With his recent advancements in soul and mental cultivation, Shi Yun's progress in martial cultivation soared at an unprecedented pace. His foundation became stronger, his understanding deeper, and his control over spiritual energy reached new heights. However, this also meant that he could no longer suppress his breakthrough.
No matter how much he tried to stabilize his cultivation, the overwhelming power surged through him like a tidal wave, pushing him towards the Nascent Soul Realm—a realm that marked the true beginning of cultivation.
The Nascent Soul Realm was more than just another level—it was the first true defiance against the will of Heaven. Cultivators, by nature, sought power that transcended mortal limits, and the heavens viewed this as an act of rebellion. Thus, every cultivator attempting to step into this realm had to face a Heavenly Tribulation.
In the Dahong Wilderness, reaching the Nascent Soul Realm was considered an impossible feat for most. Only a handful had ever succeeded, while countless others had perished under the merciless lightning of the heavens.
And now, Shi Yun was about to face this trial.
Suddenly, the once-clear sky turned ominous.
Dark clouds gathered at an alarming speed, covering the entire sky. The pressure in the air grew suffocating, making even powerful cultivators shudder in fear. The entire region fell silent, and soon, the first flicker of Heavenly Thunder danced through the storm clouds.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion echoed across the land.
"A Heavenly Tribulation?! Someone is breaking into the Nascent Soul Realm!" Cultivators across the region looked up in shock.
However, to their confusion, something was blocking their spiritual sense from locating the person undergoing tribulation.
Unbeknownst to them, Liu Haoyu had already created a golden barrier around the entire village. The villagers carried on with their daily lives, unaware of the cataclysmic event occurring right above them.
Yu Miao and Long Yi, on the other hand, stood within the protective barrier, watching with excitement.
"He's finally breaking through! Haha! I knew Shi Yun was a monster in training!" The chubby dragon laughed, his round belly jiggling.
Yu Miao clapped her hands together in prayer. "Shi Yun, don't mess this up! I don't want to see you turn into charcoal!"
As the black clouds churned, the first bolt of Heavenly Thunder descended—a thick, terrifying bolt of golden lightning, crackling with divine energy. It carried the wrath of the heavens, capable of obliterating most cultivators in an instant.
Shi Yun took a deep breath, his heart pounding. He had prepared for this, yet standing beneath the sky's fury was still unnerving.
The first bolt struck his body with immense force.
BOOM!
He braced himself for unbearable pain… but instead—
"Huh?"
All he felt was a tickling sensation.
Shi Yun blinked in confusion. He had heard stories of cultivators screaming in agony, their bodies scorched, their souls nearly shattered. Yet, for him, it felt like… a light zap.
The tribulation thunder, which had taken countless lives, was now being madly absorbed by his body.
The heavens seemed to hesitate, but within moments—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
More thunderbolts rained down, each one stronger than the last.
Shi Yun didn't resist. Instead, he did something that defied all logic—
He welcomed the lightning.
By running his mental and soul cultivation technique, he directed the overwhelming energy into his dantian, refining it, absorbing it, and integrating it with his body.
His aura surged, breaking through the initial stages of Nascent Soul Realm with terrifying speed.
First Layer… Third Layer… Sixth Layer…
The sky roared in defiance. It sent one final, colossal bolt of tribulation lightning—a golden dragon of thunder descending with divine might.
Shi Yun stood tall.
Instead of dodging, he opened his arms and absorbed it whole.
The moment the final thunderbolt merged with his body, the black clouds dissipated instantly.
The heavens had been defied.
Shi Yun's body glowed with a radiant golden hue before it faded, leaving behind an incomparably refined physique, a stronger soul, and a refined nascent core.
His cultivation did not stop at the First Layer of Nascent Soul Realm—it surged straight to the Ninth Layer!
However, just before reaching the next major breakthrough, he forcefully halted his advancement.
"No… I need to stabilize my foundation first."
Shi Yun knew that rushing through cultivation realms without proper consolidation would leave fatal flaws. He needed to strengthen his control, refine his newfound powers, and prepare himself for even greater challenges ahead.
As he slowly opened his eyes, a new light flickered within them.
His power had changed.
His soul had strengthened.
And the path ahead had become clearer than ever before.
As the last remnants of heavenly thunder dispersed and the skies returned to their usual tranquility, Shi Yun felt an exhilarating sense of power surging through his veins. His breakthrough had been monumental, and he could feel his strength reaching new, unprecedented heights.
Brimming with excitement, he rushed over to Liu Haoyu, his eyes shining like a child's.
"Master! I'm getting stronger and stronger! I can feel it—I'm so close to becoming even the most powerful!" Shi Yun said eagerly, his voice filled with excitement.
Liu Haoyu, reclining lazily in his chair, opened his eyes slightly. His expression was calm and unreadable.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he spoke, his voice carrying an undeniable weight of wisdom.
"Don't be so proud."
The simple words made Shi Yun freeze.
Liu Haoyu's gaze remained indifferent as he continued, "Cultivation is an endless journey. You say you are strong, but the world beyond what you see is far greater than you can imagine. Talented individuals are everywhere. There will always be those stronger than you."
The excitement in Shi Yun's eyes slowly faded, replaced by a thoughtful silence.
Seeing this, Liu Haoyu's sharp expression softened slightly.
With a rare, gentle smile, he added, "But you did very well. You are indeed talented—I won't deny that."
Shi Yun blinked in surprise, not expecting the sudden praise.
"Whatever qualities you have, don't lose them." Liu Haoyu's voice was calm, yet it carried an unshakable certainty. "Talent alone does not define greatness. I, your master, can refine meridians, enhance physiques, and create the strongest bodies. I can give power to anyone. But what I cannot give… is a heart that remains true to itself."
Shi Yun listened intently, his emotions stirring.
"You do not need to act a certain way to prove yourself to me," Liu Haoyu said. "You are my disciple not because of your talent, but because of your heart."
His gaze softened further as he continued, "Laugh when you want to laugh. Joke when you want to joke. Cry if you feel like crying. Emotions are what make us human. Strength is not just about power—it is also about knowing yourself, embracing yourself."
Liu Haoyu leaned back slightly, his voice now almost a whisper. "Even if you weren't talented… I would still love and care for you the same way."
Shi Yun's breath hitched. He hadn't expected these words.
A part of him had always thought that his master's approval was tied to his talent, that his value was measured by how strong he became. But now, hearing these words, he felt something inside him ease.
His master… truly wished for his happiness.
Not just his power.
Not just his achievements.
But him—Shi Yun—as a person.
For the first time, Shi Yun felt a genuine sense of relief. His heart, which had always been eager to prove itself, suddenly felt lighter.
A bright smile broke across his face.
"Yes, Master! I will remember your words."
Liu Haoyu let out a soft chuckle and closed his eyes again. "Good."