Hearing such an ominous and powerful name like the 'Grand Bondary Tribulation' as well as witnessing the rare stern gaze their master currently had, the both of them could only feel the impending doom looming over them, they knew that this was not a matter of failing a breakthrough or being stuck at some point, it was a matter of life and death !

According to their master's warning, not only would they have to use all they had just to breach the barrier seperating the Lower Realms from the Upper Realms, but they would be attacked by one or even more life-threatening attacks right after !

"No need to look so gloomy, focus on cultivating hearnestly !"

Wearing a big smile, Alexander instructed them.

"Once you guys are done with the third step, consisting of just getting used to traveling within the void of space, you can then prepare yourselves mentally."

"Yes !"

"Yes !"

Nodding at his disciples' unyielding determination he sat down cross legged, waving his hand as usual, followed by his vision blurring sligthly.

'If I only count the very first step, then they did manage to barely make it to the Star Realm before the 50 years deadline...'

-----

Dissipating his Dao of Time, Alexander looked at the duo just meters away from him. Their expressions dark and gloomy, their heart full of anxiety.

"Let's not waste time. Since the both of you are ready, let's depart !" Encompassing the group with his Qi, their figures suddenly vanished before reappearing high into space.

"I teleported us at the edge of the Lower Realms, with how tall this layer of the Universe is, with just your little speed, it would've taken us decades at the very least !"

While each layer of the Universe spanned for what seemed like infinity, the height of such layers were very much finite. This way, some cultivators would not be trapped forever on their current layer, just because they were born too low physically within their layer.

Seeing themselves so close to this dangerous trial, Sophia was the first to break the silence.

"Master, are we really going to do it without any artifacts, or even better martial arts ?"

Alexander did not answer immediately, looking at Krysfer's reaction first.

Sigh

Noticing the same look inside his eyes, Alexander sighed.

Shaking his head he snorted.

"You should be glad I even let you guys have this much !"

Cursing in their hearts they could only oblige.

'So you just want us dead !'

'Is it that entertaining to you ?!'

"Who goes first ?" His eyes going back and forth between the two, he did not have to wait long as Krysfer took a step forward, in the middle of space.

"I'll go first !"

Alexander was getting happier by the moment, seeing such growth from Krysfer, his fearless attitude gaining him some of his respect.

With determination burning in his eyes, Krysfer sat down before taking many deep breaths, calming his state of mind while keeping the flames of determination alive deep within.

His figure breathing rythmicaly, drifting slowly through the deep void of space, as his eyes suddenly opened, a deep blue light glowing from their depth shone bright for everyone to see.

Seeing that he was about to start, Alexander did not hide anything.

"Above us is the barrier, it's that translucent, sligthly yellow membrane."

His body turning horizontally, as if he was walking on a wall, Krysfer took a punching stance.

Circulating his Qi madly inside his right fist, while also using his Mountain Fist Art that he had fully mastered long ago, he suddenly punched forward !

As his fist collided with the barrier, an ear-piercing sound of breaking glass could be heard as a shockwave formed, quickly aiding in the destruction of the barrier !

Noticing the might behind this punch, Alexander nodded in his heart.

'I had only given him a lousy Profound-Tier High Grade martial art, yet he managed to master it beyond Full Mastery, reaching the Ascended proficiency, giving it the power to rival an Earth-Tier Low Grade martial art !' Heavily praising his disciple inside, Alexander kept on watching the show with a smile.

After all, reaching Full Mastery was one thing, but managing to surpass the martial art's limitation, improving it's might, was a whole different world. Doing exactly that was the requirement of reaching the Ascended proficiency !

They did not have to wait long, as a gigantic and ominous gathering of black clouds appeared from behind the hole of the barrier.

*Rumble !*

Feeling the pulsating thunderous might hidden deep within the clouds, not only Krysfer, but also Sophia ended up sweating bullets.

