Chapter 618 - 89: Celestial Thunder (2)

"Tomorrow, I’ll swap the Withered and Flourishing Grass for a Hundred-year-old Nux Seed, and the Bone Healing Herb for Sinew-Mending Herb. That’ll boost the Medicinal Power and let us use this formula for a while longer.

After that, I’ll figure something else out—see if I can’t come up with a new formula."

"You’ve worked hard these past two years. We can put the medicinal baths on hold for now. I’ve found a Heart Method suitable for Yun’Er’s cultivation," Song Changsheng said softly.

"That’s great! You always have a way, you rascal. I knew you had a good reason for refusing Luoxia City."

Zhu Yiqun was overjoyed. He turned to look at Song Qingyun’s room and said softly, "With a Cultivation Heart Method, he won’t have to suffer this torment anymore."

Over the past two years, he was the one who best understood just how much effort Song Qingyun had put in.

His screams during the medicinal baths grew louder with each session, yet he never backed down. He endured excruciating pain daily, the kind even an adult would struggle to bear. Even Zhu Yiqun couldn’t help but be moved.

"The suffering he endures today will bring him great rewards in the future," Song Changsheng said, steeling himself.

He gently pushed open the wooden door. The first thing he saw was a ten-foot-long tub, standing half as tall as a man. Song Qingyun was naked, soaking in a dark green medicinal liquid.

The tub was filled with all sorts of creatures: palm-sized venomous scorpions, foot-long centipedes, and various other Insects, some venomous and some not. The sight was enough to make one’s skin crawl.

Yet Song Qingyun was already accustomed to it. With his eyes closed, he focused on absorbing the Medicinal Power from the bath. His little face was flushed bright red, and sweat streamed from his brow, dripping into the water.

He didn’t seem to have noticed Song Changsheng’s presence. He would let out a strained cry from time to time, but it was really just a way for him to vent. After two years, he had long grown accustomed to this level of pain.

"That’s enough. Get up," Song Changsheng said softly, taking Song Qingyun’s clothes with a wave of his hand.

At these words, Song Qingyun fell silent. He carefully opened his eyes and, sure enough, saw Song Changsheng standing before him, dressed in his green robes.

He stood up reflexively, scratching his head in embarrassment. "Father."

To be honest, Song Changsheng still didn’t know how to act around Song Qingyun, so he could only put on a stern expression.

"You won’t need to take these medicinal baths anymore. Get dressed. I have something for you."

With that, Song Changsheng turned away.

"Yes, sir." Song Qingyun was a little confused but obediently dressed and stood properly at Song Changsheng’s side.

Song Changsheng handed the Jade Scroll containing the Heart Method to Song Qingyun. "This is the Great Dream Illusion Celestial Technique. It’s a perfect match for your Illusory Dream Body. Don’t open it now. Wait until Noon tomorrow to open it and begin your cultivation, understand?"

Seeing the Jade Scroll before him, Song Qingyun was ecstatic.

He knew his cultivation progress had been so slow because he lacked a suitable Cultivation Method. So, upon hearing his father’s words, he eagerly snatched the Jade Scroll, turning it over and over in his hands. He was so excited he even forgot to ask why he had to wait until Noon to open it.

"Remember, you can only open it at Noon tomorrow. Rest well today and gather your strength. Do you understand?" Song Changsheng added sternly when he saw his son’s reaction.

’Cultivating the Great Dream Illusion Celestial Technique must be done with a full and focused mind. Otherwise, there’s a risk of falling into a dream state, and with Song Qingyun’s current Cultivation, it would be impossible for him to control such a profound ability.

That’s why, based on Qingyun’s sleep patterns, I calculated that Noon would be the optimal time for him to begin.

The real reason I gave him the Heart Method now is to test his self-control in the face of temptation. In truth, I’ve already placed a Restriction on the Jade Scroll; it won’t open before the set time anyway.’

"I will obey, Father." Song Qingyun quickly bowed.

"Good. Rest well." Song Changsheng nodded, then walked out of the courtyard with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Did you explain everything clearly?" Zhu Yiqun asked, glancing at him sideways.

"I have. I’ll need you to watch over Yun’Er’s cultivation tomorrow," Song Changsheng said quietly.

Zhu Yiqun sounded surprised. "At such a crucial moment, you’re not going to be there yourself?"

