Chapter 4: Holding a Big Stick

Yet, even if Luo Xingchen did not cultivate, he could not escape the ordeal. The so-called Heavenly Tribulation was the tempering of the soul by celestial thunder, a true metamorphosis in every sense. If the tempering succeeded, one would ascend to the Immortal Realm and become a true immortal! If it failed, the soul would be annihilated, body perishing, and path severed!

Every hundred years, Luo Xingchen faced another tribulation. This time marked the nine hundred and ninety-ninth such trial since he came to this world.

Thunder rolled.

From the black clouds above, a deafening crash erupted. Several thick purple bolts of lightning, like dragons, twisted and danced within the swirling darkness, as if at any moment a terrifying bolt might descend and obliterate this corner of the world.

Luo Xingchen, however, stood motionless. He knew the tribulation clouds overhead had not yet fully formed. He would have to wait a little longer.

The oppressive force contained within grew ever more dreadful. In the surrounding mountains and forests, whether ordinary beasts or the more intelligent demon beasts, all dropped to the ground in terror, trembling uncontrollably.

Nor did the menace stop there. As the energy of the tribulation gathered, that heart-stopping, terrifying aura began to spread far and wide.

On a mist-shrouded mountain, beneath a willow tree, two old men were playing chess.

One, with black hair and robes, held the black stones. The other, in white hair and robes, held the white. The black side was in a difficult situation, defeat looming.

At that moment, both seemed to sense something. They looked up in unison, gazing in the same direction—toward Luo Xingchen’s location.

“What a terrifying energy! Such a tribulation!” The black-robed elder sprang to his feet. “It’s an ascension tribulation—someone is about to ascend, and right here in the Northern Xuan Province!”

His excitement was unrestrained. “It’s only been a hundred years since the last ascension, and two hundred since the one before that… I never imagined someone would attempt it again so soon. Our Northern Xuan Province truly is a land of talent!”

The white-robed elder frowned slightly. “It’s odd, though. Every hundred years someone attempts the tribulation, but we never see these seniors, nor even hear of them. It’s as if they belong to no sect, appearing out of thin air… Could there really be so many mighty cultivators in Northern Xuan?”

His face was etched with doubt.

The black-robed elder replied, “It means our province is a place of strength and destiny, fertile ground for heroes. Besides, there are many who keep to themselves, who practice diligently in obscurity. It’s precisely their humility and perseverance that allow them to attempt the tribulation now.”

“But none of the previous seniors succeeded,” the white-robed elder pointed out. “Without exception, all perished beneath the celestial thunder.”

The black-robed elder shot him a glare and retorted, “Cultivation is a defiance of fate. To succeed in such a tribulation and ascend as an immortal is no simple matter. But to die beneath the ascension thunder, in a sense, is an honor!”

The white-robed elder shook his head gently. “Enough of this. Let others face their tribulations; let’s finish our game. I’m about to win.”

“What game?” With a snort, the black-robed elder suddenly flipped the board, scattering the pieces. He turned on his companion, vexed, “Don’t you envy those who try to ascend? Day after day you fritter away your time playing chess—do you feel no shame? Have you forgotten your once fervent resolve to become immortal?”

“You, who refuse to cultivate and indulge only in chess, are beneath my notice!” he declared. “Play by yourself if you wish. I am going to cultivate. Perhaps in a century, I will be the one to ascend!”

Muttering curses, he strode off.

The white-robed elder watched him go, quietly cursing him as shameless. Then he sat down again, gazing in the direction of the tribulation.

Suddenly, his eyes narrowed. He sensed the tribulation’s aura vanish.

“Failed? How unfortunate…” he sighed softly, then fell silent, lost in thought.

Similar scenes unfolded elsewhere.

“How regrettable—Northern Xuan has lost another mighty cultivator.”

“I wonder which sect the senior belonged to. Their disciples must be grieving.”

“To fail the tribulation—soul scattered, body destroyed… Alas! For mortals, the path to immortality is not so easily trodden.”

Luo Xingchen, having just withdrawn his hand, gazed up at the dispersing black clouds, his brows slightly furrowed, looking somewhat dissatisfied.

“The tribulation is becoming more stubborn. This time, it took two punches to scatter it.”

Scattering the tribulation—this was Luo Xingchen’s way of failing the ordeal.

If the tribulation was dispersed by force, it would vanish; and if it vanished, the attempt was considered a failure. A simple logic—at least, to Luo Xingchen.

But to other cultivators, it was utterly unthinkable.

The heavenly tribulation represented the mightiest, most terrifying force in the world. To destroy it deliberately was inconceivable. Ordinary cultivators, when faced with its overwhelming fury, counted themselves fortunate merely to remain calm, let alone unafraid.

Brushing imaginary dust from his clothes, Luo Xingchen returned to the palace.

As he entered, Tiepipi, who had been chatting with Little Bu Liu, hurried over, concern in her voice. “Esteemed senior, did you fail the tribulation?”

Luo Xingchen beamed. “I failed!”

“Why are you so happy about failing?” Tiepipi was baffled. Then, as if a thought struck her, she asked, “Senior, did you fail on purpose, just so you could stay and keep giving me delicious food and drink?”

She was deeply moved, and after a moment’s hesitation, as though making a monumental decision, she said, “Senior, you are so good to me. Perhaps… perhaps you should marry me, so I can stay by your side and enjoy good food every day!”

Luo Xingchen glanced at her unimpressive chest and, entirely uninterested, replied, “As I’ve said, I could never hope to marry a young, wealthy lady like you—one who owns her own airport.”

Tiepipi looked disappointed, but soon grew curious. “Senior, what do ‘private airport’ and ‘wealthy lady’ mean?”

She had heard these unfamiliar terms before and couldn't resist asking.

Luo Xingchen answered offhandedly, “It just means you’re amazing.”

“Ah, I see! Thank you for your praise, senior! You’re a wealthy lady with a private airport too!” Tiepipi, at least, learned quickly.

Luo Xingchen corrected her at once. “No, no, those compliments aren’t for me—or any man. They’re only for lovely girls like you.”

Tiepipi nodded, half-understanding.

Looking at her guileless, childlike face, Luo Xingchen couldn’t help but feel a mischievous urge.

“Good, as long as you understand. Now, open wide—here’s a unique treat, a one-of-a-kind lollipop, just for you!”