Above the Seven Profound Sect, vast and boundless thunderclouds suddenly appeared, engulfing the entire Sect, as if the Heavenly Dao's wrath had condensed at this moment.
Sect Master Lin Maoshan flew out of the Sect Leader's Mansion first, his brows tightly furrowed, his gaze fixed on the Tribulation Transcending Platform in the back mountain, his Divine Sense sweeping, but it was blocked by the shielding formation.
The next moment, several figures flew out from the seven main peaks, quickly gathering around Lin Maoshan. They were Zhao Tianchen, Su Hongxiu, Liu Yuqian, Xiao Qingyun, and others, all Soul Transformation Cultivators and peak Masters of the Seven Profound Sect. Everyone stared at the thunderclouds above, full of surprise and uncertainty, discussing animatedly.
"This... what kind of celestial phenomenon is this?" Zhao Tianchen exclaimed.
"It's not a Lightning Tribulation; it looks more like an Artifact Tribulation. An Artifact Tribulation of this scale is unheard of!" Su Hongxiu affirmed.
"It must be the top-grade Dao Artifact refined by Master. Only he could possess such means!" Liu Yuqian's eyes sparkled with admiration; her reverence for Master Li Mu had long been deeply ingrained in her bones.
"It should be Master's doing. The Tribulation Transcending Platform is covered by a complex formation, making it difficult for Divine Sense to penetrate. If he hadn't personally acted, who could possess such a Divine Ability?" Xiao Qingyun nodded excitedly in agreement.
...
Master Li Mu had been in secluded cultivation for many years, never showing his face, but today, he finally caused a stir. However, this stir was too great!
The vast and boundless thunderclouds above now appeared even more magnificent and terrifying. Within the thunderclouds, lightning flashed and thunder roared, intertwining into a gigantic heavenly net, as if to swallow the entire world within it. Amidst the flashing lightning, one could occasionally see purple electric arcs weaving through the clouds, carrying destructive power that made one's heart palpitate.
The form of the thunderclouds changed unpredictably, sometimes like surging angry waves, sometimes transforming into coiling Dragons. Accompanied by deafening thunder, under the shroud of these thunderclouds, every inch of land in the Seven Profound Sect felt the pressure from Heaven and Earth, and even the air became heavy and oppressive.
The Disciples also gathered in various parts of the Sect, looking up at the terrifying thunderclouds that had gathered in the sky. Discussions rose and fell, mixed with fear and curiosity, and some younger Disciples felt even more awe.
Just then, an exceptionally dazzling purple light suddenly flashed in the thunderclouds. A thick purple Lightning Dragon fiercely struck down towards the Tribulation Transcending Platform, followed by a deafening clap of thunder that reverberated through the sky. Along with the deafening thunder, an ancient and powerful aura permeated from the thunderclouds, causing the entire Seven Profound Sect to tremble.
"This, the fluctuation of the Ninety-Nine Domain Artifact Tribulation, it's the Extreme Dao Artifact Tribulation!"
Sect Master Lin Maoshan's face was solemn as he exclaimed. The Ninety-Nine Domain Artifact Tribulation was the highest Rank Artifact Tribulation in legends; those who successfully Undergo Tribulation were one in ten thousand. He hadn't expected Master to actually refine such a top-grade Dao Artifact.
"Senior Brother Lin, what is the Ninety-Nine Domain Artifact Tribulation?" Liu Yuqian looked at Lin Maoshan with a puzzled expression. Although she was a Soul Transformation Cultivator and a peak Master, her understanding of Artifact Tribulations was only superficial.
Lin Maoshan took a deep breath and slowly explained, "An Artifact Tribulation is a test of Magic Treasures by the Heaven and Earth Law. If a Magic Treasure incorporates too much Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi during its Refining process, or possesses extraordinary power, it will attract the baptism of the Heavenly Tribulation. This Artifact Tribulation is proof of whether the Magic Treasure can withstand the test of the Heaven and Earth Law."
"And Artifact Tribulations are divided into multiple Ranks. The lowest Rank is the Acquired Spirit Treasure Artifact Tribulation; this Artifact Tribulation has the least power and only requires withstanding a few lightning strikes to Undergo Tribulation. After that, there are the Treasure Artifact Tribulation, Dao Artifact Tribulation, and Extreme Dao Artifact Tribulation, which is also the Domain Artifact Tribulation. Each Rank of Artifact Tribulation has far greater power than the previous Rank, and the test for the Undergoing Tribulation Spiritual Artifact becomes increasingly severe."
