The immense power rippled outward, shaking everything in its path. In just a moment, it nearly tore apart the entire surroundings.
Countless beasts scrambled to flee, and the cultivators retreated again and again, their expressions heavy with dread, shadowed by a deep unease.
If Song Wanníng failed to survive the tribulation, many cultivators' hearts would be shaken, fear creeping into their thoughts about their own future ascensions.
Puff.
Song Wanníng was slammed deep underground by the overwhelming force, trapped in a pit over ten meters wide. Lightning crackled relentlessly, completely engulfing her.
Yet before one wave passed, another came—another thunder soldier appeared in the sky.
"No good!"
Mu Yuan nearly lost her footing, tears welling in her eyes. Her gaze reddened with panic as she gripped Song Qingyun's hand. "What do we do? Why are there still thunder soldiers? Why?"
"What did our daughter do to deserve this? Why is she being driven to death?"
It felt like they were forcing their daughter into a dead end.
Song Qingyun clenched his lips tightly, his tension no less than Mu Yuan's.
His brow furrowed deeply, fists clenched so hard his knuckles whitened.
If not for the Song family, their daughter would never have been pushed to this extreme.
Li Ruo was trembling in fear, hands shaking.
Though she knew nothing, seeing the thunder soldiers made her understand: this was an attempt to kill their master.
"Grandfather, Grandmother, we cannot let the Heavenly Dao succeed. Even if it costs us our lives, we must protect Master!"
Her youthful face hardened with determination. Even death would not stop her from guarding her master.
"Yes, we cannot let anything happen to Wanníng."
Mu Yuan's eyes cleared from tears, sharpening with resolve.
The three stepped forward, ready to defend.
Meanwhile, Song Wanníng, buried deep, was in poor shape. Though she kept swallowing pills, their effects had yet to kick in when another massive impact struck, leaving her body shattered. Her hair was nearly singed, smelling faintly burnt. Countless wounds marked her body, pain numbing her senses.
Yet despite all this, Song Wanníng's mind remained clear.
She forced herself to rise slowly.
Above, two thunder soldiers swung their hammers again.
Song Wanníng faced them calmly, raising her longsword toward the horizon.
"You want my life? Not this time."
Boom.
Two divine thunderbolts crashed down from the thunder soldiers' hammers, filled with a murderous aura that sought to obliterate all without mercy.
Sword light met thunder.
Song Wanníng was blasted back, crashing to the ground coughing blood, barely able to hold her sword before it slipped from her grasp.
Cough, cough, cough.
Blood flowed freely, soaking her clothes. Her head spun as the lightning energy drilled into her body, spreading inside.
She curled up in pain, letting out low moans.
Everyone watching held their breath. The tribulation had not ended, which meant she was still alive.
But the delay in the next strike signaled severe injury.
Many silently wiped tears from their eyes.
The Heavenly Dao's relentless pressure only fueled their resolve. They all hoped Song Wanníng would break through and succeed.
"Song Zūnzhǔ, you can do it!"
"Yes, Song Daoyou, hold on! Only two divine thunderbolts left!"
"Stay strong!"
More voices joined the chant.
Regardless of their usual differences, all stood united now.
Song Qingyun and the others' eyes instantly reddened hearing the cheers.
"Wanníng, your parents believe in you. You can hold on!"
"Wanníng, keep fighting!"
If she could just endure, just make it through.
Mu Yuan's tears fell once more, her heart breaking as she watched her daughter suffer.
Faintly, Song Wanníng seemed to hear them.
She struggled to lift her head, forcing open heavy eyelids.
Only two divine thunderbolts remained.
She could hold on.
Her gaze sharpened with grim determination. Blood still trickled from her lips as she pushed herself up.
Electricity coursed through her body, making her limbs numb. She staggered to her knees. Spitting blood, she used her sword to steady herself, inching upward. Once again, the sword tip pointed at the thunder soldiers.
"Come on! If you have the guts, try to wipe me out!"
Song Wanníng roared, her voice piercing the clouds.
The thunder soldiers sensed the challenge and grew furious. Both raised their thunder hammers, bringing them down with brutal force. The wave of hostility and rage was fiercer than before, tightening the tension for everyone watching.
Boom.
Boom.
Two divine thunderbolts struck in rapid succession.
Song Wanníng poured every last bit of strength into the attack—chaotic energy tuned through the Taiji diagram, the dragon vein, and her inner world.
But it was still like a drop in the ocean.
She was struck down deep into the earth, unable to rise.
Even moving a finger was agony.
Lightning continued to batter her, her body twitching uncontrollably.
Xiao Jin and the three little spirits remained by her side, fighting alongside her.
But against the thunder tribulation, even these spirits were no match.
Since awakening, Xiao Jin had never seen Song Wanníng so battered and fragile.
It was desperate and heartbreaking.
His master, always so confident and in control, now faced such a fierce tribulation.
"Sister, sister, you must hold on…"
They could feel their master's life force slipping away. The feeling filled them with panic.
Song Wanníng heard their cries and wanted to comfort them, but could not lift an arm. She forced her eyes open. Even as her bones fractured, her sword was clenched tight.
Only one divine thunderbolt remained.
She refused to give up.
She would not die here.
Her expression turned icy cold as endless demonic and spiritual energy surged, enveloping her completely.
Finally, after gathering its full force, the last divine thunderbolt fell.
The two thunder soldiers looked cold, full of murderous intent.
The killing thunderbolt locked onto Song Wanníng.
This time, she could not raise her sword to fight back. She could only endure the thunderbolt's swift strike.
Still, she refused to surrender, struggling to lift her hand to strike back.
Boom.
The thunderbolt engulfed her completely.
At that moment, death's shadow loomed close once more.
Should she accept fate?
No.
Song Wanníng would never surrender.
A fierce battle intent flared in her eyes. Suddenly, her inner world erupted with a thunderous roar.
At the same time, the Three Lives Mirror she had been nurturing flared to life.
A beam of light shot out, meeting the divine thunderbolt head-on.
In a daze, Song Wanníng heard a voice.
"Bring back the seed of thunder—"