Chapter 1253: Silent Heaven

"Allow me to pass this tribulation; I'll kill you afterward!"

Just this one sentence instantly silenced the entire area.

Many were deeply moved and astonished. To declare he would kill Cao De immediately after his tribulation—what extraordinary arrogance! His confidence was overwhelming, his cold words brimming with dominance. This person was utterly unrestrained, wild, and ruthless! He clearly disdained Cao De. His words and attitude treated Cao De as nothing more than a stepping stone, a peculiar sight on his path to higher stages. This fully showcased the style of this successor from the Martial Maniac lineage: rebellious, wild, ruthless, powerful, and utterly self-assured, viewing all opponents with a condescending gaze!

In the sky, dark clouds hung heavy.

*Crack!*

Dazzling lightning, like crimson dragons, snaked through the leaden clouds. Blinding scarlet beams of light erupted as the immense thunder tribulation enveloped the entire sky. Even his heavenly tribulation was this oppressive, manifesting as blood-red lightning, brimming with a tyrannical aura that seemed capable of annihilating heaven and earth, intent on slaying all life. This heavenly tribulation was immensely powerful. With a thunderous boom, heaven and earth convulsed, and the ground of the entire battlefield trembled violently. The crimson lightning descended like a cascading mountain flood, or perhaps a blood-red sea crashing against the shore, instantly engulfing everyone's vision. It was truly terrifying and horrifying.

In an instant, everyone felt suffocated, their eyes filled with only crimson light, unable to perceive anything else. What a terrifying heavenly tribulation this was! Endless lightning, surging rivers of blood-red energy, densely packed and entirely composed of electricity, filled the world, brutal and world-shattering. A thunder tribulation corresponding to this level of evolution was rarely seen, virtually unheard of for many years. Of course, this excluded some individuals from the Yongzhou faction who had recently been fortunate enough to witness Cao De's heavenly tribulation, which was equally terrifying.

Many young people in Hezhou were excited and thrilled. A grand heavenly tribulation of this magnitude was truly unparalleled; how often could one witness such a spectacle? In the eyes of some, this person was destined to become a Great Sage! When they learned that this individual was a successor of the Martial Maniac lineage, their excitement intensified. They realized he was incredibly powerful, perhaps even capable of slaying Cao De!

"Who is the Martial Maniac? He's been invincible for millennia! His 'Seven Deaths Body' is renowned as one of the world's most formidable mystic arts. Either you train yourself into a maniac, or you train yourself to be peerless under heaven. Cao De is about to be cut down!" someone from Southern Zhanzhou remarked. People in Southern Zhanzhou discussed this, as this time, the tribulation-passer had pledged allegiance to their faction, standing with Zhanzhou!

The thunder tribulation intensified. Within the crimson lightning, dark light appeared, streak after streak, as if darkness itself had enveloped the human world, stained with blood and punctuated by slaughter. Black and blood-red lightning erupted, covering the sky and earth. River-like crimson electricity and a dark thunder sea resonated, annihilating everything in their path. Yet, the figure within remained silent, utterly ruthless. Only a pair of eyes were visible, revealing that he was enduring the most terrifying calamity.

"He truly lives up to his lineage as the Martial Maniac's successor! This level of power, this murderous intent in battle, enduring a legendary thunder tribulation so calmly and coolly—he is destined to become a Great Sage and will soon sweep away all opponents!" Even many within the Hezhou faction spoke up, favoring the Martial Maniac's successor, primarily out of awe for the Martial Maniac, that terrifying monster of legend. Anyone associated with him, anyone from his lineage, was undoubtedly abnormal and terrifying to a shocking degree. Furthermore, fueled by shared animosity, the Western Hezhou faction naturally hoped for someone to emerge and defeat Cao De, especially since he had once abducted so many of their people.

The "river of blood" surged, its "waves" boundless and utterly crimson. Was this truly still lightning? It was truly startling; even wisps of chaotic mist began to appear. Yet, the man enduring the heavenly tribulation was incredibly resilient, fiercely resisting with an increasingly wild glint in his eyes. Even within the Yongzhou faction, people felt a sense of dread. If this person ascended to a great power, could Cao De truly withstand him? What they witnessed was deeply oppressive, making many feel breathless. The figure amidst the crimson and dark lightning was truly terrifying, resembling a demonic god.