"And the Ninety-Nine Dao Domain Artifact Tribulation is the legendary Extreme Dao Artifact Tribulation. It is not only immensely powerful but also contains the will of Heaven and Earth and the Law of the Dao Domain. It is said that only those Magic Treasures that have truly integrated into the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth and possess Heaven-Defying abilities will attract the baptism of the Ninety-Nine Domain Artifact Tribulation. And the Dao Treasures that can successfully Undergo Tribulation are all capable of reaching the heavens and shaking the earth, capable of overturning the universe and reversing Yin and Yang."
As Lin Maoshan spoke, his gaze once again turned to the black banner on the Tribulation Transcending Platform, his eyes sparkling with awe and anticipation. The Dao Artifact Master was refining this time must have successfully integrated into the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth and possessed Heaven-Defying abilities, a top-grade Dao Artifact; otherwise, it would not have been possible to attract the baptism of the Ninety-Nine Domain Artifact Tribulation.
"The Ninety-Nine Domain Artifact Tribulation consists of a total of eighty-one waves of Lightning Tribulation, containing the will and Law of Heaven and Earth. To successfully Undergo Tribulation, the Magic Treasure not only needs to possess a powerful Artifact Foundation but also needs to be continuously tempered under the bombardment of lightning, perfectly forming a powerful Dao Domain, and completely passing the test of the Ninety-Nine Domain Artifact Tribulation."
As soon as Lin Maoshan's words fell, another deafening clap of thunder echoed in the sky, followed by an even thicker purple Lightning Dragon, carrying destructive power, striking down towards the Tribulation Transcending Platform.
On the Tribulation Transcending Platform, the Chaos Spirit Banner floated quietly in mid-air. On its banner surface, dense gray mist swirled. When the purple Lightning Dragon struck it, electric light splashed everywhere. However, the gray mist possessed an extremely mysterious power, absorbing the purple lightning at an extremely fast speed, and the gray mist layer remained completely unchanged.
The Heavenly Dao's will seemed to be angered by its reaction. The thunderclouds in the sky rolled even more violently. Amidst the flashing purple light, countless purple electric snakes moved within them, brewing an even more terrifying offensive.
"Crack!" With a loud bang, a purple Lightning Tribulation, thicker than before, almost covering half the sky, crashed down, carrying a destructive force, directly striking the Chaos Spirit Banner. This time, the lightning seemed to contain profound Heavenly Dao power, attempting to destroy this nascent Dao Artifact that dared to challenge its authority in one fell swoop.
Facing this world-shaking strike, the Chaos Spirit Banner did not retreat. Instead, it displayed its astonishing might. The gray mist on the banner surface instantly boiled, like a boiling ocean, devouring all approaching lightning power. As soon as the purple lightning entered the mist, it seemed to be pulled by an invisible force, rapidly transforming into wisps of Chaos Qi, swirling around the banner body, making the Chaos Spirit Banner appear even more mysterious and unpredictable.
"Crack, crack..."
The Lightning Tribulation struck down one after another. The Heavenly Dao's will could not be desecrated, unable to watch the Lightning Tribulation being swallowed. The heavenly thunder continued, carrying destruction, and the violent Lightning Tribulation tried to burst the Chaos Spirit Banner that was Undergoing Tribulation.
For a time, Heaven and Earth changed color. Around the Chaos Spirit Banner, the Chaos shield formed by gray mist developed tiny cracks under the continuous bombardment of the Lightning Tribulation, as if it could collapse at any moment.
"Not good, the Lightning Tribulation is too fierce! Master's Dao Artifact's absorption speed can't keep up with the Lightning Tribulation's attack frequency!" Lin Maoshan's expression was tense, his gaze fixed on the gray Spiritual Banner Undergoing Tribulation, discerning the danger within.
"It's too terrifying! Can this Artifact Tribulation really be overcome?!" Liu Yuqian's face was pale, her eyes filled with worry. As a Soul Transformation Cultivator, with her perception, she could confirm that she wouldn't be able to withstand even one strike of such a Lightning Tribulation.
