Carefully Selecting a Tribulation-Crossing Site

Carefully Selecting a Tribulation-Crossing Site

Early in the morning, the sleeping Ling'e was vigorously shaken awake;

Before she had fully come to her senses, she heard Jiu Jiu cry out excitedly:

"Hahehe!

This Martial Aunt's bottleneck broke on its own!

Little Ling'e, remember to tell your senior brother—I'm going back into seclusion first!"

"Oh... huh? It broke after one night's sleep?"

Lan Ling'e murmured groggily. The moment she opened her eyes, she saw Jiu Jiu searching all over the floor for her shoes.

This little Martial Aunt was in high spirits. Her cultivation had taken another firm little step toward the Heavenly Immortal Realm. She rushed out of the thatched hut, leaped onto her gourd, and hurried toward Sky-Breaking Peak.

"Remember to tell your senior brother that I'll come help him refine pills after I emerge from seclusion—"

Lan Ling'e sat dazed at her bedside for a while, yawned twice, and walked over to the dressing table.

Thinking of the little mischief this little Martial Aunt had caused yesterday, Ling'e's lips curved into a faint smile, followed by a soft sigh.

Life after becoming immortal truly was carefree.

"Junior Sister."

A strand of Sound Transmission entered her ears. Ling'e reflexively answered, "Here!"

Li Changshou continued through Sound Transmission, "I heard what Martial Aunt said.

I will probably enter seclusion for three months. After three months, I may need to go out for a while.

Are there any pills you need?

This trip will probably take three to five years before I can return."

Senior Brother...

Was he going out to cross his heavenly tribulation?

Lan Ling'e was delighted at first, then unhappily puffed out her cheeks;

Naturally, she was happy for her senior brother. She was only unhappy because once he left, he would be gone for three to five years. Since coming up the mountain, she had never gone so long without seeing him.

"I don't need anything. Senior Brother, just take good care of yourself," Lan Ling'e muttered softly.

A faint laugh came through the Sound Transmission. Li Changshou added, "When I leave, I will wake Master and ask him not to enter closed-door cultivation for death these next few years.

Remember not to run around everywhere. Keep my previous instructions in your heart at all times. Do not grow careless and let others bully you."

"I know, Senior Brother. It won't be too late to say all this after you emerge from seclusion." Lan Ling'e's eyes shifted. "Don't tell me... you're planning to sneak away directly?"

In the pill-refining chamber, Li Changshou chuckled but did not continue the Sound Transmission.

He lowered his head and looked at the wisp of green light glowing in his palm;

He had not expected the Ninth Realm of Dao Attainment to arrive much earlier than anticipated.

At this moment, his Dao realm possessed an impulse... like bamboo shoots after the rain, forever wanting to push upward. Fortunately, he could still suppress it.

Once he charged into the Ninth Realm of Dao Attainment, he would very likely face the heavenly tribulation directly.

Preparations for crossing the tribulation had to be put on the agenda.

Going out to cross the tribulation had been a plan Li Changshou had settled on long ago. First, he did not wish to expose his cultivation; second, he did not wish anyone to witness his heavenly tribulation.

Crossing tribulation was, after all, his own affair, and the Mountain Protecting Grand Formation would not be of the slightest use;

Finding a hidden, deserted place outside to cross the tribulation was not much less safe than doing so within the sect.

But slipping smoothly out of the mountain gate would also require some effort.

Li Changshou sighed softly:

"Fortunately, there are fish."

Du Xian Sect's Sect Rules were strict, but most of them were directed at disciples who had yet to become immortals. They regulated the disciples' speech and conduct, urged them to cultivate, and protected their safety.

In Du Xian Sect's disciple registry, Li Changshou was an outstanding second-stage Return to Void Qi Refiner, subject to rather strict restrictions on leaving the sect;

This was also one reason why he had chosen to search for herbs in Northern Continent during the Training Assembly.

To leave the sect and cross the heavenly tribulation this time, Li Changshou had long prepared a reason to apply at the Hall of Hundred Affairs—every sect disciple was entitled to one trip home to sweep their parents' graves.

Once one entered the immortal sect, one no longer had ties to the Mortal World and should have severed all contact completely.

Yet human hearts were made of flesh, and even a Dao heart faced trials of the mortal world.

The Human Race's Ancient Sages revered loyalty, righteousness, propriety, and filial piety, using them to enlighten the masses. Though Qi Refiners had left the Mortal World behind and could not serve their parents at their knees, they should still return to sweep their graves and offer sacrifices.

Du Xian Sect had learned much from the great sects of Central Divine Continent and handled this matter quite well.

After a new disciple from the mortal realm entered the sect, a dedicated outer sect Steward would visit the disciple's parents once every ten years, providing gold and silver to secure their livelihood, telling them of the disciple's circumstances within the sect, and giving them pills to ward off illness and talismans to avert disaster, but never helping them increase their Lifespan.

Life and death both had their ordained number, and Heaven's mandate had its limits. Du Xian Sect was also unwilling to incur too much needless karma.

