Chapter 2808: Duantong's Fourth Great Heavenly Tribulation

According to ancient records, the first grand heavenly tribulation for Void Refinement cultivators consists of 180 lightning strikes and lasts for less than half an hour. The fourth grand heavenly tribulation has 1,444 lightning strikes and lasts for over four hours, which is more than eight times the duration of the first grand heavenly tribulation, and its last nine lightning strikes are two-colored divine thunder.

Even though they are all two-colored divine thunder, their size and power vary; each lightning strike is more powerful than the last and should not be underestimated. Despite being only two-colored divine thunder, the destructive power of the final nine strikes is astonishing. Many Void Refinement cultivators fail to survive this stage, perishing during their fourth grand heavenly tribulation, and even more succumb during their fifth.

On Tian Shu Island, fierce winds raged, and thunderclouds violently churned. Silver lightning spears descended from the sky, striking a yellow sea of mist one after another.

Dong Xueli hurried over, landing in front of Wang Changsheng. She looked up at the thunderclouds, her beautiful eyes filled with worry.

"Where's Qingfeng? Why isn't he here?" Wang Changsheng asked casually, knowing that Wang Qingfeng was likely unable to come, otherwise he would have arrived long ago.

"He hasn't come out of seclusion yet; I didn't want to disturb his cultivation," Dong Xueli explained. A Void Refinement cultivator's seclusion can last anywhere from several hundred to several thousand years.

Deafening thunder rumbled from high above. The thunderclouds resembled a sea of lightning, from which silver lightning spears flew out, disappearing into the yellow mist one after another.

As time passed, the yellow mist gradually receded, revealing a magnificent, golden palace adorned with dragon and phoenix carvings.

Inside the palace, Duan Tongtian sat cross-legged on a green mat, his gaze solemn.

Silver lightning bolts repeatedly struck the palace, causing it to shake slightly. Duan Tongtian swiftly took out a green-glowing formation disc and channeled several incantations into it.

From the ground around the palace, countless green thorny vines emerged. They rapidly grew, climbing over the palace and weaving into a massive green net that protected it. Initially, it was just green thorny vines, but then bamboo, trees, and other vines appeared, completely surrounding the palace.

Large silver lightning bolts struck the green net, immediately tearing open a gap and igniting fierce flames. The fire spread rapidly, but soon, abundant green thorny vines filled the gaps, and the flames were quickly extinguished.

The sounds of thunder were ceaseless. Lightning strikes descended, green and silver lights intertwined, and shockwaves kicked up countless flying rocks and sand, filling the sky with dust.

Wang family disciples were on guard within a ten-thousand-mile radius centered on Tian Shu Island, prohibiting any outsiders from approaching.

More than three hours passed. The thunderclouds were still over a hundred *zhang* in size, and dust obscured nearly half of Tian Shu Island.

Wang Changsheng and Dong Xueli's expressions were solemn. The thunderclouds churned violently, and a silver lightning bolt three *zhang* in diameter struck down, heading straight for the ground with menacing force.

Duan Tongtian's face was pale. The Nine-Light Bottle floated above his head, and a dense nine-colored aura enveloped his entire body. A green-glowing shield floated in front of him, its surface showing over a dozen fine cracks. Duan Tongtian activated an incantation, and the green shield moved forward to meet the strike. The silver lightning struck the shield, causing it to tremble. The cracks on its surface multiplied until it shattered into countless fragments. The silver lightning then struck the nine-colored aura, vanishing without a trace, as if absorbed by the ocean.

Thunder rumbled, and the thunderclouds churned violently, revealing green and white electric arcs. Before long, the thunderclouds transformed into two-colored clouds, with two-colored lightning snakes, about a *zhang* long, visible within them.

These were the two-colored divine thunderbolts; enduring just nine of them would allow him to pass this grand heavenly tribulation.

Amidst a deafening clap of thunder, a massive two-colored lightning spear sliced through the sky, heading directly for Duan Tongtian. The two-colored lightning spear struck the nine-colored aura, causing it to ripple and distort. Dazzling two-colored lightning engulfed Duan Tongtian's figure.

Soon, an even larger two-colored lightning spear struck, merging into the two-colored lightning, which intensified greatly. The roars were incessant as successive two-colored lightning spears descended, causing the lightning glow to continuously expand, and powerful shockwaves swept outwards, kicking up countless flying rocks and sand.

After about fifteen minutes, the two-colored thunderclouds violently churned, and a two-colored lightning python, over a thousand *zhang* long, flew out. Enveloped by countless green and white electric arcs, it radiated an aura of world-destroying power. Upon seeing the two-colored lightning python, Wang Changsheng and Dong Xueli held their breath. The two-colored lightning python let out a raucous roar and plunged from high above.

With a sound that pierced the clouds, the two-colored lightning engulfed nearly half of Tian Shu Island. The entire island shook violently, and the void tore open, revealing hundreds of thick, long cracks. Fierce winds erupted, and a powerful current of air swept a vast number of buildings and trees into the fissures, grinding them to dust.

A streak of light flew out from the lightning and landed in front of Wang Changsheng. It was Duan Tongtian, his face bloodless, covered in sweat, and his eyes filled with terror.

"Thank you, in-law. This treasure of yours sustained significant damage this time." Duan Tongtian returned the Nine-Light Bottle to Wang Changsheng, his face full of guilt. The lightning tribulation had lasted for over four hours. Ordinary defensive treasures and even Tier-6 formations simply couldn't withstand it. Without the Nine-Light Bottle, Duan Tongtian's chances of survival would have been slim.

Wang Changsheng took the Nine-Light Bottle, his gaze quickly scanning it, without showing any change in expression. The Nine-Light Bottle now had over a dozen tiny cracks on its surface, which would not be noticeable without close inspection. An ordinary treasure would have been destroyed long ago. "Treasures are just external possessions; out with the old, in with the new. It's nothing. Rest well and recover; Yidao still needs your guidance," Wang Changsheng offered comfort, reasoning that the Nine-Light Bottle should suffice for his own first grand heavenly tribulation.

Duan Tongtian knew Wang Changsheng was comforting him, but he was still deeply moved. Wang Changsheng's willingness to lend him the Nine-Light Bottle was a significant kindness.

Wang Changsheng gave a few instructions, then left Tian Shu Island and returned to Azure Lotus Peak.

As soon as he returned to Azure Lotus Peak, Wang Moshang came to report. "Ancestral Master, Ancestor Gonghu and Yier have acquired a piece of Phantom Moon Divine Crystal." Wang Moshang took out an exquisite jade box and handed it to Wang Changsheng.

"Phantom Moon Divine Crystal!" Wang Changsheng was surprised. Phantom Moon Divine Crystal is a Tier-7 material, quite rare, and forging it into a treasure would certainly create a powerful artifact. Wang Changsheng opened the lid, revealing a pale golden crystal. His surroundings blurred for a moment, and only when the Golden Roc Pendant on his chest glowed with dazzling golden light did his vision return to normal.

Wang Moshang recounted the events. The Wang family had dispatched many people over the years to search for rare refining materials, but with little success. Rare materials rarely appeared at auctions, usually being found in ancient cultivator's caves or forbidden secret realms. Acquiring the Phantom Moon Divine Crystal this time was indeed an unexpected delight.

"I've already given orders to heavily reward the clan members involved in discovering the Phantom Moon Divine Crystal and to have other clan members learn from them," Wang Moshang said with a smile.

"Yong'an is cautious enough; he's a promising young talent," Wang Changsheng praised.