Chapter 1460: Zhang Xuan Is Missing

"If this lightning tribulation is truly to be overcome, the competition can be called off..."

Looking at the thunderbolts filling the sky, Zhang Wuchen approached.

"Indeed, this lightning surpasses ordinary Voidbreak Tribulation; even an expert at the eighth level of the Saint Domain, mid-stage Voidbreak, could not withstand it. If he can break through, he will undoubtedly become the foremost of the younger generation, no question about it!"

The Grand Elder nodded.

With their level of cultivation, they could discern the strength of a lightning tribulation at a glance.

This Zhang Jiuxiao's lightning was as vast as an abyss or ocean, spreading over an immeasurable area, and its power made even them feel their scalps go numb.

If the man before them could truly survive it, then even Zhang Chun, the strongest of the younger generation, would surely be no match, and his becoming the top contender was already settled.

"He's just a collateral descendant... How could he have progressed so quickly?"

Zhang Wuchen was utterly perplexed.

"Let's ask him in detail after he finishes this tribulation!"

Shaking his head, the Grand Elder, who also seemed unable to understand, spoke.

As the two conversed, the second lightning tribulation in the sky gradually took shape.

Crack!

This time it was not mere lightning, but a blade of light that tore through the air, splitting the surrounding space and leaving dark, gaping fissures.

"It's a lightning weapon from the tribulation..."

Among the crowd, an elder who recognized it swallowed hard.

If ordinary lightning were compared to a fist, a lightning weapon attack was like using a blade.

Though both were bolts of electricity, their power differed by several times.

"Come on!"

Having taken a pill bestowed by his teacher, Zhang Jiuxiao had already recovered from his previous injuries. With a roar, he hurled a high-grade saint artifact.

His highest-level weapon before had only been mid-grade, but after successfully entering the Saint Son Hall, the clan had rewarded him with a high-grade one, which he now deployed at the critical moment.

Crack!

The saint artifact collided with the lightning weapon in the sky, but in the blink of an eye, it was cleaved in two. The lightning's power did not diminish in the slightest and continued to fall.

Spreading his five fingers, he formed a massive ring of true energy before him. The lightning struck into it, producing a violent roar. The entire training ground shook under the impact, on the verge of collapse at any moment.

Fortunately, this place often hosted competitions and was equipped with numerous reinforcing formations; otherwise, this single strike would have reduced it to rubble.

Bang!

Though he had blocked the lightning weapon's attack, Zhang Jiuxiao's arms were charred black, and his entire body plunged into the ground like a cannonball, smashing a huge crater.

"He's not dead, is he?"

"Probably not..."

"This lightning is too terrifying. Few of the clan's executive elders could withstand it. He's just broken through, and across an entire major realm..."

"Let's hope he's fine. Though he's a collateral descendant, reaching such strength is a blessing for the clan. He must not come to harm!"

Murmurs arose, and the clan disciples around wore expressions of worry.

The Zhang family had stood tall across the entire continent. Though internal competition was fierce, when a true super-genius appeared, everyone respected him; otherwise, without external enemies, internal strife alone would consume them all.

Whoosh!

Just as everyone was filled with concern, Zhang Jiuxiao staggered out from beneath the crater.

At this moment, his entire body was charred black, with no spot left intact, but his face still bore a stubborn look. He gazed at the lightning in the sky, seemingly without fear.

Rumble!

The third lightning tribulation was approaching.

Like the Out-of-Body Tribulation, the Voidbreak Tribulation also consisted of three bolts, each more terrifying than the last. Countless experts had fallen to it.

"The third bolt is not only powerful but also contains a heart tribulation. This Zhang Jiuxiao, being a collateral descendant without proper nurturing, I fear his mind may not overcome it..."

The Grand Elder's face showed concern.

"Indeed, to pass this trial, one needs not only immense willpower but also an unshakable conviction—no wavering, no yielding. I'm afraid he... won't hold out!"

Zhang Wuchen was also tense.

If this suddenly emerged genius of the Zhang family were to fall to the lightning tribulation, it would be a great loss.

"The tribulation has built up to this point; we cannot intervene... How about this: go find that Zhang Xuan. If... he can resolve the lightning and save Zhang Jiuxiao this time, we can overlook what happened before!"

After a moment's hesitation, the Grand Elder said.

From Zhang Wuchen's report, he knew that this student of Teacher Yang could single-handedly withstand lightning tribulations, even easily breaking the Universe Void Tribulation. Zhang Jiuxiao's Voidbreak Tribulation, though powerful, should not be too difficult for him to handle.

"Alright!"

Knowing the importance of this matter, Zhang Wuchen's body flickered, and he hurriedly flew toward the other's residence. In no time, he arrived.

"Hmm? Not here?"

His divine sense quickly swept through the courtyard, but found nothing. Frowning, he pushed open a door and entered a room.

"Elder Wuchen!"

Jian Qinsheng stood up.

"Do you know where Teacher Zhang has gone?"

He asked directly.

Earlier, he had brought Jian Qinsheng and Zhang Xuan here. After taking the latter to the blood pool, he had let him return on his own. Under normal circumstances, he should have stayed here and not gone far. Why was he missing?

"Teacher Zhang was taken away by you last night. Later, he encountered Zhang Jiuxiao, who was looking for him, and then left with him..."

Jian Qinsheng thought for a moment and said.

Zhang Jiuxiao had come looking for Zhang Xuan. He was the only one here and knew the details clearly. After that, the two had not returned. What had happened?

"Zhang Jiuxiao came looking for... Zhang Xuan?"

Zhang Wuchen stood frozen: "You mean that collateral descendant from the Saint Son Hall, Zhang Jiuxiao?"

"Yes, who else? I wouldn't mistake him!" Jian Qinsheng shook his head.

"How does Zhang Jiuxiao know Zhang Xuan?" Zhang Wuchen couldn't believe it.

This Zhang Xuan had just caused such a commotion, and now he had left with Zhang Jiuxiao, who had also stirred up a fuss. Could there be a connection between the two?

"I don't know how they know each other either... But they seemed very familiar!"

Jian Qinsheng shook his head.

"I see..."

Utterly incredulous, Zhang Wuchen hurriedly flew back.

He had come to find Zhang Xuan, but by now, the lightning tribulation in the sky had fully gathered and came crashing down.

In an instant, Zhang Jiuxiao seemed to enter a crossroads of confusion, his soul flickering unsteadily, on the verge of extinguishing.

He was merely an ordinary collateral descendant, with no status or dignity before a behemoth like the Zhang family. Even if he had died back in the Qingyuan Empire, they probably wouldn't have sent any experts to investigate!

It was his teacher who had given him a chance to rewrite his life!

He had successfully entered the Saint Son Hall, become an ordinary disciple, and even been taken into the blood pool, granted the strongest bloodline...

"Teacher said I can get through this, so I will. I won't let Teacher down!"

A fierce obsession arose in his heart. A surge of powerful energy burst forth from within his body. The漫天 lightning fell upon him but was all blocked outside his body, unable to enter.

"This is... bloodline power? Even purer than mine... Impossible!"

The Grand Elder's pupils contracted.