That terrifying tribulation cloud covering ten thousand li above Qingxu Temple, like a massive slowly rotating dark vortex, not only devoured light but also poured unrestrained destructive pressure over the entire Central Province and even more distant regions. This celestial phenomenon couldn't be concealed even if desired, nor was concealment necessary.
Almost simultaneously as the tribulation cloud formed, Three Realms Alliance acting leader Mu Qingfeng and Alliance Council Chairman reached consensus through supreme-level communication channels, immediately issuing the highest-level "Watch" martial law order to the entire alliance and all friendly and neutral forces!
The order's core was only one point: with Qingxu Temple as center, the surrounding ten-thousand-li airspace and territory, immediately entered highest combat readiness state, implementing absolute military control and spatial blockade! At all costs, ensure Tang Xiao Qi's tribulation processnot subject to any external interference!
The moment the order descended, the massive war machine of the entire allianceroared to life with unprecedented efficiency.
Void Defense Line:
Dozens of large "Void Monitoring Towers" and "Spatial Disturbance Suppressors" built with Silicon-based civilizationtechnical support and led by Alliance Rune Research Institute were activated first, deployed around Qingxu Temple's outer void. These massive structures emitted invisible force fields, weaving a net covering millions of li of void. Any unauthorized spatial jumps or long-distance scrying spells would face strong interferenceeven counter.
The Alliance's three major void fleets, over three hundred various warships, under command of several late Nascent Soul generals, built three-dimensional defense perimeters centered on Qingxu Temple. Ship engines at full power, rune cannons charged and ready, patrol routes dense as silk, cold metallic hulls reflecting chilling light under starlight, vigilantly scanning every inch of void. Any unidentified object approaching would face devastating strikes.
Ground and Airspace Martial Law:
Central Province Dynasty responded swiftly, the emperor personally commanded, deploying a million elite border armies, coordinating with alliance ground forces, establishing countless observation posts, hidden checkpoints, patrol teams and temporary fortifications along Qingxu Temple's ten-thousand-li boundary. All roads, paths, even remote mountain trails toward Qingxu Temple were blocked. In the air, patrols composed of flying cultivators from various races, wielding swords, magical artifacts, or spirit beasts,patrol circling24/7, ensuring even a suspicious bird couldn'tacross the final checkpoint.
Experts Gather,guarding all directions:
All registered, on-standby Nascent Soul stage and above cultivators in the alliance, unless having extremely special missions, uniformly received summons, must arrive at designated areas to participate in protection within specified time.
At East Sea Dragon Palace, Dragon King Ao Guang personally led several dragon elders and an elite sea tribe army, patrolling East Sea airspace and regions near the coast, dragon might sweeping, deterring evildoers.
In Western Desert demonic territories, several demon kings jointly mobilized their most skilled at concealment and tracking demons, like the most agilehunting hounds, repeatedly sweeping every sand dune and Gobi within the martial law zone.
In Northern Plains snowfields, shamans and warriors from major tribes inscribed ancient alert and defense totems on the snowfield, borrowing snow and ice's power to construct an invisible barrier.
Southern Border witch villages also dispatched masters ofvenomous arts andwitchcraft, coordinating with alliance teams, guarding against possible curses or sinister means.
Even the distant, always aloof Penglai Immortal Sect beyond the seas, symbolically sent an elder to observe (also demonstrating attitude of non-interference), willing to provide assistance if necessary under certain conditions.
Internal Investigation and Anti-infiltration:
Led by Third Sister Liu Yun's "Shadow Hunting Division" and Alliance intelligence department, a systematic sweep of all known potentially dangerous locations within the martial law zone was conducted. All personnel entering the martial law zone recently underwent stricter identity background checks. They'd rather investigate too much than miss anything. Any suspected individuals having evena trace connection to known Shadow Snake Pavilion remnants, Shadow Society members, or other hostile forces were immediately controlled.
Key Prevention Target—Demon Head Forces:
Though the demon head's main body was hidden, its remaining demonic cultivators, demon beast corrupted creatures, and fanatical Shadow Society believers existed. Alliance upper echelons determined these scums most likely, most eager to sabotage during Tang Xiao Qi's crucial tribulation. Therefore, monitoring formations for demonic energy fluctuations were deployed to extremes, with Second Brother Luo Feng personally monitoring data streams. Several rapid response teams composed of cultivators skilled at purification stood ready. Upon detecting demonic energy traces, they'd kill and purify at fastest speed.
The entire area around Qingxu Temple for ten thousand li seemed transformed into a massive, fully armed war fortress. Solemn atmosphere pervaded the air, spiritual energy fluctuations somewhat chaotic due to countless formations operating, various colored light trails shuttling through the sky, armor clashes and orderly footsteps constant on the ground.
All participating guardians, regardless of race or background, understood clearly what they were protecting—not only a cultivator advancing to legendary realm, but the Three Realms' greatest hope against the demon head and for winning the future! Any act interfering with the tribulation was an enemy of the entire Three Realms Alliance, would surely face the most merciless destruction!
Under such iron-clad vigilance, Qingxu Temple's back mountain forbidden zonebecame unusually"quiet." Only that continuously rotating, destruction-brewing ten-thousand-li tribulation cloud above silently proclaimed that a critical trial concerning personal and collective destiny was about to descend.
The alliance had spared no effort, deploying heaven-covering nets. Now it depended on the tribulation-taker himself, how to face that most direct, most cruel interrogation and baptism from heaven and earth's Dao.