Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 517 Annihilation Tribulation!

Bai Zihan faced him directly, his gaze steady and intense.

He stayed silent for an instant.

Chong Sheng gritted his teeth faintly but remained quiet too.

Finally, Bai Zihan opened his mouth.

"Tell me," he remarked offhandedly, like inquiring about a minor matter, "how much do you know about Heavenly Tribulation?"

Chong Sheng blinked in surprise.

That... wasn't what he had anticipated.

Out of everything Bai Zihan might question—

This one?

His eyebrows knitted together lightly, yet after a short hesitation, he replied.

"From what I understand, anyone attempting to break into the Immortal Realm must endure it."

He moved a little, grimacing in pain.

"A trial from the heavens. Succeed, and you ascend."

"Fail..."

He exhaled softly.

"And you perish!"

His eyes flashed briefly.

"That's the basics."

He shared the most widespread knowledge.

A Supreme Immortal might know deeper secrets, but he saw no reason to bring them up.

Silence descended.

Bai Zihan observed him briefly.

His face impassive.

Then he questioned once more.

"And the Western Region of the continent? Do you know its top powerhouse?"

Chong Sheng stiffened momentarily.

A hint of bewilderment crossed his gaze.

"Western Region?"

He scowled.

This made even less sense.

(Why ask about this?)

Chong Sheng gradually raised his eyes to meet Bai Zihan's.

Doubt building.

He was aware of it, but why would Bai Zihan pose such a query to him?

His present role was just an ex-servant of the Quan Clan.

Now viewed solely as a formidable demonic cultivator.

Why this question from Bai Zihan?

"Young Master Bai, why question someone like me about this?"

Chong Sheng inquired.

Then Bai Zihan offered a subtle smile.

A serene, faintly entertained curve of the lips.

"No need to act ignorant."

His tone was airy.

Yet it held gravity.

"Chong Sheng..."

A short halt.

Followed by—

"Or perhaps I should address you as—"

His stare locked onto Chong Sheng's.

"Demonic Emperor... or rather, ex-Demonic Emperor?"

Silence!

In one heartbeat—

Time itself appeared to freeze.

Chong Sheng's pupils contracted sharply.

His thoughts blanked out.

Then realization crashed over him.

Sudden and crushing—

It rattled him deeply.

His breath halted.

His body turned rigid.

"You...!"

His voice quivered with sheer astonishment.

"How did you find out?!"

The outburst escaped him.

Incredulity washed over his features.

That identity—

That hidden truth—

No one alive should know it.

Chong Sheng gazed at him.

As though encountering him anew.

Terror.

Distrust.

And a darker, more perilous emotion—

Started brewing in his eyes.

(How did Bai Zihan discover it?)

Crucially, when was he exposed, and by what means?

He alone should hold that knowledge.

Not even those nearest to him from past or present life could uncover it.

Bai Zihan appeared utterly assured, with zero chance he'd voice this idly.

Bai Zihan regarded him calmly, expression undisturbed.

As though Chong Sheng's shock—

His denial—

His dread—

Meant nothing.

"I won't explain how."

His tone stayed neutral.

The earlier restrained killing intent reemerged faintly.

"You have no right to interrogate me."

His look intensified a touch.

"I question."

"You respond."

A momentary lull.

Then his voice lowered subtly.

"Don't try my limits."

The atmosphere thickened.

Despite his wounds—

Post-Heavenly Tribulation—

Bai Zihan's aura still squeezed Chong Sheng's chest.

"I've just handled a bothersome ordeal."

Bai Zihan went on, voice level yet edged underneath.

"My mood isn't great."

His eyes fixed on Chong Sheng's.

"If you feign ignorance once more..."

A tiny break.

"I can't predict my reaction toward you."

No shouting required.

No extra warnings needed.

The intent hung plain.

Chong Sheng gulped.

His throat parched.

"Alright!"

His tone subdued now.

He got the picture.

Bai Zihan knew far too much already.

Further denial served no purpose.

Yet he pondered how the truth emerged and if this drove Bai Zihan's relentless pursuit.

Otherwise, it wouldn't add up.

Chong Sheng dropped his eyes briefly, sorting his mind.

Then he resumed speaking.

"This time... I'll give straight answers."

A quick pause.

Then—

"What folks generally know of Heavenly Tribulation..."

He stated deliberately,

"...scratches the surface."

His gaze shadowed a bit.

"Truthfully, it's not merely a trial. It can mean execution or worse."

Bai Zihan's stare held firm.

Chong Sheng pressed on.

"Most see it as a test at first, but the greater the talent, the fiercer the Heavenly Tribulation."

"If truly fair, wouldn't it match everyone equally?"

"Yet it doesn't. Plus, even geniuses like me sometimes dodge harsher ones despite our prowess. Many call it random."

His tone deepened.

"Some say it ties to reverence for Heaven, like performing good deeds."

"But that's not always accurate either. Or else demonic cultivators would die every attempt!"

Bai Zihan's eyes tightened faintly.

"Thus, no matter one's power, none risk provoking Heaven lest retribution strikes."

"Heavenly vows get honored without fail, or face horrific heavenly backlash."

Chong Sheng shot a quick look at Bai Zihan as he said it.

(Yet... this freak endured Heaven itself.)

He mused.

"Maybe it boils down to defying Heaven's intent outright."

Silence! The statement hung heavy.

Bai Zihan stayed mute. But his gaze chilled further.

Chong Sheng proceeded warily.

"Tribulations vary too." "Standard ascension type..."

"Heavenly Punishment..."

"And..."

His eyes wavered slightly.

"Annihilation Tribulation."

"The final aims to obliterate. Zero survival odds."

A halt.

Then he met Bai Zihan's eyes squarely. "Yours was perilously near it."