This Human Immortal Is Too Serious

In the Northern Wilderness, when Wu Wang first approached cultivation, he believed that the Immortal Ascension Tribulation was an indispensable step to becoming an immortal, and that cultivators could benefit from it during the ordeal. But after arriving in the Human Domain, Wu Wang discovered that breaking through realms was about breaking through realms, and the Heavenly Tribulation was actually a heavenly punishment sent down by the Heaven Palace.

This world was full of malice towards the small matter of living beings growing stronger…

Wu Wang looked up to see that the sky above the Rift Valley, outside the Mountain Protection Array, was filled with dark clouds.

His entry into the realm of immortality was a matter of course.

The perfection of essence, qi, and spirit; a sudden clarity of divine thought as soon as his heart and mind stirred; mana surging within his body; the phantom of stars in his ocean of qi expanding, perfectly merging the Path of Stars with his being.

"I" was beginning to merge with "Dao"; this was becoming an immortal.

Wu Wang closed his eyes and took a light breath, and the expanse of the Star Sea that had spread for dozens of miles suddenly dispersed.

A wisp of flame appeared behind him.

Countless stars burst forth again, converging in that flame, rapidly condensing into a fireball.

The Heavenly Tribulation was descending, and his own Dao might be recorded by the Heaven Palace. If it was the Original Dao of Stars, it would inevitably leave behind handles and flaws.

By intertwining the Dao of Fire, he displayed his Dao as either "Constant Star Way" or "Star Fire Way," focusing on exploring the origins of star power.

If Heaven Palace was capable, let them take this path and ask the Star God.

After all, in the Great Wilderness, the ultimate interpretation of the stars was owned by him, Wu Xing the Star God.

"Sect Master!"

Yang Wudi shouted at the top of his lungs, "May your banner lead to victory!"

In the pavilion, more than a dozen people clasped their fists and shouted in unison, "May the Sect Master's banner lead to victory!"

"Hmm."

Wu Wang responded with a faint smile, looking up at the sky as he leaped upwards.

It was just an Immortal Ascension Tribulation; in the Human Domain, it was already a "seen it all before." Therefore, the cultivators present didn't pay it too much attention.

With the Mountain Protection Array removed, Wu Wang charged unobstructed into the high sky.

Clad in a deep blue robe, hands clasped behind his back, his long hair simply tied and ribbon flowing toward his left. The dark clouds above started to spin slowly, with streaks of lightning flickering in the emerging vortex.

A very ordinary Immortal Ascension Tribulation.

Wu Wang was not careless, stuffing several elixirs into his mouth, while sensing the transformation of his Nascent Soul into a Primordial Spirit and mustering up the newly-born immortal power to protect himself.

Given the strength of his Dao body at the time, he should have no problems even if he resisted directly.

But Wu Wang, as usual during tribulation, set up layers upon layers of immortal power above his head to protect himself.

Whether he could move from being an intern Yuanxian to a full-fledged one depended on this moment's trembling.

The tribulation clouds, as if tired, weary, exhausted, as if they had to rush to the next site, suddenly and impatiently smashed down a bolt of lightning without any warning.

The protection of immortal power set up by Wu Wang was shattered by half, and a sliver of lightning struck his forehead, causing the 'abnormal shedding of epidermal cells' which was a serious injury.

The Great Wilderness cultivation terminology: scratched skin.

Wu Wang thought about it and coughed lightly, deliberately squeezing out a bit of fresh blood, holding it in his palm to show to the tribulation cloud above.

The tribulation cloud was unmoved, still rotating unhurriedly, and after a moment, another lightning bolt came crashing down.

This time, Wu Wang trembled a bit more, and casually pulled open his collar, adopting an expression of frailty after being injured.

Just not very serious.

BOOM!

Thunder flashed once more.

A typical Immortal Ascension Tribulation was just that—Heavenly Tribulation, after all, because it required the least amount of spiritual energy to produce, had a greater destructive effect, and the end came quickly if one couldn't cross it.

As Wu Wang stood silently in the air to cross the tribulation, the valley below had already become lively.

The drums summoning the various members of the Demon Path had already started ahead of time, and the disciples who hadn't yet become immortals watched with curiosity.

The elders gathered in groups, starting to assign words of congratulations, to avoid the embarrassment of 'doubling up.'

