Thunder and lightning.
Behind this fourth gate, the moment Chu Fengmian stepped through, he felt countless bolts of lightning strike at him.
These bolts of lightning were entirely different from the flames within the second gate; they weren’t illusory but real.
Numerous bolts of lightning, all of a sudden, cascaded towards Chu Fengmian from the sky.
Chu Fengmian’s gaze shifted, and with a wave of his hand, a surge of Spiritual Power condensed in front of him to serve as a barrier.
However, the lightning was as if it were boundless, incessantly bombarding the shield of Spiritual Power before Chu Fengmian.
"What is the true intent behind this fourth trial?" Chu Fengmian murmured quietly to himself as he observed his surroundings.
He had already realized that each of the five gates set by the Emperor of Fertility served distinct purposes and principles.
To call them trials might be misleading, for they seemed more like a form of training for the martial artist.
This gate was a test of a martial artist’s temperament and mental fortitude. Indeed, one with a weak will could not traverse the first gate.
But once someone passed, it also signified the ability to eliminate the Heart Demon in advance, which was undoubtedly a grand opportunity for any martial artist.
It equated to solving a major dilemma that one might face upon reaching Divine Power, significantly aiding future breakthroughs into that realm.
The trial behind the second gate tested a martial artist’s capability to cope with illusions.
The third gate aimed to test the martial artist’s survival skills. Even the mightiest martial artist could ultimately face an endless pursuit.
This third gate, in essence, intended to simulate the sensation of being hunted by countless enemies – a scenario to which Chu Fengmian, possessing Divine Power, was not at all apprehensive. Instead, he turned the countless beasts as an advantage to master the Slaughter Sword Technique.
One might say that not even the Emperor of Fertility could have anticipated that his trials could be resolved in such a manner.
And this fourth trial, with its sky-full of thunder, surely had its unique purpose.
"These bolts of lightning... could they be used for Body Refining?" Chu Fengmian sensed the power of the lightning and discovered it wasn’t excessively fierce but seemed to be deliberately suppressed.
This lightning was likely collected by the Emperor of Fertility, who intentionally weakened a portion of its strength, leaving it behind.
While not negligible, the lightning could be counteracted with Spiritual Power.
Body Refining with thunder was an ancient practice from the Ancient Times.
Legends say that many powerful beings from Ancient Times, eager to temper their bodies, would wait for thunderstorms to directly plunge into the thunderclouds, using the lightning to refine their physiques.
Naturally, such actions were considered the height of madness. Even a saintly martial artist couldn’t withstand lightning with mere flesh; only those terrifying Great Emperors of antiquity could manage.
The lightning here was possibly less than one percent as powerful as real lightning, but it was perfect for martial artists at Chu Fengmian’s level, suitable for utilizing its energy to refine the body.
Having understood this, Chu Fengmian decided against using Spiritual Power to defend himself and instead charged forward with his body.
Countless bolts of lightning scoured Chu Fengmian’s body, causing his flesh to begin charring.
Countless numbing sensations, filled Chu Fengmian’s body.
"Good! These thunderbolts, indeed suffice to temper my body!"
Chu Fengmian laughed out loud, and with all his might, he mobilized the ancient Battle Dragon essence blood within his body, squeezing the power of the ten drops of ancient Battle Dragon essence blood to its limit, bursting forth.
The burns that had just formed on his body were instantly revitalized; the injuries caused by the thunderbolts had just been healed by Chu Fengmian using Spiritual Power.
In this give and take, it was almost as if Chu Fengmian was constantly exercising his body every moment.
For any other Martial Artist to come here, they would likely not be able to achieve this feat. Typically, a Martial Artist could withstand tempering for five minutes before their body was close to giving out; they had to resist with their strength for a period and consume Spiritual Medicine to recover before they could continue to temper their body.
But Chu Fengmian’s recovery ability was abnormally terrifying to a frightening degree, as long as he wasn’t dead, he could recover overnight.
Let alone such minor injuries, which he could readily heal in an instant.
Before long, Chu Fengmian felt that when the thunderbolts fell again, they no longer gave that numbing sensation.
His body, having been tempered, was countless times tougher than before; these falling thunderbolts were now of little significance to Chu Fengmian, and could no longer temper his body.
"It seems I must draw forth even stronger thunderbolts!"
Chu Fengmian looked up at the thunderclouds in the sky, and suddenly, his figure dashed towards them.
As soon as Chu Fengmian flew into the sky, countless thunderbolts sensed his presence. Numerous thunderbolts even condensed into a thunder dragon that roared towards Chu Fengmian.
"These thunderbolts have been refined by the Emperor of Fertility with Spiritual Power, their force is much gentler. Such an opportunity is truly a rare fortune!"
Chu Fengmian laughed and charged towards the thunder dragon.
Only a figure like the Emperor of Fertility would choose to endow such a boon to his successor.
Even geniuses from the seven great sects may not enjoy such treatment.
After all, capturing thunderbolts is no easy task; the real power of thunderbolts is likely hundreds, if not thousands, of times stronger than what he was experiencing now.
Now that he had seen these thunderbolts, Chu Fengmian understood in his heart that he had somewhat underestimated the Emperor of Fertility’s strength.
The Emperor of Fertility’s strength during his lifetime was far greater than what the rumors suggested.
Countless thunderbolts exploded upon Chu Fengmian’s body, washing over him like the sea, cleansing his body.
Chu Fengmian’s body quickly became riddled with innumerable wounds, but with the power of his bloodline, he soon recovered once more.
The wounds could heal, but the pain endured was unavoidable.
However, to have such a chance to strengthen his body, a bit of pain was insignificant.
Chu Fengmian’s body was already incredibly tough due to the Battle Dragon Technique, countless times more resilient than that of an ordinary Martial Artist.
Now, under the tempering of unending thunderbolts, Chu Fengmian’s body was becoming stronger every moment.
Soon, even the summoned thunder dragon had no effect on Chu Fengmian.
"It seems to advance my body further, I must delve into the heart of the thunderstorm!"
Chu Fengmian looked up at the thunderclouds above, his spirit moved, and his entire figure charged into the depths of the thunderclouds.