"WHAT???"
That was the reaction of everyone watching Ash undergo the Lightning Tribulation, because the moment the Tribulation Lightning changed from golden to red, every Demi God rank being and above immediately understood what that terrifying change truly meant.
Red Lightning was not something that appeared during the formation of an Immortal Seal or rather during stepping into Demi God rank.
It was the kind of Heavenly Tribulation people faced only when attempting to step into the God Rank, a realm completely above Immortal Seals and far beyond the current stage Ash was supposed to be in.
Which made the current situation utterly unbelievable.
Why would a tribulation meant for becoming a God descend upon someone who was merely forming an Immortal Seal?
The very logic behind it made no sense.
This was not simply rare anymore. It was something that had never been witnessed before in the countless years of recorded history. Not a single person present had ever heard of such a phenomenon existing.
Even the atmosphere itself became suffocating after the appearance of the Red Lightning. The pressure radiating from the crimson bolts was so overwhelming that many people instinctively felt fear rising within them.
But the ones who were the most shocked out of everyone present were none other than the Transcendents.
Because unlike ordinary cultivators, they clearly understood just how impossible this situation truly was.
They had lived for countless years, seen endless geniuses rise and fall, witnessed terrifying Heavenly Tribulations, and possessed knowledge far beyond ordinary beings.
Yet even they had never heard of a Golden Lightning Tribulation evolving into Red Lightning during the formation of an Immortal Seal.
How is this possible...?
Perseus was genuinely struggling to believe what he was witnessing with his own eyes. Everything happening before him completely shattered his understanding of Heavenly Tribulations.
But no matter how unbelievable it felt, he could not deny reality because he was personally witnessing it happen.
The crimson lightning swimming within the dark clouds radiated a pressure that made even him feel apprehensive.
No wait, if he tries to withstand it, he will be annihilated. But if I intervene, it might escalate things even further.....what should I do???
Perseus was now genuinely concerned for Ash.
At this point, it no longer mattered who Ash truly was. As long as he was a Transcendent, then he was part of the Transcendent Circle, and losing such a terrifying genius before he could fully grow would become an enormous loss for them.
After all, someone capable of forcing a Golden Lightning Tribulation to evolve into Red Lightning possessed talent monstrous enough to shake common sense itself.
And so, Perseus did the only thing he could think of in that moment.
He sought advice from his mentor.
[Master.]
..
..
..
Transcendent Eternal Supreme : [Is this related to the child undergoing the tribulation, Perseus?]
Perseus became silent for a moment when his Master instantly responded to his call. Although he was slightly surprised that his Master had already noticed the situation without needing any explanation, he paid little attention to it at that moment because his focus was entirely on the terrifying tribulation unfolding before him.
Perseus : [Yes. That person is a genius. If he dies, it would become a huge loss for the Transcendent Circle.]
Transcendent Eternal Supreme : [Although you are right, there is no need to interfere. I am also watching this interesting spectacle myself. After he finishes his tribulation, bring him to join the Transcendent Circle.]
Perseus : [Huh!? Wait. Does that mean that person is not a part of our Organization? And what’s more, you believe that he will survive this tribulation?]
Perseus could not hide the disbelief in his voice anymore. The Red Lightning radiating above Ash was enough to make even Celestial Rank beings feel a little bit of danger, yet his Master was speaking as if surviving it was already expected.
Transcendent Eternal Supreme : [He is not a part of the Transcendents. I already asked someone to investigate, but neither that person nor a species resembling him exists in any records. It might simply be a disguise. That is why I want you to bring him to join.]
Transcendent Eternal Supreme : [Also, interfering right now can escalate things too much. If he is truly worthy and talented, then he will overcome this hurdle himself. Geniuses do not grow within flower gardens. Only through trials and tribulations do they become refined and truly powerful.]
For a brief moment, the Eternal Supreme paused before continuing.
Transcendent Eternal Supreme : [And look at his eyes carefully, Perseus. Do those look like the eyes of a person seeking death?]
As soon as those words were spoken, Ash’s calm and strangely sweet voice suddenly echoed throughout the surroundings, loud and clear enough for everyone present to hear. Though his gaze was fixed on the Lightning clouds above....
"What’s there to fear? It’s merely Lightning. This too shall pass...."
Perseus : [.....]
Transcendent Eternal Supreme : [.....]
For a brief moment, complete silence filled the connection.
Then the Eternal Supreme spoke once more in a dry tone.
Transcendent Eternal Supreme : [Never mind what I just said. He is seeking death. I will leave it up to you, but do not interfere.]
With that, the voice inside Perseus’s mind vanished completely.
Leaving Perseus standing there alone, still reeling in disbelief from what he had just heard.
Did he actually call Heavenly Lightning...merely...?
****
[Few microseconds earlier....]
