The Tribulation

Naturally, it could see quite clearly that Qin Sang’s fate remained uncertain. Swift as Qin Sang was, he was not fast enough to easily shake off Qianji Demon King. A full major realm separated the two. Barring any unexpected mishap, the outcome could only be Qin Sang exhausting his true essence and being captured alive by the demon king. *That fellow actually let me go. He doesn't seem like the cruel, bloodthirsty sort. The Azure Luan projection could even stir an abnormal reaction in my bloodline. If I miss this chance, I'll never get another...* After hesitating for a moment, the falcon demon ultimately could not resist the temptation. Circling around in a wide arc, it stealthily followed behind. In the night. Two streaks of escaping light flew out of Ten Thousand Snakes Abyss, one after the other—precisely Qin Sang and Qianji Demon King. The other lesser demons had long been left far behind. Unexpectedly, just as the second streak appeared... Billowing white mist suddenly surged around the gorge. In an instant, it sealed off the surrounding space, forming a massive illusion array that enveloped Qianji Demon King within. Qianji Demon King was not unprepared. Halting his light abruptly, an uncanny glow burst from his body, scattering the white mist, but in a flash, it surged back to surround him once more. "An illusion array?" Qianji Demon King was inwardly incensed. Even he could not see through this illusion array in an instant, showing that the person controlling the array was likely no weaker than the thief from before. Such anomalies were rarer than Nascent Soul cultivators, yet two had appeared at once! Outside the illusion array. Qin Sang’s figure swayed, and he plummeted from midair. He was already on the verge of exploding. Fortunately, Bai arrived just in time and caught Qin Sang. Sensing the abnormal state within Qin Sang's body, he asked with utter astonishment, "What did you do in there?" When Qin Sang had gone inside, everything had been completely normal. The power raging inside Qin Sang was extraordinarily violent and carried an unusual, awe-inspiring might that actually made Bai feel a tremor of dread. "It's a long story!" Qin Sang gave a bitter smile. "I must channel my cultivation with all my might to force a breakthrough. Once I reach the fourth layer of the cultivation method, I won't fear the demon king. Brother Bai, please get me out of here first." Knowing the situation was dire, Bai asked no further questions. Nodding, he took Qin Sang, picked a direction, and fled into the distance without looking back. This was only the first layer of insurance. The illusion array's fluctuations were extremely faint, escaping even the perception of a Transformation stage great demon, but its power was correspondingly limited. If they could not shake off Qianji Demon King, the Willow Tree Spirit, Old Horse Monkey, and the other great demons of the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea had all mobilized, having laid a grand array in a concealed location just in case. Unless it was an absolute necessity, it would not be utilized, so as to avoid exposing them. Having absorbed the power of the Corpse Soul Pearl, Bai's strength had grown substantially, and his flight speed was remarkably swift. His corpse qi turned into a streak of black light, speeding across the night sky. Qin Sang cleared his mind of distractions, focusing entirely on circulating his cultivation. Whether this was a blessing or a curse remained uncertain. Once this power entered his body, it became like gangrene attached to bone, impossible to purge. If he could seize the momentum to break through, both he and the Heavenly Eye Butterfly would gain tremendous benefits. But if the breakthrough failed, he was very likely to burst from the Azure Luan's power, his entire cultivation ruined. The brief chase just now had nearly doomed him beyond redemption. Scanning his body internally, Qin Sang found that the Heavenly Eye Butterfly was still continuously absorbing the Azure Luan's power. The emotions it transmitted also carried a distinct sense of pain. Nevertheless, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly possessed no small amount of intelligence. Understanding that this was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity, it proved as tenacious as Qin Sang; no matter how agonizing the pain was, it persevered unyieldingly. As it absorbed this power, the butterfly's wings mutated into an azure color, while the Heavenly Eye markings gleamed with silver light, lightning and thunder churning within them. The azure glow upon its body grew thicker and richer, showing signs of gradually forming a cocoon. At this sight, Qin Sang felt both delight and apprehension. Whether a metamorphosis or a mutation, it would never be a bad thing for the Heavenly Eye Butterfly. However, once the Heavenly Eye Butterfly fell into a slumber, no one would help shoulder the brunt of the impact. He had to break through before then! *The Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol...* Banishing all stray thoughts, the full text of the cultivation method flashed through Qin Sang’s mind. He was urgent, yet unflustered. Having seen the true Azure Luan and personally felt its aura, Qin Sang already knew where the image of the Azure Luan he had previously visualized was flawed. He began by correcting this step. Then from the first layer, to the second, and the third. Only now did he realize that in his past cultivation process, there had been numerous omissions and even errors; it was solely because his realm had been so low that he had been able to forcefully push through via the infusion of astral essence. Now, properly sorted out and set right, the technique underwent a qualitative transformation, and Qin Sang’s physical body actually grew stronger once more. *So that's how it is!* Qin Sang gained an epiphany, overjoyed. Little did he know that outside, Bai was nearly frantic with worry. As expected, the illusion array could not trap the demon king for long. Once the illusion array shattered, the demon king resumed the pursuit. Bai glanced back at Qin Sang from time to time, yet still saw no sign of a breakthrough. In the end, he had no choice but to dash toward the ambush site. "Brother Bai! Put me down!" Qin Sang suddenly spoke. Startled, Bai glanced at the demon king pursuing from the horizon. Ultimately choosing to trust Qin Sang, his figure flickered repeatedly before landing atop a mountain. Qin Sang sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes tightly shut. Having sorted out the technique to the final step, the first three layers were fully corrected. As natural as water carving a channel, Qin Sang instantly sensed the opportunity for a breakthrough! He had first undergone the infusion of astral essence, and now had integrated the Azure Luan's power; he had long hovered on the verge of breaking through. That it came so easily was no surprise. "Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol!" The scene of the Azure Luan crossing the thunderclouds surfaced in Qin Sang’s mind. Every movement and bearing of the Azure Luan was deeply branded into Qin Sang’s consciousness. In the void, winds and clouds surged abruptly! A dazzling azure glow erupted from Qin Sang’s body, exceptionally brilliant in the night, illuminating the entire mountain. Suddenly, this azure light coalesced madly toward the center of the gathering winds and clouds. A moment later, an illusory silhouette of the Azure Luan materialized out of thin air, holding its head high and facing the stars and the moon, possessing extraordinary divine might—this was a true divine beast! The Heavenly Demon Dharma Idol was formed! The dharma idol appeared even more ethereal than the projection within the stone slab; it would require further refinement from Qin Sang before it could gradually solidify. Of course, for now, it was enough! The instant he comprehended the dharma idol, the bones within Qin Sang's body emitted bursts of popping cracks, finally breaking through that barrier to advance to the fourth layer! His physical body transformed as impurities were purged. Qin Sang’s aura skyrocketed, and his wings stabilized in an instant. Turning from guest into master, they hungrily devoured the Azure Luan's power, gradually turning into solid form! Witnessing this, Bai grew pensive. In the distance, Qianji Demon King's expression shifted slightly as he pursued. Frowning, he stared ahead; the aura radiating from this thief actually made him sense a threat. "Haha..." Qin Sang threw his head back and laughed wildly, sweeping away all the gloom in his chest. *Rumble!* Suddenly, a crash of thunder sounded in the sky, choking Qin Sang’s laughter right back into his throat. "What's going on?" Qin Sang jerked his head up, discovering in horror that dark clouds were densely gathering overhead with lightning flashing and thunder roaring—this was no ordinary heavenly lightning, but tribulation clouds! *It's merely an advancement of my physical body. How could there be a tribulation? And directly a lightning tribulation at that!* His joy turning to dismay, Qin Sang had made no preparations to face a tribulation right now. Then, he noticed something amiss: the lightning tribulation did not seem to be aimed at him. After condensing into a cocoon of light, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly had still been absorbing the Azure Luan's power. At this moment, it suddenly flew out of his body, and a fissure appeared upon its surface!