Quickly suppressing the Innate Dao Embryo within him, Gu Feng tried to control it, preventing it from continuing to convert spiritual energy into True Core force. If this went on, his cultivation would directly break through to the Golden Elixir Realm!

In cultivation, breakthroughs are divided into minor and major realms. A minor realm breakthrough occurs naturally when True Core condenses to a certain level, without much complexity, just a matter of course.

But a major realm breakthrough is entirely different!

It requires opportunities, talent, and external stimuli, among other conditions, making it quite challenging.

Cultivation is inherently defying the heavens, and once a cultivator reaches the point of a major realm breakthrough, it attracts a corresponding heavenly tribulation!

Surviving the tribulation means a complete transformation, successfully ascending! Cultivation power and lifespan undergo fundamental changes!

If one cannot withstand the tribulation, at best, the physical body collapses; if at the Elemental Infant Realm, one might even tread the path of ghost cultivation.

At worst, death and the disappearance of the Dao, the soul scattered! Left with nothing!

"Now you're forcing me to undergo a heavenly tribulation? What kind of international joke is this!"

Gu Feng cursed inwardly, yet he had no control over the situation. He wasn't prepared at all, not even having chosen a guardian for the tribulation, which was a life-and-death matter!

Moreover, he was currently at the center of the Imperial City in Heroic Spirit City. If he rashly underwent a tribulation, those who harbored ill intentions towards him might stop at nothing to sabotage his breakthrough!

First and foremost would likely be his Third Uncle and Fifth Uncle!

And then there's Gu Kun, second in the Sequence. Gu Feng had accidentally killed his mother, Xia Lengling. Although Gu Kun was still being punished at Silent Thought Cliff, he must have learned of this through the Elders. Bound by family rules, he couldn't leave to seek revenge!

Once his punishment was over, he certainly wouldn't let it go!

If Gu Feng started the Golden Elixir tribulation now, an enraged Gu Kun might take desperate measures!

In short, if left unchecked, when the heavenly tribulation arrives, the spiritual energy in the Imperial City would be thrown into chaos, and all cultivators would notice Gu Feng!

In the end, he would inevitably become the target of all! It might even cause great turmoil! The consequences would be unimaginable!

Understanding this, Gu Feng endured the discomfort, forcefully withdrawing from meditation with a fierce hand seal!

"Ugh!"

A mouthful of heart's blood splattered across the wall!

At this moment, the Innate Dao Embryo within him was about to burst from the overwhelming spiritual energy, and his forced exit from meditation immediately triggered a backlash in his Five Organs Spiritual Sea.

"Damn it!"

Gu Feng roared to the sky, quickly retrieving a handful of spiritual herbs from his Ring Storage, stuffing them all into his mouth without hesitation.

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Unfortunately, the spiritual energy within him was too abundant, and Gu Feng felt as if all his meridians were about to explode!

Unable to bear it any longer, he swung his hand, and the domineering True Core force shattered the entire roof tile above him into dust!

"Boom!"

The loud noise alarmed everyone in Qiong Feng Pavilion.

Jiu Long was the first to rush in. Seeing Gu Feng covered in blood, a rare look of panic appeared on his face as he hurriedly supported him.

Manager Wu arrived, shocked, and quickly called for the household servants and maids, shouting loudly, "Summon the Imperial City Medical Officer! Quickly!"

Hou Yixiao ran in shirtless, his fat trembling, almost tripping in fright.

Behind him, Fang Feixue kicked him aside. Seeing Gu Feng's sorry state, an inexplicable pain welled up in her heart.

"Gu Feng! Don't scare me, I haven't avenged that kneeling incident yet! You mustn't have anything happen!" Fang Feixue supported Gu Feng, tears filling her eyes.

Gu Feng, eyes drooping and blood at the corner of his mouth, gave her a faint smile, teasing, "I'm not dead yet... why are you crying..."

Jiu Long frowned, pointing at Gu Feng's Spiritual Platform, surprised, "Where did you get so much overwhelming spiritual energy inside you!?"

With a bitter smile, Gu Feng weakly replied, "Took too big a step... really pulled something..."

... ...

In Heroic Spirit City.

Gu Liantian, who was in seclusion, almost simultaneously opened his eyes when Gu Feng roared to the sky. His destiny divine sense was connected, immediately sensing Gu Feng's anomaly!

Without a word, Gu Liantian got up and rushed out of the seclusion room, soaring into the sky towards Qiong Feng Pavilion.

In just a few breaths, Gu Liantian, accompanied by a dazzling escape light, landed in front of Gu Feng.

Everyone was stunned, then quickly bowed!

"Greetings, City Lord!"

Waving his hand, Gu Liantian looked at Gu Feng, seeing his miserable state, his face filled with anger.

He reached out to probe Gu Feng's Spiritual Sea, and after a moment, slightly shocked, said, "Innate Dao Embryo!? Feng'er, you..."

