The Sims: I Open the Immortal Path for All Beings Chapter 2301 - 2246–2247: Mortal Tribulation, Witch God Sect Leader Takes Action (Part 2)

"If you had arrived here in your physical form, this Church Master would have simply remained silent and departed. But for a Taoist Monarch of your stature to expect me to retreat before a mere incarnation—isn't that a bit too arrogant?" the Witch God Sect Leader remarked frostily, his gaze devoid of emotion.

Although the two parties had previously functioned as allies with intertwined interests, it is impossible for entities of such power to exist in a state of pure submission to one another.

Beings of their caliber are inherently sovereign, possessing a will that refuses to bow before others.

While Pei Xuanjing’s prowess is remarkably formidable, eclipsing many other Taoist Monarchs, it does not imply that others would tremble in his presence—especially a seasoned veteran like the Witch God Sect Leader.

Furthermore, the version of Pei Xuanjing present today is nothing more than an incarnation. While this incarnation is undeniably potent, capable of overawing the Rewarding Good and Punishing Evil Demon God and figures like the Peacock King, it has its limits.

The Witch God Sect Leader does not believe himself incapable of facing a mere manifestation. If an incarnation were truly insurmountable, the cosmic calamity would lose its purpose. Everyone might as well surrender and allow Pei Xuanjing to dictate the fate of all things.

The friction between these two, even at the moment of initial contact, drew immense scrutiny. Many powerful experts were startled by the sudden move made by the Witch God Sect Leader.

Just as Pei Xuanjing was taken aback by this interference, other elites were equally shocked that the Witch God Sect Leader had chosen to manifest as Pang Hong’s calamity.

They had speculated that the challenger might be a titan of the Demonic Way, a figure from the Buddhism School, or perhaps one of the Imperial Honors like the Jade Emperor. They even considered the Sword Emperor or Taoist Monarch Xuantian.

No one anticipated the Witch God Sect Leader taking action, given the well-known ties of interest between the two factions.

If there was any doubt before, it is now common knowledge that the Thunder Ancestor Witch Qiang Liang of the Witch God Sect is actually an incarnation of the Longevity Taoist Monarch.

Since the Witch God Sect granted an Ancestor Witch position to the Longevity Taoist Monarch, it proves their partnership is deep-rooted, likely involving massive stakes and grander designs.

These schemes may be fueled by self-interest, but shared goals naturally lead to cooperation. Why, then, would he intervene now to obstruct Pang Hong’s ascension to the rank of Taoist Monarch?

Such a contradictory move left many observers utterly bewildered.

"The Witch God Sect Leader choosing to strike now is truly bizarre!"

"Were they not collaborators? Instead of arriving to protect the path, he is here to sow chaos. Is it possible the two sides have suffered a falling out?"

"It’s a possibility. Remember, when the Ju Mang Ancestor Witch sought the status of Taoist Monarch, Master Pang Hong personally stepped in to block it. Perhaps a grudge was born that day?"

"That seems unlikely. Back then, Master Pang Hong’s interference was a matter of duty. Besides, the Longevity Taoist Monarch didn't stop the Witch God Sect's previous actions; he effectively sanctioned them, which is a form of support."

Numerous powerful beings debated the matter, their minds clouded with suspicion.

Pang Hong, positioned at the heart of the tribulation, sensed the ripples of this high-level confrontation, but he currently lacked the luxury of focus to dwell on it.

He remained unconcerned about who might interfere because his faith in his master was absolute; he did not believe anyone could surpass him.

Pang Hong channeled his entire being into the tribulation. At this stage, the Thunder Tribulation had manifested various Divine Weapons of the Taoist Monarch. Relying on his own strength, he engaged these celestial armaments. The internal small world of thunder within him began to pulsate, drawing in diverse energies and transforming them into a tidal wave of mana that surged into his Golden Core. With every strike of the Sanbao Jade Ruyi, he shattered the surrounding chaotic qi. By absorbing the essence of the lightning, he refined his world with thunder power, merging it directly into his physique.

