"Nine Paths! Could he really be about to break through to the Nascent Soul stage? That's too incredible!"
"No, there are realm restrictions here. In fact, I've heard that even the most outstanding geniuses may face nine tribulations when breaking through to the Golden Core stage. They are either those with great fortune or those rejected by the Heavenly Dao."
"She's a female cultivator, with both talent and courage. I hope she succeeds." A female cultivator with braided pigtails gazed at the center of the dark clouds with starry eyes.
"A role model for us all. If she successfully breaks through to the Golden Core stage, wouldn't the barrier be able to open?!"
"Yes! I'm praying for her, that she will definitely break through to the Golden Core stage."
Regardless of their stance or faction, at this moment, the cultivators shared only one belief: that the genius cultivator who carried their hopes would successfully break through and lead them away from the warm water prison!
A powerful belief twisted into a rope, and an invisible psychic force surged into Tu Longjian, whose body was charred and suspended in the air, giving her a jolt.
The Heavenly Dao did not want to let her off so easily. The ninth lightning tribulation was extremely terrifying. If it weren't for the wisp of divine power that remained on her body, she would have surely died!
Even more difficult to imagine is how arduous each breakthrough after reaching the Golden Core stage must be.
However, Tu Longjian had no time to worry about that at the moment; she had only one thought in her mind:
Breakthrough to the Golden Core stage!
A psychic force called hope surrounded her, relieving her of some of the terrible pressure.
After a loud shout, countless magical treasures turned to dust. Tu Longjian kept consuming blood-replenishing pills, and after three full days, he finally condensed a golden core.
His clothes were tattered, with only the undergarment that Yan Xiuzhu had sewn by hand remaining. Tu Longjian emptied his body and let himself fall from the sky.
The incredible speed made her blood boil, her heart soar, and she felt incredibly light and exhilarated.
Her freefall shocked countless onlookers, and a few fanatics even rushed over to try and catch her with their own bodies.
Tu Longjian then noticed that she was surrounded by a large group of cultivators, and her smile suddenly froze on her lips.
Just before landing, she nimbly performed a somersault, using the friction of her spiritual energy to reduce the acceleration of her fall and stand firmly.
The scene froze, and a moment later a burst of cheers erupted.
"A genius beyond compare, we admire him!"
"Fellow Daoist is truly a role model for us all; I am utterly convinced!"
Tu Longjian was surrounded and praised by excited cultivators, and was welcomed along the way. He nodded in response with a calm expression.
"You flatter me. If it weren't for the changes in the secret realm, you would have already broken through to the Golden Core stage."
"You're too modest. Actually... wait, why does he look so familiar?"
"Is she from Guanqing Sect? I think I saw her when I was on a mission."
The disciples of Guanqing Sect had already walked over proudly and said loudly, "That's right, she is the personal disciple of one of our peak masters!"
"As expected of a direct disciple! Which peak is he from? The one who can cultivate such a talent must be extremely famous."
"Uh," the disciple said awkwardly, and after thinking for a while, he replied, "He is from Xufeng, but he used to be a bit more reserved."
"It must be modesty. To withstand nine tribulations of lightning and still break through to the Golden Core stage under the suppression of the secret realm is truly astonishing."
Tu Longjian touched his nose and changed the subject, saying, "The barrier exit has opened, everyone can return to their sect now."
Only after her reminder did the cultivators, who had been chatting enthusiastically, reluctantly say goodbye and leave.
Goodbye!
"Definitely, I'll visit your Emerald Feather Sect next time."
Living in an ark lost in space, the monks, through fighting side by side, developed quite a bit of camaraderie.
Tu Longjian's misfortune catapulted her to fame, making her a genius wherever she went. She emerged like a dark horse, leaving a lasting and remarkable mark on the world. Xu Feng's fame also soared as a result.
After finding Fang Milu and the others, Tu Longjian led them out of the barrier and back to Guanqing Sect.
Meanwhile, Nachin and Daiqing led the tribe chief Yuan back to the Wolf Tribe.
When Tu Longjian, who was at the center of the controversy, returned to her sect, she received enthusiastic praise from the sect leader. Her fellow disciples looked at her with amazement, as if they were meeting her for the first time, and they all came to befriend her.
The newly arrived Qi Refining stage disciples huddled in the distance, gazing up at Tu Longjian, who was chatting and laughing with ease, filled with longing and envy.
"Hey, did you see that Senior Sister Chun? She's so young, yet she's already at the Golden Core stage and has even broken through the limitations of the ancient secret realm."
"I know! I signed up for her!" The freckled girl with her ponytail exclaimed excitedly.
"Nine lightning tribulations! Even the ancient secret realm couldn't trap her, she's my idol!"
A little girl with a soft voice emerged from the corner, overcoming her timidity to participate in the conversation for the first time, simply because she was genuinely excited.
"My family could only afford to pay the registration fee for one person. Originally, it was supposed to be my brother, but her deeds have gone viral outside. My parents heard a few words outside and suddenly changed their minds, saying that women cultivating immortality might be very powerful."
"Tch, what do you mean 'also powerful'? They're powerful to begin with. Your parents must not have much contact with cultivators. Nowadays, the proportion of high-ranking female cultivators is quite high. They're probably still clinging to outdated feudal ideas."
"I've heard that in some backward places, people still follow ancient customs, where men are superior to women. It's ridiculous."
Yan Hongran was squatting among this group of Qi Refining novices, listening to gossip. Upon hearing this, she couldn't help but speak up, startling the surrounding disciples who scattered like smoke rings and said in trembling voices, "Greetings, Senior Sister Yan!"
Seeing the little girl's pale face, Yan Hongran realized her tone was a bit harsh. She ruffled the little girl's hair, her playful demeanor tinged with seriousness:
"You'll understand when you grow up. Women should not be weak; they are just trying to suppress you."
The younger disciples, seemingly understanding but not quite, suddenly parted to make way for a large, whirlwind-like creature charging towards them.
Yan Leran's muscles had become even more defined. Yan Hongran secretly glanced at them a few times, then turned his head away, feigning disdain, but inwardly he was consumed by jealousy.
Yan Leran, unaware of the truth, held up a precious artifact and said happily, "Senior Sister, I succeeded! Take a look!"
Yan Hongran glanced at it and saw that the treasure was not only smooth in shape but also extremely ingenious, without a single flaw. He never expected that this simpleton with low spiritual root talent would be so talented in the art of weapon forging.
She looked disgusted, but her eyes revealed admiration, and she awkwardly praised, "Not bad."
"That's great! My senior sister has said I'm terrible thirty-seven times, trash twenty-nine times, only a junk collector would take me for forty-six times, and this is the first time she's said I'm alright!"
"...Am I that harsh?"
Yes, there really is. The disciples secretly marveled in their hearts. This senior sister of Flame Peak was elusive, so they often saw her, as well as senior sister Yan Leran who often followed her around asking for comments.
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