The Venerable Monster Tamer – Chapter 83

Section 47: Verdant Leaf-Wheel Jade Bangle Shield, Nine-Layered Ancient Wood Demonic Lightning

Author: Gu Zhenren
2013-02-09

Zero is the beginning, and nine is the extreme.

When a demon’s cultivation breaks through the extreme of nine, it will attract a heavenly tribulation.

From birth, they are in the young demon stage.

When breaking through from 9 years of cultivation to 10 years, a Lesser Demon Tribulation descends. Successfully overcoming it allows one to advance from the young demon realm to the lesser demon rank.

When breaking through from 99 years to 100 years, a Great Demon Tribulation will occur. Successfully overcoming it will elevate one from lesser demon to great demon.

When breaking through from 999 years to 1000 years, there will be a Spirit Demon Tribulation. After overcoming it, one enters the spirit demon realm.

When breaking through from 9999 years to 10,000 years, a Tribulation Demon Tribulation will occur. After overcoming it, one becomes a Tribulation Demon.

The four major tribulations—Lesser Demon Tribulation, Great Demon Tribulation, Spirit Demon Tribulation, and Tribulation Demon Tribulation—become increasingly difficult as they progress. These four demonic tribulations do not need to be faced head-on. One can evade, seek powerful allies, divert trouble elsewhere, or delay the lightning tribulation. Various methods have their own advantages and disadvantages, requiring on-the-spot judgment to choose and implement.

Therefore, enduring a demonic tribulation is also a profound discipline. In the curriculum of Tiange Academy, there is a course specifically dedicated to teaching knowledge on how to overcome demonic tribulations and increase the success rate.

Furthermore, the tribulations faced by Demon Soldiers, Demonic Plants, and Demonic Beasts each have their own distinctions and significant differences. For instance, the Lesser Demon Tribulation that a Sky Fox endures, lacking enlightenment in cultivation methods, necessitates evasion as the primary strategy. Ultimately, by following the principles of the five elements’ generation and restraint, it utilizes the environment to wear down the lightning tribulation and successfully overcomes it.

However, most Demonic Plants, like the Revolving Vital Energy Tree, are rooted in the soil. During a demonic tribulation, they cannot evade and must rely on brute force to withstand it.

Fortunately, Chu Yun had anticipated this and made thorough preparations in advance.

He spent a significant amount of academic credits in the Scripture Pavilion to select numerous defensive cultivation methods for the Revolving Vital Energy Tree. Next, he borrowed many Heavenly Gang Stones from Jin Bihan to supply the Revolving Vital Energy Tree. Finally, he himself, wielding the Drunken Snow Saber, stood as the last line of defense.

At noon on this day, the Revolving Vital Energy Tree’s cultivation broke through from 9 years to 10 years, triggering a Lesser Demon Tribulation as Heaven and Earth sensed the change.

Chu Yun immediately tightened the opening of the Immortal Pouch, severing the connection. The Lesser Demon Tribulation dissipated.

He had initially intended to choose an ideal location for the tribulation, but after being persuaded by Headmaster Feng Bole, and considering the threat of assassins, he decided to undergo the tribulation in the Headmaster’s courtyard.

As the stars emerged and night enveloped Green Mountain Island, Chu Yun and the others completed their preparations, while others maintained a distant vigil. Only Chu Yun remained in the courtyard, ready.

He placed the Small Accumulated Cloud Immortal Pouch on the ground, fully opened its mouth, and propped it open with a stand. From Chu Yun’s perspective, the pouch’s opening formed a cylindrical shape. The crystal soil at the bottom was visible, along with the scaled-down Revolving Vital Energy Tree.

With the pouch’s opening wide, Heaven and Earth’s connection was established. Swiftly, the Lesser Demon Tribulation began to condense in the sky.

A small, azure tribulation cloud pulsed with blue lightning, its formation remarkably bizarre. At its center was a thick, circular mass of tribulation cloud. Surrounding it was a layer of ring-shaped tribulation cloud, and then another outer layer, also ring-shaped. In its entirety, the tribulation cloud formed countless concentric circles.

“One, two, three… there are nine layers!” Chu Yun counted, his expression growing solemn.

This was the Nine-Layered Ancient Wood Demonic Tribulation! It comprised nine attacks, each increasing in power, making it progressively harder to withstand.

Jin Bihan and Yan Que, observing from a distance, also looked grim. This Nine-Layered Ancient Wood Demonic Tribulation was one of the most difficult types of Lesser Demon Tribulations.

