Chapter 1154: Formation of the Infant Stage (Part 2)

Within his Purple Mansion, the Yin-Yang Armor had already been torn apart by the fierce gale. The jade Buddha, shining with golden light, firmly blocked the gale, protecting Qin Sang's Nascent Soul. He could have allowed the fierce gale to enter, just as before, to refine his Nascent Soul and gain benefits. But Qin Sang refrained from doing so.

Firstly, after forming his Nascent Soul, he should be able to cultivate the Golden Lotus Seed, so he would not lack opportunities for refinement. Secondly, Qin Sang had an ominous premonition: the lightning tribulation might change!

Qin Sang's expression was extremely solemn. Regardless of how rampant the fierce gale became, he opened his eyes and gazed up at the sky. Yun Youzi was a fusion of demon and human souls. But Qin Sang was not; his situation was closer to body snatching. Qin Sang recalled Yun Youzi once saying that he had to pass this tribulation to gain Heavenly Dao's acknowledgment.

Could it be that those who seize bodies are scorned by the Heavenly Dao, deemed unacceptable by heaven and earth, and seen as acting against the heavens? That when they undergo their first lightning tribulation, its power dramatically increases, and they must overcome this hurdle? If they fail, they perish. If they succeed, it is akin to a rebirth, after which they gain Heavenly Dao's approval. Or perhaps, only anomalies like him and Yun Youzi experience such a trial?

These thoughts flashed rapidly through Qin Sang's mind, but he immediately suppressed them. Overthinking was useless now; he had to devote all his strength to face the lightning tribulation!

A whoosh! The fierce gale grew increasingly powerful, but it could not shake the jade Buddha. After persisting for a while and reaching its peak, it finally dispersed.

Outside, the others also noticed the anomaly. Li Yufu recalled a similar situation during Yun Youzi's tribulation, and an ominous premonition arose in his heart. He hurriedly flew to Bai's side, his face filled with panic. "Senior..." Bai shook his head, gazing silently at the tribulation clouds.

Finally, the fierce gale dissipated. The tribulation clouds gathered, as dark clouds transformed into their ominous counterparts. Arcs of electricity, like coiling dragons, snaked through the clouds. Countless bolts of lightning converged, and the tribulation clouds expanded at a visible rate. Gradually, the lightning within the tribulation clouds turned azure, and the tribulation lightning appeared!

Bai and Li Yufu stared intently at the center of the tribulation clouds, fearing a repeat of tragedy, where golden or other colored lightning might emerge. Fortunately, no anomalies appeared until the azure tribulation lightning fully manifested and the tribulation clouds took shape. Li Yufu's heart was in his throat. He could not help but wonder if Qin Sang shared a similar origin with Yun Youzi, otherwise, why would their friendship be so strong—such bonds were uncommon in the cultivation world. "Good, good..." Li Yufu's tension eased slightly upon seeing only a single-colored tribulation cloud.

Bai said gravely, "Everyone's tribulation isn't entirely the same. Your martial uncle might have done something that caused the fierce gale tribulation to mutate. However, it's still hard to say how powerful the lightning tribulation will be..."

No sooner had he spoken, *Crack!* Thunder rumbled within the tribulation clouds, instantly brewing a bolt of tribulation lightning. The moment it appeared, it pierced through the void like a sharp sword, streaking downwards!

On the small island, the protective grand array formed a light barrier. The tribulation lightning struck the spirit array fiercely. The light barrier vibrated violently, neutralizing part of the lightning's power, but was ultimately torn apart. Qin Sang, at some unknown point, had already summoned his Ebony Sword. Seeing this, he willed it to split into dozens of sword lights, which spiraled up and obliterated the remaining tribulation lightning. The light barrier flickered a few times before re-forming.

Qin Sang had witnessed the power of the heavenly tribulation during Yun Youzi's ordeal. He silently compared them, feeling that his own tribulation lightning was less powerful than the two-colored lightning; perhaps he had been overthinking. The tribulation clouds churned ceaselessly, and lightning rained down. The Ebony Sword moved fluidly, proactively striking to disperse the lightning bolts that penetrated the spirit array. The Sky-Eyed Butterfly also flew out from his qi sea and landed on Qin Sang's shoulder. The Nine-Life Mystic Turtle's shell covered Qin Sang, serving as a final defense, blocking scattered threads of lightning.

