Chapter 247

Several days later.

On a desolate island, a towering surge of demon qi erupted into the sky, radiating the terrifying aura of a third-rank Demon King.

The nearby low-rank demonic beasts scattered in panic, fleeing toward the outer seas.

Above the heavens, layers of dark clouds gathered into scales like those of a fish, countless bolts of lightning writhing within them like serpents.

"Hm... the Longevity Turtle has completed the condensation of its demon core quite smoothly. Now, everything depends on whether it can survive the lightning tribulation."

Not far away, Fang Qing stood suspended in the air, quietly observing.

"Of course... it will definitely succeed."

The Longevity Turtle had originally suffered from congenital deficiencies. Later, Zhan Hongxiu had further damaged its foundation by feeding it life-burning medicinal pills.

By all rights, it should have had little hope of advancing.

Yet Zhan Hongxiu truly deserved her title as a child of destiny. With Senior Turtle's various secret arts, she had gradually repaired the Longevity Turtle's damaged foundation.

Furthermore, when she herself formed her core, she had spared no expense in using the essence of her own true core to nourish her natal spirit beast.

With the dual cultivation methods of the Tortoise-Crane Longevity Art, breaking through the Core Formation bottleneck was entirely possible.

As for the heavenly tribulation...

Before Fang Qing, a mountain-sized Longevity Turtle emerged into view.

Its head resembled that of a flood dragon, with two swollen protrusions bulging atop it. Its aura was cold and imposing.

Boom!

The heavens seemed enraged as a bolt of azure lightning crashed down.

The Longevity Turtle showed no fear. Opening its mouth, it spat out a massive black turtle shell covered in countless ancient and intricate patterns, using it to directly withstand the heavenly lightning.

Bolt after bolt struck the shell, only to be completely neutralized, unable to harm the Longevity Turtle in the slightest.

"Compared to that Chaos-Sea Flood Serpent from the Blue Sea Sect, this turtle's fate is truly blessed..."

"And it doesn't even use the heavenly lightning to temper its body. As expected, the turtle resembles its master. They both favor the same wealthy approach."

"After all, whatever benefits it misses now can easily be made up later with a bit of fortune and opportunity. There's no need to take unnecessary risks."

Fang Qing easily guessed Zhan Hongxiu's reasoning.

At the same time, he had to admit that if he had not known of the immense benefits hidden within lightning tribulations, he would likely have made the same choice.

"What a pity..."

He gazed at the heavenly tribulation with undisguised greed in his eyes, yet made no move.

Long ago, Fang Qing had already calculated that he had no way to interfere with another person's, or even a demon beast's, lightning tribulation.

Even Zhan Hongxiu, as the Longevity Turtle's master, could hardly interfere.

That fourth-rank high-grade turtle shell had been given to the Longevity Turtle well in advance and refined personally by it. It could not bear the aura of any outsider.

Within the Qi Refining path, this was practically an ironclad law.

Recklessly interfering in another's heavenly tribulation would only drag oneself into it, causing the tribulation's power to rise endlessly until both parties perished in body and soul.

'However... with the Dao-Genesis Pearl, perhaps I could hide in the Qi Ingestion world the moment I can no longer endure it?'

A bold idea flashed through Fang Qing's mind.

After performing a quick calculation, he shook his head.

'No. The gains might be enormous, but when I return to the Qi Refining world, the heavens would likely still remember me and force me to continue undergoing the tribulation.'

'If that happened, this entire cultivation world would effectively become unusable to me.'

'On the other hand, when refining superior-rank pills or cultivating certain heaven-defying secret arts, lightning tribulations occasionally descend as well.'

'Those will be my opportunities.'

'Otherwise, I can only place my hopes on the Nascent Soul tribulation.'

'I've heard that advancing from mid-stage Purple Mansion to late-stage, and from late-stage to perfection, are both chasms as difficult as ascending the heavens.'

'I wonder whether the accumulated attainment granted by the Nascent Soul tribulation will help smooth those barriers for me?'

While Fang Qing was lost in thought, the nine layers of heavenly lightning descended one after another across the desolate island.

The Longevity Turtle passed through them with ease.

It raised its head and roared toward the sky. The two swollen protrusions atop its head suddenly burst open, transforming into a pair of small horns.

Its aura stabilized completely at the level of a third-rank low-grade demon beast.

'Hm? It actually grew dragon horns?'

'Could this Longevity Turtle possess flood dragon blood? Could it eventually evolve into a Dragon Turtle?'

His thoughts stirred as he rode his escaping light and arrived before the newly advanced spirit beast.

The Longevity Turtle's roar immediately softened.

