From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 73 Heavenly Tribulation Descends, Calamity Approaches

The gale suddenly stopped, and the world seemed to stand still for a moment. Only the churning dark clouds overhead, like the gaping maw of a giant beast, foreshadowed the impending destruction. The golden light in my hand shone even brighter. It was my natal magic weapon—the Yao Guang Sword—humming, yearning for battle, yearning to fight alongside me against the oppressive power of heaven and earth.

A blinding white light tore through the darkness, followed by a deafening roar of thunder. The first heavenly tribulation struck down without warning! It was a bolt of purple lightning as thick as a bucket, carrying a world-destroying force, heading straight for me. I dared not be careless, gathering all my immortal power and raising the Yao Guang Sword high above my head.

"Om-"

The Yao Guang Sword emitted a clear, resounding clang, its golden light blazing forth, forming a golden barrier that protected me within. Purple lightning slammed into the golden barrier, creating a deafening explosion. I felt an immense force impacting my body, as if my internal organs were about to shatter. I gritted my teeth, desperately maintaining the barrier, preventing the lightning from breaching my defenses.

"Yao'er!" I heard Wen Chen's anxious cry. He tried to rush over to help me, but was repelled by an invisible force. Under the Heavenly Tribulation, no one is allowed to interfere, otherwise it will only intensify the tribulation's power. Seeing him being thrown away, I felt a pang of pain in my heart, but there was nothing I could do. I could only try harder to resist the Heavenly Tribulation so that he could be at ease.

After the first tribulation, I felt my immortal power almost completely depleted, and my body suffered considerable damage. However, I knew this was only the beginning. I looked up at the sky; the dark clouds were thicker, and the thunder was more frequent, as if brewing an even more powerful attack.

The second heavenly tribulation was thicker and deeper in color than the first, carrying an aura of annihilation, and it struck me again. I endured the pain in my body, raised the Yao Guang Sword once more, and its golden light shone brightly, colliding with the purple lightning.

Time and again, I withstood the attacks of the heavenly tribulation. My body grew weaker and weaker, and my immortal power gradually depleted, but I never gave up. I knew I couldn't give up; I had to overcome the heavenly tribulation to be with Wen Chen and to protect everything I wanted to protect.

After the seventh heavenly tribulation descended, I almost lost consciousness and could only mechanically wield the Yao Guang Sword out of instinct. My vision was blurred, my ears were ringing, and it felt as if the whole world was collapsing.

The eighth course...

I felt an unprecedented despair. Was I going to fail?

Just then, I felt a warm power flow into my body, my consciousness gradually returned, and my body regained some strength. I barely opened my eyes and saw Wen Chen standing behind me. His face was pale, and there was a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth, but he gave me a reassuring smile.

"Yao'er, hold on..." he said softly, his voice weak but full of strength.

I...I...I saw the unwavering determination in his eyes, a resolve that would never abandon me no matter what. This determination, like a gentle stream, flowed into my parched heart, rekindling my hope. I gripped the Yao Guang sword tightly, feeling the warmth emanating from its blade—the warmth of Wen Chen's love, and the driving force that kept me alive.

The eighth heavenly tribulation, carrying a world-destroying pressure, roared towards me like a ferocious purple dragon. I was almost powerless to resist and could only watch helplessly as it drew closer. At this critical moment, I saw a flash of golden light in the sky, and countless heavenly soldiers and generals descended from the heavens, surrounding me in the center and forming an impenetrable defense.

"By order of the Jade Emperor, to maintain order during the Heavenly Tribulation, no one may interfere with the ascendant's tribulation!" A majestic voice rang out in the air, and I recognized it as Erlang Shen's voice. He held a three-pointed, double-edged sword, his eyes blazing as he vigilantly surveyed his surroundings.

I saw in the distance that the Asura King was surrounded by heavenly soldiers and generals. His eyes gleamed with a sinister light, as if he were searching for a way out to interfere with my tribulation. But he was ultimately unable to break through the encirclement of the heavenly soldiers and generals, and could only roar in resentment, emitting a series of chilling howls.

The Jade Emperor sat high above the Ninth Heaven, looking down upon everything below. His expression was calm, but his eyes flickered with an inexplicable light, as if he were assessing my strength and observing the Asura King's every move.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to concentrate and focus all my attention on resisting the heavenly tribulation. The power of the eighth heavenly tribulation far exceeded my expectations. Even with the protection of heavenly soldiers and generals, I still felt immense pressure. My body felt as if it were being torn apart; every inch of my skin was burning, and every bone was groaning.

I gritted my teeth, desperately summoning the last of my immortal power, and raised the Yao Guang Sword high above my head. Golden light flashed again, colliding with the purple lightning in a deafening explosion. I felt my body being thrown away by a tremendous force, crashing heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Yao'er!" Wen Chen disregarded the obstruction of the heavenly soldiers and generals and came to my side, helping me up. His eyes were filled with worry and heartache, and his hands trembled as he stroked my cheek.

"I'm fine..." I said weakly, forcing a smile to reassure him.

I know I cannot fall; I have one last tribulation to overcome. The ninth and final heavenly tribulation will determine my life or death, and my future.

I looked up at the sky; the dark clouds churned even more violently, and the thunder roared even more intensely, as if the whole world was trembling for my impending fate. I felt an unprecedented fear, but also an unprecedented determination.

I must live! For Wen Chen, for myself, for everything I cherish!

I slowly stood up, the Yao Guang sword in my hand humming as if in response to my resolve. Although my body was covered in wounds and my immortal power was almost exhausted, my will was unwavering.

