Ling Mei and Zhao Lian—both seeing combined techniques of such magnitude for the first time—felt quietly inspired.
…
Finally, the second wave of tribulation receded, leaving the plateau nearly destroyed by its sheer might. Most of the legion members sat down cross-legged to recover stamina or break through.
Nearly everyone standing had already broken through to the Mortal Tribulation Realm, and those who had not were currently progressing toward that goal.
Ling Mei looked worriedly at the legion members. She knew everyone had been pushed past their limits in this tribulation, and if another strike came, most of them would die as the tribulation would increase its might to match the cultivation base of the tribulation takers.
But none had solidified their cultivation base yet. So they could not undergo another strike.
Shen Yuan also looked at the sky gravely, wondering if there would be another strike, as receiving elemental attacks and a merged element attack on the second strike was far from normal.
[Don’t worry, there won’t be any more tribulation strikes.]
Yue Lan’s lazy voice sounded inside his head. Your next chapter awaits on My Virtual Library Empire
Just then, the sky calmed down, and the tribulation clouds began dispersing slowly. All the disciples below cheered and dropped down on the ground, unable to stand for a moment longer.
Han Qingyu and the rest released a breath they didn’t know they were holding, while Bing Rong and Huo Rong descended beside them.
Yuxin released a bit of her aura outside to send away the prying gazes of the elders and Mei Hua. All of them respectfully withdrew their divine senses and the treasures they were using to look at the massive formation above this valley.
Shen Yuan descended beside Ling Yue, who was proudly looking at her legion members. “They did good, right?” he softly asked.
Ling Yue nodded her head. “They performed spectacularly. Even better than me since I fainted.” Her lips formed a small smile as she thought of how she had fainted.
Shen Yuan shook his head. “No, you had to endure nine heavenly strikes, while they had to only endure two.”
“Perhaps, but their strikes were also a lot stronger than all of mine.” She lightly shook her head.
“And that’s why they could preserve their stamina till the end.” He finished saying and moved forward.
Ling Yue sweetly smiled behind him and followed after him.
…
He once again stood in front of the legion members and proudly looked at them. “You have all done well,” his voice reached all the members, who weakly looked at him.
Shen Yuan paused for a second, looking at the exhausted disciples. “Well, a little speech can wait for later. For now, everyone head back inside the pagoda to rest. Those who can move, carry those who have gotten unconscious and ask for help from the new recruits inside the pagoda.”
The disciples nodded gratefully towards him before picking the nearest member to them and heading inside the Pagoda.
Soon, the new recruits came running out of the Pagoda and helped the disciples inside. Ling Yue smiled seeing everyone helping each other out.
“Let’s head back to the others, let the newcomers handle it here.” He said before turning around and floating toward Wan Ling and the others.
Yuxin descended beside him as well, looking rather relieved that everything worked out for the disciples.
“That was so damn impressive.” Chen Yue said as soon as he returned there.
The others nodded in agreement. “True, I really thought it was over in the second strike when the lightning mixed with five elements.” Han Qingyu excitedly added.
Shen Yuan smiled and pushed his hands down in a calming gesture. “Alright, ladies, calm down. The tribulation is over.”
Wan Ling mischievously smiled. “Are you trying to chase us away, Brother Yuan?”
Shen Yuan shook his head. “Haha no, let’s go to my courtyard after everything is done here.”
Yuxin gently smiled. “It’s been a while since everyone gathered like this, and our family has also increased in size.”
Shen Yuan glanced back to see the new members helping the unconscious people inside the Pagoda. And just then, he spotted Lian Fang. He raised an eyebrow and shouted, “Lian Fang! Come over here.”
Lian Fang, who was going over to another member after helping one inside, heard Shen Yuan’s voice. “Young Master?” She hurriedly went towards him.
Just as she approached him, he turned around and gestured towards her. “She is Fang Lian, the mercenary I told you about before.”
Yuxin stepped forward and looked at her closely. Fang Lian, on the other hand, nervously looked down.
“Hmm, she is just as you had told.” Yuxin nodded her head and looked at Shen Yuan. “So have you rewarded her for all the hard work she has done?”
Shen Yuan shook his head. “That’s why I brought her here. I wanted to reward her properly.” He glanced back and realized that all the disciples had already entered the pagoda together with the Grand Elder and Feng Lian.
He willed it, and the pagoda shrank before entering back into his Dantian. “Let’s head back to the courtyard,” he said, turning towards the group. “This place is not exactly the best place for a chat.”
“Of course it’s not, you destroyed it with your legion’s tribulation.” Huo Rong teased lightly as the valley was a beautiful place before Shen Yuan decided to have his legion’s tribulation here.
Shen Yuan laughed and began walking back towards his courtyard. “This place will be used for future tribulations. It might form a special treasured land with tribulation’s might.”
The others looked at each other with sparkling eyes before following behind him.
…
Everyone sat beneath the cherry tree on a mattress, drinking tea peacefully after returning to Shen Yuan’s courtyard.
“Isn’t the tea delicious?” He lightly asked while sipping his tea.
“Of course it is. After all, it is made by you.” Shen Yuxin said in a teasing tone.
Huo Rong giggled and chimed in, “Everything given by my brother is tasty.”
Some of the girls blushed there, understanding the hidden meaning in her tone as their relationship was no secret in their group.
Wan Ling and Han Qingyu were a lot more comfortable with such jokes after spending such a long time with Shen Yuan inside the dual cultivation chambers.
Shen Yuan looked to his right, where Huo Rong was sitting. “Not even God can help you.” He shook his head and turned his face to the front where Lian Fang was sitting. “Now, tell me, what do you want as your reward? Techniques? Treasures? Heavenly Treasures? Just name it, and I will try my best to fulfill it.”
Everyone turned their gazes at her, wondering what she would ask of him. Lian Fang broke out in sweat as she felt everyone’s gazes on her. She hurriedly stood up and bowed, “I-I don’t want anything, Young Master, just being able to help you is enough for m-“
Shen Yuan raised a hand and made her stop. “Enough flattery. I know you are a mercenary first before joining my side, and you for sure wanted something from me when you joined me. Just tell me what it is, and I will help you fulfill it.”