“Not good!”
Ye Qiu’s heart sank.
A heavenly tribulation represented the will of the Dao, and interfering with another’s tribulation was taboo—it would only provoke the Dao’s wrath.
Moreover, Huzi was just an eleven- or twelve-year-old boy, utterly incapable of withstanding a tribulation.
*Bang!*
Huzi’s fist met the lightning, but the next second, he was flung backward, his body charred black, collapsing motionless on the ground.
“Huzi!” Ye Qiu shouted, about to rush forward when he saw Huzi stagger to his feet.
“Huh?” Ye Qiu’s eyes widened in shock. Huzi, struck by lightning, could still stand?
But then, the second bolt of lightning descended.
This time, the tribulation targeted not the python but Huzi.
Clearly, Huzi’s actions had angered the Dao.
“Huzi’s been drawn into the tribulation. Trouble,” Ye Qiu muttered, anxious.
*Boom!*
A massive thunderbolt engulfed Huzi, like a raging storm, terrifying in its intensity.
Ye Qiu said, “Huzi’s just a boy. Why is this tribulation so powerful?”
Master Longbrow explained, “Huzi defied the Dao, so the tribulation’s punishment is severe.”
“Little rascal, I know you’re worried, but I must warn you—don’t interfere.”
“Everyone has their fate, their destiny.”
“If Huzi dies under this tribulation, that’s his lot.”
Master Longbrow sighed. “Huzi’s got incredible potential, but he’s too reckless. Who challenges the Dao like that? He’s asking for death.”
Ye Qiu clenched his fists, eyes locked on Huzi, silently praying, *Huzi, you have to hold on!*
But then, to his astonishment, Huzi burst out from under the lightning’s cover.
“What?” Ye Qiu was stunned.
Master Longbrow’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Impossible! He’s just a boy—how could he withstand a tribulation?”
Huzi charged to the old willow tree, climbing like an ape, reaching the top in a blink.
“What’s this kid doing?” Master Longbrow exclaimed.
“He wouldn’t…” Ye Qiu’s words were cut off as the third tribulation bolt descended.
*Boom!*
A purple lightning bolt, thicker than a bucket, roared down from the heavens.
As it neared Huzi, he leapt, meeting the tribulation head-on.
*Bang!*
Huzi’s fists pounded the lightning with all his might.
“This kid, facing a tribulation head-on—such guts!” Master Longbrow couldn’t help but praise.
*Boom!*
The thunder seemed to tear the heavens apart. A sea of lightning poured from the sky, like a galaxy cascading down, its blinding light filling every inch of space.
Purple electricity surged, shaking the earth.
“A tribulation like this… Huzi can’t hold on,” Ye Qiu said gravely.
“He has no choice but to try, or he’ll be obliterated,” Master Longbrow replied.
Huzi had no retreat.
Ye Qiu was tense.
*Boom!*
As the lightning struck, Huzi was gravely wounded, his skin splitting, blood spraying.
Logically, with no cultivation, Huzi should’ve been reduced to ash by such a tribulation, but he wasn’t.
Despite his injuries, Huzi roared, showing no defeat, facing the heavens with defiance.
“This kid’s body is extraordinary, and his unyielding spirit is a bit like yours,” Master Longbrow marveled.
Ye Qiu noticed too.
An ordinary person would’ve been shattered, yet Huzi endured.
*Boom!*
Another wave of lightning struck.
Countless bolts battered Huzi, nearly breaking his body. He fell from the tree.
*Whoosh!*
Ye Qiu couldn’t hold back, rushing forward, catching Huzi at top speed. Without checking his wounds, he plucked a leaf from the Golden Sacred Tree and stuffed it into Huzi’s mouth.
“Hold on!”
After swallowing the leaf, Huzi’s wounds healed instantly.
Ye Qiu glanced at the python, which looked at Huzi’s back with guilt in its eyes.
After a moment’s hesitation, Ye Qiu took another leaf and placed it in the python’s mouth.
“Crossing a tribulation is tough. Hope this helps.”
Ye Qiu retreated dozens of meters in a flash.
The tribulation struck again, engulfing Huzi.
The python roared, charging into the lightning alongside Huzi, facing it together.
*Boom, boom, boom!*
The tribulation raged on.
Soon, both Huzi and the python were blasted back, their bodies nearly broken, blood splattering everywhere.
Ye Qiu rushed forward again, tossing two more Golden Sacred Tree leaves to them.
After swallowing, their wounds healed, and they faced the tribulation once more.
One bolt.
Two bolts.
Three bolts…
Huzi and the python endured seven bolts, until finally, the heavens calmed, as if nothing had happened.
*Thud!*
The python’s massive body fell, coiling around the willow.
Huzi, charred black like coal, stood motionless.
“The tribulation’s over?” Ye Qiu asked.
“Little rascal, I can’t sense Huzi’s aura,” Master Longbrow said. “I’m afraid he…”
Before he finished, Huzi collapsed, his blackened body seeming to crumble.
*Thud!*
With that sound, Ye Qiu’s heart sank into an abyss.
“Huzi!” Ye Qiu cried, ready to rush forward.
But then, a purple glow erupted from Huzi’s body, forming a circular aura around him.
Moments later, Huzi’s charred body twitched.
“He’s not dead!” Master Longbrow’s eyes gleamed. “Huzi’s alive!”
Huzi opened his eyes, his pupils shining brightly despite his blackened form.
The charred layer flaked off, revealing jade-like skin.
“He’s reborn under the tribulation. His future is limitless!” Master Longbrow exclaimed.
Ye Qiu was overjoyed.
He hadn’t expected Huzi to survive such a tribulation with just his mortal body.
Amazing!
But before Ye Qiu’s joy faded, he sensed something wrong. Looking up, he saw thunderclouds gathering again…
