Half a year's time. For cultivators, it's not considered very long. In fact, it could be said to have passed in the blink of an eye.
However, for Leng Xiang and the others who were worried about Su Qing, these past six months naturally felt quite long. Each day was an extraordinary torment.
They dared not wake Su Qing, nor did they dare to move her casually. Because, at this moment, Su Qing was like someone who had truly entered a state of secluded cultivation. External disturbances would have a significant impact on her. Therefore, they were very worried that moving her casually might cause a mishap in her cultivation.
After all, this was no quiet room dedicated to secluded cultivation, but an ordinary courtyard. There were already many disturbances to begin with... If they added more trouble, wouldn't it be fatal?
Thus, for the past six months, all they could do was shield her from the wind and rain. Besides that, Leng Xiang had naturally also sought out Li Shan Lao Mu, asking about Su Qing's condition.
After Li Shan Lao Mu learned of the situation, she merely told Leng Xiang and the others to proceed as usual, not to bother her, nor to worry too much about her, and that it was enough to just let her remain there. However, Li Shan Lao Mu did not explain the specifics of what was happening.
Although Leng Xiang remained puzzled by this, she at least understood one thing: Su Qing was actually fine. After all, she knew very well that Li Shan Lao Mu also cared deeply about Su Qing... If something truly serious had happened to Su Qing, Li Shan Lao Mu would not have failed to check on her personally.
Knowing was one thing, but worry was still inevitable. On this day, Leng Xiang stood in the courtyard, quietly watching Su Qing. Watching the spiritual energy swirling around her, ethereal like mist... she couldn't help but stare blankly, lost in thought. It wasn't clear if she was captivated by the sight, or if she was waiting for Su Qing to suddenly awaken.
After a long while, Leng Xiang couldn't help but sigh deeply, murmuring to herself: “Master, when will you awaken? It's already been more than half a year.”
Yu'er, standing nearby, seeing Leng Xiang's worried expression, couldn't help but tug at her sleeve and say: “Mother, please rest assured, Mother is fine... Her current mental state is very stable. No matter what Mother is going through, her current state must be very stable.”
Yu'er was a Sword Spirit born from Su Qing's ‘longing’; she naturally had a slight connection with Su Qing... so being able to vaguely sense Su Qing's state was not strange, nor was it unreasonable. However, relying solely on this subtle connection, Yu'er couldn't know what exactly had happened to Su Qing. All she could sense was that Su Qing's condition was good, and there were no mishaps.
Leng Xiang heard Yu'er's words, sighed softly, and said: “I naturally know that, but... Master still hasn't awakened after so long, which is still worrying.”
“I think Mother will wake up soon, right?” Yu'er rubbed her head, then said.
Yu'er, of course, didn't know when Su Qing would awaken... she was merely subconsciously comforting Leng Xiang. After all, seeing Leng Xiang's worried expression, she couldn't help but feel a little distressed.
Leng Xiang understood what the girl meant, but didn't expose her; she just nodded slightly and said: “Let's hope so.”
Leng Xiang sighed softly and turned to go back inside.
Time flowed slowly. Unbeknownst to them, the calm weather suddenly began to lose its tranquility.
Leng Xiang, who had been staying at home, noticed the change in weather. She got up and walked into the courtyard, holding an umbrella over Su Qing. While she could have directly used magic, she preferred to do things herself, and it also made it easier for her to watch over Su Qing.
Looking at Su Qing, whose eyes were still closed, Leng Xiang suddenly felt... that the dark clouds in the sky seemed a little off. After pondering for a moment, her brows furrowed slightly.
“Could it be...” Leng Xiang seemed to have vaguely guessed something in her heart. She didn't hesitate for a moment. She turned and left the courtyard, and as she left... she naturally didn't forget to have Gongsun Zhixue, Yu'er, and the Little Sparrows leave the courtyard with her.
Their presence in the courtyard would most likely be of no help, and would only add trouble for Su Qing.
However, although Leng Xiang knew the general situation, Gongsun Zhixue and Yu'er were still utterly bewildered. So they couldn't help but ask why they suddenly had to leave the courtyard.
Leng Xiang didn't hide much; she disliked beating around the bush when something could be said.
