Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 276: Chapter 184: Heavenly Tribulation_1

Cultivation is already difficult, let alone crossing the Heavenly Tribulation.

Due to the extreme danger of Heavenly Tribulation, how to transcend it has become a required course for high-level cultivators, and even a lifelong challenge for some.

Various methods for crossing the tribulation have emerged as a result.

Some rely on external objects, others on spells.

Some rely on strength, others on luck.

In short, it’s like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each employing their divine skills.

Xu Yang is a Daoist Celestial Master, mastering the Duotian Thunderbolt Technique and the Disaster-relief and Tribulation-evasion Skill, reinforced by many skill traits, protected by the Ancestor Master’s Altar, the Luotian Dajiao, and equipped with Heavenly Crafts Natural Creation and Spirit-Treasure Mech Armor among many other measures.

Not to mention passing through the thunder tribulation, even cheating fate by outright avoiding it is not out of the question.

But he does not plan to do so.

This tribulation, he intends not only to cross it but to do so with great fanfare and drama!

In this way, he could reap the benefits while achieving his goal.

It could be called the best of both worlds, killing two birds with one stone.

How to create such a grandiose spectacle?

One could see Xu Yang sitting atop the high altar, motionless in form, his spiritual light flashed, and he transformed from his true self into the guise of “Thunder Lightning Mana King” Shi Jian.

Immediately after, with a thought, he activated the formations, closing all the major arrays on Fish and Dragon Island, leaving only the Mirage Dragon Illusion outside, swallowing clouds and puffing mist.

The noise of Heaven and Earth Tribulation Thunder is too significant to conceal.

If he were to transcend the tribulation on Fish and Dragon Island, it would not be long before the news of a Nascent Soul cultivator crossing the tribulation on the island would spread far and wide, becoming common knowledge.

This is not what he wants. As the base of his true body, the most crucial aspect of Fish and Dragon Island is its concealment.

The best way to hide is in plain sight!

Even though Green Jade Mountain has already unified Liang Country, Xu Yang has not given up the identity of “Li Liuxian.”

If that is the case, why bother setting up the Luotian Dajiao on Fish and Dragon Island?

The reason is…

“Roaaar!!!”

In the midst of the dreamy and hazy sea of clouds and mist, a roar rang out, like the chant of a dragon, the croak of a frog, and the cry of a bird, indistinct and intangible, with extraordinary rhythms, instantly rippling through the void.

The Clam Spirit Illusion Array, a mirage!

The disturbance of the Heavenly Tribulation cannot be hidden, but the Mirage Dragon’s wonderful skill can transfer its noise and light elsewhere, creating a mirage.

With this method, coupled with the effect of the “Escaping One,” Xu Yang can cross the tribulation on Fish and Dragon Island, and practically no one would be able to see through the ruse.

If someone could still spot the flaws in such a case, then whether he hides or not makes no difference.

There is no need to worry, worrying is useless.

All formation arrays have been removed, leaving only the Mirage Qi.

In fact, formation arrays can also help in crossing the tribulation.

After all, they are all external objects, and there is no reason why talismans, elixirs, magical artifacts, and treasures can be used, but formation arrays cannot.

However, formations rely on their grandeur, connecting heaven and earth. Relying on formation arrays to cross the tribulation will greatly enhance the power of the Heavenly Tribulation, doing more harm than good.

The Ten-Directional Great Array on Fish and Dragon Island was personally arranged by Xu Yang, consuming a massive amount of spirit stones and materials. Naturally, it would not be used to block the tribulation thunder.

With all formations removed, on Fish and Dragon Island, only the Nine Ceremony High Altar stands tall.

Atop the high altar, Xu Yang rose to conduct the ritual sacrifices.

Although the world of cultivation knows no Immortal Gods, adherence to the traditions of the Mana Point merits a measure of reverence.

Besides, a complete ritual ceremony can enhance the effects of Daoist spells and is not a meaningless display.

On the Nine Ritual Altars, the Taoist Man stepped through the constellations and performed sacrifices to the heavens and the spirits.

Once the rites were done and the ceremony complete, the blue smoke curled into nothingness, and spiritual light burst forth towards the vault of the sky.

Within and without the island, over the supply tables and incense tables stretched for ten miles, spirit stones turned to ash, mana money to cinder, spirit rice and spirit flesh, spiritual wine and spirit fruits, also cracked open as if melting wax.

Only the spirit light soared to the heavens, as though offering sacrificial worship to the azure sky.

The Dao of Heaven and Earth, that is the Immortal Gods.

Yuan Spirit as incense, worshiping the vast sky, connecting continuously with the Three Thousand Great Dao, brought down the mighty power of the deities.

The Luotian Dajiao, thus was accomplished.

