The first week in the Ascension Realm established patterns that would define Team Seven's entire trial experience. Morning hours belonged to coordinated patrol and resource gathering—venturing into surrounding territories to hunt Qi beasts, harvest spirit herbs, and map unexplored regions. Afternoon sessions focused on individual cultivation beside the spiritual spring, each team member rotating through two-hour periods of intensive meditation. Evenings brought tactical reviews where Feng Yun analyzed their performance and adjusted strategies based on accumulated intelligence.
By day five, Axel's Golden Core had reached ninety-four percent optimization. The constant exposure to four hundred percent spiritual energy concentration was accelerating his advancement beyond even the system's optimistic projections. What should have taken months was occurring in weeks, pushing him steadily toward the Core Formation Late breakthrough.
"Your spiritual pressure is fluctuating again," Zhao Mei observed during their morning patrol on day six. "Breakthrough symptoms?"
"Approaching Core Formation Late," Axel confirmed, sensing his Golden Core's readiness for advancement. "Another three to five days at current cultivation rate and I'll reach the threshold."
"That's absurdly fast," Chen Wu said, though by now the team had stopped being surprised by Axel's advancement speed. "You formed your Golden Core two months ago. Most cultivators need six months minimum to progress from Mid to Late."
"Most cultivators don't have Mythical-grade foundations or cultivate in four hundred percent spiritual energy environments," Lin Shan pointed out. "Though I admit even accounting for those advantages, his speed is exceptional."
"It'll trigger attention from rival teams," Feng Yun warned, her tactical mind already considering implications. "A Core Formation Late cultivator at your age with your foundation quality—that makes you a priority target for elimination before you become too powerful."
"Let them try," Zhao Mei said with the confidence of someone who'd spent the week effortlessly dominating Qi beasts. Her Peak cultivation had stabilized significantly in the high-energy environment, and she was genuinely approaching the Golden Core breakthrough herself. "Between my Peak level and Axel's Late stage, we'll have combat superiority over any team that tries to challenge us."
Their patrol route that morning took them through a time-dilation zone Lin Shan had discovered two days earlier—an area where temporal flow ran at seventy-five percent normal speed. It was excellent for cultivation since four hours there equaled three hours of experienced time, but dangerous because Qi beasts seemed to understand this advantage and congregated heavily in the area.
"Movement ahead," Lin Shan announced, her enhanced perception detecting disturbances. "Qi beast signature, but strange—it's not moving like normal beast patterns. Almost like it's... cultivating?"
The team approached cautiously and discovered something unexpected: a serpent-type Qi beast, approximately thirty feet long, coiled around a concentrated spiritual energy node. The creature exhibited Core Formation Peak cultivation, just one step below Golden Core realm, and was clearly attempting breakthrough.
"It's in tribulation preparation," Feng Yun realized, recognizing the telltale signs. "That serpent is about to attempt advancement to Golden Core equivalent."
"Should we interrupt it?" Zhao Mei asked, her combat instincts suggesting they eliminate the threat before it became stronger.
"Absolutely not," Feng Yun said firmly. "Interrupting a tribulation attempt is incredibly dangerous. The heavenly judgment energy doesn't distinguish between the breakthrough cultivator and nearby threats—everything in the tribulation zone becomes a valid target for heaven's wrath."
"So we just let it break through and become a Golden Core threat?" Chen Wu asked skeptically.
"We withdraw to safe distance and observe. If the serpent succeeds, we avoid that territory. If it fails, we potentially harvest a very valuable Core Formation Peak beast core." Feng Yun gestured for retreat. "Either way, we don't interfere with heavenly tribulation."
They withdrew three hundred yards and watched as the serpent's tribulation began.
The sky darkened unnaturally, clouds forming from nothing in the typically clear Ascension Realm atmosphere. Lightning crackled between the clouds—not normal lightning, but tribulation energy that carried heaven's judgment. The serpent uncoiled and raised its head, spiritual pressure flaring as it prepared to face the test.
The first lightning bolt struck with devastating force, slamming into the serpent's skull and burning away scales. The beast screamed but held its position, using Qi reinforcement techniques to weather the assault. Its Core Formation Peak cultivation fought against heaven's judgment, proving its worthiness to advance.
