Chapter 64

Chapter 64

The Thunder Tribulation of the Yuan Zong realm was a highly anticipated event in the cultivation world. At this moment, cultivators from Crimson Heaven Sect, unless they were in seclusion for life, all hurriedly made their way to Heavenly Spirit Peak.

Upon the Heavenly Spirit Peak, dense clouds of thunder swirled, with flashes of lightning illuminating the gaps within, crackling with energy.

Soon after, a bolt of wrathful lightning descended, striking Qin Hongdao directly and relentlessly.

"It turns out to be a young disciple from Heavenly Cloud Peak undergoing a lightning tribulation."

Upon clearly seeing who was enduring the Thunder Tribulation, the elders of Crimson Heaven Sect who had rushed over were somewhat astonished.

They were well aware of this disciple with exceptional talent in their sect, who was also the senior apprentice sister of Sheng Zhenhai, the head of the main peak, Skycloud Peak. They knew that Sheng Zhenhai placed great importance on her and was worried that she might not pass the Soul Devouring Tribulation of the Yuan Zong Realm. Thus, he had been holding her back, forbidding her from rashly attempting to break through.

Moreover, Qin Hongdao was merely a hundred years old. In the cultivation world, such an age was indeed too young, and her rapid cultivation speed could lead to an unstable foundation. It was reasonable to suppress her cultivation for a hundred years or so to consolidate her base. After all, cultivators at the Yuanling Realm possessed a lifespan of eight hundred years; a hundred-year delay would be insignificant.

Hence, when they suddenly realized that Qin Hongdao was about to undergo the Thunder Tribulation of the Yuan Zong Realm, everyone present felt a bit perplexed.

"Could it be that Niece Hongdao has already successfully passed the Soul Devouring Tribulation?"

"Certainly, without overcoming the Inner Demon Tribulation, how could there be a Lightning Tribulation?"

"But think about it, she's only 135 years old this year, right?"

"Yes, if she successfully advances to the Yuan Zong Realm..."

The elders present couldn't help but smile. Their sect was about to gain another Yuan Zong powerhouse, further strengthening their overall might.

In the cultivation world, only those who had reached the Yuan Zong Realm or above were considered high-ranking cultivators. The strength of a sect was also measured by the number of its Yuan Zong cultivators. Furthermore, Qin Hongdao was incredibly young; with a long lifespan ahead of her, she had ample time to continue cultivating and would undoubtedly achieve great heights in the future.

The elders looked at Qin Hongdao, who was undergoing the tribulation, with satisfaction, hoping that she would successfully break through this time.

Only the elder from Heavenly Cloud Peak wore a frown, remaining silent.

An elder from Heavenly Artifact Peak, who had a good relationship with Heavenly Cloud Peak, inquired, "Your Heavenly Cloud Peak is about to have another Yuan Zong cultivator, yet you don't seem pleased. Why is that?"

The elder from Heavenly Cloud Peak sighed wryly. "A few days ago, Zhenhai told me that my disciple's cultivation speed is too rapid, and she practices the Snow Peak Saber, a path of conquest and slaughter. This makes it easier for Inner Demons to arise. The Inner Demon Tribulation for saber cultivators is even more intense than for ordinary cultivators. He suggested holding her back for a hundred years or so, allowing her more time to hone her skills before attempting the breakthrough. Little did I know..."

Upon hearing this, everyone understood his concern.

This was out of concern that Qin Hongdao might forcefully push through his cultivation, even if he succeeded in overcoming the Demonic Tribulation of the Heart. There was a fear that it could leave lingering aftermath, compromising the stability of his foundation.

The path of cultivation is fraught with immense peril. Advancing each step is an arduous journey, and the slightest negligence can lead to either a regression in one's cultivation or, worse, a fatal downfall. Caution must be exercised at every turn.

"Red Knife doesn't seem like the type to act recklessly,"

"Yes, but let's have a look first, shall we?"

The elders swiftly dismissed their concerns and hovered outside Heavenly Spirit Peak for a watchful observation.

The range of the Yuan Zong Realm's lightning tribulation was extensive. Apart from the high-ranking elders, no other disciples of Crimson Heaven Sect dared to approach too closely. Thus, they were unaware of who was undergoing the trial and could only watch helplessly, observing the awe-inspiring power of heaven and the profundities of Dao within the lightning.

