295 - Elasia Saga

Chapter 295 – The Ascension "Boom——" The entire Yun Ni Platform was thrust into the chaos of heavenly tribulation. What was once broad daylight now resembled an endless night, with thick layers of dark clouds swirling, thunder rumbling, and lightning cracking through the skies. Just one glance was enough to evoke an inexplicable pressure. With a sharp "crack," Fu Yan's third bolt of the Nine Heavens Thunder fell, striking her straight in the body without mercy under everyone's watchful eyes. Simultaneously, Fang Yu, who had inexplicably lost his mind, lunged forward with his sword, exuding a crushing power that carried a faint hint of heavenly will. Fu Yan couldn't help but frown at the sudden onslaught. The fierce thunder wreaked havoc inside her body, making it difficult for her to evade Fang Yu’s attack easily. However, she couldn't just stand there and take the hit. With the challenges of transcending to become an immortal already daunting, Fu Yan was determined not to let herself be seriously wounded, as failure in her ascension was not an option she could allow. Thinking quickly, Fu Yan, enduring the tearing and tempering of the Nine Heavens Thunder within her, pressed her hands together resolutely and began forming seals despite the pain. Swish! Swish! Just as Fang Yu's sword intent was about to overwhelm her, Fu Yan deftly redirected the immense power of the thunder with a sweep of her hand. "Sizz——" The fierce lightning slithered like a nimble serpent, carrying the full brunt of the Nine Heavens Thunder, and met Fang Yu’s sword intent head-on. In an instant, the two forces collided mid-air. The heavenly will and the thunder twisted together violently, forming a terrifying torrent of energy that made Fu Yan’s scalp tingle just from sensing its pulse. The explosion of these two forces could easily annihilate an entire space. If she got caught in it now, it would surely spell trouble. Unable to worry about anything else, Fu Yan gritted her teeth, enduring the rampaging thunder within her, as she summoned her true essence and swiftly retreated to a safe distance. "Bang! Bang!" As expected, the next moment, the two forces exploded in the air, obliterating the competition platform beneath them. Fortunately, protective barriers established by the surrounding sects had shielded their disciples, preventing any collateral damage. Amidst the ensuing chaos, Fu Yan finally raised her eyes to look at the figure facing her. Fang Yu’s eyes were a void of darkness, clearly consumed deeper into his heart demon, oblivious to his actions. Realizing that his heart demon arose just from losing a mere competition to her, Fu Yan was at a loss for words. Frankly, she couldn’t comprehend his Dao heart, which destabilized simply because of a defeat, allowing his inner demons to take root. Is this really the resilient Dao heart a male protagonist should have? It seems even those favored by the world’s fortune are not without challenges. In cultivation or otherwise, an unchallenged path often comes with weaknesses, and experiencing appropriate setbacks and failures is crucial. If Fang Yu couldn’t overcome his heart demon, he would face irreversible ruin. Fu Yan felt no sympathy for him. After all, the protagonist’s fate wasn’t her concern; what mattered was that his current madness interfered with her tribulation and ascension. This couldn't continue—she needed to subdue him promptly. All this transpired in mere moments. As the surrounding cultivators grasped the situation, they were taken aback, their gazes riveted on the suddenly frenzied Fang Yu, trying to make sense of it all. “What happened? Weren’t they both undergoing ascension? Why did Fang Yu suddenly attack Fu Yan without leaving any retreat, which is so unlike him?” “What kind of terrifying power was that? Those of us in the front row almost got caught up in it. What’s happening between them? Are they trying to compete during their ascension?” “Look closely, something seems off with Fang Yu! His eyes look hollow, almost as if there's a trace of... demonic energy?” With these words, the crowd erupted in whispers, most unable to tear their eyes away from Fang Yu, attempting to discern the truth but finding nothing. At that moment, experts from the Sword Sovereign Sect and the surrounding immortals quickly noticed something amiss. One of them exclaimed in shock, "Senior Brother Fang... seems to be caught in a heart demon! How could this happen?” The disbelief was palpable among the