Chu Yang immediately clenched his fists. "Should we kill our way up and snatch it back?"
Nanli was also ready for action.
Cinian, looking at them both excitedly, said, "Old monk’s spiritual power hasn’t fully recovered yet; it’s not the right time."
Nanli replied, "Zen Master can meditate under the Spirit Tree. The spiritual energy here is extraordinary, and I believe Zen Master will recover quickly."
"Ah, I completely forgot." Cinian slapped his own head, calling himself foolish.
After all, the Spirit Tree here was different from the one in the Upper Realm.
Nanli’s urgency was not without reason, as the Immortal World would soon learn that the Human World had a Spirit Tree. These hypocrites, who had always plundered resources, would flock here to either take the Spirit Tree or take control of the land.
Hmph, they had once been proud and looked down on the Human World, but now they wouldn’t get to enjoy its resources.
Those who knew about the Spirit Mine were loyal to Chu Shuo, so there was little fear of the news leaking out.
However, Nanli still set up a formation at the entrance.
Afterward, the three of them decided not to return to the capital and instead meditated beneath the Spirit Tree.
Their cultivation methods were all different.
Cinian practiced Buddhism, Chu Yang cultivated the Fire Cloud Spell, which he could practice even without spiritual energy, though he would make faster progress with it.
Nanli had devised her own method, one that was not only defensive but also offensive, making her cultivation slow. After a full day of training, there was little progress in her Dantian’s spiritual power.
But Yun Jianchu, who resided in her body, was deeply astonished. "I’ve never seen anyone like you, not seeking a breakthrough in realm, just aiming for solid foundations."
With Nanli’s current power, she could easily advance to the Golden Core mid-stage, but she wasn’t in a rush.
Nanli closed her eyes and communicated with her Demon Soul through spiritual awareness: "My inner pill has a defect; I can’t rush it. I need to repair it and make it stronger to convert more spiritual energy. That would be more useful than rushing to break through."
Yun Jianchu snorted, "Aren’t you curious about your past identity? You had a chance to ask Yan Buxiu yesterday."
"Even if I had asked, he wouldn’t necessarily tell the truth. Why should I bother with his words?" Nanli replied.
Yun Jianchu scoffed, "How boring."
With Nanli’s firm mind, it seemed the Enchanting Bug could no longer influence her.
From day to night, Nanli made considerable progress with the spiritual energy from the Spirit Tree.
But soon, thunder rumbled in her ears.
Removing her spiritual protection, she felt gusts of wind blow towards her.
The sky had turned dark with thick thunderclouds, and lightning flashed rapidly. The entire sky alternated between black and white.
She stood up, furrowing her brows. "What is this...?"
The Thunder Tribulation for a breakthrough!
Cinian had already reached her side and said, "It’s your fourth brother."
"Chu Yang has already entered Core Forming. After surviving tonight’s Thunder Tribulation, he will become a true Golden Core cultivator!" Cinian said with a smile. "Amazing, right? If you didn’t know better, you might think Chu Yang had already practiced the Fire Cloud Spell several times."
The thunder continued to roar in her ears, and Nanli’s expression changed. "Fourth brother has only just started Base Building, how did he suddenly enter Core Forming?! This Thunder Tribulation is no small matter. If he can’t survive it, he might even lose his soul!"
Cinian’s smile faded. "Indeed... Is Chu Yang really that impatient?"
While advancing in cultivation and reaching higher realms was a good thing, having a flimsy foundation would not work. He might not even survive the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation.
At that moment, Chu Yang was at the center of the Thunder Tribulation.
Both of them saw Chu Yang being struck by the first bolt of thunder and screaming in agony, as though it had taken half of his life away.
How could they just stand by? They quickly flew over, intending to help him block the Thunder Tribulation.
Chu Yang was startled and exclaimed, "What are you two doing?"
This was his Golden Core Thunder Tribulation; even as protectors, they should remain outside the range.
"Fourth brother, I’ll help you!"
"Chu Yang, don’t be afraid."
The second bolt of lightning was about to fall, and they both used their spiritual energy to try and help Chu Yang deflect most of its power.
"Don’t!" Chu Yang flew out of their range of spiritual power and charged toward the thunder.
When the second bolt of lightning struck, he screamed again.
His clothes were now torn, exposing his solid chest and arms.
He then smiled at Nanli. "Sixth sister, don’t worry about me. It really hurts when the thunder strikes, but I can handle it."
"Fourth brother, you advanced to Core Forming too quickly. If you can’t endure this Thunder Tribulation, your soul might dissipate!" Nanli shouted.
Even she couldn’t help Chu Yang reconstruct his soul.
Chu Yang’s face was illuminated by the lightning. He wore a carefree expression and said, "If I can’t take it, I’ll die. What’s the big deal? Sixth sister, trust me. In the past, I didn’t have enough strength to help you, but now that I have the chance, you should let me bear it myself. From now on, I’ll protect you!"
His words were firm, as if he was prepared to face death.
He was pushing himself to rapidly increase his strength; he had to rely on himself.
Otherwise, all would be in vain!
Nanli swallowed hard and nodded, "Fourth brother, go ahead."
She flew to the edge of the Thunder Tribulation’s center.
Cinian had no choice but to follow her.
He sighed, "Nanli, you’re really something. I can see now that Chu Yang is forcing himself to enter Core Forming. He definitely won’t survive all thirty-six bolts of thunder."
They should stay nearby and protect him. Even if he turned into an empty shell, at least his life would be saved.
Nanli clenched her teeth and said, "Fourth brother said he can do it, so he can. We’ll guard him here."
Cinian couldn’t persuade her, so he gave up.
The thunder raged on, and every bolt that struck Chu Yang made his body grow stronger.
But the pain was so intense that it nearly suffocated him.
By the tenth bolt, he had exhausted his internal energy and could no longer resist the lightning.
His body began to fall.
But the Thunder Tribulation didn’t stop. The eleventh bolt followed!
Chu Yang turned his head and saw Nanli’s figure from a distance.
She didn’t rush over; clearly, she had absolute faith in him!
Chu Yang quickly steadied himself. As he fell to the ground, the lightning struck.
He clenched his teeth and endured it!
Without his energy to resist, the pain was unbearable, but after the Thunder Tribulation passed, he felt a comfort he had never known in his body and bones.
He had endured all thirty-six bolts of thunder by himself.
The thunderclouds dispersed.
Nanli and Cinian landed, and from afar, they saw Chu Yang standing on the mountaintop. The trees around him had been struck by the thunder and were reduced to ashes. The smell of burning wafted through the air.
Chu Yang staggered slightly but stood tall.