Cloud Mist Villa was shrouded in spiritual mist, its spiritual energy several times denser than that of the outside world.
Qin Yu sat cross-legged on a bluestone before Yun Ce. Crimson fire-element spiritual energy flowed slowly around him, and with every breath, spiritual energy from heaven and earth surged into his body like a giant whale sucking in water.
After the battle at the ancient residence, he had slain Yi Qingyu, a Xiantian peak expert. Both his state of mind and his combat strength had undergone a transformation. He was now only one step away from breaking through to the late Xiantian stage and reaching Xiantian Great Perfection.
Yun Ce stood nearby with his hands behind his back, his white robes fluttering. The aura of a late Nascent Soul expert was restrained and profound as an abyss.
Watching the spiritual energy around Qin Yu gradually stabilize, he nodded slightly and spoke softly, each word ringing in Qin Yu's ears like the sound of the Dao:
"Xiao Yu, your body is peerlessly strong, and you have a High-Grade Spirit Artifact at your side. Your combat strength has long surpassed your level. But your cultivation has yet to reach perfection, not because you lack spiritual energy, but because your intent has not arrived and your mind is not yet pure."
Qin Yu closed his eyes and focused, listening carefully.
"You have attachments, responsibilities, and debts of gratitude in your heart. Those are good things. But on the path of cultivation, when the time comes to let go, you must let go—
"Not by abandoning your family, but by keeping your emotions from disturbing your Dao heart.
"Your battle intent is your battle intent, and your Dao heart is your Dao heart. When your mind is as clear as a mirror, your spiritual energy will naturally reach perfection."
His words awakened Qin Yu as if from a dream.
The spiritual energy around Qin Yu suddenly trembled, and his previously sluggish meridians opened up with startling clarity.
All distracting thoughts vanished from his mind, leaving only his pure martial will and desire to cultivate.
Boom—
An aura far more powerful than before burst forth. Fiery spiritual light shot into the sky, and crimson currents swirled around him like a god of war descending upon the world.
His meridians widened, and his spiritual energy surged. His cultivation broke through its barriers as effortlessly as a boat riding a current.
Xiantian Great Perfection!
Qin Yu slowly opened his eyes. A glint flashed through them and vanished. His aura was steady and immense; he had reached the very peak of mortal martial artists.
"Thank you for your guidance, Master."
He rose and bowed, sincerely grateful.
Yun Ce smiled faintly. "This breakthrough was only a matter of time. I merely gave you a helping hand. From now on, you have no equal among mortals. Once the Heavenly Tribulation descends, you'll be able to set foot on the true path of cultivation."
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the villa.
A trusted guard from the prince's mansion hurried over and knelt on one knee, his expression respectful but grave.
"Your Highness, Senior Yun, the prince requests your presence. He says there's an important matter to discuss and asks you both to come to the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion!"
Qin Yu's heart stirred. "Has something happened to Father?"
"This subordinate doesn't know. I only know that everyone important in the mansion will be there. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave." With that, he withdrew.
Yun Ce gave a slight nod. "Since your father has summoned us, let's go at once."
Yun Ce swept into the air. A flying sword appeared beneath his feet, and he carried Qin Yu away as a streak of light toward the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion.
The great hall of the mansion was already full.
Prince of Eastern Suppression Qin De sat in the seat of honor. His expression was composed, but his eyes betrayed a trace of excitement and solemnity.
His eldest son, Qin Feng; his second son, Qin Zheng; his loyal old servant, Lian Yan; his military advisor, Xu Yuan; and Feng Yuzi were all present. Everyone looked tense.
As soon as Qin Yu and Yun Ce entered the hall, every gaze turned toward them.
"Father." Qin Yu cupped his hands in greeting.
Qin De nodded and drew a deep breath. His voice carried a barely perceptible tremor as he slowly spoke:
"I called you here today to announce something—
"I... have sensed the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation."
The moment those words fell, the hall fell utterly silent.
Lian Yan sprang to his feet, disbelief written all over his face. "My lord! You... you've really sensed the Heavenly Tribulation?!"
He had remained at Xiantian Great Perfection for decades without ever reaching the threshold of the Heavenly Tribulation. Qin De was much younger than he was, yet he had already sensed the signs.
Qin Feng, Qin Zheng, and Qin Yu rose at the same time, their faces filled with both surprise and joy, but above all, worry.
"Father, the Heavenly Tribulation is perilous. There's only a one-in-ten chance of survival. You..."
Xu Yuan furrowed his brow. "It's good that the prince's cultivation has advanced, but I've heard the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation is terrifyingly powerful. The slightest misstep could scatter his soul!"
Only two people in the hall remained unusually calm.
One was Feng Yuzi, standing beside Qin De. He was a mid-Golden Core cultivator and one of the Chu Dynasty's veteran cultivators.
