Chapter 55: Foundation Establishment Heavenly Tribulation

“Mr. Shi, do you really want us to leave?” Xu Lin, who was responsible for protecting them, hesitated upon hearing Shi Chan’s order for a complete retreat.

“Yes, everyone must leave,” Shi Chan had already made all the necessary preparations for the tribulation. “Stay at least a thousand meters away from here. No one should come near.”

“What about Mr. Xi?” Xu Lin glanced at Xi Ming.

Xi Ming was still sitting in his wheelchair. Despite the long period of treatment improving his condition, it was still not enough for him to stand on his own.

Moreover, in the past month, Shi Chan had been busy preparing for the tribulation, reducing the frequency of Xi Ming’s treatments.

“Ming-ge will stay by my side,” Shi Chan said, urging the others to leave immediately. His spiritual energy had already filled his body to the point of surging uncontrollably.

After ensuring that everyone had withdrawn, Shi Chan used his divine sense to scan the area and confirmed that no one remained. Only then did he exhale slowly and lift his gaze toward the sky with determination.

At some point, a faint layer of tribulation clouds had already gathered above.

Shi Chan withdrew his gaze and crouched in front of Xi Ming, giving him instructions, “Ming-ge, stay here and don’t move. Soon, lightning from the tribulation will strike me, but don’t worry. I’ve made thorough preparations, and I will be fine. Just remember, no matter what happens, do not come near me.”

Stepping into a cultivator’s tribulation range would double the lightning’s power, making it target both people. Xi Ming’s body could never withstand such an impact.

Even though Shi Chan had already explained this to Xi Ming several times, he still feared that Xi Ming might act on impulse at the last moment. So, he emphasized it again, “Once I finish overcoming the tribulation, I’ll come back to you. You don’t have to do anything during the process.”

“Do you understand?” Shi Chan still wasn’t at ease as he reached out to push Xi Ming’s wheelchair. “How about you turn your back to me so you won’t have to watch?”

Xi Ming placed his hand on Shi Chan’s, his gaze filled with nothing but him. “Don’t worry, I won’t be a burden to you.”

Shi Chan sighed, rubbing his face against the back of Xi Ming’s hand before standing up, his expression carrying a hint of grievance. “You know that’s not what I meant… I’m going now.”

Just as he was about to leave, Xi Ming opened his arms. “Come here, let me hug you one more time.”

No matter how many times Shi Chan reassured him that he would be fine, Xi Ming, knowing what a tribulation entailed, couldn’t help but worry. How could he not be concerned about a person being struck by lightning?

Shi Chan bent down once more and leaned into the embrace.

Feeling the warmth of Shi Chan’s body in his arms, Xi Ming knew how much power was contained within this seemingly delicate frame. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

Shi Chan kissed Xi Ming’s cheek and smiled with curved eyes. “I’ll be back soon.”

Then, he turned and walked away, quickly reaching the spot he had previously chosen for the tribulation. Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he guided his spiritual energy to impact his meridians and break through his bottleneck.

Boom—

The tribulation lightning in the sky was ready, its aura overwhelming, the clouds dark and oppressive over Shi Chan’s head.

Flashes of lightning flickered within the tribulation clouds, surging restlessly, sending shivers down one’s spine.

But Shi Chan had already entered a profound state of enlightenment, fully attuned to the connection between himself and the heavens.

…

After a day of epiphany, Shi Chan’s mind became completely clear. When he opened his eyes, a brilliant light flashed in them.

At that moment, the tribulation lightning that had been brewing for so long struck down.

Not far away, Xi Ming, who had been watching intently, completely forgot about his physical condition. He instinctively tried to stand up, only to fall back into his wheelchair.

The first bolt of lightning was the easiest, and Shi Chan withstood it without much difficulty. After a brief healing session with his spiritual energy, he directly faced the second bolt.

From the second bolt onward, there was no time to rest. The tribulation lightning struck one after another without pause.

Shi Chan endured the first four bolts with his physical body alone. When the fifth bolt came, he swallowed a spirit herb, absorbing its energy while resisting the lightning.