Yang Wudi led a group of True Immortal Realm stewards running around, hanging big red lanterns everywhere.

The Jade Talismans for preparing fine wines and dishes had been sent out, and the disciples of the Black Desire Door had begun changing into attire that pleased them.

The Technique Teaching Hall was ready with the engraving knife, to inscribe the Sect Master's achievement of attaining the Yuanxian Realm today into the annals of the sect.

Miao Cuijiao sat quietly on the wooden chair atop the small building's roof, her delicate legs crossed gracefully, her eyes filled with faint anticipation...

After becoming an immortal, the Sect Master's body would become even purer, with a significant boost in his vitality, looking a tad tastier.

In front of Wu Wang's residence, Lin Suqing had been pulled out by Dongfang Mumu.

The old auntie had a lower cultivation base, and at the moment, feeling the overwhelming Heavenly might, seeing the lightning that illuminated half the sky, she naturally worried for Wu Wang, breathing somewhat laboriously.

Dongfang Mumu, on the other hand, was full of confidence in Wu Wang and kept shouting, saying things like,

"Throw a question at it, give the Heavenly Tribulation a tough one, stump it!"

「On a cliffside at the Annihilation Sect's encampment, Ling Xiaolan and several seniors of the Xuan Nu Sect looked towards the sky.」

Ling Xiaolan was already holding the Jade Flute, while the Xuan Nu Sect seniors discussed what gifts to give.

Above the cliff, the Grand Elder stood with his hands behind his back, garbed in blood-red robes, ready to come to the rescue, fearing that Wu Wang might be injured by the tribulation, or that something unexpected might occur.

At this moment, Wu Wang's lips curled with a trace of a smile, as he continued to muster his immortal power, braving the Heavenly Tribulation.

The nearby sects had already received the news and were making arrangements for which elder to come and offer congratulations.

In the farther areas, only some masters who hadn't entered closed-door cultivation were startled by the divine might of the Immortal Ascension Tribulation, and swept their Immortal Consciousness toward this location.

It's simply an ascension to immortality, not something they haven't seen before.

Heavenly Tribulation is also a form of Divine Power.

Wu Wang realized this in his heart, preparing to withstand two more strikes. He was about to shatter the Heavenly Tribulation directly and undergo a satisfying and thorough Immortal Ascension... ceremony...

HUM!

HUM, HUM!

In the tribulation clouds, it seemed as if a Treasure Wheel began to turn.

The tribulation clouds, which had already thinned out considerably, suddenly began to churn!

Vast Divine Power surged from within the clouds, and the spiritual energy of the world began to converge turbulently toward this place!

What's this?

Wu Wang slightly frowned and raised his head to look at the vortex within the tribulation cloud.

Within it, Wu Wang felt a gaze and vaguely made contact with it.

「At the same time.」

Over a dozen breaths rose swiftly within the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion. Several figures rushed into the high sky, gazing intently in the direction of the Annihilation Sect.

In the desolate mountains of the Northern Region of the Human Domain, a member of the Shennong Family slightly frowned, put away the Jade Talisman for recording in his hand, and disappeared from his rocking chair.

「At the Annihilation Sect's encampment.」

The Grand Elder on the cliff changed his expression and shouted,

"Sect Master! There has been a change in the Heavenly Tribulation! Be careful!"

"Grand Elder need not worry, I can deal with it myself," Wu Wang replied, taking a deep breath. He drew a line with his right hand in front of him, causing several Magic Treasures to appear around him.

One must face the tribulation of Crossing Tribulation alone, as any interference from others will cause the Heavenly Tribulation to adjust according to the helper's power.

The Immortal Ascension Tribulation must be shouldered by oneself.

BOOM!

New tribulation clouds smashed down tens of feet, the rain beneath them turning scaldingly hot; the spinning of the vortex in the center slowed by several times, but its diameter expanded tenfold!

The Annihilation Sect that was bustling with noise quieted down in an instant, as the elders furrowed their brows looking up at the sky.

The Sect Master's Immortal Ascension Tribulation, how come it's...?

Not the same?

「A moment earlier, at Heaven Palace, beside the Thunder Pool of Heavenly Punishment.」

Several Divine Officers in simple, ancient-style robes chattered and laughed, completely ignoring the shadow that had surfaced above the Thunder Pool.

