My son is about to break through.

"immortal!"

Despite having a premonition, Gu Yang's heart still couldn't help but pound violently when Gu Qingfeng personally admitted that his cultivation had reached the peak of the Ninth Tribulation and that he was qualified to challenge the supreme Immortal Celestial Venerable realm.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, but his voice still trembled slightly with disbelief: "If I remember correctly... Father Emperor ascended to the Upper Realm less than 80 million years ago, right?"

Less than 80 million years!

For ordinary people and even low-level cultivators, this was naturally an unimaginably long period of time.

However, in the Endless Immortal Realm, in the cultivation world where time is often measured in hundreds of millions of years, especially for powerful individuals who have reached the Heavenly Venerable level, eighty million years may only be enough for them to break through from the first tribulation to the second tribulation, or to complete a period of seclusion for comprehension.

His father, however, completed in this "short" time the journey that other geniuses and prodigies might take hundreds of billions or even trillions of years to complete.

From an ascendant, he swept all the way to the peak of the Ninth Tribulation, and even possessed the terrifying combat power to defy immortality!
"After eighty million years, he has already reached the peak of the Nine Tribulations and knocked on the door of immortality..."

Gu Yang didn't continue speaking, because he realized that any words would seem pale and powerless in the face of such a mythical achievement. The shock on his face remained for a long time.

But soon, the shock was replaced by a sense of natural relief.

He recalled the countless miracles his father, the emperor, had created in the past.

With his Nine Tribulations Body, he confronted and suppressed the illusory form of the Immortal God Lord, established the Xuan Tian Immortal Court, and advanced in one fell swoop.

Compared to these incredible feats, reaching the peak of the Ninth Tribulation after 80 million years of cultivation doesn't seem so unacceptable.

After all, this person's very existence is constantly breaking the definition of common sense.

Gu Qingfeng took in Gu Yang's changing expression, but just smiled faintly, not caring about the shock brought by his own achievements. Instead, he steered the conversation toward the other party: "There is no need to amaze others. You have now entered the Seven Tribulations Realm. Your foundation is solid and you are blessed with good fortune."

"From now on, you only need to calm your mind and carefully hone your cultivation. Breaking through to the Nine Tribulations Realm will not be difficult for you."

His words were not empty words of comfort.

As the crown prince, Gu Yang possesses exceptional talent and temperament. Now, he is also continuously nourished by the immense fortune of the Celestial Court, paving a smooth path for his cultivation.

As long as one doesn't perish halfway or become complacent, and proceeds step by step, reaching the Nine Tribulations Celestial Venerable is almost a foreseeable outcome.

Of course, Gu Qingfeng was also well aware of just how terrifying the chasm between the Nine Tribulations and Immortality was.

In the endless immortal realm, in the vast river of history, countless Nine Tribulation Celestial Venerables have been born.

But in the end, very few people can break free from these constraints, unite with the Dao, and achieve true immortality; they are always just a small group standing at the very top of the pyramid.

This requires not only extraordinary talent, but also an unparalleled stroke of luck that is difficult to replicate, and a touch of elusive fortune.

The biggest reason Gu Qingfeng was able to reach this point so quickly was the Netherworld within his sea of ​​consciousness and his knowledge of the Great Dao of the Netherworld.

This in itself is an incredible opportunity and a great stroke of luck.

He believed that the rise of other immortal celestial beings was inevitably accompanied by their own unimaginable encounters.

Opportunity is also a part of strength, and perhaps the most crucial part.

To some extent, who among those who can step into the Celestial Venerable Realm doesn't have some kind of personal opportunity?
It's simply a matter of how big or small the opportunities they have that determine how far they can ultimately go.

Skipping over this part, Gu Qingfeng changed the subject, his expression returning to calm, and asked, "My seclusion this time lasted for more than 30 million years."

Amidst the ever-changing external world, what major upheavals have occurred both within and outside the Celestial Court?

When the matter was brought up, Gu Yang's spirits immediately lifted. He put aside all distracting thoughts, his expression became solemn, and he cupped his hands and reported in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the tug-of-war on the immortal level that lasted for twenty million years has temporarily come to an end, and both sides have ceased hostilities."

Secret information has been leaked that both sides in the conflict have immortal beings who have been injured, and there are more than one.

Regarding the specific battle situation and casualties, I am not at a high enough level to see the whole picture.

He paused, then continued, "After this battle, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse."

The last fig leaf between the two races was completely torn off, and the tacit agreement that the immortals could not escape their fate was now gone.

For nearly 20 million years, the war between the two races has escalated to a full-scale war, evolving into a fierce bloodbath that has swept across the entire Endless Immortal Realm!
Those at the immortal level are making moves significantly more frequently; although they mostly still restrain each other, it's become quite common.

