Chapter 696: Chapter 696: Small Heavenly Tribulation

Zen was not concerned about everything that was happening now. Both Patrick and Lewis were healing their wounds at that moment, so Zen decided not to disturb them. So instead, he walked up to Morphens and asked, “How's she?”

Morphens nodded at Zen and knew why he was worried. “She's fine,” Morphens answered.

“Don't lie to me. If she's okay, why would those guys dare to act so boldly?” Zen questioned, his face doubtful of the answer he just got.

If Letitia was actually fine, Emanuel wouldn't dare to do this no matter what his motivations were. Zen was afraid that something wrong must have happened to Letitia.

It was only when he saw Zen's expression on his face that Morphens realized that Zen had misunderstood the situation. He quickly said, “She is experiencing a life-and-death tribulation, that's why these people were taking advantage of her!”

“A life-and-death tribulation?” Zen looked shocked as he asked, “What about Lady Yu?” Suddenly, at that moment, all Zen wanted to know was what Imogen was doing.

Even though Letitia was trying to break into the Life and Death Realm, Emanuel wouldn't do anything bold or rebellious if Imogen was there, guarding the Cloud Hall.

“She is out, seeking her own luck,” Morphens replied lightly. Actually, Emanuel had tried to talk Letitia out of her decision about breaking into the Life and Death Realm at that moment. It would be difficult for Cloud Hall to deal with any possible threat or trouble if neither Letitia nor Imogen was there.

However, Letitia insisted on making a breakthrough at such a critical moment. Heavenly Evil Sect was becoming stronger every day. If she was able to successfully enter the Life and Death Realm, she might get herself a chance to fight against Eddie.

However, Letitia never expected Emanuel's rebellion. If Zen hadn't appeared at the right time, Emanuel might have already, with his people, broken into the Ice Palace and threatened Letitia's safety.

“I must go inside and check on her,” Zen said, looking concerned and worried. Although he had never experienced the life and death tribulation before, he had been told that this experience was extremely dangerous and that the death rate was high. Those lesser warriors who rushed to get to the life and death tribulation had a high probability of dying there.

“But Zen... Miss Ning has specifically ordered that no one could enter the Ice Palace at this moment,” Morphens replied seriously.

As a response Zen simply looked at Morphens and then slowly shook his head. Without looking back, he walked straight towards the Ice Palace. Morphens was about to pull Zen back but as he looked at Zen's disappearing figure, he began to hesitate. If Zen hadn't come to Letitia's rescue, Emanuel must have already broken into the Ice Palace and put Letitia's life in danger. Zen had earned his right to come inside and check on Letitia.

Dense icy mist had permeated every corner of the Ice Palace. Zen could barely see anything as he pushed open the doors leading to the inner part of the structure. He then used his magical eyes to see things that were not far away from him.

Wearing some light clothes, Letitia was just sitting there cross-legged, with her whole body frozen inside an icy column.

It had been two years since they last saw each other.

Zen, with great affection, stared at Letitia. As he did so, he noticed that in the two years that they hadn't seen each other, Letitia hadn't changed at all, and her face was still perfect and beautiful.

Zen circled around the icy column. At that time, Lavender came out of Zen's body quietly, glanced at Letitia and whispered, “She's at the last stage. If she passes it, the life-and-death tribulation will surely descend on her.”

Zen looked at Lavender and asked out of curiosity, “What exactly is this life-and-death tribulation? Is it really as horrifying as the rumors say?”

“Actually, only you warriors from the Central Region call it the life-and-death tribulation. In the Upper World, it's called Small Heavenly Tribulation,” Lavender explained.

“Small Heavenly Tribulation?” Zen asked, now looking more confused.

“That's right. After entering the Life and Death Realm, warriors have to resist the Small Heavenly Tribulation, because their martial arts refinement is against the Nature. They try to break through the human limits and make their bodies into supreme beings, which is normally prohibited by the Nature. Those warriors have to take their punishments before they can go further. The stronger you are, the heavier the punishments you will face. That's where Small Heavenly Tribulation and Big Heavenly Tribulation differ,” Lavender said slowly.

“After entering the Life and Death Realm, the life-and-death tribulation you meet every time is a Small Heavenly Tribulation, is that right?” Zen asked.

“Yes,” Lavender replied, as she glanced at Letitia. With a deep breath, she shook her head and added, “The Small Heavenly Tribulation which will descend on Letitia's body will be horrifying, I'm afraid,” said Lavender sadly. 𝙧𝘼Ꞑồ𝔟ÈṨ

“What do you mean by that?” Zen asked nervously, his face starting to get pale.

