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“Senior Sister An, you were so cool just now! It’s the first time I’ve ever seen someone break through while refining a pill. It was truly shocking!”
“Yeah, to have such a miraculous spectacle just breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, what kind of earth-shattering event would a tribulation lightning for a great power be like?”
“According to the ancient texts, wherever tribulation lightning strikes, not a blade of grass will grow, mountains will be razed, and the seas will churn. I’m afraid we wouldn’t be able to get close enough to see the wondrous sight of that tribulation lightning between heaven and earth.”
After the pill room was more or less cleaned up, those curious disciples all gathered around Sui An, chattering nonstop. Although it was a bit noisy, they were only full of longing for the Foundation Establishment stage, hoping to one day step into this realm themselves, and held no ill will.
Sui An listened patiently as well, occasionally smiling and agreeing, showing the same curiosity.
In truth, she had seen tribulation lightning before.
At that time, she had already stepped into the Golden Core realm. Just after escaping the sect, she saw rolling dark clouds gather above the sect, with thunder and lightning flashing, and a great, intimidating gale.
It was the Two-Nine Heart-Demon Tribulation1. Ordinary people only faced a One-Nine Heart-Demon Tribulation, but when it came to Tan Yun, it was actually a Two-Nine, much more powerful than the One-Nine. Although the scene at that time couldn’t compare to the heaven-and-earth-shattering might of a Tribulation Ascension cultivator, it had still destroyed the sect’s protective formation, allowing the low-cultivation disciples to witness the might of tribulation lightning. Even after she was locked in the water prison, she could occasionally hear the gate-keeping disciples discussing the sight.
Purple robes and a jade-green topknot, a long sword cleaving the lightning. The heavens feared her, a wondrous sight that shook the heart. This was what Sui An had heard from others. It showed just how powerful Tan Yun was and how firm her Dao Heart was. Even with a heart-demon, she could still cut it down.
For such a person, if they wanted to imprison Sui An in the sect, and she wanted to leave, she would either have to become a powerhouse who surpassed Tan Yun, or flee far, far away. There was no third way out.
“Senior Sister… Senior Sister, the Grand Elder is heading this way!” A female disciple rushed in from the doorway and called out.
Sui An had been planning to go back and check the proficiency changes on the system panel, and also ask what magic treasures she could use now. She hadn’t expected the Grand Elder to come at this time. She must have heard about the cauldron explosion and come to hold her accountable.
She hadn’t expected the news to travel so fast.
“It’s fine. What’s coming cannot be avoided,” Sui An said, straightening her clothes and going out to greet her.
The Grand Elder, in a white robe, landed lightly on the ground, accompanied by a gust of wind. Following behind her were the Sword Peak’s Peak Master, Ran Qingfeng, and Xufu. It was a full-blown scolding formation.
“Greetings, Grand Elder.”
“Sui An, are you alright?” Ran Qingfeng looked her up and down.
“I’m fine.”
Ran Qingfeng was considered half a mentor to Sui An. In the past, when Tan Yun taught her swordsmanship, she had been too strict, so Sui An would use it as an excuse to run to Sword Peak to learn from him. Over time, Tan Yun just let her be.
As for Xufu, he was from the Hall of Punishment to begin with, so it wasn’t strange for him to be called over as well. It was just that seeing him, Sui An still felt a little angry.
“Sui An, I heard you blew up the sect’s alchemy cauldron while refining a pill?” The Grand Elder’s tone was casual, her head tilted up in contempt. Her gaze was as ferocious as that of a fierce ghost encountered at night, leaving a chilling and unforgettable impression.
“Grand Elder, Senior Sister didn’t do it on purpose. It was a breakthrough…” one of the female disciples said, her body trembling as she forced herself to explain.
She shot a sideways glance. “Was I asking you?”
The atmosphere, already tense, now froze solid, so oppressive it made one’s heart feel uncomfortable. The female disciple lowered her head even further, wishing she could bury it in the ground.
Ran Qingfeng smiled and took a step forward to stand beside her. “Grand Elder, this was just an accident. I will pay for it and have another one compensated.”
