Chapter 3111: Like Smoke Crossing the Tribulation (None Today)

Wan Hai Island, the abode of True Monarch Wan Hai.

In the southwest corner of the island, a palace, shimmering with an unsteady blue light, floated high in the sky. Its lacquered gold plaque bore three large blue characters: "Wan Hai Palace."

The main gate of Wan Hai Palace was open, revealing a spacious and brightly lit hall. A tall, thin elderly man in blue robes sat on the main seat, his tiger-like eyes exuding an air of authority without needing to express anger.

True Monarch Wan Hai, at the early Mahayana stage, had already survived two great heavenly tribulations.

For a Mahayana cultivator, further advancement was exceptionally difficult; it wasn't something that could be achieved solely through arduous cultivation.

Han Yiqing stood to the side, reporting the situation.

“Senior Xu, this is what happened: the seventh-tier Nine-Colored Worm fell into the hands of the Witch Tribe. This will likely make it easier for their Mahayana cultivators to survive their great heavenly tribulations.”

Han Yiqing’s expression was respectful, yet she wore a look of indignation.

Naturally, she didn't mention that the Han family was acting for selfish reasons. Instead, she claimed they intended to capture the seventh-tier Nine-Colored Worm to offer it to True Monarch Wan Hai.

True Monarch Wan Hai, of course, saw through the Han family’s true intentions but chose not to expose them.

“I understand. You may leave!”

True Monarch Wan Hai said calmly, as if discussing something trivial.

“Senior Xu, this is a seventh-tier, mid-grade Nine-Colored Worm!”

Han Yiqing spoke with some disbelief, as True Monarch Wan Hai seemed unconcerned about the matter.

“Do I need to repeat myself?”

True Monarch Wan Hai's expression showed displeasure.

The Witch Tribe had Mahayana cultivators; it was clearly unrealistic to simply go and seize it by force.

The Witch Tribe's curse arts were formidable, and True Monarch Wan Hai dared not be careless.

Han Yiqing’s face paled, and she hastily said, “This junior would not dare. This junior meant absolutely no disrespect—”

“Enough. You may leave now! First, spread this news so that the outside world knows the Witch Tribe has obtained the seventh-tier Nine-Colored Worm.”

True Monarch Wan Hai commanded.

Han Yiqing acknowledged, bowed, and withdrew.

True Monarch Wan Hai took out a blue communication disk, infused it with a spell, and instructed, “Yu’er, contact True Monarch Qianjin. Inform him that the Witch Tribe has obtained the seventh-tier Nine-Colored Worm and ask him to come here to discuss countermeasures.”

“Yes, Master,” a bell-like female voice replied from the communication disk.

Putting away the communication disk, True Monarch Wan Hai wore a thoughtful expression, lost in unknown thoughts.

Golden Carp Island, the abode of the Azure Carp Tribe.

Azure Carp Hall, the vital stronghold of the Azure Carp Tribe.

The hall was spacious and brightly lit. A beautiful woman in a green dress sat on the main seat, her eyes a shade of azure, emanating an aura as vast as the ocean.

Qingsai, at the early Mahayana stage, had survived three great heavenly tribulations and was still several millennia away from her fourth.

Qingchi was reporting to Qingsai; he had rushed back to Golden Carp Island as quickly as possible to deliver his report in person.

“A seventh-tier Nine-Colored Worm? Are you certain?”

Qingsai asked in a deep voice, feeling a stir of interest.

Qingchi nodded, saying, “Absolutely certain. Daoist Long had me soul-search the Witch Tribe cultivator's Nascent Soul, so there's no falsehood. Unfortunately, he retrieved the Nascent Soul afterwards.”

Qingsai frowned. The Nine Dragon Palace, led by Longxiao, was not close to the Azure Carp Tribe, making it clearly impossible to ask Long Tianyan to send over the Witch Tribe cultivator's Nascent Soul.

“Send someone to contact the Blood Whale Tribe. For the sake of the seventh-tier, mid-grade Nine-Colored Worm, we can cooperate.”

Qingsai instructed.

If it were a seventh-tier, low-grade Nine-Colored Worm, it wouldn't be very appealing to her, but a mid-grade one was a different matter. If it were high-grade, she would have directly gone to trouble the Witch Tribe herself.

The higher the grade of the Nine-Colored Worm, the more effective the Nine-Light Divine Mud it excreted would be in resisting heavenly tribulations.

