The Firmament Tribulation of the Mysterious Emperor of Chaos

countless red-hot iron needles, pierced fiercely into every limb and bone. Ling Chen's eyes flew open. His heart thudded wildly in his chest, as if it would burst through his flesh the next moment. What met his gaze was the familiar carved canopy of his bed, with light cyan silk curtains draping down both sides. A faint sandalwood scent lingered in the air—the incense he had used for five years in his bedroom as the Young Sect Master of Cangwu Sect. "I… didn't die?" He propped himself up and stared at his hands. Pale and slender, with distinct knuckles, they bore not a single scar. Nothing like the useless, scab-covered hands with severed meridians he'd had in his previous life—*after Xiao Jingyuan ripped out his Chaotic Profound Veins*. A surge of fragmented memories flooded his mind, finally freezing on the churning black mist at the bottom of the Abyss of Demon Fall… and the two faces at the cliff's edge. Xiao Jingyuan—his closest friend, whom he'd treated like a brother—had stood there holding a blood-stained black iron dagger. The tip still glistened with fragments of his Chaotic Profound Veins, and his face twisted into a ferocity Ling Chen had never seen before. "Ling Chen, your Chaotic Profound Veins should have been mine long ago!" Beside him stood Su Wanqing, his fiancée of three years. Her white gown was spattered with his blood, and her eyes were as cold as ice. "The title of Young Sect Master… and Jingyuan too. A gullible fool like you doesn't deserve either." Then, the two had violently shoved him off the Abyss of Demon Fall. As he plummeted, he'd seen Xiao Jingyuan clutch a brocade box to his chest—the box holding his *entire* Chaotic Profound Veins, torn out intact. And in the black mist below, faint demon runes had flickered to life. So they'd long colluded with the demons! Stealing his Veins was to help them break the ancient seal! Hatred, like poisonous vines, coiled tightly around Ling Chen's heart, squeezing the breath from his lungs. But the next second, a realization hit him—hard: the bedroom's furnishings, his unscarred hands, even the shouts of outer-disciples training outside the window… This was *exactly* the last night before Xiao Jingyuan and Su Wanqing framed him, back when he was nineteen! On this night in his past life, Xiao Jingyuan had brought him a jug of "Vein-Stabilizing Wine" laced with "Vein-Dissolving Powder," claiming it would "strengthen his Profound Veins." Ling Chen, unsuspecting, had drunk it all. Less than an hour later, the powder had begun corroding his Veins, making them go berserk during the Sect Ceremony the next day. Xiao Jingyuan had seized the chance to falsely accuse him of "colluding with demons and losing control"—and he'd ended up with his Veins torn out, thrown off the cliff to his death. *Squeak—* The door creaked open softly. A warm voice, identical to the one etched in his memories, spoke: "Brother Chen, you're awake? I went to the Alchemy Division to beg for this Vein-Stabilizing Wine. Drink it tonight, and your Profound Veins will be rock-solid for tomorrow's Ceremony." Ling Chen looked up. Xiao Jingyuan wore a moon-white Cangwu Sect disciple's robe, carrying a tray with a celadon wine jug and two cups. His face held just the right amount of concern, his eyes clear and innocent—anyone would take him for a friend who truly cared. If he hadn't died once before, Ling Chen might have smiled, taken the jug, and thanked him gratefully—just like he did in his past life. But now, his stomach churned. He suppressed the coldness in his eyes, feigning the dazed look of someone who'd just woken up. His voice was hoarse: "Jingyuan? It's so late—why haven't you rested?" "I was just worried about you for tomorrow," Xiao Jingyuan said, setting the tray on the nightstand. He picked up the jug and filled both cups to the brim. Amber liquid swirled inside, releasing a faint medicinal aroma. But beneath that scent, Ling Chen's sharp senses detected a faint, fishy tang—the unique smell of Vein-Dissolving Powder. In his past life, he'd only noticed it when his Veins were already corroding. Now, he recognized it instantly. Xiao Jingyuan held out one cup, his smile still warm. "Drink up, Brother Chen—it works best while it's warm." Ling Chen stared at the cup. His fingers trembled—not from fear, but anger. He could almost see how triumphant Xiao Jingyuan had felt when he drank this wine in his past life. Instead of taking the cup, he glanced at a palm-sized glass device on the nightstand, his