8 17-21

Story 8 - Tribulation Trepidations (17 ?)

Clear Eyes and I used obfuscation tokens to blur our silhouettes from the few assassins still looking for us. This allowed us to avoid running into fights we couldn't handle. It still took us half a day to reach a small grotto near a few thinner trees, the secluded rendezvous point I set up with Little Spring.

After waiting for a few more hours while setting up a defensive formation, the kid finally arrived. His hair was down and he carried a massive egg. He also was wearing brand new clothes and looked suspiciously clean. Like he was trying to get rid of evidence.

I removed my pendant and stepped out of the cave.

"Sister Lin!" He grinned.

With a serious expression, I crossed my arms and asked, "Did you sustain injuries again?"

His eyes widened, then he glanced to the side. "What? No."

Oh. That little liar better be prepared for the worst hell training of his life. Of course, I wouldn't embarrass him in front of Clear Eyes, but I sent him a warning glare. He hid his wince behind the egg.

Damn. I'd helped him become too earnest. He now needed lessons on how to lie better. Misleading others believably was a skill that could save his life. Or at least our wallets.

I mean, if a Xianxia protagonist wasn't a shameless con man, could they even be a main character?

Clear Eyes stepped forward and examined him. "Weren't you exceedingly injured? How have you grown stronger?!"

Little Spring puffed up his chest and hefted the egg up higher like it weighed nothing. "My martial sister is an amazing physician."

He glanced at me.

Yeah, he could say the truth all he wanted. He wasn't getting out of hell training.

I gestured to the egg. "Is that a new special ingredient you picked up along the way?"

Was he planning on making scrambled eggs and tomatoes?

He hugged it closer and held it away from me."No! This is the treasure I received in the inheritance labyrinth."

"A treasure?" I leaned over to examine it. Its surface was smooth and white, like a high-quality chicken egg. I sent my divine sense toward it to peek at its contents. When my senses bounced off the shell, I took a step back. Shit.

Liquid dripped down my lips. I hurriedly wiped it away with a handkerchief, only to see red. Shit. The backlash from this damn egg gave me a nosebleed.

"Is this the egg of a spiritual beast?" Clear Eyes asked.

I rubbed my aching temples. "I don't have much experience with their eggs since they all despise me." Hell. I didn't even know if they all came in eggs or if it depended on their species.

"Is that why those crabs chased after us like—"

I flicked the teen's glabella. He shut up, then winced.

"It's likely a powerful Mystical beast egg since I can't look inside it."

Actually, Bloodsword once brought home a contracted Mystical beast from who knows where. She was a white fluffy Nine-Tailed Fox who hated me. When she eventually took on human form, the creepy dumbass married her into his harem. What was her name again? Fuck, I couldn't remember. Everyone used Fairy Snow to call her, but that wasn't her real name.

She was the other person who could have been the culprit behind the spirit rabbit incident. I hadn't suspected her because she'd been a dumb fox.

There were too many things I'd never know.

This egg could turn out to be a woman. One who, after she takes on human form, ends up corrupting, seducing, and marrying Little Spring just like that fox. And as a Mystical beast, she would loathe me. Even if I had mastered the Not-Giving-A-Shit mindset, it still bothered me when fluffy spirit beasts hated my very existence.

Maybe it would be better to cook it for breakfast.

Before I could make that well-thought-out suggestion, a crack showed up on the pale surface. Light burst from the fissure. A vague silhouette appeared behind the eggshell.

Shit! It was too late.

Was this going to be another fox? Maybe a snake?

When the light vanished, a small white puppy with triangle ears stood on Little Spring's hands.

A... dog?

It lolled its tongue and barked. "Arf!"

No… The beast inside that egg couldn't be normal. Right?

I stepped close to the puppy and held out my hand. If it was a spiritual beast, it would growl and bite me. Instead, the canine sniffed my palm, then licked it. I quickly moved my hand back and cast a cleaning technique. It didn't seem to bother the creature. In fact, the fur became even fluffier.

Could it be a shape-shifted Ascendant beast?

I scanned it with my divine sense and examined it with my spiritual energy. All I picked up was a goddamn mundane puppy of an indeterminate breed.

It wasn't even a wolf-type beast.

But it couldn't be a normal dog! Shit like that didn't happen to Xianxia protagonists! Right?

Clear Eyes Mad Tongue said sagely, "That's a very nice… pet you have there."

Little Spring hugged the dog. "I'm going to name it Xiao Bai."

H-he named it a classic generic pet name…

Was it possible that there had been a different creature in the egg? Actually, since we were in Tiger Head Misty Forest, what if this was originally the egg of that white tiger Ascendant beast? Maybe that creature was the actual inheritance of the maze. Could it have become impatient while waiting? Then, in desperation, it switched places with a nearby animal?

Okay. I was grasping at straws here. But Ascendant beasts had above human intelligence before birth. So, while not likely, it was possible.

Or, this creature could be a white tiger shape-shifted into a dog.

"Arf!" The puppy jumped out of the kid's arms. Its little blue eyes noticed the fluffiness behind it. It tried to bite it and failed. Then the white ball of fluff vigorously started chasing its own tail.

This thing did not have human intelligence.

I cleared my throat. "This is a precious puppy. Raise it well."

The kid nodded.

"I'll feed it the best spiritual dishes I can make."

"Can a mundane pet even eat those?" Clear Eyes asked.

"It might be possible." It probably shouldn't work, but I'd never tried it. If I had to guess, it would either be a waste of expensive food or it would cause its head to burst.

The kid pulled out a piece of spiritual jerky and fed it to the puppy. It gobbled it down ravenously... and it didn't explode.

Maybe it wasn't a dog, but an experiment?

"How did you find it?" Clear Eyes asked.

"At first, I had been in too much pain to move. Then Sister Lin walked me through healing myself."

