The light in the study on the second floor of Thunder Mountain Residence was as soft as daylight. Bookshelves lined the room, and the scent of ink mingled with a faint spiritual energy, creating a tranquil, timeless atmosphere. Qin Yu held Stellar Transformations in his hands, his fingertips brushing over the bold characters on the page. The energy around him flowed slowly with his thoughts as he immersed himself in the cultivation method and the many books around him. Even his breathing had grown deeper and steadier.
In recent days, besides studying Stellar Transformations, he had pored over the cultivation classics Lei Wei had collected in the study, as well as books on astronomy and geography. The cultivation theories from Earth collided and blended with the methods of Hidden Dragon Continent, while the principles governing the movement of the stars in the universe corroborated the core mysteries of Stellar Transformations. His understanding, once confined to Hidden Dragon Continent, had broadened as never before. His spirit had quietly ascended, and his state of mind had grown clearer and more resolute.
Yun Ce sat in a stone chair nearby, holding a classic that recorded the universe's cultivation system. His gaze occasionally settled on Qin Yu, his eyes full of anticipation. He could clearly sense that Qin Yu's aura and Xiantian Great Perfection strength had grown increasingly refined and potent. His state of mind had advanced far beyond his cultivation level. In this condition, he would face the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation with a little more confidence.
Xiao Hei no longer paced around. He obediently lay at Qin Yu's feet, resting his head on his wings. From time to time, he looked at the book in Qin Yu's hands, then at Yun Ce, his eagle eyes full of boredom. His aura, too, was steadily improving without his even noticing. The rich spiritual energy at Thunder Mountain Residence, along with the energy drifting through the study, benefited him greatly even as he lay still.
Suddenly, Qin Yu slowly closed Stellar Transformations and gently shut his eyes. The spiritual energy around him surged, forming a faint shield that enveloped him. His brows furrowed slightly as he sank his awareness into his body, carefully sensing the changes in his dantian and the flow of spiritual energy around him.
Yun Ce looked up, his gaze shifting slightly before he returned to his calm expression. He didn't approach or disturb Qin Yu. He could sense that although Qin Yu's aura fluctuated, it remained remarkably steady. Clearly, he had gained some insight; he wasn't suffering a cultivation deviation. Xiao Hei seemed to sense something as well. He lifted his head, blinked his eagle eyes, and watched Qin Yu quietly without making a sound.
Time passed slowly, and the only sound in the study was the faint movement of spiritual energy. About an hour later, Qin Yu suddenly opened his eyes. A barely contained delight flashed in them, their brilliance dazzling. Even the aura around him stirred more intensely.
He turned sharply to Yun Ce, his voice carrying a faint tremor, though he sounded certain. "Master! I sensed it! I sensed the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation! It's coming in fifty days!"
"Oh?" Yun Ce's eyes lit up. He gently set down the classic and leaned forward, excitement and anticipation evident in his voice. "At last!"
He had long known that Qin Yu had cultivated the Three Heaven-Reaching Charts to perfection and, after being steeped in Lei Wei's classics, had undergone a dual elevation of spirit and state of mind. For Qin Yu, achieving Tribulation Transcendence was now a natural progression. He simply hadn't expected it to come so soon, nor that Qin Yu could clearly sense the heavenly tribulation fifty days in advance. Such talent and foundation already surpassed those of cultivators at the same level.
Just as Qin Yu finished speaking, Xiao Hei suddenly sprang to his feet. He flapped his enormous wings twice, stirring a light breeze, his eyes shining with excitement. He let out several clear, resonant cries toward Qin Yu and Yun Ce, then strode over to Yun Ce and gently rubbed his head against Yun Ce's arm, his manner affectionate yet urgent.
Qin Yu paused, then looked at Xiao Hei in confusion. "Xiao Hei, what's wrong?"
Yun Ce smiled and gently stroked the top of Xiao Hei's head, a flash of delighted surprise in his eyes. In his early years, he had made a point of studying the language of beasts, so he could understand the thoughts of spirit beasts and the meaning behind their calls. Xiao Hei's cries conveyed a clear message: he had sensed the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation too, and even earlier than Qin Yu—by more than ten days. His tribulation would arrive in forty days.
