Predestined calamities are inherently difficult to endure.

The lightning tribulation surged, and the will of heaven churned.

No one knew how many bolts of lightning had already struck within that blinding white light, nor what state Bai Xuanling was currently in.

Just moments ago, an intense battle had been raging here, but now, they could only wait until the heavenly tribulation passed before making their next move.

Xu Linglong was waiting—waiting for Bai Xuanling to fail her tribulation.

After all, the path to heaven had been severed, making ascension absolutely impossible.

Without Bai Xuanling interfering, the execution of their plan would proceed much more smoothly.

Her cultivation and combat prowess were far too formidable, making her an extremely unstable factor.

Although time was being delayed, it was worth it.

Furthermore, since Bai Xuanling occupied the central position to undergo her tribulation, the surrounding divine sense and spiritual power were completely thrown into chaos. If one tried to force a move, they would only fall into a passive state.

After all, without communication, the Heavenly Demons would easily be targeted and killed.

Chu Xingchen was also waiting, though for a different reason than the others.

Although he could not see the situation inside, amidst the blinding white light, the system's status tags remained highly visible.

Currently, Bai Xuanling's status tags had not changed.

At the very least, there were no tags indicating severe injuries or wounds.

Her cultivation was still at the [Peak of Tribulation Transcendence]. Presumably, this tag would only upgrade once she completely overcame the heavenly tribulation.

"Kid, you should know that the path to ascension has been severed."

Huang Miao did not press the attack on the entangled inferior Tribulation Transcendence cultivators. Instead, he flew back to guard Chu Xingchen's side, speaking with a solemn expression,

"Is this Bai Xuanling's choice?"

Chu Xingchen did not answer, but instead asked, "Does surviving the lightning tribulation mean a successful ascension?"

"Logically speaking, yes," Huang Miao pursed his lips and said. "The Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect has clear records stating that since the path to ascension was severed, the lightning tribulation no longer dissipates as it used to. Instead, it persists continuously until the one undergoing the tribulation can no longer withstand it."

"In the past, the Supreme Elder of the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect received this answer by questioning the Heavenly Dao amidst his lightning tribulation."

"Since him, cultivators from other sects have also undergone tribulations, and without exception, it has always been the same. That is why all the major factions now hide quite a few Tribulation Transcendence cultivators."

"There are also a lot more legends than before. After all, the legends of the past would have ascended long ago. It has definitely made things livelier, though. In the old days, the human race might not have been able to gather so many great cultivators at the Perfection of Tribulation Transcendence."

Chu Xingchen narrowed his eyes:

"What happens after ascension? Do they just leave immediately?"

Huang Miao continued to answer, "Generally speaking, that is the case. However, it seems they can remain for a short period of time, though it shouldn't be much—just enough to make some brief arrangements."

"But that's just a guess. After all, I've never ascended, so I don't know the exact details."

Chu Xingchen nodded.

Ascending was fine; it was better than dying here.

She could just leave the matters here for him to handle.

If he really couldn't handle them, his disciples would naturally take care of things properly.

Seeing Chu Xingchen's silent demeanor, Huang Miao did not press further, but simply stood guard over the surroundings.

What happened had happened; asking pointless questions wouldn't do any good.

Huang Miao truly disliked Bai Xuanling, otherwise, he wouldn't have targeted her direct disciple with such a lack of grace.

However, he also did not want such a rival to die just like that in the heavenly tribulation.

Perhaps it was mutual respect between experts, or perhaps it was for some other reason.

At the very least, he was sincere at this moment.

Everyone was calculating the time in their minds, counting silently.

After all, aside from the heavenly tribulation, there was still a life-and-death battle that had yet to settle.

Chu Xingchen was not counting silently in his heart; he only felt that time was passing incredibly slowly.

The blinding white light, having reached its absolute peak, suddenly plummeted in intensity.

Chu Xingchen could finally see the situation inside the intense white light.

The radiant Dao rhythm of the heavenly tribulation swirled within the tribulation clouds, appearing as if it were unleashing the final strike. The remaining tribulation clouds slowly dissipated, turning into specks of brilliant Dao rhythm that rained down.

