Daoist Competition
Chapter 69 - 35 Achieving Success in Avoiding Tribulation, Plugging Holes and Repairing Deficiencies

Chapter 69: Chapter 35 Achieving Success in Avoiding Tribulation, Plugging Holes and Repairing Deficiencies

The "Xuan Yuan Inner Secrets" is the Supreme Method for Opening Meridians, the True Sect teaching of the Ancient Mysterious Sect. However, those who succeed often face the jealousy of the heavens. After achieving mastery, a thunder tribulation descends—not touching the flesh, not harming the soul, not shaking the mind, nor unsettling the spirit—yet accompanied by deafening thunderclaps. The Five Elements Tribulation strikes, destabilizing the cultivator’s foundation and obstructing the path to ascension.

Those unable to evade it will see all their efforts rendered futile. Years of hardship will vanish like flowing water, and from then on, they will have no hope of pursuing cultivation.

Yet, the creations of heaven and earth are full of wondrous marvels. In the unseen depths of destiny, a sliver of life is always left behind. Before a thunder tribulation strikes, faint signs appear. If the one facing the tribulation has a means of response, they can avoid disaster in time and attain mastery in mysterious skills.

Zhang Yan, having already obtained insights from Luo Xiao beforehand, sensed the changes in the heavens and clouds at this moment. He was aware that a thunder tribulation was imminent, threatening to undo his efforts and his Dao Foundation.

"Fellow Daoist, quickly evade it!"

Luo Xiao’s expression grew serious as well. She was bound to Zhang Yan by a blood oath—if one perished, so would the other. Should Zhang Yan’s cultivation path be destroyed, she would forever lose hope of attaining immortality. Life, after all, was only a fleeting hundred years. How could she tolerate such an outcome? Thus, even as the thunder tribulation loomed, her anxiety was palpable. The black Xuan Guang on her body swept across the ground repeatedly, swiftly digging a shallow pit beneath the cave, just large enough for one person to lie in.

Without hesitation, Zhang Yan sealed his senses and features with his True Essence, lying down within the pit. Luo Xiao hastily covered him completely with rubble and loose soil.

Once everything was arranged, the heavens suddenly erupted with the roar of thunder, rumbling loudly. Luo Xiao’s heart involuntarily trembled at the sound.

The thunder’s might was vast and awe-inspiring, utterly distinct from ordinary thunder. The crackling volleys somehow pierced through the layers of the cave mansion and resonated directly within the earth cave, as if the strikes were happening right beside her ears.

Fortunately, though the noise was thunderous, there were no accompanying flashes of lightning or blazing fire. Even so, as a demon cultivator, Luo Xiao instinctively felt a deep-seated fear of heavenly thunder.

At this moment, she finally realized why those two Shell Kings had been missing all along. It seemed they had also sensed the approaching thunder tribulation and sought a hiding place. This fearsome and imposing thunderclap unsettled even her, let alone those two untamed Meng Demons.

Seven days later, the thunder finally subsided.

Before Luo Xiao could uncover the soil, Zhang Yan leapt out from underground. At that instant, he suddenly felt a lightness in his body, as if a great burden he had been carrying was now lifted. Deep within, a peculiar new Qi Mechanism began to emerge, akin to the primal energy of life bursting forth during the awakening of all things—unstoppable and irresistible. It surged within him as he broke through the surface of the earth.

Only at this moment did his cultivation finally reach the Perfect Realm, crossing the first gateway of the Great Dao.

Then, as if sensing something, he turned his head and saw the two Shell Kings soaring back from an unknown time. They were perched at the entrance of the cave, emitting pitiful chirps of despair. Clearly, they were aware that the Xuanzhu was now lost. However, after days of battling Du Bo, they were not unscathed. Having lost the Shell Xuanzhu and endured the fright of thunder tribulation, they were now dispirited and weak, appearing utterly drained and powerless.

Luo Xiao’s enchanting eyes turned as she said, "Daoist Zhang, why not seize the opportunity to deal with these two Shell Kings as well? Let’s secure another spirit land elsewhere. In a year or two, we might even cultivate another Shell Xuanzhu."

Zhang Yan, however, shook his head and said, "That would be unwise. The Yin Shell originally belonged to the Mingcang Sect’s Sect Leader. If I were to take it, let alone the Du Family, even the Mingcang Sect would relentlessly pursue the matter. The implications would be too grave. It’s best to exercise restraint. However..." He paused before continuing, "The passage dug by the Yang Shell is far too conspicuous. When the Du Family and the Mingcang Sect investigate, they will undoubtedly find it. Not only would the adjacent shell field be compromised, but the matter of the Xuanzhu might also come to light. It is necessary to devise a safe solution."

In his opinion, it was essential to fabricate the appearance of Du Bo having committed murder at the scene. However, the specific reasons need not be too clear to those investigating, leaving them to rack their brains over it.

If the matter of the Xuanzhu were leaked, it would inevitably point to a potential target, narrowing the scope significantly and bringing unwanted trouble. Therefore, not only must the Yang Shell be relocated, but all the Spiritual Shells in the adjacent shell field must also be removed.

"That is simple," Luo Xiao said. "Yang Shells, unlike Yin Shells, are inclined to move their nests. Simply finding a new place to settle them will suffice. Considering that condensing a Xuanzhu is a rare event that happens once in a century, taking the Yang Shell away would make it difficult for anyone to connect this matter together. As for the Spiritual Shells in the shell field, I have the Qiankun Pouch in my possession, so there’s no issue with dealing with them swiftly."

This plan was favorable because those twelve men were slain by Du Bo’s own hand. No matter how the situation unfolded, he would be the primary suspect of both the Du Family and the Mingcang Sect.