Chapter 18: Nine Heavenly Tribulations

Ye Lingyin was still immersed in the joy of her breakthrough to the Golden Core stage. Hearing his words, she asked coquettishly, "Sect Master, is there something urgent? Your servant could perhaps serve you..."

"No need, it's just a minor matter. A man, you know, always has some private business to attend to."

Without waiting for Ye Lingyin to react, Han Yang flashed out of the secret chamber, leaving her behind, filled with confusion.

Once out of his cave dwelling, Han Yang did not dare to delay and flew directly toward the back mountain. Heavenly Tribulations were nothing to joke about; if he were to undergo it within the sect, it would be disastrous to let innocent bystanders get caught in the crossfire.

In the back mountain of the Blissful Immortal Sect lay a secluded valley, rich in spiritual energy and rarely visited—a perfect place for enduring a tribulation.

Han Yang descended into the valley, sat cross-legged, took a deep breath, and channeled the Diamond Immovable Technique to bring himself to his peak state. Before long, the sky changed colors, and dark clouds gathered rapidly, blotting out the sun as an oppressive aura shrouded the entire valley.

"Rumble!"

A deafening thunderclap echoed, and a purple bolt of lightning as thick as a water barrel struck down toward Han Yang with the force of destruction.

"Come on!"

Han Yang roared. He did not dodge or evade, choosing to take the first strike head-on. The Soul of the Taotie surged wildly, converting a portion of the lightning's power into his own cultivation, but even so, Han Yang was left bruised and charred, his skin split open.

"Damn it, this heavenly lightning is truly fierce!" Han Yang spat, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.

[Ding! Detected that the host is undergoing a Heavenly Tribulation. There are nine strikes in total, each increasing in power. Please prepare yourself!]

The system's prompt made Han Yang's heart sink. If the first strike alone had nearly cost him his life, how was he supposed to survive the next eight?

"Good thing I have the system!" Han Yang gritted his teeth and pulled a golden-glowing feather cloak from his storage ring.

This was the defensive treasure rewarded by the system: the Golden Roc Feather Cloak, said to be crafted from the feathers of an ancient Golden-Winged Roc, boasting incredible defensive capabilities. Han Yang quickly donned the cloak, and the flowing golden light wrapped tightly around him.

"Rumble!"

The second bolt of lightning followed, thicker and more terrifying than the first.

"Boom!"

The lightning slammed into the Golden Roc Feather Cloak with a thunderous roar. The cloak shimmered, deflecting most of the force. Han Yang felt a massive shockwave that rattled his internal organs, but he managed to avoid the wretched state he had been in after the first strike.

As the subsequent bolts descended, Han Yang relied on the cloak and the Soul of the Taotie to survive, though he remained injured. By the time the eighth bolt struck, the Golden Roc Feather Cloak had developed several cracks, yet he grinned. "Only one left! I refuse to believe I won't survive this!"

The final bolt of lightning descended like a massive purple dragon, carrying the weight of annihilation.

"Boom!"

A massive explosion shook the entire valley, making it feel as if it were about to collapse. The Golden Roc Feather Cloak shattered completely, and Han Yang was sent flying dozens of meters away. As the light faded and the dust settled, Han Yang lay on the ground, charred like a piece of coal, motionless. His cloak was reduced to ash, and he was covered in blood and burns, his breath faint, as if he might expire at any moment.

"Cough, cough..."

Han Yang coughed painfully, blood trickling from his lips. Damn it, that last strike had nearly shattered his soul!

However, at that very moment, the Soul of the Taotie within him began to spin frantically, as if injected with stimulants, greedily absorbing the residual lightning energy. Instead of further destroying his body, these violent energies acted like dew, nourishing every inch of his flesh and repairing every wound. Simultaneously, a more powerful energy erupted from deep within his Dantian. He felt something within him breaking through a shell; a vast, ocean-like power surged through his body, threatening to burst him open.

"Boom!"

Golden light burst from Han Yang, shooting straight into the clouds. The dim valley was instantly illuminated as if by daylight. The skin on his back tore open, and a pair of massive golden wings slowly unfurled, blotting out the sky.

In that moment, Han Yang felt as if he had transformed into a true Primordial Golden Roc, mastering the five elements of heaven and earth with the power to destroy all. A sense of supreme arrogance arose within him.

The tribulation faded, the clouds dispersed, and sunlight returned to the valley. Han Yang stood up slowly, feeling the surging power within him, and was ecstatic.

"Spirit Severing Stage! I have finally reached the Spirit Severing stage!"

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully surviving the tribulation. Reward: The Ten Thousand Beasts Sutra!]

The system prompt sounded at just the right time. Han Yang couldn't wait to check the description.

[This sutra records the cultivation methods of various ancient mythical beasts. By learning its secret techniques, the host can control the powers of different beasts and even fuse their bloodlines to create unique divine abilities!]

"Incredible!" Han Yang couldn't help but curse in excitement. This sutra was perfectly tailored for him!

Upon returning to the sect, news of Han Yang’s breakthrough to the Spirit Severing stage spread throughout the Blissful Immortal Sect. The female disciples, in particular, were buzzing with gossip.

"Did you hear? After Ye Lingyin practiced dual cultivation with the Sect Master, she actually reached the Golden Core stage!"

"Is that true? She’s so lucky!"

"If only I could dual cultivate with the Sect Master too..."

Soon, bold disciples began to shyly gather outside Han Yang’s cave, begging for dual cultivation.

"Sect Master, I heard that Ye Lingyin’s cultivation advanced greatly after practicing with you. I, too, would like to..." said a scantily clad, hot-bodied disciple, her eyes filled with desire.

More and more disciples gathered, a sea of beauty that left Han Yang dazzled.

"Sect Master, I am willing as well..."

"Sect Master, choose me..."

Looking at the group of posturing women, Han Yang realized his Diamond Immovable Technique was about to come in handy once again.

"Since you all have this wish, this Sect Master will not decline."

And so, Han Yang’s cave began a "secluded training" that lasted for three days and three nights. Outside, the line of disciples grew, winding from the hillside to the foot of the mountain like a long dragon. Intermittent sounds of gasping and whispering drifted from the cave, echoing through the valley and fueling wild imaginations.

Three days later, the door to the cave finally opened. Han Yang walked out, his aura formidable and on the verge of breaking through to the mid-Spirit Severing stage, but his face was sallow and his steps were unsteady, as if a gust of wind could blow him over.