Chapter 716: Spiritual Grade

Qing Yanjing gathered the drifting starlight around her, reconstructing her body and forging her Heavenly Sovereign Spiritual Body.

The enormous Great Pagoda Celestial Body stood guard before her, radiant and resplendent, its brilliance defying the oppressive black clouds churning in the heavens above. The contrast between light and darkness split the sky itself.

Then, without warning, a torrent of black destruction poured down from the clouds like an unleashed floodgate, corrupting the very void it passed through. The wave carried a suffocating aura of annihilation that swallowed all light.

Boom! Boom!

The golden glow that enshrouded the Great Pagoda Celestial Body flickered, dimmed, and gradually lost its luster under the corrosive surge. When the black flood finally dissipated, the once-mighty Celestial Body seemed to have aged a thousand years — its radiant form weathered and frail, like an elder at life's final dusk.

"What terrifying Heavenly Sovereign Tribulation!"

Even Qing Yanjing, shielded within, was shaken to her core. The Great Pagoda Celestial Body was renowned for its peerless defense, yet it had been nearly corroded to ruin by just one strike.

With a flicker of thought, she channeled immense Spiritual Energy into the Celestial Body. Under her full exertion, its dim glow reignited — the warmth of divine light slowly returned, sweeping away the darkness.

Then she flung forth her Pagoda Tower, which suddenly expanded from several hundred feet to tens of thousands of feet in height, towering over even the Celestial Body itself. Endless golden flames erupted from its surface, rising skyward and weaving into a massive net of fire.

At that moment, the heavens howled again. From the black clouds above poured an inferno of dark fire, its heat so intense that space itself distorted. The two flames — golden and black — collided fiercely, the sharp hissing sound of burning void echoing across the world.

The golden fire, meant to refine enemies subdued by the Pagoda, was overwhelmed almost instantly. Within moments, the golden net was devoured completely, leaving only the abyssal black fire cascading downward.

Sizzle! Sizzle!

The crystal Pagoda was swallowed by that black inferno. Flames raged wildly, melting the crystalline structure like ice under the sun. Glowing liquid streamed down its surface as it turned jet-black from corrosion.

Still, Qing Yanjing endured. When the final remnants of the black fire burned out, the Pagoda remained — charred, but intact. She had survived the second strike.

Before she could even breathe, however, a violent gale howled from the clouds. The third tribulation arrived — a storm laced with pure destruction.

The space around her shredded like paper under the wind's force, resounding with sharp crackling noises. Even the mighty Pagoda began to shudder.

Qing Yanjing's eyes sharpened. "Divine Radiance, protect me!"

At her command, the Great Pagoda Celestial Body flared to life once more, a blazing Wheel of Divine Light forming behind it — like a second sun. Infinite Spiritual Energy erupted outward, coalescing into billions of beams that pierced the void itself.

The divine brilliance collided head-on with the black gale. The shockwaves blasted through the heavens, creating ripples that spread for thousands of miles. Even a Perfect Earth Sovereign would have been reduced to dust in that backlash.

When the light finally faded, the Pagoda trembled violently, on the brink of collapse. Qing Yanjing waved her hand and recalled it instantly — one more strike, and the treasured relic would have been lost. Re-forging such an artifact would take years of cultivation.

But it no longer mattered.

For in that very moment, Qing Yanjing's Heavenly Sovereign Spiritual Body was reborn. Her long hair fluttered freely, her palace gown swayed gently, and boundless Spiritual Clouds swirled around her form. She stood ethereal and untouchable, like a goddess descended to the mortal world.

She had done it.

Qing Yanjing had successfully stepped into the Spiritual Grade Heavenly Sovereign Realm — her body and Spiritual Energy merged into one, her flesh now pure and stainless. Even if her body were destroyed, as long as her Soul endured a single breath, she could instantly restore herself.

Hovering gracefully in midair, she gazed toward the heavens. The black clouds still lingered ominously. There were four strikes in the Heavenly Sovereign Tribulation — three had passed. One remained.

"It's coming."

As her words fell, the sky roared. Countless black thunder dragons twisted and writhed within the storm, then crashed down toward her with annihilating force.

Qing Yanjing's expression hardened. Her jade-like hands danced through the air, forming seals as vast Spiritual Energy erupted around her. In an instant, glowing Spiritual Seals linked together, forming a colossal Spiritual Array.

With a resonant hum, the array drew upon the world itself — torrents of pure Spiritual Energy surged like a rising sea. The sky split apart as a tempest of divine light filled the heavens, as if creation itself were being rewritten.

The thunder dragons plunged into the storm of light, roaring as they collided with the raging winds. The clash of lightning and storm unleashed a destructive tide that rolled across the land. No Heavenly Sovereign would willingly step into such chaos.

At last, the final thunder dragon dissolved into motes of light, and the oppressive black clouds slowly dispersed. The sky cleared, revealing sunlight that glimmered upon Qing Yanjing's serene form.

She had done it — four Tribulation Strikes survived. The heavens were silent.

Qing Yanjing had ascended fully to the Early Stage of the Spiritual Grade Heavenly Sovereign Realm.

Her aura was unlike any ordinary Heavenly Sovereign's — there was a purity and stillness to it, a calm that resonated with the essence of heaven and earth.

She exhaled softly, her lips curving into a radiant, heartfelt smile — the joy and relief of success shining through her eyes.

At that moment, a familiar presence stirred the sky.

Liu Xi descended from the clouds, his azure sleeves billowing as boundless Spiritual Energy surged at his command. With a single thought, he smoothed the fractured space, sweeping away every trace of storm, thunder, and lingering turbulence.

The heavens grew tranquil once more.

He landed before her and gazed into her eyes — perhaps a bit too intently.

Qing Yanjing's cheeks flushed red. "What are you staring at? Do I have flowers on my face?"

Liu Xi chuckled warmly. "I'm just admiring beauty. After breaking through to Heavenly Sovereign, you've become even more breathtaking."

Her lips curved in a bashful smile, though her eyes narrowed with teasing suspicion. "Wait… why are you so skilled at saying that? You've said this to other women before, haven't you?"

Liu Xi froze inwardly — she'd grown sharper after her breakthrough!

He forced a blank expression. "What? Skilled? I'm just speaking the truth. You have no idea how beautiful you are right now, so beautiful that I can't help but—"

He leaned closer, his voice dropping into a low, affectionate whisper. "—want to kiss you and never stop."

Before she could react, Liu Xi drew her gently into his arms and kissed her deeply.

As he did, he thought with a sly smile, 'Some things are better left unspoken, at least until after the kiss.'

(End of Chapter)

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