Chapter 263: The Strongest Divine Ability of Shou

This was truly eye-opening.

Bixiao and Qiongxiao, who had merely come to witness the spectacle, now felt the same way. It was truly eye-opening!

Directly withstanding heavenly tribulation was a fundamental practice for qi refiners. Responding to tribulation with divine abilities and magic power was also quite common. Li Changshou's previous display of various divine abilities and spells had been dazzling, but could only be described as 'spectacular' at best.

But what was unfolding before Qiongxiao and Bixiao now... They had truly never witnessed anything like it! Was this enduring tribulation, or waging war against it?

High above, the pagoda-shaped tribulation cloud slowly rotated. Beneath it, thousands of figures clashed, their battle cries shaking the heavens as more and more exploded and dispersed.

Putting aside the question of actual strength, the sheer spectacle was quite impressive.

In their eyes, Li Changshou, resisting the tribulation below, appeared somewhat tattered and disheveled, yet his movements remained graceful and unhindered. From his ragged sleeves, paper figures continuously flew forth.

These paper figures nimbly ascended higher, transforming into human forms, and scattered handfuls of beans upwards, constantly replenishing the depleted immortal bean soldiers.

Could these be the Paper Cutout Human and Scatter Beans into Soldiers techniques from the Daoist 'Thirty-Six Heavenly Methods'? Can these two divine abilities truly be used like this? Wasn't the 'Thirty-Six Heavenly Methods' merely a collection of ordinary divine abilities cobbled together by some obscure Daoist in his spare time?

At that moment, the expressions of Qiongxiao and Bixiao were remarkably similar: a mix of admiration, surprise, novelty, and a slight impulse.

The urge to make a witty remark.

Bixiao praised, "Fascinating, this divine ability is truly fascinating."

Qiongxiao then asked, "Senior Brother Xuandu, did you modify these divine abilities?"

The Grandmaster chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Changshou always has unusual ideas," he said, "and what's even rarer, he consistently finds ways to bring them to fruition. This might be one reason why our Teacher holds him in such high regard."

"Oh," Qiongxiao and Bixiao uttered in unison, as if suddenly understanding. Their bright eyes sparkled as they gazed at Li Changshou's distant figure.

The heavenly tribulation spirit soldiers emerging from the tall pagoda were all at the mid-Heaven Immortal realm.

Originally, hundreds of spirit soldiers attacking in unison, imbued with the power of the heavenly tribulation and working in conjunction with the Five Elements Tribulation, would indeed have caused Li Changshou immense trouble.

However, at this moment, Li Changshou's immortal bean soldiers, continuously deployed through his paper effigies, had completely halted these spirit soldiers!

This provided Li Changshou with considerably more room to maneuver.

This particular batch of immortal bean soldiers was the strongest Li Changshou had cultivated, capable of briefly demonstrating strength equivalent to a True Immortal.

However, controlling thousands of immortal bean soldiers simultaneously was currently beyond Li Changshou's mental capacity.

Therefore, the immortal beans he deployed at this juncture were either large, tough-skinned shield-bearers or 'Pea-Maiden' archers, capable of delivering a fatal shot, yet dissolving after just two attacks.

Li Changshou gave these immortal bean soldiers simple instructions: block the spirit soldiers from above, then ignore them, and focus solely on confronting the heavenly tribulation itself.

It was unclear if the Heavenly Dao was intentionally going easy; these heavenly tribulation spirit soldiers seemed utterly engrossed in fighting the bean soldiers, completely ignoring Li Changshou, the one undergoing tribulation.

Alternatively, one could say the Heavenly Dao acknowledged Li Changshou's somewhat unconventional approach to transcending tribulation.

Evidently, the old and new trees of Little Qiong Peak had once again performed remarkably; although, before Li Changshou came to face his tribulation, another batch of them had been utterly depleted.

After Li Changshou endured the seventh lightning tribulation and had a moment to spare, he swiftly threw his Judgement Pen from a distance, shattering the spirit soldiers one by one.

Before the eighth heavenly tribulation descended, Li Changshou summoned five 'charging station paper effigies' to replenish his immortal power, and swallowed a Five-Turn Spirit Pill.

He also took the opportunity to tidy his tattered immortal robes and assess his remaining paper effigies and immortal bean reserves.

Though the tribulation cloud above showed little visible reduction, Li Changshou understood its nature. This heavenly tribulation would likely consist of nine stages, with the vast power of the tribulation fully erupting in the ninth and final stage!

Furthermore, after the heavenly tribulation, there would conservatively be one to two divine thunderbolts of heavenly punishment.

Therefore, when facing the eighth heavenly tribulation, Li Changshou could not afford to be injured, even if it meant deploying all his abilities; he had to be in peak condition to confront the ninth tribulation!

A Nine-Turn Golden Elixir was already at his disposal.

