Fangxian Heretical Path

Chapter 35 Beauty and Jade Undergo Tribulation! (5 words)
In the practice hall, the pit of scorpions is opened again.

The surrounding area was filled with disciples who had paid their respects, all staring intently at the colorful and strangely shaped snakes and insects in the scorpion pit, some feigning disdain, others showing surprise.

The disciples who were seeing the pit of scorpions for the first time reacted the most, muttering incessantly:
"Is entering the Dao just about soaking in this basin of Gu worms?"

"What the hell, is this a path to enlightenment or a death wish?!"

Upon hearing this, the senior disciples immediately sneered, "Shut up! You'll have to wait a full year before you have the chance to bathe in this scorpion pit."

Fang Shu, mingling in the crowd, remained expressionless as he pinched something hard inside his sleeve.

According to the rules of the Dugu Academy, only disciples who have completed a full year of training at the academy are eligible to participate in the Scorpion Basin Tribulation.

Fang Shu, however, clearly did not meet this condition, so he brought spirit stones, hoping that after the other disciples finished their tribulations, he could spend the spirit stones to ask the sect leader to allow him to undergo his tribulation in advance.

No one paid any attention.

He stood alone in the corner, looking around at his fellow disciples with their varied expressions, all of whom seemed excited, and a sense of emotion welled up in his heart.

He had been with Li Hou'er the previous times he had watched the scorpion pit undergo tribulation. Now that Li Hou'er had become an immortal and had long since entered the inner sect of the Taoist temple to cultivate, he was left to watch alone.

Fortunately, after half a year of cultivation, it is finally almost time for Fang Shu to show his skills, enter the Dao, and leave the front courtyard!

Therefore, Fang Shu was actually much more eager for today's tribulation in the pit of scorpions than the other disciples around him.

However, his expression remained calm. He suppressed his thoughts and patiently waited to the side, regulating his breathing while quietly watching.

Soon, the owner of the private club appeared.

After explaining the first tribulation of entering the Dao and refining essence as usual, the old woman clapped her hands, signaling the disciples who were to undergo tribulation that day to come out on their own.

Clap clap! Five disciples squeezed out of the crowd, immediately attracting the attention of everyone present.

The most eye-catching among them was Shi Hou, a burly, strong young man who had been practicing asceticism.

"It's Senior Brother Shi Hou! He's the most hardworking person in our dojo!"

“It is against the principles of Heaven that Senior Brother Shi Hou has failed to enter the Dao this time.”

Many disciples were discussing it animatedly, clearly expressing their admiration for Shi Hou.

However, rumors also circulated at the scene:
"Hmph! He's just a twice-cooked pork. Even if he's entered the Dao today, so what? His age is what it is."

"They haven't even undergone the tribulation yet. Let's wait until they've completed it before we start praising them."

Shi Hou's expression was resolute; he clearly did not take the praise and ridicule around him to heart.

He would only react and smile when a woman nearby spoke to him in a low voice.

The woman's clothes and appearance were different from those of the disciples in the Dugu Hall. Although she was also neat and tidy, she had no air of asceticism and looked like a sheep among the disciples of the hall.

While everyone was discussing and waiting, the woman asked the owner of the inn a few questions, then suddenly faced the crowd, clasped her hands in a fist and said:
"Disciples of all the masters of the Dugu Pavilion, I am Xiang Xingwu, the fifth daughter of the Seven Fragrance Pavilion Master in Guling Town."

Today is a grand occasion for many disciples of your esteemed institution, marking their tribulation and entry into the Dao. Our institution and the Dugu Hall have always been on good terms, and we have specially prepared some auspicious gifts for everyone today.

The woman's words immediately attracted the attention of many disciples present.

Many disciples murmured aloud:
"Seven Fragrance Pavilion? Is that the well-known restaurant in the market?"

"I've heard that this Seven Fragrance Pavilion has several branches in the market, and it's also involved in the trade of monster materials and is skilled in medicinal cuisine. Although it's not a well-known merchant guild, it certainly deserves the title of 'merchant guild' and is quite large and powerful."

The woman from the Seven Fragrance Pavilion smiled faintly. She rolled up her sleeves, revealing her fair left arm and a jade pendant tied to it.

The jade pendant is white and shaped like a crescent moon.

she says:

"This jade is called the Plain Moon Jade. It weighs one ounce and three fen. Wearing it can help you enter a meditative state, eliminate depression, and clear your mind. When placed under the moon, there is a chance that the moonlight will come to you. Although it is not much, it can still enhance your spiritual practice."

The holder of this jade will enjoy VIP treatment at my Seven Fragrance Pavilion. This jade can be used as collateral to obtain a credit limit of 30,000 talismans.

