Tang Xiao Qi's seclusion in the back mountain forbidden zone wasn't accomplished overnight. Time passed quietly in silent enlightenment and subtle transformation of life's essence, spring to autumn, winter to summer, three years in a flash.
For three years, that area of the back mountain was shrouded in a peculiar atmosphere. Ordinary disciples couldn't approach, only distantly feeling spiritual energy flow there becoming extremely slow and viscous, as if time itself had slowed there. Occasionally, some deeply cultivated elders gazing at the forbidden zone would faintly catch a mystical Dao rhyme seemingly resonating with the entire mountain, rivers, even the surrounding stars, butthis feeling fleeting and elusive.
Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng, Third Sister Liu Yun, Zhao Tiezhu and other core figures constantly monitored any changes within the forbidden zone. They could feel Xiao Qi's aura wasn't gone but existed in an even deeper, more internalized manner, like a dragon lurking in the abyss, accumulating world-shaking power preparing to break forth.
Alliance upper echelons also continuously monitored Qingxu Temple's energy fluctuations through the monitoring network established by Second Brother Luo Feng. Data showed energy levels rising extremely slowly yet steadfastly, already surpassing Nascent Soul stage theoretical limits, pointing to an unknown realm.
Everyone understood Xiao Qi was in a critical and dangerous transformation period. No one dared disturb him, all could only wait patiently.
This day seemed no different from any other. Dawn light appeared, temple bells rang melodiously, disciples began morning practice as usual.
However, just as the morning sun was about to fully rise above the horizon—
"hum..."
A low, deep sound, as if from earth's depths or from beyond nine heavens, abruptly rang out without warning. This sound wasn't loud yet clearly entered every being's ears in Qingxu Temple, even their souls! Whether disciples in meditation, busy servants, or birds and beasts in the mountain—all stopped all actions simultaneously, hearts inexplicably tightening.
Then, everyone looked up in horror.
Above Qingxu Temple, especially the back mountain forbidden zone's sky, the originally clear blue sky began visibly darkening. Not dark clouds, but a deeper, thicker darkness, as if all colors of the world had condensed, drawn from all directions of the void by invisible force, gathering!
Initially just a thin layer of that aura, but in less than the time for an incense stick to burn, it had thickened like ink-dyed cotton, its range expanding madly! Ten li, hundred li, thousand li... ten thousand li!
Finally, a massive dark tribulation cloud covering nearly ten thousand li of sky completely formed! This scale far exceeded any recorded Nascent Soul heavenly tribulation, even surpassing the stellar force range drawn by the Heavenly Constellation Formation during the demon nest battle!
The tribulation cloud wasn't static but slowly rotated in an arcane manner, center precisely targeting the back mountain forbidden zone below. Within the cloud layers, not simple darkness but countless fine, varied-colored light threads silently raced and intertwined, occasionally emitting silent yet soul-chilling electric arcs. Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Thunder, Ice... even some unidentifiable strange energies were gestating and colliding within that cloud.
An indescribable vast heavenly might poured down like substance from the cloud's center!
Under this heaven-sent pressure, cultivators below Nascent Soul stage felt breathing difficult, spiritual power circulation sluggish, as if carrying an invisible mountain, unable to resist the urge to kneel. Even Nascent Soul elders felt their hearts shaken, Nascent Souls trembling, sensing their insignificance like ants facing the heavens.
"This... is this Spirit Transformation heavenly tribulation?" A mid-stage Nascent Soul elder gazing at that sky-covering tribulation cloud, voice hoarse with undisguised fear and reverence. He'd experienced Nascent Soul tribulation, that was alreadynear-death experience, but compared to this seemingly world-destroying scene, it was merely child's play.
"Allobey orders!" Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng's voice transmitted through formations throughout Qingxu Temple, steady yet carrying unquestionable resolve. "Activate the sect protection formation's highest level! All disciples, immediately return to your caves or designated safe areas, no going out! Nascent Soul elders, follow me to stabilize core formations, guarding for Xiao Qi!"
Instantly, throughout Qingxu Temple mountain, massive light pillars shot up, countless arcane runes flickered and connected in the void, forming an extremely complex and sturdy massive light barrier enclosing the entire sect core area. This was Qingxu Temple's accumulated heritage of ten thousand years, now fully activated to withstand possible heavenly tribulation aftermath.
Third Sister Liu Yun rose on her sword, standing at the formation barrier's edge, eyes sharp as swords, scanning all directions, guarding against any opportunistic troublemakers. Zhao Tiezhu led body cultivation disciples, stationed at key formation points, their blood energy linking like one, unshakeable as rock.
At Alliance headquarters, before Second Brother Luo Feng's virtual image, energy readings had long exceeded limits, alarms screaming incessantly. His expression was unprecedentedly grave as he rapidly analyzed the tribulation cloud's energy composition and intensity.
"Energy level... incalculable! Law manifestation degree... far beyond records! This is no longer simple energy test but... the Dao's interrogation!" His conclusion made all alliance upper echelons viewing this scene feel their hearts sink.
The Spirit Transformation heavenly tribulation had appeared, its might already shaking the entire Three Realms!
All gazes focused on that ten-thousand-li tribulation cloud, that silent back mountain forbidden zone.
Could Tang Xiao Qi, under this unprecedented heavenly might, break through like a butterfly emerging from cocoon, taking that legendary step?
The answer would be revealed in the upcoming terrifying tribulation. Throughout Qingxu Temple, and all major powers watching, all held their breath, awaiting that scene destined to be recorded in history.