--- A Few Days Later ---
The skies above rumbled with ominous ferocity as Pill Emperor Yun sat cross-legged in the center of the formation, his entire body enveloped in a dense golden mist of medicinal energy. His breakthrough was not an ordinary one—he was not only stepping into the Foundation-Forging Realm but also integrating his newfound path as a body cultivator. As the very heavens began to gather their wrath, preparing a Lightning Tribulation to temper and challenge his ascension, the Dragonblood Legion stood at the periphery, prepared to undergo their own baptism under the heavenly punishment.
Above, black clouds churned, thick with electric fury, stretching across the vast expanse like a celestial vortex swallowing the sky. Streaks of violet lightning crackled within, illuminating the heavens with ominous flashes. The tribulation energy, sensing Pill Emperor Yun's attempt to transcend his current realm, gathered with increasing intensity, coiling like a dragon ready to strike.
Long Chen, standing atop a distant peak, calmly observed the storm forming above. His right hand clenched slightly, and the tattoo-like Lightning Serpent, etched into his skin from past tribulations, shimmered with ethereal runes of destruction. He smirked.
"This is a rare opportunity," he murmured. "The tribulation's might is boundless, and it would be wasteful to let it go unchecked."
With a single thought, he activated the Lightning Serpent, which immediately writhed, as if sensing the impending feast. The runes along its body flared with hungry anticipation. It was born from the most potent lightning tribulations Long Chen had endured, feeding off the divine punishment itself, absorbing its essence and refining its power. Now, it would once again serve its purpose—not only in helping Pill Emperor Yun overcome his trial but also in granting the entire Dragonblood Legion an opportunity for unparalleled tempering.
"Form ranks!" came the command from Guo Ran, his armor already crackling with sparks of excitement.
The warriors of the Dragonblood Legion spread out in a disciplined formation along the outer periphery of the tribulation's range. Each one of them bore determined expressions, fully aware of what was to come. They had long since walked the path of hardship, constantly tempering their bodies and spirits through life-and-death battles. This tribulation was merely another opportunity for them to refine themselves further.
Then, the first bolt fell.
A streak of violet lightning, as thick as an ancient tree, split the heavens and slammed directly into Pill Emperor Yun. His body convulsed under the immense force, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to yield. Though he had primarily been a pill cultivator, his recent path of body cultivation made him crave this pain—it was the only way to forge an unbreakable foundation.
The tribulation didn't stop there. More bolts descended in rapid succession, each one more powerful than the last, striking him with ruthless intent. His body glowed with a fiery radiance as medicinal energy erupted from his pores, automatically healing his wounds and reinforcing his physique.
Yet, this was not enough. The heavens demanded a true test.
Long Chen extended his hand, allowing the Lightning Serpent to awaken fully. Like a primordial beast stirring from slumber, it opened its glowing, rune-etched mouth and inhaled deeply. Instantly, a portion of the lightning's destructive force was siphoned away, diverted into the serpent's form, where the runes greedily absorbed it. But Long Chen was not one to keep this power for himself—no, he had another plan.
The lightning, now refined and channeled through the serpent's body, was redistributed across the battlefield. Threads of crackling energy snaked outward, lashing against every single warrior of the Dragonblood Legion. Rather than being annihilated, they stood firm, their bodies trembling but unyielding. The lightning coursed through their meridians, burning away impurities, strengthening their blood essence, and tempering their bones.
This was the true power of the Dragonblood Legion—unyielding warriors who thrived under tribulation rather than succumbing to it.
Meanwhile, at the eye of the storm, Pill Emperor Yun's body underwent a profound transformation. His meridians, once solely used for controlling medicinal energy, were now forcibly expanding, accommodating the violent surge of tribulation lightning. His bones hardened, his muscles tightened, and his very essence underwent an evolution.
But the tribulation was far from over.
A deafening boom resounded as the final phase began. The clouds above, which had been crackling with lightning, suddenly darkened further, turning an eerie shade of crimson. This was no longer just a test—this was judgment. The heavens would not allow such a profound transformation to happen without resistance.
From the depths of the storm, a massive bolt of Heavenly Dao Lightning gathered, its intensity far surpassing anything before. This was the final challenge.
