Chapter 634: Chaos Realm Thunder Tribulation, Dual Path Refining, Six Divine Marvels

In short, this is the only path to a higher realm!

Spatial lightning, pitch-black like the instigator of all destruction, shattered Wang Yu's Chronos Furnace, relentlessly eroding his skin and bones. Temporal lightning, brilliant as a galaxy, flowed out like a magnificent river of stars. Unlike the direct and destructive nature of spatial lightning, it was subtle and pervasive. It arrived quietly, invisibly eroding Wang Yu's immortal body, continuously plunging him into an advanced state of aging. The two types of lightning worked in tandem: a decaying body is easier to destroy.

As if caught in a vicious cycle, Wang Yu's physical body, in the blink of an eye, was reduced to just over two hundred dimly glowing bones. His head hung low as if life had completely extinguished, and his life force was faint.

“How is this possible!” Qing Qing stared at the scene in disbelief. If even Wang Yu, with his strength, couldn't overcome the lightning tribulation, how could other body cultivators hope to succeed? He didn't understand.

Meanwhile, cultivators from the Demonic Refining Domain, drawn by the commotion, arrived at the outermost edge of the lightning tribulation. Spotting Qing Qing, they dismissed her presence; a mere peak Nascent Soul cultivator held no significance for them. Instead, their focus was on the Void Refinement demonic cultivators who had also converged for Wang Yu: three early-stage cultivators and one late-stage, notably the green-haired cultivator who had reached the seventh layer of Void Refinement. On his way, he had already encountered numerous early and mid-stage cultivators, all of whom he had driven away with his formidable aura. By the time he reached the edge of the lightning tribulation, only three early-stage Void Refinement cultivators who had arrived from other directions remained. None were his match!

“It’s Old Demon Green Robe, who cultivates both Corpse and Poison paths, and also practices the zombie body refinement method. His combat power is exceptional even among late-stage Void Refinement cultivators. Let’s go! There’s no need to contend for these withered bones who failed the tribulation.” The three early-stage Void Refinement demonic cultivators exchanged glances. They decisively withdrew.

Although Wang Yu's "corpse" was desirable, those who held the True Demon Token possessed truly unlimited potential. There was no need to risk their lives for this single opportunity. Cultivating to their current realm had not been easy. As long as it didn’t involve opportunities for Dao integration, demonic cultivators were always pragmatic.

“Heh heh heh!” Old Demon Green Robe was clearly pleased with his reputation. He couldn't help but rub his chin as he scrutinized Hanba Qing Qing. His initial glance had deemed her merely beautiful, but now he observed her closely. From her pale complexion, he detected dense corpse qi and fire qi, which perfectly aligned with his preferences. His eyes immediately lit up, and he cackled strangely. “I never expected to stumble upon a lightning corpse today, and also encounter a young lady who cultivates the corpse path. Life in the Demonic Refining Domain must not be easy for you. Why not join this old ancestor? I’ll surely make you immensely happy, heh heh heh heh!”

The Corpse Dao isn't widely known in the Upper Realm, and its potential is limited. However, in the Demonic Cultivation World, many also cultivated Corpse Dao divine abilities and secret arts. Firstly, refining enemies into corpse puppets was immensely satisfying. Secondly, it was a means to spread their cruel reputation. Thirdly, it provided convenient subordinates. This saved them the trouble of personally handling trivial matters.

Over time, the Corpse Dao was continuously refined and perfected. There now existed a path to immortality through 'Corpse Dissolution,' even recognized by the Lord of the Grand Demonic Heavens. While several tiers weaker than conventional methods of ascending to immortality, it was indeed a path to immortality, granting longevity equal to heaven and earth. Its only drawback was significantly weaker combat power. However, the difficulty of achieving immortality was also reduced. Since then, the Corpse Dao flourished within the Demonic Refining Domain. However, until a Corpse Dissolution Immortal emerged from this path, the Lord of the Grand Demonic Heavens strictly prohibited its wider dissemination to prevent humanity from being plagued by corpse calamities. Never underestimate the desires of the human heart!

Facing the verbal coercion, Qing Qing didn’t even deign to glance at him. She was particular about appearances, and someone like Old Demon Green Robe, even after countless reincarnations and facial transformations, wouldn't interest her. She took out a token from the Demonic Star Bloodline and said coldly, “I advise you to think carefully. Has the blade of my fellow disciples ever been anything but sharp?!”

