The heavens split open.
A roar of thunder shook the mountains, lightning tearing across the night sky in jagged arcs of silver and violet. The sect awoke in chaos, disciples rushing to the courtyards, elders rising from meditation, all gazing in dread at the storm gathering above the Hall of Discipline.
"Tribulation…" one elder whispered, face pale. "But whose?"
Beneath the hall, the sealed cell shuddered. Dust fell in thick streams from the ceiling as the storm's wrath pressed downward.
Li Xian stood amidst broken chains, chest bare, crimson veins glowing faintly under his skin. His aura burned hotter with each heartbeat, clashing against the descending divine weight.
The system's voice was a frenzy in his mind:
> [Heavenly Tribulation Initiated.]
[Host lifespan: 12 hours.]
[Failure: Oblivion. Success: Evolution.]
But Li Xian was smiling.
---
Su Yao staggered back as the chamber cracked around them, her eyes wide, breath trembling. "This… this is Heaven's wrath… Li Xian, you can't resist it!"
"Can't?" He turned, crimson gaze locking with hers. His voice was low, intoxicating. "Or won't you allow yourself to believe I can?"
Her lips parted, her heart pounding like drums against her ribs. The storm outside mirrored the storm inside her.
"Su Yao," he whispered, stepping closer, each word striking like thunder in her chest. "You once vowed to walk beside me. Heaven tore us apart, but fate brought us here. Tell me—will you still turn away?"
Her jade-like fingers trembled at her side. Her lips quivered with words unsaid.
> [Target Su Yao: Affection +15%. Seduction Progress – 85%.]
---
Mei Ling's laughter cut through the tension, sharp and sultry.
"Hah. The heavens themselves try to kill you, and yet you seduce women with every breath." She stepped closer too, her daggers glinting faintly as she twirled one idly between her fingers.
"But I…" She leaned in, her lips brushing his ear, her voice hot and dangerous. "…I find myself wanting to see whether you'll break. Or break me."
Her dagger traced his chest, not in a killing strike, but a lover's tease.
> [Target Mei Ling: Desire +15%. Seduction Progress – 100%.]
[Target Mei Ling fully conquered.]
Li Xian grinned, his crimson eyes gleaming with triumph. Even as the heavens raged, one woman had already fallen completely.
---
Zhao Feng groaned weakly on the floor, blood at his lips, eyes filled with despair and hatred. He reached toward Su Yao again, his voice cracking.
"Yao… don't… leave me…"
Her eyes flickered down to him—then up to Li Xian, whose gaze blazed with both defiance and temptation.
Her heart shook.
---
Above, lightning struck the sect's barrier, the sound like the crack of the world itself.
The Sect Master and elders gathered in the grand courtyard, faces grim as they watched the storm converge into a single spear of divine light aimed at the Hall of Discipline.
"This is beyond mortal cultivation," the Sect Master whispered. His eyes narrowed. "That boy… he has become Heaven's enemy."
---
The system roared in Li Xian's ear:
> [Heavenly Strike descending in 3… 2… 1…]
The chamber shook violently. The lantern burst into shards of fire. The storm's light tore through the stone ceiling above.
Li Xian spread his arms wide, crimson bloodline blazing, and laughed into the storm.
"Come, Heaven! If you wish to erase me—try harder!"
The lightning fell.