Chapter 50: Selected Locations for Tribulation Crossing

In the early morning, the sleeping Ling'e was vigorously shaken awake. Before she could fully regain her senses, she heard Jiu Jiu excitedly exclaim:

"Hehehe! My bottleneck actually broke on its own! Little Ling'e, remember to tell your Senior Brother that I'm going back to seclusion first!"

"Oh... huh? It broke just by sleeping?" Lan Ling'e mumbled a dazed response, opening her eyes to see Jiu Jiu frantically searching for her shoes on the floor. This young Uncle-Master was quite exhilarated at the moment. Her cultivation had taken another firm, small step towards the Heavenly Immortal realm. She rushed out of the thatched hut, jumped onto her gourd, and hurried towards Broken Heaven Peak.

"Remember to tell your Senior Brother that I'll help him refine elixirs when I come out of seclusion—"

Lan Ling'e lingered by her bed for a while, yawned twice, and then walked to her dressing table. Thinking of the minor commotion this young Uncle-Master had caused yesterday, Ling'e's lips curved into a slight smile, followed by a soft sigh. It truly felt carefree after becoming an immortal.

"Junior Sister."

A wisp of spiritual voice transmission entered her ear, and Ling'e instinctively replied, "Here!"

Li Changshou continued his transmission: "I heard what Uncle-Master said. I'll probably be in seclusion for three months, and then I might need to go out for a trip. Do you need any elixirs? This trip might take three to five years before I return."

"Senior Brother... Is he going out to face his Heavenly Tribulation?" Lan Ling'e was first delighted, then her lips pouted unhappily. The joy was naturally for her Senior Brother, and the unhappiness was merely at the thought of him being gone for three to five years; she hadn't been away from him for so long since she came to the mountain.

"I don't need anything, Senior Brother. Just take care of yourself," Lan Ling'e mumbled softly.

A faint chuckle came through the transmission, and Li Changshou further instructed: "When I leave, I'll wake Master up and ask him not to enter deep seclusion for the next few years. Remember not to wander around, and always keep my previous warnings in mind. Don't be careless and get bullied."

"I know, Senior Brother. It's not too late to talk about these things after you come out of seclusion." Lan Ling'e's eyes darted, "You're not planning to just slip away, are you?"

In the alchemy room, Li Changshou chuckled but did not continue the transmission. He lowered his head to look at a wisp of green light emerging in his palm. He hadn't expected to reach the Ninth Realm of Returning to the Dao much earlier than he had anticipated. At this moment, his Dao realm had an urge... like bamboo shoots after rain, constantly wanting to push upwards. Fortunately, he could still suppress it. After breaking into the Ninth Realm of Returning to the Dao, he would very likely face the Heavenly Tribulation directly. Matters concerning the tribulation must also be put on the agenda.

Undergoing the tribulation outside was a plan Li Changshou had set long ago. Firstly, he didn't want to expose his cultivation level, and secondly, he didn't want anyone to witness his Heavenly Tribulation. After all, the tribulation was his own business, and the mountain protection array would be of no use. Undergoing the tribulation in a hidden, uninhabited place outside offered a safety factor not much different from doing so within the sect. However, successfully slipping out of the mountain gate would require some effort.

Li Changshou sighed softly: "Fortunately, there are fish."

***

The Immortal Ascension Sect had strict rules, but most applied to disciples who had not yet attained immortality, regulating their conduct, urging them to cultivate, and protecting their safety. In the Immortal Ascension Sect's disciple records, Li Changshou was listed as an excellent Void Return Stage Two Qi Refiner, with rather strict restrictions on leaving the sect. This was also one of the reasons he chose the Cultivation Tournament to search for herbs in North Continent.

To be able to leave the sect for this Heavenly Tribulation, Li Changshou had already prepared his reason for applying to the Hall of Myriad Affairs for permission to leave: all disciples were allowed one trip back home to visit their ancestral graves. Entering the immortal sect meant severing ties with the mundane world; contact should ideally be completely cut off. However, human hearts are born of flesh, and even a Dao heart can face a mundane tribulation. Human ancestors advocated loyalty, righteousness, propriety, and filial piety to educate the populace. Even though Qi Refiners detach from the mundane world, if they cannot perform filial duties before their parents, they should at least visit their graves and offer sacrifices.

The Immortal Ascension Sect had done very well in this regard, drawing inspiration from many major sects in Central Divine Continent. If new disciples came from the mortal world, the sect would have dedicated outer sect deacons responsible for visiting the parents of newly inducted disciples every ten years, providing them with gold, silver, and other valuables to secure their livelihood, informing them of their child's recent situation in the sect, and offering some medicinal pills for illness and talismans for averting disaster, but without extending their lifespan. Life and death have their fixed numbers, and heavenly destiny has its limits. The Immortal Ascension Sect was unwilling to accumulate too much unnecessary karma. After a disciple's parents passed away, the sect would notify the disciple and permit them to return home at any time to observe a three-year mourning period for their parents' graves, thereby completely severing their ties with the mundane world.

