Under the thunder, the old man was instantly reduced to ashes, his body and soul obliterated, without even time to scream.
It happened unbelievably fast.
Ye Qiu watched the lightning, his hairs standing on end.
He had a strong gut feeling that if the bolt had targeted them, their fate would have been worse than the old man’s.
“Is this the law of heaven and earth? Terrifying!”
Ye Qiu marveled inwardly.
The lightning came and went swiftly, vanishing after striking the old man, leaving the surrounding flora untouched.
“Finally dead,” Longbrow Immortal laughed, “Damn it, daring to wreak havoc in the cultivation world, truly seeking death.”
“Pity there’s no corpse left, or I’d have kicked his third leg to bits.”
Fairy Hundred Flowers and Lüluo breathed a sigh of relief.
Soon, their brows furrowed again.
“Trouble, Palace Master, we can’t return to the cultivation world. What now?” Lüluo asked anxiously.
Fairy Hundred Flowers was helpless, never having anticipated this.
Hearing Lüluo, Longbrow Immortal smiled, “Ladies, may I offer a suggestion?”
“As the saying goes, since you’re here, make peace with it.”
“If you can’t return to the cultivation world, why not stay in the mortal world for now?”
“Besides, I hear Hundred Flowers Palace was destroyed. Even if you could return, you’d likely face death. In my view, staying in the mortal world is safer.”
Lüluo nodded, “The Daoist makes sense, Palace Master, what do you think?”
Fairy Hundred Flowers said, “We know nothing of the mortal world. Staying here could bring many inconveniences.”
“And I want to return to the cultivation world soon, to find who destroyed Hundred Flowers Palace and avenge my master and sisters.”
Longbrow Immortal advised, “Fairy, even if you find the culprit, what then?”
“They destroyed Hundred Flowers Palace, so their cultivation is formidable. Could you defeat them?”
“Your master and sisters died to protect you. If you return and die by the culprit’s hand, how will you face them in the afterlife?”
“There’s a saying: a gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years.”
“Stay in the mortal world for now. When the time is right, return to find the culprit.”
Fairy Hundred Flowers replied, “Ten years? I can’t wait that long.”
Longbrow Immortal chuckled, “Fairy, I meant ‘ten years’ as a figure of speech.”
“Perhaps in two or three years, you could return.”
“The lad and I will head to the cultivation world eventually. We could travel together.”
“You?” Fairy Hundred Flowers glanced at Longbrow Immortal and Ye Qiu, “You’re only at Venerable Initial Realm, too weak. Who knows when you’ll reach King Pinnacle.”
Tch, looking down on us.
Outrageous.
Longbrow Immortal grinned, “Fairy, how about this: we set a one-year deadline.”
“If the lad and I reach King Pinnacle within a year, we’ll go to the cultivation world together.”
“If we don’t, we’ll find a way for you to return alone. How’s that?”
Fairy Hundred Flowers said, “Breaking through from Venerable to King Pinnacle in a year is near impossible unless you’re a genius. Ordinary people can’t do it.”
What’s that supposed to mean?
You think I’m ordinary?
Longbrow Immortal said, “If you don’t believe me, I can prove it.”
“How?” Fairy Hundred Flowers asked.
Longbrow Immortal smiled faintly and walked off.
Ye Qiu sensed his intent, followed, and sent a mental message, “Old man, what’s with you? Why insist on keeping them in the mortal world?”
“Lad, it’s for your sake. Can’t you see?” Longbrow Immortal replied, “Wushuang went to the cultivation world. Won’t you go find him eventually?”
Ye Qiu nodded.
“Senior Dugu said he’d wait for you there. You’re going, right?”
Ye Qiu nodded again.
Longbrow Immortal pressed, “Without Dugu or your father’s issue, would you still go?”
“Of course.”
Ye Qiu longed for the cultivation world, curious about its wonders.
“There you go,” Longbrow Immortal said, “Without foresight, trouble’s near.”
“They’re from the cultivation world, familiar with it. Keeping them here, you can learn about it, which will help when you go.”
“Plus, they’re strong. Having them here is like having two super bodyguards. If trouble arises, they can help. Why not?”
“Most importantly, they’re beautiful. Don’t you want to win them over?”
Ye Qiu’s eyes widened, but before he could speak, Longbrow Immortal added, “I’ve done so much for you. Shouldn’t you thank me?”
“Give me two options.”
“Either hand over the Qiankun Cauldron or that ten-thousand-year snow lotus.”
Ye Qiu rolled his eyes, “Dream on.”
“Hmph, stingy,” Longbrow Immortal snorted.
Ye Qiu glanced back at Fairy Hundred Flowers and Lüluo, “I’m worried they’ll cause trouble here. Lüluo’s fine, simple enough. But Fairy Hundred Flowers has a temper. If she stirs something up…”
Longbrow Immortal cut him off, “You’re the War God of the Nation. Afraid of trouble?”
“Who in the world dares cross you?”
“Haven’t you handled plenty of trouble before?”
Ye Qiu fell silent.
Then, Longbrow Immortal dashed forward, unleashed his full cultivation, soared skyward, and roared, “Thunder, come!”
Boom—
From the heavens, lightning struck.
The sky shifted, endless thunderclouds roiled, bolts crashing down, terrifyingly.
The vast lightning connected heaven and earth, like a river bursting its dam, its roar soul-shattering, engulfing Longbrow Immortal.
The heavenly tribulation had arrived.
Half an hour passed.
The lightning vanished, the sky calmed. Longbrow Immortal, tattered and blood-soaked, sat cross-legged in the air, healing.
Ten minutes later, he opened his eyes and stood.
Instantly, a powerful aura radiated from him, like surging ocean waves.
