Chapter 214: Chapter 170: 9 Deaths, 1 Life, Fire Virtue Resists the Profound Thunder

Among the countless Cultivators of the Dongsheng Continent, ever since Ji Fuyao ascended to his position five thousand years ago, over Seventy Percent of all Dharma Lineages have begun to revere the [Tai Yang].

Only with permission could the remaining thirty percent practice Cultivation methods such as [Thunder Core], [Jade Void], and [Clear Qi].

The [Tai Yang] shines resplendently, while the [Thunder Core] administers punishment. The latter’s power is second only to Ji Fuyao, earning him the title of "Second Sect Leader" of White Jade City.

This "True Monarch Yingyuan Sijie" is not only held aloft by the Dao’s orbit and possesses a high-hanging Grotto-Heaven, but can also establish his own court and government, nurturing the imagery of his Great Dao.

With the "Divine Empyrean Thunder City" as his central hub, he established three courts and nine departments to suppress evil, break open prisons, capture demons, adjudicate matters, and oversee rewards and punishments.

One could say that the growth of all things, the shifting of seas and mountains, and the occurrences of war, flood, and drought across the entire Dongsheng Continent all originate from here.

’Shao Yang shall be slain by Profound Thunder. This is a fated prophecy Senior Brother Ji etched into the Great Dao, and it must be fulfilled with Life Essence.’

The True Monarch Yingyuan Sijie, clad in a purple robe and high crown, gazed out into the vast, dark emptiness, his eyes glinting.

He saw a speck of brilliant gold descending, radiating an endless, benevolent light.

The gaze of a Golden Position, the favor of the Great Dao.

This was something countless Foundation Establishment True Masters dreamed of!

For even those Grand True Masters who had gathered enough Life Essence and begged to ascend to a position would often get stuck at this very step.

It was known as the most insurmountable hurdle in all of Cultivation.

No matter how perfect one’s Merit, if the Golden Position did not respond, it was all for naught!

From the "slaughter and life-taking" of the ancient Demon Dao and the "deification and tribulation-facing" of the primeval Immortal Cultivators, to even the "draining the surplus to supplement the deficient" of the Witch Gu Outer Dao.

All of these were nothing more than ways to follow the changes of the Great Dao and submit to the shifting of its imagery.

’For a mere Qi Cultivation cultivator to have come this far... he has some ability.’

True Monarch Yingyuan Sijie’s expression was blank, his features impassive. ’If this strand of golden nature is allowed to enter his body, it would be equivalent to [Shao Yang] personally creating a Fate Shuzi, who would surely obstruct the [Tai Yang] in the future.’

’Besides, this person is audacious beyond measure. He actually dared to reveal himself to the Yanfu Vast Land, willing to face a fatal tribulation just to attract the attention of [Shao Yang].’

’He must be a restless one.’

’Since he does not submit to the [Tai Yang] and has appeared so rashly, then let him be slain.’

True Monarch Yingyuan Sijie casually wrote, sketching a few strokes in the air.

Using [Clear Qi] as a medium, he sent down a Talisman Decree.

From ancient times to the present, the imagery of the [Thunder Core] has never waned, always maintaining a supreme position, second only to the Dao Venerable [Yin and Yang]. Were it not so, the "Emperor" now sitting at the very top of White Jade City might not have been Ji Fuyao.

True Monarch Yingyuan Sijie, who occupies the Golden Position of the [Thunder Core], has refined five thunder-related Divine Techniques.

Namely, "Celestial Thunder," "Earthly Thunder," "Water Thunder," "Dragon Thunder," and "She Ling Thunder."

If all five of these Divine Techniques were to reach Perfection, he could attain the status of Daoist Monarch, spread his Dao’s orbit far and wide, and become a truly unshakable Lord Upper Cultivator within the Daoist Lineage.

However, True Monarch Yingyuan Sijie was still far from this step. As long as the [Tai Yang] did not become a Daoist Monarch, no other Immortal Dao True Monarch could even think of attempting it, for fear of affecting the Great Dao imagery of Ji Fuyao’s supreme reign.

But the [Thunder Core] was a supreme Golden Position, after all. With a single Talisman Decree, the purple-robed Daoist could activate the [Thunder Core], shift the four seasons, control the rise and fall of Yin and Yang, and bring down punishment as a tribulation.

RUMBLE!

Sure enough, as the Talisman Decree of Clear Qi dissipated into the heavens, a colossal and ancient gate faintly materialized.

Compared to the phantom of the [Thunder Core] that Elder Kang of the Zhao You Sect had summoned by having the Wang and Huang families organize the Grand Ceremony of Myriad Sacrifices,

this gate was far clearer. It stood twenty-three hundred *zhang* tall, like a majestic, towering city connecting heaven and earth.

Thirty-six thunderous magical seals flickered faintly upon it, symbolizing the twelve gods of Celestial Thunder, the twelve gods of Earthly Thunder, and the twelve gods of Human Thunder, for a total matching the number of the Heavenly Dipper.

