''Brother Shun, what is going on?'' Bai Longtian asked curiously as he stared at the massive white thundercloud above the courtyard.

Liu Mei, Xingyi, and Jiang Chen, seemed to be equally as confused, as they all turned their gazes towards the white thundercloud as well.

''Brother... don't tell me that this is a Heavenly Tribulation. But why does this feel so similar to a Heavenly Tribulation cloud?'' Jiang Chen said in a voice filled with disbelief, as he stared at the sparks of white lightning that seemed to be gathering around the white thundercloud.

Whether it was the feeling he got from the white thundercloud itself or from the sparks of white lightning that seemed to be gathering around its surface, Jiang Chen could clearly sense an awfully familiar feeling that was similar to the cloud of Heavenly Tribulation he had faced back in the 'King's Palace' when he broke through to the Dao King realm.

In fact, it wasn't just Jiang Chen who sensed this, as Liu Mei, Xingyi, and Bai Longtian, all had the same feeling as well.

However, everyone could also tell that Jiang Tianfang's aura hadn't changed in the slightest, even though he had already consumed the 'Heavenly purity pill'.

Forget about breaking through to the Sovereign realm and facing a Heavenly Tribulation, it was obvious that Jiang Tianfang was still an early rank 9 Dao Emperor and he had yet to even finish healing his injuries. Since he had yet to reach the peak of rank 9 in the Dao Emperor realm, it was naturally impossible for him to face his next Heavenly Tribulation.

Shaking his head, Shun Long stared at the massive thundercloud in the sky and said seriously

''Although it's not a cloud of Heavenly Tribulation, it's not much different from an actual Heavenly Tribulation either. After all, only the destructive power from a bolt of Heavenly Tribulation can fully expel the corrosive energy inside uncle Jiang's body.''

At the same time that Shun Long finished his words, Jiang Tianfang opened his eyes and raised his head as he stared at the sparks of white lightning on the thundercloud's surface that seemed to be taking the form of a massive white-colored lightning bolt, before he turned his gaze towards Shun Long and asked calmly

''Nephew Shun, all I have to do is simply let that bolt of Heavenly Tribulation strike me, right?''

There wasn't the slightest trace of doubt or worry in Jiang Tianfang's eyes as he said this, almost as if he had already expected this.

In reality, from the moment that he consumed the 'Heavenly purity pill', Jiang Tianfang could clearly sense the remnants of corrosive energy inside his dantian that were left by the Elder of the Yu family that he previously couldn't sense as clearly. Additionally, Jiang Tianfang could also sense, that the instant that the 'Heavenly purity pill' entered his mouth and turned into a pool of medicinal essence that poured down his throat, the stream of medicinal essence seemed to have naturally found its way towards his dantian, completely covering it in just a few moments.

Jiang Tianfang could tell that the medicinal essence seemed to be acting like a protective layer of sorts, as it fully enveloped his dantian protectively.

This was why he wasn't afraid of the bolt of Heavenly Tribulation above him, even though he didn't fully understand how the Heavenly purity pill worked.

Nodding his head, Shun Long looked at Jiang Tianfang and said calmly

''Uncle Jiang is right. All you have to do is simply let the bolt of Heavenly Tribulation enter your dantian and let it naturally expel the corrosive energy inside your body.''

Jiang Tianfang nodded his head and didn't say anything else, but Shun Long could see an expectant smile forming on his lips, as Jiang Tianfang closed his eyes and waited for the white bolt of Heavenly Tribulation to descend.

Staring at the white bolt of Heavenly Tribulation that seemed to be getting stronger with every passing second, Jiang Chen gritted his teeth and asked in a somewhat worried voice

''Brother... will my father really be alright?''

Nodding his head, Shun Long looked at Jiang Chen and said reassuringly

''Don't worry. If this was a real Heavenly Tribulation, then my 'Heavenly purity pill' would indeed be useless. However, this bolt of Heavenly Tribulation was only summoned because of the corrosive energy inside uncle Jiang's body. Not only will this bolt fully expel the corrosive energy inside uncle Jiang's dantian, but it should also let his cultivation advance by a bit as well.''

Jiang Chen nodded his head without saying anything else, but there was still a look of worry in his eyes as he stared at his father.

It was only because he trusted Shun Long that Jiang Chen could even stay somewhat calm in a situation like this.

...

Moments slowly turned into minutes and the white bolt of lightning seemed to become even stronger with every second that passed.

Finally, 10 minutes later, a massive bolt of white lightning could be seen looming above the 'Southern dragon's courtyard', immediately attracting the attention of many of the surrounding guards within the Northern Sovereign's estate who seemed to have noticed this.

''Eh? Is that a cloud of Heavenly Tribulation? What is going on?''

''Someone is actually breaking through to the Dao Emperor realm? I wonder who it is...''

''This is odd... That cloud of Heavenly Tribulation is too small to be the Heavenly Tribulation of a Dao Emperor, but that bolt of lightning... it feels too terrifying!''

''Wait! Isn't that where the guests of the city lord are staying?''

As the guards were discussing the sudden appearance of the Heavenly Tribulation cloud, one of them seemed to have suddenly noticed this detail, as he turned his gaze towards the 'Southern dragon's courtyard' and stared at it from the distance.

Of course, it wasn't surprising that one of the guards would notice this, since most of the guards in the 'Northern Sovereign's estate' already knew about the guests of the Northern Sovereign's who were staying inside the estate for the past year.

However, it wasn't just the guards who were taken aback by the sudden appearance of a bolt of Heavenly Tribulation.

Inside the 'Northern dragon's courtyard', the Northern Sovereign stared at the gigantic white bolt of lightning in the sky with a look of surprise on her beautiful face, before she mumbled to herself

''What is going on? Someone has actually summoned a Heavenly Tribulation...?''

A moment later, the Northern Sovereign suddenly stood up from her seat and disappeared from the courtyard, appearing right in front of the gates of the 'Southern dragon's courtyard' right in the next moment!

Placing her hand on the courtyard's gates, the Northern Sovereign then said in a commanding tone

''Open!''

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Author's note: As you guys have noticed, during the past few months the release rate has been wildly inconsistent, with the last 2 months being in the worst state possible as I was struggling to write even a single chapter. This is because during the past 5 months I had to do my mandatory military service which meant that I had to enroll in the army without an option to refuse.

In the first couple of months, it wasn't too bad as I could still do my best to write at least 1 chapter a day if not 2 of them, but in the last couple of months, it was nearly impossible to write even a single chapter, both due to the lack of available time to work in the army as well as a lack of sleep.

This is why the release rate has been so horrible lately. Normally, people would be allowed to leave the camp once every 2-3 days, but that was only for half a day to a day at most.

6 days ago I went to the garrison headquarters to ask for an early release so I could cut my military service short, but I was told to go back on Tuesday since the people present were unable to help.

Thankfully, I managed to come to an agreement with the people in charge yesterday, allowing me to return back home early and continue to slave away writing.

Thank you for your patience during the past couple of months, and especially this month where I know you guys have been completely starved out of chapters.

I will do my best to make up for the lost days, slowly but surely.

Zeus.