Chapter 27 Question 2: Could it be that someone is undergoing tribulation?
Spring has passed and autumn has come; Xu Xing has spent his fourth year at the Immortal Academy.
When Xu Xing got up early in the morning, she stood in front of the water mirror and compared her height to the mirror. She was pleased to find that she had grown a little taller than she had three months ago. It was worth it for her to have worked hard and diligently to take care of her health every day since she entered the Immortal Academy.
Now, apart from those eyes, sixteen-year-old Xu Xing's face and figure are seven or eight parts similar to her before she transmigrated. Sometimes she would wonder if the "Xu Xing" in this life was her past life, but such things were destined to remain unresolved.
Wearing a cloak over his moon-white disciple robes and pulling up the hood, Xu Xing planned to head to the Spirit Plant Garden. Only the spirit herbs he personally picked could boost his [Herbal Gathering] skill experience bar.
Ever since reaching level 30 in [Cooking] and unlocking the recipe, Xu Xing has been eager to level up her other skills to level 30 as well. Several years have passed, and her skill panel has been completely revamped.
Gold mining level 3
Herb gathering level 19
Forging Level 7
Medical skill level 31
Cooking Level 43
Sewing Level 11
After reaching level 30 in [Medical Skills], he indeed unlocked many pill recipes, all of which Xu Xing had never seen in the "Essentials of Alchemy," but the spiritual herbs used were those that existed in this world.
only……
Over the past few years, Xu Xing has been frantically leveling up his [Medical Skill], and has refined over a thousand bottles of Spirit Gathering Pills, but what he's still selling are mostly leftover stock...
Xu Xing mainly sells first-tier Spirit Gathering Pills and Mind Concentration Pills. As for those strange and unusual pills, she keeps them for her own use and does not sell them.
The alchemy process consumes a huge number of spiritual herbs, so to avoid attracting attention, this task has been entrusted to Tong Yuanbai and Wang Lianhua. They cleverly stagger their purchasing times, sometimes even buying from other cultivators.
Wang Lianhua, after all, only possessed four spiritual roots, and her body was not as strong as that of a teenager. Cultivation was quite difficult for her. She had thought it through clearly: rather than stubbornly pursuing an impossible path, it would be better to help Xu Xu sell pills and accumulate some wealth as soon as possible, so as to make plans for Zhao Linglan's future.
After understanding Wang Lianhua's thoughts, Xu Xing entrusted her with the task of selling pills without reservation. She was put in charge of coordinating with Tong Yuanbai to sell pills in a long-term partnership, and Tong Yuanbai was also included in Xu Xing's list of trusted individuals.
In recent years, the supplies for the disciples of the Immortal Academy have been getting better year by year. Not only do they receive spirit stones every month, but they also receive spirit pills. At first, Xu Xing thought that his pill business would be affected. However, the disciples of the Yao Guang Academy sold the pills issued by the academy to the disciples of the Tian Shu Academy and the Yu Heng Academy, and then bought Xu Xing's pills.
As for the fact that someone in Yaoguang Academy was selling pills of better quality and cheaper price than those distributed by the academy, they all kept it a secret, and only a few people in Tianshu and Yuheng Academy knew about it.
What a joke! The number of pills that mysterious alchemist provides each month is limited. It's not enough for their Yaoguang Academy, so how could they possibly share a portion with the other two academies?
The Iron-Eating Beast lying by the bed stirred, jumped off the bed, rubbed its furry body against Xu Xing's calf, and even let out two soft, coquettish cries.
"Tuanzi, I'm not taking you out today. Stay home and behave yourself."
Xu Xing stroked the ball's smooth, long fur, fed it a Beast Spirit Pill, and the ball obediently quieted down, watching its owner leave.
Tuanzi has grown quite a bit in the past few years, but this cave is still too small to let it run wild. Fortunately, the Immortal Academy's graduation assessment, which takes place every five years, is coming soon...
"Xu Xu! You really are trying to sneak away again!"
