167: Heavenly Tribulation... is that all?

Lin Chen was stunned and nearly choked on his saliva. He waved his hand irritably, “Stop, stop, stop! Old Ancestor, can you stop being so dramatic inside your head? When did This Sect Master say he wanted you to retire?”

“Ah? Then, Sect Master, what do you mean...?” Li Tiangang was confused.

Lin Chen smiled helplessly, “What This Sect Master means is that your cultivation indeed needs improvement. Therefore, This Sect Master intends to use a small trick to help you.”

Li Tiangang immediately breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out to be a false alarm.

But then he reacted, his eyes widening: “Wait... Sect Master, you said... improving cultivation?”

“Exactly.” Lin Chen walked up to Li Tiangang, patted his shoulder, and his tone became solemn: “Old Ancestor, you are a founding Elder of my Wending Sect, and you are meant to conquer this Lingxuan Heaven alongside This Sect Master. Don't even think about retiring!

“However, the strength of the Heavenly Immortal Early Stage is indeed a bit lacking.”

Upon hearing this, a warm current surged in Li Tiangang's heart, and his eyes grew slightly moist: “Sect Master...”

“Alright, no need for sentimentality.”

Lin Chen interrupted him, motioning for him to stand still: “Relax your mind, do not resist. This Sect Master is about to begin.”

“System, use the [Disciple Cultivation Level Up Card] on Li Tiangang!”

“Ding! Disciple Cultivation Level Up Card used successfully. Target: Li Tiangang!”

An indescribably vast energy instantly surged into Li Tiangang's body, and his aura began to climb at a terrifying speed!

Mid Heaven Immortal stage... Late Heaven Immortal stage... Heavenly Immortal Peak... The Bottleneck was easily pierced like thin paper.

True Immortal Early Stage... True Immortal Middle Stage... The momentum of the increase only slowly stopped once he reached the True Immortal Middle Stage.

Almost the instant Li Tiangang's Realm stabilized, the world above Wending Sect changed color!

Thick, ink-like tribulation clouds gathered from all directions. Electric snakes danced wildly, thunder rumbled, and terrifying Heavenly Might enveloped the area!

“Heavenly Tribulation?”

Lin Chen looked up at the sky, a slight curve forming on his lips.

“It came at the perfect time. It saves This Sect Master the trouble of finding another opportunity.”

“System, use the [True Immortal Realm Permanent Enhancement Card]!”

“Ding! True Immortal Realm Permanent Enhancement Card used successfully!”

Boom!

As if enraged by Lin Chen's provocative action, or sensing another True Immortal aura about to Breakthrough, the tribulation clouds in the sky suddenly expanded several times over!

Pitch black like ink, the lightning brewing within turned a horrifying purple-gold color!

In an instant, dozens of purple-gold Heavenly Lightning bolts, as thick as water buckets, tore through the sky like violent Dragons, smashing down viciously toward Lin Chen and Li Tiangang below!

The power far exceeded that of an ordinary True Immortal Heavenly Tribulation!

“Excellent!”

Lin Chen laughed loudly. Instead of retreating, his figure flashed, and he soared into the sky!

A Chaos-colored light emanated from his body, and he actually slammed his Physical Body directly into the boundless sea of lightning!

“Is that... the Sect Master?!”

“Oh Heavens! The Sect Master is forcefully resisting the Heavenly Tribulation!”

“It's two people's Heavenly Tribulation! The Sect Master is too fierce!”

Countless Disciples and Elders across the Sect were alarmed, staring dumbfounded at the horrifying scene in the sky.

Li Tiangang, who was at the center of the Lightning Tribulation, felt the surging True Immortal power within him and looked up at the figure of the Sect Master blocking all the Heavenly Lightning for him. The shock in his heart was beyond measure.

Creating a True Immortal while laughing, and single-handedly resisting a double Heavenly Tribulation... The Sect Master's methods were already beyond his ability to fathom!

Lin Chen, however, was immersed in the lightning sea, looking utterly comfortable.

“So comfortable!” He even had the leisure to exclaim: “The Heavenly Lightning of Lingxuan Heaven is truly powerful and full of energy!”

The terrifying Lightning Tribulation, which was enough to destroy the body and soul of an ordinary True Immortal, struck Lin Chen but was like a clay ox entering the sea. Not only did it fail to harm him in the slightest, but it was completely absorbed, transforming into the purest energy to nourish his Physical Body and cultivation.

