Chapter 100: Tribulation
Sect Leader Flame was the first to use the breakthrough box as it was being called. It was a small metal box, that a cultivator could sit in upon a cushion, while surrounded by arrays to keep the energy contained inside the box.
It had built up a large amount of energy over the last year. By keeping it as small as possible, it was possible to exceed the background energy of the Mechanical Layer. After it had built up to about a quarter of what would be background energy on the continent and the Firmament, Sect Leader Flame entered in order to break through.
There were always three other elders keeping vigil outside the box as the time the Sect Leader was inside continued to increase. First one day, then two days, now he had been inside for five days. The entire Flame Sect had a nervous level of energy. If the Sect Leader broke through, their own paths would be that much easier in the future. It was always easier when someone you knew managed to get past a cultivation barrier. Knowing it was possible was a huge mental block.
It was something I struggled with my cultivation for long periods of time. But I had managed in the end. With Yang Heng’s advice, it was just a matter of getting enough energy and possibly some other resources to assist me. Cultivation was an apt name, since one had to cultivate sources of energy in order to grow.
I didn’t bother keeping watch, since I was more focused on putting the final touches on my counter cube. It was almost done and had taken far too much work. The ground shook slightly, and I brought my hand up before I made a mistake on the plate I was working on.
“What? How can there be an earthquake?” I muttered and left my workshop that the Flame Sect had reserved for me and went outside as another tremor shook the ground beneath me. I noted dark clouds gathering overhead from all directions. That was definitely not natural. I quickly rushed towards the nexus chamber as another tremor shook the land.
I made my way underground as small amounts of dust and debris rained down from the ceiling. “Senior Yuan Zhou, what is going on? Sect Leader Flame is about to break through! He cannot be disturbed,” Vice Leader Tan said. The other elders looked at me.
A glance at the breakthrough box showed a high density of energy. The ground shook again and it was much more violent than before. The nexus chamber developed several cracks in pillars and the walls.
“Elders, there is a storm growing above this point. Dark clouds, but no rain!” A disciple rushed into the Nexus Chamber. These people had never experienced an earthquake. While they build in a solid manner, their construction wasn’t designed to handle earthquakes. There was no rebar in any of the buildings.