Gu Yang's tone was solemn: "Therefore, in the past 20 million years, the speed and number of powerful figures from both races who have perished have far exceeded any previous period."

Celestial Venerables fell like rain; even Great Celestial Venerables at the seventh or eighth tribulation level sometimes perished on the battlefield.

"As for my Xuantian Immortal Court."

Gu Yang looked at Gu Qingfeng and reported.

"Thanks to the remaining power of the Emperor and the stable fortune of the Celestial Court, although it has suffered several major attacks from the evil god clan, it has ultimately turned the tide and its foundation has not been shaken."

However, escalating border tensions have led to an increase in the number of fallen soldiers, and resource consumption has also been enormous.

He hesitated slightly, but still expressed his judgment, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

"It now seems that the evil god clan has gone completely mad, and their attacks are becoming increasingly fierce, no longer as restrained as before."

The Emperor's earlier prediction of a relatively peaceful period of 30 billion years, which might have occurred due to His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor Ziwei's transcendence, has likely been completely shattered by this prematurely triggered all-out war.

Gu Yang didn't say it explicitly, but his meaning was clear.

The premature outbreak of this bloody war that engulfed the two races was inextricably linked to the sudden emergence of his father, Emperor Gu Qingfeng.

Between a supreme being destined to perish in 30 billion years and a peerless genius who may rise in a very short time, whose threat is unknown but whose potential is limitless, the answer to which threat is more urgent in the eyes of the evil god clan is self-evident.

It was Gu Qingfeng's extraordinary potential and combat power that broke the original delicate balance, prompting the evil god's side to spare no expense to nip the danger in the bud, or at least prevent it from growing to the point where it could affect the top-level battle situation.

Gu Qingfeng was naturally well aware of the cause and effect behind this.

His expression didn't change much; he remained calm and composed, as if he already knew everything.

"The blood feud between the evil god race and our human race was sown in ancient times and has long been ingrained in our bones, making it an irreconcilable conflict."

Gu Qingfeng spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but carrying a sense of vicissitude and coldness as if he had seen through the fog of history.

"The so-called 30 billion years of peace is nothing more than a fragile illusion created by the mutual fear and temporary compromise between the top combat forces of both sides."

If the Heavenly Emperor Ziwei perishes during the tribulation of transcendence, this illusion will immediately shatter, and the ensuing battle will only be more brutal and unexpected.

His gaze was distant, as if piercing through the palace and seeing the endless battlefield where blood and fire intertwined: "This battle broke out ahead of schedule, seemingly hastily, which has given our human race much less time to accumulate strength."

But fortune and misfortune are intertwined; this move also laid bare the enormous crisis of annihilation and extinction before all of humanity.

Without that false buffer period to lull them into a false sense of security, billions of human cultivators could truly feel the chill and urgency of a blade pressed against their necks.

"Pressure is the best catalyst for growth."

Gu Qingfeng's tone turned cold, carrying a hint of iron-bloodedness.

"Only the threat of life and death can maximize the potential of a group, eliminate internal strife and complacency, and force everyone to unite as one and rise up in resistance."

Comfort only breeds corruption and infighting.

"To sustain war through war, to forge our strength in blood and fire—though cruel, it may be the only path to survival that humanity must take at this moment."

He withdrew his gaze and fixed it on Gu Yang. "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

The definition of "militarism" depends on the specific circumstances.

Now, with powerful enemies eyeing us covetously, seeking to destroy our race, the fact that the Heavenly Emperor Ziwei is still alive is our human race's last and greatest reliance and source of fighting spirit.

Taking this opportunity to train troops through battle, to forge their spirit through bloodshed, and to consolidate their strength might not be such a bad path.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yang was deeply moved. He took a deep breath, etching the decisiveness and foresight in Gu Qingfeng's words into his heart, and solemnly said, "Father, you have great vision! Your son has learned a great deal! Using war to sustain war is indeed the right path at present!"

He understood that from the moment the two immortal races completely tore off their masks, the Xuan Tian Immortal Court, and even the entire human race, had no way out.

Only through war can we have a glimmer of hope!
Afterwards, Gu Qingfeng gave Gu Yang some guidance on his cultivation after the Seventh Tribulation.

Gu Yang listened intently, and many of his troubles suddenly became clear, deepening his understanding of the Great Dao.

After giving his instructions, Gu Qingfeng did not linger. His figure quietly disappeared as he left the Crown Prince's residence.

In the years that followed, Gu Qingfeng did not choose to remain in seclusion for extended periods.

While handling court affairs, he also guided the Gu family's disciples in their cultivation.

