NOVEL NEXT Chapter 275
Some ancient monsters, sensing the changes in the heavens and earth, realized that a grand era was approaching. They initially planned to emerge from seclusion and prepare for what lay ahead.
Who would have thought that their first glimpse of this new era would be Jiang Chen undergoing his heavenly tribulation?
Upon inquiring further, they learned the details: not even thirty, already at the Saint King Realm, hailing from the Primordial Holy Land, protected by an Emperor Weapon, and undergoing tribulations since the Quasi-Saint Realm.
Any one of these achievements would have been enough to establish someone as an unparalleled prodigy. Together, they forged a template reminiscent of the invincible emperors of the past—peerless, undefeated, and unmatched throughout the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
Wherever Jiang Chen walked, no one could stand against him.
In this kind of era, there could only be one protagonist—an emperor destined to dominate. Everyone else was fated to be supporting characters, mere foils to this chosen one.
Faced with this realization, many ancient monsters chose to return to seclusion. This wasn't an era for them to compete; it was an era for one person to rule supreme. They decided to wait for a time of chaos, where heroes clashed for supremacy, before emerging once more.
Although no one interfered in Jiang Chen's tribulation, its impact rippled across the Nine Heavens Realm. Many ancient beings and young prodigies retreated, sealing themselves away to await the next era.
For them, this era belonged to Jiang Chen alone. Rather than be overshadowed, they chose to bide their time for a future where they might have a chance.
However, not everyone retreated. Some unparalleled prodigies, with hearts as high as the heavens, resolved to challenge Jiang Chen. Even if they failed, they would not regret the attempt.
—
As the tribulation ended, countless divine senses vanished, and the experts of various factions withdrew their focus from Jiang Chen. Even though the threat of the tribulation had passed, no one dared to act.
In the starry sky, Jiang Chen stood still, as if waiting for something. After a long while, he sighed. "No one made a move. These people are cowards."
He had waited to see if anyone would dare strike, hoping to bait an opponent. Yet neither the ancient imperial clans nor the Ye Clan made a move. This left Jiang Chen disappointed.
He had imagined a scenario where a Great Saint stepped forward after the tribulation, giving him a chance to fight and make a spectacle of their defeat.
The thought of slaying a Great Saint in the aftermath of his tribulation, leaving them bleeding in the void and shocking the world, was thrilling.
Unfortunately, no one gave him the opportunity, much to his regret.
"It doesn't match the style of these shallow stories," Jiang Chen muttered to himself, clearly dissatisfied.
It wasn't that the factions didn't want to act—they simply didn't dare. The sight of the Golden Crow Clan's graves, with grass growing three feet high, served as a constant reminder of the consequences.
The tragedy was etched into the memory of the Nine Heavens Realm, warning everyone of the price of reckless interference.
"Forget it," Jiang Chen sighed, tearing through the void with one hand and vanishing. Since no one took the bait, he saw no reason to linger.
Though he hated coming up empty-handed, the waves caused by his tribulation remained monumental. Perhaps it was precisely because no one dared to interfere that the Nine Heavens Realm was so deeply shaken.
—
"I think the Holy Son looked disappointed," one observer commented.
"Probably because no one attacked him. He must have been waiting for a challenge, which is why he lingered so long," another replied.
"Everyone says the most dangerous part of a heavenly tribulation is the tribulation of living beings. But the Holy Son has completely shattered that notion."
"Both the Nine Emperor Tribulation and the tribulation of living beings were easily overcome by the Holy Son. It seems no tribulation in existence can stop him!"
"The so-called most dangerous tribulation of living beings depends on the person. The Golden Crow Clan turned themselves into the tribulation and look where that got them. Everyone knows their fate."
"The true living tribulation is the Holy Son himself. Who dares act against him now?"
"Exactly! With past examples to warn them, who would dare? One man intimidating the entire Nine Heavens Realm—how terrifying is that?"
"It's almost as if the Holy Son himself is the greatest tribulation of all!"
—
Despite the widespread attention his tribulation garnered, not a single soul dared to interfere. Countless experts watched as Jiang Chen not only survived but stood in the aftermath, completely unscathed. This left countless beings in awe.
In the Nine Heavens Realm, perhaps only the Primordial Holy Land could achieve such a feat—neutralizing the tribulation of living beings so completely that none dared to act. The Golden Crow Clan's tragic fate served as a stark reminder to all.
In truth, half of Jiang Chen's current deterrent power stemmed from that very tragedy.
—
In the Ye Clan—
Ye Changhe's expression was dark as he growled, "This Jiang Chen grows more dangerous by the day. If we don't eliminate him soon, he will become an even greater threat in the future!"
Today's events had given Ye Changhe a glimpse of what was to come. A Saint King's tribulation had paralyzed the entire Nine Heavens Realm, with no faction daring to act. Such overwhelming influence was unheard of, even for Quasi-Emperors.
While part of this deterrence came from the heavenly tribulation and part from the Primordial Holy Land, Jiang Chen's sheer power was undeniable. After all, who else could start facing heavenly tribulations as early as the Quasi-Saint Realm?
Who in the Saint Realm could slay a member of the ancient imperial clans? Even with external aid, such a feat is nearly unimaginable.
"Has there been any word from the patriarch yet?" one of the Ye Clan elders asked, his voice filled with anxiety.
The stronger Jiang Chen became, the more panicked the Ye Clan grew. After all, they had offended him deeply. The stronger he grew, the greater their fear—terrified of the day Jiang Chen would turn his attention toward them.
At less than thirty years of age, Jiang Chen had already reached the Saint King Realm. Given another thirty years, who knew how powerful he might become?
By then, it would likely be impossible for the Ye Clan to stop him. This was why they were desperate to eliminate Jiang Chen while they still had the chance.
"Nothing yet," Ye Changhe replied, his expression grim.
Since the events at the ancient city, he had been trying to contact the Ye Clan's patriarch. But there had been no response, leaving Ye Changhe increasingly agitated.
Without knowing when the patriarch might awaken, the Ye Clan felt as if they were grasping at straws.
"If we have to wait a century or two, it'll be too late," Ye Changhe muttered, his frustration evident.
"Let's hope the patriarch awakens soon," one of the elders said, his face pale. The entire Ye Clan was on edge, like ants on a hot pan. As long as Jiang Chen lived, they would find no peace.