For cultivators throughout their journey, each major breakthrough beyond the Golden Core stage demands facing the tribulation of Heavenly Strikes. Yet the number and intensity of these strikes are never fixed—they vary wildly between individuals. Generally, the better a cultivator's innate talent or the more profound their cultivation technique, the more numerous and devastating their tribulation thunderstorms become.
Take the Core Formation Tribulation. A prodigy with exceptional gifts faces the Twenty-Seven Strike Tribulation—three sets of nine thunderbolts totaling twenty-seven strikes. An Eighteen Strike Tribulation signifies mediocre aptitude. As for the Nine-Strike Tribulation… naturally, it marks the weakest potential.
It might sound preferable to endure fewer strikes. Yet that's a misconception. Fewer, weaker strikes are easier to survive. But crucially, less tribulation means less reward. For the Heavenly Tribulation is not merely punishment — it's opportunity. The thunderbolts temper the body and refine spiritual energy. More strikes forge a stronger physical form and purer true energy, laying a far superior foundation for future cultivation.
The realization that his own tribulation was the lowly Nine-Strike variety sent a pang of disappointment through Lin Feng's heart. He quickly dismissed it. Raising his head, he peered at the high ceiling, still utterly intact. A flicker of frustration crossed his face. If only the thunder could have shattered this roof and its barrier… Freedom would have been within reach. But his hope remained unfulfilled.
The grand hall's formation barrier wasn't under his control. It offered him no shelter. Consequently, the Heavenly Tribulation ignored the physical obstruction entirely. The strikes manifested directly from the void, targeting Lin Feng with lethal precision.
Yet even so, such power should have scarred the hall. Its pristine state testified to the extraordinary strength of its protective enchantments.
Lin Feng lowered his gaze, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. He reached inside his robe, his fingers closing around the cool metal of the Storage Ring he always wore close to his heart.
Now, finally at the Golden Core stage, this ring became his immediate priority. Could he finally open it?
The moment his fingers touched the ring, his eyes widened. A faint, previously undetectable ripple of energy pulsed against his skin! His heart hammered fiercely against his ribs. Breath quickened. Fixated on the ring, he willed his newly awakened spiritual sense to delve within.
Before Golden Core, cultivators could project their will into items like storage rings and jade slips—a primitive form of spiritual sense. Only upon forming a Golden Core could one truly wield this sense externally. Lin Feng's spiritual sense, now magnitudes stronger, surged towards the ring's internal seal, ready to batter it down… only to meet no resistance whatsoever.
Instead, it felt like passing through a thin membrane. Instantly, his spiritual sense saw… a vast storage space.
The seal didn't block him!
A strange sensation washed over him – as if the seal had scanned his spiritual sense upon contact. Finding it valid, the barrier simply… vanished.
Pushing aside the seal's peculiar nature, Lin Feng eagerly swept his awareness across the storage space… and froze.
It was nearly empty.
Only three pitifully few objects floated in the immense void. With a thought, he summoned them all out onto the floor before him.
One jade slip.
One chicken-egg-sized, multicolored stone.
One pouch of spirit stones.
That was all. After his father's life, his legacy… only these three small things? Disbelief washed over him. He scanned the ring again, frantic, finding nothing else. Defeated, he turned his attention to the trio before him. His gaze fell first upon the jade slip.
"My Little Feng, if you hear these words, it means you've reached the Golden Core stage. Good… very good. Your father is immensely proud. You've never disappointed me…"
The voice resonated directly within Lin Feng's mind the moment his spiritual sense touched the slip. He jerked like he'd been struck. His pupils contracted violently. His entire body trembled uncontrollably—Father! That's Father's voice!! This is a message he left for me!
As Lin Feng fought against the tide of overwhelming emotion, the voice, so profoundly familiar and warm, continued:
"Little Feng, I don't know what hardships you endured to reach Golden Core alone. It must have been difficult… I am sorry you had to bear this burden by yourself…"
"I know countless questions must plague your heart. What I tell you next is of utmost importance. Remember it well."
"No matter what elemental attribute or grade of cultivation technique you currently practice, it must manifest as a Lower Grade Spirit Root, correct? This is because your true spirit root potential was sealed at birth. Your innate gift… is the Heavenly Spirit Root!"
"The Heavenly Spirit Root is a heaven-defying marvel—all seven elemental affinities manifest at the Pinnacle-Grade level! While immensely powerful, it carries grave peril. Unless cultivated equally in all seven elements, advancement is impossible. Imbalance during cultivation risks fatal Qi deviation at any moment. Though countless techniques exist in the cultivation world, few encompass multiple elements. Therefore… your mother and I sealed your spirit root at birth. We intended to find the perfect cultivation method for you before allowing you to begin your journey…"
"Within the multicolored stone lies the technique we sought for you—the Starry Sky Art. We discovered it in a place… beyond the ordinary. Its records claim it is the most suitable method for your unique constitution. Once you unseal your spirit root, you must cultivate this art."
"However, practicing this technique requires a specific spirit herb as a catalyst. This herb also acts as the key to unlock your spirit root seal. We found it for you. But… it wasn't yet mature. I hid it on a small island within the Starry Sea to nurture it. Follow the map I provide to find it. When the herb ripens, consume it to break your seal and begin the Starry Sky Art."
"Regrettably, all my own cultivation arts require foundations I cannot pass to you now. Due to… circumstances… I could not leave you more resources. Only the spirit stones inside the pouch—they should suffice for your journey to the Starry Sea…"
"Cultivate diligently. Once you attain the Nascent Soul stage… go to the Profound Ice Palace. I entrusted something vital to them. You will understand when you arrive… But you must not go before reaching Nascent Soul. Remember this."
The message ceased abruptly, jarringly. Immediately after, a vast and intricate map flooded Lin Feng's consciousness.
"..."
Lin Feng stared blankly at the jade slip in his trembling hand. Confusion warred with devastation on his face.
That's it? Gone?! Only this?!
His father left him this message… solely about his spirit root. About that supposed Heavenly gift. Not a single word about what truly happened back then! Why had they abandoned him? Where were they now? Where was his mother?!
Why… WHY?!
A raw, jagged cry tore silently from his soul. He didn't want this fabled Heavenly Spirit Root! He didn't care about some peerless technique! All he wanted… was to know where they were!
His body shook violently. Disappointment, bitter and crushing, warred with furious resentment. Eyes burning, he clenched the jade slip until his knuckles turned bone-white, as if trying to crush the inadequate answers within it.