"Xiao Hua, you're awake!"
A loud, joyful voice drew the attention of both Xiao Hua and Yun Yun. Their gazes shifted toward the small, purple-haired girl who was rushing toward him, her excitement evident. Without hesitation, she threw herself at him with a beaming smile.
Xiao Hua didn't dodge. Instead, he effortlessly caught the little dragon girl in his arms. Even though his injuries hadn't fully healed, his domineering physique made it easy to handle her boundless energy.
"Easy now. I'm still recovering…" Xiao Hua chuckled softly, rubbing Zi Yan's small head with a gentle touch.
"But thank you for your concern." His smile deepened, prompting Zi Yan to giggle joyfully.
He raised his head and looked at Little Fairy Doctor, a gentle smile appearing on his lips. "Sorry for making you both worry."
"Don't worry about it." Little Fairy Doctor shook her head. She hesitated for a moment before meeting his gaze, concern and anxiety flickering in her eyes.
"Are you alright? Have you fully recovered?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
"I'm fine. At most, I'll need a week to return to my peak condition," Xiao Hua replied, reassuring her.
"Thank you for preparing the medicinal bath for me, Little Fairy Doctor." His voice carried a touch of gratitude and sincerity.
He knew that Yun Yun couldn't have possibly prepared a medicinal bath for him. If anyone could, it would be Little Fairy Doctor, to whom he had continuously explained medicinal properties and their effects.
"As long as you're alright, that's all that matters," Little Fairy Doctor said, patting her chest as she let out a sigh of relief.
She had seen his condition before, and it had left her as pale as a sheet. Never had she witnessed him in such a dire state. Naturally, she had been worried sick, sparing no effort to heal him.
"Alright, enough with the thanks." Zi Yan swiftly interjected, pulling away from Xiao Hua. She crossed her arms and said, "Since it'll take you a week to recover, shouldn't we settle something important first?"
"And that would be…?" Xiao Hua's lips pressed into a straight line. He already had a good idea of where this was heading. As expected, the gluttonous little dragon girl never disappointed.
"Hehe, isn't it obvious? My medicinal pills are all gone. Can you make me some once you've recovered?" Zi Yan chuckled softly, her bright eyes filled with expectation.
Still, she wasn't merciless. Understanding Xiao Hua's current condition, she quickly tell him that she could wait until he had fully recovered before staring refine pills for her.
After all, pill refinement wasn't a simple task. It required not just Dou Qi but also immense Spiritual Strength. If one's condition was poor, a moment of lapse in spiritual control could lead to disastrous mistakes, wasting precious medicinal ingredients in the process.
Her usual gluttonous request brought a faint smile to Xiao Hua's lips, while Little Fairy Doctor chuckled softly beside him.
"Alright, that's fine." Xiao Hua didn't mind spoiling this little girl. She had been obedient and had taken the initiative to guard Little Fairy Doctor in his absence.
On top of that, she had also put in the effort to gather medicinal plants and herbs for him. Naturally, he had no reason to refuse her request.
"Then, how about an early lunch to celebrate Xiao Hua's recovery?" Little Fairy Doctor clapped her hands together, a bright smile on her face.
"Let's return to the small valley first. There, we can rest as much as we want without worrying about magical beasts," Xiao Hua suggested.
Since no one objected, the group left the cave and headed toward the small valley. Zi Yan carried Little Fairy Doctor, while Yun Yun kept a watchful eye on Xiao Hua in case his condition suddenly worsened.
With their speed, it took less than an hour to reach their destination. Stepping into the familiar valley, Xiao Hua felt a wave of nostalgia. Before his strength had been sealed, his time here had been peaceful, filled with warmth. It was a place he had truly come to appreciate.
"Alright, let's get started on lunch!" Little Fairy Doctor said cheerfully before heading toward the kitchen.
Watching her disappear into the wooden cabin, Xiao Hua turned to Yun Yun and Zi Yan with a smile. "In the meantime, why don't we prepare everything we need?"
Both girls nodded and got to work. While their cultivation levels meant they no longer required food for sustenance, there was no harm in enjoying a meal—especially when it was a celebration of Xiao Hua's recovery.
In the meantime, Xiao Hua casually upgraded his ACP Rate while setting the table for lunch. He had nearly forgotten about it amidst the chaos of the past few days.
Before long, lunch began, marking the quiet celebration of Xiao Hua's recovery. Though the meal wasn't extravagant or expensive, there was a certain charm in its simplicity. The peaceful atmosphere, the warmth of companionship—it was enough to bring genuine smiles to their faces, whether small or bright.
Time flowed gently, like an endless river, passing by unnoticed in the tranquility of the small valley. In the blink of an eye, a week had slipped away.
As the sun reached its peak, Xiao Hua stretched lazily, his body shifting ever so slightly. His skin rippled, and his bones released a series of crisp cracking sounds—like a rusted machine slowly coming back to life.
