Chapter 101: Do You Dare?
As the word of thanks was spoken, the storm clouds in the sky had already fully formed, electric light flickering and thunder crackling. In a flash, the first lightning bolt of the tribulation struck down.
Seeing this, Yue Sansi moved closer under the protective barrier.
The thunderbolt made the barrier tremble slightly, ripples appearing on its surface. A pure and potent aura of malice seeped into his body, bringing him a sense of relief.
Perhaps agitated by this disturbance, the storm clouds above darkened noticeably, pressing lower at a visible speed before striking down again.
Boom!
After this strike, the ripples expanded further, causing the Wuyou City Lord and the Yellow Sand Demon King to exchange increasingly grim looks.
“Hurry, issue orders to disperse all humans and demons within two hundred miles of the city outskirts!”
But the thunderbolt gave no time for contemplation; it rumbled louder as it brewed once more.
Seeing this, they began anxiously communicating in secret:
“Should we dismantle the formation now?”
“Are you out of your mind? Evacuate the people from the prince’s mansion first. My dozen or so little ones are still asleep in the city.”
The Yellow Sand Demon King felt a growing sense of crisis as the tribulation thunder intensified swiftly. Without hesitation, he let out a gust of sand and vanished.
“Wuyou City Lord, this thunder tribulation is strange. As soon as the first phase ended, it targeted me. According to the rules of heavenly tribulation, I cannot stay here during my metamorphosis. You must hold the formation to fend it off!”
The Wuyou City Lord, seeing the Yellow Sand Demon King retreating swiftly, quickly transmitted:
“Old Yellow Sand, don’t forget to take my wife and children with you!”
Hearing this, the Yellow Sand Demon King laughed heartily, feeling less threatened since he was being allowed to leave.
“Rest assured, I’ve thought this through carefully. You mustn’t die here!”
The Wuyou City Lord felt something was amiss but couldn’t quite grasp it in time.
As the thunderbolt in the sky began cracking the barrier, he dared not be distracted. He waited for the evacuation of the city’s key figures.
Though many pirates, imperial fugitives, and exiled demons inhabited the city, they held little value in his eyes.
However, members of the imperial family and major sects were stationed here as well.
If they were to die foolishly, he would have no way to explain it.
After the third phase of the tribulation passed, the entire barrier started to sway precariously.
---
Seeing most of the important people already evacuated, just as the final thunderbolt was about to strike, the Wuyou City Lord unexpectedly withdrew the barrier.
Rumble!
The thunderbolt crashed down on Yue Sansi, who was lost in a trance, driving him like a spear into the ground.
Boom!
The entire city trembled slightly as a deep pit formed at the center of the strike.
The impact was tremendous, toppling large sections of buildings and towers.
Though the Wuyou City Lord felt heartbroken, he said nothing and paid no mind to the commoners still remaining inside. He quickly departed.
Though he was on the cusp of the butterfly metamorphosis realm and found it difficult to survive the tribulation, it did not mean he was without danger under such thunder.
After the first strike, the thunderbolts fell relentlessly, one after another.
When Yue Sansi finally climbed from the pit split open by the thunder, the scent of roasted meat wafted to him.
He wondered briefly if his own flesh would taste good sprinkled with the Hundred Flavors Sect’s seasoning.
The thought passed swiftly, and he focused again.
After some reflection, he placed the Calm Mind Staff aside, brewing a sinister aura around him. A vision appeared: golden light swirling, six arms emerging from his back, his aura gradually approaching the butterfly metamorphosis realm.
---
After leaving the scene, the Wuyou City Lord followed his instincts, fleeing in one direction.
For a cultivator like him, hundreds of miles was no obstacle.
As he drew near, he saw the Yellow Sand Demon King had already parked his flying boat, set up a banquet, and was calmly watching the tribulation unfold.
“He’s here.”
The Yellow Sand Demon King drained his cup with a smile, looking serenely at the approaching Wuyou City Lord.
He had fled swiftly, bringing nearly all his wealth intact.
The City Lord, upon arriving, felt relieved to find his wife and children unharmed.
He raised his eyes to the other man, his tone tinged with displeasure:
“Old Yellow Sand, you still have the heart to drink here?”
“What else? Should I have lured the thunder tribulation to strike me dead instead?”
The Yellow Sand Demon King chuckled darkly, lowering his gaze to his claws.
“I only have a hundred years left to live, so I cherish my life far more than you.
Though my cultivation can’t advance further, it’s still better than your half-baked butterfly metamorphosis.
To be frank, even with your big formation, I’d still pay you some respect. But without it? You’re nothing!”
“You—”
The Wuyou City Lord was enraged but quickly composed himself.
“If we both serve the same master, then spare the empty talk. Let’s focus on dealing with this eight-armed golden ape.”
“Deal with it? Deal with it my foot!”
The Yellow Sand Demon King’s face darkened as he set down his cup and stared toward the thunderclouds.
Seeing the dazzling golden light below, a trace of fear flickered in his eyes. His voice turned grim:
“Do you dare? Don’t think of dragging me into your mess. If you try, I’ll swallow you first!
The eight-armed golden ape—since the dawn of the Demon Heaven, who knows how many years have passed? Do you think the Ape Emperor’s lineage has lasted nearly twenty generations by chance?
As a human, you should know the weight the Great Martial Dynasty’s Human Emperor holds among humans.
Hah! Even when I provoked the phoenix clan and stole several phoenix eggs for alchemy, I was pursued beyond our demon borders.
And you dare scheme against him? How dare you!”
Seeing the subtle change in the other’s expression, he withdrew his gaze.
“Even if you think that way, what can you do? You’re just a half-step butterfly metamorphosis!
Do you know the strength of our demon clans—the eight-armed golden ape, the fiery phoenix, the shadowy water python? They are born to slay the innate with the acquired, and the acquired with the malice...
Upon reaching butterfly metamorphosis, they can surpass a minor realm to kill enemies. Even with your intact Wuyou City formation, you’ll only be on the receiving end!
Besides, there are the Howling Moon Wolves, the Tianshan Snow Foxes, the Solar Chasing Birds... over a dozen demon clans, each with strength comparable to late butterfly metamorphosis.
Do you really think the petty skirmishes of demon generals and kings mean anything to you?”