The Steward Demonic Emperor

Chapter 1178: Lightning Tribulation

Proofreader: Papatonks

Hum~

Everyone vanished one after the other. Wu Randong made a sign when he was alone, and the gaudy pillar of light faded away.

The other seven pillars in the five lands followed suit.

Wu Randong smirked, looking at the sky, “Take care, Palace Lord.”

“Until next time, brother Zhuo.”

Wu Qingqiu and the others watched them go from a distance with cupped hands, “I really want to go as well and see the wider world outside, but…”

“But you had sect matters to attend to. I also have my clan to consider as well.”

Shangguan Qingyan shrugged, “What’s more, we have to watch over the grand array he took a century to set up and receive him at any time. He gave us harsh warnings about this. It may very well be related to his survival.” 

Wu Qingqiu nodded and smiled, “Yes, he has a lot of trust in us, with his life even, to give us such a task, to cooperate with Devil Palace in guarding the grand array. We are not about to let him down! Ha-ha-ha…” 

The others smiled broadly…

While they watched Zhuo Fan go, filled with respect and trust, in Ultimate Clarity Sect, the dragon ancestor blinked at the sudden disappearance of the light pillars.

[What the hell? The mortal domain isn’t open yet so why did it stop?]

Then it hit him and he raged, “Rotten cretin, you have the nerve to throw us away? Just you wait! You’re going to pay for this! We’ll wreck you so hard you’ll come back crying, begging us for help. Curses!” 

“He left for good this time.”

In the North Sea, Heaven Sealing Sea Ao peeked his head out of the water, sensing the world settling, shaking his head in boredom, “Boy, take care. Who knows when you’ll be back.”

The huge head dipped back under the water.

Being around Zhuo Fan for a hundred years made him recall those ancient times he interacted with humans, filled with warmth and joy. Now, he was back to being alone… 

…

Whoosh~

The mortal domain’s people each had their thoughts regarding Zhuo Fan’s leaving. But in the Sacred Domain, in a scorched area, a beam of light appeared and people walked out of it.

The thick spiritual energy slammed into their face, flooding their every fiber and making their Yuan Qi run wild without even focusing on cultivating.  

They all were left speechless.

[Is this the world the Patriarch wanted to see? It’s incredible. The degree of spiritual energy here is scary, no different from a sacred stone mine, no, ten times denser.]

With the sacred stone mines sealed off, the amount mined was very little for everyone to enjoy.

But here and now, this was a cultivator’s paradise!

Everyone was overjoyed, with Bali Yuyu giggling, “Zhuo Fan, is this Devil Moun-, uh…” 

Her joy was short-lived as she turned to him.

“Young miss, we’ve arrived. Can you let go?”

Zhuo Fan sighed, laying on the scorched earth with Luo Yunchang clutching to him for her dear life.

Luo Yunchang smirked, happy to hold him with closed eyes, “No, or you’ll just be running off again. This place is foreign to me. I couldn’t find you in the five lands and this will go double here. So you better stay put, for I’m not letting you go…”

“Get off already!”

A dainty hand grabbed her collar and yanked her off Zhuo Fan.

Baili Yuyu looked mighty jealous, “Have you no shame, woman? Throwing yourself at a man in broad daylight?”

“He’s my steward, why do you care who I throw myself to? If you hate it so much, will engaging in such activity at night be to your liking?” 

“Damn you…”

“That’s enough!”

Bali Yuyu was fuming mad, but Zhuo Fan interfered. He brushed off the dust and stood up with a stern look, “We have arrived and I have to give you fair warning not to wander about and draw trouble. We can’t take any of it, understand?” 

All were just as grave as him.

Zhuo Fan continued, “First off, this place is called the Sacred Domain. Compared to mortal domain, everything is a few stages higher, with treasures at every step, making this place teeming with experts. I’m sure you’ve already felt the outrageous spiritual energy density, making it easy to cultivate. While in the mortal domain, a supreme genius of twelve achieving Bone Tempering Stage can be praiseworthy, and reaching the Profound Heaven Stage would be monstrous.

“Here, however, Radiant Stage kids are running all over the place, with more talented being in the Ethereal Stage, and the true monsters at the Genesis Stage. Especially you three brats, listen up. Your parents might’ve let you come to set up shop in this great place, but this is no paradise. It is hell. Walking about as you are, any other sixteen-year-old will wipe the floor with you. So be careful, for those days of lording over with status and power are over.” 

Sss~

Everyone gasped in shock.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. In the mortal domain we were at the peak, but here we’re at the bottom, no different than common people.”

Zhuo Fan spoke coldly, “So in the Sacred Domain, if you want to hold any kind of power, you need to be a Spirit King at the very least. Anything in the mortal stages are ants. That’s why none of us have the right to show off and must keep our noses down.” 

Everyone grew heavy, feeling apprehension.

They were among the top in the mortal domain and now they ended up scraping the barrel.

Zhuo Fan smirked, “But there’s no need to be discouraged. You’re at the bottom because the mortal domain’s conditions were too poor. Based on talent alone, you’re Sacred Domain monsters as well. Especially the Sword Kings. Reaching Spirit Kings Stage should be easy, taking only time. So all we need to do is endure for a while and then we can leave our mark on Sacred Domain.”

[Truly?]

Everyone’s eyes glimmered. They were all men who enjoyed status. Even though they sank to rock bottom, they now had faith they could make a comeback.

“What of Devil Mountain? Is it the same as Sacred Domain?” Bali Yuyu asked, getting the attention of everyone.

[Right, he always says he came from Devil Mountain so why are we in Sacred Domain?]

Zhuo Fan’s eyes shone, giving a sinister smirk, “Of course it isn’t. Devil Mountain is but a part of Sacred Domain. Don’t be quick to think Devil Mountain is friendly either. From now on, Devil Mountain is in fact our greatest opponent!”

Everyone shuddered.

[It’s not his sect? Why…]

Rumble~

Thunderclaps sounded from the heavens as lightning snaked about the black clouds.

Flinching, the people panicked. But then their power started boiling, like…

“Breaking through!” They all cried out.

Zhuo Fan exclaimed, “Yes, mortal domain was not just barren of spiritual energy but also being suppressed. Coming to Sacred Domain is like overcoming all adversity and thus our cultivation will soar. Especially a Sword King’s, who had been kept at the peak for too long, he’ll be rushing to advance, without a moment to lose. Damn it!”

“Why is it so bad? Isn’t advancing a good thing?”

“What do any of you know?”

Zhuo Fan frowned hard, looking at the roiling thunderclouds, “Other stage increases aside, reaching Spirit King Stage means you’re shedding the mortal coil, being remade. That means a lightning tribulation will fall on you to rebuild your meridians and purify Yuan Qi. One breaking through is fine, but the issue here is that there are so many at peak Genesis Stage. With all calling forth lightning, the power will multiply. The issue isn’t you withstanding it, but Yunhai and the rest suffering as a result.”