Chapter 82: The Challenge Intensifies?

Chen Xiang was stunned when he heard the news, then overjoyed! He never expected that what he wished for would arrive so promptly—the triple-nine thunder tribulation had come at just the right time! If he could absorb this tribulation, to what heights could his Heavenly Thunder Strike reach? The thought alone filled him with anticipation.

Originally, he had deeply resisted the thunder tribulation, but now he welcomed it, nearly ready to host a welcoming ceremony for it!

Upon hearing Chen Xiang’s audacious words, the elder was taken aback. Was he feeling itchy today? Did he feel uncomfortable if he wasn’t struck by lightning? Uncomfortable, my foot! If he wanted to court death, this was hardly the proper way. But at this moment, Chu Liuxiang was too valuable to offend. The elder could only squeeze out a forced smile and say, "Young friend Chu, thunder doesn’t arrive just because we wish it. Your performance already proves your power; there’s really no need to continue. Your score is already the highest. Let’s proceed to the next trial."

Chen Xiang shook his head firmly. "No, we agreed on half an hour. I cannot break my word, or it will affect my cultivation heart in the future. Please don’t persuade me anymore. My mind is made up."

“This…” The elder opened his mouth, not knowing what to say. Damn, he had never seen someone so reckless.

He sighed and said nothing more, deciding to report to the patriarch and see what should be done. With that, he turned and left, returning above.

Chen Xiang watched the elder depart with a faint smile.

“Heh, who would have thought? You brought me here to deal with me, yet I’ve gained benefits instead!” he thought.

“Ding, host ‘Chen Xiang’ has triggered an anomaly during thunder tribulation advancement. A massive thunder pool nearby is merging with the tribulation. In addition, the host has cultivated the Divine Refinement Art. The tribulation difficulty has been upgraded from normal to hard mode, now changed to the four-nine thunder tribulation!”

Chen Xiang was stunned at this message, utterly dumbfounded.

“What the hell?! The difficulty increased? And it’s the four-nine tribulation!” He nearly spat blood.

He had confidence in surviving the triple-nine tribulation, but the four-nine tribulation was the advancement for a Nascent Soul cultivator at peak completion! How could a mere Core Formation rookie like him possibly manage?

A deafening boom echoed overhead, as if the Thunder God himself were enraged. Lightning blazed across the sky, so bright that even the dark clouds could not block it!

Chen Xiang’s scalp tingled. Was this even a tribulation meant for humans? He hurriedly pulled out two Three Purity Lightning Avoidance Talismans.

Above, the sky darkened, clouds gathered, and winds howled. Lightning, like serpentine dragons, slithered through the clouds.

The thunder tribulation had not yet descended, but the commotion was countless times more formidable than the ordinary thunder earlier!

The elder who had tried to persuade Chen Xiang had just arrived above when the thunderous roar startled him. Looking up, the sky was devoid of color, and the oppressive force of the lightning made it hard for him to stand.

“Is this the aura of a heavenly tribulation? Someone is about to transcend?” he said in disbelief.

The patriarch and the other two elders were all gazing at the sky with grave expressions.

“What’s going on?” the third elder asked in surprise.

“This isn’t the thunder of the thunder pool. This is… a heavenly tribulation!” the sect master said.

“Heavenly tribulation? Someone actually dares to transcend here in the thunder pool?” the grand elder was shocked.

The aura clearly belonged to a four-nine heavenly tribulation, and its power was far greater than usual.

There were two peak Nascent Soul cultivators present—one was their own elder, the other was the focus of all their attention, Chen Xiang.

But they knew only their elder could possibly trigger a four-nine heavenly tribulation, yet it was clear this tribulation wasn’t targeting him. That left only one possibility…

Was this young man causing the tribulation? How could that be?

“Is this even a heavenly tribulation? It’s as if Heaven itself wants this boy dead,” the third elder said, mouth agape in shock.

The sect master and grand elder’s faces darkened, a trace of pity flickering in their eyes.

“Judging by this momentum, even I am not confident I could survive it. To think it’s aimed at this boy… alas, Heaven is jealous of talent!” the grand elder sighed.

The patriarch’s eyes flashed rapidly, lost in thought.

He never expected the boy to trigger a heavenly tribulation in the thunder pool—was this seeking death or seeking death?

This formidable tribulation was clearly aimed at Chen Xiang. He cared little for Chen Xiang’s life, but much for the treasures he carried and his sixth-grade alchemist skills!

That was his hope for advancing further!

“Alas, with such a tribulation, even we have little hope of surviving. Young friend Chu is likely doomed,” the sect master lamented. He regarded Chu Liuxiang as the most important figure for the future of the Hidden Snow Sect, yet before he could realize his ambitions, he was to perish under heavenly tribulation!

The elder who had just arrived wore a bitter expression. He had not yet reported Chen Xiang’s situation to the sect master. If they knew Chen Xiang had said, “I feel uncomfortable if I’m not struck by lightning,” how would they react?

Another thunderous boom resounded. The thunderclouds above grew even heavier, lightning like serpents poised to strike at any moment. The dangerous aura made everyone want to flee the area, as if they might be caught up in it.

“Ding, thirty seconds until the host’s four-nine thunder tribulation begins. Please prepare accordingly.”

“Ding, restriction detected at the host’s location, hindering flight and limiting performance. System now lifts restrictions until tribulation ends. Host, focus on your tribulation!”

With the thunder pool’s flight restriction, Chen Xiang’s available space was limited, and the valley itself was not large.

Chen Xiang gripped his Coiling Dragon Staff tightly; this was no minor scuffle like before, but a thunder tribulation bearing the weight of heaven’s wrath!

And it was further reinforced by the thunder pool! To say he wasn’t nervous would be a lie. Even with all his equipment, he had no confidence.

He had just asked the system to calculate his chances of survival, but it responded that the tribulation had mutated and no accurate figure could be given.

“Damn it, it’s just a heavenly tribulation! Come on! I don’t believe you can kill me!” Chen Xiang roared at the thunderclouds with his staff pointed skyward.

His shout pierced the heavens, deafening all around.

The thunderclouds above grew more oppressive, booming louder and more frequently, as if enraged.

Finally, with a thunderous crash, the first wave of lightning descended—nine bolts, each like a dragon, pouring down upon Chen Xiang.

“Nine lightning bolts in the first wave? Heaven really wants him dead!” the grand elder exclaimed in shock.

“Alas, it’s over. I never thought I’d witness another genius fall,” the sect master closed his eyes gently.

The patriarch’s heart tightened at the sight; he could no longer hesitate. Immediately, he flung a stream of light toward Chen Xiang.

In a flash, the stream of light was shattered by the incoming lightning before it could reach Chen Xiang.

“What?” the patriarch was stunned. In pursuit of another breakthrough, another step toward immortality, he wanted to help Chen Xiang through this tribulation, giving himself greater hope. But he never anticipated the lightning would be so powerful that even the Second Purity Lightning Avoidance Talisman, used in Divine Transformation tribulations, was vaporized instantly.

Was this fate? The patriarch’s spirit suddenly sank.

“To be continued…”