Free Web NovelChapter 1155: No Tribulation
Are these scenes the heart devils? Qin Sang became alert.
Becoming an immortal had been the pursuit of his entire life, and also his greatest obsession.
The heart devil tribulation did not always draw forth one’s deepest fears or most searing memories. It could just as easily begin with obsession. It could wait until he relaxed his guard, then deliver a fatal blow, turning joy into tragedy.
The heart devil tribulation came after the lightning tribulation, which showed just how dangerous it was. Once lost within it, one might never escape again.
"Senior Uncle!"
"Mr. Qin!"
The group flew onto the island. Seeing Qin Sang sitting cross-legged, though his entire body was charred black and he looked somewhat comical, he was clearly alive.
Unexpectedly, the moment they landed beside him, Qin Sang’s figure flashed. He retreated several zhang, staring at them with full vigilance as if facing a great enemy. Sword light flickered in his palm. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
"Master, don’t you recognize me? I’m your fat chicken!" the fat chicken said.
Now that Qin Sang had successfully broken through, the fat chicken’s attitude had completely changed. His face was full of flattery as it scampered forward, eager to curry favor, only to be grabbed by Bai.
"Brother Qin, do you think you are still within the heart devil tribulation and have not yet come out?" Bai had guessed the reason.
In the real world, only an instant might have passed. But for one crossing the heart devil tribulation, countless years could have unfolded within the illusion. Upon suddenly awakening, it would be difficult to distinguish reality from illusion.
Bai gestured for everyone to step back, giving Qin Sang ample time.
Qin Sang looked at them, then lowered his head to glance at his battered self. His gaze flickered uncertainly. At last, he confirmed that he was not within the heart devil tribulation. This was real.
He had succeeded in crossing the tribulation! There had been no heart devil tribulation! There was only one explanation for this situation: the Jade Buddha!
Qin Sang was stunned by the Jade Buddha’s power. He had anticipated that under its protection, the heart devils might weaken and the difficulty of crossing the tribulation would lessen.
What was unimaginable was that the Jade Buddha had directly erased the heart devil tribulation, the calamity most feared by immortal cultivators!
What level of treasure is the Jade Buddha? Qin Sang stood in a daze.
If news of this spread, the entire world of immortal cultivation would go mad.
Even the rarest natural treasures recorded in ancient texts could at most steady the mind and slightly increase one’s chances of success. Never had he heard of anything that could eliminate the heart devil tribulation altogether.
He had already thought highly of the Jade Buddha. Now it seemed he might still have underestimated it.
"I am already a Spiritual Infant cultivator?" Qin Sang murmured to himself. With inner vision, he examined the Spiritual Infant within his body. His eyes gradually regained clarity. Spiritual light flowed over him, healing his external wounds. He changed into a fresh Daoist robe.
"Congratulations, Brother Qin, on shattering the Golden Core and forming the Spiritual Infant, rising above the common!" Bai offered a fist-and-palm salute.
"Congratulations, Senior Uncle!"
"Congratulations, Mr. Qin!"
"Congratulations, Master!"
Li Yufu and the three demons all bowed. They addressed him in various ways, their faces filled with joy and envy.
Qin Sang smiled and nodded. Looking around, he suddenly felt that everything was new.
The water of the lake, the spirit island, the flying birds, the swimming fish... Everything around him lay within his grasp!
An immense exhilaration surged within Qin Sang. Suddenly he threw back his head and let out a long howl that shook the clouds.
After the time it took to burn an incense stick, they sped across Yuncang Marshlands, returning to the cave dwelling. Qin Sang had just reached the Spiritual Infant Realm and still needed to enter seclusion to consolidate his cultivation.
"Senior Uncle, shall we hold a Spiritual Infant celebration and establish a sect?" Li Yufu asked proactively.
Qin Sang shook his head and said calmly, "There are still unresolved grievances upon me! If I were to hold a Spiritual Infant ceremony now, how could I give that person the greatest surprise? Moreover, the identity of Demon King Ming Yue must continue to be concealed. As for establishing a sect..."
