Chapter Eighty-Six: Encounters with Heavenly Tribulation Once More

For many hours, all of them had practiced the art of sword flight, but only Ye Sansi and Lin Nianer had managed to grasp it. The others had no trace of spiritual power; however hard they strained, their efforts were in vain.

Fu Yuan knew this well. He had not expected his disciples to master the technique in a single day. He merely wished to teach them that even the most elementary immortal arts of the island were not easily learned, and that they must never grow lax.

Unlike other sects, the Cloudless Isle did not demand that its disciples cultivate all day long. What mattered most was a tranquil heart and a still spirit. In the clear light of morning, they would train for several hours; after noon, when the heat grew oppressive and there was no urgent matter at hand, the disciples were left to arrange their own time.

Li Taiyi and the others dispersed as well, but by then the meal hour had already passed. They had no choice but to head first to the Eastern Dining Hall, hoping that Wang Qi had saved them some food.

A few disciples could be seen riding swords through the sky, heading toward the practice field. Lin Nianer said, “Those disciples are truly diligent. Looks like we shouldn’t slack off either.”

Ye Sansi replied, “Yes. The Cloudless Immortal Arts are among the finest in the world. If we want to master them thoroughly, it will take many years. We can’t afford to idle.”

When they arrived at the Eastern Dining Hall, Wang Qi was indeed still there. Smiling, he said, “You lot—good thing I saved you some food, or you’d have had to go hungry.”

The dishes were brought out, still faintly warm. Since Wang Qi had not cooked them himself today, they tasted a little lacking.

Wang Qi asked, “What did you learn today? Why did it take so long? At this rate, the other disciples will be the ones going hungry.”

Ye Sansi said, “Senior Brother Fang taught us the sword-flight technique. We learned slowly, so we missed the mealtime. We must thank Brother Wang for keeping some food for us.”

Wang Qi waved a hand and laughed. “A trifle. Luckily I told those disciples this morning to bring back extra steamed buns. With the delay, at least they can fill their stomachs. As for my uncle Fang, he is utterly devoted to the Cloudless techniques. Sometimes when he runs into a move he cannot understand, he will stay on the practice field all day long, not even touching the food I bring him.”

A deep booming sound suddenly rolled from afar.

Ye Sansi and the others tensed at once. Xiong Gang said, “What’s going on?”

Liu Lingshuang frowned. “Could it be... could that Wei Feiliang be attacking the island again?”

Seeing the situation, Ye Sansi hurriedly said to the others, “You stay here. I’ll ride out to see what’s happening.”

“Brat, don’t be reckless. Know your limits.”

“Lingshuang, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”

With that, Ye Sansi shot out of the Eastern Dining Hall in an instant. Holding Tian Nu, he flicked his wrist, stepped firmly upon the blade, and rose into the air.

Following the direction of the thunderous sound, he found Fu Yuan already leading a hundred disciples aloft on sword and array formation, positioned beyond the inner-island barrier. As Ye Sansi drew near, the barrier opened of its own accord.

He quickly came before Fu Yuan and asked, “Senior Brother, what happened?”

“Junior Brother Ye, why are you here? It’s far too dangerous. Go back at once.”

“Senior Brother, I may be able to help. Tell me what’s happening.”

Fu Yuan pointed upward. “Look. Dark clouds have gathered in the sky, with thunder and lightning flashing within. By the looks of it, this is coming straight for the island.”

Ye Sansi looked up, frowning. He felt the clouds were familiar, yet he could not recall where he had seen them before.

As the black clouds slowly drew near, Fu Yuan and the disciples grew taut with alarm. Only then did Ye Sansi suddenly remember.

“This is a heavenly tribulation! A mortal body can never withstand it. Senior Brother, we should withdraw behind the barrier and have the island lord come at once.”

“Junior Brother, even so, we cannot stand by and watch this dark cloud invade the inner island. The palaces and towers within are the legacy of our ancestors. If heavenly thunder destroys even a single tile, we will have failed them.”

