The people of the town gather at the walls when Merin endures the first heavenly tribulation and advances into the Immortal Body Stage.
But when the next tribulation forms in the sky—the one for Immortal Lord—the townspeople are shaken.
To advance to Immortal Lord means to truly gain a foothold in the Thousand Spirit World.
Only those at this stage can cross the great chasms between floating continents and claim a lifespan of ten thousand years.
Merin lifts his gaze as the clouds darken and the heavenly punishment takes shape.
This time, he does not remain seated.
He rises.
The first thunderbolt falls.
It strikes him with such force that his body sizzles and burns, driving him to one knee.
He channels his essence, forcing his body to recover in an instant.
The second thunder falls, twice as powerful as the first.
Then the third, even stronger.
When the fourth begins to form, Merin plants his feet and clenches his fist.
He gathers the Storm Law into his arm and roars as he punches toward the heavens.
His fist collides with the descending thunder and shatters it.
The fragmented lightning scatters, and Merin seizes it.
He draws the thunder energy into himself, sensing within it the pure Law of Lightning.
His comprehension of the Storm Law deepens, becoming fiercer, sharper.
From then on, each thunderbolt that falls is met with his storm-forged fists.
Every strike he shatters feeds his law, making it stronger, wilder, unstoppable.
He continues this way until the twenty-seventh tribulation descends—
And he breaks it apart like all the rest.
The clouds disperse.
A golden radiance floods down from the heavens, bathing his body and soul.
The divine light reforges him, transforming both flesh and spirit.
When the radiance fades, Merin exhales, and an invisible pressure erupts from his body.
Everyone beneath the half-step Immortal Lord realm collapses to their knees.
Even the half-step Immortal Lords themselves are forced to bow.
A few hours later, Merin gathers with them, and this time, none dares to question him.
He asks, "Can you tell me about the Cursed Continent?"
An old-looking man named Ye Hai steps forward.
"The Cursed Continent lies at the border between the Dao Council and the Ancient Divine Race," Ye Hai says. "The Cursed Heavenly Mountain splits it in two. The Dao Council controls the East, while the Ancient Divine Race rules the West."
From their words, Merin not only learns about the Cursed Continent but also discovers that the Immortal Emperor Realm is not the end of cultivation.
Beyond it lies the Dao Stage.
Though the half-step Immortal Lords know little of it, they pass on to him the cultivation method leading to the Immortal King Realm.
To advance from Immortal Lord to Immortal King, one must comprehend at least thirty per cent of a law's principles.
For Merin, that law is the Storm Law.
He stays in the town for a few days, then travels to the Cursed Heavenly City—the great stronghold built by the Dao Council on this continent.
Upon entering, he heads directly to the vast library and buries himself in its books.
Six months later, when he finally emerges, he feels fortunate he did not remain in the forest, trying to comprehend law marks to refine the continent's spirit.
Had he tried, he would have died of old age.
The process would take millions of years.
Forcefully refining the continent's consciousness is something only a cultivator of the Dao Stage can accomplish.
The continent's will may seem weak, but it is linked to the consciousness of the world itself.
Any intruding will below the Dao Stage would be scattered into nothingness.
After that, Merin takes the space array to the Thousand Hills Continent, and from there, to the Heavenly Storm Continent.
To comprehend the principles of the Storm Law, this continent is the best place, for both Earthly and Heavenly alien energies here contain storm attributes.
In Fēngyún City, he inquires about the Earthly and Heavenly alien energies.
He learns they are already occupied and controlled by the great forces of this continent.
Seven forces have divided the land among themselves, leaving only Fēngyún City fully under the authority of the Dao Council.
Merin also learns that, despite being in the Immortal Lord Realm, joining a faction here will be difficult, for the powers of this land do not easily trust outsiders.
There is, however, one path for him.
If he participates in the Demon Tower Trial and climbs to the fifth floor, he will earn the qualification to join the Seal Demon Mountain.
So, he leaves Fēngyún City and heads toward Léifēng City.
Flying through the clouds on his journey, he suddenly halts mid-air and looks down, confusion flashing across his face.
