Chapter 207: True Dragon Descends, the Nation Shows Omens

As flesh and blood grew on the primordial white bone, the wounds on Ye Qin's body were also slowly healing.

Lightning kept falling, and Ye Qin's healing speed grew faster and faster, until finally the lightning seemed to grow weak.

The thunder grew quieter, but the rain kept falling, the pattering rain sound incessant; the mixed aura within it, however, was no longer as terrifying as before.

Although the sky remained overcast with dark clouds, compared to the earlier mighty thunder and lightning, the later lightning was clearly spent and could no longer threaten Ye Qin.

Ink-black clouds roiled, faintly visible fleeting lightning left a zig‑zag mark on the firmament; at this moment the heavenly tribulation already showed a tendency to dissipate.

"Roar!"

Accompanied by a deafening roar that even drowned out the original thunder, Ye Qin soared to the heavens; the heavy clouds split in two, opening a path, as if awed by his aura, heaven and earth trembled.

A huge shadow could be vaguely seen piercing the firmament; rain dripped onto Ye Qin's body, his green scales glimmering faintly, and with a sweep of his tail the rain curtain shattered completely, the raindrops at the mountain base pausing for a moment.

Earlier Ye Qin did not enter the clouds because the heavenly tribulation's might was too fierce; at least on Longyuan Mountain he could rely on the local spiritual energy and special terrain to share the burden a bit.

Now the heavenly tribulation's might is not what it once was, so he naturally has no reservations; though he can still feel the heavenly way's power within the clouds, it can no longer threaten him.

Such a commotion naturally drew the villagers' attention.

They had been watching Longyuan Mountain all along, only hearing a earth‑shaking roar, as if something shot straight up to the sky.

Because they were too far away and the rain was too heavy, blurring their vision, they could not see clearly.

Old Li Tou of the village uncertainly said, "Just now it seemed something flew up?"

"You must be seeing things, Old Li—your eyesight has always been bad."

The villagers discussed it heatedly.

The village chief lifted his head to stare at the sky, straining his eyes to see more clearly, when his expression suddenly changed: "The sky really does seem to have something!"

Within the clouds a faint shadow could be glimpsed, appearing and disappearing; whether it was a visual distortion or lightning splitting the dark clouds above, it produced this strange phenomenon.

This creature weaving through the lightning and rain sea truly inspires awe.

"Could what just flew up be the Mountain God!"

The more the villagers thought, the more likely it seemed; from the initial torrential rain to the later lightning sea, everything hinted at something extraordinary.

Besides the Mountain God, who else could achieve this!

Although the villagers hadn't seen it clearly, they inexplicably felt a premonition that the sudden shadow that shot up just now was definitely the Mountain God.

The villagers' previously worried hearts now reluctantly eased, indicating that the Mountain God had come to no harm.

Soaring straight up, the dragon's roar reaches the nine heavens.

Lightning flashed, yet Ye Qin moved through it at will, stirring clouds and rain as if the whole world lay under his control.

Gazing at the crackling lightning beside him, Ye Qin wondered what he was thinking, a gleam flashing in his eyes.

Earlier, while he was undergoing his tribulation, a northeast tiger blundered into the tribulation zone by mistake, was struck by the heavenly tribulation and left half‑dead; though he suffered greatly, he later turned misfortune into blessing, for the tribulation's aid has given him the highest cultivation level among beasts.

If we let it and other animals encounter the heavenly tribulation again, it will bring them great benefit in their cultivation.

When the heavenly tribulation first descended, at its peak of power, even Ye Qin himself had no certainty and would absolutely not act rashly.

Now it's different; the heavenly tribulation's power is something these animals can withstand, so letting them undergo tempering is fine—after all, once they reach a certain realm they will face their own heavenly tribulation.

"You all, come here quickly."

The northeast tiger in the distance and other animals froze on the spot.

At this moment the heavenly tribulation has not yet dissipated; the pressure formed above still exists, so even standing far away they feel that terrifying aura, let alone getting closer.

Animals are innately averse to lightning, almost ingrained in their bones; before their spiritual awareness awakens, stormy weather is a threat to all wild‑living creatures.

