Chapter 192: Chapter 183: The Unlucky One Ascending from the South Celestial Gate

[The world fell into a brief silence.]

[Boom!!!]

[Within the golden light, a magnificent figure suddenly appeared.]

[He grasped the Sky-piercing Halberd tightly, and with a gentle sweep, numerous Celestial Soldiers and Divine Generals were sent flying backward.]

[This Giant God wore a Three-pronged Purple Gold Crown on his head, a Sichuan Red Brocade Hundred Flower Robe on his body, was draped in Beast-Faced Swallowing Head Linked Armor, had a Lion-Man Belt with Armor around his waist, and held the Sky-piercing Halberd in his hand.]

[He was none other than Lü Bu’s Dharma Aspect—"Only I Am Invincible"!]

[Lü Bu’s will of "Only I Am Invincible" could not be broken, and his power would increase without limit.]

[Lü Bu unleashed his full power, swinging the Sky-piercing Halberd.]

[The Giant Spirit God gritted his teeth and charged forward to engage in battle with the "Dharma Aspect: Only I Am Invincible".]

[Meanwhile, Lü Bu’s true form was not idle; he transformed into a streak of golden lightning and crashed into the Celestial Net Grand Array, causing the world to shake violently. Cracks spread across the array, yet they healed instantly.]

[This Celestial Net Grand Array was closely connected to the will of 100,000 Celestial Soldiers and Divine Generals, making it impossible for those unaware of arrays to break through from within.]

[But, Lü Bu had the simplest method to break the array.]

[Lü Bu transformed into a golden stream of light, charging toward the Celestial Soldiers and Divine Generals who had surrounded him once more.]

[In the sky, the Celestial Soldiers and Divine Generals fell like raindrops, most turning into blood mist mid-air, causing injury upon contact, resulting in death upon a collision.]

[People on the ground looked up to the sky, only to see a patch of darkness within the clouds, making it difficult to discern the fierce battle between the two Giant Gods. All they could feel were the tremors of the earth, the thunderous roar of lightning, and the golden light that dashed back and forth amidst the dark clouds.]

[The Giant Spirit God’s mountain-like body was violently struck from the clouds, crashing heavily into the South Celestial Gate, with the Great Axe in his hand breaking into two pieces during the impact, falling to the Mortal World.]

[The Giant Spirit God leaned against the South Celestial Gate, lowered his head to look at the massive, unhealable wound on his chest, with blood rushing down like a river.]

[Drip drop.]

[Drip drop.]

[Blood rain spilled into the Mortal World, and some curious mortals carelessly touched a bit of it, instantly feeling their bodies burning up, veins popping out, and ultimately dying of excruciating pain as they exploded.]

["Cough cough... retreat!" said the Giant Spirit God, coughing up large amounts of blood, his eyes full of fear as he watched the reckless slaughter by the golden figure, seemingly about to break out of the array soon.]

[The South Celestial Gate stood between heaven and earth, with a pale blue light curtain emanating from its center. The Giant Spirit God and the remaining army quickly retreated into the South Celestial Gate.]

[The golden Giant God followed closely, rushing into the South Celestial Gate.]

[The wind and clouds in the sky gradually subsided, the bodies slowly floated, broken shields and remnants scattered across the world, a truly tragic scene.]

[Occasionally, bodies and weapons turned into meteoric rain, crashing into the Mortal World. Mortals who touched the remains obtained the Divine General’s legacy, while some fell into a daze on the spot.]

["Lü Bu actually broke the Celestial Net Grand Array, severely injured General Jiling, and stormed into the South Celestial Gate..." The Red Armored Divine General within the Cao Army was horrified.]

["Ten thousand Divine Generals couldn’t stop one Lü Bu?!" exclaimed Cao Cao, swallowing hard.]

[He was really panicking now.]

...

Celestial Court.

Ascension Platform.

"This is the Immortal Realm?!"

A young cultivator stepped out from the South Celestial Gate, slowly opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was a middle-aged man dressed in a white Priest’s Robe with a smile on his face.

The young cultivator could sense the magical power fluctuations emanating from the middle-aged man, causing his heart to tremble slightly; anyone here could suppress him.

