64: Chapter 64 Nine Refinements of Thunder Prison - Fourth Refinement: Thunder Tribulation Battle Shadow
To Zhou Heng, the hour felt as brief as a blink of an eye.
He frantically circulated the [Thunder Breathing Technique], absorbing the pure thunder yuan energy within Master Hong's villa, which far exceeded that of the outside world, while continuously swallowing medicinal pills in an attempt to restore his condition to its peak.
However, the dual mental and physical exhaustion from three consecutive refinements—especially the extreme interrogation of his Dao Heart in the third refinement—could not be fully recovered from in just one short hour.
Yet, Hong Yuanhai clearly had no intention of giving him more time.
"Time's up." The cold voice rang out right on schedule.
Zhou Heng snapped his eyes open, a ruthless determination to go all out flashing within them!
"Teacher, let's begin! What is the fourth refinement?" He stood up and clenched his fists, his gaze sharp.
Hong Yuanhai looked at him, an extremely rare and complex expression flickering in his eyes—there was expectation, scrutiny, and even a hint of... hesitation?
But this trace of emotion was instantly suppressed, and his expression returned to being as calm as an ancient well.
"The fourth refinement: Thunder Tribulation Battle Shadow," he spoke slowly, his tone becoming a bit more solemn.
"This refinement... is not something those in the Spirit Awakening Realm should normally encounter. It simulates the might of a true Heavenly Tribulation, condensing the residual thunderous battle intent of those who failed their tribulations in the past to form a battle shadow."
"The battle shadow possesses a portion of its former self's combat power and instincts, making it extremely dangerous. Endure for the Duration of an Incense Stick or defeat the battle shadow to pass. If you cannot hold out... severe injury is inevitable."
Zhou Heng felt his scalp tingle!
Simulating a Heavenly Tribulation?! The residual battle intent of tribulation failures?! Is this something someone in the Spirit Awakening Realm should be touching?! Teacher, aren't you overestimating me a bit too much?!
"Teacher... isn't this leap a bit too large?" Zhou Heng couldn't help but swallow hard.
Hong Yuanhai said indifferently, "Since you have condensed Invincible Intent, you should perform invincible deeds. Ordinary tempering is no longer of much use. This refinement can help you truly solidify your foundation, stimulate your potential, and catch a glimpse of the mysteries of Heavenly Tribulation, which will be of great benefit for breaking through realms in the future. Of course, the risk is also immense."
He paused and added, "If you feel you are no match, you can shout your surrender, and I will step in to terminate it. But the refinement will then be a failure."
Hearing this, Zhou Heng's gaze instantly sharpened!
Great risk, but also great reward! Solidifying the foundation!
And... surrender? What a joke! Is the Invincible Intent he just condensed just for show?
"Let's do it!" Battle intent boiled in Zhou Heng's eyes. "Teacher, come! Let me see just how fierce this Thunder Tribulation Battle Shadow is!"
A faint, almost imperceptible trace of approval flashed in Hong Yuanhai's eyes. Without further words, his hands formed a complex and profound mudra!
Boom!!!
The space of the entire martial arts arena suddenly distorted!
Endless thunder runes emerged from the void, intertwining and coiling to form a massive thunder vortex!
At the center of the vortex, a destructive aura frantically condensed, as if a true Heavenly Tribulation was about to descend!
The hair on Zhou Heng's entire body stood on end as he felt an unprecedented lethal threat!
This aura was far more terrifying than that of the Purple Gold Beast Clan from before!
[Warning! Ultra-high intensity destructive energy condensation detected!]
[Energy Attribute: Simulated Heavenly Tribulation Power + Fallen Expert's Battle Intent!]
[Danger Level: Extremely High!!!]
Buzz!
The thunder vortex shuddered violently, and a blurry figure slowly stepped out from within!
The figure was composed entirely of dark purple thunder; its face was obscured, and only a human silhouette could be vaguely discerned.
In its hand, it held a giant axe also condensed from thunder. Its entire body exuded a terrifying battle intent of fury, destruction, and a hint of resentment and malice!
Its aura intensity had actually reached the peak of the Spirit Nurturing Third Star! Moreover, it was extremely condensed and full of destructiveness!
[Target: Thunder Tribulation Battle Shadow (Axe)]
[Realm: Spirit Nurturing Third Star Peak]
[Status: Condensed entity of thunderous battle intent, no intelligence, possesses partial combat instincts, attacks contain a trace of Heavenly Tribulation's destructive property]
[Weakness: Unstable energy core (High-speed analysis by Omniscient Eye in progress)]
"Spirit Nurturing Third Star Peak?!" Zhou Heng's pupils contracted. This starting point was way too high!