This was the information asymmetry. Outsiders were unaware of the survival trials. There were also prodigies from the Demonic Star Bloodline within the Demonic Refining Domain, similar to Qing Qing’s situation but having arrived earlier. It was thus normal for them to have already established their reputations. As expected, Old Demon Green Robe, upon seeing the Demonic Star Bloodline token, immediately ceased his boasting. He smiled sheepishly and averted his gaze from Qing Qing.

However, when he turned his gaze back to Wang Yu’s skeletal remains, his expression drastically changed. A dense spatial fluctuation was spreading, and simultaneously, the tribulation clouds above suddenly expanded, covering at least three thousand *li* and creating a vast, sky-darkening spectacle. This was far more terrifying than the Void Refinement tribulations of even the most prodigious talents!

“—How is this possible!!!” Old Demon Green Robe frantically fled backward, terrified of being caught in someone else's lightning tribulation and attracting an even stronger one to himself. His gaze remained fixed on the jade-like skeleton. Flesh regenerated, and the Five Qi-transformed viscera instantly condensed. Intricate meridians re-emerged across muscles and bones, skin regrew, and hair, revitalized by the breakthrough, became glossy black, revealing a perfectly handsome face.

These transformations occurred in an instant, and only Wang Yu knew the intricate processes he had undertaken. It was both simple and audacious. The Twelve Capital Heaven Divine Lightning Tribulation was indeed potent, but for Wang Yu, passing it normally wouldn't be difficult. His goal, however, was to leverage the tribulation's power to further reinforce his foundation and strength. If the lightning tribulation wasn't strong enough, how could it achieve the effect of 'destruction followed by rebirth'? Moreover, the Thunder Emperor's Armor also required bathing in the lightning tribulation to enhance its origin, transforming it from a "beggar's version" into the "True Thunder Emperor's Armor," a divine artifact perfectly attuned to the Star God, and allowing him to comprehend the Dao of Thunder through it. It was an opportunity worth seizing.

Therefore, since the lightning tribulation was insufficient for his needs and couldn't be shared with the Thunder Emperor's Armor, he simply induced a double tribulation. The superposition of such formidable heavenly might wasn't a mere '1+1' but an exponential surge. Starting from the sixth Capital Heaven Divine Lightning Tribulation, Wang Yu completed the transition from Nascent Soul to Void Refinement, forcibly refining and integrating the Jianmu branch into his ninth vertebra. Instantly, he opened up a miniature realm, the embryonic form of a Blessed Land. His breakthrough process differed from ordinary cultivators. Normally, a Blessed Land is only condensed by Void Refinement cultivators upon reaching the mid-stage. Wang Yu's audacious approach was purely for speed.

The principles of cultivation are interconnected. No one mandated following ancestral methods, so Wang Yu chose the approach best suited for himself. Breaking through to Void Refinement was essentially another metamorphosis of essence, qi, and spirit. Integrating the artistic conception weapon into the Nascent Soul marked the Spirit Gate. The physical body was directly bypassed; as a body cultivator, Wang Yu's physical strength was undoubtedly up to standard. The Qi Gate was the most challenging and time-consuming stage. So Wang Yu, once again, bypassed it, starting with the Blessed Land.

The purpose of establishing a Blessed Land, it should be noted, is to integrate "world origin," allowing a cultivator's already perfected magical power to undergo further sublimation, thereby granting various incredible effects. Demonic cultivators follow the demonic path, cultivate demonic qi, and refine demonic essence. Thereafter, it could be called "True Demonic Essence." While its profundity didn't match the orthodox Dao Essence, its boost to combat power was immense, as if inherently designed for destruction. Wang Yu, however, opened his Heaven and Earth Blessed Land, gaining access to primal energy ahead of time. This, in turn, nourished his own demonic essence. He even brought forth a vast amount of frozen demonic qi to aid his transformation. By leveraging power several tiers higher to fuel his own growth, his progress was astonishingly rapid.

