Chapter 277 – Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulation, One Despised by Heaven? The Threat from Red Moon!
by spirapira【Sixth-wave heavenly tribulation — unless one is a supreme prodigy, it cannot be withstood!】
【Even a mid-stage Human Immortal Realm cultivator would need to exhaust every technique at their disposal to resist this sixth-wave heavenly tribulation…】
【Fortunately, you reacted swiftly, immediately activating your Protective Sword Aura. Fourteen hundred sword auras burst forth simultaneously, firmly blocking the sixth-wave heavenly tribulation…】
【At the same time, wisps of the Dao of Thunder’s Dao essence seeped into your body, causing your Heavenly Thunder Physique to quietly break through.】
【The sixth-wave heavenly tribulation that even mid-stage Human Immortal Realm cultivators would struggle against was firmly blocked by you.】
【You caught your breath briefly as vitality surged within your body, rapidly repairing your damaged frame.】
【Just then, the seventh bolt of thunder began gathering in the sky above, before crashing down swiftly…】
【The Seven-Nine Thunder Tribulation had arrived!】
【You hesitated for only an instant before propping up your Protective Sword Aura once more, while swallowing a large handful of pills to rapidly restore your immortal power and heal your injuries…】
【The tribulation lightning crashed down, destroying the majority of your fourteen hundred sword auras.】
【But fortunately, you held!】
【Activating the Essence of Wood, a flood of vitality surged forth, rapidly repairing your body.】
【You caught your breath for a few moments, but then suddenly jerked your head up, your expression turning grave…】
【The Eight-Nine Thunder Tribulation was about to descend!】
In the Real World, Su Xing froze when he saw this.
“The Eight-Nine Thunder Tribulation… Could the Three Questions of the Heavenly Dao really have such a massive effect on the tribulation?”
“Or could it be… that I have the potential to become a saint!?”
Su Xing’s eyes lit up, though tinged with doubt.
By all reason, given his current aptitude, a Seven-Nine Thunder Tribulation should have been the appropriate level…
After all, Su Xing’s spiritual root was too weak. Even if he made a “grand vow” in response to the Heavenly Dao, it shouldn’t have triggered an Eight-Nine Thunder Tribulation.
Those mighty beings who triggered Eight-Nine Thunder Tribulations and possessed saint-level potential — which of them didn’t have at minimum an Ethereal Root or above, combined with a sacred body, Dao body, or something similar…
By comparison, Su Xing’s innate aptitude and foundation were still far inferior.
“How strange… Could it be that the Heavenly Dao has a personal grudge against me?”
An ominous premonition rose in Su Xing’s heart. The Eight-Nine Thunder Tribulation — he might still be able to endure it…
But if his luck was truly terrible and a Nine-Nine Thunder Tribulation came down…
At this thought, Su Xing hurriedly shook his head.
“Impossible, absolutely impossible!”
“I’m not someone despised by heaven… How could a Nine-Nine Thunder Tribulation possibly descend on me?”
Su Xing shook his head like a rattle drum.
He had once heard that those with a heaven-despised constitution were born to attract catastrophe, bringing devastation to all living beings in lesser chiliocosms…
In the end, a Nine-Nine Thunder Tribulation would descend upon them, annihilating them completely.
This was also one of the exceedingly rare cases of a Nine-Nine Thunder Tribulation in the countless years of the cultivation world’s history.
“With the power of my Spirit Domain… the Eight-Nine Thunder Tribulation should be survivable, right?”
Su Xing swallowed hard and turned his gaze to the simulation panel.
