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*****
Because breaking through the Innate Spirit Treasure, the Mountain and River State Map, had consumed a significant amount of the thunder's power, the lightning did not instantly shatter the "Five-Element Cabala Barrier" upon impact. Instead, it fell into another stalemate.
However, this deadlock lasted only a few seconds before ending.
With a loud crash, the Five-Element Cabala Barrier shattered, though the power of the Heavenly Tribulation was further weakened in the process.
Seeing that such a powerful defensive barrier had been broken so easily, Shen Gongbao, Taiyi Zhenren, Ne Zha, and Ao Bing all felt their hearts tighten.
The power of the Heavenly Tribulation Curse was even more formidable than they had anticipated.
Yet, to their surprise, when the thunder tribulation broke through the strong barrier and struck the crude, temporarily refined "bird cage" that they didn't understand, it actually stalled.
The crucial point was that this unknown, hastily made "bird cage" artifact held back the thunder for a duration far exceeding that of the powerful magical barrier.
It was even comparable to the time the Mountain and River State Map had held out against the lightning.
Although the "bird cage" was eventually destroyed by the thunder's force, it once again drastically reduced the intensity of the tribulation.
"Myriad Dragon Armor!"
Seeing this, Ao Bing timely activated the ultimate form of his defensive treasure, the Myriad Dragon Armor. Countless dragon scales flew above their heads, forming a celestial canopy that emitted the roar of dragons, blocking the remaining thunder tribulation.
Unfortunately, although the tribulation had been heavily weakened, its power remained immense.
The Myriad Dragon Armor, forged from the hardest scales of the various members of the Dragon Clan, held on for less than half a minute before meeting the same fate of destruction.
In the face of the already weakened thunder, the Myriad Dragon Armor persisted for even less time than the bird cage had.
"Not a big problem!"
George looked at the thunder tribulation, which still carried immense power after breaking the Myriad Dragon Armor, and his eyes lit up.
To him, the current intensity of the lightning was something he could easily resolve alone.
He possessed lightning-based superpowers, was proficient in the Laws of Lightning, and simultaneously knew Daoist arts and magic capable of dissolving and devouring energy. He was an expert at dealing with lightning tribulations.
So, even if this remaining bolt still had the power to severely injure or even kill a Golden Immortal, it was nothing in his eyes.
For him, the truly difficult things to deal with were powerful magic treasures, because other than tanking the hit, it was hard to find a clever way to neutralize them.
"Sun and Moon born together, thousand spirits reforming... Universe Ring, release!"
Ne Zha chanted the spell to lift the seal on his power. To maintain his sanity, he released only half his strength, his body growing rapidly in size.
After the Myriad Dragon Armor shattered, Ao Bing quickly raised his twin hammers.
Shen Gongbao lifted his lightning whip, entering a defensive stance with a solemn expression.
Taiyi Zhenren held the Seven-Colored Precious Lotus high, ready to activate it at any moment.
In this situation, they would surely survive the lightning tribulation; perhaps their physical bodies wouldn't even be destroyed.
But they still had to be safe just in case.
If their bodies were destroyed in the end, Taiyi could still rescue their souls in time to reshape their bodies later.
Just as the four braced themselves strictly for the final impact, their expressions froze in shock.
George's neck suddenly stretched rapidly, his head transforming into that of a massive black dragon. With a wide open mouth, he actually swallowed the entirety of the final thunderbolt into his stomach.
"A Saint's Heavenly Tribulation... is nothing more than this!"
Having swallowed the tribulation, George desperately wanted to strike a pose and act cool in front of the dumbfounded quartet. But after a moment of thought, he decided against it.
If Yuanshi Tianzun (The Primeval Lord of Heaven) found out about this arrogance and plotted against him in the future, the loss would outweigh the gain.
And honestly, if the tribulation hadn't been weakened layer by layer, facing a full Saint's strike would have stripped the skin off him, if not killed him.
It certainly wouldn't have been as easy as it was now.
"Fellow Daoist, you... you are also of the Dragon Clan!"
Seeing George manifest a physical dragon head, Shen Gongbao's face lit up with surprise and joy.
Originally, he had worried that George might be biased toward Taiyi Zhenren's side, but seeing the dragon head instantly settled his heart.
Since George was of the Dragon Clan, even if he wasn't one of the Four Seas Dragons, he was still somewhat related to them. He was "one of us" who could be recruited.
"Correct. My true form is indeed of the Dragon Clan. However, I have been in bitter cultivation since birth and haven't come out much, so I don't know much about the outside world. You may call me Daoist Black Dragon."
Only in his dragon form could he exert his maximum strength, so in future battles, he would certainly be mistaken for a dragon anyway.
Rather than hiding it, it was better to admit it early.
Taking advantage of the Dragon Clan's current predicament, he could provide timely assistance—sending charcoal in snowy weather—and quickly gain the trust of Shen Gongbao and the dragons.
If the path to Yuanshi Tianzun didn't work and he couldn't join the Chan (Elucidation) Sect, he could use his connection with Shen Gongbao and the dragons to try entering the Jie (Interception) Sect and bowing before Sect Master Tongtian.
The Jie Sect taught without discrimination, and Sect Master Tongtian loved accepting demon disciples.
Furthermore, although he was a dragon, he clearly wasn't a Four Seas Dragon; he was an inland wild dragon.
Or, according to the worldview here, his transformed appearance would likely be mistaken for a hybrid dragon with significant true dragon bloodline.
Thus, the Four Seas Dragons wouldn't be implicated by his actions, and his status would be similar to ordinary land demons.
The main issue was that he knew the Chan Sect cared deeply about one's "roots" and pedigree. Even if he were a human cultivator, as a wild cultivator with no background, he likely wouldn't be accepted by Yuanshi Tianzun.
Rather than finding some random Golden Immortal to be his master later, it was better to join the Jie Sect and follow Tongtian.
At least he'd be a second-generation disciple that way.
Of course, if he could truly become a disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun, that would naturally be the best outcome.
"We finally made it through!"
At this moment, Taiyi Zhenren let out a huge sigh of relief and slumped onto the ground.
Shen Gongbao was equally relieved.
Facing a Heavenly Lord's tribulation, his heart had been pounding the entire time.
"Thank you, Sir!"
Ao Bing bowed very politely to George. Without George's help, they would still be in a chaotic battle, let alone surviving the Heavenly Tribulation.
"Thanks!"
Ne Zha put his hands in his pockets, his tone casual, but deep down, he had firmly etched this huge favor into his heart.
"Meeting is fate. This poor Daoist has cultivated alone for a thousand years. Emerging now to meet you all must be destined."
George nodded with a smile. Using his psychic abilities, he could sense the heartfelt sincerity from the two of them and knew his goal had been achieved.
With the tribulation successfully passed, Taiyi Zhenren took out his divine brush again and led everyone out of the Mountain and River State Map.
Outside, the anxious Li Jing and his wife immediately rushed over, hugging Ne Zha tightly. Lady Yin was a mess of tears and snot.
"Restored as before!"
George looked at the General's Manor, which was a mess from the battle and the thunder, and waved his hand to cast a Repair Charm, restoring it to its lively and prosperous state from the birthday banquet.
"The Thirty-Six Methods of the Heavenly Tiangang?"
Taiyi Zhenren looked surprised seeing George restore the manor with a mere wave of his hand.
There was a technique in the Thirty-Six Methods called "Returning the Heavens and Reverting the Sun" that could achieve a similar effect.
If one practiced this technique to a profound level, they could even turn night back into day, or reverse day into night.
(End of Chapter)