Chapter 71: The Spiritual Awakening: Heaven-Defying Cultivation, Yang Wei Faces the Grandest Lightning Tribulation. A Sect Left in Shock and Sorrow.
"I have done my bit. Now, it is your turn. You have set up your own Spiritual Domain, the must-have for Foundation Establishment. But now, you must establish a foundation of ultimate existence, one that grants you power across all the infinite paths of cultivation and magic."
With the way it spoke, it was obvious Xuanwu was about taking his leave.
"Wait! I still have more questions!"
"In time..."
And then, the colossal creature raised one of its club-like forelegs, and two claws touched Yang Wei—one on his forehead and another on his chest. At that moment, Yang Wei sensed his Spiritual Domain blooming even more, expanding widely.
Spiritual Domains come in all forms; no two people have the same one.
Yang Wei's was like a garden, and as he grew stronger, the garden flourished even more.
...
Soon after,
Yang Wei opened his eyes, now back home.
Without wasting a second, he sat in a lotus position and dived straight into cultivation.
"Hmm, ever since I awakened my Spiritual Domain, it's like my take on spiritual energy got a total makeover.
It feels like I can taste, hear, touch, see, and even smell the spiritual energy all around me.
I sense the real aspects of my soul and nature—they're not that different.
One's soul can be calm like nature, but it can also get just as chaotic, so finding a balance is key!"
He moved his hands like flowing water, forming a two-handed mudra that triggered a massive surge of essence Qi. Another mudra, and the spiritual energy swirling around him multiplied.
Soon, clouds condensed and swirled, stretching down directly toward Yang Wei's house—a lightning tribulation in the making. What made it different was that it was the grandest lightning tribulation anyone had ever seen. Most people had simpler methods to reach Foundation Establishment Mortal Realm, but this was a more potent approach.
This lightning tribulation lingered for three days, yet to strike Yang Wei, who remained motionless. It was as though the Heavens was condensing their anger, enough that it would erase Yang Wei.
Truly, his cultivation was Heaven-defying!
By then, disciples from the other four Peaks, along with Outer and Inner Sect Elders, had gathered.
Over two more days, even the Peak Chiefs arrived to witness the birth of this new genius.
...
A whole week had drifted by, and Yang Wei remained immersed in cultivation.
To reach the pinnacle of existence, I must forge an unparalleled Foundation Establishment.
That was Yang Wei's only thought.
...
Huo Yue and Wu Fengtian stood side by side, gazing at the ominous dark clouds. It seemed like the entire sect had their eyes fixed on the looming tribulation. Some had grown weary and departed, but those who genuinely cared lingered in anticipation.
Huo Yue voiced her concern, "Wei Shuai has been in seclusion for over a week, and he hasn't broken through to Mortal King stage yet. Could something have happened?"
"Shijie, no need to worry. Senior Brother is too tough to fail," Wu Fengtian reassured her.
Huo Yue clasped her hands together, praying, "Our cultivation levels are too low, but may the Heavens be merciful."
"Please be safe, Senior Brother."
Wu Fengtian joined in prayer, mischievously opening an eye.
If you die, who'll protect me?!
Then, he closed the eye.
...
Meanwhile, Mu Zhihao, Xiu Yulan, Mu Zhong, and Mu Lingxi floated in mid-air, observing the heavenly tribulation from a comfortable distance.
Mu Zhihao turned to Xiu Yulan.
"Can you see now why I said Sun Yuying isn't on this disciple's level?"
Xiu Yulan clenched her teeth, angered just by seeing the massive size of tribulation cloud alone.
Mu Lingxi commented, "For more than a week, he's been absorbing spiritual energy continuously."
Mu Zhihao stroked his beard. "And he's acquired more than enough for a breakthrough, and yet his Foundation Establishment still remains elusive… Or does he not know a Spiritual Domain awakening is required first?"
Mu Zhong smiled, "With Yang Wei's talent, he must have a plan." Glancing at Mu Lingxi, he teased, "Isn't that right, Junior Sister?"
Mu Lingxi cleared her throat with eyes closed and then proudly folded her arms. Then, she retorted, "How would I know."
"I suppose you wouldn't," Mu Zhong placed a hand over his mouth and chuckled. "Maybe if you cared enough to teach him a thing or two, we'd understand more of what's going on there… but, it seems he's doing far better than what you could've even thought him." He spoke in a way that was so provoking, and yet his facial expression remained calm and angelic.
Mu Lingxi didn't lose her composure, she only said, "I reserve my comments."
"Don't provoke her, Zhong-Zhong..." Mu Zhihao spoke.
"I apologize, father," he smiled. "I wasn't thinking."
"Still, I'm surprised Feng didn't come watch this."
Xiu Yulan then told him, "He wasn't interested."
"As expected."
...
Even Mu Lin who pretended not to care about Yang Wei couldn't help but watch the tribulation clouds. Placing a hand on her chest, she murmured, "Wei, please be safe."
Yun Feiyan caught her worried expression and smiled warmly.
It's strange to see this side of the Young Miss. It's refreshing...
She turned her gaze back to the ominous clouds.
Yang Wei, you better survive this for her!
...
On another part of Spirit Harmony Peak, Sun Yuying trembled, her hands quivering as she tried to comprehend the spectacle. "W... What kind of spirit root does he possess?" she stuttered.
...
The tribulation clouds rumbled even more, and finally, it began.
Yang Wei floated out of his lotus position, shattering the roof of his house.
Mu Lingxi clicked her teeth when she saw this. "My house."
Still smiling, Mu Zhong remarked, "We can fix that later. Doesn't Yang Wei matters more?"
Mu Lingxi collectedly closed her eyes and looked away. "Hmph!"
Yang Wei gracefully ascended to the skies, surrounded by condensed spiritual energy resembling ethereal serpents. These massive serpents coiled around him continually—like planets orbiting a sun.
RUUUUUMMBBLLEEEE!!
The tribulation cloud unleashed its heavenly lightning.
"Look! It's happening already!"
"After an entire week!"
"He's going to breakthrough, a male disciple with this aptitude is too good to be true!"
It struck Yang Wei with such force that it even harmed disciples with lower cultivation bases.
Mu Zhihao ordered, "Suppress the excess spiritual energy immediately!"
Xiu Yulan, Mu Zhihao, and his two children spread out, forming an array to dampen the breakthrough's potency.
After three intense hours, they succeeded, but Yang Wei descended with a charred, blackened body.
Mu Lingxi screamed, "NO! YANG WEI!"
Flying straight for him, she caught him before he hit the ground.
Running her hand over his hardened skin, she choked, "Don't tell me you're..." She hooked tightly onto his seemingly lifeless body, anxiously awaiting a sign of life. "Please..."
Everyone hoping for his breakthrough was left in shock.
Mu Lin from where she was fell to her knees with eyes so wide they quivered—as though they would expand more if they could. "Y... Yang Wei..." she painfully managed to speak.
Huo Yue held her chest in pain and disbelief. "N... No..."
Wu Fengtian was equally devastated.
Everyone was.