Chapter 439 Ancient legend
"How can this be? Is husband planning to trigger a second tribulation?", Shui Liying exclaimed. A look of pure shock appeared on her face as she saw the reappearance of the tribulation clouds.
Beyond Martial ascension realm, it was very hard to raise cultivation. Few cultivators took years to rise through a cultivation stage. Shui Liying herself had taken a year and half to raise her cultivation from first stage of Heavenly tribulation realm to the second stage of Heavenly tribulation realm.
Even the most talented geniuses would need multiple months to rise through a stage in the Heavenly tribulation realm. Yet, Zhan Chen took only a day to trigger his second tribulation. If it was not shocking, then nothing could be called a surprise anymore.
The tribulation clouds gathered once again above the dense forest. This time, the cloud gathered looked more dense and terrifying. Zhan Chen waited patiently as the tribulation cloud took almost half an hour to gather. Loud rumbling could be heard in the surrounding as thunder cackled amidst the thick cloud.
A thick thunderbolt descended towards Zhan Chen like a falling sword. Zhan Chen was completely prepared this time. So, he launched an attack to counter the falling thunderbolt.
"Heaven subduing sword", he cried out and launched an upward slash towards the descending thunderbolt. The thunderbolt was cut in half as huge amount of essence energy released into the surrounding. The mysterious Yinyang diagram on Zhan Chen's dantian was like a greedy wolf as it absorbed all the energy in the surrounding.
Generally, cultivators could only absorb a little amount of heaven's blessing after successfully resisting the tribulation cloud. But Zhan Chen was lucky in this regard. He had the mysterious Yinyang diagram on his dantian which could absorb any kind of heavenly energy and store them for his future use.
The tribulation cloud didn't dissipate this time as it grew in ferocity and strength. Zhan Chen prepared himself as a more terrifying thunderbolt descended from the sky.
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"This is probably my limit. I can't go any further", the shadow devil sent a mental communication to the earth devil.
"I can still infiltrate the Jade harmony city on my own. But I need master's permission", the earth devil replied.
"Let us stop here then. I am not sure why master changed his mind at the last moment. He was planning to let us settle down in the vicinity of the Xuantian sect. But soon after we reached there, he changed his mind and instructed us to travel to the Jade harmony city", the shadow devil spoke.
"Who knows master's mind? For someone so young, he has the capability to slay devil commanders. His physical strength is fearsome but what terrified me the most is his soul manipulation abilities", the earth devil added.
"True. Despite our Martial ascension realm cultivation, we can't put on a little resistance. If master can somehow subdue devil generals, he will be more terrifying", the shadow devil spoke. Both the devils kept talking with eachother as the morning sun graced the distant horizon. The blanket of darkness gradually disappeared. The warm sunlight took its place and covered the entire sky with its morning glow.
From a distance, the Jade harmony city seemed like a colossal behemoth rising from the earth, its metallic walls gleaming in the sunlight. The walls, towering nearly ninety feet high, encircled the city in a protective embrace. Human cultivators would feel like an ant when they stand below the gigantic structure.
Zhan Chen felt slightly surprised after seeing the scene infront of him. In his past life, he had witnessed many grand cities, but none of them possessed walls of such proportion. The enormity of the Jade Harmony City's fortifications exceeded his imagination.
Shui Liying noticed the expression on Zhan Chen's face and a soft smile appeared on her pretty face.
"Husband, this city is built by the ancient cultivators. It has never fallen in the past milennia. This city is already there even before the establishment of the Spirit palace", she explained.
"It has such a history!", Zhan Chen raised his eyebrow.
"There is a legend that in the ancient past, a great battle was fought between ancient races. Our human race is also participating in that battle. The city exists since then. It is a bastion for human cultivators against enemies. In the Known history, it has always been able to protect the humans from the rampaging magical beasts of the Shredded Mountain range", she added.
Zhan Chen felt curious as he saw the enormous fortified city infront of him. He could tell that the building materials of the wall had some special origin. "Liying, what actually is the material used to build such a wall? It can bear the devastation of powerful attacks for such a long time. So, the materials used to build this wall most be special", Zhan Chen asked. They kept talking with eachother as Shui Liying's flying treasure drawn close to the Jade harmony city.
The city walls appeared in it's full grandeur when Zhan Chen approached it's vicinity. He saw the armoured soldiers around and a look of understanding appeared on his face. 'No wonder, the shadow devil and the Earth devil choose to stop. With such security measures, it will be very hard to avoid scrutiny', he thought to himself.
He could communicate with his slaves as long as they are not very far away. So, he was already updated about their situation even before seeing the city walls of the Jade harmony city.
There were Core condensation realm soldiers guarding the city wall of the Jade harmony city. All the soldiers were wearing black armours and all their faces were stern as they guard the enormous entrance to the Jade harmony city.
"Senior, may I have your name? It is customary to register yourself before entering the Jade harmony city", the guard leader came forward and spoke. He had infused his voice with essenge energy. So, his voice was loud and clear.
"Stormsteel brigade of the imperial army?", Shui Liying softly murmured. She released her aura slightly and the expression of the guard leader changed.
"Senior, sorry for the inconvenience. I will contact our commander right away", the guard leader spoke.
"No need. I am already here", a middle aged man come out. He immediately bowed his head after appearing infront of Shui Liying and Zhan Chen.
"So, it is senior Shui. Sorry for not coming to greet you earlier. Let me take you to the camp of the Xuantian sect first. We will deliver your identity token later", the middle aged man spoke. Zhan Chen could see that the middle aged commander had a cultivation base of second stage Heavenly tribulation realm.
"So, the imperial army has already taken over the security of the Jade harmony city", Shui Liying softly murmured. She was not hiding her voice. So, the middle aged man could hear her words.
"Senior, it has been two days already since we have replaced the city guards. If there are any inconveniences, please let us know", the middle aged man spoke humbly. Zhan Chen could see that the middle aged man had genuine respect towards Shui Liying.
"Lead the way. Bring us to the camp of our Xuantian sect", Shui Liying ordered.
The middle aged man soared into the sky and led Zhan Chen and Shui Liying towards the southern direction. Zhan Chen could sense many powerful soul consciousness looking at their direction. Shui Liying didn't bother to hide her identity as she released her aura.
The intruding soul consciousnesses receded as first as they came. Zhan Chen kept observing the city below and found countless human cultivators roaming the streets of the Jade harmony city.