"I have something I must do tomorrow."

’The moment the Jade Scroll is opened, the Celestial Thunder Tribulation will descend. I obviously can’t face a Thunder Tribulation on Vast Mist Peak. I have to find a desolate, uninhabited place so it doesn’t affect the family.

That means I can’t be there for Qingyun.’

"What kind of father are you? What could possibly be more important than your precious son?" Zhu Yiqun said, giving Song Changsheng a disdainful look.

"If it wasn’t absolutely necessary, I wouldn’t be asking this of you. Help me one more time." Song Changsheng placed a hand on Zhu Yiqun’s shoulder, his expression solemn.

Zhu Yiqun slapped his hand away in mock disgust. "Stop being so dramatic. If you have to go, then get going."

"Then I’ll leave it to you." Song Changsheng laughed, then transformed into a streak of light and shot into the distance.

Before long, Song Changsheng found a stretch of wasteland. The vegetation was sparse, and there were no signs of human life, or even many traces of wild animals.

"This is the place to face the Thunder Tribulation."

Song Changsheng murmured to himself. He found a small hillock, took out his Array Banners, and set up a Tier Two Top Grade Defense Array. His requirements weren’t high; he just needed it to block the first Celestial Thunder.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to set up a Tier Three Level Grand Array, but he was short on time and had to settle for the next best thing.

After completing his preparations, Song Changsheng sat cross-legged on the hillock, awaiting the arrival of the Celestial Thunder Tribulation.

「The next day」 When the sun reached its zenith, Song Changsheng suddenly felt a terrifying power that made his heart pound.

He looked up to find vast, leaden clouds gathering above his head. The small snakes sunbathing on the wasteland and the little beasts foraging for food suddenly scattered as if terrified.

’It’s here,’ Song Changsheng thought as he stood up, his expression turning grave.

It wasn’t his first time facing a Celestial Thunder, but this one felt entirely different. It was as if a pair of eyes was watching him from high above in the heavens.

Little Ninth had already concealed its aura, but Song Changsheng could clearly sense the fear radiating from it.

A Heart Method taken from the Creation Wondrous Scripture was enough to draw the attention of the Celestial Dao. As an Artifact Spirit, Little Ninth was naturally an existence the Celestial Dao would not tolerate.

If it were discovered, the consequences would be far more severe than a "light punishment."

BOOM—

A clap of thunder exploded, and the heavy, leaden clouds completely blanketed the sky. Thunder Serpents writhed within, releasing a terrifying aura.

Song Changsheng could clearly feel an unseen force locking onto him.

BOOM—

A brilliant Thunderbolt tore through the dark clouds and plummeted down.

"Celestial Spirit Array, activate!"

The Grand Array instantly activated. Hundreds of diamond-shaped Celestial Spirit Shields materialized above Song Changsheng’s head, forming a solid line of defense.

KABOOM!

The Thunderbolt struck. The Celestial Spirit Array shattered instantly, but the Thunderbolt also vanished.

Without giving Song Changsheng a moment to breathe, the second Thunderbolt came crashing down.

Song Changsheng immediately summoned the Silver Flood Dragon Mace. With a brilliant flash of light, the second Thunderbolt was annihilated. However, the Spiritual Attribute of the Silver Flood Dragon Mace was severely damaged, making his heart ache at the loss.

KABOOM!

The leaden clouds churned in the sky, with countless brilliant sparks of lightning flickering within. Finally, all the lightning converged into a single, purple Thunderbolt as thick as a man’s arm, which then crashed down.

Song Changsheng suddenly felt the Space around him solidify, rendering him completely immobile. He couldn’t even summon a Magical Treasure to defend himself.

’Getting serious now, are you? Then bring it on!’

Song Changsheng let out a low roar and activated his Five Beasts War Body. A pair of Fire Wings unfurled, appearing exceptionally dazzling against the dark sky.

BOOM—

The purple Thunderbolt descended with terrifying power. Song Changsheng’s Protective Celestial Spirit was like a soap bubble, popping on contact. The Thunderbolt, its momentum unchecked, pierced straight through his chest...

P.S. A senior family member is critically ill. I’ve taken three days off to go see them one last time. Updates might be delayed for the next few days. I hope my fellow Daoists can understand.

Any missed Chapters will be made up for later.

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