THDP Ch 117 Part 3 – Negotiation (III)
March 9, 2023March 8, 2023By koffeam
“I, I, I…” Sikong Xing almost burst into tears, “I forgot that my cultivation base was already approaching the peak!”
Meng Qi carved the array directly above Sikong Xing’s spiritual sea, which accidentally drained her spiritual aura to activate. But they were now in the Starfallen Sea. The sky above was full of starlight. Noticing that Sikong Xing’s spiritual sea was suddenly dried, the star array in her body mistakenly thought that its master had suffered a fatal threat and began to frantically absorb the surrounding starlight aura to protect her.
As a result, Sikong Xing’s spiritual sea was suddenly emptied, only to be suddenly filled again. This happened three times in succession, abruptly bringing her cultivation base from the brink of Nascent Soul’s peak to the next level, calling forth the thunder tribulation that prerequisite the breakthrough to the Spirit Severing stage.
For a moment, Sikong Xing felt her body bloated full, as if she was about to explode at any moment.
“Sikong Xing, could it be?!” Su Junmo exclaimed. Crossing the tribulation in the Starfallen Sea… was this a blessing or a curse? As well-informed Su Junmo was, even he could not say for sure.
Sikong Xing stomped her feet in anxiety, knowing that the black clouds above her head were quickly becoming thicker, ready to crush her down at any moment.
Meng Qi looked up and saw that lightning had already started to flicker among the dark clouds. Clearly, it wouldn’t be long before the overwhelming thunder tribulation began striking from the sky. What should they do now? Countless options flashed through Meng Qi’s mind. She subconsciously glanced at Ji Wujiong, only to quickly turned her gaze away after meeting the latter’s deep and unfathomable eyes.
Breakthrough, thunder tribulation, Starfallen Sea, chaotic aura, the swarm of snakes… Subconsciously, Meng Qi raised her head and looked up at the sky, wondering if Sovereign Qingyan was still near the sky-viewing mirror…
When the thought that Yun Qingyan might be looking at her occasionally came to her, Meng Qi suddenly felt much calmer.
“Meng Qiqi!” Sikong Xing cried out again, clearly very flustered. At the same time, she looked up at the sky again. The black clouds were getting thicker and darker, while the danger posed by the swarm of snakes was still lingering in the distance. Starfallen Sea was such a dangerous place. Never in Sikong Xing’s wildest dream did she imagine that she would one day have to pass through a thunder tribulation at such a place.
Meng Qi’s mind turned fast and quick. Starfallen Sea was abundant not only with the aura from the starlight, but also with the natural aura from the earth and the thick murderous aura born from the tragic war thousands of years ago…
Starfallen Sea was located in the junction of Three Thousand Worlds, Demon Realm, and Devil Realm. It belonged to the three realms while simultaneously not being a part of any. True to its nature, Starfallen Sea possessed all kinds of aura that each race needed for their respective cultivation.
Perhaps, it was not a bad thing to pass through a thunder tribulation here.
“Blessings and misfortunes lie side by side, as is danger and opportunity…” As if guessing Meng Qi’s thoughts, Ji Wujiong spoke in a sarcastic tone, “The aura in the Starfallen Sea is stronger than that of the three realms, and similarly, the rewards you get when passing through the tribulation are far superior. As for how to turn misfortune into a blessing…”
He paused for a moment, “This fox girl is favored by a black tortoise, so she maybe really has some talent of their clan. Meng Qiqi, do you know what the black tortoise clan is most proud of? It is the hard shell on their back, said to be sturdy enough to leave not even a scratch after overcoming a Void Comprehending-level tribulation. It is to the extent that they determine a disciple’s talent by the degree of his or her shell’s sturdiness. Since this little fox is admitted under a black tortoise’s tutelage, perhaps she also has a hard shell…”
“Shut up!” Meng Qi glared at Ji Wujiong. Sikong Xing was about to cry, yet he was still spouting sarcastic nonsense!
Ji Wujiong sneered, but he did not get angry, “If you are willing to become my disciple here and now, I will teach you how to help her turn the misfortune into a blessing. Not only that…” His eyes moved to the group of snakes in the distance: “I will also help solve those snakes and teach you how to utilize the Minor Heavenly Array in combat. And then…”
“This fox girl will be very grateful to you. After you successfully helped her overcome the thunder tribulation in Starfallen Sea, her cultivation would become much stronger than regular cultivators of the same level.” Ji Wujiong’s scorching gaze returned to Meng Qi, and he slowly asked, “How is it?”
Meng Qi’s heart was beating fast. She turned her head to look at Sikong Xing, who clearly was listening to Ji Wujiong’s every word. Meeting Meng Qi’s eyes, a trace of struggle flashed on her beautiful face. Sikong Xing bit her lower lip tightly, but quickly shook her head in rejection.
“How is it? Meng Qiqi…” Ji Wujiong repeated, “Not only can I help your friend survive this tribulation and successfully advance to the level of Spirit Severing stage, but after her primordial spirit was formed, it would be strong enough to immediately surpass that little white fox’s. And for this, all I ask you is…” A flame was burning in Ji Wujiong’s eyes, so hot that he completely dropped his usual sarcasm and turned serious, “…to worship me as a master, and become my disciple.”
Meng Qi pursed her lips again. The black clouds rumbled so loud as if they were about to crush the sky. That was the thunder tribulation, one of the most dangerous trials in a cultivator’s life. Qin Xiumo had almost died once when passing similar tribulation, and here was the Starfallen Sea. Sikong Xing now had to face such a dangerous tribulation in this treacherous place more or less because of her. She wanted to help her, she truly wanted, but if she received Ji Wujiong’s help, she would have to worship him as her master, and from thereafter, could no longer…
Meng Qi pursed her lips and asked tremblingly, “Can you guarantee it?”
Ji Wujiong put his right index finger and middle finger together, clasped the remaining three fingers lightly, and pressed them on his chest: “I swear by my soul. If I deceive Meng Qi, I will serve her as her servant from now on and will not dare to betray her for the rest of my life.”
Su Junmo: “…”
Sikong Xing: “…”
With gritted teeth, Meng Qi turned to look at her friends again. Finally, she opened her mouth, and as the word “okay” was about to come out, a man’s clear and deep voice rang in her ears, “Meng Qi.”
Yun Qingyan’s voice, to Meng Qi right now, was akin to droplets of rain upon a long-drought land, “Don’t be afraid.”
Meng Qi raised her head subconsciously and looked at the sky. The black clouds of tribulation were rumbling endlessly, almost completely covering the sky above them.
At this time, the morning sun had already risen, and white light could be seen in the distant sky beyond the tribulation clouds.
Yun Qingyan’s voice sounded in her ears, even warmer than the sunlight: “Use the star array in reverse.”
He paused, and then said again, “Place your five spirit cauldron in the center of the array, put in the Buddhist Sand, and prepare to welcome Starfallen Sea’s thunder tribulation.”