"Three bolts minimum for Golden Core tribulation," Feng Yun explained quietly. "Each one stronger than the last. If the cultivator—or in this case, beast—survives all three, breakthrough succeeds. If they fail, they either die or suffer severe cultivation damage."
The second bolt struck before the serpent had fully recovered from the first. This one targeted the beast's back, creating a massive wound that exposed muscle and bone beneath charred scales. The serpent thrashed in agony, its spiritual pressure wavering dangerously.
"It's not going to make it," Zhao Mei assessed. "That second bolt nearly killed it. The third will finish the job."
She was right. The third tribulation bolt was visibly more powerful than the previous two, crackling with concentrated judgment energy. When it struck, the serpent's defenses shattered completely. The beast's body convulsed once, twice, and then collapsed, its spiritual pressure extinguishing as the Core Formation Peak cultivation dissipated into ambient Qi.
The tribulation clouds dispersed as quickly as they'd formed, leaving only a dead serpent and scorched earth.
"Failed tribulation," Feng Yun confirmed. "Core Formation Peak beast core intact but probably damaged from tribulation energy. Still valuable, but less than it would have been if we'd killed the beast before breakthrough attempt. Anyone want to harvest it?"
"I'll go," Axel volunteered, his spatial manipulation letting him approach the tribulation zone safely even though residual heaven's judgment energy lingered. "My Nascent Soul insights include some understanding of tribulation mechanics—I can navigate the aftermath better than most."
He advanced carefully, his enhanced perception detecting the fading traces of heavenly energy that could still damage unwary cultivators. The serpent's corpse was thoroughly destroyed—tribulation lightning didn't just kill, it purified, removing spiritual energy so completely that even the physical body was barely salvageable.
But the beast core remained intact, protected by the serpent's final desperate Qi reinforcement. Axel extracted it carefully, noting the cracks and damage that tribulation energy had inflicted. Still a Core Formation Peak core, but compromised enough that its value was reduced by perhaps thirty percent.
"Got it," Axel called back to the team. "Core is damaged but usable. Probably worth fifteen to twenty spirit stones if we trade it, or useful for supplementary cultivation resources."
They continued their patrol, adding the serpent's tribulation location to their growing map of dangerous zones to avoid. The Ascension Realm was proving to be as treacherous as promised—not just from direct threats, but from environmental hazards and unpredictable phenomena that could kill the unprepared.
By afternoon, they returned to their cliff formation for cultivation sessions. Axel took his two-hour slot at the spiritual spring and immediately felt his Golden Core respond to the concentrated energy. Ninety-four percent optimization pushing toward ninety-five, the breakthrough threshold approaching rapidly.
The system interface appeared during his meditation:
[CORE FORMATION LATE BREAKTHROUGH: IMMINENT]
[CURRENT OPTIMIZATION: 94.7%]
[THRESHOLD: 95%]
[ESTIMATED TIME TO BREAKTHROUGH: 2-3 DAYS]
[TRIBULATION INTENSITY: MODERATE TO HIGH]
[ASCENSION REALM AMPLIFICATION: SIGNIFICANT]
[RECOMMENDATION: PREPARE DEFENSIVE MEASURES]
[RECOMMENDATION: NOTIFY TEAM FOR PROTECTION]
[NASCENT SOUL INSIGHTS: WILL PROVIDE ADVANTAGE]
[BREAKTHROUGH SUCCESS PROBABILITY: 87%]
Eighty-seven percent success probability was good but not guaranteed. Thirteen percent chance of failure, injury, or worse. And tribulation in the Ascension Realm would be amplified by the four hundred percent spiritual energy concentration—what should be moderate difficulty would become genuinely dangerous.
Axel opened his eyes and found Feng Yun watching him from across the spring, her tactical perception having apparently detected his breakthrough approach.
"Two to three days?" she asked directly.
"System estimates," Axel confirmed. "Core Formation Late tribulation, amplified by Ascension Realm conditions. I'll need team support for protection during the breakthrough."
"Obviously." Feng Yun pulled out her planning jade. "We'll dedicate an entire day to your tribulation. Full defensive formations, complete team protection, contingency plans for complications. You're too valuable to risk losing because we didn't prepare adequately."
"When Zhao Mei attempts Golden Core breakthrough, we'll do the same for her?"
