Chapter 354: We Are Still Not Strong Enough
"Ding, Bing Yan has broken through to Half-Saint, comprehending the True Meaning of Extreme Yin. Host gains +10 Great Dao truth."
Chu Feng heard the familiar mechanical voice, the corners of his lips rising slightly. "Yan'er succeeded."
No sooner had he spoken than a figure flew out of the cave and sat cross-legged in the air.
Everyone instinctively looked up, seeing Elder Bing seated calmly in the sky, waiting for the tribulation clouds to gather.
At the same time, dozens of figures descended toward Qingyou Peak, among them several of the nine chiefs.
Zhang Ruocheng could not help but ask, "Chief Chu, isn't it too risky for Senior Sister Bing to undergo tribulation like this?"
Chu Feng smiled. "Thanks for the concern, Junior Brother Zhang. Elder Bing had already grasped the Great Dao truth at the Nirvana realm. After breaking into Half-Saint, her strength is far beyond ordinary Grand Sages."
Those present exchanged glances, silently waiting for the thunder tribulation.
Boom!
The first strike fell.
Elder Bing did not resist with cultivation power, letting the heavenly thunder strike her body.
The scene stunned many.
Even Jinchi, a Grand Sage who often followed Chu Feng, murmured, "Brother, sister-in-law, isn't this too reckless?"
Chu Feng explained unhurriedly, "Thunder is the force of ultimate yang. Your sister-in-law comprehends the True Meaning of Extreme Yin. When the two converge, her cultivation will rise further. Just watch."
Hiss…
Hearing this, the surrounding cultivators drew sharp breaths. Was there no normal person on Miaomiao Mountain?
Boom!
The thunder rolled on.
Unlike the nine bolts of Grand Thunder Sage's tribulation, this time Elder Bing faced Forty-Nine Thunder Tribulations.
Seven rounds, each with seven strikes.
For the first three rounds, Elder Bing used thunder to temper herself. Only at the fourth did she circulate her power to resist slightly.
After one night, only the final bolt remained.
Crackle!
A deafening explosion echoed for a hundred miles.
In Wendao City, cultivators trembled in fear, hiding in their homes.
Meanwhile, above Bing Yan's head, a Taiji diagram emerged, dissolving most of the devastating bolt. The remainder landed harmlessly on her body.
The tribulation ended, the clouds dispersed.
At sunrise, the morning glow turned violet, gathering toward Miaomiao Mountain. The phenomenon's spiritual energy poured down, with Qingyou Peak as its center.
The instant it descended, all cultivators sat cross-legged, absorbing heaven's gift.
The snow on Qingyou Peak melted, turning into spiritual springs nourishing every corner of the mountain.
Every blade of grass and tree revived, thriving with vitality.
Chu Feng felt an urge to compose poetry at the sight, but seeing everyone cultivate so earnestly, he returned to the kitchen to prepare a meal for his Dao companion.
The vision lasted seven days before fading.
Lin Ming was the first to open his eyes. Rising, he bowed respectfully toward Bing Yan. "Senior Sister Bing, congratulations on becoming a Grand Sage. I will never forget this gift of enlightenment. If ever you need me in the future, I will not hesitate."
Bing Yan's expression remained cold as she replied calmly, "Junior Brother, you overpraise me. Let me instead congratulate you early on your imminent breakthrough to Half-Saint."
The gathered cultivators looked at Lin Ming with envy.
The regret on the eight other chiefs' faces vanished instantly. With Lin Ming about to break through, they could ride the tide once again. Reaching Half-Saint this year would be no problem. Coming to the Secular Institute to cultivate had indeed been the right choice.
In the kitchen, Chu Feng remained unaware of Qingyou Peak's events. Voices in his mind filled him with joy.
"Bing Yan comprehended two points of the True Meaning of Extreme Yin. Host gains +20 Great Dao truth."
"Grand Sage Jinchi comprehended one point of Great Dao truth. Host gains +10 Great Dao truth."
