“What a tempting reward…” Xiao Hua murmured, his lips curling into a wry smile as he pondered the outcome of successfully refining the three Heavenly Lightnings. Though the specter of death loomed over the trial, he found himself undeterred.

After all, cultivating was not a path for the faint-hearted. To fear death was to forsake the essence of what it meant to be a cultivator, for death and cultivation had always walked hand in hand.

“And that’s why there’s all this ‘preparation’ for those three, isn’t it…” Xiao Hua sighed, his tone laced with resignation.

“Indeed, child,” Lady Azure affirmed with a soft giggle, clearly amused by his exasperated expression. “The Heavenly Judgement Lightning is no ordinary lightning. It will stir the five other Heavenly Lightnings within you, reconstructing your body and further strengthening your soul by judging your potential, talent, and the fortitude of your will.”

She paused, her gaze sharpening. “Naturally, this process will subject you to excruciating pain. You’ll have no choice but to grit your teeth and endure it. The longer you can withstand the torment, the stronger your body and soul will become. That is the tribulation, or rather, trial of the Heavenly Judgement Lightning, and, unfortunately, there is no escaping it.”

“However,” Xue Yue interjected with a knowing smirk, “it seems you’ve forgotten something, child.”

Xiao Hua blinked, taken aback by her teasing tone.

“You won’t be facing all three Heavenly Lightnings simultaneously,” Lady Azure added, the corner of her lips curving into a playful smile. “Since you’ve chosen to refine this Heavenly Lightning personally, you still have one precious opportunity to request assistance from the Lightning Beast within you.”

“That’s right,” Xue Yue continued, her tone growing lighter. “You may call upon the Lightning Beast to aid you in refining one of the three remaining Heavenly Lightnings, making the trial slightly easier.”

“Ah…!” Xiao Hua blinked, his expression blank as Lady Azure and Xue Yue’s words finally registered.

It was true—he still had one chance left because he had chosen to refine the Heavenly Judgement Lightning personally, without seeking assistance from the Lightning Beast. Yet, to think that such an opportunity could be carried forward like this…

“However, that doesn’t change the fact that I’ll still have to face the other Heavenly Lightnings head-on,” Xiao Hua muttered softly. His brows furrowed in thought. “Does this mean that each time I break through a minor realm, I’ll be forced into the trial of Heavenly Judgement Lightning?”

“You’re mistaken, child,” Xue Yue interjected, shaking her head. Her voice carried a tone of correction. “It’s not that the trial comes with each breakthrough—you cannot advance to the next realm at all without first undergoing the trial of Heavenly Judgement Lightning.”

“What…?” Xiao Hua’s eyes widened in shock. “You’re saying I’ll have to wait for the trial of Heavenly Judgement Lightning to start before I can progress?”

“The trial of Heavenly Judgement Lightning occurs naturally once every twenty years,” Xue Yue explained patiently. “However, you can shorten that interval by absorbing an immense amount of lightning energy. That said, finding and absorbing such a vast amount of lightning energy is no easy task.”

“True, but you have an advantage, child,” Lady Azure interjected with a playful smile, her soft giggle adding a hint of levity. “As an alchemist, gathering a massive amount of lightning energy should be far simpler for you.”

“Pill Lightning!” Xiao Hua’s eyes lit up, and his lips curved into an eager smile as the realization struck him. “I can absorb Pill Lightning to accelerate the trial!”

Lady Azure nodded approvingly. “Exactly. By utilizing the lightning energy generated during the formation of high-grade pills, you can easily gather what’s required to trigger the trial and advance without delay.”

“However, only Nine-Colored Pill Lightning and above contains enough energy to immediately activate the trial,” Lady Azure explained. “Anything below that level will require continuous absorption until the necessary energy is accumulated.”

However, Xue Yue’s cold and matter-of-fact tone was like a bucket of icy water, instantly dousing Xiao Hua’s momentary excitement.

“One more thing—the pain you’ll endure during the next trial will be a hundredfold worse than the last.”

Xiao Hua’s face darkened as memories of the excruciating agony from his previous encounter with the Heavenly Judgement Lightning resurfaced.

Still, he gritted his teeth and raised his head, a determined gleam shining in his eyes. “No matter the pain, I’ll endure it. I’ve faced it countless times before, especially while cultivating the Chaos Mantra. Pain is the price of strength—and I won’t falter!”

