Chapter 331: Shui Lao’s Shock |
The Tribulation Gu was comfortably snoozing on the World Tree, enjoying its deep slumber when its unscrupulous master yanked it out without mercy.
At this moment, it still maintained its scorpion-like appearance. After being thrown to the ground by Long Xuan, it blinked its drowsy little eyes open.
When it caught sight of the sky filled with red lightning, it was instantly startled and turned around, attempting to flee.
However, at that very moment, something within its bloodline seemed to awaken, triggering a craving for the terrifying phenomenon above.
It slowly overcame the fear in its heart, raised its head, and stared at the crimson lightning filling the sky with a greedy gaze.
Its expression was as if it saw the most delicious delicacy, impatient to soar into the heavens and consume it.
Perhaps only this creature could gaze at a thunder tribulation with such a greedy look, for all other beings would tremble in terror upon seeing it.
Meanwhile, Long Xuan’s other five clones were already scared out of their wits. Sharing the exact personality of the original, they were all cowards who feared death.
Witnessing the scene, their faces turned pale, and their legs trembled uncontrollably. Scrambling over each other, they rushed into the mouth of the Heaven-Devouring World Toad, vanishing from sight.
With a kick of its legs, it leaped into Long Xuan’s insect nurturing bag and fled as fast as it could.
Long Xuan was furious. This group of spineless cowards—how could he end up with such unreliable subordinates?
Now, with only himself left, he had no choice but to face the sky full of crimson lightning on his own.
At that moment, the Life-Destroying Thunder had finished charging and abruptly unleashed a thick red bolt.
“Boom!”
The thunder released an overwhelming divine aura, its momentum terrifying as it descended directly toward Long Xuan’s Demon Devouring Cauldron.
The bolt of lightning was blindingly bright, turning the entire space red and painting Long Xuan’s face crimson as well.
Within his pupils, the image of the Life-Destroying Thunder grew larger as it sped toward him. Long Xuan’s hair stood on end, and cold sweat poured down his back.
He was certain that if this bolt struck him, he would be obliterated without even ashes remaining.
In that life-or-death moment, the Tribulation Gu suddenly transformed into purple lightning and charged toward the incoming Life-Destroying Thunder.
“Boom!”
The two bolts of lightning collided violently, and in an instant, Long Xuan felt his eardrums nearly burst, his ears ringing painfully.
The clash sent the purple lightning flying a great distance under the destructive force of the Life-Destroying Thunder.
A long ravine was gouged into the ground by the impact.
Although the Tribulation Gu was knocked away, it managed to divert the Life-Destroying Thunder slightly off course. The bolt crashed heavily into the ground not far from Long Xuan.
“Boom!”
Once again, Long Xuan’s eardrums buzzed, and the ground beneath him quaked violently. Dust and fierce winds blasted into his face as the Life-Destroying Thunder created a bottomless pit at its point of impact.
Long Xuan was shaken to his core. If that power had hit him directly, there would have been no hope for survival.
Is this the terrifying might of a thunder tribulation? It’s absolutely horrifying. Is the Tribulation Gu still okay?
Before he could catch his breath, another thick bolt of crimson lightning descended from the sky. The Tribulation Gu, undeterred, stumbled to its feet and once again charged toward the Life-Destroying Thunder.
Its eyes now burned with the flames of battle, exuding a defiant spirit that refused to accept defeat.
Long Xuan, inspired by the Tribulation Gu’s unyielding resolve, also fixed his gaze on the approaching lightning tribulation. With a determined shout, he declared:
“Since ancient times, alchemists have taken pride in refining pills capable of summoning a thunder tribulation. Many fulfilled their dreams only to die tragically under its power.
“But I, Long Xuan, have summoned this thunder tribulation today. I will overcome it!”
“I will refine a heaven-defying spirit pill! This heaven—I defy it!”
As Long Xuan finished speaking, another deafening explosion rang out. The Tribulation Gu was once again ruthlessly struck by the Life-Destroying Thunder, sent flying before crashing heavily into the ground, carving a deep trench in its wake.
The red thunderbolt veered off course once again, crashing violently into the ground not far from Long Xuan.
The earth trembled furiously, sending sand and dust flying in all directions. In an instant, a second bottomless pit was formed.
The next moment, an even thicker and longer purple lightning bolt coalesced in the sky and struck down without pause.
The Life-Destroying Thunder comprised thirty-six bolts, each strike stronger than the last. So far, only two bolts had descended.
...
At the center of the Thunder Swamp, a figure made of water stood still, staring blankly at the crimson sky, its eyes filled with shock.
“This is...”
Hearing the mountain-shaking thunderclaps in the distance, the figure’s pupils contracted as it exclaimed, “It’s a Thunder Tribulation! This is a Thunder Tribulation! It’s the tenth-ranked Life-Destroying Thunder!”
“Who in the world could have triggered such a terrifying tribulation?”
“The legendary Life-Destroying Thunder... Even during my years dominating the Gu World, this is my first time seeing it.”
Gazing at the crimson thunderbolts that filled the sky, Shui Lao’s eyes revealed a mix of excitement and fear.
This was the legendary Heavenly Tribulation.
It was well-known that, in his current soul state, the power of lightning was already his natural nemesis. The force of a Thunder Tribulation was a hundred times deadlier to him.
Even if a tiny strand of this Life-Destroying Thunder landed on the surface of the water pool, it would obliterate his soul, leaving him in eternal damnation.
“The tribulation clouds are dense with crimson thunderbolts. Could they possibly strike here?”
“What if the Life-Destroying Thunder chases that person and accidentally brings the strikes here...”
The mere thought sent shivers down Shui Lao’s spine, his eyes filled with terror.
“Damn it! Which Gu King has come here to stir up trouble and put me in danger?”
Shui Lao was overwhelmed with panic and immediately extended his soul power to investigate the source of the thunder.
However, the location of the Tribulation was far too distant, and his soul, already weakened, could not sense that far. He had no choice but to give up.
Since he couldn’t determine who had triggered the tribulation, he instinctively assumed it was a peak Gu King.
Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought the Thunder Tribulation was caused by Long Xuan.
Thunder Tribulations were legendary occurrences, their appearances exceedingly rare. Most powerful cultivators never witnessed one in their lifetime. It was inconceivable for a low-level cultivator to summon one.
Anyone in his position would naturally assume that only a peak Gu King could trigger such a tribulation. Who would imagine that someone capable of refining pills beyond their level existed in this world?
If such a heaven-defying existence truly existed, then the tribulation shouldn’t be striking the pill—it should be striking the person.
Realizing that a peak Gu King immune to the Thunder Swamp’s lightning had entered the area, Shui Lao began to panic.
If such a Gu King wasn’t affected by the swamp’s lightning, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t reach the swamp’s center to investigate.
And if they discovered the Heavenly Water, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t find him.
If this peak Gu King sought to seize the Heavenly Water, would they kill him?
The thought left Shui Lao completely flustered, his expression filled with panic.
He desperately wanted to flee, but the Heavenly Water trapped him, leaving him immobile. His anxiety grew with every passing moment.
The distant thunder grew louder, the tremors of the earth more violent. The Thunder Tribulation seemed as though it would pierce through the land itself.
Shui Lao was utterly shaken by the sheer destructive power of the tribulation. Hiding at the bottom of the water pool, he shivered uncontrollably, praying that the Gu King wouldn’t approach.
Whether he lived or died, all he could do now was leave his fate to the heavens.