I alone am the Honoured One!

578  The Heaven sent child [4]

*CRACKLE* The sky above seemed to fracture as the sixth degree of the Heavenly Tribulation descended and the vortex seemed to be an abyss of golden lightning.  Arcs of lightning twisted within the storm like serpents, their glow illuminating the shattered arena and the onlookers' terrified faces.

 This time, it was no mere lightning strike.

 The heavens roared with rage, summoning a barrage of bolts that fused midair into a single devastating blast.

KRA-KA-BOOOOM!

The resulting bolt was not aimed to test Zhao Tian... it was meant to obliterate.

It tore through the air, leaving a trail of spatial distortions as it hurtled toward Zhao Tian.

*THOOOMMM* The moment it struck, the air itself seemed to cry out and the ground beneath his feet gave way, collapsing into a crater so deep that the arena's foundation was entirely exposed. A shockwave rippled outward, its sheer force causing the protective formations around the sect to flicker. Many spectators were forced to retreat even further, shielding themselves from the overwhelming heat and energy. Zhao Tian, at the center of the devastation, stood still.

His robes were singed, his hair slightly tousled, and faint scorch marks danced across his exposed skin.

Yet, there was no significant injury and his body seemed to hum with the remnants of the lightning.

"Impossible," Xu Guangjing muttered, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Zhao Tian. Yan Zijin's expression remained indifferent, but a flicker of unease crossed her eyes. "The sixth degree of the Heavenly Tribulation. This alone has slain countless prodigies."

Above, the vortex churned with renewed fury, as if insulted by Zhao Tian's defiance.

 The storm deepened, turning darker as arcs of lightning crackled with more intensity than ever before.

The air grew heavier, pressing down on all who remained in the vicinity.

And the seventh degree began.

This time, the heavens gathered its power in a sphere... a golden sun of condensed lightning that radiated an aura of pure annihilation and it hovered ominously for a moment before crashing down.

KRAAAAAK! THOOOMMMMMM!

The arena was no more; the ground collapsed entirely, revealing layers of bedrock that melted under the searing heat.

The resulting explosion sent a plume of dust and energy surging into the atmosphere.

*BOOOOOM* The earth groaned under the strain, and tremors were felt even in the distant parts of the sect grounds.

Ji Shuang's voice rang out, urgent and commanding. "All remaining disciples, evacuate immediately! This is no longer a test of cultivation!" n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Reluctantly, the remaining disciples obeyed, their gazes lingering on Zhao Tian as they fled.

Amidst the chaos, Yao Jing remained rooted to her spot, her fists trembling as her heart waged war with her reason. "Tian'er... how far will you go?" she whispered.

As the dust settled once more, Zhao Tian's figure was revealed.

His breathing had quickened, and blood seeped from the corners of his mouth from the pressure, but his posture remained steadfast.

"The seventh degree... is this all the heavens can muster?" In the distance, Eldric Grey stood with his arms crossed and a contemplative gaze. "He's gone beyond endurance. It's not just his physical body... it's his will. To defy the heavens, one must have an indomitable spirit. And his... it's monstrous."

The heavens roared in response to Zhao Tian's provocation and the vortex expanded further, its golden arcs intensifying as they wove together into a single massive construct.

 This was no ordinary strike... this was judgment.

The eighth degree of the Heavenly Tribulation arrived.

The sky itself seemed to split open as a pillar of divine lightning descended and it was wider than the previous strikes, a cascade of golden energy that shattered the very air it passed through.

The force of its descent caused the sect grounds to tremble violently.

KRA-KA-BOOOOOOM!

The pillar struck with unmatched ferocity, engulfing Zhao Tian entirely.

*WOOOSHHHHH* The sheer brightness of the strike forced even the Wing Masters to avert their eyes and the protective formations around the sect collapsed entirely, leaving the observers vulnerable to the residual energy. Ji Shuang clenched her fists, her aura flaring as she prepared to intervene. "This is no longer just a tribulation..."

Yan Zijin's gaze squinted, her eyes fixed on the storm. "It seems like a challenge. The heavens want to see how far he can go."

"What did this brat do to make the Heavens do this?"

When the light faded, Zhao Tian's form emerged once more and his body bore the marks of the tribulation... his robes were in tatters, his hair disheveled, and scorch marks marred his skin.

 Yet, his stance was unbroken and his breathing was ragged under the sheer pressure, but his eyes burned with an intensity that sent shivers through everyone who was watching him from the distance. From her vantage point, Velnorah's crimson eyes trembled with admiration as she leaned forward, her lips curling into a delighted smile.

"Hubby, you're truly extraordinary. How much longer will you toy with the heavens, I wonder?"

Eldric Grey's eyes shook in horror and a mutter escaped his lips "He survived the eight-degree?" No one has survived the 8th degree on the High Stars, but they have heard there are some people who survived the 8th degree in the Astral Realm.

Rei Wian, who had already been evacuated from the arena, looked at the arena's direction, which was destroyed, the golden lightning sparkling around Zhao Tian's body.

"The Gods are so unfair..." he muttered in envy, looking at Zhao Tian.

H-HUH?

Looking at Zhao Tian standing in the center, Li Jia rubbed the tears from her eyes and a deep sigh escaped her lips "You bastard.. always worrying me."

Qi Nue and Qi Xue hugged each other, relief flooding their hearts after seeing Zhao Tian still standing on the ground.

Further away, Jao Ying, couldn't hide the glimmer of pride and worry in her eyes as she clenched her hands tightly within the folds of her robes. "That stubborn disciple of mine…" she muttered under her breath, though her voice wavered.

Despite her confidence in him, even she felt the suffocating weight of what he had endured.

The heavens above, however, showed no signs of relenting.

The vortex grew darker, and the arcs of lightning began to take on a reddish hue, their intensity surpassing anything seen before.

The ninth degree was coming...

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