Heavy rain and lightning not only prevent them from finding food, but also soak their fur; moreover, this lightning is no ordinary storm—it is Ye Qin's heavenly tribulation.

Even though the animals had no hesitation, upon receiving Ye Qin's command they immediately rushed to his side, thinking he had met with some mishap and needed their help.

This shows the animals' loyalty to Ye Qin; even if ordered to die at once, they would do so without hesitation.

The closer they approached the core zone, the greater the pressure they bore; the northeast tiger's fur stood on end like needles, its pupils shrinking to pinpoints.

The animals still showed no retreat, straining to move toward where Ye Qin was.

The rumbling thunder in the heavens sensed the approach of other beings, seeming somewhat angry; it could not deal with Ye Qin, so how could it handle these creatures that had trespassed into the tribulation zone!

"Boom!"

A clap of thunder exploded, all the animals startled and scattered; a yellow weasel, moving a bit slower, was struck squarely, its formerly sleek, oily fur instantly turning charcoal‑black, and a strange smell filled the air.

The yellow weasel was pitch‑black all over, save for its pair of bean‑sized eyes that remained bright.

The formerly neat formation instantly fell into disarray.

"Chirp!"

"Squeak!"

"Howl!"

The various animals' roars and whimpers mingled together as they each employed every trick they had to contend with the lightning.

The heavenly tribulation also picks on the soft persimmons, and can't be bothered to keep aiming at Ye Qin—after all it can't harm him, so striking him would just waste energy.

For these animals a single strike is enough; in just a moment, besides the yellow weasel, several more pitch‑black carcasses appeared, their original forms unrecognizable.

Ye Qin kept watch from above, knowing that although these heavenly tribulation bolts would injure the animals, they were not fatal, for each bolt was merely the residual might left after he himself had endured it.

This is precisely the best chance for them to temper themselves; such an opportunity does not come often.

If any animal truly faced mortal danger, he would send it out of the tribulation zone.

Although the animals were left disfigured by the lightning, pressure brings motivation.

Like the northeast tiger and some other animals, weaving through the lightning, they move as swift as a breeze; occasional lightning scars mark their bodies, though not obvious, yet being chased by the tribulation still leaves them somewhat embarrassed.

Moreover, some animals with too low a cultivation level cannot face the heavenly tribulation; they lie on the ground, only able to watch helplessly as another bolt of lightning strikes down.

The lightning tore the sky open once again with a huge rift; that animal trembled, for if struck it would likely not die but suffer terribly.

"Boom!"

In the blink of an eye, golden light wrapped those animals, completely blocking the lightning, and then drifted outward, away from here.

The animals inside the light ring were unharmed; afterward they struggled to climb up from the ground and kowtowed in the direction where Ye Qin was, expressing thanks.

This heavenly tribulation is also an opportunity for you; it depends on whether you can seize it.

Seeing this scene, what more could the animals not understand? The animals originally paralyzed by the lightning strike struggled to climb up again, continuing to face the power of the thunder.

Roar!

The Northeastern tiger showed a thoughtful expression, then raised its head and roared, deafening; at this moment it completely overcame its fear of thunder.

Although it had embarked on the path of cultivation because of the heavenly tribulation, it had also planted the seed of fear; that near‑death experience, it would never dare to undergo again.

Such thinking is not conducive to its future tribulation; if there is fear in the heart, it will cause retreat; on the cultivation path, no matter what difficulties or setbacks one faces, one should advance without hesitation.

Under Ye Qin's careful design, the Northeastern tiger finally understood that only by facing fear and death head‑on could the heart truly attain liberation!

The thunder fell like myriad steel needles piercing; after all, this is Ye Qin's heavenly tribulation—what realm and cultivation level he possesses, even its residual might is not to be trifled with.

The animals' furry beast faces showed pained expressions, yet they gritted their teeth and persisted, none retreating backward.

Although the thunder brought them pain, it also gave them rebirth; the original dread and panic on their beast faces were replaced by high fighting spirit.

These animals underwent subtle changes; the gleam igniting in their beast eyes seemed as if nothing could block their advance, their Dao heart was consolidated at this moment, laying a solid foundation for the future.

If the Dao heart remains unchanged, even greater difficulties can be readily resolved.

Sensing the changes in the animals, Ye Qin revealed a satisfied expression; this was what he had aimed for.