Lady Azure nodded in satisfaction with a faint smile, but then her expression shifted. “By the way, should I update you about the situation of your clan?” she asked casually, her tone light yet carrying weight. “The fire brat and fire lass have already reported some interesting developments to me.”

Xiao Hua smiled wryly, immediately understanding that Lady Azure was referring to Wei Jie and Mei Ling. Despite his initial indifference, his curiosity was piqued. He had some interest in the progress of the Xiao Clan, especially considering the countless presents he had entrusted to Xiao Yang and Xiao Tao to deliver to the clan.

These presents were no ordinary offerings—they included rewards he had obtained from the Gacha Draws and treasures he had encountered when he left Jia Nan Academy to gain experience. The collection was vast: countless items, rare treasures, and medicinal pills. Most of the pills were tier four or lower, with occasional tier five ones included for good measure.

He had also sent a wide range of Dou Techniques and Qi Methods, ranging from low-level Huang-Class to high-level Xuan-Class, each with different attributes. These were techniques that had been gathering dust in his Storage Ring, so he send it to the Xiao Clan

However, Xiao Hua refrained from sending any Di-Class techniques, despite possessing countless of them. The risk was too great—if word of such a treasure reached the wrong ears, it could draw the greed of cultivators and endanger Xiao Yang and Xiao Tao. For this reason, he had resolved to keep the Di-Class techniques with him until the duo was strong enough to handle the delivery without harm.

Naturally, none of these treasures, pills, or techniques were needed by Xiao Hua, Xun Er, or their sworn brothers and sisters.

Regardless, Xiao Hua nodded and listened quietly to Lady Azure. What he heard was truly satisfaction.

Xiao Zhan had advanced to a one-star Dou Wang expert, and several strong elders of the clan are at least five-star Dou Ling. Among the clan’s younger generation, countless disciples had advanced to the Dou Zhe class, many of whom were preparing to enter Jia Nan Academy.

This development puzzled Xiao Hua. Did they still need to join Jia Nan Academy, given the clan's current resources and strength? However, it became apparent that their motivation lay elsewhere—they all harbored a deep admiration for Xiao Hua and aspired to follow in his footsteps.

The Xiao Clan had become the undisputed overlord of Wu Tan City, their prestige reaching unprecedented heights. News of Xiao Hua’s secluded cultivation and breakthrough to Dou Zong had spread throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire, earning the clan countless congratulatory rewards from prominent factions, including the Royal Family itself.

Yet, some of the "gifts" were less conventional. Various clans had sent their daughters, sisters, aunts, or other female relatives of marriageable age, all with the thinly veiled intention of forging ties through marriage with Xiao Hua.

Thankfully, Xiao Zhan had firmly turned down all such offers. Knowing about Xiao Hua’s relationship with Xun Er, he had responded decisively, announcing that Xiao Hua already had a fiancée. However, when pressed further for details, Xiao Zhan deflected, declaring that this matter would be discussed upon Xiao Hua’s return.

‘Thank goodness Xiao Zhan turned them down,’ Xiao Hua thought with a wry smile. Yet, he could already imagine the scene upon his return—the clan flooded with young women vying for his attention, a scenario certain to leave Xun Er in a foul mood.

As he rubbed his temples, a headache began to surge. ‘There's no doubt I will received a piercing glare from Xun'er that will pierce me like a blade the moment someone talk about this…’

What brought Xiao Hua some delight amidst the chaos was the news of his two cousins, Xiao Tao and Xiao Yang, who had entered Jia Nan Academy alongside him. Both had now become four-star Dou Wang and had assumed roles as elders of the Xiao Clan.

The Xiao Clan has always advocates the rule for the strongest shall lead the clan. With their strength, they could have easily contested for the position of clan head. However, they had chosen to decline, expressing no desire for leadership. Their reasoning was straightforward—they believed there was someone more suited for the role and preferred to remain as steadfast elders supporting the clan.

"Those cousins of mine..." Xiao Hua muttered with a helpless smile. "They should know I have no interest in being the clan head, yet they’ve gone and put me in the spotlight."

Lady Azure chuckled softly at his exasperation. “Indeed, they felt apologetic about it as well. It seems there have been heated debates within your clan over the matter.”

