutely suppressing a single target, Ling Yao knew she was more than a single level behind Xu Yang.

However, the annihilation-level sword force Xu Yang faced opened a new door for Ling Yao. If she could use this method to condense the momentum of layered waves into her Heavenly Sword, the resulting single-target instant-kill power would undoubtedly be far more formidable than the Heavenly Sword Eight Styles.

Faintly, Ling Yao felt the Heavenly Sword's fluctuations within her heart's ocean more clearly, and her Sword Heart's awakening advanced another step.

Rumble!

Xu Yang suddenly opened his eyes wide and bravely stepped onto the 901st stair, signifying that this annihilation-level sword dao tribulation was nearing its end.

"Shatter!"

This was his first proactive counterattack against the heavenly tribulation's might. With a raise of his hand, a vast and immense Dao pressure spread out, startling the entire interior of the Imperial Mausoleum, which rippled for a moment.

"What a powerful aura... This person's strength truly defies imagination; he's capable of shaping creation!"

The ancient desolate dynasty generals who had awakened one after another behind him were all shocked by Xu Yang's actions. In their minds, only Emperor Arantian, who had fought across half the continent with no rival, possessed such astonishing and brilliant demeanor.

Even Xu Yang felt immense pressure on the final hundred steps.

It's worth noting that Xu Yang possessed 100,000 years of cultivation foundation. He now had few rivals on this continent; unless the legendary figures from noble families and sacred lands could engage him in a peak battle, he viewed other 'ants' as mere insignificant beings.

But this time, he truly felt a deeper power inheritance within the ancient desolate lineage's Dao tradition.

With every step, Xu Yang paused for three breaths. While this steady progression was stable, it made the atmosphere in the entire space particularly tense.

"Brother, you can do it..."

Even Little Tuan Tuan was uncharacteristically nervous. Being so clever and cute, she naturally saw that these steps were not easy to traverse. Moreover, the Ancient Desolate Heavenly Array above was not to be trifled with. To inherit the Arantian Boundless Divine Artifact, it was undoubtedly a life-or-death trial.

Crack!

Finally, as Xu Yang stepped onto the first of the last ten stairs, the Heavenly Array above him unleashed its most powerful wave of aura fluctuations yet!

"That's... genuine dragon soul energy!"

"My heavens, it's unbelievable! The legends are true; dragons really exist!"

In the center of the Heavenly Array, brilliant dragon energy slowly materialized. Initially, it was just blades of light formed by condensed dragon energy, continuously striking Xu Yang's body with powerful dragon spikes.

Xu Yang's defensive aura was incredibly formidable, but before this tribulation power imbued with dragon force, there was no need to elaborate on who was stronger or weaker.

"Terrifying power! If I were standing there, let alone enduring these dragon spikes, even this pressure alone would instantly shatter my soul's origin. It's unimaginable what level Master has reached; he's practically a god!"

Bai Lianxue now finally understood why she had been revived. Her master was truly extraordinary, a person capable of creating incredible miracles.

Small crack marks began to appear.

Xu Yang's defensive aura seemed on the verge of shattering at any moment. Dragon spikes continuously rained down, and the pressure climbed incessantly.

Even powerful Xu Yang instinctively frowned after taking three more steps.

"The path I'm treading, Emperor Arantian has already reached these realms. If I can't even surpass my predecessors, how can I speak of reaching the peak of cultivation? Ridiculous!"

Xu Yang couldn't help but mock himself. His 100,000 years of accumulated cultivation foundation burned fiercely within him. It seemed to instantly infuse him with boundless power, helping him overcome this chasm.

"Only five more steps! He's about to succeed!!"

Long Kun exclaimed excitedly, but the bearded general beside him shook his head.

"It's not that simple. Or rather, for someone of this cultivation level, the final five steps are the true beginning of the entire tribulation."

"What did you say?"

The team members collectively turned to look at the general, seeking a clearer answer.

"Each of the final five steps represents an independent dragon tribulation. Only by surviving five rounds of tribulation power and standing before the Imperial Palace's main hall does one provisionally qualify to inherit the Arantian Boundless. Otherwise, did you think the treasured legacy of my Ancient Desolate lineage would be so easy to obtain?"

No one spoke much, as they simply didn't know how to refute the general.

He who wishes to wear the crown must bear its weight!

Since Xu Yang had chosen this path, no matter how thorny the future, advancing was his only option.

CRACK!!

Suddenly, an enormous dragon spike emerged, like a true dragon's claw. It was surrounded by dazzling lightning as it lunged at Xu Yang.

"Oh no, that's a power capable of contending with the limits of the Nascent Soul realm!"

"Apart from Master, none of us can withstand that power. I hope Master passes through safely!"

Bai Lianxue had intended to comfort everyone, but she suddenly stopped mid-sentence. She had just realized that this was only the first of the five trials!

No words in the world could comfort Bai Lianxue and the others at that moment. They were truly concerned for Xu Yang. Facing such annihilation-level tribulation power, anything outsiders said or did was useless. The only thing they could do was believe in him!

"Hmph, dragon power? I'm quite interested."

Xu Yang suddenly stopped, turned sideways, and watched the overbearing dragon claw power lunge at him.

"Creation of Three Thousand!"

With a palm strike, the brilliant Taiji diagram shone once again. In its constant flow, an incomparably pure Dao power, like a source capable of encompassing everything, gradually devoured and assimilated the pressure released by the dragon claw.

"This is the supreme technique Boss created? It's truly extraordinary!"

Unconsciously, Long Kun had already changed his address for his student to "Boss."

Reflecting on it now, Long Kun found himself a bit dumbfounded, having been the teacher to such monstrous talents.

Rumble!

The two forces collided, creating an eerie sound as if tearing through the very void.

What followed was a moment to witness a miracle...