*Shine !*

Staring in anticipation at the dark clouds spanning thousands of meters at least, Krysfer circulated his entire reserve of Qi throughout his entire body ! As he reached the climax of strength, his entire Star-Tier body glowed a beautiful blue, shining bright under the ominous clouds.

*BOOOOM !*

The clouds having also finished charging up, a gigantic pillar of condensed yellow and green lightning crashed onto Krysfer's body, almost sending him flying below !

"Argh !"

Coughing almost a liter of blood, Krysfer finally felt the huge threat to his life, not having, even in his former world, been this close to death's doors.

Sophia was about to say something when she saw her master shake his head, looking straight ahead.

Doing the same, she saw Krysfer's fiery gaze, not looking like dying anytime soon !

Just as Krysfer was about to evaluate his chances of success, he felt another bolt of gargantuan lightning strike his flesh, leaving behind a burning smell.

*BOOOOM !*

"Screw this !"

Roaring at the clouds above, Krysfer saw once more, a pillar of pure yellow and green lightning descend upon his now frail body.

*BOOOOM !*

-----

Drifting in the void of deep space, Krysfer's bloody rag of a body was peacefully asleep, his life hanging in barely.

He had succeded !

Enduring the three lightnings strikes of the Grand Bondary Tribulation, he had earned the right to ascend !

"Not bad !" Waving his hand filled with vitality, a bright green gust of Qi flew toward Krysfer, envelopping his entire body like a cocoon, before his injuries healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Looking at the half-dead body of her dear friend, Sophia heard the exact words she dreaded from her left.

"Your turn."

Turning her head to face Alexander, she opened her mouth, but did not say anything in the end, flying high up above them.

Seeing the yellow-ish barrier reformed already, she sighed before, like Krysfer did, she turned her body horizontally, facing the barrier as if a wall straight ahead.

Circulating her Qi throughout her legs, she prepared for a few minutes before sending her kick augmented by her Brutal Leg Art !

Having already guessed it, Alexander nodded.

'She too, has reached the Ascended proficiency.'

Expecting such a result, Alexander did not bother looking at the shattered barrier, staring directly at the clouds above.

Like for Krysfer's attempt, Sophia imbued her entire Star-Tier body with Qi as much as she could, before being struck by the powerful lightning in front of her.

*Rumble !*

As she had already seen the process, bracing herself for impact, Sophia managed to endure the first two-colored lightning strike, only creating powerful shockwaves of green, yellow and blue all around.

Before she could fully absorb the powerful impact however, this time, the second lightning bolt came almost as soon as the first !

*BOOOOM !*

"Guh !"

Coughing a massive amount of blood as well, she did not even have time to ask her master why this happened when the third and last bolt of colorful lightning sent her flying below !

*BOOOOM !*

Fortunately she had managed to make it, albeit with even more difficulty than Krysfer.

Healing her, Alexander waited for the two of them to wake up.

-----

A few days later, Alexander sat deep within the void of space, his body unmoving, in front of him, two figures seating cross legged.

They were Krysfer and Sophia, that had managed to wake up.

Looking at Sophia, Alexander opened his mouth.

"Sophia, you probably wondered why was your Grand Bondary Tribulation harder, right ?"

Seeing her nod, he explained.

"This is simply because you were having it easier thanks to Krysfer demonstrating the process to you, the tribulation is sentient, therefore wanting everything to be fair, it decided to strike you faster as to make it just as challenging !"

Noticing the look of understanding she showed, Alexander looked at the both of them before continuing.

"Now that you guys have been recognized, you can just pass through the barrier unimpeded ! We will go past it, entering the Upper Realms, then I will search for a suitable Tier-4 World for you guys to attempt a breakthrough ! That's right ! And not only that but I also have a reward for you !"

Knowing what would happen he did let them talk.

"However this will have to wait for a bit !"

Standing up from the void, he surrounded them with Qi before flying faster than usual, passing through the barrier without trouble, only causing ripples to form on it.

What Alexander planned was to use some tribulation lightning to form their Essence Core during their breakthrough !