Chapter 88

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Chapter 88: It Was Your Thunder After All!

In the Dark Heaven Secret Realm, Immortal Su Yuan sat on a green stone, hands on his sword, looking calm yet with a hint of otherworldly grace.

He was explaining the situation in the Upper Realm to two younger disciples below him.

"In the Upper Realm, there are treasures similar to those in the Dark Heaven Secret Realm everywhere. Some ancient major sects have countless blessed lands, so, nourished by the power of heaven and earth, very few people cannot cultivate there."

"But in contrast, in the Upper Realm, those below Ascension Realm are not considered experts. Only those who reach the Ascension Realm can be considered on the path of cultivation. Beyond that, there are False Immortals, True Immortals, and Golden Immortals! And then, there are the legendary strong beings of the Tao Realm, said to have unimaginable power. I have only heard of Tao Realm experts in the Dongxuan World but have never seen one myself."

"The reason why it is said that only after ascending can one step onto the path of cultivation is because after ascending, cultivators can travel through the void between realms. All living beings can cultivate the Dao, and there are countless unheard-of elixirs and treasures. At that time, you will understand that the vastness of the myriad realms is far beyond what ordinary people can imagine!"

Wen Yun and Ye Shubai remained calm upon hearing this, but the little fire dragon couldn’t contain its excitement, its tail trembling, "All kinds of treasures?"

Immortal Su Yuan hesitated slightly, afraid that the pig might mention some celestial treasures, cautiously speaking, "Most of what you have seen should be available…"

Before he could finish speaking, the little fire dragon opened its mouth and carefully handed over a small gold gem from its belly, whispering, "This is the rarest gem I have ever seen. I have only seen one in hundreds of years. Have you seen anything like this in the Upper Realm?"

Immortal Su Yuan took the gem silently for a moment, then confidently said, "I have seen this before. Many places in the Upper Realm like to use it instead of charcoal. In terms of value, one piece of spiritual jade can be worth a pound."

When Wen Yun and Ye Shubai heard the second half of the sentence, they felt worried. Wen Yun wanted to stop it but it was too late. They watched in horror as the little dragon got hurt and cried silently holding the gemstone.

Immortal Su Yuan was puzzled, "Huh? Why is your spirit pig crying?"

Wen Yun saw the little dragon retreat into the dragon bone wand and said helplessly, "It’s okay, he’s sensitive, you don’t need to worry about him. Please continue."

Immortal Su Yuan nodded and continued talking about the topic of ascension.

"Just mentioned the abundant resources in the upper realm, so there are many breakthrough elixirs available, and many talented individuals, genuine or not. Even so, I have never heard of anyone ascending at the age of sixteen." He looked at Wen Yun and sincerely praised, "With your incredible talent, if you were to ascend from the lower realm, many sects in the upper realm would want you!"

Wen Yun, who usually loved compliments, was silent this time. She sat quietly, then casually glanced at Ye Shubai.

She spoke cautiously, "I feel like my sword skills are not yet perfect, I need some time to improve before ascending."

Once she ascended, the upper realm would surely notice. Wen Yun couldn’t guarantee her safety returning to the cultivation world.

After Immortal Su Yuan left, Wen Yun noticed Ye Shubai was still watching her, so she started analyzing rationally once again.

"As the elders have said, us cultivators born in the mortal realm without a strong background can only seek protection from larger sects. But you should know, I prefer when others try to please me, considering my status, right?"

Seeing Ye Shubai silent, she continued to explain her reasons, "Also, who can guarantee that if I ascend, I’ll be welcomed and accepted by others as a valuable asset? What if, like other Ascenders, I lose the Power of Rules and get eliminated? Wouldn’t that be tragic? So, I think instead of ascending alone and risking being taken advantage of, why not establish our Qingliu Sword Sect in the celestial realm? For example, both of our ancestors going up together, wouldn’t that be great?"

Ye Shubai looked down at Wen Yun. Without realizing it, whenever she was nervous, she would speak a lot of logical analysis, as if trying to convince herself and also him.