"Father, quickly take me away from Heroic Spirit City... I can't stay here, I can barely suppress it..." Gu Feng gave a wry smile, spiritual energy surging within, and above his head, black thunderclouds faintly appeared.

Gu Liantian, with profound cultivation, had already noticed the signs. Although he had questions about the changes within Gu Feng, he knew now was not the time to ask.

He formed a hand seal, sealing Gu Feng's Spiritual Sea. This seal would last at most half an hour, after which, even with Gu Liantian's peak Spirit Dividing strength, he couldn't suppress the arrival of the heavenly tribulation.

With a wave of his sleeve, Gu Liantian solidified the area within a hundred miles of Qiong Feng Pavilion with his immense cultivation power, rendering any Illusory Light Technique and Sound Transmission Technique ineffective, completely isolating Qiong Feng Pavilion from the outside world.

"Manager Wu! Issue my decree, from now on, without my order, no one is to enter or leave Qiong Feng Pavilion at will!" Gu Liantian's face was solemn, his words indisputable.

Manager Wu immediately bowed and obeyed.

Nodding, Gu Liantian quickly mobilized his True Core, using immense cultivation power to cover the tens of thousands of miles of Heroic Spirit City with his divine sense, directly transmitting a message to all cultivators in the city!

"All cultivators of Heroic Spirit City heed the order! I have urgent matters to attend to and will leave for a moment. From now on, no one is allowed to fly at will in Heroic Spirit City! Family disciples and Elders are to remain in their respective cave dwellings, not allowed to go out! Chen Long Army's Lu Zhen is to lead sixty thousand soldiers to patrol and guard the city. Anyone who violates the order can be apprehended on the spot! Punishment will be severe!"

The authoritative command echoed throughout the vast Heroic Spirit City, and all cultivators knelt in respect, filled with trepidation.

After handling everything, Gu Liantian carried Gu Feng on his back, turning to Jiu Long, "Jiu Long, come with me!"

Jiu Long nodded, leaping into the sky.

Gu Liantian said no more, carrying Gu Feng as he followed suit!

Leaving the room full of people, stunned in place.

Fang Feixue watched the rapidly disappearing escape light in the sky, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

... ...

In the western city of the Imperial City in Heroic Spirit City.

There was a cave dwelling surrounded by spiritual energy all year round.

It was the residence of the Third Elder, Long-Browed Daoist, Gu Huaisheng.

At this moment, he was sitting on a Buddhist mat, silently circulating his meridians.

A sound transmission suddenly came, from Fifth Elder Gu Chunfeng.

"Third Brother! Did you hear the City Lord's decree?"

Gu Huaisheng slowly opened his eyes, replying via sound transmission, "Of course I heard it. Why? Do you intend to defy the City Lord's order?"

Gu Chunfeng was silent for a moment, then transmitted, "The City Lord suddenly came out of seclusion, then rushed to Qiong Feng Pavilion, and then issued this decree. Third Brother, don't you find it strange? Could it be that something happened to that brat Gu Feng?"

"Fifth Younger Brother, even if something happened, I advise you not to act rashly. I know you want to avenge Lengling, but the time is not yet ripe." Gu Huaisheng responded calmly.

Gu Chunfeng, gritting his teeth in anger, retorted, "Gu Feng insulted me first, then plotted to kill Lengling. I won't rest until he's dead!"

With a deep sigh, Gu Huaisheng transmitted, "Haste makes waste. Calm your fiery temper. This boy now has the Divine King backing him, he's no longer the same. We just need to wait a bit longer. If he fails to break through to the Golden Elixir Realm, we can rightfully expel him from the city. Then, you can do as you wish, and I won't stop you."

"What if he really breaks through to the Golden Elixir Realm?"

After a long silence, Gu Huaisheng pondered for a moment, then replied, "Even if he breaks through to the Golden Elixir Realm, it won't matter."

"Next year, on the second day of the tenth month, the Grand Heavenly Contest, held once every hundred years in the Eastern Region, will take place. Our family will select two Chosen juniors to participate. In the past, our Gu Family would hold a competition in Heroic Spirit City to determine the qualifiers..."

Gu Huaisheng continued, "I spent a great deal to acquire a 'Blood-Crying Infant Gathering Pill' from the Nine Tribulations Witch King. When the time comes, let Kun'er take it to help him achieve the Elemental Infant early. What can Gu Feng do even if he breaks through to the Golden Elixir Realm?"

With cold eyes, Gu Huaisheng stroked his long brows and sneered, "On the arena, life and death are determined by fate. This is our Gu Family's ancestral rule. If Kun'er accidentally kills him during the competition, no one can be blamed!"

Gu Huaisheng's scheme was meticulously planned and extremely ruthless, earning Gu Chunfeng's repeated praise.

"Hahaha! Well said! Third Brother, you're so thorough! This is excellent! Let that brat jump around for a few more days!"