Xiao Wenbing was taken aback. He hadn't expected that before he could even refuse, the same voice would come from his mind and the Qiankun Ring on his wrist.
In his mind, of course, was the Mirror God. He heard it say, "The spirits of the five elements must never be given to him."
A faint light flashed across his wrist, followed by the voice of the Wood Spirit in his ear: "Fellow Daoist Xiao, the Earth Spirit is absolutely unwilling to leave the Qiankun Circle."
He gave a wry smile, not expecting to encounter two opposing voices before he even asked any questions.
He shrugged helplessly and said, "Senior, the Earth Spirit has spoken; it doesn't want to leave the Qiankun Circle."
Quini forced a smile. He understood this principle, of course, and knew that creatures like the Earth Spirit were indeed highly unique life forms. Therefore, he had never considered getting the Earth Spirit to stay willingly.
In his original intention, there was no need to seek the opinion of the Earth Spirit. As long as it was forced out of the Qiankun Circle, and restrictions were set up around it to confine it for hundreds of years, all the problems would be solved.
However, at this moment, Quini looked up again at the ethereal Feng Baiyi floating in mid-air. A chill ran through him. He sighed sadly; he was, after all, an immortal, but when faced with the power of heavenly lightning, it seemed that he had no better option than to run away.
“Fellow Daoist Xiao, there are countless living beings in this world. If we can get your help to save this world from a catastrophe, the merit would be unparalleled.”
The wisp of smoke, shaped like a human, slowly drifted over. Although the person looked like a ghost, they spoke human language.
"Merit?" Xiao Wenbing sneered disdainfully, "What use is merit?"
“Those who cultivate the Tao accumulate merit, and they will have a way to survive the heavenly tribulation in the future,” Quini said solemnly.
Xiao Wenbing suddenly burst into laughter and said, "Seniors, do you really think I can't withstand the heavenly tribulation?"
He laughed loudly several times, but when he looked up, both Quini and Shabir had solemn expressions. For no reason, he felt a chill in his heart, put away his smile, and asked, "What advice do you two seniors have for me?"
Quini said slowly, "With the power of the magic weapon in your hand, the heavenly tribulation of this realm is indeed helpless against you."
Xiao Wenbing's heart skipped a beat, as if he understood something, and he asked, "Are you referring to the Immortal Realm?"
“That’s right.” Quini said seriously, “If Fellow Daoist Xiao were to arrive in the Immortal Realm, he would understand the reason.”
"The Immortal Realm?" Xiao Wenbing murmured, then asked, "Could it be that there are heavenly tribulations in the Immortal Realm as well?"
“That’s natural. The path of cultivation is unattainable. The so-called immortal realm is merely a process in cultivation, no different from the cultivation world. However, the power of the heavenly tribulations in the immortal realm is unparalleled, far beyond…” Quini carefully considered his words, trying to instill fear in Xiao Wenbing without exaggerating too much, which was indeed quite difficult. Fortunately, he was a clever man and immediately said, “With your magical treasures, fellow Daoist, it would be difficult to withstand them.”
"Is that so?" Xiao Wenbing said with a hint of doubt.
“That’s right. If Queenie has ever lied about anything, may I die a horrible death.” Before Queenie could answer, the puff of smoke spoke first.
However, the wisp of smoke had now transformed into a human figure. Although it still gave people a hazy feeling, it looked righteous and made people believe it.
Xiao Wenbing felt a chill run down his spine and nodded silently.
However, he did not notice that Quinni glanced at Shabir, as if he wanted to argue something, but ultimately stopped himself from speaking.
"So even immortals have to endure heavenly tribulations..." Xiao Wenbing sighed, his beautiful wish to attain immortality was immediately diminished.
"Since we are all cultivating, this heavenly tribulation is of course indispensable."
"Indispensable?" Xiao
Wen Bing smiled wryly and said, "However, I do hope that there is no heavenly tribulation at all."
Quini was taken aback, thinking to himself that this made sense, and he didn't want to suffer a heavenly tribulation either. But then he sighed and said, "Perhaps when we cultivate to the level of a god, there will be no more heavenly tribulations."
"Hmph..." The Mirror God's disdainful sneer echoed in his mind.
"What's wrong?"
"That idiot, he pretends to know what he doesn't."
"Oh, you mean, even gods experience heavenly tribulations?"
"Of course, but the heavenly tribulations of gods are different from yours. The heavenly tribulations of gods are basically tribulations of the heart."
"A mental tribulation? Is it easy to overcome?"
"It's probably a good way to handle things for you."
"Really?" Xiao Wenbing immediately beamed with joy.
“Yes, for those heartless, brainless guys, mental tribulations are basically useless,” Mirror God said slowly.
Xiao Wenbing's face darkened, his eyebrows furrowed, and he cursed under his breath before ceasing all communication with it.
