With Zhen Ping Fan’s explanation, Duan Ling Tian finally had a better understanding of the Seven Mansions Feast’s purpose. It was for the chance to enter the Secret Holy Realm.

The Secret Holy Realm was a fragment of a destroyed Realm of Gods that had been molded into a small independent realm. All intermediate Emperors of Gods, even those with low chances of becoming advanced Emperors of Gods, yearned for a chance to enter this place since it could help them break through and become an advanced Emperor of Gods.

‘No wonder the Pure Yang Sect was willing to invest so many resources in me. As long as I rank in the top ten, two of them, at least, will be given a chance to become an advanced Emperor of Gods,’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself. He also knew that if he managed to rank in the top ten during the Seven Mansions Feast, the Pure Yang Sect would reward him greatly.

That aside, after his feat at the Seven Kills Valley, the Pure Yang Sect was even more generous than before when they sent him cultivation resources. He knew the increase in their generosity was due to him triumphing over Wanqi Hong. After all, in the past, they only expected him to rank in the top ten during the Seven Mansions Feast. After his display of strength in the Seven Kills Valley, they were hopeful he would rank in the top three, hence, the increase in their generosity. Saying that, there would be no consequences even if he did not rank in the top three. What was important was ranking in the top ten.

Zhen Ping Fan said solemnly to Duan Ling Tian, “Cultivate diligently and try to improve a little more before the Seven Mansions Feast. From what I heard, there are two incredibly outstanding prodigies from two different forces in two different Mansions participating in the Seven Mansions Feast this time.”

Zhen Ping Fan did not say this because he was worried about Duan Ling Tian being complacent. He only wanted Duan Ling Tian to be mentally prepared. He had long realized Duan Ling Tian was very mature despite his young age.

“Yes.” Duan Ling Tian nodded. He had never underestimated the prodigies from the other six Mansions. In fact, unlike the others, he also did not assume that all the other prodigies in the Eastern Ridge Mansion were weaker than Wanqi Hong. After all, it was not impossible for some forces to hide their strength and bide their time. If one kept a low profile and made a move at the critical moment, one could easily gain the upper hand. However, he did not think he would fall for such a trick since he rarely let his guard down. He had experienced many things from his time in the mundane realm until now, and he had learned not to underestimate his opponents. He also knew that a moment of carelessness could get one killed. In the past, he managed to kill many people because they had underestimated him.

…

Time passed quickly as the prodigies in the Seven Mansions cultivated diligently. In just a blink of an eye, there were only six months left before the Seven Mansions Feast began.

At this time, the top forces in the Seven Mansions also began to make preparations to set off to the venue of the Seven Mansions Feast.

The Seven Mansions, including the Eastern Ridge Mansion and the Green Province Mansion, would take turns hosting the Seven Mansions Feast, which was held once every 10,000 years. This time, it would be hosted by the Profound Jade Mansion.

There were six top forces in the Profound Jade Mansion. Among them, there was a force with an advanced Emperor of Gods. This advanced Emperor of Gods had broken through in the Secret Holy Realm after one of the previous Seven Mansions Feasts. However, it was said that he did not have long to live since he was severely injured during his previous Heavenly Tribulation.

Duan Ling Tian, who heard about this matter from Zhen Ping Fan, was surprised. He asked skeptically, “He became an advanced Emperor of Gods 20,000 years ago, but he was still injured during his last Heavenly Tribulation?”

After an intermediate Emperor of Gods, who would not be able to survive his upcoming Heavenly Tribulation, became an advanced Emperor of Gods, his strength would increase significantly, allowing him to survive at least 20,000 years worth of Heavenly Tribulations.

“Was he severely injured before becoming an advanced Emperor of Gods? Did his old injuries drag him down even after he became an advanced Emperor of Gods?” Duan Ling Tian asked.

Zhen Ping Fan shook his head. “No, that’s not it. Although he was injured when he was an intermediate Emperor of Gods, his injuries healed a few thousand years after he became an advanced Emperor of Gods. At that time, it was easy for him to survive the Heavenly Tribulations. However, as time passed, his cultivation hardly improved, and the Heavenly Tribulations became stronger and stronger. It became increasingly difficult for him to survive the Heavenly Tribulations.8,000 years ago, he was injured by the Heavenly Tribulations for the first time after becoming an advanced Emperor of Gods. Although the injuries were not severe, they affected him. Moreover, with each Heavenly Tribulation, his injuries would increase…”

Realization dawned on Duan Ling Tian after he listened to Zhen Ping Fan. As it turned out, it was because the other person’s speed of improvement could not keep up with the increasing difficulty of the Heavenly Tribulations. Moreover, there was even a period of time when there was no improvement in the other person’s cultivation.

Zhen Ping Fan said with a sigh, “The Heavenly Tribulation will only increase in difficulty when it comes every 1,000 years. Although he became an advanced Emperor of Gods, he’s progressing too slowly to keep up with the Heavenly Tribulations.”

A troubled expression appeared on Duan Ling Tian’s face at this moment. He thought of his family and wondered if he should dissuade his family from becoming Kings of Gods. Once they became a King of Gods, they would have to face the Heavenly Tribulation once every 1,000 years for the rest of their lives. If their speed of improvement was not fast enough, it was inevitable that they would be killed by the Heavenly Tribulation sooner or later. On the other hand, if they suppressed their cultivation and did not become Kings of Gods, they would be able to live forever, barring any accidents, even if they would be weak.

