Shen Yuan nodded, stretching his arms carefully. “Don’t worry. I still like to be alive. But I need to test this power soon. It feels like I’m on the verge of breaking through again.”
Before Yue Lan could respond, a light knock sounded at the door. Shen Yuan turned his head towards it, sensing a familiar presence outside.
“Come in,” he said, his voice turning gentle as he realized who was outside.
The door slid open, revealing Huo Rong and Bing Rong. Both women entered quietly, their expressions a mix of relief and concern as their eyes landed on Shen Yuan’s recovering body.
“Yuan’er! You are finally awake,” Huo Rong said softly, her tone filled with worry. “How are you feeling now?”
Shen Yuan smiled warmly. “My dear wives, why don’t you come here and check yourself?”
Huo Rong and Bing Rong’s faces turned faintly red as they heard how he addressed them.
“Then let me see.” But Huo Rong didn’t back down. Boldly stepping forward, she moved forward and sat down beside him.
Shen Yuan smiled and turned his head towards Bing Rong. “Come here as well, Sister Bing Rong, why are you standing all alone there?”
Bing Rong shyly nodded her head before moving forward. She sat down on the other side of Shen Yuan.
The two women looked at him with a faint hint of worry.
“Go ahead, you can check how much injured I am,” Shen Yuan softly smiled and said.
Huo Rong and Bing Rong exchanged glances before gently placing their hands on Shen Yuan’s wrist and chest, circulating their Qi to assess his condition.
A moment later, their brows furrowed in confusion. Huo Rong spoke first, her voice tinged with surprise. “Your injuries… they’re completely healed.”
Bing Rong nodded in agreement, her hand resting lightly over his chest. “Not just healed—your body feels brimming with energy, like a furnace ready to ignite. It’s incredible.”
Shen Yuan chuckled softly, his voice low yet teasing. “Why do you sound so surprised? Didn’t you know your husband is indestructible?”
Huo Rong rolled her eyes, though a faint smile graced her lips. “Indestructible? You looked half-dead when we found you. Don’t get too cocky, Yuan’er.”
Bing Rong couldn’t hide her relief, her shy demeanor softening into a warm smile. “Still, it’s a miracle how quickly you’ve recovered. I thought it would take years to heal from that destructive Tribulation.”
Shen Yuan leaned back slightly, his smile turning a bit more serious. “It’s not just my recovery. The Tribulation Lightning helped strengthen my body and Dantians, but the mental toll of facing the heavens still lingers. That’s what’s keeping me so… tired.”
Huo Rong nodded knowingly. “That makes sense. Fighting against the heavens isn’t something anyone can come out of unscathed, even if the injuries don’t show, especially with your low cultivation base.”
She paused briefly before continuing, “By all rights, you shouldn’t even be facing the heavens before the Mortal Tribulation Realm. But not only did you face the tribulation, it was… stranger than a normal tribulation as well.”
[That is true.]
Yue Lan’s voice echoed in the room, making both Huo Rong and Bing Rong’s eyes shine.
“Do you know what was up with that Tribulation, Senior Yue Lan?” Bing Rong respectfully asked.
Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow. He didn’t quite remember Yue Lan having that deep of an impression on the two of them. Enjoy more content from empire
Yue Lan, feeling Shen Yuan’s doubt, smirked to herself and said,
[That tribulation was not one of the normal ones, which have 30% Life Thunder and 70% Death Thunder. Your tribulation had 100% Death Thunder. It wasn’t meant to test him but to kill him, as he had violated one of the rules of the Heavenly Dao.]
Shen Yuan rubbed his chin. “Interesting… no wonder I felt it was more of an execution than a trial.”
[And from what I have felt from the tribulation, your realm’s Heavenly Dao is among the strongest Mortal Heavenly Dao, so it is an achievement in itself to be able to survive it.]
Shen Yuan grew silent as he thought of something. “Why was my bloodline so active during the Tribulation? Was it because I was on the verge of death?”
[Your bloodline was actively helping you to hide your 365 Dantians. Otherwise, the tribulation would have increased its intensity by tens to hundreds of times. Breaking one rule is enough, but having 365 Dantians is absurd on a whole other level.]
Shen Yuan smirked and didn’t follow up with his questions as he had a rough idea about what to do with the heavens.
Huo Rong and Bing Rong looked at each other, awe visible in their eyes as they heard what Shen Yuan had survived.
Bing Rong hesitated for a moment before speaking. “That reminds me… Yuan’er, the Sect Leader has made a decision about your status.”
Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. “Oh? What decision is that?”
Huo Rong took over, her tone soft yet filled with pride. “The Sect Leader and the elders have unanimously decided to upgrade your status to a Core Disciple. They will hold a ceremony when you wake up to make it official.”
Shen Yuan leaned forward slightly, a faint smirk forming on his face as what he had expected finally happened. “A Core Disciple, huh? I suppose it’s long overdue considering everything that I have done for the Sect.”
Bing Rong nodded. “It is. Sect Leader Mei Hua said the decision had been delayed because you left to explore the Volcanic Lava Region and then entered seclusion. But after your tribulation and display of strength, there’s no one among the Elders who will question that you deserve the title.”
Huo Rong placed her hand on his shoulder, her gaze serious. “This isn’t just about a title, Yuan’er. It’s about recognition—not only from the sect but from everyone who doubted your potential. You’ve proved yourself more than worthy.”
Shen Yuan’s smile turned softer, his tone sincere. “Thank you, both of you. All I want is my family’s recognition. The rest of the world can burn for all I care.”
Huo Rong and Bing Rong smiled sweetly upon hearing his words.
But Bing Rong soon asked, her expression hesitant. “Will you attend? The Sect Leader wants this to be a grand event to showcase your strength.”
Shen Yuan chuckled lightly, nodding his head. “That was my plan all along. I need the recognition of everyone in the sect for what I plan to do. And I also have a plan for this ceremony. It will be quite something to see the faces of the elders on that day.”
Huo Rong’s lips curled into a teasing smile. “Good. Just don’t be late like the last time during the Sect competition.”
Shen Yuan smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “No promises.”
The three of them shared a lighthearted laugh, the tension of the past week finally easing.
As they talked and planned for the ceremony, Shen Yuan’s mind briefly wandered, his thoughts returning to the dreams of the vast army and the mysterious figure.
The weight of those lost lives in that dream lingered in his chest. He was not sure whether that was his past or the future, but one thing he knew was that he needed to improve his strength quickly.