Lanterns?
It seemed there were people ahead.
Ji Mo walked towards the light and soon arrived in front of a building.
It was an ancient temple nestled in a canyon.
A vermilion gate, gray courtyard walls, and a large red lantern hung high at the entrance.
The orange glow Ji Mo had seen earlier emanated from this very lantern.
Despite the wind and rain, the lantern was unaffected. The flame did not extinguish, casting hazy halos of light that enveloped the entire ancient temple.
As Ji Mo examined his surroundings more closely, his scalp tingled.
The red paint on the gate seemed off, exhibiting a strange scarlet hue, as if stained by blood.
And beneath the courtyard walls, amidst the dense vines, were patches of snow-white, revealing rows of grinning white bones.
Only when he realized they were all animal bones did Ji Mo's fear subside slightly.
The gate was ajar. Steeling himself, Ji Mo knocked a few times on the door knocker.
There was no response from within.
After much hesitation, Ji Mo finally pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The ancient temple was dilapidated, with many parts collapsed, leaving only ruins and rubble. A frightening silence permeated the air, unlike a place where people lived.
But if no one lived here, why was there a lantern hanging outside? This didn't make sense.
It wasn't until he reached the backyard that Ji Mo's eyes lit up.
Here, the courtyard was serene, overgrown with flowers and plants. In the center of the yard was a small pool built with white jade.
In the middle of the pool, a lotus, as delicate as carved pink jade, was about to bloom.
The air was filled with a refreshing fragrance that soothed the soul.
A single breath of it made one feel refreshed and invigorated.
"Born from the mud but unstained, washed by clear ripples but not seductive; straight in the middle, not branching; its fragrance spreads far, standing tall and pure..."
After taking several breaths of the fragrant air, Ji Mo felt a surge of affection, and the poem "On the Lotus" spontaneously flowed from his lips.
Since transmigrating to this world, this was the first time he had seen a lotus similar to those from his hometown, and he felt a sense of closeness.
As he continued reciting, a special rhythm stirred, rippling outwards.
Heaven and earth responded, laws intertwined in the void, and great Dao runes danced. Strands of Dao charm transformed into light rain, falling into the pool.
The lotus became even more radiant, slowly blooming with his recitation.
Ji Mo did not notice that on the lotus seedpod of the blooming flower, a slender white figure was faintly visible.
Boom!
A thunderclap erupted from clear skies.
For some reason, the sky churned with clouds, instantly forming a vast expanse of dark clouds that completely covered the ancient temple.
Lightning flashed, thunder roared deafeningly, and silver bolts danced, creating a scene of divine punishment descending.
The entire Tongtian Mountain Range was utterly shocked.
What had happened?
The lightning tribulation in the deepest part of the Tongtian Mountain Range had only just ended, and now another one had appeared elsewhere.
Moreover, judging by the commotion, it was several times more powerful.
When had the Tongtian Mountain Range become so full of hidden masters!
Even more terrifying was that the lightning tribulation was still brewing, its power continuously escalating, making it impossible to determine its ultimate terrifying extent.
"Run!"
Around the ancient temple, countless demonic beasts fled in terror, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire.
This level of divine punishment, they feared, even a demon saint could not withstand and would be annihilated in the tribulation.
All the demonic beasts were filled with confusion. What had appeared within the ancient temple to trigger such a lightning tribulation?
The lotus in the pool swayed violently, and the white figure became clearer, but time was running out.
The sky turned completely dark, as if night had fallen.
All that could be seen was dazzling lightning.
The lotus stopped swaying, and the figure gave up struggling. Under such heavenly might, all resistance was futile.
Ji Mo squinted, gazing at the sky, and frowned, "That's not right. I haven't defied the system recently. Why would it strike me?"
At this moment, he misunderstood, thinking the system was punishing him.
Amidst the dazzling radiance, Ji Mo drew his wood-chopping knife and held it horizontally towards the sky.
"Look, it's that ferocious and wicked human. As expected, evil reaps its own reward. Heaven is finally going to deal with him."
Many great demons watched from afar. Upon spotting the ancient temple and Ji Mo's figure, they were so excited they shed tears of joy.
This ferocious human had eaten so many of their kin.
Every time this human entered the mountains, the fate of the demonic beasts that fell into his hands was tragic. They endured inhumane torture of being fried, roasted, and steamed, only to be eaten in the end.
Indeed, good and evil eventually meet their retribution. Heaven's eyes were open, sending down a divine tribulation to punish this utterly evil human.
"Wuwu, my great revenge is finally achieved!"
The long-beaked bird that had narrowly escaped Ji Mo last time flapped its single remaining wing, crying out excitedly.
"Haha, you're going to get struck by lightning, you're dead!"
A crooked-necked tree twisted its clumsy body and began to dance. As long as this scourge was removed, they would no longer have to live in fear.
Countless demonic beasts rejoiced, cheering for the arrival of this wonderful moment. They all widened their eyes, eager to witness how this human would be struck to death.
Rumble...
A bolt of golden lightning fiercely struck down.
Golden snakes danced wildly, and dazzling lightning illuminated the void.
Ji Mo slashed down with his knife, blocking the lightning. Arcs of electricity flowed all over his body, his hair splayed, yet he remained unharmed.
"Ah, he blocked it!"
Countless demonic beasts cried out in regret, but they still firmly believed this human was doomed to die.
The thunderclouds churned, the lightning grew even more intense, and each bolt was more terrifying than the last, striking down continuously.
Deafening roars echoed through the sky, and the lightning filled the air like rain, engulfing the entire ancient temple. Ji Mo appeared as insignificant as a small boat in a vast ocean, liable to be torn to shreds at any moment.
"Haha, this fellow is dead for sure. Such terrifying lightning power is enough to kill a demon emperor. He has no chance of survival."
Laughter erupted throughout the Tongtian Mountain Range.
Great demons roared to the sky, and fierce birds soared towards the heavens...
Countless demonic beasts let out excited roars, celebrating.
However, this scene did not last long. All sounds abruptly ceased.
The tribulation clouds in the sky dispersed, and the sky regained its brightness.
And that detestable human was still standing there alive. Apart from his hair being slightly singed, he was completely unharmed.
A strange energy flowed, completely concealing the ancient temple. Everything within vanished.
The Tongtian Mountain Range fell into silence!
The great demons who had been roaring to the sky quickly shut their mouths and immediately dug holes to hide themselves. The birds soaring in the sky were so frightened they forgot to flap their wings and fell heavily to the ground like dumplings dropped into boiling water.
Terrifying!
It was truly terrifying!
That human had actually survived the lightning tribulation. His strength was truly unfathomable.
Ji Mo closed his eyes, feeling a tingling sensation all over his body. He didn't know how many bolts of lightning he had blocked, and his entire body ached.
Fortunately, the intensity of the lightning this time was not great, and he did not suffer any injuries.
He slowly opened his eyes, and his pupils suddenly dilated. His face was filled with stunned disbelief.
Before him stood a naked girl!