“Master seems to be undergoing a tribulation... Those dark clouds are not ordinary clouds, but Tribulation Clouds. So, it's best that we leave... Otherwise, not to mention what will happen to Master's tribulation, if we stay there, we'll probably be struck until nothing remains of our bodies.” After a moment of silence, Leng Xiang replied simply.
Leng Xiang's answer left everyone stunned for a while... After a long time, they finally came to their senses and couldn't help but ask: “Does this mean Big Green Sister has already woken up?”
Hearing this, Leng Xiang shook her head slightly and said: “I'm not entirely sure about that... The only thing I can confirm is... that those dark clouds are Tribulation Clouds.”
Hearing this, Gongsun Zhixue couldn't help but say: “Then doesn't that mean if she hasn't woken up... her tribulation will become extremely dangerous?”
“But if we go back to help, it will only make things more dangerous.” Leng Xiang was naturally worried about Su Qing's situation, but she was, after all, an old hand in the cultivation world and was very clear about the rules of Lightning Tribulations. Undergoing a tribulation as a group, or having others assist, was absolutely forbidden. Therefore, the result of them going back to help... would only be to super-double Su Qing's Lightning Tribulation, turning it from difficult to hell mode.
Hearing Leng Xiang's words... Gongsun Zhixue pursed her lips, looked at the dark clouds in the sky, and murmured to herself: “Never mind, Su Qing has always been lucky; she should be able to safely pass this Lightning Tribulation.”
Despite saying that, even Gongsun Zhixue couldn't help but feel a little worried. After all, they had been together for hundreds of years... To say there was no affection would be an absolute lie. Hundreds of years of companionship were certainly not so shallow.
Leng Xiang glanced at Gongsun Zhixue and nodded slightly... she could only hope that Su Qing had already awakened by now. Otherwise... the trouble might be a little significant.
“Please, please don't let her still be asleep.” Leng Xiang sighed deeply in her heart, thinking.
At this very moment, Su Qing in the courtyard still had her eyes tightly closed. It seemed, just as Gongsun Zhixue feared, the Lightning Tribulation had arrived, but Su Qing had yet to awaken from her cultivation.
Meanwhile, the Bodhi Tree beside her was not idle... Unlike Leng Xiang and the others, who couldn't help at all with the tribulation, its very existence was to help Su Qing overcome calamities. Therefore, even with this Heavenly Tribulation, it could still intervene.
Its leaves slowly unfurled. In a short while, they completely covered Su Qing's head, forming a tree-like umbrella. This 'umbrella' could defend against the Lightning Tribulation... and also protect Su Qing to survive this tribulation. If Su Qing couldn't awaken before the Lightning Tribulation arrived, this would be Su Qing's first and last line of defense.
Time continued to flow slowly. Before long, the thunderclouds in the sky had fully gathered. Within the thunderclouds, lightning surged, but it was slow to strike. It was as if it was leaving Su Qing one last moment to awaken.
Soon, the last moment had passed... The Lightning Tribulation struck. It cleaved directly towards Su Qing.
And at this very moment, the Bodhi Tree, which had been shielding Su Qing from the Lightning Tribulation, suddenly retracted its leaves, choosing to let the tribulation pass. Because, at this exact moment, Su Qing had awakened.
The Lightning Tribulation fell, striking Su Qing squarely... It also made her scalp tingle.
“I just woke up and encountered a Lightning Tribulation? What kind of luck is this?” Su Qing looked up at the sky, a little depressed, and murmured to herself.
She had experienced too many Lightning Tribulations, and had even witnessed the Lightning Calamity among the Three Calamities, so she felt no fear when facing the Lightning Tribulation... Although this first bolt of lightning still caused her considerable harm, it was not actually to the extent that she couldn't withstand it.
Su Qing exhaled a long breath, then, while directly facing the Lightning Tribulation, she analyzed her current situation. She had never considered avoiding a Lightning Tribulation; after all, if a lightning tribulation wasn't a lightning calamity, it often couldn't be avoided. Anyway, today's Lightning Tribulation wasn't powerful; she would just endure it directly.
“But... by now, I guess I can be considered to be in the Heavenly Immortal realm, right?” Su Qing clenched her fists, feeling the mana within her that was unlike anything she'd had before, and couldn't help but think to herself.
