Chapter 186: Breakthrough to the Spirit Perception Realm!
As the speed at which heaven and earth’s spiritual energy surged toward Li Qingqiu grew faster and faster, fierce winds rose, causing the mountain forests of Clear Sky Mountain to sway violently, like green waves spreading down the mountains.
Xu Ning’s long hair fluttered in the wind, her robes billowing as she stood atop a tree, resembling an immortal standing against the wind, unmoving and resolute.
Her gaze was fixed tightly on the thunderclouds in the sky.
For some reason, she actually felt an impulse to fly straight into the thunderclouds.
“I really am crazy. Could this also be part of tribulation crossing?”
Xu Ning shook her head, thinking cautiously.
If that were truly the case, then this heavenly tribulation would be far too terrifying—able to even bewitch mere observers.
Shen Yue’s thoughts were not as complicated as hers.
He was simply curious about how strong Li Qingqiu would be after crossing the tribulation.
Disciples continuously went up and down the mountain, spreading news of Li Qingqiu’s tribulation.
Now, the entire sect had its heart set on this heavenly tribulation.
Some worried about Li Qingqiu’s safety, some were curious as to why he needed to cross a tribulation, and others, like Shen Yue, were full of anticipation for him after the tribulation.
When the ninety-ninth heavenly thunder struck down, the heavenly tribulation abruptly came to an end.
No more heavenly thunder fell.
The terrifying heavenly might that had blanketed the mountain range began to slowly dissipate.
When a ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone between Clear Sky Mountain and Ziyang Peak, many disciples let out a sigh of relief, and the clamor from the two peaks grew louder and louder.
A prompt suddenly appeared before Li Qingqiu’s eyes:
【Given that you have crossed a heavenly tribulation for the first time, allowing the Dao Lineage to gain a deeper understanding of the Immortal Cultivation Path, and planting the concept of contending with the heavens within the hearts of Dao Lineage disciples, this marks a milestone in the development of the Dao Lineage. You have obtained one Divine Art Inheritance Reward】
A Divine Art Inheritance Reward?
Not bad.
Stronger than an ordinary inheritance reward, though unfortunately, it was not a Fate Trait selection opportunity.
Li Qingqiu thought silently as he began consolidating his cultivation.
After stepping into the Spirit Perception Realm, his vital energy reserves doubled.
At this moment, the 【Hundred-Refinement Demonic Body】 fate trait began to take effect.
His body seemed like a bottomless pit, crazily absorbing heaven and earth’s spiritual energy, converting it into vital energy at a speed far surpassing before the breakthrough.
The thunderclouds in the sky slowly parted, allowing more and more sunlight to spill down, letting the Clear Sky Sect see daylight once again.
This tribulation crossing lasted less than half a quarter-hour, yet it made the disciples feel as though an entire day had passed.
They urgently wanted to know the Sect Master’s condition after the tribulation, and thus, large numbers of disciples rushed toward the mountain.
Zhang Yuchun immediately instructed Chai Yunshang to lead people to stop the disciples, forbidding them from disturbing Li Qingqiu.
Looking out, the mountain path was packed with people, extremely crowded.
Yun Cai and her seven companions stood within the forest.
From afar, they were all astonished.
They knew the sect had many disciples, but only today did they realize they had underestimated the number of their fellow disciples.
“I’ve only ever seen tribulation crossing in myths and legends. Could the Sect Master really be an immortal?”
“Nonsense. If the Sect Master weren’t an immortal, could the Clear Sky Sect have developed this fast?”
“Those heavenly thunders struck right on him. Won’t they shatter his robes? I’m genuinely worried about him.”
“I think you’re just lusting after his body.”
“Oh, don’t talk nonsense! You girl are getting more and more outrageous with your words.”
As the seven female disciples chatted, they began to playfully tussle.
Yun Cai had no mind to listen to what they were saying.
Her heart was filled with worry, afraid that something might happen to Li Qingqiu.
Her right hand rested on the bamboo-woven gourd at her waist, her palm turning pale as she pressed, forcing three mountain bees to fly out from inside the gourd.
