Shen Yan had long been exasperated by Xuan Yang’s incessant harassment, leading him to flee further and further away. Although Xuan Yang always seemed able to sniff him out and follow at his heels no matter the distance, at least finding a remote location ensured they wouldn't become a laughingstock for passersby on the street.
But of all times, it had to happen now...
Shen Yan steadied his mind and reinforced the array once more.
Ultimately, he himself had only recently reached the Nascent Soul stage and had not invested much energy into studying formations. If this array could withstand even a single bolt of lightning for Xuan Yang, it would be considered a stroke of luck.
The black clouds overhead were terrifyingly gloomy. Although Shen Yan had never witnessed a Soul Transformation advancement before, Xuan Yang had. It was precisely because he had seen it that he hadn't taken it seriously.
Back then, Zhai Bairong’s advancement could be described as smooth sailing. However, Zhai Bairong had always enjoyed good fortune, so that was an outlier. As for Nie Shiyun, his fate seemed to have completely reverted to that of an ordinary person after the original protagonist’s death, no longer targeted by the Heavenly Dao. While his Soul Transformation tribulation had been turbulent, it couldn't be called perilous.
Taking a deep breath, Xuan Yang sat at the center of the array, focusing his mind. In the time before the lightning descended, he condensed his spiritual power around his body to form layer upon layer of protection—it was better than nothing. He only had one defensive magical treasure on him, a fire ring, along with two swords. Even if he sacrificed them all now, they would at most last through two bolts...
"Stop reinforcing it! Get out of here! This is a Soul Transformation tribulation; even a stray spark is enough to turn you to ash!" Xuan Yang shouted bitterly, catching a glimpse of Shen Yan still nearby.
"Don't worry about me. You don't need to be distracted; I know what I'm doing. If things look bad, I'll definitely be the first to run," Shen Yan replied quickly. At least on the surface, he appeared calm, no different from usual.
As the crisis loomed, Xuan Yang’s mind was still a jumble of chaotic thoughts. One moment, he wondered if Shen Yan truly felt that life would be easier if he were struck dead, which filled him with sorrow; the next, he felt the other man was surely just too embarrassed to confess his feelings, and if he really died, Shen Yan would surely hold his remains in agony, filled with eternal regret...
"It's coming!"
With Shen Yan’s urgent warning, his figure vanished from the spot in the next second.
Though it was clearly daytime, the entire area around Xuan Yang seemed to fall into night as a tempest gathered.
Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong were already among the top-tier cultivators of the current age, and they hadn't squandered their spiritual energy so recklessly in nearly a hundred years.
After a long interval, the two arrived at the scene in just one night, their spiritual power more than half depleted.
While still half a mile away, Nie Shiyun clearly saw the site of the incident. It was a powerful lightning tribulation that even he, a cultivator who had already reached the Soul Transformation stage, found quite daunting. About two bolts had likely already fallen; charred marks extended all the way to the nearby grassland. It was estimated that no crops would grow in this patch of soil for a hundred years.
"Senior Nie, Senior Zhai."
Shen Yan had been waiting nearby for a long time. Seeing them from afar, he hurriedly came forward to meet them.
"The situation?"
"Not good. Three bolts of lightning have already fallen, but the dark clouds show no sign of dispersing. My array likely shattered on the first strike. Xuan Yang only brought a few essential magical treasures with him. From the last strike onward, I estimate he’s been using his physical body to meet them..." Shen Yan explained briefly.
That kind of lightning would likely take half the life of an ordinary cultivator with just one direct hit. This was why one needed exhaustive preparations to cross a tribulation. Fortunately, demonic beasts naturally possessed robust physiques, and Xuan Yang carried the bloodline of the ancient divine beast, the Phoenix. Legend had it that a phoenix could be reborn from fire; whether it could survive lightning was hard to say, but at the very least, it could endure a few more hits than a human.
"My cultivation level prevents me from going any further." Shen Yan was self-aware and remained in the safe zone.
Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong did not dare to delay. They swallowed medicinal pills to briefly recover the spiritual energy consumed during their journey and quickly approached the deeper part of the tribulation zone.
Naturally, a cultivator’s tribulation could not be entirely fended off by others. If the Heavenly Dao perceived interference, it would only send down even harsher punishments, or even a death tribulation.
However, it was quite easy to exploit loopholes in Heaven's rules.
Reaching the outer circle of the lightning tribulation, Zhai Bairong handed the medicinal pills to Nie Shiyun. Their silence conveyed a deep unspoken understanding.
Nie Shiyun took a rough look around. The array Shen Yan had set up had been blasted into non-functionality. It was too late to create a new one from scratch, but by supplementing the original foundation with simple array flags, he could at least maintain a basic effect.
"Fortunately, I have plenty of stock." Nie Shiyun handed the array flags to Zhai Bairong and, after a brief analysis, told him where to set them along the outermost edge of the tribulation. Although each individual flag was weak, combining them all into a grand array would provide significant assistance.