"Yu'er," Yun Ce said with a smile, his voice full of relief, "Xiao Hei has sensed the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation as well. His tribulation will come in forty days, more than ten days before yours."
"What?!" Qin Yu stared in shock, then delight welled up in his eyes. He hurried over and gently stroked Xiao Hei's wings. "Xiao Hei, you can undergo tribulation too? That's wonderful!"
Xiao Hei seemed to understand Qin Yu's words. He excitedly rubbed against Qin Yu's palm, then let out another cry toward Yun Ce, his eyes full of anticipation. He had followed Yun Ce and Qin Yu for years, growing through one trial after another—from a young eagle into a spirit beast now comparable to a Xiantian Great Perfection cultivator. At last, he was qualified to undergo tribulation.
Seeing how happy the man and beast were, Yun Ce smiled even more broadly. Then his expression gradually turned solemn, and he spoke in a firm, cautionary tone. "Yu'er, Xiao Hei, these next forty to fifty days are your final preparation time. You must not slack off."
He looked at Qin Yu, his gaze especially serious. "Yu'er, though you've sensed the heavenly tribulation, your top priority is still to study Stellar Transformations carefully. Make sure you fully grasp the Nebula Chapter. The Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation is the first threshold on your path to cultivation, and it's also a prerequisite for practicing Stellar Transformations. Only after you pass the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation will your Xiantian true energy truly transform. Then you can officially begin cultivating the Nebula Chapter of Stellar Transformations and connect with the power of the stars."
At once, Qin Yu set aside his joy and became serious. He nodded firmly. "Understood, Master! Don't worry. I'll make the most of every moment and study the Nebula Chapter until I fully understand it. I won't let you down!"
He understood how important the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation was, and he knew what Stellar Transformations meant to him. He would give everything he had during this period, preparing to undergo tribulation while studying the Nebula Chapter in depth and laying a firm foundation for his future cultivation of Stellar Transformations.
Yun Ce turned to Xiao Hei. His tone softened, though he still spoke with caution. "Xiao Hei, even though your tribulation will come before Yu'er's, you mustn't be careless. Focus on your cultivation, stabilize your realm, familiarize yourself with your own strength, and hone your wind- and lightning-based innate abilities until they're second nature. There's no room for luck under the heavenly tribulation. Only by giving it your all can you pass safely."
Xiao Hei seemed to understand Yun Ce's warning. He nodded firmly and let out a resolute cry, the excitement in his eyes giving way to a more composed expression. He knew that tribulation was perilous, and that only thorough preparation would let him pass safely and live up to Yun Ce and Qin Yu's hopes.
"Thunder Mountain Residence is rich in spiritual energy, and Xiao Xing keeps everything in order. It's a perfect place to cultivate without disturbance." Yun Ce rose to his feet and looked around the study, then at Qin Yu and Xiao Hei. "In the days ahead, Yu'er, you'll study the classics and comprehend Stellar Transformations here in the study. Xiao Hei, you'll cultivate beside the lake at Thunder Mountain Residence and stabilize your realm. I'll protect you nearby and refine some treasures and pills to help you pass your tribulations safely."
"Yes, Master!"
"Caw—!"
Qin Yu and Xiao Hei answered together, their expressions resolute. Their eyes were full of anticipation for the tribulations ahead, along with hope for the future.
The study's tranquil atmosphere now held a trace of tension and solemnity. With two tribulations approaching, the man and beast devoted themselves to preparing for battle. Yun Ce stood nearby like their strongest support, silently watching over them as he began to consider how to help Qin Yu and Xiao Hei avoid the dangers of the heavenly tribulations and pass this crucial threshold on their paths of cultivation.
Outside Thunder Mountain Residence, the wind from the depths of Great Wilderness blew gently, and spiritual energy grew denser. Within the residence, the air of secluded cultivation and preparation quietly spread. A heavenly tribulation that would shape the futures of Qin Yu and Xiao Hei was drawing near.
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