It was already quite difficult for demonic insects to advance, so for that Nine-Colored Worm to reach the seventh-tier, mid-grade, was already remarkable.

“Yes, Ancestor,” Qingchi replied.

Qingchi agreed, bowed, and withdrew.

“Brother Shuo, if you were here, the Nine Dragon Palace might not have fallen out with our Azure Carp Tribe.”

Qingsai sighed, muttering to herself, her face showing a nostalgic expression.

Mystic Spirit Continent, Golden Scale Lake.

A massive thundercloud floated high in the sky, with lightning flashing and thunder rumbling, creating an astonishing display of power.

Wang Changsheng stood atop a peak, his expression grave.

Wang Ruyan was undergoing her great heavenly tribulation. Wang Qingshan and Duan Tongtian had gone to the Azure Glaze Sea to capture seventh-tier Ice Flames, while Wang Changsheng personally guarded Wang Ruyan during her tribulation.

Time passed, and bolts of lightning tribulation struck down, each thicker and more terrifying than the last.

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the thundercloud had shrunk to only a few dozen zhang in size.

With only three more bolts of lightning tribulation, Wang Ruyan would successfully pass her first great heavenly tribulation.

In a small valley surrounded by mountains on three sides, Wang Ruyan sat cross-legged on a blue lotus platform, a blue-glowing shield floating before her.

The Profound Turtle Shield, a mid-grade Spirit Treasure of Heaven-Reaching, was crafted from the shell of a seventh-tier Profound Turtle, which Wang Changsheng had seized during a major battle.

Wang Ruyan's face was slightly pale. She was enveloped in a blue light barrier, the surface of which shimmered with numerous musical notes.

A rumbling thunder echoed through the sky as a thick silver lightning bolt struck down, hitting the blue shield with a dull thud.

The silver lightning bolt exploded, and a mass of silver lightning engulfed Wang Ruyan's figure.

Before the lightning glow dissipated, a second silver lightning bolt struck down.

The thundercloud violently churned, transforming into a massive silver phoenix. With a gentle flap of its wings, the silver phoenix swooped down from high in the sky, plunging into the lightning glow.

After a deafening roar, the lightning glow became even more dazzling. A powerful surge of air scattered large amounts of flying sand and rocks, and dust filled the air.

A moment later, a blue rainbow soared out from the lightning glow, landing before Wang Changsheng. It was Wang Ruyan, her face pale, appearing severely depleted of spiritual power.

The great heavenly tribulation for Integration cultivators lasted a very long time; this was only her first. The more tribulations one faced, the longer they lasted and the greater their power.

If an Integration cultivator could not advance further, they would eventually be struck down by the lightning tribulation.

Wang Ruyan flipped her right hand, and with a flash of blue light, the Profound Turtle Shield appeared in her grasp. Its surface bore more than ten tiny, clearly visible cracks.

“The damage isn’t severe; it can be repaired.”

Wang Changsheng said with a light chuckle. Unlike tribulation-defying treasures like the Nine-Light Bottle, the East Yi Shield, or the Lightning Absorption Bead, which were difficult to repair, the Profound Turtle Shield could be fixed unless it suffered severe damage.

Wang Ruyan nodded and said, “I wonder how Qingshan and the others are doing. The Myriad Spirits Ruins are no ordinary place.”

“Qingshan’s strength is considerable. He has been in the Integration stage for over a thousand years, has mastered various divine abilities and secret arts, and possesses a tribulation-substitute treasure. He knows when to advance and retreat, so there shouldn't be any issues.”

Wang Changsheng reassured her.

Wang Ruyan nodded. “We’ve been out for quite a while. Let’s return to Azure Lotus Island!”

They left Golden Scale Lake and used a teleportation array to return to Azure Lotus Island.

Upon returning to Azure Lotus Island, Wang Changsheng sent a message to Wang Yihong, asking him to come over.

“There’s no anomaly with Qingshan’s life-bound soul lamps, is there?”

Wang Changsheng asked.

“Reporting to Ancestor, there are no anomalies. If there were, I would have reported it immediately.”

Wang Yihong replied respectfully.

“That’s good. There’s nothing else. You may go about your duties.”

Wang Changsheng waved his hand, dismissing Wang Yihong.

Currently, there were no major issues. Other matters could be handled by the clan members, without requiring Wang Changsheng or Wang Ruyan's presence. They returned to their secret chambers to cultivate in seclusion.