Chapter 333: Thunder Poised to Strike
Among the fallen powerhouses were both ordinary achievers and a large number of Pseudo-Sons of Destiny. Massive amounts of World Origin dispersed, but due to the characteristics of the Chosen Ones, it was quickly absorbed into the bodies of other Pseudo-Sons of Destiny.
This World Origin, a legacy of the World’s Subconscious, could not be directly plundered by the Outer God Ace, which was quite clever.
“However, no matter how clever it is, I have my ways. You can be a thief for a thousand days, but you can’t guard against a thief for a thousand days.”
Ace monitored all creation through the Eye of Divine Punishment. He glanced at Nataye City, a smile playing on his lips.
Tyrone looked up at the sky filled with lightning and surprisingly felt a hint of familiarity.
“How ridiculous. I actually find this terrifying lightning familiar.”
Tyrone muttered, feeling a bit speechless at his own thoughts. As time passed, the dark clouds scattered, the lightning gradually faded, and thousands of warriors turned to ash.
Tyrone felt as if he were being nourished by something. His entire being felt closer to the world, and both his Blood Qi and Heart Fire became more active. His kaleidoscope-colored Heart Fire, once like glazed glass, gradually became transparent.
In the panic, most people fled in despair, but Tyrone had a sudden flash of insight—this was a golden opportunity!
“So many warriors have died; they must have left behind plenty of wealth and treasures. This is my chance!”
Tyrone didn’t hesitate. The direction of the lightning was imprinted in his mind. Tracing the path from his memory, he quickly arrived at the location where the lightning had struck.
Ashes everywhere. Nothing else. Tyrone was disappointed, but he kept searching. The people were still in shock, so the wilderness was almost devoid of living souls.
Gradually, Tyrone found something. Near a charred corpse, a small, slightly damaged shield lay quietly.
His eyes lit up, and he rushed over.
Warriors at the Visualization realm could reach the inner layer of the world in their dreams, a place known to the world as the “Land of No Return.”
“Legend has it that great Visualization masters roam the world in their dreams. If luck permits, they can reach a mysterious place filled with abundant source power. This source power, aside from boosting one’s strength, can grant extraordinary characteristics to mundane objects through Heart Fire skills, engraving traces of rules upon them. These items are called Artifacts!”
Tyrone recalled the common knowledge Joyce had taught him. Muttering to himself, he examined the small shield. It had a bronze texture, several cracks on its face, and was charred black, with a faint glow occasionally flickering.
Tyrone wiped the bronze shield, gradually revealing its original metallic appearance. Ancient—that was his first impression.
Controlling his Heart Fire with his mind, he tried to touch the small bronze shield. Thud!
The damaged bronze shield shook, and a faint light shimmered.
“No Heart Fire imprint, but it has a glow and mysterious patterns. It seems to resonate with traces of rules. It must be an Artifact!”
Following the methods he had heard of, Tyrone attempted to ignite the mysterious patterns within it using his Heart Fire. Light flashed, and a transparent, ethereal protective barrier slowly floated up in front of him.
He knocked on the barrier with his hand. Clink. A crisp sound.
He condensed his Heart Fire and punched it with all his might. The barrier didn’t budge. Tyrone rubbed his stinging hand and said, “Pretty tough.”
As Tyrone stopped supplying Heart Fire, the small bronze shield ceased floating, the glow faded, and the barrier slowly vanished. Tyrone shoved the shield into his chest pocket and continued searching.
A week later, Tyrone arrived in Nataye City carrying a sharp iron sword, the palm-sized bronze shield, wearing a pair of wooden clogs that doubled movement speed, and carrying a bag of melted gold and silver on his back.
Dressed in rags, Tyrone cautiously purchased the Basic Heart Fire Realm Cultivation Method and three practical Heart Fire skills from the Andolf Technique Transfer Center in Nataye City.
They were: Basic Fist Technique, Scorching Attachment Skill, and Basic Footwork.
At the Technique Transfer Center, Tyrone also heard the bad news: all six “Demigods” of Nataye City had died under the lightning. The strongest Demigod, Andolf, had left behind one final sentence.
“Obey goodness and follow Heaven; to repent now is too late.”
Tyrone was puzzled. What did that mean? Did it mean one should do good deeds to follow the laws of Heaven, or that he regretted doing good deeds and following the laws of Heaven?
People’s interpretations varied wildly, leading to even more ideological chaos. Amidst this confusion, the Andolf Natural Style’s grand exam arrived on schedule.
Because of the massive loss of talent, Tyrone easily stood out without even using his full strength. Here, he once again met his first teacher, Mr. Joyce.
Joyce was actually an initiate disciple of the Andolf Natural Style, a warrior who had been stuck at the Heart Reflection realm for a long time. He was one of the few who had survived the baptism of lightning.
Tyrone passed the grand exam and became a registered disciple of the Andolf Natural Style. It was Joyce who guided him in getting familiar with the school.
“I never imagined you were a disciple of the Andolf Natural Style, Teacher Joyce. This makes me so happy.”
Meeting his first teacher in a foreign land, Tyrone couldn’t help but feel emotional.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. To be honest, it’s nothing to be proud of. I’m nearly sixty, yet still only at Heart Reflection. I’m ashamed to even mention my school.”
Joyce stroked his graying beard, speaking apologetically.
Tyrone replied with understanding, “Teacher, saying sorry to me is too much. Thanks to you, I learned about the mysterious path of warrior cultivation. You are the guide on my path. As for what school you belong to, that is your private matter.”
Joyce patted Tyrone’s shoulder and began introducing the school’s situation.
“Our Andolf Natural Style was founded by the late strongest Demigod, Lord Andolf. The biggest characteristic of this school is following one’s heart. Our understanding of ourselves and the world is faithfully reflected in our Heart Fire. Only when our understanding is correct can we truly advance.
“This is the foundation. Only by being firm in one’s heart can one go further. As for Heart Fire skills, martial arts, Artifacts, or even Divine Artifacts—they are all external objects. They can be used, but not relied upon.
“Besides that, this Heavenly Tribulation has given me a new understanding. Not only are people changing, but Heaven is also changing. Human hearts change, and the Heart of Heaven shifts. The warriors of the Western Continent who cultivate the path of Heart Fire do not follow Heaven or revere the gods, and they suffered the most casualties under the Heavenly Tribulation. If we want to survive the tribulation in the future, we need to obey the Heart of Heaven and embody the Will of Heaven!”
Tyrone understood somewhat. softly, he asked, “Teacher Joyce, do you think Lord Andolf’s words meant we should do good deeds and follow the laws of Heaven?”
Joyce nodded with satisfaction. His hair and beard were completely white, yet he radiated a rare, spirited vigor.
“I advanced to the Heart Reflection realm at thirty and wasted another thirty years. Finally, with one foot in the grave, I have understood my own heart and the Heart of Heaven. Our warrior path is a gift from the Supreme God Ai. We should be grateful, benefit all things, follow the Heart of Heaven first, and then our own hearts. In this way, the Heavenly Tribulation can be crossed, and the future can be expected!”
As Joyce’s resounding words fell, his state of mind suddenly cleared. His aura climbed steadily, and as he spoke, he broke through the Heart Reflection realm that had trapped him for over thirty years, advancing to Visualization—becoming a mighty figure!
In an instant, the Eye of Divine Punishment that monitored all things sensed it. Tribulation clouds gathered thick and heavy, and thunder was ready to strike.
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