Nice remembering the story, brat. I secretly gave him a thumbs-up.

"And afterward?"

He scowled. "I had to run through maze-like tunnels solving a bunch of puzzles similar to the things you taught me before."

Thanks to me, the brat had a well-rounded education that included language, math, and even puzzles. While that last subject might not be life and death to know for a regular child, every good Xianxia protagonist needed to learn how to decipher them if they were going to survive.

"When I reached the end of the trials, I was trapped, but I remembered what you said about inheritance spaces being made by someone, which meant that they could be taken apart by someone."

I nodded and prepared myself for him to tell me that the whole labyrinth collapsed.

"So I started taking the room apart and found a hole."

Okay, I know that I'd said that, but a Qi Condensation cultivator shouldn't be able to take an inheritance space apart so easily. How the hell did he do it?!

"I eventually ended up in a dead end that had a game. Once I won, a pedestal appeared with this egg."

I noticed that he specifically mentioned nothing about the game's details. It was probably where he became injured. "Okay. So, you ended up in a labyrinth-style inheritance. And the treasure you found was this egg that had a mundane dog in it?"

He nodded.

I rested my hand on the kid's shoulder and squeezed. I felt bad for him. Usually, Xianxia main characters find the best treasures under the heavens, but, for once, this kid's protagonist's luck didn't work out for him. "You must have messed up solving the puzzles and retrieved the wrong treasure."

Well, I still hadn't entirely ruled out that this puppy was something weird but it was obviously the little protagonist's pet. It shouldn't be harmful to keep it around for a while.

His mouth opened in shock. "Then should we go back?"

I waved my hand away. "I'd rather sell Shadow Gopher the information since this labyrinth might contain what the sect is looking for."

The two nodded their agreement to my proposal.

Technically, I could visit the maze myself and see if I could win an inheritance, but I wasn't that interested in risking my life for a treasure when I could create my own.

Now that I had my tree and had killed off the assassins that needed to die, I was ready to leave.

***

Soon after I contacted the Nascent Soul beast tamer, he arrived with his hair windswept and his robes disheveled like he'd traveled here as fast as he could. "Where is it?"

Little Spring gave him directions.

He nodded and handed me a large stack of expensive, high-quality talismans that he promised in exchange for the information. Thirty of them were Foundation-Establishment-level Blazing Fire spells, six of them were Golden-Core-level Dancing Star spells and three were Colden-Core-level protective talismans. I split them three ways.

He also agreed to escort us back to the sect once he was finished.

This was actually better than what we had asked for. Shadow Gopher was a good guy. Too bad he was a beast tamer or I could help him out a bit more.

***

After several hours, Shadow Gopher returned with a massive grin.

"Did you find something that would bring the group back together?"

He shrugged. "The diviners hinted that the treasure would take the form of a beast. They didn't say what it was. They mentioned that it would be found during the next three days and that our sect couldn't allow anyone else to get their hands on it."

"Come on. Show your martial aunt. I don't steal from my juniors."

Awkwardly, he held out a silvery-orange statue of a tiger.

All eyes turned to the metal sculpture. Even the puppy, Xiao Bai, looked at it. It tilted its head cutely.

"While this isn't a spiritual tool, the metal it's made from is very scarce, called Tiger's Eye Impossible Steel. The fact that it's here suggests that the master who created the maze was a grandmaster smith who wanted to leave this statue to someone worthy. The sect will give me a handsome reward for turning this in."

That was a difficult spiritual metal to find. So rare that medium-sized sects would go to war over it. This was technically a treasure that we couldn't allow the others to get their hands on.

And the statue itself could be considered a masterwork. Chances were that it wasn't as simple as a chunk of metal cast in a tiger shape. Frankly, that material was a pain in the ass to work with. That said, it was also what I'd need to upgrade Senior Auspicious Paifang once I reached Immortal Bone Creation. Well, the sect could keep it safe for me. Muahahaha!

Of course, I had my suspicions that this wasn't the only thing Shadow Gopher found, but I wouldn't pry.

Actually, if this was the inheritance of a master craftsman then it was possible that the egg from earlier had been a spiritual device that held pets in a time suspension. This one could have been so old that it broke soon after being removed from the maze. Of course, this was merely speculation. My divine sense couldn't even penetrate the surface and there were no leftover pieces after it completely vanished.

"If you're satisfied with your treasure, let's go back."

Little Spring grabbed the puppy right before it could jump out of his arms and pounce on the statue. He grinned. "I agree."

"By the way, Senior Little Spring. Why do you have a mortal dog?"

I didn't want to embarrass the kid by saying it was his labyrinth reward, so I just said, "He just found it nearby. Let's go."

Clear Eyes Mad Tongue also squeezed the kid's shoulder with sympathy.

Even though he experienced life-threatening danger, was injured multiple times, and only returned with a dog he could find anywhere in the mortal world, the kid didn't appear unhappy. I was very proud of him for having cultivated such a good mindset. Then again...

The puppy walked in a circle before laying on the grass. With its head down, it became a very fluffy ball.

... It was a cute puppy.

Regardless, this short mission ended with more positive gains than negatives. Now it was time to return to the sect and confront a bitch.

***

A day later, thanks to Shadow Gopher's exceedingly fast immortal speed boat, I walked into the cave where the dealer's father failed his lightning tribulation. The scorch marks on the floor appeared more ominous today. A chill ran down my spine. Then I remembered what Little Spring had been through, thanks to those assassins. My blood boiled.

The black market dealer's cloaked figure greeted me as if nothing had happened. "Welcome, dear customer!"

I took out a bundle of flag sticks and held it up. When she reached for it. I pulled away.

She froze. "Is there something wrong?"

"You know, I ran into a little trouble while there."

"Dear Customer, if you're implying that I sold the information to others, then you're mistaken. I haven't revealed the location of the Golden Walnut Tree to anyone here."

