Ever since successfully absorbing the soul ring, Jiang Chen had felt the overwhelming sensation of being targeted by the Heavenly Tribulation growing stronger by the day.
If he wanted to, he could summon the lightning tribulation right now. But he wasn't mentally prepared at all.
"I wonder if I could ask Tang Hao for help? He's a Title Douluo—surely resisting the tribulation for a little soul master like me wouldn't be too difficult for him," Jiang Chen thought hopefully.
Just as he was thinking this, the system notification suddenly chimed in:
[Warning: Asking others to assist in passing the tribulation will attract a tribulation commensurate with the strength of the helper. Host, please consider carefully!]
"Good grief!" Jiang Chen's face turned pale.
He had actually planned to ask Tang Hao for help a long time ago. Over the past two months, he had frequently visited Tang Hao's blacksmith shop for this very reason. But now, the system had suddenly forbidden him from seeking assistance.
Sigh, he thought, looks like I'll have to rely on myself.
Jiang Chen glanced at his system profile, noticing that some details had changed:
[Host: Jiang Chen
Douluo Level: 13
Zombie Level: 1/12
Soul Ring: 1100 years
Soul Skill: Zombie God Armor
Items: Dark Blessing Potion, Soul Ring Upgrade Coupon (Levels 11–20)]
The Dark Blessing Potion was for healing injuries, which could prove extremely useful during the tribulation.
He also had a Soul Ring Upgrade Coupon, which could be used to raise the level of his soul ring.
Since absorbing the soul ring, his physical condition had improved significantly. If he used the upgrade coupon now, he could probably increase his first soul ring by a hundred or two hundred years, which would also enhance the skill's effects accordingly.
However, the upgrade coupon was only valid between levels 11 and 20. Unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to waste it before or during the tribulation.
Previously, Jiang Chen had only guessed his soul power level, but the system now clearly showed it.
His diligent training had paid off—his soul power had instantly risen by three levels after absorbing the soul ring.
"Well, I'll think about it some more," Jiang Chen muttered, feeling discouraged as he wrapped himself in his blanket and headed back to Saint Soul Village.
At noon, Old Jack returned, his lips nearly worn raw from pleading. He had finally secured a work-study spot at Notting Academy for Jiang Chen from several neighboring villages.
Jiang Chen was deeply touched. Old Jack truly treated him like his own grandson.
He dared not tell anyone about his upcoming tribulation. If he failed and died, it would break Old Jack's heart.
Since he couldn't ask for help, Jiang Chen planned to find a remote mountain forest to quietly face the tribulation in two days' time.
He wasn't worried about Old Jack's care in his old age—with Tang San around, that was assured. What concerned him was that if he died, Old Jack would be left grieving.
Two days passed, and now it was the third day. Today, Jiang Chen had to find a place to undergo the tribulation.
For the past two days, he had been cooking lavish meals for Old Jack, making the old man smile so widely he couldn't close his mouth, repeatedly praising Jiang Chen's filial piety. Little did Old Jack know that once Jiang Chen left today, he might never return.
Early in the morning, Jiang Chen met with Tang San, urging him to take good care of Old Jack in the future, leaving Tang San stunned.
When Tang San pressed him for details, Jiang Chen remained tight-lipped, knowing Tang San wouldn't be able to help anyway.
After sharing one last meal with Old Jack at noon, Jiang Chen tidied his room, folded his blanket neatly, and cast a long, lingering glance at the space before quietly slipping out of the village.
He had long heard there was a sizable forest to the south of the village, a place sparsely inhabited by humans—ideal for facing the tribulation in secret.
Jiang Chen traveled swiftly, reaching the forest within two hours and entering its depths.
This forest harbored no soul beasts—only ordinary wild animals. Since the area wasn't far from several villages, soul beasts would pose too great a threat to local safety.
Aside from vast forests like the Star Dou Great Forest, the Frozen Forest, and the Sunset Forest, most soul beasts were captured and contained within various Soul Hunting Forests across the Heavenly Dou Empire.
Whenever soul beasts appeared near villages, the local authorities reported it to the city-states, which sent troops to kill or capture them for transfer to the Soul Hunting Forests.
Though free of soul beasts, the wild animals in this forest were still ferocious and terrifying to ordinary people. Only soul masters or skilled hunters dared to enter here; most others wouldn't dream of venturing in.
Jiang Chen pressed forward through the rugged terrain, a region dominated by rolling high mountains cloaked in dense forests.
As he advanced, the surrounding trees grew taller and thicker, and the signs of human activity gradually disappeared.
Every now and then, the roar of a tiger echoed through the wilderness—this was a place even seasoned hunters rarely ventured into.
Jiang Chen stopped and gazed at a towering mountain ahead, a smile spreading across his face.
"This is the one."
This peak stood at the very heart of the forested mountains. Even if thunder struck on a clear day, no one nearby would take notice.
There was no path up the mountain, but with his formidable strength, climbing it posed no real challenge.
The sharp, thorny vines scratched through his clothes but couldn't pierce his skin.
Ten minutes later, he reached the summit.
Here, the trees thinned considerably, and patches of soil gave way to vast slabs of gray stone.
Jiang Chen's eyes scanned the area, settling on a large, relatively flat rock. He seated himself cross-legged atop it.
The time was mid-afternoon, when the sun's heat was at its peak. The massive stone beneath him radiated warmth, almost burning.
There was no breeze. Birds rarely flew overhead. All living things seemed to wilt beneath the relentless sun.
Sitting in meditation, Jiang Chen recalled the scene of that zombie's tribulation.
That zombie had only faced the lightning tribulation when its power was already immensely strong—certainly not comparable to the tribulation a weakling like Jiang Chen was about to face.
Still, he hoped to glean some insights from the experience.
After a moment, he let go of his thoughts with a wry smile. It seemed there was no choice but to endure it head-on.
"Come on then." He steeled himself.
After all, he had been transported to the Douluo Continent, armed with his own cultivation methods and system. There was no way he was going to just die here.
Besides, he remembered the golden lightning coursing within his body. Perhaps this time, it would awaken again and help him withstand the Heavenly Tribulation.
He sat cross-legged, slowly circulating the Heavenly Corpse Transformation technique, clearing his mind and adjusting his state.
Half an hour later, he suddenly snapped open his eyes. His deep, dark pupils gleamed with an eerie light, and two sharp fangs glistened from his mouth—he had fully transformed into his zombie form.
Immediately, his zombie martial soul burst forth, merging with him, boosting his defense, strength, and overall abilities to new heights.
"It's coming." He lifted his head to the clear blue sky, his dark eyes shimmering with ghostly radiance.
As if sensing his resolve, the feeling of being targeted by the Heavenly Tribulation grew more intense.
"Boom!"
A thunderclap shattered the endless blue, and a massive storm cloud materialized above Jiang Chen's head from thin air, black and oppressive, radiating a terrifying aura.