Six months flew by in the Azure Cloud Sect.
Xiao Chen's cultivation advanced at a terrifying pace, hidden beneath Chaos Peak's perpetual black mist.
With the Dual Avatar Severance Art as foundation and the Primordial Chaos Bead silently refining every strand of spiritual energy, he completed his Golden Core in seclusion — not an ordinary core, but a swirling chaos nebula of black and gold, nine perfect patterns etched on its surface.
Perfect Golden Core — a realm most cultivators dreamed of but never reached.
He was barely nineteen.
Yet he suppressed his aura to late Spirit Vein when leaving the peak, showing only steady, genius-level progress to the outside world.
Qing Lian, now seventeen, had reached mid Golden Core — outstanding for an outer disciple. Her pure water roots and unyielding diligence earned her promotion to core outer disciple status, with private courtyard and three high-grade spirit stones monthly.
Their relationship deepened in quiet moments.
One spring night, after a shared cultivation session in her courtyard where Xiao Chen guided her water Dao with chaos insights, they lay side by side on the grass gazing at twin moons.
"Chen-ge," she whispered, fingers tracing the black rune on his chest through his open robe. "This mark… it's grown warmer lately."
He caught her hand, kissing her fingertips gently.
"It's the bead. It's awakening more as I cultivate."
She propped herself on an elbow, hair cascading like black silk.
"Does it hurt?"
"No. It feels… like it's part of me now."
Her eyes softened. She leaned down, lips brushing the mark tenderly, then trailing up to capture his mouth in a slow, deep kiss — full of trust and growing desire.
When they parted, both breathing heavily, she rested her forehead against his.
"I want to walk this path with you forever… no matter how dark it gets."
He held her tightly.
"You will. I swear it."
But peace never lasted long on the path of defiance.
One dawn, as Xiao Chen meditated by the chaos spring, the sky above Chaos Peak suddenly darkened.
Black tribulation clouds gathered — not ordinary lightning tribulation, but chaos-tainted, swirling with destructive purple bolts and illusory demonic shadows.
His Perfect Golden Core had triggered heaven's jealousy prematurely.
Elder Chaos appeared instantly, shadowy form tense.
"Boy… your core is too perfect. Heaven cannot tolerate it in the lower realm. This is no minor tribulation — it's a punishment bolt meant to destroy chaos roots before they mature."
Xiao Chen stood, aura no longer suppressed.
Golden Core pressure exploded outward, chaos mist rising from his body.
"I'll face it."
Elder Chaos tossed him a black talisman. "This will block one fatal strike. Use it wisely. Survive, and your foundation will shake even Nascent Soul elders."
The tribulation locked on.
First wave: nine purple lightning dragons descended, each carrying destructive law.
Xiao Chen roared, Righteous Avatar embryo manifesting as golden armor around him.
He punched skyward — chaos fist intent shattering three dragons, dispersing two more.
Four struck him.
Blood sprayed, skin charred, bones cracked.
But the Primordial Chaos Bead spun wildly, devouring the destructive law, refining it into pure energy.
His wounds healed at visible speed.
Second wave: demonic illusions — visions of Qing Lian dying, village massacred, himself falling to darkness forever.
The black seed in his dantian stirred dangerously.
Xiao Chen bit his tongue, blood filling his mouth.
"Not yet…"
He shattered the illusions with willpower alone.
Third wave: a massive heavenly axe formed of pure annihilation law, chopping down to split his soul.
Elder Chaos watched silently — he could not interfere, or heaven would send worse.
Xiao Chen activated the talisman.
Black shield blocked the axe, shattering both.
But residual force still slammed him into the ground, cratering Chaos Peak.
He rose, clothes burned away, body covered in blood — yet eyes brighter than ever.
The clouds hesitated… then dispersed unwillingly.
Tribulation passed.
His Golden Core spun faster, absorbing remnant heavenly law.
Mid Golden Core in one leap.
Elder Chaos approached, rare praise in his voice.
"You didn't let the Dark seed awaken. Good control. But heaven has marked you now. Stronger tribulations will come sooner."
Xiao Chen wiped blood from his mouth, smiling faintly.
"Then I'll be ready."
News of the abnormal tribulation spread quickly.
Sect Master Yun summoned the elders.
"A punishment tribulation in Golden Core stage… the boy's root threatens heavenly order already."
Mu Qingwan frowned. "He survived a Perfect Core tribulation. His future is boundless."
Leng Feng grunted. "Or he'll bring calamity to the sect."
Yun Tianhe gazed toward Chaos Peak.
"Watch, but do not suppress. Azure Cloud Sect rises or falls with geniuses like him."
On Outer Peak, Qing Lian sensed the distant thunder and rushed to Chaos Peak's border.
She found Xiao Chen at the foot, wounds healed but clothes tattered.
Tears filled her eyes as she ran into his arms.
"You… you faced tribulation?"
He held her gently. "It's over. I'm stronger now."
She pulled back, angry and relieved. "Don't hide these things from me! I want to face everything with you."
He cupped her face, kissing her fiercely — tasting of blood and lightning, yet full of life.
"I promise. From now on, no secrets."
In the distant Nine Heavenly Domains, the ancient clan's divination hall stirred again.
The purple-robed elder stared at a cracked mirror showing faint chaos lightning.
"The bearer has formed his core… and survived initial punishment."
An ancient voice echoed from the clan's forbidden ground.
"Prepare the hunters. If he ascends to our domain… seize the bead, or erase him."
Hidden enemies began to move.
But on Chaos Peak, Xiao Chen and Qing Lian walked hand in hand toward recovery.
The first true tribulation had passed.
Many more waited ahead.