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Chapter 54: A Nascent Soul Tribulation?!
🕑 Added 2023-12-01 23:14:20 +0000 UTCWhy didn't that boy inform me he was attempting a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm? Slifer thought as he soared through the air.
Fenlock’s hasty actions irked him. Tribulations at the level of the Nascent Soul Realm were serious matters, and Fenlock had only recently reached the Peak Core Formation realm.
"Remember to let your master know whenever you are planning to face a tribulation," Slifer turned, reminding his now favourite disciple, Caelum. "As your master, it is my job to act as your Dharma Protector."
"Yes, Master," Caelum nodded respectfully.
Caelum knew that Slifer, despite not being the best teacher in traditional terms, always pushed them hard in their cultivation. He does take our breakthroughs seriously, even if he overdoes it sometimes, Caelum reflected.
As Slifer continued his flight, he couldn't help but be sceptical. Acting as a Dharma Protector, huh? Does the System really think I'd fall for that? Fenlock's rash decision is likely to backfire, and I'll have to step in.
He remembered his last tribulation vividly, how the System had locked the shop at a crucial moment. I guess it's time to stock up on some life-saving cards, Slifer decided. He preferred to waste his credits on cards he might not use than risk his life – or his disciple's – in an unprepared tribulation.
Slifer had 3130 Karmic Credits and he knew exactly what to spend them on!
Critical Block Card
Cost: 900 Karmic Credits
Description: Protects User From A Critical strike
Considering he already possessed the phase ability, offering thirty seconds of attack immunity, other options like the Impeccable Card seemed redundant.
Why waste 1200 credits for mere ten seconds of protection when I can get thirty for nothing? he reasoned.
So, the only useful card left was the Critical Block Card.
Purchasing three Critical Block Cards would provide ample security for most situations.
Unless Fenlock somehow triggers a Celestial Prism Tribulation, these should suffice.
Ding!
You Have Bought 3 Critical Block Cards
-2700 Karmic Credits
Now, to play the hero, Slifer thought, ready for action.
But then, another notification startled him:
Ding!
Warning: Your Disciple Young Fenlock Is In Mortal Danger
Task: Save Young Fenlock
Reward:
· Disciple Loyalty Increases
· 5,000 Karmic Credits
Mortal danger? It better not be the Celestial Prism Tribulation…
***
Fenlock let out a deep sigh as the blue sky slowly transformed into a golden hue.
"Golden Crown Tribulation."
During his breakthroughs to the Foundation Establishment and Core Formation realms, Fenlock had faced the Crimson Wave Tribulation. Those had been challenging, and the thought of facing the more formidable Golden Crown Tribulation, with lightning strikes at the Nascent Soul realm stage, filled him with apprehension.
However, he knew with the added risk came a greater reward, the opportunity to enter the state of Enlightenment and create his own sound technique. Due to the lack of popularity, sound techniques were few and far between, especially those that were at the Earth rank or higher.
As a devoted sound cultivator, the chance to become a pioneer for the obscure path filled him with excitement. Yet, for Fenlock, there was an even deeper motivation driving him to overcome the tribulation.
“For Junior Sister Lenvari, I must succeed,” he muttered, his fist clenched so tightly that his knuckles whitened.
Lenvari's hesitation about advancing their relationship to a more serious level had left Fenlock in a dilemma. She believed that twenty was far too young for immortals to contemplate marriage.
But how can I face my parents and tell them I'm with a girl, and we're not even betrothed? he thought. The mere idea of admitting that to his traditional parents was horrifying.
And the idea of waiting, of not being bound to her immediately, was unbearable.
Breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm, that will surely sway her, Fenlock convinced himself. Once I achieve that, she'll see. She'll understand. And then I can finally bring her to meet Mother.
Driven by this belief, Fenlock had hastened his breakthrough, accelerating the onset of a tribulation that he was ill-equipped to deal with.
Fenlock closed his eyes, focusing on the intense feelings he had for his Junior Sister, he brought the flute to his lips.
As he played, a melody rich with emotion flowed forth, each note tinged with a hint of sadness and longing. The sound resonated in the air, weaving an intricate tapestry of qi which quickly coalesced into a protective bubble the enveloped him.
The Heavens roared as three azure lightning strikes formed, their electric arcs crackling with intense energy. The lightning bolts zigzagged through the air, heading straight towards Fenlock. They struck his qi barrier with a resounding clash. The bubble shook violently under the impact, but surprisingly, it held firm.
Sweat poured down Fenlock’s forehead but he played on, reinforcing the barrier with more qi.
Then, the clouds churned again, this time releasing three crimson lightning strikes. They came down one after another. As they collided with the bubble, each strike felt like a hammer blow against the barrier. Fenlock could feel the force of each impact, his qi shield quivering under the relentless assault but the force of the crimson strikes was too much for the barrier to handle.
The barrier shattered and Fenlock was sent hurtling backward, flying through the air like a leaf caught in a storm.
I…I can't fail already, he thought desperately.
With great effort, Fenlock managed to twist his body mid-air, reorienting himself to land on his feet. He stumbled slightly upon landing but quickly regained his balance.
Looking up at the Heavens, a hint of fear appeared in young Fenlock’s eyes.
The final three strikes of the tribulation were approaching, and they were at the Late Nascent Soul level.
Can I really withstand such power?
The sound barrier, his most potent defense, had just barely held against a Mid Nascent Soul attack. The probability of succeeding the tribulation was slim.
