NOVPUBForked lightning illuminated the night sky, crackling through the churning black clouds as a surge of blue electricity converged above the Pilgrimage Palace.
The leaden clouds churned violently, swirling like a whirlpool in a stormy sea.
The disciples, knowing they would be in grave danger if caught in the tribulation, quickly evacuated the area.
Boom!
Another deafening roar shook the ground. Ye Qian and Ye Lingxuan looked up, worry etched on their faces.
Lingxuan retrieved a pill from her storage ring and handed it to Mu Zhi’an. “Be careful, Brother Mu. If you can’t withstand it, consume this pill. It will feign death and allow you to escape the tribulation,” she said, her voice filled with concern.
This little rich girl isn’t an alchemist, but she carries a lot of rare pills… He accepted the pill, grateful for her thoughtfulness.
He watched as Lingxuan and Qian’er left the plaza, then looked up at the six layers of tribulation clouds gathering above him.
Six bolts of lightning!
He had witnessed several Core Formation tribulations before, but he hadn’t expected his own to be on par with Bai Ruoxi’s.
My cultivation speed is slower than Ruoxi’s, yet I’m facing the same tribulation… I’m such an unlucky bastard.
And how did that female voice do it? A single sentence, and I suddenly understood…
He glanced at the silent bronze gate, waiting for the tribulation clouds to fully form.
He wanted to call out to the Ye sisters, boasting about his six bolts of lightning, but there were too many disciples watching. He didn’t want to become the target of their collective wrath.
After all, he was already pushing his luck.
He had the beautiful Bai Ruoxi, a stunning maid, and now he was pursuing two exquisite sisters… Even with his impeccable manners and the backing of the Peak Masters, he was bound to attract envy.
Besides, the oppressive aura of the approaching tribulation left him in no mood for jokes.
Raindrops began to fall, and he looked up at the pouring rain and the six layers of tribulation clouds.
He sat down and began setting up a formation.
A chorus of melodic chirps echoed through the storm as dozens of golden birds, formed from pure spiritual energy, materialized around him, arranging themselves in a circular formation.
The Hundred Birds Chain Formation, a Second-Rank formation!
He hadn’t spent the past few months simply engaging in the “arduous” task of dual cultivation with Bai Ruoxi. He had also diligently studied the Second-Rank formation book Yan Ruyu had given him.
And now, his efforts were bearing fruit.
A deafening roar ripped through the clouds as a thick bolt of blue lightning, resembling a serpentine dragon, struck down.
The Hundred Birds Chain Formation activated, golden threads of energy weaving together to form a protective barrier.
The first bolt of lightning was easily deflected.
This tribulation seems easier than I expected… But I can’t be careless. The later bolts will be much stronger. Ruoxi has a Sword Immortal physique and the protection of the Bronze Sword. I have neither.
He remained focused, reinforcing the formation.
The golden birds chirped, their wings beating furiously as they collided with the descending lightning.
The Hundred Birds Chain Formation dissipated.
“Four more bolts to go…” He took a deep breath, gazing at the gathering storm clouds as the third bolt began to form.
He circulated his spiritual energy, summoning a black single-handed sword.
A faint starlight shimmered on the blade.
“Lone Star Sword!”
Ye Yu, watching from the crowd, couldn’t help but blurt out the name, his gaze fixed on Mu Zhi’an.
The Lone Star Sword was a Second-Rank technique, and it should have been his… Master had said it was capable of evolving.
But Mu Zhi’an had tricked him, and the technique had ended up in his hands.
Fortunately, Mu Zhi’an didn’t seem to know how to evolve it…
He consoled himself.
And is he insane…? Even at the peak of Foundation Establishment, the Lone Star Sword consumes most of a cultivator’s spiritual energy with a single strike. How does he plan to withstand the remaining three bolts?
“I recall Junior Brother Mu defeating the Third Prince with a single strike from the Lone Star Sword… But the technique’s drawback is significant. Isn’t he worried about running out of spiritual energy?” Xue Ping, the Third Senior Brother of Boundless Sea Peak, remarked, his handsome face creased with concern.
“Junior Sister Bai spoke highly of Mu Zhi’an. He’s not impulsive. I’m sure he has a plan,” An Lingyue, the eldest Senior Sister of Boundless Sea Peak, countered. She was close to Bai Ruoxi and had a favorable impression of the junior brother her talented friend often mentioned.
“He’s quite lucky to have found a Second-Rank technique in the Book Pavilion.”
“He’s handsome too. It’s no wonder so many female disciples are smitten with him.”
“I heard from the other disciples who participated in the Tianxuan City examination that he was only at the Fourth Stage of Foundation Establishment before joining the sect. To think he’s already reached the Core Formation Realm…”
Ye Lingxuan also watched him, her brow furrowing slightly.
For some reason, she sensed that he wasn’t drawing spiritual energy from his own vessel, but from the surrounding environment.
That shouldn’t be possible.
Only those with an Innate Spiritual Body could absorb external spiritual energy so quickly…
Another deafening roar shook the sky as a bolt of lightning struck down.
Mu Zhi’an swung his sword.
A wave of sword Qi, infused with starlight, sliced through the rain, colliding with the lightning.
Ye Qian clutched her sister’s hand, her gaze fixed on Mu Zhi’an’s back.
Brother Mu had said that the Lone Star Sword consumed most of a cultivator’s spiritual energy with a single strike.
He had already used it once. How would he handle the remaining bolts?
But he’s not usually so reckless…
The third bolt of lightning was shattered, and the oppressive aura of the tribulation intensified.