……
No matter how noisy it was at the foot of the mountain, Li Qingqiu focused solely on consolidating his cultivation.
The sun set and the moon rose.
Even as night fell, Clear Sky Mountain remained lively, with lights burning throughout the various courtyards.
Li Qingqiu continued absorbing heaven and earth’s spiritual energy, only with far less commotion.
After a full three days and three nights, Li Qingqiu’s vital energy finally reached a state of fullness.
First Layer of the Spirit Perception Realm!
At twenty-eight years old, First Layer of the Spirit Perception Realm.
Li Qingqiu did not know how his cultivation speed compared to those of the past, but in the present world, there should be no one who could rival him.
A trace of pride arose in his heart, yet after he stood up, he cast that pride aside.
As the Sect Master, he could not be arrogant.
He must always remain wary of the world beneath the heavens—only then could he lead the Clear Sky Sect further.
He walked down the mountain.
Lin Chuan, Nangong E, and Chu Jing immediately drifted over to inquire about his condition, while Jin Lang leapt onto his shoulder.
“Excellent. I have now reached a higher realm. Once you all reach the Ninth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, you’ll be able to look up at this great realm of mine.”
Li Qingqiu chuckled softly, making the ghostly demons yearn in their hearts.
Chu Jing could not help but ask, “Master, when the heavenly thunder struck your body, didn’t you feel pain?”
Li Qingqiu snorted.
“How could it not hurt? It was pain that pierced deep into the soul. But I am the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect—how could I scream in agony? No matter how painful it was, I could endure it.”
Chu Jing was filled with solemn admiration, his respect for Li Qingqiu growing even deeper.
Nangong E and Lin Chen looked at him with worshipful, burning gazes.
Even Jin Lang tilted his head as he looked at him.
Although Li Qingqiu was boasting, he did so for the sake of others.
He did not want others to misjudge the might of heavenly thunder because of him.
As they chatted, they continued down the mountain.
Just past noon, when Li Qingqiu arrived at the Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Dongyue was still waiting there.
Upon seeing his figure, Li Dongyue lifted her head in delight and immediately rushed over.
She came before Li Qingqiu and began touching him all over with her hands.
“Junior Sister, what are you doing?” Li Qingqiu asked nervously.
Fortunately, Li Dongyue did not touch anywhere she shouldn’t.
She let out a sigh of relief, then lifted her head to look at Li Qingqiu with a resentful expression and said, “I was just worried about you. Senior Brother, honestly, you are something else—crossing a tribulation without telling us in advance. It was far too sudden.”
A warmth rose in Li Qingqiu’s heart.
All the other junior brothers and sisters had gone off to handle their duties, yet only Li Dongyue remained here waiting.
How could he not be moved?
“It’s not something I can predict ahead of time. The feeling of a breakthrough comes whenever it comes,” Li Qingqiu replied helplessly.
After hearing this, Li Dongyue’s brows relaxed.
She pulled Li Qingqiu to sit at the long table, then poured him tea.
“Senior Brother, how do you feel right now?” Li Dongyue asked curiously.
Li Qingqiu smiled and said, “Extremely good. I’ve already surpassed the Ninth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm and reached the higher Spirit Perception Realm.”
Li Dongyue widened her eyes and exclaimed in shock, “Surpassed the Ninth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm? Senior Brother, that’s way too amazing, isn’t it?”
Her expression and her tone greatly satisfied Li Qingqiu’s vanity.
Li Qingqiu encouraged her, “You’ll reach that day as well.”
Li Dongyue’s expression dimmed as she said, “With my aptitude, I’m afraid I won’t even see the Ninth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm before I die.”
These words instantly dispersed Li Qingqiu’s excitement.
He frowned, the joy of his breakthrough diluted by worries for the future.
“The Spirit Finance Hall has already developed. You don’t need to keep such a tight grip on everything. Delegate authority to the disciples. That way, you’ll have more time to cultivate, and the disciples will be happy too—they also want to strive for greater authority,” Li Qingqiu said earnestly.
