Chapter 566: Ziyun Faces Tribulation
Shen Xuan’s heart stirred, and he asked, "Senior Ziyun, you’re going to undergo transformation?"
"What’s so good about that!"
In Shen Xuan’s view, the Great Demon Ziyun had cultivated for several thousand years, refined the Spirit Pivot, finally reaching Tier Three Perfection, and could now assault Tier Four, remold its Dao Body, and take on human form.
"What’s good about it!"
The Great Demon Ziyun said coldly.
Shen Xuan was taken aback, then asked in a low voice, "Senior Ziyun, in crossing the Lightning Tribulation of Transformation, how much confidence do you have?"
The Great Demon Ziyun sighed and said, "Shen Xuan, to tell you the truth, I don’t even have a ten percent chance!"
"I am of grass and wood, and fear thunder and heavenly fire the most."
"I’ve dragged it out for so many years, but I can’t drag it out any longer!"
Shen Xuan fell into thought.
For a demon of grass and wood to transform, it was indeed extremely difficult.
According to legend, of the Seven Great Demon Emperors of the Wilderness, their true bodies were four demon beasts, two demon birds, and one demon insect.
Not a single one had transformed from a grass-and-wood demon.
"I see. That truly is troublesome."
Shen Xuan lifted his eyes to look.
The Purple Essence Divine Wood towered several hundred zhang high.
For it to transform, it would definitely have to draw upon the vast Spiritual Qi in the vicinity to remold its Dao Body.
To shift from a body of grass and wood to a human Dao Body was equivalent to a whole new evolution in the level of life, going against its original mandate of heaven and not tolerated by the Heavenly Dao.
The Heavenly Dao would send down the Celestial Tribulation Divine Thunder to temper the transforming demon.
This was precisely to maintain the natural law of survival of the fittest, to filter out the strong.
Only by surviving the Celestial Tribulation would the Demon Race be qualified to possess a higher-level human Dao Body and lifespan.
Only, for the Great Demon Ziyun, with such a colossal true body, the power of the Lightning Tribulation of Transformation would far exceed the ordinary.
Without perfect preparations, under the blazing might of heaven, with attribute restraint on top of that, it would be a nine-in-ten chance of death.
Shen Xuan asked, "Has Senior Ziyun not made some preparations?"
"What use are preparations! The Lightning Tribulation of Transformation is something we of the Demon Race must face; it cannot be avoided."
"Even if there are some secret techniques to temporarily obscure the heavenly will, in the end we’ll still be discovered by the Heavenly Dao. The longer it’s delayed, the stronger the accumulated tribulation lightning will be. By then it won’t be nine-in-ten death, but ten-in-ten, certain death with no life left!"
"That’s not what I meant. A Celestial Tribulation is nothing more than the descent of Divine Thunder. Has Senior Ziyun ever thought of weakening the power of the tribulation and enhancing your own resistance?"
The Great Demon Ziyun fell silent.
Only after a long while did he speak faintly, "I have thought of some methods."
"I used my Lifebound Core and nurtured it for a thousand years to refine a Top Grade Spiritual Artifact called the Universe-Warding Net of Wish-Fulfillment. It’s just that this Spiritual Artifact is of the Wood Attribute."
"Against the Celestial Tribulation Divine Thunder, I fear it won’t be of much use."
Hearing this, Shen Xuan couldn’t help but shake his head.
Still, for a demon of grass and wood, which by nature would not refine artifacts at all,
to be able to nurture a single Top Grade Spiritual Artifact was already no easy feat.
The Great Demon Ziyun asked, "Shen Xuan, do you have a good plan to teach me?"
Shen Xuan fell silent.
He pondered secretly in his heart.
If he could help the Great Demon Ziyun successfully cross the tribulation and transform into human form, achieving the rank of Demon Emperor,
the rewards he could receive would be extremely rich.
Only, this matter was rather troublesome.
He had to decide with caution.
The Dao Scripture has a famous saying: the Dao is constantly Wuwei yet there is nothing it does not do.
The Great Dao normally acts through natural non-action, yet it accomplishes all things.
In other words, one must follow the natural course.
All things possess spirit and each has its own cycle of karma and reincarnation.
If one interferes in another’s karma, it is very easy to invite calamity out of nowhere.
The Buddhist scriptures have a similar famous saying.
"The recompense of good and evil follows like a shadow; the karma of the three lifetimes cycles without fail."
With others, it would be one thing.
Take Qin Yuehan, for example.
Shen Xuan waited until she had condensed a Fake Pill before getting together with her.
With his Realm Cultivation of Ice Technique Golden Core and peak Dharma Aspect, only then could he bear the karmic provocation of the Zheng Family of Jinlan Mountain.
The karma of the Great Demon Ziyun was too vast.
Shen Xuan feared that with one careless move he would be drawn into it and see his body perish and Dao vanish.
The Great Demon Ziyun let out a faint sigh.
He had cultivated for so many years; how could he not understand this principle?
Only, in the face of the Celestial Tribulation, with soul-scattering annihilation as the price of failure, he had lost his composure.