tone casual. "Oh, Jingyuan—my Profound Vein Detector seems broken. I tried checking my Veins just now, but it didn't respond. Can you take a look?" Every Cangwu Sect disciple had one of these detectors. Infuse it with spiritual energy, add a drop of blood, or let it touch something related to Profound Veins, and it would show the Veins' condition. If it came into contact with something harmful, its glass surface would instantly turn black and emit smoke. Xiao Jingyuan's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly—then returned to their gentle warmth. "Oh? Is that so? Let me see." The moment Xiao Jingyuan's attention shifted to the detector, Ling Chen suddenly lifted his hand and "accidentally" knocked into the hand holding the wine cup. *Bang!* The cup flew from Xiao Jingyuan's grasp. Amber wine spilled across the floor—most of it splashing onto the Profound Vein Detector. "Whoops! Sorry, Jingyuan—I slipped!" Ling Chen apologized at once, his face filled with "chagrin." Xiao Jingyuan's expression changed instantly. He reached down subconsciously to pick up the cup, his voice urgent: "Brother Chen, how could you be so careles—" His words were cut off by a *sizzling* sound. The detector's light blue glass surface had turned jet black the second the wine touched it. Black smoke oozed from its cracks, carrying a burnt stench. The device's scale bar spiked wildly, then landed on the red "Highly Toxic" section. Xiao Jingyuan froze mid-movement. His smile vanished completely. Ling Chen watched his panic-stricken face, snorting coldly inwardly. He raised his voice—loud enough for anyone outside to hear: "Jingyuan, what's going on? Why does the Detector say this Vein-Stabilizing Wine is highly toxic? You said you got this from the Alchemy Division!" "I… I don't know either!" Xiao Jingyuan stammered, his eyes darting. "Maybe the Detector's broken? Or the Alchemy Division gave me the wrong wine? Brother Chen, don't misunderstand—I'd never hurt you!" "Misunderstand?" Ling Chen sat up straight abruptly. The dazed look in his eyes was gone, replaced by cold hatred. "Xiao Jingyuan, dare you say there's no Vein-Dissolving Powder in this wine?" Xiao Jingyuan's face turned deathly pale. He stepped back, his voice trembling: "Brother Chen, h-how could you say that? I'd never add Vein-Dissolving Powder to your drink!" "Of course you won't admit it." Ling Chen sneered, throwing off the quilt and getting out of bed. He knelt by the bed, reached into a hidden compartment in the bedboard, and pulled out a folded silk cloth. He'd discovered this compartment by accident in his past life—after his death, when his soul lingered in the bedroom. Inside had been secret letters Xiao Jingyuan exchanged with the demons. He'd never known about it until he died. The first thing he did after being reborn was retrieve this letter. Ling Chen unfolded the cloth. It was covered in demon runes—unintelligible to most disciples, but Xiao Jingyuan would recognize them. He'd written them himself. "You know these runes, don't you?" Ling Chen walked over and held the cloth up to Xiao Jingyuan's face. "This is your letter to the demons. You wrote that tomorrow at the Ceremony, you'd seize the chance when my Veins go berserk, frame me for colluding with demons, steal my Chaotic Profound Veins, and help you break the seal. Am I right, Xiao Jingyuan?" Xiao Jingyuan's pupils contracted sharply when he saw the runes. His face went from pale to livid. He could no longer pretend. He stepped back abruptly, his right hand snapping to the hilt of the sword at his waist. His eyes turned fierce: "Ling Chen, you dared to investigate me! So you saw through the wine long ago?" "If I hadn't, I'd already be a useless man with destroyed Veins by now." Ling Chen stared at him coldly. "Xiao Jingyuan, in my past life, I treated you like a brother. Why did you do this to me?" "Why?" Xiao Jingyuan suddenly drew his sword, pointing the tip directly at Ling Chen's chest. A twisted smile spread across his face. "Because I envy you! Why were you born the Young Sect Master? Why did *you* awaken the Chaotic Profound Veins? Why does everyone gather around *you*? The title, the Veins—they should be mine! Since you're so ungrateful, I'll just send you to your death!" With that, he swung his sword at Ling Chen's chest. The blade cut through the air, sharp with murderous intent—clearly aiming for a killing blow to the throat. Ling Chen had long been ready. He sidestepped to avoid the blade, forming hand seals quickly with his right hand as he muttered an incantation under his breath—the spell to activate the Sect-Protecting Golem. In his past life, he'd secretly installed this golem in his bedroom to protect Ye Qinghan, a disciple from the Alchemy Division who was often bullied. He'd never gotten the chance to activate it before being thrown off the Abyss of Demon Fall. Now, it was the perfect time. *Hum—* A green brick in the wall popped out suddenly. A bronze golem over two meters tall leaped out, covered head to toe in thick bronze armor. It wielded a pair of giant axes, its eyes glowing red. The moment it appeared, it lunged at Xiao Jingyuan, swinging its axes with a whistling wind to slash at his sword. *Clang!