Li Dongyue looked at him and asked, “And if even then, my cultivation speed is still slow?”
“Don’t cling to such pessimistic thoughts. You should think this way: I must surpass the Ninth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm. Set aside the dignity of being a Hall Master and cultivate with determination. And with me here, even if it means smashing resources into you, I will push you—and your junior brothers and sisters—up there,” Li Qingqiu said seriously.
Toward the end, his tone became domineering.
The Clear Sky Sect belonged to him.
He could be as fair as possible to the disciples, but the sect’s resources were ultimately his to decide.
He would naturally favor his own junior brothers and sisters, without fearing what others might say.
Li Dongyue was stunned by his gaze.
After a moment of daze, she smiled beautifully and said, “Alright. Then I really must work hard at cultivation and accompany Senior Brother as far as I can.”
Li Qingqiu raised his hand.
Li Dongyue bent down of her own accord, bringing her head close for him to rub.
The two began reminiscing about the past.
Clearly still young, yet whenever they were alone, they always ended up talking about their childhood.
That same day, news spread that the Sect Master had finished consolidating his cultivation.
Li Qingqiu did not return to his cave dwelling.
Instead, he waited within the Lingxiao Courtyard, receiving visits from Hall Masters and disciples one after another.
Only after seeing that he was truly unharmed did everyone finally feel at ease.
Toward evening, Li Qingqiu even stepped out of the Lingxiao Courtyard and walked down the mountain, letting more disciples see him with their own eyes.
Some disciples asked Li Qingqiu why he had to cross a tribulation, and he answered truthfully.
Others asked him how to cross a tribulation.
He replied that there was no fixed method for tribulation crossing, but one thing was certain: heavenly tribulation could not be avoided.
One had to face the heavenly thunder head-on.
In the future, the sect would research formations and magic implements to help disciples cross tribulations.
The plans he revealed greatly excited the disciples.
After strolling around the mountain for a full hour, Li Qingqiu finally headed back up.
When he reached a stretch of mountain path, a person suddenly emerged from the forest.
He turned his head to look and discovered it was Yun Cai.
“Why are you here?” Li Qingqiu asked in surprise.
This girl did not even carry a lamp—was she trying to scare someone?
Yun Cai walked up to him, looked him over from head to toe, then let out a sigh of relief.
She removed the bamboo-woven gourd from her waist and said, “Sect Master, I’ve already preliminarily nurtured the Heart-Devouring Bees. At most one more year, and the Heart-Devouring Bees will be able to enter combat.”
Li Qingqiu could sense tiny creatures containing faint spiritual energy shifting inside the gourd.
He revealed a smile and praised her, “I didn’t expect you to really succeed in refining them. Impressive. Later on, I’ll have Wu Xingyue from the Heavenly Works Hall specially craft a magic implement for you to house your Heart-Devouring Bees.”
Yun Cai nodded and gathered her courage, stepping forward.
Li Qingqiu frowned.
What was this girl about to do?
“Sect Master, I want to become stronger. I want to shoulder more pressure for you. Heart-Devouring Bees aren’t enough—they’re too simple for me. I want to learn truly powerful spells,” Yun Cai said seriously as she stared at Li Qingqiu.
That’s all?
Li Qingqiu felt relieved inwardly, but his expression turned solemn as he said, “Your cultivation is too low. Cultivating too many spells right now will only delay your growth. When you reach the Sixth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, I will pass on everything I know to you. I think highly of you. I hope you can become the strongest disciple in the sect, and I have confidence in you.”
“The strongest…”
Yun Cai was filled with delight, her heartbeat quickening.
There were countless geniuses within the sect.
Although she was confident, she did not have absolute certainty.
But since Li Qingqiu had said so, she would strive toward that goal.
She, Yun Cai, would definitely become the strongest disciple of the Clear Sky Sect and prove to the world that Li Qingqiu’s judgment would not be wrong!
One day, she would also protect him, just as Li Qingqiu had protected her!