Since joining the Great Dream Sect, Lin Fei had gained a deeper understanding of the sect. The Great Dream Sect didn't seem like a typical sect or power. It was quite loose, without many binding rules.
However, the Great Dream Ancestor was fiercely protective of the sect members. If there was a fair fight or a sparring match between equals, there would be no issue. But should anyone attempt to bully those weaker than themselves, the Great Dream Ancestor would undoubtedly intervene.
Lin Fei was under no illusions about his own status. He was well aware of his reputation. Capable of slaying Deity Transformations and top-tier Martial Gods, and having dominated the Heavenly Principle Realm, he was no ordinary Martial God.
It was natural for the Great Dream Ancestor to take an interest in him. Now, with him having sent Zuo Yuan to "warn" Lin Fei about a True Monarch intending to kill him, it seemed a reasonable precaution.
Thus, Lin Fei conducted his own investigation and found that Zuo Yuan was truly one of the Great Dream Ancestor's close associates.
Moreover, Lin Fei obtained a "portrait" of Zuo Yuan, which matched the Martial God he had met. This confirmed that it was indeed Zuo Yuan who had approached him.
"If the Ancestor has issued a warning, it's likely true," Lin Fei thought. "But who could have alerted a True Monarch? And which True Monarch is it that wants to kill me?"
Lin Fei frowned. This was not an easy matter to investigate, especially since he didn't have a strong base or network in the Divine Realm.
Dealing with intelligence and information gathering was indeed not Lin Fei's forte. However, he could surmise that his actions in the True Spirit Realm and Heavenly Principle Realm, particularly the battles for world origin, had likely offended many. The involvement of a True Monarch in his affairs seemed inevitable given the number of enemies he had made. He wasn't surprised by this development; he had anticipated such a situation.
"Still, with the protection of the Great Dream Ancestor," Lin Fei reassured himself, "within the bounds of the Ancient Covenant, I should be safe. True Monarchs can traverse voids and could directly attack in Ancient City, but they haven't. This indicates they do respect, perhaps even fear, the Great Dream Sect and the Ancestor."
Feeling more secure, Lin Fei knew he had a solid safety net as long as he remained within the Ancient Covenant. The might of a Martial Ancestor was formidable—few would dare provoke such a being. Even a True Monarch would be relentlessly pursued and eliminated by a Martial Ancestor if targeted.
A Martial Ancestor, mastering a complete Dao, could instantaneously annihilate all avatars. Thus, while billions of avatars of a Deity Transformation might trouble a True Monarch, they posed no challenge to a Martial Ancestor.
But could Lin Fei remain confined to the Ancient Covenant indefinitely? His goal was to become a Martial Ancestor, and staying in one place wouldn't help him achieve that.
"My strength is still insufficient," Lin Fei mused. "If I were strong enough, what could a True Monarch possibly do to me? I must cross the fifth thunder tribulation soon. Only by overcoming the tribulation can my strength leap qualitatively. I wonder how close I will be to breaking through the void after surviving five thunder tribulations?"
Muttering to himself, a determined glint shone in Lin Fei's eyes.
Martial Gods contending with True Monarchs is not unheard of in history, but such instances are rare and the individuals involved are invariably exceptional talents.
Stolen novel; please report.
Lin Fei, aspiring to stand against True Monarchs as a Martial God, and perhaps even more than just contend, was already nearing the pinnacle of Martial God and Deity Transformation capabilities. The extent of his strength after his next tribulation was unknown even to him.
"Regardless, the first step is to undergo the tribulation," Lin Fei decided, taking a deep breath before stepping towards the site of his tribulation.
In Ancient City, the place for tribulation was not bustling with activity. Despite many Martial Gods in the city, the tribulation site was seldom crowded. It was too challenging for most.
Lin Fei's previous tribulation had drawn a large crowd, inspiring many Martial Gods to undertake their own tribulations, slightly increasing the number of onlookers.
As Lin Fei appeared at the tribulation site again, he immediately attracted everyone's attention.
"It's Lin Fei, the Martial God from the Great Dream Sect!"
"Martial God Lin is going to face tribulation again?"
"I heard he slew two Deity Transformation powerhouses in the Heavenly Principle Realm and dominated its world origin. Is it true?"
"Of course, it's true. The story has spread across the entire Divine Realm. They say he's even more formidable than Initial Evil True Person. Just a glance from him makes countless Deity Transformations and Martial Gods bow their heads."
"Heh, have you not heard? Some people are now calling Martial God Lin the number one Martial God in the Divine Realm."
"The number one Martial God? That's a big claim."
"I think Martial God Lin deserves the title. Which other Martial God has achieved what he has? He subdued many Deity Transformations in the Divine Realm, something not even a True Monarch can easily do."
"It's incredible that Martial God Lin is from our Ancient Covenant."
"There's nothing incredible about it. Rumor has it that Martial God Lin emerged from the Ancient Continent, the ancestral place of our Ancient Covenant, which once produced a Dao Integration True Immortal and a Martial Ancestor!"
"Are the Ancient Continent really that miraculous?"
The murmurs and conversations buzzed with excitement and awe, reflecting Lin Fei's growing reputation and the prestige he had brought to the Ancient Covenant.
Amidst the bustling discussions and the intense gaze of many, Lin Fei calmly walked into the designated area for his tribulation. His presence as a member of the Ancient Covenant in Ancient City, where he was seen as 'one of their own', contrasted sharply with the hostile environments he had faced when competing for world origin. Here, he was among allies rather than adversaries.
"Martial God Lin, are you here to undergo another tribulation?"
"Yes, is there a suitable spot?"
"Of course, please follow me."
The Martial Gods managing the tribulation site were well acquainted with Lin Fei by now. They led him to an optimal spot for his tribulation. Although the specifics of the site were of little concern to Lin Fei, as he could undergo the tribulation anywhere, the location helped to contain the tribulation's impact, preventing any harm to the rest of the Ancient City.
Lin Fei didn't rush into his tribulation. Instead, he closed his eyes, taking his time to adjust his mental and physical state. The upcoming fifth thunder tribulation was of paramount importance to him. He felt an instinctual anticipation for a significant transformation should he succeed in this tribulation, though he couldn't predict its exact nature. He was determined to face the fifth, sixth, and possibly even seventh heavenly thunder in the best possible condition.
However, not all onlookers harbored good intentions. Amidst the crowd, some eyes watched Lin Fei's figure with ill will, closely observing his every move.
As Lin Fei prepared himself for the tribulation, a Deity Transformation cultivator among the onlookers quietly disseminated the news.
"Spread the word. Lin Fei is undergoing his fifth tribulation."
Ancient City, with its diverse population, was not comprised solely of Ancient Covenant members. Thus, the news of Lin Fei's tribulation quickly spread throughout the Ancient Covenant and even across the Divine Realm. Many factions began to focus their attention on Lin Fei, the "Number One Martial God." Regardless of the intentions of those spreading the news, the title of the Divine Realm's number one Martial God was gradually becoming synonymous with Lin Fei.
"Let's begin," Lin Fei finally declared after an indeterminate period of preparation. His eyes suddenly snapped open, a divine light shimmering within them. He gazed calmly at the void above, ready to face the formidable challenge of his fifth thunder tribulation, a pivotal moment that could potentially elevate his strength to unprecedented levels. The eyes of many in the Divine Realm were on him, watching to see if he would indeed live up to his burgeoning reputation.