Ye Tian was in agony. This Thunder Power was far too domineering, countless times stronger than the lightning from the Thunder Crow King he had once encountered.
His only sensation now was that his body no longer felt like his own. Countless gashes appeared on his skin, and his blood instantly stained his clothes red.
The most absurd part was that his hair was still smoking, each strand standing on end. His face was pitch-black, with only his two eyes retaining any color.
Zhang Xinlan was beside herself with worry seeing Ye Tian in such a state. It was the same way Ye Tian had felt watching Ye Bing take the second bolt of lightning.
Zhang Xinlan's heart nearly broke seeing him like this, but she couldn't share his pain. Her figure flashed as she quickly appeared before him, but Ye Tian had no time to spare her a glance.
His entire body trembled uncontrollably, and sweat poured from his forehead. His face was a mask of agony, yet he didn't make the slightest sound. He was enduring the torment, forcing the Thunder Power to merge with the still-forming Thunder Elemental Pearl inside him.
This Earth Thunder contained not only Thunder Power, but also the Earth Element. It made Ye Tian feel completely immobilized, as if a crushing weight was pressing down on him, leaving him breathless.
After a long moment, the pain subsided, and the arcing Thunder Power gradually vanished. Ye Tian found that despite the excruciating pain that had wracked his body, there was also a strange and mysterious sense of comfort.
"Ye Tian, are you alright? You scared me to death! I never expected this Thunder Power to be so strong. I'm well aware of your Defense Power, but to think it's still too weak against this! What are we going to do about the next two bolts?" Zhang Xinlan asked, looking at him with concern.
Ye Tian, however, turned to Ye Bing beside him. "Ye Bing, how are you feeling? Big Brother is fine! This Thunder Power is formidable, but it's not enough to kill me. Right now, I'm worried about you!"
"Big Brother, thank you! You blocked most of the Thunder Power for me. I can handle what's left! But the next two bolts will be even stronger. I'm worried you won't be able to withstand them! If something really happens to you, I don't know what I'll do!" Ye Bing said, his voice choked with emotion.
His translucent body trembled ceaselessly, a truly pitiful sight. However, both Ye Tian and Zhang Xinlan knew exactly what he meant.
"Your Big Brother is hard to kill! I'm not as fragile as you think! Don't worry, I will definitely help you get through this Five Elements Celestial Thunder Tribulation!" Ye Tian said resolutely.
Then, he turned to Zhang Xinlan. "Xinlan, I know you're worried about me. This Celestial Thunder is truly powerful; most people couldn't withstand it. But for me, it's an opportunity!
"It might allow me to completely absorb the Thunder Power. The process is just excruciatingly painful, but I'm confident I can endure it. Because I am the Young Master of Shen Li Palace, and I am your man!"
Tears welled up in Zhang Xinlan's eyes. "Ye Tian, I believe in you! I believe you can do it! There are two bolts left. How about we face them together?"
"You have no Thunder Power in your body; you can't possibly withstand the Celestial Thunder's assault. Although your Power Realm is higher than mine, your Defense Power is inferior to mine! Do you think I'd let you put yourself in danger?" Ye Tian said.
Zhang Xinlan wanted to argue, but seeing the resolute look in his eyes, she swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue. She knew he didn't want her to get hurt. This was his way of showing his love for her. Even though he had refused her, her heart felt sweetâincredibly so.
The tribulation clouds in the sky grew thicker. Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed ceaselessly. The sudden, violent storm startled many of the locals. Thinking some monster had appeared, many locked their doors and shuttered their windows, not daring to venture out.
Ye Tian slowly circulated the Immortal Power in his body. Although his injuries were severe, his Recovery Power was astonishing. Before long, his wounds had completely healed, and the pressure from the Earth Thunder had vanished.
The Earth Thunder's strike hadn't just boosted his Thunder Power; it had also increased the number of Earth Element Particles within him! Given enough time, he could completely master the Earth Element Particles and perhaps even use an ability like Earth Slash!
Ye Tian glanced at the tribulation clouds and said, "I wonder if the next Tribulation Thunder will be Wood Thunder or Gold Thunder. My mastery of the Gold Element is quite good! If it strikes, I'm ninety percent sure I can take it completely. It won't be as agonizing as the Earth Thunder was!"
"We don't know either! But I think the Tribulation Thunder is about to strike, so you need to be prepared! You must attack the descending lightning with all your strength. That's the only way to minimize the damage!" Zhang Xinlan said.
But just then, Ye Bing spoke up. "Big Brother, this bolt is the Gold Thunder! Since you said that, I can rest easy! The Wood Thunder is the last one!
"The Wood Attribute is very mystical. It represents life force. It can cause instant death or immediate revival! As for whether this final Wood Thunder carries Death Qi or life energy... that's all up to luck. We've been unlucky enough as it is. I refuse to believe we'll run into that dreaded Death Qi!"
Ye Tian was slightly taken aback. He looked at Ye Bing and asked, "How do you know that? Is it from your memories?"
"Mhm, it's all from my memories. If an Artifact Spirit successfully passes the Thunder Tribulation, its future Cultivation will be incredibly fast. After reaching a certain Realm, it will even ascendâmeaning it will go to another world! While it can't become a true sovereign, it will become a supreme expert!" Ye Bing explained.
Just as Ye Tian was about to speak, an immense pressure descended from above. He knew the Gold Thunder was about to strike, and he had to be fully prepared.
He began to frantically circulate the Gold Element in his body, along with his Immortal Power. He gripped the Black Glaze Sword tightly, ready to unleash a powerful strike at a moment's notice.
After several breaths, a golden bolt of lightning cleaved down from the sky. It was as thick as a bucket, stunning the three of them.
"Are you kidding me?! A bolt this huge? Are you really trying to kill me in one strike?!" Ye Tian roared in fury as he swiftly slashed out with his Black Glaze Sword.
This slash was far more powerful than his last. A considerable amount of his blood had dripped onto the blade earlier, greatly enhancing the Black Glaze Sword's might.
A blast of golden Sword Qi tore through the sky, shooting toward the massive golden thunderbolt!