Chapter 397: Chapter 397

Annihilation: The Second and Third Bolts Fall

The air thickened with tension as the sky erupted — not with a rumble, but with a soul-piercing scream. The second bolt descended like a jagged spear forged in the heart of a star, its ethereal edges seething with an intense celestial fire. It crashed into the chamber with cataclysmic force, shattering the intricate outer formation — not merely the protective seal, but the illusory veil that had cloaked Shi Min’s presence from the watchful heavens. They had found him. And their fury was palpable.

Instantly, the third bolt descended, a furious beast of light spiraling through the ether. It intertwined with the second, a luminous dragon coiling in a primal embrace before plunging into the ground with a thunderous roar that reverberated across the valley. The Verdant Bamboo Forest trembled violently, its towering trees bowing down in reverence to the unleashed chaos. Rocks splintered and cracked under the mighty force, and the very air split asunder, a cacophony of destruction echoing throughout the land.

Inside the Chamber: Shi Min Endures

Within the sanctuary of the chamber, Shi Min’s body quaked — not from agony, but under the tremendous weight of Annihilation’s embrace. The molten lightning clawed into him, transcending mere flesh to invade his very essence. It tore through his meridians like a raging storm, unraveling every delicate thread of qi he had painstakingly cultivated over countless lifetimes. His spiritual lattice, once a fortress of strength, shattered into numerous fragments. The divine flames seared his soul — not with intent to obliterate, but to purify; to eradicate every vestige of impurity, every trace of weakness.

Breathing heavily, Shi Min felt the fire within him illuminate his skin, a radiant glow amidst the tempest. His bones thrummed with an electric resonance, yet he remained silent, a statue carved from unwavering resolve. He did not scream, did not resist the cataclysm. Instead, he surrendered to the tempest, guiding the force of destruction deep within, allowing it to raze the old, dilapidated structures of his being. He understood well what lay beyond this tribulation.

The Heavens’ Jealousy

Above, the celestial expanse pulsed with a rich tapestry of emotions — not the tranquil serenity befitting the divine, but a seething, palpable jealousy. The heavens had caught a glimpse of the Nirvana Elixir coursing through Shi Min’s veins. They had sensed the ancestral protection that wove itself intricately around the chamber, enveloping him in a potent shield of love and legacy. And with that knowledge came an insatiable ire. The heavens, ancient and proud, could not bear to see a mortal so safeguarded, so prepared, so cherished. Their desire became a singular focus: to shatter his spirit. Not merely to test, but to truly annihilate.

The heavens gathered their fury, summoning more lightning — not in mere sequences, but in layers, thickening the storm overhead, signaling that Annihilation was far from over; it was building to a monstrous crescendo.

Shi Min’s Response: The Stillness Within

In the eye of this storm, Shi Min’s spiritual core flickered at the edge of collapse before igniting into a stable blaze. His soul, though scorched and battered, began its shift. The shattered lattice of his spirit was not merely reassembled; it was reforged, firmer and more radiant than before. He sat at the heart of chaos, illuminated by a golden light, his mind a serene oasis amidst the storm. Fear held no dominion over him.

Outside: The Valley Watches in Dread

Ling Li clutched the edge of the protective barrier, her knuckles paling under the strain. "He’s still holding," she murmured, eyes wide with hope and dread intermingled.

Li Tianyuan’s gaze sharpened, the weight of apprehension settling in. "The heavens are not finished with him. Their anger simmers."

Four Eyes stepped forward, his resolve palpable in the air. "Let them unleash their fury. Shi Min will stand firm."

Above them, the sky pulsated once more, a foreboding pulse resonating throughout the valley. The Purification layer was imminent, ready to incinerate all that remained.

The Seven Shah Feel the Storm

Though miles from the concealed serenity of Hidden Valley, the Seven Shah sensed the tremor ripple through the spiritual plane, a profound resonance akin to a gong striking deep within their souls.

Veyron sat in his shadow chamber, a sanctuary of silence and introspection, when the sudden onrush of energy flickered the faint aura surrounding him. He opened his eyes, a grave expression spreading across his face. "The storm has begun," he murmured, his voice low and somber. "And it’s not merely lightning. It’s pure wrath."

Kael, engaged in a spirited duel with a novice, felt the pulsating vibration travel through his blade like a warning shiver. He halted mid-swing, lowering his weapon with a frown. "That’s not a mere breakthrough," he said, eyes narrowing as the air thickened with foreboding. "That’s a challenge."

Aeris perched upon a towering pillar of swirling wind, his hair dancing wildly in the tempest of energy. He closed his eyes, attuned to the atmospheric tension, feeling an unsettling pressure all around him. "The sky is angry," he whispered, the winds carrying his voice away. "And it thirsts for blood."

Pyrrha stood, grounding himself, his fists tightening as the surrounding heat flared with unbearable intensity. "That’s Annihilation," he gasped, dread threading through his words. "The type that leaves no room for mercy."

Thalos felt the ground beneath him pulse with an ominous energy. As he placed a hand down on the earth, he sensed its turmoil. "The heavens are jealous," he declared, his voice rippling with certainty. "They long to shatter what they cannot bend to their will."

Liora, engrossed in his illusions, dropped his crystal with a shattering clang that echoed like a cracked promise. "Shi Min is being peeled away," he said, disbelief flooding his voice. "Layer by layer."

Nerun, meticulously tuning a resonant bell, heard it fracture under pressure, a poignant sound that pierced the air. He looked up, his eyes wide with alarm. "The rhythm is wrong. The heavens... they’re screaming."

Shah of Earth, Master Thalos says:

“The earth trembled. Not from fear. From anticipation. Vote, comment, and recommend if you felt it too. Power Stones and Golden Tickets ground us. Gifts? I’ll carve your name in stone.”