165: Overcoming the Saint's Tribulation

News spread, and in just a few moments, several powerful auras shot up from various peaks, streaking like meteors to the main peak square.

The people who arrived were precisely Shi Wanshan, Li Muran, Ye Guying, and the other Peak Lords.

These Peak Lords, who were usually solemn and dignified, now had flushed faces, and the Spiritual Qi around their bodies uncontrollably overflowed, forming faint energy vortexes, their robes fluttering without wind, rustling loudly.

Especially Shi Wanshan, who primarily focused on Body Refining and had the most impetuous personality, his muscles were taut, his blood Qi surged like a Dragon, and he stood there like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment.

He grinned, repeatedly cupping his hands towards Gu Changge: "Junior Brother Gu, no, it's the handsome, dashing, and imposing Peak Lord Gu! You're finally here! If Old Shi here had to hold back any longer, I'm afraid I'd explode first!"

Li Muran, standing nearby, also took a deep breath and said with a wry smile: "The Opportunity bestowed by Junior Brother Gu is too profound. This cultivation increase is as natural as water flowing into a ditch; it's truly been hard to suppress, I trouble you, Junior Brother."

Although the other Peak Lords didn't say much, their eyes, sparkling with sharp light, were also full of anticipation, clearly indicating they had reached their critical point.

Gu Changge looked at their 'arrow on the string, must be shot' demeanor and couldn't help but smile: "Senior Brothers' Foundations are solid, and when the cup is full, it overflows naturally, which is a good thing. Since that's the case, we shall go now."

With that, he flicked his sleeve, and an invisible force enveloped Xuan Yangzi and the Peak Lords. The next moment, everyone had passed through spatial ripples and entered the Azure Cloud Secret Realm.

The current Azure Cloud Secret Realm was vastly different from when it was first introduced.

Under the nourishment of the Emperor-grade Spiritual Vein, the Secret Realm space was incredibly stable, and the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi was so dense it materialized into Spiritual mist, slowly flowing between mountains and rivers.

In the distance, the various ancient herbs and spiritual plants that Gu Changge had transplanted earlier were vibrant with life, their medicinal fragrance assailing the nostrils.

Even more striking was that within the Secret Realm, clear Cultivation zones had been delineated.

One hundred carefully selected elite inner Sect Disciples were seated cross-legged in specific Spirit Gathering Formation eyes, each holding their breath and concentrating, absorbing massive amounts of Spiritual Qi, their Cultivation progressing by leaps and bounds.

They sensed the spatial fluctuations and the powerful auras of the Peak Lords that couldn't be fully contained, and they all cast gazes of awe and curiosity.

And in the deeper core area of the Secret Realm, five obscure auras, as if integrated with heaven and earth, flickered in and out of existence.

Those were the five Old Ancestors of the Azure Profound Sect. With the hundredfold Spiritual Qi of this place and the resources provided by Gu Changge, they had already reached the Late Stage of the Saint Realm, steadily advancing towards higher Cultivation.

At this moment, they seemed to be startled as well, and a faint Divine Sense swept through.

Xuan Yangzi looked at this land, the future hope of the Sect, and a surge of ambition rose in his heart.

Shi Wanshan and the others took a deep breath of the incomparably pure Spiritual Qi in the Secret Realm, feeling their entire bodies comfortable. The Realm barrier, which they could no longer suppress, loosened a bit more, and the eagerness on their faces grew stronger.

Gu Changge surveyed his surroundings, quite satisfied with the current state of the Secret Realm, then said to the Peak Lords:

"This place is blessed by the Secret Realm's rules; the space is stable. When you Undergo Tribulation here, although the power of the tribulation lightning will not diminish, the aftershocks will not easily leak out, further protecting the Secret Realm. Senior Brothers, you may choose your own locations and prepare to induce the Heavenly Tribulation."

As Gu Changge's words fell, Shi Wanshan, Li Muran, Ye Guying, and the other Peak Lords could no longer hold back. Like arrows released from a bowstring, they transformed into several streaks of light, shooting towards several pre-selected, open mountain peaks or plains within the Secret Realm.

As soon as they landed, they held nothing back, completely unleashing their long-suppressed Cultivation!

"Boom—!!!"

Several vast and boundless auras, like giant Dragons that had slumbered for ten thousand years, suddenly awakened and shot into the sky!

On the mountain where Shi Wanshan was located, the earthy yellow spiritual power was as heavy as a mountain, drawing in the Qi of the earth veins. His muscles bulged, and his blood Qi, like wolf smoke, shot straight into the sky, emitting a dull roar like thunder.