Her tone grew more serious as she continued. “The opposing faction wished for Xiao Zhan to step down from his position. However, with your cousins refusing the role and you in seclusion, the issue has been temporarily shelved.”

Before Xiao Hua could respond, Xue Yue interjected. “But, child, the main reason the matter became so contentious lies elsewhere. Xiao Zhan has secretly sent a letter to you—through your cousin.”

Xue Yue paused briefly, her gaze shifting to Xiao Hua. “Do you wish to know the contents?”

Xiao Hua nodded, his curiosity piqued. While he had already guessed the gist of the letter, he remained silent, waiting for her to elaborate.

“It concerns his third son, Xiao Yan. His cultivation realm inexplicably regressed from a One-Star Dou Zhe to a mere Three-Star Dou Zhi. In the letter, Xiao Zhan requested a tier-three or tier-four medicinal formula in hopes of enlisting an alchemist to resolve the issue.”

Xue Yue’s voice was calm, almost indifferent, as if the matter of Xiao Yan held no significance to her. “However, the results were unsatisfactory. The treatment failed and the medicinal formula gone to waste, causing this failure to fueled the discontent within the clan. Heated arguments ensued, with some even questioning Xiao Zhan’s competence as Patriarch.”

She continued, her tone sharpening slightly. “Xiao Yang and Xiao Tao had to intervene, forcefully quelling the dispute and dismissing the topic. Yet, the dissatisfaction against Xiao Zhan remains palpable, simmering beneath the surface.”

Xiao Hua’s brows furrowed deeply as he listened. He had never anticipated this development and realized the potential consequences it might have on Xiao Yan. Such discord could drive a wedge between Xiao Yan and the clan, leaving a scar on his heart.

'This would be disastrous,' Xiao Hua thought grimly. Xiao Yan’s unwavering resolve for vengeance against Yun Shan’s ruthless attack on the Xiao Clan in the future was a crucial motivator for his rise in strength. If his relationship with the clan deteriorated, it could shatter his will and alter his fate tremendously.

He sighed and asked solemnly, “And what happened afterward, Sister Xue Yue?"

“Since you instructed fire brat and fire lass to support your clan when necessary, they acted accordingly,” Xue Yue replied, her gaze sharp. “They dispatched others to handle Xiao Yan’s predicament instead of intervening directly, as they were already preparing to enter seclusion.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Hua felt a faint sense of disappointment—not because Mei Ling and Wei Jie hadn’t handled the matter personally, but because he had missed the opportunity to confirm whether one who had reached Soul State were capable of detecting Yao Lao’s soul hidden within the ring Xiao Yan wore.

Given the prowess of Wei Jie and Mei Ling, whose spiritual cultivation had undoubtedly reached the Soul State, he had been curious whether they could sense the concealed presence of Yao Lao’s soul despite the ring’s powerful ability to shield it.

Even if they failed, the thought of Yao Lao encountering alchemists of their caliber at such a young age brought a flicker of excitement to Xiao Hua. The notion of the revered Yao Zun Zhe's reaction to their talents was amusing. Yet, with the matter now concluded inconclusively, his interest waned.

Xue Yue exhaled softly, her voice calm as she continued, “They found nothing overtly wrong with Xiao Yan. However, during their examination, they noted something peculiar. It felt as though his Dou Qi was being subtly drained, but they couldn’t pinpoint the source. Uncertain of their findings, they chose not to reveal this to your clan to avoid causing unnecessary alarm.”

Lady Azure interjected with a faint smile. “Regardless, the fire brat and the fire lass are committed to overseeing this matter. The lightning brat specifically instructed them to watch over the Xiao Clan, and particularly that Xiao Yan.”

Xiao Hua’s eyes softened slightly at the mention of the lightning brat—Ming Cheng. Before entering his extended retreat, he had entrusted Ming Cheng and the others with the task of supporting the Xiao Clan and safeguarding Xiao Yan. Their directive was to intervene if necessary and subtly show the clan that Xiao Yan was under his protection.

Xiao Hua nodded. Before entering his retreat, he had asked Ming Cheng and the others to assist the Xiao Clan and ensure Xiao Yan’s safety. He wanted to ensure his clan understood that Xiao Yan was under his protection, even in his absence.

A flicker of curiosity crossed Xue Yue’s expression. “So, is there a particular reason you’re so invested in protecting Xiao Yan?” she asked. Lady Azure remained silent but leaned in slightly, clearly interested in hearing the answer as well.

