The Long Journey to Immortality

The boast, which was nine parts true and one part false, made Han Lu's two disciples, who were already at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, light up.

Qiu Peng, in particular, who felt that his strength was insufficient and that he only had a slight talent in cultivation, regarded this set of array flags as a great hope and help for him to successfully overcome his tribulation in the future.

When Han Lu mentioned and removed the Xiaoyao Umbrella, Nian Haoge, who knew about his father's experience during his tribulation, couldn't help but feel his face darken.

Han Lu noticed this, so she didn't waste words on this magical artifact of considerable origin, only mentioning it briefly.

In particular, she didn't reveal a single word about the fact that the treasure still had flaws that caused several sect elders to fail their tribulations.

Although Nian Haoge's birth into this world is absolutely related to Elder Haoge's failure to transcend his tribulation, Han Lu is certain that her disciple will not be happy after learning the truth.

Having introduced so much, Han Lu not only gained a more comprehensive understanding of the upcoming Heavenly Tribulation herself, but she also believed that all the disciples present must have a basic understanding of this "Heavenly Tribulation" that tests the strength of cultivators.

During the open Q&A session, the person who spoke the most was not Nian Haoge or Qiu Peng, both Golden Core cultivators, but Lü Feiyan, who was about to successfully advance to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage under Han Lu's guidance and return to her parents' side to continue her cultivation.

A total of seven questions were raised by Lü Feiyan.

The questions weren't particularly difficult or tricky, but they all hit the nail on the head.

Han Lu answered all the questions and guessed why Lü Feiyan was so proactive in this matter.

"It's probably for Yi Qiyan," Han Lu guessed. "Yi Qiyan's talent surpasses Lü Zhi's by a large margin, and there's at least a 50% chance that she can advance to the Nascent Soul Realm."

"Finding out and clarifying these matters is probably a small gift that Feiyan is preparing for her mother as she prepares to return home."

In addition, Han Lu attributed Lü Feiyan's enthusiasm to the fact that she was about to meet her parents.

During the more than thirty years that Lü Feiyan practiced under Han Lu's tutelage, she only saw her parents for two years.

This time, as Han Lu undergoes her tribulation, Lü Feiyan's parents will naturally come to support her.

Although Lü Feiyan is nearly fifty years old and has not seen her parents for a long time, it is normal for her to be a little excited, as she misses her parents.

The youngest disciple sitting on the ark, accompanying his grandmaster and master on their journeys to see the world, was at least twenty years old.

At this age, although there is still some immaturity, they understand to some extent what to say and when to say it.

No one was so tactless as to ask questions about failing to transcend the tribulation.

The atmosphere on the ark was harmonious. Han Lu led her disciples through the air for a short period of one and a half days before arriving at the small island she had chosen for her tribulation.

“Let’s each build our own caves and settle down for now,” Han Lu said to Qiu Peng and Nian Haoge. “Come with me and help me set up the array.”

In unison, Nian Haoge and Qiu Peng replied, "Yes."

Thus, under Han Lu's leadership, the three Golden Core cultivators arrived at the best place for their tribulation, which Han Lu had privately divined, and began a series of preparations for their tribulation.

Because Han Lu had scouted the area several months ago and destroyed three feng shui talismans on the island, the island was already in a state of low spiritual energy even before the extreme spiritual climate arrived.

The tribulation site chosen by Han Lu was located on a lake island in the middle of the island, which was the place with the sparsest spiritual energy on the island at this moment, especially the sparsest earth-attribute spiritual energy.

The island wasn't large, only about the size of Han Lu's family mansion, but it was large enough to serve as a place for her tribulation and to carry out various arrangements.

It took the three of them a full half hour to get everything set up. After it was finished, Han Lu spent another fifteen minutes checking and testing it to ensure that everything was perfect.

After completing all this, Han Lu moved into the cave dwelling that her disciples and grand-disciples had given her, and went into seclusion to cultivate in peace.

After Han Lu and her group stayed on the island for a day, several cultivators from the East Sea were also invited to come to the island.