【In the sky above, the Eight-Nine Thunder Tribulation was about to fall.】
【You faintly heard cries of alarm from the distance — every powerful cultivator watching was in utter disbelief that eight consecutive waves of tribulation lightning had descended!】
【Such a terrifying tribulation had never occurred in the Lesser Azure Cloud Realm since its very creation!】
【But you could no longer concern yourself with anything else. You swiftly deployed your final trump card — your embryonic Spirit Domain!】
【Wood, fire, thunder, speed, power, and space — seven types of Dao origins stacked together, dramatically boosting your combat strength.】
【You took a deep breath, channeled the Heaven Sword Art, and unleashed a storm of sword light from your hand, slashing toward the sky…】
【Before the tribulation fully descended, you would weaken its power!】
【At this moment, boundless vitality was gestating within your body… the Essence of Wood climbed to its absolute limit!】
【Under the enhancement of multiple talents, your physical body became incomparably resilient…】
【Finally, at full power, you faced this tribulation powerful enough to kill a Peak Human Immortal Realm cultivator!】
【Boom, boom, boom…】
【In an instant, lightning overflowed in all directions, and the entire world seemed to flash white from the radiance of the thunder…】
【And you, at the epicenter of the tribulation, bore the full brunt of its power.】
【As the lightning pierced through your body, not a single inch of your primordial spirit or flesh was spared from agony!】
【You clenched your teeth and endured, but your back finally gave way and bent…】
【Within a hundred-li (50 km) radius, no trees grew, the earth collapsed… the ground was scorched black by the thunder.】
【With a dull thud, you finally collapsed onto the pitch-black, charred earth…】
【Thump, thump, thump~】
【An unknown amount of time passed — perhaps a second, perhaps a lifetime…】
【Your heart resumed beating. Under the enhancement of the Cockroach talent, you ultimately, with great difficulty, survived!】
【You struggled to roll over, every part of your body screaming in unbearable pain, shifting from a face-down position to lying flat on your back.】
【Suddenly, you seemed to hear cries of alarm from cultivators in the distance.】
【”This is bad! How can it be a Nine-Nine Thunder Tribulation!?”】
【”Could it be that another person despised by heaven has been born into this world!?”】
【Every cultivator scattered in panic…】
【And you slowly opened your eyes, watching as the final bolt of thunder fell from the sky, striking your body directly.】
【Under the annihilating force of the tribulation, both your soul and body were obliterated…】
【You died!】
【Ding — this simulation has ended!】
After the simulation ended, a look of shock still lingered on Su Xing’s face.
“A Nine-Nine Thunder Tribulation?! Am I even worthy of that?”
Su Xing pointed at his own nose, completely at a loss for words.
“Damn it, the Heavenly Dao thinks way too highly of me!”
“All my talents combined… don’t have the slightest connection to a Nine-Nine Thunder Tribulation!”
One had to understand — even ancient saints may not have experienced such a terrifying tribulation during their Tribulation Crossing stage.
Could an early-stage Earthly Immortal realm cultivator even withstand this thing?
Let alone someone still at the Tribulation Crossing stage…
That was a gap of nearly two entire major realms!
“Something’s wrong… something is definitely wrong!”
Su Xing furrowed his brow in thought.
The only thing on him that could provoke a Nine-Nine Thunder Tribulation of that magnitude… seemed to be the simulator, which transcended all things…
“Could it be… because of the simulator?”
Su Xing raised an eyebrow.
Up until now, he still didn’t know what kind of existence the simulator truly was…
Was it Luo Tian’s hidden treasury?
Su Xing felt that was most likely not the case…
The simulator transcended time, destiny, reincarnation… reality and virtuality… it even possessed the power of creation!
Su Xing believed that if Luo Tian had possessed a supreme treasure like the simulator back then, he surely would not have perished…
“Sigh, what a headache!”
Su Xing let out a sigh. The Nine-Nine Thunder Tribulation was temporarily impossible to survive.
“Oh well… let me check this simulation’s rewards first!”
Su Xing decided not to dwell on it for now and take things one step at a time…
【Blazing Flame Divine Physique】: Gold talent. Price: 10 million energy points.
【Ten Years of Pill Refining Experience】: After redemption, existing pill refining comprehension increases slightly. Price: 20 million energy.
【Heavenly Thunder Physique (Stage 3)】: The third stage of the Heavenly Thunder Physique. After tempering through the Eight-Nine Thunder Tribulation, sensitivity to comprehending the Great Dao of Thunder increases, thunder spiritual root purity increases, affinity for thunder spiritual energy increases, and physical body’s potential ceiling is moderately raised. Price: 5 billion energy.
【Six Immortal Tribulations: Spirit Domain Gate Comprehension】: Using Great Dao and origin comprehension as a foundation, one can wield the power of the Spirit Domain. Within the Spirit Domain, a cultivator’s combat strength is greatly enhanced — a power that only immortals can master. The embryonic Spirit Domain has already solidified seven Dao origins: wood, fire, thunder, space, speed, power, and force. Price: 2 billion energy.
【Embryonic Thunder Grand Dao】: After enduring the Eight-Nine Thunder Tribulation, comprehended the embryonic form of the Great Dao of Thunder — ultimate destruction and speed. Price: 5 billion simulation energy.
【Embryonic Fire Grand Dao】: Comprehended the Great Dao of Fire. Power of fire-element techniques and supernatural arts is greatly enhanced. Price: 5 billion simulation energy.
【Human Immortal Realm, First Layer (Eight-Nine Thunder Tribulation)】: Tempered through the Eight-Nine Thunder Tribulation, successfully passed the Five Trials of Becoming Immortal, possessing early-stage Human Immortal Realm strength. Price: 10 billion simulation energy.
“Hm? Human Immortal Realm cultivation?”
Su Xing paused, his gaze falling on the final reward option on the simulation panel.
