Zhu Xian: Get ten times the talent, the sword opens the gate of heaven

High in the sky, a massive pillar of lightning, as large as a house, completely enveloped Zhang Xiaofan.

An aura capable of destroying heaven and earth emanated from above.

Master Puhong gazed at the endless lightning above, trying to discern whether Zhang Xiaofan was dead or alive, injured or healed…

But the destructive lightning completely enveloped Zhang Xiaofan, rendering him completely blind...

Faxiang looked at the endless lightning in the sky, his eyes filled with worry, and said:

"Master, can Junior Brother Zhang withstand it?"

Master Puhong shook his head and said:

"The Heavenly Punishment Divine Lightning is a rare sight, occurring only once every ten thousand years. According to records, no one has ever been able to withstand it for even a moment."

"Often, in less than a breath, cultivators would be struck by the Heavenly Punishment Lightning, their skin torn open and their flesh charred like charcoal."

"Even ancient divine beasts cannot withstand the Heavenly Punishment Divine Lightning for ten breaths."

"At this point, it's already quite remarkable that Benefactor Zhang has managed to hold out for ten breaths. Most likely... most likely... alas..."

In closing, Master Puhong let out a heavy sigh.

Upon hearing this, Faxiang's gaze, filled with compassion as he looked at the endless rolling thunder in the sky, finally clasped his hands together, his face etched with grief, and said:

"Junior Brother Zhang, may you have a safe journey. This humble monk will collect your remains and send you back to Dazhu Peak of Qingyun Sect."

"Senior brother!" At this moment, Fashan's voice came from the side.

Fa Shan's tiger-like eyes were fixed on the endless lightning above, trying to make out the figure within it, and he said with a determined expression:

“Senior brother, I don’t think Junior Brother Zhang will die in the lightning tribulation, even if it is the Heavenly Punishment Lightning that is only seen once in ten thousand years.”

Upon hearing this, Faxiang looked at Fashan and shook his head, saying:

“I also know that Junior Brother Zhang’s strength has reached the Taiqing realm and that he cultivates Buddhism, Taoism and Demonism together, but even ancient divine beasts cannot survive the Heavenly Punishment Lightning, let alone Benefactor Zhang?”

Upon hearing this, Fa Shan patted his chest with one hand and said:
"I just think Junior Brother Zhang is capable; he can definitely withstand the Heavenly Punishment Thunder."

"I hope so..." Faxiang murmured, his gaze fixed on the sky above.

"Boom...boom...boom..."

The Heavenly Punishment Thunder continued to strike, and the resulting shockwaves dispersed the fog within a radius of one thousand meters, pulverizing all the trees within that radius.

The surrounding cliffs were also cracked by the aftershocks, and countless huge rocks tumbled down.

Fortunately, the golden light flowing on the blank jade disc prevented it from being shattered by the aftershocks of the Heavenly Punishment Thunder.

"Form the Vajra Formation to withstand the aftershocks of the Heavenly Punishment Thunder!"

Master Puhong shouted sharply, slapped his palms towards the sky, and a golden light shot out.

The Venerable Master Pukong, Venerable Master Pude, Faxiang, Fashan, and several elders, along with twenty-nine other eminent monks, simultaneously clapped their hands towards the sky.

In an instant, thirty golden rays converged, forming a golden light barrier that protected Master Puhong and the others.

Countless boulders tumbled down, and the aftershocks of the Heavenly Punishment Thunder shook the land, their golden light swirling and blocking all attacks.

While maintaining the Vajra Formation, Master Puhong looked up at the endless lightning above, his eyes filled with worry.

If the aftershocks of the Heavenly Punishment Lightning they were subjected to below were so terrifying, how could Zhang Xiaofan, who was attacked by the Heavenly Punishment Lightning, possibly survive?

This is heaven being jealous of talent, wanting to completely eliminate this prodigy, Zhang Xiaofan.

The endless thunder was filled with an aura of destruction, as if any creature in the world that appeared here would be instantly annihilated.

However, a demonic figure stood firm amidst the devastating Heavenly Punishment Thunder.

pain!
pain!
pain!
The Heavenly Punishment Lightning struck Zhang Xiaofan, causing him excruciating pain throughout his body, so intense that he felt as if he were about to die from the agony. However, along with the excruciating pain, Zhang Xiaofan also felt an immense sense of exhilaration.

That was a powerful and exhilarating experience for the body.

