Chapter 1331: Ascension Tribulation

News of Lu Yang's impending ascension to immortality, marked by the appearance of the Immortal Tribulation at Dao Seeking Sect, quickly spread throughout the universe.

This was unlike Wu Yao's previous tribulation, when the cultivation world's spiritual energy technology was still in its infancy, severely limiting the speed of information transfer. However, with the rapid advancements in spiritual energy technology over the years, communication capabilities had reached an astonishing level, allowing for lag-free transmission across light-years.

The live broadcast of Lu Yang undergoing his Immortal Tribulation quickly became the most popular, with several other streams showing the tribulation from different angles.

"We don't even need to intervene," remarked Ancestor Thief, who, as a major shareholder in the universal broadcasting network, could easily manipulate popularity. As it turned out, his concerns were unfounded. This was a rare Immortal Tribulation, unseen in ages; no manipulation was needed for it to instantly hit the top spot. Ancestor Thief watched, filled with envy. He had lingered in the Half-Immortal realm for sixty thousand years without even touching the threshold of true immortality, yet this newcomer was already on the verge of ascending.

"What's this broadcast? Why is it so popular?" exclaimed a member of the Interstellar Alliance, astonished by the unprecedented viewership and barrages of comments upon entering the stream.

"Can't you read the title? Someone in the cultivation world is becoming an immortal!!!" other Interstellar Alliance members excitedly replied via comments.

"Becoming an immortal? Is that what the cultivation world calls the human body's ultimate limit?"

"Nonsense, 'human body's ultimate limit'! Do you even understand cultivation? This is already another level of life entirely."

"Another one brainwashed by marketing accounts."

The Sky Sea Star Rescue Team, saved by Lu Yang, spoke up one after another, praising his immense power and calling him the pinnacle of life's evolution. Their captain, Soul Slasher, remained silent, simply showering the stream with generous donations. Besides the rescue team, people with strange names like "True Legacy of Prisoner Peak," "Thanks to Prisoner Peak for Training," "Undying Fourth Brother," and "Ancient Barbarian Tribe" were also explaining Lu Yang's incredible power to curious onlookers.

"Fun fact: When Celestial Emperor Wu Yao underwent his Immortal Tribulation, an entire star system shattered."

"This Immortal Tribulation isn't weak; the surrounding mountains weren't destroyed because the tribulation's full power was concentrated on Lu Yang."

"Why is the video quality so blurry? I can't see clearly."

"Child, you don't understand, don't talk nonsense. It's not blurry video quality; the Immortal Tribulation is distorting space. It would look like this even if you were there in person." A cultivator, identified by their profile as a Grand Perfection Stage expert, stepped forward to explain.

"Is it really that powerful?" Even with the evidence before them, some remained skeptical, thinking it was just a few lightning strikes that their mechanically enhanced bodies could withstand.

"You can try the holographic broadcast then." Someone scoffed, implying that if they didn't believe, they could learn the hard way.

"A holographic broadcast?" The person quickly found the holographic stream. Strangely, despite also broadcasting the Immortal Tribulation, this one had very low viewership. He connected his port and felt as if he had truly arrived at Dao Seeking Sect, facing the rolling heavenly thunder up close. Only then did he feel the terror of the Immortal Tribulation. It was entirely different from the lightning and thunder seen in nature, a cataclysm beyond natural forces, capable of destroying everything. Any living being facing the Immortal Tribulation had only one outcome: to turn into ashes.

Just as he was about to speak, blood gushed from his seven orifices, and he was ejected from the holographic state. "Danger warning activated!" The person was shocked. This was the holographic system's safety protocol, designed to monitor vital signs and eject users before harm occurred. The holographic system could only replicate less than one ten-thousandth of the Immortal Tribulation's power. This meant that even facing such a tiny fraction of its might, he couldn't endure it and was in mortal danger.

Recalling the brief moment he witnessed the Immortal Tribulation, he felt a lingering fear and finally understood why the holographic broadcast had such low popularity. Ordinary people didn't even have the qualification to watch.

