C63 Tribulation Crossing(part I)

Qi Yun extended his hand, and a long sword materialized before him.

Drawing the blade with deliberate care, Qi Yun declared with gravity, "I am Qi Yun, disciple of the thirty-sixth generation of Shu Mountain. I seek your guidance."

The revelation of Qi Yun's identity left Qin Buyi taken aback.

Lan Linglong's mouth fell open in sheer disbelief. "Wasn't Shu Mountain's lineage extinct for thousands of years?"

Qi Yun cast an approving glance at Lan Linglong. "You're quite informed, young lady. Indeed, Shu Mountain's legacy has seemingly vanished from the world."

"Yet, for these many millennia, Shu Mountain has been quietly flourishing in obscurity, with our numbers dwindling over time."

"The arduous nature of Shu Mountain's techniques makes mastery a formidable challenge. In my generation, I stand alone. Should I perish, the lineage of Shu Mountain would be severed once and for all."

Brandishing his sword towards Qin Buyi, Qi Yun continued, "This Taia Sword I wield is the master's token of Shu Mountain, passed down through generations. Its rank is a mystery, believed to be a relic of our founding patriarch."

"Shu Mountain disciples are devoted to the way of the sword, each aspiring to become the fabled Sword Immortal, unrivaled in combat among peers. Qin, proceed with caution."

Qin Buyi's fingers traced the edge of the Killing Saber, poised for battle. "The Killing Saber, a blade forged for slaughter."

"The Killing Saber Technique I practice was devised specifically for this weapon, to harness its lethal purpose. I've yet to encounter any armament that surpasses it amongst my equals. Elder Qi, I trust you will spare no effort."

Observing the guardless Killing Saber in Qin Buyi's grasp, Qi Yun murmured, "Such a domineering saber, brimming with the essence of slaughter. I can sense the stench of bloodshed from here."

"Qin, to remain uncorrupted by this malevolent saber's presence day in and day out is nothing short of miraculous."

"Shu Mountain Sword Art - Sword Control Technique!"

Releasing his grip on the Taia Sword, Qi Yun sent it spinning towards Qin Buyi, its blade slicing through the air with incredible velocity.

"Killing Swordsmanship: Slaughter!"

Qin Buyi, with a firm grip on the rapidly vibrating Killing Saber, faced off against the Taia Sword.

"Clang!"

The blades met with a resounding clash of metal.

Unyielding, the Taia Sword's edge glided along the Killing Saber, thrusting towards Qin Buyi.

Sparks scattered as the Taia Sword grated against the Killing Saber, emitting a piercing screech that sent shivers down the spine.

The sword's tip was inches from Qin Buyi.

With a roar, Qin Buyi commanded, "Shake!"

Channeling his full force into the Killing Saber, its vibrations soared to a staggering hundred thousand times per second, attempting to repel the Taia Sword.

Yet, the Taia Sword clung to the Killing Saber like iron to a magnet, relentlessly advancing towards Qin Buyi.

Qi Yun, observing Qin Buyi's struggle, boasted, "Qin, witness the might of my Shu Mountain Sword Technique!"

As Qin Buyi parried the Taia Sword's relentless assault, he replied, "Its power is indeed formidable, peerless among its rank. But I'm puzzled—why does the Shu Mountain Sword Technique's power so vastly exceed that of the Flying Sword, when both employ the sword?"

Qin Buyi had faced the Flying Sword's attacks multiple times, but none had proven as challenging as this.

Hearing the mention of the Flying Sword, Qi Yun scoffed, "My Shu Mountain Sword Technique is beyond comparison with those inferior flying swords."

"Those practitioners who rely on flying swords can hardly be deemed true swordsmen; they merely disgrace the sword."

"A true swordsman embodies the heart, courage, and intent of the sword. What are these so-called sword users? To them, a sword is no more than a fire poker, wielded without any semblance of skill."

As Qi Yun spoke, the Taia Sword edged closer, now mere centimeters from Qin Buyi's throat.

With hands clasped behind him, Qi Yun stated, "Qin, should you fail to counter this sword, I ask that you spare the life of Hong Wanrou."

