Chapter 258: Crossing Tribulation Temple

"Back then, everyone in the Thunder Heaven Sect called themselves heavenly gods. They went from being arrogant and conceited to cruel and unrestrained, and just like now, they threw the world into chaos."

"After many years of war, when the entire world was exhausted and all sides had worn each other down, the situation gradually became clear. That was when the people from Crossing Tribulation Temple approached me."

"They wouldn't intervene directly, but they promised to give me ten Longevity Pills every year, along with rare resources for cultivating transcendence and elixirs to extend life."

"Once the news got out, the world's talents vied to join me, and those old fellows whose lifespans were nearing their end also flocked to my side."

"Before this, I was already the largest rebel army in this realm. With their resource support, it was equivalent to gaining another force, and naturally, I grew rapidly and swept across the world. This shortened the duration of the turmoil and reduced many casualties."

"After the Lingxiao Palace was established, as a return, the resources of the Life Realm were given to them first. Every sixty years, they would still send ten Longevity Pills to Lingxiao Palace to consolidate its ruling position."

"It was just like when I slew the Flying Dragon; the dragon bones, dragon seeds, and dragon palace were taken by them."

Li Youyi could hear the dissatisfaction in the tone of Chan Hai Guan Wu: "They invested a massive amount of resources, and after success, they demanded a return; I think that is beyond reproach. Where there is investment, there is risk. If you had been defeated, their resources would have been a total loss. It is very fair!"

The Spirit Tablet Master said: "Mist Heavenly Son wants to tell you that Crossing Tribulation Temple is not a compassionate savior; they only hold up the banner of saving the world while being driven solely by profit."

"If they were truly saviors, they would have stepped forward at the beginning of the world's turmoil, rather than waiting until the world was already broken and shattered before coming out to find a so-called Hidden Dragon."

Li Youyi was very clear-headed and laughed: "Cooperation built on interests may indeed collapse at any time. But if Crossing Tribulation Temple only talked about ideals, the Dao of Heaven, and unconditional support, I think that would be even less reliable."

"You are right! Exchanges of interest often lead to more stable relationships."

Chan Hai Guan Wu said: "However, the biggest problem with Crossing Tribulation Temple is that they never bet on just one side. While supporting me back then, they also split off another faction to support the Thunder Heaven Sect, thinking that the Thunder Heaven Sect had the possibility of quelling the war."

"That is exactly why, although I defeated the Thunder Heaven Sect back then, I could not completely wipe them out; I had to compromise with the people from the other faction of Crossing Tribulation Temple."

"The existence of the Thunder Heaven Sect, to a certain extent, keeps Lingxiao Palace in check."

Li Youyi said: "That move is a bit sinister! But in the power struggles of great forces, this is a common trick, so it is not surprising. I am very curious, with your cultivation base that could even slay a Flying Dragon later on, could you still not shake off Crossing Tribulation Temple?"

Chan Hai Guan Wu gave a light hum and lifted her snow-white chin: "At its peak, the Lingxiao Life Realm had three hundred provinces and experts as numerous as clouds. At that time, how would Crossing Tribulation Temple dare to point fingers at me? The annual tribute from the Thunder Heaven Sect was far more than that of other thousands of sects, just because they were afraid I would settle scores. But thousands of years have passed, and several generations have already changed, so naturally, there was no mass slaughter."

"I am telling you the essence of Crossing Tribulation Temple to let you know: for the Lingxiao Life Realm, you cannot rely on them too much. Dealing with Qilin Zang can only depend on the people of Lingxiao themselves."

"For you, this may be a catastrophe, and you must handle it carefully."

"A catastrophe?" Li Youyi's expression was grave.

Chan Hai Guan Wu said: "The secret that your trace veins are all gold and that you opened the Tenth Spring must never be known to Crossing Tribulation Temple. The existence of the Dao Ancestor Taiji Fish must even less be exposed."

The Jar Master immediately agreed: "Absolutely correct! Even if one's foundation and physique reached the level of Luan Sheng Lin You, Ge Xiantong, or Zuoqiu Hongting, it would not be enough to make those old fellows whose lifespans are nearing their end take such risks. But if your trace veins are all gold and you have the Ten Spring Divine Palace... that is very hard to say."

The Coffin Master said: "I have had contact with this person, Zhuang Shiyan; his character is still acceptable."

The Jar Master said: "Crossing Tribulation Temple isn't run by Zhuang Shiyan; the waters inside are very deep!"

Li Youyi somewhat understood what Chan Hai Guan Wu and the Jar Master were worried about, and he broke into a cold sweat: "Should I take advantage of the chaos and escape first?"

Chan Hai Guan Wu said: "Currently, there is no place safer than Taoli Mountain. You don't need to worry too much; you have the Zuoqiu Clan and the Jiuli Tribe standing behind you. If you don't go to Crossing Tribulation Temple, could Zhuang Shiyan really kidnap you? As an Immortal Master, he cannot be so shameless."

"That's right, staying at Taoli Mountain is actually the safest right now, because no one can play dirty tricks," the Jar Master said.

Li Youyi said: "Will they invite me to cultivate at Crossing Tribulation Temple?"

The Jar Master said: "With the talent you have displayed, it would be strange if they didn't invite you. You cannot go; if you go, you will be calling to heaven with no response and calling to earth with no answer."

"Now that you have the identity of a disciple of the Jiuli leader, the Jiuli Tribe will do their best to protect you. The Zuoqiu Clan needs the support of the Jiuli Tribe, so they will also protect you," the Spirit Tablet Master said.

Li Youyi was terrified by what they said: "Very well... I will take this opportunity to go into seclusion for a period of time to refine my magic power and strive to master it as soon as possible. Jar Master, how long do you think I need to refine?"

