Earlier, Maera had already passed the first two stages of her calamity.
The Pain Penance test had nearly destroyed her aging body.
That test directly attacked the flesh, bones, ridians, and blood. For several hours, she had endured unbearable pain while forcibly rebuilding her damaged body using Spirit Essence.
Then ca the Dejection Demon test. That test was even more dangerous. Illusions had attacked her mind endlessly. All her inner weaknesses had been dragged out and magnified.
Many cultivators lost themselves during that stage and either went insane or destroyed their own cultivation. Yet Maera had endured both tests.
Although it was indeed true that the Dao Paths of the Dadangar Subcontinent had been reopened after Dao Beast Seralyth stopped feeding on them to survive, the change mostly affected the Celestial Tribulation. It did not decrease the difficulty of the first two tests.
As such, it was truly not easy for Maera to pass the first two stages. Not only had she endured them, but she had also passed them quickly.
Still, the damage remained. Her body was exhausted. Her mind was already heavily strained.
And yet—
She still had to survive the Celestial Tribulation.
Boom!
Another lightning bolt descended. This one was even larger than before.
The sky flashed white. The formation barriers shattered one after another. Several formation flags exploded instantly. The remaining lightning crashed directly onto Maera.
Blood sprayed from her mouth. Her robes beca charred black. Even her white hair partly burned away.
The gathered elders looked nervous. So clenched their fists unconsciously.
"She’s reaching her limit..."
An elder muttered softly.
"She already exhausted too much strength during the previous tests."
Another elder sighed.
"At her age, even surviving this far is already miraculous."
Yet—
Maera still did not fall. Her shaking body slowly straightened once more. She raised her head and stared directly at the dark heavens above. Her old eyes burned with determination.
For over a hundred years...
She had waited for this mont.
She had served the sect for most of her life.
Watched generations of disciples grow old and die. Watched younger talents surpass her again and again. Watched her lifespan slowly run out.
But she had never given up. Never stopped cultivating. Never stopped believing she could reach Lordship one day.
Boom!
The third lightning strike descended. This ti, the lightning looked almost like a giant pillar connecting heaven and earth.
The pressure alone made many disciples collapse onto their knees.
The mountain shook violently. The remaining formations exploded apart completely.
Without hesitation, Maera roared and released all her remaining Spirit Essence upward. Her blue Spirit Essence collided against the heavenly lightning.
For a brief mont, the sky itself seed to freeze. Then, the lightning swallowed her whole.
A terrifying explosion echoed across the mountain. The disciples widened their eyes in horror.
Several elders imdiately beca tense.
When the blinding light finally faded, a figure was still sitting at the center of the destroyed cliff platform.
Grand Elder Maera. Her body looked terrible. Her skin was badly burned. Blood covered her robes. Her aura had beco extrely weak. Yet, a completely different pressure slowly spread from her body.
A Lord’s pressure.
The surrounding Spirit energy started moving toward her naturally. The heavens gradually cald down. The black clouds slowly dispersed.
A ray of sunlight finally pierced through the sky and landed upon the destroyed platform.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then suddenly—
"She succeeded!"
A disciple shouted excitedly. The entire sect erupted into noise.
"She beca a Core Formation Lord!"
"Grand Elder Maera succeeded!"
"Incredible! The Dao Paths have been released? What does that an? Does it an we can beco a Lord too?"
Many disciples looked at the old woman with admiration, disbelief, hope, and inspiration. Even several elders sighed emotionally.
anwhile, Maera herself looked barely conscious. Her body swayed weakly. It looked as if she could collapse at any mont.
Before anyone else could move, a white figure instantly appeared beside her.
It was Dahlia Whitejade.
The Sect Lord moved without hesitation. She quickly took out a jade bottle and poured a glowing silver-blue potion into Maera’s mouth.
The rich dicinal aura spread imdiately. A powerful healing energy stabilized Maera’s chaotic condition almost instantly.
"A 3rd Order instant full recovery potion..."
One elder muttered in shock.
That kind of treasure was extrely precious even for the sect.
Dahlia gently supported Maera’s weak body and helped stabilize her breathing with her own Spirit Essence. After several monts, Maera finally regained a bit of clarity.
Her eyes slowly opened. When she saw Dahlia standing beside her, her lips trembled slightly.
"Sect... Lord..."
Dahlia looked at her calmly. For the first ti that day, a faint smile appeared on her cold face.
"Congratulations, Grand Elder Maera."
"You are now a Lord of the Eastern Limiya Gate."
Maera wanted to say sothing but she couldn’t. Even breathing looked difficult for her right now.
After making sure the newly ascended grand elder would not collapse imdiately, Dahlia finally raised her gaze toward the gathered crowd.
"You may all leave."
Her voice was calm. Yet nobody dared to delay. The disciples imdiately bowed and started retreating from the mountain. The elders also began leaving one after another.
Many of them still looked emotional after witnessing the birth of a new Lord within the sect. anwhile, a young maid dressed in pale blue robes quietly approached Dahlia from behind.
The maid looked beautiful and graceful. Her long black hair was tied neatly behind her back, and her movents were calm and disciplined.
Her na was Lira Snowveil.
Although she was only a maid by title, many elders knew that Dahlia trusted her deeply. Even though she was still in the mid-stages of the Foundation Establishnt realm, her talents couldn’t be questioned. Dahlia looked toward Lira and spoke softly.
"Take Grand Elder Maera back to her cave abode. Make sure nobody disturbs her during stabilization."
Lira bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Sect Lord."
She carefully supported Maera’s weakened body before slowly leading her away from the ruined platform.
At this mont—
One figure remained behind instead of leaving.
Grand Elder Huron.
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