The Yuan Zong Realm's tribulation was the Fourth Nine Tribulation, with bolt after bolt of lightning descending. Soon, the person in the midst of it was seen spitting out blood, their clothes tattered, as they began to consume spirit pills.

Qin Hongdao looked up at the heavenly tribulation, aware that the final and most formidable bolt was yet to come. She didn't dare to be careless and focused her mind, preparing to face it head-on.

After half an hour, the thirty-six bolts of lightning finally ceased. The tribulation clouds receded, and a purple aura emerged from the east as rain descended, nourishing the land.

Qin Hongdao's injuries quickly healed, and her pale complexion regained its rosy hue. On the charred earth around her, verdant grass sprouted and grew rapidly, erasing all traces of the previous lightning's fury in a moment.

Outside Heavenly Spirit Peak, the elders from various peaks had just flown in.

Sheng Zhenhai was anxiously inquiring about his eldest disciple's condition when he saw the elders from the main peaks approaching. He hurried forward to greet them, asking, "Why have all the elders come?"

Qin Hongdao and Sheng Yunshen also rushed forward to pay their respects.

An elder from the Heavenly Artifact Peak said, "We sensed someone undergoing a tribulation, so we came to investigate. To our surprise, it was your disciple." He then addressed Qin Hongdao with a gratified expression, "At such a young age, you've already become a Yuan Zong Real Master. It's evident that you possess exceptional talent and work diligently. You must not slack off in the future."

Qin Hongdao respectfully acknowledged.

The elder from Heavenly Cloud Peak examined Qin Hongdao's condition and discovered that she was now at the early stage of the Yuan Zong realm. As she had just advanced, her cultivation was still unstable, requiring seclusion for consolidation.

Other than that, there seemed to be no issues.

Slightly puzzled, he couldn't help but ask, "Why did Hongdao suddenly advance?"

So sudden that she didn't even have time to return to Heavenly Cloud Peak for the advancement, indicating the urgency of the situation back then.

Qin Hongdao answered respectfully, "After passing the Heart Demon Tribulation on Heavenly Spirit Peak, I couldn't make it back to Heavenly Cloud Peak. I could only undergo the tribulation here with Uncle Master Fei."

"How did you overcome the tribulation of Inner Demons?" The elder of Heavenly Cloud Peak was even more perplexed. "Why did you suddenly decide to undergo the tribulation?"

"This..."

Qin Hongdao glanced hesitantly at her master before casting her gaze towards the nearby alchemy studio.

Despite attracting countless disciples from Crimson Heaven Sect to witness her tribulation, neither Fei Yubai nor Ning Yuzhou seemed concerned – or perhaps they were confident in her success and thus didn't share the same anxiousness as others, going about their business as usual.

Noticing Qin Hongdao's reaction, the elders sensed something amiss and turned their attention to Sheng Zhenhai.

Sheng Zhenhai's brows twitched slightly. After dispersing the disciples gathered on Heavenly Spirit Peak and setting up restrictions around the area, he invited the elders from other peaks aside and divulged, "Hongdao's successful traversal of the Inner Demon Tribulation was all thanks to a Demon-Extinguishing Pill."

"A Demon-Extinguishing Pill?"

The faces of the assembled elders darkened with curiosity as they looked at them doubtfully.

With a solemn expression, Sheng Zhenhai spoke gravely, "I've heard that it was developed through research conducted by Junior Brother Fei and Yunshen's savior."

"Yunshen's savior?"

The group of elders were somewhat perplexed. They knew that Sheng Yunshen had been poisoned during his mission and needed to find the Heart-Eroding Grass from the Netherworld to counteract it, but they weren't privy to the specifics. After all, Sheng Yunshen wasn't their direct disciple, so it was the responsibility of the Heavenly Cloud Peak's elders to worry about him. Their role was simply to help gather the alchemy ingredients.

They believed that Fei Yubai could have independently researched the Demon-Expelling Pill, but they were puzzled as to why he would bring along a stranger.

"The young Master Ning?" The Heavenly Cloud Peak elder understood and asked, "May I know where Young Master Ning is?"

This elder was at the Emperor Realm, and while he was grateful to Ning Yuzhou for saving his junior disciple, with Sheng Zhenhai taking charge, he hadn't personally received Ning Yuzhou. Little did he expect that Ning Yuzhou would make such a significant move without any prior notice.

