“Of course not,” Christen sighed while shaking her head. “Three people disagreed. Athena, Poseidon, and you, Hades…”
“Ahem… I’d like to point out that it wasn’t me. It was my predecessor,” uttered Yang Chen.
Christen grunted as she appeared unconvinced by his words.
Yang Chen rubbed his chin. Then, he asked in a curious tone, “Why didn’t you mention anything regarding God’s Stone? What is it used for? Where did it come from? Surely it must hold some significance for the other gods to turn on each other for it.”
Christen said, “Haven’t I said? I have no clue where it came from and what it is used for. In fact, this item only emerged after the ‘Treaty of Gods’ was signed. As far as I’m concerned, it is highly related to our kind. Besides, it might contain the answers to our species’ revival. But that’s all it is—a possibility. Its most successful application was on you. Without it, you might not have survived half the things that you have been through. You definitely would not have been able to practice your spatial powers.
“As for anything besides that, you have just about as much clue as I have. After all, I never stood much of a chance fighting for it. Most of the time, God’s Stone was either missing or being researched by Hades or Athena. I’m sure they are trying to revive our kind, but… the rest of us are not very confident.”
Yang Chen thought for a moment, then frowned. “Sigh, you still haven’t talked about the heavenly tribulations.”
Christen lifted her glass of milk, no longer disgusted by its color. She gulped down her drink and replied, “What’s the rush? I was just about to start on that…”
There were three stages to it.
The power levels among the cultivators of Soul Forming stage varied vastly. However, those of the Tribulation Passing stage were different. A person would not be able to achieve that stage just because of their own proficiency.
The Tribulation Passing stage distinguished the truly powerful masters from the rest. They had to be judged and approved by the universe before they were able to access that higher power.
Which meant, it was an inevitable path for the best of the best.
Heavenly tribulations were categorized into three kinds. Depending on how ‘heaven-defying’ a cultivator was, different kinds of heavenly tribulations would descend.
The first kind was the weakest, and the most common. It was the Three Yang Fire, consisting of three rounds striking three times each—Li Fire, Samadhi True Fire, and Ye Fire. They would descend from the sky, burning the cultivators. If even a hint of instability was present, they would be blasted to ashes!
The second kind was a little stronger and was extremely rare. It was the Six Frost Water, also consisting of three rounds with three times each. Kui Water, Ming Water, and Ruo Water would be coagulated between heaven and earth, attacking every inch of the cultivator’s skin and every little pore on its surface, soon corroding their soul.
The third kind was the rarest tribulation. It was formed after the interaction between Yin and Yang—Nine Heavenly Lightning!
This was without a doubt the one that the masters feared most. It was way more horrifying than Zeus’s Thunderbolt because it was the work of nature. It was the unholy offspring between the interrelations of Yin and Yang!
This was categorized into three divisions: Tai Qing, Shang Qing, and Yu Qing.
If one ended up at this stage, this person must’ve practiced a technique so heaven-defying that the heavens were provoked to bring an end to their life.
After explaining all three types, Christen continued, “About ten thousand years ago, we’d seen two incredibly skillful masters of the Tribulation Passing stage. Being the two strongest in China, they came face to face with the Nine Heavenly Lightning. When they encountered the Shang Qing Heavenly Lightning, the first strike blew them to bits.”
Yang Chen swallowed his own saliva and laughed stiffly. “Surely you must be exaggerating.”
“Why would I lie to you?” Christen rolled her eyes. “Although this is not my area of expertise, I have seen enough masters go through it to understand the basics. My advice to you is to rest now and pick up your space laws once again. Forget about cultivation. Your modified body, thanks to the divine light, may really have protected you from the lightning. Anyhow, it could be your luck that your cultivation is gone.”
Yang Chen scratched at his head, then asked, “According to what you just said, if I have survived Tai Qing Heavenly Lightning with my power still intact, does it mean that I would’ve truly stepped into the Tribulation Passing stage?”
“That’s right,” answered Christen as she nodded. “You managed to challenge it, and at that, a very terrific one. If you were successful, I assume you’d be on a par with Poseidon.”
Stunned, Yang Chen exclaimed, “What?! Only on par with him?!”
Christen said feebly, “Do you really believe that Poseidon was using his powers to their full extent when fighting you? I’d bet it wasn’t even ten percent. Moreover, he did not brandish his weapon, the Trident. Had he reached his full potential at the start, you would’ve reincarnated without having a chance to encounter the heavenly lightning.”
Yang Chen inhaled sharply and laughed. “Well, then, do you know what happens if one survives through the last strike?”
Christen shook her head. “I have no idea. The strongest masters I’ve ever witnessed all only managed to undergo the first strike and their capabilities could compare with those of Poseidon’s. If they had survived then, I guess they’d be as competent as Zeus and Athena. As for the final strike, it is possible that they might have gained immortality.”
Joy flashed across Yang Chen’s eyes. “Immortal… Interesting, they’re actually called immortals.”
Seeing the funny look on his face, Christen waved her pale hand before Yang Chen’s dazed eyes. “Why are you zoning out? You don’t even possess a hint of True Yuan right now. Why are you hoping to become an immortal?”
Yang Chen blinked his eyes. “Fine, I think I have a fairly good idea of everything now. After I return to China, I shall do my best to find out as much as I can on this.”
“You still won’t give up?!” Christen furrowed her brows. “I’ve told you, the Chinese methods would lead you to your own destruction. Their acts are against the heavens!”
Yang Chen shrugged. “I’m alive and well now, aren’t I? Don’t you worry, why would I want to die when I have so many women to be loved and cared for?”
“Love?” Christen laughed it off, her expression was cold and disdainful. “Should I give Ms Lin a call and tell her all about how you displayed your love toward my little servant?”
“Hey, you’re such a blabbermouth!” Yang Chen blurted out, “Don’t you speak of nonsense! It was just the mouth! Just the mouth!”
Looking at his smug face made her feel dizzy. “Okay, you don’t have to describe it to me, I won’t mention it anymore. I can’t stand you… Really, I don’t know where your thought process comes from. Did the lightning strike you silly? You seem way more thick-faced now than before…”
Yang Chen did not feel ashamed, not even in the slightest. He smirked and said, “Blabbermouth, why did you let me rest in your room? Did you sleep with me?”
She threw her a flirty glance without hesitation. “Why, is it unfortunate for you if we did not do anything?”
“Huh? You really slept with me!?” He laughed bitterly. “I was just kidding, you’re really…”
Resentment flooded her face. “Why, is sleeping with me such a repulsive idea?”
“You know that’s not what I meant,” said Yang Chen, his smile vanishing and his face looking strict. “We’re just friends, the kind that can depend on each other. Moreover, I promised him to take good care of you. I don’t want the dynamics of our relationship to be messed up.”
Upon hearing this, her complexion turned pale. She said indignantly, “I don’t understand what you’re saying. You are you, and you’re the one I want to sleep with!”
He sighed. “Why are you lying to yourself?”
“Shut up!”
Christen slammed her palms, hard, against the table. She got to her feet, tears filling her eyes and her breath quickening.
Yang Chen threw up his hands and gestured to abandon the argument.
Christen stared at him for a few long minutes and tilted her head to wipe the tears. “I’m sorry, I lost control. Well, I’m done here, I should head to the studio now. I have two events to attend, so I can’t keep you company. Make yourself at home, just let Sally know if you need anything. I’ll be off.”
She picked up her crystal sunglasses and stalked off. However, she stopped after a few steps and gave a low sigh. “A guest has arrived. I guess my leave will have to wait.”