Advancement to Rank 69

Yunqing noticed, and so did Feiling. Neither of them had expected that this turn of events would not only cause her, as a mortal, to recall her past and restore her immortal form, but would also set her on the path to transcend the tribulation. With the Soul Lantern in hand, Yunqing gazed at the increasingly turbulent thunderclouds, while Feiling grew anxious.

This upheaval was all due to Yizi Han’s so-called junior sister; its impact reached not only the Heavenly Realm and the Saro Realm, but even the mortal world was affected. Feiling did not know the identity or abilities of this person, but anyone capable of causing such widespread harm could not be simple. Would it be safe for Yunqing to undergo her tribulation under such circumstances?

Before Feiling could finish his thoughts, the first bolt of heavenly thunder struck.

Yunqing kept her head raised, unfazed by this initial, weakest thunderbolt. Yet, before it had fully dissipated, the second bolt followed closely… then the third, the fourth… Twelve bolts in total. Yunqing’s hand holding the Soul Lantern turned pale, her cheeks losing color. Yet even after twelve strikes, the thunderclouds above showed no sign of dispersing.

The royal palace of the Cloud Kingdom had already suffered multiple collapses due to the thunder. Yunqing glanced downward, then leapt toward a distant, deserted area. Feiling hurried after her.

Yunqing finally landed in a secluded mountain valley, and upon looking up, found the thunderclouds had followed. Before she could steady herself, another round began. After three more strikes, blood traced her lips. Feiling tried to approach, but she raised her hand and conjured a barrier, pushing the Soul Lantern to its utmost brilliance. When the azure glow filled the barrier, Yunqing’s complexion improved slightly.

The fourth thunderbolt paused at the barrier’s edge, then pierced through and struck her. With the protection of the Soul Lantern, though this round was much fiercer than the last, Yunqing felt she could bear it. Another round passed, and the rest period between strikes grew even shorter.

After three rounds—thirty-six thunderbolts—Yunqing could no longer hold herself upright and was reduced to a half-kneeling posture. This body had always been mortal; it had slumbered for two years. Though she had restored her immortal form and powers as the Five-Leaf Heavenly Lord, the fusion was incomplete, making her tribulation far less smooth than before. For reasons unknown, this time the thunder was relentless, one bolt after another, granting her barely a moment to breathe. Whenever she tried to cast her defensive spells, the thunder would shatter her fragile barriers without mercy.

The Soul Lantern slipped from her grasp; Yunqing’s hands pressed to the earth, unable to count how many bolts she had endured. Occasionally, she looked up: Feiling, isolated outside her barrier, watched her with furrowed brow, his gaze betraying worry. She couldn’t help but scoff—he was concerned for her? What a cosmic joke! Yunqing forced herself to sit, but before long, the protective barrier shattered with a sharp crack, and the lantern's light went out…

She had nothing left to shield her. She tried to form a spell, but lacked the strength. The next thunderbolt was stronger than any before; clutching her chest, she collapsed, the pain so intense she wished she could tear out her still-beating heart. Scorching blood gushed forth, her whole body trembling.

She had failed to die by immersing herself in the Soul Lantern’s light, yet now, just after awakening, was about to be struck down by heaven’s thunder. Yunqing laughed aloud—was her hope for vengeance truly gone? Her father, her sister Bili, all her companions and subjects—were they to die in vain because of her mistakes? She refused, unwilling, pressing her hand to the ground, but before she could rise, another bolt struck.

Devoid of strength to resist, wracked with pain, Yunqing hugged herself and closed her eyes. If fate ordained so, how much longer could she struggle? The salty taste in her mouth made her retch, but she gritted her teeth and swallowed all the blood. Even if she could not escape the tribulation, she would not show a trace of weakness—not in front of Feiling.

After a long while with no new thunder, Yunqing could not help but open her eyes.

The thunderclouds above had dispersed, the once raging black clouds had vanished. All was calm again, and a rainbow of seven colors arched across the sky. Next, a golden phoenix soared through the heavens, heralding auspicious omens. Its cry pierced the sky, flying straight toward the Ninth Heaven.

