Chapter 215 : The Gathering Storm of Tribulation

Upon his arrival, Eldrin Chen found Lyra Jiang standing guard before the Seclusion Chamber. He hurried forward and inquired in a low voice.

"How does the situation stand?"

"The most critical juncture has passed. It will likely take another month or so to fully refine and convert her spiritual energy into Golden Core-grade mana."

A smile touched Lyra Jiang's eyes. Her disciple's breakthrough into the Golden Core realm was a joyous occasion for her as well.

Eldrin Chen gave a nod of acknowledgment and went to arrange for personnel to receive the arriving cultivators.

By this time, many Purple Mansion Cultivators within the Heaven's Ruin Alliance had received the news. Bearing congratulatory gifts, they had teleported to Heaven's Ruin Lake, eager to witness the birth of a new Golden Core Ancestor.

Even Qian the True Person from the Firmament Sword Sect and Spirit Consort, the Immortal Maiden from the Violet Abyss Sect had come to Heaven's Ruin Lake, their presence and gifts clearly offered out of respect for Lyra Jiang.

With Lyra Jiang overseeing the protective rites, it fell to Eldrin Chen to personally host these distinguished Golden Core True Persons.

A month slipped by in the blink of an eye. The spiritual energy vortex over Heaven's Ruin Lake gradually dissipated, only to be replaced by a silent, rolling mass of Tribulation Clouds [ominous clouds that gather for a cultivator's heavenly trial] that crept across the sky.

Eldrin Chen frowned, a weight of solemnity settling in his heart. Join our community of readers at www . audio-novel.com.

The difficulty of the Golden Core Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the final, most perilous stage of tribulation faced when forming a Golden Core] is such that many core-forming cultivators without substantial backing ultimately perish beneath its final, devastating strikes.

If all proceeds as expected, Old Patriarch will one day reach this very juncture, a prospect that fills Eldrin Chen with no small measure of concern for his safety.

The intensity of Lyra Jiang's own Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of lightning sent by the heavens to test cultivators attempting major breakthroughs] could never serve as a reliable benchmark. Now, however, Elara Lin's impending tribulation promises to provide an excellent standard for reference.

"BOOM—CRACKLE—RUMBLE—"

As the Tribulation Clouds [ominous, energy-charged clouds that herald a heavenly tribulation] churned and roiled across the sky, Elara Lin emerged from her Seclusion Chamber and ascended into the void above.

Confronting the vast, awe-inspiring spectacle of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, Elara Lin's expression grew solemn. Yet, with Lyra Jiang as her formidable patron, she had been afforded thorough preparation and profound resources. A thread of confident composure thus steadied her resolve.

She summoned forth three superior-grade tribulation-warding treasures: one was the Nine-Condensed Profound Ice Spike [a spike forged from ice condensed over nine cycles, radiating intense cold], another was the Chilling Radiance Law Pearl, and the third, a Golden Treasure Bracelet.

Each of these three treasures was a Third Rank High Grade [a designation for artifacts of exceptional power, suitable for Purple Mansion Realm experts] magical artifact. In any ordinary Purple Mansion Immortal Clan, any one of them would be revered as a Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a legacy artifact of paramount importance used to protect and define a clan's status]. Here, however, they served merely as shields against the initial volleys of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, tools to increase her odds of successfully breaking through to the Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation, where one's spiritual power condenses into a radiant, durable core] realm.

Just as the three treasures began to orbit her in a protective dance, the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation in the heavens above reached the peak of its furious accumulation.

"KRAKOOM—!"

In that instant, a brilliant flash of thunder descended, like a serpent of lightning striking forth. With a sharp *clang*, it shot directly toward Elara Lin.

Facing this vast and mighty thunder, Elara Lin's brow furrowed slightly. With a lift of her hand, the Nine-Condensed Profound Ice Spike transformed into a sky-full of chilling radiance, scattering outward.

The power of the first Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a devastating trial of heavenly lightning faced during major cultivation breakthroughs] was not overwhelming. It was swiftly dispersed by this treasure, its might blocked.

However, after blocking one Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, the Nine-Condensed Profound Ice Spike had already suffered damage. Continuing to use it risked its complete destruction.

Although Elara Lin possessed considerable wealth, a single Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [a priceless artifact that serves as the ultimate foundation and protector of a clan] was worth two hundred thousand Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy]. She was unwilling to destroy such a precious treasure unless absolutely necessary.

She stored the Nine-Condensed Profound Ice Spike away, using the Chilling Radiance Law Pearl and the Golden Treasure Bracelet to block the second and third Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

The subsequent two Heavenly Thunder Tribulation were exceptionally powerful. In response, she summoned her Lifebound Immortal Sword, the Frost Soul Chilling Radiance Sword. With two successive slashes from this sword, she cleaved through the fourth and fifth Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

Yet the might of these two Heavenly Thunder Tribulation was immense. Though the Frost Soul Chilling Radiance Sword managed to block them, its radiance dimmed completely, its power utterly spent.

Seeing the final four, even more powerful Heavenly Thunder Tribulation yet to come, a look of grave seriousness settled upon Elara Lin's face.

Her repertoire of techniques and divine abilities as an Anomalous Spiritual Root [a rare and powerful spiritual root type with unique affinities] was ultimately limited. She lacked the offensive and defensive divine abilities suited for an Ice Spiritual Root [a spiritual root with a primary affinity for ice and water elements]. She would have to rely solely on her treasures to withstand these final Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

With a simple flick of her wrist, she summoned forth the Ink Snow Immortal Sword. As a Fourth Rank Immortal Sword, it erupted with a sword aura that pierced the heavens, effortlessly blocking the sixth strike of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the devastating lightning ordeal faced by cultivators seeking to advance to the Golden Core realm].

