166: Six more saints

The second and third waves of tribulation lightning fell one after another, each more terrifying than the last!

The lightning transformed into various forms: sometimes like a torrential downpour, sometimes like a giant axe splitting the heavens, and sometimes even containing Heart Demon illusions!

Shi Wanshan's battle armor roared, his gauntlets cracked, and blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, yet he fought with increasing ferocity, using the tribulation lightning to temper his physique. His Qi, instead of weakening, became more condensed and powerful amidst the pain and injuries!

Cracks appeared on Li Muran's treasure orb, and the water curtain was torn apart multiple times, but his Dao Heart was firm, and his Spells were exquisite, always allowing him to mend the damage in time. He also leveraged the flexibility of water to continuously dissipate the tyrannical force of the lightning.

Ye Guying's sword shadows flew, sometimes like lingering fine rain dissolving the lightning's force, and other times like a swift, shocking strike cleaving the lightning's core. With his clear Sword Heart, he even captured a sliver of vitality within the destruction of the tribulation lightning and integrated it into his own sword Dao.

The other Peak Lords also displayed their unique abilities; some had their treasures completely destroyed and suffered severe injuries, yet they gritted their teeth and persevered.

Xuan Yangzi watched with a pounding heart, several times almost giving in to the urge to ask Gu Changge to intervene. However, seeing Gu Changge's perpetual calm and indifference, and his Junior Brothers' increasingly bright eyes and sublimating Qi amidst their disheveled state, he forcibly restrained himself.

Finally, the most terrifying ninth wave of tribulation lightning descended!

It was no longer mere lightning, but an almost Law-like manifestation!

A colossal, dark-purple lightning spear, seemingly composed of pure destructive will, descended upon the group, carrying a pressure that made the entire Secret Realm tremble!

"Roar!"

Shi Wanshan burned his Qi and blood, and a giant mountain Dharma Idol emerged behind him. He then collided with the lightning spear with his entire body!

Li Muran spat out a mouthful of vital blood into his treasure orb, drawing upon the power of the entire lake beneath his feet, transforming it into a Water Dragon that ascended Heaven-Defyingly!

Ye Guying merged with his sword, transforming into an extremely brilliant emerald sword light that stabbed directly at the lightning spear's core!

...Earth-shattering explosions rang out consecutively, and blinding light engulfed everyone's vision.

The light gradually receded.

The Peak Lords were seen with tattered robes, scorched bodies, and weak Qi. Some were even half-kneeling on the ground, clearly having sustained extremely severe injuries.

But!

The tribulation clouds above their heads began to slowly dissipate, and pure, boundless Heaven and Earth boons, auspicious sweet dew, and Law-infused iridescent light, brimming with vigorous vitality, descended from the sky and merged into their bodies.

Their injuries healed at a visible rate, their scorched skin peeled away, revealing new, saintly glowing skin.

Their Qi began to surge wildly, and after breaking through a certain limit, it became vast, profound, and majestic!

A new, transcendent Saint Realm pressure, superior to the mundane, slowly emanated from their bodies!

They succeeded!

Through their profound Foundation, thorough preparation, and unyielding will, they successfully underwent Tribulation and formally stepped into the Saint Realm!

Xuan Yangzi let out a long sigh of relief, his face displaying an expression of immense satisfaction and excitement.

Gu Changge looked at the Peak Lords, who were reshaping their Saint bodies and completing their transformation amidst the auspicious signs, and a faint smile also curved on his lips.

At this moment, in the depths of the Secret Realm, the auras of the five Old Ancestors also subtly fluctuated, conveying approval and satisfaction.

The auspicious sweet dew, like the Nine Heavens' nectar, sprinkled down, imbued with the purest vitality and fragments of Law of Heaven and Earth, gently nourishing the Peak Lords' damaged bodies and depleted Divine Souls.

They greedily absorbed this Heaven and Earth boon after successfully Undergoing Tribulation. The scorched dead skin on their bodies rapidly peeled off, revealing new, lustrous jade-like skin beneath, radiating a faint Saint glow.

