Chapter 597: Not Trusting Heaven, Not Yielding to Fate

Not just Xu Qing's pharmacy collapsed; at this moment, many buildings throughout the earth city were crashing down with a roar, raising clouds of dust. Looking around, a group of cultivators in gray robes were leveling all the buildings in the earth city. The residents had long since scattered, having been forcibly expelled. In mid-air, seven or eight figures floated, gazing down at the earth city below. The leader was a young man, short and dwarfish in stature, with an ugly appearance, yet a palpable murderous aura emanated from his entire being. His cultivation was at the Golden Core Completion stage, even more profound than Chen Fanzhuo of the Runtu Sect in this area.

They were not cultivators from the Küsheng Mountains. Months ago, the "Green Wind Transformation" swept across the entire desert, causing varying degrees of erosion to some isolated mountain peaks. Thus, when the white wind dissipated and the green wind reappeared, many factions had no choice but to relocate. They needed to quickly occupy better mountain ranges to shelter from the next white wind. This was a regular occurrence; it happened every time the green wind changed in the Qing Sha Desert. As the largest mountain range in the Qing Sha Desert, the Küsheng Mountains naturally became the primary choice. However, the Küsheng Mountains harbored a mix of factions and were highly exclusive. While individual cultivators might fare well, any new force wishing to develop here required powerful means. Consequently, this period saw an increase in conflicts and battles within the Küsheng Mountains.

The group now present in this earth city was just such an external faction. They set their sights on a city at the edge of the Küsheng Mountains, intending to build their sect's mountain gate there. This led to friction with the local Runtu Sect. However, both sides ultimately chose to cease hostilities, as for the Runtu Sect, who already had their own mountain gate, retaining control of this earth city wasn't a necessity. Thus, these outsiders successfully occupied the earth city. The dwarfish leader, currently gazing at the city, showed satisfaction in his eyes.

"Aim to completely clear this place out within five days," the dwarf stated faintly. But at that moment, someone next to him glanced at the ruins of Xu Qing's pharmacy, hesitated, and then spoke in a low voice. "Sect Master Chen Fanzhuo previously warned us that everything here could be moved, but the Green Spirit Pharmacy must not be damaged in the slightest."

The dwarf scoffed. "Chen Fanzhuo is unwilling to lose this city, so he resorts to such pretense. Do you actually believe him? Even if this pharmacy truly has some background, how significant could it be, operating among mortals? Besides, this is the future site of our sect's mountain gate. How could we possibly allow a pharmacy to remain here?" The person next to him nodded in agreement. Just then, a long rainbow streaked from a distance, transforming into a figure upon approach. It was Chen Fanzhuo. He glanced at the pharmacy, now reduced to ruins, his expression dark, and stared coldly at the dwarf.

"Daoist Mu, I told you before, do not touch this pharmacy."

The dwarf squinted at him and spoke indifferently, "It's already been touched. What are you going to do about it?"

At that moment, the green sand filled the air, and the wind blowing through the earth city kicked up dust from the ground, making the surroundings hazy. Chen Fanzhuo's face was ashen. He gave the dwarf a cold look, then turned and left without another word, a sneer forming in his heart: "This person is not far from death."

The dwarf also sneered at that moment, a flash of killing intent in his eyes as he watched Chen Fanzhuo's retreating figure. "A mere Golden Core cultivator with no background, so timid and fearful. Once I become a disciple of Venerable Black Pupil, you'll be the first one I kill."

Thinking of Venerable Black Pupil, whom he had painstakingly tried to curry favor with over the past six months, the dwarf felt a surge of excitement. He actually had a master already, but this master's cultivation was mediocre, and he enjoyed acting mysterious and secretive; the dwarf still didn't know his name. In his memory, his master's appearance had been different every time he saw him over the past sixty years, leading to many conjectures about his identity. However, he wasn't entirely clear on the specifics; he only knew that his master was merely at the Nascent Soul stage, a world of difference compared to Venerable Black Pupil, who was at the Spirit Treasure cultivation realm and whom he was about to formally acknowledge as his master.

"I wonder when Venerable Black Pupil will arrive; I've been pleading for so long..."

Just as he was thinking this, the jade slip in his storage bag suddenly vibrated. The dwarf's heart stirred, and he quickly took it out. Soon, a majestic voice echoed in his mind. "Daoist Mu, come see me."

Upon hearing this, Daoist Mu immediately became excited. This was Venerable Black Pupil's voice; he had finally waited for this moment. Not daring to delay, he turned and swiftly flew away.

Meanwhile, outside Qing Sha County, dark patterns surged between heaven and earth. The sun, hidden within the void, was speeding towards the Küsheng Mountains. Inside it, everyone was busy as usual. Ning Yan mopped the floor, Wu Jianwu gave massages, the parrot acted imperiously, and Li Youfei handled all the odd jobs. The captain was still fanning himself. The difference was the addition of Ling'er's voice and the old Granduncle's laughter.

Granduncle greatly liked Ling'er, and Ling'er gradually became less afraid. After transforming into human form, she would sit by the old man's side, sometimes sweetly calling him "Grandpa," which greatly pleased the elder. "Grandpa, we're almost at my and Brother Xu Qing's Green Spirit Hall! When we arrive in a few days, why don't you stay there too? Brother Xu Qing's pharmacy is wonderful!" Ling'er said artlessly.

Hearing this, Granduncle nodded, looking at her with doting affection as if she were his own granddaughter. Ling'er reminded him of his own granddaughter from years past, and as old memories surfaced, a pang of pain struck Granduncle's heart.