Qin Buyi's left hand joined his right on the sword's hilt, transitioning from a one-handed to a two-handed grip.

"Unable to defend? That's not an option. Elder Qi, Hong Wanrou's demise is certain. Now, watch closely."

With a thunderous cry, Qin Buyi commanded, "Break free!"

He forcefully yanked the Killing Saber free from the grip of the Taia Sword.

He then hoisted the Killing Saber high and brought it down upon the Taia Sword's blade.

"Killing Swordsmanship: Slaughter!"

"Clang!"

"Killing Swordsmanship: Slaughter!"

"Clang!"

"Killing Swordsmanship: Slaughter!"

"Clang!"...

In mere seconds, Qin Buyi unleashed a flurry of over a hundred strikes.

Amidst his savage and relentless assault, a mournful cry emanated from the Taia Sword.

"Zheng!"

Upon hearing its lament, Qi Yun summoned the Taia Sword back to him.

A hairline fracture, nearly invisible to the eye, had formed along the sword's blade.

A look of anguish crossed Qi Yun's face as he tenderly stroked the Taia Sword, as one would caress a cherished lover.

Admiring Qin Buyi, Qi Yun remarked, "Qin, that's a fine blade, and masterful technique!"

Qin Buyi retracted the Killing Saber, which remained as razor-sharp as ever, its blade unmarred by even the slightest fissure.

The exchange had clearly demonstrated the superiority of their respective weapons.

As Qin Buyi prepared for another onslaught, the sky abruptly turned bleak.

Clouds, dark and ominous, had swallowed the once-clear heavens.

Thunder rumbled ominously from within the shrouding darkness.

Qin Buyi felt a foreboding sense of being targeted by the clouds above and looked up.

Qi Yun, too, gazed skyward, his brow knitting and then smoothing as he murmured to himself, "Something's amiss! It can't be, what's happening?"

Behind Qi Yun, Hong Wanrou's voice, tinged with uncertainty, broke in, "Uncle Qi, what's happening?"

The dark clouds swelled, and the air was thick with the echoes of thunder.

Qi Yun, as if coming to a realization, expressed his disbelief:

"Someone is undergoing a Tribulation Crossing, but here on Blue Star, I'm the only one who has advanced to the Combination Stage. Could it be a reclusive hermit hidden away in the mountains?"

"That's impossible. If such a hermit existed, how could I be unaware? This is utterly baffling. Who could this person be?"

Hong Wanrou, upon hearing Qi Yun's perplexing words, felt an irresistible urge to seek out a certain direction:

"Could it be... Could it be that someone has achieved the ultimate perfection of the Combination Stage and is now breaking through to the Tribulation Crossing Stage?"

Qi Yun nodded with difficulty, "It's highly probable. For a cultivator, breaking through to the Tribulation Crossing Stage marks their first encounter with a lightning tribulation on their path of cultivation."

"Surviving a lightning tribulation, a harrowing ordeal of nine deaths and a single chance at life, is a feat few accomplish. Hence the origin of the term 'Tribulation Crossing Stage.'"

"The intensity of this lightning tribulation seems to fall short of the Tribulation Crossing Stage standard. Why is that? It's quite puzzling."

Qi Yun shifted his gaze to Qin Buyi and suggested, "Qin, someone here is in the midst of a Tribulation Crossing. Let's halt our confrontation and observe their ordeal."

"Watching this could prove immensely beneficial for our own future breakthroughs to the Tribulation Crossing Stage."

"Crack!"

The first bolt of lightning tore through the dark clouds, a green column as thick as a water barrel hurtling straight towards Qin Buyi.

Qi Yun's eyes bulged in disbelief at the sight, as if he'd seen a ghost in the full light of day, he exclaimed at Qin Buyi, "You... You..."

The green lightning column inched ever closer to Qin Buyi...

"Boom!"

The green lightning column struck Qin Buyi, who felt nothing but a tingling sensation, completely devoid of discomfort.

The intensity of the first green lightning column was akin to that faced by someone newly initiated into the Combination Stage.

