Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 1418 - 1418 0803 Public Coercion_2

Chapter 1418: Chapter 0803 Public Coercion_2 Chapter 1418: Chapter 0803 Public Coercion_2 After recording those Nascent Soul Masters, Qi Tian began to document other Gold Core cultivators worth noting. There were as many as fifty thousand strong cultivators in the Gold Core Realm here, but Qi Tian didn’t waste time noting down everyone; he primarily focused on those with notable value. For this purpose, he conducted layered screening, yet even so, after the screening, there were still upwards of two to three hundred that he felt were worth documenting. Once he decided on them, these Gold Core Realm powerhouses would enjoy the same treatment as the few Nascent Soul Masters, with Qi Tian noting down their spirit force fluctuations and the magical instruments on them, among other details.

Qi Tian recorded swiftly, but even so, he had not finished when another group of cultivators flew in from the sky. Gao Jinmei saw them and hastily sent a message to Qi Tian, urging him to look up.

This group of cultivators seemed no different from the others who had come for their tribulation, but to Qi Tian’s surprise, they were all dressed in the attire of the National Master Manor of Wanjie City. Had it been just that, Qi Tian would not have made much of it, but among them, he saw two familiar faces.

The first was Huang Liuyan, whom he hadn’t met for several months. Qi Tian had not seen her since he last left Wanjie City, and unexpectedly, they were now meeting here.

The other familiar face was Cheng Daoran, a renowned figure of the National Master Manor in Wanjie City, dubbed the First below Nascent Soul. He had stepped into the realm of Half-step Nascent Soul, only half a step away from the Nascent Soul Stage. At that moment, Qi Tian clearly felt the overwhelming aura that Cheng Daoran could barely contain. Clearly, Cheng Daoran’s presence here was no accident; he planned to face his tribulation publicly for all to see.

Qi Tian knew that Cheng Daoran had long harbored inappropriate desires towards Huang Liuyan, wishing for her to become his cultivation couple, but he had yet to obtain her consent. Cheng remained persistent, continuing to hassle Huang Liuyan. However, what was strange was that although Huang Liuyan was also a Gold Core cultivator, she had not been in the Gold Core Stage for long. Her current level was merely the First Level of Gold Core Realm. She was not even fit to be present in such an occasion, lacking the qualifications to be in Tribulation City, much less to be one of the cultivators escorting Cheng Daoran to face his tribulation. Yet there she was, accompanying Cheng Daoran all the same. Did Cheng Daoran not realize this was no favor to Huang Liuyan?

Qi Tian immediately focused his main attention on Huang Liuyan, wanting to see if she was under coercion or facing any injustice. But before Qi Tian could discern what was happening, Cheng Daoran, Huang Liuyan, and their group had already flown to the airspace above Tribulation City.

While other cultivators facing their tribulation would pass through the airspace above Tribulation City, they only did so briefly and never lingered. Cheng Daoran, however, broke this norm. Upon reaching the airspace above Tribulation City, he stopped. As the one who was to face tribulation, the rest naturally could only stop with him.

All eyes, both above and within Tribulation City, were focused on Cheng Daoran, curious to see what he would do. Should Cheng Daoran lack a proper reason for his actions, they would not hesitate to drive him away. He was, after all, at any moment capable of drawing down the Heavenly Tribulation. If he acted recklessly and released his power in the airspace over Tribulation City, it would be disastrous, potentially leading to Tribulation City’s destruction along with him.

Huang Liuyan and the others didn’t understand why Cheng Daoran had stopped. One of them hastily whispered, urging him not to linger here and to leave quickly. He was well aware that there were several Nascent Soul Masters stationed in Tribulation City at the moment, who would not sit idly by if Cheng Daoran remained in the skies above the city for too long. If they sensed anything improper about Cheng Daoran, it was possible that one of the Nascent Soul Masters might personally intervene to expel them, or even go so far as to strike them down. They didn’t want to take that risk.

Cheng Daoran ignored the fellow disciple who was urging him on. His eyes were fixed intently on Huang Liuyan, and he did not suppress his voice. Instead, he spoke in a tone even louder than his normal speaking voice. “Huang, as everyone knows, whether a person can succeed in tribulation is greatly influenced by their state of mind. Currently, everyone in the National Master Manor is hoping for my successful tribulation, so that our National Master Manor can gain another Nascent Soul Master. I believe you wish for this as well. I’m not afraid to tell everyone that I am not certain of victory. I think I’m teetering between success and failure. If I could gain just a bit more confidence, perhaps I could succeed. I have thought of all other possible tactics and have prepared everything I can. The only thing left that could possibly increase my confidence and chance of success is you.”

Huang Liuyan averted her gaze from Cheng Daoran and said, “Cheng, you think too highly of me, Huang Liuyan. I don’t possess such great ability to influence whether you can succeed in your tribulation. The weight of your words is too much for me to bear.”

Cheng Daoran said, “No, you are underestimating yourself. There are not many in the National Master Manor who can affect my mood, but you are one of them. I won’t beat around the bush, so I’ll just say it directly. My feelings for you are well-known to all within the National Master Manor. As I am about to face tribulation, I am in need of a cheerful state of mind, which will give me greater confidence. Now, I formally propose to you, hoping you will consent to be my cultivation couple. Would you agree? If you do, I’m certain I can become a Nascent Soul Master. On top of that, we could be together; countless people would envy us. Huang, I am sincerely devoted to you, and you alone possess my heart. I hope you will agree.”

Huang Liuyan never expected Cheng Daoran to make such a request at this time, amounting to outright coercion. Not only was he pressuring her in full public view, but also at the critical moment before his own tribulation. Cheng Daoran’s words were weighty, suggesting that only if she agreed to his proposal could he succeed in tribulation, effectively creating a causal link between the two. It seemed as if her refusal would guarantee his failure, leaving her to bear an immense burden should he indeed fail. Even if Cheng Daoran succeeded, she would have to marry him against her will. Neither outcome was what she wanted.

Cheng Daoran’s words had the desired effect. Had he spoken them at another time, others might not have supported him, but now it was different. If Cheng Daoran could triumph in his tribulation, it would bring tremendous benefits to them and to the National Master Manor behind them, so all hoped for his success. Since Cheng Daoran had openly linked Huang Liuyan’s consent to his success in tribulation, it became something they had to believe, just in case.

Immediately, people began persuading Huang Liuyan. They did not beat around the bush but straightforwardly urged her to consent, adopting the stance that if Huang didn’t agree, she would be seen as the eternal sinner of the National Master Manor.

It wasn’t just them who spoke this way; even the fellow disciples who had rushed to Tribulation City earlier joined in, shouting towards the heavens from within the city. With their prodding, among the more than fifty thousand Gold Core Realm experts gathered in Tribulation City, many also raised their voices, asking Huang Liuyan to consent and not to refuse.