Charging into the Lightning Tribulation

The many mighty beings were shocked.

"He actually charged into his Transformation Tribulation of his own accord. How confident must he be?"

"Doesn't he know that such provocation will enrage the Great Dao? He'll suffer an even more terrifying backlash from it."

"It's over. Look at the sky. I can already vaguely make out the Great Dao's angry expression."

Everyone looked up. Sure enough, the thunderclouds in the air resembled an angry face, glaring at the Dharma Body that defied heaven.

Wang Shi let out a furious roar.

"Fight!"

At that moment, he seemed like Pangu reborn, battling heaven and earth with a fighting spirit that would never admit defeat.

At that moment, he seemed to be venting his discontent, the grievances he had suffered over countless years, and the agony of being suppressed.

No one could understand how, as a Transmigrator trapped as a mountain, watching seas turn into mulberry fields and the universe weather its countless changes, his longing to walk freely had pent him up until he wanted nothing more than to charge out at once.

Now, he fought the Thunder Dragon without the slightest hesitation.

Amid endless destruction, divine lightning struck his Dharma Body again and again.

It seemed determined to destroy him.

But Wang Shi ignored all pain now, even forgetting himself, intent only on venting the fury in his heart.

A long time passed.

Under the relentless bombardment of divine lightning, his body grew ever more condensed and compact. From a terrifying giant who towered between heaven and earth, he gradually shrank to the size of a small mountain, then was battered down to the size of an ordinary mountain giant.

The spectators watched, dumbstruck. It was as though they could already see the Spirit of Buzhou Mountain meeting his end.

Everyone's heart clenched. Some even prayed silently that he would not die.

They were all moved by Wang Shi's indomitable drive.

Yet, for some unknown reason, Wang Shi had now completely lost his fear of the Destruction Thunder.

He even roamed through the lightning, constantly absorbing its destructive energy.

At that moment, the lightning had fully accepted him.

The thunderclouds in the sky gradually dispersed.

Boundless Merit descended into Wang Shi's body.

He bathed in a Sea of Merit, enjoying a moment of peace.

Only after absorbing all the Merit did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Whew."

With a casual wave of his hand, he conjured a Daoist robe.

Then he descended to the ground.

"Thank you, my three masters, for standing guard over me."

He came before the Three Pure Ones.

Wang Shi had heard their earlier conversation perfectly clearly.

He knew the awkward position the Three Pure Ones were in. Undermining them now would hardly be appropriate.

Besides, the four of them had always found their discussions of the Dao deeply congenial.

It could be said that their mutual progress had led to their achievements today.

There was nothing wrong with regarding the Three Pure Ones as both friends and masters.

Laozi stroked his beard in satisfaction, a faint trace of emotion in his eyes.

"Excellent, my good disciple."

Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi and Sect Master Tongtian exchanged a glance, then stepped forward excitedly.

"My good disciple, congratulations!"

"Disciple, thank you for your efforts."

Sect Master Tongtian took a deep breath, as though he had made a momentous decision.

"Disciple, you've only just taken form. Your master doesn't have many fine things on hand, so I'll give you these twenty-four pearls. Consider them a treasure to protect yourself."

He casually tossed out a handful of pearls, as though they were cheap trinkets.

Wang Shi initially thought little of them, but then he faintly sensed the terrifying aura emanating from the twenty-four pearls.

His expression changed dramatically.

He hurriedly received them with solemn care.

He examined them closely and drew a deep breath.

"Thank you, Master. Could these be the legendary Sea-Calming Divine Pearls? When used against an enemy, they emit Five-Colored Radiance that dazzles the enemy's spiritual senses. They're immensely powerful, possessing the strength of the four seas. Few can withstand them."

Sect Master Tongtian gave him a slightly surprised look.

He chuckled.

"Indeed. I never expected my disciple's knowledge to be so broad that he would recognize the Twenty-Four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls. I obtained them from the Xuandu Violet Mansion and nurtured them for many years. A complete set of treasures like this is a rare sight throughout the Primordial World. Even a single Sea-Calming Pearl possesses tremendous power. When all twenty-four strike together, no one can stop them."

His face was full of pride and self-satisfaction.

I've given my disciple such a fine treasure. Let's see what you two have to say now.

Wang Shi hurriedly bowed in thanks.

"Thank you for bestowing this treasure, Master."

With a broad smile, he put the treasure away.

Tongtian was remarkably generous.

Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi and Laozi, however, grew anxious.

This fellow had really spared no expense. After receiving such a supreme treasure, Wang Shi would surely grow closer to Sect Master Tongtian.

If the Three Pure Ones ever parted ways and Tongtian lured him away, they would suffer a tremendous loss.

Especially now that Wang Shi had turned his gaze toward Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi and Laozi beside him, anticipation already shining in his eyes.

As the Spirit of Buzhou Mountain, he had actually seen countless treasures. Immortal herbs carpeted Buzhou Mountain, and treasures lay in heaps. What hadn't he seen?

Yet even he could not help coveting the treasures the Three Pure Ones brought out.

Heavenly Venerable Yuanshi shook his head helplessly.

"You slippery fellow. Your master came in a hurry and didn't prepare anything particularly fine."

"Oh, very well. I'll give you this Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner! Once you've used it, you'll know how powerful it is."

His cheek twitched slightly. Parting with it truly pained him.

He had nurtured this treasure for a long time, and it had always been an exceptionally powerful means of protecting himself.

As a supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, its defenses were unparalleled. Such a thing was rare throughout the Primordial World.

Wang Shi was instantly delighted.

"Thank you, Master Yuanshi. I've heard of the Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner, too. It's one of the Five-Phase Banners. If the whole set is gathered, no one under heaven can breach their defenses."

Beside them, Laozi gave a helpless, wry smile.

"To think my junior brother would produce such a treasure. If I offer something too inferior, I'm afraid I'll hurt our disciple's feelings."

"As it happens, the Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner, another of the Five-Phase Banners, is in my possession. I'll give it to my disciple as a gift!"

With that, he brought out the Earth-Leaving Flame Light Banner.

Wang Shi hurriedly bowed.

"Thank you, Master Laozi."

Then he straightened his robes and bowed to the mighty beings of the Primordial World gathered around him.

"Thank you, uncles and elders, for standing guard over your nephew."

His words were filled with humility.

Sect Master Tongtian caught his meaning and gave a light cough.

"Everyone, my disciple has successfully taken form today. On such a joyous occasion, surely you should offer a little something."

His aura surged forth, carrying a distinct hint of menace.

In particular, the look he directed at Ancestor Minghe seemed sharp enough to cut him down.

These fellows tried to steal my disciple at the start. Unless they bleed a little today, not one of them is leaving.

The spectators, who had merely come to watch the excitement, were all dumbfounded.

What's this supposed to mean? What does your disciple taking form have to do with us?

We can give a greeting gift if we want to. What's the meaning of this? Are you trying to force us?

Eastern Emperor Taiyi snorted coldly.

"Daoist Tongtian, what do you mean by this? If we refuse, do you intend to rob us outright?"

Regret was already beginning to stir in his heart. He knew the strength of the Three Pure Ones all too well. Nothing good would come of offending them.