Normally, overcoming a tribulation wasn’t difficult.
But this wasn’t a normal tribulation.
Mu Zhi’an was facing six bolts of lightning!
From the third bolt onwards, each bolt would be significantly more powerful.
And he had just used the Lone Star Sword, depleting a significant portion of his spiritual energy. It was no wonder Ye Qian was worried.
“Don’t worry. He hasn’t lost much spiritual energy,” Ye Lingxuan said softly.
“His spiritual energy reserves seem… intact. Something’s not right…” Xiao Ze, the Third Senior Brother of Dao Peak, murmured, his gaze fixed on Mu Zhi’an.
“Indeed. And he hasn’t consumed any pills,” An Lingyue added.
“I recall Junior Sister Lingxuan possesses an Innate Spiritual Body. She’s naturally sensitive to spiritual energy.”
Xiao Ze turned to her. “Junior Sister, do you know what’s going on?”
She shook her head. “I’m not sure.”
She couldn’t very well tell them that Mu Zhi’an might also possess an Innate Spiritual Body.
They probably wouldn’t believe her anyway. And since he had kept it a secret, she wouldn’t betray his trust.
“The Lone Star Sword again!” a disciple exclaimed.
They looked up as the fourth bolt of lightning descended. Mu Zhi’an stood his ground, his black sword raised as he activated the Lone Star Sword once more.
This time, the technique’s power was significantly greater.
An Lingyue’s eyes widened. “He can control the Lone Star Sword’s power?” she murmured.
During his fight with the Third Prince, Mu Zhi’an had clearly been unable to control the technique, depleting most of his spiritual energy with a single strike.
But now, he seemed to be regulating its power, preventing it from draining his reserves.
“It seems Mu Zhi’an has made significant progress,” Xue Ping remarked, staring at him.
He glanced at Ye Lingxuan.
She was watching Mu Zhi’an intently, her expression carefully neutral.
However, a closer look revealed the worry in her eyes and her tight grip on her sister’s hand.
As the Third Senior Brother of Boundless Sea Peak, Xue Ping had encountered Bai Ruoxi numerous times. Many disciples had pursued her, but she had remained aloof and distant.
Only in Mu Zhi’an’s presence did she reveal her gentle and affectionate side.
And now, it seemed the Ye sisters were smitten with him as well…
How could a newly accepted disciple capture the hearts of so many beauties?
“He might be new to the sect, but his talent is undeniable,” An Lingyue said, her voice filled with admiration as she watched Mu Zhi’an consume a pill after enduring the fifth bolt of lightning.
She was a vision of beauty, her sheer dress billowing in the wind, her skin as smooth as jade.
“Junior Brother Mu is talented, but the inner disciple Boundless Sea Peak recruited this time is also a prodigy,” Xiao Ze said with a chuckle.
“The Ye sisters from Dao Peak are also incredibly talented.”
“And let’s not forget the inner disciple of Metamorphic Jewel Peak, Wei Mengrou. She’s already at the Seventh Stage of Core Formation and is on the verge of reaching the Eighth Stage. She’s far ahead of her peers. If she participates in the Immortal Ascension Ceremony, the other disciples won’t stand a chance,” the Second Senior Brother of the Peak of Celestial Secrets chimed in.
The other senior disciples nodded in agreement.
While the Two Polarities Sect was united, there was still an element of competition between the peaks.
Every peak wanted to shine at the Immortal Ascension Ceremony.
In the past, a prodigy like Bai Ruoxi would have been a shoo-in for first place.
However, this year was different. It was a golden age of talent. The outcome of the Immortal Ascension Ceremony was anyone’s guess.
An Lingyue sensed a presence behind her and turned to see a beautiful woman in a red dress standing in the shadows. Her eyes widened, and she bowed respectfully.
“Greetings, Grand Master!”
The other disciples turned to look.
The woman’s red dress clung to her voluptuous figure, her body emanating a captivating fragrance. She was both elegant and imposing, her presence demanding respect.
Why is the founding Peak Master of Boundless Sea Peak at the Pilgrimage Palace?
The disciples were puzzled.
The Peak Masters rarely left their peaks… Could she have been drawn here by the tremors?
“I’m simply taking a stroll. Don’t mind me. Continue with your activities,” Ying Guhuan said with a smile, her gaze settling on Mu Zhi’an.
“So it is Mu Zhi’an’s Core Formation tribulation…”
She murmured, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
The other Peak Masters haven’t arrived yet. Perhaps I can invite him to the back mountain for a “cultivation discussion” after his tribulation…
As the thought crossed her mind, she sensed a presence behind her and glanced back discreetly.
Seeing several graceful figures approaching, she narrowed her eyes, sighing inwardly.
They’re quick…
The disciples felt a wave of pressure and turned to see several Peak Masters approaching. Their hearts sank.
Why are so many Peak Masters observing this Core Formation tribulation…?
An Lingyue’s gaze remained fixed on Ying Guhuan, her eyes filled with admiration.
As Yi Hao’s disciple, she had heard many stories about the founding Peak Master.
However, this was the first time she had seen her in person.
Why is Grand Master at the Pilgrimage Palace?
The disciples looked at their respective Masters, their eyes filled with awe and admiration.
Mu Zhi’an also noticed the commotion, his gaze lingering on the approaching figures.
He had been bold enough to lead these “Great White Sharks” to his “pond,” accepting their gifts and using them to help the women around him cultivate.
The Peak Masters knew, but they hadn’t exposed him.
And judging by their current expressions… it seemed the sharks now considered him the “fish” in the pond.