"We receive the True Monarch’s command!"

The gate shuddered violently, and four thunderous Celestial Officials leaped out, each formed from a condensed mass of brilliant light.

Behind them were eighteen hundred Thunder Drum Warriors, eighteen hundred Hail-Bringing Warriors, and eighteen hundred Evil-Smiting Warriors.

The host of warriors roared in unison, as if collectively hoisting the Ancient Gate across the vast, dark emptiness, heading straight for the Nanzhan Continent!

...

...

「In the Divine Empyrean Thunder City, within the Dou Shu Court.」

The Left and Right Attendants, their white robes fluttering and their immortal air palpable, arrived bearing a decree:

"The True Monarch has commanded that Profound Thunder be sent down! It is necessary to slay ninety-nine thunder dragons and unleash five hundred disasters to fuel the Tribulation Qi and strengthen the Profound Thunder!"

The moment these words were spoken, the Dou Shu Court burst into activity. The Cloud-Raising Scribe, the Wind-Urging Emissary, the Wind and Thunder Divine General—all of them stepped forward.

"We can bring a great snowstorm to Nanlong Prefecture, damaging a thousand *qing* of farmland and destroying forty thousand houses. That should yield five hundred wisps of Tribulation Qi."

"We could also send gales to Mount Yao..."

"Absolutely not! Mount Yao is the Daoist ground of True Monarch Chen Yu. How can we disturb the Spiritual Aura there!"

"Then Mount Qiming! There are no powerful Dharma Lineages there. A three-year drought with no rain should harvest seventeen hundred wisps."

"Let me take a closer look... It is indeed a good location. A pity there are only a hundred-some thousand households. If there were more, the Tribulation Qi would be even denser."

"Hurry up and go! Don’t delay the True Monarch’s important business!"

After some back and forth, the official matter was settled.

The various immortal scribes, emissaries, and divine generals all hurried off to their tasks.

...

...

「Fengdu.」 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Jiang Yi gazed at the nine Qi Cultivation First Grade Spiritual Objects before him, recognizing only three of them.

The one radiating scorching flames was called "Crimson Sun Marrow," an exquisite treasure for practicing fire-based techniques. It could not only strengthen the might of Bing Fire but also enhance the brightness of Ding Fire.

The one that resembled condensed lead and mercury, forming into rolling, flowing droplets, was called "Profound Water Flowing Pearls." It was also a rare item.

The one with the most abundant Spiritual Qi was called "Tai Yin Lead Essence," a supreme Spiritual Object as if created by heaven and earth themselves.

Its original name was "Taiji Sacred Lead." It contained the two qis of Yin and Yang, and when forged by fire, it would split into two halves: one Tai Yang, and one Tai Yin.

Because it was shaped like an egg, it was also known as "Chicken Egg Lead." Its color was bluish-black, and its texture was firm yet brittle.

Wherever this object was present, snow would not fall in winter, and grass would not grow in summer.

Jiang Yi glanced over them, understood the value of this aid, and said in a low voice:

"My thanks, Your Ladyship."

The graceful woman seated on the Jade Platform looked up toward the great void. The Ancient Gate had already crossed into the Nanzhan Continent.

Several Daoist Monarchs had not intervened to strike down the manifestation of the [Thunder Core].

This meant that the attention of [Shao Yang] alone was not enough.

"I have done all that I can."

Lady Xuan’nv sighed softly.

"Young Monarch Jiang, I hope you can pass this trial safely and survive this tribulation. Otherwise... Xiaoqiao will be heartbroken."

Hearing this, Jiang Yi smiled, his expression remaining calm and unhurried.

"I will not give Miss Xiaoqiao the slightest reason to grieve."

He reached out and picked up the "Crimson Sun Marrow." Seemingly activating his Merit to refine it, he was in fact offering it as a sacrifice to the Celestial Book, seeking a response.

’I beg the Celestial Book, show me: in my current situation, is there a sliver of a chance for survival?’

The golden paper trembled and hummed incessantly. Amidst the flowing radiance, the Crimson Sun Marrow slowly dissipated.

[Deduction Result: The heavens divine forty-nine, but one escapes man’s grasp. From nine parts death, one part life may be sought.]

Jiang Yi felt a little more settled. This result was still within his expectations.

He had the favor of [Shao Yang], the perfected tenth-grade [Saint King] life-frame, and the attention of several Daoist Monarchs and Great Powers.

There was absolutely no way Ji Fuyao would ride the sun across the sky again just to come and kill him.

The only tool the [Immortal Dao] could employ was the [Thunder Core], which oversees the Yanfu Vast Land with an imagery of utmost impartiality and righteousness.

’As long as I’m not being directly attacked by a Foundation Establishment True Master or an Immortal Dao True Monarch, there’s still room to maneuver.’

Jiang Yi raised his hand and summoned the "Profound Water Flowing Pearls."

He refined it as well.

