Chapter 204: Chapter 66 The Might of the Heavenly Tribulation
Heavenly Tribulation, the thing all cultivators fear the most.
Though the path of cultivation is full of many hardships, if one is cautious and lays low, it’s not impossible to avoid risks.
But the three Heavenly Tribulations—Core Condensation Tribulation, Embryo Formation Tribulation, and Ascension Tribulation—are unavoidable for every cultivator.
The higher the quality of the Golden Core, the more the power of the Heavenly Tribulation multiplies, to the extent that the survival rate for high-rank Heavenly Tribulations is much lower than that of lower ones… It must be known, those who achieve a higher Golden Core grade are without exception the elite disciples of the major sects, each of them blessed with certain fortunes, truly the chosen ones!
It can only be said that cultivation is ultimately an act against the heavens. The more capable the cultivator, the more likely they are to perish during the Heavenly Tribulation, which is really the Heavenly Dao redistributing wealth by its own hand.
The essence of the Heavenly Tribulation is the Thunder Method.
Qiu Changtian’s cultivation of the “Five Thunder True Law,” one of which is the Heavenly Thunder, is identical to the Tribulation Lightning, and may come in various rich forms, such as metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, light, sound, darkness, smoke… but it is definitely of the Thunder Method nature.
As for the power of the Thunder Method, there’s no need to say much. Just look at the absurd bounty the Demon Cult has placed on Qiu Changtian’s head, one can see the strong sense of fear behind it.
And the lightning of the Heavenly Tribulation, both in scale and intensity, far surpasses the Thunder Method that cultivators can employ.
Qiu Changtian and Xu Yinglian stood atop the snow peak, watching Xu Changqing, who was seated in the distant snow valley.
This place is known as the “Thunder Tribulation Valley” of Kunlun, where generations of cultivators mostly choose to overcome their tribulations. As a result, the surroundings of the valley’s bottom have been nearly flattened by Heavenly Tribulations, and every so often, they expand yet again.
“Senior Brother,” Xu Yinglian said in a low voice, the mountain wind making her Daoist robe rustle loudly.
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She tucked her windblown hair behind her ears, then hugged her arms tight:
“I’m somewhat afraid.”
“Oh?” Qiu Changtian was somewhat surprised, unable to imagine this strong-willed junior sister suddenly showing such a weak emotion.
The Kunlun Mirror quickly removed the invincible character setting, only to hear Xu Yinglian continue:
“I worry whether Great Grandfather will survive the Heavenly Tribulation.”
“Worrying is of no use,” Qiu Changtian said gently. “But I believe that Senior Brother Xu would not do something if he weren’t confident.”
“Facing the Heavenly Tribulation, who can be sure of themselves?” Xu Yinglian said somberly.
“Cultivation itself is an act against the heavens,” Qiu Changtian said.
“But I’ve heard that if one dies under the Heavenly Tribulation, it’s not just a matter of being crushed to pieces but also of the soul disintegrating, not entering reincarnation,” Xu Yinglian said.
“Is Junior Sister Xu afraid?” Qiu Changtian glanced at her obliquely.
However, without the aura of the invincible character setting, that glance lacked any provocative power and was instantly seen through by Xu Yinglian’s Seven Orifices Exquisite Heart.
She knew her senior brother was using reverse psychology to boost her spirits, so she responded with a light smile:
“How could I not be afraid? I too will have to face the Heavenly Tribulation someday, and it might even be the Second Grade Golden Core Tribulation~”
“Second Grade Golden Core…” Qiu Changtian was speechless and smiled wryly, swallowing the rest of his words.
It could only be said, if you’re happy, that’s all that matters.
“But,” Xu Yinglian paused for a moment, then continued, “fear or not, one still has to keep moving forward. The so-called pursuit of the Dao is probably just that.”
…Perhaps it’s because I’m even more afraid of being left behind that I mock myself in my heart.
“Junior Sister’s words resonate deeply with me,” Qiu Changtian said approvingly, echoing the “sect spirit” of the Kunlun Taiqing Sect.
“No time to talk, the Heavenly Tribulation is about to start,” Xu Yinglian shifted her gaze toward the sky.
The sky, which had been clear and transparent, now bore large swaths of dense clouds; within them, lightning flickered and thunder rumbled ominously. The brilliant arcs of electricity were almost the size of mountain peaks, presenting a terrifying sight.