Qin Sang tried releasing the Sky-Eyed Butterfly, allowing it to seize the opportunity to devour the lightning threads, hoping to enhance its abilities. The tribulation lightning did not show any abnormalities because of this. The great inheritance of the Witch Tribe truly had its secrets; his life-bound spiritual worm was essentially one with him, not regarded by the Heavenly Dao as an external helper. Seeing this, Qin Sang nodded inwardly, then focused on facing the lightning tribulation.

*Rumble...* Thunder boomed continuously; Qin Sang could hear nothing else, and his vision was filled with blinding azure lightning. Waves of tribulation lightning struck, each more terrifying than the last, causing the spirit array's light shield to sway precariously. Initially, the Ebony Sword's illusory sword lights were barely enough to cope, but now Qin Sang had taken a pill to restore his true essence and was forced to unleash his sword array to counter the tribulation lightning.

*Crack!* Another bolt of tribulation lightning. The tribulation clouds remained thick and oppressive, and there was no telling when it would end. Qin Sang's expression darkened. He chanted a sword incantation, and his sword array suddenly erupted with a pillar of light that shot skyward, pushing back against the tribulation lightning!

*Boom!* Finally, the protective spirit array reached its limit and could no longer hold. The magical artifacts used for the forbidden technique turned to ashes. At the same time, the tribulation lightning broke through the sword array's blockade, carrying its residual might, and surged towards Qin Sang's crown. Qin Sang snorted coldly, instantly activated his Heavenly Demon Transformation divine ability, flapped his wings, and shot upward, powerfully unleashing heavy punches. Instantly, countless fist shadows appeared. "Break!" With a furious roar, the tribulation lightning disintegrated. The void shone bright as day, and a figure appeared mid-air, bathed in lightning. Time seemed to freeze at this moment. Qin Sang's fists glowed with azure light, having shattered the tribulation lightning!

However, the tribulation clouds had no time to admire his prowess; the tribulation lightning followed relentlessly. Relying on his formidable physical body and sword array, Qin Sang continuously shattered the tribulation lightning bolts. Like a demon god, he was struck down time and again, only to persistently charge towards the tribulation clouds, battling the heavenly tribulation, never yielding.

By now, Qin Sang finally sensed that something was amiss. Although his heavenly tribulation was not a two-colored one, the number of lightning bolts was already greater than what Yun Youzi had faced, and it still had not ended.

Qin Sang's expression was grim. Taking advantage of a lull in the tribulation lightning, he swallowed a pill and continued to persevere. The Sky-Eyed Butterfly also used its divine ability to help its master through the tribulation. Each lightning bolt was stronger than the last, but Qin Sang struck them down repeatedly.

*Rumble...* The thunder within the tribulation clouds roared like an enraged sky, provoked by this tenacious 'insect'. Just then, the tribulation clouds abruptly ceased rotating, and intense azure light erupted. All the lightning power merged into a single bolt, transforming into a final roar that unleashed itself.

"The last one!" Qin Sang's heart tightened as he saw the massive lightning pillar flash towards him. To ensure safety, he swallowed a Misty Orb Pill. With a flick of his finger, the twelve Demonic Banners sprang from the ground, instantly forming an array. The Nine Nether Demonic Flames blazed fiercely, blocking above Qin Sang. The next moment, the tribulation lightning collided with the demonic flames! Sizzling sounds erupted. The two forces clashed and canceled each other out, but the demonic flames were the first to give way, torn apart by the tribulation lightning. The residual power was still not to be underestimated. Qin Sang let out a furious roar, pushing his Heavenly Demon Transformation to its limit. His veins bulged across his body, his bones cracked loudly, and he ferociously struck at the tribulation lightning!

*Bang!* Dust and smoke billowed. The top of the mountain was shorn off, and Qin Sang, blackened all over, flipped himself upright. The Heart Demon Tribulation was still to come, so he disregarded his injuries and hastily sat down to focus his mind. Unexpectedly, no heart demons seemed to appear. Everything was normal. Qin Sang clearly sensed Li Yufu and the others rushing towards him, and he could not help but feel a little bewildered.