Zhai Bairong understood. Although he wanted to help directly, the range he could enter ended here; any further and he would be detected by the Heavenly Dao.
Having finished his instructions, Nie Shiyun flicked his body and nimbly slipped into the range of the lightning tribulation.
At the very center of the tribulation, Xuan Yang’s robes were already tattered. It seemed his magical treasures had been exhausted; in the end, he had even used his storage bag, and he was surrounded by the shattered remains of materials. Another small but swift bolt of lightning pierced down, making him squint his handsome phoenix eyes in pain. One had to realize this wasn't even the main event yet, merely an appetizer before the next major bolt descended.
There were several charred scars on Xuan Yang’s face. Normally, he would have been furious that his precious, beautiful face had been injured, but now he didn't have that luxury. He could only grit his teeth and swallow his last medicinal pill.
*Am I really going to be struck dead here?* Xuan Yang thought unwillingly. *I'm still a virgin! It's too sad to be a virgin until death.*
"Damn it! That guy Nie Shiyun must be off somewhere being all lovey-dovey again!" Xuan Yang cursed through gritted teeth.
"Oh? If you say that, then I'm leaving."
Xuan Yang’s eyes widened as a familiar voice came from behind him. He whipped his head around, and standing there composedly was none other than Nie Shiyun himself.
"You finally came! Mmph, mmph..."
Nie Shiyun grabbed a handful of pills and stuffed them directly into Xuan Yang’s mouth. After Xuan Yang swallowed them, the wretched wounds on his body and face immediately restored to their original state.
Nie Shiyun inserted the final array flag, which corresponded with the outer flags, into the center of the array eye. Then, he casually found a corner to sit down and laid out a large number of magical treasures like a street vendor, arranging them before Xuan Yang like a buffet.
Now that Nie Shiyun was here, Xuan Yang felt at ease.
Just as Xuan Yang could help Nie Shiyun withstand lightning during his own tribulation in the past, under their contractual relationship, the intervention of either party would not be counted as a violation by the Heavenly Dao.
"What did I say two years ago?" Nie Shiyun asked bluntly.
"...Stay on the mountain, practice diligently, and consolidate my cultivation," Xuan Yang replied reluctantly in a voice like a mosquito, picking up a few magical treasures from the ground. Having received such help, he couldn't be stubborn, and besides, he really had messed up this time due to his own carelessness; he didn't have a leg to stand on.
"And you?"
"..." Xuan Yang curled his lip unwillingly.
"Sigh. I might as well go back and be lovey-dovey with Bairong... If I come back in two days, maybe I can enjoy a meal of charcoal-grilled crow." Nie Shiyun made a move to stand up and pack away the treasures on the ground.
"Ah! I get it! It was my fault! I was wrong, okay!" Xuan Yang barked through gritted teeth.
"Hmph. You're only good at admitting it with your mouth." Despite saying this, Nie Shiyun sat back down.
"Since you know that, then don't make me—ugh!"
Xuan Yang’s words cut off halfway. The fourth bolt of lightning fell.
Ten feet above Xuan Yang’s head, the blue-white lightning was blocked by an invisible protective shield. It seemed Zhai Bairong had already planted all the array flags in the outer circle. Xuan Yang had no doubt about this; although Zhai Bairong didn't understand formations, as long as Nie Shiyun specified the positions, he could assist with unerring precision.
Xuan Yang knew the temporary array wouldn't last long, so he prepared to sacrifice the magical treasures. He stopped bickering with Nie Shiyun, closed his eyes, and circulated the spiritual power within his body.
The tribulations of demonic cultivators and humans differed. Demonic cultivators were naturally less tethered by mortal concerns, so they rarely suffered from inner demons or stray thoughts during a tribulation. However, because of their naturally strong physiques, the lightning tribulation was much harsher in physical terms. Furthermore, demonic cultivators were inherently less skilled at crafting magical treasures or drawing arrays compared to humans, so most had to rely on their physical bodies to cross over.
With a "crack," the temporary array shattered. The magical treasures Xuan Yang sacrificed were, after all, only mid-grade spiritual tools; the surging lightning that pierced through the protective array instantly turned them to ash. Simultaneously, Nie Shiyun summoned his heteromorphic fire sparrow, which circled Xuan Yang and blocked a bit more of the assault for him.
Finally, the lightning, its power reduced by seventy percent, struck Xuan Yang. Although it still caused him immense pain, at least it didn't feel like his body was being ground to dust.
"With me here, nothing will happen to you. Being tempered by the lightning tribulation is actually good for you. Just endure it."
In truth, he had been screaming in pain for a long time earlier, but now that Nie Shiyun was present, the prideful Xuan Yang couldn't bring himself to cry out. Knowing in his heart that Nie Shiyun was right, he gritted his teeth and bore the bone-piercing sensation of the heavenly lightning.
