Chapter 430

Chapter 430: Can This Really Survive?

"World-destroying thunder?"

Ji Yang murmured to himself.

The power of this lightning calamity was indeed very strong. He had some understanding of it from his last tribulation, yet even so, he felt no fear holding the hoe treasure in hand!

As he saw the lightning calamity about to strike him, the hoe treasure in Ji Yang’s hand shone brightly.

With a swing of the hoe, several sword energies shot up into the sky!

This time, Ji Yang was not using the Thousands of Sword Energies; instead, he harnessed the Supreme Sword Energy he had comprehended for a long time!

While the Supreme Sword Energy is a technique, it also contains a great deal of knowledge about swordsmanship. Compared to the Thousands of Sword Energies, this type of sword energy was more powerful, but it also had its own drawbacks: it could not be used as freely as the Thousands of Sword Energies.

Moreover, without the enhancement of techniques, the power of this sword energy was somewhat diminished.

However, with Ji Yang’s blending, he chose to infuse the sword intent from Sword Cultivation into it, effectively boosting the power of both. Unfortunately, the downside was that he could only use six strands of Supreme Sword Energy.

This was because he had currently cultivated only six strands of sword intent within his body.

Now, Ji Yang casually waved his hand and unleashed three sword energies!

It was no wonder Ji Yang was taking this so seriously; even though he was still in good condition, he had confidence in enduring the fourth lightning calamity with his body and absorbing the power of lightning within it using his techniques.

But Ji Yang did not know how many more bolts of calamity were left, and the power of the following bolts would surely be even more terrifying. He needed to greet the forthcoming lightning calamities in his peak state.

As the three sword energies sliced through the sky, the originally thick lightning, as wide as a barrel, was split into four uneven bolts. This was something the Thousands of Sword Energies could not achieve.

Though it seemed the strength of the lightning calamity had not weakened, a complete bolt of lightning and four dispersed bolts of lightning were not the same; he had succeeded in his purpose of cutting the lightning.

Facing the impact of the four bolts of lightning, Ji Yang made no further attacks; he simply allowed these four bolts to strike him.

At this moment, the onlooking cultivators were once again taken aback:

"Why is it sword energy? Could this person be a sword cultivator?"

"Isn’t it said that sword cultivators only focus on sword intent, concentrating without distraction? How can this person also be proficient in body-refining techniques?"

…

Everyone gazed at the hoe treasure in Ji Yang’s hand, expressing their doubts.

Being mixed and not refined was a major taboo for cultivators, especially for those in swordsmanship.

Moreover, from observing his sword energies, it was clear he had cultivated them to a peak level; otherwise, how could he have cut through the descending lightning calamity?

This meant that not only had this person mastered body-refining techniques, but he also had a considerable understanding of swordsmanship, which completely contradicted everyone’s knowledge.

In an instant, doubts began to arise about Ji Yang’s identity.

The two Diamond Sect disciples who had previously speculated also fell silent; their sect had no senior brother skilled in both areas. While perhaps there was a senior brother who dabbled in swordsmanship out of boredom, none had reached this level.

Proficient sword cultivators mostly belonged to the other three major sects, with the Taiyi Sect being the most notable.

Before the crowd had time to ponder further, the four bolts of lightning calamity had already descended one after another upon Ji Yang’s head.

As the first three bolts struck his body, Ji Yang merely flickered with weak arcs of electricity.

But as the final bolt of calamity fell, Ji Yang’s entire body shook, and he was enveloped by the dense black lightning.

That was the split world-destroying thunder.

Even if it was cut out from the complete lightning, its power still far surpassed the other three bolts.

Watching Ji Yang engulfed by the world-destroying thunder, the onlooking cultivators focused intently. Just watching made their hearts race, as if they were on the brink of falling.

Some cultivators, unable to shake their disbelief, forced themselves to watch until fear appeared in their eyes, and they shouted:

"Ah! Don’t strike me! Don’t strike me!"

"I won’t cross this tribulation!"

…

After a wild display of panic, the cultivator quickly fled into the distance.

Seeing this, the onlookers shook their heads. They realized that watching this kind of lightning calamity for too long had caused this person to lose his mind and sow the seeds of a Heart Demon; under this Heart Demon, he would have no hope of crossing the tribulation.

With this person as a cautionary tale, many cultivators with less steadfast minds withdrew their gazes, afraid to look any longer.

They had felt the power of the lightning calamity merely by standing at its edge; what kind of experience would the person crossing the tribulation have?

Could any cultivator really survive such a calamity?

Many cultivators pondered nervously, their eyes filled with fear.

In the center of the lightning calamity, Ji Yang was wrapped in black lightning. Even as Ji Yang exerted all his strength to activate his techniques, the black lightning was incredibly strong, pulling against his powers.

This meant that at the moment the lightning calamity struck, Ji Yang couldn’t quickly absorb it, leaving him to store it within his body, letting it unleash its destructive power.

However, although the power of the lightning was strong, it had no backup, while Ji Yang’s spiritual energy continued to flow endlessly due to the operation of his techniques. As Ji Yang increased the flow of his power, the black lightning soon fell into a disadvantage and was gradually absorbed by him.