The central, round mass of tribulation cloud began to churn restlessly, flashes of lightning flickering within, emitting a rumbling thunderous sound.

Chu Yun called out, “Verdant Leaf-Wheel Jade Bangle Shield!”

The Revolving Vital Energy Tree shuddered, and five green leaves detached. The leaves connected end-to-end, forming a hollow rotating wheel, which spun continuously.

The hollow wheel then flew out of the Immortal Pouch, emitting a verdant luminescence and growing larger. The green light gradually condensed, eventually resembling a jade bangle of grinding stone size, silently spinning at high speed in mid-air.

Crack!

A verdant lightning bolt abruptly tore through the night sky, striking fiercely towards the Revolving Vital Energy Tree.

The Verdant Leaf-Wheel Jade Bangle Shield immediately intercepted it, enveloping the verdant lightning bolt. With a bang, the jade bangle shield swayed precariously, managing to block the first layer of the lightning tribulation.

Chu Yun silently calculated the power of the second layer of lightning tribulation and issued commands. The Revolving Vital Energy Tree vibrated continuously, producing five new jade bangle shields.

The second layer of lightning tribulation struck, shattering the first jade bangle shield, and with undiminished power, broke through another newly formed jade bangle shield.

The third layer of lightning tribulation struck, destroying three more Verdant Leaf-Wheel Jade Bangle Shields. In the blink of an eye, only one leaf-wheel remained in mid-air, weakly protecting the Revolving Vital Energy Tree.

Chu Yun frowned, glancing into the pouch. The Revolving Vital Energy Tree had few leaves to begin with, and now its branches were completely bare.

He had no choice but to change his cultivation method, employing the “Verdant Mist” technique.

The fourth layer of lightning tribulation smashed through the last Leaf-Wheel Jade Bangle Shield but was blocked by the Verdant Mist. The greenish-white mist immediately dissipated by half.

“Replenish the Verdant Mist, then activate the Azure Vine Robe,” Chu Yun said, his lips dry, feeling the pressure.

The fifth layer of lightning tribulation blasted through the mist, its power greatly reduced, and was blocked by a layer of verdant light that formed on the Revolving Vital Energy Tree. It was the Azure Vine Robe that played its part.

Chu Yun licked his dry lips, feeling helpless. This was his first time facing such a Nine-Layered Ancient Wood Demonic Tribulation; in his previous life, he hadn’t been fortunate enough to possess a Revolving Vital Energy Tree. Five layers of lightning tribulation had already left him feeling somewhat depleted.

If the Revolving Vital Energy Tree failed to overcome the demonic tribulation, it would remain in the young demon stage, its vital energy not yet fully developed. Consequently, its comprehension was insufficient, and the cultivation methods it could learn and use were very limited.

Besides its innate cultivation method, “Heavenly Dao Resonance,” Chu Yun had meticulously planned and equipped it with five mid to lower grade cultivation methods: “Verdant Leaf-Wheel Jade Bangle Shield,” “Verdant Mist,” “Azure Vine Robe,” “Spirit Gathering Technique,” and “Root Drawing Technique.” All were defensive and recovery types.

Now, all the defensive cultivation methods had been used, and four layers of lightning tribulation remained. Each subsequent layer would be stronger than the last, its power not to be underestimated.

In his desperation, Chu Yun could only instruct the Revolving Vital Energy Tree to replenish the Verdant Mist again.

As the sixth Ancient Wood lightning bolt descended, the Verdant Mist immediately disintegrated, and the Azure Vine Robe was also torn apart. The lightning’s power was significantly weakened, but it still struck the Revolving Vital Energy Tree’s main body, causing the tree’s trunk to tremble violently.

Chu Yun’s heart ached as he watched. Through their spiritual connection, he felt the Revolving Vital Energy Tree’s fear.

He quickly vibrated his own spiritual energy, calming the Revolving Vital Energy Tree’s emotions. Simultaneously, he ordered the replenishment of the Verdant Mist and the Azure Vine Robe.

Just as he was about to use the Spirit Gathering Technique, the seventh Ancient Wood lightning strike thundered down.

“This is bad, why is it getting faster and faster!” Chu Yun’s heart sank as he watched the green lightning blast through two layers of defense, leaving the Revolving Vital Energy Tree charred black. A burnt smell immediately spread.

The Revolving Vital Energy Tree’s spiritual energy fluctuations became intensely erratic. It was terrified, reminding Chu Yun of a crying baby needing parental protection and comfort.