"Absolutely. Team members protect each other during tribulations—that's fundamental to trial survival." Feng Yun made notes on her jade. "Though your breakthrough takes priority since you'll reach threshold first. Three days means day nine of the trial. We'll suspend all other activities and focus entirely on ensuring your advancement succeeds."
The next two days passed in intensive preparation. Feng Yun and Chen Wu established triple-layered defensive formations around a designated tribulation zone—barriers to redirect stray lightning, absorption arrays to dissipate excess energy, emergency extraction formations in case something went catastrophically wrong. Zhao Mei positioned herself as primary guardian, ready to intercept any Qi beasts or rival cultivators attracted by tribulation energy. Lin Shan expanded reconnaissance to maximum range, providing early warning of approaching threats.
Axel spent the time stabilizing his cultivation and reviewing his Nascent Soul insights. The glimpse he'd experienced weeks ago had included understanding of tribulation mechanics—how heaven's judgment tested worthiness, how to position spiritual defenses, how to channel tribulation energy into strengthening rather than destroying your foundation.
On the morning of day nine, his Golden Core reached ninety-five percent optimization. The breakthrough threshold had arrived.
"Status check," Feng Yun demanded as the team assembled in the tribulation zone.
"Defensive formations at maximum capacity," Chen Wu reported. "I can maintain barriers through at least five tribulation bolts. Beyond that, structural integrity becomes uncertain."
"Perimeter secured for three hundred yards," Zhao Mei confirmed. "Any Qi beast or human threat approaching will face me first, and I'm at Peak cultivation with fresh Qi reserves. Nothing short of Golden Core realm is getting through."
"Reconnaissance active at full range," Lin Shan added. "I'm tracking seventeen distinct Qi signatures within detection radius. None showing interest in our location yet, but tribulation energy will attract attention once it begins."
"Emergency extraction ready," Feng Yun concluded. "If tribulation goes catastrophically wrong, we can forcibly relocate Axel from the danger zone. It'll cost him the breakthrough attempt and potentially damage his cultivation, but better than death. Everyone clear on their roles?"
The team confirmed readiness with synchronized acknowledgment.
"Then begin whenever you're prepared," Feng Yun told Axel. "We'll handle everything external. You focus entirely on the tribulation."
Axel settled into meditation position at the center of the tribulation zone, surrounded by defensive formations and protected teammates. His Golden Core spun at maximum speed, ready to trigger the breakthrough that would advance him to Core Formation Late.
He released the spiritual pressure he'd been suppressing.
The response was immediate. Heaven itself seemed to notice his advancement attempt, the very fabric of reality shifting in recognition. Dark clouds materialized above him—not natural weather but tribulation formation, heaven's judgment preparing to test his worthiness.
The Ascension Realm's four hundred percent spiritual energy concentration amplified everything. What should have been moderate tribulation clouds became vast thunderheads that covered half the sky. What should have been clear lightning became violent bolts that crackled with power sufficient to kill even well-prepared cultivators.
"That's more intense than standard Core Formation tribulation," Chen Wu said, his barriers already straining from the ambient pressure. "The Ascension Realm is amplifying it significantly."
"Can he handle it?" Lin Shan asked, her voice betraying genuine concern.
"He has Nascent Soul insights and Mythical-grade foundation," Feng Yun said, though her own expression suggested uncertainty. "If anyone can survive amplified tribulation, it's him. But this is going to be dangerous."
The first bolt struck.
Axel's Nascent Soul insights saved his life in that moment. Normal cultivators tried to resist tribulation lightning, using defensive techniques to minimize damage. But Axel understood from his glimpse that tribulation wasn't purely destructive—it was testing and purifying, removing impurities while strengthening worthy foundations.
Instead of resisting, he channeled the lightning through his meridians into his Golden Core, using heaven's judgment as a refinement tool. The bolt's energy scorched his body and ravaged his Qi channels, but his Mythical-grade foundation absorbed the punishment and emerged stronger. His Golden Core's optimization increased from ninety-five to ninety-six percent in a single violent moment.
The second bolt struck before he'd recovered from the first.
This one was stronger, carrying judgment energy that specifically targeted cultivation foundations. It was testing whether his Golden Core deserved to advance, whether his foundation could withstand Late stage pressures, whether his comprehension warranted higher realm access.