"Fight!" The Thunder Tribulation Battle Shadow let out a silent roar, stepping on lightning.
It crossed dozens of meters in an instant, the thunderous giant axe in its hand slashing toward Zhou Heng with the momentum to split mountains and cleave peaks! Its speed was astonishingly fast!
Before the axe even reached him, the terrifying pressure and destructive aura nearly suffocated Zhou Heng!
"So fast!" Zhou Heng was inwardly alarmed. He instantly activated [Thunder Flash], darting to the side!
Boom!!!
The ground where he had originally stood was split open by the axe's glow, leaving a bottomless charred crack with lightning raging within!
The battle shadow's axe missed, but it didn't pause for a moment. It swung the giant axe horizontally, stirring up a storm of lightning that covered a vast area!
Zhou Heng's gaze turned sharp; he would no longer just dodge!
"Shocking Thunder Break!"
The dragon spine spear flashed with thunderous light. With Minor Accomplishment Spear Intent condensed, he accurately thrust the spear toward the face of the axe!
Clang—!!!!!!!
A deafening explosion rang out! Lightning burst everywhere!
Zhou Heng felt an unparalleled force surge through him. The webbing between his thumb and forefinger split open, and he was sent flying backward by the shock, his blood and qi churning!
"Damn! The strength is too high!" His arm felt numb, and he was secretly shocked. This battle shadow's strength far exceeded that of demonic beasts of the same rank!
The battle shadow pressed its advantage relentlessly, its attacks like a violent storm. As the giant axe swung, streaks of violent thunderous axe glows tore through the air, completely enveloping Zhou Heng!
Zhou Heng pushed [Thunder Flash] to its limit, dodging frantically within a small area. Meanwhile, his [Omniscient Eye] operated at full speed, searching for the battle shadow's flaws and attack patterns!
[Battle axe attack trajectory analysis...]
[Energy operation node capture...]
[Combat instinct pattern deduction...]
[Weakness: Slight delay in turning, weak defense on the left ribs, energy core located in the right side of the chest cavity...]
While struggling to evade, Zhou Heng continuously used [Shocking Thunder Break] for probing attacks, precisely thrusting points of lightning toward the battle shadow's left ribs and energy core!
But the battle shadow's combat instincts were extremely strong; it could always use its giant axe or other body parts to block its vital points, and its attacks remained violent!
Zhou Heng was soon injured.
Swept by the wind of the axe, several deep wounds that reached the bone were added to his body, charred black. Thunder power containing destructive properties frantically eroded his body!
"Screw it!" A ruthless glint flashed in Zhou Heng's eyes; he knew he couldn't drag this out any longer!
The opponent was an energy entity that didn't tire, while his own condition was already poor. Defending for too long would inevitably lead to failure!
"Thunder Extreme Blood Burning Art! Activate!"
He let out a low growl and unhesitatingly activated the life-risking secret technique he had just deduced!
Boom!!!
A violent surge of blood and qi power erupted from within him! Eerie blood-red thunder patterns appeared on the surface of his skin!
His aura instantly skyrocketed! His strength, speed, and reaction time were all enhanced, approaching the level of the Spirit Nurturing First Star!
But at the same time, intense pain and the sensation of his blood and qi being rapidly consumed also followed!
"Kill!"
Zhou Heng's speed increased explosively as he transformed into a streak of blood-colored lightning and charged boldly toward the battle shadow!
"[Rushing Thunder Thrust]!" stacked with [Shocking Thunder Break]!
The dragon spine spear became a streak of blood-colored lightning, moving with unbelievable speed as it thrust straight toward the flaw in the battle shadow's left ribs!
The battle shadow was a fraction of a second too slow in bringing its giant axe back for defense!
Puchi!
The tip of the spear successfully pierced the left ribs! Lightning burst forth!
The battle shadow's body shuddered violently, and its movements showed a hint of delay!
"Now!" Zhou Heng's [Omniscient Eye] locked onto the energy core in its chest cavity!
"[Thousand Shadow Illusion Kill Technique]! (Pseudo)"
Mental interference! Two blurry blood shadows separated and merged in an instant!
The battle shadow's judgment faltered by a hair's breadth!
"Die!!!"
Zhou Heng's true body poured all its power into a single thrust! Minor Accomplishment Spear Intent and Invincible Intent condensed!