However, Quini and the others misunderstood. When they saw Xiao Wenbing's face suddenly turn a bluish-white color, they assumed he was worried about the heavenly tribulation in the immortal realm.
Quinni glanced at Shabir again, as if to say, "What you just said was way too alarmist."
Shabir shook his head slightly and said, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, the power of immortals is indeed much greater than that of cultivators, but the trials they face are far more severe. The number of tribulations they encounter is also far greater than that of cultivators."
Xiao Wenbing's expression shifted slightly. The more he listened, the more mysterious the Mirror God seemed to become, and he grew skeptical. He asked the Mirror God for guidance, but the man simply shrugged and said, "I come from the realm of gods. As for the celestial realm, that chaotic and murky lower realm, how would I know what it's like?"
Xiao Wenbing was speechless for a moment, but he was also somewhat dissatisfied. In its mouth, the Immortal Realm had become a smoky and chaotic lower realm. What about the Cultivation Realm? What about the Flame Realm?
Wouldn't such a dimension become a garbage can and a toilet?
"Fellow Daoist Xiao, what do you think of our cultivation levels?" Shabir suddenly asked.
"A rare sight indeed," Xiao Wenbing said truthfully. Indeed, given the level of skill they displayed, they truly deserved this praise.
“Alas…” Shabir sighed sadly, “However, if the two of us were to enter the Immortal Realm now, we would immediately be annihilated and never be able to escape.”
"The Heavenly Tribulation in the Immortal Realm is that powerful?" Xiao Wenbing naturally sensed the extreme sincerity in his tone, as if there was no exaggeration whatsoever. Touching the Heavenly Void Ring in his hand, Xiao Wenbing couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine. Just thinking that even with their abilities, they couldn't withstand the Heavenly Tribulation of the Immortal Realm, then his own level... it was probably true...
Shabir sensed the fear in Xiao Wenbing's words and was secretly delighted. He quickly and gently coaxed, "That's right. That's why we who are fortunate enough to enter the Immortal Realm do good deeds and accumulate merit. If we have immense merit, then even if heavenly lightning strikes, it will automatically be weakened."
Will the heavenly tribulation weaken after accumulating merit?
Queenie finally seized an opportunity and quickly and firmly affirmed, "That's for sure."
"Fellow Daoist Xiao, if you can save the Flame Realm, then this immense merit for billions of lives will be yours alone. At that time, you will ascend to the Immortal Realm and be unafraid of any heavenly tribulations," Shabir said, adding fuel to the fire.
"Is that so?"
“Exactly.” Quini and Shabir said in unison. Although they themselves had their doubts about the matter, they were now of one mind and there was no ambiguity.
After hesitating for a while, Xiao Wenbing said softly, "The heavenly tribulation in the immortal realm is so powerful." However, he still had some doubts in his heart. He thought to himself, if it is really that powerful, then how come you all came back from the mortal realm so easily?
Quinni and the other man weren't mind readers, so they naturally didn't know what he was thinking and just kept nodding.
"The Celestial Tribulation is the true power of heaven and earth, its might is immense... no less than the thundercloud storm this young lady summoned." Shabir was about to add a few more words, but then he remembered the chaotic power Feng Baiyi had just unleashed, and his words immediately changed. He thought to himself, "Such heavenly might, surely you'll be afraid now."
Xiao Wenbing's expression suddenly relaxed, and he said, "Is this all the thundercloud storm I've ever seen?"
Quini and Shabir looked at each other, wondering what they meant by "this is all there is to it".
They pleaded with him for a long time, all they wanted was for Xiao Wenbing to step in and obtain the Earth Spirit. But just when they saw Xiao Wenbing was tempted, why did he suddenly become indifferent?
Having witnessed Feng Baiyi's methods, they believed that such powerful chaotic energy was irresistible. However, upon seeing Xiao Wenbing's attitude, they wondered if this person truly possessed great supernatural abilities, capable of even suppressing such divine lightning.
Volume 4: The Divine Artifact Chapter 318: Heartbreak
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Xiao Wenbing looked at the two astonished and uncertain people in front of him with a smile. In his heart, he understood that the two of them had said these words with great care, simply because they wanted him to take out the Earth Spirit to save the Flame Realm.
However, what they described was incredibly mysterious. If such divine might truly existed in the Immortal Realm, then perhaps half of those who ascended there would have perished before they could even adapt. Therefore, Xiao Wenbing remained skeptical and listened to their words for the time being.
However, upon hearing their analogy, he breathed a sigh of relief. Since he had the Mirror God and the Spirit Gathering Platform at his disposal, he could handle this level of Heavenly Tribulation.