Sword Sovereign Sect members. Gazing at the celestial tribulation above and the duo on the fragmented platform, an immortal spoke decisively, “All sects, gather your disciples and immediately evacuate from Yun Ni Platform!” His words, laced with spiritual energy, reached every ear present. The moment his decree echoed, the crowd burst into renewed confusion. Understanding an unexpected situation had occurred, despite their intense curiosity, they dared not disobey and hurriedly began withdrawing in an orderly fashion from the platform. “But, Senior Brother Fang…” the disciples of the Sword Sovereign Sect hesitated. Yet, before they could finish, they were silenced, leaving only the sight of Fang Yu as they temporarily retreated. Meanwhile, those from Frost Blossom Palace also quickly sensed the irregularity. “Fang Yu has succumbed to a heart demon. In this state, any misstep during ascension would lead to his ruin!” Yi Tu remarked, realizing the truth with immediate concern. Seeing Fu Yan almost fall prey to a surprise attack, Ming Xi was indignant, “How infuriating! This person, who bred his heart demon, now hinders Sister Fu’s ascension!” She cursed Fang Yu vigorously, worried he might jeopardize Fu Yan's success. Hearing the voice of the immortals, Liu Bei expressed his anxiety, “But if we all leave, what about the Palace Master’s ascension? Are they truly going to let Fang Yu impede her?” After a moment’s pause, Shui Liu Qing explained, “Interfering with ascension tribulation is not something outsiders can attempt. Even for the immortals, inadvertently getting involved would hasten their own next tribulation.” For immortals, each tribulation becomes progressively more severe. They naturally wish not to hasten its arrival, lest they fall due to it—a risk unwarranted. Thus, no one dared to intervene directly on the platform. Amid this turmoil, Bai Yue Li, standing in the corner, fixated her gaze on Fu Yan. Watching her staggering under the weight of the thunder, Bai Yue Li felt her heart tighten painfully. Her breath became strained. If not for the shred of logic she held onto, Bai Yue Li might have already rushed forward to whisk Fu Yan away to a safe, quiet place, where she could undergo her tribulation unhindered. But she couldn’t. Bai Yue Li’s current identity was too sensitive. If exposed, not only would she fail to assist Fu Yan, but she might inadvertently bring trouble to her, casting unnecessary shadows over Frost Blossom Palace. Clenching her fists, Bai Yue Li could only watch silently. This heavenly tribulation was something only Fu Yan could conquer herself. Nonetheless, Bai Yue Li continued to believe in Fu Yan. She would successfully ascend to immortality! ... As the chaos intensified following the immortals' decree, Fu Yan finally completed her Threefold Nine Heavens Thunder cultivation. She couldn't help but spit out another mouthful of blood. Fortunately, Fang Yu was also faced with his own third strike of heavenly thunder, momentarily diverting him from attacking her. Through it all, White Bear’s voice resonated once again in Fu Yan’s mind, “Achieving smooth ascension is far from simple. It will only grow more challenging and painful from here. You can’t be distracted by him any longer; you must deal with him quickly.” Fu Yan understood this truth well. But Fang Yu was the protagonist, his power intertwined with heavenly will. How could he be so easily vanquished? “The space here is too confined; it’s better if you leave,” White Bear suggested. Fu Yan paused, recognizing the constraints of Yun Ni Platform, crowded with cultivators yet to evacuate. Remaining on the wrecked stage would limit her efforts in both combating Fang Yu and weathering her tribulation. Seeing the urgency of the situation, Fu Yan wasted no more time. With a swift motion, she darted off the competition platform. As she expected, Fang Yu followed closely behind, driven by some unshakable compulsion. Watching the two soar into the sky, those below paused, their intent to flee momentarily forgotten. Now that Fu Yan and Fang Yu were aloft, the spectators felt safe from the collateral damage of the clash. High above, everyone resumed their seats, eyes riveted to the celestial dance of Fu Yan and Fang Yu as they continued their tribulations. Unconcerned with the thoughts of the crowd below, Fu Yan focused on the brief moment she had before the fourth bolt of the Nine Heavens Thunder descended. Without hesitation, she gripped the hilt of her sword. "Zing——" With