As the speed at which heaven and earth spiritual energy surged toward Li Qingqiu grew faster and faster, violent winds erupted. The forests of Qingxiao Mountain swayed fiercely, like green waves spreading downward along the mountainside.
Xu Ning's long hair fluttered in the wind, her robes billowing. She stood atop a tree, facing the wind, steady and unmoving, like an immortal.
Her gaze was locked onto the thunderclouds in the sky. For some reason, she actually felt an impulse to fly straight into the clouds.
"I must be crazy. Could this also be part of the tribulation?"
Xu Ning shook her head, warning herself inwardly.
If that were truly the case, then this heavenly tribulation would be far too terrifying. It could even beguile those merely watching.
Shen Yue's thoughts were far simpler than hers. He was just purely curious about how strong Li Qingqiu would be after overcoming the tribulation.
Disciples constantly went up and down the mountain, spreading news of Li Qingqiu's tribulation. Now, the entire sect was focused on this heavenly trial.
Some worried about Li Qingqiu's safety. Some were curious why he had to undergo tribulation. Others, like Shen Yue, were looking forward to what he would become afterward.
When the ninety-ninth heavenly thunderbolt struck, the tribulation abruptly ended. No more heavenly lightning fell.
The terrifying heavenly might that blanketed the mountains slowly dissipated.
When a beam of sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone between Qingxiao Mountain and Ziyang Peak, many disciples finally let out a breath of relief. The noise around the two peaks grew louder and louder.
A notification popped up before Li Qingqiu's eyes:
[Given that you have successfully overcome a heavenly tribulation for the first time, allowing your Dao lineage to gain deeper understanding of the path of cultivation and planting the concept of battling the heavens within the hearts of Dao lineage disciples, this marks a milestone in Dao lineage development. You have obtained one Divine Ability Inheritance Reward.]
A Divine Ability Inheritance Reward?
Not bad. It was stronger than an ordinary inheritance reward. Unfortunately, it was not a Fate Selection Opportunity.
Li Qingqiu thought calmly as he began stabilizing his cultivation.
After stepping into the Awakening Spirit Realm, his vital energy reserves doubled. At this moment, the fate Hundred-Refined Demon Body began to take effect. His body felt like a bottomless pit, frantically absorbing heaven and earth spiritual energy, converting it into vital energy at a speed far surpassing before his breakthrough.
The thunderclouds in the sky gradually parted, allowing more and more sunlight to pour down, letting Qingxiao Sect see daylight again.
This tribulation lasted less than half a shichen, yet it made the disciples feel as if an entire day had passed.
They were desperate to know how the Sect Master's tribulation had gone. As a result, large numbers of disciples rushed toward the mountain.
Zhang Yuchun immediately had Chai Yunshang lead people to block the disciples, forbidding them from disturbing Li Qingqiu.
Looking out, the mountain paths were packed with people, extremely crowded.
Yun Cai and her seven companions stood in the forest. From afar, they were all astonished. They knew the sect had many disciples, but only today did they realize they had seriously underestimated the number of their fellow sect members.
"I've only ever seen tribulations in myths and legends. Could it be that the Sect Master truly is an immortal?"
"Nonsense. If the Sect Master weren't an immortal, could Qingxiao Sect have developed this fast?"
"Those heavenly lightning bolts struck his body. Won't they shred his clothes? I'm really worried about him."
"I think you're just lusting after his body."
"Hey! Don't talk nonsense. You're getting more and more outrageous with your mouth."
As the seven female disciples talked, they started playfully bickering.
Yun Cai had no interest in listening to their chatter. Her heart was filled with worry, afraid that something might go wrong for Li Qingqiu.
Her right hand rested on the bamboo gourd at her waist. Her palm turned pale as she unconsciously tightened her grip, forcing three mountain bees to fly out from the bamboo gourd.
[...]
No matter how noisy it was below the mountain, Li Qingqiu remained focused on stabilizing his cultivation.
