Master Ji and Yan Buxiu both stood up abruptly upon hearing the news.
If Yun Yubai had already reached the late Nascent Soul stage, if he broke through, then he would...
The two quickly went outside.
Indeed, the sky was filled with dark clouds, and they could faintly see a figure in white amidst the clouds.
Master Ji took the lead, soaring on his sword to get a closer look. Yan Buxiu gritted his teeth and followed.
They dared not get too close, as the impending thunder tribulation was quite fierce.
However, both of them had considerable cultivation, and by concentrating their spiritual power in their eyes, they could naturally see the figure’s appearance clearly.
"It’s Junior Martial Brother!" Master Ji exclaimed joyfully as he stood on his sword. He turned to Yan Buxiu, "Island Master Yan, it seems my junior martial brother isn’t out there stealing things but is focused on his cultivation. My junior martial brother is indeed exceptionally talented, breaking through to Deity Forming before even reaching two thousand years old. You, Island Master Yan, broke through to Deity Forming at over twenty-five hundred years old, didn’t you?"
He had achieved this nearly a thousand years earlier than Yan Buxiu!
Yan Buxiu’s hands were clenched into fists under his sleeves.
Though he was filled with jealousy, he maintained an air of indifference.
"Master Ji is so pleased; one might think it was you who broke through," Yan Buxiu shot back.
Master Ji was unfazed, his spirits high.
He stood with his hands behind his back and said leisurely, "Junior martial brother is a member of my Seven Peaks Sect; if he breaks through, I will naturally be happy. Ah, he’s always protective and combative. Now that he’s reached Deity Forming, if anyone dares to bully Seven Peaks Sect, he’ll likely be the first to jump out."
As he spoke, he cast an intentional glance at Yan Buxiu.
Yan Buxiu replied, "Hmph, then Master Ji should also cultivate diligently. You both are of the same realm, yet now you’ve been overtaken by Master Yun; what will the disciples think? What will the other sects think?"
"Perhaps one day, Master Yun will take your place. After all, in the Immortal World, strength is what matters."
"Island Master Yan, you worry too much. My junior martial brother is all about principles and etiquette. When Master passed the leadership to me, he had no objections, and he won’t now either."
Master Ji was not worried.
Because while Yun Yubai had strength, he was far behind in managing the sect.
Yun Yubai had been the peak master for many years and had yet to take any disciples. The only one he brought from the Lower Realm was Yun Shen, who was of mediocre qualifications and was still in the Base Building stage.
Without disciples, there were no helpers, no influence—what a pipe dream it was to try and seize Seven Peaks Sect from him!
Yan Buxiu was left with nothing to counter.
He could only simmer silently with anger.
Yet Master Ji kept chattering on:
"Island Master Yan, look at this heavenly thunder; it seems even more ferocious than when you broke through."
"Could it be that my junior martial brother’s talent, physique, and spiritual power are even better than yours?"
"Look! Junior martial brother is facing the first heavenly thunder!"
Yan Buxiu felt the urge to fly back home on his sword.
He was utterly fed up!
But he had to admit that Yun Yubai’s tribulation thunder was indeed much more powerful than his own.
If Yun Yubai could withstand it, his spiritual power would likely surpass Yan Buxiu’s.
If Yun Yubai passed through the tribulation, the strength of Seven Peaks Sect would significantly increase, and they would be on par with Penglai Island!
Yan Buxiu’s malicious scheme took shape.
"Master Ji, you take your time to watch; I still have to go catch some thieves."
However, Master Ji raised his finger and blocked Yan Buxiu’s path, smiling meaningfully, "Island Master Yan, why the rush? Watch a bit longer before you leave."
He understood Yan Buxiu’s temperament; he was certainly mad with jealousy right now and wanted to harm his junior martial brother.
Currently, his junior martial brother was the prized possession of Seven Peaks Sect, and they had to protect him well.
He transmitted a message to the other six peak masters: "Junior martial brothers and sisters, our junior martial brother is currently facing the tribulation; we must guard all around to ensure he can concentrate on it!"
"Yes!" The peak masters responded enthusiastically, one after another.
Figures flew out from Seven Peaks Sect.
Master Ji smiled at Yan Buxiu, "Island Master Yan, let’s guard here together. Your favor of protecting us today will be remembered by Seven Peaks Sect."
Yan Buxiu was so furious that it pained his chest, but at this moment, he had no choice but to force a smile, "Alright."
He could only hope that Yun Yubai would not withstand this ferocious thunder tribulation and would perish.
As the tribulation thunder struck down, Yun Yubai grew stronger with each fight.
He withstood the refinement of his body and meridians; his Dantian and Qi Sea became even more robust, and even his inner core improved considerably.
Most importantly, he had solidified his primordial spirit, significantly extending his lifespan.
The entire night passed.
When the thunder tribulation ended, the dark clouds dissipated.
Yun Yubai landed on Yunxiao Peak, his robes tattered, revealing a well-defined upper body.
His appearance became even more handsome, bathed in moonlight, as if glowing with an immortal’s radiance.
"Congratulations, Junior Martial Brother!" The peak masters beamed with joy and offered their congratulations.
"Thank you, Senior Brothers and Sisters." Yun Yubai smiled slightly.
"Junior Martial Brother!" Master Ji descended, looking at him with barely concealed excitement, almost wanting to reach out and touch him, to feel the inner core and primordial spirit of someone in Deity Forming, "Good! Fantastic!"
Yun Yubai’s smile faded slightly, but he also bowed to Master Ji in thanks, "Thank you for the protection, Senior Brother."
He turned to Yan Buxiu, pretending to be surprised, "Island Master Yan also provided protection for me? Thank you!"
Yan Buxiu sized him up, his gaze falling on his bright, distinct eyes.
That thief really wasn’t Yun Yubai?
It made sense; that thief was skilled in talisman arts, while Yun Yubai had always been a Sword Cultivator, and he had never heard of him being able to draw talismans or set up arrays.
"No need for thanks; having one more Deity Forming cultivator in the Immortal World is a good thing," Yan Buxiu said with a forced smile.
Yun Yubai raised an eyebrow, "Island Master Yan is indeed highly skilled and broad-minded, a true master. It’s a pity your daughter is of mediocre talent. My disciple has taught her swordsmanship for quite some time, yet she hasn’t grasped much."
Yan Buxiu was instantly furious, glaring at him, "I sent her to Yunxiao Peak to train, yet you let a Base Building disciple teach her—how can she possibly learn?! Master Yun, are you doing this on purpose, or do you not regard Penglai Island at all?"
Yun Yubai looked more helpless than ever, "Your daughter hasn’t learned much even under him; if I personally teach her, wouldn’t it be even harder for her to understand? It would be better for Island Master Yan to take her back, lay a good foundation for her, and then send her back."
Yan Buxiu was nearly driven mad.
He knew his youngest daughter’s qualifications were indeed lacking and had no way to refute him. All he could say was, "I was just protecting you, and you speak ?!"
"Didn’t I thank you as well? One matter should be kept separate from another; we can’t conflate them," Yun Yubai said, blinking innocently.
Yan Buxiu’s face turned as black as a bottom of a pot.
Master Ji stood aside, smiling faintly, showing no intention to stop the scolding. He understood that Master Ji had previously been suppressed too harshly, which was why he now allowed Yun Yubai to humiliate him.
Yan Buxiu swept away in a huff.
In mid-air, he glanced back at the seven peaks, shrouded in spiritual energy, and silently made a decision:
One day, he would flatten Seven Peaks Sect and avenge today’s humiliation!
What Yun Yubai? How dare you compete with me in Deity Forming?!