87: Chapter 87 Awakening the Nine Stars! Thunder Breathing!
Deep within the Sword Prison Plain, Zhou Heng carefully avoided the activity area of the awakened Titan Behemoth, Terra, moving across the desolate land filled with broken swords like a ghost.
[Omniscient Eye] scanned continuously, searching for suitable prey and resources.
"Tier 3 demon beasts... as expected, none of them are easy to deal with." He licked his somewhat dry lips, feeling his blood still churning within his body.
Just now, to quickly finish off a lower Tier 3 [Gold-Rending Mad Lion], he had endured a [Frenzied Bite] from it. Although he successfully killed it and gained 120 points, his protective Thunder Aura was also torn apart, leaving several bone-deep claw marks on his chest that stung with a burning pain.
The pills and the self-healing ability of the [Myriad Tribulations Thunder Prison Body] were rapidly repairing his injuries, but the consumption was not small either.
[Points: 8265 + 120 = 9465]
[Ranking: 2nd Place]
[1st Place Ji Cang: 1200 points]
[3rd Place Lu Chenxin: 820 points]
"That guy Ji Cang... is he cutting through Tier 3 beasts like vegetables?" Zhou Heng muttered while treating his wounds.
Lu Chenxin was also chasing closely; the pressure was significant.
He didn't dare stay in one place for too long and moved immediately after treating his wounds.
Over the next few hours, Zhou Heng became even more cautious.
He no longer easily challenged lower Tier 3 demon beasts in their peak condition,
instead focusing his targets mainly on upper Tier 2 and peak Tier 2 demon beast groups, or those lower Tier 3 demon beasts with obvious old injuries or in poor condition.
[Target Found: Upper Tier 2 'Gale Wolf Pack' x12 (Points +8 each)]
[Tactics: Pack coordination, extremely fast...]
[Response: Thunderstorm Star area coverage! Shocking Thunder Break to pick off the alpha!]
Result: The wolf pack scattered, Points +96!
[Target Found: Lower Tier 3 'Withered Wood Demon Vine' (Main body fears fire and thunder, moves slowly)]
[Tactics: Underground entanglement, venom spray...]
[Response: Thunder Flash to close in, Thunder Extreme Blood Burning Art eruption, Thunderstorm Star poured into the main body!]
Result: The demon vine was charred, Points +100! Own yuan energy consumption: 25%!
[Target Found: Peak Tier 2 'Iron-Armored Rhino Group' x8 (Points +10 each)]
[Tactics: Group charge, powerful defense...]
[Response: Planetary Transformation for high-speed maneuvering, Shocking Thunder Break focused on eye weaknesses!]
Result: The rhino group collapsed, Points +80! Slight blood energy agitation.
Although the efficiency wasn't as high as taking on Tier 3 beasts head-on, it was safe and stable, and his points increased steadily.
During this period, he also encountered several other contestants. After a moment of wary confrontation, both sides tacitly backed away to avoid unnecessary conflict.
[Points: 9465 → 1465 → 11465 → 12265!]
[Ranking: 2nd Place (Gap with 1st place narrowed to within 30 points!)]
Just after Zhou Heng finished off a swarm of troublesome [Poison Sting Bees], the [Omniscient Eye] suddenly captured a trace of exceptionally pure and violent lightning element fluctuations! The source... was underground?
Following the fluctuations, he came to an inconspicuous cave entrance half-hidden by the wreckage of a giant broken sword.
A rich aura of lightning element was continuously surging out from within the cave!
"This is..." Zhou Heng's eyes lit up, and he crawled in without hesitation.
The cave extended downwards, getting deeper and deeper, and the lightning element became more and more concentrated!
Even tiny electric sparks began to dance in the air!
Finally, the view ahead opened up!
It was a massive underground karst cave!
In the center of the cave, there was actually a pool about ten meters in diameter!
The pool didn't contain water, but a silver liquid that churned incessantly and flashed with blinding thunderlight—Thunder Yuan Liquid!
Around the pool grew dozens of small plants that were deep blue all over, with leaves shaped like lightning—Thunder Grass!
And three small trees bearing purple fruits, surrounded by lightning patterns—Thunder Fruit Trees!
[Top-tier Lightning Resource Point Discovered!]
[Thunder Yuan Pool: Contains pure and violent lightning yuan energy, can temper the body, nourish lightning-type Divine Seals, and quickly restore yuan energy! However, the energy is extremely violent and must be absorbed slowly, otherwise there is a risk of body explosion!]
[Thunder Grass (Tier 2 Spiritual Plant): Can be consumed directly or refined into pills to increase lightning element affinity and slightly strengthen meridians.]
[Thunder Fruit (Tier 3 Spiritual Plant): Contains a large amount of pure lightning yuan energy, can significantly increase cultivation and strengthen the soul's resistance to thunder.]
[Value: Extremely High! Points: Calculated by quality after collection]
"I've hit the jackpot!!" Zhou Heng's heart pounded wildly! This place was practically a treasure land tailor-made for him!