Su Qing was a cultivator, after all; how could she be slow to notice changes in her realm? Especially such a significant change as ascending to a Heavenly Immortal. However, Su Qing still had some questions in her heart: what exactly was the catalyst for her ascension to a Heavenly Immortal... she still hadn't fully figured it out.
The only thing she could guess was that the reason for her ascension to a Heavenly Immortal was closely related to her own state and inner being. After all, she had long possessed the ability to ascend to a Heavenly Immortal, but had been unable to take that final step. And the key to this final step... was definitely not some external factor, but an internal one. That's why she suspected this.
“However, regardless of the reason, my ascension to a Heavenly Immortal now is a great thing.” Su Qing endured the baptism of the Lightning Tribulation, murmuring to herself: “Moreover, the most important thing is... these past six months of cultivation have also allowed me to recall many memories from my previous life... I suddenly remembered a lot of things.”
Yes. Over the past six months, besides cultivating and making a final sprint, Su Qing also recalled many things. To be precise... it wasn't just memories from her previous life. Many forgotten events from this life also resurfaced... Not only the small details of daily life, but even her embarrassing past was remembered in meticulous detail... including how it happened and the specific process. It was as if she had relived both her past and present lives. This situation seemed to be a byproduct of her breakthrough. But it must be said, this ‘byproduct’ was indeed very interesting... and equally significant.
As for the memories from this life, let's not dwell on them for now, but recalling the memories from her previous life was indeed very meaningful. Especially... remembering many things from Journey to the West in her past life. Although these memories might not necessarily be useful, and events in this life might not be the same as those in her past life's memories, they still held considerable reference value.
Aside from the Journey to the West memories, Su Qing felt that perhaps the memories of her past life's experiences were even more important! Those were also very precious memories.
“After this... I really should record these memories, lest I forget them again later.” Su Qing thought to herself while undergoing the tribulation.
Time passed quickly. The Lightning Tribulation soon ran out of steam. For someone like Su Qing, who had long developed resistance to lightning strikes... undergoing a tribulation was mostly quite simple. Especially an ordinary Heavenly Tribulation like this...
The Lightning Tribulation passed. Su Qing exhaled a long breath and slowly descended into the courtyard.
“It's finally over...” Su Qing stretched her body, murmuring to herself.
“Congratulations, you have successfully reached the Heavenly Immortal Realm as you wished.” As Su Qing landed in the courtyard, the Bodhi Tree's telepathic message reached her ears.
Su Qing smiled upon hearing this and said: “Indeed! After wasting so much time, I have finally reached the Heavenly Immortal Realm. However, cultivation still cannot be neglected! After all, I currently only possess the realm, but don't yet have sufficiently powerful spells!”
Although she usually didn't have any enemies to deal with, she suffered from severe 'insufficient firepower phobia' and certainly wouldn't allow herself to become lazy just because she reached the Heavenly Immortal realm. Of course, mainly there wasn't much else to do besides cultivating on a daily basis. After all, it was impossible to stew tofu every day; that would cause problems.
Su Qing's words left the Bodhi Tree speechless, but it was too lazy to retort, merely saying: “Oh, right, a reminder. Someone arrived after your tribulation.”
Su Qing nodded slightly upon hearing this and said: “I know... After all, if another Heavenly Immortal appears in the world, everyone will know, right? But speaking of which, isn't this Heavenly Immortal Tribulation a bit too weak! I passed it so easily.”
“Who told you that the Heavenly Immortal Tribulation is just this one Lightning Tribulation?” No sooner had Su Qing finished speaking than Li Shan Lao Mu's smiling voice reached her ears.
At the same time, the voices of Leng Xiang, Ao Ying, and the others could be heard from outside the door. Clearly, everyone had returned after her tribulation.
Su Qing temporarily ignored Leng Xiang and the others and instead asked: “Senior Old Mother, what do you mean by that? Are there more Lightning Tribulations to come?”
“What do you think?” The Old Mother said with a chuckle: “The Lightning Tribulations one faces in the Earthly Immortal realm are already numerous enough, let alone for the Heavenly Immortal realm?”
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