“Strange… I clearly didn’t survive the Nine-Nine Thunder Tribulation and died. Can the Eight-Nine Thunder Tribulation alone really allow me to directly extract cultivation?”
Su Xing rubbed his chin, mulling it over.
“Wait? Actually, there doesn’t seem to be any precedent saying that failing a tribulation prevents a realm breakthrough?”
“Because… everyone who failed their tribulation seems to have died…”
Su Xing attempted to extract the First Layer Human Immortal Realm cultivation.
However, the moment this thought arose, Su Xing’s Blessed by Fortune talent began screaming warnings frantically!
At the same time, a feeling welled up in Su Xing’s heart — as if he were about to lose something…
Seeing this, Su Xing hurriedly abandoned the idea and murmured:
“Strange, why does extracting Human Immortal Realm cultivation make my heart pound with dread, as if something terrible is about to happen?”
Su Xing was puzzled. After hesitating for a while, he cast a divination.
The hexagram showed minor fortune — meaning Su Xing’s recent luck was quite good…
Su Xing thought for a moment, then mentally committed to the plan of “extracting the cultivation”…
Immediately, the hexagram changed.
From minor fortune, it shifted to great calamity!
Moreover, it was a life-and-death tribulation! Certain death with no chance of survival!
Su Xing stared at the hexagram before him, falling silent, his confusion deepening.
“Strange… Even if the Eight-Nine Thunder Tribulation really does damage one’s potential, the hexagram shouldn’t be this extreme!”
“Looking at this hexagram, if I extract the cultivation, I probably won’t survive the day!”
Su Xing sank into deep thought.
Was there currently any existence on all of Earth that could threaten Su Xing?
…
“Yes — Red Moon!”
Su Xing suddenly realized something. Advancing from the Tribulation Crossing stage to the Immortal realm was a qualitative transformation!
Even with the simulator concealing karmic secrets, it was very likely to trigger a tribulation!
“So… what this hexagram means is that once I extract the cultivation, Red Moon will detect me?”
“And although Red Moon hasn’t fully revived yet, it was once comparable to a Grand Luo Golden Immortal… Once discovered, I’m dead without a doubt!”
Su Xing drew a sharp breath, feeling that his guess was probably about eighty or ninety percent correct!
“Does this mean my cultivation is stuck at the Tribulation Crossing stage… unable to ascend and become an immortal!?”
Su Xing’s expression suddenly turned ugly.
If Red Moon was constantly watching Earth, that meant the disturbances Su Xing had caused previously weren’t significant enough…
But once he crossed the tribulation and ascended, such a commotion would inevitably alert Red Moon!
“With Red Moon looming overhead… what am I supposed to do?”
Su Xing immediately felt a splitting headache.
Su Xing also recalled the rumors he’d previously heard about “humanity’s God-level powerhouses mysteriously disappearing”…
That absolutely had a deep connection to Red Moon.
If he couldn’t cross the tribulation and ascend, Su Xing’s strength would stagnate, and he would never be able to drive out the alien races!
But if he did attempt the tribulation, Red Moon would discover him…
At this thought, despair welled up in Su Xing’s heart, as if he were trapped in an endless loop…
“No… it hasn’t reached a dead end yet!”
“There must still be a way!”
Su Xing took a deep breath, first calming himself down, then carefully analyzing the situation.
After a long while, Su Xing thought of two possible solutions…
First, travel to the Lesser Azure Cloud Realm to ascend! This would require passing through the Slaughter Battlefield, reaching the interdimensional space, and then escaping to the Lesser Azure Cloud Realm!
But unless absolutely necessary, Su Xing was unwilling to leave his homeland and take such risks.
Staying on Earth to develop steadily was Su Xing’s most suitable strategy…
The second solution was to use Shielding Heavenly Secrets to mask the fluctuations from Su Xing’s cultivation advancement — perhaps that could evade Red Moon’s perception?
After all, Red Moon wasn’t omnipotent. The thing hadn’t even fully revived yet…
Su Xing refused to believe it was omniscient.
“In that case, I should first go to the Myriad Wood Sect ruins and see if I can use formations to mask the fluctuations?”
“If that doesn’t work… then there’s only that other option!”
Su Xing took a deep breath.
Glancing at the time, Lu Yuanwu had already been waiting for quite a while.
So Su Xing first completed his trade with Lu Yuanwu as promised, then flew by sword to the Immortal Martial World instance.
After entering the Myriad Wood Sect ruins, Su Xing began setting up the Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation…
Layer upon layer of restrictions, plus karmic concealment — after all that, Su Xing entered the spirit field grotto-heaven.