Li Changshou turned to glance in the direction of the Grandmaster and the Three Xiao Immortals, feeling a slight sense of calm.

Above, lightning patterns flickered, with one hundred and eight purple lightning spots constantly flashing.

The barren mountain beneath Li Changshou's feet had long vanished, replaced by a massive lava lake spanning dozens of miles, with vast expanses of land shattered by the tribulation's aftershocks.

This was his heavenly tribulation.

Suddenly, deafening drumbeats echoed from above. Li Changshou looked up to see two completely distinct armies emerging from the slowly rotating cloud vortex.

One army comprised grotesque figures of varied races, bearing characteristics of numerous birds and beasts, largely unique and distinct.

The other army, similar in form to humans, emanated a dense aura of bloodlust from head to toe.

Demons, Witches? The eighth heavenly tribulation manifested spirit soldiers from the Witch and Demon races. Would the ninth tribulation then feature Dragons, Phoenixes, and Qilin?

Most likely.

Li Changshou assessed the strength of these spirit soldiers, and his mouth twitched subtly.

No wonder these spirit soldiers appeared even before the Five Elements Tribulation fully manifested; each possessed late-Heaven Immortal realm strength, numbering three hundred and sixty-five!

The eighth heavenly tribulation clearly demanded that Li Changshou, in addition to confronting the standard onslaught of lightning, ice, wind, fire, and heart demons, also battle these seven hundred and twenty late-Heaven Immortal realm spirit soldiers!

The Dao fruit of eternal life was within reach; enduring this meant the Three Flowers Converging at the Summit, while failing meant their withered demise!

Li Changshou took a deep breath. Paper effigies flew from his grasp, transforming into various shapes as they continuously scattered immortal beans.

Gradually, the air became thick with the figures of bean soldiers, everywhere except directly around Li Changshou!

Beneath the pagoda, a torrent of purplish-black heavenly lightning poured down, accompanied by a swirling, azure heavenly wind.

Hundreds of miles away, Yunxiao and the Grandmaster had long since activated their respective magic treasures and prepared their divine abilities, awaiting the optimal moment to intervene.

Even Qiongxiao and Bixiao, who were not particularly familiar with Li Changshou, found themselves on edge, concerned for him.

In mere moments, Li Changshou's figure was engulfed by lightning, wind, and fire.

His immortal power barrier rapidly disintegrated, yet his Dao body, already radiating a faint golden light, steadfastly endured the tempering force of the heavenly tribulation!

A single breath, then several more... An entire incense stick's worth of time passed as the heavenly tribulation force continuously poured forth, its lightning illuminating thousands of miles of sky with a purple hue.

Many qi refiners had long since detected someone undergoing tribulation here. However, fearing accidental harm and sensing the subtle Dao aura emitted by the Grandmaster, no one dared to approach.

The immortals of the Eastern Continent who perceived this sight, regardless of their cultivation level, all felt their Dao hearts tremble.

'Who is it? Who exactly is undergoing this tribulation?'

In a nearby mountain forest, a black panther grew agitated, leaping restlessly among the treetops.

"This is the eighth wave already; how is the tribulation transcender still holding on? Is he truly going to resort to chewing tree bark?"

"Could it be yet another reincarnation of a powerful being?"

'Uh, why did I say 'yet another'...' The black panther instantly felt another surge of confusion.

He then looked back towards the tribulation site.

The eighth wave of heavenly tribulation was successfully endured!

As the heavenly tribulation's power gradually dissipated, the lightning, ice, wind, and fire began to recede. The 'Witch-Demon' spirit soldiers battling in the air were also on the verge of breaking through the immortal bean soldiers' encirclement.

Just then, Li Changshou's figure burst forth from the curtain of lightning and sea of fire. He lowered his head, coughed up a mouthful of blood, then swallowed four or five shimmering spirit pills.

The consumption of spirit pills alone had already exceeded a hundred at this point.

He casually wiped his mouth, then raised his pen and gripped his sword, charging directly into the air.

He had to finish this quickly! Only by dealing with these spirit soldiers would he gain more time to adjust his state and prepare for the final ninth heavenly tribulation...

Rumble! What's happening?

Li Changshou, about to charge into the mass of spirit soldiers, suddenly looked up. He saw golden light shimmering across the pagoda, and purplish-golden lightning patterns flashing, numbering precisely three hundred and sixty-five — a full Zhou Tian!

They weren't even given time to rest?

Li Changshou took a quiet breath. This was no time for frugality; he directly enveloped a Nine-Turn Golden Elixir in immortal power and placed it into his mouth.

While he didn't need it at that precise moment, preparing it this way meant he could bite down and activate it instantly if he couldn't hold on any longer.

