Tribulation Realm—as its name implied… To reach this level, one must endure the Heavenly Tribulation sent down by the world itself. Pass, and you ascend to the clouds, becoming a peak powerhouse of the cultivation world. Fail—heavy price: body and soul obliterated, reduced to ash. Lighter price: severe injury, cultivation regression.
Over countless years, many reached Complete Harmony Realm, but few dared face the terror of Tribulation. And of those who dared—most were annihilated by Lightning Tribulation.
Thus one could see why Tribulation Realm experts were so powerful, why their status was supreme, and why they were so rare.
Lightning Tribulation not only tested the cultivator—it carried apocalyptic destructive force, capable of levelling thousands of li of mountains, erasing all life caught in its path. That was why most Complete Harmony Realm cultivators chose desolate, uninhabited places to transcend—avoiding collateral damage.
Sea Continent's vast ocean was undoubtedly the perfect location.
At this moment, seeing the Heavenly Tribulation in the sky, every Tribulation Realm and Eighth-Order beast present felt familiarity—they had all experienced it.
"Who is it? Which expert is transcending?" Bai Wusheng asked gravely.
No one answered. Instead, countless figures soared into the sky, leaving Ten Thousand Treasures Island, racing toward the tribulation zone. The fastest way to know—whoever it was, just go see.
In a blink, Ten Thousand Treasures Island was nearly empty…
…
Several dozen li from the tribulation zone, over the empty sea… a luxurious flying vessel hovered—the Dream Immortal Boat. Aboard stood a group of world-shaking beauties. Any one of them, if stepped forward, would possess beauty rare in ten thousand li—pure and lively, innocent and kind, cold and enchanting… truly a garden of blooming flowers.
When the arriving experts saw this vessel—or rather, the Dream Immortal Boat—they cried out in shock:
"Rear Palace?!"
Aboard the Dream Immortal Boat: Moonlit Fairy, Purple Sun Fairy, Bird Master Fairy, Hundred Flowers Fairy, Hundred Faces Fairy, Elegant Ice Fairy, Water Desolation Fairy… all present.
They were women whose names already echoed across the star realm. One glance—immediately recognised.
And the only power with so many such women gathered together— who else but Rear Palace?
The women paid no attention to the newcomers. Led by Liu Yuqing, they solemnly stared into the tribulation zone, silently praying everything went smoothly.
"Wait! Their cultivation levels?!"
Mysterious Yellow Academy President Xuan Sha Laoren suddenly cried out in shock—his voice trembling. It was hard to believe a Tribulation Realm expert could be this shaken…
Hearing him, everyone began secretly probing the women. Instantly—every face drastically changed.
"How is this possible?!" Even Tian Wanbao, with his unshakable composure, inwardly reeled…
"Could this be Rear Palace's true strength? Were they hiding it all along?" Ba Luc Giao Hoang swallowed hard. He realised many Rear Palace women—he couldn't see through at all.
Kun Liehai clenched his fists, trembling as he stared at the mature beauty in green leather among them. Kun Mingyue's Late Seventh-Order beast aura terrified him. He could only pray she hadn't regained her memories.
The Pham An Tu monks stared in horror at Bai Sumei's pure, untouchable back—like an unreachable mountain. Were they to be casually crushed by her as prophesied? Unconsciously, they edged closer to Bai Xiaosheng for protection.
Lan Polie didn't need mentioning—seeing Liu Yuqing leading the women, he viciously pinched himself, hoping it was a nightmare. Reality was too cruel. His heart sank to the bottom. Only hope: Heavenly Demon Academy could protect him. When he saw his daughters Lan Li and Lan Xuan standing near Liu Yuqing, both at Mid Void Refining… a sliver of hope flickered.
Ai Clan Patriarch and Dwarf Clan Chief beamed proudly at Ai Xin in the distance. With their strength, they saw her massive leap—Perfect Void Refining! They only wondered how far her Artifact Refining had reached.
The Retired Emperor of Ice Profound Empire felt the same—secretly glad he handed the throne to Bing Dung without hesitation. In half a year, thanks to Lan An's gift, he was one step from Perfect Harmony Realm. Now seeing his two princesses stand proudly: Bing Lanxi at Early Harmony Realm, Bing Feifei at Late Void Refining.
Xuan Kiem Laoren and Qin Tian locked eyes on Bing Lanxi's back—both saw gravity in the other's gaze. This woman… possessed Sword Intent.
Tian Yedao, Hu Qingyu, Ya Xishen opened red lips in shock. Even Dan Yanji and Shui Xijun showed a trace of alarm.
This Rear Palace—aside from Lian Hua seeming unremarkable—lowest cultivation was Mid Void Refining… Others rocketed upward like missiles. Harmony Realm members—heaven-defying in number and quality.
The war that destroyed White Sand Dynasty had given the star realm a rough estimate of Rear Palace strength. But seeing them again today—heaven and earth had changed. Even reforming the Golden Board felt meaningless now. With Rear Palace's current power—wiping out a Ninth-Rank force was instantaneous.
Hu Qingyu stared in horror at Kun Mingyue. In Dark Origin Continent, they were peers of the same generation. Kun Mingyue vanished for years—wasting endless time… Yet now caught up to her.
Hu Qingyu's heart filled with emotion, eyes complex. Unconsciously recalling that idiot years ago who ogled her entire body and stole her first kiss—she inwardly gnashed her teeth.