“Yuan’er, step back.”

Fu Jian finally arrived, ordered the disciples to retreat within the barrier, and himself stood to face the heavenly tribulation. Yet Ye Sansi refused to leave.

“Master, I am familiar with heavenly tribulations. I can help you.”

Fu Jian nodded. “Disciple, I can sense the spiritual breath of the Great Goddess Nuwa within you. Do you have a way to deal with this tribulation?”

“No, but I can try.”

Though Ye Sansi agreed, unease still churned in his heart. The last heavenly tribulation had been escaped only thanks to Tian Nu. This one was different; he feared it would not be so easy to handle.

He invoked the Sword Rain Art and split Tian Nu into two. Throwing one forward, he sent the blade toward the black cloud. The instant its edge neared the storm, dozens of bolts of lightning converged upon it. Tian Nu was formidable and overbearing, but without Ye Sansi to wield it, it endured only ten breaths within the field of thunder.

Tian Nu was struck back into Ye Sansi’s hand, still crackling with residual lightning. Ye Sansi knew at once that this heavenly tribulation was no ordinary matter, unlike the one the Phoenix Immortal had once endured. If that earlier tribulation had been a test, then this black cloud was punishment.

“Disciple, this black cloud is dreadful, filled with extraordinary power. Neither you nor I can withstand it. We must enter the barrier and activate the island-protecting formation. Perhaps it can hold.”

Fu Yuan and Ye Sansi followed Fu Jian to the Hall of the Cosmos. There, Fu Jian walked to the center of the hall, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began casting. The dragon heads atop the hall roof lit with golden radiance, and the entire island was instantly covered by a great luminous formation. With another spell, the formation condensed into a hemispherical shield of light, sealing the island beneath it.

By then the heavenly tribulation had already reached the island. The inner barrier shattered at once, and heavenly thunder descended, smashing viciously against the shield. From Fu Jian’s expression, it was plain that this tribulation was no simple thing.

While continuing to cast, Fu Jian muttered, “Whose calamity is this? It is truly terrifying. I fear the island-protecting formation may not withstand it. The Cloudless array is geared chiefly toward offense; if an outsider intrudes, it can handle them with ease, but its defensive power is far from sufficient. Even with this shield, it is hard to contend with such overbearing heavenly tribulation.”

Ye Sansi said, “Master, let me go draw some of it away. I can relieve the formation’s burden.”

Fu Yuan echoed, “Uncle-Master, I’ll go too. If we can draw off a little more, then perhaps...”

“No.” Fu Jian immediately rejected them and said slowly, “The immortal formation has already formed; it cannot be withdrawn. If I let you out, the shield will surely shatter. Besides, this tribulation is too fierce. With your meager strength, how could you contend with it? Better to buy time and look for another chance.”

Fu Jian’s words were reasonable. Ye Sansi had no choice but to nod and leave the Hall of the Cosmos to inspect the situation outside.

The sky was pitch-black, and from time to time a bolt of shocking lightning cleaved downward, making it feel as though heaven and earth themselves were shaking.

Liu Lingshuang, Lin Nianer, Li Taiyi, Xiong Gang, and Jin Sun had also rushed over. Standing on the Cosmos Practice Field, they came up to Ye Sansi and asked what was happening. Sansi shook his head and explained.

Li Taiyi said, “So it’s a heavenly tribulation. No wonder it felt familiar. But who is it aimed at? Could it be Senior Uncle Zheng?”

After thinking carefully, Liu Lingshuang said, “It might be. After all, he’s the only demon on the island...”

“Junior Sister, it’s not me.” Zheng Fan had just arrived and heard their conversation.

He too was at a loss. He had no idea to whom this heavenly tribulation was directed. Helplessly, he said, “This tribulation has nothing to do with me. Though I am a demon, my cultivation has not yet reached the realm of ascension. I fear the island may not be able to withstand a calamity of this scale.”

