Star Dou Forest's Core Area lay beneath a sky smothered in dark clouds.
Purple lightning snakes darted wildly through the clouds, unleashing thunderous roars.
The entire forest was shrouded in that terrifying pressure. Countless Soul Beasts cowered on the ground, trembling.
Zi JI stood in the clearing before her cave, gazing up at the lightning clouds that seemed ready to tear the heavens apart. There wasn't a trace of fear in her eyes.
The first bolt of heavenly lightning crashed down.
Purple light surged into the sky. Zi JI became a streak of light and slammed head-on into the bolt.
Boom!
A violent explosion rang out in the sky, and the shock wave bent the surrounding trees nearly double.
Zi JI landed steadily. Her clothes were slightly scorched, but her aura remained calm.
"That's it?"
A cold smile curled her lips.
As if it had sensed her provocation, the lightning clouds churned even more violently. The second and third bolts struck in succession.
Rather than retreat, Zi JI charged skyward once more.
Several figures had appeared atop the treetops near Lake of Life.
At their head was a man dressed in black, his features stern and his aura deep as an abyss. He was one of the rulers of Star Dou Forest.
Beast God Di Tian.
Beside him, a giant bear as black as ink and a faint, illusory figure gazed toward the distant Lightning Tribulation.
"A three-hundred-thousand-year tribulation. If she makes it through, the road ahead will be smooth sailing. If not, she'll perish here."
Xiong Jun spoke in a deep, rumbling voice, with a hint of solemnity.
King of Ten Thousand Monsters' figure flickered in midair as he spoke hoarsely:
"The first few bolts are manageable. With Zi JI's strength, she should be able to withstand them, but