The nine types of divine thunder had all been weathered, yet the tribulation cloud remained massive, still slowly rotating with terrifying might. Everyone watching felt their hearts tighten—if even nine consecutive thunders couldn't end the tribulation, what terrifying trials lay ahead?
Soon, the tribulation cloud gave its answer.
The varied-colored energy threads within the cloud, which had been chaotic and colliding, suddenly seemed to find an organizing principle. They began separating, gathering, transforming into nine massive energy pillars that connected heaven and earth, encasing Xiao Qi within.
Xiao Qi stood within the nine pillars of light, feeling the tribulation cloud's intention. These pillars weren't physical attacks but "inquiries"—each pillar represented a fundamental law of heaven and earth, testing whether the tribulation-taker's understanding and pursuit of the Dao aligned with heaven's will.
The first pillar, representing the law of "creation," descended. Within it, Xiao Qi saw countless images of world creation, life birth, all things flourishing. He felt an urge to pursue endless creation, to become a creator god.
But his heart was ascalm as water. He understood: creation was part of the Dao, but not the entirety. His path was "protection," not "creation." He didn't need to create a world, only needed to protect the existing one.
Thus, though the creation law pillar descended upon him with boundless might, it passed through him without causing harm, for his heart had no attachment to it.
The second pillar, representing the law of "destruction," came. Within it, Xiao Qi saw scenes of world-ending, all things returning to dust, entropy consuming everything. He felt an urge toward complete annihilation, to become a force of destruction.
But again, his heart was still. He understood: destruction was also part of the Dao, but not his path. His path was to protect life, not to destroy it. Thus this pillar also passed through him harmlessly.
One by one, the nine pillars descended—the laws of "growth,""decay,""cycle,""rebirth,""balance,""transformation," and finally "unity." Xiao Qi received each with composure, his heart always unmoved, his understanding of the "protection" Dao increasingly profound.
The tribulation cloud seemed to sense that ordinary trials couldn't shake this tribulation-taker. The nine pillars suddenly converged, merging into a single pillar of blinding white light that contained all laws yet transcended them, descending upon Xiao Qi!
This was the ultimate test—representing the fundamental law of "Dao" itself! Would the tribulation-taker's understanding of "protection" be recognized by heaven and earth's fundamental law?
The terrifying pressure came, and Xiao Qi felt the weight of the entire world pressing upon his soul. His heart wavered for the first time. Was his understanding of "protection" truly correct? Was it worthy of heaven's recognition?
At this critical moment, his years of tempering in the mortal world, all experiences of witnessing hope, faith, resilience, and order, flooded back. He saw Chief Batu leading his tribe through hardships; saw villagers of Qingniu Town rebuilding their homes; saw Hassan execute the traitor to protect the caravan; saw the prince step forward to save the dynasty.
These were all forms of "protection"—not power alone, but the determination to safeguard, the responsibility to bear, the wisdom to guide.
His heart suddenly clear, his eyes bright as stars. He didn't resist the fundamental Dao law pillar's descent; instead, he stepped forward, arms spread wide, as if embracing it!
"My path is protection! Protection of life, protection of hope, protection of the world's beautiful things! This is my Dao! If heaven recognizes it, let it be so! If not, I will still walk this path, for this is what I believe, what I am!"
His voice didn't boom like thunder, yet it carried an absolute certainty and determination that moved heaven and earth!
The fundamental Dao law pillar paused above his head, as if hesitating, as if examining this insignificant yet steadfast soul.
Then, slowly, it began to split. Countless threads of light separated from it, no longer pressing down but circling Xiao Qi, weaving into a brilliant halo behind his head!
This halo wasn't formed by external power but was the recognition of heaven and earth's Dao itself! It represented that Xiao Qi's understanding of the "protection" Dao had been recognized by the ultimate law!
The tribulation cloud seemed to sigh, its mass rapidly diminishing, the terrifying pressure dissipating like tide receding. Countless rays of sunlight broke through the dispersing clouds, illuminating the back mountain forbidden zone where Xiao Qi stood!
He had passed the Dao Inquiry!