Li Haolen’s expression finally changed at the mention of Song Liangxue’s grandfather. He stared down at the girl barely a fraction of his age and couldn’t find even a trace of fear in her eyes.

’How bold,’ he frowned and asked, "I thought Senior was in seclusion?"

"Nothing matters more than me to my grandfather," Song Liangxue replied calmly. "How can he miss my marriage? He ended his seclusion not long ago."

That put Li Haolen on the spot. He wanted to snatch the Heavenly Insights and the Tribulation Qi from Ye Jun, especially since it was a Purple Tribulation, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Even if he waited another thousand years, he might not get such an opportunity. He was sure it would push him past his bottleneck.

However, that would mean offending the Saint of the Eternal Frost and that meant certain death. He couldn’t stand against his overwhelming power. The only way to survive against his fury was to join the Emperor, but Li Haolen preferred death over it.

In the end, he sighed, knowing that he didn’t have any options left. If he took advantage of the situation today, then he wouldn’t even live to enjoy those benefits.

’What a waste,’ he clicked his tongue in distaste and said, "I will leave, but you owe me, girl."

"Certainly," Song Liangxue didn’t push it further.

All Ruler Realm powerhouses were arrogant and had immense pride. Not just anyone could bend the world to their Will, after all. So, Li Haolen couldn’t just leave without gaining anything, as it would hurt his reputation and pride.

The Heiress of the Song Clan owing him meant a lot and could be considered a great haul, so she knew this was his way of compromise. If she still insisted on showing dominance, then...

Li Haolen snorted and vanished into thin air, the tense atmosphere finally returning to normal, as if the world itself was sighing in relief at his departure.

Other humans and Spiritual Beasts didn’t stay either. Some wanted to butter up Song Liangxue and congratulate her, but one glance from her pushed them all away.

Now, only the insane ones who had lost their sanity to their desires remained on the battlefield and they were still pushing on.

Song Liangxue gave a brief glance at them and asked, "Aunt, do you think he can survive?"

Although she trusted Ye Jun and was confident, her heart still couldn’t help but worry. This was a legendary Tribulation rarely seen in thousands of years and she had seen its power too.

"I believe he will," Song Ying said, raising her head. "The one thing Heavenly Dao likes the most is Will and that’s something the boy doesn’t lack. If there’s anyone I know who can survive this Tribulation, it’s him."

Song Liangxue smiled, "Indeed. My hubby is the greatest."

...

Ye Jun had no clue how much time had passed for the pain to make his mind go numb. He couldn’t even feel it any longer, as if his consciousness had shut off his emotions so it didn’t have to deal with that insufferable pain.

He couldn’t even form thoughts properly, as his entire attention was on resisting the Heavenly Dao and its desire to see him gone. He refused to die like this.

His body was being constantly destroyed and rebuilt anew.

Finally, a change occurred in their battle and Ye Jun gained an upper hand. His body began to regenerate at a faster rate than what the Heavenly Tribulation could destroy.

’I will survive!’

Seconds turned into minutes and his body finally regenerated fully, from skull to torso, then his legs and finally his hands. Everything was finally as it had been, or rather it was even better than before.

The Heavenly Tribulation Lightning had actually made his Physique stronger than ever, as it now could endure the Purple Tribulation without getting destroyed.

His eyes snapped open, as he punched the stone floor below him with his newly formed fists and pushed himself up, despite the terrible pressure of continuous lightning forcing him down.

’I will not go down like this.’

He roared, pushing himself with every bit of strength he could muster and straightened up. The pillar of Lightning felt like a giant mountain pressing upon him with an annihilating surface that destroyed every part of it.

"I....Am..."

He stretched his hand slowly, showing his fist towards the heavens and finally raised his head, staring above with bloodshot eyes, his Will refusing to bend.

"Ye Jun!"

With a final deafening boom, the Purple Tribulation struck him one last time with all of its force, almost obliterating him again but he stood his ground, staring back at the Heavens.

As if finally satisfied and impressed by his performance, the Heavenly Dao made the rest of the lightning scatter in the surroundings, creating a beautiful scenery for him.