"You say that, but assassins attacked me after I harvested the tree."

She gasped in shock. "That's terrible. But you can't think it's me. I would never betray such a wonderful customer in good standing."

"Come on. They knew exactly where to find me."

I could feel her grin behind the shadows that hid her face. "And yet, you returned alive and well."

"If you didn't sell it to anyone in the sect, then it must have been someone outside. Who bought the information?"

"No one. I haven't sold anybody the same knowledge."

I took out one of the Foundation Establishment Blaze talismans and tapped it on my chin. "Let me rephrase this. Who did you sell my whereabouts to?"

She cleared her throat. "Dear customer—"

"Don't 'dear customer' me. You sold me out for a profit."

"It hurts me that you'd think I would dare do something so horrible."

I activated the Foundation Establishment Blaze spell aimed at her. She held up a protective talisman like I knew she would. My flame bounced off her and hit a nearby wall.

When I took out another, her shoulders stiffened. "Let's—"

Not bothering to let her speak, I cast it. The flames missed her by inches. It landed in the back of the cave where her escape route had been. Rocks fell. The area at the back collapsed. The mountain rumbled.

She jumped and pulled out several more protective items. "You're crazy!"

I grinned. "You shouldn't sell out your Great Martial Aunt!"

With a flick, the Golden-Core-level Dancing Star talisman rested between my two fingers. Something at this stage would obliterate her cheap defensive tokens, killing her.

"Fine! Fine! You're right. I told someone about where you were heading. But I don't know who they are or what faction they're from. They were cloaked better than me. But so what if I did? They were paying me a mountain of spirit stones. More than what I could earn off you in several lifetimes."

"You didn't consider giving me a chance to offer you more?"

She snorted. "You wouldn't have been able to pay what they did."

"Why would you think that?"

She snorted. "I've worked with you enough times to calculate your income."

I sighed. Some people in this Xianxia universe were too stupid to live. "You know who I am. Couldn't you guess that I have special contacts that could pay you more?"

She froze as if that thought had just occurred to her.

"Now, what should we do with you? Should I call my Martial Nephew over to take care of you? Or should I just kill you myself?"

"Dear customer!" She jumped forward into a kowtow position and slid up to me. "It was a mistake. I repent. I repent!"

Story 8 - Tribulation Trepidations (18/24 ?)

The merchant's figure trembled.

It would be a shame to just kill her off. She was an incredible Black Market Dealer with fantastic connections.

Should I try to use the classic trope of turning an enemy into a subordinate? It was usually done by the main character, but maybe it would work out. It wouldn't be too late to kill her if she betrayed me later. Of course, I would have to get some assurance first.

"If the Demonic sects sent those assassins after me, then you have ties to them. How can any righteous cultivator let you off easily after knowing that?"

"Hey! If they were, then I didn't know. I wouldn't help evil cultivators on purpose!"

I hated those last two words. It was what fake white lotus types always spouted in those translated web novels from my past-past life. I almost killed her just to save myself a massive amount of trouble. But I had to think about this logically. She may have betrayed me, but she hadn't been trying to kill me herself. While she was an unscrupulous, greedy bitch, she wasn't beyond redemption at this point. And I was absolutely not being blinded by the amount of spirit stones I could collect from her if I was patient.

"Then tell me, if I allow you to live, what will you do for me to make up for your betrayal?"

"If those cultivators who bought your location return, I can set them up for you."

"That's a start."

"I... I can sell you everything at cost?"

Was she kidding me? I guessed a merchant would always be a merchant. "Still not enough to make up for almost getting your Great Martial Aunt and Uncle killed."

Her voice seemed like it was going to crack as she said, "Dear customer, y-you won't make me give you the spirit stones I received from them, will you? Because I've already spent it all!"

I held in the urge to kick her. "You expect me to believe that?"

She winced. "The easiest way to increase your income is to let your money do the work. I've already tied everything up in investments."

That made sense. But I doubted she'd spent everything already. "Give me what you have left as your first installment of reparations."

Slowly, as if it physically killed her, she took out a storage bag. Then she handed it to me with both hands. Her hood was bent low, and I could practically hear sniffing noises coming from it. If I weren't so pissed at her for selling me out, I might have felt like a bully.

I scanned it with divine sense first to make sure there wasn't some kind of trap, then took it.

"Dear customer, would you mind telling me how many more installments there need to be for you to allow this poor merchant to live freely?"

"I don't think you understand what's going on here. You're working for me like a loyal dog or you'll get handed to the Sect Leader. Those are your only options."

"B-but, my spirit stones!"

She really was a business woman. "Are they more important than your life?"

The girl spent way longer than I thought she would on the question. "No, but it's still as important as breathing."

I sighed. "I'm not going to prevent you from earning an income. In fact, I'll encourage it. Because I'll be taking 80% of your profit from now on."

She choked.

I grinned.

Yes. Taking the spirit stones from a money-obsessed bitch was definitely better revenge than killing them off right away. Muahahaha!

"Whatever your original identity was, from now on, you'll go by Little Black. Recognize this as your new name to accept this deal."

"You can't be serious! That's a stupid name for a human!"

"It's between this or getting thrown to my nephew. With his speed, it would take him a half second to arrive here."

"Are you really willing to get in trouble with the Sect Leader? Once he finds out about you visiting black market dealers…"

I held myself back from kicking her. Was she seriously trying to threaten me? "You think he'll scold his Martial Aunt?"

She paused as if she actually considered going up against an Immortal Bone Creation expert. "Fine. I... accept."

The hidden enchantment that I had attached to that name started to come into effect. It was the same one I'd used on Ghosty back when I first met him. If the affected person betrayed me this enchantment would destroy their soul.

At first, there was a large amount of resistance, but then I felt it take and settle. She must have a sturdy soul for her realm. Or Ghosty was just very weak back then.

