Overlord of the Wilderness

BOOM!

Zhaang Ye’s long whip struck the lightning squarely. The thigh-thick bolt was mostly shattered by the blow. The scattered electricity transformed into countless arm-thick fire snakes, illuminating the void for a thousand li around until it was as bright as snow.

Although Zhaang Ye had shattered most of the thigh-thick bolt, a small portion of it still crashed down viciously, striking him head-on. The Celestial River Righteous Qi protecting him held for only the blink of an eye before it was instantly shattered by the lightning. He was sent flying a thousand zhang, crashing hard onto the ground, his body writhing with fire snakes!

”ARGH!”

Zhaang Ye had been struck by the lightning, his sinews and bones shattering inch by inch. A pain that seeped into the depths of his soul instantly suffused his entire body. This agony was far worse than any torture in the mortal world; despite his resolute will, Zhaang Ye couldn’t help but let out a wretched scream.

Zhaang Ye pushed himself to his feet, staring intently at the dark clouds in the sky. ’An anomaly’s first Celestial Tribulation only has three bolts of lightning,’ he muttered. ’The three bolts have passed, so these clouds should be dispersing!’

As Zhaang Ye watched with bated breath, the dark clouds in the sky did indeed begin to dissipate, and the suffocating pressure slowly faded along with them.

”WHOOSH!”

The Ancient Fire Spirit had also successfully withstood the third bolt of lightning. Seeing Zhaang Ye’s horrifying state, it quickly flew over. ”How are you?”

Zhaang Ye gave a bitter smile. ”My skin and flesh are cooked through. The lightning shattered my bones and sinews. It’ll take at least three months just to be able to move again. A full recovery will probably take half a year. Fire Spirit, you really did a number on me. I was hoping to go hunt some Barbaric Beasts for training.”

Having passed its Celestial Tribulation, the Fire Spirit seemed to have gained some new understanding. It had matured considerably, like a child who had weathered the storms of life and become an adult. It consoled Zhaang Ye, saying, ”It won’t take half a year. In fact, you might recover in just a moment.”

The moment the Ancient Fire Spirit’s words faded, Zhaang Ye suddenly felt the dark clouds above him vanish completely. Sunlight streamed down once more, restoring the clear skies, green mountains, and sparkling waters for ten thousand li in every direction. And descending with the sunlight was a wondrous power—invisible and formless, yet brimming with vitality.

”SIZZLE!”

The instant this power touched Zhaang Ye, he felt his injuries begin to heal at an astonishing rate. Layers of charred flesh sloughed off as new muscle tissue rapidly grew to replace them.

Even more incredibly, this power seeped deep into his body, rapidly mending his sinews, bones, and internal organs. Under its restorative influence, his shattered bones and torn sinews reconnected in an unbelievable way, becoming broader and more resilient than before. His internal organs also grew stronger as the power forcefully expelled any hidden impurities lurking within them!

’Haha! This power... it’s the purest Power of Heaven and Earth Essence! The ancient books say that a Celestial Tribulation is a near-certain death, but within that death lies the seed of new life. If you successfully pass the tribulation, you’ll receive a reward from the heavens. It seems this pure Heaven and Earth Essence Qi is that very reward!’

Having read a great many ancient books, Zhaang Ye recognized the situation at once and was overjoyed.

This naturally-occurring Essence Power was far purer than even the Innate True Qi of a True Dao Eighth Layer master. It contained boundless vitality and could rapidly heal injuries. If used for cultivation, it could swiftly raise one’s cultivation level, even allowing for a quick breakthrough to the next realm!

”SIZZLE!”

Zhaang Ye, like parched earth, frantically absorbed the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi. His injuries healed at a rate visible to the naked eye. In just a dozen breaths, he was completely healed. All the impurities within his muscles, sinews, bones, and internal organs had been refined away, leaving them tougher and more formidable than ever!

”RUMBLE...”

With his injuries healed, Zhaang Ye frantically absorbed the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi, channeling it to replenish his Dantian. The essence was incredibly rich, and with this constant influx, his Celestial River Righteous Qi rapidly grew stronger. A thunderous rumbling echoed from within his body!

”BOOM! BOOM!”

Zhaang Ye’s cultivation soared. In just a dozen breaths, he advanced from the Mid-stage True Dao First Layer to the Late-stage. Then, from the Late-stage, he quickly surged to the Peak of the True Dao First Layer!

Still wanting more, Zhaang Ye was about to attempt a push for the True Dao Second Layer when the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi began to slowly dissipate. His cultivation could advance no further; the breakthrough to the True Dao Second Layer was out of reach.

”Hahaha! Excellent! This pure Heaven and Earth Essence Qi is more potent than a million Low-grade Essence Stones. It let me jump two minor stages in an instant!”

Zhaang Ye was slightly disappointed that he hadn’t broken through to the True Dao Second Layer. However, jumping two minor stages in just a few dozen breaths was still enough to make him ecstatic.

