Chapter 262: Birth and the Descent of the Heavenly Tribulation
In the core region of the Star Dou Forest.
Gu Yuena had not yet withdrawn her gaze from the direction of Shrek Academy when Di Tian suddenly stepped forward, his tone filled with barely contained excitement.
"My Lady, look at this!"
He carefully took out a parchment emitting a soft green radiance. Veins of life-like patterns glimmered upon its surface.
It was the Spirit Land Contract, the very one they had won at the Star Auction Pavilion.
The moment the contract appeared, the life energy in the surroundings—already turbulent because of the Golden Tree—surged even more violently as though drawn by an invisible force.
"This is... the Spirit Land Contract?"
Gu Yuena's eyes flickered with surprise. She could sense the unique natural law hidden within the contract resonating powerfully with the Lake of Life deep inside the forest.
Di Tian looked closely, realization dawning on him. "No wonder when the Golden Tree erupted earlier, this contract burned hot in my hands. It can connect with the power of the Lake of Life!"
Taking a deep breath, Di Tian poured his soul power into the contract.
Instantly, the green glow expanded into a column of light that shot skyward and pierced directly into the heart of the Lake of Life.
The next second, it was as if a seed of life had been planted – from the lake's center, torrents of life force surged outward, flooding the entire forest like an unstoppable tide.
"Rumble—!"
The lake surface churned violently. The once-small lake of a hundred miles in radius began expanding at a speed visible to the naked eye. The water grew ever clearer, reflecting drifting clouds like a vast emerald gem.
In less than half an incense's time, the lake had grown tenfold. At its banks, new spirit grasses sprouted wildly, and dead trees burst forth with fresh green buds.
Even the air itself grew thick with life force, almost tangible to the touch.
"This... this vitality has grown at least tenfold!"
Zi Ji gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment. She could feel her soul power loosening, as though she were on the cusp of breaking through.
Gu Yuena extended a hand, brushing her fingers through the flowing life energy. A gentle warmth lingered at her fingertips.
Her eyebrows furrowed slightly as her divine sense skimmed across the connection between the contract and the lake. "The Spirit Land Contract has now bound itself to the Lake of Life's core essence. From this day forward, it will become the foundation that maintains this entire land. We must protect it at all costs."
All those present nodded solemnly. Their gazes turned serious as they looked at the glowing contract.
Not far away, Snow Empress stared at the flourishing land before them, her expression touched with awe and envy.
The Extreme North, her domain, was vast and pure, but it had never produced such vigorous life force.
Just then, she remembered the pet egg she had purchased at the Star Auction Pavilion—within it rested an unborn Ice Sky Snow Maiden, still unhatched.
"Bi Ji," Snow Empress turned to the green-robed woman beside her. "Could you help me nurture this egg with your life energy?"
Bi Ji was now a true million-year soul beast, her life attribute having evolved to the level of absolute life.
If she used her power to nurture it, the Ice Sky Snow Maiden would be blessed beyond measure upon birth.
Bi Ji glanced at the crystalline blue egg in Snow Empress's arms, faint flickers of life pulsing within it.
"The Ice Sky Snow Maiden's bloodline is powerful, containing pure extreme ice energy," Bi Ji murmured after a pause. "If I use life power to nourish it, it may awaken early—and strengthen its foundation."
Raising her delicate hand, a soft green glow gathered in her palm and gently seeped into the egg.
A faint hissing sound echoed as the light merged with the ice-like shell.
The life pulse within the egg began beating rapidly, its once-weak aura growing stronger with startling speed.
Snow Empress could clearly sense the surge of pure ice energy awakening within—its life force intertwined with the essence of absolute frost.
"Crack…"
A hairline fracture appeared across the eggshell, quickly spreading until a tiny form emerged from within.
It was a palm-sized girl with snow-white skin, crystalline wings sprouting from her back, surrounded by an aura both icy and soothing.
Just as she was about to emerge completely, the sky suddenly darkened.
Clouds gathered rapidly above, and purple lightning churned within them, releasing a suffocating pressure.
"No… it's the heavenly tribulation!"
Bi Ji's expression changed dramatically. "The Ice Sky Snow Maiden is a unique being under heaven's law. Now that another has been born, the world itself will punish this defiance!"
Snow Empress's face turned pale. She had not expected a tribulation.
Among all soul beasts, lightning tribulations were the most feared—once targeted by the heavens, survival was nearly impossible.
Just as the lightning bolt descended, a silver figure appeared in front of the egg.
Gu Yuena raised her hand and unleashed a surge of divine power that formed a barrier, absorbing the heavenly strike head-on.
The purple lightning flared violently, then gradually dissipated, powerless before divine strength.
"Thank you, my Lady!"
Snow Empress bowed deeply, her heart still racing.
If not for Gu Yuena's intervention, the newborn soul beast would have perished before taking its first breath.
Gu Yuena nodded calmly. "Her existence defies the natural order. This place is no longer safe for you. Leave at once."
Holding the now fully hatched Ice Sky Snow Maiden—her large eyes blinking curiously—Snow Empress cast one lingering look at the verdant forest before hurrying away.
…
Meanwhile, in the God Realm.
Tang San stood upon the clouds, feeling the renewed connection to the Douluo Continent. His long-tensed nerves finally relaxed.
Not long ago, while the Four God Kings had sealed the Golden Dragon King, Tang San had forced open a small rift in space, allowing him to once again perceive the mortal world.
"San-ge, won't they discover this?"
Xiao Wu asked softly, worry in her voice.
Tang San took her hand, eyes calm and sure. "Don't worry. The rift is too subtle to notice for now. I must confirm that Dong'er is safe—and understand the truth behind that Star Auction Pavilion."
As he spoke, his divine sense transformed into a streak of light, piercing the barrier between realms and descending toward the Douluo Continent.
…
At the Clear Sky Sect, Titan and Niu Tian stood before the mountain gates, looking toward the distant glow above Shrek Academy with awe.
"That power just now—it was even stronger than during Tang San's time," Niu Tian said in disbelief.
"Indeed," Titan nodded. "Even before this, the Golden Tree was incredible. Tang San had left his own divine imprints upon it back then. Now that the tree has fully evolved, Shrek Academy will likely ascend to an entirely new level."
"It seems Shrek will soon make major moves. By the way, what should we do with the soul spirit we purchased from the Star Auction Pavilion?"
Before Titan could elaborate, a familiar silhouette appeared before them—a divine projection of none other than Tang San himself.
"Tang San!"
Both men bowed deeply, their hearts alight with relief and excitement.
Their lingering worries vanished completely.
(END CHAPTER)
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