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." These animals were never greenhouse flowers but eagles soaring in the high skies; Ye Qin could not forever shield them, and someday they would become beings capable of standing alone against a side.

After all, they are the first batch of monsters between heaven and earth!

……

The heavenly thunder kept falling; although the animals' bodies were covered with wounds, they grew ever more excited, and even a few bold ones went forward to meet the thunder, letting it forge and temper their bodies.

Rumble rumble rumble!

The sky emitted muffled roars, yet no more lightning fell; it seemed powerless against the living beings of Longyuan Mountain.

The heavenly thunder had been exhausted, forced to cease its onslaught; yet these animals were spirited, and of course the most extraordinary among them was Ye Qin.

The dark clouds dissipated in a panic; fearing another squeezing by Ye Qin, long‑absent sunlight fell on Longyuan Mountain, refracting into seven‑colored light, dispelling the former gloom and bringing light and hope.

A faint purple vapor came from the east, enveloping the entire mountaintop; the sea of clouds surged, revealing a faint purple glow and that half‑red sun; Longyuan joins with heaven, and most of the mountain is veiled in purple light, truly miraculous to the extreme.

From afar, the whole mountain looks as if it is about to fly straight upward.

A vague, mysterious aura permeated the mountain, slowly enveloping Ye Qin; his wounds healed at a terrifying speed, the newly grown scales became even more jade‑green, filled with supreme divine power, comparable to worldly divine weapons, essentially impervious to blades and spears, water and fire.

Ye Qin could feel a scorching heat in his abdomen, as if something were about to emerge; he slowly descended from the sky to the ground.

Majestic, heavy power and spiritual energy surged throughout his body, continually widening his meridians, wandering through the five viscera and six bowels; at this moment Ye Qin's meridians were like a vast ocean, truly unfathomable.

Abundant spiritual power overflowed from Ye Qin's body, almost forming substance outside; part was absorbed by the primal white bone, and part drifted into the Shangqing Observatory.

Meanwhile, the primal white bone beside it grew flesh and blood at an accelerated speed; by now it had begun to grow skin, ice‑jade bone, looking somewhat familiar in every way.

At this moment the primal white bone appeared even more holy; even the palm of the Shangqing Observatory exhaled an ancient, mighty aura, scriptures circulating, naturally possessing supreme Dao resonance.

All of these are gifts after the heavenly tribulation; the animals nearby, having also undergone the tribulation, are included in these gifts.

The scorched black fur all fell off, becoming sleek and glossy again; sharp claws and teeth flashed with cold light, easily crushing large stones into powder; the beast eyes gleamed with light, and the body began to emit an inexplicable aura.

Although these changes cannot compare to Ye Qin's, compared with before they can be described as a complete rebirth; after all, they have undergone the tempering of the heavenly tribulation, and the benefits far exceed this.

When they later undergo their own tribulation, they will realize that today's fortune holds great significance for them.

After sensing the changes in their own bodies, the animals became extremely excited, one and all turning their gaze toward where Ye Qin was.

The hazy mist and purple light intertwined, forming a huge cocoon that enveloped Ye Qin; the animals could not see what was inside the cocoon.

The Northeastern tiger originally wanted to approach and inspect, but the pressure emanating from around the cocoon was deeper and more formidable than the previous heavenly tribulation; the power contained within was utterly beyond their ability to probe.

Although they did not know the reason, the animals knew Ye Qin was not in danger at this moment; a faint premonition stirred in their hearts, sensing that Ye Qin was undergoing some great transformation.

Even they are like this, possessing such attainment; needless to say, Ye Qin even more so.

The animals' eyes were full of anticipation and excitement; they silently waited in the distance for Ye Qin's return.

This wait lasted a day and a night; likewise awaiting were the villagers at the mountain's foot.

Longyuan Mountain was shrouded in dark clouds, below which a vast sea of lightning formed; a chilling pressure weighed on everyone's heads, and although it did not reach them, the villagers remained uneasy.

The village chief sent people to take turns watching the mountain's movements; Zhuzi saw the dissipating dark clouds and, overjoyed, could hardly speak: "Quickly go inform the village chief—the dark clouds and the lightning sea have all vanished, and the rain has stopped."

