Chapter 32: I, Qi Yuan, Even If I Am Struck Dead by the Heavenly Tribulation Today

At noon, in the forest clearing on the back mountain of Little Qiong Peak, a spot that had been selected years ago.

Old Daoist Qiyuan stood inside the sturdy wooden cage, holding a whisk. Several streaks of precious light floated around him. The brand-new azure-blue silk daoist robe he wore was an excellent defensive spiritual treasure, making the old daoist look a few years younger. As he was about to face the heavenly tribulation, his expression was inevitably solemn.

Wisps of obscure and indescribable aura swirled around Qiyuan. Occasionally, a flower petal would drift past the old daoist, dissipating in the mountain breeze.

Qiyuan's two disciples stood on the treetops a hundred *zhang* away. Lan Ling'e watched her master with a touch of nervousness, her slender fingers toying with a strand of hair that fell in front of her. In recent years, Ling'e's figure had matured further. Her slender waist, cinched by a sash, could be encompassed by a hand, and her flowing long skirt accentuated her delicate curves. She was flawless from any distance. Compared to two years ago, her pretty face now held a hint of tender charm, but it remained primarily graceful and lively.

On a treetop not far from Lan Ling'e, Li Changshou was dressed in his usual simple robe. He held a bamboo slip in his left hand and a carving knife in his right, his spiritual sense enveloping his master, observing all the omens preceding the heavenly tribulation.

There was nothing left to instruct. Everything that needed to be done had been done. Now, Master only needed to withstand the first heavenly tribulation. After that, it would be up to Master to decide when to use that 'precious medicine.' Currently, Li Changshou's primary task was to closely observe and record his master's tribulation process.

Because the Immortal Ascension Sect recruited disciples once every two hundred years, Li Changshou had happened to enter the sect at the tail end of the previous generation of disciples' immortal ascension wave. Most disciples whose aptitude and comprehension limited them from becoming immortals had already left the Immortal Ascension Sect to return home. For the past century, the Immortal Ascension Sect had been cultivating this generation of new disciples, and few of the previous generation had achieved immortality. Master's current tribulation was Li Changshou's sixth time observing a Qi Refiner undergo the Immortal Tribulation in the past century. Moreover, it was rare to be able to observe from such a close distance, allowing him to record the entire process and analyze it thoroughly afterward.

*Whoosh—*

A sudden gust of wind swept through the forest. Old Daoist Qiyuan in the wooden cage looked up at the sky, and streaks of faint light appeared around him. In an instant, these lights converged into a pillar of light, soaring into the sky!

It's here. The omen before achieving immortality!

Li Changshou, holding his carving knife and bamboo slip, began to write furiously, meticulously recording every detail.

The pillar of light lasted for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea. Above Little Qiong Peak, the weather changed dramatically! Li Changshou could feel the spiritual energy of heaven and earth continuously converging from all directions, hovering a hundred *zhang* above his master's head, and in a blink, it condensed into one grey tribulation cloud after another.

At this moment, figures flew out from the various peaks protected by the sect's grand formation, soaring into the air and gazing towards Little Qiong Peak. A shimmering silver-white lightning mark appeared beneath the tribulation clouds, and faint, tiny electric arcs appeared around Old Daoist Qiyuan.

Li Changshou quickly performed a calculation with his fingers. Soon, he looked up and transmitted a message to his master: "Master, based on the area and thickness of the tribulation clouds, it should be a common Immortal Ascension Tribulation with five bolts of heavenly lightning."

Old Daoist Qiyuan frowned slightly. He had thought it would be the weakest three-bolt heavenly tribulation; he hadn't expected to face five. The Immortal Ascension Tribulation never exceeds nine bolts; four, five, or six bolts are common. It is said that depending on the tribulation-taker's aptitude and potential after becoming an immortal, the Heavenly Dao will send down tribulations of varying power. The more bolts of tribulation lightning there are, the wider the person's future path to immortality and the deeper their potential, but also the more difficult it is to pass the Immortal Ascension Tribulation.

After transmitting the message, Li Changshou lowered his head again and continued writing with his carving knife.

*Rumble—*

The tribulation clouds began to tremble continuously. The lightning mark became increasingly distinct, and when it reached a certain critical point, it instantly transformed into a brilliant pillar of lightning, striking down directly onto Old Daoist Qiyuan's head!

