Chapter 31: The Spirit Pearl Tribulation Reappears

The Yao Yang Soul Beast gnashed its teeth and let out series after series of roars. Its eyes burned with a thick sense of resentment. Yet under the dominating presence of that mysterious powerhouse, it eventually spiraled into a final frenzy before fleeing into the lush mountain forest and vanishing.

Watching this scene from the shadows, Wang Min’s expression turned into one of total shock. She never expected that Lu Jin would actually survive such a lethal situation. As for the identity of the expert who forced the soul beast to retreat without even striking: she was naturally clueless. Driven by intense curiosity, she continued to watch from a distance.

Once the Yao Yang Soul Beast was gone, the masked man’s gaze shifted toward Lu Jin.

“Thank you for your help, Senior! I shall never forget this life-saving debt!” Lu Jin cupped his hands and bowed.

The man gave a slight nod. He said absolutely nothing. He simply took to the air and vanished from the spot in an instant.

Wait… what? Lu Jin was even more bewildered. He just left?

He didn’t know if the man’s appearance was a mere coincidence or if there was a deeper reason. Since the man had departed so abruptly, there was no way to find out. The clearing fell silent; only the scars left by the battle served as a shocking reminder of what had occurred.

Lu Jin frowned. “Lord Empress, is it true that using Lingli allows one to resist mental power?”

Empress Qinglian replied: “Correct. Lingli and mental power can clash. Standard spiritual Qi, however, will not work: its quality is far too inferior.”

“I didn’t consider that before,” Lu Jin said. “The Heaven Burial Coffin always backfeeds me with Lingli, yet the martial arts I unleash are powered by spiritual Qi. If I directly utilized the source Lingli within my Spirit Pearls, could I have fought that soul beast myself?”

“You could,” the Empress said. “However, that soul beast’s mental power is enough to sweep aside any Jindan cultivator. Given your current strength, you still would have lost in the end.”

Lu Jin felt a bit helpless. He asked another question: “Empress, have you finished refining the Soul-Breaking Fruit? Do I need to continue guarding you?”

“It was just a tiny Soul-Breaking Fruit,” she said coldly. “I refined it in a heartbeat. However, it is not enough to compensate for my total depletion. If you find more treasures like this in the future, you must continue to provide them to me.”

Lu Jin nodded. “Understood. That soul beast was certainly something. It tracked me all the way from Jiuyou Mountain: that was quite unexpected.”

The Empress spoke again: “The unique scent of the fruit served as a beacon for it. You were lucky. That masked man’s cultivation is powerful; his presence alone suppressed the beast. Otherwise, your fate would have been miserable.”

Lu Jin’s brow furrowed. “I must ask: if it truly came down to a moment of life and death, would you have stepped in to save me?”

Empress Qinglian remained silent for a second before her voice drifted out: “It would depend on my mood.”

Lu Jin was speechless. It’s a matter of life and death, and you’re worried about your mood? Does that mean if you’re in a bad mood, I just get to die young?

“Move on,” the Empress commanded. “This place is not peaceful. Find a secure location to cultivate. Your mental power still requires tempering.”

Lu Jin gave a silent nod. He did not linger. He flickered away and flew toward the mountain gate of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

After entering the sect, he headed toward a peak overflowing with spiritual Qi. This was a premier cultivation site, usually reserved for Sect Master Chu Tianxiong. Having received the Sect Master’s permission, Lu Jin was free to enter and exit this restricted area as he pleased.

Buzz!

As he sat cross-legged to resume his training, series of spiritual Qi auras surged around the peak. The defensive arrays of the site were activated. Ripples of incredible energy expanded slightly before vanishing into nothingness.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Lu Jin’s soul entered that mysterious mental space once again. The mental pressure wheel seemed to sense his arrival. It immediately gathered into a human-shaped phantom and began to grind down upon his soul. It was a machine of pure torment: constant impact, constant crushing, entirely devoid of emotion.

Lu Jin was tempered within these cycles of agony. Though he didn’t know where the path led or what the final result would be, he knew he had to endure this initial pain. Only by doing so could he discover his future potential. Some things could only be understood once you were on the road. Without starting the journey, everything was just a fantasy.

While Lu Jin was immersed in his cultivation, Wang Min finally left the sect’s back mountain. She had sent a transmission to Yang Dianfeng, but there was no reply at all.

Hmph! Yang Dianfeng… Liu Ruyan! You two bastards! When disaster struck, you actually dared to abandon me!

Yang Dianfeng, from this day forward, I will no longer hold even a sliver of affection for you! Especially since you are a member of the Blood Messenger alliance!

Wang Min’s expression was more complex than it had ever been. In the past, she only knew that she and the Blood Messengers were irreconcilable enemies. She never expected that those closest to her were also Blood Messengers.

“I don’t know if Lu Jin’s claims are entirely accurate,” she whispered. “But Yang Dianfeng… and you, Elder Chi Yu! From now on, you are both subjects of my investigation! If I discover your true identities, then do not blame me for turning my back on you!”

Wang Min’s eyes were resolute, yet they held a trace of pain. After a moment of reflection, she vanished into the mountain forest.

Three days later.

Above the Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

The sky had been clear for ten thousand miles, yet for some reason, heavy clouds suddenly began to press down. The world turned dark. This abrupt change left the disciples of the sect startled, yet they seemed to sense something coming.

Sure enough, when a bolt of thunder descended from the heavens like a golden lightning snake striking the depths of the sect, the crowd erupted into discussion.

“By the looks of it, a high-level expert in the sect is about to advance again!”

“No! That isn’t a Jindan Tribulation. It looks more like a Spirit Pearl Tribulation!”

“A Spirit Pearl Tribulation? Could it be… is Lu Jin undergoing another tribulation?”

“Impossible! How many days has it been since his last advancement? Is he raising his realm again? I have never seen such a monstrous individual!”

“But in our Ten Thousand Swords Sect, is there anyone besides Lu Jin who can draw out a Spirit Pearl Tribulation?”

“That makes sense. But this is just too incredible…”

The disciples chattered incessantly. Their eyes were full of shock, but also a thick sense of anticipation. Ever since Lu Jin’s powerful return, every one of his appearances had shattered their previous perceptions of him! And the upcoming Life-and-Death Duel between him and Liu Ruyan was undoubtedly the most gripping event of all. The entire sect was filled with unprecedented excitement.

Rumble!

The thunder descended, violent and majestic. That terrifying aura made even some Jindan Elders suck in a breath of cold air.

Upon Saintess Peak.

Ji Yaoyue gazed at the lightning falling from the sky. Her eyes became exceptionally complex.

“I hope that isn’t Lu Jin undergoing his tribulation! Otherwise, in the life-and-death battle a few days from now, Ruyan will surely die!”

“I wonder what level her cultivation has reached after using the Barrier-Breaking Five Elements Pill I refined?”