Hongjun Becomes a Sage

Lu Chen's words stopped Tongtian from waving his hand and dispersing the tribulation lightning.

Seated upon his meditation cushion, he watched Duobao outside.

The divine lightning that had gathered in the sky for so long finally descended.

As thick as a barrel and shaped like a swimming dragon, it carried a force that seemed capable of destroying everything.

It crashed down toward Duobao's head.

Duobao looked at the seemingly unstoppable tribulation lightning above him. There was not a trace of fear in his eyes, only intense excitement.

He knew this was his Transformation Tribulation. As long as he survived it, he could transform into a physical body, pursue a higher Great Dao, and step into the Golden Immortal realm. From then on, he would be imperishable between heaven and earth.

"Duobao, don't use your magic power yet. Try resisting it with your physical body. If your body can no longer endure it, then use your magic power."

Standing outside the range of the tribulation lightning, Lu Chen transmitted his voice to Duobao.

Duobao's ears twitched. Out of trust in Lu Chen, he tucked away the Duobao Pagoda he had been about to take out.

"Using the Transformation Tribulation to temper his physical body is quite an ingenious idea."

How could the small actions of Lu Chen and Duobao escape the notice of the three people inside the palace? Laozi nodded slightly.

"Your disciple has a good idea."

They had all been born divine and carried World-Opening Merit. They had not suffered tribulation lightning when transforming.

Although Duobao possessed innate foundations, he had no merit.

Thus, he had to endure the tempering of tribulation lightning.

The lightning struck Duobao, making his body sway. The spot directly hit turned charred black, while the remaining lightning spread over his skin and raged wildly.

Duobao proactively drew the lightning on his surface into his body and refined it.

The second bolt followed immediately, striking Duobao's body.

Another patch of blackened flesh appeared on Duobao's body, and he once more drew in the lightning.

The cycle repeated.

After the tenth bolt, Duobao's originally golden fur had turned charred black. His complexion was now no different from Lu Chen's, giving them somewhat the appearance of brothers. He was covered in wounds, blood gushing from the scorched injuries.

However, Duobao only looked miserable on the outside. His aura had not weakened much. His bright golden eyes stared at the heavenly lightning above, filled with eagerness.

He had followed Lu Chen across the land for so many years; he had not been idling away his time. Though his cultivation was low, that was because he had followed Lu Chen's advice and used part of the spiritual energy provided by each batch of Spirit Liquid to strengthen his physical body.

This made his current body no inferior to an ordinary magic treasure.

Only the remainder was refined to raise his cultivation. Otherwise, he could have entered the Golden Immortal realm much earlier.

The tribulation clouds dispersed.

Inside the immortal palace.

Yuanshi glanced at the little fat fellow lying on the ground, his face pale as paper and his body covered in charred wounds, looking rather pitiful. Lu Chen stood beside him with a paw resting on his face, looking toward Tongtian.

"Your disciple has a bit of spirit. Not bad."

Though he disliked demons, Tongtian was still the respectful younger brother and good brother he knew. For Tongtian's sake, he suppressed his dislike and prejudice and gave an objective assessment.

Without his bias, he had to admit that while Duobao's innate foundations were far inferior to Lu Chen's and seemed mediocre, his personality earned some of Yuanshi's appreciation.

Seeing his second brother praise Duobao, Tongtian was delighted.

No one knew better than him how strict Yuanshi was and how high his standards were. For Yuanshi to say "not bad" already meant he was excellent.

Not to mention that Duobao was a mouse demon.

"Although he looks rather miserable, his foundation was not harmed. Still, the body this kid Duobao transformed into is rather adorable."

Hearing that voice appear in his mind again, Tongtian froze slightly.

He had been paying close attention to the situation outside just now and could guarantee that Lu Chen had not transmitted his voice.

The first time could still be explained as voice transmission, but this time, Tongtian was certain that the voice came from Lu Chen's thoughts.

Why can I hear Lu Chen's thoughts?

Tongtian was puzzled. He secretly glanced at the expressions on Yuanshi's and Laozi's faces.

He wanted to confirm whether everyone could hear those thoughts, or whether only he could hear them.

Seeing that Yuanshi and Laozi looked perfectly normal, Tongtian immediately had his answer.

He did not reveal that he could hear Lu Chen's thoughts.

"Big Brother, I endured every bolt of tribulation lightning with my physical body. I didn't use even a bit of magic power."

"Mm, Duobao did very well. Now that the tribulation has passed, you have successfully transformed. Rest and recuperate."

"Mm."

Duobao nodded and, with Lu Chen's help, sat up his round, plump body.

At that moment.

An incomparably terrifying pressure suddenly descended upon the world.

It pressed Duobao's round body back down onto the ground.

Lu Chen, beside him, felt that overwhelming and weighty pressure. Though he resisted with all his strength, his cultivation was too shallow. His body was pinned firmly to the ground, and he could not even raise his head.

Hongjun became a Sage so quickly!

The next time I face such pressure, I will remain standing!

Lu Chen roared inwardly.

Perhaps because the Three Pure Ones in the immortal palace were powerful enough, or perhaps because the owner of the pressure had shown them some consideration, their bodies only bent slightly beneath it. They were not sprawled on the ground like Lu Chen.

"Hongjun?"

"Lu Chen knows who this pressure came from?"

Listening to Lu Chen's thoughts, Tongtian's gaze shifted, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes.

The next moment, golden lotuses bloomed in the air and countless phenomena appeared. A vast Dao voice resounded through heaven and earth, echoing beside the ears of all living beings in the Primordial World.

High above the ninth heaven, I recline; upon a cushion, I attain the true Dao.

Beyond Heaven and Earth's Mysterious Yellow, I shall hold the highest teaching.

Pangu gave birth to Taiji; the Two Forms and Four Images follow in turn.

Leader of the Mystic Sect, one breath transformed into Hongjun.

"I am Hongjun. Today, I have attained the Dao and become a Sage. I perceive that the Dao and laws of the Primordial World are incomplete, and the path of cultivation is arduous.

"Therefore, I shall establish a Dao field in Chaos, Zixiao Palace, and preach the Dao in three thousand years. All those with fate may come and hear the Dao!"

As the voice faded, the heavy pressure of the Sage slowly receded.

Duobao lay on the ground, sweat soaking his entire body. Together with his pale face, he looked utterly exhausted.

Although Lu Chen's physical body and cultivation were stronger than Duobao's, he did not look much better.

Under the sunlight, his black fur glimmered faintly.

His bodily fluids had soaked through his fur, causing it to appear that way.

"Big Brother, Hongjun just said that he had attained the Dao and become a Sage. Coupled with that immense pressure, he must be an existence beyond Great Luo Golden Immortals. If we can listen to his preaching, we will surely benefit greatly."

Interest flickered in Yuanshi's eyes.

"Indeed."

Laozi nodded as he stroked his beard, likewise expressing his agreement. Then he saw Tongtian deep in thought beside him.

"Tongtian?"

Hearing Laozi call him, Tongtian came back to himself. He cupped his hands and said, "Big Brother, I naturally agree that we should go hear the Dao. But might we bring Duobao and Lu Chen along as well?"

"The land of Chaos has Chaos astral winds and is extremely dangerous. Only Great Luo Golden Immortals can travel there, yet Duobao and Lu Chen are merely Golden Immortals..."

Yuanshi frowned slightly.

"Second Brother, it is no matter. When the time comes, I shall use the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda to help them resist the Chaos astral winds."

"This method is indeed feasible." Yuanshi's frown eased.

"Thank you, Big Brother!"