"Alright, Little Black. You'll work for me from now on. This is the chance of a lifetime."

The hood bobbed quickly in agreement.

I narrowed my eyes at her. This bitch was absolutely going to try something that would get her killed if I didn't give her a warning.

"Remember, this is your only chance. If you value your life, don't even think of going against me."

***

After Little Black and I discussed the details of her new reality, which included sending me her detailed ledgers and ways to contact me, it was time to finish my preparations.

I stopped by the Treasure Pavilion to sell the Golden Walnut sticks I'd made. The contribution points from that went toward buying the silk and paint I'd need to complete my defensive formations.

Unfortunately, the previous silks I had collected were used up when I slaughtered those assassins.

While I was there, I grabbed the last few ingredients I'd need to take my armor from separate pieces into a whole set.

Once I returned to our courtyard and entered the space, Little Spring joined me in the forge room.

"Are you ready to help me finish the armor?"

He nodded and then eyed the items I laid out.

"Usually, you'd want to complete everything all at once. But we didn't have enough energy for that. We'll have to use a special method for combining them so that the pieces form a set."

The kid ran his hand over the cloth we made together. It was still in one bolt of fabric, since I couldn't cut it up without the forge. It was created to survive hits by a Golden Core level tribulation. Several small levels higher than where I suspected my tribulation would be at. It wasn't something I could casually damage, even though I'd been the one to make it.

"Remember to double check each item before forging."

"Just like alchemy and cooking."

He looked over each item and I double checked them as well.

"Cloth, leather, gold dust, titanium dust, metal parts—"

"You should use their proper names."

"Do we have time for that? I have a lesson in a few hours and I can't be late again."

The kid had a point. I waved at him to keep going.

"Latex, sulfur, cork board…" he finished by naming a few other key ingredients. One of them was a classic called Shrinking Vermillion Powder that allowed armor to adjust in size. I believed that I would become taller than I was in my last life, so this would allow my armor to shrink to fit my current height and grow with me.

As long as it didn't get too damaged to repair, this set should last me until peak Foundation Establishment. At that point, I'd have to make another set for my next tribulation. Considering the items I'd need for a near Nascent Soul level one, I estimated that it could take six years before I'd be ready to reach Golden Core. Four if things worked out with Little Black.

My martial brother would take even longer unless he had a catalyst that pushed him to increase his cultivation quickly.

"Now, let's complete the best sky rank armor ever!" Muahahaha!

Little Spring looked at me like I was crazy. I ignored him.

With a twist of my wrist and a hand seal, the flames inside the furnace increased significantly.

I used my energy to toss in the Spiritual Latex, and Majestic Emperor's Sulfur that I just purchased.

"I'm going to start the vulcanization process. This is needed to turn the spiritual latex into a very special rubber that can even take a hit from tribulation lightning."

The kid's eyes widened.

Using another hand seal, the ingredients combined. They blackened into a near liquid rubber. I shaped it with my spiritual energy until it became two sets of shoe soles made up of several layers, one with treads.

"Why so many layers?"

"The rubber has to be intact to prevent lightning from electrocuting the wearer. If one layer cracks or takes too much damage, the others will still be whole."

With the way his eyes sparkled, perhaps he finally remembered that I was a very modest genius.

All together, our boot's soles would be over an inch thick before shrinking. It would take some getting used to, so I'd need to practice wearing the shoes as much as possible.

Next, I threw in the spiritual beast leather. The heat from the forge and a few special hand seals made the material malleable.

I tore thin strips from the longest edge using a tiny but powerful sword Qi. It was super condensed and not something I could use in battle at my realm. "These will create laces for my armguards."

Then I created straps for my pauldron.

"Next, we need to punch out the pattern for our shoes."

He blinked. "Won't it cause problems if you're making me a set too?"

"Of course not. I'll be using a small portion of a technique I call Mass Production. It allows a single smith to create a thousand lower quality items in a fraction of the time it normally would."

Well, for two sets it would be closer to a method of cutting everything simultaneously and how to flow my internal Qi to prevent the items' energy from mixing.

"Really?" He narrowed his eyes at me, doubt clear on his face.

I nodded. "I developed that technique when I was researching forging methods. Unfortunately, it requires specialized equipment to fully work. But an extra pair of shoes and a set of armor can easily be forged together in a single furnace with no problems."

I'd technically created that technique because we needed to mass produce spiritual armor and weapons during the wars. But those were nightmarish times. It was one thing reading about a war in a Xianxia Universe where your allies and enemies died by the thousands. It was another to live through it.

Considering how Little Spring's energy worked with mine, I was curious to see if our armor sets would have an extra effect when worn side by side. Then again, the Mass Production technique would prevent the energy from mingling.

I used a series of complex hand seals to slice out the pattern for two pairs of shoes. With a twist of my wrist, the parts overlapped and connected to form the shoe shape. After I punched holes into the leather in strategic areas, I grabbed the spiritual polymer thread I'd kept on the side and sewed the material together to strengthen it and give the footwear a distinctive look. Next, I moved the four boots and soles towards the coolest part of the forge to stay warm.

After I used the double finger gun hand seal to turn up the heat in one part of the forge, I threw in the metal I'd saved just for this. Once it became a cherry color, I sent in my small hammer.

"Take over the fire while I shape this."

Little Spring copied my stance, pointing two fingers toward the ceiling.

I quickly hammered the steel into several beautiful shapes. Part of it would go to enforce the toe of my shoe. Another would be used for calculated decoration to hide a special enchantment I was incorporating into my boots.

Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough metal to add much to Little Spring's, so his shoes would look plain.

I sprinkled the gold and red dust onto the super heated metal surface, strengthening it. Once it had cooled some, I attached the metal to the leather. The material's innate spiritual energy and the fire forced the two different substances to attach.

