Yellow Court Daoist

"Yes, Teacher."

Zhang Yang took his seat, looking up at his teacher with surprise still lingering in his eyes. His lips moved slightly, as if a myriad of words were on the verge of spilling out, but for the moment, he didn't know where to begin.

Seeing this, Lu Qingfeng took the initiative to speak. "First, tell me how you ended up in such a state."

Lu Qingfeng saw it clearly.

Though Zhang Yang's current Dao ability was not weaker than that of the Mahayana Enlightenment Realm, both his appearance and the aura of his Divine Soul were somewhat different from before.

Evidently.

In the Little Ruoshui Realm, he had experienced at least one cycle of reincarnation.

Meaning—

He had died once!

Although his True Spirit remained undiminished and his fundamental nature unchanged, suggesting another extraordinary encounter, there was no doubt it was fraught with peril.

"Disciple is incompetent!"

A look of shame covered Zhang Yang's face.

He recounted the rough details of his experiences over the years.

Only then did Lu Qingfeng understand.

It turned out.

While searching for Lin Feng's whereabouts, Zhang Yang encountered a cultivator who had previously pursued the Six-winged. Unwilling to let this chance go, Zhang Yang captured the cultivator, coercing the information of the Six-winged's location from him.

The cultivator revealed the location of a secret place, claiming to have seen with his own eyes the Six-winged Golden Silkworm disappearing into a Black Water Pond within the Beihan Immortal Domain.

Thus, Zhang Yang arrived at the Beihan Immortal Domain.

He took precautions, first inquiring about the Black Water Pond. Although he could not find news of the Six-winged, he did learn that the Black Water Pond was indeed a place of peculiar significance—

Whoever entered, be they Human Immortals or demons, would sink to the bottom and disappear from sight.

The Six-winged being trapped within was indeed possible.

Zhang Yang noted the location, intending to investigate carefully after finding Lin Feng. Unexpectedly, the cultivator he had captured used a substitution spell to not only escape death but also led seven or eight top-tier True Immortals to besiege him.

Zhang Yang could not withstand the assault.

Nor could he break free.

He had no choice but to flee into that "Black Water Pond."

In an instant of disarray, as the heavens and earth shifted, he was cast down to the Mortal realm, arriving in the Little Ruoshui Realm. All his Mana dissipated, and both his flesh and Primordial Spirit reverted to their primordial state.

Fortunately, his knowledge remained intact.

Zhang Yang practiced cultivation diligently, realizing that despite differences between the Little Ruoshui Realm and the outside, the paths ultimately converged. In just fifty years, he had reattained the True Immortal Realm.

Afterward.

He faced Three Calamities and endured Nine Tribulations.

He also gained a general understanding of the situation within the Little Ruoshui Realm.

However, the disasters and tribulations were perilous.

In his first reincarnation, Zhang Yang sought rapid progress, with his foundations unstable. During the Fourth of the Nine Tribulations, the "Samadhi Tribulation," he was scorched by Samadhi True Fire, dissolving both his flesh and Primordial Spirit, leaving only his soul to escape into the cycle of reincarnation.

Fortunately, in earlier years, he had acquired a stalk of Three-Life Grass, which spared him the confusion of fetal life.

Starting anew.

Zhang Yang took a steady and sure approach, successfully navigating through the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations.

But after these, came the "Ten Tribulations."

Although Zhang Yang was extraordinary, practicing the True Sect Level "Five Thunder Heart Sutra" and mastering the Divine Skill "Little Thousand Thunder Prison," along with two Eighth Rank Magical Artifacts bestowed by Lu Qingfeng—

One was the "Purple Gold Bowl," designed to trap and hold, and the other was the Supreme Treasure "Demon Suppressing Golden Ring" used for offensive attacks.

Yet, even those could not withstand the perilous fate.

Heavenly Thunder roared endlessly.

During the Third of the Ten Tribulations, the Purple Gold Bowl shattered to pieces.

By the Sixth Tribulation, even the Demon Suppressing Golden Ring turned to dust.

A thousand years later.

He ultimately could not endure the Seventh Tribulation, and under the Heavenly Tribulation, Zhang Yang decisively abandoned his flesh and Primordial Spirit, casting his soul again into reincarnation.

He was now in his third life in the Little Ruoshui Realm.

With the experiences of his past two lives, Zhang Yang found this life much smoother.

Currently, he was a Four Tribulations True Immortal, merely several levels below his previous life; different only in the amount of Mana, but his Divine Skills and Dao ability were not lesser than those of an Eighth Rank or even a Nine Tribulations True Immortal.