* A deafening clash of metal echoed through the bedroom. Xiao Jingyuan felt a sharp pain in his虎口—his sword nearly slipped from his hand. He stared at the golem in shock: "You hid a Sect-Protecting Golem in your bedroom?" Ling Chen stood behind the golem, his eyes cold. "Xiao Jingyuan, if you want to kill me, first prove you have the skill." Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door—followed by a clear female voice, tinged with anxiety: "What's happening in there? Why do I hear weapons clashing?" Ling Chen's heart jolted. It was Ye Qinghan! He looked toward the door. It pushed open, and a young girl in a light green Alchemy Division robe stood there, holding a medicine box. She had a delicate face and pure eyes—her expression filled with surprise when she saw the chaos inside. Ye Qinghan. In his past life, she'd been the only one who dared to speak up for him when he was framed. And after he was thrown off the Abyss of Demon Fall, she'd secretly gone to the bottom to look for him—only to be killed by demons. Seeing her safe and sound at the door, Ling Chen's heart felt as if it had been struck by something—sour yet warm. He'd failed to protect her in his past life. This time, he would never let her suffer even a little harm. Xiao Jingyuan's eyes turned even more ferocious when he saw Ye Qinghan. He knew she was an Alchemy Division disciple—if she reported what she saw, everything would be exposed. He gritted his teeth, swinging his sword fiercely at the golem, trying to break through its defense and kill Ye Qinghan to silence her. But more footsteps sounded outside—this time, accompanied by the shouts of enforcement disciples: "Who's fighting privately in there? Open the door at once!" Xiao Jingyuan froze again. He listened to the enforcement disciples drawing closer, glanced at the golem blocking his way, and then at Ye Qinghan at the door. His face turned extremely ugly. A cold smile tugged at the corner of Ling Chen's mouth. He knew Xiao Jingyuan's good days were over—once and for all. But he also knew this was just the beginning. Xiao Jingyuan had the support of the Elder Faction, and the demons were aiding him in secret. To fully expose their plot, protect Cangwu Sect, and even defend the entire Xuanhan Continent… he still had a long way to go. By now, the enforcement disciples had reached the door. The leading one spoke in a solemn voice: "Whoever's inside, open up now! Otherwise, we'll break the door down!" Xiao Jingyuan's eyes darted frantically, searching for an escape. Ling Chen stared at him intently, his fists clenched. He wanted to see how Xiao Jingyuan would weasel his way out this time. But just as the enforcement disciples moved to break the door, Xiao Jingyuan suddenly leaped toward the window—and jumped out, fleeing into the night! Ling Chen's face changed. He rushed to the window, but only caught a glimpse of Xiao Jingyuan's figure disappearing into the darkness. His heart sank. He knew Xiao Jingyuan would go fetch reinforcements. The enforcement disciples had already broken down the door. They looked at the mess in the bedroom—the spilled poisoned wine, the blackened Profound Vein Detector—and their faces turned grave. "Young Sect Master Ling Chen, what happened here?" Ling Chen took a deep breath, turning to face the enforcement disciples and Ye Qinghan with a firm gaze. "Just now, Xiao Jingyuan tried to poison me. And he tried to kill me to silence me." The words hung in the air. The atmosphere in the bedroom froze instantly. Outside, in the night, Xiao Jingyuan sprinted toward the Elder Faction's quarters. A sinister smile curved his lips: "Ling Chen, you think this will expose me? Just wait. Tomorrow at the Sect Ceremony, I'll ruin your reputation and make you die without a proper burial!" A storm centered around the Chaotic Profound Veins and the demons' plot had only just begun.