Chapter 806: The Silent Daoist Advances to the Tribulation Crossing Stage

Lu Yang, from a distance, heard his master say this and suddenly remembered that Immortal Fairy had mentioned, upon first meeting his master, that he could have become a Tribulation Transcendence stage cultivator long ago but had suppressed his cultivation for some unknown reason.

Was it all for today?

Su Moran's expression tightened as he stared at Daoist Buyu, then suddenly relaxed.

As a Tribulation Transcendence stage cultivator himself, he knew how difficult it was to break through to that stage. State of mind, cultivation level, physical condition, spiritual insight, and elixirs—none could be lacking.

He recalled how, in his own attempt to ascend to the Tribulation Transcendence stage, he had not hesitated to sacrifice a small city with a blood ritual and used rare spiritual treasures to temper his body. Unfortunately, he still failed, suffered severe injuries, and was pursued by Great Xia. He fled to the Demon Realm, where he spent over a hundred years recuperating. Only after sacrificing an entire demon tribe with another blood ritual did he finally succeed in reaching the Tribulation Transcendence stage. The process was full of twists and turns.

For over a thousand years, he had been keeping track of Daoist Buyu's movements. For instance, over a decade ago, Wen Dao Sect had announced Daoist Buyu's disappearance.

Ten years later, Daoist Buyu reappeared to the world.

Those ten years of disappearance must have been when Daoist Buyu failed his tribulation and was secretly recuperating from injuries!

Having failed a tribulation and been injured only ten years ago, it was impossible to attempt another tribulation so soon!

Ascending to the Tribulation Transcendence stage? A mere bluff.

"Whether it's a bluff or not, you old coot, you'll find out if you try!"

Daoist Buyu roared, no longer suppressing himself. His aura surged from a gradual rise to a sudden explosion. Although it didn't possess the terrifying oppressive might of Su Moran, it was certainly not something a Body Integration stage cultivator could wield.

That was the aura of the early Tribulation Transcendence stage. Daoist Buyu, though not yet at the Tribulation Transcendence stage, already possessed its aura!

*Rumble!*

Daoist Buyu, releasing his full aura, drew down a sky-filling lightning tribulation, scattering Su Moran's oppressive might. Arcing purple-gold lightning raged between heaven and earth, connecting sky and ground. The very earth trembled. The people of Ye City, both mortals and cultivators alike, were seized with fear and dared not look up at the terrifying heavenly tribulation.

"Oh, the Purple Cloud Destruction Lightning! Your master's aptitude isn't bad," Immortal Fairy exclaimed, recognizing the type of lightning tribulation with a mere glance, then boasted to Lu Yang, "Of course, it's incomparable to the lightning tribulations this immortal faced during her own ascension."

Before Immortal Ying Tian ascended, lightning tribulations already existed in the world. Immortal Ying Tian's Dao Fruit of Tribulation Response was to control the original lightning tribulations and create new ones. According to Immortal Fairy, after Immortal Ying Tian's ascension, the types of lightning tribulations increased by more than tenfold, becoming complex and numerous, capable of fulfilling all of a cultivator's needs—except for not wanting to undergo a tribulation.

"There really is a lightning tribulation," Su Moran thought, feeling that things seemed to be exceeding his expectations. Unfortunately, no one could interfere during a tribulation; anyone who interfered would also have to face a tribulation.

He felt a desire to retreat and slowly moved towards the edge of Ye City. He didn't need to gamble on whether Daoist Buyu could truly reach the Tribulation Transcendence stage here.

However, Daoist Buyu clearly did not want Su Moran to leave. As Su Moran approached the edge of Ye City, Daoist Buyu dragged the lightning tribulation closer to him. If Su Moran dared to leave Ye City, Daoist Buyu would rapidly approach him before he could escape, forcing them both to face the tribulation together!

Daoist Buyu dared to bet that he could survive the lightning tribulation, but Su Moran did not.

