Yun Xi answered Xiao Xian, then raised her head toward the heavens. Her fingers tightened around the Seven Stars Soul-Shattering Staff, and in the next instant her figure blurred as she shot straight into the Divine Transformation tribulation lightning.
Her speed was so fast that Hao Hui, standing closest, didn't even have time to react. His hand merely brushed the corner of Yun Xi's robe. Sect Master Yu Geng nearly leapt to his feet in panic.
"This girl doesn't want her life! That's a Divine Transformation tribulation!"
A flicker of worry crossed Hao Hui's handsome face, but he still lifted his hand, signaling the others to remain calm.
"Yun Xi has already reached the peak of early Nascent Soul. Yu Ling's tribulation is halfway through. As long as she goes all out on defense, she should be able to keep her life. I am here. I will not let them come to harm."
The words of Hao Hui Zūnzhě finally steadied the crowd.
Only Zuo Qiu's eyelids twitched violently. He lowered his gaze to hide the killing intent burning in his eyes, then looked back up at Wei Yunxi—who was already at the very center of the storm, struck by the Divine Transformation tribulation. His expression flickered darkly.
Within the tribulation clouds, Yun Xi tasted the ferocity of Divine Transformation lightning for herself. Because of her intrusion, the tribulation seemed enraged, the rolling thunderclouds churning fiercer than before. A deafening boom cracked the sky, and a bolt as thick as a water bucket split into two, one crashing onto Yu Ling, the other straight toward Yun Xi.
At once, Yun Xi raised the Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella above her head. As the lightning struck, she flung her sleeve and sent the Boundary-Breaking Cone spinning toward her master, determined to shatter the bindings around him.
When she had rushed into the tribulation moments earlier, her divine sense had already swept across Yu Ling's condition. He had clearly consumed some heavenly treasure or pill to temporarily hold out against the lightning. But once its power ran dry, he would still be unable to draw spiritual energy from the surroundings. That moment would be his greatest danger. She had no choice but to act quickly.
Xiao Xian was also fully prepared. Once the Boundary-Breaking Cone tore open Yu Ling's restraints, Yun Xi would send it straight to his side.
The Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella blocked the first strike, though the black dragon emblazoned upon its surface dimmed considerably. Hei Yao's voice rang out in her mind.
"Master, I can only block one more strike for you. This is Divine Transformation lightning. Your cultivation is limited. If I draw too much of your qi, you'll be killed by the tribulation."
Yun Xi bit down hard. "Good. Hei Yao, do not overextend. You are the first treasure I obtained from the sect. I cannot bear for you to suffer damage."
"Yes, Master."
She swallowed another pill, pouring qi into the umbrella. The black dragon roared, tearing free from the canopy, and hurled itself against the second bolt of lightning descending upon her.
Purple thunder clashed with black dragon, both forces annihilating each other. The dragon's form disintegrated midair. Yun Xi's eyes reddened. With a wave, she drew the umbrella back into her storage.
She had resolved the first two bolts, but the third descended even faster. Yun Xi could only grip the Seven Stars Soul-Shattering Staff and charge headlong.
This time she vaulted above Yu Ling, intending to intercept his strike as well. With the Boundary-Breaking Cone already dispelling his bindings, she had to make sure Xiao Xian could reach him in time.
"Yun Xi!"
Hao Hui Zūnzhě's expression shifted sharply. This girl truly did not care for her life.
Two bolts fell from the heavens simultaneously. Yun Xi met them head-on. Her staff absorbed the first, draining much of its force, but the remainder still tore through her body. Blood sprayed from her lips, and arcs of violent thunder rampaged through her meridians.
Her figure plummeted, but in the corner of her vision she saw the Boundary-Breaking Cone complete its work. She twisted midair, borrowing the wind's power to leap upward again and ram headfirst into the bolt meant for Yu Ling.
The crack of her bones breaking echoed in her ears. Another mouthful of blood spilled forth. Numbness spread through her skull, her consciousness wavering. The Seven Stars Soul-Shattering Staff flew from her grasp, hovering protectively before her on its own.
She fell even faster this time. Yet her mind clung desperately to a single thread. Retrieving the Boundary-Breaking Cone, she flicked the Xianling Grass straight into Yu Ling's arms.
At the sight of the grass taking root against her master's chest, channeling pure energy into him, Yun Xi finally allowed herself to feel relief. Darkness swallowed her sight, while the thunder raging inside her body ripped apart her meridians.
Her lightning spirit root faintly glimmered with violet light, struggling to absorb the torrent. But it was far too little. The staff crashed beside her. Summoning the last of her strength, Yun Xi clutched its shaft and forced herself upright, staggering toward the edge of the tribulation.
To those outside, however, her steps were no faster than an ant's crawl. Three more bolts slammed into her in succession. Her robes burned away. As consciousness slipped completely, she still had not escaped the tribulation field.
Hao Hui Zūnzhě prepared to intervene, but Zuo Qiu suddenly spoke.
"Ancestor, you mustn't. If you enter the lightning field, Yu Ling's tribulation will double in strength. Forget his disciple—he himself would be doomed."
As Hao Hui was momentarily checked, Fei Xia burst free from her spirit beast pouch. Transforming into its true body, the Flying Mist Butterfly beat its wings, seizing Yun Xi's unconscious form and dragging her toward safety.
Another bolt struck, shearing off one of its wings instantly. Off balance, Fei Xia still clung tightly to Yun Xi, straining its remaining wing to pull her farther out.
Then came another strike, this one aimed directly at Fei Xia's other wing and Yun Xi's head.
A faint crimson blossom mark surfaced on Yun Xi's brow, ready to defend her. But at that instant, a frosty blue sword cut through the air, blocking the lightning. A gentle force pushed Yun Xi out of the tribulation.
"Junior Brother, take care of Yun Xi."
Yu Ling had awakened at the last moment. Feeling the pure energy coursing into him, he pressed a hand to his chest, eyes coldly sweeping across Zuo Qiu. The next breath, his natal sword was in his grip, and he soared into the sky to face the tribulation head-on.
Yu Geng Zhēnjūn caught Yun Xi as another bolt trailed after her, only for Hao Hui Zūnzhě to disperse it with a flick of his sleeve.
Yun Xi was unconscious, her body charred black, arcs of lightning still dancing across her frame. Fei Xia collapsed beside her, utterly drained.
A sweep of Hao Hui's divine sense revealed the truth. Her meridians were shredded, even her dantian torn open, her Yuányīng sunken into slumber. Even her spirit root bore cracks. This was damage to her very foundation.
"Yu Geng, take her to the Qingye Pool. We will speak again after Yu Ling has crossed his tribulation."
"Yes."
Sect Master Yu Geng did not understand how Yun Xi had broken the binding, but now Yu Ling stood, battling the tribulation on his own. With the danger halved, Yu Geng finally felt some measure of relief. Still, he carried Yun Xi away with heavy worry.
Zuo Qiu nearly lost control of the killing intent boiling inside him. He had been so close. Just a step more and Yu Ling would have perished beneath the lightning. Yet Yun Xi had shattered his scheme with her life. Once Yu Ling succeeded, there would never again be a chance.
His eyes darkened. Silently, without a word, Zuo Qiu slipped away from the crowd.