Cultivation of Immortality: Start by Improving Spiritual Root Qualifications

Chapter 956 Spiritual Treasure Thunder Tribulation, Heavenly Monarch Submits!
After doing all this, Zhou Xun held the Thunder Pool in his hand and suddenly threw it into the air!
"rise!"

The purple lightning pool grew rapidly in the wind, instantly transforming into a hundred-zhang-long structure, floating above the cave like a small mountain.

This directly exposed the buildings below and Zhou Xun himself to the calamity clouds!

What left all the Nascent Soul cultivators who were secretly observing dumbfounded was that...

After the hundred-zhang-long Thunder Pool took shape, the protective aura that had been flowing on its surface quickly receded and contained its inner essence.
As if completely defenseless, it completely exposed its true form to the impending divine might!

"What...what does he want to do?!"

"Are they crazy! They actually took the initiative to withdraw the great formation and even made the spiritual treasure remove its protective aura? Are they trying to withstand the lightning tribulation head-on?"

"How is this any different from suicide? Did Lei Yutianjun perhaps damage his brain during his breakthrough?"

"Such arrogance is simply audacious!"

A series of surprised, uncertain, and even mocking divine senses intersected in the air, all shocked by Zhou Xun's unusual behavior.

Although the Crimson Sun Heavenly Lord admired Zhou Xun's courage, he did not approve of Zhou Xun's actions:
"Although Fellow Daoist Wang has had extraordinary experiences, he is still far too young and impetuous!"

"This tribulation lightning of spiritual treasures is no child's play! Each bolt of lightning contains the power of the laws of heaven and earth, far surpassing ordinary lightning!"

"A spiritual treasure capable of triggering a tribulation lightning is extremely precious. Therefore, we should be cautious and gradually resolve the tribulation force!"

"To recklessly withstand such an attack, and even actively absorb it, could easily result in the destruction of the magic weapon and serious injury if not controlled properly! Sigh... I was too hasty!"

He secretly worried for Zhou Xun, feeling that this promising new Heavenly Lord was acting too risky and radically.

On Nine Thunder Peak, the Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord's deep eyes flashed with a sharp light, revealing great surprise.

"He actually intends to actively absorb the tribulation lightning? To use it to temper his spiritual treasure and comprehend the Dao of Lightning? What audacity! What spirit! This boy's character is indeed extraordinary!"

His hand stroking his beard paused slightly, but then he shook his head slightly.

"But... isn't that taking too much risk? The power of tribulation lightning is boundless and violent, a manifestation of the punishment of heaven and earth. How can it be so easily controlled?"

"Although this method can greatly enhance the potential of spiritual treasures, the possibility of failure is even higher... What a pity."

"This boy is prone to taking risks; his future may not be long!"

At this moment, a slight regret arose regarding his previous plan to recruit Zhou Xun.

In his nearly 20,000 years of life, he had seen countless brilliant and talented individuals, but only a few could reach the end.

They are all people who act prudently and plan carefully before taking action.

People like Zhou Xun, who act rashly, will not last long.

The reactions of the other Nascent Soul Heavenly Lords who were secretly observing were more complex.

The Nascent Soul sword cultivator carrying the ancient sword on his back curled his lips into a barely perceptible cold smile:

"How dare he be so arrogant! It seems he'll be destroyed by this lightning tribulation without anyone else's help!"

A sense of pleasure welled up inside me.

The reclusive old woman murmured:
"Young man... ultimately lacks composure. It's a pity that a magical treasure that could have become a legend is destined to perish here."

His tone carried a hint of regret, but more than that, it conveyed a sense of detached indifference, like watching a fire from across the river.

Even worse, malice welled up in their hearts:

"Chop! Chop hard! It would be best to chop people and treasures together into ashes!"

Jealousy can cloud one's judgment; they would never want to see a newly ascended Heavenly Lord with boundless potential possess another tribulation lightning treasure with limitless potential.

Just as everyone had different thoughts—

"Boom——!!!"

A deafening roar that ripped through the sky shook the heavens and the earth!