"Hu…"
He exhaled deeply, a stream of warm air escaping his lips as a comforting sensation spread throughout his body.
"I've finally recovered. More than that… my strength and soul feel denser, more powerful." His eyes gleamed with a thoughtful light. "It seems that even failing the trial wasn't entirely without benefits…"
Xiao Hua clenched his hand slightly, feeling the familiar surge of Dou Qi coursing through his body. A wave of nostalgia washed over him, leaving him momentarily dazed. Though it had only been a few days, he couldn't deny how much he had missed this sensation.
Moreover, his strength and soul had grown even denser than before.
Just as Xue Yue had mentioned, even though he failed the trial, there were still some benefits to be gained…
But what truly shocked him was that he could now initiate the eighth trial without the need to absorb a massive amount of lightning strength. This unexpected development was far beyond his expectations—but certainly not unwelcome.
After all, initiating the trial of Heavenly Judgement Lightning typically required the absorption of vast amounts of lightning energy, particularly from numerous nine-colored Pill Lightnings—an exceedingly time-consuming feat.
He wondered if this was a result of his previous failure—perhaps, because he had already endured the eighth trial once, he no longer needed to absorb additional lightning strength to initiate it again. Whatever the reason, this development was a welcome one.
Satisfied with the changes and pleasantly surprised, Xiao Hua rose to his feet and stepped out of the cave nestled within the valley's rocky walls, elevated about six to seven meters above the ground.
As he emerged, the blazing sunlight greeted him with its relentless glare, casting waves of blistering heat across the mountain, enveloping the land in a golden haze.
After leaping down from the cave and taking a few steps forward, Xiao Hua spotted three familiar figures seated quietly on the wooden chairs he had crafted.
One exuded a graceful and noble demeanor, the second carried a warm and soothing presence, while the last was a little girl brimming with restless energy.
Sensing his presence, the graceful and noble figure rose to her feet and walked toward him, immediately drawing the attention of the other two. Upon seeing Xiao Hua, they quickly followed suit.
"Have you fully recovered?" Yun Yun, leading the group, asked with curiosity and concern.
"More than that..." Xiao Hua shook his head slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "My body and soul have reached their peak condition, so I plan to challenge the eighth trial."
The moment his words fell, Zi Yan and Little Fairy Doctor's expressions changed drastically. Their eyes widened with worry, their earlier excitement vanishing in an instant.
They hadn't forgotten—his previous attempt at the eighth trial had nearly cost him everything, leaving him in a critical state.
Yun Yun narrowed her eyes, her expression turning solemn. Unlike the other two, she had been the one to personally care for Xiao Hua while his strength was sealed. And in that time, she too had been cared for by him—perhaps even more than she had cared for him.
With a soft voice tinged with concern, Yun Yun asked, "Are you certain about this? According to what you've said, the trial's difficulty scales with your strength. Now that you've grown even stronger, the challenge will only become more dangerous."
"To advance and grow stronger, I must take on the eighth trial. This is a necessary step for me." Xiao Hua shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips.
He understood their concern—he truly did. But this was a path he could not avoid. Ever since learning the Chaos Mantra, meeting Lady Azure and Xue Yue, and promising to help them forge physical bodies, he had made up his mind never to retreat, no matter the obstacles.
"…Fine. It's not like we can change your mind anyway." Yun Yun sighed in resignation, knowing that trying to dissuade him was pointless.
"However, please be careful. If what I've heard is true, I'll prepare a medicinal bath—just in case things go wrong." Little Fairy Doctor clenched her hands in front of her chest, her worry evident.
"Xiao Hua, don't push yourself too far." Zi Yan's voice was soft, yet the concern and anxiety within it were unmistakable.
"I know." Xiao Hua nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze sweeping over the three of them before continuing, "If you want to watch, make sure to keep your distance. Stay at least fifty meters away—while the trial's difficulty won't increase with your presence, the backlash could still harm you."
He made sure to warn them properly. The tribulation might be his alone to bear, but if they got too close, the consequences could be dire.
"Don't worry, we will." Zi Yan responded with a small smile.
She had witnessed firsthand the terrifying lightning that descended during his seventh trial. Even if someone dared her to step closer, she wouldn't take that risk.
Feeling relieved, Xiao Hua's figure blurred before vanishing as he swiftly left the small valley.
Watching his departure, Yun Yun and Zi Yan unfurled their Dou Qi Wings, their figures lifting into the sky. After ensuring a firm hold on Little Fairy Doctor, Yun Yun ascended higher, and the three of them took off, following Xiao Hua at a safe distance.
…
Xiao Hua had returned to the inner regions of the Magic Beast Mountain Range. After wandering around in search of a suitable location, he finally found a secluded spot where he could initiate the trial in peace.