Thirty million years is an immeasurable cycle for mortals, but for a vast immortal race that enjoys longevity and is nourished by the fortune of the celestial court, it is enough for its bloodline to branch out again and prosper to an astonishing degree.

The Gu family of today is far superior to what it was 30 million years ago.

As the royal family of the Xuantian Immortal Court, Gu Qingfeng's direct and collateral bloodlines have long been spread throughout the Immortal Court's territory and have even infiltrated other Immortal Realms.

The number of its members is so large that even the elders who are in charge of clan affairs would find it difficult to fully ascertain their numbers.

What is most remarkable is the Gu family's terrifying high-end combat power.

Thanks to the bloodline support of Gu Qingfeng, the ancestor at the peak of the Ninth Tribulation, and the supreme resources and fortune enjoyed by the Immortal Court royal family, the Gu family has produced a plethora of geniuses and outstanding talents over the past thirty million years.

The number of core members who are officially registered and whose cultivation has reached the Heavenly Venerable realm has already exceeded one hundred!
This is a number that would make any ancient immortal clan or supreme sect take notice or even be horrified.

It defies common sense that a family with a lineage spanning only tens of millions of years could possess hundreds of Celestial Venerables.

But for the Gu family, this seems to be a matter of course.

The founding ancestor was a peak cultivator at the Nine Tribulations stage, defying immortality!
The family is the royal family of the Celestial Court, possessing the fortune of countless celestial realms and virtually unlimited resources.

With Gu Qingfeng's frequent lectures and guidance, and the accumulation of various extraordinary conditions, such a miraculous family was created.

However, Gu Qingfeng, as the originator of the family, maintained a clear understanding of this.

He could clearly see that the vast majority of the hundreds of Heavenly Venerables in the Gu family were only at the first to third tribulation level, belonging to the category of ordinary Heavenly Venerables. Those who could step into the fourth or fifth tribulation were already considered pillars of the family that were being cultivated by the family.

As for those who have reached the sixth level of tribulation or above, there is only one Gu Yang among them.

The biggest dividing line is the seventh kalpa.

In the Endless Immortal Realm, only Heavenly Venerables who have undergone Seven Tribulations or higher are qualified to be called Great Heavenly Venerables.

This is a qualitative leap, signifying a new level of understanding and mastery of the laws of the Great Dao, far surpassing the power and status of Heavenly Venerables below the Sixth Tribulation.

Among the hundreds of Heavenly Venerables in the Gu family, apart from Crown Prince Gu Yang, there is no other person who has truly stepped into the Seventh Tribulation level.

Even people like Gu Xuan and Gu Xiu are still hovering around the fourth tribulation level.

This can be seen.

Just how difficult is it to advance to the Seventh Tribulation level?

but.

Gu Qingfeng wasn't in a hurry.

Compared to other immortal clans that have existed for hundreds of millions of years, the Gu family is only less than 80 million years old.

To achieve such amazing results in such a short time is already quite remarkable.

Given enough time, it shouldn't be a problem for the Gu family to eventually reach the Seventh, Eighth, or even Ninth Tribulation level of a Great Celestial Venerable.

Thousands of tall buildings rise from the ground.

These things should not be rushed.

The Xuan Tian Immortal Court now possesses twelve million immortal domains. If such a powerful foundation were fully transformed, the benefits would be astonishing.

"but--"

"No matter how many Celestial Venerables there are, they are useless before Immortals!"

"Only by truly reaching the realm of immortality can one hope to endure!"

"And to achieve eternal immortality... perhaps only by stepping into that legendary realm of transcendence can one do so!"

Gu Qingfeng's thoughts drifted away again.

Even though the Immortal Celestial Venerable is considered immortal and indestructible, he still has to undergo the Immortal Divine Tribulation. If he fails to overcome it, he will inevitably perish and his Dao will be extinguished.

The Heavenly Venerable is powerful.

But if there is immortality, even longevity is useless in the face of the former.

Compare.

Perhaps only the legendary transcendence is true immortality.

but--

A state of transcendence.

It's not that easy to do.

Throughout the endless ages of the Immortal Realm, all beings at the Twelve Immortal Realms ultimately perished under the Tribulation of Transcendence, unable to truly attain enlightenment and break through.

This shows just how difficult that level is.

Gu Qingfeng even began to doubt whether transcendence truly existed.

Is that realm something imagined by other cultivators?

However, Gu Qingfeng dismissed the thought as soon as it came to mind.

If transcendence is merely an illusion, then why have immortals throughout history relentlessly pursued it?

What's more.

The fact that even above the Twelve Realms of Immortality, there are still Immortal Divine Tribulations descending upon the world indicates that behind these Immortal Divine Tribulations lies an even higher level; it's just that no immortal can overcome such a tribulation and step into that profound and mysterious realm. (End of Chapter)