Such a level of cultivation was rarely found within the entire Little Ruoshui Realm.

...

"Having already undergone two lifetimes."

Lu Qingfeng was engrossed as he listened, finally relaxing when he heard about the "Three-Life Grass," "It's quite a stroke of luck to have gained the Three-Life Grass."

That explained it.

Zhang Yang had reincarnated twice, with slight changes to his appearance and the aura of his Divine Soul, but having consumed a stalk of "Three-Life Grass," he was able to retain the memories of three lifetimes, unaffected by prenatal confusion.

Thus, this current life was not much different from the previous one.

His personality and temperament remained as in the previous life.

Similar to Lu Qingfeng's own reincarnation over the years.

"I was fortunate."

Mentioning the Three-Life Grass, Zhang Yang also felt gratitude within.

If not for that stalk, left without guidance, he had a strong likelihood of disappearing into the masses. Even after becoming a True Immortal, without the protection of Immortal seniors during reincarnation, awakening past wisdom would have been arduous.

As for becoming an Earth Immortal?

Not likely, even across three lifetimes.

After explaining the events of his past years, Zhang Yang looked towards his teacher, a shadow lingering in his heart—

Reuniting with his teacher naturally overwhelmed him with joy.

But considering they were in a realm like the Little Ruoshui, he couldn't help feeling somewhat heavy-hearted.

No other reason—

"The Tribulations are too numerous."

Zhang Yang said with a grave expression to Lu Qingfeng, "The path of cultivation in this realm differs from that of Fengyue Star and the Nanhua Six Domains. In the Nanhua Realm, True Immortals only undergo Nine layers of Heavenly Tribulations when transcending the Tribulation Crossing Realm, and then can straightforwardly rush towards the Earth Immortal Realm. However, in the Little Ruoshui Realm, True Immortals face 'Three Calamities,' 'Nine Tribulations,' and 'Ten Tribulations,' a total of twenty-two Tribulations. Each one is extremely perilous, any single one more treacherous than the Ninth Layer of Heavenly Tribulation faced in the Tribulation Crossing Realm."

It's not to say that every single Tribulation in the Little Ruoshui Realm is more powerful than the Ninth Layer of Heavenly Tribulation in the Tribulation Crossing Realm.

It's just that True Immortals within the Ruoshui environment, within this system, face a far greater peril with these Tribulations than those outside in the Tribulation Crossing Realm.

At least.

Zhang Yang could easily overcome the tribulations of the Nine Layers Heavens outside.

But facing the "Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations," he couldn't help but feel chills in his heart. In his past two lives, he had failed once at the fourth of the Nine Tribulations and another time, at the seventh of the Ten Tribulations.

In this life, he still didn't know how far he could go.

"Indeed, it's perilous."

Lu Qingfeng's expression grew serious.

He had only been in the Little Weak Water Realm for seven months, and during his time on White Cloud Mountain, he had gained quite some understanding of the foundational levels such as Qi Cultivation and Primordial Spirit.

But as for the True Immortal Level, he was completely in the dark.

Hearing Zhang Yang's description and seeing the difficulty and dangers of True Immortal Cultivation, along with the multitude of tribulations, Lu Qingfeng couldn't help but be stunned.

"Three Calamities."

"Nine Tribulations."

"Ten Tribulations."

"Twenty-two Tribulations."

Lu Qingfeng counted them one by one, pressing down the amazement in his heart, and curiously asked, "After the 'Ten Tribulations,' is it possible to attain the Earth Immortal Dao Fruit?"

Limited by this world, Lu Qingfeng's current cultivation level was confined.

It wasn't right for him to use the power of the Daluo Cave Temple when dealing with disciples. With his mere eyesight, he could only vaguely sense that Zhang Yang's Dao ability and energy were no less than those at the Mahayana Enlightenment Realm.

He had not fallen behind Lin Feng or the previous Lin Ye.

As for what exact level he had reached within the Mahayana Enlightenment Realm, Lu Qingfeng could not see through it at the moment.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang spoke solemnly, "After crossing the 'Three Calamities', one's Dao ability is already comparable to the Tribulation Crossing Realm. The last three of the 'Nine Tribulations' True Immortals can compare with the Mahayana Enlightenment Realm. As for the 'Ten Tribulations' True Immortals, starting from the first tribulation, they are already at the peak level of the Refining Dao Realm."