After a disciple's parents passed away, the sect would notify that disciple and permit them to return home at any time to guard their parents' graves for three years, thereby completely severing their ties to the Mortal World...

Eighteen years ago, Li Changshou had received notification from the sect that his parents in the Mortal World had both passed away.

Under Du Xian Sect's care, his parents, originally ordinary herdsmen from a nomadic tribe in Southern Continent, had lived past a hundred years old, free of illness and disaster throughout their lives.

Li Changshou did not actually have many memories of his parents in this life, since he had been brought up the mountain by his master at an early age. Moreover, by going up the mountain, he had earned them a lifetime free from worries over food and clothing, with little illness or misfortune.

When he received the sect's notice, Li Changshou had intended to go guard their graves at once, but because he was preparing to leave and cross the tribulation, he temporarily set it aside.

Yet there was still a small complication.

During the three years of grave guarding, if an outer sect Steward traveling outside happened to pass through the disciple's hometown, they had to visit and see how the disciple was doing...

Li Changshou had prepared for this as well. He had long since ingratiated himself with the few 'elders' at the Hall of Hundred Affairs who handled disciple affairs.

True fish-based friendship.

These elders were not the same as those elders.

Most elders at the Hall of Hundred Affairs were old True Immortals of the sect, such as Elder Ge, who handled internal and external miscellaneous affairs;

The true Du Xian Sect Elders cultivated on the various peaks and did not concern themselves with trivial matters. Only those in the Heavenly Immortal Realm could bear such a title.

Three months later;

Li Changshou woke his master from seclusion and spoke of his intention to return home and guard his parents' graves, meaning for his master to take greater care of his little junior sister.

Old Daoist Qi Yuan naturally agreed. He gave it little thought and even urged Li Changshou to let go of his ties to the Mortal World early and focus on the immortal Dao.

Lan Ling'e was rather reluctant to part with him. She softly asked, "Can I... accompany you to guard the graves too, Senior Brother...?"

"You tell me," Li Changshou replied with narrowed eyes and a smile. Lan Ling'e immediately understood the answer and lowered her head in acknowledgement.

Amid mountains, waters, clouds, and mist, as they reluctantly bid farewell.

Li Changshou caught several spirit fish from the lake, tucked them into his sleeve, and rode a cloud toward Sky-Breaking Peak.

Lan Ling'e stood beside the lake, quietly watching her senior brother's retreating back. In her heart, she murmured, Cross the tribulation safely. She remained there for half a day before returning to the thatched hut to cultivate...

Upon arriving at the Hall of Hundred Affairs, Li Changshou easily found an elder he knew well and explained that he wished to return home to sweep his parents' graves. Elder Wei, who was on duty that day, readily approved.

"Changshou, I remember your home is in the northeastern region of Southern Continent.

It just so happens that a sect Steward is going to Southern Continent tomorrow on business. Let him take you along."

"About that," Li Changshou took several spirit fish from his sleeve. "Elder, there is another matter I would like to trouble you with."

"You little rascal." Elder Wei immediately beamed. He accepted the spirit fish wrapped in Water Spheres, took out a porcelain vat, and placed the fish inside for temporary keeping.

Everyone had their preferences. Some loved wine, while others loved fine food—especially Mandarin Fish, which were exceedingly difficult to raise and could be called peerless delicacies.

Elder Wei smiled. "Tell me, then. What are you plotting?"

"This disciple wishes to take this opportunity to train in Southern Continent for several years," Li Changshou said in a low voice. "Could you perhaps refrain from having the sect Steward inspect my hometown, and also not have the sect Steward take me there...?"

"Fine, go on," Elder Wei said, picking up the Bamboo Slip before him. "You'll even save me a bamboo strip.

You are fine material for cultivating immortality, and your future is boundless;

Remember: do not stir up trouble, do not violate the Sect Rules, and do not become attached to the splendor of the Mortal World and let worldly dust cloud your heart's pursuit of the Dao."

Li Changshou repeatedly agreed and cupped his hands. "Thank you, Elder, for granting this!"

"It is a trivial matter. Go on, and return early."

Elder Wei waved his hand and passed Li Changshou a jade talisman for leaving the sect. He gave Li Changshou a few more instructions, telling him not to wander recklessly through crowded places in the Mortal World, lest its turbid air befuddle his Dao foundation.

The elder's concern for Li Changshou was not false;

After all, over the years, Li Changshou had given him more than a hundred spirit fish in total...

Sect disciples often used the excuse of returning home to sweep graves to wander around the Mortal World for a few years. If they were caught by a sect Steward, they would merely receive a scolding and have their monthly allowance deducted. Elder Wei had long grown accustomed to it.

Several spirit fish in exchange for this elder not recording his trip home to sweep graves in the registry naturally meant no sect Steward would go inspect the place.

To Elder Wei, it was nothing more than a young disciple wishing to go enjoy himself in the Mortal World. It was no great matter;

But to Li Changshou, this was also an extremely crucial step in his tribulation-crossing plan, one that had to be accomplished...

A small step.

After leaving Sky-Breaking Peak, he rode his cloud southward. Before long, he reached the mountain gate.