Besides Yi Qiyan and Lü Zhi, the Bitter Tea Hermit and two other Golden Core cultivators from the Immortal Pavilion were also in this group of five.

After that, the cultivators from the Zhengyi Sect arrived one after another.

Han Lu's parents, Feng You and Feng Rubing, and her younger brother, Feng Hong, arrived at the island the day before their tribulation, together with Xianyu Ji, the leader of the Zhengyi Sect.

After the guests arrived, they all socialized with each other. Even Han Lu's parents and younger brother did not go to disturb Han Lu, who was about to undergo her tribulation.

Although it wasn't a "funeral for a head of state," Han Lu's tribulation ceremony coincidentally became a social occasion for the leaders of Zhengyi Sect, Donghai, and Sanfenglin.

The last cultivator to arrive at the island was Xuanfeng Daoist, who cultivated in Xuanyang Valley of the Northern Dynasty.

Mo Zhehan was unable to arrive until Han Lu emerged from her meditative state and prepared for her tribulation.

Han Lu sat cross-legged in the temporary cave, her eyes slightly narrowed, thinking to herself, "It's time."

Chapter 1177

As she slowly emerged from the cave, the onlookers, knowing that Han Lu planned to undergo her tribulation at sunset, had already each ridden a lucky cloud and were flying in the air, waiting quietly.

At this moment, Han Lu did not feel any different from usual.

With my eyes closed, the sunlight streaming through my eyelids became even more stimulating, dazzling, and captivating.

This gave Han Lu, who had planned to open her eyes at this moment, an urge to begin her tribulation ahead of schedule.

Similar temptations appeared countless times during the short 162 years of cultivation she "experienced" as Han Lu.

This time, Han Lu was no exception. She restrained her impulse very well and chose to continue according to her plan and the rituals and etiquette for the tribulation.

According to the rules, before undergoing tribulation, the cultivator undergoing the tribulation must give a speech in front of all the invited cultivators who have come to witness the ceremony.

Reflecting on his spiritual journey, envisioning the future, and leaving behind a few words that he believed to be full of philosophical insights.

And at the end, he left a few last words to avoid any regrets.

Although Han Lu was confident that she could overcome the tribulation, she did not want to leave any flaws, so she still followed the rules of tribulation for cultivators in the Central Plains and performed the proper etiquette.

Thank you all for coming to this place.

"Today, I, True Phoenix Fairy Han Lu, will once again undergo the Nascent Soul Tribulation."

"To this day, I have cultivated for a full 146 years," Han Lu said, making a simple addition and subtraction, and told a half-truth and half-lie, "Although I have made great contributions, I have also done some work for myself, my friends, my sect, and the mortals of the Central Plains, and accumulated some good karma."

The speech given before undergoing the tribulation emphasized the word "humility".

Even if you don't boast about the great things you've done, your invited friends will know everything, so there's no need to brag about it at this time.

Following that, Han Lu recalled the details of her spiritual journey.

Joining the Zhengyi Sect, meeting Wen Erya, becoming a disciple of Xiaoyaozi, befriending the deceased Yi Qiyan, participating in and winning the first Grand Competition, unintentionally saving his stepmother Feng Rubing in the Northern Dynasty Yanzhao, and having a chance encounter with his great-uncle Qiu Peng in the ancient cultivation secret realm...

He talked on and on for about fifteen minutes.

Some of the information contained private details that had never been disclosed to outsiders, which greatly intrigued most of the guests present.

In particular, the two grand-disciples who already held Han Lu in high esteem secretly marveled at how their grandmaster had experienced so many interesting things in less than two hundred years.

"My success today, as a Golden Core cultivator who has reached the stage of tribulation, is largely due to the upbringing of my parents, the cultivation of my sect, the instruction of my master, and the help of my friends."

"I have no way to repay this kindness. I only hope that you can all witness my successful passage through the tribulation and share my joy and happiness."

"If one could gain some insight into the Dao of Heaven or some experience in transcending tribulations from it, that would be the best outcome."

Having finished her remarks, Han Lu now had time to write her will.

"Although I believe I have great magical power and am blessed with good karma, this heavenly tribulation should not be able to harm me," Han Lu said with a strong voice, "but there is still a possibility that something unexpected might happen."

