Chapter 296: Spirit Soul and Flesh Both Transcend the Tribulation — Finally Ascend to Xian Tian!

“What is that?”

When Shen Hun Fu Lu appeared before Lu Qing, the figures atop the high platform—Lin Zhi Rui and the Tian Ji Lou Zhu Lou—were instantly stunned. They sensed an utterly profound aura emanating from the mystical talisman. Merely glancing at it sent shivers through their souls, stirring deep emotion.

Only Old Doctor and the others understood: this was clearly Lu Qing’s own cultivation method.

During the last time the Dao Yin sounded and the Moonlight descended, Lu Qing had already demonstrated before them the ability to condense spirit seals, capturing the Moonlight. But this time, the talisman he summoned seemed infinitely more powerful than before.

At the very moment Shen Hun Fu Lu was unleashed, the sky’s Jie Yun reacted instantly. Lightning gathered once more, swirling violently in the clouds.

Lu Qing stared upward, his mind stirring. The Shen Hun Fu Lu suddenly expanded, soaring above his head like a shield, protecting his entire body.

Just as it fully enveloped him, the eighth Jie Lei—long酝酿ed—descended with a thunderous crash.

Boom!

Even though Shen Hun Fu Lu was forged from the Divine Seal Sect’s inheritance, meticulously inscribed with countless spiritual soul runes imbued with cosmic truths, and later nurtured for years by a Soil Spirit Pearl—a supreme earth-element treasure—it still couldn’t withstand the force of the heavenly tribulation.

It shattered in less than a breath, exploding into scattered runes. The fragments, along with Lu Qing’s flesh, were instantly engulfed in blinding lightning.

“Lu Qing!”

Seeing the mysterious talisman fail to resist the Jie Lei, the hearts of everyone atop the platform clenched once more.

Yet, within the storm of lightning, Lu Qing felt nothing but exhilaration.

“Indeed, after sealing away the Soil Spirit Pearl, this eighth Jie Lei didn’t grow much stronger—only slightly more potent than the seventh. But with Shen Hun Fu Lu absorbing part of the blow, I’m handling it far more easily than before.”

Bathed in lightning, feeling the destructive force tearing through his body, Lu Qing’s spirit gradually calmed.

Without the Soil Spirit Pearl’s protection, his Brow Qi Cavity Space began to be pierced by the lightning, rapidly collapsing. Even as the talisman shattered, he remained utterly calm, silently experiencing the process.

Shen Hun Fu Lu was formed from countless spiritual soul runes—now merely scattered, not destroyed. As long as the runes remained intact, he could reassemble them at any moment.

But Lu Qing didn’t act immediately.

Because he sensed something extraordinary: the spiritual soul runes, now immersed in the lightning, were undergoing a profound transformation.

“Spirit Soul Power is inherently yin in nature. According to the Divine Seal Sect’s heritage, the core of this lineage lies in the cultivation of Shen Hun Fu Lu. To break through from Hou Tian Jing to Xian Tian Jing, one must have the talisman endure a baptism, absorbing yang energy and transforming from yin to yang.

There are many ways to achieve this—drawing from subterranean fire veins, absorbing the essence of sunlight, slowly converting over time. But among all forces in the world, none are as violently yang as lightning. And this Jie Lei, forged from the will of heaven and earth, is the ultimate yang force.

Now, my spiritual soul runes are being bathed in this lightning—this is the perfect chance to transform from yin to yang!”

With this realization, Lu Qing’s heart cleared. He focused his will, and the runes instantly accelerated their absorption of lightning energy.

When the storm faded and Lu Qing’s silhouette reappeared, the people atop the platform froze in shock.

For the first time, Lu Qing’s body was intact—aside from his skin still being charred black, he wasn’t torn apart as before.

Lu Qing understood perfectly:

“After enduring the first seven Jie Lei, my flesh has grown far stronger. I’ve developed greater resistance to lightning. With Shen Hun Fu Lu sharing the burden, this time wasn’t nearly as brutal.”