Axel channeled this bolt as well, though the pain was excruciating. His physical body was being purified by heaven's fire, impurities burned away at the cellular level. His Golden Core compressed under the pressure, its seven-dimensional structure adapting to handle enhanced energy flows. Ninety-six percent optimization jumped to ninety-seven.
"He's not defending himself," Zhao Mei observed with alarm. "He's deliberately taking the full tribulation impact."
"He knows what he's doing," Feng Yun said, though her hands were clenched with tension. "That's advanced tribulation technique—using heaven's judgment to strengthen cultivation rather than just surviving it. Dangerous but effective."
The third bolt was building. Axel could feel it gathering power, preparing to deliver the final judgment that would determine breakthrough success or failure. This one would be strong enough to kill him if his foundation proved unworthy.
But he'd seen this moment during his Nascent Soul glimpse. He understood what heaven was testing—not just strength, but wisdom. Not just power, but purpose. The tribulation wanted to know why he sought advancement, what he intended to do with higher cultivation, whether his path served only himself or something larger.
Axel opened his spiritual awareness completely, letting heaven see everything he was. His motivations, his intentions, his understanding that cultivation wasn't just personal power accumulation but preparation to serve greater purposes. The Azure Peak Sect that had given him opportunities. The teammates who trusted him. The bloodline legacy he carried. The potential to become something that could protect rather than just dominate.
The third bolt struck with devastating force.
And heaven's judgment, seeing purpose beyond mere ambition, moderated its severity. The bolt was still powerful enough to test his foundation thoroughly, but not so overwhelming that survival was impossible. It struck his Golden Core directly, compressing and refining the Mythical-grade structure with violent precision.
Axel's consciousness nearly fragmented from the pain. Every cell in his body was being reforged by tribulation fire. Every meridian was being scoured clean of impurities. Every aspect of his cultivation was being tested against heaven's absolute standards.
But his foundation held. The Mythical-grade Golden Core, reinforced by Nascent Soul insights and bloodline advantages, withstood the judgment. Ninety-seven percent optimization surged to ninety-nine percent in the span of three seconds.
The tribulation clouds dispersed. Heaven had tested him and found him worthy.
Breakthrough to Core Formation Late: Complete.
Axel collapsed immediately, his body and spirit utterly exhausted from the ordeal. Chen Wu's barriers caught him before he hit the ground, while Zhao Mei rushed forward to check his vital signs.
"Alive," she confirmed. "Severely depleted, extensive physical damage, but cultivation is stable and advancing. Breakthrough succeeded."
"Get him to the spiritual spring," Feng Yun ordered. "Lin Shan, maintain reconnaissance—tribulation energy definitely attracted attention. Chen Wu, keep barriers active. Zhao Mei, prepare for potential combat. We're not safe yet."
They transported Axel to the spring and submerged him in the spiritually enriched water, which immediately began accelerating his recovery. His Golden Core, now Core Formation Late and optimized to ninety-nine percent, absorbed the spring's energy greedily.
The system interface appeared through his exhaustion:
[BREAKTHROUGH: CORE FORMATION MID → LATE]
[STATUS: SUCCESSFUL]
[GOLDEN CORE OPTIMIZATION: 99%]
[TRIBULATION JUDGMENT: WORTHY]
[PHYSICAL RECOVERY: 3-6 HOURS REQUIRED]
[QI RESTORATION: 2-4 HOURS REQUIRED]
[CULTIVATION STABILITY: EXCELLENT]
[NEW CAPABILITIES UNLOCKED...]
[SPATIAL MANIPULATION: ENHANCED TO 30-FOOT RANGE]
[NASCENT SOUL PREPARATION: 23% → 31%]
[HONGMENG BLOODLINE AWAKENING: 10% → 11%]
[SOUL ENERGY PERCEPTION: SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED]
[TEMPORAL AWARENESS: MINOR ENHANCEMENT]
Core Formation Late. Two months and two weeks after forming his Golden Core. Advancement that should have taken a year had occurred in a fraction of that time.