“Sister Xue Yue,” Xiao Hua began, his tone steady, “do you remember the matter you mentioned when I broke through to Dou Huang class? About the Fiend Clans?”

Xue Yue’s eyes narrowed as she recalled the conversation. “I do. What of it? Don’t tell me you’re betting on him to become one of the people who will stand against those bastard?”

“It is better to have more experts,” Xiao Hua said solemnly. “The Fiend Clans are not native to the Great Thousand World. They originate from a different plane, invading our world with the sole intent of dominating and enslaving all life within it.”

He paused, his gaze steady and voice resolute. “Even if there comes a day when my strength is unparalleled, blanketing the Great Thousand World, it doesn’t mean I can prevent the Fiend Clans’ schemes entirely. They are relentless, attacking again and again until their desire for conquest is sated—or until the Great Thousand World is no more. Unlike them, I cannot retreat or temporarily leave this world to recover. That is why we need more experts to stand against them. Should something happen to me, they must be there to carry the torch.”

Lady Azure and Xue Yue nodded in agreement. They, too, understood the grave threat posed by the Fiend Clans. Having witnessed the devastating effects of their twisted techniques throughout history, they knew that relying on a single individual, no matter how powerful, would never suffice.

“Besides,” Xiao Hua continued, his tone steady but somber, “the more experts who stand against them, the harder it will be for the Fiend Clans to execute their plans. Even if the odds are slim, we must aim for a world where they might finally abandon their fixation on the Great Thousand World.”

His reasoning resonated with Lady Azure and Xue Yue. As much as they wanted to believe in Xiao Hua’s invincibility, they couldn’t ignore the reality of the Fiend Clans’ persistent and insidious nature. The more hands on the battlefield, the better the chances of resisting their influence.

Xiao Hua’s expression darkened as his thoughts wandered. He didn’t want to bear the hope of the entire Great Thousand World on his shoulders. Yet, if such a day came, he would not shy away from the responsibility. However, even he could not always thwart the Fiend Clans’ schemes, which often ran far deeper and more sinister than anyone anticipated.

“If I remember correctly,” he thought silently, “a century after the fall of the Heavenly Evil Monarch, the Fiend Clans still roamed freely, their attacks relentless. This suggests that the Heavenly Evil Monarch left something behind for them, or perhaps they uncovered a way to exploit the Great Ruler’s vulnerabilities. Either way, their determination to conquer our world runs far deeper than simple conquest...”

This was why Xiao Hua sought out the main characters like Xiao Yan, Lin Dong, and Mu Chen. He could not rely solely on his strength to safeguard the world. He needed others—individuals capable of standing as pillars in their own right—to rise and share the burden of defending against the Fiend Clans’ shadowy schemes.

“If that’s your reasoning, I can see why you’re so intent on protecting Xiao Yan,” Xue Yue sighed, her tone carrying a tinge of reluctant understanding. “So, you’re treating his current predicament as some sort of trial for him, aren’t you?”

Xiao Hua scratched his head, letting out an awkward laugh. Still, a faint warmth welled in his heart. Their trust in his judgment to choose people capable of protecting the Great Thousand World prove of their close relationship.

Regardless, he knew that Xiao Yan would eventually rise above his circumstances, emerging as an expert worthy of admiration. All Xiao Yan needed was time and the tempering that came from experiencing the vastness of the outside world.

“Hm?” Xiao Hua’s brows arched slightly as a thought struck him. “Sister Xue Yue, you’ve never been particularly concerned about my clan’s affairs. How do you know so much about it now?”

Before Xue Yue could answer, Lady Azure giggled softly and interjected. “Child, during your retreat, Sister Xue Yue took the water lass as her disciple.”

“Sister Xin Yu?” Xiao Hua’s eyes widened in astonishment. He turned to Xue Yue, his jaw practically hitting the floor. “I never thought you of all people would take anyone under your wings!”

Xue Yue’s expression remained as stoic as ever, but there was a flicker of something softer in her gaze. “The lass has exceptional talent with arrays,” she explained coolly. “And her ability to sustain herself using only the flower petals of the Celestial Ancient Frost proves the purity of the energy flowing within her. It’s almost as though she carries the essence of the Celestial Ancient Frost itself. In a way, she’s like my descendant.”

