Chapter 457 - Chen Zhengqing Faces Tribulation

A month later, a terrifying golden core tribulation shrouded the Chen Clan mansion.

Chen Zhengqing, displaying remarkable talent, had used the Divine Stone of Life and a wealth of cultivation resources to advance to the eighth and then the ninth levels in quick succession before finally condensing a golden core.

The sky in the surrounding thousand-meter radius was covered with dark, ink-black tribulation clouds. This was Chen Zhengqing’s golden core tribulation. The oppressive tribulation aura enveloped Watermoon City, startling everyone.

“Heavens, what is going on?”

“What is happening in the Chen Clan? Have they done something so terrible that the heavens had to mete out their divine punishment?!”

“Punishment from the heavens? My god, I feel like I’m about to suffocate under this aura.”

“This is why people call us country bumpkins! You ignorant fools, that’s a golden core tribulation. When a martial artist breaks through to the Core Formation realm and condenses a golden core, it triggers the power of the heavenly Dao, and a tribulation descends upon them. Every Core Formation realm expert has to face this life-and-death ordeal. Succeeding means wrenching your fate away from the heavens! But if they fail, they’ll be reduced to a handful of tribulation ash.”

“What? So, it’s a golden core tribulation. Doesn’t that mean someone from the Chen Clan is about to become a Core Formation realm expert?”

“Could it be the Chen Clan’s young patriarch, Chen Fan? That’s too terrifying. He’s so young and already advancing into the Core Formation realm!"

“......”

Watermoon City was in an uproar.

Everyone looked at those terrifying tribulation clouds. Their eyes were now filled with envy instead of fear. Those ominous clouds signified that someone was about to become a Core Formation realm expert. How could they not be envious when they knew that they would never even get the opportunity to experience the test?

Swish, swish, swish!

Several figures with powerful auras flew up into the sky, looking in the direction of the Chen Clan from afar. They wanted to confirm if it was Chen Fan undergoing the tribulation.

The Chen Clan members were also panicking.

Chen Fan flew up into the air. His voice resounded like thunder, falling into the Chen Clan members’ ears, as he said, “Everyone, no need to be afraid. This is a golden core tribulation. It won’t cause you any harm. Don’t act recklessly, all of you. Return to your positions and just watch quietly.”

Immediately, many of the panicking Chen Clan members settled down. They looked up at those terrifying tribulation clouds one after another, excited.

The golden core tribulation very likely meant that their patriarch, Chen Zhengqing, was about to advance to the next realm.

Boom, crackle, crackle!

Chen Zhengqing’s tribulation clouds stopped expanding at a thousand meters wide.

This was already an impressive feat. Ordinary people's golden core tribulations usually reached a width of around five hundred meters, so Chen Zhengqing’s achievement was exceptional. Although it paled in comparison to Chen Fan's, it still marked him as a genius.

Once he had passed through the tribulation and his golden core received a baptism, his strength would rank among the best of the first-level Core Formation realm experts.

A terrifying lightning dragon descended, wanting to devour Chen Zhengqing.

Chen Zhengqing let out a thunderous roar and met it head-on. His golden core was above his head, receiving the baptism of the tribulation.

“What? It’s not Chen Fan, but Chen Zhengqing! Heavens, I’m not seeing things, am I? Chen Zhengqing has broken through to the Core Formation realm!”

“Wait... does that mean Chen Fan advanced to the Core Formation realm long ago?”

“And now Chen Zhengqing’s breaking through? This father and son pair are terrifying!”

“......”

The experts in Watermoon City were nonplussed when they realized it was Chen Zhengqing undergoing the tribulation, not Chen Fan as they had initially thought.

The terrifying tribulation descended, and a total of nine lightning dragons bombarded Chen Zhengqing’s golden core.

Chen Zhengqing endured the tribulation’s might for an hour before overcoming it. His golden core was round and flawless, emitting waves of resplendent golden light that overwhelmed the area.

Overcoming the tribulation put him in a good mood, and his bright voice resounded in the city as he said, “Hahahaha, good, good, good. I never expected I would also have a golden core within me one day!"

Everyone realized that Chen Zhengqing had succeeded in his tribulation and had become a Core Formation realm cultivator, ascending into the heavens with a single step.

“He’s succeeded, the Patriarch has become a Core Formation realm cultivator!”

“That golden core tribulation earlier was so terrifying. It felt like any one of those lightning dragons could have devastated Watermoon City."

“Luckily, the patriarch overcame his tribulation. Our Chen Clan now has a Core Formation realm expert overseeing us. Even in the imperial city, we’ll be considered a top clan now!”

“We have to work harder now. Like the patriarch, we will also undergo our golden core tribulation one day and become Core Formation realm experts!”

“......”

The clam members, especially the geniuses of the younger generation like Chen Qingqing, Chen Hualong, and Chen Yunchong, felt inspired and their hot blood surged. They clenched their fists tightly, resolving to work even harder to reach the Core Formation realm and even higher.

Swish, swish, swish...

The sound of wind filled the air as the Yuanfu realm experts of Watermoon City flew over and cupped their fists at Chen Zhengqing, congratulating him.

“Haha, congratulations to Brother Chen for successfully passing your tribulation and becoming a Core Formation realm expert. It’s truly an occasion worth celebrating!” said Qian Tongtian, the patriarch of the Qian Clan. He was a fifth-level Yuanfu realm expert.

“Congratulations, Brother Chen, on your advancement,” said Zhang Huaiyuan from the Zhang Clan.

“Congratulations to Patriarch Chen on your successful breakthrough...”

Numerous voices of congratulations resounded from the great figures of Watermoon City, all Yuanfu realm experts. They congratulated Chen Zhengqing one after another, their faces thick with envy.

When the Chen Clan had settled in Watermoon City, Chen Zhengqing was only a fourth-level Yuanfu realm expert.

However, in what seemed like the blink of an eye, Chen Zhengqing had become a Core Formation realm expert. Although everyone’s cultivation had improved, the gap between them and Chen Zhengqing was vast, like heaven and earth.

“Haha, I am truly fortunate to have succeeded in my tribulation. Since everyone is here, come on in and have a seat,” Chen Zhengqing said with a clear and bright voice. He returned greetings to those who congratulated him, showing neither arrogance nor pride.

Chen Zhengqing’s advancement was a joyous occasion for the entire Chen Clan. The clan’s strength had risen to another level.

That night, Watermoon City was brightly lit, especially the Chen Clan mansion.

Apart from the locals of Watermoon City, even clans from nearby cities sent representatives in a hurry to honor his advancement.

The celebrations lasted three days and three nights. The entire Chen Clan felt invigorated by the festivities.

With ample resources and martial arts, the Chen Clan was in a strong position. As long as one worked hard, raising their cultivation wouldn’t be difficult.

After the banquet ended, Chen Fan and Chen Zhengqing set out for the imperial city. The father and son pair would enter the city openly and confidently, no longer needing to hide.

Their mission: to bring Nangong Yue home!