This shadow was the overview of the person undergoing the tribulation when seen from above.

It was but an Immortal Ascension Tribulation.

If it were a transcendence catastrophe, it might consume about a tenth of the Divine Power in the Thunder Pool, but the loss of Divine Power during an Immortal Ascension Tribulation... was less than the rate at which the Divine Power in the Thunder Pool recovered.

They were just low-rank Divine Officers on guard here, clever and capable individuals promoted from amongst the Hundred Races, with appearances somewhat at their discretion.

The benefits of being a Divine Officer in the Heaven Palace included extending one's Lifespan and adding much glory to one's race.

They needed to report any abnormalities in the Thunder Pool immediately. If a Human Cultivator failed to cross the tribulation and was reduced to ashes, they would be able to offer a few remarks, commenting that the "Dao foundation was too weak" or snorting that "the opportunity had not yet come."

As for the individual currently undergoing the tribulation, they didn't even deign to glance at him, until the dog-headed Divine Officer took a deep sniff.

"This person will pass."

And then they continued to chat about the recent rare occurrences in the Heaven Palace.

Which Divine Spirit had been poached, which high-rank Divine Officer a lesser god had bedded; which beauty among the Hundred Races had found a lesser god in the Heaven Palace to help them transform into an innately Dao-born body, and how many tributes they had to offer.

This assignment was rather comfortable.

COUGH... COUGH COUGH!

"Who's there!"

The dog-headed Divine Officer complained discontentedly. The officers by the poolside turned to look, simultaneously shivering and nearly jumping into the Thunder Pool.

The one who was coughing forcefully was the guardian Divine Spirit of the Thunder Pool.

And behind this Divine Spirit, the congenial god with his hands behind his back and a scholarly smile — if not the powerful Head Manager of the Heaven Palace, then who else could it be!

The Divine Officers hurriedly bowed their heads in greeting, their bodies drenched with cold sweat.

"That's enough," said the Head Manager with a wave of his hand, his plain yet clean face showing some concern, "I ask you, who is the one undergoing the tribulation at this moment?"

The dog-headed Divine Officer hurriedly produced a stone tablet, studied it carefully, and shouted,

"Reporting to the Head Manager, it is the Human Cultivator Wu Wangzi! His Dao affiliation is with the Stars and the Fire Dao! His Lifespan status is abundant!"

"Wu Wangzi?"

The Head Manager strolled to the side of the Thunder Pool, stretched out his hand to make a tear beside it, from which came a surprised exclamation from the Young Master.

"Oh, my beloved sister."

The Head Manager laughed and said, "Is Wu Wangzi the one you caught and then let go in the East Sea, attracting many skilled practitioners from the Human Domain?"

"Yes."

A beam of white light gathered behind the Head Manager, revealing the Young Master who had crossed Heaven and Earth to arrive.

She was dressed in 'casual clothes' at the moment, wearing a delicate tube top and short skirt covered only by a chiffon robe, her fair skin reflecting the lightning of this place, dazzling enough to confuse the spiritual mind.

The several Divine Officers, however, dared not even lift their heads.

The Sterilization Goddess, are you kidding me?

If one were not careful and their gaze contained any offense, and the Goddess glanced back, they might as well forget about having children in the future.

The Young Master said indifferently, "He is undergoing Heavenly Tribulation? His aptitude isn't that remarkable.

"It's been over two years now, and when I last saw him, his Dao Realm was nearing the Yuanxian Realm, and his physical body was much stronger than his Dao Realm."

A hint of amusement flashed in the Head Manager's eyes. He laughed and asked, "Are you interested?"

"Hmm?" The Young Master was somewhat puzzled, "Where does this question come from?"

"Never mind then."

The Head Manager's gaze grew much gentler.

"In that case, I shall erase him today and double the power of his Heavenly Punishment."

"Yes!"

The small god guarding the Thunder Pool replied, taking out a short halberd wrapped in lightning. The halberd shuddered slightly, emitting two HUMMING sounds, and the Thunder Pool erupted in brilliance.

Almost instantly, Wu Wang's location manifested strange phenomena of Heavenly Tribulation, with the tribulation clouds sinking, their power doubling, disturbing the spiritual energy within hundreds of miles.