Wen Yao waited at the entrance of Xichen Residence early in the morning and, sure enough, saw Xu Xing sneaking out with a hood up.
"Do you even know that the graduation exam is in two months?! Aren't you nervous?!"
After finally reaching the minimum standard of the fourth level of Qi Refining a few months ago, Xu Xing started to slack off. Now that Wen Yao had discovered this, she said guiltily, "I just wanted to go to the Spirit Plant Garden to pick some spiritual herbs..."
"That won't do! You're not refining pills for the next two months! The assessment doesn't test your alchemy skills!"
Wen Yao grabbed Xu Xing's arm and angrily pulled her away, "Come with me! Mother has specially set aside a month for us to train, you're not allowed to slack off!"
At the entrance of the Immortal Academy, Wang Lianhua and Zhao Linglan were already waiting.
Because of Xu Xing, Wen Yao got along well with them. Knowing that they had no foundation in the sect, she specially asked Wen Lu to guide them together.
Currently, Zhao Linglan has the highest cultivation level among them, reaching the eighth level of Qi Refining, Wen Yao is at the seventh level of Qi Refining, while Wang Lianhua and Xu Xing are only at the fourth level of Qi Refining.
However, the graduation assessment does not only consider cultivation level, but also includes a competition among fellow disciples. Winning will naturally lead to graduation, but losing does not mean failure. If one can demonstrate proficiency in the use of magic, one can also receive a good score.
“Ah Yao is so clever, otherwise Xu Xu would definitely have run off to play somewhere again,” Wang Lianhua said with a smile.
The silver-winged roc arrived on time, letting out a clear cry as it approached Xu Xing.
"The roc also really likes Xu Xu. It's a good thing Tuanzi isn't here, otherwise she would definitely be jealous."
Zhao Linglan smiled, her lips pursed. Xu Xu seemed to be naturally pleasing to these spirit beasts and demon beasts.
"Let's go. Mother invited two senior brothers from Qingling Peak over today. If we study hard, the graduation exam will definitely be no problem."
"Qingling Peak? Is Master Feng here as well?"
"nature."
Xu Xing was taken aback, then remembered that Wen Lu and Feng Ling had a good relationship, so it was perfectly normal for her to bring her disciple over. However, he recalled Feng Ling's attitude back then and how all the visiting cards he sent to Qingling Peak were subsequently rejected...
Xu Xing instinctively refused, "Ayao, I'm afraid Master Feng wouldn't be willing to guide me, so I'd better not go..."
"What nonsense are you talking about? Don't let Feng Zhenren's cold demeanor fool you, he's actually a very nice person. Hurry up and let's go, don't delay!"
Pulled onto the back of the roc, Xu Xing still tried to resist, as she was really worried that Feng Ling would be angry if she saw her.
"Actually, the Immortal Academy has been so lenient with its disciples over the years, and the Five Elements Trials have always gone very smoothly. The most recent one was even completed by all the disciples. So the graduation assessment shouldn't be too difficult. Why should we worry?"
"Aren't you the only one who's not worried?"
Wen Yao was utterly exasperated. She tapped Xu Xing's forehead and said irritably, "You! Haven't you heard of the saying 'praise before criticism'? Everyone's guessing that the senior instructors have been so lenient with us all these years just to make things difficult for us in the graduation exam!"
"Moreover, the previous trials were all presided over by the dean. I heard that because of the backlash from the Wind Spirit Deer, the dean has been having a lot of headaches lately, and I'm afraid he won't have time to take care of the graduation assessment anymore."
Look at Xu Xing's unreliable behavior. He eats three meals a day without fail and often sneaks off to wander around the Spirit Plant Garden and the Beast Taming Field. Now, not only Yao Guang Academy, but the other two academies have heard about this unambitious disciple with five spiritual roots.
