Everyone from the Three Palaces and Six Halls was certain Duan Ling Tian would die when the 80th lightning bolt from the Celestial Ascension Tribulation struck him. After all, he was severely injured. Moreover, he might not even be able to overcome it even if he was at his full strength due to how powerful the 80th lightning bolt was. Who knew that at a time when everyone had expected him to die, a miracle would occur? He had cast all his techniques to deal with the lightning bolt when a golden flaming bird suddenly appeared and shrouded him, helping him to overcome the 80th lightning bolt. He did not sustain any injuries at all!
Yun Fu Ye's expression turned ghastly. He did not expect Duan Ling Tian would be able to turn the situation around. 'Based on the technique Duan Ling Tian had used to overcome the 80th Tribulation Lightning, he should be able to overcome the 81st lightning bolt with ease!'
The 81st lightning bolt was the last Tribulation Lightning from the Celestial Ascension Tribulation. If Duan Ling Tian managed to overcome the last lightning strike, it would mean he had successfully passed the tribulation and would become an Eminent Celestial!
Yun Fu Ye became worried when he recalled the battle between his master and Duan Ling Tian earlier. 'If Duan Ling Tian becomes an Eminent Celestial, I'm afraid master might not be able to defeat him!'
Initially, his master and Duan Ling Tian were evenly matched. However, Duan Ling Tian's strength surpassed his master's strength once he transformed into a Nine-Clawed Dragon Warrior. If his master did not possess the inherited technique to pass the Celestial Ascension Tribulation, his master might be defeated or even killed by Duan Ling Tian!
'What to do now… What to do?' Yun Fu Ye felt extremely anxious.
If Duan Ling Tian successfully passed the Celestial Ascension Tribulation, it would be a serious matter. Therefore, Yun Fu Ye was not the only one who was in a panic.
Shi Nan Feng was panicking as well. "Damn it! Why is Duan Ling Tian's technique so strong? Does this mean he'll be able to easily overcome the 81st lightning bolt and become an Eminent Celestial? If that happens, I'm afraid even Yuwen Hao Chen is not a match for him!" If Duan Ling Tian became an Eminent Celestial, it was not only him, but the Great Spirit Palace would be in trouble as well.
...
Yuwen Hao Chen still had not recovered from his shock. "Duan Ling Tian… How's this possible?" He did not think Duan Ling Tian would be able to overcome the 80th lightning strike since he was injured. Moreover, it seemed like the 80th lightning bolt did not injure Duan Ling Tian at all!
"What's happening?" Yuwen Hao Chen quickly sent a Voice Transmission to his eldest direct disciple, Vice Palace Master Yun Fu Ye, from the Wandering Saint Palace.
Yun Fu Ye quickly recounted what had happened to his master with a solemn expression on his face.
"Duan Ling Tian cast a technique we've not seen before? A golden flaming bird appeared and helped him easily overcome the 80th lightning bolt?" Yuwen Hao Chen's expression darkened when he learned about this.
"Master, based on his state now, it seems like casting that technique doesn't take a toll on him or cause any adverse reaction. I suspect he has been concealing his true strength since the beginning! Even during your battle with him, I suspect that he's been holding back," Yun Fu Ye said through Voice Transmission.
"Concealing his true strength?" Yuwen Hao Chen frowned. "If he had used this technique earlier to deal with me, I would definitely die. Why did he spare my life? Is it possible there's a limitation to that technique and he decided to use it to pass the tribulation?" These were all his assumptions. He had no way of confirming them. Who knew if Duan Ling Tian really concealed his strength and spared his life just to tease him?
Yuwen Hao Chen glared at Duan Ling Tian and bellowed, "Duan Ling Tian! You're really good at concealing your strength. I didn't expect you to be able to pass the Celestial Ascension Tribulation. Who knew you have such a technique up your sleeve!"
Duan Ling Tian was rendered speechless when he heard Yuwen Hao Chen's words. What was he good at concealing exactly? In fact, he, too, was baffled by the Sun Force's sudden return. Moreover, the Three-legged Golden Crow formed by the Sun Force was not a technique he had cast. He was not even certain if he would be able to overcome the 81st lightning bolt. Naturally, he did not bother to explain this to Yuwen Hao Chen. As everyone watched him, he only closed his eyes and rested like a king.
As a result, Yuwen Hao Chen almost threw up blood from being provoked. 'No! We can't let Duan Ling Tian pass the Celestial Ascension Tribulation and become an Eminent Celestial without doing anything… If he becomes an Eminent Celestial, I won't be able to defeat him even if I've become an Eminent Celestial!' He was very clear about Duan Ling Tian's ability. 'There's only one thing to be done now. I'll have to notify the Patriarch of our Human-Devil clan for help! If Lord Patriarch is with me, I don't think Duan Ling Tian will be able to put up a fight even if he becomes an Eminent Celestial!' He quickly took out a bead that shone with purple light. Upon closer inspection, one could see flashes of lightning in the bead. It looked extremely captivating. He flicked his finger and shot the bead up into the sky.
Swoosh!
The bead shot into the sky, past the Tribulation Clouds, before it flared brightly in the sky. Its light was almost as bright as the lightning bolt from before!
"T-that's a Violet Ray Bead ?" It did not take long for Shi Nan Feng to identify the bead that Yuwen Hao Chen had flicked into the sky.
That bead was known as Violet Ray Bead and was given to them by the Patriarch of the Human-Devil clan. One would be able to use the bead to call upon the Patriarch for assistance if there was an emergency.
Shi Nan Feng sighed in relief when he saw Yuwen Hao Chen using the Violet Ray Bead to summon the Patriarch of the Human-Devil clan. 'How could I have forgotten about Lord Patriarch? If Lord Patriarch attacks, even if Duan Ling Tian becomes an Eminent Celestial, he'll still die!' He was very confident about the strength of the Patriarch of the Human-Devil clan.
...
"Violet Ray Bead!" Many people exclaimed in unison. All of them recognized the bead and its use.
"Palace Master Yuwen actually used the bead to call upon Lord Patriarch! This shows he's pressured by Duan Ling Tian."
"Isn't it obvious? Based on the strength Duan Ling Tian has displayed, Yuwen Hao Chen won't be able to suppress him once he becomes an Eminent Celestial!"
"You're right. Moreover, it doesn't seem like it would be a problem for Duan Ling Tian to overcome the last Tribulation Lightning!"
"That's why, for the time being, Lord Patriarch is the only one who can suppress Duan Ling Tian if he becomes an Eminent Celestial!"
Based on their conversation, it could be seen that the Human-Devils had a lot of confidence in their patriarch. After all, he had become an Eminent Celestial for quite some time now. He was like a patron to the Human-Devils. He was strong and invincible in their eyes. It did not even cross their minds that their patriarch might not be a match for Duan Ling Tian once he became an Eminent Celestial. They were certain their patriarch would be able to easily suppress and kill Duan Ling Tian.
"That's..." An astute onlooker suddenly cried out as he looked at the Tribulation Clouds.
A figure descended from the sky at this moment. The figure belonged to a green-clad middle-aged man with a strong built. His appearance was ordinary with large eyes and thick eyebrows. He carried a calm and indifferent expression on his face.
Yuwen Hao Chen and Shi Nan Feng cried out respectfully when they saw the middle-aged man, "Lord Patriarch!" They bowed respectfully at the green-clad middle-aged man as soon as he appeared. Their eyes glittered with astonishment. They did not expect their patriarch would arrive so quickly!