"Come on, let me shield it!" Bai Ziqi roared, and the Time Tower suddenly enlarged, covering up the Wheel of Destiny that bore down from above.
Time passed, each breath after another.
After twenty-five breaths.
The Wheel of Destiny thunderously appeared within the Time Tower, pressing down toward Yang Ji.
"It can only be shielded for twenty-five breaths, this Wheel of Destiny is indeed powerful," said the Ragged Wooden Box in surprise.
Boom!
Yang Ji's face became solemn. At this moment, he had gathered all his focus, continuously using the Fate-Pointing Finger to resist.
He had become immersed, having forgotten the passing of his lifespan.
However, the Ragged Wooden Box and Bai Ziqi were watching in alarm; with each rotation, the Wheel of Destiny whisked away more than ten thousand years of his lifespan, a truly terrifying extent.
Both of them had their hearts in their throats and they held their breath, worried that Yang Ji wouldn't have enough lifespan to last through its crushing.
This process only took a few dozen breaths, yet it felt incredibly long!
Yang Ji's long howls echoed within the Time Tower, constantly urging the Immortal Peach Tree to defend against the Wheel of Destiny, continuously using the Fate-Pointing Finger to weaken it.
Time went by, breath by breath, as if a hundred thousand years had passed, as if a million years had gone by.
Yang Ji had never felt his mind so exhausted.
By the time the Wheel of Destiny disappeared, his body had already begun to sway.
"We've made it through, my lord, we've made it through!" Bai Ziqi roared excitedly, having witnessed Yang Ji's potential and foundation firsthand, his thinking had undergone a complete transformation.
"Young Yang, that was truly too perilous," the Ragged Wooden Box took a deep breath, unable to help feeling anxious for Yang Ji.
"Only fifty thousand years of lifespan left, indeed too dangerous. I underestimated the Destiny Heavenly Tribulation," Yang Ji calmed his emotions, his expression growing somber.
He had thought that with a lifespan of several hundred thousand years plus the Time Tower, he could easily pass through the fifth Destiny Heavenly Tribulation, yet it was very nearly a failure.
"It seems my lifespan is still insufficient, and my current methods are inadequate for the next Destiny Heavenly Tribulation. I must find more Spiritual Objects that can extend lifespan and powerful methods. Creating my own Destiny Divine Skills is also imperative!" Yang Ji said solemnly.
"Your lifespan is already very difficult to extend now because you've consumed too many Spiritual Objects, some of which have lost their effect. You need to find even better natural treasures," advised the Ragged Wooden Box.
"Don't worry, my lord. Leave this task to Lin Hua Jun. With his great fortune, he will surely find top-grade lifespan-extending Spiritual Objects for you!" Bai Ziqi said.
"Let's hope so," Yang Ji nodded, sensing his own strength and feeling invincible, as if he could kill a Nine Tribulations Immortal with a single punch.
"Young Yang, with your current strength, you could traverse the Myriad Realms unchallenged," the Ragged Wooden Box said with a smile.
"Yes, finally I have reached this step!" Yang Ji clenched his fist with a bursting aura, "Let's go, we're heading back to the Minor Immortal Realm!"
...
On Panstone Star, at the Immortal Glory Commerce Assembly.
Yang Ji sat in the Secret Hall, quietly cultivating.
Five continuous days passed, and his brows unconsciously furrowed, as Bai Bi hadn't returned his messages for several days in a row.
After ten days, Yang Ji could no longer sit still. He walked out of the Secret Hall, flew alone to the Myriad Realms Commerce Alliance, and decided to inquire about the situation.
He raced through the cosmos, with the starry sky flashing under his feet.
Just as he reached the Myriad Realms Commerce Alliance, two beams of light sped across the sky with [Anger] above their heads, indignantly landing in a tavern.
"That beast Huang Dao, to cultivate his 'Foundation Plundering Great Technique', actually wants to monopolize the young girl Bai Bi. It's infuriating! I had planned to suggest this marriage for my child, but he beat me to it."
"Indeed, that beast has harmed many exceptionally talented women. He truly deserves death a thousand times over!"
"Who would've thought that because Bai Bi's 'Taichu Hall' is weak, that Huang Dao would dare to be so arrogant!"
"What? Occupying it forcefully for cultivating a technique? Such a deplorable act. Do the other divisions of the Myriad Realms Commerce Alliance just ignore this and let it slide? Doesn't this dishearten the members of other divisions?" Yang Ji, activating his Wings of Time-Space, suddenly appeared in the trio's room. Startled, they leapt to their feet, immediately on guard.
"Who might you be?" The trio was extremely shocked. They, who were Seven Tribulations Immortals, could hardly believe that their barriers were so easily torn apart by a Five Tribulations Immortal who had barged in.
"To be frank, I am also from the Taichu Hall, though I have always been in the Taichu World. It was only while escorting Miss Bai Bi that I came to the Minor Immortal Realm," Yang Ji spoke, suppressing his rage.
"So you are a friend from the Taichu Hall!" The trio let out a sigh of relief, saying seriously, "Fellow cultivator might not be aware, but our Alliance of Commerce has over five thousand divisions, each with differing strength. It's common for the major divisions to fight openly and scheme in the dark. While Huang Dao's actions are despicable, there's no helping it. No one wants to stand up for the Taichu Hall because Huang Dao's division is the Ancestral Saint Hall, ranked among the top ten in strength."
"Do the three fellow cultivators know where Bai Gong is?" Yang Ji inquired about Bai Bi's grandfather's whereabouts.
"Bai Gong was imprisoned by the people of the Ancestral Saint Hall. They even boast about wanting to annex the Taichu Hall. Without a Red Dust Immortal presiding over a division, we can only struggle to survive in the gaps, waiting to receive a small portion of resources annually, without any real authority to manage affairs," the middle-aged man said indignantly.
"Who says the Taichu Hall doesn't have a Red Dust Immortal!" Yang Ji released a powerful aura that intimidated the hearts of others like the Heavenly Dao.
"Fellow cultivator, you..." The trio's hearts trembled in surprise at the formidable power of Yang Ji.
"Although I am a Five Tribulations Immortal, I am capable of battling a Red Dust Immortal. I would trouble the three of you to lead the way. I wish to visit the headquarters of the Commerce Alliance." Yang Ji gave a cupped fist salute, then waved his hands, bringing forth a large number of Immortal Spirit Pills, and pushed them towards the trio.
"Fellow cultivator is capable of battling a Red Dust Immortal?" The trio exchanged glances, and amidst their astonishment, they couldn't help but become more respectful. "The Ancestral Saint Hall has always been arrogant. We are willing to lead the way for fellow cultivator."
"Thank you, three sirs!" Yang Ji gave another cupped fist salute.