Seeing Xiao Wenbing's indignant expression, the Tianyi Sect Master pondered for a moment and said, "Actually, there is another way that can allow you to directly advance five realms like Yaqi."
"Please enlighten me, senior." Xiao Wenbing was overjoyed and quickly asked.
Zhang Yaqi was able to go from a mere early-stage Core Formation cultivator to a top-tier Golden Core cultivator in just a few hours. To say he wasn't tempted by such a good thing would be a lie.
Even for ordinary cultivators, if everything goes smoothly, it would still take at least 150 years of arduous cultivation to reach the top level of the Golden Core stage.
Zhang Yaqi has absolutely risen to the top overnight.
"On the Five Planets, there is a Five Elements Heavenly Tribulation Array. Its effects are exactly the same as the Five Elements Tribulation in the Qiankun Circle. As long as you go there and pass through this Five Elements Heavenly Tribulation Array, you will naturally be able to improve your cultivation level smoothly."
Xiao Wenbing was taken aback, and asked cautiously, "You mean, we have to try again?"
"Indeed, since Fellow Daoist Xiao has already had experience once, then doing it again should be no problem for him." Sect Master Tianyi said calmly.
Xiao Wenbing looked at the Tianyi Sect Master with a smile and said, "Thank you for your trouble, but in Taoist cultivation, everything is predestined, so there is no need to force it."
Although he had a smile plastered on his face, he was cursing inwardly. What do you mean, "do it again"? You try doing it once then!
Thinking back carefully to the three tortures of the first three tribulations, Xiao Wenbing's facial muscles twitched slightly. It was unbearable to recall, unbearable to recall… Heaven knows where he got the courage to overcome all three tribulations in one go. However, the thought of experiencing it again made Xiao Wenbing shudder—to hell with it.
As for the fourth tribulation of the Black Water, he still felt lingering fear when he thought about it. He knew clearly that if Zhang Yaqi hadn't suddenly broken through the tribulation, then the two of them would probably have lost their lives here today.
"Yaqi, now that you have successfully obtained the Qiankun Ring, I will announce it publicly in front of all the disciples." The Tianyi Sect Master ignored Xiao Wenbing and turned to Zhang Yaqi with a kind smile.
"Please instruct me, Sect Master?" Zhang Yaqi respectfully bowed to the old Taoist priest. She had previously been just an outer disciple, and her status was worlds apart from that of the old Taoist priest. Even if she had suddenly formed an inner core, how could a disciple at the Core Formation stage possibly catch the old man's eye?
So this conversation was indeed their first dialogue, and Zhang Yaqi was naturally very nervous.
The Sect Master of Tianyi smiled slightly and then loudly proclaimed, "By the grace of our Ancestor, our precious treasure has found a wise master. According to the rules of our ancestors, from this day forward, Zhang Yaqi shall be the second Chief Elder of our sect in all generations."
His voice carried far and wide, and could be heard by everyone inside the mountain gate.
All the disciples in the arena bowed to the ground, daring not to disobey.
In a house in the backyard of the mountain gate, Wang Hongxia's eyes were filled with tears. Although her lifelong wish could not be fulfilled, her apprentice had done it, and had done it in her place.
"Sect Master, this disciple is unworthy," Zhang Yaqi hurriedly declined.
"You deserve it."
"Elder Feng?"
“I’m a year older than you, so call me sister.” Feng Baiyi looked at her and said softly, “If you are not worthy, then no one else is.”
End of Volume Three
P.S.: Requesting votes at 5 AM...
A great Xianxia (fantasy/martial arts) novel, "The Demonic Monk" by Drifting Cat. It's a book of the same genre, brothers, go check it out! ^_^
Volume 4, Chapter 95: Sunrise
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"Look...it's so beautiful," Zhang Yaqi exclaimed sincerely.
The sky gradually brightened, as if someone had painted a layer of pink on the pale blue horizon, beneath which countless golden rays were hidden.