But once Ji Yang fully absorbed it, his entire body turned ashen and black, marked by the traces of the black lightning calamity. Yet, it had not harmed his core.

"Can this really survive?"

Looking at Ji Yang at the center of the lightning calamity, his body charred yet with an unweakened aura, everyone was astonished.

"Wait, why is he still in Late Spirit Transformation? Why hasn’t he broken through to the Void Refinement stage?"

One cultivator quickly pointed out this oversight, gesturing towards Ji Yang.

While watching the lightning still brewing in the sky, the crowd fell silent. Clearly, this person’s tribulation was far from over; the appearance of the world-destroying thunder was just the beginning.

If the fourth lightning calamity was at this level, what would the fifth be like?

If it were them, they might not even survive the third bolt!

Someone scanned the area, hoping to see the old man who had previously been speculating alongside them.

After searching twice, they found no trace of the old man, prompting them to curse:

"Old trickster!"

The impending fifth lightning calamity cast a heavy silence over the gathered cultivators. Even though Ji Yang had performed brilliantly before, the looks they directed at him were filled with pity, as if they were gazing at a corpse.

The fate of overly brilliant individuals was often short-lived; this was an unchanging law. No one could contend against the heavenly forces in the Cultivation World.

"Senior brother, does this person really have no hope?"

Someone voiced their doubt, but the senior brother in the late Void Refinement stage shook his head:

"Under this lightning calamity, even we have no hope, let alone this person."

At the heart of the lightning calamity, Ji Yang looked up at the sky, feeling no surprise at the appearance of the fifth bolt. In his estimation, this fifth one would not be the last.

As the fifth lightning calamity was forming, Ji Yang felt a deep sense of unease below. Clearly, this thunderstorm was enough to threaten his life.

In the face of a life-and-death crisis, Ji Yang’s expression was surprisingly calm. He looked up at the thunderstorm brewing above and let out a light laugh:

“Look at my sword!”

With that, Ji Yang activated his Techniques with all his strength, urging the hoe in his hand. As the shadow of the magical tool appeared, in the next moment, sharp sword energies surged towards the calamity clouds above.

Seeing that Ji Yang was not preparing to defend against the incoming lightning calamity but was instead taking the initiative to attack, the onlookers fell silent:

“If this person survives, the future of the Cultivation World might become problematic.”

“I wonder which sect this person belongs to.”

…

In an instant, everyone began to think about the future of the Cultivation World, clearly impressed by Ji Yang’s performance.

This was no longer just about personal honor, shame, or life and death. If such a talented disciple could successfully overcome the thunderstorm, the Cultivation World would no longer be peaceful.

The sword energies shot straight into the thunderclouds, stirring up waves within. However, as the sword energies faded, an even fiercer momentum erupted from the thunderclouds.

With astonished expressions, everyone watched as the fifth lightning calamity quickly descended. It was a bolt as thick as an arm; although it was not as numerous as the previous bolts, its overall color was dark, clearly the world-destroying thunder that the middle-aged man had mentioned.

In the previous lightning calamity, such a bolt was only the size of chopsticks, but now it had increased several times, its color darker as well.

With the fifth lightning calamity descending, many cultivators felt a sense of uncertainty in their hearts, as if a great disaster was upon them. Even those late Void Refinement stage cultivators, who had come because Ji Yang blocked their way, all retreated.

Having learned from prior experiences, everyone averted their eyes, daring not to look further. They did not believe Ji Yang could survive beneath such a force!

Beneath the lightning calamity, Ji Yang’s gaze was bright, his eyes revealing a strange color as he used the Heart Sword divine ability to search for weaknesses in this lightning calamity.

Unfortunately, Ji Yang did not find any. Before the bolt struck, he already felt a prickling sensation through his body. If it hit him, its power would be unimaginable.

Since he could not find any weaknesses, he would carve out a way himself with the hoe in his hand. Ji Yang stuffed a gathering spirit pill into his mouth, and in the next moment, he swung the hoe, sending countless sword energies spreading out towards the lightning above.

But this lightning calamity was too powerful. Every sword energy it encountered was shattered by the power of the lightning, and the remaining force quickly approached Ji Yang below.

Seeing that the thousands of sword energies had no effect, Ji Yang unleashed two beams of Supreme Sword Energy!

These sword energies were the sharpest!

Just as the sword energies were about to split the lightning calamity, a shocking sight appeared before Ji Yang. The world-destroying thunderbolt actually dodged the sword energies in its path.

This left Ji Yang dumbfounded. How could this lightning avoid the attacks?

Ji Yang felt a surge of frustration!

This was simply blatant targeting!

At that moment, Ji Yang sensed the malice from the heavens. He understood why other talented individuals did not live long; even when he was given advantages, he was still in danger. The fate of other cultivators was easy to imagine!

Yet, even as the complete world-destroying thunder descended, Ji Yang was still not ready to give up. He had not yet reached his end.

As the Feather Transformation Ascension Skill fully operated within him, extraordinary sights began to appear around Ji Yang once more.

The appearance of the extraordinary sights greatly boosted Ji Yang’s momentum. As he began to cultivate, the spiritual energy around him rapidly gathered.