He spoke gently, "Actually, you don’t have to wait for me. You can ascend first, and I’ll come find you later."

"I know you’ll come find me, but I’m afraid we might lose our memories like Senior Su Yuan did. I’m fine, smart and lovable, unlikely to be bullied. But you, so honest, might be taken advantage of by deceitful celestial cultivators." Wen Yun lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she spoke softly, "Also, I truly don’t want to ascend now and be at the mercy of others. I want to ascend with the entire Qingliu Sword Sect… even the whole cultivation world."

Saying this, she cleared her throat as if disguising something, casually adding, "Of course, that includes you as well."

Actually, this remark was closer to what she truly meant unintentionally.

Ye Shubai looked down at her, his Adam’s apple bobbed, a faint glimmer of light appeared.

His heart raced, after pondering for a while, he finally gathered the courage to speak.

"Wen Yun, actually I…"

"Boom!"

A golden purple thunderbolt struck from the sky, but luckily Wen Yun was prepared. She opened a umbrella-shaped defense treasure to block it. The thunder was just a regular one leaked from the calamity cloud, so it wasn’t too threatening, just a bit scary.

The strange atmosphere just now disappeared in an instant. Wen Yun looked up at the dark clouds above and sighed, "I need to leave the Dark Heaven Secret Realm quickly. Otherwise, if I absorb too much power from the heavens and earth, I might ascend. Remember to practice well inside."

Ye Shubai nodded as he watched her leave, feeling a bit uneasy in his heart.

So did Wen Yun really hear the words I said just now?

*

After swiftly leaving the Dark Heaven Secret Realm, Wen Yun happened to meet Bao Pilong and Zhu Erchong who had come to find her.

They had come to invite her to visit Shen Xinghai. Earlier, Bao Pilong had followed some people from the Xie Family and discovered Mo You’s scheme. However, on his return, he was badly injured, lost his cultivation, and even broke his right arm.

Three people were walking from The Tenth Peak towards The First Peak. When they passed by the foot of the Sixth Peak, Wen Yun suddenly stopped and looked at a figure in the distance, wondering, "That person looks familiar."

Standing at the gate of the Sixth Peak, a man was wearing a white shirt embroidered with green bamboo leaves. He held a Green Bamboo Sword in his left hand and a delicate white plum blossom in his right hand. He looked nothing like his usual charismatic self, appearing completely lost and confused.

He asked desolately, "Mengran, is your master really not here?"

Martial Sister Mengran had to reply again, "Yes, ancestral master, my master said she is not here."

Xu Wanfeng stumbled and, with sadness in his eyes, turned away. Faintly, one could still hear him reciting a poem, "Since ancient times, deep lingering regrets remain endless and unresolved!"

As a result, when he turned around, he saw Wen Yun.

His face changed dramatically. Quickly, he hid the white plum blossom he had picked from somewhere behind his back and flew away on his sword without even saying goodbye.

Seeing Wen Yun looking confused, Bao Pilong, who was well-informed, smirked and whispered to her, "Rumors are spreading throughout the sect. They say that ancestral master vowed in front of Ziyun Peak Lord, and right at that moment, a divine thunder descended from the skies… Hehe."

Despite not being entirely sure, Wen Yun felt a jolt in her heart, discreetly glancing up at the calamity cloud still flashing with lightning above her head.

When Mengran, Xu Wanfeng’s martial sister, saw her friends coming together at the foot of the mountain, she finally smiled. But it was strange that she looked past Wen Yun and asked, "Where’s your master?"

Wen Yun was confused for a moment before realizing Mengran was asking about Ye Shubai. She replied, "He’s training at The Tenth Peak."

Mengran’s question seemed casual at first, but then she showed more concern, asking, "How have you two been getting along recently? Any interesting things happening between you? Is he treating you well?"

While Wen Yun answered honestly, she couldn’t help but wonder why Mengran was so interested in Ye Shubai today.

