159: Chapter 159 Within my domain, I am the Heavenly Tribulation!

Zhang Wen had just laid down on the bed when the mechanical voice in his mind suddenly sounded, carrying a bit more fluctuation than usual:

[Detected that the host has won the selection tournament with a perfect record, completing the prerequisites for the "Captain's Trial".]

Fingertips tracing the cold patterns on the Dragon-patterned token, Zhang Wen had long since grown accustomed to that voice which only he could hear.

This mysterious System remained in a semi-dormant state for long periods, only waking up when he made a Realm Breakthrough or triggered a key event—just like now.

[Phase reward triggered:]

[1. Nine Heavens Tribulation Thunder Domain significantly strengthened]

[2. Global League participant database updated (includes core intelligence on Eagle Country's "Aegis Squad" and Sakura Country's "Onmyōryō")]

[3. SSS-rank Cultivation Technique "Instant Prison Thunder Sound Spear" Legacy infusion—automatically mastered]

"Finally, something substantial." As soon as Zhang Wen's thoughts stirred, an overwhelming and irresistible violent aura erupted from his body!

The System's prompt was cold and clear:

[Domain strengthening complete]

1. Divine Thought Lock: The Tribulation Thunder clouds automatically mark the Qi and Divine Soul of all intruders, leaving them nowhere to hide.

2. Myriad Laws Draw Thunder: Any form of energy unleashed within the Domain acts like a lightning rod, drawing down corresponding attribute Tribulation Thunder, with power scaling according to the energy's intensity.

3. Annihilation Barrier Breaking: The Tribulation Thunder contains a sliver of the "Heavenly Tribulation" true essence, possessing Law-level penetration and disintegration properties against all Protective Aura, magical shields, and barrier screens.

4. Sluggish Paralysis: Thunder pressure covers the entire field, causing the enemy's movements and thoughts to lag, stacking the "Thunder Strike" mark, and triggering paralysis or even Divine Soul shock.

Zhang Wen's pupils constricted.

This was not the "slight enhancement" he had expected at all. When ordinary Domain Realm experts clash, their Domains often cancel each other out, with limited impact unless there is a suppression in Realm.

But right now... he could clearly feel that within his own universe of thunder, the rules had been rewritten!

Within the Domain, I am the Heavenly Tribulation.

Above the Domain... one can even trade lives!

Before he could suppress the shock in his heart, the System's voice sounded again—

[Main quest "National Glory" has been updated:]

[Current phase: Preparing for the Global League]

[Quest requirement: Within three months, achieve 80% team coordination.]

[Phase reward: Fusion skill, Co-Radiance - Sky-Propping.]

[Final quest objective remains unchanged: Enter the top three in the Global League.]

[Supplementary reward description: If the championship is won, in addition to the original rewards, an unlock qualification for "System Core Authority" will be added, as well as one chance to draw an ancient Legacy.]

Zhang Wen's footsteps paused slightly.

Ancient Legacy—these four words were more like a sealed taboo in the current cultivation world.

People only exchanged whispers in private, talking about that "Ancient Spirit War" that was buried in the mists of time.

Legend has it that after that battle, the global Spiritual Vein snapped, ninety percent of the Dao lineages were lost, and countless brilliant Legacies turned into a few remaining lines in history books, failing to even leave behind a clear "era name."

Later generations, when tracing back, could only collectively refer to it as a chaotic—"Ancient" era.

And now, the System had actually placed the authority to uncover that forbidden history directly on the champion's podium.

Zhang Wen took a slow breath, Lightning Radiance flickering deep in his eyes.

It seemed that first place in this league was no longer just a goal.

It was... a threshold that must be crossed.

"Zhang Wen! What are you dilly-dallying for?" Xiao Zhan's booming voice came from outside, "Lu Yan swallowed the last piece of hibiscus cake!"

When Zhang Wen pushed the door open, he saw Lu Yan with his cheeks puffed out, still clutching half a pastry in his hand. Su Qing was using a rusty sword to tap the back of his hand, Murong Wu was looking down while flipping through a Jade Slip, Ye Chen was leaning against the corner with his eyes closed, and Chu Yao was wiping her vine Magical Artifact.

"Just received the news," Principal Gongsun sat in the main seat and pushed a file to the center of the table, "The host city for the Global League has been set at the Shattered Archipelago. The organizers have added a 'Secret Realm Exploration' segment, which accounts for 30% of the final score."

Zhang Wen picked up the file, and the System store icon suddenly flickered in his consciousness, popping up a prompt: [Detected "Shattered Archipelago Map Fragment", can spend 100 points to redeem the complete version (Current points: 103450).]

He raised an eyebrow—mentally chanting "Redeem."

"Secret Realm?" Su Qing looked up, "Is it the 'Atlantis Ruins' rumored to be sunken at the bottom of the sea?"

"That's right." Principal Gongsun nodded, "That place has chaotic spiritual energy and Vicious Beasts, and every league has had contestants fall inside. Your training for the next three months must include Secret Realm survival lessons."

Zhang Wen put down the file, his fingertips tapping the edge of the table: "I have a proposal."

Everyone looked at him.

"Starting tomorrow, the eight of us will be divided into two groups for simulated battles. Murong Wu and I will each lead a team, and we will rotate opponents every day."

Xiao Zhan slapped the table and laughed: "Should have practiced like this long ago! Saves us from fighting our own battles like scattered sand!"

Zhang Wen didn't reply, but his consciousness sank into the System panel. The progress bar for the [Preparation Quest] now showed "1/3", with a line of small text below: [Current team coordination: 32%]

It seemed the road to grinding and cooperation was long and arduous.

Night fell over the eaves of the Alliance headquarters. Zhang Wen looked at the starry sky outside the window, thinking of the "thunder source crystal core" in the System store—it was said to be able to let the Nine Heavens Tribulation Thunder Breakthrough to "Myriad Phenomena Return to Ruin Thunder."

"But the price... sigh, I can only take it one step at a time."

"Global League..." he whispered to himself, Lightning Radiance flickering in his eyes, "Just wait."

The System's mechanical voice sounded again, carrying a trace of imperceptible fluctuation:

[Detected host's Battle Intent rising, triggered hidden buff: Fighting Spirit Boost (training efficiency increased by 20%)]

Zhang Wen smiled, turned, and walked toward the training ground.

Three months later at the Shattered Archipelago, not only did he want to lead the Dragon Country representative team to the podium, but he also wanted to see what kind of raging waves were hidden behind the secrets of this System.