Now that he had put his worries aside, Xiao Wenbing felt much more relaxed. Looking at their expressions, he quickly guessed what was going on and said with a smile, "Seniors, let them put away the Omnipotent Bead Array. This tense atmosphere is not a good omen."
Quini and the others blushed. He turned and shouted, and the demons below immediately put away their universal beads. In just a moment, the universal bead array composed of tens of thousands of people had disintegrated. Xiao Wenbing nodded secretly; Quini's prestige in their eyes was truly extraordinary.
Although they didn't understand what had happened up there, the fact that the heavenly lightning summoned by Feng Baiyi had disappeared was good news. And looking at Quini and that otherworldly person, who had just been fighting fiercely as if they had some deep-seated, irreconcilable hatred, they were now gathered together, chatting and laughing happily.
In this way, anyone who still has eyes will know that there must be a turning point.
Queenie looked down at them as they tidied up, then shouted again, "Everyone, do your own thing. Moham, you make the arrangements."
Mohan respectfully responded. At this moment, Elder Yan and the others were nowhere to be seen, presumably they were seriously injured in the cellar and were taking care of their companions, so they had no time to look after this place. That's why Mohan was asked to take charge of the situation.
However, these demons were inherently very disciplined, and after a few orders from Mohan, everything returned to normal. In particular, the valley on the western side of the Holy Mountain was once again flooded with countless mortals from the Flame Realm, who began a frenzied harvest.
In the eyes of these mortals, the war between Quinni and Xiao Wenbing was too far removed from their own lives. Their only wish was to harvest more crops so that the countless mortals on the Holy Star would not die of hunger.
Shabir flew downwards and arrived beside the giant serpent. His entire body suddenly swelled dozens of times larger, transforming into a cloud of smoke that enveloped the serpent.
Then, the smoke writhed and returned to human form, while the enormous serpent's body had vanished without a trace.
Xiao Wenbing felt a chill run down his spine, but Quini beside him looked dejected. He let out a long sigh and said, "Another fellow immortal has departed."
Xiao Wenbing's expression changed slightly. This giant snake was killed by Feng Baiyi; he wondered if they would hold a grudge. However, glancing at the four immortals, he saw only heavy sorrow in their eyes, without a trace of resentment. He couldn't help but be secretly amazed. If they were indifferent to their companions, why were they so heartbroken? But if they were like brothers, why did they still treat them with such politeness?
Could it be that their cunning has reached such a level? But according to the god's observation, it doesn't seem so.
Looking around, he suddenly saw Ronald. His eyes were filled with gratitude. Although his surroundings had changed drastically, as an observer, Ronald naturally knew who he was.
He nodded slightly to him, his heart filled with mixed emotions. It was unexpected that he had recognized this disciple. But he did not regret it.
"Ahem." Seeing that order had been restored below, Quini said to Xiao Wenbing, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, how about we invite all of you to the Holy Temple for tea?"
Xiao Wenbing immediately shook his head, and Quini and the others were startled, wondering if Xiao Wenbing was doubting their sincerity.
"Seniors, as the saying goes, one should not accept rewards without merit. I will first ask the spirit of the earth to see if there is any way to make an exception." After saying this, he sat down in the air and immersed his divine sense into the Qiankun Circle.
Unlike the previous encounter where he received boundless assistance, this time, as soon as his divine sense entered the Qiankun Circle, the thick cloud immediately dispersed, clearing a path of light.
Xiao Wenbing was overjoyed, never expecting that the treatment he received this time would be so different from the last time.
Within the Qiankun Circle, it remains as vast and boundless as ever.
However, Xiao Wenbing's entire attention was firmly drawn to the scene before him, and he could no longer look away.
Before him lay a transparent light barrier composed of water mist, and within that barrier, rippling with layers of waves, lay a beautiful woman who captivated his dreams.
She lay in the mist, her body rising and falling gently with the flow of water, her expression serene, as if she had entered a deep sleep.
Xiao Wenbing strode forward, tears welling uncontrollably in his eyes. He stood before the mist, opening his mouth to call out, but choked up and couldn't utter a single word.
His hands were raised high in the air, as if he wanted to pull the person in front of him into his arms. However, before he could make any move, his limbs were bound by something, and he could no longer move even a little.
Xiao Wenbing suddenly awoke with a start. He looked down and was taken aback to find that the one who had trapped him was none other than the Wood Spirit. The large log had already transformed into human form. Whether it was something it had learned from the Food King or something that all Wood Spirits possessed, the Wood Spirit had conjured several vines from one of its hands, binding his body.
"Mu Ling, what are you doing?" Xiao Wenbing asked in a deep voice, not flustered.
Since the Wood Spirit has acknowledged Zhang Yaqi as its master, it is impossible for it not to know about their relationship, let alone harm itself. Therefore, Xiao Wenbing is not worried that it might have any malicious intent.