The sword seller, dressed in red, deserves applause for the prankster.

Chi Miao's tribulation attracted more and more people, most of whom were core members of the top ten sects in the cultivation world, or even sect leaders.

All of them were tense, not daring to make any rash moves, let alone disturb Chi Miao's advancement.

Everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts, silently staring at Chi Miao, who was teetering on the brink of collapse amidst the lightning tribulation.

Nine Swords Mountain... has actually attracted such a monster!

None of them could have imagined that the legendary ninth tribulation would be triggered by someone breaking through from the Qi Refining stage to the Tribulation Transcending stage.

If she succeeds, everyone in the cultivation world will rise to prominence.

If she fails... the cultivation world will lose a terrifying freak.

They couldn't wait to step forward and help Chi Miao withstand the lightning tribulation.

Even if they have high cultivation levels, if they take a lightning bolt for Chi Miao... there is a possibility that their souls will be destroyed.

This is the rule, the rule from the Way of Heaven.

Chi Miao was in a bad state at the moment. She could hardly catch her breath. She gritted her teeth, her mind was blank, and she instinctively cursed, "They're really going to strike me to death. If this ninth lightning tribulation comes down... I'll definitely die. I can't just die here so easily."

She gritted her teeth and suddenly took out a magical artifact—a trumpet.

Its strange shape left everyone somewhat at a loss.

"What is this?"

And just as they were wondering...

The loudspeaker emitted a sound that could cover the entire Nine Swords Mountain.

"Waaaaah, I'm so miserable—"

"I'm so wronged—"

"I was originally a peerless genius, with talent that amazed everyone and comprehension that aroused envy. It only took me three days to cultivate to the late stage of Qi Refining!"

"I even wiped out cultivators in the Transcendent Stage for the sect!"

"Alas... I was deceived by a villain and imprisoned in Thunder Punishment Peak Prison, unable to leave. The Peak Master of Thunder Punishment Peak humiliated, mocked, and threatened me with strange language!"

"I'm so miserable! I hate it so much!"

"Yan Ge...you shameless! You're abusing a fifteen-year-old girl!!!"

The voice was unmistakably Chi Miao's own, and there was even an indescribable fluctuation of spiritual energy within it, affecting everyone's emotions.

This left everyone, who were initially tense, looking at Yan Ge with blank expressions.

Yan Ge used strange language to humiliate and abuse Chi Miao?

Suddenly, everyone's expression turned strange.

They even imprisoned a peerless genius.

That's outrageous!

Yan Ge's face flushed red: "She's talking nonsense! Chi Miao, what are you doing?!"

Why are you pulling this stunt now that you've been released?!

Others: "I don't believe it."

Yan Ge had no way to defend himself.

Suddenly the sound stopped again, and Chi Miao said into the loudspeaker, "Sorry, I played the wrong thing."

Everyone: "..."

Yan Ge: "..."

How could this be wrong?!

I strongly suspect that you are using this as a personal vendetta to maliciously tarnish his reputation in public!

Chi Miao shouted into the loudspeaker:

"Everyone, if you have any recovery or strengthening pills, throw them all at me and let me take them."

"I heard you all say that I must overcome the ninth heavenly tribulation. Now it's time for you to make your contribution."

"Let me make this clear: in my current state, I am incapable of resisting this ninth tribulation. If you truly wish for me to survive it, shower me with any treasures you have!"

"I'm not targeting any one person, but all of you here."

Hearing Chi Miao's words, everyone hesitated, especially the core members of other sects.

Of course, some people didn't hesitate at all.

For example, Ying Wuhuo, Jin Shengfei, and Yan Ge.

After the three set an example, Chong Shuai and several other elders, as well as some disciples of Nine Swords Mountain, all gave Chi Miao anything that could be of use.

But those outside the clan were still hesitant.

Jin Shengfei sneered and said, "You want to reap the benefits of Chi Miao's breakthrough without paying the price? There's no such thing as a free lunch. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you miss it... it'll be gone forever."

These words may not seem offensive at all, but they are undeniably threatening.

If Chi Miao can truly overcome the tribulation and usher in a new era, it will be a good thing for everyone.

If not, wouldn't their treasures have been given away for nothing?

Even the usually taciturn Ying Wuhuo said, "You've all been hiding in my Nine Swords Mountain for so long, even if you don't want to reveal anything, you still have to pay your rent, right?"

Jin Shengfei: "What Senior Brother Wu Huo said is absolutely right, otherwise... our sect elders might not agree."

The elders were all bewildered when their names were called out for no apparent reason.

Only Yan Ge reacted quickly, looking at Chi Miao and the other two in disbelief.

Even at a time like this, you're still thinking about swindling things? I can forgive Chi Miao, but when did you two become so despicable?!

However, he still stepped forward and unleashed the aura of the Nascent Soul Realm.

"What the disciples say is absolutely right. If you don't hand over something today, you'll be ashamed of the entire cultivation world! This is... a once-in-a-millennium opportunity for the entire cultivation world. Your rise or fall depends on you all."

Now, everyone understood.

"You...you're blatantly robbing us!"

"No way! Everyone's doing this for the cultivation world, what's there to fight over? This is for the benefit of all!"

These righteous words angered everyone, making their faces turn ugly.

Although extremely unwilling, they had no choice but to hand over the treasure.

"This is a fifth-grade elixir, the Flower-Growing Pill. As long as you have a breath left, you will not die."

"This is the Exquisite Pagoda, a Grade Earth-level magic artifact with astonishing defensive capabilities; it can help her overcome this tribulation!"

Almost everyone handed over extraordinary treasures to Chi Miao.

They were heartbroken, but Nine Swords Mountain had already made their robbery a blatant act. If they didn't pay, they would be the ones to suffer on Nine Swords Mountain's territory.

Furthermore, given the special nature of this incident and its connection to the entire cultivation world, even if they later come with powerful backers to seek redress, they will ultimately be the ones who suffer disgrace and ruin.

What a clever scheme of coercion and enticement!

"Nine Swords Mountain...when did they become so shameless!"

Chi Miao ended up with a huge pile of things.

But she didn't use it; she pretended to, but actually secretly hid it in her storage ring.

Actually, it's not that she doesn't need them; she's basically taken all the life-saving and recovery pills.

Thunder rumbled overhead.

Chi Miao took a deep breath.

"It's finally here..."

This time, the lightning even had a touch of purple, extremely eerie and thick.

The mere leak of aura caused everyone to break out in a cold sweat.

"Purple... Purple Lightning?"

"This...this ninth lightning bolt is ten times stronger than the eighth!"

"Is there really anyone in this world who can withstand this lightning strike?"

"It's okay, she's taken so many of our treasures... she can definitely do it."

And just then, rumble—!

Like divine punishment, a bolt of lightning struck down, nearly destroying everything around Chi Miao. It was like the breath of a world-destroying dragon, terrifyingly powerful, and spread outwards continuously.

Several bigwigs realized something was wrong.

This isn't ten times the power of the eighth lightning bolt; it's a hundred times more powerful!

"Back off! Everyone back off! Evacuate the scene immediately!"

This lightning...

No matter how many tricks Chi Miao has up her sleeve, she can't withstand it! She'll be turned to ashes!

Just then, everyone looked towards the very center of the thundercloud, and they were stunned when they saw what was happening!