Despite her composed demeanor, Xue Yue flinched ever so slightly and turned her face away. However, her subtle reaction didn’t escape Xiao Hua and Lady Azure. They noticed the tips of her ears flushing red, betraying her embarrassment.

Lady Azure stifled another giggle, while Xiao Hua’s lips curled into a warm smile. They both thought the same thing: Xue Yue, for all her aloofness, was undeniably endearing when she felt embarrassed.

Now, Xiao Hua understood. The reason Xue Yue had taken such an interest in the Xiao Clan wasn’t due to a sudden shift in her personality, but rather because of her newfound connection with Xin Yu.

For someone who had always been indifferent to most matters outside of her sisters and himself, this change brought a surprising yet welcome warmth to her otherwise icy demeanor.

‘So that’s it—Sister Xin Yu must have been the one to tell her everything. No wonder Sister Xue Yue knows so much about my clan,’ Xiao Hua mused, his lips curling into a soft giggle. He couldn’t help but marvel at how endearing this sister of his could be, her rare moments of vulnerability making her all the more lovable.

Noticing his subtle amusement, Xue Yue’s gaze sharpened. A faint, icy smile graced her lips, though it lacked any warmth. “You seem quite pleased with yourself,” she remarked, her voice carrying a hint of menace.

“Let me remind you,” she continued, her tone calm yet vaguely threatening, “Xin Yu is exceptionally talented in Spiritual Arrays. But if I recall correctly, you possess a similar aptitude, don’t you?”

Xiao Hua blinked, sensing trouble in her words.

“Since you’ve advanced to the Dou Zong class,” Xue Yue said with a pointed look, her smile becoming deceptively sweet, “why don’t we have a thorough discussion on Spiritual Arrays—from the very basics to the most advanced techniques?”

Xiao Hua wisely clamped his mouth shut, sensing that Xue Yue’s patience had run thin. He coughed awkwardly, his gaze darting to Lady Azure, who was watching the exchange with a grin of pure amusement.

“Sister Azure,” Xiao Hua said with feigned nonchalance, “I’ve decided to enter retreat for one more year.”

“To master Spiritual Arrays?” Lady Azure asked, her smile turning mischievous. The teasing glint in her eyes betrayed her intent—she knew exactly why Xiao Hua wanted to retreat and was clearly enjoying his predicament.

“To refine tier-eight medicinal pills and initiate the trial!” Xiao Hua’s lips twitched furiously, glaring at Lady Azure as if to scold her for adding fuel to the fire.

“After all,” he continued with a forced calm, “there’s no particular reason for me to leave my retreat at this moment.”

Lady Azure chuckled lightly but raised an eyebrow. “So, you won’t return to your clan to aid your third young master, child?”

Xiao Hua sighed, shaking his head. “As Sister Xue Yue mentioned earlier, Brother Wei Jie and the others have handle the matter. In addition, Cousin Xiao Yang and Cousin Xiao Tao are watching them, so there’s no need to worry.”

He paused, his gaze sharpening as he turned back to Lady Azure. “Moreover, Sister Azure, do tell me—where could I possibly refine multiple eighth-tier medicinal pills in peace, without being interrupted by people or Magical Beasts?”

“That’s true. If I calculate the energy and effort required, your strength would at most reach Three-Star or Four-Star Dou Zong after a year of retreat,” Xue Yue remarked.

Xiao Hua was momentarily stunned. It seemed this trial of Heavenly Lightning was far more demanding than he had anticipated. To only advance to Three-Star or Four-Star Dou Zong after a whole year of effort—it was a sobering realization.

“During your breaks, I will teach you Spiritual Arrays and ensure you reach the Saint Grade Spiritual Array Ancestor level even before you step into the Great Thousand World. This is non-negotiable. Understand?”

Xue Yue’s tone left no room for argument. She stood before Xiao Hua with a chilling smile, her formidable aura pressing down like an immovable mountain. The gleam in her eyes was enough to make it clear—she would not accept any other answer.

Exchanging a glance with Lady Azure, Xiao Hua sighed helplessly. They both knew that arguing was futile. Lady Azure shook her head, her amusement tinged with a trace of pity. Xue Yue’s resolve was absolute, leaving Xiao Hua no choice but to comply.

