Chapter 381: Slashing the Heavenly Tribulation (Bonus Chapter, Requesting Subscription)

The hallmark of a Shenhuan cultivator lies in controlling the celestial and terrestrial spiritual force!

Celestial and terrestrial spiritual force is a more fundamental power than celestial and terrestrial spiritual qi!

And how can one achieve control over celestial and terrestrial spiritual force?

Fang Xing now knows: it is "Spirit Merged with Heaven and Earth!"

When a Shenhuan cultivator's Nascent Soul merges with heaven and earth, they can control celestial and terrestrial spiritual force across a thousand li.

With a single thought, they can decide the life or death of low-tier cultivators!

At this moment, Fang Xing's Nascent Soul, as if hearing divine music, gradually grew transparent, transcending into something more mysterious, more attuned to the essence of the Dao—the "Nascent Spirit!"

After the Nascent Soul ascended into a Nascent Spirit, Fang Xing even felt that countless mysteries and laws of heaven and earth became incredibly clear, filling his heart with a certain urge.

He wanted to sink into these celestial laws, gradually glimpsing the Dao… not a single moment to waste.

This is the "Dao Transformation Calamity!"

The Nascent Spirit is inherently close to the Dao; when merging with heaven and earth, it is as if heaven and earth themselves are actively explaining the laws and the Dao.

It is easy to become lost in it—but how vast and mighty is heaven and earth?

If mountains and rivers had thoughts, a single thought's operation might require tens or even hundreds of years!

For this heaven and earth—or a world—a single thought's operation might take thousands or ten thousand years!

If the Nascent Spirit sinks into the Dao's voice within "Spirit Merged with Heaven and Earth," a blink might pass a million years, and then the cultivator's lifespan reaches its limit, collapsing into death…

"Fire…"

After Fang Xing's Nascent Soul transformed into a Nascent Spirit, the first thing he sensed was the crystal-clear Fire Law!

Though still not as profound as directly comprehending the "Fire God Pillar."

Yet in clarity of the Fire Law, it felt as if he had swallowed a "Flame Heart Fruit" to enhance law affinity!

"So… this is the secret of Shenhuan cultivators?"

"The Immortal Dao's Nascent Spirit is inherently close to the Dao; once formed, it greatly enhances law comprehension… of course, in the cultivation world, this means increased Dao affinity. In truth, they are the same thing…"

A thought surfaced in Fang Xing's mind.

In the main universe and the cultivation world, he had never found any wonder similar to the "Flame Heart Fruit."

But now, he no longer needed it.

As long as one breaks through a major Immortal Dao realm, "celestial and terrestrial affinity" seems to increase automatically—far better than swallowing a "Flame Heart Fruit."

Because what increases is the affinity for all elemental laws!

"Fire… Wood, Water, Earth, Metal…"

"The Five Element Laws… are built upon Space Law."

"Celestial and terrestrial laws are never isolated—they influence each other, forming a harmonious whole…"

"Void is the foundation of everything…"

"No wonder Shenhuan cultivators, if they train the Void Sublimation lineage, can potentially grasp a trace of Void power…"

Fang Xing suddenly understood.

With the space affinity granted by the Immortal Dao's Nascent Spirit, combined with the Void Dao descriptions in the Void Sublimation lineage…

Not that even a pig could enter, but any cultivator who reaches Shenhuan must be a genius in talent and comprehension—making it highly likely they can comprehend the basics of Void and grasp a trace of Void power.

"Why didn't my original body gain such profound insights when transforming its Martial Dao Nascent Spirit into an Immortal Dao Nascent Spirit? Was it because I didn't actively 'Spirit Merge with Heaven and Earth'?"

"No—it's because my original body still walks the Martial Dao path; the foundation of the 【Immortal Martialist】 remains that of a martial artist… thus, even after transforming into Shenhuan spiritual power, he cannot achieve certain essential upgrades…"

"My Immortal Dao avatar is different—it is a pure cultivator. Though dangerous when breaking through major realms, it has its advantages!"

From the perspective of his Nascent Spirit, Fang Xing now saw this world in entirely new ways.

Beyond the Five Elements, there was Wind, Thunder, Ice…

Life, Death…

All these laws were built upon Space…

But even combined, they formed merely a three-dimensional, like a dead, frozen world…

Only by comprehending Time, grasping that extremely subtle timeline, glimpsing the River of Light and Shadow, could the stagnant space begin to flow—from three dimensions to four!

"Because my essence remains that of an interstellar-era citizen, and I already had a foundation in comprehending Fire Law, I could perceive the essence of heaven and earth to this extent…"

"If another cultivator were here, merely sensing the Five Elements would be extraordinary; the most gifted might perceive Void power or the River of Light and Shadow…"

"It's a difference in worldview, a difference in expression—but the essence is the same."

"Wait… what should I be doing?"