And so, the lightning tribulation for breaking through from Nascent Soul to Void Refinement also descended. —The Chaos Lightning Tribulation! This was not merely a breakthrough tribulation; it also encompassed the realm-opening tribulation that came with establishing a world. After their fusion, it could be called… the Chaos Realm Lightning Tribulation! Adding the Twelve Capital Heaven Divine Lightning Tribulation created a triple fusion. This directly resulted in three thousand *li* of tribulation clouds. Whether this reached an unprecedented scale was currently unknown, but Wang Yu knew that at such intensity, a single misstep would lead to utter annihilation. Lightning tribulation refines the body, enabling destruction followed by rebirth. The two effects he sought to achieve had already far exceeded the limits. The surplus would depend on the Thunder Emperor's Armor's capacity.

‘It’s here!’ Wang Yu’s gaze sharpened. An ancient armor, black with golden trim, adorned with dark green embossed patterns and mysterious lightning runes, suddenly enveloped his Dragon-Patterned Black Gold Crown. The Four Seasons Celestial Wheel materialized behind him, and he wielded the Yama Heavenly Son Sword. Beneath his feet, the Thirty-Six Petal Blood Lotus Furnace, resembling a blood-colored metallic lotus throne, made him appear even more towering and majestic. The Myriad Transformations True Artifact transformed into its true form of black liquid, coiling around his elbows and shoulders like ethereal sashes, imbued with a mysterious aura, yet possessing a distinct demonic essence in both color and feel.

Fully armed, the Yin Demon Dragon Dharma Idol surged forth. By now, its form had vastly changed due to the integration of numerous artistic conceptions. It had transformed from illusory to tangible, as if truly existing. All spiritual treasures were proportionally magnified. At this moment, the Dharma Idol was Wang Yu, and Wang Yu was the Dharma Idol; the concept of a distinct core ceased to exist. His Nascent Soul Dharma Domain rapidly expanded, bringing all spiritual energy within a thousand *li* under his control to replenish his consumption in a full-power state.

Simultaneously, the staggered timing allowed his body refinement to break through first. The divine abilities granted by the sixth-tier realm manifested one by one, like innate instincts. His control over power advanced once more. The domain ability derived from pure strength allowed him to pluck stars with a single hand, both subtle and violent. While all cultivators at this stage develop unique realm-specific divine abilities based on their differing cultivation methods, his had developed its own distinct characteristics. The divine abilities gained from the Undying Nether Dragon Art were named Nine Dragon Undying Strength, Yin Nether Dragon Body, and Indestructible Body! These corresponded to "attack," "defense," and "recovery," respectively.

Nine Dragon Undying Strength embodied peerless divine power. Yin Nether Dragon Body was not a spiritual or battle body; rather, it granted Wang Yu physical defense comparable to that of an Undying Nether Dragon, an enhancement to his fundamental stats. Its resistance to spells, divine abilities, and secret incantations underwent an epic leap. The Undying Nether Dragon, a unique dragon species born in the netherworld after the death of a true dragon, naturally possessed an extraordinary physique. The Indestructible Body was the most practical, an upgraded version of regeneration from a single drop of blood. While Wang Yu’s recovery had always been rapid, his newly regenerated bodies used to be exceptionally fragile, requiring time to adapt and temper them to bring them up to the level expected of his body cultivation realm. With the Indestructible Body, he could directly consume Primordial True Essence to manifest a physical body of equivalent strength, truly embodying the essence of indestructibility. Simultaneously, his regeneration from a single drop of blood was also vastly enhanced. Even without achieving the integration of spirit and flesh, he no longer needed to worry about the awkward predicament of a "living corpse" no longer being truly his own. Indestructibility had endowed his will and memory with the same unique resilience. Only his Nascent Soul remained a weakness, requiring further cultivation to address.

Of course, it’s worth noting that these three realm-specific divine abilities conformed to the consistent style of body cultivators: they enhanced fundamental attributes and were not, in essence, divine abilities or secret techniques. Particularly the Nine Dragon Undying Strength, which could integrate with any divine ability Wang Yu mastered, imbuing it with this unique brute force during activation!

As the ethereal thunderclouds transformed into chaos, golden and crimson dual-colored lightning tribulations descended simultaneously. They struck Wang Yu’s Dharma Idol, while his embryonic Blessed Land also underwent the tribulation’s tempering. He brought forth the Void Whale's stomach and a vast quantity of space-attribute treasures. Using the thunder's refining effect, he swiftly integrated them into the Blessed Land’s space, causing its expanse to rapidly grow. Simultaneously, his Yin Lunar Nascent Soul actively entered the Blessed Land to merge with the Heavenly Dao, replacing the heavenly will with his own consciousness.