Not that he truly minded. However, he couldn’t help but feel that learning Spiritual Arrays at this stage might not be immediately beneficial.

Lady Azure shared his sentiment but kept her thoughts to herself. 'If possible, it would have been better for this child to learn once he reached Dou Sheng. By then, he’d be on the verge of Dou Di and ready to explore the Great Thousand World—an ideal time to master Spiritual Arrays, given their prominence there.'

After the conversation, Xiao Hua retreated once more, focusing intently on refining tier-eight medicinal pills. Each refinement summoned countless waves of Pill Lightning, their crackling energy echoing across the secluded space.

The audacity of continuously refining such high-tier pills without restraint—something even the most accomplished alchemists of the Pill Tower dared not attempt—stemmed from a simple reason: Xiao Hua’s Storage Ring was overflowing with medicinal ingredients, thanks to his relentless Gacha draws.

Having drawn more than two hundred times recently, Xiao Hua discovered a surprising outcome—several high-grade Storage Rings among the rewards, some already filled with valuable items.

'Despite drawing over two hundred times, not a single ACP Reward…' Xiao Hua sighed internally. 'Could it be that ACP Rewards are some kind of legendary tier? Just how rare are they?'

A wry smile crossed his face as he reflected on his notorious streak of bad luck. Even with Xun Er’s infinite luck sharing its blessing, he seemed destined to miss out on the prizes he truly desired.

'In my past life, I never drew what I wanted either—always what others found useful. Could this be some intrinsic part of my nature? Should I list it in my resume if anyone ever asks?' he thought, shaking his head with a chuckle.

Pushing the lament aside, Xiao Hua turned his attention back to the task at hand. His mind raced with anticipation as he prepared to test the effects of his self-created tier-eight pills. Among them were the Mysterious Frost Essence Pill, the Heaven Dragon Pill, and the Phoenix Breath Pill.

The Mysterious Frost Essence Pill was crafted specifically for practitioners of Ice Dou Qi. Its primary effect was to break through bottlenecks, allowing its users to advance with remarkable ease. Yet, its benefits extended far beyond simple breakthroughs.

Upon consumption, the pill imbued Dou Qi with crystalline purity, enhancing both potency and efficiency. This transformation amplified the power of ice-affinity Dou Techniques, making their execution smoother and more devastating. Most impressively, it neutralized the inherent suppression faced by ice Dou Qi practitioners when confronting opponents with stronger fire Dou Qi.

Additionally, the pill granted a unique affinity for icy environments. It heightened the user’s ability to absorb natural energy from cold domains, accelerating cultivation while granting resilience to extreme cold. Practitioners could thrive in frozen wastelands where others would falter, solidifying their superiority in such conditions.

Heaven Dragon Pill’s effect is useful for the Magical Beast who possessed dragon bloodline. Enhancing the strength and vitality of their physical body, increase the purity of their dragon bloodline within them and evolve, transforming into an even more powerful beast.

The Phoenix Breath Pill was a miraculous healing elixir, unparalleled in its restorative properties. It could instantly restore a practitioner’s strength to its peak, purge even the deadliest poisons, and regenerate lost limbs or organs.

However, its most wondrous effect lay in its ability to completely repair shattered veins. For Dou Qi practitioners, veins were the lifelines of cultivation, essential for channeling Dou Qi. Damage to these channels often relegated a practitioner to the status of a cripple, unable to cultivate further. While high-tier medicinal pills existed to mend damaged veins, their efficacy depended on the severity of the injury.

The Phoenix Breath Pill, however, exceeds these limitations. It could fully restore even the most grievously shattered veins without causing harm or leaving behind lingering side effects. For those who had lost their path in cultivation, this pill was nothing short of a miracle.

Xiao Hua’s grin widened as he contemplated the profound effects of these pills, the fruits of his labor and creativity. His heart surged with excitement at the thought of refining countless other tier-eight pills that he had only conceptualized due to the relentless demands of Jia Nan Academy’s elders.

'Now, with the time I have, I won’t hold back,' he thought resolutely. His determination burned as brightly as the Pill Lightning that illuminated his secluded chamber. Over the next year, Xiao Hua vowed to refine tier-eight medicinal pills without pause, pushing the limits of his alchemical prowess while also tries to gathered enough lightning energy to initiate the Trial of the Heavenly Judgement Lightning.