Honestly, this entire process would go a lot easier if I had access to my higher realm forging techniques. But I had to make do with what I could use at this realm.

"Not everyone agrees, but I prefer my shoes to have spiritual cork between the bottom of the shoe and the sole. Having it adds stability to your footing, which is important when wielding a sword."

The kid nodded. Sweat beaded on his forehead from the heat of the smithy.

I sent the sheet of cork into the cooler part of the furnace and used a technique to cut out four shapes. Then I quickly attached the leather to them and, using the Mass Production technique, allowed the fire to meld them together simultaneously.

With no warning, I tossed the bolt of fabric into the forge.

Little Spring's eyes grew wide. "Wait! Why are you adding that now? Don't you need it to make our clothes?"

"I'm using a double layer for the lining of the shoe. Also, I might as well cut the patterns for our robes while I'm at it."

Little Spring glanced at me skeptically.

"The back of the leather is very coarse, even our body-cultivation-enhanced skin will get hurt from rubbing against it."

He grimaced.

It took a lot of his spiritual energy and concentration to keep the heat up. I needed to speed up or we'd have to take a break. Especially since this next part would be hard on him.

I had him switch hand seals, so he pointed his pinkies toward the roof. This created the thinnest, sharpest fire Little Spring could create with an earthen flame. I quickly used it to melt out the shoe and clothing patterns from the bolt. It wasn't perfect, but if I wanted something smaller, I'd have to find and tame a strange flame.

Once the patterns were cut I grabbed the parts that would protect our feet and quickly added the two layers to the insides of each shoe.

Finally, it was time to complete the four boots. All that took was attaching the rubber sole to the cork and leather and letting the flames meld them together. A low glow of spiritual energy appeared on the shoes and settled down. The hint of an illusory yin-yang symbol came out of the furnace.

"Did you see that?!"

He nodded.

"That means that the shoes we just made are close to Unparalleled Perfection in quality for their rank. Good job!"

His eyes looked determined. "Someday, let's create something that is actually Unparalleled Perfection."

I smirked. "Impossible. Remember, perfection can only exist in a vacuum. You'll become insane if you attempt it."

He gave me a look that asked if that was what happened to me.

This brat! He was lucky I was in the middle of forging.

It was time to put the robe patterns together. Instead of sewing everything, I simply folded the seams and spiritually melded them. For the few areas that were prone to tearing a part, I reinforced them by stitching them with thread.

Little Spring stared into the furnace with wide eyes. "So fast," he murmured.

I threw in the metal armor I'd created over a week ago. This included the pauldron, arm guards, and buckles. It took some time, but I connected everything and used the leather straps to hold things in place.

At this point, all the pieces were basically finished. There were just a few more steps left.

With a circling gesture, I directed Little Spring to use his spiritual energy to lift the outfits and turn them. Once he did, I tossed in the Shrinking Vermillion Powder along with four mid tier spirit stones. With a special hand seal that took a majority of my energy, I activated the powder, causing it to meld into the armor, transferring its size changing properties.

The light burst out of the forge, practically blinding us.

"Are they done?" Little Spring asked.

"One last thing." I poured in two dyes and directed them to specific areas. For the kid's, I colored his robes the blue he'd requested. We could add a pattern later if he wanted one.

For mine, I left it mostly white and dyed the rest an auspicious red. I'd need all the luck and good omens I could get. In this universe, they actually made a difference.

At this point, I was practically drained of energy. Little Spring wasn't much better. His arms shook as he held the clothes up with his remaining energy.

I used the last bit of mine to pull both finished sets from the forge and quench them together in a barrel full of spiritual spring water. Steam rose as the water flash boiled. Once again, a vague, illusory yin-yang symbol appeared over the two sets of armor.

Although exciting, both of us were too drained to be happy. We downed several bottles of spring water and used some of the spirit stones I collected from the black market dealer to recover. By the time we finished our break, the barrel water had calmed down. We leaned over to see that the red and blue dyes had mixed.

"Sister Lin, did we just turn our clothing purple?"

"They're not clothes. They're sets of powerful sky rank armor."

He rolled his eyes, then furrowed his brow at the colorful water.

Those pigments were very pure. Even with the properties of spiritual water, it would take a while to clear.

I glanced at the kid. "Even if it's violet, you're still going to use it, right?"

"Of course! Wearing matching armor sets with my martial sister would be fun."

This kid wasn't reacting to my teasing. I pulled out his set and used the cleaning technique to get it dry. When I'd finished, it looked perfectly blue. Something I knew would happen or I wouldn't have tossed everything into a single bucket.

I thought he would be relieved, but he just received his armor with a smile, while somehow managing to appear a little regretful.

Did he want to wear matching armor sets? This adorable kid. He should have told me sooner.

He smiled. "This is the first set of armor we worked on together. I'll treasure it!"

"I'd rather you use it to protect yourself."

"Of course!"

I pulled my red and white set out of the water and quickly cleaned it off. The white cloth shimmered with energy and the reddish gold steel gleamed in the forge room's light. I wouldn't have been able to create something at this quality by myself at my current realm. Working with the kid had been a good idea.

Frankly, if the other smiths saw my Qi Condensation ass create this armor, they'd soul search me for my techniques. Of course, it wouldn't work due to my massive soul, but I didn't have time to deal with complications like that.

I grinned at my beautiful armor, the first set I had created in this life.

"You know what we have to do now, right?"

He looked up. "What?"

"Try them on!"

***

After we changed, we met by Fairy Lake.

Little Spring stood in his new light armor. It wouldn't look any different from the blue hanfu he usually wore as long as a master smith didn't examine its threads. Still, the kid was adorable. This casual looking armor might just save his life someday.

"How is it? Does it fit well?"

"It's good. I was a little worried since it was very large when I first put it on but once I shrunk it down, it fit perfectly!"

