A week passed with both Kieran and Baixue in seclusion, refining the energy exchanged during their dual cultivation. The profound energies swirled within their bodies, accelerating their cultivation at a pace that defied reason.
In his secluded courtyard on the back mountain of the Long Clan, Kieran sat cross-legged beneath the shade of a peach tree. The air around him felt charged with chi, as if every breath he took deepened his connection to the world. His eyes were half-closed in concentration, allowing the flow of energy to course through him like a gentle river.
His spiritual roots were now fully healed, thanks to the combined power of the Yang energy from the Phoenix Tear fruit and the Yin essence from Baixue. Within just seven days, he had reached the peak of the Neophyte Realm, an achievement that, for most cultivators, would take a few years of arduous training.
As Kieran meditated, more memories ingrained within his bloodline began to resurface. Alchemy, martial arts, cultivation techniques—knowledge that had been sealed away for centuries, now pouring into his mind like a river breaking free from a dam. He could feel his soul growing stronger with each passing moment, and his connection to his divine dragon bloodline deepened.
Sindra, ever at his side, watched his expression change as the memories flooded him. "Master," she said with a sly smile, "I see you're getting more and more from your divine dragon bloodline."
"It's like there's an endless well of knowledge in my mind. I'm trying to keep up with it all." Kieran muttered.
Sindra chuckled. "That's because you're finally waking up to it. Your soul is growing stronger, and soon you'll be able to absorb and understand even more of the knowledge."
Kieran's eyes flickered with interest. "Zenith Flow?"
"A Divine-grade fighting technique that allows you to become proficient with any weapon, any fighting style." Kieran was shocked. The best martial techniques available in his clan were of the Heaven Grade, and yet he obtained a Divine level technique just like that.
He couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. With the Zenith Flow, he'd become a versatile fighter—able to adapt to any situation. His confidence grew, but it was tempered by the growing awareness that his journey was only just beginning.
As he delved deeper into his meditation, he got more insights into the Divine Dragon Sutra, he began to understand how it had been refining his body and soul all along. It was not just an energy cultivation technique—it was a path that would guide him to unlock his full potential and become a complete cultivator.
Meanwhile, in the Frozen Lotus Palace's courtyard, Baixue sat cross-legged in the center of a pristine cultivation chamber, her delicate features drawn in concentration. The Yang essence within her body had been accelerating her cultivation at a staggering rate. Within just seven days, she had advanced four minor realms, and now, she felt the barrier to the master realm rabidly breaking as she experienced the inevitable pull toward a breakthrough.
The breakthrough, however, came too soon for her comfort. Baixue had planned to reach the peak of the Kardia Realm, expecting to be met with a bottleneck that would take her time to break through. But now, her body felt as though it were being pulled into the void, signaling her ascent to the Master Realm even though she tried her best to suppress it.
A sense of panic welled up inside her. I wasn't prepared for this, she thought, her heart racing. The last thing she wanted was to face tribulation without proper preparation.
But fate, it seemed, had other plans.
The sky above the Long clan darkened as tribulation clouds began to form, blocking the rays of the early morning sun, swirling with an ominous intensity. The disciples and elders of the Frozen Lotus Palace gathered in their courtyard, and members of the long clan stepped out of their houses, all staring up in awe and disbelief.
"She's breaking through to the Master Realm?" one of them murmured. "But she was just at the middle level of the Kardia Realm!"
"Impossible," another whispered. "How could she advance so quickly?"
Yet, amid the whispers of awe, there were murmurs of envy. Some sneered at the notion of Kieran being worthy of someone as talented as Baixue.
Baixue's face remained calm, though inwardly, she was filled with a mixture of anxiety and resolve. She had to face this tribulation alone. There was no time to prepare, no time to hesitate. Even her elder could not interfere in her tribulation, interfering meant death by heavenly tribulation, so they could only watch as she rushed out of the courtyard.
I must face this head-on, she thought, flying to a secluded area near the back mountain to confront her trial.
As the first bolt of tribulation lightning descended from the heavens, Baixue gritted her teeth and steeled herself. To her surprise, her body endured the blow without shattering, and the pain, though intense, was manageable. She could feel the miniature dragon around her navel, the divine symbol of her union with Kieran, swimming through her body, channeling the lightning's energy into her core.
The miniature version of the sphere in her chest rotated, absorbing the energy from the lightning as well, nourishing her body and soul. Baixue endured the storm—nine bolts in total—each one tempering her mind and body, making her stronger while purging impurities in her body.
Baixue opened her eyes, feeling an overwhelming surge of power within her. She had successfully ascended to the Master Realm. Everything about her had been greatly enhanced, from her beauty to her strength. She even vaguely felt that her spiritual roots had been improved.
Her aura, potent and radiant, spread across most of Yidu, signaling the culmination of her breakthrough. It was a momentous event—one that would be felt by all who were sensitive to spiritual fluctuations. But Baixue, despite her success, could only think of one thing.
Kieran
She realized that she only succeeded because of the dragon tattoo around her navel and the sphere that suddenly appeared in her chest, both of which she was sure came from Kieran. Baixue blushed slightly as she remembered how those two things were obtained.
I should talk tohim. Baixue rushed back to her room to freshen up, looking forward to seeing Kieran's handsome face again.
Back in his courtyard, Kieran's spiritual senses tingled. The sphere within his chest reacted, and his divine consciousness entered it once more. He found that tribulation energy was flowing in from somewhere; it was then that he realized that the tribulation he just witnessed was Baixue's.
The Phoenix fruit trees in the sphere began to grow rapidly. Leaves unfurled, branches stretched out, and tiny fruit began to form on the trees.
Kieran smiled to himself, feeling the excitement rise within him. I am rich. He thought to himself.
As the tribulation clouds dispersed and calm returned to the Long Clan, a figure approached the main gates. She moved with a grace that seemed otherworldly, her emerald-green robes flowing like water, accentuating her breathtaking curves. Her beauty was striking, delicate yet commanding, her long dark hair cascading down her back, framing her ethereal features. Her eyes, green, dark, and unreadable—shone with an intense light, restrained yet unmistakable in their charm.
The guards stationed at the entrance stiffened at her approach, their instincts telling them this was no ordinary visitor.
"Who... Who are you?" one of them asked cautiously.
The woman's lips curved into a small, serene smile. "I am here to see Young Master Kieran," she said, her voice calm and composed.