Chapter 1717: Crossing the Tribulation

Within a three-hundred-mile radius centered around the snowy mountain, tens of thousands of demonic beasts have gathered. Most are second-tier, with hundreds of third-tier or higher beasts, representing a force not to be underestimated. However, with four Nascent Soul cultivators, multiple fourth-tier spirit beasts, and numerous Core Formation cultivators, blocking these demonic beasts should not be an issue.

Nascent Soul cultivators do not encounter inner demons when breaking through to the God Transformation stage; inner demons only manifest at certain other cultivation levels.

Above the snowy mountain, thunderclouds churned violently. Five massive thunderclouds discharged countless silver lightning arcs, as a fierce gale rose, sweeping up countless white snowflakes.

At the mountain peak, inside a simple secret chamber, Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on a blue futon, his gaze solemn.

According to the insights of cultivators from the Zhenhai Sect on advancing to the God Transformation stage, one can achieve this breakthrough simply by surviving the Five-Nine Heavenly Tribulation and completing the physical "sandalization" process. The time taken varies for each cultivator, with the lightning tribulation being the first challenge.

The Five-Nine Heavenly Tribulation consists of five rounds, with nine lightning bolts in each round, totaling forty-five bolts. Their power progressively increases. Besides enduring the tribulation, cultivators must also draw in some of the lightning's energy to temper their physical body and Nascent Soul, causing a qualitative transformation of the body, thus allowing entry into the God Transformation stage.

There are two crucial factors when attempting to reach the God Transformation stage. Firstly, arrays must be set up, and the tribulation-taker's magical treasures can weaken the lightning tribulation's power. Secondly, cultivators must serve as protectors. After surviving the lightning tribulation, the tribulation-taker's physical body undergoes a qualitative change, beginning the "sandalization" process. This process has no fixed duration. Once the physical "sandalization" is complete, the body's transformation concludes, and spiritual sense greatly expands, enabling the breakthrough to the God Transformation stage.

Wang Changsheng had spent several years repairing his innate magical treasure, the Sea-Calming Pearl, and setting up multiple sets of fourth-tier arrays. He was highly confident in his ability to advance to the God Transformation stage.

Boom!

Following a deafening roar, the cave where Wang Changsheng resided suddenly burst open. A silver lightning bolt, two fingers thick, descended from the sky, striking towards Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng was prepared. He took out a pale white array disk and activated a spell.

A fierce wind immediately rose, blowing countless white snowflakes high into the air, which then coalesced into a colossal white light screen, enveloping Wang Changsheng.

The silver lightning struck the white light screen, but it remained motionless.

Soon, a tremendous thunderclap echoed from high above, and a thicker silver lightning bolt, more substantial than the previous one, descended, causing the white light screen to waver slightly.

Lightning flashed and thunder roared. The sky was filled with oppressive, dark clouds, exuding a powerful sense of pressure.

After nine silver lightning bolts struck, the five black thunderclouds diminished to four.

Following another immense thunderclap, the second round of the lightning tribulation descended.

The first bolt of lightning was as thick as a bowl. The white light screen twisted and distorted, becoming translucent.

After three silver lightning bolts struck, the white light screen shattered. Wang Changsheng pulled out a blue array disk and activated a spell.

Countless blue lights emerged in the void, amidst misty vapor. Soon, a dense blue water screen materialized out of thin air, enveloping Wang Changsheng.

As the thunder boomed, Wang Ruyan's phoenix eyes were filled with worry.

Many cultivators had perished under lightning tribulations. The first stage was the most difficult, with physical "sandalization" being the second hardest.

Wang Qiuming and others all gazed at the thunderclouds above the snowy mountain, their expressions grave.

Huang Fugui took out a record crystal. He intended to record Wang Changsheng's breakthrough to the God Transformation stage, both for reference and to sell for spirit stones. For rogue cultivators, cultivation techniques and insights into breaking through major realms were rare and precious commodities. Most rogue cultivators lacked these crucial insights, making it difficult for them to advance to higher realms.

The second round of the lightning tribulation quickly passed, followed immediately by the third.

After a deafening thunderclap, a silver lightning bolt, even thicker than the previous one, struck down.

Relying on multiple sets of fourth-tier arrays, Wang Changsheng successfully weathered the first three rounds of the lightning tribulation.

After three rounds of the tribulation, all the arrays Wang Changsheng had set up were destroyed. He could now only rely on his innate magical treasure and the remaining array power.

Boom!

