Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Chapter 128: The Unordinary Tribulation

Zeus sat amidst the now-silent battlefield, his body trembling slightly from the intense cultivation he had just undergone. The system had efficiently absorbed every ounce of thunder mana from the four-star Thunder Python, the Thunder Eagle, and the two fallen two-star warriors, leaving their corpses drained of all energy.

With every last drop of mana channeled into his own advancement, Zeus felt a powerful surge rippling through his veins. He had finally crossed the critical threshold—he was on the brink of becoming a four-star warrior.

But just as he began to savor the newfound strength coursing through him, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Dark clouds began to churn in the sky above, gathering rapidly and forming a massive, swirling vortex.

The wind howled with a fierce intensity, and the air crackled with electric tension as bolts of lightning tore through the darkened sky. The entire area was suddenly engulfed in a violent storm, one far more fearsome than anything Zeus had ever encountered.

Zeus glanced up at the darkening sky, his brows furrowing in confusion. "Wait a minute… what the hell is going on here?" His voice carried a mix of bewilderment and rising alarm.

"This can't be right. I know that advancing from three-star to four-star triggers a tribulation, but this… this is way beyond anything I've ever heard of. It's way too intense, too fierce."

[Oh, naturally it's not ordinary,] the system chimed in, its tone dripping with a smug sense of superiority. [But then again, you're not just anyone, Host.]

Zeus's confusion deepened, his concern evident in the tightness of his voice. "What do you mean I'm different? Different how?" His eyes searched the stormy sky, as if trying to make sense of the chaos unfolding above.

The system, ever arrogant, let out a chuckle. [This is no ordinary advancement, my dear Host. You're not just any cultivator—this is the leap from three-star to four-star for someone wielding a Divine Scripture. Did you really think it would be just another step up the ladder?]

Zeus's eyes widened as the realization struck him. "Damn it! You never mentioned anything about this! You let me walk into this without a warning!"

[Oh, did I not?] the system replied, its voice laced with mockery. [Well, you never asked, did you? Can't blame me for your lack of curiosity.]

Zeus groaned in frustration, running a hand through his hair as he tried to process what was happening. "You could've at least hinted at it, you know. This is insane!"

[Hinted? Where's the fun in that? Besides, what's a little extra challenge, eh? Keeps things interesting. You should be thanking me.]

Zeus clenched his fists, feeling both the anger and the pressure mounting. "Damn it, I knew you were a pain, but this…"

The system merely chuckled again, thoroughly enjoying Zeus's predicament. [Relax, Host. If anyone can handle this, it's you. Just try not to get fried too badly, okay?]

Zeus glanced up at the darkening sky, his brows furrowing in confusion. "Wait a minute… what the hell is going on here?" His voice carried a mix of bewilderment and rising alarm.

"This can't be right. I know that advancing from three-star to four-star triggers a tribulation, but this… this is way beyond anything I've ever heard of. It's way too intense, too fierce."

[Oh, naturally it's not ordinary,] the system chimed in, its tone dripping with a smug sense of superiority. [But then again, you're not just anyone, Host.]

Zeus's confusion deepened, his concern evident in the tightness of his voice. "What do you mean I'm different? Different how?" His eyes searched the stormy sky, as if trying to make sense of the chaos unfolding above.

The system, ever arrogant, let out a chuckle. [This is no ordinary advancement, my dear Host. You're not just any cultivator—this is the leap from three-star to four-star for someone wielding a Divine Scripture. Did you really think it would be just another step up the ladder?]

Zeus's eyes widened as the realization struck him. "Damn it! You never mentioned anything about this! You let me walk into this without a warning!"

[Oh, did I not?] the system replied, its voice laced with mockery. [Well, you never asked, did you? Can't blame me for your lack of curiosity.]

Zeus groaned in frustration, running a hand through his hair as he tried to process what was happening. "You could've at least hinted at it, you know. This is insane!"

[Hinted? Where's the fun in that? Besides, what's a little extra challenge, eh? Keeps things interesting. You should be thanking me.]

Zeus clenched his fists, feeling a surge of both anger and mounting pressure. "Damn it, I knew you were a pain, but this…" His voice trailed off as he struggled to contain his frustration. The storm above raged on, reflecting the turmoil within him.

Then a thought struck him. "Wait a minute… so Lucy went through this too?" His voice held a mix of concern and disbelief as he remembered his sister's rapid advancement.

[Of course,] the system responded, its tone matter-of-fact but tinged with an undercurrent of amusement. [And that's what shocked me the most. When we saw her after her breakthrough, she seemed perfectly fine. She really endured the tribulation like a champ, and it made her so much stronger.]

Zeus let out a long, weary sigh, the weight of the realization pressing down on him. "So if I want to be as strong as my sister… I'll have to withstand this tribulation too."

[Naturally,] the system replied, almost encouragingly, but with its usual arrogance. [You are my Host, after all. Greatness requires a little pain, don't you think? Besides, what's a little lightning between friends?]

Zeus couldn't help but smirk at the system's shameless attitude, but his gaze soon returned to the stormy sky. His resolve began to harden, the fire of determination sparking in his eyes.

"Alright, fine. If this is what it takes, then bring it on! Give me your best shot!" he shouted defiantly, his voice echoing against the swirling clouds. In a bold gesture of defiance, he raised his middle finger toward the heavens, daring the storm to strike.

[Host, I think you really shouldn't have done that…] the system warned, its tone more amused than genuinely concerned, almost as if it was enjoying the situation unfolding before them.

Zeus, still glaring defiantly at the sky, didn't waver. "And why not?" he shot back, his voice laced with irritation as he maintained his bold stance.

[Oh, just take a look above,] the system replied, a mocking lilt to its voice, as if it knew something Zeus didn't.

Zeus's eyes narrowed before he glanced back up at the stormy sky. His heart skipped a beat as he saw the storm intensifying. The dark clouds above began to churn violently, growing denser and more ominous by the second.

The bolts of lightning increased in frequency, slicing through the sky with terrifying ferocity. The air itself seemed to hum with a menacing energy, making the hairs on the back of Zeus's neck stand on end. A sinking feeling gnawed at his gut.

"Wait… the tribulation can actually understand me?" Zeus asked, his voice now tinged with disbelief and a touch of alarm.

[Of course it can,] the system responded, sounding almost gleeful in its arrogance. [The tribulation isn't just some random storm, you know.]

[It's the world's way of testing those who dare to reach for power beyond their grasp. And you, my brave Host, just decided to flip it off. Impressive, really—one of the reasons I chose you.]

Zeus's mind raced as he processed the implications of what the system had just said. His defiant gesture had been more than just a show of bravado—it had provoked the very forces of the world that were testing him. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks.

"Damn it!" Zeus shouted, frustration boiling over just as the first bolt of lightning tore through the sky, aimed directly at him.

The lightning struck with the force of a hammer, sending searing pain coursing through Zeus's entire body. It felt as if every nerve was being burned from the inside out.

He gritted his teeth, muscles tensing as he fought to stay on his feet, his body trembling from the sheer intensity of the attack.

[And so it begins,] the system chimed in, its tone almost mockingly cheerful. [Time to see what you're really made of, Host. Good luck—you're going to need it.]

Zeus knew he was now locked in a brutal battle for his very survival, the tribulation intent on testing every ounce of his strength and resolve. There was no turning back, only the storm to face head-on.