These words immediately caused a stir among the crowd.

Even Fang Shu couldn't help but glance at the precious jade on the wrist of the Seven Fragrance Pavilion Master's daughter.

He has experienced the taste and benefits of consuming moonlight.

Unfortunately, when he meditated on his own later, he was no longer able to draw down a single ray of moonlight. However, because he had ingested moonlight, he could clearly distinguish whether spiritual energy was being drawn into his body during subsequent practice, which provided him with a slight benefit.

"This precious jade is that woman's personal possession, could it be..." Some of the more astute disciples nearby immediately guessed the intention of the Seven Fragrance Pavilion Master's daughter:
"This woman has brought out her token of love. Obtaining this jade means gaining the favor of the Seven Fragrance Pavilion, and her favor?"

Amidst the discussions of the crowd, the woman named "Xiang Xingwu" remained poised and graceful. As her eyes darted around, she even glanced at the ascetic young man Shi Hou beside her.

This glance made the surrounding disciples understand even more clearly:
"Ha! So it turns out it was all to build up momentum for Shi Hou."

"No wonder I felt the name Qixianglou was very familiar. It turns out it was the chamber of commerce that sponsored Shi Hou before."

In an instant, everyone understood that the so-called prize was indeed the "love token" of the Fragrant Dance, and whoever obtained it would gain the favor of the Seven Fragrance Pavilion.

However, this item already has an owner!

Faced with the crowd's discussion, Shi Hou, the ascetic youth, changed his usual sullen demeanor. He took a half step forward, standing out in the crowd, looking around with sharp eyes as he stared intently at the group of disciples who had not yet entered the Dao.

Not to mention the onlookers, even the other four disciples who were about to undergo their tribulations frowned slightly and wisely looked away.

Xiang Xingwu blushed slightly, but she smiled and continued:
"Today, in the Dugu Pavilion, the one who successfully transcends the tribulation and possesses the best qi and blood and the most precious blood will receive a treasure from my Seven Fragrance Pavilion."

After saying this, the woman retreated into the crowd and waited behind the master of the Du family, whispering to the master's granddaughter, Senior Sister Yu'er.

But her gaze remained fixed on the ascetic young man, Shi Hou, and after being teased a few times by her senior sister, Yu'er, her face flushed even more, like a ripe peach.

"Alright." The owner of the private restaurant spoke calmly, holding his teacup.

"A prize is merely icing on the cake. Disciples of my old sect, it is time to test the quality of your arduous training and forge your own future."

"Yes, Master."

The five disciples, including Shi Hou, were both men and women, and they all called out in low voices.

Immediately, one of the disciples stepped forward from among the five.

The other person gritted his teeth, slapped himself hard until his whole body turned red like a boiled shrimp shell, muttered some incantations, and then stepped into the pit of scorpions.

Immediately afterwards, disciples either took medicine or lit talismans, turning them into ashes which they swallowed whole, all making preparations.

Only the ascetic young man, Shi Hou, remained unmoved, patiently waiting with his eyes closed and his mind focused.

Clearly, this person did not intend to rush ahead, but rather planned to step into that pit of scorpions last, to undergo the final tribulation and challenge!

Ahhhhh!
As always, screams, cries of pain, and groans echoed in the practice hall.

People were carried out one after another. The best outcome for them was that half of their body was paralyzed, and they crawled out of the pit of scorpions while crying out.

The other party also brought out a bunch of snakes and insects, which frightened the disciples around them, causing them to scatter in panic.

This tribulation of the Scorpion's Pit was as miserable as ever, with four people failing to pass the tribulation in a row.

Although this situation was expected by everyone, it still made the disciples around them silent, no longer laughing and joking as they had at the beginning.

Even the owner of the pavilion frowned slightly and focused her gaze on the young man, Shi Hou, who was practicing asceticism.

Shi Hou's gaze was calm. Seeing that the four had failed, he didn't hesitate at all. After bowing to the master of the Du Pavilion, he turned around and walked calmly into the pit of scorpions, without even warming up beforehand.

Only after reaching the pit of scorpions did the veins on the man's chest, abdomen, limbs, and neck bulge, and his muscles twist and turn, forming nine insect-face secret characters of varying sizes.

Boom! A thick aura of blood and energy emanated from this person. Although it was not yet fully formed, it made the disciples nearby feel a heat.

This sign of blood and qi overflowing has caught the attention of many people.

Fang Shu also squinted and sized up the other person.

Shi Hou's tribulation today is practically a sure thing!

The disciples began whispering amongst themselves again, watching the basin with great interest. Even the headmaster's slightly furrowed brows relaxed.

