In the East Sea of the Yanhuang Republic, there is a region perpetually shrouded in mist—a fog so thick it never dissipates. Any ship, large or small, that accidentally enters is swallowed up, and none have ever returned.
Because of this, local fishermen who often work the East Sea call it the 'Devil Zone.' Any experienced fisherman knows to stay at least a hundred li away from it.
If a cultivator versed in formations were here, they'd recognize that this so-called mist is actually a grand array laid down by Immortal-Dao experts.
What the fishermen could never imagine is that at the heart of this mist lies a massive island. The scenery is beautiful, the air incredibly fresh, and even the plants on the island are especially lush.
In the southeast of the island, there's a huge valley where the climate is warm and springlike all year round.
At the valley entrance stands a seven- or eight-meter-tall stone stele, inscribed with three ancient seal characters: 'Highspring Valley Sect.'
That's right—this island is the base of those cultivators who call themselves the Immortal-Dao Alliance.
Highspring Valley Sect is one of the Nine Great Sects of the Immortal-Dao Alliance.
Previously, during the duel with the Yanhuang Republic, the former sect master of Highspring Valley Sect, Master Qingxu, was killed by Ian Song at early Foundation Establishment. Because of this, everyone in Highspring Valley Sect harbors deep resentment toward Ian.
After Master Qingxu's death, his junior-martial-brother Qingyan took over as sect master of Highspring Valley Sect, adopting the honorific and becoming Master Qingyan.
The title 'Zi' is a mark of respect reserved for sect masters; only the master may add it to their Daoist name.
Inside the valley are many ancient-style buildings.
The largest of these is Master Qingyan's residence.
Originally, the spiritual energy on this island was already three to five times richer than elsewhere. After ten days, the outside world's spiritual energy has surged fivefold, and the island's aura has grown even denser—now ten times the norm.
This makes all the cultivators of the Nine Great Sects ecstatic—they believe the age of Immortal-Dao cultivators is about to arrive.
Yesterday, the sect masters of the Nine Great Sects already gathered for a meeting.
With the spiritual energy so dense, their cultivation progress will greatly accelerate. After discussion, each sect decided to focus on training three core disciples to help them break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm as soon as possible.
This way, the Immortal-Dao Alliance will gain twenty-seven new Foundation Establishment cultivators—enough to sweep across the Yanhuang Republic.
"Senior Brother, it won't be long before I can avenge you and behead that little thief Ian Song!"
A venomous glint flashed in Master Qingyan's eyes.
Just then, Master Qingyan seemed to sense something. His expression changed abruptly, and he shot to his feet, staring in a certain direction. "That's... that's where Master went into seclusion. Could it be...?"
Fifty years ago, Master Mingxiang, having reached the peak of late Foundation Establishment, chose to enter closed-door seclusion to break through to the Golden Core stage.
At first, everyone had high hopes for Master Mingxiang—after all, he was the only cultivator in a hundred years to reach peak late Foundation.
But ten years passed, then twenty.
Master Mingxiang was still in seclusion. Aside from him and his senior-brother Master Qingxu, no one else paid attention anymore; most had simply forgotten.
In a flash, thirty years went by.
Those who still held out hope for their master finally lost heart. Some even wanted to break open the retreat and see what had become of him.
But before entering seclusion, Master Mingxiang had warned them: unless he emerged on his own, no one was to disturb him.
After forty years, the brothers had given up hope entirely.
When fifty years passed and Master Mingxiang still hadn't emerged, Master Qingxu and Master Qingyan concluded that their master had likely passed away in seclusion. Saddened, they didn't dare break open the retreat; instead, they declared the area forbidden, barring all disciples from approaching.
But today, Master Qingyan sensed a powerful aura emanating from the retreat.
Though fifty years had gone by, he could still vaguely tell that the aura belonged to Master Mingxiang.
Thrilled, he sped toward the retreat.
As he approached, the once-clear sky suddenly darkened—a thick acre of thunderclouds appeared overhead, lightning flickering within.
"This... this is a Tribulation Cloud!"
He'd read in ancient texts that after a Foundation cultivator forms their Golden Core, nine bolts of tribulation lightning descend.
Only by surviving the ordeal can one truly become a Golden Core cultivator.
Fail, and one's soul is scattered.
Unable to help himself, he clenched his fists and silently prayed, "Master, you must survive the tribulation!"
Sure enough.
In the next half-stick of incense, the tribulation clouds in the sky grew thicker and darker, almost as if they might start dripping water.
Boom!
Suddenly, a fist-thick bolt of black lightning crashed down from the sky, striking heavily at the site of Master Mingxiang's secluded cultivation.
The terrifying force drove Qingyan back dozens of meters before he could steady himself.
At the same time, disciples of Upper Purity Valley also rushed over from all directions.
"Back! Everyone, leave this area!"
To prevent his disciples from being caught up in the tribulation, Qingyan hurriedly shouted in a stern voice.
"Master, what's happening? Why is this happening?"
A young man asked—he was Qingyan's disciple and one of the three key trainees Upper Purity Valley planned to cultivate.
"Don't ask. This isn't something you need to know yet!"
"Yes, Master!"
Though curiosity filled his eyes, he refrained from asking further.
Boom!
At that moment, a loud crash sounded—the site of Master Mingxiang's retreat collapsed.
"No! Master!" Qingyan cried out in worry.
But just then, a figure wrapped in layers of green light shot into the sky, standing tall in midair.
He wore green robes, his features handsome and youthful—barely in his early twenties—and radiated an overwhelmingly powerful aura that made all Upper Purity Valley disciples, Qingyan included, feel awe and fear.
"Master!"
The next moment, Qingyan knelt to the ground, his face full of excitement.
Master Mingxiang glanced down and smiled gently: "Stand back. Wait until I finish passing the tribulation!"
His tone was calm, but carried a strange sense of reassurance. Qingyan, who had been worried Mingxiang might not survive the tribulation, felt his confidence surge.
Just then—
Boom!
A second bolt of heavenly lightning, mixed with overwhelming might, crashed down on Master Mingxiang. Judging by the force, this second bolt was much stronger than the first.
However, as the lightning faded, Master Mingxiang still hovered gracefully in midair, his robes fluttering and untouched, his expression completely relaxed.
For a moment, Qingyan's confidence in him doubled again.
Boom! Boom!
The third and fourth bolts of heavenly lightning struck one after another. This time, Master Mingxiang was less at ease—even his jet-black hair bristled slightly.
Boom!
When the fifth bolt fell, a five-colored folding fan appeared above Master Mingxiang's head. The fan opened, releasing a five-colored light shield that enveloped him.
Because of this, the next few bolts of heavenly lightning did not harm him at all.
Only when the eighth bolt struck did the glow of the five-colored fan dim slightly.
"Only the last one remains!"
Qingyan silently counted, staring unblinkingly at the figure in midair.