The Wang Clan’s elites stood in opposition to Shi Hao, unable to tolerate his rise!
Five of the Wang Clan’s dragons had been exiled to the Imperial Pass because of Shi Hao—this was a deep-seated grudge. Barring unforeseen circumstances, they would never leave and would die in battle there.
Thus, the Wang Clan members within the Imperial Pass harbored an especially intense hatred for Shi Hao, even more so than their kin in the Nine Heavens.
When Shi Hao underwent his tribulation, Wang Xi’s granduncle was the first to report it to the important figures in the Imperial Pass. Even the five dragons who had survived since the ancient times were informed!
Wang Xi’s granduncle unfurled his sleeve, carefully observing a stone box inscribed with tiny characters that sent shockwaves through his heart, leaving him utterly astonished.
This was a sacred artifact bestowed by Wang Da—an unimaginable treasure containing a living being.
“By the heavens, does such a thing truly exist in this world? Such a creature?” Wang Xi’s granduncle trembled, gripped by fear, but soon after, elation took over.
No matter what, this thing was meant to slay Shi Hao. There was no need to worry about his own safety. Moreover, if nurtured and utilized properly, it could become a foundation for the Wang Clan, an invincible servant in the future.
Yet, he could hardly contain his excitement, his fingers shaking uncontrollably, for this thing was far too rare—unseen since ancient times.
“Brother Dao, what’s the matter?” Jin Zhan’s granduncle asked, noticing the slight tremble in his hand and the quiver in his sleeve.
“Ah, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about how the Desolate One might soon be crippled, and it brought me joy,” Wang Xi’s granduncle replied without hiding his delight, a smile spreading across his face.
For in his hands was something capable of disrupting the heavenly tribulation, causing immense interference—enough to sabotage Shi Hao’s ascension!
The tribulation wasn’t over yet. Though nearing its end, the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths had not vanished. If this thing were released now, it would likely trigger a cataclysmic upheaval!
Wang Xi’s granduncle grinned, his wrinkles smoothing out in sheer delight.
The Thunder Spirit—a legendary creature, one almost no one had ever seen, its very existence doubted.
Yet, the ancient stone box Wang Xi’s granduncle had just obtained bore an inscription declaring that it contained a Thunder Spirit!
It was said to be born within heavenly tribulation, its origins terrifying beyond belief. It could devour lightning, even consume the tribulation itself—so unbelievable that most dismissed it as myth.
Extremes beget opposites. If a living creature were to emerge from heavenly tribulation, it would undoubtedly be extraordinary, naturally unafraid of thunder, even feasting upon it.
Since ancient times, not only did ordinary people disbelieve in such a creature, but even true Supreme Beings rejected the notion, for it defied reason.
What was heavenly tribulation? It was the wrath of the heavens, fleeting in duration. How could a living being possibly emerge within such a brief span?
It made no sense!
Yet now, Wang Xi’s granduncle held it in his hands. He was certain—Wang Da would not act without purpose, nor would he make a mistake. How could an ancestor of such stature jest?
He was the first dragon of the Wang Clan!
Wang Xi’s granduncle recalled a legend about Wang Da.
In the past, Wang Da had traveled the world and once entered a sealed secret realm—a cave heaven from the previous era. He nearly perished there, only to be rescued by Wang Changsheng, who wielded the Everlasting Battle Halberd.
It was said that place was filled with endless thunder and lightning. Could the Thunder Spirit have been brought from there?
According to some bone scripture records, such a creature could only survive within thunder, for it was its sustenance. Otherwise, it would perish.
“Heh, just waiting to send you on your way!” Wang Xi’s granduncle’s eyes gleamed with malice as he stared ahead.
High in the Nine Heavens, Shi Hao sat cross-legged, his body radiant as he drank the descending tribulation liquid, reaping immense benefits.
His skin was shedding, revealing new flesh as flawless as mutton-fat jade. His hair had fallen out, replaced by strands black and glossy.
His entire body was bathed in a faint luminescence, as if enveloped in divine halos!
At this moment, the lightning could no longer harm him. He was like an indestructible golden dharma body!
Shi Hao fixed his gaze on the distant, hazy tribulation pool in the sky, calculating the perfect moment to charge forth and seize it entirely.
Suddenly, he sensed deception in this tribulation. Though nearing its end, the pool had voluntarily spilled its liquid, granting him fortune—something felt amiss.
“Hmm, ‘there are heavens beyond heavens’—it seems this isn’t just a saying, but reality!” Shi Hao narrowed his eyes, sensing something.
He finally perceived it—above the nine layers of heaven, beyond the thunder and mist, there was another layer, faint and elusive, nearly imperceptible even with his heavenly eye.
But there was no danger there, no need for further battle.
“Two tribulation pools—this is the first time I’ve seen such a thing!” Shi Hao murmured to himself before realization dawned.
On the tenth layer of heaven, there was a smaller pool, less than a foot in size, shrouded in chaos and immortal mist, obscuring its contents.
The pool on the ninth layer, positioned below, was merely a secondary pool.
“The treasures of the ninth heaven can’t compare to those of the tenth. Trying to deceive me into leaving? Not a chance!” Shi Hao chuckled inwardly.
Had he not sensed the tenth layer, he might have plundered the secondary pool and departed in joy.
