Kirii let out a soft sound of acknowledgement while it stared up at the darkening clouds above. John's surprised gaze shifted to the clouds above once more, and carefully inspected the power of the clouds.
'I suppose Kirii was at the peak of Meridian Forging for a while. I guess it is about time he breaks through to the Heaven Tribulation Realm!'
The blackened tribulation clouds continued to gather quickly, and soon the entire sky for dozens of miles in each direction was covered. John frowned upon seeing the growing power of the clouds, but didn't yet panic.
'This is far stronger than what I've read about beasts going through heaven tribulations, but then again, Kirii is not like other beasts. Perhaps the Heavens take into account the talent of the beast ascending, and adjust the tribulations power accordingly. Afterall, a heaven tribulation is supposed to be both a test and a blessing. If one can withstand the power of the heavens and prove themselves worthy, they are blessed with gifts from the Heavens, as the tribulation lightning births the body anew, shifting it from a mortal body to something far greater…'
A depressed look appeared on John's face as he thought about this, and how different it was when compared to his tribulations. Tribulations were meant to be a test of worthiness, followed by heavenly rewards for those who passed. However, his tribulation was no test, and had no reward that the Heavens wanted to grant him. The Heavens only wanted to kill him when he had his tribulation.
"Heh, the Heavens didn't try to reward me for passing my tribulation, but in the end I ended up seizing the reward for myself," John sneered out loud as tribulation lightning suddenly danced upon his upturned hand.
This lightning was the tribulation lightning he forcefully seized during his last tribulation, and was now an ultimate trump card he could use in dire times of need. However, the one downside was that he could not yet generate his own tribulation lightning, and so every time he used it, he had less and less to use in the future. Eventually it would run out, and John was already thinking of ways to claim even more in his next tribulation.
Rumble!
The blackened clouds above churned out lightning bolts in all directions as it noticed the tribulation lightning on John's hands. Although he was not the target of the tribulation, his actions and words were provoking the Heavens themselves.
"Ah, sorry Kirii. I'm just making this tribulation harder for you," John said to Kirii with an apologetic look on his face as he put away the tribulation lightning.
Kirii let out a few short yips, and John raised an eyebrow at what Kirii was telling him through their soul connection.
"Are you sure Kirii? The last time things went quite badly for you," John replied.
Kirii yipped again a few times, and John remained silent for a moment before he sighed and acquiesced to Kirii's request. Tribulation Lightning once again began to dance on his upturned palm, which again provoked the wrath of the tribulation clouds above.
According to what John could understand from Kirii, the tribulation this time would be a breeze for Kirii. Firstly, it was a normal tribulation and not one meant to kill him, as Kirii was a heavenly beast blessed by the Heavens already. Secondly, Kirii had already absorbed many incredible sources of lightning, and its lightning resistance was pushed to levels even beyond John's at the moment.
The only thing Kirii was less resistant to was tribulation lightning, which it wanted to change. Kirii had requested John anger the heavens as much as possible, to increase the power of the tribulation. A more powerful tribulation would be harder to pass, but would also yield far greater rewards to Kirii's body and lightning comprehensions if passed.
Boom!
The first bolt of lightning suddenly unleashed from the sky above and pierced down towards Kirii.
Roar!
For the first time ever, John heard Kirii roar out with absolute power and confidence, and watched Kirii dash up into the sky to meet the tribulation lightning bolt.
Bang!
The lightning bolt collided against Kirii's head, slamming onto the glowing crystal on its forehead. After a short moment, the tribulation lightning flowing over Kirii's body was all absorbed by the crystal on its head, and Kirii's hardened gaze stared at the sky provokingly.
John watched as Kirii hovered high above, its regal figure carving a lasting impression in his mind. Lightning bolt after lightning bolt continued to rain down from above, increasing in power and fury. However, Kirii met each attack head on without pause, as a battle between lightning and lightning beast raged on in the sky above.
The nearby land and mountainsides lit up constantly from the lightning flashes, making the scene look quite apocalyptic. John calmly watched from below as his companion battled against everything the Heavens could throw at Kirii, all while he kept his attention at full, ready to act at a moment's notice to save Kirii should anything go wrong.
Interfering in Heavenly Tribulations was a taboo thing that almost all sought to avoid, as it would almost guarantee their lives should they do so. However, John had already gone against the Heavens once, and wouldn't hesitate to do so again to save his companion.
The tribulation lightning strikes continued to increase in power, as the battle between beast and Heavens grew in intensity. Lightning continued to smash against Kirii's body and the crystal on its forehead, while Kirii fought back with its full power as well. The battle was incredible, and John couldn't help but be impressed by what he was seeing. It was the first true Heaven Tribulation ascension he was witnessing, as his had been a false tribulation in the Meridian Forging Realm.
The lightning was definitely far gentler than what it had been during his own tribulation, and was not just trying to kill Kirii like it had with him. However, the power it contained was still incredible, and even Kirii started to show signs of damage and fatigue as it fought against the Heavens.
After over half an hour of withstanding tribulation strikes, John could tell Kirii was nearing the end of the Tribulation.
So far, it had been manageable for Kirii, as it was a beast of Lightning and had a natural advantage in such things. The clouds suddenly turned still, and John could tell it was preparing to unleash its final attack at Kirii.
Kirii hovered high in the sky, staring at the clouds above with an unwavering gaze. Kirii's power began to surge as well as it prepared for the final showdown.
Roar!
A roar from the clouds above boomed out across the land, shocking John. He had not expected to hear a roar come from the tribulation clouds. As if answering his question as to what was going on, the clouds suddenly parted as something came into view.
John's eyes widened at what he was seeing, while Kirii stared at the object before him with a fiery gaze.
In the clouds above, a beast made of pure lightning from the tribulation clouds stared down at Kirii. Against a beast such as the Heavenly Lightning Kirin, there was only one worthy lightning opponent. A Tribulation Lightning Kirin.