As the sun rose, the sea of clouds atop Kunlun Mountain was dyed golden-red. Tang Xiao Qi sat cross-legged in the center of the Seven Star Constellation Formation, the Nirvana Crimson Flame Sword resting across his knees, the Creation Universe Wok slowly rotating above his head. He closed his eyes in meditation, adjusting to his peak state, waiting for the heavenly tribulation to descend.
At this moment, the eastern clouds were suddenly split by a sword light. Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng rode the sect's flagship flying vessel through the air, and standing at its bow was Third Senior Sister Liu Yun, clutching an ancient sword in her arms, the Judgement Sword of the Law Enforcement Hall.
"Sect Master, Qingxu Temple has come to guard!" Mu Qingfeng's voice rang across the clouds. The vessel descended slowly outside the enlightenment platform, and aboard were not only all elders at Golden Core stage and above but also thirty-six elite disciples forming a sword formation.
Almost simultaneously, a dragon's roar came from the western sky. Ao Qin appeared in his hundred-zhang dragon form, leading the elite of the Dragon Clan across the clouds. The dragon warriors held water-dividing halberds, arranging an arcane dragon formation, reflecting half the sky in deep blue.
"Brother Tang, the Dragon Clan has come to assist!" Ao Qin transformed into human form and landed beside the enlightenment platform, dragon might sweeping forth.
From the southern horizon, Feng Qingyin led the Phoenix Clan warriors gracefully arriving. They took human form, their feathered garments flowing with iridescent light in the morning sun, forming the Phoenix Skyburning Formation, their scorching aura causing the surrounding snow to melt instantly.
"The Phoenix Clan has come to repay the debt of the divine gold gifted years ago." Feng Qingyin nodded slightly to Xiao Qi.
The northern clouds were suddenly torn apart by brute force. Zhao Tiezhu led the Body Cultivation Academy disciples charging over. These body cultivators ran through the void on pure physical strength, each step causing space to tremble.
"Sect Master! I have brought the boys!" Zhao Tiezhu's voice shook the heavens. Behind him, the body cultivation students each had blood and qi surging, it was clear their progress over three years had been extraordinary.
What was even more surprising was that flying vessels from overseas sects also arrived one after another. Penglai Immortal Sect, Yingzhou Isle, Fanglu Mountain, these overseas forces, rarely seen in ordinary times, all sent top experts this time. Ouyezi stood at the bow of the Penglai vessel, saluting Xiao Qi from afar.
Finally, the Xuanji Holy Land's delegation arrived. Although Mu Xue had long been present, the Holy Land now sent three elders in the late Nascent Soul stage, holding the sect's treasure, the Ice Soul Mirror, wherever its light shone, even the air seemed ready to freeze.
Around the enlightenment platform, soon gathered the greater part of the cultivation world's top powers. Cultivators from various sects each occupied their position, laying out numerous formations, making Kunlun's summit as secure as iron and gold.
"I did not expect so many people to come." Xiao Qi gazed upon this grand scene, his heart stirred by warmth.
Mu Qingfeng walked to his side and said quietly: "These are all the good karma Sect Master has accumulated over the years. Upon learning of your tribulation, all sects requested to come guard."
Third Senior Sister Liu Yun gently stroked the Judgement Sword: "The seventy-two disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall have laid out a sword formation at the outer perimeter. We will permit no villains to disturb the Sect Master."
Zhao Tiezhu slapped his chest: "The boys from the Body Cultivation Academy guard the mid-mountain. Anyone who comes gets beaten!"
Ao Qin laughed: "Dragon Clan warriors have sealed off the thousand-li sea area. Even a seabird cannot fly in."
Feng Qingyin was more direct: "The Phoenix Skyburning Formation has been activated. Those below Deity Transformation who dare enter, die."
The leaders of various sects stepped forward one after another, expressing willingness to devote all their strength to guarding Xiao Qi. This scene could be called an unprecedented grand occasion in a thousand years of the cultivation world.
Xiao Qi surveyed everyone and deeply bowed: "The great kindness of all, Xiao Qi will forever remember in my heart."
At noon, all arrangements were complete. With the enlightenment platform as the center, formations were laid out three layers inside and three layers outside. The innermost was Qingxu Temple's Seven Star Constellation Formation; outside that were the Dragon Clan's Sea-Sky Boundless Formation and the Phoenix's Skyburning Formation; further outside were joint defensive formations from various sects. The mid-mountain was guarded by the Body Cultivation Academy, the foot of the mountain by overseas cultivators on patrol, and even the earth below was sealed by Dragon Clan magic.
The rabbit spirit appeared from who knows where, hopping onto Xiao Qi's shoulder, its little paw offering him a brightly shining pearl. This was the Lucky Star it had collected over the years from the Universal Merchant Association. It was said to bring good fortune.
Xiao Qi smilingly accepted it and patted the rabbit spirit's head.
As the sun set, strange phenomena appeared in the sky. The originally clear sky suddenly darkened with gathering clouds, lightning flickering within, faintly carrying the pressure of heaven's mandate. Everyone knew, the heavenly tribulation was about to begin.
"Everyone," Xiao Qi finally cupped his hands toward them, "what follows, I entrust to you."
Mu Qingfeng said solemnly: "Sect Master, pass the tribulation with peace of mind. We are here."
Liu Yun's Judgement Sword had already unsheathed three cun: "Unless they trample over our corpses, no one shall approach the enlightenment platform."
Zhao Tiezhu and the body cultivation students roared in unison, their voices shaking the nine heavens. Dragon Clan warriors revealed their true forms, churning within the clouds. Phoenix Clan experts took their original forms, their flames shooting to the sky. Cultivators from various sects took their positions, their treasures' radiance illuminating the night as bright as day.
Xiao Qi took a deep breath and turned toward the platform's center. Behind him stood the cultivation world's strongest team of guardians; before him lay the nine-death-one-survival Deity Transformation heavenly tribulation.
When the first tribulation lightning blazed across the night sky, Kunlun Mountain was illuminated by its radiance. This tribulation, which concerned the future of the cultivation world, officially began.
And standing guard around them, every family member and friend gripped their treasures tighter, their gazes resolute. They knew tonight would be an sleepless night. Whether what came was the heavenly tribulation or the demonic entity, they would defend to the death.