The tribulation clouds seemed bewildered too. After striking for a long time, the person below was not only fine, but his aura was getting stronger.

Finally, the boundless tribulation clouds sullenly dispersed, and the sky returned to clear blue, as if the world-ending scene just now was merely an illusion.

“The Chaos Dao Body truly lives up to its reputation as the number one divine body in all the heavens.”

Lin Chen contentedly felt the surging power within his body; the energy from the double Heavenly Tribulation benefited him greatly.

“Ding! Congratulations to the Host for successfully making a Breakthrough to Peak True Immortal!”

The System's prompt sounded right on time.

Lin Chen landed back on the ground, in a great mood.

This trip by Li Meng not only successfully completed the task of accepting Disciples and gained generous rewards, but the Sect's prestige also skyrocketed from over eight million to over twelve million.

“Good, very good.”

He glanced at Li Tiangang beside him, whose aura was now stable at the True Immortal Middle Stage and who was still in shock. Lin Chen smiled, “Old Ancestor, how do you feel? Now, are you qualified to lead the Sect?”

Li Tiangang took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil of shock in his heart.

“This old man... will definitely live up to the Sect Master's expectations!”

His voice carried unprecedented determination.

Lin Chen nodded slightly: “This Sect Master naturally trusts the Old Ancestor. Alright, Old Ancestor, you should first go stabilize your Realm and familiarize yourself with the True Immortal power. If there are important matters in the Sect, I will transmit a message to you.”

Li Tiangang bowed again, then transformed into a streak of light and headed for his place of secluded cultivation.

After the Old Ancestor's Breakthrough to the True Immortal Realm, Wending Sect now possessed five True Immortal Realm high-end combat forces, namely—

Xu Wenxian, True Immortal Middle Stage.

Fairy Li Meng, True Immortal Late Stage.

Sweeping Monk Dao Chen, Peak True Immortal.

Venerable Duobao, Peak True Immortal.

And... Lin Chen himself, Peak True Immortal!

Since arriving at Lingxuan Heaven, Lin Chen had never taken action, and he wondered if there was anyone in this Lower Heaven worth his effort.

While thinking, Immortal Qi suddenly rippled outside the main hall, and Fairy Li Meng entered the hall with two people.

“Sect Master, I have brought back the fated Disciples.”

Fairy Li Meng stepped aside.

Behind her, Zhang Iron Pillar stepped forward, bowed, and his voice trembled slightly with excitement: “Disciple Zhang Iron Pillar pays respects to the Sect Master!”

Big Stone beside him followed suit clumsily, performing the same ritual, sweat beading on his forehead from nervousness.

Lin Chen’s gaze fell upon Zhang Iron Pillar. The Cave Heaven True Eye silently activated, and information surfaced.

“Name: Zhang Iron Pillar”

“Bone Age: Twenty”

“Realm: Foundation Establishment Middle Stage”

“Talent: Mortal Body (No talent whatsoever)”

“Heart-Nature: Dual Heart-Nature, one thought leads to Immortal Ascension, one thought leads to becoming a demon.”

“Background: ...Was persecuted on the Ascension Road, became enraged and entered the demonic path. Later, in desperation, comprehended his true Heart-Nature. The Immortal and Demonic thoughts have initially achieved Fusion and can coexist harmoniously. The more perfect the Immortal-Demonic Fusion, the greater the potential. Has already made a Heavenly Dao oath, extremely high loyalty...”

“Dual Heart-Nature, cultivating both Immortal and Demonic paths?”

“This Heart-Nature is rare. No wonder the System wanted me to accept him into the Sect.”

Lin Chen understood.

“Although he possesses a Mortal Body, since he has entered my Wending Sect, even a Mortal Body can have a Heaven-Defying change of fate.”

He looked at Li Meng and said gently, “Elder Li Meng, you have worked hard on this trip.”

“It was my duty,” Fairy Li Meng responded softly.

Lin Chen's gaze returned to Zhang Iron Pillar. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke: “Zhang Iron Pillar, This Sect Master is aware of your Heart-Nature and perseverance.”

“However, you possess a Mortal Body and your cultivation is still shallow. If you were immediately granted the status of a high-ranking Disciple, it might be hard to convince the masses.”

“From today onward, you shall first become a Utility Disciple of my Wending Sect. Are you willing?”