Failing a tribulation didn't always mean death for the cultivator, but it almost always involved severe injuries. Such a setback could lead to the creation of a Dao Demon, especially in those with weaker willpower, potentially stagnating their cultivation forever.
But I have to try. For my future, for Lenvari,Fenlock grit his teeth, bringing the flute back to his lips.
The Heavens let out another roar, forming another three crimson lightning bolts which quickly merged into a single, formidable bolt. The crimson lightning bolt turned golden and like a spear hurled by the gods, it pierced the sky, heading straight for Fenlock.
I…I can’t survive this…
Just as Fenlock lost hope, an old man in orange robes appeared out of nowhere. With a swift, powerful slap, the old man deflected the bolt. The bolt shot back towards the heavens.
With his back facing Fenlock, the old man stood tall and imposing, his gaze fixed firmly on the Heavens as he exuded an aura of unshakable confidence.
“M-master…”
***
Slifer released a sigh as he looked down at his scorched hand, which was already rapidly healing. The Peak Slifer Card had elevated his cultivation to the Half-Step Origin Realm, but that was in terms of spiritual cultivation, not bodily.
If not for my superior quality of qi, that slap would have cost me my hand, he thought.
He hadn't wanted to use his last remaining Peak Slifer Card, but upon arriving with Caelum and witnessing the final lightning bolt descending on Fenlock, he had no choice. With only a Foundation Establishment cultivation, reaching Fenlock in time was impossible. Crushing the card was the only option.
Turning to Fenlock, Slifer asked sternly, "Why would you face the tribulation without informing me?"
Fenlock's head drooped, his voice soft with regret. "I'm sorry, Master. Forgive me."
His previous master, Elder Fron had never shown any interest in acting as a Dharma Protecter for his disciples, Fenlock had assumed the same for his new master, and his desire to breakthrough further clouded his judgment.
Slifer shook his head. "You'll make it up to me later," he said, then softened, placing a reassuring hand on Fenlock's shoulder. "But let Master handle this now."
Ding!
You Have Interfered In A Heavenly Tribulation
Warning: You Are Facing Heaven’s Wrath
Task: Survive
Reward: 2000 Karmic Credits
Note: Shop Locked
Survive? Oh, I plan to.
Slifer turned back to face the Heavens just as the golden clouds swirled into the shape of an old face, its expression one of wrathful fury. The face roared down at them, and a golden lightning bolt began to form in its mouth, clearly at the Peak Nascent Soul stage.
I don't want to waste a Critical Block Card on this,Slifer thought. His own techniques, even if powered by his Half-Step Origin Realm qi, couldn't match a technique comprehended to the Nascent Soul realm.
Multiple demonic techniques would only cost me 25 Karmic Credits. That's far cheaper than wasting a card. He prepared himself, channeling his qi and readying the Original Slifer’s techniques to counter the attack.
As the golden lightning bolt surged towards Slifer, black flames erupted around him, forming a protective barrier.
"Darkflame Ward, it's been a while," Slifer sighed, feeling the force of the lightning bolt clashing against the barrier.
The flames held out against the attack until the lightning deteriorated into harmless sparks. Seeing the attack fail, Slifer let the barrier fade away, it would be of no use against the following attacks.
Slifer's eyes hardened as he sensed an Origin Realm attack forming in the Heavens. None of the Original's techniques could save him from such a strike.
Laughing, he stretched out his hands, challenging the Heavens. "Do your worst," he taunted.
Another roar echoed from the Heavens, and a golden lightning bolt with specks of black shot down towards him. The strike hit, enveloping the area in a cloud of dust. When the dust settled, Slifer was standing unharmed, his form flickering in and out of existence.
Twenty-five seconds left of the Phase Ability, Slifer noted, glancing at the timer.
Multiple Origin Realm attacks rained down on him, but he stood calmly, the Phase Ability shielding him. Luckily for him, before the time-limit was up, the attacks from the Heavens paused, gearing up for another round.
Slifer eyed the cooldown timer for the Phase Ability.
Sixty seconds... I hope three Critical Block cards are enough. He swallowed the lump in his throat, observing the size and intensity of the lightning bolts forming in the Heavenly Face’s mouth.
T-these next attacks are at the Ascendant level!
"Leave, now!" he shouted to Caelum and Fenlock. "The barriers will protect you outside the quarters. I don't want you caught in this."
Caelum and a guilt-ridden Fenlock nodded, vanishing in a flash.
Slifer turned around in time to come face to face with a black lightning bolt.
Before the lightning bolt could pierce through his head, a shimmering barrier materialized around him. The impact was colossal, devastating the entire courtyard and quarters. Trees were uprooted, walls crumbled, and debris flew in all directions, the scene resembling the aftermath of an explosion.
Only two cards left, Slifer thought, steeling himself for the next wave of attacks.
As the Heavens unleashed two more attacks, Slifer was shielded by the remaining Critical Block cards. But with his last card used up, a bead of sweat trickled down his forehead as he gazed upward.
The celestial face transformed dramatically, morphing into a colossal golden dragon made of lightning. Its details were intricate and majestic, with scales shimmering like molten gold and eyes blazing with ethereal fire.
This dragon makes big Val look like a hatchling, Slifer thought, awestruck.
The dragon roared, a sound so powerful it pushed Slifer back several feet, then it dove down towards him.
Slifer glanced at the timer; only one second remained before he could activate the Phase Ability.
As the dragon drew closer, its massive form filled his entire field of view, its maw opened wide, ready to swallow him whole.
T-this is too close...
Author's Note
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