Chapter 116: Chapter 116 I’m Facing Tribulation
At Ten Thousand Swords Peak, Taiyuan the Great wielded a common branch, sweeping it through the sea of clouds, parting them with invisible, vast Sword Qi that spanned a thousand zhang.
A streak of flowing light descended, and the True Martial Sword returned to its sheath as Lu Changsheng appeared.
“Master’s swordsmanship truly rivals the divine.”
Reaching the pinnacle of the ninth layer of the Dao Palace Realm, on the cusp of stepping into the Void Refinement Realm, Lu Changsheng felt ever more profoundly the immense power of Taiyuan the Great.
Taiyuan the Great had reached the realm where there was no sword in hand, yet a sword existed in the heart, able to cast vast Sword Qi a thousand zhang wide even with an ordinary branch.
“Changsheng, have you come to comprehend the myriad sword inscriptions?” “Disciple is about to undergo Tribulation and seeks Master’s guidance, as well as Master’s protection during the process.”
Lu Changsheng brazenly requested the protection of Taiyuan the Great, Sect Leader of Mount Shu.
He was extremely cautious.
Having lingered at the ninth layer of the Dao Palace Realm for five years, continually building his cultivation base, Lu Changsheng’s foundation was exceptionally solid. He had cultivated several Heaven Rank techniques as well, rendering his Tribulation-succeeding chances very likely, yet he still did not ‘ rest easy.
Lu Changsheng knew he possessed the Innate Taoist Body, which meant his Threefold Heavenly Tribulation would be extraordinarily terrifying.
Asking for Taiyuan the Great to act as a protector this time meant that even if the Tribulation failed, there would still be a sliver of hope for survival.
“You’ve only reached the ninth layer of the Dao Palace Realm for five years correct?”
Even for a figure as lofty as Taiyuan the Great, there was a moment of astonishment.
The speed of Lu Changsheng’s cultivation was astoundingly rapid.
The gap between the Dao Palace Realm and the Void Refinement Realm is the first significant barrier to ascending to the Immortal Realm, where cultivators officially begin to face the Heavenly Tribulation.
Prior realms such as the Qi Transformation Realm, Golden Core Realm, Nascent Soul Realm, and Dao Palace Realm required no confrontation with the Heavenly Tribulation.
The greater a cultivator’s talent, the more powerful the Tribulation becomes.
Even for gifted individuals, upon reaching the ninth layer of the Dao Palace Realm, they would patiently solidify their state and make thorough preparations before daring to attempt the Void Refinement Realm.
Li Changye had the Eternal Wilderness Body, making his Heavenly Tribulation even more dreadful than ordinary cultivators, which is why he had prepared for several decades.
In Taiyuan the Great’s view, Lu Changsheng’s talents might surpass Li Changye’s, facing an even more formidable Tribulation, hence five years seemed far too hurried.
Taiyuan the Great advised earnestly, “Changsheng, you have only cultivated for a little more than two hundred years, far from the thousand-year limit of the Dao Palace Realm. Why not consolidate further until you are almost certan of success, then attempt the Heavenly Tribulation?”
Lu Changsheng replied helplessly, “Master, your disciple currently has no more room for improvement.”
Lu Changsheng’s proficiency in various techniques had maxxed out at the ninth layer of the Dao Palace Realm, only upon entering the Void Refinement Realm, could he continue his cultivation.
“Oh?”
Taiyuan the Great was even more surprised.
He knew his disciple was exceedingly cautious and would not make a boastful claim without serious consideration.
“Let me test your current cultivation and see if you are ready to overcome the Heavenly Tribulation.”
Taiyuan the Great, branch in hand, assumed a stance as if to spar with Lu Changsheng.
Having experienced Tribulation himself and having witnessed the Tribulation of numerous unparalleled geniuses, Taiyuan knew what type of talent corresponded to what level of Tribulation power, and could roughly estimate the likelihood of success.
“This disciple begs forgiveness in advance,” said Lu Changsheng, as he shaped his hands into a sword-finger gesture. With a hum, the True Martial Sword unsheathed, its light shining ten thousand zhang.
“Such astonishing momentum.”
The moment Lu Changsheng’s Flying Sword was drawn, Taiyuan the Great already had a rough idea that Lu Changsheng was qualified to challenge the Void Refinement Realm.
After the time it took to brew a cup of tea, Lu Changsheng was defeated.
The depth of Taiyuan the Great’s cultivation was immeasurable.
Lu Changsheng was not disheartened, as Taiyuan the Great had been cultivating for over three thousand years, whereas Lu Changsheng’s genuine cultivation spanned merely thirteen years; he naturally was no match for Taiyuan the Great.
The purpose of Lu Changsheng’s spar with Taiyuan the Great was mainly to let Taiyuan the Great assess his chances in overcoming the Tribulation.
“Your foundation is solid; advancing to the Void Refinement Realm and overcoming the Threefold Heavenly Tribulation should pose no problem,” Lu Changsheng’s True Martial Sword had cut through the branch in Taiyuan’s hand, leaving his heart filled with immense shock.