He attempted to extract the First Layer Human Immortal Realm cultivation…
But the moment this thought arose, Su Xing’s heart once again pounded with dread, and the Blessed by Fortune talent screamed warnings frantically.
“No good — my current Heavenly Secrets Concealment Art can’t block Red Moon!”
Su Xing shook his head slightly, his expression grim.
“Is the only option really to leave Earth… and head for the Lesser Azure Cloud Realm?”
Su Xing turned his gaze to his familiar panel and noticed a secret art he had overlooked for a very long time.
Eight Trigrams Divination Art: National Fortune Chapter (Beginner)!
This technique had been obtained from Old Dog Zong.
But all this time, Su Xing had focused his research and application on the Human Fortune Chapter.
After all, that directly concerned Su Xing’s own fortune and safety.
But now, Su Xing realized he seemed to have been neglecting the first half — the essence of the Eight Trigrams Divination Art!
“The Eight Trigrams Divination Art, a technique that approaches the Dao… If fully mastered, it can offer a glimpse into the Great Dao of Destiny…”
Su Xing recalled the annotations of the Eight Trigrams Divination Art and murmured:
“The Great Dao of Destiny… could it block Red Moon’s surveillance?”
At this thought, Su Xing’s gaze hardened with determination.
“No matter what, I have to try!”
“If I can successfully comprehend the Great Dao of Destiny, perhaps I can resist Red Moon’s gaze! And maybe… I’ll even last longer in the simulations!”
Su Xing’s mind was made up.
“Besides, would the Eight Trigrams Divination Art combined with the Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation produce an even better effect?”
Su Xing mused thoughtfully.
His current comprehension of the Formation Dao was already approaching Grandmaster-stage — just one step away from being able to construct Tenth-Order formations…
One had to know that the Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation could be constructed as a super composite formation up to the fifteenth order at its highest level!
It could even deceive a Golden Immortal’s perception!
If he could leverage a higher-level Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation combined with the Eight Trigrams Divination Art…
A Red Moon that hadn’t even fully revived yet — perhaps it really could be fooled!
Su Xing already had a plan in mind.
“So then… for this simulation’s reward selection…”
Su Xing deliberated briefly, then mentally declared:
“I choose the Embryonic Fire Grand Dao and the Embryonic Thunder Grand Dao comprehensions!”
Su Xing had his reasons for this choice.
Setting aside cultivation — which couldn’t be selected for now — there were actually many worthwhile rewards to choose from.
For example, the Blazing Flame Divine Physique, Heavenly Thunder Physique (Stage 3), Fire and Thunder Great Dao comprehensions, or the Spirit Domain Gate comprehension…
But Su Xing was greedy!
The Blazing Flame Divine Physique’s greatest benefit for Su Xing at present was enhancing his comprehension of the Great Dao of Fire!
And since Su Xing had already comprehended the Dao Embryonic Form… if he needed that thirty percent cultivation speed boost later, he could always extract it then.
The advancement of the Heavenly Thunder Physique could be achieved through thunder tribulations, or through the lightning zone inside the Amalgamated Beast’s abdomen.
As for the Spirit Domain Gate comprehension…
This was where Su Xing’s greed came into play!
In the simulation, Su Xing had incorporated seven types of Dao origins, yet still hadn’t reached the limit!
So, Su Xing wanted to try… incorporating an eighth Dao origin — the power of destiny!
The Dao of Destiny… a Great Dao even more ethereal and profound than space!
Su Xing’s mind was settled. The simulator’s notification chimed in his ears.
【Ding — you have successfully extracted Thunder Grand Dao Comprehension (Embryonic). Cost: 5 billion energy. Remaining energy: 15,126,590,000 points…】
【Ding — you have successfully extracted Fire Grand Dao Comprehension (Embryonic). Cost: 5 billion energy. Remaining energy: 10,126,590,000 points…】
As the simulation notification faded, two streams of mysterious energy surged into Su Xing’s body.
A flood of memories accompanied by profound comprehension of the Great Dao of Thunder and Fire…
The aura around Su Xing’s body began to shift rapidly, accompanied by faint sparks and flashes of thunder…
Moments later, Su Xing slowly opened his eyes and murmured:
“The Great Dao of Thunder, the Great Dao of Fire… both are supreme Daos of tremendous destructive power!”
Su Xing was fairly satisfied with his comprehension of these two Great Daos.
Though they weren’t as top-tier as the Great Dao of Space, across the Three Thousand Worlds, anyone who could grasp the Great Daos of Fire and Thunder was considered a formidable power in their own right.
Compared to some defensive or mediocre Daos, the Great Dao of Fire and the Great Dao of Thunder were clearly more suited for offense—more aggressive in nature.
“These two Dao comprehensions are laying the groundwork for the future. The short-term gains may not be much… but the road ahead will be much smoother!”
