A lot of warriors failed at the golden core stage, and those who succeeded were often left with nightmarish memories. Many golden core warriors chose to spend their entire lives at that level, rather than face the tribulation. They knew that if they failed in the attempt, the strength and abilities they had cultivated for so long would disappear, and they would have to start over. Even worse, they were aware that their souls could be destroyed.
The lightning tribulation that Alex had triggered was many times stronger than an ordinary one. Common sense said that it was impossible for Alex to face this and survive, so Zaxx had sound reasons for his decision.
But there are exceptions to every rule, and Alex was the exception.
The miles-wide tribulation cloud finished forming into a huge whirlpool, and then it unleashed a hurricane.
Alex stood tall and straight, his black hair whipping in the wind. His eyes were untroubled, and his body shone with a brilliant radiance. White light coiled around him, and he looked like a divine being that had descended into the world. The terrifying storm didn't faze him at all. If anything, his confidence had grown.
He raised his head and challenged the storm. "Come and get me!" He spread his arms, and a monstrous genuine essence appeared and rushed out like a volcanic eruption. Elsa and Gwen looked at each other in shock.
Elsa had thought that Alex had revealed all his abilities during his battle with them, but he had just surprised them again. How could he be so strong?
Damn, Gwen thought. I'm glad I didn't fight him; he would have killed me.
Everyone's eyes were locked on the tribulation cloud. Suddenly, from the center of the vortex, a deafening peal of thunder rang out, and the first lightning bolt split the sky, coming straight for Alex. It was no normal bolt. It was almost a thousand yards wide.
On the spaceship, Linden was wild with joy. "What a terrifying lightning tribulation! He's dead for sure." That lightning bolt was truly huge. A nascent-level warrior would perish on the spot, so there was no hope for one at the golden core level.
**
"That lightning tribulation would shatter a mountain." Antoine shook his head.
Paula was shocked into silence. This was the first time she had encountered a lightning tribulation of this magnitude.
Just as the thousand-yard-wide lightning bolt was about to tear Alex apart, he shouted and raised his fist. "Celestial staff, I summon you!" A shining staff appeared in his hand, and Alex didn't even try to dodge the immense lightning bolt; instead, he flew toward it.
"He's crazy!" Elsa exclaimed.
Up in the clouds, Linden was feeling even more exhilarated. "That man is seeking his own death. He's saving us a lot of trouble." He rubbed his hands together, cackling with glee.
On the ground, Antoine and the others moved further away, collectively holding their breaths and waiting to see whether Alex would be able to withstand this bolt.
The tribulation storm consisted of eighty-one lightning bolts, and the first and last ones were the most powerful. If Alex could withstand the first one, then that meant he had a chance of surviving the entire tribulation and advancing to the next stage.
Alex knew he couldn't afford to fail. He screamed out his defiance, using all his strength to create a counterattack. The lightning slowed, but it didn't stop.
He drew his spiritual energy around himself as a shield, and then, under everyone's astonished gazes, the lightning stopped three inches from Alex. His forehead was covered with sweat as he held it at bay.
Linden turned pale. "He actually took on a lightning tribulation?"
Zaxx was incredulous. Alex had just withstood that bolt with only his own strength. If he got through the entire tribulation, then he would be far too powerful for them to fight.
Antoine, Evan, and Paula were petrified. The strength that Alex had displayed was completely beyond their experience.
**
"We can't let Alex advance." Linden took a deep breath and clenched his fists. "Zaxx, prepare the laser cannon. It would be better to have both sides suffer losses than to let him successfully pass the lightning trial."
Zaxx started pressing buttons
**
"That must have weakened him badly," Paul said. "If the three of us work together, we can kill him!" She was excited, believing that this was their chance.
"Paula, what's the point of this?" asked Evan. "Why are we fighting among ourselves with so many people watching what we're doing?"
Paula scowled at Evan. "Antoine, what do you think?"
Antoine shook his head. "I don't understand why you have to fight him."
Their answers made Paula angry. "Since the two of you don't want to help me, then don't blame me for finding someone else who will."
A man dressed all in white appeared out of nowhere and greeted Antoine and Evan. "Hello. It's been a long time. How have the two of you been?"
Antoine was stunned. "Grand master Fisher?"
Lloyd Fisher was a powerful man whose actions had shocked people on many occasions. For over thirty years, he had had the reputation of being the most violent and unpredictable, divine-level warrior.
Paula is truly formidable, Evan thought. She can even call on Lloyd Fisher.
He broke out in a cold sweat, believing Alex was doomed. There was no way he would live through the day.
**
No one realized that Alex had such powerful divine senses. He was watching Linden and Paula's every move.
"Lloyd, you've come at just the right time," he said, smiling. "Now I can get rid of the two of you at the same time. That will save me a lot of trouble." He looked up at the roiling cloud above his head as it constantly flickered with lightning. The celestial staff could release ice crystals, which could conduct electricity. This was a perfect opportunity for all his foes to taste the lightning for themselves.
**
Antoine and Evan braced themselves for a combined attack against Lloyd.
Then, suddenly, they heard Alex's voice. "You don't have to attack him. I'll do it myself."
Antoine and Evan didn't understand what was going on, but they held back, not wanting to get in the middle of it.
**
The seven-colored cloud could attack Alex again at any time. Paula was ready and waiting. As soon as Alex showed any sign of weakness, she would finish him off.
Finally, the second bolt of tribulation lightning fell. Alex swept across the sky with the celestial staff, and the light dimmed as he created a barrier that covered the sky.