The path of cultivation is fraught with difficulties and countless unknowns!
Only by defying the heavens can one glimpse the secret of eternal life!
Only then can one reign supreme above all beings!
And the Golden Core stage is a threshold!
Only by crossing this threshold can one have the chance to glimpse the Great Dao and attain eternal life!
However!
Among the countless cultivators in the world, few can survive the heavenly tribulation!
*Crack!*
In the pitch-black world where sight is impossible!
A faint flame arose!
Subsequently, the cigarette butt in Chen Nan's mouth was lit!
He calmly looked up at the sky: "Just as I thought, the scene is quite grand!"
"Indeed, a peerless genius like me deserves such a grand spectacle!"
Chen Nan had witnessed eighteen elders of the Huashan Sword Sect cross the tribulation simultaneously.
Although the scene was shocking!
It was far from being as soul-stirring as his current lightning tribulation!
------
Dozens of miles away!
Nine guardian elders of the Huashan Sword Sect stood quietly!
Their eyes were filled with concern!
When Chen Nan had visited the Huashan Sword Sect some time ago, they had sensed his emotional changes!
A touch of dejection!
A hint of reluctance!
Coupled with his advancement to the peak of the ninth level of the Foundation Establishment stage!
They all knew that Chen Nan was about to face his tribulation!
Since Chen Nan did not wish for them to know, they decided to respect his wishes and pretend ignorance!
Therefore!
They had been following Chen Nan!
Their sole purpose was to silently protect him during his tribulation!
But at this moment!
A sense of foreboding rose in the hearts of the nine guardian elders!
The First Elder, Cang Jue, said in a low voice, "Heavenly tribulations are divided into Three-Nine tribulations, Six-Nine tribulations, and Nine-Nine heavy tribulations. Today, the Sect Master is forming his Golden Core, which should be a Three-Nine tribulation, yet the density of the tribulation clouds is far more terrifying than the Nine-Nine heavy tribulations described in ancient texts!"
The Third Elder, Cang Ning, asked, "Have you ever seen a genius cultivate to the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage in their early twenties?"
The First Elder: "The Sect Master is the first!"
Cang Ning continued, "Have you ever seen a Level 3 alchemist in their early twenties?"
The First Elder: "The Sect Master is the first!"
Cang Ning: "Have you ever seen a Talisman Master in their early twenties?"
The First Elder: "The Sect Master is the first!"
Cang Ning: "Have you ever seen a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator kill a Golden Core stage expert in their early twenties?"
The First Elder: "The Sect Master is the first!"
Cang Ning sighed, "He was born extraordinary. These accolades, though dazzling, are directly proportional to the heavenly tribulation he will face during his ascension."
"If an ordinary person faces a nine-death, one-life tribulation, then his tribulation is a ten-death, zero-life situation!" As he spoke, a flicker of worry crossed his eyes, but more than that, a sense of helplessness!
Ruolan whispered, "You also admit his exceptional nature, yet why are you unwilling to believe he can overcome the heavenly tribulation?"
"He has already achieved what is impossible for ordinary people!"
"Overcoming this heavenly tribulation should not be difficult..."
Before she could finish speaking!
The night instantly turned into day!
A silver dragon tore through the void and landed silently on Chen Nan!
The next moment!
A deafening thunderclap exploded in everyone's ears!
It was as if the heavens had shattered, a sound that shook the very foundations of existence!
It even gave them a splitting headache!
After the pain subsided, they all looked towards Chen Nan in the distance!
He was covered in soot, lying on the ground spread-eagle, with only a cigarette butt emitting a faint glow!
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief!
Although Chen Nan looked disheveled, he was not injured!
"This fellow is truly audacious, to have withstood the first heavenly lightning with his bare body!"
"Withstanding lightning with one's physical body is not something ordinary cultivators can do!"
"The Sect Master is indeed the Sect Master, even his tribulation is so audacious!"
------
"Damn it, the first heavenly lightning was this fierce?" Chen Nan gasped for air. The first heavenly lightning struck too quickly, giving him no chance to prepare!
Fortunately, the power of this lightning strike was not very strong!
Of course, it might also be because his physique was exceptionally robust!
The first heavenly lightning did not destroy his physical body!
But it did temporarily paralyze his limbs!
Without further thought, he quickly channeled his true qi to his limbs and body, repairing his damaged flesh and meridians!
The influx of true qi was like a drought-stricken land receiving timely rain, incredibly comfortable!
Moreover, he could feel a significant improvement in his physical strength!
"With this recovery speed, my body will be able to move again in ten minutes!"
"And according to ancient texts, the second heavenly lightning will descend in half an hour..."
Without any warning!
A bolt of lightning tore through the night sky and descended towards him!
Its power was far more terrifying than the previous one!
"Holy crap!"
Chen Nan panicked!
Didn't they say the second heavenly lightning would descend in half an hour?
But why was it coming so seamlessly during my tribulation?
This isn't a tribulation!
This is trying to kill me!
*Boom!*
When the second heavenly lightning struck!
Chen Nan's mind went blank!
His skin was torn open, and one could clearly see electricity flickering on his body!
There were even crackling sounds!
The nine guardian elders in the distance were all moved!
"The Sect Master is indeed the Sect Master, not only daring to withstand the first heavenly lightning with his body, but also the second!"
"This courage is awe-inspiring!"
"He is a role model for our generation!"
"Amazing, not even dodging when the heavenly lightning strikes!"
"Otherwise, why would he be our Sect Master of the Huashan Sword Sect?"
While the nine were discussing animatedly!
The third heavenly lightning struck silently!
The earth shook and the mountains trembled!
Chen Nan also let out a piercing scream!
At this moment!
He felt his physical body could no longer contain his soul!
He had a feeling of wanting to leave his corporeal form!
Because his physical body was in extreme agony!
It was already in tatters!
"This heavenly tribulation is very strange, different from what is recorded in ancient texts!"
"It is indeed strange, but the Sect Master has successfully passed the heavenly tribulation!"
"Withstanding three bolts of heavenly lightning with his physical body, the Sect Master's talent is truly terrifying, and he may very well embark on the path of a physically enlightened being!"
"Indeed, tempering the body with heavenly lightning is an ultimate opportunity, but ordinary cultivators lack the courage to withstand it with their bodies! Since the Sect Master has endured three bolts of heavenly lightning with his body today, it is clear that his physical body will reach an astonishing level!"
The Fifth Elder exclaimed, "No! No, no! If the Sect Master has successfully passed the heavenly tribulation, why are the tribulation clouds in the sky gathering and not dispersing? This should not be happening, it shouldn't be!"
The expressions of the others also changed!
They had all experienced tribulations before, and upon successful completion, the tribulation clouds in the sky would dissipate.
But now!
Chen Nan had clearly endured three bolts of heavenly lightning, yet the tribulation clouds had not only failed to disperse but appeared even denser than before!
"Legend has it that there are people called 'abandoned by heaven,' who do not face Three-Nine tribulations but Six-Nine tribulations!" Cang Jue's face turned pale as he recalled a terrifying legend!
Without further thought, he roared towards Chen Nan, "Sect Master, do not trifle with this! Your heavenly tribulation is most likely a Six-Nine tribulation, you must go all out!"
Chen Nan was speechless!
I've been going all out all along!!!