The young cultivator was named Zhuang Yang, the Child of Destiny from the Golden Wave Realm, who cultivated both Dharma and Body, thus overcoming the Ninefold Thunder Tribulation, becoming the first immortal in eons.

Zhuang Yang took a deep breath, feeling the rich Spiritual Qi filling this world as if it were tangible, his body that was already invincible in the Lower Realm now greedily absorbed the surrounding Spiritual Qi as if it were a barren land.

"Senior..."

"I am Gao Sheng, Heavenly Guide of the Celestial Court, welcome fellow Daoist to the ascension of the Celestial Court; the Great Dao is within reach."

The Heavenly Guide patiently waited for the young cultivator to adapt to the Celestial Court environment; he skillfully flipped open a booklet,

"Oh? The Golden Wave Realm is a world with no Spiritual Charm, yet you only took 3,000 years to cultivate and become immortal. Zhuang Yang, fellow Daoist, truly extraordinary talents."

The Heavenly Guide smiled, cupping his hands in salute towards Zhuang Yang.

Zhuang Yang modestly returned the gesture.

Gao Sheng then briefed Zhuang Yang on various places in the Celestial Court.

Zhuang Yang stayed in the Immortal Transformation Pool for an hour, completely transformed, finally forging the Lower-grade Innate Spirit Body - Lapis Lazuli Body. Though considered low grade, his combat power directly crushed those Loose Immortals who hadn’t forged any Innate Spirit Body.

At this moment, Zhuang Yang, using Cyan Gold Qi to cast magic, could kill his former self, who hadn’t forged an Innate Spirit Body, with a single strike.

And this was just one of the perks of ascending to the Celestial Court.

Zhuang Yang stood at the edge of the Immortal Transformation Pool, looking up at the towering South Celestial Gate that seemed like a giant pillar reaching the heavens, unattainable and endless.

Below, four Giant Gods stood with eyes closed, surrounded by tens of thousands of Celestial Soldiers and Divine Generals, each with a stronger aura than the last.

"Celestial Soldiers..." Zhuang Yang muttered softly.

Gao Sheng had mentioned that they were the Four Great Celestial Kings and tens of thousands of Celestial Soldiers and Divine Generals guarding the South Celestial Gate.

Do not underestimate the Celestial Soldiers. They were the elites among True Immortals, equipped with a set of three standard Magical Artifacts by the Celestial Court, capable of suppressing a world’s natives single-handedly, enough to establish themselves as a sect in the outside world.

Each one was a celestial pride like him, who ascended from the Lower Realm, having cultivated for countless years with deep magical power.

Being a True Immortal, in magical combat against them, Zhuang Yang wouldn’t last three days before being captured.

And the Celestial Soldiers were precisely the reason why Gao Sheng, the Heavenly Guide, fervently welcomed Zhuang Yang.

The Celestial Court oversees countless lower realms.

Zhuang Yang, as a Celestial Pride of the lower realm, carries the fortune of an entire world. If he can successfully pass the many selections of the Celestial Court, he might become an honored "Celestial Soldier."

Of course, this is only a possibility.

With Zhuang Yang’s strength, there are only two paths available to him in the Celestial Court.

First, he could become an external guardian of a realm. However, this would be cutting off his own path to the Dao, as the lower realm lacks the rich Spiritual Qi and charm of the Celestial Court, thus ending his cultivation journey here. This is a path paved for future generations.

The second option is to become a Celestial Soldier in the Celestial Court, enjoying rich stipends and receiving dharma gate inheritances, with the possibility of advancing to become a Celestial General.

As for any other better positions, those are beyond the reach of a lower realm cultivator like Zhuang Yang without any background.

After listening to Gao Sheng’s introduction to the Celestial Court, Zhuang Yang developed a keen interest in the position of Celestial Soldier. He gazed at the distant South Celestial Gate, and suddenly moved, asking Gao Sheng:

"Brother Gao Sheng, this position as a Celestial Soldier, does it involve fighting others, and is there a risk of perishment?"

Gao Sheng paused upon hearing this, as if he had heard something absurd, then burst into laughter, "Hahaha, fellow Daoist, do not worry, ever since I can remember, the Celestial Court has never been invaded by any force, how could there be magical combat with others?"