For some unknown reason, it had always feared Fang Qing.

It felt as though it had encountered some natural predator.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist. Your natal spirit beast has successfully advanced to the third rank."

Fang Qing smiled as he congratulated Zhan Hongxiu.

"With this, your strength has greatly increased. You should now be able to contend with mid-stage Core Formation cultivators, no?"

"How could I compare to you? You can kill a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator with a single sword strike."

Zhan Hongxiu smiled brightly. The advancement of her natal spirit beast had brought her tremendous benefits.

At the very least, her lifespan had now reached six to seven hundred years, far surpassing ordinary Core Formation cultivators.

The terrifying potential of the supreme cultivation method, Tortoise-Crane Longevity Art, became increasingly apparent at higher realms.

"However... now that my strength has increased significantly, we can finally explore that secret realm."

She smiled sweetly.

"The reason I chose to settle nearby all those years ago was because the entrance to the secret realm lies within these waters, not far from here."

"At our Core Formation flying speed, we should arrive within half a month."

"So about the same amount of time required to cross the Ten Thousand Li Sea Route."

Fang Qing's thoughts stirred.

The Minor Huan Sea cultivation world was little more than a backwater region within the Eastern Sea cultivation world.

Separated by the Ten Thousand Li Sea Route, even Core Formation cultivators required ten days to half a month to cross it.

Though called the Ten Thousand Li Sea Route, its actual extent stretched far beyond ten thousand li.

Moreover, it contained countless regions devoid of spiritual qi and other dangerous zones.

In terms of true distance, it might not even be as far as the journey from this desolate island to the entrance of the secret realm.

Qi Ingestion world.

Blissful Union Sect.

Mountain gate.

Mountain ranges stretched endlessly into the distance, peak upon peak layered like emerald screens encircling the horizon.

Clouds and mist drifted among them like lengths of white silk unfurling through the heavens.

Viewed from afar, the scene resembled an immortal maiden standing apart from the mortal world, aloof and transcendent.

Examined up close, it felt like a hidden spiritual realm concealing unfathomable mysteries.

At the mountain summits stood majestic palaces, resplendent in gold and jade. Their soaring eaves and intricate brackets spread outward like giant peng birds unfurling their wings for flight. Painted beams and carved pillars coiled with dragon motifs exuded an aura of ancient grandeur.

Pavilions and towers rose and fell in harmonious arrangement, shrouded in drifting mists that concealed and revealed them by turns, like a mirage floating above the sea.

"What a breathtaking immortal paradise..."

Outside the mountain gates, wave after wave of Buddhist soldiers gathered, stretching beyond the horizon. Even now, endless streams of people continued arriving from all directions, converging like swarms of ants.

Tian Youliang raised his head and gazed at the pavilions hidden amid the swirling clouds, unable to suppress his sigh of admiration.

"This is the Blissful Union Sect. A Golden Core sect! Golden Core stands above Purple Mansion. To attack a mountain gate like this, who knows how many people will die..."

For the first time, even the secret monks within the ranks wore expressions of fear and confusion.

The Blissful Union Sect was a Golden Core sect, protected by a Grand Array personally laid down by a True Lord.

Aside from the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain itself, who else under heaven would dare commit such a taboo as attacking it?

High above in the sky.

Sangji arrived alongside the Moonlight White and Peacock Dumu, joining the gathered monks of the Temple of All Beings Without Form.

"White Bone Dharma King..."

Mo Luoshi swept his gaze over the group and asked, "Where is the Vajra Strength Duzi?"

"The Vajra Strength Duzi has another important task to carry out."

Sangji pressed his palms together and answered with a smile.

Leaving behind a seed for the White Bone Dao was only natural.

After all, with the White Bone Dharma King present and two Dumu accompanying them, what more could be done?

Besides, compared to Dharma Kings, Dumu and Duzi were hardly considered significant combat power.

"Hmph. Very well."

As a Dharma King of the Temple of All Beings Without Form, Mo Luoshi merely snorted coldly and let the matter drop.

As for great Dharma Kings like Jiumoluojie, they naturally would not lower themselves to concern over trivial matters involving mere Dumu and Duzi.

"The time has come."

Suddenly, Jiumoluojie opened his eyes.

Whoosh!

The void split apart.

One after another, golden bodies the size of mountains emerged. Some wept, some laughed. Some radiated joy, while others displayed wrathful expressions.

Upon their hands, shoulders, and flesh crowns sat Dharma Kings, Dumu, and Duzi.

The Temples of the Origin of All Dharmas, including the Temple of All Beings Without Form, the Great Black Heaven Temple, and the Great Treasury Temple, had gathered together.