"If..." Han Lu paused, looking at her parents and younger brother not far away, "I am unfortunately buried under the mighty power of heaven, then please help me build three cenotaphs."

"One is in the wilderness, one is in the Han family of the Northern Dynasty, and one is in the Zhengyi Gate."

"And the two disciples who are still cultivating with me," Han Lu said, looking at Kong Du and Lü Feiyan, "I would like to ask Senior Sister Wen to help guide and take care of them."

"Finally, I wish all the guests present who have not yet reached the Nascent Soul Realm will be able to challenge the Heavenly Tribulation as I am today, and take the most crucial step as a cultivator."

After speaking, Han Lu bowed respectfully, calmed herself down, and slowly flew towards the already fully decorated island in the middle of the lake.

The guests reacted in various ways as they watched Han Lu's retreating figure.

Han Lu's parents, Feng You and Feng Rubing, remained remarkably calm, while Feng Hong closed his eyes and muttered prayers softly for his sister.

Wen Erya, Yi Qiyan, Lü Zhi, and Xiao Ran were slightly nervous, especially the three others besides Lü Zhi who were expected to advance to the Nascent Soul Realm.

However, they were not worried about Han Lu's tribulation, but rather about the impending heavenly tribulation.

Back when he was still a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Wen Erya's feelings during the ceremony were completely different from now.

The other guests had different expressions and thoughts. Apart from a very few pessimists, almost all the cultivators still firmly believed that Han Lu could overcome the tribulation and put on a perfect ending today.

Flying through the air, Han Lu arrived at the center of the island in the lake and sat cross-legged on the throne that had already been placed in the center of the array flags and array.

This throne was also a throne that Han Lu specially found.

Although it is only of magical artifact quality, it has a special feature: it can store spiritual energy and help cultivators replenish their spiritual energy very quickly in a short period of time.

This throne can only be used during breaks in arena battles to help cultivators heal injuries and replenish spiritual energy.

However, Han Lu discovered the merits of this type of Dharma seat and regarded it as a good helper for restoring spiritual power during the intervals between lightning tribulations.

As long as the throne, protected by the formation, remains intact after the lightning tribulations, Han Lu will sit on it again and use this magic treasure to restore her spiritual power as a backup plan.

Sitting cross-legged in silence, Han Lu waited for the last moments to pass.

A quarter of an hour later, a rare phenomenon of spiritual energy scarcity occurred. The spiritual energy throughout the entire island seemed to have been swallowed up by an invisible cultivator, with most of it disappearing.

In this way, although it will make it difficult for Han Lu to recover her spiritual power through the surrounding environment when she undergoes tribulation, it will also prevent the tribulation clouds born here from absorbing too much spiritual power and gathering a powerful heavenly tribulation.

The process of going in and out is more beneficial for cultivators undergoing tribulation.

With a silent "good" in her heart, Han Lu didn't dawdle. She gently patted the storage bag at her waist and summoned a porcelain bottle.

The porcelain bottle contained three pills, all of which Han Lu had specifically sought out or commissioned to prepare in order to overcome her tribulation.

One for quickly restoring spiritual power.

One is used to enhance one's inner energy and strengthen protection.

Both of these are commonly used pills for cultivators undergoing tribulations; they have similar effects but different functions.

The third pill is a pill that enhances one's aura.

This is the elixir that Han Lu chose to take because she felt she had accumulated a lot of good karma.

The purpose is to make the heavenly tribulation see clearly who it intends to strike, so that it can weigh its options, think things through, and then decide what kind of heavenly tribulation to unleash.

After completing these preparations, Han Lu slowly stood up, made hand seals to activate the array flags around her, and cast the "Thunder Subduing Array".

"It's time to open my eyes." With a soft murmur, Han Lu decided to trigger the tribulation lightning.

Chapter 1178

No book teaches cultivators what stage of cultivation is required to fully awaken the Golden Core and reach the Great Perfection of the late Golden Core stage.

No cultivation book explains to cultivators how to trigger the tribulation lightning.