Qi Zhiheng had somewhat anticipated these developments, and now that they have been confirmed, he can more quickly determine his next steps.

Qi Zhiheng immediately replied using a communication jade slip, asking Tong Zixing to see what common things those infected cultivators had done or where they had been.

At the same time, he was also pondering the purpose of the person who betrayed him. If it was to prevent disciples from other sects from going to the Central Continent when they were in the Southern Continent, then what was the purpose of causing so many people to be troubled by their inner demons in the Central Continent?

I couldn't understand it beforehand.

Let's put this matter aside for now and wait for Tong Zixing's reply.

At this time, the few members of the Qi family who entered Qi Zhiheng's space had been cultivating inside for nearly thirty years.

Qi Zhiheng released them; some of them were already preparing to break through and enter the Nascent Soul stage.

That's good news.

Qi Zhiheng did not hesitate and released all the Qi family members who were preparing to break through. Then they found a new place to stay and prepared to undergo their tribulation inside.

Qi Zhiheng had prepared everything for them and made sure they were alright before he felt at ease.

A few days later, calamity clouds descended upon the city.

In the days that followed, one lightning tribulation after another occurred.

After everyone successfully passed their tribulations, Qi Zhiheng discovered tribulation clouds again, but this time they were different from the previous ones. Clearly, it wasn't a minor tribulation like the one experienced during the Nascent Soul stage.

Yang Yitian asked, "Whose family is this lightning tribulation?"

Qi Zhiheng narrowed his eyes and said, "It might be one of those peak Nascent Soul cultivators from before."

"Is it finally time for the tribulation? If we succeed this time, will we have another Mahayana cultivator?" Yang Yitian thought excitedly.

Qi Zhiheng replied, "That's indeed the case."

The immense power of the tribulation clouds attracted a large number of cultivators. Ascension City was bustling with activity during this period, and the living standards of its residents improved as a result.

Yang Yitian thought to himself, "Transcending a tribulation of lightning can also boost the city's economic development! That's a pretty good idea."

"Is this a tribulation to break through to the Mahayana stage? Who is undergoing this tribulation?"

"I'm not sure, but they're definitely from the City Lord's Mansion."

"You guys don't know, do you? I heard that a few cultivators sought the city lord's help to cure their inner demons. Not only were their inner demons removed, but they also received pills that could allow them to directly break through to the Mahayana stage!"

"Such excellent pills exist? If such pills really exist, wouldn't this city be in for a world-shaking change?"

"Hey, it's all just rumors. Most rumors are unreliable. It's already extremely rare to break through to the Mahayana stage. How could there really be such a powerful pill?"

The thunderous tribulation was still rumbling throughout the city. At this moment, Qi Zhiheng received a reply from Tong Zixing, which mentioned that all the infected people had been to a common secret realm, and even Tong Zixing herself had been to this secret realm.

Qi Zhiheng thus guessed that the problem might lie in this secret realm.

Qi Zhiheng received a message and inquired when the secret realm would reopen.

Tong Zixing's reply came very quickly this time.

The secret realm will reopen in three years, and it is a secret realm that can only be entered by cultivators below the Integration stage.

Qi Zhiheng frowned slightly upon seeing the message. Did that mean he wouldn't be able to enter?

There's still three years to go, so there's no rush. Qi Zhiheng put this matter aside for now and sent a message to Tong Zixing, asking her to reserve a few spots for him if he could get one.

Although Qi Zhiheng couldn't get in, he had sons, and the triplets' cultivation levels would eventually allow them to enter.

The tribulation lightning finally stopped after more than three months.

The celestial phenomena that were observed were enough to prove that this person had successfully broken through to the Mahayana stage.

Everyone stepped forward to offer their congratulations, and then asked if a promotion ceremony should be held.

However, before the matter could be discussed, lightning tribulation once again gathered in the sky.

Some people had just finished watching the spectacle and were about to leave when they were drawn to the sudden appearance of the ominous cloud.

This marriage was still a tribulation for breaking through the Integration Stage and entering the Mahayana Stage, so the discussion about whether or not to hold the Ascension Hall was delayed.

Qi Zhiheng was also a little nervous. If the tribulation failed, wouldn't his previous words be considered as boasting?

While everyone's attention was focused on the lightning tribulation, Qi Zhiheng sent the second batch of Qi family members into the space to cultivate.

Everyone was waiting for the outcome of this tribulation, but fortunately, the second one lived up to expectations, and a few months later, the person who had survived the tribulation reappeared.

Afterwards, Qi Zhiheng questioned the cultivator, wondering how he could have broken through so quickly.

Upon inquiry, it was learned that after the first person took Qi Zhiheng's pill and broke through, the second cultivator undergoing tribulation felt more confident and thus also began to break through.

When Qi Zhiheng learned of this result, he was truly at a loss for words, both laughing and crying...

While his elixirs might increase the success rate of tribulation transcendence, they could never be completely effective. Such an achievement only came about because the other party had accumulated a great deal of knowledge and experience.

However, outsiders do not understand and unanimously believe that Qi Zhiheng's pills are effective. It is said that Qi Zhiheng gave out three pills, and two of them have already been taken. What about the third one?

