Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 174: Chapter 174: Crystallization of the Holy Body

A flash of lightning tore through the sky, landing atop Yaoguang Peak.

Su Han, Liu Rumei, and the others sensed it instantly and quickly went out to welcome Lei Ming. He had been away for a whole month, and his return meant the collection of Heavenly Thunder Liquid was likely complete.

Lei Ming was clad in a Thunder-patterned Robe, his face resolute. He exuded the same imposing and profound aura as ever, as if gathering the Heavenly Thunder Liquid had been no more than a leisurely trip. However, his complexion was pale, his eyes were bloodshot, and a deep weariness was etched upon his features, making it clear the journey had been anything but easy. He only maintained this facade to prevent Su Han and the others from worrying.

Upon seeing Su Han, Lei Ming took out a red gourd and grinned. ”The Heavenly Thunder Liquid has been fully collected—nine hundred and ninety-nine drops, not one less! We can begin the Heavenly Thunder Body Tempering at any time!” As for the hardships he had faced, only he knew the full extent.

The words had barely left his mouth when Lei Ming’s expression changed. He coughed violently, spitting up dark red, clotted blood.

”Suffering in silence just to save face? Stop pretending,” Liu Rumei said, as merciless as ever. ”I’ve already told Su Han everything. Your injuries are even more severe this time. At most, you have one year left to live. Once your time is up, your death is certain.”

Yet, though her voice was cold, anyone could hear the concern and warning in her words.

”If it’s one year, then so be it.” Lei Ming wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his smile returning, completely unfazed. ”One year more or less makes no difference to me. I’ve already lived a full life!”

”Suit yourself!” Liu Rumei waved her hand dismissively, done with him.

”Have you adapted to the Heavenly Thunder Liquid these past days?” Lei Ming turned his gaze to Su Han, his voice deep. ”If so, you must prepare for the Heavenly Thunder Body Tempering. The sooner the hidden dangers in your body are resolved, the better, lest they become an intractable problem.”

”Master, let’s start right away!” His Master had paid such a great price for him, so Su Han dared not waste it.

”Little Han!”

”Boss!”

Lu Yunxian and Ning Feifan had worried expressions. After all, the Heavenly Thunder Body Refinement Technique was fraught with peril. A single misstep could lead to one’s soul being scattered by the Thunder Light.

”I will succeed!” Su Han gave them a reassuring smile, then followed Lei Ming into the Heavenly Thunder Palace.

”Adjust your state and maintain your peak condition.” Under Lei Ming’s guidance, Su Han sat cross-legged and focused, bringing his body and mind to their absolute peak to face the coming ordeal.

”I will add the Heavenly Thunder Liquid drop by drop,” Lei Ming instructed. ”Tell me if you can’t withstand it.”

He reached out, and a single drop of Heavenly Thunder Liquid flew from the red gourd, crackling with fierce, destructive power. Soon, it landed on Su Han’s body.

Having already adapted to this pain, Su Han could bear it, so Lei Ming let a second drop fall upon him.

”More!” Su Han gritted his teeth, enduring the agony as he steeled himself for the increase.

Lei Ming did not hesitate, precisely landing one drop after another onto Su Han’s body.

My heart is like iron, indestructible!

Su Han persisted with unwavering will and an invincible Dao Heart. At the same time, he activated the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art, absorbing the Heavenly Thunder Liquid to refine his Physical Body and perform Marrow Cleansing.

As the drops increased, a look of astonishment appeared in Lei Ming’s eyes. He had originally thought Su Han could endure a hundred drops at most during his first attempt, but the count had already surpassed three hundred, and Su Han still wanted to continue.

It seems that during this time, he not only adapted to the pain of the Heavenly Thunder Liquid, but his Dao Heart and will have also greatly improved.

Lei Ming was gratified. He continued to add the Heavenly Thunder Liquid until all nine hundred and ninety-nine drops were on Su Han, completely enveloping him.

The indescribable pain nearly made Su Han shatter his teeth, but this time, he didn’t scream. He didn’t even let out a whimper.

My Master risked his life for me. Can I not even withstand this much pain? No! I must become stronger, slay all enemies in the world, and protect my loved ones!

”Ice-Fire Tempering!”

The pain from the Heavenly Thunder Liquid had already exceeded his limits, yet Su Han remained unsatisfied. He activated the One Mysteries True Fire and Cold Nether Qi, adding Ice-Fire Tempering on top of the Heavenly Thunder Body Tempering.

The combination of the two tempering processes multiplied the pain exponentially. An ordinary person would have collapsed long ago, but Su Han possessed not only a robust Sacred Body but also a firm will and an invincible Dao Heart.

Lei Ming stood by, his eyes wide and fixed on Su Han. Spiritual Energy surged around him, ready for an immediate rescue. He couldn’t bear the thought of any harm befalling the disciple he had worked so hard to find. However, though Su Han’s aura fluctuated wildly, it never dipped into life-threatening danger, which allowed Lei Ming to breathe a small sigh of relief.

As time passed, Su Han’s aura began to stabilize. Black, viscous impurities started to seep from his skin. The substance was thick like paste and carried a foul stench like that of a deadly poison. If it had remained in his body, what started as a small hidden danger would have become a major, debilitating malady.

”When Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a man, it will first test his will, fatigue his muscles and bones, starve his body, and leave him destitute, confounding his every action. In this way, it stimulates his mind, hardens his nature, and bolsters his weaknesses!” Lei Ming’s voice boomed like thunder as his Divine Sense entered Su Han’s sea of consciousness, a powerful encouragement to fortify his resolve.

Su Han sat cross-legged, completely absorbed in Body Refining. He had fully absorbed the Heavenly Thunder Liquid, which now coursed through his entire body, tempering his flesh, sinews, bones, and organs. At the same time, the two extremes of ice and fire enhanced the effect, making his flesh even more resilient and his bones as tough as Immortal Divine Gold.

「Ten days later.」

Lu Yunxian and Ning Feifan stood outside the Heavenly Thunder Palace, their faces etched with the same worry as always.

”It’s been ten days without a single sound. I wonder how Little Han is doing now?” Lu Yunxian clenched her fists, her anxious gaze fixed on the palace doors.

”I believe the boss will definitely succeed!” Ning Feifan’s eyes burned with unshakable faith in Su Han.

These days, Ning Feifan had been cultivating the Taiyin Scripture, and his aura had gained a faint touch of coldness. While he had been deceived by the Taiyin Demon Venerable, the influence was not yet deep, and he still retained most of his self-awareness.

BOOM!

Just then, a tremendous roar erupted from within the Heavenly Thunder Palace, shaking all of Yaoguang Peak. The wind and clouds in the sky roiled violently. Lu Yunxian and Ning Feifan whipped their heads around in shock, just in time to see the grand doors of the Heavenly Thunder Palace burst open.

A long, earth-shattering howl echoed forth:

”The Marrow Cleansing is complete! Today marks the Crystallization of the Holy Body!”