Chapter 82

Niepan Jie Ling saw this scene and almost knelt on the spot from fright.

It merely wanted to probe whether this little ancestor bore the aura of the Tian Ming Zi; it never expected to actually draw the Heavenly Dao itself down personally.

That mighty, towering aura seemed capable of crushing the entire Leize secret realm into powder, truly terrifying to the extreme.

Immediately afterward, Niepan Jie Ling exerted force again, pouring all its strength into firmly controlling every bolt of lightning about to strike Qin Yu.

In an instant, the buzzing sound rang continuously in the ears, and a rich, vast surge of life‑lightning Dao poured down from the firmament, merging directly into the sea‑like thunder that filled the hundred‑meter radius.

At this moment Niepan Jie Ling dared not relax in the slightest. One must know that the Heavenly Dao has slept for endless ages, from the ancient world‑shaking calamity until now never once awakening, as if heading toward destruction, falling into the end of life. Yet now, merely because Qin Yu cleared this tiny secret realm, it directly bestowed blessings and protected his body—how could one not be terrified and anxious?

Though Niepan Jie Ling is a phantom formed from gathered thunder, at this moment it seemed to be drenched in sweat.

Qin Yu paid no heed to Niepan Jie Ling's condition. With the Heavenly Dao's protection descending, he strode forward, each step covering ten meters, instantly passing the ninth gate without hindrance, as if stepping into a vast white strange space, having successfully emerged from the Lei Fa Gu Lu.

Buzz buzz buzz!

At that moment, Leize Zhiling slowly drifted down from the firmament, waved a great hand to shroud the projected phantom, then its body shuddered and with a "plop" it half‑knelt on the ground.

"I truly dare not know your exalted status, my lord; please forgive me! Had I known earlier, I would not have dared to let you risk entering the secret realm—I would have simply handed over the Leize secret realm with both hands!" Leize Zhiling's forehead was drenched in cold sweat, its voice trembling.

It wondered what kind of identity this could be—able to summon the Heavenly Dao's protection even without facing any danger, truly unfathomable.

It muttered to itself, "If you had said earlier that the Heavenly Dao is your backing, not only me but even a Zhu Jing spirit would dare not utter a word, falling to its knees begging for mercy."

Seeing this, Niepan Jie Ling hurriedly half‑knelt and pleaded, "Please forgive me, young master; I failed in my protection." Its heart filled with regret, it was almost in tears.

Moreover, it was absolutely convinced in its heart that Qin Yu was either an incarnation of the Heavenly Dao or perhaps even its true form, planning to live a second life in reverse to seek a new path. It must cling to this mighty thigh, holding fast with both hands!

Yet that earlier moment of hesitation likely already earned Qin Yu's displeasure, causing its standing in his mind to plummet; it must quickly think of a way to make amends.

Qin Yu blinked slightly, his mind full of doubt—"Forgive me? For what sin?" He truly couldn't grasp what was going on; wasn't he just clearing the gates?

After a moment, he gave a light cough and said, "You two seniors are overthinking things; I'm merely passing through this secret realm plain and simple. Senior Leize, then… should this secret realm belong to me? May I also freely pick the treasures inside?" Qin Yu narrowed his eyes, a glint flickering in his pupils.

He knew the treasures in the Leize secret realm were surely numerous, possibly even heavenly‑rank supreme treasures, and the life‑extending ones ought not be lacking. Now at last he need not painstakingly search the outside world. After all, he is merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator, while the situation in the Canglan Yu is perilous, with many sects targeting the Profound Yang Sect.

Leize Zhiling was nearly in tears, hastily saying, "My lord, I am willing to acknowledge you as master, and this secret realm could be yours… but the distribution of rewards really has nothing to do with me. The Leize secret realm comprises thousands of stages, and only those monster‑like figures who break records can receive the rewards granted by the Zhu Jing side. So… for now I can only acknowledge you as master." It trembled with fear, dreading that the lord might erase it in anger.

This is terrifying—Leize Zhiling originally thought Qin Yu was just a minor figure with a bit of talent; who would have imagined that he summons jie ling at the drop of a hat and even drags the Heavenly Dao along, all for this little secret realm?

Buzz buzz buzz!

As they spoke, the contract in Leize Zhiling's hand shot out swiftly and landed steadily in Qin Yu's palm.

"You need only drop a drop of blood into it. To a certain extent this secret realm is a spatial treasure, but inside it contains a self‑contained world, crafted by a mighty expert of vast divine powers. Its grade is roughly heavenly‑rank, its defensive power extraordinarily strong. There is also a spatial ring here, linked to the realm, and it can even expose the realm's inner world to the outside, serving as a mobile fortress." Leize Zhiling spilled all the information at once.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu felt a tinge of disappointment—no treasures, no life‑extending spiritual treasure—but having no alternative, he pressed a drop of fresh blood from his fingertip into the contract. In an instant, a faint light blossomed like divine radiance, instantly enveloping both Leize Zhiling and himself.