“But… even after absorbing so much lightning, I still haven’t fully purified Shen Hun Fu Lu. It hasn’t turned into a true yang talisman. And my body still lacks one final refinement—just one step away from truly entering Xian Tian Jing.

I’ll have to rely on the ninth Jie Lei.”

Lu Qing drew in fresh Life-Sustaining Qi, lifting his head to gaze at the sky.

The Jie Yun above seemed to sense his thoughts. It spun faster, forming a swirling vortex of gray clouds. At its center, blinding lightning coalesced—its overwhelming presence pressing down so heavily that even the most seasoned cultivators struggled to breathe.

“The ninth Jie Lei,” murmured Tian Ji Lou Zhu Lou, watching the gathering storm.

He didn’t know how many Jie Lei could fall, but nine was the ultimate number—the peak of all things. Surely, this tribulation would not exceed it.

Thus, this must be the final strike.

“If Lu Xiao Langjun survives this, he will have truly passed the tribulation. Then comes the reversal of fortune—fish leaping over the dragon gate. He will ascend to a realm beyond imagination.”

Tian Ji Lou Zhu Lou’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Lu Qing’s ability to summon Jie Yun had already shocked him. But now, nine strikes? He could scarcely believe it. He was desperate to know—what kind of being would Lu Qing become after overcoming such a trial?

Beyond Tian Ji Lou Zhu Lou, Xuan Ming He Shang and the others were utterly speechless.

“Nine Jie Lei… this is the absolute limit of Heaven and Earth’s current laws. No mistake—this tribulation object must be an unprecedented Unique Treasure!”

Xuan Ming He Shang’s eyes burned with wild fervor, utterly devoid of his former calm.

“Just born into the world, and it draws nine Jie Lei? That treasure is mine!”

Hidden in the shadows, the Black Robe Man trembled inwardly, nearly losing control of his own aura.

“Brothers, be alert! We must seize this tribulation treasure. If we can’t take it, we must ensure it doesn’t fall into Xuan Kong Shan’s hands!”

Yang Ming Dao Ren whispered urgently to his companions.

“Nine Jie Lei? Senior Brother, what should we do?”

The disciples of Yun Shui Mi Jing grew anxious.

“Stay calm! No one moves without my command!”

Yet the senior disciple felt an increasing unease. He issued the order again, more forcefully.

Just as the great powers around him prepared to act—each with their own intent—

The ninth Jie Lei, long gathering in the heavens, finally descended.

“Come on, let’s see what glory awaits beyond Xian Tian Jing!”

Lu Qing’s heart surged. The scattered spiritual soul runes, in a flash, reassembled into a single talisman, flying upward to meet the lightning head-on.

Boom!

As expected, Shen Hun Fu Lu shattered once more. The lightning struck Lu Qing directly.

For an instant, his body was torn apart.

This time, the lightning lingered far longer.

When it finally faded, and Lu Qing’s figure emerged, the people on the platform were horrified.

His entire body was nearly melted, a grotesque sight. His spiritual aura flickered like a dying candle—barely perceptible.

“Lu Qing… is he still alive?” Ma Gu’s voice trembled.

No one answered. All eyes were locked on the ruined form below—almost unrecognizable as human.

Just as breaths were held, Lu Qing’s head slowly lifted.

He turned toward the platform and smiled.

Though the smile was terrifying—twisted by pain and exhaustion—it was unmistakably alive.

Ma Gu and the others erupted in cheers.

“Thank the heavens! Lu Qing’s alive!”

Hearing the distant cries, Lu Qing let his smile fade. A wave of dread washed over him.

He looked like a corpse. His blood had been completely scorched away. His internal organs were nearly cooked. Even his skull had split open.

Only his overwhelming Spirit Soul Power had kept his consciousness from dissolving.

