Longzang

Chapter 607 Viewing the Ceremony
The ancestral home of the Xu family was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and guests flocked to the area.

In a few days, it will be Xu Lanshan's Imperial Ceremony, a grand event that is rare to see once in a century. Cultivators from all directions who have heard the news have come despite the hardships. Even some reclusive Dao Foundation Ancestors have brought their young disciples from the countryside, traversing mountains and valleys, just to broaden their horizons.

The outer city of the ancestral land is open all day and bustling with activity; while the main mountain is heavily guarded, with no one allowed to enter or leave. At that time, cultivators will observe from a distance of a hundred miles away. At this distance, Dharma Aspect cultivators can clearly sense the aura of the Heavenly Tribulation, which will allow them to gain their own insights. As for the Foundation Establishment ancestors, they can only glean some understanding from the expressions and demeanor of the Dharma Aspect cultivators.

An ordinary tavern in the outer city was almost full. The guests were of all kinds: some were dressed in fine clothes, showing their extraordinary status; some pretended to be profound, with inscrutable expressions; and others, though dressed simply, had the words "I am a master" practically written on their faces.

Although they were drinking cheap liquor, the group talked about the most thrilling and exciting stories of the martial arts world, recounting their legendary escapes from the clutches of powerful demons. Their faces were flushed from drinking, and they didn't forget to flatter each other, leaving a group of young country folk watching in astonishment, feeling their horizons broadened.

Just then, a young monk walked into the tavern. He had a gentle and refined demeanor that naturally made people want to get close to him.

The innkeeper quickly made room for the last table and swiftly served wine and dishes. The young cultivator didn't speak to the others, but listened quietly. For some reason, seeing his focused attention, the elders in the room became inexplicably excited, each pulling out their most treasured secrets of the martial world.

An old ancestor said mysteriously, "Have you heard? There's a Creator Immortal hidden in the Azure Netherworld, rumored to be a rare demonic beast..."

The young cultivator's hand trembled violently, and he almost spilled the wine.

Another Dao Foundation Ancestor remained calm and slowly said, "Your information is outdated. As far as I know, this demon beast is fond of the beauties of the Wu Clan, so it constantly trades with the Wu Clan to exchange for beautiful women for its pleasure."

The young disciples were dumbfounded, exclaiming, "A witch clan beauty? Isn't that a monster?"

The old ancestor glared at him and scolded, "What do you know? Aren't demon beasts monsters too? In the eyes of demon beasts, monsters are beautiful, while we are all ugly monsters."

The young cultivator sitting alone seemed so shocked that he couldn't even swallow his wine. The elders, completely unaware that they had already teetered on the brink of death several times, continued their lively discussions.

Finally, an elder mentioned news unrelated to Qingming: "...I heard that there is another immortal in the Xu family who is about to ascend to the realm, but he is keeping a low profile and has not publicized it."

At that moment, another female nun entered the tavern. She had a plain appearance and was dressed simply.

The shop was already full, except for the young cultivator who sat alone at a table. The female cultivator walked up to him and asked softly, "May I sit here?" "Of course," the young cultivator replied with a smile.

The female cultivator ordered only one pot of wine and poured herself a drink. After three cups, she finally asked, "Are you also here for the Imperial View Gathering?"

The young cultivator shook his head and said, "Originally, yes, but I changed my mind. I'm just here for a visit and will leave in a little while."

The female cultivator seemed somewhat surprised: "Don't you want to see the Heavenly Tribulation?"

"What's so interesting about heavenly tribulations? They're all pretty much the same, they never come up with anything new," the young cultivator replied dismissively.

The elders nearby couldn't stand it anymore, thinking to themselves, "How can this kid be so arrogant as to be even more arrogant than us?"
Immediately, an elder said, "Young people like to boast. Have you ever seen a Heavenly Tribulation? Let me tell you, there are many kinds of Heavenly Tribulations. There are more than ten major categories alone. This time, we might even witness the Upper Three Tribulations..."

The young cultivator looked at the mid-stage Foundation Establishment ancestor and asked with a smile, "Have you experienced anything like this, sir?"

The old ancestor's face instantly turned bright red, and he almost blurted out, "What kind of heavenly tribulation haven't I seen?" But that was too outrageous a boast, and luckily he wasn't too drunk yet, so he managed to hold back in time.

The young cultivators and female cultivators began chatting about trivial matters, ignoring the elders. But what they said was completely different from what the elders heard.

The young cultivator asked, "You can actually drink this kind of wine?"

The female cultivator said, "When I was traveling around, I was once in dire straits and ate and drank everything I could find, otherwise I would have been dead long ago. So I'm not picky. Don't just talk about me, aren't you drinking too?"

“My parents are ordinary people. They can’t even afford this kind of wine normally. They can only drink a pot of it during festivals.”

"Born as a mortal, yet you cultivate so quickly? Forget it, I don't want to pry into your secrets. Are you really not planning to stay until the ceremony is over? It would be beneficial for your future cultivation."

