Green Lotus Mountain Range, Hidden Murderous Intent

The day of Qin De's tribulation was drawing near.

On the outskirts of the Great Wilderness, the Green Lotus Mountain Range stretched for a thousand miles, filled with towering ancient trees and pervasive miasma. Such an environment would make ordinary martial artists turn back in despair, yet it was the perfect, secluded location chosen by Yun Ce and the others for the tribulation.

Qin De had originally been unwilling to let Qin Yu risk danger, as the power of a heavenly tribulation was unfathomable, and with the Imperial Palace watching like a tiger stalking its prey, the slightest carelessness could lead to total destruction. However, Yun Ce had only said calmly, "The tribulation is coming, and the path to immortality is in sight. Such a grand spectacle is the best training for little Yu. He will have to undergo his own tribulation in the future; witnessing the process firsthand will be of great benefit to him."

Qin De pondered for a moment before finally nodding in agreement.

The group of four traveled through the air—Feng Yuzi carried Qin De, while Yun Ce carried Qin Yu, both soaring through the sky. Yun Ce's white robes fluttered as his Nascent Soul Late Stage spiritual sense spread out like a tide, enveloping a radius of a hundred miles. Wherever his spiritual sense passed, the terrain of the mountains, the lairs of demonic beasts, and the spiritual veins deep underground were all laid bare, leaving nothing hidden from his grasp.

"Roar—"

Within the mountain forest, demonic beasts were frequently startled by the presence of humans, roaring as they lunged to attack. There were giant wolves with pitch-black fur, fierce tigers with rock-hard scales, and even apes standing a zhang tall; each possessed a ferocity no weaker than a Xiantian martial artist.

Yet, in front of the two Immortals, these demonic beasts were nothing more than clay chickens and pottery dogs.

Feng Yuzi waved his hand casually, sending out a cyan wind blade that sliced through metal and jade alike, causing the beasts to collapse instantly. Qin Yu did not remain idle either; the power of the crimson fire spirit wrapped around his gauntlets, and with every punch he threw, flames exploded, blasting the lunging beasts into ash. As they pressed forward, blood stained the grass and trees, and the corpses of demonic beasts lay scattered, yet not a single one could hinder the group by even half a step.

While slaughtering the beasts, Qin Yu observed his surroundings with unblinking eyes. He could clearly feel a faint, intangible pressure from the heavens hidden within this mountain range, as if it could trigger a heavenly punishment at any moment.

"Master, will the heavenly tribulation really lock onto Father on its own?" Qin Yu could not help but ask.

Yun Ce nodded slightly. "The heavenly tribulation is born from the Dao heart. Once a cultivator reaches a critical point, the Heavenly Dao will descend to test them. You cannot hide, you cannot escape; you can only face it. The more secluded the place, the purer the power of the tribulation, as it will not be disturbed by the aura of the mundane world."

As he spoke, Yun Ce's footsteps suddenly halted, a flash of brilliance appearing in his eyes.

"Found it."

He turned his body and descended toward an inconspicuous valley.

Qin De, Feng Yuzi, and Qin Yu quickly followed. Deep within the valley, a cave lay quietly hidden, overgrown with wild grass and tangled flowers; it looked entirely ordinary, even somewhat dilapidated. Yet, the closer they got, the more intense the sense of being summoned by the tribulation became for Qin De.

Feng Yuzi swept his spiritual sense over the area, his face filled with shock as he gasped, "What a natural illusion formation! It secretly contains the principles of the Heavenly Bagua; it disperses outward while gathering inward. It can both mask the fluctuations of the tribulation and draw in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to assist in the process! Brother Yun, your eye for this is truly admirable!"

Qin De also let out a sigh of relief; with the help of such a treasure land, the success rate of his tribulation had increased by several notches.

Yun Ce smiled faintly, not taking the credit. "It was merely a stroke of luck. Feng Yuzi, you are well-versed in formations. Since the innate Bagua is already present here, you should set up an Anti-Bagua Formation. By combining the two, we can absorb the power of heaven and earth to weaken the tribulation."

"With pleasure!"

