Immortal spiritual energy!
The Ginseng King's face turned ashen. Within the purple lightning, there was actually the energy of the upper realm.
Even with its current transformation, having grown ten flowers and ten leaves, it wasn't confident it could withstand this attack filled with destructive power.
This must be the source of the Destructive Bodhi Tree, suspected to be from the upper realm. If struck, it would surely be annihilated.
This purple heavenly lightning tore through the void, striking the small Bodhi tree sapling in Ji Mo's hand.
Clearly, its purpose was to destroy it.
Boom!
The lightning, carrying immense force, accurately struck Ji Mo.
In an instant, the heavens and earth collapsed, and the entire Tongtian Peak shook violently.
The nearby powerhouses were also affected. Those below the Spirit Saint realm were almost instantly torn apart, reduced to a bloody mess.
Although the Spirit Saints survived, they were severely injured and coughed up large amounts of blood.
"This is the power of heavenly tribulation, flee quickly!"
Du Jiuyou was utterly terrified. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and unleashed his fastest speed, flying towards the distance.
The remaining survivors also used their life-saving techniques and fled in disarray.
If they didn't run now, they would surely die.
"Ah, heaven envies talent! Could it be that Senior Ji has a heaven-defying presence, and the heavens cannot tolerate him in this world?"
The Grandmaster of Formations cried out mournfully, blood tears welling up in his eyes. He cast one last glance in Ji Mo's direction, his face filled with sorrow, and left.
In the sky above, lightning flashed and thunder roared, the dazzling lightning illuminating half the sky.
One bolt of lightning after another appeared, densely filling the sky, and then, like a storm, they continuously struck the peak of Tongtian Peak.
Soon, the entire Tongtian Peak was submerged in endless lightning.
"What exactly happened?"
Countless powerful beings were alarmed and shocked, all turning their gaze towards Tongtian Peak, wondering why heavenly tribulation had descended.
And what kind of being was heavenly tribulation trying to destroy?
"Hahaha, serves him right for showing off and getting struck by lightning. Even the heavens dislike that Ji fellow and want to smite him to death."
Red Skeleton laughed wildly at the sky.
He had also benefited from misfortune. By fleeing to avoid debt, he had escaped this calamity.
Upon discovering that Ji Mo had suffered heavenly tribulation, he felt incredibly delighted, laughing so hard his mouth split to his ears.
Elsewhere, Qin Tong collapsed on the ground, his spirit lost. "It's over, Mr. Ji is finished. How can anyone survive heavenly tribulation?"
The lightning struck for a full nine hours before dissipating.
The entire Tongtian Peak was riddled with holes. The summit had been shaved off by nearly a hundred meters, and everything with vitality had been blasted into dust.
...
Eighteen li outside Baishou Town, in front of Ji Mo's courtyard.
Hong Qiantu had become emaciated beyond recognition.
He had been kneeling there, carrying thorns, for eleven full days, and Ji Mo still hadn't returned.
He was almost at his breaking point. These days, to show his sincerity, he hadn't touched a drop of water, enduring it all.
An ordinary person would have died long ago.
Even with his physique, it was an arduous struggle.
A single belief supported Hong Qiantu, that all of this was a test from Ji Mo, and as long as he persevered, he would surely see the clouds part and the moon shine through.
"Brother Tianpeng, when exactly will Mr. Ji return?"
Hong Qiantu couldn't help but ask Tianpeng about Ji Mo's whereabouts again.
"Don't call me Tianpeng. I am the master's Little Black, a little black chicken."
Tianpeng corrected him, then said, "The master's whereabouts are not for us to speculate. He will return when he returns. If you want to kneel, keep kneeling. If not, scram."
Hong Qiantu forced a smile and continued to kneel obediently. He had endured for eleven days; how could he give up halfway?
"He... he won't be back!"
A choked voice sounded. Tang Xueyi, her face filled with grief, arrived in front of the courtyard.
Having received news from her fellow disciple Qin Tong that Ji Mo was in trouble, Tang Xueyi refused to believe it and came specifically to check.
Now, learning that Ji Mo hadn't returned home, it was highly likely that he had met with misfortune.
"What nonsense are you talking about? How could the master not come back?" Tianpeng rebuked angrily.
If it weren't for knowing Tang Xueyi's close relationship with Ji Mo, it would have likely taken action to discipline her.
"Everyone should know about the heavenly tribulation that occurred at Tongtian Peak a few days ago. The target of the heavenly tribulation was Mr. Ji. He's probably already..."
A tear rolled down Tang Xueyi's cheek, her eyes streaming with tears.
"Impossible!"
Tianpeng's legs went weak, and it collapsed directly onto the ground.
The other Xuan Ao, Fan Jingxing, and Hui Neng gathered around. Upon hearing this news, their faces turned ashen, and their minds went blank.
They felt as if the sky was about to fall.
Mr. Ji suffered heavenly tribulation and died?
"Ah, Ji Mo is really dead!"
Hong Qiantu felt a wave of dizziness. Hadn't all his suffering for the past eleven days been in vain?
If Ji Mo was dead, then who was he humbling himself for?
Thinking of this, he quickly removed the thorns from his body, threw them on the ground, and turned to leave.
People are indeed that realistic!
An atmosphere of sorrow spread. Everyone found it difficult to accept this outcome.
Just then, Tianpeng's head began to ache.
A divine glow flickered above its head, and the figure of the Nine-Change Heavenly Silkworm slowly appeared.
"Stop being foolish. Hurry up and tidy up the courtyard to welcome the master's return."
The Nine-Change Heavenly Silkworm said impatiently.
"Sister Heavenly Silkworm, the master suffered heavenly tribulation and died young!" Tianpeng wailed.
"Get lost. You're the one who died young. Even if you died, the master would be fine."
The Nine-Change Heavenly Silkworm flicked Tianpeng's forehead again. This foolish bird still didn't know the master's depth. Heavenly tribulation was nothing!
"Ah, you mean the master is not..."
Tianpeng jumped up instantly, its vitality instantly restored.
"Hello, everyone's here. What are you guys doing?"
Just then, a familiar voice sounded.
A figure, dressed in tattered clothes, covered in black, like a beggar, approached them.
"Wow, you... it's you..."
Tang Xueyi looked at the person who seemed to have emerged from a coal pile and was overjoyed. Without a word, she lunged forward.
She clung to him like a koala, tightly wrapped around him.
Ji Mo was startled. Why was this Miss Tang so enthusiastic and unrestrained? Every time they met, she gave such passionate hugs, which he found hard to bear.
Tianpeng and the other simpletons took a closer look and realized it was indeed Ji Mo. He was alive and had returned safely.
Although he looked very disheveled, he was clearly alive.
Instantly, they all turned from sorrow to joy.
Really, why had they lost faith in Mr. Ji?
With Mr. Ji's abilities, how could mere heavenly tribulation possibly kill him?
Hong Qiantu, who had already walked a considerable distance, heard the commotion and looked back, turning to stone on the spot.
Why was this happening?
He had just left, and Ji Mo returned right after.
Did this mean that all of this was indeed a test from a master, and he had failed?
"Ah, ah, I hate it!"
At this moment, Hong Qiantu beat his chest and stamped his feet, wishing he could buy a block of tofu and smash his head against it.
One wrong step led to all the wrong steps. He had endured for eleven days, and just a little bit more, he hadn't persisted.
"Wuwu, that's great, you really didn't die!"
Tang Xueyi couldn't help herself. Holding Ji Mo's head, her petal-like lips pressed against him.