164: Tribulation

The lightning pillar crashed down; he flicked his sleeve to form a screen, and Cyan-Gold Sword Astral Qi manifested, protecting his body.

The lightning struck the sword astral qi like boiling water on snow, sending clouds of white steam into the air.

The sword astral qi shook violently from the heavy blow, but it ultimately held... "It's actually a Heavenly Tribulation."

"Why is there a Heavenly Tribulation?"

"Generally speaking, one only encounters a Heavenly Tribulation when forcibly breaking through realms. Bai He has received the recognition of the world will, so why is a Heavenly Tribulation descending?"

"I don't know the reason. Let's just watch!"

Several people in the sky watched nervously as Bai He underwent his tribulation below.

No matter how powerful a Cultivator is, even a Prodigy, they wouldn't dare claim total certainty in the face of a Heavenly Tribulation.

The Heavenly Might is unpredictable!

...On the island, thunder rolled as Bai He used his techniques to struggle through the tribulation.

This Lightning Tribulation seemed different from ordinary ones.

The sound of thunder seemed mixed with the mournful cries of living beings, and each bolt of lightning was like a physical lightning blade, hacking down ruthlessly.

It was as if it wasn't meant for testing or baptism, but for obliterating the one undergoing the tribulation.

Bai He gave his all against every bolt of heavenly lightning.

He flicked his sleeve to form a shield, pushing his Cyan-Gold Sword Astral Qi to the limit.

The thunder was as dense as hemp, and the threads of lightning surged like a violent storm, but he held them all at bay.

The heavenly dao vertical pupil in the sky seemed offended; bloodshot veins flickered in its center, and the lightning combined into a lightning dragon, roaring as it charged toward Bai He.

The lightning dragon descended, pointing straight at his brow. Before the electricity even reached him, its heavenly might had already crushed his Divine Soul barrier.

Bai He felt as if his Nascent Soul had been struck by lightning, and his Dantian Qi Sea was on the verge of shattering. He bit the tip of his tongue, and a phantom of a Blue Leaf Iris emerged within his body to collide with the lightning dragon.

In a thunderous roar, the world seemed like a mirror that shattered. The lightning and the bloodshot veins vanished simultaneously, the sky returned to clarity, the vertical eye slowly closed, and the bloodshot color faded.

On the island, Bai He sat cross-legged, covered in blood.

After the arduous Lightning Tribulation, his shackles were finally broken.

The Nascent Soul within him, tempered by the Lightning Tribulation, slowly stretched out. The patterns of mountains and rivers appeared within the texture of his skin, and the rotation of the sun and moon could be seen when he opened and closed his eyes.

Behind him, a phantom condensed into a Soul Transformation Dharma Idol that reached between heaven and earth. Dressed in clothes as white as snow, it pointed a long sword at the sky, and the Origin Qi of heaven and earth gathered toward it of its own accord.

Within one zhang of him, the residual power of the Lightning Tribulation turned into clear radiance; withered wood turned green, and phantoms of green lotuses swayed.

He sheathed his sword and stood up, and the Soul Transformation Dharma Idol was subsequently withdrawn into his Primordial Spirit.

However, the pure Daoist charm and majestic aura flowing around him already signaled that Bai He had entered the ranks of the Canglan Realm's top combatants... Seeing Bai He's successful Breakthrough, the three people in the sky ignored the Bloodshadow Demon Lord and flew toward the island.

The three of them could suppress the Bloodshadow Demon Lord, but killing him was impossible; it wasn't that simple.

The Bloodshadow Demon Lord gave a bored snort, turned around, and flew toward the depths of the East Sea.

There were larger islands there, which were also the base of the demonic Cultivators... The three people slowly landed in front of Bai He, three zhang away. They didn't release their full pressure, yet the surrounding space already seemed to solidify slightly.

The power of a Soul Transformation Realm Cultivator was evident.

"Congratulations to Nephew Bai for breaking through the shackles of the Nascent Soul and attaining the Great Dao of Soul Transformation!" Daoist Master Luochen was the first to speak.

His voice was warm and mellow, like a spring breeze. He lightly swayed his whisk, and a gentle halo of mystic yellow light fell from the whisk's tassels, enveloping Bai He.

It seemed to be inspecting his Foundation and also stabilizing his Dao Heart.

As the halo passed, Bai He felt a warm current flow into his limbs and bones, and even the slight fatigue left over from the tribulation was swept away.

