My Wife Turns Out to be an Empress of the Dynasty

...

"No need for further escort," Gu Lan waved off politely.

"Demon Emperor City has been most hospitable. I shall return if time permits!" With a smile, Gu Lan exited the deserted treasury, gesturing for the nine-tailed celestial fox to refrain from seeing him off.

Though the scars on the nine-tailed celestial fox's face had slowly faded, the wounds within his heart continued to bleed.

Just moments ago, Gu Lan, accompanied by Gu Xiaoqi, had ransacked nearly half of his treasury.

And that little beast, the lion cub, dared to feast upon the spiritual medicines and treasures within, deliberately choosing the most expensive items! Damn it, such gluttony from a young age. Where did it learn such behavior?

Even the thousand-year-old yellow pear wood used as door support had been gnawed on by the little rascal, leaving barely half of it intact.

If the lion cub weren't still young and unable to eat anymore, the nine-tailed celestial fox felt that his treasury might not even have a single hair left.

"If not for the need to prepare reparations for the Jing Nation, I would surely insist on hosting you for a few more days," the nine-tailed celestial fox said politely, though his true thoughts were quite the opposite. He had no desire to see Gu Lan again.

Gu Lan was well aware of what the other party was thinking, but he paid it no mind. If the Demon Emperor lacked discretion, he wouldn't mind replacing him with a more obedient one.

A new one, even more submissive! Of course, if there were no suitable candidates, he could always let those savage beast overlords take the reins.

With their intelligence, they might not be able to govern the entire Demon Realm, but handling a city like Demon Emperor City would be well within their capabilities.

Without Demon Emperor City, the power of the Demon Clan would naturally plummet, with nothing to fear. However, such actions would inevitably bring turmoil to the Demon Realm, causing untold suffering.

It would be unethical. Since the Demon Emperor bullied the weak and feared the strong, Gu Lan felt more at ease.

As long as he made it clear that his strength far surpassed the Demon Emperor's, the other party would naturally refrain from any further scheming.

The purpose of his visit to Demon Emperor City had been achieved. Gu Lan didn't linger any longer, having Gu Xiaoqi manifest her phoenix form and fly directly out of Demon Emperor City.

"Farewell, my friend," the nine-tailed celestial fox bid farewell with a bow in the air, saying "farewell" with his mouth but screaming in his heart, "Please, do not come back!"

As the phoenix disappeared into the horizon, he looked back at the empty treasury and felt an overwhelming sense of bitterness.

"Damn it! Centuries of hard work!"

...

At the peak of Tianji Mountain, a massive alchemy furnace trembled as flames burned within.

"The Gathering Spirit Life-Prolonging Pill is about to be refined, and there are faint signs of heavenly tribulation emerging."

"This pill truly defies the heavens."

Daoist Yunlong gazed solemnly at the sky, observing the gathering black clouds. His expression grew more serious, yet his eyes were unwavering.

The opportunity to change the fate of Tianji Pavilion was right before him, and he would not give up at this critical moment.

"Disciple, keep an eye on the alchemy fire," Daoist Yunlong instructed, holding a dust-floating plate. Several array discs appeared in his hand, and he formed seals that he imbued into the discs.

In an instant, the array of discs scattered, falling into specific positions and unleashing a towering brilliance.

A massive defensive array was instantly deployed.

Boom!

As the defensive array was successfully set up, a thunderous roar echoed in the sky.

Zhongren jumped in fright, realizing it wasn't the heavenly tribulation descending but the brewing of thunder within the tribulation clouds.

He glanced at the tribulation clouds in the sky, feeling his heart constrict with an indescribable sense of dread.

The might of the heavens is insurmountable!

This was the terrifying aspect of heavenly tribulation.

The Gathering Spirit Life-Prolonging Pill could reshape the backlash from peering into the celestial secrets of Tianji Pavilion, and in response, heavenly tribulation would bring down an equivalent calamity.

This was a rare occurrence even among the countless fortuitous encounters of Tianji Pavilion.

Never did Zhongren expect to witness it firsthand.

"Master, what are the odds of successfully refining the Gathering Spirit Life-Prolonging Pill?"