Upon receiving the news, the village chief hurried over; sure enough, that black curtain finally withdrew, replaced by brilliant sunshine.

Longyuan Mountain, once concealed by dark ink, again revealed its wondrous true aspect—layer upon layer of verdant peaks, lush and unending.

Soon a villager noticed something amiss, squinting eastward and asking, "What is that?"

The village chief's heart gave a jolt, thinking another mishap had occurred; he hurried over and saw purple vapor drifting from the east, enveloping Longyuan Mountain.

After a brief moment, the verdant peaks appeared and disappeared within the clouds and mist, giving an unreal feeling, hazy and illusory, like a divine mountain flown down from the ninth heaven.

The green was supplanted by purple, from which a faint golden light also emanated.

"It's truly miraculous! This must be the Mountain God revealing his power."

"I have never seen such a vapor before; this is an auspicious omen."

"The Mountain God is surely safe and sound; I said there's nothing he cannot do."

The villagers chattered in lively discussion, all the gloom brought earlier by the dark clouds and thunder completely swept away.

"Continue sending people to monitor the mountain's situation!"

The next day, as dawn just broke, distant mountains were hazy; a red sun rose slowly, lifting a gauze‑like thin mist, myriad rays of rosy light spread across the whole sky, and the verdant peaks were dyed in patches of crimson.

Roar!

Only a deafening cry was heard; the villagers still asleep were all startled awake, and that disturbance clearly emanated from Longyuan Mountain.

All the villagers rushed out of their houses, some even losing a shoe, their clothing buttons fastened incorrectly.

After clearly seeing the distant scene, everyone stared dumbfounded, thinking they had not yet awakened and were experiencing an illusion.

Thick purple vapor burst forth from between heaven and earth like a spring surge; it could be described as rosy light radiating in all directions, flowing with brilliant colors.

The sun had just barely revealed half its face, veiled by the scarlet dawn light; sunlight streamed through the cloud gaps like countless giant dragons spewing golden waterfalls, spiritual waves surging, layer upon layer rising.

That light was too blinding; a single glance made one dizzy, yet the villagers strained their eyes wide open, daring not to miss the sight above.

Within the thick cloud layer, there indeed was a dragon!

No amount of worldly adjectives could capture this dragon's majesty, like a creature from ancient myth—noble and powerful, inspiring awe and reverence.

Though it was a fleeting flash, the villagers saw it crystal clear.

The village head thumped to his knees, eyes devout, and said, "This is the Mountain God revealing his spirit!"

The other villagers also reacted, following the village head in kowtowing, even ignoring the soreness in their eyes.

A drop of liquid fell on the village head's face; he blankly lifted his head, purple qi thick, condensing into rain that fell upon this land.

The sky remained clear, only with a fine, continuous drizzle, misty and hazy, making the green mountains even more mysterious.

The spiritual qi in the air continually nourished the villagers' bodies; they soon noticed this rain was different, as if an unknown energy surged within them.

"Heaven-sent sweet rain! This is the Mountain God's grace."

All the villagers rejoiced greatly, and some even had excited tears welling up.

Not only the villagers, but even the crops in the fields changed—leaves grew more verdant, and their growth was most pleasing.

The villagers sang and danced in the rain, bustling with excitement.

Yet in the mountains and forests, all was silent; every animal knelt on its hind legs like a person, bowed its beastly head, and welcomed its king.

Purple mist swirled together, faintly revealing slender creatures treading auspicious clouds, descending here; all the animals prostrated themselves five-limbed.

An ancient aura washed over them, the bloodline pressure making the animals tremble; even though Ye Qin restrained his aura, his might was simply too vast, leaving these animals unable to adapt for a while.

His body bore eighty-one scales, possessing the nine-nine yang number; the scales on his throat were especially peculiar, differing from those elsewhere, like brilliant green emeralds flashing with divine light, and his belly no longer had four claws but five.

A dragon has five claws, and also possesses the reverse scale.

Ye Qin passed the Heavenly Tribulation and finally transformed into a true dragon!

And as the world's first true dragon was born, heaven and earth trembled; yet it was not only Longyuan Mountain—on that day, strange phenomena appeared across the whole nation.

(End of chapter)