Encountering Tribulations

Whether it's the Xue Household of Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain or the Wang, Lin, Jiang, and Yao families, they all exude a strong sense of ancient order and solemnity.

Even if Hua Chunning couldn't understand it, she could still sense its profound mystery and hidden meaning.

The scene before me was utterly strange.

Thatched huts are scattered across the mountainside, and you can see people cooking over fires in the distance.

There are many sacred fields at the foot of the mountain.

Most of the land has already been harvested, leaving only empty spaces.

The remaining land can be seen being harvested by people holding sickles.

The scene was completely different from before; there was little Manifestation the immortals, and it resembled more of an ordinary village.

The welcoming steward looked slightly embarrassed, hesitated for a moment, and then explained in a low voice, "This is a new policy implemented by the elders of the clan. Ancient Method are difficult to practice. In the past, many immortal clans whose lineages were severed would fall into the mortal world, or even suffer revenge from their enemies. There are many unspeakable things that happened."

"After discussion, the elders of the mountain clan designated this sacred mountain as a place for the descendants of the immortals to reside, and named it Gathering Worthies Mountain)."

"Not only is Gathering Worthies Mountain safe and secure, but one can also rent spirit fields to cultivate, earn Spirit Stone, and exchange them for cultivation resources or even Cultivation Method. At the very least, it can preserve some hope for future generations to return to the path of immortality."

Hua Chunning listened and nodded slowly, praising, "Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain's righteousness is truly admirable; he is indeed the leader of the righteous path in the Southern Edge Continent!"

But he knew in his heart that all these arrangements were clearly imitating Azure Cloud Market.

Judging by actions rather than intentions, even if the Xue Household's actions were somewhat forced upon them, they were still a genuine act of kindness for the descendants of the Old Method who had lost their way.

Hua Chunning looked at the tiny figure in the distance, her feelings complicated, feeling even more moved than when she met the Xue Household patriarch.

If I hadn't been able to join Supreme Mystery Mountain, I probably would have come here or gone to Azure Cloud Market to struggle for survival and look for opportunities.

"Greetings, Deacon Xue." A middle-aged steward with a limp, having received the message, immediately came to pay his respects to Steward Xue Household. After sizing up Hua Chunning, who possessed an extraordinary air and a blush on her forehead, he hesitated and asked, "This is... the newly arrived Spirit Farmer?"

"You're blind as a bat!" The welcoming steward immediately flew into a rage, shouting angrily. If it weren't for Hua Chunning's presence, he probably would have whipped the man. "This is a cultivator from Supreme Mystery Mountain, a distinguished guest from Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain!"

The lame steward was terrified and knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly.

"Ignorance is no excuse." Hua Chunning couldn't bear to see this, so she spoke up to comfort him, "Deacon Xue, it's getting late. Let's go back to the inn first, lest Senior Xue Yang can't find you and cause us to miss our business."

The welcoming steward glared fiercely at the lame manager, then turned around and led Hua Chunning away with a smile.

Hua Chunning returned to the inn and began to ponder deeply.

Witnessing firsthand the spiritual beauty and wondrous layout of Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain can only broaden one's horizons; it's certainly not beneficial for spiritual practice at the moment.

On the contrary, it was the descendants of the immortals who had become tenant farmers of the immortals that deeply moved Hua Chunning.

The Hua Household of Rejuvenation Valley is a prime example of a family whose Daoist tradition has been severed and which has fallen into the mundane world!

If it weren't for my grandfather's unwavering efforts to send me to Supreme Mystery Mountain, I would probably be just a newly arrived spiritual farmer and tenant farmer, not a Supreme Mystery cultivator or a distinguished guest of Qixia Mountain, as that lame steward predicted.

Would I still be as aloof and arrogant then as I am now?

Hua Chunning seemed to see herself on another timeline, struggling at the bottom and unable to find a way to enter the Dao.

Looking at the current situation, he is a disciple of Supreme Mystery Mountain, chatting and laughing with the deacons of the Immortal Alliance, and is a distinguished guest who can meet the Xue Household patriarch, a [Foundation Establishment] level expert.

They even encountered a fortuitous opportunity stroke of luck, receiving spiritual guidance and blessings.

Next, we will enter the [Wu Earth Secret Realm] to Qi Gathering and enter the Dao.

Hua Chunning naturally couldn't help but feel a bit arrogant and conceited, almost forgetting that she was just a Registered Disciple of Supreme Mystery Mountain who had not yet Qi Ingestion the Dao.

Thinking back on all the fortuitous opportunity that have come my way recently, whether they were planned by my teachers or just happened to be there, none of them were obtained by my own efforts.

Even if he successfully enters the Qi Ingestion this time, he will only be a minor Lesser Qi cultivator with an uncertain future, having refined his "small Qi Refining."