Watching Qin Buyi withstand the first lightning tribulation, Qi Yun stuttered in astonishment, "How... How can this be? For someone in Void Refining to break through to the Combination Stage and face a lightning tribulation is absolutely unprecedented!"

"Now it makes sense why the tribulation seemed weaker than that of the Tribulation Crossing Stage. It's all clear to me now."

"But even at this intensity, it's beyond what the Combination Stage can handle."

Upon hearing Qi Yun's words, Qin Buyi wondered to himself, "I'm still trying to figure out what's happening."

Qin Buyi exemplified the principle of consulting the system whenever he encountered something unclear.

He inwardly summoned the system, "System, show yourself."

The system responded with a languid voice,

"My not-so-bright host, what's puzzling you this time?"

Above, the second lightning tribulation was gathering force.

Qin Buyi, unconcerned with the system's tone, cut to the chase, "Why am I facing a lightning tribulation after breaking through to the Combination Stage? What's the deal?"

System: The answer is straightforward. It'll cost you a thousand Merchant Points.

Qin Buyi replied, "My points are all gone. How am I supposed to pay you?"

System: Considering you're out of points, you can owe me. I'll automatically deduct them once you have enough.

Annoyed by the system's money-grubbing demeanor, Qin Buyi resolutely retorted, "Even now, you're still fixated on money."

"Believe me, if you don't answer this question for free, I'm willing to let the heavenly lightning strike me dead."

The system, faced with Qin Buyi's blunt approach, started to feel a headache.

Hearing Qin Buyi's threat to let the heavenly lightning take him, the system finally relented.

My foolish host, I shall bestow mercy upon you and reveal the truth. Your attributes are excessively formidable, making the lightning tribulation inevitable.

Haven't you heard that a cultivator too mighty will incur the jealousy of the heavens? That's precisely your situation.

After hearing the system's explanation, Qin Buyi's doubts vanished as he bluntly told the system,

"The question's been answered; now you can buzz off."

The system, feeling wronged, lamented, "How can you be so ruthless, host?"

Qin Buyi paid no further attention to the system.

*Crack!*

The second lightning tribulation, now fully formed, hurtled down towards Qin Buyi.

The second bolt of lightning was as thick as a bucket, its power reaching the early stages of the Combination level. Qin Buyi faced the sky, bracing his body against the onslaught of the tribulation.

Qi Yun watched Qin Buyi endure two successive lightning tribulations with nothing but his physical strength and couldn't help but comment, "The resilience of his body is truly frightening."

Standing behind Qi Yun, Hong Wanrou gazed at Qin Buyi, who was in the midst of his Tribulation Crossing, and suggested, "Uncle Qi, strike while he's weak. He's completely absorbed in the Tribulation Crossing and can't afford to be distracted. Why not seize this chance to eliminate him?"

Qi Yun cast a disapproving look at Hong Wanrou upon hearing her suggestion and replied, "Engage in such dishonorable tactics? You've truly let me down."

With a tone of despair, Hong Wanrou pressed, "So, you're indifferent to whether I live or die? Once he overcomes the lightning tribulation, Uncle Qi, are you confident you can restrain him?"

With an icy tone, Qi Yun responded, "I'll give it everything I've got. If I fail to stop him, then it's simply your fate to meet this end."

"You made a promise to my mother," Hong Wanrou began, but Qi Yun cut her off, "Your mother and I did share a love when we were young, but in the end, didn't she choose to marry another?"

"She sought me out on her deathbed, and out of respect for our old flame, I agreed to look after you. And I have, quite diligently, over the years."

"How else would a girl of your modest talents become the master of the Water Moon Secret Realm?"

"The affection I once held has all but faded; I've fulfilled my obligation to your mother."

"Besides, it was your own actions that brought Qin's wrath upon you. Had you not, along with the Fire Cloud and Kunlun Secret Realms, greedily sought out his unique fortunes, none of this would have happened."

After Qi Yun finished, a bitter resentment flickered in Hong Wanrou's eyes. She bowed her head, choosing silence over further words.