Chapter 51: The Ancient Grand Formation, Crossing the Thunder Tribulation

“All prepared? How could I accept this?” Fang Wang feigned hesitation.

Zhou Xue blinked and smiled, “If you feel embarrassed, just wait until we return and break through slowly. With your status as a direct disciple, Yang Yuanzi will surely do his utmost to help you.”

“No, it’s fine. After all, we’re family!”

“Mm.”

A warm feeling rose in Fang Wang’s heart. Since he first stepped onto the path of immortality, Zhou Xue had always cared for him; he had never had the chance to repay her. Only by cultivating diligently could he ever return her kindness.

Zhou Xue said, “Don’t let hatred weigh on your mind. The road of immortal cultivation is long. Great Qi is but a small corner of the world; Taiyuan Gate isn’t a sect we’ll stay in forever. Remember, at all times, put your own cultivation first. Only by growing stronger can you avenge yourself and obtain everything you desire.”

Fang Wang nodded. Zhou Xue had laid everything bare; he would not act rashly.

After leaving the Sacred Cave, he would continue his secluded cultivation, striving to reach the Spiritual Focus realm as soon as possible, then claim the true art of the Heavenly Firmament Saint Body.

With the cultivation of the Spiritual Focus realm, combined with the perfected Heavenly Firmament Saint Body and the Nine Dragons Divine Transformation Technique, who in the entire Great Qi cultivation world could rival him?

The two began discussing the wonders of the cultivation world, mostly Zhou Xue sharing her experiences, for she had wandered outside for many years.

…

Thunder rumbled, rain poured in veils.

Fang Wang and Zhou Xue walked through wild mountains, the terrain undulating and stretching endlessly. The oppressive thunderclouds seemed poised to crush the sky, and the thunder—like the wrathful roar of gods—cast a terrifying pall over heaven and earth.

Little Zi lay on Fang Wang’s shoulder, unable to hold back any longer. “Are we really going there? Last time I got close, I nearly got struck by lightning. There must be an ancient formation here.”

Since Little Zi had been marked by the Soul Binding Curse, Fang Wang allowed it to perch on his shoulder.

Six days had passed since that night.

The Sacred Cave was far larger than Fang Wang had imagined; it was impossible to fathom how powerful the ancient sage must have been to create such a vast abode.

Zhou Xue spoke without turning her head, “That’s right, there’s indeed a great formation here. Looks like the inheritance you received is extraordinary, for you to know so much. Fang Wang, once we get out, don’t let it go; keep it as a companion.”

“You…”

Little Zi trembled with rage, but dared not curse, lest it seem desperate to escape.

Fang Wang did not provoke Little Zi further, but curiously asked, “Are you planning to use this formation to help me break through?”

“Yes. This formation has stood for at least ten thousand years. The spiritual energy accumulated over time has transformed into the lightning attribute, acting as a substitute for lightning-type divine treasures.”

Zhou Xue replied, her gaze drawn to a certain rock.

Fang Wang followed her eyes and saw a man leaning against a rock ahead. His clothes were disheveled but not damaged; he lay motionless, propped up against the stone.

Zhou Xue pressed on without slowing.

As they drew near, Fang Wang saw the man was dead, eyes wide open, staring blankly at the heavens.

Zhou Xue stopped beside him, glanced over, and said, “No wounds. He must have had his soul forcibly extracted—died in agony.”

Soul extraction?

Fang Wang immediately thought of Lu Yuanjun; that wretch loved nothing more than such deeds.

Could Lu Yuanjun be nearby?

Fang Wang looked closely and saw the storage pouch had been taken, and the corpse wore no rings or other items.

“Let’s keep moving. If some fool has occupied our place, we can avenge this disciple of the Supreme Purity Sect.”

Zhou Xue pressed forward, her words making Little Zi shudder.

Fang Wang immediately followed her.

After a hundred paces, Zhou Xue raised her hand, summoning her life-bound treasure—a qin. Its color was different from when she competed in the Nine Veins Duel; the wooden instrument now bore streaks of white.

She carried the qin forward, a fierce aura erupting, startling Fang Wang. This aura surpassed Xu Lang at the ninth level of the Spirit Pill realm!

How strong was she, truly?

Fang Wang had always harbored a desire to test himself against Zhou Xue, but had never dared ask—he owed her too much.

Ahead, lightning crackled, winds howled, whipping their robes.

Bolts struck the mountainside, not touching the ground, yet their power was frightening.