Su Xing murmured.
After digesting the Dao comprehensions, Su Xing resumed his routine of crafting puppets.
One week’s time, three mining puppets.
Su Xing now had nineteen mining puppets in total, capable of excavating nearly ten billion yuan worth of exotic metal ore per week.
“At this rate, the raw ore in the Immortal Martial World… seems like it’ll be mined out in less than half a year…”
Su Xing frowned slightly, though fortunately the exotic metal ore reserves were still sufficient for now.
By Su Xing’s estimate, around thirty mining puppets would be the upper limit—more than enough.
On June 30th, Su Xing went to the Villa as arranged to meet with Jin Congxue.
Jin Congxue was dressed as beautifully as ever today, though she looked somewhat fatigued—likely from worrying about the overseas market expansion lately.
“Xue-jie, hold out your hand…”
Su Xing looked at Jin Congxue sitting across from him and said softly.
Jin Congxue was a bit puzzled but did as he asked.
Su Xing’s jade-like palm took hold of Jin Congxue’s fair, delicate hand.
Then, with a thought, he channeled a wisp of wood-element immortal power into her.
In just an instant, the weariness vanished from Jin Congxue’s body entirely. She became visibly more vibrant, as if she’d grown several years younger…
Noticing the changes in herself, Jin Congxue was startled and exclaimed with her small mouth agape:
“Su Xing… this technique of yours, is it medicine?”
“Where did you learn it? It’s way too miraculous…”
Jin Congxue’s pretty face flushed slightly, a coy note of reproach in her voice.
At that moment, all she felt was a warm, soothing sensation throughout her body—more comfortable than anything she’d ever experienced.
Su Xing smiled faintly and said:
“Xue-jie, if you like it… I can give you a massage every week from now on. This is my exclusive medical technique!”
Jin Congxue rolled her eyes at him:
“Please, who massages someone’s palm? Little pervert…”
After teasing and flirting for a while, Jin Congxue handed over the new week’s goods to Su Xing.
Su Xing also left behind a storage ring before reluctantly departing.
This new week, the Tarot Trading Company’s major overseas expansion, combined with 6.5 billion in exotic metal energy, provided Su Xing with a total of nearly 7.5 billion energy!
Su Xing returned to the spirit field grotto-heaven and quietly waited for the simulation cooldown to finish.
On June 30th of New Era 2025, Su Xing initiated a new round of simulation.
【Ding! This simulation consumes 9,400 energy points. Remaining energy: 21,556,590,000 points. Remaining simulation attempts: none.】
【Simulation begins!】
【Drawing a purple talent costs 100,000 energy points. Drawing a gold legendary talent costs 1,000,000 energy points. Do you wish to draw?】
This week, Su Xing didn’t plan to draw a new talent.
Instead, he intended to pull the former gold talent “Entering the Dao Through Formations” from the talent pool!
Currently, there were only two talents in the gold talent pool: Entering the Dao Through Formations and Blazing Flame Divine Physique.
Su Xing’s luck was good—he successfully drew the Formation Dao talent after spending only one million energy.
“Phew… not bad. This simulation, I’ll focus on comprehending the Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation and the Eight Trigrams Divination Art!”
With his goals clear, Su Xing turned his gaze to the simulation panel.
【In the spirit field grotto-heaven, you realize you are in a simulation…】
【Your transaction with Lu Yuanwu goes smoothly…】
【Ten days later, you head to the Luo Tian dungeon…】
【After emerging from the Luo Tian dungeon, you join the Advent Cult.】
【After joining the Advent Cult, you begin spending large amounts of time each day studying the Eight Trigrams Divination Art and the Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation.】
【Your existing comprehension of the Formation Dao had already reached the peak of the ninth tier—just one step away from the tenth tier and becoming a true Formation Dao Grandmaster.】
【And after passing the Spiritual Power Trial and converting your spiritual energy into immortal power, arranging formations became even more effortless…】
【In the blink of an eye, seven years pass.】
【In the seventh year, you kill the Transhuman Faction leader…】
【In the eighth year, you kill Old Dog Dragon…】
【In the tenth year, after a decade of study, you finally take that last step and become a true Formation Dao Grandmaster!】
【At this point, you can arrange tenth-tier formations!】
【The first thing you attempt is the Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation!】
【A tenth-tier Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation is sufficient to block the perception of Human Immortal realm cultivators. Even at point-blank range, a Human Immortal realm cultivator’s divine sense cannot penetrate it…】
【But you are not satisfied with this, and continue researching the Formation Dao.】
【In the eleventh year, Blood Three descends upon Earth, and you offer up the spirit vein dragon…】
【That same year, your Formation Dao research hits a bottleneck, and you begin studying the Eight Trigrams Divination Art: National Fortune Chapter.】
【As you read through the National Fortune Chapter, you find the art increasingly profound and wondrous beyond words.】
【The National Fortune Chapter can conceal the karmic secrets of an entire region, and can even stack with the effects of the Human Fortune Chapter… If you can achieve Thorough Mastery of both, you may be able to perceive the Dao of Destiny!】
【As your divine sense enters the Six Senses Realm, you feel that your speed of studying the Eight Trigrams Divination Art has accelerated, as if your comprehension ability has slightly improved…】
【While you devote yourself to study, ten years pass in the blink of an eye!】
【In the twenty-first year, you successfully emerge from seclusion!】
【At this point, your mastery of the Eight Trigrams Divination Art: National Fortune Chapter has reached the Minor Mastery level!】
【That same year, you make a trip to the Beast Taming World…】
【In the twenty-second year, you realize your comprehension of the Formation Dao is far from sufficient. Studying behind closed doors would be far too slow.】
【So without further hesitation, you decide to head to the Lesser Azure Cloud Realm ahead of schedule!】
Seeing this, Su Xing nodded slightly:
“Indeed, if I go to the Azure Cloud Sect to study under a master, there’s no need to delay…”
“The Azure Cloud Sect is a massive organization—surely they have high-level Formation Dao Grandmasters!”