After a long time—
Shen Xuan opened his mouth and asked, "Senior Ziyun, how long until the tribulation?"
"Half a year."
"Half a year is indeed a bit tight."
Shen Xuan mused.
If he could help the Great Demon Ziyun weather the Celestial Tribulation and achieve Demon Emperor,
the rewards he would obtain would definitely be very generous.
"When Senior Ziyun undergoes tribulation, will there be any mighty expert present to protect the Dharma for you?"
"I can invite the Divine Power Ape Emperor to act as protector."
Shen Xuan’s heart gave a jolt.
The Divine Power Ape Emperor was one of the Seven Great Demon Emperors of the Wilderness.
It was said to be a descendant of the Mixed-World Four Monkeys’ lineage, the Arm-Extending Ape Monkey.
The Arm-Extending Ape Monkey possessed four special Divine Powers: Seizing Sun and Moon, Shrinking Thousand Mountains, Discerning Misfortune and Blessing, and Manipulating Heaven and Earth.
The Divine Power Ape Emperor had awakened the ancestral Innate Divine Power of Shrinking Thousand Mountains, born with Divine Power and Infinite Strength.
Shen Xuan asked, "Does the Divine Power Ape Emperor have any way to help you resist the Celestial Tribulation?"
"No, he will not take action."
The Great Demon Ziyun said, "According to the rules passed down for tens of thousands of years among the Demon Race of the Wilderness, a Demon Emperor has the responsibility to guard the Dharma for the demons of his territory when they undergo tribulation, ensuring they are not disturbed by external enemies."
"But a Demon Emperor must not help a demon withstand the tribulation, lest he incur karma and be punished by the Heavenly Dao."
Shen Xuan nodded.
"I understand."
After repeatedly weighing the pros and cons in his heart, he finally made a decision.
"Senior Ziyun, I can help you cross the tribulation. However, I have three requests."
"Please speak."
"My first request: after Senior Ziyun successfully crosses the tribulation, you will owe me a favor and lend me your strength once in the future."
"No problem."
"After Senior Ziyun becomes a Demon Emperor, you should become the lord of this territory of the Wilderness, correct?"
According to Shen Xuan’s understanding,
Grass and wood demons, even if they take human form, still cannot stray far from their true bodies.
"Correct. After I survive the tribulation, with Luoxia Lake as the center, a radius of a thousand li around it will all be my territory."
This was also the rule of the Wilderness.
Shen Xuan did a quick calculation.
In that case, the Blazing Flame Tiger, the Howling Moon Fox and the others would automatically come under the command of the Purple Essence Demon Emperor.
"My second request: I want to cooperate with Senior Purple Essence. Under the principle of equal exchange, we’ll use Human Race cultivation resources to trade for the output of Senior Purple Essence’s and your subordinate Demon Kings’ territories."
"Agreed."
"My third request."
Shen Xuan lowered his voice. "If—just in case, I’m only saying if—Senior Purple Essence fails the tribulation, would you be willing to compensate me with the ten‑thousand‑year Purple Essence heartwood of your true body?"
The Purple Essence Great Demon countered, "I must first hear how you intend to help me cross the tribulation."
The Purple Essence Divine Wood was close to taking human form, and its ten‑thousand‑year Purple Essence heartwood was an extremely rare Heavenly and Earthly Treasure.
Tier Three Top Grade, very close to Tier Four.
It could be used to refine a Spiritual Treasure for a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
Therefore, the Purple Essence Great Demon did not agree on the spot.
"Naturally, I’ll do my utmost."
Shen Xuan raised his head to look at the Purple Essence Divine Wood, several hundred zhang tall.
It was simply too tall.
Otherwise, he could have helped divert the Celestial Tribulation Divine Thunder for it using the Faraday cage principle.
However, doing that would run counter to the original intent of the Heavenly Dao sending down divine thunder.
He didn’t know whether the Heavenly Dao would punish him for it.
Shen Xuan thought for a moment and rejected this idea.
The Heavenly Dao had its reasons for sending down the Celestial Tribulation Divine Thunder.
Any cultivator or Demon Race who tried to evade tribulation would only end up worse.
Shen Xuan said after some pondering, "First, I’ll forge a tribulation‑crossing Spiritual Artifact for you, specifically to weaken the destructive power of the Celestial Tribulation Divine Thunder."
"Oh? Let’s hear it."
"It’s a lightning‑guiding needle, refined from Primordial Copper and Profound Gold. The Celestial Tribulation Divine Thunder will pass through the lightning‑guiding needle before entering Senior Purple Essence’s body, so that the thunder power is gradually neutralized and buffered, making it easier to withstand than a direct strike."
Shen Xuan had no intention of diverting all the Celestial Tribulation Divine Thunder away.
If he did that, it would be no different from obscuring the heavenly will and postponing the lightning tribulation—treating the symptoms, not the root cause.
The Heavenly Dao’s tribulation lightning would keep accumulating; the next time it descended, its power would explode, and the Purple Essence Great Demon would surely die.