The small god asked, "Shall we begin now, my lord?"

"Begin."

BOOM!

The Thunder Pool trembled lightly, and in the projection it cast, blue-white bolts of lightning as thick as buckets fell down, striking Wu Wang's shield-like magic treasure.

Wu Wang's figure kept falling, cracks appeared on the shield, but it also scattered the lightning's force in every direction.

After the lightning dissipated, the shield was left heavily damaged.

Wu Wang looked up at the sky, his expression somewhat chilly.

The Head Manager clucked and chuckled, "Relying on Immortal Treasures? Did I overestimate him? Was Qiong Qi defeated by his hands?"

"His wisdom is indeed extraordinary," the Young Master murmured, frowning slightly. "Don't take such pleasure in this. He has enlightened the gods of Heaven Palace; we should at least offer him the most basic respect. If you want to erase him, then be quick about it."

"That's just it, there are rules to Heavenly Tribulation, and the transmission of Divine Power is an issue."

The Head Manager gestured to the small god with a tilt of his chin, "Strike."

The small god swung the short halberd fiercely, and three bolts of lightning chained together, striking down at Wu Wang with ferocity.

Wu Wang continuously grabbed the defense-oriented Immortal Treasures floating around him, falling and then flying up again, resisting the three lightning strikes one after another, with two Immortal Treasures consequently ruined.

This method of withstanding the Heavenly Tribulation caused him the least loss.

"Have the Immortal Treasures run out?"

The Head Manager muttered to himself, seemingly appreciative of the scene.

As the small god was ready to wield the halberd again, the projection showed Wu Wang waving his long sleeves...

Seven or eight Immortal Treasures appeared around him, all of them for defense.

The Head Manager was speechless.

The surrounding Divine Officers were also speechless.

For some reason, the Young Master's expression was slightly odd.

"My lord," said the small god, turning his head, "he's quite a wealthy one!"

The Head Manager replied indifferently, "Double the Divine Power again."

The small god frowned slightly, reminding in a low voice, "Head Manager, the rules of Heavenly Tribulation were established according to the regulations of Heaven Palace, which were personally set by the Heavenly Emperor. I cannot bear such responsibility."

The Head Manager casually took out a Jade Tag and tossed it over; it was carved with intricate totems, and upon seeing it, the several Divine Officers immediately kneeled.

An edict from the Heavenly Emperor.

"Double it is," said the Head Manager indifferently. "I have been granted the right to make exceptions by His Majesty.

"The rules set by His Majesty were based on the pact between Heaven Palace and Emperor Suiren back then, not to offer any real chance of survival to those cultivators from the Human race.

"Afterward, you can amend the records and say that a Heavenly Immortal intruded into the site of Crossing Tribulation, causing the Thunder Pool to surge."

"I obey!"

The small god looked solemn, respectfully holding the Jade Tag, then turned and looked towards the Thunder Pool.

In that instant, his figure grew somewhat imposing, his sleeves nearly touching the ground trembled lightly, and he stood the short halberd in front of him as he floated slowly above the Thunder Pool and chanted a mournful tune.

The next moment, within the Thunder Pool, an Azure Dragon roared, and lightning serpents surged.

A marvelous Divine Power vanished in the Thunder Pool.

「At Wu Wang's Crossing Tribulation site!」

The tribulation clouds above suddenly formed into a fierce beast's face, silently roaring at Wu Wang.

Within a thousand miles, both humans and animals were shocked and frightened as spiritual energy from Heaven and Earth surged in waves. The expanding dark clouds, almost touching the ground, swiftly moved toward the barren mountains in the north.

Wu Wang flew at breakneck speed beneath the thunderclouds, worrying about involving the cultivators of the Annihilation Sect; he had to change the location for Crossing Tribulation.

Was Heaven Palace plotting his death?

It was rare throughout history for the intensity of a Heavenly Tribulation to increase mid-way, and here his had increased twice directly!

Was Heaven Palace playing dirty?

Inside the Rift Valley of Annihilation Sect, silence prevailed. Numerous figures rushed out from the edge of the valley, looking worriedly at Wu Wang, who stood quietly under the endless thunder.

In Heaven Palace, beside the Heavenly Punishment Thunder Pool, a small god flipped a short halberd in his hand, assuming a posture akin to sitting cross-legged as he plunged the halberd directly into the Thunder Pool.

