Volume Two: Soaring Dragon of the Nine Heavens Chapter Four: Crossing the Tribulation

“White Dragon, Bai Ling’er, although you were forced into this, one of you activated the ghost-cultivation array, and the other consumed human lives. You have still violated the divine law, and these thirty-six bolts of heavenly thunder cannot be avoided. Are you afraid?” Yao Guang stood before the two, her voice calm.

“Not afraid. This is the punishment I deserve,” White Dragon shook his head.

“Divine Lady, it’s all right. I accept the divine penalty. After enduring it, I can return to Qingqiu. I miss home,” Bai Ling’er wiped away her tears, turned to push away the hands of the Fox Emperor and Empress, exchanged a glance with White Dragon, and stepped back onto the platform.

“After the thirty-six heavenly thunders, there may come twelve more as part of the tribulation. You must be prepared in your hearts. The first thirty-six, I cannot intervene, but for the remaining twelve, I can lend you my strength,” Yao Guang waved her hand. “Take these spirit pills and prepare yourselves; the penalty is at hand.”

Thunder rumbled. No sooner had Yao Guang finished speaking than dark clouds gathered in the sky, and bolts of heavenly thunder shot down from them, striking White Dragon and Bai Ling’er with unerring precision. Each thunderbolt carried an undeniable majesty. Yao Guang watched anxiously as the thunder descended; the Fox Emperor and Empress clung to each other, their hands tightly clenched.

In the blink of an eye, thirty bolts had struck. White Dragon and Bai Ling’er were covered in bloody wounds.

“Hold on, only six more,” Yao Guang urged, worry etched on her face.

“Come, we can do this,” White Dragon crawled to Bai Ling’er’s side, helped her up, and together they used what little spiritual power remained to resist the divine punishment.

Thunder crashed—thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three… thirty-six. The thirty-six heavenly thunders had fallen; the two lay on the platform, barely clinging to life, their bodies drenched in blood.

Both drew deep, ragged breaths. Below the platform, Yao Guang and the others let out a sigh of relief.

But thunder rumbled again—their breaths had barely steadied when lightning flashed anew above. Yao Guang and her companions were startled.

“This is bad, the tribulation thunder is here,” Yao Guang acted instantly, leaping onto the platform and channeling her spiritual power, intercepting the thirty-seventh bolt of thunder with her own energy. She dared not slacken, intensifying her power to meet the relentless thunder. In the time it takes to smoke half a cigarette, forty bolts had descended.

“Divine Lady, you must not bear this alone. The tribulation thunder is fierce, and this is our trial,” White Dragon looked up at Yao Guang, his eyes blurred by tears. It is said that men do not easily weep, but seeing the Phoenix Divine Lady help them so selflessly, his heart trembled.

“Divine Lady, please stop. We can manage,” Bai Ling’er was sobbing uncontrollably.

“You two were trapped in the array, your spiritual power diminished. To withstand the divine punishment was no small feat. The tribulation thunder could scatter your souls to oblivion. Moreover, I promised the Underworld King and the Dragon King to return you, White Dragon, to the East Sea. I cannot break my word. Bai Ling’er, you are of the Qingqiu royal line, and you share a deep bond with the Third Prince. My mischievous Peach Shadow will be in Qingqiu in the future; I hope you will watch over her,” Yao Guang spoke as the forty-first thunderbolt crashed down.

“Ah…” Yao Guang cried out, her golden phoenix wings unfurled once more. The Phoenix Divine Lady’s golden armor manifested, a radiant glow enveloped her, and her nine-tiered phoenix coronet could no longer be concealed. The divine form of the Phoenix Lady was revealed to all, the phoenix mark on her brow shining bright. Those watching from below gasped in astonishment, “A Golden Fire Phoenix! Her divine core is the ancient Golden Fire Phoenix, the noblest phoenix bloodline. And she is human—how incredible! Cultivating for a thousand years might not achieve this. What fortune she must possess!”

The immortals devoted to Yao Guang were speechless with awe; this was the first time they had seen her divine core. This girl was truly extraordinary.

The Fox Emperor and Empress were equally astounded, glad that the Phoenix was their ally, not an adversary—otherwise, she would be terrifying indeed.

As the immortals marveled, forty-eight bolts of thunder had already fallen. Yao Guang gently descended, her aura retreating, her appearance returning to that of a neighbor’s gentle girl. She turned to White Dragon and Bai Ling’er: the two were enveloped in a soft, pale golden light, slowly rising. The bloody wounds caused by the thunder faded away, and their torn garments were restored once the light withdrew.

“We’ve survived the tribulation!” they exclaimed in delight as they landed, blessed by adversity.

“Thank you, Divine Lady,” they knelt, but Yao Guang quickly helped them up. “Rise, please,” she said, her heart filled with relief.

Suddenly, Yao Guang’s face paled, and she coughed up a mouthful of blood, her body swaying.

“Divine Lady!” White Dragon reached out to steady her.

“It’s nothing, just old wounds from the battle with the Ghost Sect ten years ago. A little rest and I’ll be fine,” Yao Guang wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and turned to the Fox Emperor. “Princess has returned unharmed, my task is fulfilled. Fox Emperor, Bai Ling’er’s spiritual strength is not fully restored; take her home and nurse her well.”

“Thank you, Divine Lady. You have saved my daughter; henceforth, you are a benefactor of Qingqiu. If ever you need my help, say the word,” the Fox Emperor bowed deeply to Yao Guang.

“Not necessary, Fox Emperor, you are too courteous. I thank you,” Yao Guang returned the gesture.

“Divine Lady, I am leaving now. I will always remember your kindness,” Bai Ling’er bowed earnestly. When Yao Guang nodded, she followed the Fox Emperor away.

“Girl, let us return,” Great-grandfather patted Yao Guang’s shoulder, leading the immortals away.

Yao Guang nodded, watching them depart. She turned to White Dragon, “Let’s go, White Dragon Immortal. I’ll send you back to the East Sea.”

“You’re exhausted. Let me carry you,” White Dragon, not waiting for protest, transformed into a flying dragon and bore Yao Guang into the clouds, heading east toward the sea.

“White Dragon Immortal, your back is quite broad. It’s rather comfortable lying here,” Yao Guang teased.

“If Divine Lady likes it, then I will visit you often,” White Dragon soared through the clouds, the boundless landscape unfolding beneath Yao Guang’s gaze.