Everyone watched on with rapt attention as the cracks kept on increasing on the 'cocoon' made out of embers.
~Crack~crack~crack~
~SHATTER~
Once the cracks fully covered it, a fist broke through the cracks, fully breaking the cocoon apart. From within appeared a naked man with a domineering appearance. His muscles were filled with overflowing vitality and his long amber colored hair swayed with the wind.
There were red lines that looked like flowing magma going down from his head, and then spreading all over his body. Two of the lines spread out from his neck, onto his shoulders and then onto his hands all the way where they split to join his ten fingers.
The same was the case with his legs as well as the red lines spread and joined his toes. On his back, the red lines formed a rather simple pattern that looked like a burning flame. On his chest, the lines joined up at his heart to form another pattern which Lin Mu could read.
"Dauntless…" Lin Mu read the character that was written in Dao script.
It was now that Xukong suddenly spoke up.
"Oh? It's this physique?" Xukong said.
"Senior, you know about it?" Lin Mu questioned.
"I do, of course. This physique once belonged to a peerless cultivator oh a high leveled world. Relying on it, he defeated his foes and established his hegemony. Later on, he became a great emperor.
It has been several thousand years since his death and now the physique has returned." Xukong said, thinking for a bit before continuing.
"The name of this physique is… The Dauntless Ember Physique. It allows the owner to become like the ember that never goes out no matter how many winds blow nor if water tries to douse it.
The ember will go on and so will the person. This physique contains an immense vitality such that even the Xiantian physique is outclassed by it. But of course, that is understandable since the Xiantian physique is an acquirable physique and can be gained by anyone." Xukong expanded.
"Dauntless Ember Physique, huh…" Lin Mu said before a smile appeared on his face.
"EXCELLENT!" Lin Mu exclaimed.
Everyone heard his voice and looked at him, including King Hong, whose appearance had changed significantly. Other than his facial features, his body was quite different, including his hair that had become amber red as well.
~RUMBLE~
But just as he said this, the sky rumbled all of a sudden.
"Huh, what?" Hua San and Hua Wu were surprised.
They looked up and saw thunder seething within the clouds.
"How can this be? The tribulation was over!" Adviser Liu was shocked.
"What is happening, senior?" Lin Mu questioned.
He was observing it with his spatial perception as well and could see that the crack from which the tribulation energy was leaking had actually expanded.
"AH! I should have expected this. The Dauntless Ember Physique is not something that should have normally appeared in a low leveled world like this. That may have also been why all of the heirs of the Hong clan died to the tribulation.
The heavenly tribulation could not allow it to exist in a world like this. If this was a higher world, they would not have so much trouble. In fact, if they were in a higher world, they might have become a great clan.
The previous owner of the physique was cursed and died without any heirs, thus his dynasty ended, but the current Hong clan is vastly different." Xukong answered.
"Another tribulation?" Lin Mu said as his brows furrowed.
King Hong also looked up and anger appeared in his eyes.
"You tried to strike me down and were unsuccessful… I broke through and you still want to try again… NEVER!" King Hong let out a bellowing shout.
He clenched his right fist, which had fully recovered. It was this very fist that had been destroyed by the tribulation lightning earlier, but now it was fully healed and even better than before.
His fist was like a hammer within which immense energy was condensed. King Hong raised his fist and punched at the sky with all his might.
~BOOM~
Before the tribulation lightning could even get ready, a red pillar of light pierced the tribulation clouds.
~shua~
The tribulation clouds were forcefully dissipated and the blue sky was fully revealed again.
This was a scene that was not only witnessed by Lin Mu and the rest but even the citizens that lived around the area and in the capital city. The light of the red pillar was bright enough to catch everyone's attention.
Adviser Liu and the Hua brothers were stunned upon seeing this as well.
"Forcefully dissipating tribulation clouds? HEAVENS!" Hua Wu exclaimed.
With the tribulation clouds gone, King Hong descended to the ground. Adviser Liu hurriedly walked towards him and handed him some clothes. King Hong's spatial storage treasure had been handed to adviser Liu because there was a great chance of it being destroyed.
King Hong quickly dressed in some simple robes for now and then walked towards Lin Mu. Till now he had spoken a word to anyone rather than the sky and they were feeling a bit tense.
He came to a halt in front of Lin Mu and looked at him.
~clap~
He cupped his hands and bowed deeply before speaking, "You have my eternal gratitude, Senior Lin Mu. Not only have you given me a chance to live, you have given all my descendants a chance at survival.
You have given me the solution to our curse!"
One could hear the deep veneration within his voice.
~pat~
Lin Mu placed his hands on the man's shoulders and lifted him up.
"You do not have to thank me. It is you who managed to do this and came out on top. I'm pleased that you survived." Lin Mu said with a smile.
King Hong smiled as well before a serious expression appeared on his face.
"Regardless, I shall help you in any way possible. We shall defeat Gu Yao and the Northern Tribe!" King Hong declared.