The other was Yun Ce, a mighty late Nascent Soul expert.
Feng Yuzi smiled first. "There's no need for such alarm, everyone. The prince is exceptionally gifted. This fortune was always meant to be his."
Yun Ce stepped forward unhurriedly. His voice was calm, yet it brought everyone a deep sense of reassurance.
"Qin De's sensing of the Heavenly Tribulation is only the natural result of his cultivation. I've already prepared a High-Grade Spirit Artifact to protect him. With Feng Yuzi and me guarding him as well, his chances of surviving the tribulation are excellent."
Only then did everyone relax a little.
Qin De's expression turned serious as he lowered his voice.
"I'm confident I can survive the Heavenly Tribulation. But the real threat isn't the tribulation. It's Xiang Guang."
"If the commotion from my tribulation is too great, it will inevitably alert the imperial palace. If Xiang Guang learns that I'm about to embark on the path of cultivation, he'll come to sabotage it at all costs!"
The mood in the hall grew tense once more.
At Xiang Guang's side were two immortals, Wu De and Wu Xing!
If they attacked at the most critical moment of the tribulation, Qin De would be caught between them and the tribulation. He would surely die.
Yun Ce pondered for a moment.
"Undergoing the tribulation in a mortal land would draw too much attention.
"I have a plan—we can go to the outskirts of the Great Wilderness to undergo the tribulation.
"That region is vast, its spiritual energy violent, and its demon beasts numerous. As long as we prepare in advance, Xiang Guang won't be able to find us even if he wants to interfere."
Qin De's eyes lit up. "A brilliant plan, Immortal Yun! We'll do that!"
They immediately settled on a course of action:
They would make preparations in secret, leave the prince's mansion without a trace, and head for a hidden place in the Great Wilderness. There they would wait for the Heavenly Tribulation to descend and break through to become Golden Core cultivators.
—
Meanwhile, in the imperial palace of the Chu Dynasty.
The spy Xiang Guang had planted in the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion had already sent the news back to the palace as quickly as possible.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!" the messenger cried, trembling as he prostrated himself on the ground. "Qin De... Qin De has sensed the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation!"
Clang—
The jade cup in Xiang Guang's hand smashed to the floor. His face turned as pale as paper.
"The Heavenly Tribulation?!"
"Qin De is going to become an immortal?!"
He felt the world spin around him.
The Qin Family already had Feng Yuzi, and now they had gained Yun Ce, a mysterious figure whose strength was unfathomable.
If Qin De survived the Heavenly Tribulation and became another immortal...
Who in the Chu Dynasty would be able to hold the Qin Family in check?!
The Xiang Family's rule was in grave danger!
"No... I absolutely can't let Qin De survive the Heavenly Tribulation!"
He paced frantically around the hall, his gaze growing more and more vicious.
Wu De and Wu Xing, those two cultivators, never lifted a finger without a reward. Ordinary treasures wouldn't be enough to move them.
After much deliberation, Xiang Guang clenched his teeth and rushed into a secret chamber in the palace's restricted grounds.
Deep inside the chamber, a jade bottle sat quietly.
Inside it floated a crimson pill, its medicinal power vast as the blazing sun.
The Crimson Prosperity Pill!
It was a precious treasure left behind by Xiang Family ancestor Xiang Yang in his youth. It was immensely beneficial even to Golden Core cultivators, and extraordinarily valuable.
Xiang Guang snatched up the jade bottle. His heart ached, but he had no choice.
"What's one pill compared to the Xiang Family's rule!"
He returned to the elegant courtyard where the two immortals lived and, as soon as he entered, slapped the Crimson Prosperity Pill down on the stone table.
The moment the pill appeared, its fragrance filled the entire courtyard.
Wu De and Wu Xing opened their eyes at the same time. They stared fixedly at the Crimson Prosperity Pill, their greed plain to see.
"Immortals!" Xiang Guang said solemnly.
"If you're willing to strike when Qin De undergoes his tribulation and kill him, this pill is yours!"
Wu De picked up the Crimson Prosperity Pill and gave it a light sniff. A sense of comfort spread through him. He exchanged a glance with Wu Xing, and they could both see that the offer tempted them.
A rare pill that could improve their cultivation was worth making one move for.
Wu De closed his fingers around the Crimson Prosperity Pill and smiled faintly, finally relenting.
"Haha, Your Majesty, there's no need to say that. We're retainers of the Xiang Family, after all. Since Your Majesty has shown such sincerity, my brother and I will help you this once." As he spoke, he waved a hand, and the jade bottle vanished from the table. Xiang Guang's eye twitched slightly at the sight.
"The day Qin De undergoes his tribulation will be the day he dies." Wu Xing also thumped his chest in assurance.
The tension in Xiang Guang's heart finally eased.
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