After all, most disciples in the Inner Sect toiled away at their cultivation for twenty years and only managed to reach the True Dao Second Layer. Those who had reached the True Dao Third Layer numbered only twenty or thirty.

For Zhaang Ye to reach the Peak of the True Dao First Layer in a single go—his rate of progress already far surpassed that of any other Inner Sect Disciple.

Zhaang Ye took a moment to acclimate to his new power before turning to the Ancient Fire Spirit. After passing its Celestial Tribulation, the spirit’s aura had also grown much stronger. Its flame had expanded from the size of a fist to the size of a palm. Wisps of a terrifying yet noble Suppression occasionally radiated from its azure fire, reminiscent of a phoenix spreading its wings.

Seeing Zhaang Ye’s excitement, the Ancient Fire Spirit slowly drifted closer. ”Zhaang Ye, I have some bad news for you. I can feel it... I will have to face a second Celestial Tribulation. It will come in about half a year.”

Zhaang Ye was startled. He quickly collected himself and said, ”I’ve already brought you out, and we’re about to go our separate ways. This second Celestial Tribulation has nothing to do with me, right?”

The Ancient Fire Spirit said, looking crestfallen, ”How could it have nothing to do with you? I stayed in your Small Space and left my aura there. For this second Celestial Tribulation, I’ll have to get struck by lightning, and you won’t be able to avoid it.”

Zhaang Ye couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath. ’There’s such a thing? This is a huge problem!’ He had never imagined that bringing the Ancient Fire Spirit out of the Spatial Array would lead to such a complication. While surviving a Celestial Tribulation could rapidly increase one’s strength, the risk was simply too great; one careless mistake could get you blasted to ash. As resolute as Zhaang Ye was, he had no desire to be struck by lightning a second time.

Zhaang Ye steadied his nerves and asked the Fire Spirit, ”I remember that Celestial Tribulations get stronger each time. How many bolts of lightning will there be in your second one?”

Hearing Zhaang Ye’s question, the Ancient Fire Spirit’s body trembled slightly; clearly, it was also terrified. It mulled it over for a long while before replying, ”After enduring that first tribulation, it seems my mind has been opened, and I have a vague understanding of many things now. I have a faint feeling that the second Celestial Tribulation will have six bolts of lightning, and their power will be more than three times greater than this last one!”

”Heavens!”

Zhaang Ye’s scalp went numb. He groaned, ”The third bolt just now was already as thick as a thigh. The lightning in the second tribulation will probably be thicker than a water bucket. Fire Spirit, it sounds almost impossible to survive this second Celestial Tribulation! Is there any way to lessen its power?”

The Ancient Fire Spirit replied helplessly, ”The power of a Celestial Tribulation can’t be reduced. However, we can join forces to resist the second one together.”

Zhaang Ye was taken aback. ”How would we join forces?”

The Ancient Fire Spirit explained, ”I can acknowledge you as my master. If I do, our auras will merge into one, and the Celestial Tribulation will perceive us as a single entity. By facing it together, it’s like we’d each only have to bear half of its power. We should be able to survive the second tribulation that way.”

Zhaang Ye’s eyes lit up. ’This Ancient Fire Spirit was formed from Phoenix Blood and has dwelled in a volcano for who knows how many eons. Its origin is extraordinary, and its power is incredible. If it’s willing to acknowledge me as its master, my chances of surviving the next Celestial Tribulation will increase dramatically. Plus, I could use my connection to the Fire Spirit to comprehend more of the profound mysteries of Phoenix Power.’

After a moment’s thought, Zhaang Ye said, ”Fire Spirit, have you truly considered the consequences of acknowledging me as your master? If I die one day, you won’t be able to live on, either.”

Having passed its tribulation, the Ancient Fire Spirit had matured greatly. It replied calmly, ”I understand. I’ve thought it over. I am an anomaly, an existence not tolerated by the heavens. The Celestial Tribulations will come for me again and again. Only by acknowledging you as my master do I have any chance of survival, any chance to truly see this magnificent world.”

Since the Ancient Fire Spirit had made its decision, Zhaang Ye no longer hesitated. He flicked a drop of his blood from his fingertip into the Ancient Fire Spirit. With the blood as a catalyst, Zhaang Ye’s soul and the Ancient Fire Spirit’s soul became tightly bound. Their auras merged as well.

After accepting the Ancient Fire Spirit, Zhaang Ye gave it a name on the spot: Fire Spirit.

After naming the Ancient Fire Spirit, Zhaang Ye executed a body technique and shot off into the distance.

Zhaang Ye’s destination was the Python Marsh. The marsh was home to a nine-hundred-and-ninety-nine-zhang-long Giant Python. By now, this Giant Python had likely evolved into a Flood Dragon. Zhaang Ye planned to slay it, use its Inner Core for his cultivation, and absorb its Dragon Power. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote with Recommendation Tickets and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)