The sun set and the moon rose. Even as night fell, Qingxiao Mountain remained lively, with lights shining in every courtyard.
Li Qingqiu continued absorbing heaven and earth spiritual energy, though the commotion was no longer as intense.
After a full three days and three nights, his vital energy finally reached a full and stable state.
Awakening Spirit Realm, first layer!
At twenty-eight years old, Awakening Spirit Realm first layer. Li Qingqiu did not know how his cultivation speed would compare to those of the past, but in the present world, there was likely no one who could rival him.
He felt a trace of pride, but once he stood up, he immediately cast that pride aside.
As the Sect Master, he could not become arrogant. He had to always remain wary of the world, only then could he lead Qingxiao Sect farther.
He walked down the mountain. Lin Chuan, Nangong E, and Chu Jing immediately floated over, asking about his condition. Jin Lang also leapt onto his shoulder.
"Excellent. I've now reached an even higher realm. Once you all reach Nurturing Essence Realm ninth layer, you'll be able to look up to this major realm of mine."
Li Qingqiu chuckled softly, making the ghosts and the demon feel deeply inspired.
Chu Jing could not help but ask, "Master, when the heavenly lightning struck you, didn't it hurt?"
Li Qingqiu snorted. "How could it not hurt? It was pain that went straight into the soul. But I am the Sect Master of Qingxiao Sect. How could I scream in agony? No matter how painful it was, I could endure it."
Chu Jing looked solemn, filled with respect for Li Qingqiu.
Nangong E and Lin Chuan gazed at him with admiration, their eyes burning with awe. Even Jin Lang tilted his head, staring at him.
Li Qingqiu was exaggerating, but he did so for the sake of others. He did not want anyone else to misjudge the might of heavenly lightning because of him.
As they chatted, they walked down the mountain together.
It was just past noon when Li Qingqiu arrived at Lingxiao Courtyard. Li Dongyue was still waiting there.
Upon seeing him, Li Dongyue lifted her head in delight and immediately rushed over. She came right up to Li Qingqiu and began touching him all over.
"Junior Sister, what are you doing?" Li Qingqiu asked nervously.
Fortunately, Li Dongyue did not touch anywhere she should not. She finally let out a breath of relief, lifted her head, and looked at Li Qingqiu with a resentful expression.
"I was just worried about you, Senior Brother. Really, you are something else. You didn't even give us a heads-up before undergoing tribulation. It was way too sudden."
Warmth spread through Li Qingqiu's heart. All the other junior brothers and sisters had gone off to handle their own matters. Only Li Dongyue had stayed here waiting. How could he not be moved?
"This isn't something I can predict in advance. The feeling of breakthrough just comes when it comes," Li Qingqiu replied helplessly.
After hearing this, Li Dongyue's furrowed brows relaxed. She pulled Li Qingqiu over to the long table and made him sit down, then poured him a cup of tea.
"Senior Brother, how do you feel right now?" Li Dongyue asked curiously.
Li Qingqiu smiled and said, "Excellent. I've already surpassed the nine levels of the Nurturing Essence Realm and reached the higher Awakening Spirit Realm."
Li Dongyue's eyes widened as she exclaimed in shock, "Surpassed Nurturing Essence Realm ninth layer? Senior Brother, that's incredible!"
Her expression and her tone greatly satisfied Li Qingqiu's vanity.
Li Qingqiu encouraged her. "You'll reach that day too."
Li Dongyue's expression dimmed. "With my cultivation aptitude, I'm afraid I won't even see Nurturing Essence Realm ninth layer before I die."
Hearing this, Li Qingqiu's excitement instantly dissipated. He frowned, and the joy of his breakthrough was diluted by worries about the future.
"The Spiritual Treasury Hall has already developed well. You don't need to keep such a tight grip on everything. Delegate authority to the disciples. That way, you'll have more time to cultivate, and the disciples will be happy too. They also want to strive for greater authority," Li Qingqiu said earnestly.