"Lu Yang is awesome!" The person immediately sent a comment and became a fan of Lu Yang. This was a deity who could directly withstand the Immortal Tribulation; admitting defeat was no shame. To people from other civilizations, Lu Yang was indistinguishable from the deities in their myths and legends.

"Great Immortal Lu Yang, please bless my exam."

"Great Immortal Lu Yang, please bless my health."

"Great Immortal Lu Yang, please bless me with a good wife."

The comments suddenly turned into a wishing spree, leaving Lu Yang utterly bewildered.

"Where is all this faith power coming from?" Lu Yang, in the midst of his tribulation, suddenly felt surges of faith power pouring in from all directions. After the cultivation world entered a new era, many cultivators preferred shortcuts, demonstrating their divine abilities through live broadcasts to collect faith power and rapidly advance. Upon learning of this, Celestial Emperor Zhongtian and Sima Ming lamented not being born in such a fortunate era. However, Lu Yang clearly wasn't following this path. His sword tip traced a ring of sword energy, isolating him from all incoming faith power.

The dark clouds split open, unleashing terrifying chaotic divine light that made onlookers gasp. Yet, Lu Yang showed no signs of urgency, effortlessly cleaving the chaotic divine light with a single sword stroke.

Dao Lord Han Hai, who was on his honeymoon, immediately tore open a spatial portal and rushed over upon hearing of Lu Yang's Immortal Tribulation. He chuckled, "This rascal cultivates truly fast."

Heavenly Venerate Guiyuan summoned several of his old friends to Dao Seeking Sect, wanting to show off how exceptional their juniors were compared to other sects.

Demon Emperor Zhu Tian gathered his important ministers in the imperial palace to watch Lu Yang's tribulation together. As the one who initiated the Great Era Conflict and the chosen one of this era's destiny, Zhu Tian felt he could become an immortal. However, with the Kirin Immortal suppressing him, he knew he certainly couldn't. He pounded his leg in regret, exclaiming, "I chose the wrong Dao Fruit! If only I had known, I would have chosen a different Dao Fruit."

The Sword Tower Sovereign watched the scene unfold via the live broadcast, marveling repeatedly, "As expected of Lu Yang, the most talented individual throughout history." Having failed her own Immortal Tribulation and miraculously survived, she knew precisely how terrifying such a calamity was. Thinking of the countless torments she endured during her tribulation, then seeing Lu Yang navigating his with such natural ease, a stark disparity arose within her, a fellow sword cultivator. Her myriad emotions converged into a single sigh: "I can't compare."

The Four Ancient Immortals had already arrived at Dao Seeking Sect. Witnessing the scene, they too were deeply moved; even they hadn't been so at ease during their own Immortal Tribulations.

"It's almost like when the Immortal of Immortality ascended," sighed Ninefold Immortal, noting that among everyone he knew, only the Immortal of Immortality could navigate a tribulation with such ease.

"After all, he was favored by the Immortal of Immortality and has known them since the Foundation Establishment stage," said the Kirin Immortal. "This was akin to having an immortal companion from the very beginning of one's cultivation journey; who else could have such excellent training conditions?"

"Indeed, it would be strange if he *weren't* powerful, having been trained this way."

Lu Yang weighed the Azure Edge Sword in his hand, then stored it in his identity jade pendant. Using an immortal artifact to overcome a tribulation felt like cheating; it was better to discard the immortal sword and use the tribulation to hone his sword dao instead. Without the Azure Edge Sword to mitigate the heavenly tribulation, Lu Yang's pressure doubled.

A dull rumble echoed through the sky; the heavenly tribulation was brewing its next wave of assault. Endless lightning materialized into primordial violet qi, surging towards Lu Yang with overwhelming, unrivaled power. Lu Yang bit his tongue, joined two fingers, and unleashed a surging sword energy that cleanly severed the primordial violet qi. The sword energy, undiminished, then split the Immortal Tribulation in two!