Feng Yuzi accepted the order immediately. He knew well that it wasn't that Yun Ce couldn't set up the formation, but that he was intentionally giving him a chance to shine. This mysterious Immortal appeared indifferent, yet he was extremely tactful.

Feng Yuzi did not dare to delay, immediately taking out dozens of cyan formation flags. His wrists flickered, and the shadows of the flags danced. He cast one incantation after another, and the flags were hidden in ancient trees, buried in the ground, or suspended in mid-air.

"Positive and negative Bagua, draw the spirit and gather the energy, rise!"

With a low shout, light erupted.

Around the cave, an invisible energy vortex formed, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged in frantically, creating a faint light barrier. Standing within it, one felt their mind settle, and the circulation of spiritual power became several times smoother.

"Brother Qin, the rest is up to you." Feng Yuzi finished his work and stood back, his face showing a trace of fatigue, but even more anticipation.

Qin De took a deep breath and walked slowly into the clearing in front of the cave. He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and released his Xiantian Great Perfection aura without reservation, shooting it straight into the sky.

The aura stirred the might of the heavens.

The previously clear sky darkened at a speed visible to the naked eye. Dark clouds gathered, fierce winds rose, and the world felt oppressive, as if a supreme existence were slowly opening its eyes from the nine heavens above.

The heavenly tribulation was coming!

At the same time, on another hidden cliff in the Green Lotus Mountain Range.

Wu De and Wu Xing stood with their hands behind their backs, four white-haired elders standing silently behind them. The four men's auras were as deep as an abyss, each possessing Xiantian Great Perfection cultivation; they were the Four Directional Killing Gods hidden by the Xiang Family for many years, obeying only the orders of the Imperial Family.

"Senior Brother, Qin De's aura has appeared, right in the center of the Green Lotus Mountain Range." Wu Xing narrowed his eyes, his spiritual sense probing forward like a needle, only to be gently blocked by an invisible barrier.

Wu De frowned, his expression grave. "That barrier... is definitely not something Feng Yuzi could set up. It seems that the Qin Family's new Immortal, Yun Ce, is indeed here."

Mentioning Yun Ce, a hint of wariness appeared on Wu Xing's face.

It was rumored that Yun Ce was already in the Nascent Soul Realm, though it was unclear if it was true. A Golden Core and a Nascent Soul might seem to be only one major realm apart, but the difference was like heaven and earth. A Golden Core cultivator was a master in the mundane world, but in front of a Nascent Soul powerhouse, they were no different from ants. The two brothers were only at the Golden Core Mid Stage and Late Stage; if they were to clash head-on with Yun Ce, they likely wouldn't even be able to take a single blow.

"Senior Brother, should we still make a move?" Wu Xing asked in a low, nervous voice.

Wu De sneered, a flash of cruelty in his eyes. "Make a move? Why wouldn't we? The Crimson Prosperity Pill is already in my hands; would it not be a pity to give up halfway?"

He paused, lowering his voice. "When Qin De undergoes the tribulation, it will be the moment he is at his weakest and least able to be distracted. We don't need to fight Yun Ce head-on; we only need to pin down Feng Yuzi and let the four of them take the opportunity to ambush Qin De. As long as Qin De's mind is thrown into chaos when the tribulation strikes, he will surely be shattered by the heavenly lightning and his soul will be scattered!"

Wu Xing's eyes lit up. "Senior Brother, what a brilliant plan! No matter how strong Yun Ce is, he cannot protect Qin De while also guarding against our sneak attack! Besides, when the tribulation arrives, even Yun Ce cannot block it for Qin De; Qin De must face it himself."

Wu De looked up at the increasingly dense tribulation clouds in the sky, a cruel curve forming on his lips.

"Just wait."

"The moment the heavenly lightning falls will be the moment of Qin De's death!"

Gale winds howled, and dark clouds pressed down.

Within the Green Lotus Mountain Range, on one side were those waiting for the tribulation, standing in strict formation; on the other were assassins hiding their murderous intent, waiting for their chance to strike.

The thunder rumbled, and the heavenly tribulation was about to descend.