Compared to Hu Qingyu focusing on Kun Mingyue, Niu Wuba and Gui Ling Laoren felt invisible pressure from the women. A bloodline suppression—extremely strange.
Most were human—where did this suppression come from?
"Wait—Shui Niangqing is part of Rear Palace too?" Bai Xiaosheng suddenly cried.
Everyone jolted. Even Ya Xishen and Shui Xijun glanced at Shui Niangqing.
Shui Niangqing was a famous Golden Board genius—her strength long public. No one probed her earlier. Plus she always stood beside Ya Xishen—attention focused on the Elf Queen.
Now reminded by Bai Xiaosheng, all stared at Shui Niangqing—probing her cultivation.
"Perfect Harmony Realm?!" Ya Xishen gravely exclaimed. This strength matched her own—she had only just broken through not long ago. Before, Shui Niangqing was merely a junior. Suddenly catching up—how could the Elf Queen not be shocked?
Shui Niangqing smiled and nodded, flashing atop Dream Immortal Boat, greeting the sisters.
After refining Water Qilin Bloodline in the Spirit World Pearl, she immediately returned to guard Sea Rainbow Sect, then travelled with Sea Continent's delegation to Ten Thousand Treasures Island… But now reunited with her sisters, she naturally returned home.
Shui Niangqing breaking through to Perfect Harmony Realm instantly skyrocketed Sea Rainbow Sect's status.
"What secret does Rear Palace hide? How did they grow this terrifyingly fast? Unbelievable!" Bai Wusheng said gravely. He sensed three battle formations among the women—definitely War Formation Masters, and high-grade ones.
"I remember—Rear Palace Master Lan An obtained a Time Acceleration Formation at the exchange meet. They must have cultivated inside it!" Sea Palace Lord Hai Yingthien said enviously.
Everyone awoke. A plausible theory. But even with Time Acceleration—only five years passed. Five years for such monstrous progress?
None here were fools. Rear Palace definitely hid some heaven-defying secret. If allowed to continue… Yuelong Star Realm might become Rear Palace's pocket.
Bai Wusheng, Niu Wuba, and others exchanged glances—burning greed in their eyes.
Before such a secret, who could resist—even Tribulation Realm experts? Many already harboured similar thoughts.
"Ahem, friends… Rear Palace's massive growth is a blessing. Facing foreign enemies like Blood Emperor Domain, this husband and wife will not allow internal conflict!" the Khao couple said meaningfully, clearly noticing restless hearts.
The stronger Yuelong Star Realm—the happier they were. The Empty Era crisis remained unknown. Internal strife was unacceptable.
"The Khao seniors speak true. Everyone has their own fortunes. Though Rear Palace is strong, they've never committed heaven-defying atrocities. Grudges are clear. This is Yuelong Star Realm's fortune!" Tian Wanbao agreed. The stronger others grew, the more money he made—business opportunities endless.
Beside him, Tian Yedao huddled with her four maids, stubbornly declaring:
"I don't care what you think. Yedao has decided to join Rear Palace—even if I have to sell myself to little Lan An, I must see what secret Rear Palace hides!"
In the past, maids like Cheng Bi and Bao Kieu would object. But seeing Rear Palace's current might, they said nothing—instead supported Tian Yedao's decision.
Yu Ji and Li Hun clenched fists. Even Bing Feifei, newly accepted, had surpassed them. How could they accept?
"Sigh, if Rear Palace had Tribulation Realm experts, their strength would rival any academy," Xuan Sha Laoren sighed, looking at Rear Palace's Harmony Realm members. Though fewer in number—quality surpassed Mysterious Yellow Academy elders.
"Haha, who says Rear Palace has no Tribulation Realm?" Sacred Spirit Vice-President Thai Ling Laoren finally laughed mockingly. She had endured long enough.
"What? Where?!" Everyone jumped.
"Wait—Rear Palace is missing Yan Yueqi and Hua Qingzhu?!" Heavenly Mountain Immortal Realm Lord Wang Yiyun rarely spoke gravely.
Women were competitive. She always paid attention to peers like Hua Qingzhu. Moreover, Qingzhu and Yueqi were Rear Palace pillars. Their absence on Dream Immortal Boat was strange. Hearing this, everyone finally noticed—the Rear Palace women had been staring into the massive tribulation zone from the start…
All hurriedly followed their gaze. Vision blocked by endless lightning—couldn't see inside. Only faintly glimpsed two graceful figures sitting cross-legged, enduring endless lightning strikes…
"Two people transcending?!"
Terror surged in every chest. Distracted by Rear Palace earlier, they had temporarily ignored the tribulation. Now focusing—soul-shaking horror…
They thought only one person transcending. Two at once?!
"Two transcending? If nothing goes wrong, Yuelong Star Realm gains two more Tribulation Realm experts!" the Khao seniors beamed.
"Who exactly are they?!" Everyone asked the same question.
"Haha, who else could it be?" Thai Ling Laoren laughed proudly. You lot looked down on Ice Heaven Continent with dog eyes earlier.
Earlier, Rear Palace women had asked Thai Ling Laoren—if tribulation failed, protect them. Thus she knew exactly who was transcending.
Seeing her smugness, and Yan Yueqi + Hua Qingzhu missing from Rear Palace ranks… An unreal feeling rose in every expert's mind…
"Could it really be…?"
…