Chapter Two: If Only We Could Start Over

The Annihilation Thunder Tribulation shattered several of Yang Xiao’s defensive treasures in quick succession, even destroying the last protective robe he wore. Such devastating divine thunder was truly rare.

“You old heavens, do you truly wish to destroy me? I will never yield!” Yang Xiao let out a thunderous roar, then channeled his power, his whole body radiating golden light. His muscles surged, ripping apart his outer garments.

This was the ultimate manifestation of Yang Xiao’s cultivated divine physical art, the “Ninefold Golden Body.” He had discovered this secret technique years ago in the tomb of an elder. It was thanks to this manual and his indomitable will that Yang Xiao had reached the realm of the Ninth Golden Core.

Now, as Yang Xiao unleashed the Ninefold Golden Body, his physical strength was no less than those destroyed treasures. He even managed to withstand the frenzied Annihilation Divine Thunder.

Of course, the thunder had already been weakened after passing through several treasures, so Yang Xiao could resist it with the strength of his flesh.

Seeing his body grow ever more resilient while the divine thunder gradually waned, Yang Xiao felt hope rekindle.

According to ancient records, Golden Core cultivators usually faced three waves of tribulation thunder; once they survived all three, the dangers would be over, and they would enjoy the tremendous benefits of ascended cultivation.

The weakening thunder brought joy to Yang Xiao’s heart. He believed the tribulation would pass smoothly, and soon he would enter the realm of Divine Transformation, ascend from this world, and journey to the Spirit Realm. There, he would gain immense longevity and draw closer to the ultimate Dao.

But before Yang Xiao could relax, the heavens thundered anew, and another wave of Annihilation Thunder descended.

“How is this possible? There’s yet another wave?” Though Yang Xiao forced himself to remain calm, he was deeply shocked.

He did not know that it was precisely because his body was so powerful and his cultivation art so unique that he had drawn a further wave of thunder tribulation. Normally, cultivators faced a single, overwhelming blast of annihilation thunder, and its power was nowhere near as great as what Yang Xiao endured. But his formidable physique triggered changes in the tribulation, making it far stronger and splitting it into two waves.

Now, Yang Xiao could only grit his teeth and endure. He pushed the Ninefold Golden Body to its utmost, his muscles bulged, his stature soared, and golden light blazed from every pore as he forcibly resisted the thunder’s onslaught.

Divine thunder transformed into ravenous, clawing beasts that assaulted from above, striking Yang Xiao and making his body tremble violently. Even his immensely powerful flesh began to show pits and craters from the attacks.

Yang Xiao was clearly struggling, but there was no retreat. He hastened his incantations, mending his wounded body again and again.

Yet the might of the Annihilation Divine Thunder was simply overwhelming. As the thunder grew ever more dense and numerous, the savage beasts ripped and tore at Yang Xiao’s flesh, leaving him increasingly battered and incomplete. This was far beyond what his cultivation could restore.

Despite his fierce resistance, Yang Xiao’s body was gradually destroyed, reduced almost to a mere skeleton. His face grew twisted, broken, yet a furious roar still erupted from his mouth.

The thunder showed no signs of abating, pouring down endlessly. In such circumstances, Yang Xiao’s survival seemed impossible; death appeared certain.

Yet his indomitable will still kept him upright. He thought, “If only I had enough time to complete the final transformation of the Ninefold Golden Body, perhaps I could survive this tribulation. But then again, even mastering the first eight stages took nearly six thousand years. The ninth stage must be even harder; perhaps no one in this world has ever succeeded. I wonder if the creator of this technique ever achieved it.”

“No matter how the Ninefold Golden Body proceeds, I have never conceded defeat in my life. I must persevere, no matter what.” With this in mind, though Yang Xiao was now little more than skin and bones, his vitality nearly extinguished, his stubborn spirit and resolve compelled him to continue his incantations, fiercely resisting the thunder.

At that moment, as Yang Xiao hovered between consciousness and unconsciousness, a powerful point of light suddenly appeared beside him. The light grew, forming a curtain taller than a man, slowly approaching and enveloping him.

As the mysterious light was about to engulf Yang Xiao completely, another change occurred: from within the thunder, a humanoid bolt of lightning flashed, darted to Yang Xiao’s side, and swiftly entered his body.

Then, Yang Xiao’s form was swallowed entirely by the unknown luminous shroud.

When Yang Xiao awoke again, he found himself lying in a small, dimly lit room.

Someone pushed open the door, and the room brightened a little. The newcomer, seeing Yang Xiao awake, spoke with concern, “Junior Brother Yang, you’re awake? Thank goodness! Your high fever these past two days really frightened me.”

Yang Xiao recognized the young man—he called out, “Senior Brother He”—but was soon astonished, for this Senior Brother He seemed only eighteen or nineteen, dressed in the azure robes of the Giant Spirit Sect. It was simply unbelievable.

Looking himself over, Yang Xiao realized he too appeared only sixteen or seventeen. This was unmistakably the scene from over six thousand years ago.

“How can this be? Have I returned to six thousand years in the past?” Yang Xiao could hardly believe it. For by now, Senior Brother He Ming should have been dead for many years. And the setting was exactly as it had been when Yang Xiao was with the Giant Spirit Sect, a minor sect all those ages ago.

“Junior Brother, are you all right?” Seeing Yang Xiao’s dazed expression, He Ming assumed he had not fully recovered.

“Oh, Senior Brother He, I’m fine now.” Though Yang Xiao answered, in his heart he was nearly certain: he had truly returned to the era more than six millennia ago.

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