“I see now—the tribulation liquid of the ninth heaven is diluted, likely dripped down from the tenth!” Shi Hao observed their alignment and made his deduction.
Since the tribulation wasn’t over, the pools wouldn’t vanish. Shi Hao was in no hurry—he intended to claim both!
Whoosh!
He soared into the sky, appearing before the secondary pool in an instant, eliciting gasps of shock from onlookers.
Shi Hao sat directly within the pool, baptizing his flesh with the precious liquid rather than merely drinking it.
Knowing a superior version existed, he spared no effort in refining himself.
As expected, the pool offered no resistance, confirming this wasn’t the ultimate reward.
Now, Shi Hao faced a choice. The most perilous phase of the tribulation had passed, and it was time to reap the rewards. Should he advance further or consolidate his gains?
Having survived this tribulation, he could choose to break through to the Severing World Realm!
At his age, achieving such a realm would send shockwaves through history—unprecedented, unrivaled!
No being had ever reached the Severing World Realm in their twenties, standing atop the martial peak. Even in this era, none could match his youth.
Even Shi Hao himself felt his progress was too rapid!
To reach the Void Path Realm, he had spent three years in seclusion, forging his own path. Now, barely a year later, he was on the verge of another breakthrough—astonishing!
This past year, he had engaged in battles, though not excessively. His tempering remained incomplete, as much of his time had been spent in seclusion. Like many youths, he had been gathered by several extraordinary figures to listen to lectures in a sacred land, learning the secrets of the borderlands.
“Too fast!” Shi Hao muttered. If he wished, he could step into the Severing World Realm now.
After careful consideration, he preferred to further solidify his foundation. Having only studied immortal dao scriptures for a year, he had been harmonizing his body, allowing the three immortal qi to take root. A hasty breakthrough now would be unstable.
“It depends on whether anyone forces my hand. If the battle environment isn’t too dire, I’ll solidify my dao foundation first. Breaking through later will be effortless!” Shi Hao resolved.
Within the tribulation pool, he circulated the immortal dao scriptures, using its blessings to nurture the three immortal qi within him.
He dispersed the three dao flowers once more, and the mysterious creature within him retreated into his body, dwelling in the Sea of Reincarnation.
The immortal qi spread evenly through every inch of his flesh, bone marrow, and organs, merging with his body in mutual nourishment.
Boom!
As the immortal dao scriptures activated, his body became a bottomless pit, absorbing tribulation liquid to nourish the immortal qi and strengthen himself, maintaining perfect equilibrium.
Suddenly, his Sea of Reincarnation glowed and stirred. The Wheel of Life within it devoured the tribulation liquid, for it symbolized rebirth—akin in nature.
Moreover, the “sea” within the Sea of Reincarnation exhibited anomalies, swallowing thunder and absorbing destructive energy.
This transformation was astounding—vast bolts of lightning were becoming his sustenance. Shi Hao shuddered, realizing just how extraordinary his path was.
Only what suited him was the strongest!
He possessed many cultivation methods—ancient immortal scriptures, modern bone texts, and peerless divine abilities—but all were created by others.
There was an age-old saying: Only what is yours is the strongest!
He had forged his own path, now proven true—a unique dao path that would lead him to the pinnacle.
At this moment, the Sea of Reincarnation consumed thunder and tribulation liquid, evolving within Shi Hao’s abdomen, emitting resonant sounds like grand scripture recitations!
His entire body resonated. The immortal qi within his flesh and bone marrow grew active, as a gentle light—refined by the Sea of Reincarnation—was fed back to his body.
The immortal qi took root, growing within his marrow and organs, a sensation so vivid it could be distinctly felt!
Such speed was unprecedented.
Shi Hao’s heart swelled with joy—this was a monumental harvest. He sat steadfast, absorbing the tribulation’s essence, evolving himself!
Drawing thunder toward him, enduring the heavenly strikes, he remained unharmed, only growing stronger!
For a time, Shi Hao closed his eyes, immersed in this state, motionless as if in deep enlightenment.
From afar, Wang Xi’s granduncle watched, first stunned, then furious. Even outsiders could sense Shi Hao’s rapid growth and immense gains!
“Now is the time! While you’re meditating, lost in the void, I’ll take your life!” he seethed through gritted teeth.
Crack!
A soft sound—he opened the stone box, releasing three creatures.
In an instant, the void twisted before returning to normal.
Three Thunder Spirits, each as long as chopsticks, slithered like serpents, their bodies crackling with lightning—one silver-white, one golden, one crimson. Unnoticed, they pierced the void, entering the thunder.
Then, they stealthily advanced toward Shi Hao!
The crimson one, the most savage, spotted the tribulation pool amidst the lightning, its eyes blazing as it transformed into a bloody bolt, charging forth.
It sought to kill Shi Hao and steal his fortune, the first to act with brutal intent.
Clang!
Yet as it approached, a barrage of thunder struck it, sparks flying.
Shi Hao’s eyes snapped open, locking onto the creature. He had sensed something amiss earlier but doubted—could a living being truly infiltrate and interfere with the tribulation?
Now, seeing a crimson worm, he was stunned!
“Trying to harm me? This isn’t over!” Shi Hao raged. This was pure malice—someone sought to ruin his dao fruit at this critical moment, to cripple him. Nothing was more despicable.
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