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Chapter 276: Tribulations
Hui hopped back from the fight. He reached into his storage ring and drew out a barrier talisman and one of Xixings crystal pills. Only a few remained of each. Ive been using too many resources during the fight. I need to take a break and create new, stronger talismans the next time I get a chance and restock, too!
He passed both to Zhubi, pasting the talisman to Zhubis back. Put some qi into the talisman to activate the barrierit should stave off the first blows of the tribulation. This pill, too, should help you survive.
Zhubi bobbed is head, obedient. He snapped his head out and swallowed the pill, then leaped off Hui of his own accord and flew a short distance away. The clouds grew darker. The aura of the Heavenly Tribulation grew stronger and stronger, until the first blot blasted down from the sky. A golden barrier popped up over Zhubi, only for the lightning to instantly destroy it. Still, it blocked the first blow and gave Zhubi a moment to adjust his state before the rest of the blows rained down.
Me, ready to ascend? Did you mistake my aura with that of a random spirit beast? Hui said, laughing.
Lu Lintei frowned. Its that snake spirit beast you found earlier, Zhi Ahn. Did you pick it up?
Hui froze. He licked his lips, not sure how to respond, then nodded. Ah, yeah. I er, I sensed it was near its tribulation and brought it along. Fifth stage spirit beasts are rare, after all.
You didnt create a bond? Quickly, bond with it! If it becomes higher realm than you, it might attack you! Lu Lintei shouted, even as she sent Bai Jingwen flying. For the second time that night, Bai Jingwen slammed through Unrivaled Peaks barrier and slammed to the ground, her body little more than tatters. She screamed out, furious.
Mount Mu shuddered. Its petrified branches clattered, clinking together. Gold motes of life qi spread on the air like pollen and settled over her. Bai Jingwen stood. Her body repaired itself, then more. Her cultivation rocketed up as she absorbed the massive gift of life qi.
The sky grew darker. More lightning flickered overhead. This time, it centered over Bai Jingwen, not Zhubi.
Not her, too? Dammit, no. I knew she was on the verge of her tribulation! Argh. Alright, two tribulations. Thats thats not too big a deal, right? Hui drew a breath. He touched his pils and talismans, but didnt draw any out. Its fine. Even if Bai Jingwen fails the tribulation, it wont seriously injure her. Shes already failed once, after all, and it didnt effect her. The lotus pill plants vitality is just that monstrous.
Lu Lintei stared over her shoulder, wide-eyed. That monster plant its facing a tribulation, too?
What a coincidence, Hui agreed, backing away. He signaled subtly toward Jin Xian. Now, while Lu Lintei is distracted, come to me! Ill put you away, and thatll be one down and another step toward getting out of here as soon as possible after Zhubi and Bai Jingwens tribulations!
Jin Xian staggered back. She buried her face in her hands, then turned toward the sky and roared.
Eh? Oh, no, did the yin qi make Jin Xian go berserk? Hui quickly shaped his death qi into a string and gathered it in his hand, preparing to throw it to Jin Xian. Time for the wired-controller technique
Black clouds gathered under Jin Xian, the clouds practically scraping the ground. The same as with the other two, lightning gathered in them, but unlike Zhubi and Bai Jingwens lightning, this lightning was pitch-black and emanated the aura of the Underworld rather than the aura of Heaven.
No way. An Underworldly Tribulation? Those are the stuff of legend. So few undead reach fifth stage in the first place, to see a live Underworldly Tribulation is incredible, Lu Lingtei gasped. She backed away, throwing her hand out toward Hui. Zhi Ahn, we need to get out of here. This many tribulations at once when the tribulation gathers to this degree, it isnt impossible for it to pull unrelated cultivators in, and start their tribulation early!
Ah. And just hypothetically, but if I was already suppressing my cultivation? Hui asked, looking up.
Then Id only be able to wish you good luck, Lu Lintei said.
Hui laughed dryly. He looked downward and took a deep breath. Ill need that luck of yours, Elder Sister.
A set of clouds gathered over Hui, and a mirrored set gathered beneath him. He licked his lips, then quickly swallowed Xixings pills and threw out his barrier talismans, wrapping himself in several layers of barriers. Two sets of clouds? A Heavenly and Underworldy Tribulation? What did I do to piss off the Underworld? Is this the reaper getting back at me for leaving my body so much?
Wait, hold up. He looked at Zhubi, then at the lotus beast. Qi and life qi, Heavenly Tribulation. Hui turned to Jin Xian. Death, blood, and yin qi, Underworldly Tribulation.
This this is because I cultivate both life and death qi, isnt it?
Dammit! Couldnt someone have warned me? This small Hui doesnt want to die! Two tribulations at once, isnt that the same as asking the world itself to kill me? Ah, but thats what I want the least! Zhu Diyu, reaper, please! Cant someone help me? Stop this tribulation, I dont want it! Ill be a good little fourth-stage cultivator forever!
Chen Wuya fluttered off Huis shoulder and circled nearby, cawing his laughter to the skies. Nice knowing you, kid.
Lu Lintei frowned at Hui. Zhi Ahn how can this be? What have you done to attract the Underworldly Tribulation?
II dont know either, Elder Sister! Hui replied, letting his very real panic out in his voice. I know why, but Im still unwilling, extremely unwilling!
Flustered, Lu Lintei rushed toward him. Just as she was about to cross the edge of the clouds, she flinched back, afraid to draw closer. She gestured at him, waving desperately. Dispel it, dispel it while you still can!
How? Hui shouted back. Its not like theres a cancel button on the Heavenly Tribulation! Or the Underworldly one, for that matter!
Lu Lintei grit her teeth. I dont know!
Over on Unrivaled Peak, lightning struck down at Bai Jingwen. Mount Mu glowed, providing her life qi as she fought back against the tribulation.
Beside Hui, Jin Xian screamed. The first bolt of black lightning slammed toward her. Rather than passively let it hit her, Jin Xian kicked it back. Yin qi boiled in the air around her, rushing into her body even as she fought against the tribulation.
To his right, Zhubi rolled over and played dead, but the tribulation didnt stop. His body shuddered under the force of the lightning, and Huis heart strained. Zhubi
Still, despite playing dead, Zhubi seemed mostly unharmed. It didnt make Hui any less anxious about the snake, but he at least felt confident about Zhubis chances.
Quickly, Zhi Ahn! You arent ready! Lu Lintei insisted.
Hui threw his hand out. Elder Sister, get back. Theres nothing anyone can do anymore. Ill just have toovercome it!
Dammit, what am I supposed to do? I I guess I guess I just have to face it head-on!