The foundation of Lu Changsheng was even more terrifying than he had imagined.
It was clear that Lu Changsheng was only at the ninth level of the Dao Palace Realm, yet his True Qi was comparable to the first level of the Void Refinement Realm.
Taiyuan was the foremost individual among the six major sects of his era, a peerless genius in his own right with three thousand years of cultivation ’ experience and extensive knowledge that even he was shocked by the solid foundation of Lu Changsheng.
The Disciple Apprenticeship Simulator kept returning cultivation levels, leading to Lu Changsheng possessing the cultivation level of the first layer of the Void Refinement Realm while still in the Dao Palace Realm; his Dantian Qi Sea was already brimming and could no longer be elevated.
“Your aptitude is extraordinary. If you were to undertake your Tribulation at Mount Shu, the Heavenly Tribulation would trigger the Mountain Protection Array. How about this, you step outside Mount Shu to face your Tribulation, and I, along with a few Supreme Elders, will act as protectors for you,” After some contemplation, Taiyuan agreed to act as a protector for Lu Changsheng.
Lu Changsheng was Taiyuan’s closed-door disciple and held an Immortal Artifact. If he were to step into the Void Refinement Realm, Mount Shu would gain another Supreme Elder.
“Thank you, Master.”
It hadn’t crossed Lu Changsheng’s mind that Taiyuan would also request several Supreme Elders to leave their seclusions specifically to protect him.
As the Sect Leader of Shu Mountain, which was at the forefront of the Righteous Dao, Taiyuan was indeed praiseworthy.
“However, will this not disrupt the Supreme Elders’ seclusive cultivation while they protect my Tribulation?”
Lu Changsheng knew that many Supreme Elders were in seclusion behind Mount Shu, hoping to succeed in their Tribulation before their lifespan reached its limit, to extend their lifespans, or perhaps to pursue ascension to the Immortal Realm,
These Supreme Elders were once the unmatched geniuses of Mount Shu, and as disciples, they had made a name for themselves all over the world.
It s not a big deal; those Supreme Elders are quite interested in you.” “Moreover, with the great calamity approaching, those Supreme Elders in seclusion are concluding their retreats one after another. These few are simply emerging early.”
Taiyuan waved his hand to indicate that Lu Changsheng need not feel guilty; it was a plan that Mount Shu had already established.
Lu Changsheng was secretly astonished.
The Four Great Demon Sects had begun to stir, and the six major sects of the Righteous Dao weren’t to be underestimated either. As the Supreme Elders of the righteous sects were emerging from their seclusions one by one, the inevitable clash between the Righteous Dao and the Demon Sects could not be avoided.
“Are your two disciples participating in the disciples’ convention now?”
“Indeed.”
Taiyuan and Lu Changsheng began casual conversation.
At the main peak of Mount Shu, the Mount Shu Disciples Convention was taking place. Disciples newly accepted within the past ten years from various peaks were sparring with each other, showcasing their cultivation levels amidst a sea of people.
Tian Song Elder from Shuiyun Peak had brought Han Xuan, a disciple with a Cold Ice Physique he had taken three years ago at the selection ceremony; meanwhile, Zhao Wuyan from Zhiyue Peak, had brought Zhang Ying, a disciple with a Wind Spirit Physique, and paths were crossing.
“Tian Song, make sure your disciple doesn’t encounter mine, or you’ll have consequences to face,”
“Hmph, both our disciples have special constitutions; whose disciple wins will prove whose teaching capacity is stronger,” Zhao Wuyan got into an argument with Tian Song Elder, and both their disciples were star contestants at the convention.
“Strange, why isn’t junior brother Lu here?”
Zhao Wuyan noted that Lu Changsheng wasn’t leading the team personally, and Lin Qingzhi, the leading disciple of Qingyun Peak, was nowhere to be seen.
The person leading Qingyun Peak’s team was Lu Qinglian, the second disciple who made many Mount Shu Elders tremble in fear.
Zhao Wuyan’s face was covered in dark lines, recalling the previous Disciples Convention when his direct disciple, Yang Ren, was severely injured with a single punch from Lu Qinglian.
In the ten years that had passed, Yang Ren was still in the Golden Core Realm, while Lu Qinglian had already become a Nascent Soul Realm Elder.
Someone’s progress could truly be disheartening.
Junior brothers and sisters, we from Qingyun Peak must give our all; our goal
is to take the top two spots in the disciples’ convention,”
As the Master had gone to Ten Thousand Swords Peak and the senior brother had descended the mountain for trials, it was finally Lu Qinglian’s turn to take charge. She had no intention of being low-key and yearned to make some waves.
Mo Huazhi held an ancient scroll, looking around at the participating disciples of Mount Shu. Their cultivation levels were merely within the Qi Transformation Realm or Golden Core Realm, while she was already at the Nascent Soul Realm. If she followed her senior sister’s suggestion and went all out, wouldn’t it be a bit too much like bullying?