Seeing this, Su Moran had no choice but to abandon the idea of leaving Ye City. Facing the countless purple-gold lightning serpents raging between heaven and earth, Daoist Buyu slowly exhaled a breath of clear air. With a thought, countless spiritual swords emerged from underground.

One sword transformed into ten thousand swords!

He pointed two fingers towards the sky, and the countless spiritual swords, like fish leaping over a dragon gate, sprang from the ground. Their blades moved deftly to meet the myriad lightning serpents.

Sword and lightning collided once more, and the dazzling collision mist illuminated Ye City as if it were daytime. The intensity far surpassed that of the previous battle with Wu Lei!

One after another, even more violent lightning bolts followed, each strike more ferocious than the last. Daoist Buyu held a spiritual sword horizontally, its blade reflecting his calm eyes.

Beneath Daoist Buyu's feet, a broad Sword Dao path unfurled. With every step he took, a spiritual sword appeared underfoot. These were all sword cultivators Daoist Buyu had once defeated; he had used his sword heart to imprint his opponents' swords into his own Sword Dao, making them a part of it.

Some of these spiritual sword phantoms originated from Foundation Establishment stage opponents, others from Spirit Transformation stage opponents, and even the entire wall of the Sword Tower. Now, under Daoist Buyu's augmentation, these spiritual sword phantoms had all been elevated to a level sufficient to resist the heavenly tribulation.

Facing the incessant heavenly tribulation, Daoist Buyu casually picked up a sword from underfoot. After blocking a lightning bolt, the sword snapped in the middle. Daoist Buyu casually dropped it back to the ground, where it was absorbed and restored by the Sword Dao. He then picked up another sword from underfoot, repeating this action continuously.

Amidst the terrifying heavenly tribulation, the three-foot radius around Daoist Buyu seemed to become a pure land, untouched by the lightning. However, Daoist Buyu was not purely resisting with his Sword Dao; in reality, no spiritual sword could completely block the lightning. A portion of the tribulation lightning still passed through the swords to Daoist Buyu's body. Daoist Buyu used the lightning to temper his spirit and flesh. Throughout this process, his cultivation continually ascended, while his aura became increasingly contained, appearing to outsiders as a weakened state.

When the strongest and final lightning tribulation descended, Daoist Buyu proactively dispersed the Sword Dao beneath his feet.

*Clang!*

Daoist Buyu seemed to become a sword himself, with boundless, vast sword intent hidden within him, like an immortal sword sheathed and unrevealed. When the final lightning tribulation was about to strike his head, the immortal sword emerged from its sheath, severing the lightning bolt!

The lightning tribulation split in two, its light dissipated, and the clear night sky reappeared in people's vision.

"So this is what the Tribulation Transcendence stage feels like? It's truly more comfortable than the Body Integration stage," Daoist Buyu remarked, smiling as he felt the changes brought by his ascension.

Ordinary cultivators who had just ascended to the Tribulation Transcendence stage would still need to consolidate their cultivation. However, Daoist Buyu had deliberately suppressed his cultivation in the late Body Integration stage for decades, so he no longer needed to enter seclusion for consolidation.

He abruptly looked up, staring at the impassive Su Moran, and slowly said, "Grand Cult Master Su, you've waited over a thousand years to find an opportunity to kill me, haven't you?"

"Coincidentally, I've also waited over a thousand years for this very day."

"If I don't kill you, I won't be able to rest easy."

"Arrogance! Do you think ascending to the Tribulation Transcendence stage qualifies you to fight me?" Su Moran's tone was as calm as ever. Daoist Buyu had just ascended, lacked battle experience, and the cultivation gap was clear. How could he possibly contend with him?

Daoist Buyu displayed a mocking smile and suddenly swung his sword, catching Su Moran off guard. The strike broke through his defense, leaving a scar on his face.

Seeing this, Daoist Buyu pressed forward, staring into Su Moran's eyes.

"Within my sect, I had my master to spar with. Outside the sect, I had Senior Jie Sha to cross swords with. Why would you assume I lack experience fighting Tribulation Transcendence cultivators?"