In recent years, the academy has indeed provided ample supplies. With the help of spirit stones and elixirs, the disciples' cultivation levels have improved significantly compared to previous years. It is said that two single-spiritual-root geniuses in the Heavenly Pivot Academy have already reached the Foundation Establishment stage in just five years and have been selected as disciples by a powerful figure in the inner sect!
Although Wang Lianhua is also at the fourth level of Qi Refining, she has already faintly touched the threshold of the fifth level. Currently, the person with the lowest cultivation level in the entire Immortal Academy is Xu Xing, who has just reached the fourth level of Qi Refining!
But she acted like she didn't care, thinking that as long as she met the minimum standard for graduation assessment, everything would be fine.
How could Wen Yao's friends, who genuinely care about her, not be worried for her?
"Okay, okay! I'll go, I'll go."
Seeing that Wen Yao was really angry, Xu Xing quickly tried to appease her.
In fact, she did not intentionally cultivate slowly. It was just that her spiritual roots were mixed, so she was slower than others in attracting spiritual energy. When she skipped the marrow cleansing and went straight to Qi induction, Xu Xing thought she might be a genius. Unfortunately, her actual cultivation speed later made her realize the truth very quickly.
Xu Xing didn't consider that most of her spiritual energy was spent on alchemy, and a small portion was allocated to weapon crafting, leaving very little for cultivation. Under such circumstances, it would seem impossible for her to cultivate all five elements while also managing alchemy and weapon crafting.
Xu Xing not only succeeded, but he also believed that he was of low talent and had no future in cultivation...
When the group arrived at Wen Lu's cave, Zuo Qiuxu greeted Xu Xing with an exceptionally warm smile, "Xu Xu! Did you bring any food?"
In recent years, Zuo Qiuxu often sneaked into the Immortal Academy to freeload off Xu Xing, and Xu Xing had developed the habit of always carrying food in his backpack.
Seeing Zuo Qiuxu approach, Xu Xing readily handed him a box of meatballs.
"Hehe! Xu Xu understands me best~"
Zuo Qiuxu accepted it with satisfaction and then ran to Xiang Yuquan's side to eat it, feeling quite pleased with himself.
Xiang Yuquan pushed away the hand that was waving the meatball in front of him and nodded slightly to the group, "Master and Senior Wen are waiting for you inside."
Xu Xing walked slowly at the back, muttering "You can't see me, you can't see me," little did she know that she was no longer the short girl who could hide behind anyone and be completely invisible.
Feng Ling spotted her at a glance.
Thinking back to how Xu Xing hadn't gone fishing at Yunlin Creek in the past few years, and how old man Guo Rui complained about it to her every day, Feng Ling felt a bit annoyed.
Is crossing the river really that good?
How could a Foundation Establishment cultivator who hasn't even successfully formed his core compare to her and Guo Rui's status in the sect? Over the years, apart from Du Tianyou, there have been other disciples who tried to get close to Feng Ling by fishing, but she didn't even look at them. Yet the only one she did look at refused to associate with her again because of Chen Du!
“Wen Lu, I promised to have my two apprentices mentor these younger ones, but…” Feng Ling pointed at Xu Xing, “she can’t do it.”
Seeing his friend's puzzled expression, Feng Ling raised his chin. "However, as long as you promise to never associate with Shen Du again, I can personally teach you and guarantee you'll successfully complete your graduation assessment. How about it?"
Zuo Qiuxu, who had begged his master to take in another junior sister, was unaware that his master had already formed a bond with Xu Xing through fishing. He quickly winked at Xu Xing.
It's just a guarantee, not a vow.
He himself had promised his master countless times that he would never associate with Shen Du again, but in private he still did...
Wen Yao hadn't expected that there was such a thing between Senior Feng and Xu Xing, and she tugged at Xu Xing's sleeve.
Zhao Linglan and Wang Lianhua also looked at Xu Xing with concern.
Xu Xing patted Wen Yao's hand reassuringly, then bowed respectfully and said, "Senior Wen, Senior Feng, I was actually bringing A Yao and the others here. I still have to go to the Spirit Plant Garden later, so I won't disturb you any longer."
