The blackened heavens seethed above the Star Dou Great Forest.
After the Third Thunder Tribulation struck, the world trembled.
And within that sacred moment — amidst blood, pain, and the roar of divine power —
Tang San was born.
A wail, pure and strong, pierced the chaos.
Bi Ji caught the fragile newborn in her arms, her hands glowing with green healing light, shielding him tenderly from the residual storm.
Tang San — the first twin — had arrived safely.
But the tribulation was not yet done.
Not by far.
In the dense forests far behind, two titanic figures moved solemnly.
Da Ming — the Titan Giant Ape.
Er Ming — the Azure Bull Python.
Both watched the gathering of the 4th thundercloud with grim faces.
Through their spiritual link, they sent a message to Di Tian.
"Let us help share the tribulation."
"In exchange," Da Ming said steadily, "swear to protect Xiao Wu if we fall."
Di Tian's golden eyes narrowed.
He answered coldly:
"No. Even I am not certain I can survive this tribulation. Step back."
The silence that followed was deafening.
Yet Da Ming and Er Ming stood their ground.
Their spirits burning bright.
Di Tian exhaled a long breath — a sound like the sorrow of mountains.
"Fools... brave fools..."
In a rare moment of vulnerability, Di Tian whispered another truth:
"Of the twins born this night, the one who survives the nine tribulations... will be the Auspicious Beast. A being who will change the fate of both humans and beasts alike."
"If I fall... take care of that child."
Da Ming and Er Ming froze, their blood running cold.
Auspicious Beast. A miracle creature said to exist only once every hundred thousand years.
Yet they made no promises.
They simply turned... and ran toward the storm.
At the edges of the clearing, they found Xiao Wu's mother — the gentle beauty who ruled a smaller tribe of spirit beasts.
When she heard their intention, her face went pale.
Tears welled instantly in her crimson eyes.
"Please... please don't go!" she begged, clinging to Da Ming's massive arm.
"You'll die! There's no need! We can find another way! We can hide!"
But Da Ming only knelt down, lowering his giant head.
"We must," he rumbled gently.
"It is important."
They did not tell her about the Auspicious Beast.
They only told her —
it was worth it.
Er Ming turned away, hiding the tears threatening to spill.
With heavy steps, they both left, marching into the crackling storm.
Behind them, Xiao Wu's mother wept, her wails swallowed by the thunder.
The Fourth Tribulation struck.
A monstrous bolt, thicker than mountains, slammed down.
But this time —
they were not alone.
Tang Hao stepped forward, blood dripping from countless wounds.
He swung his Clear Sky Hammer skyward, meeting the lightning with roaring defiance.
Beside him, Da Ming and Er Ming braced their colossal bodies, roaring into the heavens.
Together, they bore the weight of heaven's judgment.
Pain ripped through them, flesh burning, bones groaning — but they endured.
Because they had chosen this.
Because they would protect that fragile, unborn life — even if it cost them everything.
The Fifth Tribulation descended.
All four —
Ah Yin, Tang Hao, Da Ming, Er Ming — stood as one.
Lightning tore open the skies.
Blades of divine fury ripped across the battlefield.
Tang Hao fought even while enduring the tribulation, hammer smashing Spirit Hall assassins into the dirt.
Da Ming and Er Ming roared in pain, deep gashes splitting across their hides.
Ah Yin clung to life by sheer force of will, her spirit on the verge of collapse.
Bi Ji rushed between them all, weaving healing light faster than thought, buying precious seconds.
But the injuries piled higher.
Hope thinned.
The Sixth Tribulation came.
Silver death rained down upon the forest.
Trees exploded.
The very earth cracked open.
At the center, the small figures resisted —
torn, bleeding, staggering — but never falling.
Bi Ji poured every drop of her healing essence into the fighters.
Yet it wasn't enough.
By the end of the sixth strike —
Da Ming and Er Ming lay broken.
Their breathing shallow.
Their wounds deep beyond natural recovery.
Their eyes, once full of strength, dimmed — but they still smiled.
Because they had bought time.
They had done their duty.
The Seventh Tribulation gathered.
The entire Core Area of the Star Dou Great Forest trembled.
Even mighty beasts like Di Tian and the ancient ferocious beasts had no choice but to join, adding their strength to the defense.
The skies turned pitch black.
Lightning thickened like veins of silver across the heavens.
When the seventh bolt fell —
it was not a single strike.
It was an ocean of light.
The ground shattered.
The air burned.
And when the light finally faded...
Da Ming and Er Ming lay still.
Lifeless.
Their colossal bodies sprawled against the scorched earth, faces peaceful, almost smiling.
Within the womb, Shiv shattered.
Tears poured silently into the warm darkness around him.
His small fists clenched helplessly.
"They... they really died... for me..." he whispered brokenly.
The System appeared beside him, no longer playful.
Its voice was majestic now, heavy with infinite compassion:
[ Yes, Host. They gave their lives willingly. ]
Shiv sobbed silently, overwhelmed by guilt, grief, and helplessness.
[ But listen well, Shiv. ]
[ At the end of the Nine Tribulations... those who fought for you — even if they fall — shall be resurrected. ]
[ It is a hidden blessing woven into the tribulation's secret laws. A reward for ultimate loyalty. ]
Shiv gasped, tears streaming still, but a small ember of hope lit within him.
"They'll... they'll come back?!" he cried.
The System's tone softened, like a warm embrace:
[ Yes. ]
[ But... they themselves do not know it. ]
Shiv froze.
Realization crushed him.
Da Ming. Er Ming. They had marched toward death believing it final —
yet they still chose to walk.
Chose to protect him.
Chose to believe.
His chest ached fiercely.
The System spoke gently:
[ Shiv... live. Live beautifully.
Laugh. Fight. Love.
Show those who gave everything for you — that their sacrifice was not in vain.
This life... is your tribute to them. ]
Shiv wiped his tears with his tiny soul and clenched his fists tightly.
"I swear," he whispered hoarsely.
"I'll live.
I'll live so brightly...
that even the heavens will weep."
The storm raged on.
The eighth tribulation loomed in the darkened skies.
But deep within the womb —
a soul burned brighter than any thunderbolt.
🌑 To be continued...