"Why hasn't Master acted yet? If this continues, the Foundation of this top-grade Dao Artifact will be destroyed." Xiao Qingyun said with deep concern.
Just as everyone was filled with worry, the numerous artifact patterns on the Undergoing Tribulation Spiritual Banner suddenly burst forth with brilliant light. An ancient and mysterious power surged from within, and the entire Spiritual Banner rapidly underwent subtle changes. The gray mist on the banner surface gradually transformed into a deep, purple electric snake-filled mist, exuding powerful lightning intent, echoing the color of the Lightning Tribulation. At the same time, the banner body also became more flexible, as if it could change its form at will, adapting to the incoming Lightning Tribulation attacks.
"This is...? The Spiritual Banner's artifact nature has changed! It has transformed its attribute, becoming a lightning-attribute Spiritual Banner!"
Looking at the state of the Undergoing Tribulation Spiritual Banner, Zhao Tianchen couldn't help but exclaim, stunned by the scene before his eyes.
"Senior Brother Lin? Can a Dao Artifact still change its attribute? That should only be a Five Elements Dao Artifact, right? It's turned into a lightning-attribute Dao Artifact!" Su Hongxiu couldn't help but look at Lin Maoshan, asking with concern.
The few of them had always focused on cultivation and hadn't learned Artifact Refining Skill like Lin Maoshan, Qin Wentong, and Elder Qin, so they didn't know much about Artifact Refining.
"I... I don't know either!"
Lin Maoshan looked bewildered, his gaze tightly fixed on the changing Chaos Spirit Banner, his heart equally filled with shock and incomprehension. Being proficient in Artifact Refining, he had never seen such a miraculous sight of a Magic Treasure or Dao Artifact spontaneously changing its attribute during an Artifact Tribulation.
Because he understood Artifact Refining better than them, Lin Maoshan knew more than them. Facing such a phenomenon beyond his comprehension, his understanding was even deeper than theirs.
"Once an artifact's nature is set, it cannot be changed! Even Five Elements Magic Treasures only temporarily change the Dao Artifact's attribute by borrowing the power of the Five Elements' mutual generation. Its... its artifact potential and artifact nature have completely changed!"
"What kind of Dao Artifact is this!"
"What on earth did Master refine?! How can it be so strange!"
...
Lin Maoshan kept muttering distractedly, his eyes only on the Spiritual Banner Dao Artifact that was Undergoing Tribulation.
As the Spiritual Banner's attribute changed, its ability to absorb and resist the Lightning Tribulation also greatly increased. The purple Lightning Tribulations that were originally strong enough to destroy everything, upon contact with the banner body, not only failed to harm it but instead became its nourishment, tempering its body, strengthening its artifact nature, and adding a few points of majesty and mystery to it.
"Boom boom...!"
The Heavenly Dao Lightning Tribulation was enraged, and the color of the thunderclouds changed accordingly, from purple to deep red. The deep red Lightning Tribulation rolled and roared in the sky like boiling magma, carrying an aura even more terrifying than the purple Lightning Tribulation, as if to burn everything in the world.
The Disciples retreated one after another. Even the highly cultivated Liu Yuqian and Xiao Qingyun felt an indescribable fear. They looked at the scene, which was like the end of the world, and their hearts were filled with worry.
"It's too terrifying!"
"Can the Old Sect Master's Dao Artifact Undergo Tribulation!"
"Why did the Lightning Tribulation's color change, and this aura... it's several times more terrifying than before!"
"Everyone, avoid it, restrain your Divine Sense, do not look directly, lest your Dao Heart be affected by the Lightning Tribulation."
...
The high-ranking Elders and low-Rank Disciples of the Seven Profound Sect discussed in shock. They all floated up into the air, keeping a distance to avoid being caught in the aftermath.
In the sky, the deep red Lightning Tribulation, like the flames of heavenly punishment, continuously brewed and gathered. "Sizzle!" With a sound, a red lightning bolt instantly streaked across the sky, directly striking the Undergoing Tribulation Spiritual Banner.
The purple lightning banner suddenly erupted with powerful might, generating countless purple electric snakes that instantly condensed into a purple lightning shield.