"I once heard my father mention that in history, those who could come close to the South Celestial Gate were extremely few. The South Celestial Gate is not only guarded by the Four Great Celestial Kings but also has a Golden Immortal Star Monarch overseeing it."

He paused for a moment, giving Zhuang Yang a once-over, then shook his head lightly, "As for people from the lower realm, that is simply impossible."

Zhuang Yang’s eyes lit up upon hearing "Immortal Golden Immortal," and his worries instantly vanished.

The magic of a Golden Immortal is immortal and indestructible, just a wisp of it can annihilate the spirit body of a little immortal like him. In the lower realm, he obtained a remnant wisp of Golden Immortal magical power and refined it for three thousand years, but unfortunately, it was annihilated when resisting the Celestial Tribulation.

But it was precisely because of this that he managed to successfully ascend during the end of the law era and reach the Celestial Court.

Gao Sheng turned, bowed deeply to a higher place, and proudly said:

"As for those above Golden Immortal, there are Great Divine Techniques users who have attained Taiyi’s mighty power. If the Star Monarch is overmatched, the Emperor is always observant."

"Tell me, who dares to overestimate themselves and offend the majesty of the Celestial Court—"

Just as he finished speaking.

Buzz buzz—

The South Celestial Gate suddenly began to tremble violently.

A tremendous pressure filled the space between heaven and earth, instantly paralyzing both Gao Sheng and Zhuang Yang, whose gazes involuntarily shifted to the source of the tremor.

The South Celestial Gate?!

Boom—

A giant god was sent flying out from the South Celestial Gate, enveloped in dazzling golden radiance.

His majestic body crashed into numerous floating islands, shattering them, and any little immortal in his path was instantly obliterated to dust. Subsequently, the giant god was fiercely smashed into a mountain, barely clinging to life.

"Is that... General Jiling?!"

This scene shocked everyone present—even Gao Sheng, a well-informed Celestial Court Guide, couldn’t help but turn pale.

The little immortals were immediately panic-stricken, scattering everywhere.

Zhuang Yang was equally shaken; the immense pressure he felt came from this barely-surviving giant god.

He couldn’t fathom such a mighty force that could knock a giant god back, whose mere shockwaves were so destructive they seemed capable of destroying heaven and earth.

For little immortals like him, any contact with the "golden radiance" on the giant god’s body meant instant obliteration.

Not good!!

Zhuang Yang’s face changed drastically.

The Celestial Court was being invaded; if beings of such incredible power clashed, the mere aftershocks of battle would be enough to destroy them body and soul.

Exchanging a glance with Gao Sheng, they both immediately flew downward to seek shelter.

"How dare you!!"

At that moment, the eyes of the four giant gods abruptly opened, accompanied by a thunderous shout.

Each began to display their Divine Techniques!

Clang!

A massive golden hand extended from the South Celestial Gate, instantly shattering the Divine Techniques of the Four Great Celestial Kings.

Immediately after, a giant god, clad in golden flame, forcefully tore open the South Celestial Gate, revealing a massive rift, from which he slowly stood up, appearing majestically before everyone.

Boom—

A slight tremor, and rolling clouds surged forth.

The little immortals fleeing on clouds and riding the wind were swept up by the whirlwind, flailing helplessly.

Gao Sheng and Zhuang Yang were caught in the sudden gale and swept into the depths of the mountains. Opening their eyes, they glanced at the South Celestial Gate, their hearts skipping a beat.

A giant god towering at a hundred thousand zhang stood imposingly between heaven and earth.

He wore a three-pronged purple gold crown, a Sichuan red brocade hundred flower robe, a beast-faced swallowing head linked armor, a lion-man belt with armor, holding a Sky-piercing Halberd in his hand.

He looked down arrogantly upon all things in the world, the Celestial Soldiers and Celestial Generals around him seemed insignificant, like dust.

The bodies of the Four Great Celestial Kings, standing at ten thousand zhang, hardly reached the giant god’s knees, making them appear like mere pets.

"Brother Gao Sheng..."

"Didn’t you say that no one dares to invade the Celestial Court?"

...