Broken bones reshaped with crackling sounds, becoming tougher, and dried Meridians were filled with the sweet dew, becoming wider and more vibrant.

Their withered Divine Souls were like parched land receiving timely rain, rapidly growing stronger, their spiritual platforms becoming utterly clear, and their comprehension of the Laws of Heaven and Earth clearer than ever before.

A new, vast and boundless power surged and circulated within their bodies—that was the power exclusive to the Saint Realm!

Their life essence underwent a fundamental leap, their Lifespan greatly increased, and with every gesture, they could harness the power of Heaven and Earth, looking down upon all living beings as mere ants.

Shi Wanshan suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp light bursting forth from them, and he couldn't help but let out a hearty, prolonged roar to the sky. The sound waves rolled, making the surrounding mountains echo.

"Hahaha! What a thrill! What a thrill! I've finally made it! This Saint Realm power is indeed extraordinary!"

He clenched his fists tightly, feeling the terrifying power within his body, enough to move mountains and fill seas, and his Saint body, a hundred times tougher than before. His face was filled with wild joy and heroic pride.

All the pain and danger from before transformed into worthy accolades at this moment.

Li Muran slowly rose, his body enveloped in mist, his aura becoming as profound as the sea, containing immeasurable power within its tranquility.

A gentle and contented smile graced his face as he carefully savored the incredibly intimate connection between himself and the Water Element Law of Heaven and Earth, as if with a single thought, he could command the power of rivers, lakes, and seas.

"When the water flows, a channel is formed; the Dao follows nature. This tribulation was also a baptism for my state of mind," he murmured softly, his Dao Heart becoming even more perfectly refined and transparent.

The other Peak Lords also successively stabilized their Realms, each of their faces brimming with uncontrollable excitement and exhilaration.

They looked at each other, seeing the same joy and emotion in each other's eyes. Hundreds of years of arduous cultivation, the accumulation of countless resources, today they finally leaped across the edge of life and death, like fish transforming into Dragons, achieving Saint status!

Xuan Yangzi was already overcome with emotion at this moment. He quickly stepped forward, looking at each of his Junior Brothers, who had undergone a complete transformation and possessed profound auras. His eyes were even a little moist.

"Good! Good! Good!"

He uttered three "goods" in a row, his voice trembling slightly with excitement,

"Junior Brother Shi! Junior Brother Li! Junior Brother Ye... All Junior Brothers! Congratulations! Congratulations to you all! Today, our Azure Profound Sect gains six more Saints!"

He surveyed the six newly promoted Saints before him, then sensed the auras of the five Old Ancestors, who had already stabilized their Realms in the depths of the Secret Realm. His heart swelled with pride, and he couldn't help but burst into laughter:

"Hahaha! Heaven bless our Azure Profound Sect! Including the five Old Ancestors, and... and Junior Brother Changge, our Azure Profound Sect now has thirteen Saint Realm powerhouses! Thirteen!"

This number made him feel dizzy and incredulous.

Thirteen Saints!

What kind of concept was that?

Looking across the entire Eastern Domain, in any previous era, the number of Saints openly known was exceedingly small!

Top Sects like Burning Heaven Palace and Demon Heaven Sect were already profoundly established, enough to awe a region, yet they still hadn't produced a single Saint.

But now, his Azure Profound Sect, quietly and without fanfare, actually possessed a full thirteen Saints!

This was a terrifying force capable of sweeping across Xuan Province, overturning the existing order, and even drawing the attention of ancient families and Holy Lands throughout the entire Eastern Domain!

All of this was because... Xuan Yangzi's gaze involuntarily turned towards Gu Changge, who stood quietly beside him, calm and composed, his eyes filled with endless gratitude and reverence.

It was because of the Heaven-Defying resources brought by this Junior Brother, because of the supreme Cultivation Technique and guidance he provided, and because of the unparalleled sense of security he offered by overseeing the Sect.

Only then could his Junior Brothers and Old Ancestors cultivate and Breakthrough without distraction, ultimately accumulating profoundly and achieving success in one fell swoop!