Crossing the Sage's Tribulation

When the news spread, it took only a moment for several formidable auras to shoot up into the sky from various peaks, falling onto the main peak's plaza like meteors.

The arrivals were none other than Shi Wanshan, Li Muran, Ye Guying, and a few other peak masters.

These peak masters, usually so dignified and steady, now all had flushed faces. The spiritual energy around them leaked out uncontrollably, forming faint energy vortexes, their robes fluttering loudly without any wind.

Especially Shi Wanshan, who primarily cultivated the body and had the most impatient personality. His muscles were tense, his vitality like a dragon; standing there, he looked like a volcano that could erupt at any moment.

He grinned and repeatedly cupped his hands at Gu Changge, "Junior Brother Gu, no, handsome, tall, and dashing Peak Master Gu! You're finally here! If Old Shi holds it in any longer, my body will probably explode on its own!"

Beside him, Li Muran also took a deep breath and smiled bitterly, "The opportunity bestowed by Junior Brother Gu is too profound. This cultivation growth is like water flowing naturally; it is truly hard to suppress. We trouble you, Junior Brother."

Although the other peak masters didn't say much, their eyes, shining with bright light, were also full of anticipation. Clearly, they had also reached their limit.

Looking at their "arrow on the string, ready to fire" appearance, Gu Changge couldn't help but smile, "Senior Brothers, your foundations are solid, and overflowing when full is a good thing. Since that's the case, let's head over now."

After saying that, he waved his sleeve, and an invisible force swept up Xuanyangzi and the several peak masters. In the next moment, the group had passed through spatial ripples and entered the Azure Cloud Secret Realm.

The Azure Cloud Secret Realm today was a world away from when it was first placed.

Nourished by the Emperor-level spiritual vein, the space of the secret realm was incredibly stable. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth was so thick it turned into a substantial spiritual mist, flowing slowly among the mountains and rivers.

In the distance, the various ancient medicines and spiritual plants Gu Changge had originally transplanted in were full of vitality, emitting a strong medicinal fragrance.

What was even more eye-catching was that clear cultivation areas had been marked out within the secret realm.

A hundred carefully selected inner sect elite disciples were sitting cross-legged in specific spirit-gathering array nodes. Each of them held their breath and concentrated, inhaling and exhaling massive amounts of spiritual energy, their cultivation progressing a thousand miles a day.

Sensing the spatial fluctuations and the majestic auras of the peak masters that could not be completely concealed, they cast gazes of awe and curiosity.

And in the deeper core area of the secret realm, five obscure auras that seemed to merge with heaven and earth faintly appeared.

Those were the five ancestors of the Azure Profound Sect. With the help of the hundredfold spiritual energy here and the resources provided by Gu Changge, they had already reached the late stage of the Saint Realm, steadily advancing toward higher cultivation levels.

At this moment, they seemed to be disturbed as well, a faint divine sense sweeping past.

Looking at this place of hope for the sect's future, Xuanyangzi felt a surge of heroic spirit in his heart.

Shi Wanshan and the others took deep breaths of the incredibly pure spiritual energy in the secret realm, feeling comfortable all over. The realm barriers that they could hardly suppress loosened a bit more, and the urgency on their faces grew stronger.

Gu Changge looked around, quite satisfied with the current state of the secret realm. He then said to the peak masters:

"This place is supported by the rules of the secret realm, and the space is stable. If you undergo your tribulations here, although the power of the heavenly tribulation lightning will not decrease, the aftermath will not easily leak out, which will better protect the secret realm. Senior Brothers, you may choose a location yourselves and prepare to trigger the heavenly tribulation."

As soon as Gu Changge's words fell, Shi Wanshan, Li Muran, Ye Guying, and the other peak masters could no longer hold back. Like arrows released from the bowstring, they turned into several streaks of light, shooting towards a few spacious mountain peaks or plains in the secret realm that they had long set their eyes on.

As soon as they landed, they held nothing back, completely releasing the cultivation they had suppressed for a long time!

"Boom—!!!"

Several majestic and vast auras, like giant dragons that had slept for ten thousand years suddenly awakening, shot into the sky!

On the mountain peak where Shi Wanshan was, earth-yellow spiritual power was as thick as a mountain, drawing upon the earth vein energy. The muscles all over his body knotted together, his vitality soaring into the clouds like smoke, emitting a muffled, thunderous roar.