Eighteen years ago, Li Changshou had received a notice from the sect that both his mortal parents had passed away. Under the care of the Immortal Ascension Sect, his parents, who had originally been ordinary herders from a nomadic tribe in South Continent, lived for over a hundred years, free from illness and disaster throughout their lives. Li Changshou actually didn't have many memories of his parents in this life, as he had been brought up the mountain by his master at an early age. Moreover, his ascension to the mountain had ensured them a lifetime of comfort, free from worries about food and clothing, and with little illness or disaster. When he received the sect's notification, Li Changshou had originally wanted to immediately go and observe mourning, but he temporarily suppressed the urge due to his preparations for undergoing the Heavenly Tribulation outside.

However, there were still some minor complications. During the three years of mourning, if an outer sect deacon traveling outside happened to pass by the disciple's hometown, they would need to check on the disciple's recent situation. For this point, Li Changshou was also prepared. He had long since built a good relationship with the 'elders' responsible for disciple affairs in the Hall of Myriad Affairs. A truly 'fishy' connection. This 'elder' was not that 'elder'. Most 'elders' in the Hall of Myriad Affairs were veteran True Immortals within the sect, like Elder Ge, responsible for handling various internal and external miscellaneous matters. The true elders of the Immortal Ascension Sect cultivated on various peaks, did not concern themselves with miscellaneous affairs, and could not attain such a title unless they reached the Heavenly Immortal realm.

Three months later, Li Changshou woke his master from seclusion, stating his intention to return to his hometown to observe mourning, aiming for his master to take better care of his junior sister. Old Daoist Qiyuan naturally agreed. He didn't think much of it and even advised Li Changshou to let go of his worldly attachments early and focus on the immortal path. Lan Ling'e, however, was a little reluctant, and quietly asked, "Can I... accompany Senior Brother to observe mourning too...?"

"Guess," Li Changshou said with a narrowed-eye smile. Lan Ling'e immediately knew the answer and nodded in acceptance.

Amidst mountains, waters, clouds, and mists, at a reluctant farewell, Li Changshou caught a few spirit fish from the lake, tucked them into his sleeve, and flew on a cloud towards Broken Heaven Peak. Lan Ling'e stood by the lake, quietly watching her Senior Brother's retreating back, silently wishing him 'a safe tribulation passage' in her heart. She waited for half a day before returning to her thatched hut to cultivate.

Upon arriving at the Hall of Myriad Affairs, Li Changshou, knowing his way, found the elder he was familiar with and stated his wish to return home for tomb-sweeping. Elder Wei, who was on duty that day, readily granted permission.

"Changshou, I remember your home is in the northeastern region of South Continent. Coincidentally, an inner sect deacon is going to South Continent tomorrow for business. Let him take you along."

"About that," Li Changshou took out a few spirit fish from his sleeve, "Elder, there's something else I'd like to trouble you with."

"You rascal," Elder Wei's face immediately brightened with a smile. He took the spirit fish, which were encased in water spheres, pulled out a porcelain jar, and temporarily placed the fish inside. Everyone has their preferences; some love wine, others love delicacies, especially this type of fish known for its exquisite taste and being exceptionally difficult to cultivate.

Elder Wei chuckled, "Tell me, what are you planning?"

"This disciple wishes to use this opportunity to cultivate and gain experience in South Continent for a few years," Li Changshou whispered. "Could it be possible for the sect deacon not to visit my hometown to check on me, and also not have him escort me there...?"

"Alright, go then," Elder Wei picked up the bamboo slip in front of him. "That saves a piece of bamboo. You're a promising cultivator with boundless prospects ahead of you. Remember, do not cause trouble, do not violate sect rules, and do not become infatuated with worldly grandeur, letting the mundane obscure your heart for the Dao."

Li Changshou repeatedly affirmed, cupping his hands and bowing, "Many thanks, Elder, for granting my request!"

"It's just a minor matter. Go, and return soon." Elder Wei waved his hand, handed Li Changshou a jade token for disciple travel, and then gave him a few more instructions, telling him to avoid crowded places in the mortal world so as not to let the mundane turbid qi cloud his Dao foundation.

This elder's concern for Li Changshou was not feigned. After all, over the years, Li Changshou had given him well over a hundred spirit fish in total. It was common for disciples to use the excuse of returning home for tomb-sweeping to wander in the mundane world for a few years, only to be caught by sect deacons, resulting in a scolding and deductions from their monthly allowance. Elder Wei was already accustomed to such occurrences. A few spirit fish in exchange for the elder not registering his trip to visit ancestral graves meant that no sect deacon would go to check on him. To Elder Wei, this was simply a young disciple wanting to enjoy the mundane world for a while, nothing serious. But for Li Changshou, this was a crucial and indispensable small step in his tribulation plan.