"So, Grandpa, why don't you let Brother Xu Qing rest a bit? He'll have to refine medicine once we reach the pharmacy," Ling'er quickly spoke, seeing that her groundwork was almost complete.

"You little rascal," Granduncle chuckled, looking up into the distance.

In the distance, Xu Qing sat cross-legged, his body trembling, his forehead covered in sweat. Above his head, three small suns floated distinctly: one a door frame, one a ring, and the last a sphere. These three suns emitted intense heat, pouring onto Xu Qing. Around him lay hundreds of corpses, now dried husks, who were cultivators from the Red Moon Temple. Among them were dozens of divine slaves, three divine servants, and one divine envoy. The others were still, but the divine envoy's body twitched, struggling in vain. His eyes alternated between clarity and confusion, his face etched with pain.

Under the shroud of the three suns, the Red Moon power within them was roasted out, transforming into streams of crimson threads that flowed directly towards Xu Qing in the center, continuously drilling into his seven orifices and all the pores on his body. Xu Qing was cultivating. This was Granduncle's requirement after they left the White Cloud Mountains. He had arranged all the captured Temple cultivators around Xu Qing in a certain formation. The Red Moon power within their bodies seemed to be purified by the sun, making it easier for Xu Qing to absorb. His Purple Moon Nascent Soul was rapidly growing stronger.

Not only his Purple Moon Nascent Soul, but as Heavenly Demon Bodies rose from the dried corpses on the ground, their vital energies were also absorbed, causing all of Xu Qing's Nascent Souls to grow at an incredible pace. For Xu Qing, this was an unprecedented grand supplement. However, there was only a fine line between supplement and poison. Devouring so many Nascent Soul vital energies and Red Moon power in a short time caused an extremely strong sense of expansion in Xu Qing's Sea of Consciousness. The tearing pain that followed made his expression distorted, and sweat drenched his entire body. This was also why Ling'er felt such heartache.

"Girl, your Brother Xu Qing has immense potential, but he hasn't been tempered enough. His master probably doesn't stay by his side for long, so he can only guide him at critical moments. But with such a foundation, what your Brother Xu Qing needs now is extreme tempering."

"He is inherently resolute and suited for this. And this is just the beginning." Granduncle spoke hoarsely, raising his right hand and waving it towards Xu Qing. Immediately, the three suns above Xu Qing's head flared up again.

Instantly, Xu Qing's body sank, cracking sounds emanated from within him, and his skin seemed to burn. As he transformed, the surrounding dried corpses burst open one after another, and dozens of divine slaves had all their Red Moon power extracted. Xu Qing's cultivation also continued to surge amidst this devouring and absorption. Three days later, as they entered the Qing Sha Desert, the divine servants around Xu Qing perished, and the sole remaining divine envoy bled from all seven orifices, letting out an unwilling wail.

Simultaneously, waves of powerful fluctuations instantly erupted from Xu Qing's body. At that moment, all thirteen Nascent Souls within him were forcefully elevated to the Second Tribulation Completion stage. The Third Destiny Tribulation was imminent. These scenes made Ning Yan and Wu Jianwu's hearts pound with fear, worried that Granduncle would treat them the same way. But clearly, they were overthinking it. In Granduncle's eyes, only Xu Qing was worthy of his guidance and tempering.

"Barely sufficient. While this level of cultivation is strong enough to trigger a destiny tribulation for ordinary people, for you, it's not enough to fully unleash your potential. I'll add something more for you, Xu Qing. Are you willing?"

Xu Qing suddenly looked up at Granduncle. "Yes."

Granduncle's eyes showed approval. He rose and, in one step, appeared before Xu Qing. With a flick of his large sleeve, he took Xu Qing directly out of the sun. To everyone's astonishment, Granduncle appeared on the sand of the Qing Sha Desert. As the wind howled through the Qing Sha Desert, Granduncle pressed his left hand against the ground. Instantly, the desert rumbled, and quicksand swirled, revealing a massive pit.

Without hesitation, Granduncle immediately threw Xu Qing into the deep pit. The moment Xu Qing's body hit the bottom of the pit, Granduncle's voice resonated like colossal thunder: "With earth and soil, manifest a Dao body; refine the soul into spirit gold; deceive the Heavenly Dao's tribulation; call down the world-destroying Dao lightning!"

As Granduncle's voice rang out, the surrounding quicksand roared, engulfing Xu Qing. Furthermore, as Granduncle raised his right hand and pressed it firmly onto the ground, the entire earth seemed to squeeze against Xu Qing, as if he were merging with it. His divine consciousness was also drawn in, blending with the sand. This method gave the impression that Xu Qing had suddenly transformed into the desert itself. By using such a body to trigger his third destiny tribulation, then according to the Heavenly Dao's judgment, Xu Qing would be an unprecedented Nascent Soul at the Second Tribulation Completion stage. This would undoubtedly bring down even more terrifying lightning.

"Xu Qing, your master is indeed extraordinary, but he spoils you too much. The cultivation methods he created for you prioritize avoiding disasters, reducing risks, and resolving crises. There is no direct confrontation method, no aura that can suppress all directions. This method can indeed keep you safe and comfortable, but it is both right and wrong. We cultivators must bear everything with our lives. Do not believe in heaven, do not be bound by fate, let nothing in the myriad things become an obstruction, let no living being suppress your heart, and never allow even deities to make you bend your knee. To achieve all this, it cannot be brought about by hiding or reducing risks. You need to gain ultimate opportunities repeatedly between life and death and cultivate your unparalleled aura. You are clearly an extraordinary piece of gold; how can you be forged gently? Immediately sit cross-legged and summon the tribulation!"