It seems that not everyone in the hall will fail today.

Her eyes shone brightly as she watched the incense dance at the Seven Fragrance Pavilion.

Seeing this, Senior Sister Yu'er chimed in with a teasing tone, "What's wrong? Do you members of the merchant guild think that this piece of jade in our shop is too old?"

Xiang Xingwu excitedly began:
"Although Brother Shi is over twenty years old, he is resolute. After entering the Dao, with the support of my Seven Fragrance Pavilion, he will surely rise to prominence in the future, and may even be able to join a sect!"

She said happily, "This kind of unpolished jade is considered a stone by others, but I consider it jade. How could I possibly dislike it?"

Upon hearing this, Senior Sister Yu'er slightly removed the scrutinizing look in her eyes and instead looked at the scorpion pit with a leisurely air.

Just then, in just a few words...

The snakes and insects in the pit of scorpions also went berserk, no longer afraid of the thick stone, and pounced on it, biting with their feet or hands, spitting out large amounts of venom.

But the venom did not frighten Shi Hou; instead, it made his blood and qi surge even more. As if no one else was around, he practiced his martial arts and circulated his qi and blood in the scorpion pit.

Its voice was like a shout, its movements like those of a lion or tiger, and its momentum was fierce.

In the blink of an eye, a hundred breaths had passed.

Suddenly, the sound of drums resounded in everyone's ears.

Everyone, including Fang Shu, stared intently at Shi Hou, a testament to his vibrant energy and pounding heart.

The next moment, this child will break through the barrier and enter the Dao, control his Qi and blood, release it as smoke, and advance to become a first-stage refinement immortal!
The owner of the private residence nodded slightly.

But that's it.

Shi Hou suddenly opened his eyes. Instead of breaking through to the Dao in one go, he scooped up the venomous blood of the bats in the scorpion basin and was about to pour it into his mouth.

This act of voluntarily drinking blood startled the disciples around him.

When Senior Sister Yu'er and the Pavilion Master saw this, their faces showed surprise and doubt.

Senior Sister Yu'er urgently called out, "Stop! Shi Hou!"

*Smack!*

Just as Shi Hou was about to drink the blood, the Du Guanzhu opened his mouth and spat out a jujube pit.

The date pit hit Shi Hou's wrist, causing his arm to go limp and fall down, preventing him from eating it.

The owner of the private club shouted sternly:
"Shi Hou! Let me remind you, when it comes to breaking through the barrier, it is best to proceed with caution and not to be rash."

The disciples were stunned and confused when the academy master suddenly interfered with Shi Hou's tribulation.

Fang Shu, upon seeing this, raised an eyebrow, understanding what was going on.

Shi Hou, surprisingly, shared the same idea as Fang Shu: to squeeze out as much of his potential as possible during the Tribulation of the Scorpion Basin and strive for a better future.

Moreover, Shi Hou was even more aggressive and reckless than Fang Shu had imagined. His first move was to drink poisoned blood into his internal organs!
To be honest, Fang Shu had never even considered this point.

After all, before becoming an immortal, one's qi and blood are not yet under control, and the internal organs are extremely fragile. Moreover, both insect cultivation and lead cultivation are from the outside in, mainly training muscles and tendons, and do not involve too many internal organs.

Once one cannot withstand the corrosive effects of the poisonous blood, their fate is uncertain.

Inside the scorpion pit, Shi Hou heard the words of the master of the pavilion. He stared at his aching right hand, a look of hesitation on his face.

But at that moment, the woman from Qixianglou suddenly spoke up: "Brother Shi, when breaking through to the Tribulation, one should also avoid having an unsettled mind."

After saying this, she retreated behind the owner of the private residence.

Upon hearing this, Shi Hou's face immediately showed a resolute expression.

He faced the owner of the building, placed one hand on his chest, bowed deeply, and said in a deep voice:

"Reporting to my master, I come from a poor family and have wasted several years. If I do not obtain a superior bloodline to help me catch up during this tribulation, how can I possibly have the opportunity to join a celestial sect again!"

I hope my mentor will guide me.

Upon hearing this, the owner of the brothel coldly glanced in the direction where the woman from the Seven Fragrances Pavilion was standing.

But the man remained expressionless and did not try to stop them again, merely saying calmly:
"I have already told you what I needed to tell you. You can decide for yourself."

After saying that, the owner of the pavilion drooped his eyelids, unwilling to look any further.

Yu'er, standing to the side, remained moved.

She looked at the owner of the private residence beside her, who had already closed his eyes. Hesitant to speak, she ultimately chose to step back and stop interfering.

