NOVEL NEXT Chapter 33: Golden Radiance
Wen Ran scanned the text etched into his mind, his heart pounding wildly. This was an opportunity so heaven-defying that it would not only be the greatest chance of his life but also a glimmer of hope for survival—however faint it might be. Despite the manual foretelling his doom, he believed this heavenly punishment must be far less severe than the one awaiting the tenth circle of Spirit Gathering. This was a perfect chance to temper his body, preparing it for the trials ahead.
"Hahaha!" He laughed maniacally, his heart steadying as his fear dissolved into determination. This is perfect! Let the heavens try to take my life—I will endure it all! His grin widened, wild and unrestrained. Without hesitation, Wen Ran focused the raw, untamed spiritual energy surging around him and began refining his body. The faintest golden radiance started to envelop his inner organs, though it was too dim to see clearly. It was still the beginning of the technique, but the effects were undeniable.
Wen Ran's body tensed and spasmed as his bones began to transform, growing denser and stronger. His raw power increased slightly—not enough to make him invincible in this realm, but enough to place him among the strongest in terms of sheer physical strength. The crushing weight of the heavenly punishment lessened slightly, as if the heavy mountain pressing on his shoulders had eased. Yet, the suffocating pressure remained, a constant reminder that the real trial was just beginning.
The faint glow within his body bolstered Wen Ran's resolve. I need to steady my breath. My cultivation is nearing the next circle—just a little more, and I'll be stronger than before. His breathing slowed, measured and deliberate, as he prepared for the imminent disaster.
The pressure grew, his spiritual energy surged, and in that instant, the boundary to the eighth circle of Spirit Gathering shattered. Wen Ran's body shook uncontrollably as he felt his cultivation break through, pushing him into the eighth circle. He tilted his head upward, staring at the ceiling with an expression full of defiance. "Come!" he shouted, his voice unwavering and fearless. The time for preparation was over.
[Get ready]
[The heavenly punishment is starting soon]
Meanwhile, in the adjacent room, Fang Jinyao stirred from her deep sleep. Her golden hair lay disheveled, and her eyes opened groggily, still heavy from exhaustion. She hadn't slept properly in days, anxiously waiting for Wen Ran's return, and her body had finally succumbed to rest. But now, something felt off.
As she stretched lazily, she froze. A pair of unblinking, sky-blue eyes stared back at her from her chest. "AH!" she shrieked, leaping up in shock. The rabbit tumbled to the edge of the bed but remained calm, its gaze fixed intently on her. Its expression was almost accusatory, as though Fang Jinyao were the intruder in its master's house.
Her panic subsided slightly as she studied the creature. "W-what is this rabbit doing here? Did Wen Ran bring it back?" she muttered to herself, her voice shaky. But the rabbit didn't react to her words. It continued to watch her with an intensity that made her uncomfortable, as though silently judging her every move.
"How did you get inside?" Fang Jinyao blinked in confusion, for a second thinking she was still dreaming. She pinched her cheek, but the sharp pain jolted her into reality. Her gaze swept the room until she noticed it—the suffocating aura hanging heavily in the air. Then, her eyes landed on the figure sitting on the ground. Her heart leapt.
"Wen Ran—"
Before she could take another step, the ceiling cracked violently. A dazzling electric radiance tore through the room, crashing onto the very person she adored. Her breath hitched as her heart froze. "WEN RAN!" she screamed, her voice raw with panic. But her body refused to move, as if the heavens themselves had shackled her in place, denying her even the chance to intervene.
As for Wen Ran, the moment the lightning struck, unimaginable pain tore through his body. The sheer force nearly knocked him unconscious, but he clung to his awareness by a thread.
I can't... I have to stay awake... His teeth sank into his lip, the metallic tang of blood sharp on his tongue as he forced himself to remain focused. My insides feel like they're burning... my whole body is numb... as if millions of swords are stabbing me at once.
This wasn't his first encounter with a lightning tribulation. In his past life, heavenly challenges were a rite of passage for cultivators, forcing them to endure the might of the heavens' lightning. Surviving such a trial would not only nourish the body but elevate one's cultivation to the next realm. But this... this was something else.
This isn't a trial meant to test me—it's meant to destroy me, to annihilate me completely. His fists clenched tightly. No! I won't let the heavens win. Not this time!
The golden brilliance within him flared brighter than ever. As the lightning coursed through him, Wen Ran's body blackened, charred like coal. Yet inside, the Heaven Shattering Art worked tirelessly, transforming him from within. His organs gleamed faintly, and his meridians pulsated with an otherworldly vitality. It was as if he was undergoing a rebirth. But even with the technique working wonders, the pain was beyond comprehension, making him feel like he was moments from death.
It's not enough, he thought grimly. And this is only the first strike... there will be more.
As if answering his fear, the second bolt of lightning tore through the heavens, slamming into Wen Ran with even greater force. The air around him crackled with raw energy, and his body shook violently. Yet this old demon was far too resilient. The golden radiance deep within him glowed brighter, shielding his inner organs. With each strike, it seemed to grow stronger, tempering his body and pushing his limits further.
Wen Ran could feel it—despite the excruciating pain, he was becoming stronger. His body felt slightly lighter, his spirit more unyielding. But he wasn't naive. The torment wasn't over yet. His teeth ground together as he desperately searched for something, anything, to keep him going.
His hand trembled, moving agonizingly slow, as he reached into his storage pouch. Finally, his fingers grasped a small, bright red elixir. He sniffed it weakly, and a potent, metallic scent filled his nostrils. It smelled faintly of blood, but the overwhelming life force radiating from it reignited his resolve.
Hahaha! he laughed inwardly, a manic grin spreading across his face. To hell with dying! I'm not just going to survive—I'll become a true demon! Damn you, heavens! You'll see the monster you've created!
Without hesitation, he gulped the elixir down. His body convulsed violently, as if a surge of uncontrollable energy tore through him. But amidst the agony, his heart burned with exhilaration.
Before his eyes, a blazing system message appeared:
[Demon Body Transformation Sutra has been successfully activated]