Chapter 56 Soul Oath
"You don't have to care for the other families… just remember not to needlessly create more bloodshed than what is about to happen." Jie Deng said solemnly.
Immediately after, Jie Deng bit his bottom lip, letting blood flow down his chin, and then continued, "I, Jie Deng, swear on my Soul that should I survive today, I will not harm the Zhang, Chu, and Song Families. Should I betray this oath, may my Soul be tortured for eternity."
Suddenly, the blood that flowed from his lip emitted a golden glow before flying into the air and turning into an indecipherable Runic Symbol. Then, it flew into his forehead, and unknown to him, fused into his Soul.
The other three Ancestors trembled in fright, not expecting Jie Deng would go so far for his family. But after a second thought, they knew with his character, it was quite natural for him to take such an oath.
After another second, they all swore a Soul Oath and closed their eyes, while thinking about their precious families.
—------------
A couple of minutes before lightning fell on Thunderfall City, back in the kitchen, Lucian was sitting cross-legged on the floor while gritting his teeth as arcs of red lightning snaked across his body.
Since the dark red cloud took up the entire kitchen space, Lucian was enveloped in it. Worst of all, his body seemed to attract the lightning as if he was an iron rod.
As each lightning bolt grazed his skin, he would feel a searing pain. He wanted to move, but alas, he could not, it was as though his body was glued to the floor. All he could do was protect himself with his weak Mana, which was repeatedly destroyed by the lightning bolts.
[I pray to whoever created you to give you a body! I swear I won't beat you. Promise!] Lucian said in a kind tone while gritting his teeth. Of course, his true intentions were completely different.
As crazy as it sounded, Lucian believed the phenomenon was a Universal Tribulation. Even with his eons of knowledge and experience, he had never read, seen, or heard of a Universal Tribulation descending due to food. However, anything was possible.
Even though the System did not respond, after a few seconds of analyzing the lightning, it too, thought Lucian had created a dish that went against the Universal Laws. Otherwise, why would a Universal Tribulation descend on him?
—------------
Meanwhile, in the dining room, Lily and Fenwick were clueless about the city-wide phenomenon and the shouts for help. Their focus was entirely on what was happening in the kitchen, for the past thirty seconds, they could see and hear bolts of lightning and catch glimpses of Lucian's body each time he was struck.
"Wu, wu, wu! Uncle, release me, please!" Lily cried hoarsely as she struggled to break free from the vines enveloping her body.
"Let me help Big Brother Lucian! He's hurt! Wu, wu, wu!"Nôv(el)B\\jnn
However, even after shouting and struggling, the vines remained firm. On the other end of the vine was Fenwick, who was sitting with a pained face. Hearing Lily's voice that had turned hoarse from screaming and crying, reminded him of that one terrible night.
Even though it pained him to see Lily in this state once again, he could not allow her to help Lucian. Unless he was absolutely sure the dark red cloud and the red lightning would not harm Lily, he would not allow her to go.
Moreover, from the beginning, Lucian had not uttered a single scream. He was a terrifying existence, if he could not withstand those bolts of lightning, they would be killed before the red lightning even fell on their bodies.
"Lily, you don't have to worry about Lucian." Fenwick suddenly said to dismiss Lily's worries.
However, even after hearing Fenwick's words, Lily's tears did not lessen. In fact, they only increased.
"But. Wu. Bu-"
Fenwick sighed and shook his head. Lily was too gentle and kind. Despite only just meeting Lucian, she was crying buckets of tears.
Instead of explaining why she should not worry, Fenwick asked, "Ever since the lightning began striking Lucian's body, have you heard him scream in pain?"
"But… But." Lily stammered. Of course, she had not heard Lucian scream in pain, but for some inexplicable reason, she could not bear the sight of Lucian being harmed, even if he was completely safe.
Just the mere thought of it caused her to be sad. What was worse, she could see his body repeatedly being attacked by bolts of red lightning, yet she could do nothing to help.
"Wait! That's it!"
Suddenly, Lily's teary eyes widened as she thought of a way to help Lucian. And she was sure, her uncle would not continue to stop her either.
Her pink Spatial Ring glowed and an ancient-looking pink zither with rose petals hovered in front of her.
Fenwick could not believe his eyes.
"Soul Ensnaring Zither! Lily, you-" He stopped and then sighed.
—------------
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, another sudden change occurred, the lightning bolts suddenly stopped as though frozen in time. Hundreds of inch-long lightning bolts hovered around Lucian's body.
However, instead of sighing in relief, Lucian's indifferent face twitched in fright. He knew the previous Universal Tribulation was a mere appetizer, the main dish was now about to be served.
*Tzzt*
*Tzzt*
*Tzzt*
Suddenly, the crackle of thunder resounded as Lucian watched what he feared. The hundreds of inch-long lightning bolts slowly fused into three lightning bolts, each different in size and power.
[Of course… You would not be worthy of being called Universal Tribulation if the lightning bolts can't even make a mere Mana Condensation Realm Mage scream in pain.] Lucian spoke via Voice Transmission so the System could hear his thoughts.
*Tzzt*
The first bolt, and the smallest of the three, shot towards him with a speed faster than one could blink; yet, Lucian could see its movement as though it was moving at a snail's speed.
[Dragon's Gaze is too overpowered.] Lucian thought, but despite being able to see the lightning bolt, it was useless if he could not move. The Universal Laws would not allow anyone under its watch to escape punishment.