Unlike other experts who manifest worlds through the Earth Immortal Path, a Golden Core Dao practitioner like Pang Hong focuses solely on the Golden Core. His goal is to dissolve the world into that intangible sphere. From that point on, he would transcend Myriad Laws, possessing infinite Divine Power. With a singular mind, the Golden Core Dao follows the heart; even the Power of the World becomes secondary. The Golden Core alone is sufficient to crush any foe.

His dark hair shimmered with electric discharge, resembling dancing silver serpents. Pang Hong flooded his Thunder Sword with mana, cleaving through the spectral weapons of the Taoist Monarchs. His indomitable will grew increasingly solid. His Golden Core, now refining a world within itself, began to radiate a divine glow under the pressure of the Thunder Tribulation.

Though he followed the Golden Core Dao, he was not restricted by it. Being a master of the Thunder Path, he consumed the tribulation's lightning even as he melted the world.

A holy light gradually manifested above him, his divine intent tightly controlled. Looking at the Divine Weapons of the Taoist Monarch hovering in the firmament, he felt a surge of emotion and poured massive mana into the Sanbao Jade Ruyi. This Magical Treasure, tempered by countless conflicts, seemed to break through a hidden restriction, achieving a more perfect and unified state.

While the Thunder Tribulation is lethal, it also contains the seeds of creation. By clashing with these weapons born of lightning, the Sanbao Jade Ruyi forged its own true majesty as a Divine Weapon of the Taoist Monarch. Brilliant rays of light began to pulse from it. Pang Hong’s expression turned to one of delight as he looked toward the sky, his resolve hardening.

"Jade Ruyi Stabilizes the World, Refine the Taoist Weapons!" Pang Hong’s form blurred, leaping across space in a heartbeat to strike the Demon God armaments with his Sanbao Jade Ruyi.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A series of thunderous collisions rang out across the heavens. Sharp as they were, these Divine Weapons of the Taoist Monarch were merely constructs of thunder, not the genuine articles. While they might overwhelm a True Immortal, they could not halt Pang Hong’s assault.

It must be remembered that this Sanbao Jade Ruyi was personally crafted by Pei Xuanjing and nurtured for thousands of years. Its power and potential were already immense, rivaling many true Divine Weapons of the Taoist Monarch.

The atmosphere buckled as Pang Hong suppressed one weapon after another. He looked upon the shattered remnants of the lightning armaments, his Sanbao Jade Ruyi glowing intensely as it devoured the thunderous fragments and integrated them into its structure.

Bathed in the glow of the lightning he had absorbed, Pang Hong looked back at the sky. Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water were now merging, creating violent whirlpools that swept through the heavens.

These four elements coalesced into four massive phantoms, appearing like the simultaneous descent of the Four Symbols Sacred Beasts.

Chaotic Qi Flow erupted, and from its collisions, Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water were born—the foundational powers of Chaos that give rise to Yin-Yang, the Five Elements, and all things within the universe. Nothing exists outside the reach of Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water.

Staring at the rotating vortices and the four titanic figures that resembled reincarnated Demon Gods, Pang Hong grew solemn. Having survived the Chaos Thunder Tribulation, the ultimate refinement of his Golden Core required the trial of Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water. Only then would it become a truly perfect Golden Core, allowing his Essence, Qi, and Spirit to reach the next level.

Each of these four forces, at their peak, is capable of shattering worlds and reversing the natural order of heaven and earth. Facing such primordial pressure is a task many find impossible.

As a practitioner of the Golden Core Dao, Pang Hong understood the dread of the Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water great tribulation. This force must be met directly by the Golden Core. Only through this can he forge an Immortal and Indestructible core that persists even if the world ends or the sun and moon vanish.

Unlike the Thunder Tribulation, this trial carries the weight of annihilation, behaving like a sacred judgment intended to erase existence. Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water do not require flashy Divine Communication Skills; they demand an invincible will to endure the storm.

This is a tribulation that tests the very soul!