Evan didn’t say a word. In a blur, he shot straight into the sky. The next tribulation bolt was Wood-Thunder, and he was sure he could take it head-on.
Jade, the Emerald Immortal Empress, flew up right beside Evan. The Wood-Thunder was aimed at Jade—Evan wouldn’t be targeted unless he stood with her, making himself a co-target. Only then could he help Jade survive the final tribulation bolt.
He’d only help with the last bolt. If he interfered earlier, the tribulation would escalate—maybe even morph into the dreaded Nine-Heaven Divine Thunder, which Jade could never survive. That’s why, unless absolutely necessary, no one wants to step in during someone else’s tribulation.
Plus, anyone who helps with tribulation takes even heavier damage than the one being tested. Evan just didn’t care.
"Sis-in-law, do you think Big Bro really stands a chance of helping Jade through this last tribulation bolt? Ascension tribulation is crazy scary—just thinking about my own future ascension gives me the chills." Goldwing said nervously to Roxanne Lin.
"Don’t worry about it. Let fate run its course. Evan’s always been the one to defy the heavens—he’ll find a way. You’re overthinking. If Jade can make it through, we should be happy for her." Roxanne Lin smiled, though inside she was just as anxious as Goldwing and didn’t have much confidence about her own future ascension.
They kept their eyes locked on Evan and Jade overhead. The tribulation clouds looked like they were making one last struggle—growing thicker, the vortex swelling, and the pressure above building to a crushing intensity.
Deep inside the tribulation clouds, a middle-aged man watched Evan, confusion written all over his face. He muttered, "Senior brother, do you realize helping someone through God-Tribulation breaks heaven’s laws? When it’s your turn to ascend, your own tribulation will be even worse—maybe beyond Nine-Heaven Divine Thunder.
With my current strength, I can’t change a thing. You’re way too reckless. I just hope for a miracle—otherwise, your reincarnation will have been for nothing!"
Lightning flashed across the clouds, thunder rumbling for thousands of li. Suddenly, several figures appeared in the sky and dropped to the ground below.
It was Yvonne Xuan, Lynn Ling, Serena Frost, the Black Qilin, and Shadow. They landed quickly beside Roxanne Lin and Goldwing.
"Roxanne, is Evan the one facing tribulation, or is it Jade? Which bolt are we on now?" Yvonne Xuan asked.
"It’s Jade’s God-Tribulation. This is the last bolt—watch closely. She made it through the first four, but this final one is just too strong. Jade can’t handle it alone, so Evan has to step in." Roxanne Lin explained.
"How could you not call us for Jade’s tribulation? That’s cold!" Lynn Ling complained.
"It was Evan’s idea. God-Tribulation is too dangerous—it can leave a shadow in your heart. He didn’t want everyone to go through that. Besides, Jade’s tribulation came on so suddenly, we barely had time to notify anyone." Roxanne Lin said.
"The pressure from the heavens is insane. It must be even worse for them up there. God-Tribulation really isn’t something just anyone can survive—it’s terrifying!" Serena Frost said.
Just then, a streak of green lightning appeared overhead. It wasn’t thick—about the width of a bowl—but the moment it showed up, everyone felt their life force draining away.
Evan stood in front of Jade, motionless. Seeing the Wood-Thunder, a wild idea flashed through his mind: absorb the wood element inside the lightning to break through his own Wood-Shift. Maybe this was the chance he’d been waiting for.
If anyone could hear his thoughts, they’d call him crazy. Who else would treat tribulation lightning as a cultivation resource? But Evan was exactly that kind of madman.
Evan didn’t move an inch as the Wood-Thunder came streaking toward them. If he took the hit, Jade would still be affected; but if she dodged now, the bolt would retarget and strike her directly.
Only if Jade broke away at the exact instant the Wood-Thunder struck Evan could she truly avoid the blow. The two of them understood this perfectly, no words needed.
Splitting his focus, Evan activated the Star-Siphon Method just as the Wood-Thunder reached him, while his other hand lashed out with a palm—not much force, but enough to send Jade flying back.
Jade moved with the palm’s force, flying backward dozens of meters and barely dodging the tyrannical Wood-Thunder.
Everyone at Skyflight Terrace stared, barely daring to breathe, both worried and stunned by Evan’s reckless move. Evan himself hung motionless in the air as the Wood-Thunder’s power poured into him—far stronger than he’d imagined.
He remembered how the Golden Skeleton’s pure metal element had nearly killed him with pain. Now, with wood element flooding his body, it was even worse. Wood element usually brings life, but when there’s too much, it flips—extreme life turns into death. That’s the law of extremes.
Normally, wood element heals injuries, but now it rampaged through Evan’s body, shredding his meridians and muscles. Within a few breaths, he plummeted from the sky and crashed onto Skyflight Terrace.
"Evan!" "Evan!" "Boss!" Everyone shouted as Evan hit the terrace. Yvonne Xuan and Lynn Ling started to rush forward to check on him.
"Yvonne, Lynn, don’t go up there!" Roxanne Lin shouted, remembering what Evan had told her.
The two turned to Roxanne Lin. "Why can’t we go up? Evan’s life is on the line—are we supposed to just stand here and watch?"
"That’s not it. The moment you step onto Skyflight Terrace—if you meet the ascension conditions—your own God-Tribulation will trigger instantly. Evan’s already up there; his tribulation is coming soon. If you go too, we’ll have three tribulations at once. Imagine what that would do!" Roxanne Lin said, deadly serious.
Yvonne Xuan and Lynn Ling instantly turned pale. This was no joke—Evan’s life or death was already uncertain and now he was about to face his own tribulation. Disaster stacked on disaster; everyone was deeply worried for him.
Just then, Evan stirred. His whole body felt like it was about to burst, muscles and bones shattered, every meridian torn apart. But he wasn’t afraid—inside his dantian, his elemental core spun wildly, and the wood-element sphere grew darker and denser...