BOOM!
As if sensing Su Mo’s provocation, the nine bolts of tribulation lightning unleashed a destructive power, twisting together like a rope.
Such terrifying might was enough to shatter the heavens and sunder the earth.
"Look, the sky is cracking!"
"How can this Celestial Tribulation be so horrifying?"
Everyone’s faces were etched with terror, their hearts trembling in fear.
This Celestial Tribulation was unlike any recorded in the ancient texts. Not only had a tenth bolt appeared, but it had also cracked the very sky. Who could possibly withstand such a thing?
Han Sect clenched his fists, then burst into maniacal laughter. "Hahaha, he’s dead! This time, he’s really dead for sure!"
This was no longer a normal Celestial Tribulation.
This was the heavens’ fury toward Su Mo, a force potent enough to claim his life.
’Once Su Mo is dead, I’ll be invincible.’
’A free kill, and I even get the Exotic Treasure I’ve always dreamed of.’
Han Sect grinned. ’I must have done so many good deeds in my past life to have such incredible luck in this one.’
"Hmph!"
Just as Han Sect was cackling, Su Mo let out a soft, cold snort and, just as expected, raised a hand to strike at the sky.
True Dragon Venerable Fist!
BOOM!
A golden fist shot toward the heavens, slamming violently into the Celestial Tribulation and instantly shattering it.
The black clouds vanished without a trace.
Sunlight spilled down.
Everyone felt a warm and pleasant sensation wash over them.
"Is it finally over?"
Fan Jian asked, trembling. His face was still deathly pale from fright, and his heart couldn’t find its calm.
That tenth bolt of tribulation lightning was simply not a power of the mortal realm.
It was too terrifying.
The others all wore expressions of grim astonishment.
Today, their eyes had truly been opened. They had witnessed a tenth bolt of tribulation lightning, something never before seen even in ancient records.
"Elder Su should be alright, right?"
Fan Jian asked worriedly.
"Alright?"
Han Sect sneered, "You can’t possibly think Su Mo could survive a Celestial Tribulation of that magnitude, can you? Have you lost your mind?"
Fan Jian glared coldly at Han Sect, wishing he could march over and slap the bastard to death.
But even he had to admit the terrifying power of the tenth tribulation bolt.
Against a power that was not of the mortal world, it would be nearly impossible for Su Mo to survive.
Although Su Mo had shattered the tribulation in the end, he had likely been annihilated along with it.
"Alas..."
The Valley Master of Medicine King Valley said with regret, "To think a prodigy like Elder Su would perish under a Celestial Tribulation. Truly a case of Heaven’s envy for a genius."
The faces of Master Mo and Master Jia were also etched with regret.
They had hoped to serve as Su Mo’s Medicine Boys for a few years to properly study the art of Alchemy. But alas, that opportunity was now gone.
Su Mo had vanished into dust and smoke, just like that.
Han Sect stated indifferently, "He brought his death upon himself. There’s nothing to regret."
’Arrogance comes at a price.’
Originally, Su Mo could have passed the Celestial Tribulation with ease. But who could have known he would court death, provoking the heavens time and time again? The heavens finally lost their patience, sending down a power not of this world to claim him.
As they say, if you don’t court death, you won’t die.
"Well then, how would you all like to die?"
Han Sect said, smug and triumphant, his face an arrogant mask of someone certain of victory.
However, just as the words left his mouth, a familiar, grumbling voice drifted from the distance. "That damned heaven is a real piece of work. It shredded my clothes. How am I supposed to explain this to my wife when I get back?"
"Who?"
"Who’s speaking?"
Han Sect asked, his face paling with fright.
He turned to look and saw Su Mo walking toward them, an angry expression on his face, still muttering complaints about the heavens.
Instantly, Han Sect was dumbfounded.
’He’s actually still alive, even after a Celestial Tribulation that terrifying?’
’Am I seeing a ghost?’
The Valley Master of Medicine King Valley and Daoist Xuanqing were also stunned, staring at the approaching Su Mo with utter disbelief, as if they had seen a ghost.
"Do you think Elder Su is a man or a ghost?"
"Is there even a need to ask? In his current state, Elder Su must be a ghost."
"I’ve got it! The Celestial Tribulation destroyed Elder Su’s physical body, but it couldn’t destroy his soul. So he’s in a spectral state right now!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
They had witnessed Su Mo’s Soul Power when he was performing Alchemy. It was so strong that not even a Celestial Tribulation from the heavens could destroy it.
Hearing this, Su Mo couldn’t help but frown.
’What are they talking about?’
’I’m a living, breathing person right here. Can’t they tell if I’m dead or alive?’
Fan Jian said respectfully, "Elder, please state any last wishes you may have. I, Fan Jian, will go through hell and high water to ensure they are fulfilled."
Even if Su Mo’s body and soul had perished, Fan Jian still respected him deeply. He wanted to ask for Su Mo’s last wishes while his soul still lingered so he could help fulfill them.
Otherwise, it would be too late.
Because once a Martial Artist loses their physical vessel, it is difficult for their soul to remain in the mortal world for long. Before long, it would simply vanish into thin air.
"I’m a damn human! What freaking last wishes?"
Su Mo retorted loudly.
"What? You’re human?"
Fan Jian said in disbelief, "Elder, are you certain you’re human and not a ghost?"
Su Mo was speechless. "Why don’t you come touch me and find out?"
"Alright!"
Fan Jian mustered his courage, walked up to Su Mo, and said respectfully, "My apologies, Elder Su. Please don’t blame me for this."
With that, Fan Jian reached out and touched him.
"Huh? I can actually touch you,"
Fan Jian said in surprise.
He felt Su Mo’s arm. The sensation was incredibly real. It was living flesh and blood, and it was warm.
"Master, Elder Su is human! He’s not a ghost!"
Fan Jian shouted with delight.
Daoist Xuanqing said in astonishment, "Really? Let me feel, too."
"Let us feel, too!"
Several of them came before Su Mo, placed their hands on his shoulders, and confirmed that they could indeed feel his physical body. They could even feel him breathing.
"Congratulations, Elder, on successfully passing your tribulation!"
Everyone knelt in unison to congratulate him.
Su Mo waved his hand, signaling for them not to mention it.
He was currently at a loss for words.
’The books all say the Celestial Tribulation is world-shattering, so why was it so weak when it came for me? It couldn’t even test my true strength.’
What annoyed him even more was that the tribulation had ruined his clothes.
They were tattered and torn.
He had to remember that this set of clothes had been personally sewn for him by Xiao Qingxue. Who would have thought it would end up in this state?
While everyone was rejoicing for Su Mo, Han Sect sneered, "Could you all just stop with the act?"
An act?
What act?
Su Mo looked at Han Sect, his face full of confusion.
Han Sect said with disdain, "You’ve gone to all this trouble to put on a show for me, all just to scare me off so I’ll spare your lives. Too bad for you, I’ve seen right through it. Your acting is just too fake."
Fake?
Su Mo smiled faintly and reached for Han Sect’s neck.
Han Sect didn’t even try to dodge.
’Fake is fake.’
’There’s no need for me to dodge at all.’
However, in the next second, he was utterly dumbfounded.
BAM!
A large hand clamped down on Han Sect’s neck. No matter how much he struggled, he couldn’t break free.
Han Sect’s mind went blank.
’Wasn’t it supposed to be certain death?’
’Why is Su Mo still alive?!’
Su Mo asked with a smile, "Tell me, do you still think I’m fake now?"