"Sister Xue Yue... I'll begin now."
"I understand. I just hope this time, it isn't another reckless decision, child..."
A soft smile tugged at Xiao Hua's lips at the familiar voice of the woman he regarded as an elder sister. Once she had fully withdrawn into the depths of his Spiritual Sea, retreating into the special realm, he finally initiated the trial.
Boom…! Boom…! Boom…!
The clear blue sky darkened in an instant. Churning storm clouds gathered overhead, their swirling mass stretching ominously across the heavens. Deep, rolling thunder rumbled in the distance, its muffled roar shaking the air. The once-radiant sunlight vanished, swallowed by the oppressive weight of the storm.
The blackened sky twisted and surged like a raging ocean, spanning hundreds of kilometers over the mountainous terrain. Within the roiling tempest, five distinct flashes of lightning flickered—gold, blue, purple, orange, and red—each crackling with an overwhelming, domineering presence.
With their arrival, a boundless heavenly might descended, enveloping everything beneath it. Every living being below could clearly sense the sheer terror contained within each bolt of lightning, as if the heavens themselves are about to pass judgment.
Under this heavenly might, all creatures seemed as insignificant as straw dolls before an unstoppable force, powerless to resist or defy their fate. A deep, primal fear gripped their souls, compelling them to kneel in submission, as if pleading for mercy from an unyielding, heaven's will.
"This isn't just a hundredfold increase from the previous trial… This is at least a thousandfold…" Xiao Hua murmured softly, his gaze fixed upon the sky.
Yet, not a hint of fear or hesitation flickered in his eyes—only an unshakable resolve.
Beneath the vast heavens, his small figure stood firm, neither trembling nor faltering under the oppressive might. In that moment, his silhouette, as straight as a spear, seemed to defy the very will of the heavens, as though he sought to pierce through the firmament and transcend its limits.
Watching the unyielding determination of the figure in black robes, the hearts of the three young women trembled. Their breaths quickened, their gazes locked onto his imposing, indomitable form.
Under the weight of heavenly might, his resolute expression and striking features carried a mesmerizing allure—one capable of ensnaring the heart of any woman, no matter how distant or cold.
As if enraged by his defiance, the heavenly thunders within the churning storm clouds crackled with even greater fury. Lightning flared, its brilliance blinding, as the heavenly might grew ever more oppressive—heavier, fiercer, deadlier.
Xiao Hua's expression remain unchanged by the turbulent sky above. His gaze was steady, his expression unreadable. Then, in a voice so soft it vanished into the wind, he uttered a single word—
"Come."
As if answering his call, an explosively bright flash illuminated the heavens. In the next instant, a colossal lightning pillar—its core infused with five distinct-colored bolts—tore through space itself, hurtling down like the wrath of an enraged deity.
BOOM!
The devastating force crashed onto Xiao Hua, the fused divine lightnings mercilessly burrowing into his body and soul, forcefully refining, tempering, and transforming them into something even stronger.
"Ghhkghk!"
Xiao Hua bit his lips tightly, the taste of metal spreading across his tongue as a mouthful of blood threatened to escape. It was already astonishing that he hadn't lost consciousness after enduring the strike of heavenly lightnings.
Yet, the agonizing ordeal of body and soul refinement under the relentless trial of Heavenly Judgement Lightning continued unabated for over half an hour. Even with his indomitable will, remaining conscious under such torment was proving increasingly difficult.
Yet, the ordeal had only just begun.
For over half an hour, the relentless baptism of divine lightning continued. Every bolt was an unforgiving hammer, forging his body and soul in an infernal crucible of pain. Even with his unyielding will, the sheer agony was dragging him toward the abyss of unconsciousness.
He could feel it—his mind wavering, teetering at the edge of collapse. Each surge of excruciating torment threatened to shatter his very being.
And yet, even as his body trembled, his spirit refused to yield.
Two hours had passed since Xiao Hua initiated the trial. His vision blurred, his eyelids grew heavy, and the looming darkness of unconsciousness threatened to consume him.
Just as he was about to succumb, a familiar voice echoed in his ears—a voice so nostalgic, so achingly dear, that his eyes burned red with emotion.
"Are you giving up, child? That's not like you at all."
A smile, filled with both emotion and relief, surfaced on Xiao Hua's face. Happiness surged through him, unstoppable. His half-closed eyes snapped open, and the darkness clouding his mind was instantly dispelled.
With deep affection and lingering sentiment in his voice, he murmured, "Good morning, Sister Azure… You're far too late."
"Hehe. But it seems I've awoken at the most perfect timing ever," Lady Azure chuckled softly, her tone laced with amusement.
She paused for a moment before speaking again, her voice warm and gentle. "So? Does this mean you'll give up, child?"
Xiao Hua's laughter rang out, bold and carefree. "Hahaha! You're joking, right, Sister Azure?"