“What kind of lightning is that?” Xu Yinglian asked in alarm, her voice quivering with an uncontrollable tremor.
“Plain Cloud Golden Lightning,” Qiu Changtian said gravely, “It’s approaching the power of a Second Grade Golden Core Heavenly Tribulation.”
No sooner had he spoken than the golden lightning arced down like a violent storm, sending them both hastily retreating on their swords into the air.
Striking the valley floor, the Plain Cloud Golden Lightning’s shockwave spread rapidly, shaking the airborne Qiu Changtian and Xu Yinglian so much that they nearly lost their balance and struggled to maintain it.
Looking back, the peak where they had just been standing had been sheared off by the shockwave.
“I didn’t expect the range of the Heavenly Tribulation to be so far… Watch out!” Xu Yinglian suddenly shouted a warning.
Several strands of Plain Cloud Golden Lightning had transformed into huge electric serpents that were slashing down from the edges of the tempest clouds toward them.
Without hesitation, Xu Yinglian formed a hand seal and quickly released Great Bright Fire from her mouth and nose, instantly enveloping the sky above.
However, the electric serpents tore through the wall of flames like knives shredding fragile cloth and continued to descend toward them—until they were slowed to a visible speed by being struck by a massive spirit talisman made of spiritual energy.
“Your rank is too low!” Qiu Changtian said as he continued to cast the Supreme Jasper Spiritual Talisman to slow down the Heavenly Thunder, pulling back Xu Yinglian, who was ready to release more Great Bright Fire, “The strength of True Qi at the Marrow Cleansing Rank isn’t enough to confront the Heavenly Tribulation head-on!”
Xu Yinglian, pulled backward by him, saw the electric serpents tearing through one spirit talisman only to get trapped in another. With reluctance, she had to admit that her own strength at the Marrow Cleansing Rank was insufficient against the Third Grade Golden Core Heavenly Tribulation.
They retreated to a safe area in a single breath, and only then did the electric serpents cease their pursuit, turning back to attack Xu Changqing at the valley floor instead.
Looking again at the elder brother Xu, he seemed to have adopted the same countermeasures as Qiu Changtian: using the sealing abilities of the Supreme Jasper Spiritual Talisman to bind and weaken a large number of electric serpents.
Yet, more and more Tribulation Lightning began to break free from the bond of the spirit talismans, continuing their ferocious assault on Xu Changqing.
“Watch carefully,” Qiu Changtian suddenly said.
Xu Yinglian looked intently only to see Xu Changqing in the center of the valley, his right hand constantly casting spirit talismans, while his feet began to move in mysterious steps, just in time to dodge the Tribulation Lightning, causing them to create large craters in the ground as they missed.
“Is that… a Formation?” Xu Yinglian asked uncertainly.
“A pre-arranged Formation,” Qiu Changtian replied, “The time and location to confront the Heavenly Tribulation can be chosen, it would be a pity not to use formations.”
“But I’ve heard that if one relies on the power of a formation, the intensity of the Heavenly Tribulation would increase with the strength of the formation,” Xu Yinglian said with nervous apprehension.
“To put it precisely, a cultivator cannot rely completely on formations,” Qiu Changtian corrected her, his gaze fixed intently on the center of the valley, “Look closely, for the weaker lightnings, he chooses to defend with the Flying Sword.”
Xu Yinglian focused her look and noted that indeed, Xu Changqing was executing the layered tactics as Qiu Changtian had described.
The main force of the Heavenly Tribulation was being delayed and bound by the Supreme Jasper Spiritual Talisman. This Daoist technique, derived from the “Nine Heavens Clear Entrance True Mantra,” was an indisputable method passed down through the disciples of the Kunlun Sect Leaders for countering the Heavenly Tribulation.
As for the Tribulation Lightnings that broke through the bindings, the larger ones were deflected or dodged using formations, while the smaller ones were countered directly with the Flying Sword or Magical Treasures.
“How long can this hold?” Xu Yinglian said dryly, her expression showcasing utmost concern, “The Supreme Jasper Spiritual Talisman merely delays the descent of the main force of the Heavenly Tribulation, it doesn’t dissipate them…”
Before she finished speaking, a great number of electric serpents furiously descended, surpassing the critical point of the talisman’s binding and instantly engulfing Xu Changqing’s figure!