Ye Sansi noticed that Jin Sun looked unwell, so he asked softly, “Xiaosun, what’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”

“Brother Ye, my heart is pounding so fast. I’m afraid. It feels as though the lightning is striking straight at me. This aura makes me feel so oppressed...”

Liu Lingshuang hurriedly pulled Jin Sun into her arms, patting her shoulder as she soothed her. “Xiaosun, don’t be afraid. It’s only thunder and lightning. With us by your side, we will surely protect you.”

Zheng Fan studied Jin Sun carefully and said, “Girl, you are not simple. Your background...”

“My background?”

“I should say your past life. My cultivation is shallow, so I cannot see through it, but I know for certain that it is no ordinary matter. I’m afraid this heavenly tribulation is coming for you. You must never let Fang Lang know about this. For the sake of the island’s safety, he might very well drive you away.”

Ye Sansi bowed to Zheng Fan. “Thank you, Senior Brother. But what should we do about this tribulation? Master said it is hard to resist. If the formation breaks, won’t the island be destroyed?”

Jin Sun stepped forward and said loudly, “I’ll go. I’ll leave Cloudless and draw the tribulation away. Wouldn’t that solve it?”

At this suggestion, Xiong Gang panicked. “No, absolutely not! If you leave the island, the tribulation will surely take your life. How could we abandon you?”

“Since this tribulation has found me, it must be punishment. My past life must have committed heinous evil; I must have been a monster. My mother died after giving birth to me, and my father was often ill for years. Some in the village said I was an omen of misfortune. I never believed it, but this calamity today...”

Zheng Fan laughed. “Girl, ease your heart. Even if your past life truly was a fiend, so what? I myself was born a demon in this life and have long endured cold eyes from others, yet I still lived through it. I, too, have good teachers and close friends. I, too, have things worth protecting. So what if one is a demon? Look at the friends you have made; they all care deeply for you. Do not place so much weight on your own identity. That way, you may live a little more happily.”

Jin Sun bowed to Zheng Fan. “Thank you, Uncle-Master, for your guidance. I will remember it. But how should we face this heavenly tribulation?”

“I don’t know.” Zheng Fan smiled. “We’ll cross one bridge at a time. Worrying is useless.”

Fu Yuan also came out of the Hall of the Cosmos, but he did not approach the others. Instead, he rode off on his sword.

He had thought of a plan: since the island’s formation could not withstand this heavenly tribulation, why not gather every disciple on the island and have them all cast spells upon the shield together? In that case, it might be enough to endure it.

Zheng Fan frowned. “This is bad. The shield is about to break...” And indeed, cracks appeared in it. Yet they slowly knit themselves closed again. Only because the eight elders each took their positions in the eight directions and cast their arts together was the island’s lingering remnant preserved.

One bolt of thunder... then ten. The tribulation grew ever more violent, and the lightning strikes became increasingly ferocious. Fu Jian was nearly exhausted. He felt the tribulation ought to have dissipated long ago, so why was it so relentless, persisting all this time?

Unexpectedly, the shield cracked again. Before it could fully mend, another heavenly bolt struck down. The luminous barrier instantly shattered into powder and fell away. Ye Sansi saw that matters were turning dire. If this thunder were to reach the island, many of the towers and halls would surely be destroyed.

“Sword Rain Art, twelvefold.”

He cast his spell, and Tian Nu split into twelve blades, all revolving around him. Pointing skyward, he sent all twelve swords racing toward the heavenly tribulation.

Ye Sansi spread his arms. The twelve blades divided the burden, each blade taking a hundred paces of space, hilts downward and points toward the heavens. As the heavenly thunder struck, just as Sansi had foreseen, the lightning was drawn into Tian Nu and could not reach the island.

For reasons unknown, Tian Nu showed no fear before this heavenly tribulation. If it had been any other spirit weapon, it would have fled far away. How could it possibly have reveled in the bolts of lightning like Tian Nu did?

As Tian Nu rose higher and higher, a net of thunder also formed in the air, much like the one Ye Sansi had once encountered...