Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Chapter 409 409: The Heavenly Tribulation Reappears

The hallmark of the Heavenly King Realm is Spatial Force.

Below the Heavenly King Realm, martial artists primarily tap into their own potential, focusing on Physical Strength and spiritual power. From the Heavenly King Realm onward, however, the focus shifts to the Laws. Among these Laws, the easiest to master are space and time. A Heavenly King Realm expert can grasp some Spatial Force to perform the Art of Teleportation, whereas a Supreme Realm expert can transform an expanse of space into their own Domain, becoming its absolute ruler.

Therefore, to break through to the Heavenly King Realm, one must first be able to sense Spatial Force; otherwise, controlling it is impossible. All living beings exist within space, surrounded by it in every direction. As long as one's spiritual power is strong enough, they can sense the presence of Spatial Force. If space were likened to a vast ocean, then Spatial Force would be the individual droplets of seawater. By sensing it and then controlling it, one can break through to the Heavenly King Realm.

Su Han had not expected that after devouring the Resentful Dragon Soul King, the number of his Divine Sense Stellars would reach eighty-one. He had even sensed Spatial Force, a development that delighted him beyond words. If he could leverage this to break through to the Heavenly King Realm, the threat posed by the One-Eyed Shark King and his cohort would cease to exist.

He possessed the Ghostly Face Mask, after all. Once he broke through, it would be more than a simple increase in power. The enhancement from the mask could instantly grant him the combat power of the third or fourth layer of the Heavenly King Realm. Coupled with one of the Nine Secrets unsealed within it, his strength would surge tremendously. Even at the Ninth Layer of the Divine Power Realm, he could slay experts of the third or fourth layer of the Heavenly King Realm. Once he broke through, it would be his time to turn the tables.

With this in mind, he quickly calmed himself and focused intently, eager to gain mastery as soon as possible. His Divine Sense extended outward, his perception becoming exquisitely intricate and subtle. He saw that Spatial Force existed like threads and strands between heaven and earth, yet it did not flow randomly. Instead, it was arranged with a distinct pattern, like bricks meticulously laid to construct a grand building.

How do I control Spatial Force? Should I absorb it into my body?

Su Han could sense the Spatial Force, but he did not know how to master it. His knowledge of such details was far too limited.

"Devouring Heaven Demonic Art!"

Since he didn't know what to do, he decided to follow his instincts and immediately activated the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art. A powerful Devouring Power erupted from within him, swallowing the strands of Spatial Force he had sensed and drawing them into his body.

The moment the first strand of Spatial Force entered him, Su Han felt as if he were about to explode. It was as if he had swallowed not a mere wisp of spatial energy, but a colossal mountain. The pain was unprecedented, twisting his features in agony as he let out a tortured howl. But he possessed an Invincible Tao Xin and a Defying Heavenly Demon Will, making him undefeated in this world and daring enough to challenge the heavens. He pushed his willpower to its absolute limit, gritting his teeth to endure.

Finally, the first strand of Spatial Force was assimilated into his body, sinking into his Dantian. Instantly, he felt his Dantian expand ever so slightly.

It's working! I have to keep going!

Despite the agony, seeing the remarkable effect made Su Han's eyes brighten. He immediately repeated the process, continuing to devour Spatial Force. The pain from the second strand was even more intense than the first, but with his exceptional willpower, Su Han withstood it. The third strand was more agonizing still, with each act of devouring seemingly amplifying the intensity. Su Han didn't know if breaking through to the Heavenly King Realm was this difficult for others, but after absorbing the third strand of Spatial Force, he could bear no more.

The Devouring Heaven Demonic Art I cultivate is special, so breaking through to the Heavenly King Realm is more difficult for me than for ordinary martial artists.

Su Han did not overthink it, attributing the difficulty to the unique nature of his Demonic Technique. In truth, an ordinary martial artist would never dare to draw Spatial Force into their body. Their so-called "control" was merely borrowing its power. Su Han's method, however, involved peeling Spatial Force away from space itself and forcibly claiming it as his own—something a normal person would never even dare to imagine.

Although this method was excruciating, the rewards were immense. The Spatial Force internalized within his body was truly his own. He could wield it like Spiritual Energy and even unleash powerful, specialized Spatial Martial Techniques. One could only say it was a lucky fluke that Su Han had discovered this method, but it was only possible because of his solid foundation. Without prerequisites like the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art and his Sacred Body, he wouldn't have been able to internalize the force even if he had wanted to.

The devouring of Spatial Force has reached its limit, but it seems I still haven't broken through. Besides controlling Spatial Force, I still need more energy!

Inside his Dantian, three strands of Spatial Force swayed like swimming fish, but Su Han's brow furrowed. He was in a profound and mysterious state, having surpassed the ordinary Divine Power Realm but not yet having reached the Heavenly King Realm. He was caught in the threshold between the two.

Thinking of this, Su Han reached into his Storage Ring and withdrew the Dragon Qi he had accumulated. He had obtained this Dragon Qi from slaying Dragon Qi Demon Beasts, but since he hadn't been able to advance his realm, he had left it inside the Bronze Ring. Now, he began to devour and refine it directly.

"What is he doing?" the One-Eyed Shark King blurted out, utterly bewildered. He had only seen the Resentful Dragon Soul King rush into Su Han's body, yet Su Han's gaze remained clear, showing no signs of possession. This forced the One-Eyed Shark King to accept the fact that the Resentful Dragon Soul King had been destroyed. Now, Su Han was taking out Dragon Qi to cultivate, which was baffling. They had no idea what he was trying to do.

"He's breaking through! The Resentful Dragon's Remnant Soul and the Resentful Dragon Soul King have pushed his spiritual power to an unbelievable level, allowing him to directly sense the existence of Spatial Force. He's trying to break through to the Heavenly King Realm!" Blue Whale spoke up, his tone urgent and filled with anxiety.

He was keenly aware of how terrifying Su Han was. Even in the Divine Power Realm, he could fight against those in the Heavenly King Realm. If he broke through and added two Holy Artifacts to his arsenal, none of them would be his match. At that point, forget fighting for the Holy Artifacts; their very lives would be in danger. The grim fates of Jing Chuan and Saber-Toothed Shark were a recent lesson they couldn't afford to ignore.

"Breaking through to the Heavenly King Realm? That's impossible, right? This is hardly an ideal place for a breakthrough!"

The others also came to this chilling realization. Their faces turned pale as they imagined the consequences of Su Han's success. Thus, they all prayed inwardly for his breakthrough to fail.

"Look! What is that?" the jellyfish Lu Ying suddenly cried out, pointing at the sky.

Everyone's attention was drawn upward. Thick, dark clouds were swiftly gathering overhead, blotting out the sun. Within the clouds, dazzling and terrifying thunderbolts flickered into existence. The lightning grew dense, rapidly weaving together and unleashing earth-shaking rumbles. The terrifying, destructive aura made everyone tremble in fear.

Dark clouds, thunderbolts, a breakthrough…

These keywords, when put together, horrified the One-Eyed Shark King and the others even more.

"He's actually triggered the legendary Heavenly Tribulation!"