Chapter 294: The Test of Supreme's "Three Minor Tribulations"?
The Tianlan Sect Rear Mountain Courtyard
After escorting Xiao Tiance to the secluded courtyard in the rear mountains, Bai Lan and Chu Jiaoyu personally arranged for an inner sect disciple to stay behind to serve him. This disciple's duties were simple serving tea and handling minor tasks.
Xiao Tiance and Ling'er Discuss the Search for Xiao Xuan
Seated cross legged in meditation, Xiao Tiance engaged Ling'er in a mental conversation.
"Ling'er, can you sense any trace of Brother Xuan and the others?"
Since Xiao Xuan and his companions were all Dou Di (Battle Emperors), their bodies contained Emperor Source Essence, leading Xiao Tiance to hope Ling'er could detect them.
Ling'er, however, shook her head regretfully.
"No, young master. Normally, as long as we're in the same realm, I should be able to sense anyone carrying Emperor Source Essence. But right now, my perception is limited to the Tian Cang Northern Region. This leads me to believe they must be outside this region."
Sensing Ling'er's disappointment, Xiao Tiance smiled faintly.
"Don't worry about it, Ling'er. They're strong and capable; I'm sure they'll be fine. For now, our priority is to transform my Dou Qi into Ling Qi and restore my strength. Without it, encountering a powerful foe would leave us vulnerable."
Ling'er perked up.
"You're absolutely right! Oh, young master, I've learned a lot since we entered the Great Thousand World. Now that the world's Will can no longer detect my presence, I can actually help you accelerate the process of converting Dou Qi into Ling Qi!"
Hearing her confidence, Xiao Tiance praised Ling'er generously, eliciting a shy giggle.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Ling'er."
"Alright! I'll manipulate the surrounding Ling Qi to assist you."
The Transformation Begins
As Xiao Tiance activated his cultivation technique, his Dou Qi roiled violently like an ocean in turmoil. Simultaneously, the surrounding Ling Qi surged toward him, forming a massive vortex above the rear mountains.
The spiritual energy vortex grew larger by the moment, its intensity surpassing even the Dou Qi vortex from Xiao Tiance's ascension to Dou Di back in the Dou Qi Continent.
"Buzz, buzz…"
The dense Ling Qi began pouring into Xiao Tiance's body. The phenomenon quickly alarmed the entire Tianlan Sect.
Bai Lan and Chu Jiaoyu Witness the Phenomenon
Standing at the gates of the sect's grand hall, Bai Lan was utterly dumbfounded.
"How... how is this possible? Such a massive concentration of Ling Qi… even a Supreme level cultivator couldn't create this!"
His astonishment was evident. The Ling Qi vortex was incomparably vast, dwarfing any Supreme advancement Bai Lan had ever witnessed.
Chu Jiaoyu's expression was equally shaken.
"Husband, could Lord Xiao Tiance be an existence beyond the Supreme Realm?"
Bai Lan forced himself to remain composed.
**"I don't know. But one thing is certain: Lord Xiao's strength is beyond anything we've ever encountered.
"We must seal off the entire sect and order all disciples to guard him during this pivotal moment. At the same time, write to your father in Lingqiong Academy. Inform him of what's happening here. If we can use his influence to mobilize Tianqiong Academy's network and provide Lord Xiao with the information he seeks, this might be the opportunity of a lifetime for our sect.
"If Lord Xiao truly is a being beyond the Supreme Realm and we help him align with Tianqiong Academy, our sect could ascend to unimaginable heights."**
Chu Jiaoyu nodded decisively.
"Understood! I'll write to my father immediately. He must come personally!"
The two quickly set their plan into motion. Soon, the entire Tianlan Sect was locked down, and their protective array was activated.
The Struggle Within Xiao Tiance
Back in the rear mountains, the conversion of Dou Qi to Ling Qi progressed steadily, but Xiao Tiance's body began emitting flames. The intense fire danced over his skin, burning brightly yet leaving him unscathed.
Sweating profusely and drenched from head to toe, Xiao Tiance frowned.
"What is this fire?!"
Ling'er's voice echoed urgently.
"Young master, this is the Body Refining Trial, the first of the Three Minor Tribulations of Supreme Ascension!"
Xiao Tiance murmured in realization.
"Body Refining Trial?"
He had suspected as much but found the situation perplexing. His original plan was to simply convert his Dou Qi into Ling Qi and restore his Dou Di (Earth Supreme) strength. Yet, the emergence of this trial complicated matters.
Pondering the Path Forward
As the fire continued to burn over his body, Xiao Tiance maintained the circulation of his cultivation technique. At the same time, he considered the implications of Ling'er's words.
"If this is truly the first trial of the Three Minor Tribulations, then after completing the Spirit Energy Refining Trial and Soul Refining Trial, does this mean I'll need to cultivate a Supreme Avatar after reaching the Supreme Realm?"
The Supreme Avatar was a key marker of a Supreme cultivator's strength. However, it was typically only developed after ascending to the Supreme Realm. For Xiao Tiance to encounter the trials now hinted that his path might differ from others.
Ling'er chimed in, her voice filled with concern.
"Young master, your body is incredibly strong, so you should be able to endure this trial. But if my guess is correct, your cultivation technique and the lingering power of the Emperor Source Essence within you are accelerating your journey toward a Supreme breakthrough. The process won't be easy, but the rewards will be immense."
