Chapter 57: When Heavenly Thunder Stirs, Myriad Phenomena Are Born

Thus, Xia Ye began to discuss the matter with Liu Tianhong, and Liu Tianhong readily agreed.

To it, its life was already coming to an end. If, before dying, it could witness things it had never seen throughout its extraordinarily long existence, that would not be a bad thing at all.

After that, the long night was arduous, but it was never truly endless. When the first ray of morning light pierced the horizon, Liu Tianhong swayed its massive body, slithered out of its cave dwelling, and returned once more to the center of the valley.

It no longer remembered how many years it had spent within the darkness of the cave, enduring ages devoid of sunlight. Therefore, at least as it prepared to leave this world, it wished to bathe in the sun.

Yet today, the heavens seemed uncooperative—perhaps due to the impending Tribulation of Return—for the morning light did not linger long before heavy dark clouds gathered across the sky.

Watching Liu Tianhong reappear, the pairs of eyes lurking in the surrounding shadows instantly lit up. Every single immortal being began counting down in their hearts, waiting for the fortuitous opportunity to descend.

At that moment...

"Senior Brother, there are still a little over two hours left. How should we arrange things when the time comes?" Looking at the massive serpent in the valley, Zhang Lingyu could not help but ask.

"Hmm..."

Rong Shan pondered for a moment.

"Your mastery of talismans is somewhat superior to mine. When the time comes, you will activate Master's talisman, and I will cover you, intercepting and holding back any stray immortal beings that slip through as much as possible."

"Alright."

At the same time, Gao Lian approached with a group of Gao family members and company personnel, greeting the two Daoists: "How are the preparations coming along, two Daoists?"

"This is all the manpower the Gao family and the company can mobilize. Intercepting the various immortal beings for a short time should not be an issue. When the time comes, we will rely on the two of you to step in and settle the matter swiftly."

"Rest assured, Family Head Gao."

While the three of them gathered here to discuss the detailed arrangements...

Not far away, in a secluded spot at the base of a mountain, Gao Erzhuan, disguised as a company employee, had already crept close, searching for the most advantageous vantage point.

With her current level of cultivation in manifesting the Yang spirit, if she wished to reach the radio frequencies blanketing the valley area, she had to get sufficiently close. She needed to sneak up to one of the surrounding peaks while managing to evade the watchful immortal beings lurking all around.

Fortunately, at this moment, the attention of all the immortals was entirely focused on the giant serpent in the valley. No one cared about a "mosquito" flying past, for in the contention for fortuitous opportunities, being even a step slow meant falling behind entirely, and everyone wanted to seize the lead.

Furthermore, they could clearly see that with the company's involvement and the arrival of Daoist practitioners, this time would inevitably differ from the previous few occasions. If they truly wished to secure the upper hand, they had to maintain absolute concentration.

Thus, before long, Gao Erzhuan successfully climbed to the summit of a mountain bordering the valley. Looking down from the peak, everything lay in plain view. The field of vision was exceptional, much to her satisfaction.

Since this place was quite far from the valley floor, no immortal beings were squatting here. She immediately chose this spot and sat down cross-legged.

The next moment...

Whoosh!

As Gao Erzhuan closed her eyes and circulated her Qi, her soul detached from her physical shell and began to wander freely among the mountain forests.

After roughly perceiving her surroundings and confirming that she could successfully infiltrate the radio frequencies of the Gao family and company personnel, she opened her eyes again, then quieted her mind and waited.

A moment later...

Pitter-patter... Pitter-patter...

High above, dark clouds condensed and formed, blanketing the entire valley as droplets of rain began to fall.

Soon...

Swish-shish-shish-shish—!

The rain grew heavier, resembling a thin, enveloping gauze mist that gradually reduced the surrounding visibility and obstructed the view, washing over the body of the giant serpent at the bottom of the valley.

"Sigh..."

Seeing this, Liu Tianhong could not help but sigh softly and slowly raised its head. Having experienced eleven great tribulations, it naturally understood what conditions accompanied the arrival of a calamity; perhaps it would never see the sunlight again before death claimed it.

"So be it. Such is fate."

It shook its head, then lowered its massive body back to the ground. Its pair of giant, vertical pupils gradually grew vacant, and scenes from its past began to emerge in its mind, quickly immersing it in memories.

Just like that, time ticked away second by second. The rain grew heavier and heavier, turning into a torrential downpour by the end, while muffled rumbles of thunder echoed within the dark clouds...

Rumble—!

Along with the sudden appearance of rolling thunder, needle-like currents of electricity began to condense within the dark clouds, darting back and forth across the cloud layers. Clearly, this was no ordinary thundercloud; it surged with the raw power of heaven and earth.

"It's almost time..."

At this very moment, Xia Ye, sitting cross-legged inside Liu Tianhong's cave dwelling, slowly opened his eyes, gazed vaguely upward, and murmured softly to himself.

"Everyone, the time is nearly upon us. Let us begin."

As his words fell, the several figures behind him suddenly stood up. They had already made their preparations and were eagerly awaiting the chance to participate in this "farewell ceremony."

The next moment...

Swish, swish, swish, swish!

Having already put on the artifact masks crafted in advance by Xia Ye to conceal their appearances, the four individuals circulated their Qi slightly. The masks emitted a layer of Qi mist, masking their figures. With a flash of movement, they rushed out of the cave and plunged straight into the pouring rain outside.

As early as a day prior, the division of labor for this trip had already been decided. To them, this was both a mission and a rare practical trial that would help them further familiarize themselves with and master their current bodies and abilities.

At this time...

"Huu..."

Xia Ye exhaled a breath, slowly stood up, and turned to wave at Chen Duo, who remained alone. "Duo Duo, come over here. Stay close behind me for a while."

After speaking, he shook both arms, producing two more masks in his hands. He first helped Duo Duo put hers on, then donned his own. As True Qi circulated, both of their figures vanished from sight.

Tap, tap, tap...

Only faint footsteps remained, instantly swallowed by the sound of the rain.

Meanwhile...

"The noon hour has arrived."

On the mountain ridge not far away, Gao Lian checked the time. It was eleven o'clock, and the thunderclouds in the sky had brewed sufficiently. The great tribulation was imminent.

The moment his words fell...

Crack!

A startling flash of lightning exploded, casting a brilliant white glow across heaven and earth. The dazzling thunderbolt struck the giant serpent directly, causing it to thrash violently in agony!

"Move out!"

The instant following, Gao Lian gave the order. The Gao family members and company personnel, who had already taken their positions, immediately sprang into action, their feet moving as they dashed directly toward the location of the giant serpent.

This was the height of the tribulation period. To avoid being caught in the fallout, neither they nor the various immortal beings would dare to approach too closely. Yet beyond the absolute limit of safety, every single party had already sprung into action...

The scramble had officially begun!

"Junior Brother..."

At this moment, seeing the crowd below and the immortal beings all surging forward like a rushing tide, Rong Shan, who had been waiting for this exact moment, suddenly gathered his Qi and called out to Zhang Lingyu.

"Understood!"

The next moment...

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle—!

Rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble—!

Two opposing streams of thunder Qi—one white, one black—surged within their bodies, erupting in an instant as both of their figures bolted...

Straight toward the giant serpent!