CHAPTER 184: CHAPTER 183 VERTICAL EARTH GOLDEN LIGHT (THIRD UPDATE, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE)

In the tent, Liu Ruming sipped her tea and began, "Foundation Establishment has three disasters, the Purple Mansion has nine difficulties, and the Golden Core has twelve tribulations. It seems like a lot, but these tribulations can be categorized into three types: Celestial Tribulation, Life Tribulation, and Human Tribulation.

Celestial Tribulation is a trial sent down by the Heavenly Dao, a divine test.

Celestial Tribulation, though seemingly fierce, actually follows certain patterns, and its power can be somewhat anticipated.

Life Tribulation is the tribulation of fate, of destiny, like insufficient talent, inadequate aptitude, lack of understanding, scarcity of opportunities, and so on. Life Tribulation is a contest of fate, destiny, and fortune, and also follows patterns.

Among the three tribulations, Celestial and Life Tribulations are relatively easier.

But Human Tribulation is the hardest, with no discernible pattern.

To overcome Celestial Tribulation, one must hone their magical power, refine magical treasures, prepare elixirs, and so forth to cross the tribulation; to overcome Life Tribulation, one must borrow from the thick destiny of other cultivators, using their strong fortune to dissolve the Life Tribulation.

The master draws you in, the Ye Family’s ancestor courts you because of your strong destiny, hoping to use your fortune to dissolve Life Tribulations. This is also why some seniors love to support and guide the younger generation."

At this point, Liu Ruming paused, her expression solemn, "Human Tribulation is the tribulation of the killing path. Human Tribulation arises from the heart and is immeasurable. It could be a fated enemy, a few words sparking conflict, or murderous intent born at the brink of death. It’s the hardest to discern and the hardest to predict!"

Lu Xuanji’s heart stirred, thinking of the black-armored youth.

The black-armored youth was originally a Nine Transformation Golden Core, a prodigy destined for Immortality.

But because of Human Tribulation, he fell at Lu Xuanji’s hand.

He had once asked some Purple Mansion Cultivators; when the Grand Elder struggled with destiny, only a Qi Cultivation Demon Beast was slain; Liu Ruming managed a Foundation Establishment Demon Beast; the Golden Core Ancestor faced an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator.

For someone like him to confront a Nine Transformation Golden Core prodigy of the Demon Race was the pinnacle of misfortune.

As the saying goes, extremes beget their opposites. The stronger your destiny, the more fortuitous encounters, the more likely you are to gain the favor of benefactors and the desire of beauties. But correspondingly, the tribulations you bear are immensely greater.

Upon entering the Purple Mansion, Lu Xuanji vaguely sensed tribulations gathering above his head, as if a black cloud pressed down, threatening to destroy the city.

The Golden Core Ancestor, the Ye Family, were drawing him in, supporting and allying; yet some Golden Core Cultivators were alienating, suppressing, and eliminating him.

Perhaps they feared the Golden Core Ancestor, perhaps they feared certain unspoken rules.

These Golden Core Ancestors bore only killing intent, unable to directly act, leaving underlings to scheme against him. The Wu Family was the first, but not the last.

"Now I understand somewhat why every Golden Core Ancestor’s birth is paved over countless cultivator corpses, defiantly proving their path. It’s because resources are limited; to become a Golden Core, one must seize a vast amount of resources. Territories are limited; a Golden Core Ancestor’s emergence inevitably divides and seizes significant interests."

Lu Xuanji sighed softly.

"Looking at the history of the Purple Mansion Realm over millions of years, slaughter and war are the main themes, while peace and development merely interludes." Liu Ruming smiled, "The Lu Family protected you too well; the master protected him too well. So, you hold naive and laughable thoughts of peace as the main stream.

Cultivating immortality is never light and carefree, not drinking tea or wine, not wandering at ease, but struggling against the Heavens for fate, competing with cultivators for fortune, contesting with seniors for destiny, fighting with the strong for resources. Living freely, becoming a Golden Core with ease; lounging at home, becoming an Immortal without effort. Where in the world do such good things exist."

Lu Xuanji nodded, "You are right, I was indeed naive."

"The master is in closed-door cultivation, and Sister Long Xuan is striving for the Golden Core, thus the master appointed me to guard the path!" Liu Ruming said.

"How is your strength, can you contend with Golden Core Cultivators?"

Lu Xuanji asked.

"Hard to say, hard to say, I can contend with ordinary Golden Core Cultivators, holding on for ten breaths without defeat; but if facing top-tier Golden Cores, I might be slain instantly!" Liu Ruming said calmly, "A Guardian serves more as a deterrent than a caretaker, be alert!"

"This is from the ancestor for you!"

With that, she took out a jade pendant and three talismans, handing them over.

"The jade pendant contains a divine technique, the Supreme Escape Technique."

"The first talisman can defend against a single strike from a Golden Core Cultivator!"

"The second talisman can break space constraints, spatial restrictions, for a swift escape!"

"The third talisman, I hope you never have to use it!"

Liu Ruming spoke with a somewhat grave demeanor.

Lu Xuanji took the jade pendant, from which a divine thought emerged, it was a Supreme Divine Technique, the Vertical Earth Golden Light.

Vertical Earth Golden Light, a Supreme Divine Technique, encompasses the Nine Heavens; legend has it that cultivating to the ninth layer can directly pierce the barrier of the Immortal Realm, ascending to the Immortal Realm.

The jade pendant contained only the Vertical Earth Golden Light First Passage.

As long as the First Passage was cultivated to Great Success, ordinary Golden Core Cultivators could not catch up.

On the cultivation path, escape speed is crucial.

Many cultivators, with one defeat, fall into an irredeemable state, doomed to die because their attack power is strong, yet their escape speed is poor.

With fast escape speed, even losing ten times, you can still rise again.

With the divine thought’s information delivered, the jade pendant shattered on the spot, turning to dust.

Receiving the three talismans, Lu Xuanji carefully sensed them, feeling the terrifying power within, seemingly capable of unleashing immense might.

"Drip your blood, absorb them!"

Liu Ruming instructed.

Lu Xuanji dripped blood, letting it fall on the talismans.

Instantly, the talismans shimmered and entered his body, lying dormant in his Dantian.

It seemed that with just a trigger, they could be activated.

"I see!"

Lu Xuanji nodded, gaining some understanding.

Talismans are divided by grade; ordinary talismans, First Grade talismans, Second Grade talismans, Third Grade talismans, and so on, are lower-grade talismans, activated by mobilizing spiritual power;

But once talismans reach Fourth Grade, they require the combined activation of blood, soul power, and True Essence.

Talismans stored in the Dantian can autonomously activate in case of a sudden attack, automatically shielding the body.

Otherwise, some cultivators attack so swiftly and stealthily that in a moment of crisis, they might not react in time to activate the talisman.

"Thank you, Ancestor!"

Lu Xuanji said respectfully.

"Were it not for the ancestor being still unwed, I’d suspect you were the ancestor’s own son!" Liu Ruming said with a tone of envy, "Even a son would be treated no better, the ancestor treats you too well!"

As for the ancestor fancying him, treating him as a lover.

Liu Ruming merely considered it and dismissed the thought.

Because it was unfitting.

Lu Xuanji was merely a mere Purple Mansion ant, how could he be worthy of the ancestor.