Chapter 76
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Chapter 76: Title
"The Lingyang Secret Realm opens soon. Last time you reached Linglong Pavilion’s eightieth floor. Confident about scaling the summit this time?" Xuanhua propped his chin, eyes shifting to the girl drilling sword moves under the snowy corridor.
Her white attire blended with Wentiang Peak’s pallor. The frost-edged sword mirrored her bearing—a flawless pairing.
Though no Shenwu Sword, this blade surpassed divine weapons in Xia Wuwei’s grip.
None could tell whether sword complemented warrior or warrior ennobled steel.
Xia Wuwei completed her final stance, sheathed the sword with measured breath, then pivoted lightly to claim the seat opposite Xuanhua. She sipped his freshly brewed Kunlun tea.
Subtle sweetness lingered on her tongue.
"Not going."
Xuanhua’s eyebrows jumped. "You’ve chattered about conquering that summit for years. Why quit now?"
Mirth danced in Xia Wuwei’s eyes, though she offered no explanation.
"I’ll tell you someday."
Xuanhua snorted, refilling her cup. "Secrets? Remember—while Fortune-tellers lack combat strength, our divination…"
"Know, know. ‘Xuanhua’s hexagrams pierce heaven’s will.’" Xia Wuwei grinned, tilting her head. "So? What’d you see?"
Xuanhua set down the teapot, spine straightening.
"…Great Misfortune."
His brows knotted as he pressed, "Delay the Tribulation of Becoming an Immortal. With this omen, choosing another…"
Xia Wuwei merely sipped tea, unperturbed.
"Delay? Tribulations aren’t certainties. My realm’s been pent up too long—if I don’t breakthrough soon, these bones’ll crack from pressure."
Xuanhua sighed. He’d expected this—Xia Wuwei thrived where others faltered, danger be damned.
"Then at least gather guardians. Don’t face this alone."
“I know, I know.”
“The Lingyang Secret Realm will open soon. If Qingyu and I return in time, we’ll watch over you,” Xuanhua said worriedly. He stared at Xia Wuwei’s careless demeanor and gritted his teeth, wishing he could turn her head and force his words into her ears.
Xia Wuwei smiled at him, her bright eyes brimming with youthful vitality.
Half a month later, the Lingyang Secret Realm opened.
Xia Wuwei bid farewell to her Master and senior sister, journeying to the Sixteen Peaks of the Dark Domain.
The Dark Domain teemed with toxic mists. Even transformation stage cultivators struggled to cross its sixteen peaks unharmed.
Such a place bred shadowy, venomous creatures—a land of no people.
It was the perfect site for undergoing tribulation.
The Tribulation of Becoming an Immortal carried dual fates: blessings touch one, calamity strikes a thousand miles.
Xia Wuwei knew the Dark Domain was the most dangerous region beyond the Nine Realms. But only here could she avoid involving others.
She refused to let her ascension bring disaster upon anyone.
“Xia Wuwei!!!”
Hovering midair on her sword, Xia Wuwei glanced down. A girl in a green robe waved up at her.
She descended, landing before the girl with a grin.
“Pei Jiu.”
Pei Jiu’s face held a sickly pallor, her lips unnaturally pale.
“How did you know I’d come this way?” Xia Wuwei asked, glad to see her friend before the trial.
“I knew you’d sneak here to face your tribulation.” Pei Jiu flashed her storage ring. “Prepared everything—this’ll see you through safely.”
Xia Wuwei hugged her sword, leaning closer. “What’s inside?”
“Elixirs to restore your energy, talismans against the thunder tribulation. These books are mine, not for you.” Pei Jiu pointed at each item.
Xia Wuwei nodded and extended her palm.
Pei Jiu: “?”
Pei Jiu: “What?”
“Hand over the ring,” Xia Wuwei said plainly. “Unless you plan to join me?”
Pei Jiu stood motionless, gaze intent.
The unspoken answer hung between them.
“No.” Xia Wuwei shook her head. “The Dark Domain’s mists poison even seasoned cultivators. When tribulation strikes, the Heavenly Dao’s barrier seals the area—no entry or exit. Without a spiritual root, you’d suffer terribly inside.”
Pei Jiu stared at the ground. “…Just wanted to help.”
Xia Wuwei patted her shoulder. “None can aid another in the Tribulation. Your gifts are help enough.”
When Pei Jiu remained sullen, Xia Wuwei added, “Guard this place for me. Keep others away.”
The riverbank stood deserted, years passing without visitors.
The request was pure kindness—a retreat path for stubborn friendship.
“Okay!” Pei Jiu smiled again, removing the storage ring from her finger and placing it in Xia Wuwei’s palm. “Keep it on your hand at all times,” she urged.
Xia Wuwei nodded, sliding the ring onto her index finger openly.
After parting ways, Xia Wuwei soared on her sword toward the heart of the Sixteen Peaks of the Dark Domain. Pei Jiu watched her receding figure, eyes darkening.
When the streak of light vanished, the lone figure finally moved. Step by step, she walked into the cursed land called the Dark Domain.
Even its outermost layer teemed with toxic mists and dangers.
Pei Jiu advanced calmly, undisturbed.
A blue glow spread beneath her feet, revealing shifting formation patterns that repelled the surrounding mists. Creatures drawn by her presence disintegrated into Blood Mist upon contact, staining the white fog crimson.