Suddenly, dragon roars and phoenix cries echoed above him. Dozens of streams of light erupted from various parts of the tribulation cloud, causing the entire cloud to collapse and scatter!

The vast power of the heavenly tribulation split into two: half condensed into the Five Elements Tribulation, and the other half transformed into dozens of divine dragons and phoenixes!

Dragons and phoenixes soared, and heaven and earth plunged into darkness, as if re-enacting an ancient cataclysm where the world itself shattered!

"Changshou, do not push yourself too hard. This level of tribulation is beyond what you can withstand on your own," Grandmaster Xuandu's voice reached Li Changshou's ears. "If you can't hold on, immediately call out, and Junior Sister Yunxiao and I will intervene to save you."

With the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir still in his mouth, Li Changshou nodded emphatically.

Originally charging forward, he immediately retreated.

The immortal bean soldiers deployed by the paper effigies were almost instantaneously shattered by the dragons and phoenixes that suddenly burst forth!

Along with them, even the Witch-Demon spirit soldiers were shattered by these forty-nine illusory dragons and phoenixes.

A keen observation! Upon witnessing this, Li Changshou's eyebrow twitched slightly, followed by a sudden tremor in his heart.

Each and every illusory dragon and phoenix possessed the power of a half-step Golden Immortal!

And with the added power of the heavenly tribulation... A single illusion alone could likely fight Ji Wuyou, the Sect Master (a benchmark for Golden Immortal combat power), to a mutual defeat!

This was truly the greatest challenge of his Golden Immortal tribulation!

Not only that, the three hundred and sixty-five lightning patterns transformed into invisible gales, condensed into a sea of heavenly fire, and were surrounded by profound ice from all directions.

Only the inner demons that had stirred within his heart were swiftly trampled to death by the group of robust old women.

Furthermore, these old women struck poses reminiscent of a bodybuilding competition, forming large characters that read: 'Changshou's Dao Heart, protected by them.'

This situation... this predicament... Was attaining immortality truly this difficult?

While he still possessed half of his prepared trump cards, their current utility was becoming limited.

No matter how Li Changshou simulated the scenario in his mind, his probability of surviving this final wave was a mere... seventy percent. Seven parts survival to three parts death—when rounded, wasn't that virtually certain death?

Was he finally forced to unleash his 'ultimate move'?

Calling for help? No, of course not; calling for help was the ultimate hidden art.

Li Changshou closed his eyes, his expression remaining perfectly calm. He flung out batch after batch of paper effigies, and these paper effigies continued to scatter beans, transforming them into soldiers.

This appeared to be a futile effort; the bean soldiers were instantly pulverized into fragments by the dragons and phoenixes. Yet, it managed to buy Li Changshou a precious moment.

As the immortal bean soldiers scattered the forty-nine azure dragons and divine phoenixes, Li Changshou's figure gradually became surrounded.

"This is definitely not a heavenly tribulation he can withstand," Yunxiao, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke, urging, "Senior Brother Xuandu, when do we intervene?"

"Wait a little longer," Xuandu replied, a slight frown on his face. "He hasn't called for help yet."

"Oh, dear!" Bixiao exclaimed anxiously from the side. "If he waits to call for help, it'll be too late! Is the Human Dao still not satisfied with this disciple? The previous sixth, seventh, and eighth heavenly tribulations would have reduced even Golden Immortals to ash!"

Qiongxiao, however, countered, "Don't be so hasty. Heavenly tribulation is also a form of opportunity, and its power carries the essence of the Great Dao. The longer he can endure, the greater the benefits he will reap."

Bixiao couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Does he intend to become a Grand Unity Golden Immortal in a single leap?"

The Grandmaster chuckled softly. "Who can say for certain about such things?"

No sooner had these words been spoken than the forty-nine illusory dragons and phoenixes almost simultaneously extinguished the immortal bean soldiers they were pursuing. They then turned, each whistling and roaring, and surged together towards Li Changshou, who stood in the air!

Li Changshou, who had been softly counting, suddenly opened his eyes. As he finished muttering 'forty-nine,' he let out a soft cry: "Descend!"

A sky full of purple lightning erupted, cascading like a waterfall towards Li Changshou below.

At that precise moment, the illusory dragons and phoenixes, heavenly lightning and fire, profound ice and formidable gales, converged simultaneously from all directions—above, below, and from every side—intending to grind Li Changshou to dust!

Li Changshou's immortal power surged through his entire body, yet he used no defensive divine abilities!

He cradled his right hand with his left, forming a sword-finger with his right, and rapidly chanted an incantation. His words were so quick they blurred into a mere 'humming' sound!

Green wood draws Yang thunder, Profound Heaven blossoms Dao flowers!Stability in the Dao holds true meaning, its name is the Escape Technique!

A bluish-green lightning bolt bloomed around Li Changshou. This lightning surged upward, defying the pervasive lightning in the sky, and Li Changshou vanished with a whoosh, directly merging into the thunder!

