Eighteenth Year of Tian Wu, February.
Qingxu Sect.
When Chen Sansi returned, he still couldnât see any sign of his master and senior sister.
He inquired and found out that his master had indeed returned to the Qingxu Sect, but immediately went to carry out a sect mission and might not return to Baihua Valley for a long time.
The reason behind this was that something major was about to happen in the Qingxu Sect.
The current Supreme Elder of the Qingxu Sect was about to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm!
This meant that the Qingxu Sect was about to step into the ranks of the Upper Sect of Nascent Soul, becoming the thirteenth Upper Sect of Nascent Soul in the Sky Water Continent.
It was said that this relatively young Supreme Elder of the Qingxu Sect had kept a low profile since taking office, which led to much criticism from the elders of various peaks.
Especially since there hadnât been any noticeable progress in realm over the years, many ambitious elders even wanted to replace him.
Chen Sansi had also heard similar things.
Yet no one expected that the Supreme Elder would silently reach the Great Perfection of the Golden Core, and suddenly announce his preparation for seclusion to break through to Nascent Soul, shocking everyone.
Now, Master Yu Ling, the senior sister of the Supreme Elder, was serving as protector on the "Taiyuan Peak" for the Supreme Elder.
After the news spread, everyone inside and outside the Qingxu Sect was uplifted.
With the sectâs status elevated, all the disciples would naturally receive more benefits and better protection.
Chen Sansi, unable to meet his master, single-mindedly practiced at the bottom of Baihua Valley.
Before long, more than half a year had passed.
With no one in the valley, it was rather peaceful.
He continued to methodically cultivate Martial Arts and the Immortal Path, along with various skills, with his proficiency steadily increasing.
During this time, he had gone to hunt at Black Light Mountain multiple times, accumulating merits.
When he got really tired of practicing, he would wander around Qingxu Sect, enjoying the green mountains and clear waters, which was a kind of leisure amidst busyness.
Chen Sansi finally managed to find out what the flame in the pond of the Baihua Valley was.
Red Lotus Karma Fire!
The biggest characteristic of this fire was that it was not afraid of water, and it couldnât be extinguished until its target was completely burned.
During this time.
Chen Sansi attempted to absorb it again but failed once more.
It seemed that he needed to break through to the late-stage Foundation Establishment or Golden Core to succeed.
One day, after finishing his cultivation, Chen Sansi put down his talisman pen, ready to leave Baihua Valley to purchase some materials at Flying Peak.
As soon as he arrived at the valley entrance, he heard the sound of a fight ahead.
Internal conflict within the sect?
"Bang!"
A figure was thrown out from the bamboo forest.
Chen Sansi looked closely and found it wasnât anyone else but the young Taoist Sixteen, and the one attacking him was also someone familiar.
Lord Taishan!
"Stop it, stop it..."
The young Taoist staggered to his feet: "Senior Mu, I really donât have any Spirit Stones..."
The drunken Lord Taishan didnât care, grabbed the young Taoist by the collar, delivered a series of drunken punches to make him black and blue, and forcibly snatched a storage bag from his arms.
He hiccuped with the storage bag in hand and swore, "Is this what you call having no Spirit Stones?!"
The young Taoist sat limply on the ground, no longer resisting.
"Hmm?"
Lord Taishan noticed the disciple of Baihua Valley and slurred, "Itâs you, kid. So, did you find what I wanted?!"
"Still looking."
Chen Sansi naturally couldnât say he was waiting for it to ripen: "There are some clues now."
"Okay, thatâll do."
Lord Taishan took a swig of wine: "Whenever you get the herbs, just come find me.
"Wait,"
He staggered away, soon disappearing from sight.
Only then did the bruised and swollen young Taoist get up with painful effort.
Chen Sansi, looking at his miserable state, seemed somewhat used to it.
Bullying disciples, never repaying debts, and picking on the weak while fearing the strong were Lord Taishanâs well-known characteristics in Qingxu Sect.
Therefore, most people usually avoided him like the plague.
"Whatâs going on...?"
Chen Sansi helped him up: "How did you offend Senior Mu?"
"I owed Lord Taishan something."
The young Taoist wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve: "Brother Lu, you donât need to worry about me; itâs my own problem."
"Owed him something?"
Chen Sansi couldnât help but click his tongue.
Given Lord Taishanâs miserly nature, it was no wonder he ended up like this daring to borrow from him.
He didnât chat any longer and after giving him a couple of elixirs for external injuries, he went straight to Flying Peak.
On the way, Chen Sansi saw the golden-lit Mountain Protection Array of "Taiyuan Peak" and the rolling thunder above the mountain top.
Heavenly Tribulation!
To become a Nascent Soul, one must pass through the Heavenly Tribulation!
Reaching this point meant that the Supreme Elderâs seclusion had already reached the final stage.
It was the first time Chen Sansi had witnessed a high-realm cultivator undergoing tribulation, and he couldnât help but stop to observe, trying to glean some experience from it.
Every cultivator in the sect, tens of thousands of them, was also watching at this moment.
Such a scene wasnât something just anyone could witness.
However, due to the distance from "Taiyuan Peak" and the strict prohibition on disciples approaching, it wasnât clear what exactly was happening over there.
After about four hours, the celestial phenomena gradually dissipated.
"Did he succeed in the tribulation or fail?"
"I donât know!"
"..."
After some discussion among the disciples, they each left to attend to their own matters.
After the ceremony ended, Chen Sansi arrived at Flying Peak at dusk.
He noticed more and more people gathering toward the main peak.
"Senior Brother."
Chen Sansi casually approached a middle-aged cultivator and inquired: "Has something happened?"
"Junior Brother, you donât know? Itâs really a turbulent time lately."