Because he felt that under the Heavenly Punishment Lightning, his physical body was rapidly becoming stronger and stronger.

Zhang Xiaofan's clothes had been completely shattered by the Heavenly Punishment Lightning, leaving not a trace. The Profound Fire Mirror floated around his body, and the Blood Soul Sword stood in front of him, both bathed in lightning.

As for the Yin-Yang Mirror, Zhang Xiaofan had already thrown it away.

Because he knew that although the Yin-Yang Mirror was a treasure of Yu Yangzi, the head of the Longevity Hall, it would probably be blasted into pieces under the Heavenly Punishment Thunder.

Only the supreme divine artifact of the universe, the Xuanhuo Mirror, which is the most yang and the most powerful, and the Blood Soul Sword, which is the only demonic sword in the world, could survive the Heavenly Punishment Thunder, which is filled with destructive energy.

Otherwise, even the most powerful divine weapon would likely shatter if bombarded by the Heavenly Punishment Thunder for just one minute.

Feeling the excruciating pain in his body and the rapid, intense pleasure of his growing strength, Zhang Xiaofan suddenly roared to the sky:

"Wow...that feels so good!"

The enormous sound resounded for miles around.

Upon hearing a long howl, Master Puhong's disappointed expression changed instantly, replaced by joy, and he murmured:
"Although Zhang's long howl was filled with unbearable pain, it was deep and powerful, without the slightest sign of weakness."

"And...and he even said...it felt good?"

"Could it be..."

Master Puhong's wise eyes were fixed on the endless lightning in the sky, and he said expectantly:
"Could it be that Benefactor Zhang truly has the ability to withstand this once-in-ten-thousand-years Heavenly Punishment Lightning, a Heavenly Punishment Lightning that no living being throughout history has ever been able to withstand..."

Faxiang listened to the long, domineering roar, as powerful as a demon god, and stared blankly at the constantly booming thunder above, exclaiming in astonishment:

"Ancient books record that nothing can survive under the Heavenly Punishment Thunder. Could it be... could it be that Junior Brother Zhang can really break this record and survive the Heavenly Punishment Thunder?"

Fa Shan stared intently at the endless thunder in the sky, listening to the domineering roar, and said with a delighted expression:

"I knew it. Junior Brother Zhang would not die from the Heavenly Punishment Lightning. Junior Brother Zhang would definitely survive."

Hearing the long, resounding howl that echoed for miles, the aged monk Pude's face lit up with joy. He looked towards the direction of Xiaotianyin Temple and murmured:
"Junior Brother Puzhi, did you see that?"

"Your disciple, your only successor, is so extraordinary. If you knew this from beyond the grave, you would surely be at peace."

As the monk Pukong heard Zhang Xiaofan's long howl, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he looked up at the lightning in the sky.

He felt that Zhang Xiaofan was still a member of the Demonic Sect, serving as the Vice Sect Master of the Ghost King Sect, and had been ruthless and merciless in killing for the past eleven years.

His wife was also the daughter of the Ghost King Sect's leader, meaning Zhang Xiaofan could never escape the demonic sect for the rest of his life.

Good and evil are distinct! This has been the case for thousands of years; they are incompatible.

Even with the combined efforts of the thirty eminent monks, they were unable to remove even a trace of the malevolent energy from Zhang Xiaofan's body and his demonic sword.

Zhang Xiaofan is so powerful, if he really survives the Heavenly Punishment Lightning.

People change. Even if Zhang Xiaofan doesn't act against the righteous path now, won't he act against it in the future?

Moreover, the Incense Valley serves as a cautionary tale. Just a few months ago, Zhang Xiaofan broke into the Incense Valley at night and killed hundreds of its disciples.

If Zhang Xiaofan truly survives the Heavenly Punishment Lightning, his physical body and strength will be even greater. That would be a catastrophic disaster for Tianyin Temple and for the entire righteous path.

When Master Puhong proposed to purify Zhang Xiaofan's malevolent energy in front of the blank jade disc, Pukong raised his objection.

However, Master Puhong felt that Zhang Xiaofan was the only successor of his junior brother Puzhi, and he also felt guilty about the incident in Caomiao Village. That's why he gathered the power of thirty eminent monks to expel the malevolent energy from Zhang Xiaofan's body here.

Little did he know, this would trigger an even greater opportunity for Zhang Xiaofan.

(End of this chapter)