Liu Xi gazed coldly toward the heavens. The layered thunderclouds above had grown even more violent and unstable after the first thunder dragon's destruction, their aura of ruin spreading across the sky like a suffocating tide.
Boom!
A flash of black light split the clouds apart, and another deafening roar rolled through the world. A second bolt of lightning broke free from the tribulation cloud's bindings and came crashing down toward the cauldron below.
Liu Xi's Celestial Body surged forward to meet it head-on. Azure flames coiled around its vast form, twisting into the shape of a massive flame spear. The ten-thousand-foot spear gleamed with a sharp brilliance—its shaft carved with lotus patterns, its tip crowned by a blazing tuft of azure fire.
The spear flashed through the air like a streak of lightning, carving a deep scar through the sky. Within that dark rift stretched an endless shadow. The spear and thunder dragon crossed paths for only an instant before the dragon's head was severed cleanly from its body. Its remains burst apart, transforming into countless arcs of thunder that wrapped themselves around Liu Xi's Celestial Body.
Fleeting illusions appeared once more before Liu Xi's eyes—but they vanished in an instant, unable to stir his will. The spear's edge, still wreathed in crackling black lightning, shattered under the raging power. In the same instant, one of Liu Xi's massive arms burst apart.
Black lightning spread like veins across his Celestial Body, tearing at it from within even as it seeped deeper into his form. Yet the moment the lightning broke him down, the azure fire of life surged again, knitting flesh and energy back together until the arm was reborn in the swirling flames.
The Celestial Body stood tall once more amidst the heavens, its aura even stronger than before. Then another bolt descended from the clouds above.
…
In the distance, Violet Cloud Lord, Venerable Thunder Note, and Golden Eagle Emperor stood silently, faces pale as they stared at the colossal black lightning and the indomitable figure within it.
They were completely numb.
Even if they lacked the power to match such might, their insight was enough to tell—the being resisting that thunder tribulation was no Heavenly Sovereign. There was none of the unique divine fluctuation that accompanied such a realm.
A Celestial Body of Earth Sovereign strength enduring Heavenly Sovereign-level lightning… Even if the lightning lacked true sentience, that distinction no longer mattered.
An Alchemy Master capable of withstanding Heavenly Sovereign tribulation was not someone they could afford to provoke. Even the proud and savage Golden Eagle Emperor had buried his greed deep within, choosing to halt far from the battle.
Violet Cloud Lord's eyes gleamed with calculation. 'If I've already come this far, I can't leave empty-handed. There must be a way to profit from this…'
'Someone this powerful, capable of refining such a pill, couldn't have remained unknown. Have I truly been that ignorant? Perhaps… I should find a way to befriend him.'
Venerable Thunder Note's gaze lingered on Liu Xi, a genial smile on his round face.
"This man and Thunder Note Mountain are fated," he said cheerfully. "When the time comes, I'll invite him to my mountain for a long discussion—wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Golden Eagle Emperor snorted derisively. "Fated? Bald-headed monk, you say that to everyone you meet."
Venerable Thunder Note didn't take offense. He simply turned toward the golden-robed emperor, eyes glinting playfully.
"Golden Eagle Emperor, you misunderstand. All those destined with my Thunder Note Mountain are heroes and prodigies alike. You, too, are one of them. Why not visit my mountain someday? We could exchange insights—perhaps you'll never want to leave."
"Tch. Trying to swallow up my Golden Eagle Mansion? We'll see if that bald head of yours has the stomach for it."
Golden Eagle Emperor sneered, though his words were half jest, half challenge. They had been neighbors for countless years—each knew the other's nature all too well.
But while those three exchanged veiled jabs, the rest of the gathered experts were already struck speechless.
Their original greed had vanished, replaced by awe and reverence. They could only stare at Liu Xi's celestial figure, hearts trembling.
"Where did this man come from? There's no one like him on the Skylaw Continent!"
"Even a Heavenly Sovereign's tribulation wouldn't look like this… We've spent lifetimes cultivating, and yet we're not even equal to the pill he's refining!"
Bodhisattva observed them quietly. Since none dared to interfere, he didn't bother acting. He was no butcher, after all.
At that moment, the cauldron shook violently. The Emperor Pill within had long since gained sentience—it could sense the coming thunder's intent to destroy it, and it could also sense the greedy desire of the man protecting it.
Freedom. That was what it sought.
"Stay still!"
Liu Xi's figure flickered and landed atop the cauldron. He stomped down heavily, unleashing a torrent of Spiritual Energy that surged into the cauldron below.
The vessel shone with dazzling light as the Azure Flame boiled within. Countless flame dragons took form and coiled around the restless pill, suppressing it with overwhelming might.
He was forcibly subduing the Emperor Pill!
"Hu…"
Liu Xi exhaled deeply, feeling his Spiritual Energy rapidly draining. His eyes lifted toward the sky, where the thunderclouds raged more violently than ever.
"This won't last."
His expression remained calm, but his mind raced. Both the pill and the tribulation above needed to be resolved—and quickly.
In the space of a heartbeat, Liu Xi made his decision.
A flick of his wrist brought a flash of light from his Xumi Ring, and a radiant river appeared before him. The flowing current was made not of water, but of pure Spiritual Liquid—each droplet brimming with rich energy.
It was Sovereign Spiritual Liquid.
To form such a vast river required at least ten million drops. What floated before him now was closer to one hundred million.
Liu Xi inhaled sharply, then opened his mouth. A tremendous suction force burst forth, drawing the entire river into him in an instant.
Any other cultivator—even a Perfect Earth Sovereign—would have been torn apart by such energy.
But Liu Xi was different. The Azure Flame surged through him, refining the one hundred million drops into an endless tide of Chaotic Spiritual Energy.
His eyes sharpened. "Now."
Seals formed rapidly between his fingers as torrents of energy poured into the Azure Lotus Celestial Body above. The flame roared higher, and the body swelled in size—ten thousand feet, twenty thousand, fifty thousand…
Within moments, it towered across the heavens. Then it soared upward, hurling itself into the thunderclouds like a blazing spear.
"Explode!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A chain of world-shattering detonations rang out, shaking the entire continent. The thunderclouds convulsed wildly, and at their core, a black vortex formed—swallowing the storm of destruction whole.
The thunder's fury faded away, consumed by that abyssal void.
Liu Xi coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips. His face turned pale as paper, his breath ragged.
Detonating his own Celestial Body came at a heavy price—but the tribulation was over.
His gaze dropped toward the trembling cauldron below.
"Now then… it's your turn."
(End of Chapter)
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