An advanced form of the Wood Escape technique among the Five Elements Escape Methods—the Nine Heavens Thunder Escape Art!

His most proficient spell, his strongest technique, was not his various divine abilities, nor array formations, nor poison pills, nor scattering beans into soldiers, nor even paper cutouts transformed into humans!

It was, in fact... The twenty-three escape techniques that had demanded countless hours of his effort to cultivate!

In a mere blink, Li Changshou, riding the lightning he had unleashed, surged into the sky, leaving the illusory dragons and phoenixes behind and evading the assaults of wind, fire, and ice!

He knew this was his only chance!

The heavenly tribulation would swiftly react, then pin him down and relentlessly assault him. His window to execute an escape technique was limited to this single instance!

At this precise moment, even the Grandmaster and Immortal Yunxiao were unable to comprehend Li Changshou's actions.

Li Changshou rode the lightning upwards against the onslaught. This lightning possessed little power, directly dissipating upon contact with the purple divine thunder.

Yet, Li Changshou's figure continued to surge upward, flashing once before the sea of thunder, and then... vanished again!

The observers of the heavenly tribulation simultaneously furrowed their brows in concentration.

Qiongxiao suddenly exclaimed, "He's up there! He's gone into the tribulation's lightning!"

Bixiao, equally astonished, cried out, "He escaped into the heavenly tribulation itself?"

He had indeed escaped into the heavenly tribulation!

Within the purple lightning, Li Changshou transformed into a speck of light, freely navigating the thunder tribulation, enduring the surging power of the heavenly tribulation!

Below, the illusory dragons and phoenixes that had locked onto him now converged, then, one after another, rapidly plunged into the purple sea of thunder!

The two previously separate currents of heavenly tribulation power now collided head-on, and the illusory dragons and phoenixes were directly obliterated by the tribulation lightning!

The resentful roars of azure dragons and the furious cries of divine phoenixes filled the air. Yet, they all ultimately dissolved into a shower of light, torn asunder by the descending lightning tribulation!

Just as these illusory dragons and phoenixes had shredded the demon and witch spirit soldiers upon their initial appearance!

Li Changshou, however, was not feeling well either.

Two utterly formidable currents of heavenly tribulation power surged forth, crisscrossing from front and back, slamming into Li Changshou as he executed his escape technique!

A surge of heavenly might descended, pressing upon Li Changshou and forcing him out from within the heavenly thunder.

Li Changshou revealed his true form, spitting a mouthful of blood. His immortal power circulated at full capacity, and his primordial spirit strained against the overwhelming pressure of heaven and earth!

He opened his mind, embracing the power of lightning, fire, wind, and ice, gritting his teeth and steadfastly enduring the heart of the heavenly tribulation!

Indeed, enduring was his only option!

At this moment, the greatest threat—the illusory dragons and phoenixes—had been dispersed by the lightning tribulation.

The probability of him enduring to the very end without needing the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir was now approaching ninety-five percent!

And the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir was right there in his mouth; if he couldn't hold on, he'd simply bite it down!

But Li Changshou still didn't dare to declare himself safe, his mind not relaxing in the slightest. Even for the inner demons, which had been so easily dispatched by the old women, Li Changshou maintained sufficient respect.

Can the lightning during tribulation not be evaded? It can!

However, the requirements for the escape technique are exceptionally strict, and the timing for its execution demands meticulous calculation. The opportunity flashes by, existing for only an instant.

Based on Li Changshou's deductions, he had realized that heavenly tribulation lightning was merely a manifestation of the broader heavenly tribulation power.

The power of heavenly tribulation presents both a trial and an opportunity for qi refiners. However, the lightning formed from this power solely inflicts harm.

Considering it from this angle, if one were to use an escape technique to plunge directly into the tribulation lightning as it descends, would they not then only have to bear the pure heavenly tribulation power?

Li Changshou performed countless calculations and continuous verifications, ultimately reaching a conclusion... This was likely a loophole in the 'heavenly tribulation system.' If exploited, it would probably be swiftly detected by the Heavenly Dao, and he'd be forcibly ejected from the lightning.

Regarding this specific tribulation, Li Changshou had considered using this method to evade a wave of heavenly tribulation spirit soldiers during the sixth stage. However, for utmost caution, he saved it until the very last moment.

Indeed, helping the Heavenly Dao refine its tribulations was a duty Li Changshou, as an exemplary Daoist disciple, could not shirk!

Moments later, golden light surged from Li Changshou's body; his Dao aura and spiritual energy rapidly climbed as the power of the heavenly tribulation slowly receded.

This Golden Immortal tribulation... it was likely, well... *clears throat*... he shouldn't jinx it. He'd wait until the very last moment to declare victory.