After the blood merged into the contract, Qin Yu felt a vague affinity for the secret realm and could mobilize some extra power. Just as he was about to let out a soft sigh, a vast, distant voice suddenly echoed between heaven and earth.

"Foundation Establishment triple‑layer realm, breaking through the Lei Fa Gu Lu in a single breath—no precedent before, none after, setting a new outer‑region record. Reward: a hundred strands of thunder‑Dao law power, a heavenly‑rank thunder‑spirit flower, and… the chance to comprehend the thunder‑body!"

As the voice faded, a pale light seemed to shower from the firmament. A snow‑white blossom slowly unfurled, faint lightning threads winding around it, exuding an aura of destruction. At the same time, a cluster of silvery‑white light fell to the ground, within it appearing to contain myriad laws.

Seeing this, Niepan Jie Ling's pupils shrank sharply and it hurriedly said, "Young master, the thunder‑spirit flower grows within the thunder‑Dao space; it can ward off one lightning tribulation when you undergo your ordeal, including… the time of future Dao‑proof! This is of utmost importance. Moreover, if you can comprehend the acquired thunder‑body, you will advance far in the thunder‑Dao realm, and even after mastering it completely you will be able to summon thunder tribulation like a thunder‑spirit itself."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu paused slightly, his mind clear that these indeed counted as two supreme treasures, absolutely useful for his present self.

Leize Zhiling continued, "You need only step into this light source; the rest is to comprehend heaven and earth. The thunder‑body comes in three kinds—spirit body, Dao body, and saint body. Now that you bear the Heavenly Dao's protection plus your own innate talent, others merely have a chance, but you, my lord, can at the very least achieve a thunder Dao body."

【You have received a normal suggestion: entering the Dao‑law light source can grant you a thunder Dao body.】

"I accept the suggestion." Qin Yu replied in his heart, without another word stepping straight into the Dao‑law light source.

At this moment Niepan Jie Ling hurriedly said, "May you win at the first strike, young master, and soon comprehend the saint body! I'll take my leave now—I've sensed that a cultivator in the Canglan Yu has already provoked the Venerable's tribulation, and I must go deal with it. Under my watch, no one will be allowed to intrude recklessly into the Venerable's realm and cause you trouble."

As its words faded, Niepan Jie Ling's figure gradually dissipated.

At this moment Qin Yu could clearly feel warm currents continually flowing through his body. Innumerable streams of law power draped over him like gauze, acquiring them as easy as reaching into a pocket.

【You have accepted the suggestion, entered the Dao‑law light source, activated the tribulation‑thunder Dao body, which is hardly different from the innate Dao body.】

【Because Niepan Jie Ling supplemented the suggestion, you have a chance to ascend to the saint body, which requires comprehension.】

Around Qin Yu, faint lightning threads drifted and gently swirled, yet he felt them exceedingly intimate, devoid of any threat. A rich Dao aura began to diffuse slowly.

However, outside, Niepan Jie Ling sensed this Dao aura and immediately fell into deep contemplation.

"What… is going on?" beads of crystal‑clear sweat kept rolling down its forehead.

"Thunder Dao body… is that it?" it was stunned wide‑eyed, completely dumbfounded.

It utterly failed to grasp what had happened inside the Dao‑law light source, but no matter how you look at it, it simply couldn't be that easy.

In the Zhu Jing realm it had once witnessed several record‑breaking monster geniuses who already possessed innate Dao bodies, their talents transcendent. Yet even so, after entering the Dao‑law light source merely obtaining a thunder‑spirit body would be considered good; acquiring a thunder Dao body among ten people is rare, extremely difficult.

Yet Qin Yu, having stepped inside, completed it in merely a moment—this is utterly absurd!

"Could he be a spokesman for the Heavenly Dao? Or perhaps he is a pawn in the current Heavenly Dao's layout? Or maybe the Heavenly Dao itself has descended, taking personal part?"

At this moment Leize Zhiling's face was grave; having existed for endless ages and witnessed the ancient era when countless monsters rose, it naturally understood such matters.

A new great age is about to arrive, the old era will become the past. Perhaps this act of acknowledging a master will truly become an opportunity to change its fate.

Since gaining sentience it has always overseen this secret realm, day after day, year after year—how could it not yearn for the outside world? Yet it has long been controlled by the Zhu Jing side, lacking autonomy. Now… with the heaven‑earth contract in hand, it has at least shaken off part of the Zhu Jing's control. Following Qin Yu, it might truly break free of these bonds and shed its present identity.

With that thought, Leize Zhiling couldn't help but grin, then closed its eyes tightly and began to focus wholeheartedly on guarding the Dao.

It sealed off every passage of the Leize secret realm to prevent any mishap. Countless streams of regulatory power floated around it, ready to unleash full‑force annihilation on any being like Niepan Jie Ling that attempts to cross ranks, showing no mercy.

