Chapter 266: One Glance Pierces the Universe

Thunder beasts roared, the whole heaven and earth became their playground; thick purple light sliced the entire sky into countless fragments, yet amidst the center of that thunderstorm appeared the shadow of what seemed to be an unknown creature.

How could this be possible!

How could a creature possibly stand amidst the endless thunderclouds.

Seeing the horrifying image transmitted on the screen, the entire Miguo Aviation Ground Command fell into dead silence.

Everyone stared wide-eyed, their breath caught for a moment, unable to believe what they saw before them, for they knew this was at the very heart of the thunderclouds, where each bolt carried almost a million volts.

In such fierce current and temperature, not to mention living beings, even the hardest material could not withstand it.

Si Na Ge's face changed drastically, his expression full of inquiry and doubt, urgently wanting to know what this creature was, he quickly ordered: "Quick! Bring the Star Lock Satellite closer!"

The other staff quickly reacted as well, operating the Star Lock Satellite, they began to focus on the blurry shadow within the thunderclouds.

At this moment, Ye Qin, who was undergoing his tribulation in the Magic Capital, also reached the end.

Three flowers of different forms gathered above his head—Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Primordial Spirit—radiant and splendid, divine light flowing, endless aura surrounding him, making him appear like a Nine Heavens Deity.

This is the realm Ye Qin researched himself.

Three flowers converge at the crown, five energies flow to the origin; Daoist practitioners refine essence to qi, qi to spirit, spirit to void, finally gathering at the crown, thus becoming invulnerable to myriad calamities.

During this heavenly tribulation, the three flowers fully blossomed, constantly resisting the lightning; although the thunderclouds still appear mighty, their actual pressure has gradually weakened, far weaker than before.

This also means Ye Qin is about to complete his tribulation.

Ye Qin looked toward the void, sensing that probing gaze continually sweeping around; his verdant pupils flickered with a faint dark light.

That gaze again!

Earlier, during the critical moment of his tribulation, and besides it could not threaten him, Ye Qin didn't bother to feel it; he never expected that, now nearing its end, that gaze would dare to look over again.

Ye Qin's expression turned icy cold; he could sense that the source of that gaze lay in a very distant place, and with his former strength he would hardly be able to reach it.

But now his heavenly tribulation is about to end, everything is perfectly fulfilled.

"This is what you brought upon yourself."

Although Ye Qin did not know who or what was spying from behind, yet to dare offend him would bring terrifying consequences!

The might of the Yao Clan must not be infringed!

Ye Qin's eyes burst with profound light; following the source of that gaze, a divine radiance surged forward.

Vast amounts of spiritual energy swirled and gathered around like a whale swallowing, soon drawing upon the power of heaven and earth.

A colossal sword coalesced in mid‑air, its terrifying aura spreading everywhere; even the thunder seemed to fear such power, parting to make way.

The giant sword shattered the endless dark clouds, vanishing from sight.

Its speed was incredibly fast, leaving barely an afterimage, even reaching light‑speed; in an instant it tore through the heavens and arrived in outer space beyond the atmosphere.

In the distant, profound universe, the galaxy flowed slowly, adorning this boundless night curtain; everything appeared tranquil and peaceful.

Soon a afterimage struck, hitting some space debris that failed to dodge, which was instantly turned to ash by the fierce sword qi.

If anyone could be in space at that moment, they would be utterly astonished; that huge ancient sword seemed to have a life of its own, tearing through the void and landing precisely on the two Star Lock Satellites.

Even though they were Miguo's most advanced technology, every inch forged from super‑strong alloy, capable of resisting temperatures of thousands of degrees and impacts of tens of thousands of tons.

Yet before the might of this sword, they were as fragile as paper, with no defensive power whatsoever.

The steel giant beast's body was split in two, emitting a sharp wail, while the sword caused massive destruction inside.

