Chapter 84: The Violet Firmament Thunder Tribulation?

Zixiao Thunder Tribulation!

Pure violet lightning mixed within the thunderclouds shone dazzlingly bright. Though only a few strands appeared, the terrifying aura they contained was in no way inferior to the surrounding bolts of ordinary thunder.

It was said that the Zixiao Thunder Tribulation only manifested in rare traces when transcending to the Nascent Soul stage, during the disintegration of the five elements, and even then, its appearance was not guaranteed.

Yet this time, Chen Xiang was merely undergoing the advancement tribulation at the peak of Core Formation—and he drew forth the Zixiao Thunder Tribulation! This was no longer just a trial; it was annihilation.

At this moment, Chen Xiang's expression grew solemn. He did not fully understand the workings of the heavenly tribulation, but he could clearly sense the terrifying energy contained within the violet lightning. It seemed this third wave of tribulation would not be easy to pass.

The five patriarchs stood stupefied, their faces tinged with fear.

"Zixiao Divine Lightning? How could it appear here?"

"How many years has it been since such divine lightning last manifested? And now, it is summoned by a mere youth at Core Formation completion. Is heaven intent on killing him?"

"Though only a few strands, these Zixiao Divine Lightning bolts are stronger than the combined force of the previous two waves. They are simply not of the same level!"

...

The Elder at the peak of Nascent Soul, who had escorted Chen Xiang to the forbidden thunder pool, now sat sprawled upon the ground, gazing silently at the violet lightning in the sky. He was thoroughly terrified—not only by Chen Xiang's strength, which could summon the Zixiao Divine Lightning, but also by the prospect that he might encounter such lightning during his own tribulation.

He knew his own strength well, and feeling the aura of this heavenly tribulation, was certain that if he were to swap places with Chen Xiang, he would not survive even the second wave.

After witnessing this event, he did not dare attempt tribulation on his own for centuries, not until his lifespan neared its end.

The patriarch's hope, rekindled when Chen Xiang survived the second wave, was now dashed again.

"Heaven's will, heaven's will!" the patriarch sighed, lamenting his own ill fate. Just when hope for advancing further had arisen, repeated devastation left him weary.

"Let it all take its own course. Whether the Snow-Hidden Sect can rise depends on the efforts of future generations," he murmured.

Even if he wished to help Chen Xiang, now he was powerless in the face of overwhelming odds.

Black thunderclouds gathered densely overhead. Fine violet lightning streaked across the sky, their brilliance touching the surrounding thunderbolts and imbuing them with a faint purple hue.

This time, Chen Xiang dared not act carelessly. Though the first two waves had helped him refine his Thunder Body to nearly halfway, it was not enough to withstand the Zixiao Divine Lightning.

Without delay, he flipped his hand and drew out a Three Pure Realms Lightning Ward Talisman, affixing it to himself.

A deafening crash echoed.

The thunderclouds above began to churn violently, forming a swirling vortex. Thunderbolts appeared at the vortex's center, gathering together like a bottomless abyss.

Next, bolts of lightning intertwined across the clouds—twenty-seven in total, each tinged with violet light. The wild scene resembled the end of the world.

A thunderous roar rang out.

Twenty-seven thunder dragons, carrying a terrifying aura, fell like a waterfall. At that moment, the five observers, focused on the thunderclouds' movement, paled as if they too felt the shock from afar.

Chen Xiang's expression grew grim as he stowed away his Coiling Dragon Staff and quickly formed hand seals. He soared into the sky, charging directly toward the thunderbolts.

At that moment, he seemed an invincible warrior, rushing forth to meet the raging bolts.

Yet to the others, he appeared as an ant charging beneath an elephant's foot—reckless and doomed. Still, none found it inappropriate; instead, a sense of awe stirred within them.

"Mountain-Cleaving Seal!"

"Sea-Turning Seal!"

"Earth-Overturning Seal!"

All three seals manifested, merging into a massive tricolored energy handprint that covered the entire valley.

But it was not enough!

Chen Xiang's face turned pale as he swiftly formed more seals, finally spitting out a mouthful of blood.

The twenty-seven thunder dragons crashed into the tricolored handprint. The giant imprint seemed to resist momentarily, but cracks quickly spread across its surface—it could not withstand the assault!

At this critical moment, Chen Xiang finally caught his breath, a faint smile appearing on his face. He flung his hand into the void.

"Heaven-Annihilating Seal!"

With a sound that crushed the air, a gigantic black handprint grew rapidly, heading toward the breaking tricolored imprint and the twenty-seven violet lightning dragons.

Its movement appeared slow, yet reached its target in the blink of an eye.

The Heaven-Annihilating Seal and the tricolored imprint shared the same origin; upon contact, they fused instantly, forming a massive four-colored handprint. The terrifying energy contained within grew even denser.

A deafening explosion erupted as the four-colored handprint and the twenty-seven thunder dragons detonated, unleashing a raging energy storm that swept outward.

Arcs of lightning rained down, some falling upon Chen Xiang's weakened body, others dissipating into the air.

The energy storm, infused with the aura of heavenly tribulation, shattered large sections of the stone walls around the valley. One particularly fragile wall was reduced to dust.

A chime sounded: "Detected thunder energy, Thunder Body refinement progress: 75%."

Another chime: "Detected thunder energy, Thunder Body refinement progress: 80%."

...

Chimes continued: "Congratulations, host 'Chen Xiang' has inspired reverence among cultivators, earning two hundred reputation points!"

"Congratulations, host 'Chen Xiang' has inspired reverence among cultivators, earning two hundred forty reputation points!"

"Congratulations, host 'Chen Xiang' has inspired reverence among cultivators, earning two hundred thirty reputation points!"

...

Above, the five observers stared blankly at Chen Xiang in the valley, unable to speak, their hearts filled with shock.

As the energy storm dissipated, the valley stabilized. Its appearance was utterly changed; rubble lay everywhere, and even the stone walls once infused with thunder pool energy had become mere ordinary rocks, devoid of any hint of lightning.

Chen Xiang sat cross-legged at the valley's center—the only spot where a patch of ground remained intact.

After unleashing the combined four seals, Chen Xiang immediately sat to rest. The strain was immense; his spiritual power was insufficient, and his constitution could barely endure.

Previously, his strongest attack had been the triple seal, which already left him feeling depleted. The Heaven-Annihilating Seal consumed spiritual energy equivalent to the sum of the previous three seals! He could only imagine what the fifth seal would be—one strike might drain him dry.

Yet the combination of four seals did not disappoint, perfectly repelling the third wave of tribulation without using anything else.

Now only the fourth wave remained!

The system proved its worth; his injuries had nearly healed, leaving only a shortage of spiritual power, which was rapidly recovering.

Chen Xiang then drew his Jade Bamboo Sword. At this point, he could no longer afford to cherish it—if he failed to pass the fourth wave, preservation would be meaningless.

He unsheathed the exquisitely crafted Jade Bamboo Sword, pointed it at the heavens, and shouted boldly,

"Come again!"

"To be continued..."