At the center of the swirling dark clouds, a massive, dazzlingly bright silver bolt of lightning shot out, its intensity so intense it was impossible to look directly at it.
Like the wrathful whip of a god, carrying a terrifying aura of destruction, it slashed fiercely down at the unprotected hundred-zhang-deep thunder pool below!

At this critical moment, Zhou Xun's eyes blazed with purple light, and he formed a hand seal, pointing his finger towards the sky:
"receive!"

Instead of receding, the hundred-zhang-long lightning pool let out a buzzing sound, its opening rising upwards and unleashing a powerful suction force.
He took the initiative to meet the earth-shattering silver lightning bolt head-on!
"boom!!!"

The lightning bolt struck the lightning pool with perfect precision!
In an instant, the entire Thunder Pool trembled violently, and lightning crackled wildly across its surface, emitting a teeth-grinding "sizzling" sound.
Even the pool itself was pressed down slightly by the terrifying impact!
The violent lightning strikes raged and crashed within the pool, seemingly intent on tearing this spiritual treasure, which dared to defy the might of heaven, to shreds!
The hearts of all the observers were in their throats.

However, the anticipated scene of the Thunder Pool collapsing did not occur.

On the walls of the Thunder Pool, the already incredibly profound lightning patterns seemed to have fully awakened.
It is circulating at an unprecedented speed.

It formed a huge vortex, tightly locking the power of the tribulation lightning within the pool, and began to pull, break down, and devour it with all its might!
at the same time,

The lightning seeds inside the lightning pool are also constantly absorbing the scattered tribulation lightning, rapidly increasing their grade and power.

Furthermore, the wisp of "innate thunder energy" nurtured within the pool was like a cat smelling fish.
Actively entangled with silver tribulation lightning,
Although small and weak, it stubbornly assimilates and absorbs the unique aura of destruction and creation within the tribulation lightning.

This process may seem slow, but it actually happens in the blink of an eye.

After counting the interest,

The tribulation lightning was indeed completely swallowed up by the lightning pool!

The hundred-zhang-long Thunder Pool flashed with light.
The pool, which was originally dark purple, seemed to have become even deeper.

Occasionally, a faint, silvery light, of the same origin as the tribulation lightning, would even flash across its surface.
The aura it emitted did not weaken; on the contrary, it became even heavier and more majestic, as if it had undergone an important baptism!

Succeeded?
The first lightning bolt was actually absorbed by it!

"This...how is this possible!" The disapproval on the Crimson Sun Heavenly Lord's face instantly turned into astonishment, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"They actually... withstood it? And even absorbed it?"

His initial disdain vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of admiration.
"Good lad! You're really something! Your courage and control... I can't match that!"

But he immediately became nervous.
"But this is only the first one! Each one after the last is stronger than the last, a total of nine! How many can he withstand?"

The disapproval on Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord's face had long been replaced by immense shock; he abruptly took a step forward.
His gaze was fixed intently on the seemingly brand-new Thunder Pool, his tone filled with disbelief:
"He actually...did it!"

"It absorbed a complete tribulation lightning bolt so perfectly!"

"This boy's control over lightning far exceeds my expectations! The foundation of his innate lightning pool is also more solid than I imagined!"

As a powerful cultivator specializing in thunder magic
He knows better than anyone,

The terrifying power contained in that lightning bolt just now, and how difficult it was to absorb it!
That was not just an impact of energy, but also contained the backlash of the laws of heaven and earth!
Zhou Xun and Qi Leichi's performance completely overturned his understanding.

"Could it be... that he wasn't taking a risk, but actually had a sure thing?"

This thought arose in the mind of the Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord for the first time, and it grew stronger and stronger.

The fact that Zhou Xun, at the Nascent Soul stage, could actively absorb tribulation lightning for his own use only shows that his understanding of lightning magic surpasses Zhou Xun's.

"Could it be that this Fellow Daoist Wang has already grasped the essence of tribulation lightning?"

The Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord could only think of this one possibility.
It should be noted that there have been other extraordinary lightning cultivators in the past who mastered the essence of tribulation lightning, possessed a complete set of lightning techniques, and once fought against enemies across major realms, becoming famous throughout the world.