"Contacts approaching," Lin Shan announced suddenly, her reconnaissance detecting movement. "Two separate groups, both converging on our position. Human cultivators, both teams showing Core Formation signatures. One group from northeast—that's Storm Valley Sect based on their Qi signatures. Four cultivators, aggressive movement patterns. Second group from east—unknown affiliation, three cultivators, cautious approach."
"Storm Valley," Zhao Mei said, her voice hardening. "The team that killed an Azure Peak cultivator. They're coming to investigate the tribulation energy."
"And possibly eliminate a newly advanced cultivator while he's vulnerable," Feng Yun added grimly. "Standard trial tactic—attack rival teams during breakthrough recovery when they're weakest. Defensive formation beta! Chen Wu, maximum barriers. Zhao Mei, prepare for combat. Lin Shan, maintain reconnaissance and call out approach vectors. I'll handle tactical coordination."
"What about Axel?" Chen Wu asked, his barriers already deploying around their position.
"He stays in the spring for recovery. We defend him until he's combat-ready." Feng Yun's expression was absolutely determined. "Storm Valley is about to discover that attacking Team Seven was a serious mistake."
The Storm Valley team emerged from the forest three minutes later—four cultivators wearing distinctive crimson and black robes. Three Core Formation Early disciples and one Mid stage leader, all carrying weapons and radiating hostile intent.
The leader, a scarred man with Core Formation Mid cultivation, smiled when he saw Team Seven's defensive formation. "Azure Peak Sect. We sensed tribulation energy and came to investigate. That's quite the impressive breakthrough display. Someone just advanced to Core Formation Late?"
"Our business is our own," Feng Yun replied coolly. "You're approaching claimed territory with obvious hostile intent. State your purpose or withdraw."
"Our purpose is simple," the Storm Valley leader said. "We're eliminating competition before it becomes threatening. A Core Formation Late cultivator with obvious talent and resources—that's exactly the kind of opponent we remove early."
"You can try," Zhao Mei said, stepping forward with her twin sabers manifesting. "But attacking a Peak cultivation expert while she's at full strength is substantially different from ambushing weaker disciples."
The Storm Valley leader's confidence faltered slightly when his spiritual senses properly assessed Zhao Mei's cultivation. Core Formation Peak was a significant threshold—only one step below Golden Core realm, representing cultivation superiority that was extremely difficult to overcome through numbers alone.
"Four against five," the Storm Valley leader calculated. "And you have a Peak expert. But your Late stage cultivator is clearly still recovering from tribulation. Your defensive formations are solid but not impenetrable. We still have numerical and tactical advantages."
"You're forgetting something," a new voice called from the forest.
The unknown third team emerged—three cultivators wearing Iron Mountain Sect robes. The leader, a broad-shouldered woman with Core Formation Mid cultivation, approached with hands visibly empty of weapons.
"Iron Mountain Sect," she announced. "We also detected the tribulation energy and came to investigate. Unlike Storm Valley, we're not interested in pointless conflict. We're here to propose something different."
"Which is?" Feng Yun asked cautiously.
"Temporary alliance. Storm Valley has been aggressively eliminating rival teams since the trial began. They've killed at least three disciples from various sects—not for resources or territory, but simply to reduce competition." The Iron Mountain leader's expression was grim. "They're becoming a threat that transcends normal trial competition. Multiple sects working together could eliminate them and restore reasonable cooperation standards."
"You're proposing we work together to attack Storm Valley?" Feng Yun clarified.
"I'm proposing we defend against their aggression collectively. If they attack Azure Peak, Iron Mountain assists. If they attack Iron Mountain, Azure Peak assists. Mutual defense pact with clearly defined scope and duration." The Iron Mountain leader pulled out a contract jade. "Standard trial alliance agreement—cooperation against specific threats, no obligation for resource sharing or territorial claims."
The Storm Valley leader's expression darkened. "You're making a serious mistake, Iron Mountain. Alliances just make you both targets."
"Then you'll face seven cultivators instead of four," the Iron Mountain leader said calmly. "Including a Core Formation Peak expert and a freshly advanced Late stage cultivator with obvious exceptional capabilities. Your numerical advantage disappears. Your tactical superiority evaporates. Your only option becomes retreat or face overwhelming defeat."
Storm Valley calculated for approximately ten seconds. Four versus seven, with cultivation level disadvantage and well-prepared defensive positions. The math wasn't favorable.