Zhu Erchong, who was nearby, smiled knowingly and took the opportunity to pull Mengran aside, whispering, "Have you finished writing the manuscript for Volume Four? Wanbao Pavilion is urging for it, saying there’s a disturbance outside the shop, and they’re calling for the Dream Immortal’s words. They even mentioned that even the donkeys at the Zhuang family’s house wouldn’t be this stubborn."

As soon as this matter was mentioned, Mengran’s smile faded, and she replied solemnly, "I lost the manuscript."

"What?!"

"Last night, just after I finished writing the manuscript, there was a sudden thunderstorm outside that startled me, causing me to accidentally knock over a full inkstone, ruining the manuscript. I have to rewrite it completely."

Hearing them whispering behind her, Wen Yun felt increasingly suspicious and turned around, asking, "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing." Zhu Erchong quickly stood up straight, and then his mind started working quickly again, "I told Martial Sister Mengran not to hold a sword, so as not to remind Junior Brother Shen of sad memories later."

Hearing this, Martial Sister Mengran and Bao Pilong immediately nodded and put their swords back in the space bag. Wen Yun thought for a moment and also put away her dragon bone wand.

However, everyone noticed the paper umbrella she was holding.

Martial Sister Mengran looked at the umbrella curiously and asked, "Martial Sister Wen, there’s no snow or rain now, why are you holding an umbrella?"

Wen Yun hesitated. She thought it might be scary to tell them that the umbrella was a treasure for protection, but she also didn’t want them to know she was about to ascend, fearing it would spread throughout the cultivation world, which went against her principle of keeping a low profile.

So she vaguely replied, "You’ve seen my Second Master Brother earlier, right? Well, on cold days like this, he often fans himself with a fan, not because he’s cold, but to maintain his elegance."

As she spoke, she seemed more believable and said seriously, "Therefore, my umbrella is not for rain cover, but for maintaining elegance."

The three of them were convinced and nodded in understanding.

Bao Pilong, the big man, couldn’t help but exclaim, "I always thought the people from The Tenth Peak were exceptionally impressive, but I didn’t realize they had to make such sacrifices, fanning themselves in the cold and holding umbrellas on sunny days. My respects, my respects!"

Wen Yun, "You don’t have to be too respectful."

While chatting, the group arrived at a secluded courtyard at the foot of The First Peak mountain.

Shen Xinghai’s residence was reached.

The Qingliu Sword Sect had a light snowfall a few days ago, covering the greenery with a faint white layer. While the busy areas had already melted the snow, this particular secluded courtyard remained calm and quiet, with snow gathered on the black tiles and branches, lingering for a long time.

In the courtyard stood a very handsome young man, with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, wearing only a thin jacket that made his complexion pale from the cold.

He, however, seemed unaware of the cold, gazing up at the clouds on the mountainside.

Faint sounds of children’s laughter could be heard from there. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Liu Luoyin flying with Black Stone and A’xiu on swords in the sky. The two young sword cultivators were no longer wearing the old clothes altered by Shen Xinghai, but new disciples’ robes.

After watching for a while, he seemed to be moved. With only one hand left, he struggled to lift his sword, but how could he wield the sword made of fairy iron without his lost cultivation?

"Clang—"

The heavy sword fell by his feet, shaking the branches above him and covering his head and shoulders with cold snow.

Everyone was silent, standing outside the courtyard watching the scene, feeling both sour and heavy in their hearts.

At that moment, Shen Xinghai in the courtyard finally regained his senses and noticed the presence of the people outside.

He quickly brushed off the snow on his shoulders, a familiar smile spreading on his face, waving to greet them, "Senior Brother, Elder Martial Sister, oh, Martial Sister Wen is back too! Martial Sister Wen, I have already used the prosthetic limbs customized for me by Wanbao Pavilion that you arranged. Look, I am now no different from before!"

Shen Xinghai’s arm was completely injured and unable to regenerate by Mo You. This prosthetic limb almost emptied half of Wen Yun’s treasury and was made by the craftsmen searched by the Wan family ancestor throughout the cultivation world. It looks no different from an ordinary hand, but it’s ultimately fake.