"'Ten Tribulations' True Immortals have reached an unimaginable realm, far beyond the ordinary Refining Dao peak."

"Even so—"

Zhang Yang spoke, revealing a bitter smile, "'After the 'Ten Tribulations', it's still hard to prove oneself as an Earth Immortal, and it is said that there are also the tribulations of the 'Heavenly Person Five Decays.' I have yet to hear of anyone in the Little Weak Water Realm who has crossed the Heavenly Person Five Decays."

There are even more trials after the Ten Tribulations, which was rather despairing.

Lu Qingfeng listened and fell silent as well.

He pondered in his heart: What level could this 'Heavenly Person Five Decays' be?!

"Teacher—"

Zhang Yang looked at Lu Qingfeng with some concern.

He clearly saw that the teacher knew nothing about the True Immortal tribulations, and there was no aura of disaster tribulations on his body, which obviously meant he hadn't yet experienced the Three Calamities.

With so many tribulations in the future, he didn't know how long they, master and disciple, could survive.

Thinking this, Zhang Yang couldn't help asking, "Teacher, how did you come to the Little Ruishui Realm?"

The universe was vast.

The chances of master and disciple both ending up in the Little Ruishui Realm were exceedingly slim.

Zhang Yang had his suspicions and looked up at his teacher.

Lu Qingfeng was still pondering over these tribulations in the Little Weak Water Realm, but when Zhang Yang questioned him, he immediately refocused.

And without concealment.

He talked about the series of events from finding the Six-winged Silkworm in the Nine Nether, returning to Fengyue Star, then going to Nanhua Realm, and finally arriving in the Little Weak Water Realm.

This talk lasted for a good half of the day.

As Lu Qingfeng and Zhang Yang conversed, a Barrier had already isolated the sound inside and out.

After all, Zhang Yang's fall into the Little Weak Water Realm was not something to be proud of; it was better not to let the disciples and followers overhear it.

"... "

"... "

"... "

Qin Fan waited in the temple, feeling as restless as a scratching cat's paw.

Sneaking peeks at the two men.

He only saw his master and grandmaster conversing, the former alternating between worry, excitement, and at times getting so agitated that he stood up and clapped his hands in praise.

Qin Fan felt itchy with curiosity, not knowing the origins of this grandmaster or what he was discussing with his master.

He muttered to himself, "I've never heard my master mention having such a grandmaster, and I don't know his origins. The grandmaster looks so distinguished, brimming with a vibrant Spiritual Energy that would surely be renowned in the Southern Border if he were a high-ranking person."

While he ruminated.

"Ha ha!"

"Very good, very good."

Suddenly laughter filled the temple.

Qin Fan was startled awake and looked towards Zhang Yang and Lu Qingfeng, indeed seeing that the Barrier had been lifted.

"Master."

Qin Fan quickly stood up, bowed to his master, then turned to Lu Qingfeng with a bow, addressing him as 'Grandmaster.'

"This disciple you've taken is not bad."

Seeing Qin Fan, Lu Qingfeng nodded in recognition to his cheap grand-disciple, and then said with a smile to Zhang Yang.

He was referring to nothing else but the recent incident when Qin Fan brandished his sword at him on the mountain peak outside the palace.

Upon hearing this, Qin Fan promptly bowed and said in a panic, "Grandmaster, forgive me, your disciple did not know—"

"Haha!"

"Just jesting. You deserve to be rewarded for protecting your master."

Lu Qingfeng didn't care how much of the disciple's panic was real; seeing that he respected Zhang Yang and honored the Master-Disciple relationship pleased him.

As he spoke of rewards, he took out a block of Black Stone and a stack of fine gauze from his sleeve and placed them before Qin Fan.

Qin Fan, upon seeing the Black Stone, was clueless.

Yet when he saw the stack of fine gauze, he couldn't help but swallow hard.

Zhang Yang, coming from the outside world and more experienced, upon seeing the two treasures immediately said, "Teacher, these two treasures are too precious."

He knew his teacher had always been generous.

Back on Fengyue Star, while they were still at the Core Formation Cultivation and the teacher's own cultivation wasn't much higher, he bestowed upon them numerous Seventh Rank and Eighth Rank Magic Artifacts.

Divine Skills and True Skills were also bestowed without reservation.

But this was the Little Weak Water Realm, where treasures were hard to come by. The valuables brought in from the outside world would deplete with each use.

With so many tribulations ahead,

Zhang Yang dared not let Qin Fan accept them.