Chapter 282: Against the Heavens

“The experience from the heart-refining tribulation might not be applicable here. I hope Old Ox doesn’t get trapped by the immortality heart demon; this isn’t something that resolves with a simple breakthrough.”

Chen Xun’s black hair flowed as his eyes flashed with clarity, and he scribbled in his notebook, deducing ways to break the cycle from outside. “The chances of awakening on one's own are slim. Old Ox will undoubtedly get caught in it.”

A powerful aura enveloped him. He knew Black Ox too well—knew its greatest vulnerabilities intimately.

He filled page after page in his notebooks, and then, suddenly, they ignited mid-air.

On the shore:

“Moo!”

Black Ox’s eyes trembled. Why was Chen Xun burning the notebooks? This had never happened before.

“Brother Ox?”

“Moo moo!”

With a serious expression, Black Ox stood firm. Chen Xun must be doing something incredibly important—something even it couldn’t fully grasp. After all, his big brother was the smartest person in this world, the “big brain” it trusted.

In the distant sky, Chen Xun remained seated calmly.

“These corrupted beings’ spiritual sense ascensions are also off. It’s possible that the difficulty of the heart demon tribulation is heightened because of their influence.”

His brow furrowed as he analyzed rapidly in his mind. “Nothing comes cheap in this world. I wonder how those who break through to Deity Transformation on the battlefield manage it.”

He pondered further about the so-called Earth Tribulation, which was exceptionally strange. The lightning there was vast and terrifying, yet not as powerful as heavenly tribulations.

Still, the heavenly tribulation’s body-tempering energy was incredibly pure, allowing him to absorb it completely.

Even now, the black soil lands continued to heal, thanks to the tainted blood and the dense presence of the world’s… *primordial energy*.

His eyes widened as he looked at the abyss on the ground, which was rapidly repairing itself before his eyes.

“Heavenly tribulations, heavenly law… do these things truly exist? Are these corrupted beings failed creations of the heavens—embodying the negativity of all beings and endlessly opposing the living?”

Chen Xun’s eyes flickered with a hint of realization as he stared into the abyss. “If the heavenly tribulation and heavenly law are truly manifestations of the world’s will, then perhaps these corrupted beings are the embodiment of failure—creatures born from the heavens’ own mistakes, destined to serve as the opposition to all life.”

He paused, his thoughts racing as he pieced together the fragments of knowledge he had accumulated over the years. “And if that’s the case, then my path to longevity might be the ultimate threat to the balance of all things. The heavens themselves could be pushing back against me, using these tribulations as a way to prevent my existence.”

A faint smile crept onto his face, one filled with a blend of amusement and defiance. “So, the heavenly tribulation is not just a test; it’s the culmination of the world’s deepest instincts, the collective fear and hatred of anything that dares to break free from its cycle.”

He let out a deep sigh, his aura growing increasingly calm. “To be at odds with the heavens, to stand against the will of all beings—perhaps that is the true burden of seeking immortality.”

On the shore:

“Moo!”

Black Ox’s expression turned resolute as it continued to watch Chen Xun from afar. It had always believed in its big brother, but seeing him this serious, it felt an unfamiliar sense of unease. Still, it stood its ground, confident that whatever Chen Xun was planning, he would succeed.

In the sky:

Chen Xun’s gaze remained steady as he looked at the vast expanse of the black soil lands. “If the path of longevity is to be an eternal battle against the world itself, then so be it. We will walk it together.”

He continued to write, his hand moving rapidly as he documented every possible strategy and contingency. “I must ensure that Old Ox has the means to overcome the heart demon tribulation. If he falls, we lose not just a brother but an invaluable ally.”

The air around him rippled as the energy from the heavenly tribulation continued to surge. Chen Xun’s expression remained calm, but his eyes burned with determination. “The heart demon tribulation is not about strength; it’s about conviction. If Old Ox wavers, even for a moment, it will consume him.”

He stopped writing, his pen hovering above the page as he stared into the distance. “I’ve always told myself that every path has its price. If the price of our freedom is to become the enemies of the heavens, then I’ll bear it.”

He closed the notebook and, with a flick of his wrist, set it ablaze. The flames danced in the air, the ash scattering into the wind.

“Old Ox, wherever you are, don’t be afraid. We’re in this together.”

Far below, in the depths of the abyss, the ground shuddered as if resonating with his words. The tainted blood pulsed, and the primordial energy swirled, knitting the black soil lands back together. But Chen Xun knew the peace was only temporary.

“Every battle won is a battle postponed,” he murmured. “Sooner or later, the heavens will strike back harder.”

He glanced down, his eyes narrowing as he sensed the subtle changes in the flow of energy. “The black soil... there’s something else beneath it, something the heavens have tried to bury.”

Just as the thought crossed his mind, the earth trembled again, and an ominous rumble echoed through the air. Chen Xun’s expression hardened.

“If the heavens want to hide something, there must be a reason. I’ll have to uncover it—no matter the cost.”

He stood up, his aura surging with power. “Old Ox, Xiao Chi, prepare yourselves. The next tribulation might not just be a test for one of us—it could be for all of us.”

The wind howled, and the sky darkened, the energy of the impending storm gathering strength. Chen Xun’s eyes shone with unyielding resolve.

“The path ahead is treacherous, but we’ll walk it together. And when the heavens rage, we’ll meet it head-on.”