To reassure her, Shen Xinghai tried to reach for the leaves on top of his head, but he was still not familiar enough with the prosthetic limb. Though his hand was raised, he couldn’t manage to pick the leaf off.

He gritted his teeth tightly, his shoulders trembling.

However, no one stopped him, everyone remained silent, waiting for him quietly.

Finally —

"Look, am I not like everyone else?" Shen Xinghai wiped the sweat off his forehead and handed the leaf to Wen Yun.

She took the small leaf, feeling very conflicted inside.

Zhu Erchong and the others had already praised Shen Xinghai, to make him feel better, they set up a fire and prepared some drinks, shouting to have a good time today. The good wine was provided by Martial Sister Mengran as usual, while Bao Pilong and Zhu Erchong were busy roasting meat and chatting about the interesting things they saw at the Sixth Peak before.

Not seeing Wen Yun coming over, they called out, "Martial Sister Wen, why are you standing there, come sit with us."

Wen Yun opened her umbrella and glanced at the faces of the sword cultivators one by one.

She knew she was never one to settle for less, so whether in the Magic World or the cultivation world, she appeared lazy but was actually working hard to improve herself through training, wanting to control her own destiny.

Just like Ye Shubai had mentioned before, ascending meant she had to choose to erase her past memories and align herself with a powerful force to survive. What was she really ascending for?

Was it to become a mere follower in the upper realm?

Then why not just ascend with one realm, fulfill Immortal Su Yuan’s dream, and establish the Qingliu Sword Sect in the upper realm directly?

Approximately in a thousand years, this world will become a desolate place, with the spiritual energy cut off, unable to practice cultivation." Wen Yun calmly delivered this message.

"Crash."

Four cups fell to the ground at the same time.

They had been through countless experiences with Wen Yun, so they knew she wouldn’t tell such a scary lie.

Seeing them shocked by this news, Wen Yun paused and then continued, "When ascending, the body can be reshaped by the power of heaven and earth. Martial Brother Shen, even if you have lost an arm, if you can cultivate back to the Ascension Realm, what does it matter?"

Shen Xinghai’s body shook, the forced smile on his face gradually disappearing, as he looked at Wen Yun confused and shocked.

"So…" Wen Yun looked at her four fellow disciples and posed a soul-searching question, "Can all of you ascend within a thousand years?"

That question was tough!

Zhu Erchong and Martial Sister Mengran both gasped in shock.

Only Bao Pilong thought Wen Yun was joking as he laughed while barbecuing meat, saying, "Sister Wen, that’s a good question! If we’re talking about ascending, my old bag can definitely make it happen! But we all know the path to ascension in the cultivation world has been cut off. We have the ability, but the heavens do not provide the way."

"We don’t need the heavens." Wen Yun said calmly as she walked towards them holding an umbrella, sitting on a stone bench in the corner.

She calmly said, "I will pave the way for you."

"Haha, Sister Wen, you really know how to joke…"

Before the laughter faded, a loud rumble suddenly came from the sky, followed by a fierce purple thunderbolt striking down!

However, in the next moment, the paper umbrella held by Wen Yun flashed with a light, creating a huge barrier covering the entire courtyard, dispersing the thunder instantly.

Wen Yun was extremely satisfied. Indeed, the upper realm treasure gifted by Senior Su Yuan was very useful.

Then she turned around, only to see four pale faces.

"W-what kind of thunder is this?"

"Since everyone saw it, I won’t hide it from you anymore. This is the calamity cloud that caused my ascension."

Her explanation made several people feel like they were in a dream, they stupidly looked at Wen Yun, unable to tell if they were dreaming or if she was.

Only Martial Sister Mengran looked up at the calamity cloud, her hands trembling with ink stains, almost collapsing as she muttered to herself.

"So it was Martial Sister Wen who attracted the thunder… It was you who attracted the thunder…"