Chapter 184: Parting Ways
Just as the Extreme Void Saint Emperor was pouring every ounce of focus into weathering his Ascension Lightning Tribulation —
The number of tribulations in the vicinity suddenly surged.
One. Two. Three.
Eight Lightning Tribulations.
"Good heavens — eight people undergoing tribulation at once? Has this ever happened before?"
The Extreme Void Saint Emperor was so stunned that he lost focus for an instant and took a direct hit from his tribulation lightning.
Fortunately, the damage was minor.
Including the Extreme Void Saint Emperor himself, that made a total of nine ascending at once.
A spectacle of this magnitude sent shockwaves through every powerful cultivator on the Tiansheng Continent.
At that moment, outside Chengtian Mountain.
Feng Qingyu arrived at the edge of the Lightning Tribulations in a sorry state, stumbling and staggering.
One glance, and she spotted Lu Xiaoyao and Lu Qingyun.
Watching the two of them beneath their tribulation lightning, tears streamed down Feng Qingyu's face.
"Xiaoyao, Qingyun — I'm your mother! Please, don't leave me behind. Take me to the Immortal Realm with you!"
The cultivators gathered to spectate the mass ascension all turned at the sound of Feng Qingyu's voice, but after hearing what she said, they quickly backed away.
"Where did this crazy woman come from, claiming to be the mother of those ascending powerhouses?"
"No kidding. Obviously just trying to latch on."
"Let's get out of here before we get caught in the crossfire."
Feng Qingyu's words naturally reached Lu Xiaoyao and Lu Qingyun.
But they stirred not a ripple of emotion in either of them.
Before long, the group vanished into the Lightning Tribulation and departed for the Immortal Realm.
Feng Qingyu stood alone atop Chengtian Mountain, her heart churning with remorse. If only she had known her children's talent would be this extraordinary, she would never have left them.
But regret was useless now.
"No — I have to train harder and ascend to the Immortal Realm as soon as possible. I'll return to their side."
As though she had made up her mind, a flash of determination ignited in Feng Qingyu's eyes.
With her Saint-Grade Spiritual Root, cultivating to ascension was far from impossible.
She would train with everything she had, ascend as quickly as she could, and find Lu Xiaoyao and the others. She would give them the motherly love they had missed.
With that resolve, Feng Qingyu set off to find a quiet place to enter Seclusion and break through to the Saint Monarch Realm.
Meanwhile, atop Chengtian Mountain.
Lu Xunxian gazed in the direction of the Qingfeng Sacred Land and murmured.
"Blame yourselves for provoking me."
With a single thought, the entire Qingfeng Sacred Land was obliterated in an instant.
Having settled that, Lu Xunxian willed himself to the First Heaven.
Elsewhere.
Within Bone Demon Mountain.
As the Lightning Tribulation gradually dispersed, the Bone Demon Immortal Monarch threw his head back and howled in triumph.
"Hahaha! I've done it! I've done it!"
"Congratulations to our master on breaking through to the Immortal Monarch Realm!"
Tuntian and Shidi appeared before the Bone Demon Immortal Monarch, their eyes blazing with fervor.
They were the Bone Demon Immortal Monarch's servants. The stronger he became, the more it benefited them.
"Rise. Follow this Monarch to the Tiansheng Continent — for revenge!"
The Bone Demon Immortal Monarch glared toward the First Heaven, fury etched across his face.
He had not forgotten the one who killed the Heavenly Demon Saint Emperor.
His enemy had to die.
In the next instant, the Bone Demon Immortal Monarch rocketed skyward and headed for the First Heaven.
The Ascension Node.
After ascending, Chen Wangu and Xu Ruoshan took in their surroundings with wide-eyed wonder.
Neither had ever set foot in the Immortal Realm before, so their curiosity was boundless.
Lu Xunxian, far more composed, turned to Ye Wushuang and Gu Feng.
"You two — take Xiaoyao and Qingyun back to your respective sects."
Neither Ye Wushuang nor Gu Feng had any objections.
Lu Xiaoyao and Lu Qingyun, however, looked puzzled.
"Father, is there something you need to do?"
"Mm. I need to visit the Vermilion Bird Clan Territory first and help them resolve a problem."
Lu Xunxian saw no reason to hide it.
But since he didn't know what awaited him in the Vermilion Bird Clan Territory, it was best not to bring his children along.
Lu Xiaoyao and Lu Qingyun didn't insist on tagging along, though they did offer a word of concern.
"Be careful, Father."
"I will."
Lu Xunxian gave them a reassuring smile.
Just then, Luo Qianxue spoke up.
"Master, I'm coming with you."
Lu Xunxian was mildly surprised but didn't refuse.
After all, Luo Qianxue was his disciple. Bringing her along to broaden her horizons was perfectly fine.
When Zhu Qingyan heard that Luo Qianxue was merely Lu Xunxian's disciple, she finally relaxed.
But a nagging intuition told her that Luo Qianxue harbored feelings for Lu Xunxian beyond those of a disciple toward a master. She would need to be on her guard.
Nearby, Chen Wangu and Xu Ruoshan both understood that their strength would only be a liability if they tagged along, so neither volunteered.
"Old Lu, this is where we part ways. I have my own path to walk. I'll see you at the summit."
Chen Wangu clasped his fists toward Lu Xunxian, his tone solemn with gratitude.
"Mm. Take care. If you ever need me, speak my true name in your heart and I'll sense it."
Chen Wangu was one of his few genuine friends. If he could help, he would.
As for Xu Ruoshan, he too smiled warmly.
"Senior Lu, the road ahead is long. Until we meet again."
"Qianxue, make sure you learn well at Senior Lu's side."
"I will, Master. The road is treacherous — please be careful yourself."
"I will. Farewell."
Xu Ruoshan and Chen Wangu exchanged a glance, then set off together, disappearing from Lu Xunxian's sight.
As for Wangcai, the Flood Dragon, and the other companions, they followed Lu Xiaoyao to the Primordial Sect, being closer to him.
Just then, Zhu Qingyan noticed Lu Lin standing nearby and looked mildly surprised.
"I didn't expect you to have a Qilin mount, Fellow Daoist Profound Immortal."
"Happened to run into one, so I kept it."
Lu Xunxian replied with a smile.
As for Lu Lin, his heart was a dead husk — he had given up all resistance.
After seeing that even the Clan Chief of the Vermilion Bird Race was not only on friendly terms with Lu Xunxian but actively seeking his help, Lu Lin had already resigned himself to the likelihood that his clansmen would never rescue him.
But a sliver of hope remained.
What if?
What if the Clan Chief grew a spine and snatched him back from Lu Xunxian?
With that thought, Lu Lin began preparing to secretly contact his clansmen.
For some reason, Lu Xunxian had released his Restriction Seals after arriving in the Immortal Realm.
Lu Lin didn't think too deeply about it, chalking it up to a momentary lapse on Lu Xunxian's part.
But just as he was about to reach out to his clansmen, Lu Xunxian glanced at him and spoke with a note of displeasure.
"Your strength is far too low. Here — take this Immortal Emperor Inheritance and refine it."