The scattered lightning tribulation was swallowed and refined by the river of rules, completely transforming into the Great Dao of Thunder.
"Hahahaha."
At this moment, Chen Fan was extremely excited.
He never expected that undergoing a lightning tribulation could bring so many benefits.
Gratitude filled him.
"Roar."
Faintly, a furious roar seemed to emanate from the lightning tribulation.
The lightning tribulation appeared to possess a will of its own.
The lightning tribulation began to dissipate, or rather, it departed.
Nine is the extreme.
Nine lightning tribulations marked the limit for a Half-Emperor.
Those who could overcome it would become Half-Emperors.
This was the rule of heaven and earth, unchangeable by anyone.
Chen Fan had achieved it.
The moment the lightning tribulation receded, Chen Fan's life force and physical body began to undergo metamorphosis.
Somewhere in the void, fragments of rules seemed to descend, integrating into his physical body and strengthening it.
If one failed the lightning tribulation, they would be annihilated. If they succeeded, they would receive tangible benefits.
"Hum."
A powerful physique was secondary.
Faintly, those rule fragments, after invading his body, seemed to be unlocking certain boundaries within his physical form.
However, this power was still very weak. It coursed through his body once and then fell silent, disappearing.
"What was that?"
Chen Fan was perplexed.
The lightning tribulation had passed. Though this thing had appeared abruptly, it was unlikely to be a bad omen.
Still, he needed to inquire about it.
He set this matter aside for the moment and leaped out of the lake.
...
Boom.
His figure shot into the sky, standing in mid-air.
At this moment, Chen Fan's appearance had not changed much from before.
But with a casual wave of his hand towards the distance.
"Hum."
The rules within a hundred-mile radius actually shifted with the movement of his hand.
"Is this the power of a Half-Emperor?"
The Imperial Dao did not possess such power.
This was exclusive to Half-Emperors. When one ascended to become an Emperor, this power would fully mature, forming an Imperial Palace and becoming a world of its own.
"I understand."
Chen Fan's face was wreathed in a smile.
Everything about the Half-Emperor stage was merely laying the foundation for becoming a true Emperor.
This control was already sufficient to alter the surrounding rules.
He glanced down...
Xi Qiu and the others were cultivating.
It was his senses that had alerted him, prompting him to use the Gravity Pearl to suppress their scattered soul power.
"Heh."
Chen Fan smiled, "I've already given you the benefits. Now, it's time for you to repay."
There were no benefits bestowed without a reason.
When these people awoke, it would be time for their repayment.
The soul power of the Buried Land was not so easily absorbed.
...
Chen Fan waited quietly.
The Golden Silk Cicada Robe still floated in the world, formless and intangible.
However, the previous lightning bombardment and the demise of Buried Land had all been concealed by the Golden Silk Cicada Robe.
The Golden Silk Cicada Robe sealed the surrounding heavens and earth. Apart from those by the lake, no one knew what had transpired.
"A divine artifact."
Chen Fan marveled, "Truly a divine artifact."
It could even conceal a heavenly lightning tribulation. What in this world could a divine artifact not achieve?
Each divine artifact possessed its own unique abilities.
The Dragon Pattern Compass could determine life and death, and divine fortune and misfortune. Though it lacked offensive power, it was Chen Fan's greatest trump card.
The Tian Cong Yun Sword was peerless in its destructive might.
The Gravity Pearl could create a gravity domain. When fighting within it, it would suppress enemies and empower oneself.
The Golden Silk Cicada Robe sealed the heavens and earth, protecting the physical body.
The Heavenly Crown was the most mysterious of the divine artifacts, capable of briefly halting time.
"Amazing."
Chen Fan himself exclaimed, "What supreme might would be unleashed once the seven divine artifacts are united?"
Each one was already so potent; what about all seven combined?
It was truly something to anticipate.
...
Chen Fan remained lost in thought.
This continued until the people cultivating below began to awaken one after another.
No one moved rashly.
Even after awakening, they remained seated in place.
There was no other choice. An immensely powerful gravitational force pressed down upon them, preventing anyone from daring to move carelessly.
"City Lord."
Only after everyone had awakened did Xi Qiu rouse the City Lord from his contemplation.
Chen Fan's focus returned, "Oh, everyone's awake."
As he spoke, he retracted the Gravity Pearl.
The sealing power of the Golden Silk Cicada Robe still held the heavens and earth captive; it could not be withdrawn for now.
If it were removed now, something significant would occur.
The demise of a Half-Emperor could not possibly occur without the manifestation of heavenly phenomena.
Currently, it was merely being contained by the Golden Silk Cicada Robe.
If the Golden Silk Cicada Robe were to be removed, Chen Fan was one hundred percent certain that something unexpected would happen.
Therefore, he decided to deal with the immediate matters first.
"Everyone."
Chen Fan spoke, "You've all gained quite a bit of benefit, haven't you?"
"Thank you for your immense kindness, City Lord." Everyone rose and bowed.
In the rear, Xiao Wu and the others wore conflicted expressions.
They already knew who that person was. They had figured it out the moment the gravity domain appeared.
A divine artifact, the Gravity Pearl, and now being referred to as the City Lord.
Other than the newly appointed City Lord of Sword City, who else could it be?
Chen Fan, naturally, was aware that his identity had been revealed.
However, he paid it no mind.
Let them recognize him. He would reveal it sooner or later anyway.
"Everyone."
Chen Fan said with a smile, "Do you know what the soul power you just absorbed was?"
"..."
"It's fine if you don't know. I can tell you."
He turned and pointed at the mountain of coffins in the distance, saying, "The Buried Land has three Mountain Lords, each a Half-Emperor. This lake, however, was the spiritual sea of one of them, named 'Buried Earth.' You are all likely familiar with the name Buried Earth, aren't you?"
"Whoa."
The moment the words "Buried Earth" were uttered, a commotion erupted among the surroundings.
"Buried Earth, one of the Heaven, Earth, and Man trio of Mountain Lords of the Buried Mountain."
"We... we actually swallowed Buried Earth's spiritual sea?"
"Holy shit, I'm feeling dizzy. Bro, help me up..."
"..."
Some whispered amongst themselves, while others were visibly shocked.
A Half-Emperor had fallen so silently?
And he was slain by their new City Lord.
Furthermore, they had also witnessed the lightning tribulation just now.
Having lost Qi Mu, they had gained another Half-Emperor City Lord.
Chen Fan remained silent. Only after the murmuring of the crowd gradually subsided did he speak again.
"I killed a Half-Emperor, yet all the benefits went to you." He said lightly.
But to the ears of everyone present, it carried an unsettling weight.
Indeed, such great benefits had been divided amongst them.
In a way, this could be considered snatching the City Lord's fortune.
For a moment, everyone felt uneasy.
The unease of Xiao Wu and the others in the rear reached its peak.
"So..."
Chen Fan drew out the syllable, "Since you've accepted the benefits, you must also repay them. Doesn't that make sense?"
"..."
"Yes."
This "yes" came from Xi Qiu, who said solemnly, "If the City Lord is willing to bestow these benefits upon his subordinates, then we shall naturally reciprocate."
"Very good."
Chen Fan nodded. "I presume you are not yet aware of my identity. My friends behind, please speak."
Swish.
Everyone turned their heads in unison, looking towards Xiao Wu and the others.
Xiao Wu: "..."
Under the gaze of so many eyes, Xiao Wu felt nervous.
But since Chen Fan had singled them out, they had to step forward.
Even if they had to force themselves, they would.