"Boom—"

All that was heard was a tremendous bang; in the blink of an eye the shattered satellite's hull turned red and began to spread outward.

From the outside it looked like a lantern, and wherever the sword qi touched, it melted like wax, with various currents coursing through, emitting a continual sizzling sound.

Two blazing fireballs kept growing, then suddenly exploded violently upon the Earth‑orbiting satellite.

Sparks flew everywhere; intense light accompanied the expanding fireballs, illuminating this region of space, making it dazzling—even the distant galaxy paled in comparison.

The two steel giant beasts instantly vanished into nothingness; the giant sword also disappeared without a trace, leaving only a terrifying disturbance in the air.

The whole process happened so fast that, regarding everything occurring in space, the Miguo Aviation Ground Command was completely unaware.

Only after a few seconds did the electromagnetic signal return, and a huge alarm rang throughout the command.

"Beep beep beep!"

On the screen a huge red exclamation mark appeared, then it turned into garbled pixels, and under computer control it automatically shifted to a disaster‑outbreak image.

The sparks erupting from the two steel giant beasts concealed their bodies, glittering incessantly among the stars.

Everyone looked bewildered, still not reacting, asking, "What's going on?"

"It seems something exploded."

Still, Si Na Ge was the first to come to his senses, shuddering instinctively, he hurried to look at the dedicated screens of the two Star Lock Satellites; his face turned deathly pale and his body went rigid.

"Ah!"

A shriek even more piercing than the earlier alarm rang throughout the hall.

"Oh God, my satellite!"

"The one that just exploded was my satellite!"

Si Na Ge's eyes rolled back, seemingly unable to bear the tremendous blow, nearly fainting, while the people in the command were thrown into chaos.

At that moment, in the Great Xia Space Ground Command, the officer who had previously negotiated with the West, still fuming, was preparing to intercept the Star Lock.

The order had just been issued when the image on the huge screen left him dumbfounded.

Only to see the two Star Lock Satellites, which had been hovering in Earth orbit, suddenly turn red, then transform into two orange‑red metal storms that exploded right where they were.

Witnessing this scene, the many space‑department officials who had been urgently discussing how to intercept the Star Lock Satellite were stunned on the spot.

???

"What kind of situation is this?"

"How did the Star Lock suddenly explode?"

In the distant universe, just as the two Star Locks detonated, the dark clouds that had shrouded the entire Magic Capital also underwent a change.

All the violent rain and thunder seemed as if someone had pressed a pause button, turning stagnant, and finally dissipated in the high sky; after just a moment, the clouds all over the sky also disappeared.

A dazzling green light flashed between heaven and earth, accompanied by a surging vitality, enveloping the entire Magic City and nearby cities.

"I didn't see wrong, did the dark clouds suddenly dissipate?"

"The rainstorm has stopped! Even those lightning bolts have disappeared!"

"It's too miraculous; in the time it took me to drink a sip of water to calm my shock, everything vanished."

Countless people looked up at the outside windows, as emerald-green light shrouded the Magic City above, like a rainbow, truly dazzling to the extreme.

Heaven has the virtue of cherishing life; fortune and misfortune depend on each other. The vitality bursting forth after the Heavenly Tribulation's destruction let this city regain a different radiance.

The sky was a clear, washed-blue, like a translucent sapphire, showing no trace of the earlier overcast clouds, thunder and lightning; it seemed as if that heaven‑shattering, earth‑destroying thunder was merely a nightmare dreamed by the people of the Magic City.

Emerald light enveloped heaven and earth, like floating fish scales, shimmering with iridescent colors, truly dreamlike to the utmost.

The long‑absent sunshine finally reappeared, golden rays falling on this steel‑and‑concrete city, leaving everyone with a feeling as if they had stepped into another world.

After months of continuous overcast rain, the Magic City's citizens were almost forgetting what the sun looked like; now, gazing at the sunlight overhead, their hearts were inexplicably moved.

