This is the capital, Yongan City, of the Central Continent Empire. Here, the seasons don't change, and even if a natural disaster were to strike, the protective formations ensure it's always spring.
Even if we go to the bitterly cold North Continent, would it be enough to make Xu Peng sneeze?
Xu Peng was a Golden Core Realm demon cultivator, his true form being that of a Peng, with blood as vigorous as the blazing sun. How could a mere chill affect him?
Something was very wrong.
The Fourth Princess glanced at Xu Peng and gently nodded. "You... must be about to undergo a tribulation, or perhaps a sickness tribulation. Such tribulations can be easy or difficult to overcome. Go back and rest well. If you leave this tribulation with lasting sickness, you may never reach the Nascent Soul Realm."
Xu Peng's face turned pale. He wasn't prepared at all, and now this calamity had suddenly arrived?
"Gai Wu, Xu Peng... How did their tribulations happen to come at the same time? Are they both experiencing tribulations simultaneously?"
Everyone exchanged looks, each seeing a trace of doubt in the others' eyes.
Gai Wu and Xu Peng nodded repeatedly. In the face of the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations, they dared not be careless. No matter a cultivator's background, all are equal before these tribulations.
However, that's not entirely the case. If they possess treasures like the Vast Origin Fruit or the Three Solar Fruit, the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations could be much easier to endure.
Just as their friends were about to get up to see them off, a sudden thunderous boom came from the sky. A flash of blood-red lightning streaked across. Then, a terrifying, destructive aura descended as if divine punishment was about to rain down on everyone.
"Lightning Calamity?!" shouted someone in alarm.
The blood-red lightning signified the Lightning Calamity, one of the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations. It was distinct from the Lightning Tribulation and even more so from the Heavenly Tribulation. While all three involve the power of thunder, they weren’t exactly the same. They each had their key differences.
The Lightning Calamity, for instance, didn’t take lives, but it can strike people into a state of idiocy. How long someone remained in such a state depended on their ability to endure the calamity. It could range from a few days to forever.
This Ji Liang must have a deep karmic connection to have attracted the Lightning Calamity, Fang Chen thought with a hint of schadenfreude.
Before coming to the capital, Fang Chen had inquired about the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations from Bai Qingming. There are countless types, and even Bai Qingming said no one could predict them all, not even the elders. The Lightning Calamity is the most bizarre among them. It doesn't target the physical body but the three souls and seven spirits. Those who can't withstand it remain fools for life. R̃ãΝÒＢĚS
Suddenly, a furious shout rang out, "How dare someone face a calamity in the capital! Do you know the rules of Yongan City?!"
Dozens of divine soldiers clad in golden armor swiftly descended from the sky. The leader's aura was as deep as an abyss, and his cold gaze swept over the crowd.
When he noticed that the people present were all prominent nobles from various factions, he was clearly taken aback for a moment. Then, upon seeing the Fourth Princess, he immediately led his men down, clasped his fists, and bowed respectfully. “I, Yongan Guard's Left Patrol Commander, Hong Xian, greet Your Highness, the Fourth Princess!"
At this moment, the blood-red lightning in the sky seemed to be blocked by some mysterious force, entangled and unable to descend. However, it stained the sky a crimson hue, leaving the onlookers across the capital in a state of shock and bewilderment.
Xia Ji quietly transmitted this information. "Fang Da, this Yongan Guard is somewhat like the Valiant Saber Guards from back in the day, all close confidants of the emperor. However, Grand Xia can't compare to the Central Continent Empire. I’ve heard that the Yongan Guard is divided into the Left Patrol Division and the Right Suppression Division.
“The Left Patrol oversees Yongan City, while the Right Suppression stabilizes the entire empire. Judging by this general's attire, he is likely a Sword-Wielding General of the Left Patrol Division, a fifth-rank official, and all such positions are held by cultivators in the Fusion Realm."
She then swept her gaze over the crowd. "Everyone, the capital's protective formations can hold off the Lightning Calamity for a brief moment, but they cannot block it indefinitely. After all, one's own karma must be resolved by oneself. I will have General Hong Xian use the Emperor's Dragon Talisman to release the formation for a single breath, allowing the calamity to descend. Please ensure the person undergoing the tribulation is prepared."
Everyone looked at each other, unsure of who was facing the calamity. Only Ji Liang's face had turned ashen as he stared at the blood-red lightning in the sky for a long time. Suddenly, he stood up and said, "Everyone, it seems this Lightning Calamity is aimed at me. Please, General Hong Xian, release the protective formation. I will face the calamity!"
"What!? The calamity is aimed at the Ninth Prince!?"
"Brother Ji Liang, are you confident?"
"If you're not sure, could the capital's formation hold it off for a bit longer while we seek out elders from other factions to help?"
"Ridiculous! Who can help in a calamity?"
"We could head to the Jade Pavilion. It’s the largest trading house in the Central Continent, and they might have something like a Vast Origin Fruit..."
Hong Xian furrowed his brows, feeling that this situation was tricky. "Is it really his Lightning Calamity?"
If Ji Liang were affected by this Lightning Calamity, would the Ninth Generation King from the West Continent hold him accountable?
He could only look toward the Fourth Princess, seeking her guidance.
"Fourth Sister, I am not afraid of this calamity," Ji Liang said, looking at the Fourth Princess.
The Fourth Princess nodded slightly and gestured to Hong Xian with a nod.
Upon receiving the signal, Hong Xian immediately retrieved a special token, which shimmered with divine light. He began channeling his spiritual energy into the token. In an instant, the protective force entangled with the Lightning Calamity in the sky vanished without a trace, allowing the lightning to descend straight toward Ji Liang.
Everyone quickly retreated to a safe distance, even Chen Mang, a figure of considerable strength, stepped back to stand beside the Fourth Princess, maintaining a cautious distance from Ji Liang.
"Brother Ji Liang, be careful! If this hits you, you might end up a fool!" someone shouted out in concern.
Ji Liang's face remained emotionless as he suddenly waved his sleeve. A puppet appeared, rapidly growing in size as it flew toward the Lightning Calamity. In an instant, the puppet transformed into an exact replica of Ji Liang, like a twin brother.
The puppet was struck by the Lightning Calamity and crashed heavily to the ground, wisps of smoke rising from its body. With that, the calamity dissipated, and the heavens returned to calm.
The crowd was stunned, staring in disbelief at the scene before them.
He could sense a strong presence of karma emanating from it, as if the puppet had absorbed a large portion of Ji Liang's karmic burden, substituting for him in facing the calamity.
Ji Liang gazed at the puppet for a long time, then sighed, "This puppet is a rare treasure I acquired by chance. It can protect its master by facing calamities in their stead. It was refined by ancient masters of great skill. However, once it's used, it's gone. I originally planned to save it for the Nine Tribulations after the Three Calamities, but I had no choice as this disaster came too suddenly. What a pity... what a pity."