He let out a low growl, and an ancient, heavy battle armor covered in mountain patterns instantly enveloped his whole body. It was impressively his trump card, the "Immovable Mountain King Armor." His fists were equipped with a pair of gauntlets glowing with a dark light, his aura as steady as the earth.

Li Muran stood quietly by the lake, surrounded by a misty water vapor. Azure blue spiritual power surged like the tide, drawing upon the power of water from all directions.

He formed hand seals, and a blue orb swirling with water waves floated above his head, hanging down streams of water-curtain radiance. The jade pendant at his waist also lit up with a soft light, forming a dual protection. His whole person seemed to merge with the lake beneath his feet.

Ye Guying landed on the edge of an ancient forest, his figure elusive. His green spiritual power carried vibrant vitality and sharp sword intent.

The longsword on his back unsheathed itself by half an inch, emitting a clear sword hum. Countless dense sword shadows formed a defensive sword circle around him, and a breath-concealing sword array was quietly set up under his feet, both to prevent external disturbances and gather spiritual energy.

The other peak masters also displayed their divine abilities. Some summoned treasured banners wreathed in roaring flames, some called out golden, shining great seals, and some moved as fast as the wind, leaving behind streaks of afterimages...

For today, they had used almost all the family assets they had accumulated over hundreds of years and the treasures bestowed by Gu Changge, making foolproof preparations.

Almost at the instant they completely released their auras, the originally clear sky of the Azure Cloud Secret Realm suddenly darkened!

Fierce winds howled, sweeping up the spiritual mist filling the sky. Tribulation clouds as thick as ink frantically gathered from all directions, layer upon layer, so oppressive it made one suffocate.

Within the clouds, blinding lightning snakes darted wildly, emitting deafening "rumbling" sounds. The destructive heavenly might pressed down like something tangible, enveloping the entire secret realm!

The five ancestors cultivating in seclusion at the core area had slight fluctuations in their auras, clearly alarmed by the heavenly might of the multiple Saint Tribulations triggered simultaneously.

"It's starting!"

Xuanyangzi stood beside Gu Changge, his palms slightly sweaty, his gaze fixed tightly on his junior brothers.

The first wave of tribulation lightning struck down fiercely!

Several terrifying lightning pillars of different attributes, as thick as dragons and containing the wrath of the laws of heaven and earth, crashed down on the heads of the peak masters!

Shi Wanshan roared angrily, neither dodging nor evading. His armor-covered fists burst out with dazzling yellow light, fiercely meeting the attack!

"Boom!" The lightning exploded, his body shaking violently, the rocks beneath his feet shattering. But the armor's radiance flowed, actually dispersing and guiding most of the lightning power into the earth, successfully withstanding it!

The orb above Li Muran's head spun, the hanging water curtain colliding with the lightning, emitting loud "sizzle" sounds. Water vapor evaporated, and the light curtain fluctuated violently but did not break.

Ye Guying guided with his sword fingers, the sword shadows around him forming a torrent rushing upward, strangling with the green wood lightning pillar. The sword qi and lightning annihilated at the same time, the impact of the explosion quietly dissolved mostly by the sword array he had set up.

The other peak masters also used their methods, either resisting head-on, deflecting skillfully, or relying on treasures to block. Although the first wave of tribulation lightning was thrilling, they all received it without danger.

Gu Changge stood quietly in place, his gaze calmly sweeping over the peak masters.

His Eye of Delusion slightly opened, clearly seeing that the spiritual power circulating in their bodies was mellow and harmonious, their foundations incredibly solid, far exceeding ordinary cultivators who had just touched the threshold of the Saint Realm.

Those protective treasures perfectly matched their Dao rhythm, clearly having been refined for many years.

Although they seemed to struggle somewhat when dealing with the tribulation lightning, their methods were not chaotic, and their underlying strength remained.

He gave a slight nod, a sense of clarity dawning in his heart. "The foundations of my senior brothers are far more profound than I anticipated. With their years of accumulation coupled with recent fortuitous encounters, their underlying strength is more than sufficient."

"Although this Heavenly Tribulation is perilous, it is an unavoidable path they must take to temper their Saintly Bodies and condense their Saintly Origins. They are fully prepared and coordinate flawlessly with one another. There is no need for me to intervene; they can naturally survive this tribulation on their own."

Thus, he dismissed his initial intention to secretly lend a hand. Clasping his hands behind his back, he settled into the role of a true spectator.

The eight-day holiday went by just like that—so fast! Did everyone have a blast? I am absolutely exhausted, anyway. Wishing you all the best with your work and great progress in your studies!