Because the raging thunderstorm weather had instantly calmed, shedding all madness, even the wind in the air became so gentle.

Invisibly, a powerful force smoothed everything over, and even the people's uneasy hearts became unprecedentedly tranquil and harmonious.

Many residents came out of their homes, their expressions filled with a hint of bewilderment and disbelief.

A gentle breeze brushed the face; not far off, the emerald light combined with the golden morning sun, floating dreamily in the air, as if the whole city had donned a new garment.

Birds chirped softly, boldly peeking out; leaves rustled, and even the rolling floodwaters gradually dissipated, flowing into the sea and rivers.

People taking refuge at the Magic City's Outer Bund watched the floodwaters gradually recede, unable to help rubbing their eyes, thinking they were hallucinating.

After the rain cleared and the sky brightened, everything was moving toward a better trend—except for roads washed out by floodwaters and some trees and buildings struck by lightning, which looked no different from before.

People gazed at the scene before them; heaven and earth were peaceful and harmonious, as if those disasters had never existed, everything seeming so unreal.

"Is everything over?"

On the Outer Bund, many citizens came onto the streets, some at a loss, gazing at the endless clear sky.

Now only ankle‑deep water remains in the city; the dark clouds and thunder overhead have vanished completely, replaced by green light and sunshine.

All things revived, everything brimming with vitality.

Someone raised their head to look at the Oriental Pearl Tower, hoping to find that earlier black shadow, but found nothing.

"Great, the rain has finally stopped!"

In the crowd, someone burst out laughing, instantly infecting others, and the crowd erupted in waves of cheers.

"I can't believe we're still alive!"

Many people wept with joy, feeling the relief of having survived the catastrophe; those who had taken shelter together embraced each other, wishing to set off firecrackers to celebrate.

Even the streets and alleys were filled with the sound of cheering and leaping.

Among the Magic City's high officials, Gao Zhanpeng and the other officials stared at the dreamlike scene before them, their expressions dazed.

All of this is too unbelievable.

Just a few minutes ago it was still a violent rainstorm with thunder; in only a few minutes, everything had vanished without a trace.

Seeing a rainbow after a rainstorm is normal enough, but what on earth is this sudden green light?!

After a brief moment of stupor, Gao Zhanpeng quickly reacted, "Seize the time, organize personnel to rush to rescue and save people!"

Inside the Magic City, countless rescue personnel sprang into action; even though the disaster has now calmed, they cannot let down their guard, for many were trapped by that earlier scale and are still awaiting them!

However, this turned out contrary to everyone's expectations.

During this disaster, many dangers and emergencies arose; although the economy suffered considerable losses and many people were injured, nothing truly threatened life, and everyone received the most timely treatment.

Upon receiving this news, Gao Zhanpeng and the other Magic City officials were unable to believe it.

"No casualties at all?!"

Gao Zhanpeng's tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed a little; the heavy stone weighing on his heart could finally be set down, "Hahaha, truly it is heaven's blessing."

Economic losses don't matter; they can be recovered later, but if lives are lost, that can never be made up for.

Gao Zhanpeng was extremely excited; he had thought this disaster would claim many lives, and that higher authorities would blame him, costing him his position—but now with zero casualties, plus his merits in rescue and relief, the superiors would not blame him too harshly.

In fact, aside from Gao Zhanpeng's active defense against the disaster, the greater cause is that this thunderstorm was triggered by a Heavenly Tribulation.

Heaven has the virtue of cherishing life; this heavenly tribulation came only because of Ye Qin, not deliberately aimed at ordinary mortals, and when Ye Qin faced the tribulation, he also adjusted some of his spiritual power to shield the Magic City.

One could say that as long as one does not court death by stepping into the heart of the Heavenly Tribulation, the lightning will not strike people.

Most importantly, the blessings bestowed after the Heavenly Tribulation benefited the entire Magic City and its nearby residents to varying degrees, but that is a story for later; right now the people of the Magic City are unaware of any of this.