But he didn't rush forward to collect them immediately; instead, he warily scanned his surroundings. Such a treasure land must be guarded by a powerful demon beast!
As expected!
[Warning! Powerful lightning-type demon beast detected lurking!]
[Target: Dark Thunder Flood Dragon Python (Lower Tier 3)]
[Status: Lurking at the bottom of the Thunder Pool, awakened, full strength, enraged!]
[Skills: Dark Thunder Breath, Thunder Tail Strangle, Thunder Scale Defense, Thunder Pupil (Mental Shock + Paralysis)...]
[Weaknesses: Seven inches (covered in thunder scales, extremely strong defense), inside the mouth, fears extreme freezing and physical heavy blows...]
Hiss—!!!
The moment Zhou Heng discovered it, the center of the Thunder Pool suddenly exploded!
A giant python, as thick as a bucket and over twenty meters long, covered in dark purple scales, lunged out!
There was a small bulge on its head, as if it were showing signs of transforming into a dragon! A pair of vertical pupils were composed entirely of lightning, coldly locking onto Zhou Heng!
Roar!
It opened its mouth directly, and a condensed pillar of dark purple lightning sprayed toward Zhou Heng like a laser! [Dark Thunder Breath]!
Fast! Fierce! Accurate!
Zhou Heng's expression changed, and he instantly activated [Thunder Flash]! He avoided it by a hair's breadth!
Boom!
The ground where he had been standing was blasted into a deep pit by the lightning pillar, and the rocks melted!
The Dark Thunder Flood Dragon Python missed its strike, but its massive body was exceptionally agile. Its tail, carrying terrifying lightning power, whipped toward him fiercely! [Thunder Tail Strangle]!
Zhou Heng parried with his spear!
Clang!!!!
A massive force struck! He was sent flying, his arms going numb! The defense of the thunder scales was beyond imagination!
The python pursued, its lightning vertical pupils suddenly lighting up!
[Thunder Pupil]!
Zhou Heng felt his head go dazed, as if he had been hit by a heavy hammer! His spirit stung with pain, and his body was instantly paralyzed!
"Not good!" He was horrified! This beast's Thunder Pupil attack was impossible to guard against!
Taking advantage of his paralysis, the python's giant maw opened again, biting toward his head!
A life-or-death moment!
"Thunder Extreme Blood Burning Art! Activate!" Zhou Heng burned his blood energy frantically, forcibly breaking through the paralysis! [Thunder Aura Transformation] was activated at the same time!
"Shocking Thunder Break!" He thrust his spear with all his might toward the python's gaping maw!
Pfft!
The spear light pierced into the inner wall of the python's mouth, and lightning exploded! The python let out a roar of pain, and its offensive stalled!
Zhou Heng took the opportunity to retreat violently, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth, his face pale. That mental shock and paralysis just now were extremely dangerous!
"Damn it! This long worm is much more troublesome than the Tier 3 beasts outside!" Zhou Heng's gaze was incredibly solemn.
This python had extremely high lightning resistance, making his lightning attacks much less effective! The Thunder Pupil was even more disgusting!
The python was completely enraged and attacked frantically! Dark Thunder Breath, Thunder Tail strikes, Thunder Pupil interference... the offensive was like a violent storm!
Zhou Heng pushed his movement techniques to the limit,
[Thunder Instant Transformation] allowed him to dodge continuously, while [Shocking Thunder Break] precisely targeted its mouth and seven-inch mark, but to little effect! Its Thunder Scale Defense was too strong! The Thunder Pupil kept interfering, leaving him in constant peril!
Soon, several more wounds appeared on his body, his Thunder Aura was torn apart multiple times, and his yuan energy was being consumed rapidly!
"I can't fight it head-on!" Zhou Heng gritted his teeth, and while maneuvering, he used the [Omniscient Eye] to frantically search for weaknesses and... a way to use the environment!
His gaze swept over the churning Thunder Pool!
"Got it!"
He deliberately left a weakness, taking a hit from the Thunder Tail. He spat blood and flew backward, straight toward the Thunder Pool!
The python fell for the bait, thinking he was trying to escape or falling into the pool. it pursued fiercely, opening its giant maw to bite!
Just as it approached the Thunder Pool!
A sharp light flashed in Zhou Heng's eyes!
"Now! Thunderstorm Star: Modified: Pool Explosion!"
He slammed the dragon spine spear into the edge of the Thunder Pool, fully triggering the [Thunderstorm Star]! But this time, he wasn't attacking the python; he was frantically agitating the Thunder Pool!
Rumble—!!!!
The entire Thunder Pool instantly rioted! Endless Thunder Yuan Liquid was detonated! It turned into a massive wave of lightning that crashed down upon the pouncing python!
The python was in mid-air and couldn't dodge at all! Even though it was a lightning-type, it couldn't withstand such a massive, instantaneous impact of violent lightning yuan energy!