Could it be that I am about to witness the birth of such an astonishingly powerful cultivator?

Furthermore, if it can truly absorb all nine tribulation lightning bolts, the lightning pool will undergo a fundamental transformation, and may even give birth to a trace of the true origin of tribulation lightning! At that time, it will no longer be an ordinary lightning-attribute spiritual treasure, but a 'treasure of tribulation lightning' containing the might of heaven!
It possesses terrifying power to vanquish evil and even incite divine punishment!
Thinking of this, the Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord's breathing quickened slightly, and his gaze towards Zhou Xun's cave was filled with unprecedented anticipation and importance:

"If that's the case, with this treasure, even though young friend Wang is only at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, he might be able to fight against someone at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm!"

"This time... I've truly struck gold!"

In contrast to the shock and anticipation of the two Heavenly Lords, the faces of the other Nascent Soul cultivators, who were already filled with jealousy, became even more unsightly.

They were hoping for an even more powerful lightning bolt to shatter that damned pool into ashes!

Soon,
"Crack——!"

The second bolt of lightning struck down fiercely!
This bolt of lightning was several times more powerful than the first one.

Zhou Xun remained expressionless, continuing to guide the flow of the hand seals. The hundred-zhang Thunder Pool once again unleashed a powerful suction force, fearlessly meeting its attack.

"boom!"

An even more violent roar resounded, and the Thunder Pool trembled even more violently.
But in the end, the raging power of lightning was completely absorbed by the lightning pool.

This time, the astonishment in the eyes of the Crimson Sun Heavenly Lord was even greater.

At this moment, he realized that Zhou Xun's decision was probably not reckless, but rather a well-thought-out one!

At this moment, the Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord's eyes were filled with even more admiration and joy.

Conversely, those Nascent Soul cultivators who harbored jealousy seemed to have their throats grabbed.
His face turned even uglier, and he felt an overwhelming surge of bitterness in his heart.

While everyone reacted differently,
The third bolt of lightning descended.
The crimson lightning, tinged with silver, grew even more powerful! The lightning pool shook violently, but remained stable, successfully absorbing the energy!

Then came the fourth, fifth, and so on up to the seventh.

Six terrifying lightning bolts struck in succession, all of which Zhou Xun controlled the lightning pool to withstand with his own strength!

At this moment, the Thunder Pool, having undergone the baptism of seven tribulation lightning bolts, has changed drastically.

The body of the Hundred-Zhang Pool is no longer dark purple, but presents a crystal-clear amethyst texture, with inner radiance and flowing precious light.

The lightning patterns on the pool walls became more complex and profound, vaguely forming a series of blurred lightning diagrams.

The oppressive aura it exuded was as heavy as a mountain, carrying a chilling aura of divine punishment. It was clearly undergoing a continuous transformation, growing stronger with each impact!

The cultivators watching from afar had long since gone from initial shock, mockery, and jealousy to numbness.

I don't even seem to have the energy to be jealous anymore.

However, the might of heavenly tribulation should not be easily profaned.
"Buzz—rumble—"

The storm clouds in the sky seemed to be completely enraged, turning as black as ink, and at the center of the vortex...
Countless electric snakes converged and compressed wildly, and a terrifying pressure that made all the Nascent Soul cultivators shudder suddenly descended!
The eighth tribulation lightning bolt has been prepared!

That was not a simple bolt of lightning, but a dark purple lightning pillar, dozens of feet thick, seemingly formed from countless lightning runes!

Wherever it passed, space distorted slightly, and it crashed down with a terrifying will to crush everything and judge all things!

"Not good!" The Crimson Sun Heavenly Lord's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed in shock.

The wild joy on Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord's face instantly froze, turning into utter solemnity: "This lightning tribulation... has far exceeded the scope of ordinary spiritual treasure tribulations!"

"boom!!!!!"