Fang Xing suddenly shuddered all over, as if falling from the highest peak—his entire being snapped awake: "I'm still in the midst of breakthrough! I haven't yet truly controlled celestial and terrestrial spiritual force, absorbed it into my body, completed the major realm breakthrough… I haven't yet entrusted my Nascent Spirit to my sword… What good is obsessing over these law insights? The laws are so profound—even spending ten thousand years might not fully comprehend one law, let alone the Dao… but my body will age and die!"

He had experience with law comprehension—immersed, but not lost.

Now, his original body's consciousness reminded him.

After a brief struggle, he awoke from his law contemplation, yet still maintained the "Spirit Merged with Heaven and Earth" state, attempting to control external celestial and terrestrial spiritual force.

The five-colored spiritual force lake grew even more brilliant, radiating multicolored light, beginning to ripple and flow…

Even a faint ripple, its spilled spiritual pressure, was enough to make Nascent Soul True Lords tremble in fear.

That was a divine art capable of annihilating them effortlessly!

"The Nascent Spirit is formless, intangible… Shenhuan cultivators have no Nascent Soul. If their Nascent Spirit disperses, they can hide their spiritual power beyond imagination—even the spiritual sense of a Nascent Soul late-stage True Lord cannot detect any trace, mistaking them for ordinary people…"

Fang Xing experimented with his Nascent Spirit's traits and found controlling external celestial and terrestrial spiritual force wasn't simple, but not especially difficult.

Because he had comprehended Fire Law, focusing primarily on Fire-element spiritual force made it very easy—he could directly absorb it into his body, then use Fire to lever the other four elements, and through the Five Elements, leverage celestial and terrestrial spiritual force…

With a few more attempts, he would surely succeed!

Generally, once a cultivator reaches this stage, achieving Shenhuan is already assured.

But for a Shenhuan Sword Master, one crucial step remains missing—entrusting the Nascent Spirit to the sword!

In the meditation chamber.

Fang Xing's Immortal Dao avatar sat cross-legged, like a living corpse.

Before him floated a peak-level spiritual treasure—"Rotten Iron Sword"—spilling a sprinkling of starlight, like a brilliant Milky Way.

This was the true body of the "Rotten Iron Sword," not any illusion.

Now, thanks to the fusion of Sword Core and Sword Nascent Soul through long-term cultivation, Fang Xing's Nascent Spirit had already forged an unbreakable connection with the Rotten Iron Sword.

Following this faint, mystical link, Fang Xing's Nascent Spirit enveloped the Rotten Iron Sword—and then… he felt the sword breathing!

This fated sword not only breathed, consuming supreme-grade spirit stones and celestial and terrestrial spiritual energy, but it resembled a human body, complete with meridians... even a heart!

Fang Xing heard it… the heartbeat of the Rotten Iron Sword!

At this moment, he finally understood: after being nurtured through the breaking of the Core and birth of the Nascent Soul, the Rotten Iron Sword—a spiritual treasure—had gained its own life!

Now, the Rotten Iron Sword could even be seen as a human body—or rather, a "living corpse" perfectly attuned to his Nascent Spirit.

"Interesting… if I entrust my Nascent Spirit to this sword, am I becoming its Sword Spirit?"

"No wonder my fated sword had no spirit core—I am the spirit!"

"This path… feels strangely similar to ancient Spirit Weapon cultivators?"

"Are sword cultivators so extreme that they've gone off-track?"

Fang Xing mentally grumbled—but there was no turning back. His Nascent Spirit entered the Rotten Iron Sword, merging with it in an unimaginable harmony. Then…

The Rotten Iron Sword erupted in brilliant starlight, like a Milky Way, with countless stars twinkling within—suddenly shooting into the heavens!

…

"The step of drawing celestial and terrestrial spiritual force was perfect…"

On Mingkun Island.

Even Fire Dragon True Lord was forced to land by the ever-growing spiritual pressure, gazing upward at the five-colored lake.

"And… he's already begun attempting control—but why hasn't he absorbed it into his body yet?"

He sighed.

As an heir of the Nascent Spirit Sword Sect, his insight far surpassed ordinary Nascent Soul True Lords; he had read several accounts of Shenhuan breakthroughs.

Fire Dragon True Lord knew well: countless Nascent Soul peak cultivators had fallen at the step of absorbing celestial and terrestrial spiritual force into their bodies.

And for Shenhuan Sword Masters, the additional step of entrusting the Nascent Spirit to the sword made it even harder.

Though the Nascent Spirit Sword Sect's Sword Core and Sword Nascent Soul methods were designed precisely for this final step, historically, many disciples had still failed.

Could the Lord of Mingkun Island succeed?

Just as Fire Dragon True Lord's face filled with worry, a dragon-like sword cry suddenly rang from within his body!

Not just him—other Core Formation True Masters all pressed hands to their dantians, faces changing.

"The Sovereign of Swords awakens—ten thousand swords submit?"

"A fifth-rank sword is about to emerge!"

Fire Dragon True Lord's face lit up with joy.

Then…

The cultivators of Mingkun Island witnessed a Milky Way erupting from the island's depths—vast, profound, with twinkling starlight like the cosmos.