Pei Jiu glanced indifferently at the bloody trail behind her before pressing onward.
Her eyes scanned the obscured landscape as she wandered, frustration creasing her brow. The white attire blended disastrously with the haze.
Her pace quickened.
Meanwhile—
Xia Wuwei settled in a clearing where the mists hung thicker than tar. She swallowed one of Senior Sister Huaiwen’s Clear Heart Elixirs and channeled spiritual power to shield herself.
“Now? Attempting your breakthrough here?” A voice cut through the silence. “Xuanhua wasn’t wrong. This is your Tribulation of Becoming an Immortal. Why choose this wretched place alone?”
Xia Wuwei chuckled, fingers brushing the sword at her waist. “Why delay? Besides,” her eyes crinkled, “you’re here. What could go wrong?”
The Heartless Sword hummed, mollified.
Seated cross-legged, Xia Wuwei summoned her spiritual power. Energy surged through her meridians like tidal waves. Her spiritual sense stretched outward, detecting the Heavenly Dao’s impending barrier. Thunderheads loomed above, lightning fracturing the sky.
The Tribulation began.
The sword trembled abruptly. Xia Wuwei’s eyes snapped open—a shadow moved through the fog.
Impossible. No one else should be here.
“Xia Wuwei.” The voice rasped like rusted metal.
Her hand froze on the sword hilt. “Pei Jiu?”
How? No spiritual root meant no sword flight. Yet the approaching figure wore Pei Jiu’s face—twisted with unfamiliar malice.
“Pei Jiu?” Xia Wuwei repeated uncertainly.
Those familiar eyes met hers, then curved in a smile both chilling and recognizable.
“Surprised?” The smile sharpened. “Did you think no spiritual root could stop me?”
In that smirk, Xia Wuwei glimpsed her true friend.
"Xia Wuwei." Pei Jiu tilted her head and said, "For your Tribulation of Becoming an Immortal, shall I give you a grand present?"
Xia Wuwei felt uneasy. She didn’t answer, but soon noticed something wrong.
A blood-red formation had formed beneath her feet without warning, slowly rotating with her at its center. Spiritual power from all around flowed into the pattern, and even the toxic mists of the Dark Domain swirled around it, creating a vortex where both women stood.
"What are you planning?" Xia Wuwei’s hand gripped her sword hilt.
"The Lingyang Secret Realm has descended upon Qinghu Region this time. What do you think will happen when the Nine Realms’ greatest sword cultivator faces her immortal tribulation there?" Pei Jiu laughed harshly, madness shining in her eyes.
A sword cry rang out as the Long Sword left its sheath.
Xia Wuwei aimed her blade at her friend, knuckles whitening. Controlling her emotions with effort, she sneered, "Qinghu lies tens of thousands of miles from the Dark Domain. How could the thunder tribulation reach there?"
"You still doubt me after all this." Pei Jiu shook her head regretfully. "You know I lack a spiritual root and possess weak spiritual power, yet remain ignorant of my true mastery – I reign supreme in formations across the Nine Realms."
"What use is being the top sword cultivator when a mere formation traps you helpless?"
"Xia Wuwei, your arrogance blinds you."
Pei Jiu’s eyes turned cold. A flick of her fingers sent the toxic vortex whirling violently as she retreated into the choking mists.
Xia Wuwei narrowed her eyes, gathering spiritual power to slash through the haze. When the air cleared, she almost dropped her weapon.
People…
Countless people…
This wasn’t the Dark Domain. They stood in Qinghu Region, where the Lingyang Secret Realm had just closed!
"Wuwei?"
She turned to see Xuanhua staring at her in confusion.
"How did you—"
A thunderous boom interrupted him. Every head jerked upward as clear skies vanished behind roiling black clouds.
"Go!" Xia Wuwei shouted desperately, eyes red. "Run! All of you!"
Too late.
The Heavenly Dao’s barrier descended. No cultivator could escape Qinghu Region.
"Run! Hurry!"
Xia Shi awoke screaming, clutching someone’s hand. Blinded by tears, she kept shouting, "Go! Don’t stay! Leave!"
Suiyin’s hand ached in the crushing grip. She hugged the trembling woman, murmuring, "It’s over now."
But Xia Shi remained trapped in the past – watching helpless under thunderous skies, seeing innocent cultivators fall because of her failures.
"No… please no…"
Don’t die.
But those people had all died. Everyone had perished, leaving only her alive.
Why did she deserve to live?
Xia Shi clutched her head, weeping bitterly as blood trailed from the corners of her eyes.
"Xia Shi, look at me! Look at me!" Suiyin pried her hands away, cupping her face.
Xia Shi slowly turned toward the voice.
"…Who am I?" Suiyin asked hesitantly.
A blood-red tear fell. Xia Shi’s lips trembled soundlessly: "You."
Suiyin’s nose flushed with suppressed emotion. A fragile smile surfaced as she whispered hoarsely, "Yes. Me."
"Suiyin."
Xia Shi uttered the name like a prayer before lunging forward to crush the other woman against herself, arms locking like iron bands.
Suiyin held her through the storm, arms circling Xia Shi’s waist while gently soothing the rigid muscles of her back.
Xia Shi’s trembling refused to cease. The shoulder beneath Suiyin’s cheek grew warm and damp.