As soon as the heavenly lightning appeared, heaven and earth lost their color! That wave of the Great Dao, imbued with the ultimate truths of heaven and earth, descended along with the lightning tribulation!

However, the immortals and Qi Refiners observing this lightning tribulation were astonished to find that the heavenly tribulation, which should have been impossible to block with spiritual treasures, was completely 'absorbed' by the wooden cage surrounding Old Daoist Qiyuan! Lightning flashed all over the wooden cage, but Old Daoist Qiyuan stood inside, completely unharmed. Other than his greyish-white hair fluttering wildly, not a single spark of lightning clung to him!

Lan Ling'e immediately cried out in excitement, "Senior Brother! The birdcage worked!"

Li Changshou also broke into a smile. But before his smile could fully blossom, that obscure wave of the Great Dao suddenly appeared, and the lightning-glowing 'magic birdcage' suddenly exploded into pieces.

Well, the Heavenly Dao truly does not permit cutting corners. It's fine; at least it helped Master withstand the first lightning tribulation. But then, Li Changshou discovered a problem—because Master had not directly endured the heavenly tribulation, no immortal spiritual energy had appeared around him. The 'magic birdcage' helped him evade one heavenly tribulation, but it also correspondingly reduced the benefits for the tribulation-taker. There are gains and losses, which is the constant truth of the Great Dao. Fortunately, Master didn't take out the Immortal Dissolution Pill and swallow it at that moment. Otherwise, Li Changshou would have personally poisoned his own master...

Above the tribulation clouds, a larger lightning mark began to form. The power of the heavenly tribulation contained within it was significantly greater than before. Old Daoist Qiyuan's expression grew even more solemn. He channeled all his magic power to various parts of his body, and his figure slowly ascended.

The Immortal Ascension Tribulation could only be endured head-on!

*Crack!**Zzzzt—*

The second heavenly tribulation descended fiercely. The pillar of lightning, formed by countless bolts of thunder, instantly completely engulfed Qiyuan's figure! Both Li Changshou and Lan Ling'e broke out in a cold sweat. When they saw their master withstand it for only an instant before being pressed to the ground by the lightning pillar, Lan Ling'e tightly closed her eyes, not daring to look further. Not until the sound of electricity disappeared and Lan Ling'e heard her Senior Brother sigh in relief did she dare to open her eyes and look.

Old Daoist Qiyuan, thoroughly disheveled, sat up in the shallow pit on the ground. He turned his head and spat out a mouthful of blood, then tilted his head back and swallowed a few pills, standing up once more. His own magic power was still fairly abundant. A faint wisp of immortal light was circling around him. He had managed to withstand this second bolt of heavenly lightning.

Li Changshou stopped writing. His left hand, tucked into his sleeve, pressed down on a paper figurine and a pill. Judging by Master's appearance, he would still attempt to withstand the third heavenly tribulation, but he definitely wouldn't be able to survive the fourth. If Master were paralyzed and incapacitated by the third bolt, then he would need to promptly give Master the Immortal Dissolution Pill.

An even larger lightning mark gathered in the tribulation clouds. Old Daoist Qiyuan gritted his teeth and stood up, his hands quickly forming seals, setting up layer after layer of magic power barriers in front of him. But, it was useless. This time, there was first a thunderous roar. Within the tribulation clouds, it was as if thousands of troops and horses were galloping. A pillar of lightning as thick as a millstone, carrying a chilling aura, descended violently, almost instantly shattering the many barriers Qiyuan had set up, pressing Qiyuan into the shallow pit and unleashing a furious barrage...

Facing the surging gale, Lan Ling'e couldn't help but cry out, "Master!" But her cry was quickly swallowed by the wind.

Qiyuan barely managed to withstand the third heavenly tribulation... It was indeed regrettable. The number and quality of the heavenly tribulations were determined by his aptitude when he first began cultivating the Dao. Later, because he damaged his Dao foundation, Qiyuan could not reach his deserved 'strength' at the ninth stage of the Return to Dao Realm. Therefore, Qiyuan was so disheveled when facing the heavenly tribulation; he could only barely endure the third bolt.

The lightning tribulation had blasted a large pit in the ground. Qiyuan lay at the bottom of the pit, and using his last bit of magic power, his body slowly floated up, standing beneath the heavenly tribulation, looking up at the even more terrifying, larger lightning mark. His entire body was covered in blood, yet his eyes remained resolute!