Moreover, if he wasn't mistaken, this Young Master Ning should now be a Yellow Rank Alchemist, right?

A Yellow Rank Alchemist collaborating with a Heaven Rank Alchemist to create a Heaven Rank Pill – the Demon-Expelling Pill?

How could this sound so implausible?

When the group of Crimson Skyspan Sect elders barged into Fei Yubai's alchemy room, the disturbed Fei Yubai was far from pleased.

Despite their higher cultivation levels and status as elders from different peaks, he still dared to show his displeasure, frowning and snapping, "You've disturbed us. If you have something to say, spit it out quickly."

Fortunately, the elders from the various peaks were accustomed to Fei Yubai's personality and recognized his alchemy talent, so they didn't take offense and instead smiled as they inquired about the Demon-Expelling Pill.

Fei Yubai said, "Asking me won't do any good. Although I refined this pill, I wouldn't have been able to without Brother Ning's guidance."

The Demonic Purification Pill was a Heaven-grade spirit pill. With Ning Yuzhou's current cultivation, he truly couldn't refine it. However, without Ning Yuzhou's guidance and instruction, Fei Yubai would have been equally unable to refine it. In his heart, the Demonic Purification Pill was actually created by Ning Yuzhou himself; it just so happened that he had refined it through Ning's tutelage.

He would not take credit for someone else's achievement.

Everyone turned their gazes to Ning Yuzhou, who was selecting spirit herbs not far away.

Hmm, handsome looks, elegant demeanor, like those noble young masters of the secular world. Every move and gesture was pleasing to the eye, evoking a favorable impression. But his cultivation was too low—only at the Yuanming Realm. Any disciple plucked at random from Crimson Heaven Sect would have a higher cultivation than him.

However, they were all familiar with Fei Yubai's character, so they didn't doubt his words. This was what surprised them the most.

"This Mister Ning…."

"I am Ning Yuzhou, greetings to all seniors." Ning Yuzhou bowed unhurriedly, not showing any fear or trepidation despite suddenly encountering so many Emperors and Sovereigns.

Initially, Sheng Zhenhai had been somewhat worried that the sudden appearance of so many elders might intimidate Ning Yuzhou. Seeing Ning's composed demeanor, Sheng Zhenhai breathed a sigh of relief. Then, when he saw the matter-of-fact expressions on his two disciples' faces, he felt a little exhausted.

Well then, he now understood why his two disciples held Ning Yuzhou in such high esteem. If not for the lack of signs of possession on Ning's body, he might have suspected that this was an old monster who had reincarnated after seizing a new host.

Otherwise, how could the Demon Expelling Pill have come into existence? Could it really have been conjured up by a mere Yellow Rank Alchemist?

The elders of Crimson Sky Sect naturally had their doubts as well, but the allure of the Demon Expelling Pill was too great. All other considerations could be set aside.

The group of Empyrean Realm ancestors were now particularly amiable. Gone were the intimidating figures who could make the entire Holy Martial Continent tremble with just a stomp of their feet. After carefully inquiring about the pill formula, ingredients, and effects of the Demon Expelling Pill, their eyes gleamed even brighter.

Although the pill was currently only effective for those below the Yuan Sovereign Realm, rendering it useless for those above the Yuan Emperor Realm, it could still be improved. Once its rank was elevated, a King Rank Demon Expelling Pill would be beneficial to high-level cultivators. Moreover, even if they didn't consider themselves, they had to think about their disciples, grandchildren, and close friends on their respective peaks...

In short, the allure of the Demon Expelling Pill was so great that even Empyrean Realm ancestors found it hard to remain calm.

Only after the elders left, satisfied, did Sheng Zhenhai and his two disciples find time to speak with Ning Yuzhou.

"Ning Young Master, regarding this Demon Expelling Pill..."

"Ning Yuzhou humbly states that since Senior Fei is the one who refined it, I would never claim it as my own," Ning Yuzhou replied warmly.

Before Sheng Zhenhai could speak, Fei Yubai interjected, "No, the rightful owner of the pill formula should be Junior Brother Ning. I merely took responsibility for refining it. Senior Brother, regardless of your plans, the pill formula belongs to Junior Brother Ning. You must not force him to hand it over using your influence. Let him decide its fate."