Yunqing was stunned. In this age when divine beasts were extinct and monsters gone, the flight of the golden phoenix signified a god ascending in rank.

Had she advanced directly from Five-Leaf Heavenly Lord to Seven-Leaf Divine Lord? Yunqing could hardly believe it; though pain lingered, the surge of power within her was undeniable. If only she could move enough to smile, she would burst out laughing. Heaven had not treated her unkindly, granting her another chance.

But at that moment, an unfamiliar aura swept in abruptly. Before she could see the newcomer’s face, he snatched the Soul Lantern from her side. Yunqing tried to rise, only to lose consciousness completely.

Feiling immediately gave chase, striking out through the air. The man dodged, spinning as he landed a blow on Feiling’s shoulder. Feiling fell unsteadily, blood trickling from his lips. He summoned his sword, but was intercepted midway by Yizi Han.

“Ninth Brother, let him borrow the Soul Lantern.”

Feiling was bewildered, and then a deep, distant voice sounded from the horizon: “The Soul Lantern will be borrowed for a hundred years; it shall be returned thereafter.”

Feiling lowered his sword and frowned at Yizi Han. “Is he with your so-called junior sister?”

Yizi Han nodded slightly.

“She needs the Soul Lantern, but doesn’t Yunqing need it as well? She’s just ascended to Divine Lord and needs to stabilize her powers. Taking her treasure—what is that supposed to mean?” Feiling’s tone grew cold, his words tinged with reproach.

Yizi Han’s expression cooled as well. “If not for her, do you think Yunqing would have had this chance to ascend? Of course, I forgot—without her, your Yunqing wouldn’t have regained her memory and immortal form so soon. You have reason to blame. But let me remind you: it’s not just you alone; even if the three of us joined forces, we might not be his match. That’s all I’ll say.”

Yizi Han turned to leave.

Feiling snorted coldly. “If he’s so powerful, why has no one in the Three Realms ever heard of him? And your mysterious junior sister as well—seeing your and Qingning’s reactions, I almost believe she’s a deity incarnate.”

“A deity… Even I don’t know what she truly is now. As for that man, let me say this: not everyone pursues fame and status in this world. If you wish to challenge him, perhaps return and cultivate for another thousand years. Take good care of Yunqing; Qingning and I will leave for now. Do not seek us for anything further. Baiye remains behind, as a token of thanks for lending the Soul Lantern.”

Yizi Han leapt away, transforming into a streak of blue light that vanished before Feiling’s eyes.

When Yunqing awoke, she found herself in a strange room—judging by the furnishings, likely an inn. As she struggled to sit up, the door swung open, and Feiling entered.

“I’ve already explained your whereabouts to the Cloud Kingdom’s palace. The emperor and empress need not worry anymore.”

Yunqing ignored him, suddenly recalling the loss of the Soul Lantern and attempting to sense its location. A chill crept through her heart. Previously, even when Feiling took the lantern, she could sense it the moment her divine consciousness returned. Now, she felt nothing—the bond formed since she first obtained the Soul Lantern had been severed completely. Even if it were returned, it would not recognize her as before—perhaps not at all…

She remembered her father once said that once the link between owner and artifact was established, it would endure unless the owner died. Yet she was alive, and the bond was still cut—what could this mean? The joy of ascension faded; a Divine Lord without a treasure, no matter how powerful her spells, would always lack something essential.

Perhaps guessing her thoughts, Feiling said, “The one who took the Soul Lantern promised to return it in a hundred years.”

“I believe he will.” Someone so powerful surely had no interest in an artifact yet to become a true divine weapon—he sought only its properties. What she pondered was what she could accomplish in that century.

“If you wish to reclaim it sooner, I can help you.”

Yunqing sneered as she rose. “Since when is Your Highness so eager to help others? Let me be frank: the bond between the Soul Lantern and me is broken. Unless it is returned, I cannot locate it at all. If Your Highness has the means to retrieve it, Yunqing will be deeply grateful.”

Without another glance at Feiling, Yunqing strode out of the room and left the inn. The Soul Lantern was lost, her body had not fully recovered, and though she had ascended to Divine Lord, she had never intended to reside in the Heavenly Realm. Thus, she decided to remain among mortals for the time being.