I nodded. Of course it did.

"Why was it so big, anyway?"

"Because you'll grow very tall in the next ten years." I wouldn't spend this much time and effort on armor that would have to be replaced in a few months when Shrinking Vermillion Powder could solve that issue.

I turned around. "So, do I look like the fierce warrior I am?"

He nodded. He may have spent too much time in the forge because his face looked a little red.

I crossed my arms. "Let me tell you. There are few things more satisfying than wearing the best set of spiritual armor you can craft. We did good work. This is a time to be proud of ourselves and our accomplishments. Just remember, after you're done praising yourself, consider the fact that it's better that your armor becomes scrap metal if it means saving your own life."

Before he could reply, the white puppy and the little golden dragon ran and flew up to us.

Before I'd allowed Xiao Bai in the space, I'd asked Senior Auspicious Paifang confirm the creature was a puppy and contained no ill will towards our sect. He had. Of course, I was still wary of it simply because I knew the tropes of the genre. Also, because it came from a suspicious egg. But if my Senior said it didn't have bad intentions, then I could trust it.

It helped that the little fluff ball was heart meltingly adorable.

Little Spring picked it up and gave it a big hug. Then he looked at me. "Do you need help with your formation flags? That's the last thing on your list before your tribulation, right?"

It had been such a good day. I'd started my revenge against Little Black, finally finished my armor, and saw a cute puppy. Why did he have to bring that up and ruin it?

"I can make those myself. We should head to your tutoring session with Chef Garlic."

Story 8 - Tribulation Trepidations (19/24 ?)

When I attached the last painted silk onto the flag stick for my Lin's Awesome Defensive formation, it hit me that I'd finished my preparations for my tribulation.

I had my armor, my formation flags, spiritual tools, and my talismans. One was even at Golden Core, thanks to Shadow Gopher. I could also borrow the small pagoda from Salamander.

And aside from that, I'd mentally prepared myself for how I'd build my foundation.

I had everything ready to go.

Technically, I could start it at any moment.

There was only one final thing I was missing. Something similar to a ritual I went through before starting each of my tribulations. Because, even though I was confident I could overcome them, I knew I wasn't the main character of this dumbass Xianxia. And even if I was, plenty of them had died or become a literal sea. Of course, they usually found a way to return.

It was something every cultivator without a disciple, and with techniques, they've developed, did — leave an inheritance.

Unfortunately, I couldn't create a grand space with a complex set of tests like I did before I attempted to ascend.

There was a difference between then and now. Because now I had people I cared for. Ones that hadn't all died or ascended.

Ah! Thoughts about that could wait. I had to pick up Little Spring.

***

As soon as I landed my flying sword, the little apprentice chefs scattered. Fairy Garlic walked over with the brat.

"Well, if it isn't your little girlfriend, here to pick you up."

This again?! I pulled out my sword. I was seriously done with this shit. At this point I didn't care if I did damage to her kitchen and it delayed my tribulation.

Little Spring ran up to me and grabbed my hand.

"Sister Lin! She's just trying to start a fight with you because you took me on that mission. Don't fall for her goading."

I glared at him and he took a step back.

Garlic crossed her arms under her chest and smirked. "You look a bit too vicious this time, Great Martial Aunt. Something on your mind?"

"Beating your ass until you stop saying useless things."

She chuckled. Of course, she wouldn't take me seriously while I was still at Qi Condensation.

"You ever wonder what Little Spring was dueling Little Tangerine Flower over a week ago?"

Ah! Orange Robes was named Tangerine Flower. "It's his business, not mine."

She smirked. "It was about how he wasn't as good as the other chefs who started at the same time. How he could never learn more without investing fully in immortal cooking. And how hanging around his sister forever stuck in Qi Condensation was only holding him back."

Little Spring tightened his hands into fists and glared at Garlic. "Master Chef!"

I smirked. "Even though he tied, I believe he proved his own side during that duel."

"I thought it was a silly argument, myself." She tapped her chin. "However, I am worried that you can't help him along his path. A student stuck at Qi Condensation, no matter how talented, cannot teach another student in the same realm."

Was this bitch serious?

"Chef Garlic, my sister isn't stuck. She's almost finished her preparations and will go through her tribulation soon!" He turned to me with a grin. "Right?"

I put my sword away. This wasn't a time to physically fight someone in a higher realm. "Little Fairy Garlic."

Her lips twitched as she obviously tried not to frown.

The kid's brow furrowed.

"I understand that you're worried for my junior brother. I appreciate all you've taught him. But that's no excuse to tease your Great Martial Aunt. Stop your disrespect or you'll regret it."

She smirked. "Says someone who's been at the peak of Qi Condensation for over a year while collecting over-powered defensive items. Of course, there is only one reason you would do that..."

I knew what she was implying. This bitch was seriously tempting me to attack her this time.

"Makes me wonder if we'll still have to call you our Great Martial Aunt if you never increase your realm. If you're stuck here for ten or twenty years..."

"Plenty of cultivators who have reached Immortal Ascension spent a decade or more in Qi Condensation."

"Or maybe you'll die during your tribulation despite your best efforts."

Did she just curse me?! My hand itched to grab my sword again. I clenched it into a fist to stop myself.

Garlic threw a strand of warm white hair over her shoulder. "You have nothing to fear. If that happens, I will take Little Spring as my disciple."

I pointed my thumb at my chest. "I'm not dying! Besides, he already has a master."

"Not one that's here in this realm. And Immortal Zhenren Sword Within the Light of Virtue never learned immortal cooking. Little Spring at least needs a master for this discipline."

"He'd have to agree to that first."

She smirked. "We get along well. And unlike some, I don't take my young students out on missions that could get them killed."

The kid, who had been looking back and forth between us as we argued, tugged on my sleeve.

