The Second Tribulation Disciple

Ao Xie stared, dumbfounded, at the crimson lightning ravaging the surroundings. The power of these red bolts was more than a hundred times greater than the silver lightning he had just endured.

Though arrogant by nature, Ao Xie possessed self-awareness. He instinctively ducked his head and scrambled to his feet, his gaze almost vacant as he watched the Demon Cultivators on Fuxia Island being sent into a chaotic frenzy by the lightning strikes.

These Demon Cultivators at the Tribulation Transcendence Realm were all sworn enemies of the Dragon Clan and subordinates of the Sea Ghost Clan. They had come here to sabotage Ao Xie's tribulation and snuff out this genius of the Dragon Clan, fully prepared to die in the attempt.

Yet now, these people felt like weeping. What kind of situation was this? They had barged in, expanding the power of the heavenly tribulation, but the tribulation itself ignored the target who was supposed to be undergoing it, choosing instead to strike them down with wild abandon. What was the meaning of this?

Myriad Thunder Descent.

In just a few breaths, the nearly one thousand Tribulation Transcendence Realm Demon Cultivators were reduced to ash under the crimson, frenzied thunder. The remaining Ao Xie raised his dragon head, staring blankly at the Eye of Heavenly Punishment in the sky.

In a trance, Ao Xie seemed to see that Eye of Heavenly Punishment, which represented the supreme Heavenly Dao, actually blink at him.

Even with Ao Xie's iron-willed temperament, he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him at that moment.

Recalling the terrifying strike launched at him by the three Immortal Realm powerhouses, he realized that if the heavenly tribulation hadn't descended to block it for him, this young genius of the Dragon Clan would have been wiped out of existence by now.

Looking at the scene around him, Ao Xie seemed to grasp the truth.

Was this tribulation cheating?

No matter how prideful Ao Xie was, he had to bow his head at this moment; he could vaguely sense something in his heart.

For some unknown reason, that Giant Eye of Heavenly Punishment in the sky was secretly helping him. Even the previous bolts of tribulation lightning had been perfectly calibrated to the limit of what he could withstand—had they been even a fraction stronger, he would have been obliterated.

"There is a heaven beyond heaven, and people beyond people. Even if my potential is great, it is ultimately just potential. If I cannot grow, I am merely one of the countless masses..."

After coming to this realization, Ao Xie muttered to himself.

"Not bad." Suddenly, an incomparably majestic voice echoed within Ao Xie's heart. "The masses are numberless, and geniuses are as the sands of the Ganges, yet those who become true powerhouses are few and far between. Why? It is a matter of temperament."

"Temperament?" Ao Xie was stunned. He did not know who was speaking to him, but a sudden clarity dawned upon him.

He thought back to his past, relying on his reputation as a genius, bordering on arrogance, looking down upon the heroes of the world, and even disregarding those in the Immortal Realm, believing that one day he would surpass them all.

But that was only in the future. The current Ao Xie was, in the end, merely a dragon who had yet to take human form. No matter how great his potential, it was just potential, not a capital he could rely on.

In an instant, Ao Xie's soul underwent a profound transformation; this incident had been a massive revelation. Those Tribulation Transcendence Realm Demon Cultivators he had looked down upon daily could have easily taken his life just moments ago.

To be proud, but not overbearing; to hold pride in one's bones without letting it manifest in arrogance—that was true pride.

Recalling how he, a mere dragon in the transformation stage, had dared to provoke the Eye of Heavenly Punishment, he couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and self-deprecation. One thousand Tribulation Transcendence Realm Demon Cultivators, plus three Celestial Immortals, had been reduced to ash in a few breaths under the infinite heavenly might. What if it had been him?

"Who are you exactly? The legendary Heavenly Dao? The Heavenly Punishment?"

After resolving his thoughts, Ao Xie's state of mind underwent a major shift, and he felt like a new person. The overbearing arrogance he once held had completely vanished.

Arrogance hidden, pride held within.

Yet, Ao Xie still couldn't help but wonder about the giant eye in the sky. The Eye of Heavenly Punishment had appeared throughout the history of the Immortal World, but always during the tribulations of those who had committed heinous, unforgivable crimes.

Although Ao Xie was arrogant, he had been cultivating in seclusion within the Crystal Dragon Palace and had never acted wantonly or slaughtered living beings. Why, then, had the Eye of Heavenly Punishment appeared during his tribulation? And why did it seem to be helping him?

Silence reigned in the sky.

Chen Xiao had no intention of answering him. Once the Tribulation Mark was branded and Ao Xie became his disciple, he would understand everything.

For now, Chen Xiao was doing a favor for Ao Xie, his pre-ordained second disciple. Ao Xie might not be the strongest among those undergoing the transformation tribulation, but his background was the most significant. What Chen Xiao valued was the Worry-Free Sea Dragon Clan behind him.

Boom, boom, boom!

Suddenly, over a dozen bolts of lightning erupted from the clouds, striking directly outside Fuxia Island at the dozen Sea Ghost clansmen who were locked in a stalemate with Ao Tianchen.

Seeing this turn of events, everyone was stunned. Ao Tianchen and the seventeen Sea Ghost powerhouses were not within the range of the tribulation clouds, meaning the lightning shouldn't have affected them.

Yet, at this moment, the tribulation was striking directly at the seventeen Sea Ghost powerhouses who had come to cause trouble.

These seventeen individuals had been able to entangle Ao Tianchen, who possessed the cultivation of a Supreme Immortal, which proved their cultivation was at least at the Mystic Immortal level. Above the Mystic Immortal was the Golden Immortal, and above the Golden Immortal was the Supreme Immortal—the strongest below the Fruit Status Immortals.

It was not easy for Chen Xiao to use the tribulation to deal with them, and if they had been determined, they could have easily avoided these lightning bolts that were not even firing from the tribulation clouds.

But the key was that these people were stunned by the tribulation's actions. What was this? Favoritism?

Boom!

After several loud crashes, the seventeen Sea Ghost Mystic Immortals fell into the ocean below, twitching, though they had not lost their lives. Sometimes, a living person was more valuable than a dead one.

Although Ao Tianchen did not understand what was happening, his reaction was swift; he immediately ordered his men to take the Sea Ghost Mystic Immortals into custody.

High above, the tribulation clouds did not disperse. The Eye of Heavenly Punishment remained hidden within the black clouds, invisible to everyone except Ao Xie. This was intentional on Chen Xiao's part; if it were known that the Eye of Heavenly Punishment had appeared to help the Dragon Prince eliminate his enemies, all the cultivators in the myriad worlds would likely go insane.

"Second Tribulation Disciple, take your place."

Seeing that Ao Xie's temperament had transformed, Chen Xiao felt relieved. The next moment, a bolt of crimson lightning struck directly onto Ao Xie's dragon body.

Ao Tianchen and the Dragon Empress, who had just relaxed, felt their hearts leap into their throats. They had seen clearly that it was this very crimson tribulation lightning that had reduced the invaders to ash.

The Dragon Empress rolled her eyes and fainted on the spot.

As the tribulation lightning faded, a tall, slender figure gradually emerged from the rising dust.

It was a handsome youth who looked to be about seventeen or eighteen, with long, snow-white hair, a golden crown atop his head, and clad in silver battle armor. A pale golden halberd emitted a brilliant glow beneath the roaring thunder in the sky.

This youth was none other than Ao Xie, having completed his transformation.

At this moment, between Ao Xie's pale silver sword-like brows, a crimson lightning mark was branded.

The next moment, Ao Xie stood his halberd upright beside him and slowly knelt on one knee.

"Second Tribulation Disciple Ao Xie, greets my Master."