The Heavenly Tribulation was just a trial to stop the unworthy from becoming True Immortal; it was also a baptism to shed the mortal husk and forge the True Immortal Body.

Since City Lord Baschmi missed out on the baptism, his immortal ascension could only be considered half completed.

“Sir Albion…”

City Lord Baschmi seemed like he was about to cry.

Without the True Immortal Body, he was still a mortal with a limited lifespan, even if he could refine and use divine energy.

“What’s the matter?”

Albion descended in a new fresh set of silky black clothes, feeling refreshed and delighted with his harvest.

<Balance: 102/1000 Divine Energy>

“You don’t look happy. I blocked the Heavenly Tribulation, and you are still alive. Shouldn’t you be happy?” Albion asked.

The problem was that he blocked the Heavenly Tribulation TOO well.

“I’m still a Half-step True Immortal… I didn’t get enough baptism to forge the True Immortal Body…”

“Oh, dear… Well, that’s unfortunate, ain’t it?” Albion casually remarked without any surprises before saying, “I guess we will just have to summon the Heavenly Tribulation again, won’t we?”

Albion took out the bottle of Immortal Ascension Pills and made City Lord Baschmi’s eyes lit up.

“Sir Albion wishes to give me another Immortal Ascension Pill to—”

“What can you offer in exchange for an Immortal Ascension Pill?”

Crack…

City Lord Baschmi froze to stone, petrified by Albion’s question; something else also shattered inside him.

However, it only lasted a moment before Albion suddenly patted City Lord Baschmi on the back and chuckled.

“Hahaha, I was joking. Do I look like such a greedy person? Since we are such good business partners, I’ll let you have one free-of-charge,” Albion promised.

Of course, Albion really does look like a greedy person to City Lord Baschmi. He was even comparable to the shady loan sharks.

Thus, there was no guarantee that there weren’t any strings attached to his so-called free pill.

But even if City Lord Baschmi knew the risks, he still could not help but reach out a hand and grab the pill, even if it meant selling a kidney.

Or perhaps even his soul.

City Lord Baschmi accepted the Immortal Ascension Pill with a solemn look before Albion’s own expression turned somber.

“You’re not even happy with receiving an Immortal Ascension Pill for free? I guess you really care about this friendship. Fine, I won’t give you any friendship discount next time. If you need another Immortal Ascension Pill, I’ll happily give it in exchange for your city.”

Crack…

City Lord Baschmi froze to stone with a petrified look once again, and his heart shattered to pieces.

Immortal Ascension Pills were extremely valuable, but the worth of an entire city of cultivators was also immeasurable.

It was hard to guess which is more important.

If City Lord Baschmi had to sell his city to become True Immortal, he would always look back on the cost it took him to achieve it.

‘I must succeed on the second try! There mustn’t be a third attempt!’ City Lord Baschmi silently made his resolution.

“Sir Albion, I hope you can let me endure the Heavenly Tribulation alone this time.”

“Eh? Sure, if that is what you wish for.”

Albion shrugged.

He stood aside and watched City Lord Baschmi ingest the second Immortal Ascension Pill before his aura surged again.

The skies rumbled, and the dark clouds gathered, exactly like the last time.

The Heavenly Tribulation eventually arrived and gathered its momentum, sending down its first ray of tribulation lightning on City Lord Baschmi.

Boom!

City Lord Baschmi took the brunt of the first lightning strike with gritted teeth, but his condition was far from his optimum state.

He did not make the necessary preparations before attempting his second advancement.

Nevertheless, City Lord Baschmi successfully endured the first tribulation lightning without a sound due to his prior experience.

However, each consecutive tribulation lightning has always been stronger than the last; the 9th tribulation lightning being the strongest of them all.

Rumble…!

The Heavenly Tribulation gathered even more lightning power, and before long, the second tribulation lightning descended.

Followed by the third, the fourth, and the fifth…

City Lord Baschmi did well to endure each strike, but he was quick to hit his limit as his protective spirit shield cracks and traces of tribulation lightning seep inside.

“Uwarghhh!!”

City Lord Baschmi’s cries rang throughout the snowy field as the tribulation lightning power scorched his body, his hair disintegrated.

Not long after, the sixth tribulation lightning descended.

Boom!

“Arghhh—!!”

City Lord Baschmi cried.

Even with his best effort, it was clear that he was not ready to overcome the Heavenly Tribulation—or so he thought.

Little did City Lord Baschmi know, the Heavenly Tribulation was slightly stronger than other first-timers.

Nevertheless, City Lord Baschmi sensed the seventh tribulation gathering its power and felt the threat of death.

City Lord Baschmi did not hesitate to call for help immediately.

“Sir Albion, please save me—!”

Swoosh!

Albion instantly flew straight into Heavenly Tribulation in a black flash, so fast that he left his clothes behind, torn apart from the air resistance.

He had been waiting for that exact moment to make his move.

“Come to papa!” Albion laughed joyously.

Shortly after Albion’s figure disappeared into the dark clouds, the skies continued to rumble with thunder, but each rumble grew weaker than the last.

Ding!

<+1 unit of divine energy refined>

<+1 unit of divine energy refined>

<…>

…

<Balance: 129/1000  Divine Energy>

Albion’s harvest was even less than last time before the Heavenly Tribulation quickly dispersed and fled from him.

Although he was a little disappointed, every little bit of harvest counted.

He wore a new set of clothes before descending back to the ground, only to see City Lord Baschmi kneeling on the ground with a dejected look.

“Failed again…” City Lord Baschmi sighed.

He was infinitely closer to achieving True Immortality, but he was still a Half-step True Immortal, nonetheless.

Albion’s eyes quickly flickered with a sly look before he patted City Lord Baschmi on the shoulder. 

“You don’t always get it right the first or second time, but they say the third time is the charm.”

‘F*ck, I’m probably the first in history to even attempt the Immortal Ascension three times!’ City Lord Baschmi silently cussed.