The Foundation Establishment Tribulation was the easiest among tribulations. Since Shi Chan wasn’t a heaven-defying genius cursed by fate, there were only nine bolts, and their power was within the normal range.

He had prepared thoroughly for this day, gathering every available spirit herb that could provide gentle energy and all the useful spiritual tools for tribulation resistance to ensure absolute success.

If another cultivator wanted to undergo tribulation here, they would likely struggle to find enough resources again.

With each bolt growing stronger, Shi Chan used all the spiritual tools he had acquired to explode and counteract the seventh bolt.

Thanks to his ample preparation, when the ninth bolt struck, although he looked battered, his mental state remained strong.

As the tribulation clouds above gradually turned golden—an omen of heavenly blessings—Shi Chan didn’t even bother to heal himself. He used the last of his strength in his legs and dashed toward Xi Ming.

“Ming-ge!” Shi Chan’s eyes sparkled with joy, but just as he reached Xi Ming, his body gave out, and he collapsed in front of him.

By now, the golden clouds had fully formed. Lying on his back, Shi Chan gazed up at the sky, the golden glow reflecting in his eyes.

A gentle rain, infused with divine energy, fell from above, covering an area no larger than three square meters around him.

A soothing warmth enveloped his body, healing the wounds left by the tribulation lightning. Knowing that Xi Ming was right beside him, Shi Chan finally succumbed to exhaustion and fell into a peaceful sleep.

Xi Ming tilted his head up, watching the golden rain, feeling its warm, powerful energy seep into his skin, healing him at an astonishing speed.

In less than five minutes, the golden clouds dispersed, and the divine rain vanished. Only the newfound strength in his body and the fresh sprouts of green grass at his feet proved it had ever existed.

When Xi Ming first woke up after crossing through the wormhole, his only impression of his body was decay.

Rotten, withered, fragile—on the verge of shattering at the slightest touch.

He knew his body had been repeatedly destroyed by an immense energy. If not for Shi Chan’s spiritual energy protecting him, he would have long perished in the starry void.

Xi Ming didn’t dare to recall those hopeless days of being trapped in endless slumber. If not for Shi Chan…

Thankfully, he had Shi Chan. Thankfully, he had his Chan Chan.

For the first time in ages, Xi Ming felt strength return to his body. Though his legs still felt weak, he knew this weakness was different from before.

His past weakness was a dead, brittle decay. But now, it was the soreness of rebirth.

After experiencing countless ups and downs, Xi Ming no longer let life’s fluctuations sway his emotions. He transformed all his emotions—his gratitude, his hope, his complex feelings—into his love and devotion for Shi Chan.

Everything he had was given by Shi Chan.

This wasn’t the best place for rehabilitation. After a quick check on his condition, Xi Ming sat back down, silently watching over the sleeping Shi Chan.

They were in no hurry, but outside, the Jugu military forces, who had been waiting for two days, were growing anxious.

Seeing that the ominous clouds had dispersed, a three-man scouting team cautiously approached. Upon spotting Xi Ming, they waved from a distance, asking about the situation.

Xi Ming told them, “Go call the medical team.”

Fearing something had gone wrong, the soldiers rushed back and summoned the emergency medical unit, who hurried over with stretchers and equipment.

Shi Chan, hearing the commotion, slowly opened his eyes.

Xi Ming extended his hand to him. “You’re awake. Get a quick check-up, and if everything’s fine, let’s go home and sleep.”

Shi Chan’s face paled in panic as he checked Xi Ming’s body. “Ming-ge, why are you still in the wheelchair? Did it not work…?”

Xi Ming chuckled, letting Shi Chan examine him. “See for yourself.”

After scanning Xi Ming with his divine sense, Shi Chan finally relaxed.

This tribulation was worth it!

Now, Xi Ming was truly on the path to recovery.

Shi Chan grinned at him.

“Let’s go.”

But before they could leave, Shi Chan suddenly turned toward the tribulation site, eyes filled with confusion.

“I feel… a pull… something familiar.”

They turned to look—a wormhole?