"You’re still drinking my wine, yet you speak so indirectly?" Master Zhao said, a hint of displeasure in his tone.
Yun Yubai poured him another cup, chuckling, "You’re not a stingy person."
Feeling a bit agitated, Master Zhao downed the strong liquor. The Zhao family’s ancestor had once obtained the Fire Cloud Spell, making a name for themselves in the martial world and founding the Flame Sect. He was the closest to reaching the Base Building stage, capable of cultivating to the eighth level. However, most of his descendants could only manage the fifth or sixth levels, so he felt quite proud to have reached the seventh level, believing himself to be exceptionally talented. Little did he know that he had spent half his life still stuck at the first level!
His eyes nearly rolled back in frustration. After downing a second cup, he sighed with a hint of disappointment, "I thought my talent was decent, but it turns out I’ve never even left the bottom of the well."
Yun Yubai offered some consolation, "Those suited for cultivating the Fire Cloud Spell are indeed rare finds for cultivation. Someone like Master Zhao, who can reach the seventh level, is already impressive. Unfortunately, a slight lack of innate talent and wisdom means that if you were to dedicate another ten or eight years to it, you might really reach the Base Building stage."
In today’s world, with spiritual energy depleted, those like Master Zhao, who had never received any spiritual nourishment from conception to birth, would naturally have weaker foundations. Even in the Lower Realm, many were not cut out for cultivation.
Master Zhao shook his head, "There’s no need for that. I’m not seeking immortality." If not for his concern for the many disciples of the Flame Sect, he would have gone to the Nether World long ago to see if his daughter had been reincarnated.
Yun Yubai noticed Master Zhao’s downcast expression and was unsure of what to say. However, Master Zhao quickly adjusted his mood and asked, "What brings you here, then?"
Yun Yubai suddenly remembered and took out a small pouch. To gain Master Zhao’s trust, he poured out the contents: a handful of lotus seeds that looked ordinary but radiated a faint glow. Master Zhao could even smell a subtle fragrance of lotus.
"This is a Primordial Lotus Seed, capable of reshaping one’s soul into an immortal body," Yun Yubai explained. "I need you to find a suitable name and deliver it to the Ninth Princess."
Upon hearing it was for Nanli, Master Zhao straightened his posture. "The Ninth Princess? I can tell at a glance that this item is incredibly rare. Why can’t you deliver it personally?"
"This matter is complicated," Yun Yubai replied. "Since Master Zhao doesn’t wish to cultivate, knowing too much won’t benefit you. I’m entrusting this important task to you because I trust you."
He had not used a Qiankun Bag because he was worried Nanli wouldn’t be able to open it. However, he had drawn a talisman to mask the lotus’s scent. She was still too weak, situated in the Human World. If he gave her the Glassy Bottle, she would likely leap to the Golden Core stage, which would allow the hypocrites from the Immortal World to target her without hesitation.
After all, cultivation conflicts wouldn’t attract karmic backlash, but killing an ordinary person without spiritual energy would have consequences. He still needed to gather a couple more Glassy Bottles; once she reached the Deity Forming stage, she would certainly be able to protect herself, if not eliminate those hypocrites entirely. The items he had taken from Penglai Island also needed to wait for the right moment before being handed to her.
Master Zhao understood his intention, solemnly accepting the lotus seeds. "Rest assured, I will ensure this is delivered."
Yun Yubai rose and bowed to Master Zhao, saying, "Thank you for your help."
He had been in the Human World for several days and should not linger. After bidding farewell to Master Zhao, he immediately returned to the Immortal World, retracing his steps.
As he gazed down at the Human World during his journey, he couldn’t help but reflect on the abundant spiritual energy in the Immortal World. Once he retrieved more Glassy Bottles, the spiritual energy in the Immortal World would inevitably decrease.
If she were to be reborn with her golden body, the cultivators would find themselves devoid of spiritual energy for cultivation, leaving the Immortal World just as barren as the Human World. Eventually, when this batch of cultivators passed away, there would be no more cultivators left in this land devoid of spiritual energy.
But he would not be a sinner!
No, he was not a sinner. The depletion of spiritual energy in the Immortal World was due to the actions of Yan Buxiu and others who had killed her, shattered her inner core, and used her flesh and blood to nourish the Spirit Tree. He was simply returning things to their rightful owner! He was restoring everything to its original state!
No matter how difficult it would be, he would do it!
Just as he re-entered the Immortal World from the North Sea, he felt a surge of power erupting within his Dantian. The force then converged in his inner core, circulating around before bursting forth again.
It opened up many of his meridians and spiritual roots!
A warm sensation enveloped him, bringing an indescribable pleasure and relief.
Yun Yubai was astonished. He had remained at the Nascent Soul late stage for several hundred years, never expecting that he would break through today!
"It’s the firmness of my heart!" Yun Yubai laughed joyfully, looking up to the sky.
The majority of the sky in the Immortal World darkened. Thunderclouds rolled ominously.
Heavenly tribulation was about to strike!
This was the thunder tribulation for breaking through to the Deity Forming stage, and its ferocity was naturally immense.
For thousands of years, very few cultivators had managed to reach the Deity Forming stage.
Many cultivators emerged to watch.
Yet Yun Yubai understood that breaking through was only the beginning; he still needed to face the thunder and endure its tempering to strengthen his body further!
"I’m coming!" he shouted, charging toward the heavenly thunder.
Amongst the dozens of thunder tribulations, brilliant flashes lit up the sky, with Yun Yubai’s outstanding figure standing out prominently.
Meanwhile, back at the Seven Peaks Sect, Yan Buxiu was demanding answers.
"That thief has come again, robbing a significant amount of resources from Penglai Island with Xuan Yinyue! Though he obscured his face with a spell, his figure resembles Master Yun’s quite a bit!"
The Seven Peaks Master frowned at this. "My little junior brother is quite carefree. Aside from caring about the Celestial Sovereign, he generally doesn’t concern himself with others’ affairs. Island Master Yan, are you trying to pin a baseless accusation on the Seven Peaks Sect?"
Palace Master Du had been murdered, and the Glassy Bottles of Limitless Palace had been stolen. He was wary and did not want to be careless.
Yan Buxiu scowled. "That thief is incredibly bold, stealing even the Primordial Lotus Seed. My losses are significant, so I felt the need to mention it. If you say it’s not him, then let him come here. He injured his eye before; we can tell with a quick examination."
The Seven Peaks Master shrugged. "Since he left seclusion, he’s taken to roaming about. He’s not currently at the Seven Peaks Sect."
Yan Buxiu’s expression darkened immediately.
Lowering his voice, he warned, "Isn’t that a bad coincidence? Master Ji, you should be extra cautious; otherwise, the next one to lose a Glassy Bottle could be your Seven Peaks Sect!"
As soon as he said this, Master Ji’s heart fluttered with a twinge of fear. After all, he was merely at the Nascent Soul late stage, and his relationship with Qingwu wasn’t deep. If his Glassy Bottle were stolen, who could he possibly rob?
Just as he was about to send disciples to search for Yun Yubai, an urgent disciple rushed in, shouting, "Master! Little Master Uncle has broken through! He’s about to face the thunder tribulation!"