Within the starry expanse, a blade of light flashed, absorbing all the celestial and terrestrial spiritual force of the five-colored lake, then suddenly roaring!

The Rotten Iron Sword—a peak-level spiritual treasure—shattered into fifth rank, becoming a Nascent Spirit Treasure!

The sword roared, instantly devouring the entire five-colored spiritual force lake, then like a meteor, plunged into the cave, entering Fang Xing's Immortal Dao avatar through the crown of his head, settling in his dantian.

Streams of refined celestial and terrestrial spiritual force emerged, flowing continuously through his meridians, reaching every limb and organ.

Fang Xing's body instantly grew slightly transparent, tinged with fiery red—as if a lump of raw iron were being hammered into shape!

"Shenhuan! Shenhuan!"

After repeating it nine times, he opened his eyes and knew he had shattered through the major realm barrier!

At that moment, the heavens roared with divine wrath—five-colored thunderbolts were forming, unmistakably his Nascent Soul heavenly tribulation!

"Theoretically… the Nascent Soul heart demon tribulation should arrive now. Heart demon—where is my heart demon?"

The solar mark on Fang Xing's third eye slowly radiated light, streams of it descending, illuminating his entire body, even his mind sea and the depths of his Nascent Soul.

And then… nothing at all!

'Again, no chance to see it…'

'I was hoping to temper my weak points and my sword heart…'

Fang Xing smirked; the Rusty Iron Sword materialized in his hand as he shot skyward.

…

Near Mingkun Island, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth raged wildly, five-colored lightning flashes erupted violently.

The terrifying heavenly aura even made the Fire Dragon True Lord feel impending doom.

"Nascent Soul heavenly tribulation… Five Elements Thunder Tribulation!"

He gazed at the five-colored lightning, his eyes filled with both wariness and anticipation: "My uncle should be enduring his heart demon trial now… Nascent Soul heart demons are incredibly formidable—they say even Nascent Soul Sword Lords can fall victim. Heart demons manifest in myriad forms—they are the greatest enemy of cultivators!"

"To endure the Five Elements Thunder Tribulation while under the influence of a heart demon—that is only possible for those of great wisdom and courage!"

Shhh!

As the Fire Dragon True Lord sighed, Fang Xing shot skyward and swung his sword casually.

The Rusty Iron Sword, now upgraded to fifth rank, erupted with unimaginably brilliant starlight, like a river of silver falling from heaven, piercing straight into the thunderclouds.

Wherever the sword light reached, regardless of the elemental nature of the tribulation lightning, it instantly dissipated, reverting back to the most fundamental heavenly and earthly spiritual energy!

"One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Methods!"

The Iron Sword Sect's cultivators, as if witnessing a deity they had worshipped for years, gazed with awe and fervor: "The Fifth Stage of Sword Dao—the Break Ten Thousand Methods! Beneath a single sword strike, no matter the divine technique, spell, treasure, or talisman… all are shattered."

"Who would've thought… even a Nascent Soul heavenly tribulation could be broken?"

Seeing Fang Xing cleave through the heavenly tribulation, they felt as if they had witnessed a myth!

At that moment, every cultivator on Mingkun Island worshipped the island's master with fervor.

After all, which cultivator didn't know that the greatest fear of a cultivator was the heavenly tribulation?

Before breaking through a major realm, they desperately gathered all kinds of tribulation-sealing treasures or techniques to weaken the thunder.

For this, they would risk life and death without hesitation.

During tribulation, every possible method was deployed—just surviving was victory.

Who else would, like Fang Xing, charge straight into the tribulation with casual arrogance during Nascent Soul breakthrough?

And even more terrifying… he shattered the tribulation with a single sword!

What could the many predecessors who perished under tribulation lightning possibly feel?

…

High above, Fang Xing stood, sword in hand.

But the heavenly tribulation seemed to have fixed standards—no matter the method used, if you passed, you passed; there was no such thing as anger triggering doubled punishment.

The dark clouds gradually dispersed; the sky cleared, the breeze gentle.

"Passed?"

"Yes. If I could be harmed by a Nascent Soul heavenly tribulation, that would be the real joke…"

Fang Xing became a streak of divine light and returned to his cave dwelling.

Gazing at the blocks of supreme-grade spirit stones beside the spiritual vein—now drained of all luster, dull and lifeless—he lightly swept his sleeve and collected them all.

Then he sat cross-legged, silently sensing his own cultivation.

After breaking through a major realm, cultivators often needed time to consolidate their foundation, or risk regressing.

Fang Xing formed a sword seal, silently recalling the Spirit Void Sword Scripture he had comprehended.

This scripture was vast and profound; without an Immortal Dao Nascent Soul and some innate sense of space, one might never even enter its door.

But now, as he contemplated it, Fang Xing found that each golden character, shaped like dragon script and phoenix seal, seemed not flat—but three-dimensional…

They combined with one another, elucidating the Way of Void…

(End of Chapter)