Clinging to the mighty thigh is the true way now; all talk of seven tribulations and eight spirits is mere idle chatter. Moreover… Niepan Jie Ling is now a rival, and it is obvious that the other side has long known Qin'u's extraordinariness and has been currying favor with him.

…………

At that moment, above Leize Guangchang.

Lin Wu Ren's inner aura grew ever more violent and turbulent, utterly uncontainable.

After a moment, his expression darkened; he lightly pushed aside the pressure from a few junior brothers with both hands, shook his head and said, "Since the Lei Fa has arrived, why bother to conceal myself any longer? The martial way ought to be met with brave struggle; opportunity always favors the prepared. Even without prior preparation, I can still break through this tribulation! For my Profound Yang Sect, I will usher in a new glorious era!"

In Lin Wu Ren's deep pupils, a resolute light began to flicker. He understood that suppression could at most delay a moment, essentially useless; sooner or later he must face the Lei Fa head‑on.

His gaze turned to the illusory projection, now obscured by a vast white haze, but just moments before they had clearly seen Qin Yu cross the Lei Fa Gu Lu and enter the inner region.

"No matter what, the Profound Yang Sect still has such outstanding descendants; Qin Yu's talent is the true monster! Even if I fail, so what? In a hundred years the Profound Yang Sect will surely produce another peerless monster to rise! Suppress the Canglan Yu! We cultivators, what do we fear in death? Where is the thunder tribulation?"

Lin Wu Ren raised his head and roared, battle spirit blazing, aura mighty. At this moment his skin grew ever more pale and tender—a sign of the final flare before death.

Overwhelming majestic pressure surged like wave after wave of rolling tides, sweeping across the entire sky above the Profound Yang Sect.

Yang Hao and the others wore extremely complex expressions, ultimately only able to let out a helpless long sigh.

Not only Lin Wu Ren, but they themselves will also have to endure this difficult lightning tribulation battle in the future; over these years, the scene of each senior grandmaster failing a breakthrough has been deeply etched in their minds.

Take Yang Hao as an example: back then he too was a peerless monster, possessing upper-grade earth-rank talent and an innate spiritual body; apart from Lin Wu Ren, he had traveled the eighteen realms for training, and among peers he hardly had any rivals—even when facing opponents with innate Dao bodies he would not necessarily be at a disadvantage among equals. Yet even so, he ultimately failed.

"I will first open the way for my junior brothers!"

As soon as Lin Wu Ren's words fell, he stomped his right foot hard, his whole body like a cannon shell leaving the barrel, turning into a brilliant divine light that shot out.

A terrifying sonic boom rang out, and overwhelming qi and blood spread around him.

Lin Wu Ren gazed into the void beyond the mountain gate, and a surge of anger suddenly rose on his face.

"Who gave you permission to spy on my Profound Yang Sect? You, are you even worthy?"

He stepped forward, his form like lightning and thunder, instantly arriving in the void.

At that moment, the four or five elders of the Dao Orthodoxy were all astonished; originally they had seen Lin Wu Ren undergoing tribulation and were gloating, smiling gleefully.

Because... Lin Wu Ren has not broken through tribulation these years, obviously fearing failure; moreover, the Profound Yang Sect seems cursed these years, with no one able to break through the Venerable Realm. They had wanted to watch a joke.

But Lin Wu Ren, however, directly descended before them.

"You... you are undergoing tribulation, could it be that you also want to expend your combat strength additionally? The four of us joining forces might not be unable to hold you back. If you undergo tribulation directly, perhaps there is still a sliver of hope." said the Heavenly Origin Elder of Myriad Sea Sect, stammering.

Lin Wu Ren's cold gaze swept over, his right hand clenched tightly, countless forces of law instantly converged, and he erupted with a blast. In an instant, the entire void violently trembled and distorted.

"Boom!"

A deep, muffled bang, this punch directly pierced the chest of the Myriad Sea Sect elder, countless essence blood spurted out, and the elder fell dead on the spot!

Immediately after, Lin Wu Ren unleashed several consecutive punches, and in the void several corpses instantly appeared. Each was a Heavenly Origin Grandmaster-level powerhouse.

"Slaying a few old dogs, does it require much effort from me?"

Immediately, Lin Wu Ren took out the communication jade pendants from their hands, crushed them viciously, and a faint light scattered.

"You must also know the news of my tribulation. It's best to pray I fail. If I succeed, I will surely slay several Venerables to offer sacrifices for my master's fall. Hah, a bunch of cowardly rat scum, hiding their heads and showing their tails."

Lin Wu Ren gave a contemptuous smile, hands behind his back, standing towering arrogantly between heaven and earth.

He raised his head to look at the surging thunderclouds above the firmament, yet stood unshaken, his aura like a rainbow.