Sheng Zhenhai looked at his disciple, who had taken the side of an outsider, and felt a toothache.

He had no choice but to say, "What do you take me for? Of course it's Alchemist Ning's." Then he turned to Ning Yuzhou and asked, "Alchemist Ning, would you like to discuss the pill formula with me?"

Ning Yuzhou smiled and replied, "Master Sheng, don't worry. The success of refining the Devil-Exorcising Pill is also thanks to Senior Fei's help. He deserves some credit as well."

Sheng Zhenhai's eyes gleamed. He thought that Young Master Ning was truly a good person. He was grateful that his son had accidentally stumbled upon them when he was severely poisoned, and they brought him to Crimson Heaven Sect.

Afterward, Sheng Zhenhai and Ning Yuzhou entered an adjacent room for a private conversation that lasted nearly two hours.

When they emerged, Sheng Zhenhai beamed at his two disciples, who were waiting outside with worried expressions. "From now on, Yuzhou and Ah Chu will be your junior siblings. You have to get along with them, understand?"

Qin Hongdao and Sheng Yunshen stared at them in astonishment.

What happened? How did they suddenly gain two junior siblings?

Sheng Zhenhai frowned. "What are those looks for?"

Did they think he would bully their saviors? Even if there were many peculiarities about Ning Yuzhou, the Crimson Heaven Sect would never covet someone else's secret treasures.

Sheng Yunshen cautiously asked, "Dad, you didn't bully Mister Ning, did you?"

Sheng Zhenhai instantly felt like beating this ungrateful child. Indeed, he was one who leaned towards outsiders—no, wait. Sheng Zhenhai suddenly realized that all his fellow disciples and apprentices leaned towards Ning Yuzhou whenever they were with him.

Recalling their private conversation earlier, Sheng Zhenhai found himself speechless.

Only by getting to know this person up close would one realize how terrifying he was. Gaining others' favor effortlessly was nothing; the most frightening was the fervent admiration that he could inspire in people, making them believe that he could achieve anything he desired.

And yet, he truly possessed such capability.

"Ning Yuzhou and Ah Chu will be disciples of Tianyun Peak from now on. They're your junior siblings," Sheng Zhenhai said. "When your little junior sister returns from Lingyun Peak, we'll hold an official ceremony for their acceptance."

After Sheng Zhenhai left, Qin Hongdao and Sheng Yunshen turned to Ning Yuzhou and asked, "Mister Ning, is what my master said true?"

Ning Yuzhou nodded with a smile. "Yes, please take care of Ah Chu and me in the future, Senior Sister Qin and Senior Brother Sheng."

Qin Hongdao & Sheng Yunshen: "…"

***

Wen Qiao spent an entire month in cultivation.

For the past month, she hadn't left the Gravity Chamber. When hungry, she consumed fasting pills; when tired, she would simply collapse within the chamber for a nap before resuming her cultivation upon waking up.

This rigorous training had allowed her to acclimate to the hundreds of times gravity within the span of a month, and her cultivation level had unknowingly broken through.

Wen Qiao opened her eyes and sprang up, beginning to practice the first move of the Celestial Body Fist under the 500 times gravity.

Back in Cangwu Mountain, Ning Yuzhou had witnessed Wen Qiao engaging in battles with beasts multiple times, thus understanding her preferences and cultivation path. He knew which martial techniques suited her best, and the Celestial Body Fist was a technique he had compiled from his inherited knowledge, tailored specifically for physical cultivation.

Previously, Wen Qiao had focused on enhancing her cultivation and hadn't deliberately honed her martial skills. Now, with the Gravity Chamber at her disposal, it was perfectly suited for her to cultivate the Celestial Body Fist.

After completing a round of the Celestial Body Fist, Wen Qiao was drenched in sweat. She paused, regulated her breathing, then waved at Wen Tuzi, who was nearby, licking a spirit pill.

"Wen Tuzi, it's time to go. Let's see what your brother Ning is up to."

Gently hopping onto her shoulder, Wen Tuzi remained unaffected by the surrounding gravity.

It was evident that during this period, not only had Wen Qiao made progress, but Wen Tuzi had as well.

Exiting the Gravity Chamber, the girl and her rabbit departed from Lingyun Peak.