The various lineages such as Black Spring Temple followed closely behind.

Leading them all was a figure adorned with countless golden ornaments, seated at the center like a blazing sun.

He was none other than Dharma King Pilu, descended from the Supreme Origin Temple atop the Great Snow Mountain.

Golden light glimmered within his eyes as he gazed into the distance.

It was the moment between day and night.

The sun had just risen while the moon had yet to disappear.

Solar essence and lunar radiance intertwined, giving rise to endless clouds of multicolored light.

Within the Blissful Union Sect's grand array, a figure suddenly stepped forward.

She wore a palace gown and possessed beauty capable of toppling nations.

It was Great Spiritual Master Xinyi.

Holding a round fan in one hand, she offered a graceful bow to the surrounding heavens and smiled charmingly.

"Thank you all for coming to witness my breakthrough."

"The countless deaths and casualties caused by this grand performance were likely the will of one person alone."

Dharma King Pilu spoke calmly.

"Great Spiritual Master Xinyi wished to delay for time in order to complete her preparations for ascending to Golden Core. Today, your wish has been fulfilled. Please proceed calmly to your ascension."

The sealing of the void and the use of the lives of the Three Sects and Four Great Clans to delay the advance of the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain...

It had not been the collective will of the Blissful Union Sect.

It had been Xinyi's decision alone.

Of course, as a Great Spiritual Master at the peak of Purple Mansion, she had no shortage of supporters.

Within the Blissful Union Sect, her word was virtually law.

Her will was the will of the secular Blissful Union Sect.

The White Bone Dharma King pressed his palms together.

Immovable as the earth itself, he watched silently, a sharp gleam flickering within his eyes.

Everything before him was transmitted through the Dao-Genesis Pearl into Fang Qing's sight.

Great Spiritual Master Xinyi said nothing further.

She merely parted her lips and inhaled.

Boundless streams of solar essence and lunar radiance poured toward her, disappearing into her cherry-red mouth.

Four divine powers alternated across her body.

Countless rays of divine light flashed through the void, transforming into jade rabbits that landed upon the earth and scattered in every direction.

Divine ability, Earth-Skimming Movement.

Sensual music suddenly filled heaven and earth.

To Tian Youliang's horror, many monks began tearing off their robes and garments, preparing to hold an Unrestricted Assembly.

"This..."

Tian Youliang's heart filled with terror.

Then his eyes glazed over, and he knew nothing more.

Divine ability, Bridal Chamber Ripples.

Yin and yang intertwined throughout heaven and earth, nurturing endless vitality.

A giant Fusang tree burst forth from the ground, lifting Great Spiritual Master Xinyi ever higher into the sky.

Divine ability, Fusang Branch.

Her expression became solemn and dignified.

Her entire Dharma body transformed into translucent jade as strands of Fusang true flame continuously burned around her.

Refining true gold within blazing fire.

Her divine powers had already been pushed to their absolute limits.

Golden light flickered within her eyes, one becoming the sun and the other the moon.

Two true fiats manifested and circled around her body.

One azure, one violet.

They were the Great Sun Purple Blaze and the Lunar Azure Blaze.

High above, the moon suddenly shone with brilliant radiance, resembling a flawless jade disk.

Drip. Drip.

Drops of milky-white spiritual liquid descended from the heavens like imperial nectar, sinking into Great Spiritual Master Xinyi's forehead.

It was Revering Taiyin.

A point of radiant light emerged at her brow.

It grew brighter and brighter, yet retained a trace of illusion.

If that illusion could solidify into reality, golden nature would condense.

Unfortunately...

Even after all four divine powers burned themselves out, that golden nature failed to materialize.

The point of light rapidly dimmed.

"Borrowing the mysterious to seek the origin... how difficult."

Great Spiritual Master Xinyi smiled bitterly.

Her body immediately shattered like a porcelain doll.

Crash!

Day and night alternated rapidly, revolving seven times in succession.

Streams of aurora spread across the sky.

Rare lunar and solar spiritual materials rained down from above. Treasures at the Qi Ingestion and Dao Foundation levels fell like a storm.

Baleful qi flooded the world, blanketing the land below.

A sinister land manifested within the Blissful Union Sect.

Jade rabbits cried mournfully as they underwent Dao transformation, turning into grotesque creatures that began devouring the surrounding flesh and blood.

This was the phenomenon accompanying the death of a Great Spiritual Master at the peak of Purple Mansion.

Before the crowd below could react, a voice filled with Buddhist power echoed in their ears.

"An heretic has chosen death of their own accord."

"Break the array!"