’I beg the Celestial Book, show me where this sliver of a chance for survival lies?’

The Profound Water Flowing Pearls, which could perfect Ren Water and Kui Water and foster Life Qi, cracked with a PITTER-PATTER, shattering like countless crystalline glass beads being crushed to dust.

The first golden paper trembled violently. The tadpole-like small characters flickered in and out of existence, never fully materializing.

Jiang Yi’s expression didn’t change. As his Cultivation rose like a swelling tide, breaking through to the eighth level, he took the remaining Spiritual Objects and "refined" all of them completely.

POP! POP! POP!

After three crisp sounds, the Celestial Book finally gave a definite answer.

[Deduction Result: The imagery of [Shao Yang] contains the concepts of new birth, and of waxing and waning. If you survive nine strikes of "Profound Thunder," you can be reborn from a deathly predicament... Though weakened by "Tribulation Qi," you can instead rise. Therein lies a sliver of a chance for survival...]

’Four more tries left.’

Jiang Yi’s eyelids drooped slightly. ’Relying on the Great Success of the first layer of my Dao Embryo, withstanding six strikes of Profound Thunder shouldn’t be a problem. I might be able to grit my teeth and pass this trial.’

’But what kind of method is this "Tribulation Qi"?’

As he was pondering, he faintly heard the sound of howling wind rushing in, blowing into the Profound City Central Palace, scattering the deep and secluded Qi Mechanism, and making his wide sleeves flap loudly!

’Where is this gale coming from?’

A moment later, the deep, heavy rumble of muffled thunder rolling across the great void traveled from far to near, reaching Jiang Yi’s ears.

Outside the grand hall, in the unsealed [Fengdu], the [Thunder Core] was seen once again, for the first time since the Eight Sceneries Palace had stormed its gates.

Layers upon layers of tribulation clouds blotted out the sky, their momentum terrifying. Like one furious wave after another, they slowly pushed the Ancient Gate forward, smashing through the incomparably thick, murky yin qi and descending toward the majestic Eighteen-Layered High Platform.

Qiao Yu, holding the [Inverted] Slaying Sword, had eyes filled with deep worry. As the wind swept through, the overlapping layers of deep Qi Mechanism suddenly dispersed, finally revealing the tall and straight figure seated on the ground.

"Young Master Jiang is only at Qi Cultivation, how could he possibly attract the punishment of the [Thunder Core]?"

The big, plump girl who had appeared out of nowhere said fiercely:

"It must be the [Immortal Dao]’s doing! How could they allow a second [Shao Yang] to exist!"

Qiao Yu stood at the entrance of the Profound City Central Palace’s grand hall, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on that tenacious back, which stood like a lone pine on a sheer cliff.

"Gui’er, do you think Young Master Jiang can survive this?"

The big, plump girl furrowed her brows, looking troubled as well.

Master Jiang wasn’t a Foundation Establishment True Master who had refined his form to shed its substance, transformed Primordial Qi into life, and achieved a harmonious Life Essence, making him immune to harm.

He was just a Qi Cultivation Cultivator trying to withstand a thunder tribulation head-on?

It was almost impossible!

But saying so directly would surely break Miss Xiaoqiao’s heart.

Their marriage was just arranged, and in the blink of an eye, she was going to become a widow?

It was too tragic!

"Master Jiang has fortune on his side! With his perfected tenth-grade [Saint King] life-frame, an ordinary three or five lightning strikes won’t kill him... That despicable [Immortal Dao]! How could it be nine strikes of Profound Thunder!"

The big, plump girl was about to offer some comfort when she saw the Ancient Gate shake violently, suddenly condensing a dazzling bolt of lightning as thick as a water bucket, shaped like a dragon or a serpent!

Profound Thunder!

The thunder that governs the heavens and smites fate!

In a former age, by conquering realms beyond the universe and reporting to the Celestial Lord, and by slaying Demons and fiends as sacrificial offerings, one could call down Profound Light and condense it into thunder qi.

"Profound Thunder... only something one faces when ascending to the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm..."

Qiao Yu stood frozen, her hands and feet turning ice-cold as panic spread through her. It reminded her of her father’s journey west from which he never returned, of [Fengdu]’s collapse, and its nine ramparts burning to ashes.

The Profound Thunder struck down fiercely, smashing into that ramrod-straight figure. The radiance rippling from his Black Shadow Magical Robe was instantly extinguished, utterly useless.

With a BOOM, the wind reversed its course, and the lightning dissipated.

"He’s alright? Miss Xiaoqiao! Master Jiang is alright!"

The big, plump girl’s mouth fell open in astonishment.

"The Profound Thunder can’t even harm the body of a Qi Cultivation cultivator?"

A hint of joyful surprise surfaced in Qiao Yu’s eyes. That figure remained as proud and composed as ever. Blazing firelight erupted around his body, like great Jiao-dragons coiling and viciously tearing the bolt of Profound Thunder to shreds!