Chapter 160: One Hundred and Fifty-Nine: I

One Hundred and Fifty-Nine: I'm Going to Cross a Tribulation

Within Wangshu Pavilion

Zhongli and Han Li were placing the cultivation techniques they had collected over this period into the empty shelves.

The Wangshu Pavilion today is no longer what it was when Su Lin first obtained it—back then, it held only one Immortal cultivation method. Excluding the original cultural and historical texts of the Xianning Sect, the cultivation techniques alone had more than doubled.

The entire Water Mirror Peak is now covered by a Spirit Gathering Array, and with Han Li's small green bottle spirit fluid, which he provided to cultivate the island's spiritual plants, their growth has been accelerated—even a mortal who stayed here for a few days could easily live to be ten years old.

To any lone cultivator, Water Mirror Peak is now a true paradise, a hidden immortal treasury.

"Take this," Zhongli handed Han Li the storage bag at his waist. "Inside is an item called Sand of Time, and an hourglass. Place the sand into the hourglass to manipulate the flow of time within your immediate vicinity."

"Simply put, while one day passes in the outside world, dozens of days pass for you while you cultivate."

"This—" Han Li looked at the storage bag Zhongli offered and shook his head in refusal. "Brother Zhongli, I cannot accept. I have done nothing to deserve such a gift."

"Besides, these past days, your company has already benefited me immensely."

It wasn't that Han Li didn't want it—over this period, Zhongli had taken him across the Chaotic Star Sea and even into the Great Jin Dynasty, raiding numerous future enemy sects and, with Zhongli's control over the earth, visiting several ancient ruins and mystical caverns.

Yet wherever they went, Zhongli collected only cultivation manuals, leaving every resource and treasure untouched for Han Li, even offering guidance on Han Li's cultivation.

Even though Han Li had a thick skin, under such generous aid, he could no longer bring himself to take anything from Zhongli. Since receiving the chat group, Han Li had gained far more than he ever expected.

"No need to refuse. Take it," Zhongli lifted Han Li's hand and placed the storage bag in it. "These sands are of little use to me. I thank you for accompanying me on these travels."

"Thank you," Han Li no longer resisted. To refuse repeatedly would seem overly pretentious; now, he could only hold his gratitude within his heart.

"But, forgive my curiosity—is this from Liyue?"

Zhongli paused, then said: "I obtained this from Su Lin. Han Li, had you stayed on Water Mirror Peak that day, perhaps he would owe you this."

"Due to the contract, I cannot elaborate on what happened that day."

"Sometimes, being too cautious causes you to miss opportunities."

Zhongli's eyes held a smile, his lips slightly upturned.

"That's probably hard to change," Han Li thought, curious about what had happened that day but not pressing further. For Han Li, survival came first. Even if he missed some opportunities, he avoided countless troubles.

"I'm returning to Liyue. Please take care of organizing things here," Zhongli nodded and stepped toward the exit.

"Safe travels."

As Zhongli stepped out of Wangshu Pavilion, he heard Su Lin and Miss Kelaien speaking. They made no effort to conceal their voices—he could hear every word clearly from hundreds of meters away.

"It's fine. Just as we discussed—I can protect myself."

Hearing this, Zhongli looked down, slightly puzzled: "Have you encountered trouble?"

Seeing their gazes turn toward him, Zhongli descended while speaking:

"If you're facing difficulties, feel free to tell me."

"Perhaps I can help."

————————

"I see," Zhongli crossed his arms, his expression serious. "Indeed, this situation is extremely difficult."

"If only my projection were present, it would inevitably be restricted by Zarathustra's historical projection, while Adam waits nearby, ready to strike the moment you enter the Groser Journal."

"In that case, aside from slightly reduced risk, your future remains largely unchanged from what the book describes."

The only difference is that, as Su Lin walks through Beckland, a deity intervenes—perhaps reducing the suffering ordinary people endure in this world-shaking tide.

Su Lin thought carefully, then said to Miss Kelaien: "If Zhongli's historical projection cannot deliver a decisive blow, Zarathustra will be far better prepared next time. And you Diviners—even when victory is certain—still cower to the extreme if there's no need to act."

"The effect of surprise would be terrible."

"Heh," Miss Kelaien pressed down his hat, offering no rebuttal—only replying: "You're not much better."

The historical projection summoned by a Sequence Three Ancient Scholar fights using their own habitual methods—that is, their combat instinct.

I don't know about others, but Su Lin is definitely a genius on the Diviner path.

"Then," Zhongli rested his thumb and forefinger under his chin, thought for a moment, and said: "I'll lend a hand. How about that?"

Miss Kelaien said: "Mr. Zhongli, the corruption in our world might be beyond even your ability to handle."

Miss Kelaien had considered this option, but he invited only Su Lin because his world held too many hidden dangers and uncertainties—even for Zhongli, the strongest actual combatant in the group, he feared Zhongli might be corrupted by some unknown factor.

Ordinary transcendents, lacking Sequence-level power, risk corruption merely by understanding certain knowledge. Even as a Sequence Three, Miss Kelaien deletes all such knowledge before returning to his world, leaving behind a Spirit Worm carrying that knowledge on Water Mirror Peak, so he can reintegrate it when traveling to other worlds and contemplate matters.

Outer Gods watch from beyond the planet's barrier, their gaze fixed upon Earth—among them are Ancient-level Outer Gods like the Mother Tree of Desire, and even an incomplete Pillar-level Outer God—the Fallen Mother Goddess.

These are embodiments of the dark, chaotic, corrupt, and disorderly aspects of cosmic law. Even if they cannot manifest their true forms on Earth, they leave behind traps and contingencies through various means: corrupting believers, tainting deities, interfering with characteristics.

If Zhongli were to travel there in his true body, he might attract their attention. If they noticed his unique nature—his pure power, devoid of madness or chaos—they would inevitably become greedy.

Should an Outer God, at great cost, succeed in corrupting Zhongli, that outcome is the one Miss Kelaien dreads most.

Moreover, Miss Kelaien does not fully understand Zhongli's current cultivation level, but even facing True Deities, the risks remain substantial.

He cannot risk Zhongli's safety for his own benefit—the cost is too great, and he cannot afford it.

As for Su Lin…

He's a cheat.

"Indeed," Zhongli nodded. "If I faced an Ancient directly, I doubt I could escape corruption." Miss Kelaien's concerns are valid. "But if I remain within the celestial barrier, I believe it won't be a problem."

"Wait a moment."

Zhongli walked toward the teleportation gate leading to Han Li's world.

I'm going to cross a tribulation.

Come to think of it, why didn't I find the rule that the Ye Zhetian method requires a seed? Isn't it only the Immortal Ancient methods from before the Perfect World that require the body as the seed?

End of Chapter