Time passed day by day. Su Han had been in seclusion within the cave for an entire month when, after a long meditation, he finally opened his eyes.

In that instant, a terrifying Aura erupted, causing the entire cave to tremble. It was as if a Divine King were emerging from seclusion or a War God were descending upon the mortal world; the very earth shook and the mountains quaked. Su Han’s black hair whipped about without wind, his dark robes rustling loudly. A pitch-black Demonic Qi coiled around his body, making him look like a young Demon Emperor stepping out of the shadows, destined to one day command the darkness and let it shroud the world.

HOO!

Su Han exhaled a turbid breath. Immediately, a violent gale raged within the cave, sending sand and stones flying in a terrifying display. The Demonic Might radiating from him solidified into tangible ripples that pulsed outward, cracking the cavern walls.

Just a little more! Su Han sighed, a hint of regret in his eyes. He had successfully devoured and refined the Swordsaint’s Great Sun Sword Body, but because the Swordsaint’s injuries had been too severe, he remained just shy of breaking through to the Supreme Realm.

Su Han quickly adjusted his mindset, however. He was now only a hair’s breadth from the Supreme Realm, a gap he was confident he could close. He just needed to find a treasure of extreme hardness and Yang to trigger the breakthrough. At this point, having reached the Peak of the Heavenly King Realm Ninth Level, he could be considered an almost-Supreme.

Within his Dantian, his Spatial Force had increased to thirty-six strands, each as thin as a hair. After refining the Great Sun Sword Body’s Origin Source, these strands had transformed into the shape of swords, becoming thirty-six strands of Spatial Sword Qi. Though Su Han had yet to test their power, he knew they were anything but ordinary.

My Sacred Body has grown stronger, bringing me one step closer to the Perfected Realm! Su Han stood, stretching his limbs and sensing the changes in his body. A satisfied smile spread across his face.

By devouring the Great Sun Sword Body, he had obtained its Origin Source, which had strengthened his own Sacred Body. Moreover, he had also acquired the Great Sun Sword Body’s Origin Technique: the Power of the Sun. This was a support-type Origin Technique, capable of absorbing sunlight to enhance his strength. It could not, however, advance his Realm, making it less profound than the Ghostly Face Mask. If Su Han used this technique in the sun, he would receive a significant boost, but without sunlight, it was rather lackluster. Even so, Su Han was quite pleased. In his view, there were no weak Origin Techniques, only weak Martial Artists.

The Great Sun Sword Body possesses not only the extreme hardness and Yang of the sun but also the keenness of a blade. Having refined its Origin Source, I have also grasped the Sun Sword Intent. Now, I can master any Swordsmanship with ease! As Su Han perceived this second great power of the Great Sun Sword Body, his eyes lit up with surprise.

Special Physiques ranked among the top one hundred were far more profound than others. The Great Sun Sword Body, for instance, possessed the innate gifts of both the sun and Sword Intent. If not for this, how could the Swordsaint have roamed the Eastern Region and built such a formidable reputation? Unfortunately for him, he chose to provoke Su Han. With his talent, he might have one day attained the rank of Great Emperor. Now, with his death and the extinguishment of his path, all of it simply paved the way for Su Han.

Having acquired the Great Sun Sword Body, Su Han’s Physical Body was not only stronger, but he could also use sunlight to temper his Great Luo Golden Body, bringing it closer to a minor state of perfection.

My Physical Strength has reached seven billion jin—a full two billion jin more than before! With this power, an ordinary Martial Artist couldn’t even withstand a single punch from me. The changes to his Physical Body were most evident in its power and defense. At this point, Su Han had far surpassed ordinary prodigies and was comparable to the ancient freaks or descendants of Divine Beasts. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

I have a feeling that when I break through to the Supreme Realm, I’ll attract a Heavenly Tribulation, just like when I reached the Heavenly King Realm! This was a premonition, based not on evidence but purely on a sixth sense. The moment he recalled the Heavenly Tribulation from his breakthrough to the Heavenly King Realm, he knew his feeling was right. The Heavenly Tribulation he had faced then was already terrifying. If the ancient spear hadn’t flown out on its own, he doubted he could have withstood that final lightning Leviathan.

How to withstand the next Heavenly Tribulation was another critical problem. Su Han decided that after leaving this place, he would research Formations to see if he could rely on one to transcend the tribulation.

Prison Divine Palace!

Su Han looked down at the Bronze Ring on his finger. A green light shot into his brow, and his consciousness once again entered the Prison Divine Palace, a place with which he was now intimately familiar.

Inside, golden sunlight bathed the entire hall, dispelling the darkness and illuminating the figures of gods and demons kneeling within. There were majestic divine dragons, powerful Taotie, three-headed and six-armed demigods, and Demon Kings as mighty as the Grim Reaper. However, Su Han’s attention was immediately captured by a single golden figure. Its light was as dazzling as the sun, yet it pulsed with a sharp Sword Intent that seemed to fill the space between heaven and earth with invisible blades.

Su Han activated his Nine Heavens Eye and finally saw the figure’s true face. It was a handsome, clean-shaven man dressed in white, with a black sword strapped to his back. Though kneeling, his posture was perfectly straight, his back as rigid as a ninety-degree angle. His entire body radiated an aura as sharp as a sword, seemingly capable of slicing open the Nine Heavens themselves. This was an expert of the Human Race—or perhaps, a Sword Saint, for Su Han had never encountered such terrifying Sword Intent before.

He felt that in front of this being, even Kun Jing Great Emperor and Empress Duobao would seem utterly weak—not quite like ants, but close enough. White robes, a black sword, and Sword Intent that pierced the heavens. Su Han knew this person would be an extremely difficult opponent. His gaze grew solemn, yet there was no fear in his heart. His Defying Heavenly Demon Will gave him the courage to face any enemy, a rare conviction given that fear is a fundamental part of human nature.

After a moment of sensing, Su Han discerned the Sword Saint’s awakening time. He will likely awaken fully in about a month!

He had to prepare to transcend the coming tribulation and face this Sword Saint. The sense of urgency was overwhelming, making Su Han wish he could seize every single second.

I have to Transcend the Thunder Tribulation within this month and break through to the Supreme Realm. That’s the only way I’ll have a better chance against the Sword Saint!

The Heavenly Tribulation was both a calamity and an opportunity—a perilous trial with only a slim chance of survival. The sole prize it offered had to be seized from amidst immense danger. Su Han was mentally prepared.

WHOOSH!

After taking one last, deep look at the Sword Saint, Su Han’s consciousness withdrew from the Prison Divine Palace and returned to his body.

It’s time to leave. I’ll head back to Cang City and talk to Master Gong Ming about a Formation to withstand the Heavenly Tribulation.

Su Han rose to his feet, walked out of the cave, and dismantled the Formations he had set up around it. He planned to return to Cang City, first to check on the war and second to consult with Master Gong Ming about a Tribulation Transcendence Formation Method.

Between the Heavenly Tribulation, the Supreme Realm, and the threat of the Sword Saint, Su Han had much to do.