Bai Shijue, Han Shun, and Chinchin flew to the Forest of Lost Mist together. This would be the first time for Han Shun to enter the dangerous forest, a gate between the mortal and cultivation/immortal realm.
They stood right in front of the forest. For normal humans, the thick mist would obstruct their view, and they would get lost inside forever.
Han Shun was awed by the forest, but he couldn’t see the mist at all, actually.
Han Shun looked around, trying to find the ’mist’ supposed to cover the whole forest.
Yet, all he saw was a regular forest. It was dark and dense, but it wasn’t as scary as he thought.
"Bai Gege, where’s the mist you’re talking about?"
Bai Gege chuckled, "You see no mist, right?"
"Yes, Gege. It’s just a regular forest. It looks daunting with the tall and narrow trees and dark paths, but it’s not as majestic as I expected...."
"That’s because you’ve obtained your golden core. This forest is only misty when you’re a regular human or a low-level cultivator. Those who have ascended would have no problem looking in the forest," Bai Shijue replied.
"T—Then, does that mean we can go now? I can’t wait to check the other side, Gege! I want to see your real sect!"
"Not so fast. We still need to train here because I still think you’re not ready."
"Gege, you keep saying that after so many years! How long do I have to wait?" Han Shun got irritated because Bai Gege kept on denying his entry. He had been cultivating for so many years, so he would be with Bai Gege. That was the main point of everything so far!.
"I know, Han Shun, but you need to familiarize yourself with this forest first. Because the layout of the forest would rotate at random times. Just in case you would return to the mortal world, you wouldn’t get lost in this forest," Bai Shijue explained.
"Why would I return to the mortal realm after going with you, Gege?"
Bai Shijue knew that Han Shun would be the leader of his sect in the future and would have to visit the mortal realm to exterminate any demonic cultivator who went rampage on the mortal realm.
But of course, that was a secret until Han Shun took the mantle.
"There are things that we need to do later in the mortal realm, even after you’ve followed me to my sect. Just follow my instruction, okay?" Bai Shijue said. "Just follow my path and remember the layout of the forest. I’ve created plenty of signs along the way."
Bai Shijue grabbed Han Shun’s wrist and pulled him to enter the forest. Han Shun had no fear at first, but the moment he entered the forest. He felt the trees constantly shift from one place to another, making him dizzy.
"See that tree?" Bai Shijue pointed at a tree with a red marking on it. "That’s one of the trees that didn’t move. I marked that one so you won’t get lost. Just follow all the red marked trees, and you’ll be fine."
"Yes, Bai Gege..." Han Shun said. He glanced at Bai Gege and Chinchin, that was supposed to sit on Bai Gege’s shoulder, and Chinchin was nowhere to be seen.
"B—Bai Gege, Chinchin! That chipmunk is missing!" Han Shun reported.
"Don’t worry about Chinchin. That chipmunk is a celestial beast that comes from this forest. It knows how to navigate through. Maybe Chinchin is happy to be home again and wants to hunt for some small bugs or gather fruits."
Han Shun and Bai Shijue stood right in the middle of the forest, under a tree that had been marked red.
Bai Shijue could feel the heat around his body, a sign that he would begin his heaven light punishment.
He looked at Han Shun and said, "Han Shun, I will start my tribulation. Don’t worry about me, I will be alright. But you have to stay under this marked tree and don’t leave until my return, okay?"
"Yes, Gege!"
Bai Shijue didn’t want Han Shun to see the terrible pain he would face soon. So he disappeared from Han Shun’s eyes and traveled far into the forest until he was all alone.
"Pupa, you can show yourself now."
Pupa materialized in front of Yunyu and looked up to check the sky, "The tribulation will begin shortly. You should cover yourself with that talisman to lessen the pain."
"Umm..."
"What? I know you want to say something. Just spill it so we can work on it," Pupa said.
"Can you use one of your magic skills and stuff? I remember that you used a similar code to lessen my pain in the 12th world when Jiansheng chained me."
"... You want me to use a limited skill?"
"I mean, you said the pain is unbearable before...."
"You’re a powerful sect leader! You’re literally in the top 0.0000001% of this world! And you can’t bear one tribulation?! You acted so tough in front of Han Shun for what?"
"Geez, Pupa, you’re so judgmental! I’m just trying to make him feel less shitty about what he did! Besides, it’s just one skill. It’s not dangerous for you, right? Right???" Bai Shijue insisted. He used his special skill, Cutiepie begging No Jutsu towards Pupa.
"Pweasseeee, Handsome Pupa pweaseeee...."
...
...
[Code 119: Pain Absorption.]
Yunyu felt his body was surrounded by blue light, "That’ll lessen the pain by a lot, and cover yourself with the talisman you made. The tribulation will start in less than a minute."
Bai Yunyu took out all the talismans in his sleeve and threw them to the sky. The talisman circled around Yunyu before covering him, creating a dome to lessen the pain of heaven’s tribulation.
"Okay, I’m ready!" Yunyu said. He looked up and saw a light pillar from the dark sky.
"Close your eyes, and bear with the pain until you’re free. It won’t take long," Pupa instructed, and Yunyu followed.
Pupa started counting the remaining spells it could use after so long...
[Pupa: Only 4 more usage left... I don’t want to waste it. Not until Yunyu finished his mission.]