Destiny, how unfair destiny is! Yet, this humble Daoist has no complaints against you. The Great Dao revolves, heaven and earth are in order. Everything is this humble Daoist's fate. What if this humble Daoist goes to his death! But, there is one thing! He absolutely could not die in a disheveled manner, lying on the ground. His disciples were watching. Even if their master was a useless good-for-nothing, even if their master couldn't provide them with the protection disciples of other peaks had! Then this humble Daoist must die standing! He must also possess the demeanor of a human Qi Refiner! He also had to earn a bit of face for Changshou and Ling'e, to let them know that their master did not lack this resolute heart for the Dao!

Moreover, he still had the precious medicine his eldest disciple had painstakingly prepared, which could help him withstand one more heavenly tribulation!

Old Daoist Qiyuan took out the brocade box, removed the pill from within, unhesitatingly put it into his mouth, and swallowed it by tilting his head back. Come on, Heavenly Dao! Even if this humble Daoist knew this was merely a futile struggle, this humble Daoist still wanted to give it a try, to see the final bolt of lightning tribulation! To die beneath the last bolt of lightning tribulation, that shouldn't be too embarrassing, right?

Within the lightning mark, the power of the heavenly tribulation furiously gathered. The fourth heavenly tribulation was about to descend!

"Ah—" Old Daoist Qiyuan roared, tilting his head back. His beard and hair bristled. His entire being...!

"Cough!" The old daoist suddenly lowered his head and coughed, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Then he looked down at himself in astonishment, as streaks of bloody light appeared all over his body. What... what was happening? Why was he starting to dissolve? By the Grand Pure One above, what was going on? What... what did this wicked disciple give this humble Daoist to eat...?

Above his head, the frantically surging lightning mark suddenly sputtered out. The tribulation clouds also stopped rotating. This heavenly tribulation, much like a mortal middle-aged man who had placed high hopes on himself, wishing to impress his beloved, but suddenly realized he was suffering from overexertion, abruptly ceased.

In his last moment, Qiyuan turned his head to look at his smiling eldest disciple. The old daoist's consciousness rapidly dissolved. His body, like a snowman dropped into a fiery furnace, instantly melted away! His soul, body, and even his clothes all transformed into a pool of 'bloody water,' floating in the air.

The tribulation clouds trembled once, transforming into streams of pure spiritual energy that drifted away. Streaks of sunlight shone upon Little Qiong Peak. All the observers were utterly bewildered, staring blankly at the spot where Qiyuan had dissolved, watching the pool of bloody water.

Suddenly, a stream of turbid energy surged from the ground. Three-colored immortal light descended from the clouds, all pouring into the bloody water. From an unknown source, the sound of strings and flutes drifted, beautiful and melodious. Pure and turbid energies began to slowly converge. The pool of bloody water gradually took on a human outline. Then, with a series of crackling sounds, Old Daoist Qiyuan's figure reappeared in the air. Even the clothes, which had been tattered by the heavenly lightning, were still on him.

The bloody light faded. Flower petals fluttered around the old daoist. He stood on a turbid auspicious cloud, and faintly, a lotus flower bloomed above his head. This lotus then melted into his form. Opening his mouth, Old Daoist Qiyuan exhaled a breath of pure energy. His entire aura slowly began to rise.

Such an anomaly of immortal ascension could truly be called shabby.

Old Daoist Qiyuan now understood something. He turned to look at Li Changshou, his eyes filled with helplessness, yet also glistening with a hint of tears. For now, let's not mention the words "master and disciple." Qiyuan's expression was complex. He bowed to Li Changshou in a Daoist salute. Li Changshou quickly put away his bamboo slip, carving knife, paper figurine, and pill. He returned his master's Daoist salute, and for a long time, he did not dare to rise.

A clamor of discussions also drifted on the wind.

"It's Disintegration Ascension! Disintegration Ascension into a Turbid Immortal!""That was actually an Immortal Dissolution Pill! Does anyone still know how to refine this pill?""Junior Brother Qiyuan actually chose this path. It's not bad; it's a way to save one's life.""A Turbid Immortal is actually no different from most immortals. A Heavenly Immortal is not that easy to break through to. Most of us also stop at the True Immortal stage."