"You brat… You dare to ask me about this!? Did you forget what I told you back when your first daughter was born?"
"That I shouldn't fool around so much…"
"And what did you do? Hmph! It's your responsibility to handle the infighting between your children. Stop coming to me with these kinds of things. If the child you choose is really unfitting to take over the role of emperor, I will make sure that you know about it!"
Not knowing what else to say upon hearing what his father said, the emperor could not help feeling a sense of exhaustion wash over him after being reminded of his children that were currently in the process of doing their best to show that they were the only one worthy enough to inherit the role of emperor after he abdicated and focused all his attention towards increasing his cultivation realm. Similar to what his father had done back when he had abdicated the throne and handed it over to him.
The only difference between his father and his own situation, was the fact that his father only had a single child that could inherit his position, while he had close to fifty…
"I will excuse myself…" Feeling that it would be bad if he stayed any longer, the emperor turned around and left before his father had another chance to start scolding him.
Leaving the old ancestor alone once again, as he didn't waste any time in returning his attention back to the ancient texts. Not showing the slightest bit of care towards the children of the current emperor of the Sky Empire nor the old master of the Hollow Thunder Family that was currently in the process of breaking through to the Soul Ascension Realm.
…
Not much different from how the emperor of the Sky Empire had noticed the unfamiliar Soul Ascension Realm presence that had appeared for a moment before disappearing again, the Cardinals from the three religions also noticed this.
The only clear difference was that they had no idea about the fact that the Soul Ascension Realm presence they had just felt did not belong to some unfamiliar Soul Ascension Realm Expert that had entered the capital city.
Instead, they started to draw their own conclusions as to who the new Soul Ascension Realm Expert that had managed to enter the capital city was. The most likely guess being that it was a friend of the old ancestor, who had been called over to help ensure the stability of the sky Empire and keep them in check.
Something that they were less than happy about. Especially so when considering that the current chaotic situation in the Sky Empire would inevitably calm down a bit due to the presence of another Soul Ascension Realm Expert on the side of the imperial family.
Although this would not last for a long time, it would still buy time for the imperial family to try and mend the relationship between the noble families and the major sect!
…
While all the Soul Ascension Realm Experts in the capital city, outside of the old ancestor of the imperial family, were focused on the unfamiliar Soul Ascension Realm presence that had suddenly appeared for a split second before disappearing wondering just who it was-
FWOOOSH-!
BOOM-!
"AHHHH!"
The person in question was suffering under the first tribulation of the Soul Ascension Realm, the Tribulation of Fire. Only barely holding on against the sea of fire and lighting that engulfed him and tried to destroy both his body and soul.
The first tribulation of the Soul Ascension Realm, the Tribulation of Fire.
The Tribulation of Fire was known as the easiest tribulation to over come among the seven tribulations of the Immortal Soul Tribulation… But, even if it might not be that difficult to overcome when compared to the rest of the tribulations and was known as the easiest tribulation, it still had to be known that it was at the same time also considered to be the deadliest due to just how many people ended up dying to it in their attempt to breakthrough to Soul Ascension Realm.
For everyone who had reached the Peak of the Domain Lord Realm, the Tribulation of Fire was not the easiest tribulation in the Soul Ascension Realm. Instead, it was the most difficult and terrifying tribulation that they had encountered since stepping on to the path of cultivation.
Even affecting some Peak Domain Lord Realm Experts so much that they end up looking for another path by joining a religion or becoming a demonic cultivator to avoid having to go through the Tribulation of Fire!
The old master of the Hollow Thunder family was not like this, he instead chose to face the Tribulation of Fire head on with everything he had. Pouring out everything he had learnt over his long years as the most powerful person in the Hollow Thunder Family in order to protect himself from the sea of fire and lighting that engulfed him and seeped into his dantian and soul to destroy them.
Boom-boom-boom!
The battle between the sea of fire and lighting and the old master of the Hollow Thunder Family seemed to continue for what felt like hours before the tribulation clouds above slowly started fading-
Swish-!
BOOOOOM-!
However, just as the last bit of the tribulation clouds faded, a powerful streak of light descended from above before exploding forth violently with a power that instantly destroyed what little remained of the forbidden ground of the Hollow Thunder Family and the formation in place to hide it from the outside world while the old master was undergoing his tribulation.
Instantly attracting the attention of the different Soul Ascension Realm Experts who had all secretly been trying to find the origin of the Soul Ascension Realm presence from earlier-
"HAHAHAHA, I FINALLY BROKE THROUGH TO THE SOUL ASCENSION REALM!"
However, at this point in time, the old master of the Hollow Thunder Family had already successfully managed to pass through the Tribulation of Fire. Officially having stepped into the Soul Ascension Realm!
…
Not related to the current chaotic situation that was taking place inside and around the capital city of the Sky Empire, Xuan Hao opened both of his eyes after a relaxing night of sleep, something he had not done in a long time because of the simple fact that there was no need for it at his current cultivation realm. Especially when meditating would bring about the same benefits, while also increasing one's strength at the same time.
But then again, Xuan Hao could not help feeling more comfortable than he had in a long time. Making him think that it might be a good idea for him to sleep every now and then. Even if it only ended up being a few times a month.
Whoosh~
Getting up from his bed after lazing around for a few minutes, Xuan Hao didn't waste any time before making his way out of his room into the somewhat empty space that was in front of the palace, where the small figure of Mui could already be seen patiently waiting for him with a nervous expression on her face.
"M-master!? Good morning!" Spotting him coming over, Mui fumbled over her words in surprise before greeting him.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes! The bed was far softer than anything I've ever slept on. Not to mention the fluffy pillows. Everything was perfect!" Excitedly nodding her head as she said this, it was obvious to anyone watching just how happy she was when remembering her soft and fluffy bed.
"That's great, it looks like we can begin today's lesson immediately!"
"I-immediately…?"
"Yes, don't worry too much about it, I'm only going to teach you some basic knowledge of cultivation today. Nothing complicated, that will have to wait. For now, let's sit down over there before we start with something simple. Hm… How about basic etiquette when addressing someone stronger than yourself…" Not wasting a single second, Xuan Hao guided Mui towards a small resting spot in front of the palace before he began teaching her the basics of cultivation.
From the simple etiquette of how to address someone stronger as oneself to the importance of always having a backup plan in case something went wrong, Xuan Hao made sure to teach Mui about all the things he deemed important before she could start roaming around the territory of the Star Shattering Sect and explore it by herself in the future… Of course, also adding some of his own things to remember, like the dangers of someone in a spiritual form approaching her while praising her talent and asking for her to become their disciple!
No matter what, he had to make sure that Mui did not end up getting fooled by some old grandpa or grandma in a magical ring when she left the sect to gain experience in the future. Making it especially clear that contacting him and running away would be the best thing to do if she encountered such a situation.
"… And with that, we will finish up the lesson for today." The entire teaching session ended up lasting for a little over three hours, a rather long period to be sitting still in one spot for a young girl like Mui. Luckily for her, Zhi Ruo was there to provide snacks and tea the entire time. Making all three hours an enjoyable experience for Mui, who had previously never tasted anything as delicious as the snacks and tea Zhi Ruo made.