A fiery red sun finally rose from the purple mist, spewing out dazzling flames.
The sunrise is always the most beautiful sight, but not everyone appreciates this beautiful morning view.
"Yes, it's really beautiful," Xiao Wenbing said, yawning repeatedly.
He was truly unable to muster any energy to appreciate this beautiful natural landscape.
If Zhang Yaqi hadn't been by his side, he probably would have collapsed to the ground and fallen fast asleep long ago.
Although he has already entered the Core Formation stage, whether he sleeps or not is not a big problem. However, the habits he has developed over the past twenty years are not so easy to change.
Before he deliberately pursued it, he continued to maintain at least three to five hours of sleep every day.
Of course, the reason he was mentally exhausted was not due to lack of sleep, but because he had used up too much energy the night before and was completely worn out.
Unexpectedly, early this morning, Zhang Yaqi suddenly pulled him out of his warm bed and excitedly climbed to the top of the mountain to watch the sunrise.
Although Xiao Wenbing was extremely unwilling, Zhang Yaqi's invitation was unprecedented, and any normal man would probably find it hard to refuse.
So he had no choice but to force himself to keep up, and as a result, he inevitably appeared somewhat dazed.
Glancing at Xiao Wenbing with dissatisfaction, Zhang Yaqi sighed, "Wenbing, have you forgotten what day it is today?"
Xiao Wenbing was startled, his mind seemed to clear up a bit. After thinking for a while, he suddenly exclaimed, "Ah!" and said, "I'm sorry, Yaqi, I forgot."
Five years ago, when he had just joined Good Luck Express Company, his good friend Cheng Guanqin, in order to pursue Li Ya Hui, dragged him along to invite Zhang Ya Qi and Li Ya Hui, two beautiful women, to climb a mountain to watch the sunrise.
Upon arriving at their destination, Cheng Guanqin and Li Yahui left these two suckers behind and went off to enjoy some alone time.
That day marked the first time Xiao Wenbing and Zhang Yaqi met alone. It was atop a high mountain, as they gazed at the rising, brilliant red sun.
Looking back, it seems like only a blink of an eye has passed.
“Five years…” Zhang Yaqi murmured.
“Yes, it’s been five years…” Xiao Wenbing repeated softly.
Five years have passed; today marks exactly five years.
Zhang Yaqi rolled her eyes at him, then a smile appeared in her eyes. She glanced around slightly; the dawn was quiet here.
She bit her lip lightly, clearly having gone through a series of internal struggles, before finally blushing and nestling into Xiao Wenbing's arms, whispering, "Wenbing, I'm very happy right now."
He reached out and wrapped his arms around her slender waist. Xiao Wenbing secretly groaned inwardly. His biological clock had not yet adjusted, and his head was still foggy.
The reason he was in such a bad state was entirely because he had created twenty Fiery Talismans before going to bed last night, which had almost completely drained the last drop of spiritual power from his body.
His trip to the Americas taught him a profound truth: preparation prevents trouble.
If he had a thousand or even ten thousand Fiery Talismans in his bag at the time, how could he possibly have taken a mere old bat seriously?
The accident happened because of insufficient preparation. Fortunately, he had a life-saving talisman on him; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
After this incident, Xiao Wenbing decided that he must accumulate these runes in his spare time, no matter what. That's why he made the most of every spare moment to prepare.
The most direct consequence of such hard work is severe mental fatigue and a listless appearance.
"Wenbing, I know you're working very hard right now," Zhang Yaqi said softly, burying her head in Xiao Wenbing's chest.
Xiao Wenbing was taken aback by her words. "Am I working really hard? But I don't feel it myself." Looking at her, Xiao Wenbing asked hesitantly, "Yaqi, what do you know?"
"I know you want to reach the Golden Core realm as soon as possible, right?" Zhang Yaqi raised her head, her beautiful eyes fixed on Xiao Wenbing.