The dark purple lightning bolt struck the hundred-zhang-long lightning pool solidly!
This time, the Thunder Pool no longer trembled slightly, but emitted a painful groan, gradually showing signs of weakening.
Even more terrifying is that the pool has exceeded its limit in absorbing tribulation lightning, and the vast dark purple lightning is overflowing and dissipating from the pool opening like boiling water!

"oops!"

The Crimson Sun Heavenly Lord slapped his thigh in anguish, heartbroken and filled with remorse.

"What a pity! What a pity! All our efforts were in vain! We were just two steps short! We were too greedy! If we had proactively resolved some of the tribulation power earlier, things wouldn't have come to this!"

In his view, Zhou Xun had already failed.

Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord's heart was in his throat, his fists clenched involuntarily, and his eyes were filled with worry: "Hold on! You must hold on!"

He knew better than anyone that if he failed at this moment, Lei Chi would be destroyed, Zhou Xun would be severely injured, and all his previous efforts would be in vain!
Those Nascent Soul cultivators who had been numb were now as if they had been given a shot of adrenaline, and they almost cheered!

"Hahaha! Can't hold on any longer, huh!"

Arrogance will eventually come at a price!

"I knew it! Heaven's might isn't so easily provoked!"

"Destroy it! Destroy it now!"

Malicious curses and expectations once again filled their minds.

At this critical moment!
Zhou Xun, who had been sitting cross-legged below, suddenly opened his eyes, and purple lightning shot out from them!

Instead of panicking, he stood up and transformed into a streak of light, rushing straight up to meet the dark purple tribulation lightning, full of destructive power, that was emanating from the lightning pool!
"Is he courting death?!" Everyone who witnessed this scene was stunned once again.

However, Zhou Xun was not going to his death.

He was seen circulating the "Lightning Tempering Technique" to its fullest extent, his pores opening wide.
It seemed to transform into a human-shaped vortex, forcibly absorbing the scattered terrifying tribulation lightning power into its body!
It is precisely through the tribulation lightning that the physical body is tempered!
Moreover, Zhou Xun extended his divine sense to its maximum extent.
Sensing the unique, supreme meaning between destruction and rebirth within the tribulation lightning—the true meaning of tribulation lightning!
This is the ultimate madness, and also the ultimate spiritual practice!

After a few breaths, the eighth bolt of tribulation lightning was finally absorbed into the lightning pool with great difficulty.
The portion that escaped mostly became Zhou Xun's resources for tempering his body and a source of enlightenment.

The eighth one, successfully caught!

"Phew—!" Lord Chiyang let out a long sigh of relief, only then realizing that his back was soaked with cold sweat.

He gazed at the tall figure in the air, his eyes filled with pure admiration.

Nine Thunder Heavenly Lord also loosened his clenched fist, a relieved smile appearing on his face.

"They actually... used this method!"

"Not only did he preserve the Thunder Pool, but he also took the opportunity to temper his body and comprehend the Dao! This young man's intellect, courage, and talent are all unparalleled in my life!"

Those Nascent Soul cultivators who were hoping for failure felt as if they had been fed a fly, their faces turning ashen, and they could only grit their teeth in silent resentment.

"There's one last thing! He'll definitely die with that last one!"

At this moment, the sky fell into an eerie silence.

The calamity clouds did not dissipate; instead, they became even lower and darker, turning into a chilling deep black, as if the entire sky were about to collapse.

At the center of the vortex, there was no flash of electricity.
Only one kind of extreme, suffocating destructive pressure was frantically accumulating and compressing within it...

The ninth tribulation lightning is brewing!

This final attack often gathers most of the residual power from the previous eight attacks, making it far more powerful than any of the previous attacks!
Zhou Xun was suspended in mid-air.
His expression was extremely solemn. He looked up at the sky, trying his best to adjust his state and prepare to face the final test.

The oppressive silence lasted for a good dozen breaths, but to the onlookers it felt like an eternity.

finally--

No sound.

A single strand, no thicker than a thumb, yet refined to the extreme.

The lightning, displaying a pure, chaotic color and seemingly capable of devouring all light, fell silently from the center of the vortex.

(End of this chapter)