Su Xing’s heart was filled with anticipation. With a renowned master’s guidance, his efficiency in comprehending the Formation Dao would absolutely skyrocket!
With that thought, Su Xing turned his gaze to the simulation panel.
【You head to the Slaughter Battlefield, pass through the spatial rift, and arrive at the northern part of the Lesser Azure Cloud Realm…】
【Upon arriving in the Lesser Azure Cloud Realm, the first thing you do is go to the Celestial Secrets Pavilion to sell intelligence.】
【At the same time, you also try to find a cultivator with deep Formation Dao expertise who could offer you guidance.】
【However, Formation Dao Grandmasters are already extremely rare in the Lesser Azure Cloud Realm.】
【Human Immortal realm immortals often cannot achieve the rank of Formation Dao Grandmaster. Only Earthly Immortal realm immortals who have studied the Formation Dao for thousands of years might attain such accomplishment…】
【Even within the Celestial Secrets Pavilion, you can only purchase a few lost Formation Dao manuals—you cannot find a renowned master for guidance.】
【Left with no choice, you decide to head to the Azure Cloud Sect!】
【That year, you board an airship and head for Lesser Azure Cloud City.】
【After waiting in Lesser Azure Cloud City for over a year, the Azure Cloud Sect’s recruitment ceremony officially begins!】
【After presenting your identity, you quickly earn True Immortal Danfire’s respect.】
【He tells you that in two years, he will return to the Azure Cloud Sect.】
【And so, you settle down in Lesser Azure Cloud City, studying the Eight Trigrams Divination Art daily…】
【In the blink of an eye, two years pass.】
【In the twenty-fifth year, you board a flying vessel and accompany True Immortal Danfire to the Azure Cloud Sect.】
【The Azure Cloud Sect’s mountain gate is majestic and imposing, once again leaving you awed by the might of an immortal sect…】
【But your goal this time is clear and time is pressing—you have no leisure to care about such things.】
【You receive a warm welcome from several senior martial brothers and sisters, and also receive quite a few gifts.】
【That same year, you trade with Fairy Ziling—exchanging a thousand Spirit-Gathering Flowers for 1,300,000 sect contribution points!】
【Azure Cloud Sect contribution points, aside from being exchangeable for treasures and spirit stones… serve one most important purpose: they can be used to request guidance from Elders within the sect!】
Seeing this, Su Xing’s eyes lit up as he murmured:
“If money can solve it, it’s not a problem!”
“Spirit-Gathering Flowers are available in bulk anyway… Fairy Ziling is truly a generous patron!”
“I just wonder what kind of renowned Elder I can get with over a million contribution points?”
Su Xing raised an eyebrow and turned his gaze to the simulation panel.
