480: Waiting for the tribulation of lightning

According to ancient legends, the Lightning Tribulation is both a punishment brought by the Heavenly Dao to Cultivators and a reward.

Different Cultivators face different intensities of Lightning Tribulation, and the talent, Dao Cultivation, and preparation required to survive it vary.

According to records and legends, the more exceptional a Cultivator's talent and the higher the Realm of their Breakthrough, the higher the intensity of the Lightning Tribulation they face, and the more difficult it is to overcome.

Throughout history, countless Outstanding Talents and Prodigies who were once proud have been reduced to ashes in the Lightning Tribulation, their Dao Cultivation vanishing into thin air, with no way to even use resurrection methods.

Therefore, the fear Cultivators have for the Lightning Tribulation is almost etched into their bones. Some Cultivators who fear death will even try everything possible to delay the Lightning Tribulation, or even seek heterodox paths to avoid it.

At the same time, there are some true Prodigies who look forward to undergoing the refinement of the Lightning Tribulation.

Because as long as one survives the Lightning Tribulation, they can resonate with the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, gaining countless benefits from it, which is of great help to their subsequent path of the Dao.

There are even legends that every Great Emperor in history was tempered by the Lightning Tribulation.

More importantly, because the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth is extremely active during the Lightning Tribulation process, it can resonate with the Cultivator, bringing benefits unimaginable to outsiders.

Thus, some ancient Legacies and secret techniques often place the key to a Breakthrough within the tempering of a Lightning Tribulation; without it, one cannot break through.

As eras changed and the Heavenly Dao shifted, these ancient Legacies naturally disappeared after the Lightning Tribulation vanished.

And now... a group of Fourth-Rank Cultivators who had rushed over from the East Region gazed at the thunderclouds with solemn expressions, all thinking of a possibility.

The one breaking through is practicing an ancient method—an ancient method that even the ancients would call ancient—a Legacy that requires the Lightning Tribulation to achieve a Breakthrough.

"Can it really trigger a Lightning Tribulation? After all, the world has changed; how can one act in a Heaven-Defying manner?"

"Is it because it's an ancient Grotto-Heaven? Perhaps a fragment of the Old Heavenly Dao was left behind?"

"Don't talk nonsense. If there really were such a Treasure, the big shots from the Burial Emperor Star would have come here long ago at all costs..."

"I have heard a little about the Kongming Dao Lineage; its history isn't too ancient. It shouldn't have this kind of Treasure."

"Perhaps it's a coincidence? Or maybe this isn't a real Lightning Tribulation?"

"Everyone, let's just wait and see how things develop."

The Cultivators did not rashly intervene, nor did they even approach. Instead, they pulled back a distance, only stopping quietly once they were completely clear of the Lightning Tribulation's range.

As for the players, they were also trembling with fear at the brewing Lightning Tribulation, not knowing what exactly would happen.

Some of the more daring ones couldn't care less and continued to fly into the depths of the Grotto-Heaven, still intending to search for Treasures and seize Legacies.

Those who were a bit more timid wanted to leave but were unwilling to give up just like that. After much hesitation, they began searching the outer perimeter.

As for those players who were so cautious they could be called cowardly, seeing that even the big shots from the East Region didn't dare to approach, they immediately realized the danger inside and backed away one after another, not daring to charge in anymore.

The rumbling thunder brewed for several hours, but no actual lightning strike appeared for a long time.

The daring players had already found some benefits; someone actually found the Main Peak. Although blocked by the Main Peak's Formation, they found some Immortal Caves used by predecessors for secluded cultivation nearby and snatched some Treasures from within.

Once they took stock in a safe area, their mouths were practically split with laughter.

It turned out that most of the Treasures left in the Immortal Caves were Medicinal Pills. The lowest grade was actually the fifth-rank, and those preserved extremely well in jade bottles were even fourth-rank Medicinal Pills.

Just releasing a bit of the aura from these Medicinal Pills immediately attracted the attention of countless people around. It caused a sensation for a time, followed by a scramble, which eventually turned into a slaughter.

Some Golden Core Players worried that the big shots from the East Region would intervene, but they saw that they remained as steady as mountains, only staring in the direction of the Lightning Tribulation, seemingly afraid of missing some kind of change.

Some were surprised, thinking that the things these powerhouses cared about must be stronger than fourth-rank Medicinal Pills. Therefore, after much thought, they ultimately aimed for something further and did not join the scramble. Instead, they also followed suit and stared at the thunderclouds, quietly making potential preparations.

Others thought these East Region powerhouses were concerned about their status and unwilling to compete, so they were overjoyed and rushed into the crowd of players, using various means to fight for the Medicinal Pills.

Other players gazed into the depths of the Grotto-Heaven, watching the thunderclouds gather, seemingly ready to drop a Lightning Tribulation at any moment, with hesitant expressions on their faces.

After a moment, one grit their teeth and said:

"Damn it, I'll accept it even if I die inside!"

Then, they turned into a streak of light, having used some kind of movement technique, and flew rapidly toward the depths of the Grotto-Heaven, clearly intending to seize an Opportunity.

Consequently, more and more timid players had their courage expanded by profit, and a large swarm of them poured into the Grotto-Heaven.

The Empty Nether Grotto-Heaven was originally the core area of an ancient Sect, with many Spirit Fields and Spirit Peaks. Precious Spirit Ores and Spirit Medicines could be seen almost everywhere.

There were also many Immortal Caves left behind by predecessors in seclusion, containing many unused Treasures, and even books left behind casually that had turned into Legacies.

It could be described as wealth covering the ground, and unlike the Qingling Sect or Heshui Prefecture, there were no Sect powerhouses to block them. It was almost free for the players to pick, which naturally made the players even more tempted and caused them to lose their caution.

Later on, even a reckless man like Wang Long rushed in, his eyes burning with fervor, even competing with other players.

In the end, only a few Golden Core Players remained outside without entering, including Wen Xinghai.

Although Wen Xinghai didn't go in himself, he let the other players from the Red Rain Pavilion enter; after all, he couldn't let go of the interests within the Grotto-Heaven.

He didn't go in because someone had to stay alive to see the subsequent changes.

Once dead, even if one could pay transaction points to resurrect with full cultivation, they would still have to wait for a period before reviving, and then they would need to spend travel time to get back here.

The Red Rain phenomenon, which had lasted for over a month, had disrupted the spiritual atmosphere of the Great Jiang Dynasty and also blocked the connection of teleportation Formations and flying boats, which would magnify the travel time.

Furthermore, Wen Xinghai was worried that if he truly left this place, he might not be able to enter again, as it was impossible to determine what the next change would be.

Therefore, he neither left nor dared to go in, only following behind the many Cultivators from the East Region, cautiously waiting for the change.

There weren't many players like him, but there were some. Everyone looked at each other, smiled, and nodded in greeting, saying no more.

They were all waiting for the change.

But no one knew what exactly would happen.

Even these big shots from the East Region couldn't say for sure.

"Tell me, is this Lightning Tribulation real or fake?"

Wen Xinghai approached Ye Chun and asked curiously, "You are the one chosen by Heshui Prefecture to be the next Sect Master, so you should have the records of the Heshui Prefecture Legacy. You probably know quite a bit more than we do."

Ye Chun only shook his head and said, "I know very little. It is said that the Heavenly Dao has shifted, and the old iron-clad laws have long since disappeared. The Lightning Tribulation hasn't appeared for who knows how many years. Who knows how this Star Fiend managed to bring it about?"