The Nine Ceremony High Altar, stood blessed and augmented.

Xu Yang’s gaze sharpened as he accepted the protective blessing, beginning his breakthrough.

This time, only two systems could enter the Seventh Realm.

One was the Cultivation Yuan Spirit, breaking the golden core to birth the nascent soul.

The other was the Daoist Yang God, the Heavenly Master Being Position.

How to arrange this?

Xu Yang had long decided.

First, to achieve the Cultivation Yuan Spirit’s nascent soul, and then to assume the position of the Daoist Celestial Master!

In a cultivator’s method, the Yuan Spirit is the foundation.

One must possess a Spiritual Root Qualifications to absorb the Heavenly Earth Prime Spirit, transforming it into mana within the body, only then can one embark on a succession of cultivation.

Xu Yang had no spiritual root, but relying on various skills, especially the traits of the “teacher” and “martial training” skills, he too could absorb the Heavenly Earth Prime Spirit, equivalent to an alternative “Mentor Spiritual Root” and “Martial Spirit Root.”

Therefore, he could also cultivate Cultivation Skills, and could congeal a Yuan Spirit Golden Core within his body.

Now was the time for the Yuan Spirit Golden Core to shatter into a nascent soul.

The Luotian Dajiao, with its mighty empowering strength.

The Yuan Spirit Golden Core, undertaking self-breakthrough.

Without any halt, without any hindrance.

With a single thought from Xu Yang, the golden core shattered immediately.

“Bang!”

The golden core exploded into particles of light and shadow, which then in an instant coalesced and solidified, revealing a miniature version of Xu Yang—an infant in form, slightly tender in appearance, but standing in the Sea of Qi in the Dantian with an imposing stance that touched the sky.

This indeed was the Cultivation nascent soul, the future Purple Mansion Primordial Spirit!

The body of the nascent soul shone with bright golden light, subtly revealing the mechanics of Pure Yang Creation.

The golden core shattered into the nascent soul as smoothly as flowing clouds and water, naturally and effortlessly.

The absence of even the slightest complications displayed the profound potentiality of the cultivator.

The accomplishment of the Cultivation Yuan Spirit was complete.

Next would be the position of the Daoist Celestial Master.

Within the Sea of Qi, the newly born nascent soul leaped up and, astonishingly, split into two, leaving the body and exiting the orifice.

The nascent soul being the Primordial Spirit, at the moment the golden core shattered into the nascent soul, Xu Yang’s Yang God had already merged with it.

Now, to become a Daoist Celestial Master, a portion of the nascent soul’s Yang God was separated out and merged with the universe, to be refined by the force of the Dao.

The Heavenly Master, what is a Heavenly Master?

He who comprehends the Dao can be called the Heavenly Master!

In the World of Dao and Law, to achieve the status of a Celestial Master, there is only one method, and that is under the protective blessing of the Luotian Dajiao, to merge the Yang God with the Dao of Heaven and Earth, to maximally sense and comprehend the force of Heaven and Earth.

After such an experience, undergoing transformation and renewal, one may step into the Seventh Realm and achieve the Daoist Celestial Master.

This method is extremely dangerous; without the protective power of the Luotian Dajiao, one would be 100% assimilated by the Dao of Heaven and Earth, lost within it, unable to extricate oneself.

Luckily, Xu Yang had everything he needed, without the slightest need to worry.

In this way, after an unknown duration…

Finally, a beam of golden light burst through the Broken Void, entering the Heavenly Spirit of Xu Yang’s nascent soul.

The golden light submerged, and the Nascent Soul sat cross-legged, sinking back into Xu Yang’s dantian, where a mysterious and indescribable aura lingered around the tiny figure.

It was the Taoist Rhyme!

The Heavenly Master Being Position, the Seventh Realm had been achieved.

With this cultivation, casting Taoist spells now would certainly double in might.

Cultivating the Prime Spirit, practicing the Yang God of Taoism.

Both major systems had successfully advanced.

This breakthrough was now complete.

Next, it would be…

“Boom!”

As soon as the cultivator broke through, heaven and earth responded.

Lightning struck out of a clear sky, thunder roared ominously.

Misfortune clouds surged like tides, filling the sky in an instant, gathering above Fish and Dragon Island.

Seeing this, Xu Yang remained unconcerned, still seated on the altar, simply stimulating his divine thoughts.

“Roar!!!”

The Mirage Qi turned into dragons, the sound and shadow shifted, creating the illusion of a mirage city elsewhere.

Elsewhere?

Where exactly?

Of course, it was…

Within the Tianshu Sect’s Great Array.

“Hm!?”

“Someone is crossing the Tribulation!”

“The Nascent Soul Tribulation!”

Sensing a change within the Formation, Yunji was startled, and both Jing Yue and the Old Demon beside him were equally shocked.

