The Nine Revolutions Profound Art Proves the True Body, A Thunderclap Shakes the Nine Heavens

Black clouds churned like hundreds of millions of black-iron warhorses galloping down from the Ninth Heaven, layer upon layer, packed so densely they seemed almost ready to crush the eaves of Wu'an City's walls.

The clouds hung terrifyingly low, as though one could reach out and touch their icy, bone-piercing vapors.

The greatest mighty city under heaven now seemed gripped in the palm of an invisible giant hand, liable to be crushed to powder at any moment.

The countless electric lamps throughout the city dimmed together beneath this heavenly might, their light shrinking like guttering candles in the wind.

The bustling night market, so lively just moments ago, had fallen utterly silent.

The vendors froze where they stood, the candied hawthorn skewers in their hands falling to the ground.

The merchants who had been toasting one another in the taverns went deathly pale. Wine cups slipped from their fingers, precious liquor spilling over their lapels, yet they did not even notice.

Women clutching their children tightly covered the ears of the infants in their swaddling clothes, while they themselves shook like sieves. The chattering of their teeth rang clearly through the deathly stillness.

Some elderly people and children with weaker souls rolled back their eyes and collapsed limply to the ground, unconscious.

Fear spread soundlessly through the bluestone streets and rows of brick-and-timber houses like a tangible tide.

"Th-the heavens... are falling..."

"It's divine punishment! Divine punishment has descended!"

No one knew who cried out first, but the city immediately erupted with stifled sobs and alarmed cries.

Even the well-traveled disciples of the Mohist Pavilion in Wu'an City raised their heads to stare at the black clouds hanging almost within reach, cold sweat seeping from their palms.

Deep within the clouds, purple-black lightning serpents slithered soundlessly. Each was as thick