***

Leaving Broken Heaven Peak, he flew south on a cloud, arriving at the mountain gate before long. He presented his outgoing jade token, stating he was returning home to sweep ancestral graves. The immortal guarding the mountain gate also advised Li Changshou to be careful outside. Li Changshou thanked him twice and then flew out of the mountain gate on a cloud.

The thousand-mile radius around the mountain gate was actually considered Immortal Ascension Sect territory. Several important spiritual vein mines belonging to the sect were located in the southern region. Li Changshou flew two thousand li on his cloud, landed in a forest, and observed from a hidden corner for two days. Only after confirming that no one from the sect was secretly trailing him did he cast Earth Evasion and flee south. Along the way, he used Earth Evasion when encountering mountains and Water Evasion when encountering water. He encountered Qi Refiners fighting, witnessed internal strife among mountain demons, stumbled upon an uncle and sister-in-law seeking pleasure, and saw thousands of mortals clashing in chaotic battles. He traveled, observed, and never stopped moving. Li Changshou, like an undetectable ghost, traversed tens of thousands of li, then tens of thousands more.

Half a month later, in the northeastern part of South Continent, on a grassland not far from East Victory Divine Continent, Li Changshou, following the information provided by the sect, successfully located his parents' graves on a hillside. The tomb was meticulously constructed, clearly having cost a significant amount of wealth. There was also a mark of the Immortal Ascension Sect on a corner of the tombstone, and the inscription read: 'Erected by Eldest Son Changshou.' There were many weeds in front of the grave. Li Changshou took out a short knife and carefully cleared the area around the tomb. He then knelt before the tombstone, offered the fruits, meat, and fish he had prepared along the way, burned two scrolls of yellow paper, lit three sticks of incense, and kowtowed four times, feeling a burden lifted from his heart. Afterward, he found an inconspicuous corner not far from his parents' graves and meditated there, treating it as observing mourning for the two elders.

Seven days later, Li Changshou prepared to resume his journey, heading towards his chosen location for the Heavenly Tribulation. Where had he chosen? It was actually in the East Sea, but the section near South Continent. Because it was within mortal territory, Qi Refiners rarely appeared there, and the mundane turbid qi was mixed, with only a few minor demons causing trouble. Most of humanity's destiny gathered in the mortal realms of South Continent, and fearing collision with human destiny, the Dragon Palace had no troops stationed there. On the edge of the mortal world, in the vast ocean, a hidden and unremarkable small island would be the best place for the tribulation!

Li Changshou took out a treasure pouch marked 'Earth Character Twelve' from a bracelet in his sleeve. From it, he retrieved... a pile of eyebrow pencils, powders, and cosmetic materials he had researched and developed. Then, for the first time in his two lives, this grown man meticulously began to disguise himself. Disguising one's appearance and form had several basic principles. In Li Changshou's view, merely using illusionary spells or transformation techniques was far from enough. He would first use physical methods like makeup to alter his appearance, then apply a special ultra-thin, moisturized silk mask, after which he would use an illusionary spell to appear as an old Daoist, and then cast a transformation technique. This way, if a master were to glance at him and see through two layers of magical disguise, they still wouldn't see his true appearance. Most Qi Refiners traveling outside would use illusionary spells, which was nothing unusual. After tidying up for half a day, Li Changshou, now disguised as a stern-faced old Daoist, quietly departed using Earth Evasion, heading towards the East Sea to search for a secluded place to undergo his tribulation.

Meanwhile, at the junction of the South Sea and East Sea, an immortal island shimmered with celestial light, shaped like a giant Ao. In a treasure pond in a corner of the immortal island, the recently arrived island pet, a small Azure Dragon tens of zhang long, was slowly observing its surroundings with its eyes just emerging from the water. Strings of bubbles escaped its dragon mouth, and its dragon eyes narrowed slightly.

'Excellent.'

It was again the day for a Grand Unity Golden Immortal to preach, and all the immortals cultivating nearby had gone to listen to the sermon. 'You probably wouldn't imagine that this Crown Prince had already memorized all the waterways of the Four Seas by the time I was six. From here, I'll head towards South Continent, hugging its coast as I travel towards East Victory Divine Continent, using the mundane turbid qi to conceal my tracks. Then I'll land at the border of South and East Continents and stealthily make my way to East Victory Divine Continent. If the Immortal Ascension Sect doesn't dare to take me as a disciple, this Crown Prince can also go to Central Divine Continent and seek out the immortal sects of the Three Religions!'

The Azure Dragon chuckled coldly. Its body slowly shrunk, quickly becoming three chi long, and it swam towards a crevice in the seabed. And as it left the vicinity of the immortal island, at the island's far end, in the area resembling the head of a golden Ao, a pair of terrifyingly large turtle eyes opened a slit.