{You are really carefree huh? There is not a single shred of fear in your eyes.}
Eva’s exasperated voice echoed inside Ash’s mind as she watched him calmly stare at the terrifying Red Lightning gathering above the dark clouds.
"What’s there to fear? It’s merely Lightning. This too shall pass...."
-RUMBLEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
-THUNDERRRRRR!!!!!!!!
The dark clouds above churned violently and released an earth-shaking thunderous roar, almost as if the heavens themselves had become offended by Ash’s casual words.
Ash, however, remained completely calm.
I have been in situations like this many times before. Somewhere along the way, I lost the ability to truly feel fear... and don’t forget, I am immune to fear itself.
His tone carried no arrogance.
He was simply stating a fact.
{Sigh....sure sure.}
It was at that exact moment that the Red Lightning within the sky suddenly began concentrating toward a single point, causing Ash to narrow his eyes slightly.
Hmmm.....this is new. I don’t think the Lightning ever concentrated like that in my visions.
The violent crimson lightning continued gathering together rapidly before finally taking shape.
Soon, a figure formed completely out of Red Lightning.
A Red Lightning Bird.
Or is it a Phoenix?
Ash could not tell for certain, but one thing was obvious.
The power condensed within that Red Lightning Phoenix was far greater than an ordinary strand of Red Lightning. The pressure radiating from it alone was enough to make the surrounding space tremble violently.
Suddenly, a voice screamed loudly inside his mind.
{Are you an IDIOT??? Do you have a death wish or what?}
Hearing that unexpected angry voice, Ash was genuinely taken aback.
Because this was the first time someone had ever directly spoken inside his mind.
Normally, nobody could do such a thing because Rune of Knowledge completely blocks all kinds of mental intrusion, including telepathy or thought communication.
Which was exactly why Ash became so shocked.
{I just analyzed the source of the voice. It belongs to one of the Celestials floating in the sky, specifically the Transcendent. By tracing the signal, I discovered that thought communication through Soul Flame is possible without speaking aloud.}
Eva immediately explained.
{It works even for you because Soul Flame acts as an extension of your psyche and even functions as its protector. So using Soul Flame to communicate telepathically is achievable even if you possess Absolute Protection from mental intrusion.}
I see. Good job there, Eva.
{It was no biggie!!}
Just from her tone alone, Ash could already imagine Eva looking extremely smug right now, clearly proud of herself for figuring it out so quickly.
Still, he decided not to stroke her ego too much.
Can I also communicate with him? Although I don’t know how it’s done.
{Don’t worry, I will handle it. That person has already formed a communication corridor. Just think about what you want to say, and I will direct your thoughts through the corridor.}
Thanks a bunch.
Ash was genuinely glad to have Eva with him at that moment. More and more, the abilities she had originally been programmed with were beginning to show themselves, and on top of that, she was also gradually learning how to use them more efficiently.
{What do you mean?}
Ash asked Perseus mentally, only to notice that the man was currently looking at him as though he were staring at a complete idiot.
{Why did you anger the Lightning Tribulation by saying those words aloud? Don’t you know that the Lightning Tribulation possesses a Will? Do you have a death wish?}
Oh....Lightning Tribulation has a Will? I never knew.
Ash was genuinely surprised by that information.
And technically, it was not really his fault.
The Legacy Crystal never contained such knowledge, and neither the novel nor the game he had played before ever properly mentioned the existence of The Lightning Tribulations.
So naturally, there were many things he simply did not know.
{I didn’t know it.}
Ash replied honestly.
{You didn’t know? What are you, a snail? Did you live under a rock? How can something considered common sense be completely uncommon to you? But never mind that now. What’s done is done, so just focus on surviving this. If you survive, I will reward you.}
Even though Perseus sounded irritated, the concern hidden beneath his words was obvious.
{The manifestation of a Lightning Phoenix or other Heavenly Beasts only appears during God Rank Tribulations. I don’t know what kind of Law you comprehended and fused with your Immortal Seal, but it is definitely an extremely powerful Law.}
Perseus paused briefly before continuing.
{Anyways, the Red Lightning Phoenix is powerful, but there is only one of it. I hope you come out of this alive.}
Ash became slightly speechless after hearing Perseus’s words, but he still gave a response.
{I guess... okay.}
Although it might have sounded like a long conversation, everything that had happened until now had actually taken place within only a few seconds.
Was he worried about me?
{He definitely was. Looks like you finally managed to make at least one person like you, huh.}
Eva teased him shamelessly even at a moment like this.
Just imagining the expression on her face made Ash’s own face turn slightly sour.
Shut up!!
-THUNDERRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!
But Ash no longer had any time left to lecture her because the Red Lightning Phoenix had already descended toward him at a terrifying speed.
*****