Just as the ninth heavenly tribulation was about to strike, I heard a gentle voice whisper in my ear: "Child, hold on..."

The voice, so familiar, so warm, was like a ray of sunshine in winter, illuminating my cold heart. I looked up and saw Guanyin Bodhisattva appear before me, riding on auspicious clouds. Her face was kind and compassionate, her hands clasped together, and she was chanting incantations. A powerful force of compassion emanated from her, enveloping me.

This power, like an indestructible barrier, withstood the pressure of the ninth heavenly tribulation, allowing me to barely stand firm amidst the raging lightning. I felt my body slowly recovering, and my depleted immortal energy gradually replenishing. The compassionate power of Guanyin Bodhisattva, combined with my will to survive, formed a powerful force, giving me a glimmer of hope in this desperate situation.

The ninth heavenly tribulation, carrying an aura of annihilation, finally descended. It was a bolt of purple lightning thicker than any of the previous tribulations, like an enraged dragon, descending from the sky and heading straight for me. I gripped the Yao Guang Sword tightly, pouring all the immortal power within my body into it. Golden light erupted instantly, colliding with the purple lightning.

boom!

A deafening roar shook the heavens and earth. I felt as if I had been struck by a tremendous force, my internal organs displaced, and my consciousness began to blur. But I refused to give up. I gritted my teeth, desperately trying to hold on, refusing to let my consciousness fade away. I seemed to hear Wen Chen's heart-wrenching cries, a voice filled with despair and pain, piercing my heart like a sharp blade.

No, I can't fall! I still want to be with him, to see the starry sky, to see the spring flowers bloom...

I struggled to open my eyes; everything was blurry, but I could still see Wen Chen's figure. He was rushing towards me desperately, his eyes filled with anxiety and worry. I wanted to smile at him, to tell him I was alright, but I didn't even have the strength to open my mouth.

Just when I was about to give up, I felt a cool breeze flow into my body, repairing my damaged meridians and organs. I turned my head and saw Guanyin Bodhisattva still standing there, with a faint smile on her face and her eyes full of compassion and encouragement.

"Child, you've done very well..." she said softly, "Keep going, you're almost there..."

I nodded vigorously, my heart filled with gratitude and admiration. I turned my gaze into the distance again and saw Erlang Shen locked in fierce combat with the Asura King's henchmen. He wielded his three-pointed, double-edged sword with incredible speed and power, each swing claiming several lives. As he fought, he kept an eye on me, his eyes filled with appreciation and respect.

The Asura King was firmly trapped by the heavenly soldiers and generals. Although he roared angrily, he was unable to break through the encirclement. His eyes flashed with resentment and bitterness, like a trapped wild beast ready to launch a counterattack at any moment.

Just then, I heard a sharp, piercing voice come from behind me: "Xiao Yao! Do you really think you can ascend to immortality? You're nothing but a lowly piece of trash, you don't deserve it at all..."

I whirled around... I whirled around and saw the White Bone Demon trapped in the magical cage I had set up earlier. Her hideous face was contorted, and the resentment in her eyes was almost bursting out. "Xiao Yao! Do you really think you can ascend to immortality? You're nothing but a lowly piece of trash, you don't deserve it at all!" Her shrill voice was like a demonic whisper, trying to disturb my mind.

I suppressed the surging blood and qi within me, ignoring her shouts. The lingering power of the ninth heavenly tribulation still ravaged my body; my meridians felt as if they were being torn apart, and the excruciating pain made it almost impossible to breathe. I knew this was only the beginning; the subsequent tribulations would only be more dangerous. I had to concentrate all my energy to have even a sliver of hope.

"You just got lucky and obtained a little bit of opportunity! You good-for-nothing without spiritual roots, yet you dare to dream of ascending to the immortal realm? You're just delusional!" The White Bone Demon's curses became even sharper. She frantically rammed into the immortal magic cage, but she could not break free.

I closed my eyes, focused on regulating my breathing, and channeled the compassionate power of Guanyin Bodhisattva into myself to repair my damaged meridians. I knew the White Bone Demon's purpose: she wanted to distract me, preventing me from fully engaging in the upcoming tribulation. I couldn't let her succeed.

"Look at you, in such a sorry state, like a stray dog! Do you really think Wen Chen loves you? He's just using you! Once you fail to ascend, he will..." The White Bone Demon's words were abruptly cut off, because my Yao Guang Sword was already pressed against the Immortal Art Cage, the tip of the sword pointing directly at her brow.

I slowly opened my eyes, my gaze icy cold. "If you dare to spout nonsense again, I will make sure your soul is scattered." My voice was weak, but carried an undeniable authority.

The White Bone Demon was intimidated by my imposing aura and flinched for a moment, but quickly regained her previous arrogance, "You dare! I am..."

I couldn't be bothered to listen to her nonsense any longer, so I withdrew the Yao Guang Sword, closed my eyes again, and prepared to face the impending heavenly tribulation. I knew that the White Bone Demon was nothing but a clown; the real threat came from the Asura King and the approaching heavenly lightning.

The sky darkened again, with churning clouds and flashing lightning. The tenth heavenly tribulation, even more powerful than the ninth, slowly coalesced, carrying an aura of annihilation. I took a deep breath, mobilizing all the remaining immortal power within my body. The Yao Guang Sword emitted a dazzling golden light, pointing straight at the heavens.

"Ah—!" I roared, pouring all my power into the Yao Guang Sword to meet the terrifying purple lightning bolt head-on. The deafening roar struck my body once more, and I felt my consciousness slowly fading…

Just then, I sensed a powerful demonic aura rapidly approaching... A chilling voice rang in my ear: "Xiao Yao, prepare to die!"