The combined force of his intents gathered into Crimson Devourer, the blade vibrating with such intensity that cracks formed on the ground beneath him.
Shen Yuan swung the sword with all his might, releasing an overwhelming wave of energy toward the descending flood dragon.
The Tempest Slicing attack shot upward, a swirling torrent of crimson, fire, lightning, and radiant light tearing through the air.
The spectral weapons surged forward, adding their force to the wave, each weapon slicing through the heavens with precision and ferocity.
The flood dragon met the attack head-on, its thunderous body colliding with the wave in an explosion of energy that lit up the entire sect.
The force of the collision created shockwaves that rippled outward, shaking the foundations of the surrounding buildings.
The disciples and elders watching from afar shielded their eyes, their awe and fear growing with each moment.
For a brief instant, it seemed as though Shen Yuan’s attack would overwhelm the eighth heavenly tribulation.
The flood dragon’s form trembled, its golden scales cracking under the relentless assault of his combined intents. But the heavens were not so easily defeated.
With a deafening roar, the flood dragon surged forward, its body breaking through the remnants of the Tempest Slicing wave.
The spectral weapons shattered one by one, their energy dissipating into the air as the dragon’s overwhelming might bore down on Shen Yuan.
While Shen Yuan hurriedly erected defenses from all the defensive techniques at his disposal, he couldn’t use his most powerful defensive technique—Spatial Distortion, as the space had been sealed by the very heavens.
Yet he used all other techniques, which couldn’t hold on for even a single instance.
The lightning dragon struck Crimson Devourer first, the impact sending a jarring shockwave through Shen Yuan’s arm.
The sword held firm, absorbing as much of the dragon’s energy as it could, but the sheer force overwhelmed even the Heaven Grade weapon.
The remaining energy crashed into Shen Yuan’s body, hurling him downwards with terrifying force.
Shen Yuan smashed into the ground of his courtyard, creating another deep crater as debris and dust flew into the air.
His body rolled to a halt near the base of the cherry tree, his once-pristine robes now in tatters.
Blood spilled from his mouth as he struggled to rise, his arms trembling under the immense strain.
The flood dragon dissipated after hitting him, its purpose fulfilled, while the tribulation above churned once again, gathering strength for the ultimate strike.
Shen Yuan coughed violently, his vision blurring as he clutched Crimson Devourer, now embedded in the ground beside him.
The sword’s glow burned brightly, as though sharing its master’s defiance.
“Damn it…” Shen Yuan muttered through gritted teeth, his breathing labored but his spirit remained unyielding.
He raised his head toward the heavens, his gaze fierce despite the battered state of his body.
“Still not enough to take me down,” he growled, gripping the sword tighter as the weapon’s crimson light flickered back to life, matching the fire in his eyes.
…
Huo Rong and Bing Rong clasped their hands together while looking at Shen Yuan from above the sky, their eyes glistening with tears as they saw his battered body.
Shen Yuxin clenched her fist while looking at Shen Yuan worriedly, while Yue Xian looked at her best friend in concern.
But her thoughts turned as she remembered that ore. ‘Didn’t we find that ore in one of the forbidden grounds of the Renjian World before? She gave it to him?’
…
The heavens churned furiously, the clouds twisting into a malevolent vortex as they gathered energy for the ninth and final strike.
The oppressive aura of divine judgment enveloped the entire sect, pressing down on everyone within its range.
The air grew impossibly dense, crackling with heavenly might. Even the most seasoned elders watching from afar felt their hearts tremble, as not even their Mortal Tribulations had been this hell-bent on killing them.
Above, the tribulation clouds split apart, revealing a figure of pure majesty and terror—a three-clawed true dragon, its body composed entirely of golden lightning.
It radiated an overwhelming divine presence, its roar shaking the heavens themselves.
The sect was bathed in a brilliant light as the dragon descended, its golden scales shimmering with destructive energy.
Shen Yuan stood within the shattered remnants of his courtyard, battered and bloodied, but his will remained unbroken.
His hand gripped Crimson Devourer tightly, the blade resonating with his indomitable spirit. The weapon’s Heaven Grade aura blazed defiantly, as though challenging the heavens alongside its master.
“Is this it? The heavens’ final card?” Shen Yuan’s voice was hoarse but steady, a crooked grin forming on his lips despite his injuries. “Let’s settle this little game with this final strike.”
The dragon roared as it descended, its massive form blotting out the sky.
Shen Yuan’s Qi surged wildly, the power within him roaring to life as he activated every ability at his disposal.
“Heaven and Earth Severance: Third Form—Ocean Splitter!” he bellowed, his voice shaking the air around him.
Crimson Devourer erupted with unparalleled energy, the blade glowing a deep crimson as it gathered power from every ounce of Shen Yuan’s Qi, utilizing all 366 Dantians of his to gather the Qi for this attack.
The attack formed a massive tidal wave of crimson energy, surging upward to meet the descending dragon.
The wave was infused with all of Shen Yuan’s Second Level Weapon Intents—sword, saber, bow, halberd, axe, spear, scythe, and more—each adding its unique destructive force.
His Elemental Intents flared together with the other intents.
Second Level Fire Intent ignited the energy, creating a searing blaze. Second Level Thunder Intent crackled through the wave, matching the tribulation’s raw power.
Second Level Radiant Intent added a blinding brilliance, cutting through the oppressive light of the dragon. First Level Space Intent, though weaker than the others, sharpened the energy, making the attack’s edges even deadlier.
Shen Yuan’s Devouring Fiend Celestial Bloodline activated on its own, his body exuding an aura of predatory hunger.
The bloodline’s power amplified his attack, drawing strength from the surrounding Qi and residual tribulation energy. His physiques worked in perfect harmony.
The Primal Harmony Physique balanced the chaotic energies within him. The False Chaos Physique broke down the tribulation energy for absorption.
The Purity Physique refined the energy, removing impurities and enhancing its potency. The Chaotic Vessel Physique acted as the perfect container, channeling the energy into Crimson Devourer without loss.
The combined force of Shen Yuan’s attack surged upward, colliding with the descending dragon in a cataclysmic explosion of energy.
The ground quaked violently, and shockwaves rippled outward, tearing apart the landscape and sending debris flying in all directions.
For the first time, Shen Yuan’s attack seemed to be holding its own against the heavenly might.
The dragon’s form flickered, its scales cracking under the relentless assault of his Ocean Splitter.
But the heavens’ judgment was unyielding. With a deafening roar, the dragon pushed through the attack, its golden lightning surging toward Shen Yuan like a tidal wave of divine wrath.
Shen Yuan braced himself, Crimson Devourer glowing with a desperate intensity as it absorbed the brunt of the dragon’s energy.
His bloodline and physiques worked overtime, devouring and breaking down the energy while simultaneously strengthening his defenses. Yet, the force was too great.