Then, it dispersed completely and the clouds cleared away faster than one could blink. The clear blue sky faced the earth again, with the bright sun showering the White Gale Pavilion with its warm sunlight once more.

Amidst it stood a naked young man, basking in the brilliance of the world congratulating him on achieving the one thing the world hadn’t seen for tens of thousands of years.

Ye Jun had Ascended to the Soul Tempering Realm with the Legendary Purple Heavenly Tribulation.

’Ah! I’ve done it!’ Ye Jun thought, his mind clouded with a strange mist that seemed to protect his sanity from breaking. ’I have Ascended.’

He could feel so many changes within him, making him feel like he was a completely different person, both physically and mentally...and spiritually too.

His Soul now rested in the Spiritual Realm, stable without needing his Will to constantly protect it from the dangers of the metaphysical plane.

It was hardly anything like he had heard and read about, but he wasn’t in the mood to examine it now. Same with his Physique which had also gone under tremendous changes, but he didn’t bother checking them out.

Eight trials and nine Tribulations had drained him both mentally and physically. He was so exhausted that he couldn’t even move his body properly. If he did, he was afraid that he would fall down, which he didn’t want.

’Still.... I’ve actually won.’

His lips slowly curled up as he stretched his hands and muttered, "Ye Jun has won."

In the next second, something heavy collided with his chest, throwing him off balance as they both fell down on the stone floor. Looking down, he found a mess of blonde hair and took a moment to recognize it.

"Idiot! Stupid! Dummy!" Meihui cried in his arms, her grip tightening around his waist. "Do you know how scared I was? You didn’t even bother telling me!"

"I did try..." Ye Jun muttered.

"Shut up!"

Ye Jun chuckled softly and wrapped his arms around her, "I’m sorry. I should have tried harder."

He felt a soft pinch on his belly as Meihui said, "Don’t apologize. It’s clearly my fault, so stop giving in to my childish behavior."

"So now I can’t even spoil you?"

"You can...but you also can’t."

"How unfair."

Although Ye Jun said that, he felt at peace and his fatigue seemed to melt away from this one hug. It made his heart happy, reminding him that he wasn’t alone in this world and he wasn’t harming those around him.

’Even if I was, they wouldn’t mind it. They would face it together with me. This is my new life.’

And that provided fuel to his Will to live. How could he give up on something like this after living two terrible lives?

"Aren’t you forgetting something?" he asked, rubbing her hair. "Something you wish to say to me?"

"...Do you really want to hear it now?" Her voice came out low and quiet, her face still buried in his embrace.

"Of course, I’ve waited for it so long," Ye Jun insisted. "So, tell me."

Meihui took a few seconds of silence before raising her head and looking into his eyes, her face red. "I-I think I’m in l-love with you."

Ye Jun’s smile widened in joy as he asked, "You think? Or you do?"

"I do!" Meihui quickly said. "I love you!"

"Haha!" Ye Jun laughed hearing that and hugged her tightly. "I love you too, way more than you can imagine, so please accept my proposal. Will you be my wife?"

"You know this is probably the worst proposal I’ve seen?"

Song Liangxue landed beside them and said, looking at their entangled bodies. "Although I’m very happy with your progress, I don’t want you to ruin such a precious moment for her, dear. Please propose to her better."

"Ah! You’re right, I didn’t think..."

Before Ye Jun could finish his words, Meihui yelled, "It’s fine! I accept his proposal. It can’t be a better moment than this."

"Ho? I didn’t know our dear Meihui was such a pervert," Song Liangxue smiled, pointing at her. "You want him to propose to you while being naked?"

Only then did Meihui realize that Ye Jun was actually naked from head to toe. Her face flushed red as she quickly hid her face in his arms, "I-It’s not like that."

"Stop teasing her, dear!" Ye Jun rolled his eyes. "Though I have to say she’s cute like this...so maybe continue."

"You two!!!"

They both laughed as Song Liangxue also settled down in his arms, uncaring about his appearance.

Ye Jun embraced them tightly, feeling happy that he had struggled that hard against the Heavenly Dao.

’This happiness is worth everything.’