After pondering briefly, Qin Sang said, "Sin Abyss remains unsettled, and the world of immortal cultivation is in turmoil. Now is not the best time. When you travel abroad, if you encounter promising candidates, you may take them in and guide their cultivation, but do not publicly accept disciples for now. In the future, the sect shall be called Qingyang Temple!"
Qin Sang did not have any deep obsession with founding a sect. His original intention had simply been to take a few disciples so that they could handle trivial matters on his behalf.
Since Wandering Man had harbored the wish to reestablish Qingyang Temple, and Qin Sang had received many favors from three generations of its disciples, he decided the sect would carry on that name.
"On behalf of Grandmaster, I thank Senior Uncle!" Li Yufu’s tiger-like eyes brimmed with tears. He bore his grandmaster’s final wish, yet his cultivation was only at the Golden Core Realm.
The responsibility weighed upon him like a heavy rock. By doing this, Qin Sang had effectively taken that burden onto himself.
"No need for formalities." Qin Sang helped Li Yufu up and encouraged him. "You are the true inheritor of Senior. From what I observe, you should soon break through to the middle stage of the Golden Core Realm. With your talent, the Spiritual Infant Realm is well within reach. From now on, do not be distracted by external matters. Focus on cultivation and form your Spiritual Infant as soon as possible, so I may entrust Qingyang Temple to you and travel freely."
After speaking, Qin Sang looked toward the three demons and said to Xiaobai, "You guys do not need to return with me. Go back to Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea now and share the good news with Daoist Willow. I will remain at Yuanshen Sect for quiet cultivation. If anything major occurs, send a message to me."
"Understood!" The three demons were reluctant to part. After bidding Qin Sang farewell, they returned to Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea.
Soon after, Qin Sang and the others arrived near Yuanshen Sect. Li Yufu parted from them and returned alone to the cave dwelling.
That cave dwelling could support Golden Core cultivators, but for a Spiritual Infant grandmaster, it was rather modest. Fortunately, Qin Sang held an elder’s command token of Yuanshen Sect and could freely enter and leave, so there was no urgency in seeking a new dwelling. It would be even better if he could meet Qingjun.
Li Yufu returned and shared the good news with Tan Yi’en and the other. Their excitement required no elaboration.
At Yuanshen Sect, Qin Sang concealed his cultivation, disguising himself as a Golden Core cultivator. When he arrived at the sect, he noticed the defenses were far stricter than before.
"Who's there?!" A team of disciples flew out from the sect and called out to stop him.
Sensing the fluctuations around Qin Sang, their expressions stiffened. When they saw the command token in his hand, panic filled their faces. They hastily activated the array and stepped forward to salute. "Greetings, Elder Qin! I was blind. Please punish me, Elder Qin!"
"You're just guarding the sect. How is that a crime? Rise." Qin Sang was in an excellent mood and had no intention of troubling them.
After entering Yuanshen Sect, Qin Sang paused and asked, "Is the grandmaster within the sect?"
"Reporting to Elder Qin, as far as I know, the grandmaster and the other elders went to the front lines and have not yet returned," the leading disciple replied.
Qin Sang nodded and flashed toward the forbidden grounds of Yuanshen Sect. Once his figure disappeared into the forbidden area, the other disciples crowded around.
"So this is the legendary Elder Qin, the most mysterious elder?"
"He looks so young! And so approachable!"
"That’s called outstanding presence!" freeωebnovēl.c૦m
"I heard Elder Qin appeared out of nowhere, revealing himself as a late-stage Golden Core expert from the start. He enjoys the grandmaster's deep trust and is allowed to cultivate within the forbidden grounds. Do you think he might be the next sect leader raised by the grandmaster?"
"Very possible! In this great war, so many elders went to the front lines, yet a cultivator as strong as Elder Qin remained behind. They must have wanted to protect him!"
