Li Shuang's Tribulations

Kai Thanos found tranquility in the heart of chaos. He sat in a meditative stance, his eyes closed, breathing in unison with the rhythm of the celestial ship, his soul resonating with the silent hum of its engine. Beside him, Lee observed curiously, trying to decipher the mysteries of the martial arts that Kai Thanos performed.

Suddenly, Kai felt a familiar life-force approaching. He opened his eyes, revealing the serene gaze of a seasoned warrior. A woman in her twenties, with raven hair cascading like a midnight waterfall, eyes as enigmatic as the night sky, and a figure that could even make celestial beings sigh in admiration, approached them. She was Ming, an intriguing presence within the sect, known for her insatiable curiosity about Kai and his unconventional journey.

"Are you ready for the tournament, Little Feng?" Ming asked with a playful grin, her tone echoing a friendly jest. Kai simply nodded, acknowledging her words before shutting his eyes, resuming his meditation. Ming settled next to him, beginning a casual conversation with Lee.

Meanwhile, a gaggle of disciples, buzzing around a young man dressed in grandeur, watched the trio with thinly veiled animosity. "Young Master, that purple brute is conversing with Goddess Ming again," a close confidant murmured, his voice dripping with contempt.

Young Master clenched his fists, veins popping on his forehead. He had tried many times to ruffle Kai Thanos but found his attempts futile. However, he held back his urge to create a scene, fully aware of the consequences he would face if he upset the elders onboard. "Incidents happen in the tournament," he ominously remarked, shifting his attention back to his entourage.

Across the deck, Kai, Lee, and Ming were engrossed in a discussion. Suddenly, Ming's eyes lit up with excitement. "Brother Feng, I heard Li Shuang is preparing for his next advancement attempt. They've taken him outside the ship to face his tribulation. Do you want to watch?"

Kai, intrigued, agreed to witness the spectacle. Together with Ming and Lee, he walked through the vast ship, leaving the tranquility of his meditation spot behind. The interior of the ship reflected an understated luxury. Although devoid of any conventional furniture, its elegant simplicity was captivating. Disciples found comfort on the floor, bonding over shared experiences and aspirations.

As they stepped outside, they were immediately encapsulated by a protective barrier. Despite the ship's blistering speed, creating an illusion of time slowing down, they felt no turbulence. Looking around, they found a crowd encased in similar barriers, their eyes trained on a woman in her forties, standing beside Li Shuang. The woman, dressed in black robes adorned with golden dragon embroidery, emanated a mature charm and held an expression as calm as a quiet sea.

Next to her, Li Shuang stood with his violet hair waving in the wind, grinning foolishly towards the sky. The woman's neutral expression twitched into a frown, the longer she observed his carefree demeanor. "You understand, Li Shuang, if you fail your tribulations this time, you won't be able to participate in the tournament." Li Shuang nodded, acknowledging her words but never losing his grin.

As the moments passed, the spectators murmured amongst themselves. "That fool's at it again, I wonder if he's a masochist," one disciple commented. Amidst this, Kai observed Li Shuang with an unreadable expression. The voice inside his head cheered, "Let's go, my boy! Show them who's the boss!"

Suddenly, the tranquil sky began to churn. Cracks appeared in the sky, and lightning began to dance. It congregated around Li Shuang, as if he was a beacon for the chaotic celestial energy. "Yes, That's It, Show me what you got, Heavens!" Li Shuang roared, a glint of madness reflecting in his eyes.

A bolt of pure lightning, furious and mighty, descended upon Li Shuang. Raising his hands high, he accepted it with a crazed grin.

"More!"

He demanded, eyes gleaming with an unhinged determination. The heavens obliged, sending another thunderous bolt crashing onto him.

"More!!"

His hands stretched towards the tempestuous skies. And the heavens responded. Lightning danced from the sky, striking Li Shuang with blinding intensity. Yet, the man only demanded, "Moore!!"

He yelled, and the celestial body rained down more lightning. Li Shuang's clothes started to rip, yet his mad laughter echoed through the expanse.

His madness was palpable, the energy around him crackling with raw power. The elder at his side, an experienced figure herself, kept a close watch on the spectacle unfolding, prepared to intervene if needed.

"Is that all you got, Heavens?! I said MOREEEE!!"

His defiance challenged the skies, his arrogance goading the celestial energy to prove its strength. The lightning intensified, a volley of bolts barraging him. The Elder, though keeping a vigilant eye on Li Shuang's condition, allowed him to proceed, her face a mask of grim determination. Strike after strike, seven in total, hit Li Shuang, each one more potent than the last.

"You've withstood seven strikes; it should be enough—" The Elder began to speak, her voice laced with a mix of concern and admiration. But Li Shuang cut her off, tearing away the remnants of his robe to reveal a naked, charred body. "I can take a few more, Teacher. Let me do it! Hahaha!"

The Elder yelled, unable to hide her exasperation any longer. "I told you not to strip during your tribulations!" But Li Shuang seemed not to care, his laughter only growing louder as another bolt struck him. He groaned, yet his grin remained.

The sight of his charred body against the backdrop of a celestial storm elicited varied reactions from the spectators. Some looked away, embarrassed, or disgusted, while others watched, their faces a mixture of interest and curiosity.

The Elder's scolding words were lost in the crackle of the storm as the sky roared louder. Another bolt of lightning descended, and Li Shuang groaned, feeling the celestial power seep into his body. Yet another strike followed, and he coughed out a little blood. He felt his limits approaching fast but was not ready to yield. Drawing a ragged breath, he screamed towards the sky, "Bring it on!"

Another bolt crashed down, drawing blood this time. He knew his limit was near, but he had to bear one more strike. Drawing from the very depths of his being, he roared defiantly at the heavens. "Teacher, this is the last one!" And with her silent nod, he prepared himself.

The final lightning strike, potent and ruthless, descended from the heavens.

"BRING IT ON!"

Li Shuang roared as the heavens answered with a blinding flash.

Then silence.

A charred body was revealed, an azure barrier glowing around it. Bloodied and battered but still breathing, a defiant smile was etched on Li Shuang's face.

Moments later, the tempestuous heavens calmed, reverting back to their serene state. The Elder approached the battered man. "Congratulations on your advancement to the 4th Stage." She announced, a rare smile breaking through her usually stern expression. The words, heavy with relief and pride, echoed around the now-quiet crowd. A bottle materialized in her hand, and she gently poured its contents into Li Shuang's mouth.

What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. Li Shuang's charred skin began healing, each wound knitting itself back together at a supernatural pace. As though time had rewound itself, the once scorched and damaged body was now immaculate, radiating a renewed vigor.

Li Shuang slowly opened his eyes, taking in the power of his newly achieved stage. With a joyful expression, he thanked his teacher, still in his naked glory. The Elder, though clearly exasperated, couldn't help but let a small smile appear on her face as she materialized a set of white robes, adorned with golden dragons, and threw them at Li Shuang. "Put on some clothes," she chided him. With a chuckle, he quickly put on the robes with practiced ease, the joy of his triumph evident in his eyes.

The crowd dispersed slowly, leaving Kai Thanos lost in thought. His internal voice, ever present, resounded in his mind, "Dude, if we don't bring him with us back at the MCU, I'm not going back. Come on."

In his mind, Kai mulled over the words, weighing their merit. As he retreated back into the ship, he couldn't help but cast a final glance at the new 4th Stage disciple, Li Shuang, now a beacon of power and defiance. The tournament ahead was bound to be intriguing.