"Three months for the fourth sea, at least half a year for the fifth sea. By then, you will be able to cultivate the sixth sea, Fengfu, and the fifth-tier Qi!"

"Nine months."

Li Youyi was extremely distressed; the time spent refining Qi was too long, while Luan Sheng Lin You had already broken through to the Dao Seed realm.

If his Dao Seed was truly a "Dragon Seed," then his cultivation speed in the Dao Seed realm would surely be a thousand miles a day.

Li Youyi did not want to still be refining Qi in the seventh sea while others had already broken through to Longevity.

"Is there any way to improve the efficiency of Qi refining?" Li Youyi asked.

The Jar Master was dissatisfied: "Look, you're impatient again. We agreed that after the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, you would settle down properly."

"There is, by borrowing the power of the Fusang Divine Tree."

Chan Hai Guan Wu's gaze looked toward the blood mist in the distance.

The blood mist dispersed, and the Tanggu Sea and the Fusang Divine Tree appeared on the other side of the spatial barrier, with the sea floating full of Xihe flowers.

She said: "However, you must truly cross that spatial barrier, head to the Tanggu Sea, and go to a place closer to the Fusang Divine Tree. Your Qi refining speed should be able to double."

Currently, Li Youyi was only at the first realm of the Great Thought Master, the "Earth Fire Realm," and could only open a hole the size of a bowl in the spatial barrier, which was not enough for a person to pass through.

To open a larger passage and cross space to reach the Tanggu Sea, he had to cultivate his thought power with all his might for the next period of time, striving to reach the "Heaven Fire Realm" or even the "Disaster Fire Realm" as soon as possible.

The Coffin Master said: "This is indeed a path! But... Mist Heavenly Son, what are you in such a rush for?"

Chan Hai Guan Wu's eyes were extremely heavy: "I have reached the level of a Heavenly Son, so I am very clear about how close Qilin Zang is to a breakthrough. The situation is very critical; once he crosses that hurdle, will Taoli Mountain still be safe?"

After a long silence.

She said: "In the entire Lingxiao Life Realm, perhaps only one person can deal with Qilin Zang."

Li Youyi's eyes flickered: "Yujaozi?"

Chan Hai Guan Wu said: "Among my three disciples, she ranks first in talent, temperament, and wisdom, and I am most at ease with her. I am truly curious, what exactly did she encounter, and what hurdle could she not overcome? I want to make a trip to Lingxiao City and see her in person."

Li Youyi was shocked; now everyone in the world viewed Yujaozi as a flood monster, believing she was even more terrifying than the demon race.

He hurriedly advised: "It has been a thousand years; that disciple of yours must have changed completely, and her mind must have gone wrong. For you to go there so rashly is too dangerous!"

Chan Hai Guan Wu said: "I will deliberate on this matter further... You must cultivate faster and reach the Dao Seed realm as soon as possible. By then, the Disguise Technique should be perfected, enough to deceive the heavens and cross the sea. At that time, you can go anywhere."

Li Youyi said: "I have one more question. Since Qilin Zang is so strong, why doesn't Crossing Tribulation Temple support it directly?"

"Investing in Qilin Zang might be easier to succeed, but it could also result in a total loss. The risk is no less than investing in the Zuoqiu Clan." The one who answered was the Coffin Master.

Li Youyi said: "Does it have to do with the Flying Phoenix and the Ancestor of Ash Spirits?"

"There is no need to think about higher-level power struggles."

Chan Hai Guan Wu knew Crossing Tribulation Temple very well and said: "You can guess it; the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival is essentially the two factions within Crossing Tribulation Temple wavering. Some favor Qilin Zang, while others favor that person from the Zuoqiu Clan's Zongheng School; both are top-tier experts who have the possibility of unifying the world."

"Since neither faction could convince the other, they held this Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, wanting to see the quality of the next generation of the two major forces."

After having a general understanding of Crossing Tribulation Temple, Li Youyi exited the blood mud space and began to treat his injuries, refine his magic power, and cultivate his thought power.

At the same time, he prepared to use the Divine Stove Wood for the next period of time to cultivate his physical body to perfection.

Seven days later.

His injuries were fully healed.

Li Youyi was quite concerned about the situation outside, especially Yin Jun and the others; he didn't know if they had managed to snatch the Longevity Pills, dragon seeds, or dragon bones. Thus, he temporarily came out of seclusion.

"Brother Zuoqiu?"

In a densely built area of the Third Heaven, Li Youyi saw "Luan Sheng Lin You," but the aura was that of Zuoqiu Ting.

Zuoqiu Ting was waving a folding fan, his injuries were much better, his silver hair was fluttering, and he was unbelievably handsome. He laughed: "Li Youyi, you kid can really keep your cool; the whole city is in an uproar, yet you were in deep seclusion alone. How is it, how are your injuries?"

Seeing that he could still laugh, Li Youyi knew the battle situation should be fine.

"It's no longer a problem."

Li Youyi walked over quickly. He originally wanted to punch him in the chest to show the precious friendship between brothers, but he ultimately spared him and just reached out to hook his arm around his shoulder: "Where did you run off to during the final battle of the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival? You actually deserted? Do you know how difficult it was for me and your sister to fight?"

Zuoqiu Ting was all fidgety, using his folding fan to gently block his arm, trying his best to appear natural, and sighed: "Alas, I was too heavily injured and was eliminated early! My sister thinks highly of you and says you are worth befriending."

"Worth befriending, then why are you pushing my arm? We are brothers who have even slept in the same bed."

Li Youyi hugged him tighter and whispered in his ear: "Honestly, your sister is truly beautiful, like a fairy descending to earth, not losing to that Feather Fairy. If your Zuoqiu Clan lets her marry me, I might just agree! How about you play matchmaker?"

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