Is this a tribulation?

"Fan, don't do anything rash!"

At the mouth of the cave, Xiao Yan clung desperately to Qin Xiaofan's leg, refusing to let go no matter what.

Above them, thunderclouds rolled across the sky, threatening to unleash a bolt of lightning at any moment.

Underneath this ominous canopy, Qin Xiaofan stood wearing nothing but a pair of shorts.

He looked down at Xiao Yan, utterly speechless. All he'd said was, "I'm going to get struck by lightning," but Huohuo's reaction had been so extreme—following him all the way to the top of the cave, trying to stop him.

"Um... Huohuo, let go. I'm really not thinking of doing anything stupid. You'd better get away from me, or else you'll get struck by lightning too!"

Qin Xiaofan shouted anxiously, trying to pry Xiao Yan off.

"But! But! But you’ll be killed by the lightning!" Xiao Yan wailed, tears brimming in her eyes, refusing to loosen her hold. "Fan, what have you done to deserve this? Why do you have to be struck by lightning?"

Qin Xiaofan's eye twitched a few times.

With a sigh, he squatted down helplessly, patting Xiao Yan's shoulder. He carefully explained everything to her.

When Xiao Yan learned the truth, she was utterly dumbfounded.

"You’re saying getting struck by lightning can enhance your lightning abilities? That’s just absurd! What if you die?"

Qin Xiaofan patted her shoulder with utmost seriousness. "Trust me, Huohuo. It won’t kill me."

Seeing the earnestness in his expression, Xiao Yan finally nodded, released her grip, and retreated to a safe distance.

Thunder boomed overhead, silver lightning snaking through the clouds.

Qin Xiaofan swallowed hard.

It should be fine...

Maybe...

Probably...

I won't die...

He clenched his teeth, steeling himself. For the sake of leveling up, he’d risk it all!

He summoned the power of lightning within, and in an instant, arcs of electricity danced across his body, even flickering in his eyes—like a living god of thunder.

Lightning attracts lightning!

A peal of thunder exploded, and then a torrential rain began to fall.

In the rain, the lightning within him grew even more violent.

Every cell in his body vibrated with exhilaration. The sensation of raw power made him throw back his head and let out a wild, defiant roar.

"Aaaah!"

His voice rang out, clear and strong.

Xiao Yan, watching from afar, heard in it a cry of defiance against fate—her blood pounded with excitement.

But in the next instant—

Qin Xiaofan's triumphant roar twisted into a blood-curdling scream.

A bolt of lightning tore from the clouds, striking him with unerring accuracy.

"Ah!"

"Ah!"

"Ah!"

The screams were unspeakably harrowing.

It was as if he was enduring the most excruciating torment in existence, every cell and every inch of skin pushed to the very brink of agony.

Within the thunderstorm, an even more terrifying force was gathering.

"Is this... the price of bragging?" Qin Xiaofan thought as he was scorched inside and out, black smoke rising from his body. "I won’t brag anymore... please, no more..."

But the heavens showed no mercy.

Another bolt crashed down, without the slightest hesitation or reprieve.

Qin Xiaofan’s screams echoed once more, lost in the cacophony of thunder.

It was as if the heavens themselves were roaring in silence.

At the cave entrance, the others watched, faces pale as death. Confronted with such overwhelming force of nature, the faint-hearted among them lost all control.

Especially the bald one—he collapsed to the ground, shaking all over, the terror of lightning flooding his mind anew.

"Is this... the legendary tribulation?"

The newly joined members stared in horror at Qin Xiaofan being struck by lightning, a primal fear rising from deep within their souls.

Too powerful...

No one knew how long it lasted. At last, the rain ceased.

The thick clouds began to disperse, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and plants.

And another scent—the acrid smell of something burnt...

Everyone gazed up at Qin Xiaofan atop the cave, stunned into silence.

They’d lost count of how many times he had been struck.

Now, he lay sprawled on the rock, his body charred black, smoke curling from his flesh, utterly still—as if dead.

"Did he... fail his tribulation?" someone whispered uncertainly.

"No, he couldn’t have!" Far off, Xiao Yan trembled, unable to believe her eyes as she looked at the burnt figure of Qin Xiaofan.

Could the savior really have been struck dead by lightning?

This was just too absurd!

But then—the scorched figure suddenly stirred.

The crowd jumped in fright.

And then, something even more shocking happened.

That blackened form slowly rose from the ground. At a glance, he was a bloody, scabbed mess—his face unrecognizable, like a demon risen from hell itself.

Everyone held their breath.

The "charcoal" reached out and tugged at his own body.

With a ripping sound, a patch of charred skin peeled away, and the crowd stared in disbelief—beneath the blackened shell was not torn flesh, but—

Brand new skin!

Qin Xiaofan was alive!

It was as if he'd been reborn in lightning—shedding that layer of blackened flesh, a new body was revealed for all to see.

His skin was smooth as a newborn’s.

But unlike a baby, beneath that skin his flesh was packed with explosive power, saturated with the force of thunder. Silver arcs of electricity danced across his body—he looked every bit a god descended to earth.

Unbelievable!

Qin Xiaofan clenched his fist, feeling the wild lightning surging within him, and burst out laughing.

At that moment, a mechanical voice sounded in his mind—

Ability: Lightning. Upgrade successful!

Skill: Thunder Palm. Upgrade successful!

New skill acquired: Wrath of the Thunder God! (Lightning floods your body, greatly enhancing strength and speed for a short period.)

Qin Xiaofan hurriedly checked the system panel.

Host: Qin Xiaofan

Level: B-rank Esper

Ability: Lightning (Level 2)

Skills: Thunder Palm, Wrath of the Thunder God

Equipment: Butcher’s Knife, Titanium Eye, Detection Radar, Nano Vest

Points: 390

Main Quest: Awaken 20 humans (15/20)

Side Quest: Create a wheat field

Finally...

He had advanced to a B-rank Esper.

Qin Xiaofan stretched out his hand and tested the upgraded Thunder Palm.

Instantly, silver lightning crackled in his palm, accompanied by a sharp sound of thunder. It was even more dazzling and powerful than Sasuke’s Chidori in Naruto!

Magnificent!

Qin Xiaofan was thoroughly satisfied.

Paying no mind to the stares of the others, he flexed his body, electricity snapping and crackling across his skin.

Then, under their stunned gazes, he leapt from the top of the cave—a drop of more than ten meters—landing with a resounding crash before them, shattering the rocks beneath his feet.

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