Within the Heaven and Earth Blessed Land, therefore, a sea of blood formed, with two Slaughter Demon Swords transformed into towering, sword-shaped mountains, standing guard at its center. Above the firmament, the Frost Moon Disk transformed into a full moon, casting down endless Yin Lunar radiance. The dim sky was replaced by an aurora curtain, its descending light transforming into a scene of vibrant mortal prosperity, breathing human vitality into the otherwise desolate space. A Yellow Springs River was also opened, carving a wide channel across the land, with countless ferocious and terrifying evil spirits floating within it. Only at its end stood a colossal skeletal city, bearing the characters “Fengdu”. A colossal Yin Heavenly Son stood within the giant city. His treasured sword radiated endless brilliance, shining like a midday sun!

After the initial integration of artistic conceptions, the two paths Wang Yu cultivated truly converged for the first time. The Five Qi seeds nurtured within his body differentiated into endless Five Element essences, frantically absorbing spiritual energy to nourish themselves while simultaneously giving birth to a Five Elements cycle within the Blessed Land. The landmass expanded, and vegetation began to sprout. River waters condensed into vapor, and the thick earth yielded mineral deposits. Heavenly fire transformed into light, illuminating a vast, ethereal space. This transformation brought Wang Yu a clear realization: in the future, when he deduces his fundamental cultivation method, the Undying Nether Dragon Art should be fully integrated, truly merging the two paths and forging his own unique way.

As the Chaos Realm Lightning Tribulation relentlessly descended, Wang Yu freely manipulated various spiritual treasures to withstand it, integrating the initially weakened lightning into himself, while any excess was perfectly absorbed by the Thunder Emperor’s Armor. Only when the Thunder Emperor’s Armor reached its limit first and entered a state of transformation, did Wang Yu unleash stronger divine abilities to further weaken the tribulation’s power and prevent himself from being overwhelmed.

Thus, in a brief moment, the tribulation clouds receded. Wang Yu's aura surged, and his lifespan dramatically increased to six thousand four hundred years. Perhaps his physically forged immortal and indestructible body added another five hundred years to this. His natural lifespan now subtly approached seven thousand years, of which he had only consumed just over five hundred years so far.

‘Dual Path Void Refinement…’ Body cultivation breakthroughs could yield realm-specific divine abilities, and a Void Refinement breakthrough naturally produced corresponding divine abilities, much like the innate ability of qi manipulation and flight acquired during the Foundation Establishment stage. The corresponding effect for 'Manipulating Heaven and Earth' was the initial comprehension of the Dao of Space. The 'Transformation of Cause and Effect' bestowed upon cultivators the ability to "divine and calculate," allowing them to foresee cause and effect related to themselves, and even through such "calculation," comprehend all things and know all matters. When someone attempted to scheme against him, he would also sense it. However, this ability was still rudimentary; though innate, it could easily be masked by more advanced methods. Even the first layer of the Jade Void Glazed Wall, which Wang Yu himself knew, could completely circumvent such causal prying.

“So formidable, so powerful.” This made him recall the Prison King Spirit Official. That individual, at the peak of Void Refinement and having even opened a Grotto-Heaven, was still manipulated and killed by the Heaven Refining Demon Venerable. Thus, it seemed this 'Transformation of Cause and Effect' couldn't be fully trusted either. Now was not the time to test it.

The third realm-specific divine ability of the Void Refinement stage was called 'Divine Embryo as One,' whose primary effect was on the Nascent Soul, strengthening its connection with the physical body. This prevented situations where external demons might invade and seize one’s body. For him, it was better than nothing, but the effect of deepening the connection between his physical body and Nascent Soul certainly facilitated his cultivation of spirit-flesh integration.

Now that the ascension was complete and the Blessed Land successfully established, it was far from perfectly assimilated. According to his prior preparations, Wang Yu could still further elevate the Blessed Land to the Grotto-Heaven rank, a stage corresponding to late Void Refinement, to receive greater feedback from the world origin. There was also the integration of the Yin Lunar Dao, and too many other cultivation-related issues yet to be resolved. He had no time to linger here.

His gaze naturally fell upon the sole remaining demonic cultivator.

Old Demon Green Robe: “!!!”