Roar—!!!!
It let out a pained shriek as it was slammed by the lightning wave. Its thunder scales shattered, electricity ran wild over its body, and its massive frame was sent tumbling, crashing heavily against the rock wall, instantly suffering heavy damage!
Zhou Heng was also blown back by the explosion's aftershock, his injuries worsening, but his eyes were filled with excitement!
"I'll take your life while you're down! Thunder Aura Transformation! Shocking Thunder Break: Piercing Kill!"
He forced out his last bit of yuan energy, and [Thunder Aura Transformation] erupted with power!
Merging man and spear into one, he turned into an ultimate bolt of lightning, precisely piercing the wound at the python's seven-inch mark where the scales had been torn by the pool explosion!
Pfft—!!!!
The long spear drove through! Lightning power exploded frantically inside its body!
The python twitched violently and finally collapsed powerlessly.
[Killed Lower Tier 3 Dark Thunder Flood Dragon Python (Lightning-type)! Points +150! (Lightning-type Bonus)]
[Current Total Points: 12265 + 150 = 13765!]
[Ranking: Instant reversal! Temporarily ranked 1st!]
Zhou Heng slumped to the ground, panting heavily. His injuries were not light, and his yuan energy was almost exhausted.
But he couldn't bother with that. He struggled to sit up, his gaze burning as he looked at the gradually calming Thunder Pool and the surrounding spiritual plants.
"It was worth it!"
He first carefully collected the Thunder Grass and Thunder Fruit, estimating their value to be over 400 points!
Then, he walked to the edge of the Thunder Pool, feeling the pure but violent Thunder Yuan Liquid.
"Fortune favors the bold! I'll heal and break through right here!"
He swallowed a large number of pills, then gritted his teeth and stepped directly into the Thunder Pool!
Hiss—!!!
As soon as he entered, an unimaginable pain hit him!
The violent lightning yuan energy was like billions of steel needles, frantically piercing his body, tearing at his meridians, flesh, and bones!
"Ugh!" Zhou Heng let out a muffled groan, the veins on his forehead bulging, but he gritted his teeth firmly!
[Myriad Tribulations Thunder Prison Body] operated frantically!
[Thunder Breathing Technique] was pushed to its full capacity! He guided the violent lightning yuan energy through specific routes to temper his body while simultaneously repairing his injuries!
Destruction and rebirth were happening at the same time!
After the intense pain came a feeling of ultimate comfort!
His injuries recovered at a visible speed! His consumed yuan energy was quickly replenished! His blood energy became even more powerful and condensed!
More importantly, the [Myriad Tribulations Thunder Prison Body] launched an assault toward the minor completion of the third layer, 'Thunder-Tempered Meridians'!
Under the wash of the violent lightning yuan energy, his meridians continuously ruptured and reorganized, becoming wider and tougher!
They could now hold and circulate even more lightning yuan energy!
An unknown amount of time passed.
Boom!!!
It was as if some shackles within his body had been broken!
His meridians radiated brilliant thunderlight! They became more crystal clear and incredibly tough!
[Myriad Tribulations Thunder Prison Body Breakthrough! Third Layer - Thunder-Tempered Meridians: Minor Completion!]
[Physical strength significantly increased! yuan energy circulation speed +2%! Lightning element affinity increased!]
[Blood Energy Feedback: 145 cal → 1500 cal!]
[Status: Restored to peak!]
But it wasn't over yet!
The energy of the Thunder Pool was still majestic! The medicinal power of the Thunder Fruit he had taken earlier also began to erupt!
His aura began to climb steadily! Cracks appeared in the barrier of the Spirit Awakening Eight Stars peak!
Zhou Heng had a sudden moment of insight. He fully operated his cultivation technique, guiding the energy to strike the bottleneck!
Rumble—!!!
Another roar that only he could hear!
The barrier shattered! His momentum surged!
[Realm Breakthrough! Spirit Awakening Nine-Star!]
[Mental Power: 19 Hz → 205 Hz!]
[Blood Energy Value: 150 cal → 1600 cal!]
[Invincible Intent has become more condensed!]
After the breakthrough, Zhou Heng did not get up immediately. Instead, he continued to immerse himself in the Thunder Pool, closing his eyes to comprehend.
The [Thunder Breathing Technique] operated on its own in such a rich lightning yuan environment,
and it seemed to undergo a subtle change, becoming more efficient and profound... as if he had touched upon a trace of the true essence of lightning?
With every breath, thunderlight flowed, resonating faintly with the entire Thunder Pool.
He named it—[Thunder Breathing]!
After a long time, he opened his eyes. His eyes were bright with thunderlight, and his momentum was majestic!
Looking at the Thunder Pool, more than half of the yuan liquid remained, but he didn't intend to drain the pond to catch the fish. He took out a container and filled some, enough for his future cultivation.
"It's time to go out! The final hunt... has begun!"
He turned into a bolt of lightning and rushed out of the cave!