"Still not strong enough. If I were truly powerful, I wouldn’t have let it escape."

Xu Nian shook his head and said.

If it weren’t for his mastery over the Wind Attribute Law, he might not have been able to seriously injure this Thunder Beast.

Of course, if he had used his true body or any of his avatars, that Thunder Beast would definitely not have escaped.

"You’re already very powerful. You clearly only have the Nether Emperor Late Stage cultivation, yet you possess the strength of a Nether Emperor Peak Level," the girl said.

Xu Nian smiled and said, "Actually, I have the cultivation of a Nether Emperor Peak Level, just like you."

After saying this, the aura on Xu Nian’s body immediately surged to another level.

Indeed, just now, his true body had successfully absorbed the Divine Power Liquid and broken through to the Nether Emperor Peak Level.

As a result, Xu Nian’s Soul Avatar naturally also broke through to the Nether Emperor Peak Level.

Of course, Xu Nian couldn’t tell the girl in front of him about this recent breakthrough.

After all, it would easily arouse her suspicion.

Sure enough, the girl showed a look of sudden understanding.

A Nether Emperor Peak possessing the cultivation of a Nether Emperor Perfection Level, while rare, was still within the normal range.

But if someone in the Nether Emperor Late Stage possessed the strength of a Nether Emperor Perfection Level, that would be exceedingly extraordinary.

"My name is Shi Shanshan. I don’t know your name yet," the girl formally introduced herself to Xu Nian.

"Xu Fenn!" Xu Nian replied with a smile.

It was only at this moment that the girl introduced herself.

Clearly, this indicated that Xu Nian had truly gained the girl’s recognition at this point.

"Thank you. If it weren’t for you, I definitely wouldn’t be a match for the Thunder Beast. In a way, you saved my life," the girl said.

"I wouldn’t say I saved your life. With your strength, even if you couldn’t win, escaping wouldn’t be a problem," Xu Nian smiled and said.

The girl shook her head at his words: "I can’t run away. I have to obtain the Divine Thunder and refine the Divine Thunder Pestle, even if it costs me my life."

"Divine Thunder Pestle?" Xu Nian frowned.

He had once read about something called the Divine Thunder Pestle in a book about Divine Artifacts.

It is a Top-Grade Divine Artifact capable of absorbing Heavenly Divine Thunder and unleashing incredible power.

Moreover, the Divine Thunder Pestle also has a special ability to somewhat neutralize the Divine Tribulation’s Divine Thunder.

"Are you refining the Divine Thunder Pestle to cross the Divine Tribulation?" Xu Nian asked in surprise.

The girl was taken aback, obviously not expecting Xu Nian to know about the Divine Thunder Pestle.

"It’s to cross the Divine Tribulation, but not for me, it’s for my master. He has been devoted to artifact refining all his life and isn’t skilled in combat. But recently, he sensed the coming of the Divine Tribulation. With his own strength, there’s no way he could survive it. So, I must refine the Divine Thunder Pestle for him. Perhaps it can help him cross the Divine Tribulation," Shi Shanshan said.

Xu Nian understood immediately.

No wonder Shi Shanshan said she would risk her life to refine this Divine Thunder Pestle.

Clearly, her master means a great deal to her.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t risk her life for him.

"I understand. Let’s go together and fetch the Divine Thunder," Xu Nian said. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The girl nodded.

Then the two of them dashed toward the depths of the Heavenly Thunder Pool.

Reaching the depths of the Heavenly Thunder Pool, the Heavenly Thunder here had become incredibly dense.

Almost every breath saw at least a hundred strands of Heavenly Thunder striking Xu Nian and the girl.

And the power of these Heavenly Thunder was even more terrifying than before.

"Crack!"

These bolts of thunder lashed Xu Nian’s defensive shield formed by his soul power, letting out explosive sounds.

Xu Nian’s Soul Defense Shield trembled.

"Such powerful thunder."

Xu Nian murmured to himself.

These bolts of thunder could actually shake his soul power.

This showed just how powerful these bolts of thunder really were.

And just three meters ahead of Xu Nian, occasionally a terrifying purple Divine Thunder emerged.

These purple Divine Thunders contained extremely dreadful Power of Destruction.

"These Divine Thunders have such an oppressive presence. Capturing them doesn’t seem to be an easy task," Xu Nian said.

Shi Shanshan nodded.

She also felt the terrifying nature of these Divine Thunders.

Moreover, if one were to be accidentally hit by the Divine Thunder, it could mean the end of everything.

However, her eyes were filled with determination. Despite the danger, she was willing to try.

Xu Nian then looked at these Divine Thunders, and a bold idea popped into his mind.

Which was to let his true body try getting struck by this Divine Thunder.

To see if his true body could withstand the attack from the Divine Thunder.

Perhaps through the strike of the Divine Thunder, his physical body could ascend to another level.

Moreover, the Great Tao Origin Power contained within these Divine Thunders seemed even stronger.

Yet, after thinking it through, Xu Nian decided to wait.

At the very least, he shouldn’t expose his true body in front of this girl.

"Buzz!"

At this moment, the girl took a step forward toward the Divine Thunder.

As she advanced, the oppression formed around her grew increasingly powerful.

Shi Shanshan could clearly feel the impact formed by the surrounding thunder.

"Boom!"

The thunder struck her Soul Defense Shield, causing it to shake violently.

Nevertheless, Shi Shanshan did not stop and continued forward.

Xu Nian stood still, unable to aid her in any way.

There was no need to assist her either.

Whether she could capture the Divine Thunder depended on her own fortune.

Soon, Shi Shanshan reached the edge where the Divine Thunder appeared.

She took out a Jade Bottle and used her soul power to activate it, waiting for the Divine Thunder to appear.

To capture the Divine Thunder, it must be done at the instant the Divine Thunder appears, using the Jade Bottle to collect it.

The speed of the Divine Thunder was incredibly fast, and trying to collect it in a short time was exceedingly difficult.

Fortunately, Shi Shanshan was a Divine Craftsman, and her grasp of the Divine Thunder was swift.

"Boom!"

Just then, a bolt of Divine Thunder surged toward her.

Shi Shanshan immediately reacted, controlling the Jade Bottle to absorb the Divine Thunder.

The Divine Thunder transformed into a terrifying electric snake, successfully rushing into the Jade Bottle.

The Jade Pendant was instantly filled.

Shi Shanshan was overjoyed.

Then she went to retrieve the Jade Bottle.

"Snap!"

But just as Shi Shanshan was about to withdraw the Jade Bottle.

The entire Jade Bottle exploded.

"Puff!"

The Divine Thunder erupted, striking Shi Shanshan, sending her flying backward.

A mouthful of blood spurted out, and Shi Shanshan’s soul was severely wounded, throwing her backward.

"Are you alright?" Xu Nian used his soul power to catch the flying Shi Shanshan.

"Cough, cough!" Shi Shanshan spat out blood, her breath weak.

It was clear that the Divine Thunder had inflicted significant harm on her.

Xu Nian’s eyes were sharp.

The power of this Divine Thunder seemed even greater than he had imagined.