She snorted coldly. “Last time, she caused a ruckus in the Beast Garden and even let a few cranes escape. I already let it slide. But how long has it been, and now the sect’s alchemy cauldron has been destroyed by her. Next time, are you all going to wait until she blows up the entire sect before you dare to reprimand her?”
“This…” Ran Qingfeng saw that she was determined to punish Sui An. If he forcefully protected her, it would be a slap to her face. “Then how does the Grand Elder wish to handle Sui An?”
“All who enter my sect have climbed to the peak step by step through their own efforts, guarding their Dao Heart and consolidating their strength. She naturally cannot be an exception.”
Ran Qingfeng frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Since she has already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, let her participate in the Outer Sect Trial with the outer disciples. If she passes the trial, I will not pursue this matter. If she cannot, then she will remain in the outer sect until she passes the assessment; only then can she enter the inner sect.”
Xufu hesitated at this point. “…This, Grand Elder, the Outer Sect Trial is in three years, but the Inner Sect Grand Competition is in just over two months. In that case, wouldn’t Junior Sister An be unable to participate?”
“I am not an unreasonable person. Then let’s move the Outer Sect Trial forward. The trial grounds will open in three days,” the Grand Elder said, looking directly at Ran Qingfeng. “What do you think?”
In her past life, there was no such thing as being demoted to the Outer Sect Trial for blowing up a cauldron. She had never been through a trial either. She only knew that this Outer Sect Trial ground was not within the sect, but was reached via a teleportation formation to a forest that the sect had scouted and prepared in advance, to hunt demonic beasts.
Demonic beasts were considered wild animals that had not yet gained intelligence. It was the default that cultivators could hunt them based on their strength and take their crystal cores. If a demonic beast gained intelligence, it would either be tamed by a cultivator to become a spirit beast, or it would become a member of the demon race, hence why they were called demonic beasts.
And spirit beasts, in a sense, were also demons. Therefore, the relationship between cultivators and the demon race was precarious and could erupt into an earth-shattering war at any time.
“That’s good, very good, but…” Ran Qingfeng forced a smile. “Three days… isn’t that a bit too rushed?”
The Grand Elder was unconcerned. “The preparations for the Outer Sect Trial began a long time ago. Three days is enough.”
Sui An blinked. This Outer Sect Trial sounded quite good. It was exactly what she needed. It was just that with only three days, she might not be able to prepare sufficiently. But being able to leave the sect was better than anything.
Perhaps, I can slip away quietly before Tan Yun returns, Sui An thought to herself, a smile appearing on her face.
Seeing this, the Grand Elder sneered. “You see, even she herself thinks it’s a good idea, smiling so happily.”
“…” Sui An.
Ran Qingfeng’s eyes darkened. “Grand Elder, this matter is truly not a small one. It’s better to wait for the Sect Master to return and discuss it. After all, Sui An is the Sect Master’s disciple.”
If we wait for Tan Yun to come back, there’s no way I’ll be able to go.
“No need. The Grand Elder is right. Everyone else has to go through the Outer Sect Trial to enter the inner sect. How can I be an exception? I should set an example.” Sui An bowed respectfully to the Grand Elder. “Thank you, Grand Elder, for the lenient punishment. Sui An will pass the trial through my own efforts.”
Xufu frowned, opening his mouth several times but saying nothing, finally letting out a sigh.
“You only have three days. In three days, you will assemble with the trial disciples at the outer sect.”
Sui An’s flattery pleased the Grand Elder. Her expression softened considerably, and only then did she lightly leap into the air and leave.
Ran Qingfeng shook his head and turned to leave as well.
Xufu’s expression was complicated. “The Grand Elder shouldn’t be meddling in affairs to begin with. You agreed to this, and now the Outer Sect Trial is moved up. But have you thought about the Sect Master? How will the disciples of the sect view this matter?”
The implication was that Sui An had caused Tan Yun to lose prestige. It seemed the Grand Elder was still coveting the position of Sect Master. That position was indeed tempting; it was truly satisfying to look down upon ten thousand people bowing in worship. But she knew that Tan Yun had always been indifferent to it. If she were truly usurped one day, that would be the Grand Elder’s ability.
The strong are revered. This was a phrase Tan Yun had always taught her. After being locked in the water prison, that sense of despair, of calling to the heavens and the earth for help to no avail, was enough to carve those four words into her bones.