Fortunately, Zhou Xue’s life-bound treasure shielded their path, sparing them from lightning strikes and even the need to dodge.

Crossing the ridge, Fang Wang stood atop the mountain and looked out. Ten yards below lay a stone gate, beyond which stretched a stairway, extending for miles to a towering peak that pierced the thunderclouds.

For some reason, the sight of that peak filled Fang Wang with dread. He sensed his breakthrough would not be easy—it would be painful.

But before Zhou Xue, he could not falter, lest he be underestimated.

Fang Wang hurried to keep pace, avoiding lightning. Little Zi trembled on his shoulder, not daring to utter a word.

A while later.

A figure leaped from the distant peak, rushing toward them. Fang Wang squinted and recognized Lu Yuanjun.

Lu Yuanjun rode a flying sword, dozens of bolts entwined about him, his sword energy dispelling the lightning—a striking scene.

Seeing Fang Wang and Zhou Xue, he accelerated and soon landed before them, the lightning trailing behind him like a billowing cloak.

“What brings you here? There’s nothing valuable on the mountain; other sect disciples likely beat us to it.” Lu Yuanjun smiled.

Zhou Xue replied, “We’re here to practice lightning arts.”

Lu Yuanjun nodded, then turned to Fang Wang, asking, “Junior Brother Fang, how goes your progress? Do you need spirit pills or treasures for a breakthrough? If you lack anything, just tell me.”

Fang Wang shook his head and smiled, “Thank you, Senior Brother. I have no needs for now.”

Lu Yuanjun nodded, then seemed to recall something and asked with concern, “Junior Brother Fang, I heard your Fang family suffered a calamity three years ago. Has the matter been resolved? I have connections among mortals and can help investigate.”

Having lived two lifetimes, Fang Wang recognized the probing behind the question.

He sighed, “It was the work of the current prime minister, who has since been executed by the emperor. I regret that I couldn’t kill him myself.”

Lu Yuanjun showed sympathy. “My condolences. Now that Great Qi is about to become a cultivation dynasty, it’s a great opportunity for your family. Let the past go and move forward on the path of immortality.”

“Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother.”

“No trouble. I haven’t helped much. You two go ahead—I'll leave you to it.”

Lu Yuanjun nodded to Zhou Xue, then departed on his sword.

Once he vanished at the horizon, Zhou Xue smiled, “I underestimated you; you’re quite adept at hiding things.”

“Once a seed of suspicion is planted, it breeds wariness. I just don’t know how long he’ll restrain himself.” Fang Wang shrugged calmly.

Zhou Xue smiled and said no more, continuing ahead.

Little Zi tilted its head, curious about their conversation, but dared not ask.

…

Half an hour later.

On a cliff, Fang Wang sat cross-legged, surrounded by all manner of spirit treasures—flowers, fruits, strange stones, and even objects whose shapes defied description.

Zhou Xue was drawing talismans. Each one she attached to a wooden stake, then planted the sticks around the spirit treasures.

Fang Wang looked up; thunderclouds loomed overhead, their oppressive might unsettling him.

“You’re not going to have him undergo a lightning tribulation, are you?” Little Zi, sprawled on a nearby rock, could not help but ask. Fang Wang cast it an approving glance.

This snake was sharp-eyed!

Zhou Xue, still drawing talismans, replied, “It’s a kind of tribulation, but not as dangerous as the real thing. It’ll hurt, but the lightning will help the various medicinal effects fuse more thoroughly.”

Just a little pain?

Damn!

Fang Wang knew he was in for trouble. What an immortal called “a little pain” was surely far beyond mortal endurance.

“Wicked woman, you wouldn’t harm him, would you? Young master, do you really trust her so much? People’s hearts are hidden—I've seen plenty of cultivators enter as companions, only to start killing each other when they can’t escape!”

Little Zi grew anxious, hastily warning Fang Wang.

Zhou Xue ignored Little Zi, focusing on her task.

Fang Wang was pleased with Little Zi’s attitude, but outwardly replied righteously, “She and I are kin, we’ve faced life and death together—how could there be no trust?”

Despite his words, apprehension gnawed at him.

He must remain vigilant!

The Nine Dragons Divine Transformation Technique was his trump card; Zhou Xue had no idea he possessed it.

“If I really wanted to deal with your young master, would I waste so many spirit treasures? As for seizing a body, I’m not fond of men’s bodies, and besides, I have no need for it.” Zhou Xue retorted, glancing at Fang Wang with a meaningful look.