“If this ninth Jie Lei was this strong… I underestimated the tribulation utterly. I thought the final strike would be manageable, but I nearly died. If I hadn’t kept a reserve of Life-Sustaining Qi, and if I hadn’t swallowed that Dipulse Spiritual Fluid in time, I’d have been nothing but ash.

No wonder even in the cultivation era, people feared the Heavenly Tribulation.

Yes, there’s always a sliver of hope beneath the storm. But not everyone can seize it. One misstep, and you’re gone—before the chance even appears.”

With sheer will, Lu Qing maintained his awareness.

Just moments ago, he had truly felt death.

But he had endured.

A thick wave of Life-Sustaining Qi surged forth, enveloping him like a warm embrace.

Lu Qing didn’t hesitate. He immediately activated his Combat Technique, devouring the energy in massive gulps.

This time, the Life-Sustaining Qi was denser than ever—infinitely richer.

Within its embrace, his flesh began to regenerate before their eyes.

Organs revived, stronger than before. Bones and muscles regrew. Meridians and acupoints were completely rebuilt.

Then came the skin and hair—this time, he spared no effort. He poured every drop of Life-Sustaining Qi into restoring his body to perfect, peak condition.

As his flesh healed, the scattered spiritual soul runes rose once more, swirling rapidly, reassembling into their original form.

Before long, when Lu Qing’s body was fully restored, the Shen Hun Fu Lu reappeared before him—hovering, whole once more.

But this time, it was different.

More refined. More solid. Its aura had softened, now radiating a warm, sunlike glow.

And just as the talisman reformed…

Two beams of glowing light descended from the heavens.

One struck Lu Qing’s body. The other settled upon the Shen Hun Fu Lu.

Then, the Jie Yun began to dissipate.

“Hmm?”

Lu Qing was utterly unprepared. The light had come too fast—before he could react, it had already touched him.

Instinctively, he used his Spirit Soul Power to scan his body.

A moment later, his face lit up with shock and joy.

“This… this is a miracle! The heavens have granted me two divine abilities?”

Lu Qing was overjoyed.

From the heritage left by the Lihuo Sect, he knew that anyone who passed a tribulation would be bestowed with a special gift by heaven. The nature and strength of this gift varied with the cultivator’s performance.

It could be a fragment of enlightenment, a rare substance like Benyuan Qi, or even ancient inheritances and powerful combat techniques.

But among all gifts, the most mysterious and rare were the innate, supernatural abilities—true divine talents.

These were nearly impossible to obtain. Even in the cultivation era, such talents were legendary.

Only those with divine origins—spirit beasts or celestial beasts—could possess them.

For a human cultivator to receive a heavenly gift… it was worth more than any secret technique.

Lu Qing had been lucky enough to expect a relic or ancient inheritance.

But now? He’d been given two divine abilities.

An opportunity so rare, even in the cultivation era, would have made countless cultivators envious.

After all, this was only the gray cloud thunder tribulation—the most basic of all heavenly trials.

In the old days, such Jie Yun were common.

“Could it be… because I’m the first to pass a tribulation after Qi restoration?” Lu Qing pondered.

But no one could answer.

He didn’t dwell on it.

As he reached to explore the nature of his two new gifts,

A ripple passed through the sky.

The gray Jie Yun had vanished completely, leaving only wisps of cloud drifting in the air.

At the same moment, countless powerful auras flared into existence around him—converging rapidly toward his location.

“What’s going on?” Lu Qing frowned.

Then, before he could react, several bald-headed monks appeared nearby.

Their faces were familiar—those he’d seen earlier on the Sacred Mountain.

The leader was none other than Xuan Ming Da He Shang.

Xuan Ming He Shang and the others had rushed in the instant the Jie Yun vanished.

Their first sight? Lu Qing standing in the lightning-scarred crater, Shen Hun Fu Lu floating before him.

At the sight of the talisman, Xuan Ming He Shang’s eyes flared with murderous light.

Immediately behind him, Xuan Nu He Shang roared:

“Hey, boy! Hand over that Unique Treasure—now!”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end