As He Nantian broke through to the Great Sage by comprehending the Taiji diagram, Ji Buqun, a half-saint of the Ji family, also immediately sat down and calmly began to sense the Taiji diagram.
Ji Nanyan, He Xiaohan, and the other younger generation followed suit, mirroring their half-saint, holding their breath and focusing their minds to comprehend.
On the other side, Lin Feng's aura continued to climb.
He could faintly feel the threshold of the Great Emperor.
The Taiji diagram also spun above Lin Feng's head, its profound dao rhythm, like moonlight, showering upon him.
Meanwhile, Ying Tianqing unleashed the Fire Summoning Art, continuously refining the vital energy of Emperor Qingtian into spiritual energy and channeling it to Lin Feng.
Emperor Qingtian was in a truly pathetic state now, having become the stepping stone for Lin Feng's breakthrough to Emperor.
He let out continuous wails, suffering greatly within the Heaven Sealing Gourd.
No one knew what he was experiencing at that moment, but everyone could sense that Emperor Qingtian's life was in grave danger.
"How can this be? Why is there only the Taiji diagram, and no Imperial Tribulation of my own?"
Lin Feng opened his eyes and asked Ying Tianqing with confusion.
Logically, he had touched the threshold of the Great Emperor, and heaven would bestow an Imperial Tribulation to temper him.
Yet, only the Taiji diagram, a tangible manifestation of the Great Dao, appeared, without the heavenly trial of an Imperial Tribulation.
This was unreasonable!
"Kid, heaven does not permit you."
"You're aiming for Emperor right after breaking through to Great Sage; heaven does not allow such a mad pursuit."
"Don't worry, with me here, I will lend you a hand."
"If heaven does not permit, I will break this heaven for you."
Ying Tianqing's eyes, sharp as a falcon's, shot out piercing divine light.
Demonic energy coiled around him as he cut his arm.
Black blood, entwined with demonic energy, sprayed out like ink.
Instantly, it stained the Taiji diagram black.
"What is the Demon Emperor doing?"
Everyone was confused, not understanding why the Demon Emperor would cut his arm and release his demonic blood.
"The Taiji diagram distinguishes yin and yang. Now, I shall stain the yin and yang of the Taiji diagram with my demonic blood. Kid, go all out!"
"Today, even if I, Ying Tianqing, sacrifice my ten thousand years of cultivation, I will help you attain the Dao!"
Ying Tianqing declared, transforming into a black-winged roc and soaring towards the heavens like a sharp sword.
Carrying the completely black Taiji diagram, Ying Tianqing, with a momentum that pierced the heavens, hurled the diagram towards the sky.
"My heavens, the Demon Emperor is trying to forge an Imperial Tribulation for Lin Feng with his own might."
"The Taiji diagram is stained black by demonic blood, lacking its yang side, leaving only the yin."
"The Demon Emperor intends to use the yin side of the Taiji diagram to stir the Great Dao, forcing it to unleash an Emperor-level tribulation."
Below, someone had guessed Ying Tianqing's intentions.
As expected, when Ying Tianqing charged towards the sky with the Taiji diagram, the heavens were enraged.
Black clouds, carrying countless lightning bolts, converged.
Terrifying black lightning, like a surging tide, crashed down with a roar.
Ying Tianqing had successfully provoked an Imperial Tribulation.
Furthermore, the heavens were angered, unleashing fearsome black lightning to punish Ying Tianqing.
Ying Tianqing revealed his true form. Clad in black armor, he appeared like a resurgent demon god, majestic and awe-inspiring.
His sword-like eyebrows were raised, and his sharp eyes revealed powerful fighting intent.
He opened his mouth, spewing endless demonic energy to greet the fierce lightning strikes.
Boom, boom, boom.
The black lightning seemed to tear open the sky.
Striking within the demonic energy, it instantly dissipated, utterly incapable of withstanding the onslaught.
Ying Tianqing was struck by the lightning and sent flying backward.
Even a mighty Demon Emperor like him was ultimately unable to contend with the heavens, spitting out dark, murky blood.
"Brother Ying, please stop quickly."
"This is my own path; let me walk it to the end. Even if I die, it is what I must bear."
Lin Feng could not bear it. He knew that after battling Emperor Qingtian, Ying Tianqing was already severely injured.
Now, he was exhausting his full strength to clear the path for him to become an Emperor. This was an immeasurable kindness.
"Kid, do not concern yourself with me. Having lived for ten thousand years, this Emperor feels it was worthwhile."
"Though I failed to find the Azure Bird, leaving me with regret."
"But to be able to support you, my disciple, can be considered as not having lived this life in vain."
"Damn heaven, I, this Emperor, am willing to exchange my life for a chance for Lin Feng. If you do not yield, I shall stain this sky with my demonic blood!"
Ying Tianqing wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, a fanatical smile gracing his face.
He spread his arms, his armor instantly shattering, and his skin began to crack.
Black blood oozed from his skin, rushing towards the heavens.