The Art of Subduing Dragons

Chapter 195: Extra (2)

Luo Qingci's advancement caused a huge commotion, and the surge of spiritual energy was felt for miles around by both humans and animals. In the last hundred years, few had achieved even a minor cultivation breakthrough, so the sight of such an event stirred the various factions, prompting many to rush over and investigate.

However, none of them could get too close.

Ruan Li personally stood guard, fiercely protective of Luo Qingci, not allowing anyone to approach. During the tribulation process, a cultivator is at their most vulnerable before the lightning tribulation strikes, and right now, Luo Qingci's spiritual energy was surging uncontrollably, rushing through her meridians, inch by inch. The process was painful and long, and any disturbance could prove disastrous.

Ruan Li understood this well, and couldn't help but feel frustrated. She hadn't expected that, although Luo Qingci hadn't yet entered the Minor Ascension stage, she was only one step away. During their recent dual cultivation, it had directly pushed her past the final barrier.

This was the second time Ruan Li had witnessed Luo Qingci enter the Minor Ascension stage. Now, Luo Qingci hovered in the air, surrounded by gathered thunderclouds. The spiritual energy in the air condensed into a mist around her feet, swirling like water.

Ruan Li stepped back slightly, maintaining her dragon form, and glanced at the people from the Immortal Sect observing from afar. She then refocused her attention on Luo Qingci.

The Minor Ascension stage involved six bolts of tribulation lightning, each immensely powerful. When Luo Qingci had previously returned to the Minor Ascension stage, her strength far exceeded it, allowing her to easily withstand the six bolts. But this time, her body had advanced step by step through cultivation, and she would need to endure the painful tempering of the tribulation lightning.

Ruan Li had gone through this herself, but despite this, she couldn't help feeling tense as she stared unblinkingly at Luo Qingci.

Luo Qingci glanced at Ruan Li from afar, her gaze filled with reassurance, silently telling her not to worry, before looking up at the impending lightning.

With a loud crack, the first bolt of tribulation lightning tore through the sky and fell straight down. Luo Qingci clasped her hands together, her spiritual energy gathering into a vortex that enveloped her like clouds.

The power of the lightning was absorbed by her spiritual energy, spreading along the mist before entering her body. Luo Qingci closed her eyes, her brows furrowing as she endured the intense pain of the lightning tempering her body.

Ruan Li could only watch helplessly, her dragon claws subconsciously clenching.

The second bolt followed, and Luo Qingci barely withstood it, stumbling a step and bending her back in pain.

"Master..." Ruan Li's heart ached as she called out instinctively but bit back her words, fearing she might disturb her.

The next three bolts came in quick succession, giving Luo Qingci no time to recover. She groaned, her body covered in wounds, stumbling once again and collapsing onto one knee, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

The sight of blood laced with icy spiritual energy sent a shiver through Ruan Li's heart, her eyes reddening.

As Luo Qingci knelt, she summoned her life-bound sword, using it to prop herself up.

When the sword touched the ground, a blue aura radiated out, forming a protective barrier around her, supporting her in mid-air.

Luo Qingci gasped for breath, blood trickling from her lips and pooling in the spiritual energy barrier. It swirled like red threads in the glowing blue aura.