Accompanied by a deafening roar, a silver lightning bolt as thick as a millstone struck down, heading straight for Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng quickly conjured his eighteen Sea-Calming Pearls. With a flick of his spell, the eighteen pearls transformed into eighteen blue rays of light, shooting outwards in all directions.

The Sea-Calming Pearls stopped after flying ten thousand feet. With a swirl, their size dramatically expanded, and countless streams of seawater gushed forth, forming a vast blue ocean. Gigantic waves surged, creating a series of dense blue water screens that enveloped Wang Changsheng.

The silver lightning struck the blue water screen, which remained completely still.

The thunder continuously boomed, and one silver lightning bolt after another, each thicker than the last, descended. Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged within the blue ocean, his expression unchanged, standing firm like an unshakeable bedrock.

The fourth round of the lightning tribulation quickly concluded. Most of the vast ocean disappeared, and the spiritual radiance of the eighteen Sea-Calming Pearls became slightly dim.

Boom!

The fifth round of the lightning tribulation arrived, with power even greater than the previous silver lightning bolt.

The silver lightning struck the blue water screen, which instantly shattered, turning into a deluge of seawater that splashed everywhere.

Soon, the second silver lightning bolt struck, then the third...

Lightning flashed and thunder roared as one silver lightning bolt after another descended.

After blocking the sixth silver lightning bolt, several tiny cracks appeared on the surface of the eighteen Sea-Calming Pearls.

Boom!

The seventh silver lightning bolt struck, and the seawater violently exploded, reducing to a mere hundred zhang in size. Even more cracks appeared on the surface of the Sea-Calming Pearls.

The eighth silver lightning bolt descended, and the seawater instantly dispersed. Some silver arcs landed on Wang Changsheng, causing his body to go numb as a powerful electric current surged through him. The cracks on the surface of the eighteen Sea-Calming Pearls multiplied to more than a dozen.

Only the final lightning bolt remained, and the cave where Wang Changsheng was had already been reduced to ruins.

Wang Changsheng's gaze was fixed on the thunderclouds high above, his expression grave, a hint of anticipation mixed with his tension.

Boom!

Amidst a deafening thunderclap, a three-foot-diameter silver lightning bolt struck down, resembling a fierce and brutal silver shark lunging at Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng's body radiated intense blue light. He intended to withstand this lightning bolt with his physical body alone, as the destruction of the Sea-Calming Pearls during the tribulation would also adversely affect him.

The silver lightning struck Wang Changsheng precisely. The entire snowy mountain violently shook, and a ten-thousand-foot-wide silver sun rose above it, dazzling brightly.

Wang Ruyan and the others felt their hearts in their throats, beads of sweat dripping from their brows. Huang Fugui's pupils contracted as he stared intently at the snowy mountain.

After a while, the silver sun dissipated, revealing Wang Changsheng sitting amidst the ruins.

He was barely clothed, his skin charred black, and a burnt smell emanated from his arms. His entire body was numb and in extreme pain, with over a dozen horrifying, deep lacerations that were black and raw. Any other cultivator would likely have perished.

Wang Changsheng's eyes were tightly shut. A flash of blue light appeared above his head, and a miniature Nascent Soul emerged. The eighteen Sea-Calming Pearls rapidly shrank and flew towards the miniature Nascent Soul, circling around it. The miniature Nascent Soul's surface pulsed with continuous blue light.

After a moment, the miniature Nascent Soul re-entered Wang Changsheng's body, and the eighteen Sea-Calming Pearls continued to circle around him.

Wang Changsheng's body shone with intense blue light. His dead skin peeled away, revealing skin as smooth as water, appearing delicate and tender. Simultaneously, a unique scent emanated from him, a mix of something akin to a fishy smell, blended with sandalwood and medicinal fragrances.

This was the physical "sandalization," the second stage. Once this qualitative transformation was complete, Wang Changsheng would ascend to the God Transformation stage. During this period, he could not move; even a slight push could cause serious complications.

This was Wang Changsheng's most vulnerable moment, and also when he most needed his Dao companion and kin.

"Roar!"

As soon as the lightning tribulation dissipated, tens of thousands of demonic beasts charged from all directions. At this moment, Wang Changsheng was a great tonic for them; by devouring him, they could potentially break through major realms and advance to higher levels.

"Wang family disciples, heed my command! Block all demonic beasts. Not a single one is to set foot on the snowy mountain!" Wang Ruyan's tone was severe. She transformed into a streak of blue light, stopping in the air above the snowy mountain.

"Yes, Ancestor!" Wang Qiuming and other Wang family disciples dispersed, engaging the demonic beasts according to their pre-determined strategy.