Though the Ink Snow Immortal Sword displayed immense power, the onlookers wore expressions of deepening concern.

Every observer present understood a fundamental truth of the Cultivation World: the final three bolts of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation were the most ferocious. The vast majority of failed ascensions met their end beneath these cataclysmic strikes.

Without a Fourth Rank Magical Treasure [a powerful enchanted artifact of the Golden Core grade] in hand, surviving these final blasts typically required the sacrificial destruction of five or six Clan-Suppressing Supreme Treasure [the most powerful artifacts a clan possesses], coupled with the desperate expenditure of one's most potent Great Divine Ability [a supreme mystical technique]. Even then, the chance of success hovered around fifty percent.

Furthermore, even possessing a single Fourth Rank Magical Treasure came at a steep price. Forcing it to bear the brunt of these tribulation strikes would grievously wound it, requiring at least a full Jiazi-time [a cycle of sixty years] of careful nurturing to restore its former glory.

Mere recovery was one matter, but the true cost was more profound. A magical treasure's lifespan is eroded even in battles against its peers. How much more devastating, then, is the brutal assault of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation? Dive deeper into the Dao at audio–novel.com.

The Heavenly Thunder Tribulation damages the very fabric of the treasure. A severe strike not only mars its material form but also fractures the intricate Formation Runes [the mystical patterns that grant a treasure its power], diminishing its potency permanently.

Hence, a well-known adage circulates within the Cultivation World: lending a Fourth Rank Magical Treasure to withstand a Golden Core Heavenly Thunder Tribulation effectively shortens its usable life by one Jiazi-time.

Though Fourth Rank Magical Treasure are crafted from extraordinary materials with long lifespans, they cannot endure the repeated ravages of the Golden Core Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

Therefore, such a loan is an act of ultimate trust and sacrifice. It is a favor granted only between the closest of Dao companions, between master and devoted disciple, or among sworn brothers and sisters whose bonds transcend life and death itself.

"BOOM—"

Serpents of thunder writhed across the heavens. Amidst the tense anticipation of the onlookers, the seventh Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of lightning sent by the heavens to test cultivators] crashed down with devastating force.

The power of this strike was truly terrifying, comparable to a full-force blow from a Golden Core First Layer [the initial stage of the Golden Core cultivation realm] expert, potent enough to annihilate a cultivator who had just barely entered the Golden Core [a major cultivation realm where one forms a solidified golden core of spiritual power] realm.

Since the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of lightning sent by the heavens to test cultivators] cannot be dodged, the one undergoing the tribulation must face it head-on. The difficulty inherent in this is staggering; a single misstep could lead to utter destruction, body and soul.

Elara Lin's brow furrowed slightly. She channeled her power, and with a resonant *shing*, the Ink Snow Immortal Sword [her personal immortal sword, named for its dark blade and frosty aura] shot forth, cleaving the thunderbolt and dispersing it into nothingness.

Having withstood this tribulation strike, Elara Lin sheathed the Ink Snow Immortal Sword [her personal immortal sword, named for its dark blade and frosty aura].

This sword's attributes were perfectly aligned with her Spiritual Root [the innate spiritual affinity that determines a cultivator's elemental aptitude and cultivation speed]. To have it severely damaged during the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of lightning sent by the heavens to test cultivators] would be a grievous loss.

Instead, she raised a hand, unleashing a radiant glow that transformed into a hazy, mist-like aura enveloping the space around her. The treasure she would use to withstand the final two tribulation strikes was none other than the Earth Marsh Five Mist Veil [a defensive magical treasure that manifests five layers of protective, marsh-like mist].

The Earth Marsh Five Mist Veil [a defensive magical treasure that manifests five layers of protective, marsh-like mist] had been acquired from the Celestial Python Demon King. It was a first-rate Protective Magical Treasure [a type of enchanted artifact specifically designed for defense], making it an excellent choice for weathering the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of lightning sent by the heavens to test cultivators].

Its defensive prowess was formidable. As the eighth Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [a cataclysmic trial of lightning sent by the heavens to test cultivators] descended, the veil's radiance swelled, forming an impenetrable barrier that absorbed the cataclysmic impact.

Having withstood eight successive Heavenly Thunder Tribulation [the devastating lightning ordeal faced by cultivators during major breakthroughs], Elara Lin allowed herself a slight sigh of relief. The defensive power of the Earth Marsh Five Mist Veil [a protective treasure that conjures five layers of elemental mist] remained substantial; it should be sufficient to block this final, climactic strike of the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.

She lifted her gaze towards the Tribulation Clouds [the ominous, energy-charged clouds that gather to unleash heavenly punishment], and her pupils contracted sharply.

Within the churning, roiling mass of the Tribulation Clouds, a single, blindingly brilliant arc of lightning blazed forth. Its terrifying power had surged by no less than thirty percent.

"This is bad!"

Elara Lin's expression shifted, a flicker of alarm crossing her features. She immediately channeled her remaining mana into the Earth Marsh Five Mist Veil.

Yet, having only just stepped into the Golden Core [the realm where a cultivator's spiritual energy condenses into a solid, golden core], her mana reserves were not yet at their peak. Reluctant to see her precious magical treasures shattered, she had expended vast amounts of energy to drive them against the previous tribulation strikes. Now, she found herself straining, her strength beginning to falter at this most critical juncture. Official source: (audio-novel.com). Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.