Right. Fighting her was the same as battling an internet troll. She knew just what buttons to press.

Even though my blood was boiling, I clenched my teeth and said, "This argument is getting boring. Let's go."

I flicked my sleeve behind me as I turned and walked away.

Little Spring hurried after me. He pulled out his flying fan spiritual tool, enlarged it enough for the both of us, and hopped on. Then he smiled awkwardly.

"I wish you two could stop fighting." He offered me a hand up.

I took it, then smoothed an annoyingly loose strand of his hair. "People you enjoy spending time with can't always get along. Of course, that doesn't mean they'll kill each other. Sometimes, personalities just clash and you can't do anything about it."

***

As we flew above a garden in the inner sect, Little Spring said, "Ah, Sister Lin. Have you finished your flags yet?"

"What do you think?"

He grinned. "Then you're going to go through your tribulation soon, right?"

My eyes landed on a familiar silhouette of a really annoying guy from my past life. He held a beautiful fairy's hands in both of his and spoke to her seriously. The whole aura around them was very romantic.

Yeah. I remembered those two.

I took control of the spiritual tool and had us fly down.

The cultivators jumped and separated.

Little Spring sent me a very confused look.

"Who are you?" The man said. I noticed the familiar eagle pendant attached to his belt.

No wonder the guy who made a scene at Little Black's place was so familiar. He was Three Eagle Screams! A man infamous throughout the sect in my past life.

I grinned at the two. "I'm your Great Martial Aunt. Is this your wife Little Three Eagle Screams?"

If I remembered correctly, she was called Fairy Fourth Oak Branch or something.

He cleared his throat. "Not yet, but—"

I nodded. "Good."

They both scowled. "Hey!"

"I am a little knowledgeable in divination. From your energies, I can see that if you two marry, you'll make each other and those around you miserable. Don't do it."

Fourth Oak frowned at me, then looked lovingly at her romantic partner. "Eagle and I love each other. We're going to become Dao companions. Right?"

He cleared his throat. "Isn't marriage better?"

She narrowed her eyes at Eagle.

I stepped forward. "A Dao companion is supposed to be someone who walks with you on your path to immortality. They are your only partner while you're with them. They're someone you share resources with, during good times and bad. Someone you'll risk your life for. A Dao Companion should be an equal partner. And what do you think a wife is?"

He cleared his throat. "Obviously a member of my family who will bear my children and..." he blushed, "cultivate with. Someone I'll protect. I don't understand how being my wife is inferior."

I stared at Fairy Fourth and gestured to Eagle with both hands. "Is this the guy you choose? Is being this man's wife the limit that you want for your long life as a cultivator?"

She bit her lip and I could see her heart cracking. The idea of the person she'd built up had shattered. "I don't want children. My goal is to reach immortality."

"I'm striving for that too, but I also want kids. There are plenty of women who have had a family and reached the peak of the world."

I cleared my throat. "Yes, but they had families that supported their cultivation. Are you the type of man who would give up his own resources to ensure your wife achieved your same level? Or would you take hers and then become disgusted because she can't keep up with you?"

He glared at me. "Stop butting in." Then he realized who he was talking to and blushed. "Sorry, Great Martial Aunt, but this is between me and Fourth Oak Branch."

Fourth Oak crossed her arms under her chest. "No. I want to know the answer."

"Of course I wouldn't take your cultivation resources," he said like the liar he was.

"No," Fourth Oak said, taking a step back. "But you'd ask for them, wouldn't you? If you were desperate enough. Like that one time before the inner sect tournament."

He briefly glared at me, then attempted to appease his girlfriend. "Maybe, if I needed to be stronger to protect my family. Which is you if you marry me."

The two argued back and forth.

Feeling like I'd made the world a better place, I walked away with a grin.

Little Spring looked at me in horror and followed. "Sister Lin. You just ruined their marriage."

"Did I? Or did I help them clarify what each wanted and realize that they didn't know enough about each other to get married?"

I might be anti-relationship, but it wasn't like I expected others to be that way as well. That said, in my last life, those two argued everywhere every day. About resources, about how weak she was, about how he would never have attained his current realm if she hadn't sacrificed, and how she thought that when he reached a higher realm and had access to better resources, he'd return the favor but never did.

It got to the point where most of the inner sect knew about these two and their drama. It certainly made Eagle infamous.

I just saved the sect a hundred years of having to listen to their toxic bickering. Muahahaha!

***

As soon as we reached our courtyard, Little Spring tugged on my sleeve. "You didn't answer my question earlier."

"Ah, which one?"

"Will you go through your tribulation now?"

I clasped my hands behind my back like the little master I was. "There are still a few things I need to arrange, so I have to wait a little longer."

He frowned. "What things?"

I paused. Well, it wasn't a secret. "An inheritance. Maybe it's more like a will."

Both of his fists clutched my sleeve tightly. "Why would you need one? You're not going to die after all those preparations you made… Are you?"

I tilted my chin up. "Of course not! Who do you think I am?"

"Fairy Lin!"

"That's right."

He scowled. "Then why prepare something like an inheritance?"

I sighed. "As a master, it would be a significant loss to the world if my work ended with me. Before going through any tribulation, I set up an inheritance."

The kid crossed his arms. "Aren't you just trying to put it off again?"

I raised a brow at the brat. "What do you mean, 'put it off?'"

"First, you needed to have sufficient body cultivation, then you needed to have a list of items. Now you're saying you can't go through with it yet because you need to put an inheritance together?"

I rubbed my glabella. "Just say it straight."

"You're scared! And you're making excuses! Even dealing with that couple was an excuse to not answer my question about it."

This fuckin' brat had some fucking guts! He dared to say I was scared of my tribulation?! "Don't be ridiculous! I would never do that!"

"But you are!"

"I've been through tribulations far more powerful than the one that's waiting for me! How could I be so terrified of facing it that I'd put it off?"

