Chapter 189

Chapter 189: Shui Yan Confronts the Lightning Tribulation

When Shui Yan joined the Zhen Yan Sect, she was already a Golden Core Stage cultivator. Though her foundation had been damaged initially, she spent time recovering and refining her cultivation. As a sword cultivator requiring years of rigorous training, her breakthrough to the next stage was delayed until now.

Signs of her impending breakthrough had emerged years earlier, but she suppressed her cultivation to ensure a higher success rate for forming her Nascent Soul.

Ling Qi and Kui Bi, as sect elders, noted Shui Yan would be the first disciple to attempt this breakthrough within the sect. You You deemed the event significant and selected a tribulation site in advance, instructing all disciples to gather and observe.

Following Ling Qi’s prior experience, preparations were swiftly handled. On the day of the tribulation, not only did sect disciples assemble, but those training abroad rushed back. Even male disciples from other immortal sects arrived, claiming to celebrate Shui Yan while seeking to witness the event.

The crowd’s size and prestige forced Ling Qi to designate a temporary guest area.

You You arrived early at the observation deck, spotting Shui Yan meditating within layered formations. The deck overflowed with disciples, many activating floating recording stones to document the tribulation. The sky buzzed with hovering stones, resembling a packed concert venue.

The tribulation began swiftly. Within minutes, the sky darkened. Thunderclouds gathered, silver lightning weaving through them. After a quarter-hour, a serpentine bolt struck Shui Yan.

Protective talismans around her and the observation deck flared, countering the crushing Pressure. As a sword cultivator, Shui Yan’s combat prowess surpassed talisman masters and spellcasters. Years of preparation allowed her to deflect the initial bolts effortlessly—the first few didn’t breach her defenses.

The lightning intensified, each strike harsher than the last. Scorched earth surrounded Shui Yan, yet the tribulation showed no mercy, growing fiercer. Even with the formations, disciples felt the oppressive Pressure.

Shui Yan remained composed until the 70th strike. Her spiritual energy dwindled, but she mustered her reserves, enduring ten more bolts.

Abruptly, the lightning ceased. The clouds churned violently, gathering for the final strike. Shui Yan focused her remaining energy, bracing for impact.

The crowd held its breath. Sword cultivators faced fiercer tribulations, amplifying the tension.

A white flash split the clouds. A blinding bolt engulfed Shui Yan—strangely weaker than expected. Yet it shattered her defenses, flooding her meridians with burning Pressure. Guarding her core, she endured.

As the Pressure faded, her Nascent Soul manifested—a phantom mirroring her form. Spiritual energy surged, healing her meridians.

You You sighed in relief. Above, the clouds thinned, scattering light.

Suddenly—

A lightning ball erupted from the clouds, streaking toward Shui Yan.

Eighty-second strike? Why a ball?!

(⊙_⊙)

The crowd gaped, questioning their own counting. Shui Yan, weakened post-breakthrough, couldn’t react.

“Shui Yan!” You You cried.

Feng Rong lunged skyward, kicking the ball. It veered, cratering the ground beside the deck.

A pained wail echoed.

You You: “……”

Disciples: “……”

Someone inside the lightning ball? The voice sounded familiar.

You You ordered everyone back and leaped into the crater. Feng Rong flanked her, eyeing the smoldering pit.

A charred sphere lay within, reeking of burnt flesh. It twitched, groaning as it morphed into a human figure crawling out.

“Who are you?” Feng Rong growled, flames dancing in his palm.

The figure jerked its head up, eyes brightening. It lunged at You You, clinging to her leg.

“Grandpa!”

*Thud!*

Feng Rong kicked it back into the pit.

You You blinked, then peered at the figure.

“Huan Yan?” The Heavenly Emperor’s grandson?