Not long after, the head of the Southeast Region called to inquire about the damage; hearing Gao Zhanpeng's report of zero casualties, he still found it hard to believe.

Even the heads of several other regions fell into a daze.

"What, you couldn't be joking, could you? Such a huge disaster, and not a single casualty?"

The voice on the other end of the phone was deadly serious: "Are you sure? This is no trivial matter to joke about; if you're covering it up, you know the consequences."

Such a matter cannot be hidden even if one tried; if superiors sent investigators they would find out. Gao Zhanpeng, full of vigor, replied, "I stake my life on it—what I said is not false in the slightest!"

"Hahaha, you did well this time!"

Upon hearing the Overall Responsible Person's praise, Gao Zhenpeng was quite modest; from the tone of the other side, it seemed they would not blame him, and might even commend him.

After hanging up, Gao Zhanpeng was extremely excited; he opened the Magic City's coffers wide, launching post‑disaster reconstruction, with various relief rewards and overtime pay being most generous.

Under his bold and generous relief efforts, the Magic City quickly regained its former vitality.

Countless cleaning vehicles and sanitation workers took to the streets, clearing away debris left by trees, plants, and the rainstorm flood.

Every damaged shop received compensation.

Although the earlier lightning looked terrifying and fierce, with bolts continually falling, most buildings remained intact; only a few struck were pitch‑black, basically needing just a fresh coat of paint.

A few buildings had their glass shattered, the worst being the Oriental Pearl Tower at the Magic City's Outer Bund, but even these are no big deal.

Countless workers earned double wages, diligently repairing the damaged city; although they had just experienced a disaster, the impact on the Magic City was minor, and this modern metropolis soon returned to its former prosperity.

During this period, the violent rain and thunder that occurred in Magic City and its vicinity also completely exploded online.

It's really too terrifying! I've lived this long and never seen such thick lightning—let alone people, even elephants could be struck dead directly.

Good fellow, may I ask which fellow Daoist is undergoing tribulation here?

You really shouldn't say that—how could ordinary lightning have such power? I dare say this thunder is definitely not right.

This scene looks somewhat familiar; I feel that a few years ago, something similar happened in the capital, but back then the lightning wasn't as massive in scale as Magic City's.

What exactly is that black shadow on the Oriental Pearl Tower? Is there any expert who can explain? It couldn't be a composite, right? I feel it's so mysterious.

Videos of Magic City's rain and thunder spread online, and the whole of Great Xia was in an uproar.

Especially the segment where an unknown creature's black shadow appeared on the Oriental Pearl Tower above Magic City's Bund, which caused countless people to debate, some saying it was a composite, others saying it might be something hanging there.

After verification, there are no traces of any Photoshop compositing; that black shadow truly exists.

So you're saying the black shadow truly exists? Could it really be that a living being is undergoing tribulation?

We can't rule out a visual discrepancy caused by the shooting angle; maybe we just saw it wrong.

Online discussions were heated, and many people also worried about the losses in Magic City this time, after all, from the video we see torrential rain, boiling thunderclouds, looking extremely dangerous.

Just as the public was worried, the head of the Southeast Region announced that there were no casualties.

What? Not a single person died!

That must be fake—with such a huge disaster, with thunder and heavy rain, how could that be possible?

The authorities have already spoken; there's no need to deceive us.

It seems to be true—I have a relative in Magic City who said that although this disaster came with great force and looked terrifying, in reality nobody around him suffered anything, at most a minor injury, and even that was just accidental.

Moreover, it's said that the rain and thunder suddenly dissipated, after which a mysterious green light appeared over the entire city.

Our Great Xia is truly amazing!

Online, all kinds of discussions raged; initially people from other cities didn't believe it, but soon many people with Magic City IP addresses came forward to speak, and upon learning there were no casualties at all, the public erupted in an unprecedented heated debate! (End of chapter)