【After making inquiries, you discover that Elder guidance in the Azure Cloud Sect has clearly listed prices…】
【One month of guidance from a Heavenly Immortal realm Elder: 10,000 contribution points.】
【One month of guidance from a True Immortal realm Elder: 30,000 contribution points.】
【One month of guidance from a Mystic Immortal realm Elder: 100,000 contribution points!】
【As for Golden Immortal realm and above… most are direct disciples of the second generation, and nearly all are in closed-door cultivation, with little time for guidance.】
【The one Formation Dao expert you know of—a senior martial brother at the Golden Immortal realm—has already been in seclusion for a hundred years… Even with money, you cannot hire him.】
【Left with no choice, you settle for the next best option, spending 100,000 contribution points to hire a Mystic Immortal realm Elder to provide guidance on your Formation Dao.】
【By a stroke of fortune, this Mystic Immortal realm Elder happens to be the creator of the Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation—a fifteenth-tier Formation Grand Grandmaster!】
【However, the cost of a Mystic Immortal realm Elder’s guidance is exorbitant—100,000 contribution points per month. Even for you, you can only afford to hire him once a year.】
【You spend one month each year studying the Formation Dao under this Mystic Immortal realm Elder’s personal guidance.】
【For the remaining eleven months, you study on your own, digesting these Formation Dao insights…】
【Under the renowned master’s guidance, your comprehension of the Formation Dao improves at a breakneck pace!】
【In the blink of an eye, ten years pass.】
【In the thirty-fifth year, your comprehension of the Formation Dao has reached the peak of the tenth tier!】
【Just one more step, and you’ll be able to arrange eleventh-tier formations…】
【This year, you trade with Fairy Ziling again, exchanging two thousand Spirit-Gathering Flowers for 2,600,000 sect contribution points.】
【With ample resources in hand, you continue seeking guidance from that Mystic Immortal realm Formation Dao Elder.】
【And so, five years pass…】
【In the fortieth year, you successfully comprehend the eleventh-tier Formation Dao and can now arrange advanced composite formations!】
【However, your eleventh-tier Formation Dao mastery is somewhat lopsided—you can only arrange the eleventh-tier Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation…】
【After your Formation Dao breakthrough, you are filled with even more motivation and continue studying under this Mystic Immortal realm Elder.】
【And so, another ten years pass.】
【In the fiftieth year, over these ten years, you spend millions of contribution points to bring your Formation Dao comprehension to the peak of the eleventh tier!】
【Even that Mystic Immortal realm Elder greatly admires you, calling you a Formation Dao prodigy the likes of which appears once in ten thousand years, and declaring that your future Formation Dao attainment will surely surpass his own!】
【Yet you don’t feel particularly happy about this, because you’ve discovered that after reaching the eleventh tier of the Formation Dao, further advancement is extraordinarily difficult.】
【In the fifty-first year, you learn that a Golden Immortal realm senior martial brother—a Formation Dao expert—has emerged from seclusion.】
【You quickly prepare gifts and pay him a visit, hoping to receive his guidance on formations!】
【Out of respect for the bond between direct disciples, he accepts your gifts and agrees to guide you for one month.】
【You are overjoyed at this. You secretly take a Spirit Awakening Pill, activate the Great Wisdom state, and prepare to push for the rank of twelfth-tier Formation Dao Grandmaster!】
【Under this Golden Immortal senior brother’s guidance, it’s as if a veil has been lifted from your mind, and your comprehension of the Formation Dao surges forward.】
【But you know the principle of biting off more than you can chew—trying to learn multiple twelfth-tier formations in a single month is clearly unrealistic…】
【So you choose to specialize, focusing solely on the Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation!】
【In the blink of an eye, one month passes!】
【Under this Golden Immortal realm senior brother’s full guidance, you finally advance one more step and become a twelfth-tier Formation Dao Grandmaster…】
【However, your title of “twelfth-tier” Formation Dao Grandmaster is somewhat misleading—the only formation above the eleventh tier that you can arrange is the Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation!】
【But even so, you are quite satisfied…】
In the Real World, Su Xing let out a long breath of relief at this sight.
“A twelfth-tier Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation is enough to block the perception of Heavenly Immortal realm cultivators!”
“Over thirty years of painstaking cultivation, plus guidance from renowned masters… combined with the Entering the Dao Through Formations talent bonus, this is probably equivalent to what an ordinary cultivator would comprehend over several centuries!”
“But even so… I only managed to raise a single formation to the twelfth-tier level…”
Su Xing chuckled self-deprecatingly.
He knew that his title as a twelfth-tier Formation Dao Grandmaster was somewhat “lopsided”—his specialty was solely in breath-concealing formations, specifically the Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation.
As for other types of formations… he would still need to invest time studying them.
“Still, a twelfth-tier Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation… should be sufficient, right?”
Su Xing stroked his chin.
He wasn’t sure exactly what level Red Moon’s current strength and perception had reached.
But the Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation, combined with the Heavenly Secrets Concealment Art… might just be worth a try!
After all, a thirteenth-tier formation would belong to the realm of Formation Grand Grandmasters—super composite formations!
For Su Xing to comprehend formations of that level in a short time… was still somewhat unrealistic.
“Now that I’ve learned a twelfth-tier formation, it’s also time to leave the Azure Cloud Sect—otherwise Qingyunzi might discover me!”