[Thunder Break]! The ultimate blow!
Pu—!!!
The dragon spine spear pierced the energy core on the right side of the battle shadow's chest cavity with absolute precision!
Rumble—!!!!
Terrifying thunder power erupted instantly! The battle shadow let out a silent wail and exploded violently, dissipating into a sky full of lightning!
[Defeated Thunder Tribulation Battle Shadow (Axe)! Fourth Refinement passed!]
[Experience points significantly increased!]
[Resistance to Heavenly Tribulation's destructive properties slightly increased!]
[Combat instincts improved!]
[Blood and qi severely consumed! Side effects of the Thunder Extreme Blood Burning Art beginning to manifest!]
Zhou Heng knelt on one knee, gasping for breath. His face was pale, he was covered in blood, and his body was trembling slightly.
The desperate blow combined with the side effects of the secret technique made him significantly weaker in an instant.
But before he could even catch his breath!
Buzz!!!
The thunder vortex vibrated violently once again!
Another figure condensed! This time, it was a battle shadow wielding a thunderous longsword!
Its aura was also at the peak of the Spirit Nurturing Third Star! But its speed was faster! Its sword techniques were sharper and more cunning!
"Another one?! A gauntlet?!" Zhou Heng was dumbfounded.
Hong Yuanhai's cold voice rang out: "How could a Heavenly Tribulation be just a single bolt? Endure for the Duration of an Incense Stick, or defeat three shadows in a row!"
Zhou Heng: "..." Teacher, thank you so much!
He gritted his teeth, swallowed several pills, forcibly suppressed his injuries and weakness, and faced the challenge again!
The sword shadow's attacks were swifter and more bizarre. Zhou Heng found it even harder to cope, and his injuries continued to worsen!
But relying on the predictions of the [Omniscient Eye] and his newly improved combat instincts,
as well as a streak of ruthlessness, he stubbornly endured the most dangerous phase. Finally, finding an opportunity, he traded injury for injury once more and shattered its energy core with a single spear thrust!
Second shadow defeated!
But he was also nearly at his limit! [Thunder Extreme Blood Burning Art] could not be activated again, his yuan energy was bottoming out, his blood and qi were depleted, and his injuries were severe!
Just then, a third battle shadow condensed! It was a battle shadow wielding twin thunder spears! Its offensive was even more violent, like a torrential downpour!
Zhou Heng was completely plunged into a bitter struggle, entirely suppressed. He could only rely on his will to bitterly hold on amidst constant peril! The time for an incense stick was almost up!
Suddenly!
Boom!!!
The blood, qi, and yuan energy within him, which had already reached a critical point, suddenly underwent a qualitative change under this extreme pressure and his deep application of the [Myriad Tribulations Thunder Prison Body]!
It was as if some sort of shackle had been broken! His dantian yuan sea expanded violently! His total blood and qi skyrocketed! His mental power also boiled and rose accordingly!
[Breakthrough! Spirit Awakening Eighth Star!]
[Blood and Qi Value: 110 Cal → 1300 Cal!]
[yuan energy total volume and quality improved!]
[Mental Power: 15 Hz → 165 Hz!]
[Myriad Tribulations Thunder Prison Body Second Layer - Thunder Tempered Viscera: Great Accomplishment! (10%)]
[Status: Injuries recovering rapidly! yuan energy replenishing swiftly! Combat power soaring!]
"Hahaha! Well come!!!"
Feeling the new power surging within him, Zhou Heng couldn't help but laugh out loud!
Nurtured by the vitality of the breakthrough, his injuries healed quickly, and his depleted strength recovered rapidly!
He shook his long spear, lightning flashing brilliantly, his momentum as grand as a rainbow!
"Shatter for me!"
After the breakthrough, his combat power surged! His spear intent was even sharper! With one thrust, thunderous sounds boomed!
Boom!!!
The third battle shadow was blasted apart by him with absolutely dominant force in a single spear strike!
[Defeated Thunder Tribulation Battle Shadow (Twin Spears)! Fourth Refinement perfectly passed!]
[Foundation extremely solidified! Potential stimulated!]
[Caught a glimpse of the true meaning of Heavenly Tribulation's destruction!]
Zhou Heng stood with his spear, surrounded by lightning, his aura vigorous as he officially stepped into the Spirit Awakening Eighth Star!
Hong Yuanhai looked at the impressively imposing Zhou Heng after his breakthrough and slowly uttered two words:
"...Very good."