In terms of future prospects, compared to the senior brother, it's like a firefly trying to compete with the bright moon—it's a disgrace to oneself.

Even Jiang Xiaoyu, who only knows how to have fun, can't compare to her.

So, Hua Chunning, what exactly are you so proud of?!

Hua Chunning examined her conscience and her face turned pale instantly, as if she had been struck by a heavy blow.

Although she has not yet entered the Dao, Hua Chunning's Manifestation is already complete, and she has already stepped into cultivation. Touched by this, she questions her true nature, but unintentionally falls into danger.

The Old Method is an introspective method, emphasizing understanding one's own mind and nature.

Questioning one's own conscience is a major taboo in cultivation, as it involves a cultivator doubting their own path.

These kinds of taboos were traditionally called "Heart Demon Tribulation."

If we cannot overcome this challenge, our Manifestation will be severely damaged, and our status will plummet.

Hua Chunning has not yet entered the Dao, and her realm has fallen to its lowest point; however, damage to her Manifestation is inevitable.

Fortunately, having survived the Mortal World Tribulation, Hua Chunning quickly calmed down, silently reciting Daoist scriptures. After a long while, she let out a long breath and murmured to herself, "Humble yet not self-deprecating, noble yet not arrogant. Without loss or gain, I purify my heart."

Three days later.

"Come out!"

There was a loud banging on the door.

You could faintly hear the hostess's desperate pleas.

Hua Chunning got up and opened the door.

Outside the door stood a young man with an angry expression; judging from his attire, he was likely a Xue Household.

The hostess stood to the side, his face filled with terror, but he dared not stop them.

Hua Chunning glanced at it and asked, "What is it?!"

"You're that disciple of Supreme Mystery Mountain?!" The Xue Household sized Hua Chunning up and down. Seeing that she was a pale, sickly beauty, he suppressed his anger and frowned, saying, "I am Xue Changfeng from Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain."

"So it's Fellow Daoist Xue." Hua Chunning nodded in greeting, "May I ask what brings you here?"

Xue Changfeng, however, remembered the important matter and questioned, "You are a disciple of Supreme Mystery Mountain, why did you come to Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain to Qi Gathering?! Qi Gathering is one thing, but why did you have to enter the [Wu Earth Secret Realm]?!"

"Do you know how many Spirit Stone and rare materials are needed to open the secret realm and manipulate the heavens?!"

I see.

Hua Chunning suddenly realized what was happening and couldn't help but laugh.

My own life has been full of twists and turns; I've not only encountered the Mortal World Tribulation and the Heart Demon Tribulation, but now I'm even facing the Dao Obstruction Tribulation.

Those who don't know the truth might think they're cultivating some earth-shattering Daoist tradition.

"I came here to Qi Gathering on the orders of the sect leader," Hua Chunning solemnly, his expression unchanged. "As for the matters concerning the secret realm you mentioned, that is a decision made by Senior Xue."

"If you are dissatisfied, you should go and find Senior Xue."

"You've clearly come to the wrong person."

"You..." Xue Changfeng couldn't even climb Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain, let alone meet the patriarch. Seeing the glowing mark on Hua Chunning's forehead, he was even more furious. "If you had only come here to Qi Gathering, no one would have stopped you. I, Xue Changfeng, am not Lesser Qi person."

"But you've stolen too many fortuitous opportunity that rightfully belonged to the Xue Household disciples; that's really gone too far!"

"Do you know that opening the secret realm requires manipulating the timing of events, which is extremely costly. Not only will it cause many people to lack resources and delay their cultivation, but it may even cause many Xue Household members to encounter setbacks or even have their Dao Path cut off!"

"If you still remember that you are a disciple of Supreme Mystery Mountain, and have any sense of shame and dignity, then you should ask to leave the mountain as soon as possible!"

"Otherwise... humph!"

Hua Chunning was taken aback after hearing this, and stood there silently pondering.

The angry young man from the Xue Household before me, though speaking vehemently, may not be a bad person, and what he says is very likely the truth.

This person has come to me, perhaps only to seek justice for a close relative.

If it were the arrogant and self-important Hua Chunning from three days ago, she might have truly felt ashamed and asked to leave the mountain.

But Hua Chunning wouldn't do that now.

Although he was not a sword cultivator who fought for every tribulation, he still had a firm heart for seeking the Dao.

If you have to sacrifice your own Dao Path to make way for others, then what's the point of cultivating the Tao?!

Hua Chunning remained calm, his tone soft but firm. "I will not descend the mountain, nor will I relinquish this fortuitous opportunity. Fellow Daoist, please return."

"You..." Xue Changfeng was furious, his hand trembling as he pointed at Hua Chunning.

"Enough!" Xue Yang's face was extremely ugly. With a flick of his sleeve, he swept Xue Changfeng and the steward away, and sighed, "Let's go, follow me up the mountain to enter the secret realm."