Su Xing murmured. For the remaining time, he planned to devote all his effort to studying the Eight Trigrams Divination Art!
He turned his gaze to the simulation panel…
【In the fifty-second year, you tell Fairy Ziling that you wish to go train in other worlds, and ask her to keep it confidential.】
【Fairy Ziling agrees to your request.】
【You board a flying vessel and head for the Lesser Azure Cloud Realm…】
【After some deliberation, you decide to head for Celestial Demon City.】
【Deep within a mountain range several thousand li from Celestial Demon City, you carve out a cave dwelling.】
【You set up a twelfth-tier Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation, sufficient to block the probing of Heavenly Immortal realm cultivators…】
【Then you layer upon layer of restrictions, employing both chapters of the Eight Trigrams Divination Art to conceal the cave dwelling’s and your own karmic secrets…】
【After confirming nothing has been overlooked, you officially begin closed-door cultivation!】
“Sigh, I wonder how effective the Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation will be against Qingyunzi…”
“But every moment I can stay hidden counts!”
Su Xing didn’t dare hope that a mere twelfth-tier formation could withstand the probing of a Grand Luo Golden Immortal.
He only hoped it could buy enough time for him to further his comprehension of the Eight Trigrams Divination Art.
【You cultivate in seclusion deep within your cave dwelling, reinforcing the formations and restrictions once every year…】
【In the blink of an eye, eight years pass.】
【In the sixtieth year, your comprehension of the Eight Trigrams Divination Art has improved somewhat, but is still a considerable distance from the Major Mastery level…】
【And so, another ten years pass.】
【In the seventieth year, after ten years of comprehension, your mastery of the Eight Trigrams Divination Art finally reaches the Major Mastery level!】
【At this point, you have achieved Perfection in the Human Fortune Chapter of the Eight Trigrams Divination Art, while the National Fortune Chapter has reached Major Mastery!】
【As your understanding of this path deepens, clarity grows in your heart.】
【The Dao of Destiny and the Dao of Cause and Effect often accompany each other, inseparable…】
【The Eight Trigrams Divination Art involves not only destiny but also the Dao of Cause and Effect—which is why it is so difficult!】
【As your comprehension of this art approaches Perfection, you begin to faintly perceive the Dao of Destiny and Cause and Effect contained within it…】
【Every flower and tree, every person a world unto themselves… all are connected. Past causes yield present effects—matters that cultivators take great care to avoid…】
【You continue studying the Eight Trigrams Divination Art, hoping to reach the Perfection realm as soon as possible. At that time, you will comprehend two new Dao origins!】
【Destiny and… Cause and Effect!】
【But one day, you cast a divination and foresee a calamity approaching…】
【Sure enough, three days later, Qingyunzi finds you!】
【You know there is no escape…】
【Qingyunzi performs a soul search on you…】
【You die!】
【Ding, this simulation has ended!】
After the simulation ended, Su Xing’s expression was somewhat complicated.
“The Dao of Destiny, the Dao of Cause and Effect!? This Eight Trigrams Divination Art… truly qualifies as a Dao art!”
“The Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation was useful after all… it can even buy several years of time against someone at the half-saint level?”
Su Xing was pleasantly surprised by this. It seemed the odds of blocking Red Moon’s probing were even better than he’d thought!
“Let me check this simulation’s rewards first!”
With a thought, Su Xing turned his gaze to the simulation panel.
【Entering the Dao Through Formations】: Gold talent. Price: 10,000,000 energy points.
【Ten Years of Pill Refining Experience】: Upon redemption, existing pill-refining comprehension will slightly increase. Price: 20,000,000 energy points.
【Eight Trigrams Fortune Divination Art Comprehension】: Skill nearing the level of Dao. If you simultaneously comprehend both the Human Fortune and National Fortune chapters and achieve Thorough Mastery, you may glimpse the Dao of Destiny and Cause and Effect. Price: 2,000,000,000 energy points.
【Twelfth-Tier Formation Comprehension】: Your Formation Dao cultivation is somewhat lopsided. You can arrange a twelfth-tier Xuanyuan Breath-Concealing Formation capable of blocking Heavenly Immortal realm perception, but other formations remain at the Tenth-Order Formation Grandmaster level. Price: 8,000,000,000 energy points.
This simulation, Su Xing’s goals had been crystal clear.
It was all for the Eight Trigrams Divination Art and formation comprehension.
And with the talent boost, the Spirit Awakening Pill, and Su Xing’s “money power,” he had more or less perfectly achieved those goals.
Therefore, Su Xing declared without hesitation:
“I choose to redeem the Eight Trigrams Fortune Divination Art Comprehension… and the Twelfth-Tier Formation Comprehension!”