He presented his Jade Card for leaving the sect and explained that he was returning home to sweep graves. The immortal responsible for guarding the gate also reminded Li Changshou to exercise caution outside. Li Changshou thanked him twice, then rode his cloud out through the mountain gate.

The thousand li surrounding the mountain gate were, in truth, all considered Du Xian Sect territory;

Several important spirit vein mines belonging to the sect were scattered throughout the southern region.

Li Changshou flew two thousand li on his cloud before descending into a forest. He observed from a hidden corner within the woods for two days. Only after confirming that no one from the sect was secretly following him did he use Earth Evasion and flee southward.

Along the way, he used Earth Evasion when he encountered mountains and water evasion whenever he came to water;

He passed Qi Refiners battling with magic, came upon mountain demons fighting among themselves, stumbled across an uncle and sister-in-law seeking pleasure, and witnessed thousands of mortals slaughtering one another in chaotic battle.

Walking and watching, never slowing his pace;

Like a ghost no one could discover, Li Changshou passed one stretch of ten thousand li after another...

Half a month later, on a grassland in the northeastern reaches of Southern Continent, not far from Eastern Continent of Divine Grace.

Following the information provided by the sect, Li Changshou successfully found his parents' graves on a hillside;

The graves had been built with great care, clearly at considerable expense. The corner of the tombstone bore Du Xian Sect's mark, while its inscription also read, 'Erected by eldest son Changshou.'

Quite a few weeds had grown before the graves. Li Changshou took out a short knife and carefully cleared the area surrounding them.

He then knelt before the tombstone, offered the fruit, meat, and fish he had prepared on the road, burned two bundles of yellow paper, lit three sticks of incense, and kowtowed four times. A tie in his heart lessened.

Afterward, he found an inconspicuous corner not far from the graves of his parents in this life and sat down to cultivate within it, counting it as guarding the graves for the two elders.

Seven days later, Li Changshou prepared to set off once more, heading for the place he had selected to cross the tribulation.

Where was this chosen place?

It was actually in the Eastern Sea, though in the stretch of the Eastern Sea belonging to Southern Continent.

Because it lay within the boundaries of the Mortal World, Qi Refiners rarely appeared there. The turbid air of the Mortal World was mixed and chaotic, and only a few minor demons caused trouble there;

Most Human Race Destiny gathered in the Mortal World of Southern Continent. Fearing a collision with Human Race Destiny, the Dragon Palace had no troops stationed there either.

At the edge of the Mortal World, amid the boundless sea, finding a hidden, unremarkable little island would make for the best place to cross the tribulation!

Li Changshou took a Treasure Pouch marked 'Earth Character Twelve' from the bracelet in his sleeve. From within, he removed... a pile of eyebrow pencils and face powder, along with cosmetic materials he had researched and developed himself...

Then, for the first time in two lifetimes, this grown man began carefully disguising himself.

There were several basic principles to disguising one's appearance and physique. Simply using an Illusionary Technique or Illusionary Form Technique was, in Li Changshou's view, far from sufficient.

He would first alter his appearance through physical methods such as cosmetics, then apply a specially made ultra-thin, moist silk mask. After that, he would use an Illusionary Technique to turn himself into an old Daoist, then employ the Illusionary Form Technique...

Thus, if an expert glanced at him and saw through two layers of spellcraft disguise, they still would not see his true appearance.

Most Qi Refiners traveling outside used Illusionary Techniques. There was nothing strange about that.

After half a day of preparation, Li Changshou transformed into a cold-faced old Daoist and quietly fled away with Earth Evasion, heading toward the Eastern Sea in search of a place to enter seclusion and cross the tribulation.

At the same time...

At the border between the Southern Sea and Eastern Sea stood an immortal island wreathed in immortal light, shaped like a giant turtle.

Within a treasure pool in a corner of the immortal island, the Little Green Dragon that had arrived not long ago, dozens of zhang in length, was slowly surveying his surroundings with eyes just emerging from the water;

Strings of bubbles flowed from his dragon mouth as his dragon eyes narrowed slightly.

Very good.

It was once again the day when the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal gave his lecture. Those immortals cultivating nearby had all gone to listen.

*You surely never imagined that from the time this Prince was six years old, I had already memorized the waterways of the Four Seas.

From here, I shall head south toward Southern Continent, follow the coast of Southern Continent toward Eastern Continent of Divine Grace, conceal my tracks with the turbid air of the Mortal World, then land at the border of Southern Continent and Eastern Continent before sneaking toward Eastern Continent of Divine Grace.

If Du Xian Sect lacks the courage to accept me as a disciple, this Prince can still go to Central Divine Continent and seek out those Three Teachings Immortal Sects!*

The green dragon gave a cold laugh. His body slowly shrank, soon becoming just three chi long, and he swam toward a crack in the water beneath him.

Yet as he left the range of that immortal island, at its far end, in the region that looked exactly like the head of a golden turtle, a pair of enormous, somewhat terrifying turtle eyes opened a narrow slit...

PS: The next chapter will return to the normal update time, 12:05 a.m. Please vote and add it to your collection~