With a "boom," the purple lightning shield collided with the deep red Lightning Tribulation, erupting with dazzling light. The entire Heaven and Earth seemed to be shaken by this power, trembling violently.
Under the impact of this power, the electric snakes on the purple lightning banner continuously moved, intertwining with the Lightning Tribulation, wearing each other down. The purple lightning banner, under the baptism of this power, emitted buzzing sounds, as if resonating with Heaven and Earth, drawing strength from between Heaven and Earth.
The red Lightning Tribulation continued to attack. One after another, thick fiery red lightning bolts, like angry Dragons emerging from the sea, struck fiercely at the purple Spiritual Banner with the might of burning the heavens and destroying the earth. Soon, its lightning attribute shield instantly collapsed and disintegrated under the bombardment of countless red lightning bolts, and the red Lightning Tribulation directly struck its artifact body.
However, just when everyone thought the Spiritual Banner's Undergoing Tribulation had failed and it was about to collapse, it displayed astonishing resilience. The artifact patterns on the banner body were activated again, releasing dazzling red spiritual light, which merged with the red Lightning Tribulation, becoming one.
Everyone saw a miraculous scene: the Spiritual Banner under the Lightning Tribulation changed its attribute again, becoming completely consistent with the attribute of the Heavenly Dao Artifact Tribulation - Heaven-Burning Fire Lightning, as if it itself was a part of this Heavenly Tribulation, dancing with it in an incredible way.
"This... what's going on?" Zhao Tianchen's voice was filled with disbelief, his gaze fixed on the Spiritual Banner that had turned from purple to red, trying to take in every subtle change.
Su Hongxiu also looked astonished, turning to Lin Maoshan, who was proficient in Artifact Refining, her eyes full of appeal, hoping he could give her an answer.
At this moment, everyone's gaze focused on Lin Maoshan's face.
Lin Maoshan was also full of confusion at this moment, shaking his head with a bitter smile and saying, "I have never seen such a strange Dao Artifact. Master's Artifact Refining skill is superb; for him to be able to refine such a top-grade Dao Artifact that constantly changes its artifact nature is beyond my comprehension."
"Changing with the changes of the Lightning Tribulation, completely merging with the will of the Heavenly Dao, and even guiding the Lightning Tribulation for its own use, it's simply unheard of."
Lin Maoshan muttered distractedly, his eyes filled with admiration and reverence for Master Li Mu's miraculous Artifact Refining skill.
At this moment, the Heaven-Burning Fire Lightning in the sky was still bombarding the red Spiritual Banner, but each bombardment seemed to inject more power into the Spiritual Banner, making it tougher and stronger.
Soon, the Heavenly Dao's will discovered this situation, and the color of the Lightning Tribulation clouds changed again, from red to black.
However, the black Lightning Tribulation that continuously struck down also failed to cause any damage to the Undergoing Tribulation Spiritual Banner, because, as before, the Spiritual Banner's attribute changed with the stimulation of the Lightning Tribulation.
"Amazing, this Artifact Tribulation is a sure thing!"
"As expected of the top-grade Dao Artifact refined by Master, it truly is!"
"Great! The Dao Artifact refined by the Old Sect Master will definitely Undergo this Ninety-Nine Domain Artifact Tribulation and achieve supreme renown!"
...
At the Seven Profound Sect, the high-ranking Elders and all the Sect Disciples cheered upon hearing this, their worries swept away, replaced by endless reverence and admiration for Li Mu.
In the sky, the black Lightning Tribulation struck even more fiercely, but the Undergoing Tribulation Spiritual Banner seemed to have merged with Heaven and Earth. The bombardment of countless Lightning Tribulations, the power released by them, all became nourishment for its growth. The light on its body became even more dazzling, exuding a heart-palpitating aura.
"Rumble!"
Thick black Lightning Tribulations, like heavenly pillars, fell endlessly, bombarding the Spiritual Banner.
"Crack!"
With a crisp sound, the originally complex artifact patterns on the Spiritual Banner suddenly became simple and clear. An indescribable pressure emanated from it, instantly dispersing the dense thunderclouds above. The Dao Artifact's Dao Domain successfully underwent Awakening, successfully passing the test of the Ninety-Nine Domain Artifact Tribulation. (End of this chapter)