a fluid motion, Fu Yan unleashed a powerful sword strike. Fang Yu, undeterred, effortlessly shattered her attack with his own blade. "This won't do..." Fu Yan frowned internally. Fang Yu, now consumed by madness, wielded even more terrifying power. Facing the will of heaven, Fu Yan realized that quickly subduing him was impossible, unless... Unless she could harness the power of the laws. The thought flickered through her mind, illuminating Fu Yan's eyes with realization. To counter the heavenly will, perhaps the only force equal to it was the power of the laws within her. Yet, there was a significant hurdle. She couldn’t reveal the presence of the demonic spirit in public, nor could she release the sealed law power within it. Facing Fang Yu without this force was a vexing conundrum. "Buzz——" As she contemplated, Fang Yu charged at her again maniacally. Fu Yan was forced to evade. Unwilling to engage without certainty of victory, Fu Yan wished to avoid unnecessary entanglements with Fang Yu. "Tsk tsk," White Bear's voice rang with a helpless tone in her mind, muttering, “I suppose without my help, you're at a stalemate with this guy.” Fu Yan remained silent. "Do you think he doesn't have an immortal weapon?" she responded, masking her expression. As someone of Fang Yu's status, on the brink of ascending to immortality, he likely had such a weapon, but madness clouded his judgement. If she brought out an immortal weapon, he might reflexively do the same, causing unprecedented devastation, potentially uprooting the entire Yun Ni Platform and endangering the gathered cultivation world below. White Bear, momentarily at a loss, refrained from retaliating with boasts of being unafraid of any immortal weapon, aware that a high-grade weapon could indeed prove troublesome. "Crack——" Amid their exchange, another bolt of Nine Heavens Thunder descended, catching Fu Yan off-guard. She barely endured the strike, her body wavering and almost plummeting. Quickly regaining her balance, she took advantage of the thunder’s residual power within her to force Fang Yu back, gaining a much-needed breather. Her mind raced, grappling with enduring the heavenly assault while contemplating a resolution for Fang Yu. Unable to use the demonic spirit's contained power, she needed to summon another force of law. Since she had inadvertently done it once, surely she could do it again. Immersing in this thought, Fu Yan entered a meditative state mid-air. The law of power, what is it? It is the fabric on which the world is built, an omnipresent force underlying all creation, the essence of heaven's decree and the world's very structure. As she pondered, countless images streamed through her mind, giving the illusion of traversing vast landscapes, overwhelming her consciousness with a flood of stimuli. In this haze, Fu Yan revisited her mental realm, seeing an alternate self bathed in golden light, runic script cascading over its form. Her eyes widened with recognition. Retracing her steps toward this apparition, their distance felt insurmountable, like a galaxy apart, her ethereal counterpart remaining still and serene. “Boom,” something whizzed past her mind’s eye. "Ugh..." At this moment, Fang Yu's sword stroke sent Fu Yan flying, his immense sword intent landing solidly. Awoken, she coughed blood, promptly followed by another bolt striking her. The immense power coursed through her, a sensation of being torn asunder, choking the very breath from her. The crowd at Yun Ni Platform erupted in alarm once more. "I finally realize Fang Yu from Sword Sovereign Sect is lost to heart demons. That's why he ruthlessly hunts Fu Yan!" "Why didn’t Fu Yan dodge that strike? What is she doing, taking both the sword hit and the thunder as if she’s doomed!" “Alas, this grand ascension spectacle is doomed to disappoint. It looks like neither will succeed in transcending today!” “Indeed, likely both will fail!” The moment Fang Yu's blow sent Fu Yan reeling, panic enveloped those of Frost Blossom Palace. Words failed them. Bai Yue Li clenched her fists out of instinct, unaware she was bruising her own palms. In her urgency, she was about to rush forward when a familiar golden light caught her eye, bringing her to a halt. It was... the power of law! In the chaotic skies, a shimmering script brilliantly coiled around Fu Yan’s hand, exuding golden radiance recognized at once by Bai Yue Li as the power that once bound the demonic spirit. This time it was... Realizing a possibility, Bai