She turned and left decisively, infuriating Feng Ling, who slammed his hand on the table and glared at Zuo Qiuxu, who was still winking and making faces. "This is the little apprentice you begged me to take as my apprentice? Let me tell you, don't even think about it, I will never take her as my apprentice!"
This is terrible...
Zuo Qiuxu's face scrunched up; even the meatballs didn't taste good anymore.
"Xu Xu, wait a minute!"
Wen Lu and Zhao Linglan chased after them.
"What good would it do if you agreed to Senior Feng's offer first? Can't you see that she's giving you a way out?"
"Ayao, you and Sister Lingling should go back. It's a rare opportunity to have a senior to guide you, don't miss this chance because of me."
Xu Xing smiled and said, "As for the graduation assessment, you don't need to worry about me. I've already thought it through."
In a head-on contest, she would certainly be no match for those disciples with higher cultivation levels, but cultivation has never been her forte.
Thinking about Xu Xing's strange and wonderful ideas, they might actually be able to achieve a surprising victory.
Wen Yao's expression softened considerably. "Then let's have a contest tomorrow. If you can use those methods to last half an hour against me, I won't rush you anymore."
After agreeing to Wen Yao's request, Xu Xing left Wen Lu's cave alone. She actually had a good impression of Feng Ling, the senior who had given her a lot of spirit stones, but since she had already decided to bind herself to Shen Du, she couldn't guarantee that she would sever ties with him.
Judging by the time, Senior Brother Shen has been in seclusion for four years now. I wonder when he will emerge...
The silver-winged roc carried Xu Xing into the sky, but suddenly a thunderclap rang out in the clear sky!
"Boom—"
In the blink of an eye, purple lightning gathered and pressed down heavily on the sky above the Jade Cloud Sect.
A strong wind suddenly arose, and Xu Xing, clinging to the roc's neck, found it difficult to open his eyes due to the wind.
The direction of the lightning seemed to be towards Ruxu Peak. Ruxu Peak has a third-order spiritual vein, and disciples of the Jade Cloud Sect can pay spirit stones to rent caves there for cultivation. It is a place that cultivators usually use for seclusion to advance. Could it be that someone is undergoing tribulation?
No, if there's a lightning tribulation, staying in the air would be too dangerous!
Xu Xing's mind stirred, and he guided the roc to descend, intending to find a place to land first. However, the roc seemed to have encountered something extremely frightening. Under the pressure of the lightning, its body trembled, and its wings could no longer hold. After circling aimlessly in the air for a while, it plunged straight down into the mountains and forests!
Demonic beasts fear the pressure of tribulation lightning even more than human cultivators. When someone from the Jade Cloud Sect undergoes tribulation, the Beast Taming Arena does not allow demonic beasts to fly. Tribulation lightning usually has warning signs and does not suddenly descend.
Who would have thought that Xu Xing would be so unlucky as to encounter such a strange lightning tribulation while flying in mid-air.
"Great Roc! Hold on!"
Xu Xing shouted repeatedly, and fortunately, after leaving the range of the lightning, the roc finally regained some of its senses and spread its wings to cushion the impact at the last moment before landing, preventing the man and the beast from being smashed to pieces.
Xu Xing, who only had time to set up her spiritual energy barrier, crashed into the bushes. Protected by the roc's wings, she only felt a little dizzy but was not injured. She took a breath, tore the leaves off her hair, and looked at the thunderclouds that were still gathering in the sky.
In recent years, she had witnessed cultivators undergoing tribulations, which were always accompanied by three bolts of heavenly lightning, and the range was not large. But now, this huge thundercloud cluster that spread from Ruxu Peak was about to cover the entire Yuxiao Sect.
Three bolts of heavenly lightning could not possibly cause such a commotion. Could it be six bolts of wind and lightning?
Or perhaps it's the legendary...
Heavenly thunder from the highest heavens?!
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