Bai Xuanling's figure gradually became visible. She had no visible injuries on her body, though her white armored skirt bore some blackened damage. The artifact Myriad Forms coiled around her, intercepting the numerous white lightning bolts and keeping them at bay.

The intensity of the blinding white light decreased rapidly.

Myriad Forms flowed and circled Bai Xuanling one last time before transforming into a streak of pure white light, darting straight back to Chu Xingchen's side.

Huang Miao's eyes widened, his heart filled with absolute shock.

The tribulation clouds had almost entirely dispersed; this was clearly a sign of a successful tribulation.

Bai Xuanling's Dao rhythm had already ascended to another level. With a single glance, Huang Miao knew that a world of difference now existed between him and Bai Xuanling.

Perhaps she only needed to endure one more lightning bolt.

This daylight ascension, watched by all, was about to succeed.

Myriad Forms circled Chu Xingchen as if claiming credit for its deeds.

Xu Linglong stared at the scene, dumbfounded, her heart filled with disbelief. Yet, her instincts drove her to draw her bow to the full in the next instant. Gathering her origin power, she fired an arrow straight at Bai Xuanling.

Bai Xuanling glanced back. Without even bothering to move her sword, Qingming, she simply pointed a finger.

The incoming arrow of origin power was completely obliterated.

That entirely different power, one that existed on a nearly different plane, was clearly perceived by Xu Linglong.

Xu Linglong tightly gripped her bowstring, her heart brimming with unwillingness.

If she really achieves daylight ascension...

As expected, this Heavenly Dao only knows how to cheat!

Xu Linglong drew her bow once more, aiming at Bai Xuanling, even though several Tribulation Transcendence cultivators from major sects had already begun to provide ranged support for Bai Xuanling. It was highly likely she wouldn't hit her target again.

Even if she did hit her, it would be easily blocked just like before.

But what else could she do at this moment?

[Retreat.]

Polo's voice echoed in her mind.

Xu Linglong gritted her teeth and transmitted back:

[The heavenly tribulation isn't over yet! If we leave like this, everything we've built up over a millennium will be lost right here!]

Polo's reply came swiftly:

[The heavens and the earth are fundamentally incompatible with us. Did you really expect them to grant your wishes? We will just have to start over.]

Xu Linglong quickly responded:

[Chu Xingchen is not dead! How can we start over?! When he undergoes his tribulation, where will our hope be?]

After a few seconds, Polo slowly replied:

[Our hope lies in our final resort.]

Hearing this, Xu Linglong fell silent. She cast her gaze toward the Buddhist monk Runan, but said no more.

Polo spoke again: [I will conceal everyone's tracks.]

Unable to hide the desolation in her expression, Xu Linglong slowly lowered her drawn bow.

The other Heavenly Demons didn't say much and began preparing to withdraw according to their previous retreat plan.

The heavenly tribulation completely solidified, and a flash of light struck down.

Only, it was not the blinding white from before, but a beam of crimson light.

Bai Xuanling gripped Qingming, her expression full of vitality as she moved to block it.

However...

This bolt of heavenly tribulation carried no force.

The moment Bai Xuanling made contact with it, she understood the meaning behind this tribulation.

Her gaze swept toward Xu Linglong, a teasing smile appearing on her face. Gripping Qingming tightly, she slashed her sword toward her.

A banished immortal in the mortal realm, opening the gates of heaven with a green sword.

Xu Linglong didn't even entertain the thought of resisting; she immediately turned and fled.

The remaining Heavenly Demons followed suit, leaving only the other demon kin on the battlefield.

Seeing this, the teasing smile on Bai Xuanling's face slowly faded. She turned her gaze back to Chu Xingchen and softly transmitted her voice:

"That kid Lv Xuan, his calculations about me were actually quite accurate."

Chu Xingchen looked beneath the tribulation clouds.

Bai Xuanling's eyes gradually took on a crimson hue, the smile on her face revealing utter helplessness.

Within the status tags.

Bai Xuanling was still at the [Great Perfection of Tribulation Transcendence].

Chu Xingchen's figure soared into the sky as he relentlessly demanded to know what this final lightning tribulation would be.

The answer was this.

The Heavenly Tribulation strikes directly at a cultivator's greatest weakness.

Tribulations, by their very nature, are trials of adversity.