A torrent of lightning poured down right above Wu Wang!

Wu Wang's hair and beard stood on end, as he tossed Magic Treasures into the air one by one, with an immortal power barrier unfolding before him.

But the Magic Treasures were smashed away in an instant, and the barrier was broken in the blink of an eye.

The torrent of lightning immediately converged into a pillar, striking Wu Wang from the sky and grinding him furiously against the ground.

The thunder continued for quite a moment!

When the lightning receded, the gods beside the Heavenly Punishment Thunder Pool frowned, while the anxious crowd at the site of Crossing Tribulation let out earth-shaking shouts.

Wu Wang's body was charred black as he slowly climbed up from the ground.

He lowered his head to spit out a mouthful of blood clots, the Magic Treasure robe on his body now charred and torn, revealing the white, robust skin underneath.

Fortunately, the trousers were specially made by Suqing, protecting the Young Master's purity.

Wu Wang looked up at the roiling clouds above and shot up into the sky, his long hair still billowing.

"This! This is unreasonable!"

Immortal Mu clenched her little fists and cursed loudly, "Despicable and shameless! Does Heaven Palace have no dignity left! Don't hold me back, I want to speak out! If you're capable, bring on a transcendence catastrophe! Someone is becoming an Immortal!"

Yang Wudi bellowed at the top of his lungs, "Come and watch the excitement! Heaven Palace can't take it! The Heavenly Tribulation has no shame!"

BOOM!

The clouds of tribulation expanded once again.

And at this moment, the might of heaven and earth was so strong, it was nearing a transcendence catastrophe.

The world changed color, and all went silent, immortals and humans alike.

A hint of a cold smile appeared on Wu Wang's lips, as he paused in mid-air for a moment and then suddenly plunged headfirst into the tribulation clouds!

The Star Sword was in his hand, the Golden Dragon Armor wrapped around his body.

To battle against Heaven, one must charge forward with no turning back!

「In Heaven Palace, beside the Heavenly Punishment Thunder Pool, the atmosphere turned tense.」

"Sir, the tribulation cloud cannot suppress him! All Divine Power has been unleashed! His strength is likely comparable to that of Heavenly Immortals!"

"Sir, the enhancement of Divine Power has reached the limit of Immortal Ascension Tribulation, and the opponent hasn't manifested as a Transcendent. The Thunder Pool can't do much more."

"Sir, we can strike one more time, but the Heavenly Tribulation is about to be forcefully terminated due to being bound by the rules."

"Sir—"

"What's all the noise?"

A slight smile appeared on the lips of the Head Manager, who said indifferently, "Activate the Heart Transformation Pool, Heaven Fire Pool, and the Oblivion Wind Pool. His physical body may be sturdy, but his Primordial Spirit has only just reached the Yuanxian Realm."

The small god's forehead was covered in cold sweat as he said in a low voice, "Sir, these are only to be employed during a transcendence catastrophe…"

"Why do you always chatter in my ear?"

The smile on the Head Manager's face faded, his eyes filled with icy coldness. The small god trembled all over and knelt above the Thunder Pool, aging at a rate visible to the naked eye...

"Why bother this minor official? The rules are set by His Highness."

The Young Master spoke out, and the Head Manager's smile returned.

"Get on with it."

"Y-Yes, as you command!"

The small god hastily got up. His appearance had aged from middle-aged to elderly, his eyes filled with ruthlessness.

Beside the Thunder Pool, three treasure pools were instantaneously illuminated.

The Young Master crossed her arms, staring intently at the scene projected above the Thunder Pool. Illusory images formed around Wu Wang, with fierce winds sweeping across and flashes of heavenly fire and thunder alternating...

A moment later, the tribulation clouds shattered, and Wu Wang's figure fell powerlessly from the sky, crashing onto the scorched earth. The Golden Armor he wore was damaged in many places, and his body trembled incessantly.

The people of Annihilation Sect were about to rush over but were stopped by a blood barrier casually drawn by the Grand Elder.

"The Heavenly Tribulation is not over yet!"

The tribulation clouds began to regather, the last bolt of lightning gathering all the energy it could.

Above the high skies, above the tribulation clouds, a star twinkled oddly...

And Wu Wang's eyes, empty and bewildered.