Yue Li's eyes widened. She retained her stunned gaze fixed on Fu Yan, forgetting her earlier intention to intervene. Flying beneath the swirling clouds and whirling currents, Fu Yan heard the whisper of silence—a brief, all-encompassing quiet. Awakened by rolling thunder, she acknowledged her state, the ripping pain still present but her hand gleamed with a new, burgeoning force. A fresh power of law manifested within her grasp. Despite her joy, the heavenly assault's remnants made her cough blood again, which she ignored, swiftly righting herself amidst the celestial dispute. Zing— Fang Yu, still gripped by his demon, pursued relentlessly. Against the formidable cosmic will, Fu Yan acted instinctively, raising her hand and casting forth her newfound power. Swish! Swish! A golden whip of runic law lashed out, ensnaring Fang Yu's attack, binding him in its light. His expression contorted in agony, his hand wayward and immovable. Seeing this, Fu Yan breathed a silent sigh of relief. Without dwelling on her resolve, she dismissed the opposition's assault with a sweep, scattering it into fragments across the sky. Momentarily following, as Fu Yan gracefully cast her hand, the law's power reshaped into a golden whip, poised without hesitation against Fang Yu. The lash fell, eliciting from Fang Yu a panicked retreat akin to a startled animal. Encircled by the laws' power, he seemed especially burdened with pain. Clatter— As the luminous law’s power rippled past, Fu Yan noted pieces of something scattering into dust, drifting earthward. It appeared to be... the protagonist’s fortuitous fate! Seeing this, Fu Yan was filled with astonishment. She hadn't expected that the power of the laws could directly strip Fang Yu of his fortune. As the radiance of the laws faded, her vision of him dimmed, leaving her wondering if she had imagined it all. Yet, Fu Yan was certain that Fang Yu's fortune had indeed been extracted by the power of the laws. With a loud "crack," the Nine Heavens Thunder struck Fang Yu, sending him plummeting painfully from the sky. Moreover, Fu Yan noticed that the heavenly tribulation looming over Fang Yu seemed to be dissipating, indicating his failure to ascend. Realizing this, Fu Yan paused, stunned. After finally collecting her thoughts, she glanced down at Fang Yu, who had been caught by his sect's elder from Sword Sovereign Sect. With a resigned shake of her head, she acknowledged that although his immense fortune was gone, his journey and strength remained substantial. If he could overcome his heart demon, ascension was still within reach for him. Of course, whether Fang Yu's fate would lead to utter ruin or a rebirth allowing him to eventually ascend was no longer her concern. Fu Yan wasn't interested in dwelling on his future. Her priority was to pass her own heavenly tribulation swiftly. Without further deliberation, Fu Yan retracted the power of the laws, ensuring it remained hidden. Given the brief encounter, she believed no one below would recognize its true nature. Perhaps, they might believe the whip in her hand was merely a powerful spiritual weapon. In an instant, yet another terrifying bolt of Nine Heavens Thunder struck down from the dark clouds, heading directly towards her standing form. Fu Yan persevered through the overwhelming torment on her already severely wounded body. From this moment forward, she no longer had any distractions and could focus solely on enduring the Nine Heavens Thunder. No matter what, she was resolute in ascending to immortality today! "Boom——" As another resounding clap of thunder echoed across the sky, the crowd below was torn between watching Fang Yu's failure and Fu Yan's hopeful struggle. Quickly, one thunderbolt after another descended from the heavens, leaving Fu Yan battered and blood-soaked. She had lost track of how much blood she'd expelled, her entire body covered in scorched wounds without an uninjured inch. "Crack——" When yet another bolt of thunder struck, Fu Yan was mercilessly thrown back onto the competition platform, causing the spectators to hold their breath in shock. This was the critical moment, and everyone instinctively held their breath. As the relentless barrage of thunder continued, initially, Fu Yan managed to utter pained grunts, but soon she became eerily silent, her body resembling that of the lifeless. By the time the final bolt of thunder subsided, Fu Yan lay thoroughly scorched on the ground. Amidst the charred remains, a faint breath still lingered.