However, Duan Ling Tian knew that his family, even his children, were all adults. He shook his head and decided not to dwell on the matter. It was better to leave the decision up to them. Moreover, everyone had different thoughts.

Some people preferred to cultivate instead of suppressing their cultivation just to live for a long time. They found it more meaningful to cultivate and become stronger that even if they perished, they would not have any regrets and considered themselves to have lived a fulfilling life.

After dismissing that thought, Duan Ling Tian asked, “Elder Zhen, I heard I’ll be leaving for the Profound Jade Mansion within a month, but I don’t know specifically when. Do you know anything about that?”

The Seven Mansions Feast’s date had been fixed. Most people would arrive at the venue in advance.

A few days ago, Duan Ling Tian was jolted awake by a message informing him of their departure to the venue of the Seven Mansions Feast in the Profound Jade Mansion within a month. Hence, he looked for Zhen Ping Fan today to find out the specific day of departure.

With Zhen Ping Fan’s status, it was only natural that he was privy to such matters. He replied, “You’ll be leaving in nine days.”

With the day of departure drawing closer, Zhen Ping Fan also wanted to chat with Duan Ling Tian. Otherwise, he would not have disturbed Duan Ling Tian’s cultivation.

“Nine days? That’s fast,” Duan Ling Tian said after nodding.

…

In the Heavenly Palace of the Solitary Destructive Heaven.

“Master, how are you in the Realm of Gods?”

Duan Ling Tian was not the only one in closed-door cultivation recently. His doppelgangers in the lower realms were also in closed-door cultivation. After all, if his true body was in closed-door cultivation, his progress would be greatly affected if his doppelgangers did not cultivate at the same time.

After Duan Ling Tian’s doppelganger from the law of time emerged from closed-door cultivation, he went to look for Feng Qing Yang’s doppelganger to ask about Feng Qing Yang’s situation in the Realm of Gods.

“I’m fine,” Feng Qing Yang replied with a slight smile and did not explain further.

Duan Ling Tian did not continue asking. Over the years after leaving for the Realm of Gods, hismaster had never elaborated on his situation in the Realm of Gods whenever he asked his master about it. He knew his master did not want him to worry, but his master also did not want to lie to him. Hence, hismaster gave him very curt replies.

“The Seven Mansions Feast is about to start, right?” Feng Qing Yang asked.

Duan Ling Tian nodded. “That’s right. There’s only half a year left before the start of the Seven Mansions Feast. The Pure Yang Sect will set off in nine days to the Profound Jade Mansion. It’s where the Seven Mansions Feast will be held this time.”

“Are you confident?” Feng Qing Yang asked with a smile.

“I’m certain about ranking in the top ten,” Duan Ling Tian replied with a faint smile, “As for the rank first or in the top three, I can’t say for sure. After all, no one knows if there are any hidden prodigies from the other six Mansions or even the other forces in the Eastern Ridge Mansion. I won’t be surprised if they hid their true strength.”

…

Nine days later.

Two flying ships flew out of the Pure Yang Sect.

The people leading the entourage to the Seven Mansions Feast were intermediate Emperors of Gods. One of them was the founder of the Hidden Sword faction, Ye Chen Feng, and the other one was the founder of the Tyrannic Saber faction, Liu Feng Gu.

Although Liu Feng Gu was not as strong as Ye Chen Feng, he was stronger than the other intermediate Emperors of Gods in the Pure Yang Sect.

The two flying ships flew side by side at the speed of an advanced Emperor of Gods. One of them belonged to Ye Chen Feng, and the other belonged to Liu Feng Gu.

Duan Ling Tian, Zhen Ping Fan, and the others from the Cloud Peak faction who were attending the Seven Mansions Feast rode in Ye Chen Feng’s flying ship. The people from the Zheng Ming faction, which Lan Xi Lin belonged to, also rode in Ye Chen Feng’s flying ship. This time, Lan Zheng Ming, the founder of the Zheng Ming faction, was also present.

‘I really didn’t expect a scoundrel like Lan Xi Lin would have such a wise and sensible great-grandfather like Elder Zheng Ming,’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself. Today was the first time he met Lan Zheng Ming. After meeting Lan Zheng Ming, he found Lan Zheng Ming very friendly. It was as though he had known Lan Zheng Ming for many years.

Lan Zheng Ming even brought Lan Xi Lin to Duan Ling Tian and very straightforwardly said that if Lan Xi Lin deliberately caused trouble for him in the future, he should kill Lan Xi Lin. Lan Zheng Ming said very clearly that he would not be held accountable.

Lan Xi Lin’s face paled upon hearing Lan Zheng Ming’s words. If Duan Ling Tian went crazy and killed him even though he did not provoke Duan Ling Tian, would he not die in vain then?

Lan Xi Lin was naturally unaware that after Lan Zheng Ming interacted with Duan Ling Tian, being the smart person he was, Lan Zheng Ming had already determined Duan Ling Tian was not such a person. Hence, he was not worried when he made such a statement.