“Is it him?”

“Who else could it be!”

Both were uncertain and doubtful, while Yunji’s expression grew grave.

The ten-year period was approaching; very soon the Tianshu Great Array would be able to penetrate the Void Spirit Cave Heaven and summon reinforcements from the main sect.

This was a good thing.

However, fortune and misfortune come hand in hand; the very thing they least wanted to see also happened.

That person——had made a breakthrough!

The Three Sects had the duty to monitor, and within the Tianshu Formation, there was a special array solely for detecting reactions of Heavenly Tribulations within the Void Spirit Realm.

Now with the Heavenly Tribulation manifesting, especially the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation, it was undoubtedly him who had broken through.

Although there had been no issues between the two during these ten years, with Tianshu Sect defending without exit and Green Jade Mountain not seeking trouble, Yunji knew this peace was just an illusion.

If there was a chance to put the other side to death, neither would let it pass.

Now that this person had broken through the Nascent Soul stage, would the situation be overturned?

Yunji did not know, Jing Yue fell silent.

Only the Old Demon next to them tentatively said, “The Heavenly Tribulation is perilous; he might not make it through…”

Before his words could finish, they were interrupted by a look from Yunji and Jing Yue that was hard to describe.

“The Heavenly Tribulation is no obstacle for him,” Yunji said, shaking his head.

He raised his right hand to his forehead, sliding out a metallic eye pupil—The Heavenly Mechanism Jewel Pupil.

Over ten years, he had racked his brains and barely managed to repair this Heavenly Mechanism treasure somewhat.

“Elder brother!”

Seeing Yunji summon the jewel pupil, Jing Yue was alarmed, fearing he was losing his reason.

“Rest assured,” Yunji shook his head, calmly saying, “I won’t peek into his foundation, only watch the scene of his Tribulation crossing and guess that he won’t have the spare effort to pay attention to us now.”

With that said, the jewel pupil was activated, the Sprit Light shone forth, and revealed a realm.

It was…

Green Jade Mountain!

“Boom!”

Above Green Jade Mountain, thunder sounded, announcing the Daoist True Man’s crossing of the Tribulation.

“This…”

“What’s going on?”

“Why would thunder strike all of a sudden?”

“With such commotion, could it be that the Spell King is practicing his spells?”

Inside and outside the mountain, numerous cultivators, watching the oppressive misfortune clouds that filled the sky, felt at a loss.

What was happening?

“This is… holy shit!”

“That old ghost is crossing the Tribulation!”

In the fields of Green Jade, Xiao Miao, who had only just left the fields, looked up at the sky filled with misfortune clouds. Just as he wanted to ask, Elder Zhen shouted in his mind: “It’s the Nascent Soul Tribulation; that old ghost actually has a Golden Core, this is outrageous!”

“Nascent Soul Tribulation, huh?”

Compared to ten years ago, the now mature and even somewhat world-weary Xiao Miao, looking at the Thunder Clouds gathering in the sky, asked, “Can he make it through?”

“Isn’t that an idiotic question? The Nascent Soul Tribulation, and not the Mahayana or Ascension Tribulations. If he can’t get through with his prowess, then what’s the point of anyone else cultivating?” Elder Zhen responded irritably, “Watch and learn well; it’ll be useful when you face your own Tribulation one day.”

“Hmm!”

Xiao Miao nodded, staring intently.

On the other side, everyone else had also recovered from the initial shock.

“It’s the Thunder Tribulation!”

“The Nascent Soul Thunder Tribulation”

“The Spell King has finally reached the Nascent Soul stage!”

“Quick, send this news back!”

The cultivators were astounded, and immediately acted upon it.

In the towns of Great Liang, there had always been rumors that although King Shifa of Green Jade Mountain was unmatched in the Thunder Series, his cultivation was still in the Golden Core stage and hadn’t broken into the Nascent Soul, which was why he had been unable to act against the defensively postured Tianshu Sect.

Now the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation appearing over Green Jade Mountain undoubtedly confirmed this rumor.

The Spell King crossing the Tribulation held no suspense; nobody was really concerned.

The key point was whether, after crossing the Tribulation, Green Jade Mountain would take any action against Tianshu Sect, launching a final offensive.

This concerned the future of the Liang Country Cultivation Realm and the fate of billions of mortals and millions of cultivators.

Various forces were thus stirred into action.

The Heaven and Earth Tribulation Thunder was reaching its critical moment.

“Boom!”

The misfortune clouds collided, a peal of thunder rang out, unleashing terrifying lightning, tearing apart the dark sky and striking directly towards Green Jade Mountain.

At the same time, within Green Jade Mountain, a figure stepped into the void and boldly walked into the Tribulation clouds.