Lin Xiao once again turned his gaze toward Di Xiao.
This Di Xiao still did not understand how to conceal himself. It was only the second day of Yun Jin's heavenly tribulation, yet the killing intent in Di Xiao's eyes had already become tangible several times.
Fortunately, Yun Jin was too busy enduring the heavenly punishment to notice. Otherwise, she would have grown suspicious. Clearly, Di Xiao was also waiting for the right moment to strike.
No need to rush. The more critical the moment, the more patience was required. Best of all would be if she were struck dead by the heavenly tribulation itself. That would leave no trace behind.
Di Xiao had not acted yet, which meant he was likely thinking the same thing.
Lin Xiao suppressed his presence further, continuing his silent watch.
Very soon, the third day of the heavenly tribulation arrived. Yun Jin's condition visibly declined. She looked utterly exhausted, as if she could die under the next wave of lightning at any time. Yet what made her frustrated was that Lin Xiao still showed no sign of taking action.
What was the meaning of this?
Since when had he become so patient?
Yun Jin suspected it was her fault. She had beaten him back so many times, forcing him to temper his composure. If this had been a year ago, Lin Xiao would never have resisted such a golden opportunity. He would have already rushed in to kill her.
Yun Jin sighed inwardly.
It was her fault! Entirely her fault!
If not for her being so strong, how would Lin Xiao have become so cautious and cowardly?
Now, she actually wanted to keep things low-profile.
But Lin Xiao refused to take the bait.
"Senior Di, I thought he would insist on killing me personally," Yun Jin sent a voice transmission. "But from the looks of it, he seems content to watch me be struck to death by the heavenly thunder. We'll need to adjust our plan."
"How?" Di Xiao asked, keeping his expression neutral.
"This man has become overly cautious. One or two days may not be enough to force him to act," Yun Jin sighed. "I'll keep up the act for a few more days. At least we'll gather more material for the third movie."
Di Xiao: "…"
This wretch truly was not worried about the heavenly tribulation!
And so Yun Jin continued her performance with unyielding resolve. At the end of the third day, she acted as though she was on the brink of being blasted into ash.
Lin Xiao could not help but show a flicker of anticipation.
Die.
Just die.
That would be perfect.
If she perished under heaven's wrath, he would not have to lift a hand, nor risk exposing himself.
But at that critical moment, Yun Jin pulled out a pill and instantly returned to her peak state. Bounding with vitality once more, she showed no signs of dying anytime soon.
Lin Xiao's expression darkened.
How many treasures had Yun Jin prepared for this heavenly tribulation?
No, not yet. This was only the third day.
Her heavenly tribulation would last at least nine days and nights.
He still had time.
On the fourth day, Yun Jin activated a defensive formation and endured another round.
On the fifth day, she summoned several formidable artifacts to survive.
On the sixth day, she consumed yet another pill.
Every time she seemed one step from death, she would miraculously claw her way back to life.
Each time, Lin Xiao's anticipation rose, only to end with him grinding his teeth in fury.
Yun Jin's resilience was truly monstrous.
Very soon, the ninth day arrived.
Lin Xiao looked up at the sky.
The longest heavenly tribulation on record was that of Wan Dao Saint, who endured nine days and nights.
Now, it was already the ninth day. Yet the thunderclouds above showed no sign of dispersing. No one knew how heavenly tribulations would end. Perhaps one moment the lightning would continue to rage, and the next it would vanish, signifying her success.
Even while still in heavenly tribulation, Yun Jin already bore the faint aura of being invincible among peers. Both he and Di Xiao needed to rely on heaven's punishment just to hope for victory. If Yun Jin succeeded in surviving and ascended into Mahayana…
Who in this world would still be able to rival her?
At that point, one could directly declare it: A new number one of the human race had been born.
Lin Xiao would never allow such a thing to happen. If the heavenly tribulation could not kill Yun Jin…
Then he would personally strike her down.
Lin Xiao's gaze turned toward Di Xiao. No doubt, Di Xiao had the same thought. Now was the best, perhaps the only, chance to eliminate Yun Jin.
Di Xiao would definitely move.
If he succeeded, all the better.
If not, Lin Xiao would strike immediately after.
Yun Jin had to die.
On the ninth day, all preparations had been laid.
Yun Jin transmitted her voice to Di Xiao:
"Senior Di, wait until the thickest bolt of thunder falls. I'll count to three, then when I shout 'action,' you sneak attack me from behind. Don't worry, we'll cut this entire segment from the film. It won't damage your glorious image."
Di Xiao's face remained expressionless.
So that was what she cared about?
Did he even have a glorious image left to preserve?
"Remember, don't hold back. Strike with full force. Only that way can we lure Lin Xiao out," Yun Jin instructed.
"Full force?" Di Xiao asked, his voice edged with doubt. "Do you truly believe your strength has surpassed mine?"
Facing heaven's punishment was already one thing. To also withstand his all-out attack?
Did Yun Jin think herself some kind of god?
"Just slightly stronger, just slightly," Yun Jin replied with humble confidence.
Di Xiao's face darkened.
The two of them had never even fought directly, yet she was this confident?
Half a month ago, she had not been this arrogant.
How had she become so conceited in just fifteen days?
Was it because of those few blackened strands of hair?
"Senior Di, it's starting!"
"One!"
"Two!"
"Three!"
"Action!"
Thunder crashed down.
At that same instant, Di Xiao flashed to Yun Jin's back.
"Full force!" Yun Jin reminded, not trusting him to go all in.
Di Xiao's face turned cold, and he unleashed his power without restraint.
In the shadows, Lin Xiao's pupils shrank sharply.
The Beast King had made his move!
Thunder above, a supreme powerhouse's strike from behind—could Yun Jin survive this?
The heavenly thunder and Di Xiao's assault fell simultaneously. Yun Jin barely endured the thunder's strike when the attack from behind forced her to stumble aside, though she was still hit. Her aura visibly weakened.
With a furious roar, she glared at Di Xiao. "Di Xiao, are you insane!"
Her weakened appearance was far too convincing. Di Xiao hesitated, unsure if he should press forward.
"Keep going, Senior Di! Did you not eat?!" Yun Jin's voice transmission still sounded vigorous. She had taken his blow head-on, yet seemed barely affected?
Di Xiao's face grew frosty. "Yun Jin, today will be your death!"
He pressed forward with relentless strikes. Under the endless downpour of lightning, the two strongest fighters clashed furiously. But Yun Jin, harried by both heavenly thunder and Di Xiao, could only remain on the defensive.
She roared through clenched teeth, "Di Xiao! Once this heavenly tribulation ends, I'll take your life!"
In the shadows, Lin Xiao's expression sank darker still.
What had Yun Jin done during her half-month disappearance?
Why did it feel like her strength had skyrocketed again?
This was Di Xiao!
Even if he could not compare to the Sage of Ten Thousand Ways, his strength should at least rival Ji Wusi.
And Yun Jin—
She was enduring heavenly thunder and still holding her ground against him. Her power was terrifying.
Lin Xiao's eyes turned frigid. He could wait no longer. If Di Xiao alone attacked, Yun Jin might still barely hold on. But if he joined in?
Observing silently, Lin Xiao saw Yun Jin finally expose a flaw under the joint pressure of heavenly thunder and Di Xiao's assault.
From the void, a hand suddenly thrust out.
Lin Xiao had made his move!