Some of Chu Feng's old acquaintances also wore solemn expressions, worried that this demonic powerhouse might truly overwhelm everything and become invincible. Ying Xiaoxiao's delicate brows furrowed with worry. She was genuinely frightened, now suspecting she was seeing a reincarnation of that person from years ago. If the "little maniac" from the Martial Maniac lineage were to injure him... or even take his life, she couldn't bear to imagine it; a sense of dread washed over her. After all, this wasn't the Lesser Netherworld; this was the Greater Yang Realm, a place where talents emerged in droves and masters were countless. She was genuinely apprehensive, primarily because concern often clouded judgment.

Ying Wudi bared his teeth, his expression not exactly pleasant, as his arm had once again been pinched black and blue by his younger sister.

"I'm a bit nervous," Ying Xiaoxiao whispered.

Ying Zhexian also spoke softly, "Someone from the Martial Maniac lineage has emerged, and they're aligned with Zhanzhou. The world is about to descend into chaos. Once they master the 'Seven Deaths Body,' this lineage is always invincible, sweeping aside all opponents."

In the distance, the young Brute Ox, with his round, bell-like eyes wide open, sat astride his father's neck, exhaling white smoke as he channeled energy towards the powerful figure amidst the thunder tribulation. On the other side, Zhou Xi also frowned, closely observing the battlefield. "This time, nothing serious will happen, will it?"

Within the Yongzhou faction, some people began to whisper amongst themselves. Primarily, the Martial Maniac's reputation was too immense. If Li wasn't present, who could possibly contend with him? In the prehistoric era, after several mythical, god-like beings disappeared into the famed mountains and great rivers, who else could possibly challenge the Martial Maniac? Although he hadn't appeared for many years, rumored to have passed away. However, this was ultimately just a rumor; those in the know understood that he was most likely still alive. Now that someone from his lineage, who practices the 'Seven Deaths Body,' had emerged, it required serious consideration from all sides. It was somewhat terrifying; individuals from this lineage were always domineering and invincible.

*Boom!*

At this moment, the lightning became even more terrifying, a vast expanse like a surging sea of blood. Crimson bolts interwoven, and monstrous waves seemed to crash against the heavens! At this very moment, Li Chentian also faced his greatest crisis. Passing this grand tribulation was a near-certain death experience; he couldn't possibly emerge unscathed. He was now gravely wounded, covered in blood, struggling immensely, his body on the verge of being torn apart. At this critical juncture, his body suddenly trembled violently, and he blurted out a jaw-dropping expletive: "Holy hell!"

He staggered, unable to stand firm, and was sent flying backward, coughing up large mouthfuls of blood. All the wounds on his body seemed on the verge of bursting open. Everyone was shocked. What was happening? Was he severely injured by the thunder tribulation? Was something unforeseen about to occur? However, within the lightning, Li Chentian, the Martial Maniac's successor, was enraged and utterly furious. With a bang, he flipped himself up, and while still battling the heavenly tribulation, his eyes, like cold bolts of lightning, glared towards the Yongzhou faction.

"You... how dare you ambush me?!"

He was seething with rage and agitation. He was in the midst of battling a grand heavenly tribulation, and that despicable Cao De had actually launched a sneak attack?! Upon hearing these words, everyone else was dumbfounded, hardly daring to believe their ears. Cao De, Great Sage Cao... could he really have done something like that? Only those near Chu Feng within the Yongzhou faction wore peculiar expressions, for they had witnessed it firsthand. It was indeed Great Sage Cao De's doing, leaving them momentarily speechless.

"What are you? You open your mouth to declare you'll kill me, then close it to say you'll slaughter a Great Sage? This young master is educating you, letting you understand that you can't just spout nonsense. If you say something wrong, you get a 'brick' to the head!" Chu Feng spoke, weighing a piece of Mother Gold in his hand. He had just thrown a similar large piece.

Everyone was speechless, now fully understanding why he wanted the Mother Gold materials: to use them as "bricks" to hit people, ensuring they wouldn't be destroyed by the lightning. Li Chentian, the Martial Maniac's successor, was instantly enraged. While still battling the life-and-death thunder tribulation, he spoke with a cold voice, "Cao De, are you afraid? I will battle you soon, but not now!" He was questioning, his voice echoing like thunder.