"If the heavenly tribulation does not occur, I have a fifty percent chance of success; if it does, then I am one hundred percent confident."

"And the odds of resisting the heavenly tribulation?"

"Less than one percent."

Daoist Yunlong spoke frankly. Although he had little hope, his tone was unusually indifferent. Find adventures at My Virtual Library Empire

Heavenly tribulation was exceedingly rare in the mortal realm. Consequently, information regarding it was scarce among various fortuitous encounters.

Those who could successfully overcome heavenly tribulation were extremely rare.

This was Daoist Yunlong's first encounter with heavenly tribulation, naturally leaving him uncertain.

Zhongren fell silent upon hearing this.

Even if Gu Lan were present, there would be little assistance.

Once heavenly tribulation descended, external forces were futile. If external forces intervened, the heavenly tribulation would only become more formidable.

"It's here!"

Daoist Yunlong gazed towards the sky as a thunderbolt streaked toward the location of the alchemy furnace.

The terrifying power of lightning nearly overwhelmed Zhongren's senses. Fortunately, Daoist Yunlong's reminder helped him regain his composure.

Boom!!!

The thunderbolt struck the protective array with horrifying force, shattering one of its array discs. The brilliance of the defensive array dimmed momentarily.

"Zhongren, maintain your focus and watch over the furnace," Daoist Yunlong instructed. "You must trust in your master."

He smiled, finding joy in witnessing the immense power of the heavenly tribulation. Walking against the tide of fate was never an easy feat.

Gu Lan had provided him with the Spirit Gathering Divine Herb, and now it was up to him.

Boom!

Another thunderbolt descended. This time, Zhongren held onto his composure. However, all the remaining array discs shattered.

Daoist Yunlong flew above the alchemy furnace, confronting the heavenly tribulation directly.

He didn't know how many thunderbolts would fall, but he knew one thing: he couldn't allow the heavenly tribulation to destroy the furnace before the pill was completed.

Boom!!!

The thunderbolt descended once more. Daoist Yunlong met it head-on, channeling his entire inner energy to withstand the lightning.

Pfft!

Taking the true thunderbolt head-on, Daoist Yunlong spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Master!" Zhongren exclaimed, panic evident in his eyes.

"Zhongren!" Daoist Yunlong smiled kindly, wiping away the blood from his mouth.

"Watch over the furnace. The Golden Pill of Vitality is about to be successfully refined!"

Just as he finished speaking, the furnace trembled more violently, and a rich aroma filled the air.

"It's done!" Zhongren quickly cast a spell, uncovering the furnace. Immediately, two pills emitting spiritual light were stored in a jade bottle.

"Master, it's done! We've successfully refined two Golden Pills of Vitality!" Zhongren exclaimed with joy, looking towards Daoist Yunlong.

Suddenly, he felt a powerful force pushing him away.

"Two pills, just right," Daoist Yunlong said. "One for you, and one for Gu Lan, to avoid karmic entanglements..."

Daoist Yunlong looked up as the chilling heavenly tribulation descended once again. He had no strength left to face another heavenly tribulation.

In fact, he had never intended to consume the golden pill himself. Zhongren was his everything, the hope of the future Tianji Pavilion. As an old man, what need did he have for such a pill?

"Master!" Zhongren froze, tears welling up in his eyes. He struggled to break free from his restraints, wanting to join his master in resisting the heavenly tribulation. But it was too late. The thunderbolt struck fiercely.

As the lightning enveloped Daoist Yunlong's figure, a streak of green sword light suddenly arrived.

"It's big brother!?" Zhongren rejoiced. Yet, he immediately saw the tribulation clouds in the sky expand, preparing to unleash an even more terrifying heavenly tribulation. His worry surged once again.

Then, he witnessed the green sword light piercing through the lightning and directly into the tribulation clouds.

"As the skies sway, my path shall prosper!" A voice of Confucian truth echoed through the sky.

In the next moment, the tribulation clouds dispersed into a gentle rain.

Light returned to the sky.

Gu Lan, accompanied by Gu Xiaoqi and a small lion cub, appeared beside Daoist Yunlong.

"Zhongren, quickly take the golden pill of Vitality," Gu Lan said, supporting Daoist Yunlong.