Chapter 127: The Scarlet Thunder Tribulation (Part 2)

Chapter 127: Crimson Lightning Tribulation (Part II)

"Wang Luo entered the Earth-Fire Chamber three days ago and has yet to come out!"

(⊙o⊙)... Uh.

Hearing Chelsea’s reply, the crowd was filled with astonishment. With both of them inside, the question of who was breaking through to the seventh rank became muddled once again, casting doubt on what had previously seemed like a certain answer.

Elijah frowned upon hearing Chelsea’s response. If it were Hanrod breaking through to the seventh rank, it would be of little consequence, but if it were Wang Luo, he would be in danger. He knew quite a bit about the old scoundrel Ge Da.

"Qi'er, who do you think is the one breaking through to the seventh rank?"

Turning his head to look at Qi'er, who was dressed in white and surrounded by the crowd, Elijah asked. He believed that if Qi'er were not a woman, given her close relationship with Ge Da, he would have done everything in his power to destroy her; after all, no one but him should be able to possess Ge Da.

"Teacher Elijah, Qi'er does not know."

Qi'er, who had seemed focused but was actually lost in thought, heard Elijah’s sudden question. Various thoughts flashed rapidly through her mind before she gave a reply that amounted to nothing—a classic waste of words.

"I don't think it's Hanrod. It's very likely that kid named Wang Luo!"

"Hmm? Haha, I had forgotten about you, the 'Zero' of the Tianxuan Academy rankings."

Glancing at the young man in green robes beside Qi'er, Elijah said with a chuckle. His words stirred up quite a commotion; many freshmen and even some upperclassmen only just realized that the Tianxuan Academy rankings didn't start at one, but at zero. This was news indeed.

"Hmph, I am not 'Zero,' and I have no desire to be 'One.' This time, entering the breakthrough illusion realm, I will certainly reach the seventh rank!"

The word "Zero" meant nothing to others, but Beiat, who had once been brought into a certain circle by Elijah, understood the implication. He couldn't help but let out a cold snort, his face full of confidence, though the pain in his heart shot straight from his lower regions to his spiritual sea.

*Crackle—*

*Boom—*

High above, as if impatient, a wisp of crimson lightning suddenly tore through the sky, striking in front of the Earth-Fire Chamber. Thunder and debris scattered everywhere, sending the students into a panic. Many were struck by stones and left bruised and bloodied.

"Damn it, what’s wrong with this lightning tribulation? Isn't it supposed to take a long time to gather? Why is it losing patience already?"

"Hell, is there someone controlling this tribulation? Since when does a tribulation get impatient?"

"( ⊙ o ⊙ ) Ah! Stop cursing! The lightning is coming this way!"

...

*Crackle, crackle...*

The lightning seemed to possess a sentience of its own. Upon hearing the shouting and cursing, it unleashed several more wisps. Fortunately, Elijah, a half-step Sanctuary powerhouse, was present to intervene, though the students still scrambled in chaos.

*Crackle...*

The crimson lightning crackled again. An arm-thick bolt of red lightning poured down, triggering panic among the young students. They used their movement techniques to dodge, and a few even launched attacks at the descending thunder, causing various auras and magical lights to flicker in the air.

"Foolishness! Everyone, get back!"

A cold shout rang out abruptly. Elijah waved his hand, intercepting the magical attacks aimed at the lightning, and ordered everyone to retreat. He looked at the crimson electricity in the sky with confusion, but more importantly, a sense of dread.

"Do you want to die? Don't you know that someone undergoing a tribulation cannot be helped, or the tribulation will intensify? You haven't even reached the seventh rank—can you withstand a single bolt of crimson lightning?!"

Elijah glared coldly at Beiat, Chelsea, and the others who had shared the lightning. His heart raced with lingering fear; if this tribulation were truly provoked, the consequences would be more than he could bear. According to Elven records, lightning tribulations could grow angry, and the results were disastrous.

*Crackle—*

As if truly provoked, another arm-thick bolt of red lightning descended, causing the crowd to retreat even further.

However, the expected scene of flying stones and chaotic light did not occur. A figure in green stood holding a sword, meeting the arm-thick bolt without a hint of fear.

*Boom—*

Green light collided with the crimson thunder, producing a violent crash. To the stunned eyes of the crowd, the terrifying lightning gradually dissipated, leaving the green-clad figure standing proudly.

"Good!"

"So it really was Hanrod who broke through to the seventh rank!"

...

*Crackle—*

Ignoring the cheers of the others, the crimson lightning flashed again. A bolt significantly thicker than the last descended, aimed directly at Hanrod.

"Well come!"

Seeing the red lightning fall, a brilliant light shone in Hanrod’s eyes. He shouted, stood his ground, and swung his green sword light, charging up like a whirlwind. He had chosen to meet it head-on once more.

"Idiot! There are still seven more bolts of lightning!"

Seeing Hanrod’s actions, Elijah couldn't help but stamp his feet and mutter a soft curse. In that moment, his concern for his student was undeniable. Yet, most of the onlookers weren't focused on the danger, but rather on the femininity and charm behind Elijah’s curse.

As a half-step Sanctuary expert, Elijah naturally sensed the strange gazes of the crowd. He immediately regained his composure, his face turning blank as if the previous moment had been a hallucination, though he was inwardly mortified. When he had undergone his own lightning tribulation, he had been terrified by it, and he couldn't help but show a bit of that lingering trauma.

*Crackle—*

The third crimson bolt fell. Hanrod, standing proudly, his eyes blazing, showed no fear and charged upward once again.

*Boom—*

Another loud bang. The red lightning dissipated, and Hanrod was sent flying backward, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. However, the light in his eyes grew even more intense.

*Crackle—*

Without giving Hanrod a moment to rest, a fourth bolt of crimson lightning, as thick as a thigh, followed closely behind. Hanrod snorted coldly and charged up to meet it, choosing to clash head-on again.

"Hmph!"

Strangely, Hanrod seemed to hear a delicate, cold snort. The aura circulating within his body faltered for an instant. At that exact moment, under the horrified gaze of the crowd, the crimson thunder slammed violently into Hanrod.

*Crackle, snap—*

Dazzling red lightning danced incessantly over Hanrod’s body. A numbing sensation spread through his entire frame, causing him to tremble uncontrollably, while the smell of burnt flesh filled the air.

"Ah—"

"This—"

...

The dazzling red lightning slowly dissipated, revealing Hanrod, who was now charred black, his hair standing straight up. The crowd stood in stunned silence.

"Ah!"

The damn numbing sensation, like thousands of ants crawling through his body, finally faded. Hanrod let out a roar toward the sky. As if in response to his call, another thigh-thick bolt of lightning shot down.

"Hmph!"

With a cold snort, a fierce light appeared in Hanrod’s eyes. Clutching his green sword, he charged up to meet it once more...

*Whoosh...*

A strange, sliding sound echoed in his ears. The valiant Hanrod paused, his eyes shifting slightly. He stumbled, his attack dissipating instantly. To the stunned eyes of the crowd, the crimson lightning struck toward a fair, bare figure...