Zombie Bodyguard

Chapter 1897 - 1894: Struck by Lightning

"That’s right, let’s go to the Observatory and see what Lin Tian is up to," Zhang Heyuan said with a chuckle. Hands behind his back, he leisurely walked into an Eight Diagrams Gate.

Zhang Ruyan glanced in the direction from where the voice had just come and followed Zhang Heyuan. The two passed through several courtyards and another Eight Diagrams Gate, whereupon the scene changed before their eyes, revealing a different courtyard.

To the south of the courtyard sat an ancient well, beside which was buried a stele inscribed with the words "Immortal Spring Well." On the east and west sides stood two buildings; the one on the west was a shorter bell tower with a giant copper bell hanging from it.

On the east side was a taller building that resembled a tower, standing higher than the ancient camphor trees in the courtyard. At the entrance of the building hung a plaque with the inscription "Observatory."

The two climbed to the top floor of the Observatory, which offered a wide view all around. The roof was made of transparent glazed tiles, allowing moonlight to filter through to the top floor, rendering it not dark even without lighting.

In the center of the top floor, there was a square cauldron, bronze in color, with a beast’s head on each side. Inside the cauldron was clear water, the surface of which was unruffled and as smooth as a mirror, clearly reflecting the moon and stars above, as if there was another world in the water.

"Will you do it or should I?" Zhang Heyuan laughed.

Zhang Ruyan did not respond, instead, she walked straight to the cauldron, gripping the eastern bronze beast’s head with her right hand. At once, the water’s surface emitted a faint glow, and as the light dispersed, an image appeared in the water.

Beneath a large tree, Lin Tian lay on his back, his face blackened, and his hair standing on end as if electrocuted. Arcs of lightning flickered across his body, each arc causing a shudder from Lin Tian.

"Oh, the young man got struck pretty badly," Zhang Heyuan exclaimed in an exaggerated manner upon seeing the scene, unclear whether he was sympathetic or gloating. Zhang Ruyan frowned.

In another courtyard far away, Lin Tian lay spread-eagle on the ground, feeling very unwell. Earlier, he had climbed higher to get a clearer view and had chosen a large camphor tree. Little did he know, as soon as he climbed up, a bolt of lightning struck him directly.

The bolt was more powerful than the violet lightning that Zhang Lingyu had wielded, and Lin Tian felt numb and in pain all over, the arcs drilling into him like needles.

"Master, are you alright?" the Sword Spirit asked cautiously.

"Do I look alright to you? Damn these accursed arcs!" Lin Tian cursed fiercely in his mind.

Suddenly, the metal bracelet on his wrist shuddered, and all the wandering arcs were irresistibly drawn towards it, vanishing from his body in a blink.

With the arcs gone, the tingling pain disappeared too, and Lin Tian sprang up with a flip, executing a graceful maneuver, though his appearance didn’t quite match.

Unconcerned with this, Lin Tian used his super-enhanced vision to scrutinize the metal bracelet, which was, in fact, the Heavenly Tribulation Sword.

He was surprised to find that the Heavenly Tribulation Sword had slightly strengthened, a subtle yet tangible enhancement.

"The Heavenly Tribulation Sword can actually absorb the energy from lightning restrictions!" Lin Tian exclaimed in his mind, unable to contain his inner joy.

"Master, I vaguely recall that the Heavenly Tribulation Sword absorbed a thunderball during its forging. It seems related. Not only can it absorb Purple Flame Energy, but it can also devour lightning energy. This is good news!" the Sword Spirit was also astonished and became increasingly excited as it spoke.

Now serving as the Sword Spirit of the Heavenly Tribulation Sword, it would grow stronger as the sword itself grew stronger, so naturally, it hoped the sword would become more formidable.

"I have a bold idea," the Sword Spirit said.

"What idea?" Lin Tian asked curiously.

"Why don’t you get struck a few more times?" The Sword Spirit suggested a rather audacious idea.

"Get struck yourself..." Lin Tian instinctively yelled at it, almost wanting to hit it; the feeling of being struck by lightning was horrendous. However, before he finished speaking, he paused.

Lin Tian’s face reflected a crazed look, an audacious idea taking root in his mind: "Hehe, this bold idea could work, but I need to find a better position so the lightning strikes the bracelet." With that, he started circling the camphor tree.

Above at the Observatory, Zhang Ruyan and Zhang Heyuan wore puzzled expressions. The old man curiously said, "What is Lin Tian trying to do? Does he think circling the tree will let him break out of a labyrinth?"

Just then, Lin Tian had already climbed the tree trunk with both hands, quickly ascending using both hands and feet.

"Damn, is this guy insane? Didn’t learn his lesson? Did the lightning fry his brains?" Zhang Heyuan exclaimed in shock, eyes wide.

With a roar, a bolt of lightning struck down from the sky, heading straight for Lin Tian’s head. Lin Tian had been on guard, almost reflexively raising his hand as soon as the flash appeared.

The metal bracelet acted like a lightning rod, instantly absorbing the lightning, though the strike was too fierce for the Heavenly Tribulation Sword to fully absorb, with excess energy infiltrating Lin Tian’s body.

With a ’snap,’ he fell from the tree, landing spread-eagle, his pose rather flamboyant, as arcs continued wandering over his body, subjecting him once more to the numbing pain.

The two above at the Observatory were dumbfounded, looking at each other, then at the image in the water.

"I need to go and get him out. If he dies, how am I supposed to replace him for Lingyu?" Zhang Ruyan’s face showed her concern, saying this as she turned to leave.

"Wait, he’s getting up!" Zhang Heyuan exclaimed, halting Zhang Ruyan.

Zhang Ruyan, half-skeptical, turned back toward the cauldron, indeed seeing Lin Tian standing up, brushing off the dust like nothing had happened, except for the less-than-appealing hairstyle.

Zhang Heyuan’s eyes lit up, full of amazement: "He recovered faster than last time; what a freak, haha, interesting, very interesting."

Seeing Lin Tian unharmed, Zhang Ruyan breathed a sigh of relief, otherwise, she truly wouldn’t know how to explain it to Lingyu.

"What exactly is he trying to do?" The two almost asked simultaneously, but no one provided an answer.

As they were watching in bewilderment, a young disciple rushed up to the Observatory. Seeing Zhang Ruyan, he clearly hesitated for a moment.

Then, somewhat nervously, he said, "Uncles, someone just triggered a restriction. Do you need...?"

"No need, we are testing the labyrinth restrictions, you may leave," Zhang Heyuan interrupted him, and the young disciple didn’t linger, paying his respects before dashing off, as if worried Zhang Ruyan would do something to him.

As the protagonist of the incident, Lin Tian had no idea two people were watching him with wide eyes. Of course, even if he knew, he wouldn’t care; such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was not to be missed.