He let out a low growl, and an ancient, heavy battle armor engraved with mountain patterns instantly covered his entire body. It was his ultimate 'Immovable Mountain King Armor,' and his fists were adorned with a pair of glowing gauntlets, his aura as solid as the earth.

Li Muran stood by the lake, surrounded by swirling water vapor, his azure spiritual power surging like tides, drawing in the water spirit power from all directions.

He formed hand seals, and a blue pearl, shimmering with ripples, floated above his head, casting down streaks of water curtain light. The jade pendant at his waist also glowed with a soft light, forming a double layer of protection, making him seem as if he were one with the lake beneath his feet.

Ye Guying landed at the edge of an ancient forest, his figure elusive, his cyan-green spiritual power carrying vibrant vitality and sharp Sword Intent.

The long sword on his back unsheathed itself by half an inch, its cry clear and resonant. Around him, countless intricate sword shadows formed a defensive sword circle, and a concealed sword formation was quietly laid beneath his feet, both to prevent external disturbance and to gather spiritual energy.

The other Peak Lords also displayed their Divine Ability, some conjuring treasure banners wreathed in fierce flames, some summoning golden, resplendent great seals, some moving like the wind, leaving behind trails of afterimages... For this day, they had almost used all the accumulated wealth of centuries and the treasures bestowed by Gu Changge, making complete preparations.

Almost the instant they fully unleashed their auras, the originally clear sky of the Azure Cloud Secret Realm suddenly darkened!

Gale-force winds howled, sweeping up spiritual mist everywhere. Thick, inky tribulation clouds gathered frantically from all directions, layer upon layer, creating a suffocating pressure.

Within the clouds, blinding lightning serpents darted wildly, emitting deafening 'rumbling' sounds. The destructive Heavenly might descended like a tangible force, engulfing the entire Secret Realm!

The five Old Ancestors Cultivating in the core area had their auras subtly fluctuate, clearly startled by the multiple Saint Realm tribulations simultaneously triggered.

"It's starting!"

Xuan Yangzi stood beside Gu Changge, his palms slightly sweating, his gaze fixed on his Junior Brothers.

The first wave of tribulation lightning struck down with full force!

Several terrifying pillars of lightning, each with different attributes, as thick as Dragons, and imbued with the wrath of the Heaven and Earth Law, slammed down on the Peak Lords!

Shi Wanshan roared, not dodging, and his armored fists erupted with brilliant yellow light, meeting the attack head-on!

"Boom!" Lightning exploded, his body shook violently, and the rocks beneath his feet shattered. But the battle armor's light flowed, actually dispersing most of the lightning power into the earth, successfully withstanding it!

Li Muran's pearl rotated above his head, and the descending water curtain collided with the lightning, emitting a 'sizzling' sound. Water vapor steamed, and the light curtain fluctuated violently but did not break.

Ye Guying pointed with his sword, and the sword shadows around him converged into a torrent that charged upwards, clashing with the green wood lightning pillar. Sword Qi and lightning were annihilated simultaneously, and the impact of the explosion was largely dissolved by the sword formation he had laid out.

The other Peak Lords also displayed their methods, some enduring directly, some skillfully deflecting, or relying on treasures to resist. Although the first wave of tribulation lightning was perilous, they all managed to overcome it without incident.

Gu Changge stood calmly in place, his gaze sweeping over the Peak Lords.

His Eye of Illusory Breaking was slightly open, and he clearly saw that the Spiritual Qi within their bodies circulated smoothly, their Foundations incredibly solid, far exceeding ordinary Cultivators who had just touched the threshold of the Saint Realm.

Their protective treasures perfectly harmonized with their Dao Rhyme, clearly having been refined for many years.

Although they struggled when dealing with the tribulation lightning, their methods were not chaotic, and their inner reserves remained.

He nodded slightly, understanding in his heart: "The Senior Brothers' Foundations are far more profound than expected. Years of accumulation, coupled with recent Opportunities, have made their reserves sufficient.

Although this Heavenly Tribulation is dangerous, it is also a necessary path to temper their Saint bodies and condense their Saint Sources. Their preparations are thorough, and their coordination is seamless. There's no need for me to intervene; they can overcome this tribulation themselves."

Thus, he put away the thought of secretly assisting them, stood with his hands behind his back, and truly became a mere spectator.

The eight-day holiday passed just like that, so fast! Did everyone have a blast? I, for one, am exhausted. Wishing everyone smooth work and progress in their studies!