Dual Tribulations Approaching, Secluded Cultivation to Prepare for Battle

In the study on the second floor of Thunder Mountain Residence, the light was as soft as day. Amidst the rows of bookshelves, the scent of ink intertwined with a faint spiritual energy, creating an atmosphere of quiet seclusion. Qin Yu held the Stellar Transformations in his hands, his fingertips gently brushing over the vigorous calligraphy on the pages. His internal energy circulated slowly in harmony with his thoughts, and he became completely immersed in the cultivation techniques and various classics, his breathing growing increasingly long and steady.

During these days, aside from studying the Stellar Transformations, he had also read through the cultivation classics and astronomical texts collected by Lei Wei in the study. The cultivation concepts from Earth collided and merged with the cultivation path of the Hidden Dragon Continent, while the principles of celestial movement verified the core mysteries of the Stellar Transformations. This broadened his understanding, which had previously been limited to the Hidden Dragon Continent, to an unprecedented degree. His mental state was quietly sublimated, becoming ever clearer and more resolute.

Yun Ce sat on a stone chair nearby, holding a classic that recorded the cosmic cultivation system. His gaze occasionally fell upon Qin Yu, filled with anticipation. He could clearly sense that Qin Yu's aura—the strength of Xiantian Great Perfection—was becoming increasingly refined and mellow. The growth of his mental state far exceeded the improvement of his cultivation realm; in this state, he had gained much more confidence even when facing the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation.

Xiao Hei no longer paced around but lay obediently at Qin Yu's feet, its head resting on its wings. It occasionally lifted its eyes to look at the book in Qin Yu's hands, then at Yun Ce. Its eagle eyes were filled with boredom, yet its own aura was steadily rising through subtle influence—the dense spiritual energy of Thunder Mountain Residence, combined with the energy leaking from the books in the study, allowed it to benefit greatly even while just lying still.

Suddenly, Qin Yu slowly closed the Stellar Transformations in his hands and shut his eyes. The spiritual energy around him surged abruptly, forming a faint protective barrier that enveloped him. He frowned slightly, sinking his consciousness into his body to carefully perceive the changes in his Dantian and the flow of the world's spiritual energy around him.

Yun Ce looked up, his gaze flickering slightly before returning to calm. He did not step forward to disturb him—he could sense that although Qin Yu's aura was fluctuating, it was exceptionally steady. It was clear he had gained some insight rather than suffering a cultivation deviation. Xiao Hei also seemed to notice something; it lifted its head, blinked its eagle eyes, and watched Qin Yu quietly without making a sound.

Time flowed slowly, and the only sound in the study was the subtle movement of spiritual energy. About an hour later, Qin Yu suddenly opened his eyes. A flash of uncontrollable surprise shone in his pupils, brilliant and bright, and the aura around him surged accordingly.

He turned his head sharply toward Yun Ce, his voice carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling, yet filled with certainty: "Master! I have sensed it! I have sensed the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation! It will arrive in fifty days!"

"Oh?" Yun Ce's eyes lit up suddenly. He set down the classic in his hand and leaned forward slightly, his tone unable to hide his excitement and anticipation: "It is finally here!"

He had long known that since Qin Yu had cultivated the Three Heaven-Reaching Charts to perfection and been influenced by Lei Wei's classics, his mental state and spirit had undergone a dual sublimation; passing the tribulation was a natural progression. However, he had not expected this day to arrive so quickly, nor had he expected Qin Yu to clearly sense the aura of the tribulation fifty days in advance. This talent and foundation far exceeded that of other cultivators at the same level.

Just as Qin Yu finished speaking, Xiao Hei suddenly stood up. Its massive wings flapped forcefully, stirring up a light breeze. Its eyes were filled with excitement as it let out several crisp, loud cries toward Qin Yu and Yun Ce. It then walked with a vigorous gait to Yun Ce's side, rubbing its head gently against his arm, its demeanor intimate and tinged with urgency.

Qin Yu was slightly stunned and looked at Xiao Hei with confusion: "Xiao Hei, what is wrong?"