"Life in the upper world… is also this difficult?" he mutters to himself.
Beneath the cloud layer, he sees a convoy of flying boats being ambushed by three half-step Immortal Lords.
Recognising the markings carved into the convoy's hulls, Merin's expression changes.
He channels his essence, and three bolts of lightning roar down from the heavens, striking directly at the three half-step Immortal Lord robbers.
The next moment, he descends, revealing the oppressive aura of the Immortal Lord Realm.
The three half-step Immortal Lords, still reeling from his strike, glare in his direction—yet the instant they sense his true realm, their faces drain of colour.
Without a word, they scatter in panic and flee into the distance.
From the convoy, a woman in the half-step Immortal Lord Realm flies out to meet him.
"Thank you, senior, for lending us your strength," she says respectfully.
Merin shakes his head. "It is nothing. Now that you are safe, I shall take my leave."
"Senior, wait," the woman calls after him.
Merin's eyes narrow slightly, though inwardly he thinks, Plan successful.
"Is there something else?" he asks calmly.
The woman bows slightly, but his tone and the faint pressure he exerts make her body tremble.
She grits her teeth against the pain and quickly explains, "Senior, I mean no offence. I only wish to ask—do you happen to be travelling toward Lángdiàn City?"
Merin takes back his pressure, and the woman continues.
" If so, would you be willing to accompany us? We can offer one hundred Heavenly Crystals as thanks."
Heavenly Crystals—currency as well as cultivation resources.
The world's currencies ascend in order: Spirit Crystals, Earth Crystals, Heavenly Crystals, and at the peak, Dao Crystals.
Merin remembers the seven Heavenly Crystals he gained previously, after advising five half-step Immortal Lords in their cultivation.
Now, however, only five Earth Crystals remain in his possession.
Lángdiàn City does not fall on the path to Léifēng City.
But he still says, "Yes, I will accompany your convoy."
The woman bows with relief and leads him into one of the flying boats, arranging the largest room for him.
Inside the room, Merin's thoughts wander.
He knows why he truly chose to help.
The markings on the boats belong to the Desolate Storm Empire, one of the great powers of this continent.
Even if this convoy comes from only a small family within the empire, they could still help him gain citizenship.
With that status, he could enter the empire's secret places, where Earthly and Heavenly alien energies are guarded.
Alien energies are many, and their qualities vary greatly.
If he gains access to more options, he can choose the one most suited to him.
He sits cross-legged in the quiet room, meditating while pondering which cultivation technique he should truly make his own.
The five cultivation methods he obtained before all have strengths, but only one can harmonise with his path.
Comprehending the principles of the storm law alone will not be enough—he must also steadily increase his essence.
A few minutes later, a soft knock sounds against the door.
Merin opens his eyes and says calmly, "Enter."
The woman from before steps in, accompanied by a man.
The man bows slightly and says, "This is our thanks."
He waves his hand, and a small chest floats toward Merin.
It lands before him, steady and quiet.
Merin lifts the lid, and a glow of Heavenly Crystals shines out—one hundred in total.
After a brief glance, he closes the chest and sends it into his inner dream world.
The three of them remain in silence, tension hanging in the air.
Merin finally breaks it.
"Do you have anything more for me to do?"
They both shake their heads, and the man quickly says, "No."
"Then why are you still standing there? Leave."
His voice is calm, yet sharp enough to cut.
The man and woman bow again and leave his room without protest.
Outside, the man frowns and whispers, "Do you think he was sent by any of my brothers?"
The woman shakes her head.
"I don't think so. With his strength, he could erase us without effort."
"Then why is he here?" the man presses.
"Young master, you're thinking too much," she answers softly.
"Most likely, Lángdiàn City lies on his path, and he agreed because it brings him some profit."
The man stays silent, his brows furrowed with doubt.
Inside the room, Merin sits cross-legged once again.
Before him lie the five cultivation techniques, each reaching up to the Immortal King Realm.
By studying them, he gains faint glimpses of a path forward.
From their principles, he begins to form ideas on how one might step into the Immortal Emperor Realm. And a week later, he become a miner.