"This isn't over," the Storm Valley leader finally said. "We'll remember this interference."
"Please do," Zhao Mei said with casual menace. "It'll make our eventual confrontation more satisfying."
Storm Valley withdrew, their hostile intent unfulfilled but their threat clearly registered.
The Iron Mountain leader approached Chen Wu's barriers carefully, making no aggressive movements. "Feng Yun of Azure Peak? I'm Wei Lin of Iron Mountain. My proposal stands—temporary alliance against Storm Valley's aggressive elimination tactics. Are you interested?"
Feng Yun considered carefully. Alliances in the Ascension Realm were risky—they created obligations and potential vulnerabilities. But they also provided strategic advantages against threats like Storm Valley.
"Conditional acceptance," Feng Yun decided. "Mutual defense against Storm Valley specifically, duration of two weeks or until the threat is eliminated. No resource sharing, no territorial obligations, no commitment beyond the stated purpose. Either party can terminate with twenty-four hours notice."
"Acceptable terms." Wei Lin activated the contract jade, which recorded the agreement in binding spiritual contract. "Iron Mountain Sect and Azure Peak Sect—allied against Storm Valley's aggression for two weeks."
The contract jade glowed, confirming mutual acceptance.
"We'll maintain our own territory but coordinate if Storm Valley becomes aggressive," Wei Lin said. "Our base is four miles east if you need to contact us. And congratulations on your team member's successful breakthrough—Core Formation Late at his apparent age is genuinely impressive."
Iron Mountain departed, leaving Team Seven to process everything that had just occurred.
"So we made an alliance, confronted a hostile team, and avoided combat entirely," Chen Wu summarized. "Was that a successful engagement or just postponing inevitable conflict?"
"Both," Feng Yun said pragmatically. "Storm Valley will eventually attack—their aggressive strategy won't change. But now they know we're prepared, allied, and capable of overwhelming response. That buys us time to strengthen further before confrontation becomes unavoidable."
Axel emerged from the spiritual spring two hours later, his recovery accelerated by the concentrated Qi and his enhanced Core Formation Late physiology. He felt transformed—not just stronger, but fundamentally different. His spiritual perception had sharpened to the point where he could sense individual Qi currents within other cultivators. His spatial manipulation had extended to thirty-foot range. His understanding of soul energy had deepened significantly.
"Welcome to Core Formation Late," Zhao Mei said with genuine pleasure. "How does it feel?"
"Like I can finally see clearly," Axel said, examining his transformed capabilities. "Everything before was partial perception. This is comprehensive understanding."
"Good, because we have complications," Feng Yun explained the Storm Valley confrontation and Iron Mountain alliance. "You're now officially a priority target for rival sects, we've made an alliance with uncertain long-term implications, and Storm Valley will definitely attempt retaliation."
"So a normal day in the Ascension Realm," Axel said with wry humor.
"Essentially." Feng Yun updated her planning jade with new information. "But you're Core Formation Late now, which changes our tactical capabilities substantially. Combined with Zhao Mei's Peak cultivation, we're genuinely one of the strongest teams in the trial. Storm Valley should be afraid of us, not the reverse."
That night, as Axel took his watch shift beside Lin Shan, he examined the system's breakthrough summary more carefully. Ninety-nine percent Golden Core optimization meant he was approaching absolute perfection of the Core Formation realm. One more percent and he'd reach the theoretical maximum, the platform from which Golden Core breakthrough would become possible.
"Thinking about Golden Core realm?" Lin Shan asked, apparently sensing his contemplation.
"It's closer than I expected," Axel admitted. "At this advancement rate, I could reach Golden Core before the trial ends."
"That would be unprecedented. Most cultivators need years to progress from Core Formation Late to Golden Core." Lin Shan's reconnaissance senses swept their perimeter automatically. "Though I suppose 'unprecedented' has become your standard operational mode."
Axel smiled but said nothing. The trial was only nine days old, and he'd already advanced one full stage. Eighty-one days remained—time enough for possibilities he couldn't yet imagine.
His Golden Core pulsed steadily at ninety-nine percent optimization, perfect and powerful and ready for whatever came next.
The breakthrough was complete. The alliance was formed. The trial continued.
And somewhere in the forest, Storm Valley Sect was planning revenge.
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