Using this lightning‑guiding needle method, though a bit of a loophole,
it diluted and softened the power of the Celestial Tribulation Divine Thunder, making it easier to endure.
But strictly speaking, the Celestial Tribulation Divine Thunder was still landing on the Purple Essence Great Demon.
Hearing this, the Purple Essence Great Demon couldn’t help but praise, "This method is not bad! What else?"
"Second, I’ll collect Moon Spirit Pearls and Emperor’s Liquid for you, to heal and restore in time."
Moon Spirit Pearls and Emperor’s Liquid contained Taiyin Essence; they were excellent tonics for grass and wood demons to solidify their foundation and nourish their origin.
Shen Xuan took out thirty‑two Moon Spirit Pearls.
"I only have these Moon Spirit Pearls. As for Emperor’s Liquid, I’ll go collect it once I return. I don’t know how many drops of Emperor’s Liquid Senior Purple Essence requires?"
Emperor’s Liquid was formed from the essence of the moon, appearing once every sixty years, capable of nurturing all things in the mortal world.
It was especially effective for grass and wood demons, who could use Emperor’s Liquid to replenish their lifespan.
A bottle of Emperor’s Liquid held about ten drops and was worth about the same as a Foundation Establishment Pill, around thirty thousand Spirit Stones.
"How many drops? Your Human Race’s Emperor’s Liquid is measured by drops?"
"What else would we use?"
Shen Xuan couldn’t help but retort.
"The more the better. It would be best if you could irrigate my entire true body with it."
"I’ll try to gather as much as I can."
Dream on, irrigate the Purple Essence Great Demon’s entire true body!
Even if all the Emperor’s Liquid in Song Country were collected, it still wouldn’t be enough.
Besides, Shen Xuan didn’t have that kind of wealth.
"Third, I’ll set up a Spirit‑Supplementing Grand Formation. At the critical moment, it can simultaneously transform over a hundred Upper Grade Wood‑Attribute Spirit Stones into Wood Spiritual Qi, replenishing what your body needs."
"A hundred is too few! At least a thousand!"
Shen Xuan couldn’t help but sigh. "Senior Purple Essence, I don’t have that many Spirit Stones."
The Purple Essence Great Demon shook its trunk.
A section of Purple Essence Spiritual Wood over a zhang long fell in front of Shen Xuan.
This spiritual wood was warm like violet jade, purple mist swirling. Clear radiance flowed across its surface, auspicious vapors coiled around it; Dao patterns moved like a river of stars, spraying seven‑colored glow, its Dao Rhyme innate.
"This is a part of my true body. Take it and trade it; it’ll be more than enough to exchange for a thousand Upper Grade Wood‑Attribute Spirit Stones."
Shen Xuan hurriedly put it away.
This was genuine Tier Three Top Grade spiritual wood.
Even a Nascent Soul True Monarch would be tempted upon seeing it.
The Purple Essence Great Demon accepted the thirty‑two Moon Spirit Pearls.
The two of them discussed some details.
After Shen Xuan returned, he would immediately refine the lightning‑avoiding needle and the Spirit‑Supplementing Formation, exchange for Upper Grade Wood‑Attribute Spirit Stones, and collect Emperor’s Liquid.
Half a year later, Shen Xuan would come again to the small island in Luoxia Lake to help the Purple Essence Great Demon cross the tribulation.
Before leaving, Shen Xuan took away the two unconscious Divine Sword Sect disciples on the island.
When Shen Xuan flew out of Luoxia Lake, Li Changhe and the other seven from the Profound Celestial Sect were still waiting respectfully.
He casually patted the two Divine Sword Sect disciples.
Two streams of condensed Profound Ice Spiritual Power poured into them, dissolving the Locking Spirit Demon Power in their bodies.
"Senior Brother, why are we here?"
One of them asked in confusion.
"Mind your manners!"
Shen Xuan’s face darkened as he barked.
"There’s been a change on the island in the lake. You don’t need to wait any longer—go back, all of you. Otherwise, your lives will be in danger."
Upon hearing this, Li Changhe and the others all bowed. "We respectfully obey the True Master’s decree."
Everyone looked at one another.
In the end, it was the female cultivator from the Beast Emperor Pavilion who braced herself and asked, "May I ask, True Master, how should we address you?"
"My name is True Master Profound Ice!"
With that, Shen Xuan flicked his sleeve and vanished in a flash, disappearing before their eyes.
He was in a hurry to return to the Sect and prepare the spiritual objects needed for the Purple Essence Great Demon’s tribulation, and had no time to waste here.
"So it was True Master Profound Ice of the Cyan Cloud Sect!"
Li Changhe immediately showed a look of reverence.
This was the Golden Core True Master whose fame rivaled Celestial Star True Master, the number one prodigy of the Profound Celestial Sect.
The others were equally excited.
This time, being able to encounter True Master Profound Ice and listen to his teachings was something they could brag about for a lifetime!
The Beast Emperor Pavilion’s female cultivator muttered, "Strange, what exactly happened inside Luoxia Lake?"