Chu Feng scoffed, "You say you want to fight me, and we fight? What are you, anyway! You're still just a Sub-Saint, yet you keep spouting such arrogant nonsense. Now, this Great Sage is going to teach you a lesson in humility." This style... it was too bizarre, too unconventional. Everyone was at a loss for words.

"Hmph, take another 'brick'!"

At this moment, Chu Feng decisively struck again. In fact, he had already thrown a very heavy piece of Mother Gold even before he finished speaking. Li Chentian, who was already weak and his body on the verge of tearing apart, with some bones exposed from facing a life-and-death heavenly tribulation, naturally found it difficult to effectively dodge a Great Sage's sudden attack. After a muffled grunt, he was sent tumbling again, enduring excruciating pain. Crucially, once he fell, the lightning surged like a tide, overwhelming him and inflicting even more terrifying damage.

"You..." He was truly enraged.

"What 'you'? This young master is teaching you how to behave! Before you become a Great Sage, you'd best keep your mouth shut and stay honest and quiet! You repeatedly provoke me, declaring you'll slay me, then calling me a stepping stone and a pile of withered bones on your evolutionary path. Who are you, a mere Sub-Saint, talking to? Who gave you the audacity to disrespect a Great Sage like this? Are you looking for death, or are you looking for death?!" Chu Feng reprimanded him, launching a barrage of "slaps" that left everyone speechless and sent Li Chentian's fury soaring. However, Li Chentian couldn't truly retaliate; he genuinely feared another hit, as it would endanger his ongoing tribulation.

While called a "brick," it was in fact Mother Gold, hurled by a Great Sage! Had it not been for the heavenly tribulation blocking and infinitely weakening the Mother Gold's force, it would have been enough to shatter every enemy in the Sub-Saint realm!

Everyone was at a loss for words. Upon careful consideration, what Cao De said wasn't entirely without reason. Being repeatedly threatened and intimidated with one's life would displease anyone, let alone the "unconventional" Great Sage Cao De! However, some acquaintances secretly bared their teeth in amusement, like the Monkey. Though lying there unable to get up, he still wanted to say that this was precisely the kind of behavior one expected from Cao De. As for Long Dayu, he watched in utter speechlessness. He, too, wanted to comment that compared to the boundless calamities for which he was forced to take the blame, this was actually quite mild. That scoundrel was truly a menace. And the young Brute Ox keenly felt that it was too similar. He grew increasingly convinced that this truly had to be his old acquaintance—such an unparalleled demeanor... never to be surpassed!

"Holy hell!" Li Chentian roared again amidst the lightning, at his wits' end. He had taken yet another "brick." He desperately wanted to yell, "I've already shut up, I haven't said another word, so why are you still ambushing me?!"

At this moment, the higher-ups of the opposing factions could no longer stand it. They secretly sent a direct voice transmission to Heavenly Venerate Qirong, demanding that he intervene. What kind of behavior was this?! In truth, the Heavenly Venerate-level powerhouses had initially refrained from intervening because they saw that Li Chentian could still endure and wouldn't die. However, what left them speechless was Cao De's continuous bombardment, "brick" after "brick," as if he had gotten addicted to smashing. It was utterly impolite, and he showed no signs of stopping.

Chu Feng spoke, "You did indeed shut up, but you haven't apologized yet. Never mind, I don't need empty gestures; just compensate me!"

Instantly, on all three battlefields, everyone was utterly bewildered. The atmosphere had originally been oppressive, a battlefield filled with a murderous aura, as two Great Sages were on the verge of a colossal clash, creating an incredibly tense and terrifying mood. Who would have thought that Great Sage Cao De's style was so... unconventional? In the blink of an eye, he completely transformed the suffocating atmosphere.

No one had ever seen a Great Sage like him. Even among the Yongzhou faction, many youths who idolized Cao De felt a sense of disillusionment, their image of a Great Sage somewhat crumbling.

"Hurry up, compensate me! You're going through a tribulation, and I'm taking the opportunity to rob you!" Cao De urged, leaving everyone dumbfounded. Such an attitude... it was truly unique!