Pill Emperor Yun lifted his head, his once pale face now glowing with a golden-red hue, his body brimming with energy. His eyes blazed with determination.
"I will not fail here," he whispered.
As the cataclysmic bolt descended, Pill Emperor Yun roared, summoning every ounce of his medicinal energy, every cell of his body cultivation, and every fragment of his willpower. He did not evade. He did not defend. Instead, he welcomed the destruction.
The lightning struck.
A blinding explosion engulfed the battlefield, its shockwave sending tremors through the land. Dust and debris surged in all directions, obscuring vision. The Dragonblood Legion members staggered, shielding themselves from the aftershock. Even Long Chen narrowed his eyes, feeling the sheer magnitude of the energy unleashed.
As the dust settled, silence fell.
Then, a heartbeat later, an overwhelming surge of life force erupted from the center.
Pill Emperor Yun stood, his once tattered robes now burned away, revealing a body that radiated with divine luster. His skin, once delicate and frail, now bore a faint golden hue, exuding an aura of unshakable vitality. His medicinal essence had fused perfectly with his newfound body cultivation, creating a physique that could rival even the strongest warriors.
He clenched his fists, feeling the boundless strength coursing through his veins. The Foundation-Forging Realm—he had finally stepped into it.
At that moment, a booming laughter resounded.
"Not bad, Master," Long Chen smirked, stepping forward, his Lightning Serpent coiling around his arm in satisfaction. "Though you started Pill-Body Dual cultivation i.e. you Body Cultivation later than Pill Cultivation, you've finally stopped being just a fragile little alchemist."
Pill Emperor Yun chuckled, his voice filled with newfound power. "I suppose it was about time I stopped relying solely on Pill Flames to fight my battles."
Around them, the Dragonblood Legion members, despite their charred appearances and weary expressions, grinned with satisfaction. Every single one of them had endured the tribulation's tempering, coming out stronger than before. The lightning had burned away their weaknesses, reinforcing their bodies and spirits.
The tribulation had passed and everyone underwent a drastic transformation.
Like traditionally, upon entering the Foundation-Forging Realm, a cultivator's Sea Vortex would compress into a refined structure, forming a solid foundation for further cultivation but just because of recent breakthrough, his Sea Vortex did not completely stabilize into a proper foundation —a state that was neither fully formed nor completely unstable. This meant that while he had successfully entered the realm, he had yet to reach the First Heaven Stage of the Foundation-Forging Realm. His foundation was still in the process of solidifying, and until it was fully stable, he would be unable to fully exert the might of a true Foundation Forging expert.
Despite this, his breakthrough had another profound effect—his Celestial Rank had ascended by two whole grades. Previously a Grade 5 Celestial, he was now a Grade 7 Celestial, significantly increasing his celestial energy's potency. This elevation meant that his control over heavenly energy had drastically improved, allowing him to refine pills at an even higher level and further enhance his newfound path as a body cultivator.
As he took a deep breath, his body shimmered with residual tribulation energy, his meridians still adjusting to the violent fusion of medicinal essence and lightning-forged physique. Long Chen, observing the transformation, nodded in satisfaction.
"Master... you're not at the First Heaven Stage yet," Long Chen commented, his eyes sharp. "But with your Foundation platform completely stabilizes, you will be more stronger. You just need time."
Pill Emperor Yun nodded, his expression calm despite the turbulence within his body. "I can feel it… My foundation is still taking shape. It's unstable, but once it settles, my strength will soar."
Meanwhile, the Dragonblood Legion, though exhausted from the tribulation's tempering, sensed the change in their comrade's presence. The aura of a Grade 7 Celestial was undeniable—Pill Emperor Yun had taken a massive step forward, not just in cultivation but in celestial authority.
Long Chen smirked. "A Grade 7 Celestial, huh? Not bad. Just don't fall behind when we step onto the battlefield."
Pill Emperor Yun chuckled. "With this new path, I won't and you lil' brat don't fall till you are able to catch upto me."
Though he had not yet reached the First Heaven Stage, once his foundation fully stabilized, Master Yun Qi would step into a realm of power far beyond current state.
To Be Continued...