His gaze sharpened, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes as a toothy grin curled at the corner of his lips. "I can still take much more than this!"
"Good. Then, I shall wait for good news." Lady Azure's voice carried a hint of satisfaction before she vanished into the depths of his spiritual sea.
Xiao Hua's grin widened as he gazed at the sky, his excitement surging like wildfire.
He could feel it. His body, once battered and fatigued, now pulsed with newfound vigor. Lady Azure had awakened. No matter what, he would not show her a disgraceful sight.
With unshakable resolve, he raise his arm with slight difficulty and let out a commanding roar.
"Come, Heavenly Lightnings! Bring everything you have!"
Despite the deafening rumble of the storm, his voice echoed like a divine decree, resonating through the entire mountain range. It was neither a plea nor a cry of defiance—it was a bold invitation to the heavens themselves.
Hearing his fearless words, Yun Yun and the others clenched their hands tightly, their chests heaving with emotion. Their eyes reddened, and their noses stung with warmth. At this moment, their hearts trembled, rippling with emotions too intense to contain.
As if responding to his challenge, the storm clouds boiled and roared, releasing their fury in an overwhelming cascade of divine punishment.
Yet, as lightning after lightning crashed down, Xiao Hua did not waver.
He neither flinched nor cried out in pain. Instead, he smiled, his gaze fixed on the heavens above. No fear. No hesitation. Only an unfathomable strength and an unbreakable will shone within his eyes—an existence that refused to yield, even before the wrath of the heavens.
The torrents of lightning carved through his body, refining every fiber of his being. His bones crackled like divine metal being forged, his blood shimmered with newfound power, and his flesh became as resilient as the scales of an ancient beast.
The raging lightning pierced into his soul, obliterating frailty and reforging his very essence. Each bolt shattered impurities, reshaping his spirit into an indomitable force, vast and unfathomable.
After what felt like an eternity, the relentless lightning finally ceased. The towering pillar of five-colored lightning slowly dissipated, revealing a charred-black figure suspended in the sky.
Yun Yun, Little Fairy Doctor, and Zi Yan turned pale, their delicate bodies trembling at the sight. Yun Yun and Little Fairy Doctor staggered, their strength suddenly drained as overwhelming anxiety gripped their hearts.
Zi Yan quickly stepped forward, steadying them before lifting her gaze toward Xiao Hua, her heart swaying between fear and hope.
Then, amidst the heavy silence—
A soft sigh echoed through the air, drawing their attention back to the figure above.
The next moment, the charred remnants of his skin peeled away, drifting into the wind—revealing the sublime and flawless countenance of a young man reborn.
Seeing that Xiao Hua was unharmed, the three of them couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Little Fairy Doctor shot him a glare, her tone carrying a hint of exasperation. "That guy… Can't he stop making us worry like this?"
Yun Yun and Zi Yan nodded in unison, fully agreeing with her words. Even they couldn't help but feel a tinge of resentment at the emotional turbulence caused by the young man in the sky.
Suddenly, the natural energy of heaven and earth surged toward him, coalescing into five distinct colors. As it gathered, the energy grew denser, taking on a mist-like form before gradually condensing into a black robe adorned with intricate metallic teal and silver patterns.
Once his attire was fully formed, the figure in the sky lazily stretched, his movements unhurried. As he extended his body, the crisp sound of cracking bones echoed, a satisfied expression appearing on his face.
"Hu…"
A wave of pleasure surged through his body as Xiao Hua took a deep breath, his chest rising before slowly exhaling.
"Whether it's my physical strength, the toughness of my body, or the power of my soul… all of them have reached truly terrifying heights."
He clenched his fist slightly, sensing the vast, ocean-like Dou Qi coursing through his body. For a moment, he found himself lost in thought. This kind of strength carried an allure that could drive one to madness—countless people had spent their entire lives chasing such power, yet few ever came close.
And what was even more terrifying… he was merely an eighth-star Dou Zong. His cultivation had yet to reach the Dou Zun realm, yet he had already attained such an overwhelming level of strength.
'Just as Sister Azure said before… this Chaos Mantra is truly mysterious and terrifying…' Xiao Hua murmured in his heart.
However, he understood all too well—this Qi Method was not one that allowed retreat. Once chosen, there was no turning back. The pain and suffering one had to endure were likely a hundred times greater than that of an ordinary cultivator…
"Regardless… I wonder if I can contend with an ordinary Dou Zun," Xiao Hua murmured softly, his voice barely audible even to himself.
However, within his spiritual sea, the two women residing there heard his words clearly. One of them spoke, her tone calm yet tinged with slight amusement.
"An ordinary Dou Zun would be effortlessly suppressed by you, child…"
-------|
Read 20 Advanced Chapters in Patreon:
http://patreon.com/GodYato