After she left, she ignored Xiang Xingwu from the Seven Fragrance Pavilion beside her.

Only Xiang Xingwu, at this moment, had her eyes fixed on Shi Hou, her face showing the same excitement and anticipation as Shi Hou.

She gritted her teeth and tried her best to encourage Shi Hou with her eyes.

Shi Hou nodded slightly to her, then used his intact left hand to scoop up the poisonous blood from the scorpion basin, tilted his head back, and drank it down.

Zizi!

Immediately, a corrosive sound came from Shi Hou's mouth and throat, and in everyone's eyes, his face was contorted with rage and pain.

Not content with that, he grabbed the snakes and insects from the scorpion pit and began tearing at them with large bites.

They drink poisonous blood and eat poisonous insects.

This is the person's act of transcending tribulation.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the person's vital energy was stimulated to its extreme, condensing into lush, verdant smoke.

His body surface was a dark reddish-black color, shiny and oily, and had swelled up several inches.

This imposing presence astonished many, who marveled at it.
"What a great physique! You can do it!"

The incense dance was deeply moved; her body trembled with excitement, her face filled with anticipation.

Just when everyone thought that Shi Hou was about to condense his blood into smoke and successfully pass the test,

Pfft!

The young man's expression changed drastically. He suppressed his anger for a few breaths, but a mouthful of black, poisonous blood suddenly spurted from his mouth and fell outside the pit of scorpions.

After the poisonous blood fell, it corroded the black stone slabs of the training hall, leaving streaks.

Fortunately, some disciples who had undergone tribulation had crawled out carrying snakes and insects, which frightened the crowd around the scorpion pit, causing them to retreat considerably. Otherwise, Shi Hou's mouthful of poisonous blood might have ended up on someone else.

For a moment, the training hall was silent, then a commotion erupted.

Many people sighed with regret.

The spitting out of blood clearly proved that Shi Hou could not withstand the poisonous blood and had lost his vital energy.

Xiang Xingwu stared wide-eyed, her face filled with astonishment as she stared intently at Shi Hou.

The woman seemed to still hold onto hope, expecting Shi Hou to be able to hold on.

Shi Hou sat firmly in the pit of scorpions, his thick body tense for three or four breaths, and then black blood slowly flowed from his seven orifices.

He stared blankly at the lone master in the hall, his voice dry as he uttered, "Tribulation, tribulation..."

The owner of the private residence sat with his eyes down, not moving an inch.

*Smack!*

Shi Hou's body crashed down and fell into the pit of scorpions, stirring up a spray of poisonous blood.

Everyone stared blankly, and Xiang Xingwu was even more stunned.

The owner of the pavilion was still incredibly agile. Without even opening her eyes, she had already gotten up and swiftly pulled the man out of the pit of scorpions, placing him on a stone slab to prevent more poisonous blood from entering Shi Hou's mouth.

After being pulled out, Shi Hou lay on his side on the ground, his iron-like body curled up like a shrimp, his skin a dark reddish-white.

"Giggle..." The person's mouth trembled and his whole body convulsed, as if he were reciting two words.

Fang Shu knew that what the other party was reciting was still the word "tribulation".

This scene made him sigh inwardly, unsure of what to say.

This pitiful scene also caught the attention of others, causing the training hall to fall silent once more, with only the sound of breathing audible.

Even the disciples in the academy who had previously mocked and ridiculed Shi Hou remained silent, their faces showing reluctance.

Xiang Xingwu's face showed utter disappointment, and her eyes seemed to be filled with tears.

in silence.

The owner of the independent hall was disheartened. She waved her hand and called to the other disciples, "Carry it down too. Remember to have Master Leech call Master Ant to help, and do your best to assist."

This statement definitively sealed the other party's defeat and future.

Then, the owner of the pavilion, her body hunched over, silently turned around, intending to lift the stone carving and close the scorpion pit.

Shi Hou, lying on the ground, heard the voices. His face twisted with resentment as he tried to look at the master of the hall, but he was immediately lifted onto the door by two disciples and rushed towards the medicine hall.

Just before leaving, in Shi Hou's unwilling and blurry peripheral vision, someone suddenly stepped out and appeared in front of the scorpion pit, facing the lone owner who had his back turned.

Shi Hou could no longer see the person's figure clearly; he only heard, from afar, the person's clear voice pleading:
"This disciple presumptuously requests that Master grant me the tribulation of being afflicted by scorpions."

　Don't rush, don't rush. Friends, please vote with your monthly tickets! If we break into the top ten of the new book chart, Bugu will add another chapter on the 12th! The gap isn't that big, just two places apart.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)