The young cultivator smiled and said, "I was a little hesitant at first, but now I'm even more certain. I'll leave in a bit. Your tribulation is coming soon, why aren't you hiding in your quiet room or secret place, instead of wandering around everywhere?"

The female cultivator said, "I suddenly had a whim and decided to go for a walk. And sure enough, I was pleasantly surprised to run into you."

The young cultivator chuckled: "Meeting me is not a good thing. By the way, I heard that someone in your Xu family is about to break through?" The female cultivator nodded: "Xu Fang, ten years younger than me, is a true direct descendant of the Immortal Ancestor. He will undergo his tribulation ten days after I break through."

"Then congratulations on having two more True Lords. I'll be going now, remember to pay the bill for me."

Seeing the young cultivator stand up, the female cultivator was taken aback and said, "You really don't plan to watch?"

The young cultivator laughed nonchalantly: "What's so interesting about a heavenly tribulation? Besides, this world is already quite boring. It's better to leave a few interesting opponents behind. I'll come back to see you after you break through."

The young cultivator walked out of the tavern and vanished in an instant. The female cultivator pondered his words but couldn't understand them, so she stopped worrying about it and left the tavern as well.

After the two left, the elders, emboldened by their wine, resumed their conversation, boasting about how powerful the high-level demon cultivators they had encountered were.

At the ancestral home of the Xu family, the female cultivator appeared at the entrance of the secret realm and hesitated for a moment.

Two people emerged from the secret realm. One of them was young and handsome, but his eyes were full of arrogance. He frowned slightly when he saw the female cultivator and said, "The Immortal Ancestor has been waiting for you. Where have you been? You're about to undergo your tribulation, and you're still running around outside?"

The female cultivator removed her disguise, revealing herself to be Xu Lanshan. She coldly said, "My affairs are none of your business. Even if we are both from the Imperial Realm, you are no match for me! You'd better not make a fool of yourself."

The young-looking cultivator remained calm and said, "That's not necessarily true. The Immortal Ancestor has bestowed upon us another opportunity. Who will be stronger or weaker in the future is still uncertain. After Yu Jing, you must leave offspring. It seems you have no other choice but me. You wouldn't go looking for Qiu Niu, would you?"

A hint of murderous intent flashed across Xu Lanshan's face as she said, "Finding Qiuniu is better than finding you."

The young-looking cultivator finally glared angrily and gritted his teeth, saying, "You have no say in who you choose! Just you wait."

At this moment, a faint, lofty young voice echoed within the secret realm: "Now that you're back, why aren't you coming in?"

Xu Lanshan snorted, stopped arguing with Xu Fang, and walked into the secret realm.

Once inside, she suddenly remembered that there should have been someone standing next to Xu Fang, but she had no recollection of her at all. She only vaguely remembered that she seemed to be a bald woman with blue eyes.

Xu Lanshan was startled. The woman was standing right in front of her, yet she had almost completely overlooked her. If she weren't about to break through and her spiritual senses weren't exceptionally sharp, she probably wouldn't have even noticed the woman's presence!
The secret realm was shrouded in darkness as Xu Lanshan strolled forward. After a few steps, a beam of light appeared before her, beneath which sat a young man, resembling a figure from mythology.

The boy opened his eyes and slowly said, "Is everything ready?"

"Yes," Xu Lanshan replied respectfully.

The young man silently calculated with his fingers, then said, "Your breakthrough this time should be fine. Go."

After bowing, Xu Lanshan left the secret realm, and the beam of light disappeared behind her.

Three days later, the heavenly tribulation descended, a true nine-fold heavenly lightning. Xu Lanshan was reborn from the lightning and became Yu Jing.

Ten days later, the young cultivator returned to the same tavern, sat in his usual spot, and ordered the same food and drinks as before. However, this time there were very few customers; the elders had probably returned to their hometowns because they couldn't afford the expenses in the city.

Halfway through the meal, suddenly the wind and clouds gathered, an omen of another calamity.

The tribulation clouds surged in from all directions, almost obscuring the entire outer city, their power far surpassing that of Xu Lanshan during her tribulation! The tribulation clouds were reddish-golden, with layers of palaces faintly visible, solemn and holy, displaying the might of heaven!

Xu Lanshan was resting in her quiet room when she sensed the aura of the heavenly tribulation and involuntarily trembled all over. She immediately stepped out of the quiet room, looked up at the sky, and her expression changed drastically in an instant.

This appears to be the Primordial Calamity of the Golden Palace Jade Tower Immortal Heaven, a calamity only recorded in Taoist texts, with no recent accounts of its occurrence in the mortal realm. Xu Lanshan was utterly astonished. What virtue or ability did Xu Fang possess to deserve such a heavenly calamity?

Moments later, it became clear that Xu Fangde was unworthy of his position and died.

(End of this chapter)