The third one, of course, was also eaten! This elixir was rumored to be incredibly powerful, and everyone wanted to see for themselves. So he simply took it himself, and then everyone discovered that the lightning tribulation that had just stopped was starting up again...

"This is the third time already, isn't it? Why are the cultivators in this city able to keep breaking through?"

"Could it be because of the city's name?" Ascension City, isn't it meant to ascend to the Immortal Realm? The fact that so many cultivators are breaking through might be a good omen!

The third cultivator lived up to expectations and also successfully broke through to the Mahayana stage!

However, after the tribulation ended, things calmed down for a while. But no one had forgotten about the tribulation.

In no time, many people came to ask for some pills.

Qi Zhiheng sells most of the pills, and he only sells top-grade pills.

Soon, rumors spread that the city lord of Shengxian City was only an alchemist, and that he would destroy any pills he refined that were not of the highest quality.

This indirectly explains why Qi Zhiheng only sells top-grade elixirs.

Qi Zhiheng never expected to be interpreted this way. It's not bad, though. It's not as shocking as refining top-grade pills.

Several months have passed, and Qi Zhiheng secretly released the Qi family members, allowing them to prepare for their tribulation.

Compared to the grand scenes of the past, these tribulations of lightning that led to breakthroughs in the Nascent Soul stage and entry into the Divine Transformation stage have attracted less attention.

Ascension City also came into the sights of various third-tier cities because of these tribulations. Some people even wanted to buy pills from Qi Zhiheng that could help them break through to the Mahayana stage. However, Qi Zhiheng refused them all, citing reasons such as the limited quantity of pills. The pills from Zhejiang West were only provided to cultivators belonging to the city lord's mansion.

This made many Nascent Soul stage cultivators eager to try their luck, but Qi Zhiheng couldn't just give these things away for free; they needed to exchange them for contribution points.

These task points are obtained from tasks within the city.

Qi Zhiheng's pills had caught the eye of many Nascent Soul stage cultivators. Even Yan Yinyue heard the news and wanted to ask Qi Zhiheng for some.

Qi Zhiheng and Yan Yinyue had some acquaintance, so he didn't refuse and gave him two pills, instructing him, "These pills only have a supporting effect, and they won't work every time. You have to be careful who you give them to."

Qi Zhiheng remembered something and explained the matter of demonic energy, asking Yan Yinyue to send over those in their city who were infected by inner demons so he could examine them and help resolve any problems.

Yan Yinyue hadn't expected these things to happen. After attending the promotion ceremony for the three newly promoted Mahayana cultivators, she hurriedly left.

Meanwhile, Qi Zhiheng took a liking to another cultivator in the Integration stage and rewarded him with a pill to help him cultivate.

The cultivator who received the elixir was overjoyed and immediately closed the door to cultivate.

Qi Zhiheng then put the younger generation into the space to cultivate.

By concealing the Qi family's breakthrough within the context of a Nascent Soul cultivator's breakthrough to the Mahayana stage, it garnered far less attention.

This cultivation session consumed a lot of resources for the Qi family. After finishing their cultivation, Qi Zhiheng would have to gather resources again to prepare for the next long cultivation session.

Having heard about the interesting stories of Ascension City, Tong Zixing also made a visit.

Qi Zhiheng personally greeted him with a broad smile.

Tong Zixing still had level nine spiritual herbs in his possession, which he had been eyeing for a long time. Finally, he waited for Tong Zixing to come to his door again.

Tong Zixing laughed and said, "It seems that Fellow Daoist Qi was also waiting for me to come. I didn't expect my charm to be so great."

Qi Zhiheng said, "Your charm is indeed considerable." With spiritual herbs involved, how could the allure of spiritual herbs be weak?

Tong Zixing asked, seemingly jokingly, "I've heard you have a kind of pill that, once taken, will definitely allow one to reach the Great Ascension stage?"

Qi Zhiheng replied, "These are all false rumors. How could there be any pills that can guarantee success in the Mahayana stage? They only increase the chances of success by a few percent."

"Increasing the chances by a few percent would be good enough. If only you had a pill that could increase the success rate of advancing from the Mahayana stage to the Tribulation stage." Tong Zixing probed slightly.

Qi Zhiheng smiled faintly and said, "It's not impossible for such a pill to exist."

Tong Zixing understood what he meant. Her hand holding the water glass trembled uncontrollably, and she asked in a slightly hoarse voice, "Is this really true?"

Qi Zhiheng said, "Of course it can be true, but it depends on whether Fellow Daoist Tong can believe me."

Tong Zixing downed her tea in one gulp and said firmly, "I believe you!"

Qi Zhiheng said, "Since Fellow Daoist Tong believes in it, would you dare to take a gamble?"

"How do we bet?" Tong Zixing looked at Qi Zhiheng seriously.

Qi Zhiheng didn't beat around the bush anymore and directly stated his request. He took the level-nine spiritual herb that he had been coveting for a long time and went into seclusion to refine pills in a good mood, leaving Yang Yitian to take care of Tong Zixing, who was still in Shengxian City.

Preparing to undergo tribulation.