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance's eyes narrowed. He wasn't one to shy away from challenges, and if this tribulation truly offered a chance to forge a stronger foundation, he was determined to see it through.
"Very well. Let it come. I'll make this power my own."
As the Body Refining Trial raged on, the flames around Xiao Tiance intensified, their golden light illuminating the night sky above the Tianlan Sect.
Xiao Tiance sat in the secluded courtyard, reflecting on the trials he was undergoing.
"If this truly is the Supreme Minor Tribulations, then I'm in trouble.
I have no knowledge of how to cultivate a Supreme Avatar. Without that knowledge, not only can I not quickly recover my former strength, but I may also find myself trapped in the One Star Supreme realm.
Moreover, the more advanced Supreme Avatar cultivation methods are controlled by top tier factions. Obtaining one from them won't be easy."
His thoughts were interrupted when the flames on his body suddenly extinguished.
The End of the Body Refining Trial
"Huh? Was that it? Have I passed the Body Refining Trial?
I heard the stronger your body, the harder this trial is supposed to be. Why was mine over so quickly?" Xiao Tiance wondered to himself, puzzled.
Although uncertain, he was sure of one thing his body remained unharmed. Whether he had passed the trial or undergone something else, his body remained intact.
"No matter. Since there's no issue, I'll press on. Let's see how much of my strength I can recover today."
With a deep breath, he continued to circulate his cultivation technique, drawing in more Ling Qi from the surrounding area.
The Internal Inferno
Just as Xiao Tiance felt the Ling Qi and unconverted Dou Qi within his body surging, an invisible flame ignited inside him.
Yes, ignited.
The energy within him burned like gasoline meeting fire, spreading rapidly through his body. It even carried the ominous sensation of an impending explosion.
For a moment, Xiao Tiance felt a pang of regret.
"How could I have been so reckless? I should have fully understood the process before rushing into cultivation like this. Now I've put myself in a difficult position."
However, as the fiery energy continued to rage within him, he noticed a slow but steady increase in his strength. As a former Dou Di, Xiao Tiance had an acute awareness of even the smallest changes in his body.
"It's slow progress, but it's there," he thought, his initial anxiety easing.
Above him, the vortex of Ling Qi persisted, its intensity terrifying. Ling Qi flowed continuously into his body, though much of it passed through, as if his body were merely a conduit.
Gradual Recovery
After what felt like an eternity, the internal flames within Xiao Tiance's body finally extinguished. He scanned his body, assessing the changes.
**"If the initial burning phase restored one ten thousandth of my strength as a Dou Di, this latest phase brought me to five ten thousandths.
It's progress, but at this rate, it would take decades to fully recover.
That said, if I'm facing these tribulations, then Brother Xuan and the others must be as well. The good news is that their physical strength, like mine, hasn't diminished. With the protective arrays I gave them, they should be safe unless they encounter a Heaven Supreme or a high level array master."**
Feeling reassured about his companions, Xiao Tiance resumed his cultivation.
The Soul Refining Trial?
Suddenly, a burning sensation erupted in his soul. Though it caused no harm, the discomfort was undeniable.
"First my body, now my soul... Could this truly be the Supreme Minor Tribulations?"
Despite his doubts, Xiao Tiance persisted. He wanted to test whether the absence of a Supreme Avatar cultivation method would truly prevent him from ascending to the Supreme realm.
When the soul burning subsided, he noticed another incremental improvement in his strength.
More importantly, the Dou Qi within his body was steadily transforming into Ling Qi. This realization lifted Xiao Tiance's spirits.
"At least the Dou Qi conversion is happening. In the Great Thousand World, Dou Qi is useless. Ling Qi may not fully restore my strength, but it allows me to set up arrays. That alone gives me a significant edge."
He began channeling the excess Ling Qi into his Ling Qi Storage Jade Pendant, a tool he had crafted back on the Dou Qi Continent.
The Ling Qi Storm Intensifies
As Xiao Tiance continued absorbing Ling Qi, the vortex above him grew increasingly fearsome. Within its depths, flashes of lightning began to appear.
"Crack!"
Without warning, a slender bolt of lightning struck down, hitting Xiao Tiance squarely on the head.
"Boom!"
The bolt, though only ten meters long, carried power rivaling the Black Demon Lightning Xiao Tiance had encountered before.
"Damn it!" Xiao Tiance cursed.
Caught off guard, the bolt obliterated his clothing and left his hair in ashes. This was the first time since his awakening that he'd been so disheveled.
Fortunately, the courtyard was empty. Bai Lan and Chu Jiaoyu had left, and the disciple they assigned to serve him had been knocked unconscious by the Ling Qi vortex.
A Second, More Powerful Lightning Bolt
"Young master, be careful! Another bolt is coming!" Ling'er warned.
But her warning came too late.
"Crack!"
The second bolt descended, this time far thicker and more powerful than the first. Its devastating energy enveloped Xiao Tiance entirely, searing every part of his body.
When the lightning dissipated, Xiao Tiance coughed up blood his first injury since awakening. Though not severe, it was a sobering reminder of his current limitations.
"Even with my Dou Di level physique and the protective arrays engraved in my body, this lightning managed to injure me. Its power is terrifying!"
As he steadied himself, Xiao Tiance clenched his fists, his determination unwavering.
"If this is the price of recovery, so be it. I'll see it through to the end."
(Chapter End)
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