Chu Yun gritted his teeth and resolutely drew the Drunken Snow Saber from his back. Although he had been mentally prepared, the tribulation’s difficulty still surpassed his expectations. After all, during the previous Sky Fox tribulation, it could evade and use the environment to wear down and resist the lightning. This time, the Revolving Vital Energy Tree’s tribulation could only be faced head-on with its own strength.

“Intervening would inevitably trigger the sensed connection of Heaven and Earth, causing the demonic tribulation to change unpredictably. However, at this point, there is no other choice…” Chu Yun sighed inwardly. Suddenly, his body trembled, and he noticed an anomaly within the Immortal Pouch.

A small white cloud condensed near the opening of the pouch. At first glance, it looked like the Revolving Vital Energy Tree was wearing a cute little hat.

“Small Accumulated Cloud Immortal Pouch! It’s triggered its Accumulated Cloud effect! My investment back then was indeed worth it! This little cloud has absorbed the residual electricity from the previous lightning strikes and is now an Accumulated Cloud of Ancient Wood Green Lightning. Like charges repel, giving it significant resistance against the current tribulation, even more effective than the Leaf-Wheel Jade Bangle Shield!”

Chu Yun was overjoyed. He changed his strategy and immediately commanded, “Quickly use the Spirit Gathering Technique, then the Root Drawing Technique!”

The Spirit Gathering Technique could rapidly draw a large amount of wood elemental vital energy from the surrounding space in a short period, replenishing the expenditure of demonic essence.

The Root Drawing Technique, a classic cultivation method for demonic plants, allowed them to root themselves in the earth and absorb life vital energy for self-repair.

The consecutive use of both techniques revitalized the Revolving Vital Energy Tree, making it vibrant again, even sprouting over ten green leaves.

The eighth lightning strike descended, hitting the Small Accumulated Cloud directly. With a boom, both dissipated together.

Seizing this opportunity, Chu Yun shouted, “Vital Energy Tree, continuously use the Leaf-Wheel Jade Bangle Shield, then replenish the Verdant Mist, and finally form the Azure Vine Robe!”

Two jade bangle shields flew out, verdant white mist enveloped the tree’s body, and the radiance of the Azure Vine Robe flickered within the mist.

In the night sky, of the original nine concentric circles of tribulation clouds, only the last one remained. A rolling thunderous sound rumbled, and an unprecedentedly powerful green lightning brewed within the cloud.

Chu Yun gritted his teeth, a drop of cold sweat trickling down his temple. This was the final moment.

Boom!

The verdant lightning bolt, like a sharp sword, pierced through space, striking into the Immortal Pouch in the blink of an eye.

The lightning was destructive. The two Leaf-Wheel Jade Bangle Shields turned to dust in the green light in an instant. The Verdant Mist only held for half a breath before dissipating. After one breath, the Azure Vine Robe also crumbled.

Finally, the Revolving Vital Energy Tree endured the lightning strike with its main body.

At this moment, time stretched out in Chu Yun’s perception. After a long feeling, the blinding lightning dissipated. The Revolving Vital Energy Tree was blackened all over, its cultivation falling to 8 years. However, without a doubt, it had successfully overcome the tribulation!

“Having passed this tribulation, although a little cultivation was lost, once it’s restored to 10 years, it won’t have to face the Lesser Demon Tribulation again. Congratulations!” Yan Que walked over to offer his congratulations.

As long as a demonic tribulation was passed, it meant gaining recognition from the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth. When its cultivation recovered, it would no longer encounter demonic tribulations of the same level.

“I thought Brother Chu would step in and assist with his saber. Actually, this is best, avoiding any unpredictable changes in the demonic tribulation. This Nine-Layered Ancient Wood Demonic Tribulation can be very troublesome if it mutates,” Jin Bihan said, her bright, moon-like eyes blinking as she also offered her congratulations.

Chu Yun reinserted the Drunken Snow Saber into its sheath. “I was concerned about assassins possibly bypassing the academy’s defenses to disrupt things. Therefore, I aimed not to intervene unless absolutely necessary. To be honest, the pressure of the tribulation was immense. The Revolving Vital Energy Tree is precious and cannot afford to be lost. Fortunately, the Small Accumulated Cloud condensed and blocked the eighth lightning strike; otherwise, it wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.”

He felt very fortunate that he hadn’t been stingy with his academic credits and had chosen the most expensive Small Accumulated Cloud Immortal Pouch. Now, it seemed to have been truly worth every penny.

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