If somebody else was waiting for the Small Heavenly Tribulation to descend on his or her body, Lavender would definitely mock his or her overconfidence and stupidity.

However, Lavender knew Zen so well, and he was actually most concerned about Letitia. So, she didn't dare mock Letitia's zeal and determination in front of Zen. She thought for a moment and picked her words carefully. “Letitia's cultivation method is largely based on restarting and practicing anew, which is greatly against the Nature. If she succeeds in this, her strength and power will be much stronger than her peers at the same level.”

Zen nodded, “The Sutra of Empyrean Goddess that she's cultivating truly is much stronger. Regular warriors usually find it nearly impossible to start with.”

“It's more than what you just said,” said Lavender, once again shaking her head. “You know, there have only been a few warriors in the Upper World who dared to restart their cultivation and practice anew mainly because it will bring a much more severe Heavenly Tribulation. Because of that, most warriors prefer other cultivation methods.”

Lavender's words confused Zen. Back then, the cyan dragon had found the unique nature of the Sutra of Empyrean Goddess. However, he chose to keep those facts from Zen. Zen then said to the cyan dragon, “You didn't mention those things back then.”

The cyan dragon thought for a few moments and answered, “I know how to offset the negative results of Letitia practicing anew nine times. But...” The cyan dragon stumbled over his words.

“She's already attempting the Life and Death Realm. You saying this does not mean anything now,” Lavender interrupted the cyan dragon, sneering.

“Young lady, I know what you're saying. But, I think Zen may be able to help Letitia.”

“How can I do that?” Zen said quickly. He wasn't understanding anything, but he would do whatever it took to help Letitia. “Also, how come I don't know any of these things?” Zen added.

Both the cyan dragon and Lavender shut their mouths up. An awkward silence then sank in. Lavender sighed and said, “Although the Small Heavenly Tribulation is horrifying, I believe in Letitia's strength. She isn't like those regular warriors and she may actually find a way to successfully resist the Small Heavenly Tribulation. But if she fails,” Lavender paused, looking directly at Zen. “I'll tell you how to come to her rescue.”

Lavender's words and the cyan dragon's silence convinced Zen that he should have faith in Letitia. It wasn't the first time that Lavender and the cyan dragon behaved so strangely and cautiously. Zen had already gotten used to them and their behaviors. And with that, he decided to ask no more questions.

Standing amidst the icy mist, Zen accompanied Letitia for a whole day. Letitia didn't move a bit, and no communication happened between the two of them.

Then, suddenly, cracks appeared and started spreading on the enormous icy column. Within a few moments, the icy column broke and its fragments exploded in the whole room.

After the icy column was completely obliterated, the sky outside the Icy Palace became bright, a dazzling light illuminating everything beneath. Then, deafening thunders were heard, and black clouds gathered overhead.

“So, is the Small Heavenly Tribulation coming?” Zen asked, looking outside. The emergence of the thunder surprised him greatly.

Lavender nodded and replied, “Yes, this is one of the many anomalies before the Small Heavenly Tribulation descends.”

“If the Small Heavenly Tribulation is so horrifying, what about the big one?” Zen asked, as what was happening outside continued to intimidate and scare him.

Lavender smiled and replied, “A strong warrior can endure nine Small Heavenly Tribulations, each one more terrifying than the last one. After this, warriors who get into the Soul Sea Realm have to confront the Big Heavenly Tribulations. As for their power,” Lavender also started looking out and whispered. “It's unimaginable.”

The Big Heavenly Tribulation was still far away from Zen, but the smaller one was approaching. As long as Zen continued to raise his cultivation and enter the top-level Virtual Tribulation Realm, he would face the Small Heavenly Tribulation soon.

Boom!

At that moment, a dragon-shaped bolt of lightning struck the roof of the Ice Palace!

The Ice Palace had been built like a fortress, and its top floor was covered with thick ice spikes. However, the lightning, with its great force, was able to cause a large hole. Stones, ice cubes, and broken beams fell down.

Luckily, those things didn't hurt Letitia at all. Her eyes stayed closed, and cold air was suddenly coming out of her body. It was only moments away until the Small Heavenly Tribulation would fall on her body.

With her full attention to the incoming ordeal, she wasn't able to notice the presence of Zen in the Ice Palace.

Through the large hole in the ceiling, Zen cautiously stared at the dragons in the sky created by the lightning. With a deep breath he asked, “How can these dragons go through the enchanted barrier?”

The enchanted barrier called Light of Water was set outside of the Cloud Hall. However, it seemed to be incapable of stopping the electric dragons from coming into the palace.