Nie Shiyun reset the array flags. He knew that Zhai Bairong would see the situation, realize the array was broken, and help him set the second round of flags, so he wasn't worried at all.
At such close range, Nie Shiyun naturally felt the immense pressure brought by the lightning tribulation, which was even more ferocious than when he had advanced. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
Unlike himself, who had been targeted, Xuan Yang should belong to the faction favored by the Heavenly Dao. Such a violent heavenly tribulation suggested that something might happen after it ended...
It was difficult to draw a conclusion based on mere speculation, so Nie Shiyun could only focus on what was before him. He would meet challenges as they came; with both him and Zhai Bairong present, they would find a way to deal with whatever happened.
This grand lightning tribulation finally came to a complete end after three days and three nights.
By the time he realized the dark clouds had dispersed, Xuan Yang was seeing stars, as if he could only see blue-white flashes. The sweet rain that fell after the tribulation showered his body; the previous devastation slowly healed, and his physical form was tempered to be even sturdier. But at this moment, Xuan Yang had no strength left to be happy and lay completely paralyzed on the ground.
Nie Shiyun had really been testing the limits of how close Xuan Yang could get to being blasted into idiocy!
Although Xuan Yang knew his life was never in danger, these three days had been torturous enough...
Shen Yan and Zhai Bairong, finally able to approach, rushed over. From a distance, they saw Nie Shiyun sitting leisurely on the ground, and in the middle of the array, Xuan Yang, his clothes in tatters, lying flat in a splayed-out position.
"...Looks like he's not dead," Shen Yan remarked coolly after confirming Xuan Yang’s safety.
Feeling the sunlight before him blocked by a shadow, Xuan Yang finally came to his senses; the previous dark clouds had all vanished. He looked up at Shen Yan’s face and said aggrievedly, "Do you really want me to die? Then you'd have to be a widower..."
"That would be wonderful," Shen Yan replied instantly. The consequence of being harassed daily was that he was already too lazy to argue over the details.
"Ugh, I'm so pitiful..." Xuan Yang made a crying face.
Shen Yan gave a perfunctory, "Oh, really."
Zhai Bairong glanced at Shen Yan. Just now, when the dark clouds dispersed and Shen Yan had rushed over with him, his face had clearly been filled with anxious worry. Perhaps he hadn't even realized it himself.
Forget it. Zhai Bairong withdrew his gaze. He would let Xuan Yang and Shen Yan figure out their own business.
Nie Shiyun patted the dust off his robes, propped himself up, and nudged Xuan Yang with his foot. "You're a Soul Transformation cultivator now. Can't you have some dignity?"
"The way you were sitting on the ground didn't have much dignity either..." Xuan Yang rubbed his head and sat up reluctantly.
In truth, regarding his image, Xuan Yang’s public persona was quite perfect. After all, he was born with an exceptionally fine appearance and had been praised for his looks since childhood. With just a little disguise in public, he was a quintessential gentle and modest handsome man; even many older female cultivators had their eyes on this "tender grass."
It was only in front of these few people that his pretentious facade would shatter into pieces in a single second.
After exhausting all the array flags, Zhai Bairong couldn't help much from the perimeter. Therefore, he had scouted the surroundings.
Every time a new Soul Transformation cultivator emerged in the cultivation world, it caused quite a stir. Moreover, Xuan Yang’s lightning tribulation this time had been so exaggerated; he believed people had already noticed. It was just that this place was truly too remote; those seeking information were likely still on their way.
"Should we announce it?" Zhai Bairong inquired.
Nie Shiyun rubbed his chin and said helplessly, "Yunqing Pavilion has been in the spotlight enough these past few years. My intention was not to be so high-profile. But given Xuan Yang’s personality, I don't think we can hide it for more than a few years even if we don't announce it now."
"What do you mean, 'given my personality'?" Xuan Yang frowned in dissatisfaction.
"But this way, Yunqing Pavilion will have three Soul Transformation cultivators," Zhai Bairong noted.
"..." Xuan Yang sidled up to Shen Yan and whispered, "See, they've started talking only to each other again. They're always like this. I can't even get a word in."
Shen Yan remained silent, thinking to himself: *Three? Did Zhai Bairong completely forget that he isn't actually a cultivator of Yunqing Pavilion?*
The four of them chatted for a few moments, and for a time, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Suddenly, a strange phenomenon occurred in the sky.
Shen Yan and Xuan Yang were half a beat slow to react. They only heard Nie Shiyun shout, "Watch out!" and in an instant, both Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong deployed their defensive treasures and summoned their weapons, standing ready for battle.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 异火小雀 | Heteromorphic fire sparrow | A small bird made of Nie Shiyun's special/strange fire. |
| 嫩草 | Tender grass | Slang for a younger man, often in the context of an older woman pursuing him ("old cow eating tender grass"). |
| 寡夫 | Widower | Used here humorously by Xuan Yang to imply they are a couple. |