Li Dongyue looked at him and asked, "What if even then, my cultivation speed is still slow?"
"Don't hold onto such pessimistic thoughts. You should think instead that you must surpass Nurturing Essence Realm ninth layer, put aside the dignity of being a hall master, and cultivate with firm resolve. And with me here, even if it means pouring in resources, I'll smash you and the junior brothers and sisters up there," Li Qingqiu said seriously. Toward the end, his tone turned domineering.
Qingxiao Sect belonged to him. He could give the disciples as much fairness as possible, but the sect's resources were ultimately decided by him. He would naturally favor his own junior brothers and sisters, and he did not fear what others might say.
Li Dongyue was stunned by his gaze. After a brief daze, she smiled radiantly.
"Alright. Then I really have to cultivate hard and accompany Senior Brother as far as I can."
Li Qingqiu raised his hand. Li Dongyue bent forward on her own, bringing her head closer so he could rub it.
The two of them began reminiscing about the past. Even though they were still young, whenever they were alone together, they always ended up talking about their childhood.
That day, news spread that the Sect Master had finished stabilizing his cultivation. Li Qingqiu did not return to his cave dwelling. Instead, he stayed in Lingxiao Courtyard, waiting. One hall master and disciple after another came to visit him. Only after seeing with their own eyes that he was truly fine did they finally feel at ease.
By evening, Li Qingqiu even left Lingxiao Courtyard and walked down the mountain, allowing more disciples to see him in person.
Some disciples asked Li Qingqiu why he had to undergo tribulation, and he answered honestly.
Others asked him how to undergo tribulation. He told them that there was no fixed method, but one thing was certain. Heavenly tribulation could not be avoided. One must face the heavenly lightning head-on. In the future, the sect would research formations and artifacts to help disciples overcome tribulation.
The plans he revealed greatly excited the disciples.
After wandering around the mountain for one hour, Li Qingqiu finally headed back up.
While walking along a stretch of mountain path, a figure suddenly emerged from the forest. He turned his head and realized it was Yun Cai.
"Why are you here?" Li Qingqiu asked in surprise.
This girl did not even carry a lamp. Was she trying to scare someone?
Yun Cai walked up to him, sized him up and down, then let out a breath of relief. She removed the bamboo gourd from her waist and said, "Sect Master, I've already preliminarily nurtured the Heart-Eating Bees. At most, after waiting another one year, they'll be able to enter combat."
Li Qingqiu could sense small creatures containing faint spiritual energy moving inside the gourd. He smiled and praised her.
"I didn't expect you to actually succeed. Impressive. Later, I'll have Wu Xingyue from the Heavenly Works Hall specially craft an artifact for you to house your Heart-Eating Bees."
Yun Cai nodded and gathered her courage, stepping forward.
Li Qingqiu frowned. What was this girl about to do?
"Sect Master, I want to become stronger. I want to shoulder more pressure for you. Heart-Eating Bees aren't enough. They're too simple for me. I want to learn truly powerful spells," Yun Cai said seriously, staring straight at Li Qingqiu.
Just that?
Li Qingqiu relaxed internally, though his expression remained stern.
"Your cultivation is too low right now. Cultivating too many spells will only hinder your growth. When you reach Nurturing Essence Realm sixth layer, I will pass on everything I've learned to you. I think highly of you. I hope you can become the strongest disciple in the sect. I have confidence in you."
"The strongest…"
Yun Cai was delighted, her heart pounding.
There were so many geniuses in the sect. Although she had confidence, she did not have absolute certainty.
But since Li Qingqiu had said so, she would strive toward that goal.
She, Yun Cai, would definitely become the strongest disciple of Qingxiao Sect and prove to the world that Li Qingqiu's judgment would never be wrong.
In the future, she would also protect him, just as Li Qingqiu had protected her.