The Violet Cloud Sword Master then nodded. His gaze was like lightning, looking directly into Bai He's eyes, with a hint of approval in his sharp Sword Intent:

"A Sword Heart Clarity, a stable Dao Foundation, and a decisiveness in killing without losing a heart of benevolence. Today, receiving the recognition of heaven and earth amidst the storm of blood and breaking through to Soul Transformation is well-deserved."

The Golden-Armored War God also praised, "The Human Race of the Canglan Realm has gained another pillar of strength. Truly a cause for celebration!"

Bai He felt a jolt in his heart and quickly bowed in a humble posture:

"Junior Bai He greets the Violet Cloud Sword Master, Daoist Master Luochen, and Senior Golden-Armored!"

"This lucky Breakthrough was all thanks to the secret protection of the three Seniors and the Righteous Alliance. This Junior does not dare accept the title of 'pillar of strength'."

"Haha," Daoist Master Luochen stroked his beard and chuckled. "There's no need to be overly modest. You killed Sa Kailun of the Blood Race single-handedly. Such an achievement is witnessed by heaven and earth."

"Breaking through to Soul Transformation is your deserved fortune and a blessing for the Human Race."

The Violet Cloud Sword Master said in a concerned tone:

"The Blood Race has long been colluding with demonic Cultivators, coveting our Canglan Realm. Since you killed that Sa Kailun this time, the Blood Race will certainly not let it go. You must be on guard against the Blood Race and demonic Cultivators in the future."

Bai He looked up, his gaze firm: "This Junior understands! Whether it's demonic Cultivators or the Blood Race, if they insist on seeking revenge, this Junior is not afraid of a fight!"

"Good!" Both Daoist Master Luochen and the Violet Cloud Sword Master showed looks of gratification in their eyes.

"Nephew's Breakthrough to Soul Transformation today shows that there is still hope for the Human Race." Daoist Master Luochen said slowly:

"Now is a time of change for heaven and earth. Which side the world will chooses is not set in stone; the future of the Human Race is ultimately in our own hands."

"Yes, if the Human Race had more Cultivators like Nephew, why would we worry about not prospering in the future!" The Golden-Armored War God's words were forceful.

"Now that you have successfully broken through to Soul Transformation, this period of tempering has reached its Perfection, and our mission is considered complete."

"Thank you for your protection, Seniors. If there is any place where this Junior can be of use in the future, please do not hesitate to ask!" Bai He spoke sincerely.

Daoist Master Luochen and the Golden-Armored War God smiled at each other.

"We still have important matters to attend to, so we will take our leave first. Violet Cloud Sword Master, Nephew Bai, until we meet again. Take care!"

With that, the two figures slowly rose into the air and returned to the clouds.

"Farewell, Seniors!" Bai He watched the two leave until their figures disappeared on the horizon before slowly withdrawing his gaze.

"Let's go. We've been out for so long; it's time to return to the Sword Pavilion," the Violet Cloud Sword Master said.

Bai He nodded slightly, and the two of them rose and flew toward the Sword Pavilion... Soon after, the news of Bai He's Breakthrough to Soul Transformation spread through the Sword Pavilion.

The entire Mountain Gate of the Spirit Herb Hall seemed to be awakened by spring thunder. Disciples ran to tell each other, their faces filled with uncontrollable joy.

Bai He's battle record during his Breakthrough also spread.

Their respected Hall Master had ventured alone into the Demonic Path, first forcefully killing three Nascent Soul Realm demonic Cultivators, and then forcibly overcoming the Heavenly Tribulation.

Ultimately, he stepped into the Soul Transformation Realm in one go, becoming another pillar of strength in the Canglan Realm to deter evil.

There were several different versions of the story circulating, with different details, but the general outline was the same.

None of them mentioned the Blood Race; it was deliberately omitted, not allowing the ordinary Disciples to know.

The Spirit Herb Hall was decorated with lanterns and streamers, permeated with sincere enthusiasm.

Grand banquets were held in the various halls of the Mountain Gate, filled not only with Spirit Fruit and Spirit Cuisine but also with heart-refreshing Spirit Tea.

All Disciples got to eat a Spirit Cuisine buffet.

Little Fatty Xu Shuangyuan stuffed his belly until it was round, still clutching a spiritual lamb leg to gnaw on, laughing as he ate, saying he wanted to "soak up some of the Hall Master's Soul Transformation good fortune."

Such celebrations lasted for several days.

On the morning of the third day, a clear message came from the back mountain of the Spirit Herb Hall, entering Lin Yan's Sea of Consciousness: "Lin Yan, come to my Immortal Cave for a meeting."

It was the voice of his Revered Master, Bai He.

Lin Yan felt a jolt in his heart, quickly straightened his clothes, and flew toward his Revered Master's Immortal Cave.