Sui An smiled it off. “With Shizun sent away, the Grand Elder would have found some fault of mine to scold me for anyway. Besides, since I can leave the sect openly, why shouldn’t I agree?”
“Are you angry with me?” Xufu gave a bitter smile, his handsome face filled with helplessness.
“Why would you say that, Senior Brother?” Sui An smiled. “Or are you admitting that you were spying on me?”
Xufu didn’t answer. Instead, he took out a small vest. “A Human-rank, high-grade vine armor. Even if you’re angry, Junior Sister, you must not joke with your own life. Wear this when you go to the trial!”
Sui An’s hands tightened. She took the armor. Xufu was still the same towards her as always. Whenever something happened, he would always be the first to come to her side, giving her what she needed most.
Xufu smiled and left, treading on the air.
The other disciples breathed a sigh of relief and gathered around Sui An.
“Senior Sister, why did you agree? Many disciples have died in the Outer Sect Trial in previous years. It’s too dangerous.”
“Yeah, and you only have three days to prepare, Senior Sister. That’s not enough at all. It’s different for those trial disciples; they’ve been preparing for years.”
Sui An smiled, her words free and easy. “A cultivator should be fearless. If you’re afraid, it will be difficult for your cultivation to advance.”
This was a principle that many understood. She had understood it before, too. But understanding didn’t mean not being afraid. Having died once, she had, on the contrary, become much more open-minded. It was just that the person who had poisoned her… she would definitely find them and let them taste the same gut-wrenching pain.
“Aiya, alright, alright. What’s done is done. Senior Sister should hurry back and prepare!”
“Right, right. Everyone, disperse.”
With only three days, Sui An didn’t have much time to prepare either. The spirit talismans and pills she had on her, plus the memories of the techniques she had cultivated in her past life as a Golden Core cultivator, should be enough to handle the Outer Sect Trial.
Sui An returned to the wooden house and sat cross-legged on the bed, feeling the vast spiritual power that came with the Foundation Establishment stage. At this moment, the spiritual liquid in her dantian was like a great sea, more than just a little bit stronger than the puddle it was in her previous life.
The only pity was that the impurities on her Fire spiritual root were still just as numerous, with black spots clinging to it.
Sui An opened her eyes. “System, list out your magic treasures for me to see.”
[Listing items…]
There were a few magic treasures, arranged from worst to best. There were only four: a Mystic-rank, low-grade small alchemy cauldron; an Earth-grade thunder spirit talisman and a few Earth-grade Berserk Pills; and a Heaven-grade chain.
“System, you only have four magic treasures left?”
[The System reversed heaven and earth2, converting those magic treasures into energy. In the end, only four were left. But it was far from enough, which is why the System is damaged and needs the Host to accumulate karmic luck to repair it.]
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Glossary
- Ran Qingfeng (冉清风, Rǎn Qīngfēng): The Peak Master of Sword Peak and a semi-mentor to Sui An.
- Hall of Punishment (刑法堂, xíngfǎ táng): The disciplinary hall of the sect, responsible for enforcing rules and meting out punishment.
- Vine Armor (藤甲衣, téngjiǎ yī): A type of light armor made from magical vines.
- Berserk Pill (狂暴丹, kuángbào dān): A pill that likely induces a temporary state of frenzied power at a cost.
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Reika’s Notes:
- I’m looking forward to the fighting demons scenes!
- This text was translated by RudeGirl and given to BC Novels for publication.
- I helped with the footnotes, formatting, grammar, etc., the usual stuff that is needed to post this on the website.
- Please let me know if there are any errors. Thanks for reading!
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- Two-Nine Heart-Demon Tribulation (二九心魔劫, èrjiǔ xīnmó jié): In some cultivation lore, tribulations come in sets based on numbers significant in Daoism, like nine. A “Two-Nine” tribulation would imply two sets of nine tribulations, making it twice as long and exponentially more powerful than a standard “One-Nine” tribulation. This highlights Tan Yun’s immense power and the heavens’ recognition of her talent.
- 扭转乾坤 – a Chinese idiom (chengyu) that literally means “to turn heaven and earth around.” It is used to describe a monumental, world-changing act that completely reverses a dire situation.