"Xiao Chen comprehended one point of the True Meaning of Sword Dao, breaking through to the ninth level of Path Union. Reward: 80 years of cultivation, +10 Great Dao truth."
"Cao Youqian comprehended one point of the True Meaning of Fist Dao, breaking through to the eighth level of Path Union. Reward: 80 years of cultivation, +10 Great Dao truth."
…
Exhaling, Chu Feng took more than two minutes to calm himself.
"Yan'er truly deserves to be my wife—she gave me so much at once. Tonight, I must reward her well."
Putting down his work, he flew toward Qingyou Peak.
In an instant, he appeared before the crowd. From the moment Bing Yan opened her eyes, she had been searching for Chu Feng. Seeing him, she descended immediately to stand at his side.
"Yan'er, congratulations on entering the Half-Saint realm."
Chu Feng smiled warmly.
The others followed suit, bowing. "Congratulations to Elder Bing on becoming a Grand Sage."
"Congratulations, congratulations."
Elder Bing replied faintly.
After a round of polite greetings, Chu Feng said, "To celebrate my wife's breakthrough, tonight I invite everyone to drink without leaving sober!"
"Many thanks, Chief Chu."
"Chief Chu, when will you hold your wedding?"
"That's right, we want to drink your wedding wine."
Hearing the talk, Bing Yan's cheeks flushed slightly. She secretly glanced at Chu Feng from the corner of her eye, her hands unconsciously tugging at her skirt.
Chu Feng smiled. "Soon. I will ask the dean to choose us an auspicious day, and then we will marry."
…
After a night of celebration, most disciples of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute chose to enter seclusion for a time.
Early the next morning, Chu Feng received the dean's summons to bring Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian to the council hall.
When the three arrived, the nine other chiefs of Wendao Academy and the high-level elders were already waiting.
"Greetings to the dean."
Chu Feng led his two disciples in bowing.
"Sit."
The dean on the main seat spoke slowly.
Chu Feng guided his disciples to the first seat at the dean's left. As the foremost Grand Sage beneath Saints, he was no longer the minor figure he once was as head of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. His place was no longer at the end.
"Today, I have invited you all here to ask about one matter."
The dean looked around.
The great elder of the Internal Affairs Hall stepped forward, bowing. "May I ask what great matter the dean wishes to announce?"
Others nodded in agreement. "Please, dean, speak clearly."
The dean stroked his beard. "This concerns the two Holy Son candidates, Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian."
At this, Cao Youqian was stunned. Though he was a candidate, he had never before been called into such high-level meetings.
He instinctively glanced at his senior brother. Xiao Chen remained as calm as ever, as though the dean had not spoken his name at all.
The gathered elders wore thoughtful expressions. Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian were the most outstanding Holy Son candidates Wendao Academy had seen in a million years, their talent equal to the ancient Immortal Emperors.
What more was there to discuss?
Seeing their puzzlement, the dean continued, "I know you have many questions, but before that, I ask the two Holy Son candidates to demonstrate their full strength."
"Yes."
The two answered in unison.
They stepped forward from behind Chu Feng, meeting each other's gaze before gesturing in courtesy.
"Junior brother, please."
"Senior brother, please."
With that, each retreated ten steps, divine light radiating from their bodies. Xiao Chen raised two fingers like a sword, pointing toward Cao Youqian.
"Ten Thousand Swords Return to Sect!"
"Extreme Divine Fist!"
Cao Youqian threw a punch.
Boom!
A thunderous roar filled the hall. Chu Feng waved a hand, dispersing the aftermath, and silence fell. One could hear a pin drop.
Many elders sat frozen, staring in disbelief at the two young men.
After a long moment, someone cried out, "The Great Dao truth! Both of them have comprehended the Great Dao truth!"
The exclamation snapped the others back to their senses, and praise followed.
"Such extraordinary talent—rare in all the world!"
"To grasp the Great Dao truth in the Path Union realm—we cannot compare!"
…
Hearing these compliments, Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian felt embarrassed, responding humbly one after the other.
"Honored masters flatter us. We still must work hard."
"That's right. We are still not strong enough."
The elders: "…"
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