Yun Ce, however, laughed. He raised his hand to gently stroke the top of Xiao Hei's head, a flash of pleasant surprise in his eyes. He had specifically studied the language of beasts in his early years and could understand the inner thoughts and meanings behind the cries of demonic beasts. At this moment, Xiao Hei's cries clearly conveyed a message—it had also sensed the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation, and the time was even earlier than Qin Yu's. In forty days, it would be the day of its own tribulation.

"Yu'er," Yun Ce said with a smile, his tone full of gratification, "Xiao Hei has also sensed the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation. In forty days, it will undergo its tribulation, more than ten days earlier than you."

"What?!" Qin Yu's face was full of shock, followed by a surge of deep joy. He quickly ran over and gently stroked Xiao Hei's wings: "Xiao Hei, you can undergo the tribulation too? That's wonderful!"

Xiao Hei seemed to understand Qin Yu's words; it rubbed against his palm excitedly and let out another cry toward Yun Ce, its eyes filled with anticipation. It had followed the master and disciple for many years, training and growing along the way, evolving from a young eagle into a demonic beast comparable to the Xiantian Great Perfection. Now, it finally had the qualifications to face the tribulation.

Watching the joy of the man and the beast, the smile on Yun Ce's face deepened. His expression then gradually turned solemn, and he spoke slowly, his tone carrying an unquestionable instruction: "Yu'er, Xiao Hei, these forty to fifty days are your final preparation time. You must not be negligent."

He looked at Qin Yu, his gaze particularly grave: "Yu'er, although you have sensed the tribulation, the most important task remains to study the Stellar Transformations well. You must thoroughly digest and comprehend the Nebula Chapter. The Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation is the first threshold for you to step onto the path of cultivation and is also the prerequisite for practicing the Stellar Transformations—only by passing the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation can your Xiantian true energy truly transform, and only then can you officially begin practicing the Nebula Chapter of the Stellar Transformations to communicate with the power of the cosmic stars."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu immediately put away his joy, his expression becoming serious as he nodded heavily: "This disciple understands! Master, rest assured, I will seize every moment to master the Nebula Chapter and will not let you down!"

He knew the importance of the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation and the significance of the Stellar Transformations to himself. During this period, he would go all out to prepare for the tribulation while delving deep into the Nebula Chapter, laying a solid foundation for his future cultivation of the Stellar Transformations.

Yun Ce looked at Xiao Hei again, his tone softening slightly but still carrying instructions: "Xiao Hei, although you are undergoing the tribulation earlier than Yu'er, you must not be careless. During this time, you must focus on your cultivation, stabilize your realm, familiarize yourself with your own power, and hone your wind and lightning innate abilities to be even more proficient. Under the heavenly tribulation, there is no room for luck; only by going all out can you succeed."

Xiao Hei seemed to understand Yun Ce's instructions; it nodded forcefully and let out a firm cry. The excitement in its eyes gradually faded, replaced by a sense of composure. It knew that the tribulation was dangerous and that only through proper preparation could it pass successfully and live up to the expectations of Yun Ce and Qin Yu.

"The spiritual energy in Thunder Mountain Residence is dense, and with Xiao Xing managing things, there will be no disturbances. It is an excellent place for cultivation." Yun Ce stood up, his gaze sweeping across the study before landing on Qin Yu and Xiao Hei: "In the coming days, Yu'er, you will focus on studying the classics and comprehending the Stellar Transformations in the study, while you, Xiao Hei, will cultivate by the lake in Thunder Mountain Residence to stabilize your realm. I will stand guard nearby and refine some magical treasures and pills to help you pass the tribulation smoothly."

"Yes, Master!"

"Caw—"

Qin Yu and Xiao Hei responded simultaneously, their expressions firm, their eyes filled with anticipation for the tribulation and longing for the future.

Inside the study, the originally quiet atmosphere took on a sense of tension and solemnity. With the dual tribulations approaching, both the man and the beast were focused on their preparations. Yun Ce stood by as their sturdiest shield, silently guarding them, his mind already calculating how to help Qin Yu and Xiao Hei avoid the risks of the tribulation and assist them in crossing this vital threshold on the path of cultivation.

Outside Thunder Mountain Residence, the wind from the depths of the Great Wilderness blew gently, and the spiritual energy grew increasingly dense. Inside, the aura of focused preparation quietly permeated the air. A heavenly tribulation concerning the future of Qin Yu and Xiao Hei was quietly drawing near.