Xiao Wenbing smiled slightly and nodded in agreement with her tone. Yes, he understood why he was working so hard—it was to reach the Golden Core stage as soon as possible…
However, once one problem was solved, another arose. A huge question mark inexplicably rose in his mind: why should he try so hard to enter the Golden Core stage as soon as possible?
“From the day I met you, I knew you were a person who wouldn’t admit defeat. Among your peers, you would never be content to be second to anyone.” Zhang Yaqi said, seemingly to herself, “Sister Feng and I are both younger than you, but we both reached the Golden Core stage before you. Moreover, I’ve heard about the bet you made with Sister Feng, so…”
Zhang Yaqi's voice lowered, but Xiao Wenbing had already understood what she meant.
Xiao Wenbing gave a wry smile, unsure how to explain.
Although his current cultivation level is inferior to the two women, he possesses extraordinary talents, special abilities, and a natal golden talisman. If he truly wishes to surpass them, it might only take a few decades.
As for the bet, that was an even bigger misunderstanding. When he first saw Feng Baiyi, he was captivated by her stunning beauty and thus developed a desire to pursue her. However, now, he dared not harbor any such thoughts.
“Wenbing, your talent, throughout history, is truly unparalleled. Although you are not as good as us now, I firmly believe that you will catch up soon. So…” Zhang Yaqi’s voice held a hint of regret: “Don’t push yourself so hard anymore.”
Xiao Wenbing opened his mouth, so that's what it was. He was thrilled, never expecting that this delicate woman cared for him to such an extent.
"Okay, I promise you, Yaqi, everything will be back to normal starting tomorrow," Xiao Wenbing promised.
Anyway, there are already quite a few runes in the Heavenly Void Ring. Even if we encounter some powerful enemies, we should be able to protect ourselves and escape. So there's no need to rush the work anymore.
Volume 4, Chapter 96: Forced Sex?
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Xiao Wenbing held the soft woman in his arms, feeling a sweet sensation in his heart. A sudden heat rose in his lower abdomen.
Zhang Yaqi lay on her back in his arms, and could clearly feel the change beneath her. Her face instantly turned red to her ears, and her whole body went limp like mud, with no strength left.
Xiao Wenbing took a deep breath, his mind filled with wicked thoughts, and his eyes flashed with a flame called desire.
Go or not?
Xiao Wenbing steeled his resolve. What the hell? Aren't there plenty of people who get on the train first and buy the ticket later these days? He took another deep breath, mustered his courage, and was about to unleash his Lu Shan claws, attempting to force himself on her.
Suddenly, a dazzling, cold light streaked across the sky.
Xiao Wenbing froze instantly. Why did this light look so familiar?
Xiao Wenbing reacted extremely quickly, immediately stopping his hand. But Zhang Yaqi in his arms seemed to react even faster than him, leaping up like a startled rabbit, her figure flashing as she disappeared into the dense forest below the mountain.
Her movements were incredibly swift and clean. Just as Xiao Wenbing was about to intercept her, the beautiful figure was already out of sight.
Xiao Wenbing stretched out his arm, wanting to say something to persuade her to stay, but he didn't know what to say. He gazed longingly in the direction where Zhang Yaqi had disappeared and sighed sadly.
After what seemed like a moment, a beautiful and charming voice sounded behind him: "Where are you going, Qi-mei?"
Xiao Wenbing turned around with a bitter face and sighed, "She has some private matters to attend to, so..."
Feng Baiyi didn't press further, but glanced at Xiao Wenbing, her delicate brows furrowing slightly, and asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Xiao Wenbing was half-squatting with his legs clamped together, and his expression was extremely strange. When he heard Feng Baiyi's question, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, and he finally said softly, "The qi has gone astray, something is wrong."
"Do you need any help?" Feng Baiyi asked, showing a rare moment of kindness.