He just looked at me.

"I'm not!"

"Is there something I don't know? Do you really think it might kill you?"

I puffed up my chest. "Of course it won't kill me."

"Then why wait?"

"Enough!" I turned. Similar to the conversation with Garlic, this was going nowhere.

"No!" He pulled on the sleeve of my mundane silk robe that I'd changed into earlier so I wouldn't get flag paint on my new armor. The sound of cloth ripping echoed through the courtyard.

We both froze.

For some reason, that torn sleeve was like me — pulled and pulled, seeming fine until suddenly it wasn't.

Everything that had happened weighed down on me all at once. Originally transmigrating, my rebirth, fighting off assassins, the dichotomy between my soul and body that practically killed me, saving the Junior Sect Leader, the sect trials, the vine plague, the crab mission, almost losing this damn brat to an ascendant beast, and even all the arguments with that troll Garlic. I snapped.

"You know what! Yes!" I poked him in the chest. He took a step back. "There is always a chance that I'll die!"

I wasn't you! I didn't have fucking plot armor. I was stuck inside this god-forsaken Xianxia universe. But in my past-past life, I'd been an average person! Maybe I had been a bit successful at science and research, but I was still normal. Then I came here and... "I crawled, tooth and nail, to get to the top of this dumbass world! Then I fucking died in a goddamn tribulation accident caused by you!" I poked him again and his eyes went wide.

"And now I have to risk my life all the fuck over again. Only, this time, it's a hundred times more difficult! Even with all my preparations, I'm not positive I'll survive."

He bit his lip. And I immediately regretted my outburst.

While his body was the same, the kid was not Bloodsword. He was not the one responsible for my death. Although I'd been pushed too far recently, that was no excuse for yelling at an innocent person.

He clenched his hand into a fist and stood with his back straight. "One of the first things you said to me was that, in our past lives, because of my stupidity, I killed you. So in this life, I need to pay you back." He narrowed his eyes at me. "You spoke like you lived in another world. But that's not exactly it."

Wait. In my whole triad, that's what the brat picked up?!

"I have lived in another world."

"Sister Lin. I respect you, but I think I'm old enough that you can tell me the truth." His big brown eyes stared at me very seriously, as if waiting.

"The truth, kid? I'm not sure you can handle the truth."

He looked exasperated.

"Fine!" He held up his index finger. "You say you're from another world, but you know too many things about this one."

Okay, I may have made that mistake.

He added his middle digit. "You're the furthest thing from a diviner, but you knew that those two back there would make each other miserable, so you prevented it."

Well, it was between that or letting the whole sect suffer.

A third finger raised. "When the sect leader needed a spiritual plant for his antidote, you knew exactly where it was and that Junior Sect Leader Unyielding Firestorm would be there. Though, I admit that you had me fooled, that you were just looking for the sect members on a whim."

How the fuck had this brat gotten so smart?

His pinky shot up, joining the others. "You know, advanced techniques that are nothing like what other alchemists and smiths are using."

I was very impressed. He had good eyes. As expected of my junior martial brother.

"Your soul is from the future!"

A wind blew by, shifting the leaves of the courtyard.

"And sometime in the future, I get you killed while you're in the middle of a tribulation."

Story 8 - Tribulation Trepidations (20/24 ?)

I scowled at Little Spring. His sad and betrayed expression made me think I'd hurt him by keeping this a secret from him.

"I need to think," he said. Before I could say anything, he vanished into his space.

The hell?! Running away?

What kind of cliche bullshit was this?! Had we changed genres again?

He couldn't go yet! Now that he'd figured things out, there were a shit ton of things we had to discuss. Also, it would be bad to let the brat stew in the sins of someone else. I had to explain why I hadn't let him know. Tell him that it was to both protect myself and make it so he wouldn't have to feel unnecessary guilt. Because I'd seen guilt give disciples inner demons that crippled their growth.

Actually, inner demons were an interesting concept. In this Xianxia universe, they started as fears and mental issues that prevented cultivators from growing — similar to how a professional athlete might suddenly be unable to perform for a psychological reason. Eventually, those inner demons would turn into literal mental demons, sometimes even taking physical form if the cultivator had reached a high enough realm.

It was something I didn't think a child should have to go through. It was also something I didn't want to go through.

I followed Little Spring into the space and appeared on my bed.

That wasn't where I wanted to go.

When I tried to open my door, it wouldn't budge, even using my body-cultivation-enhanced muscles. Teleporting again only landed my ass back where I started.

Fuck. That brat had restricted my movements to my room! How? Was this another facet of the space he'd recently discovered, like him being able to exit where I was?

When sent a telepathic message, it didn't go through. The jerk had put up a damn mental barrier! I hadn't even taught him that yet.

As I glared at the unbudging door, the golden dragon poked its head into my room and puffed an imaginary flame at me. I waved it away.

"What do you want?"

"Just here to gloat." It held up a spiritual energy scoreboard that had me being ten points behind. Ten!

"Hey! The kid only earned four extra points, at most!"

It arrogantly waved its little claw at me, then vanished into the opposite wall.

Little Spring's puppy suddenly appeared in my room. We stared at each other for a moment, then Xiao Bai wagged his fluffy tail happily and rubbed up against me.

Yeah, yeah. I could see he wanted pets.

Seriously, only mundane animals liked me.

After using a cleaning technique on him, his coat became even fluffier, making the puppy look like a round cotton ball with blue eyes. I ran my hand down his back, flattening his fur. Since it was just the two of us, I picked him up and stared into his cheerful face. "Are you actually a dragon or a white tiger? If not that, then a black tortoise or a vermillion bird?" I leaned close to his nose and narrowed my eyes at it. "Or maybe you're a baby luck dragon. Should I call you Falkor?"

"Arf!"

The puppy's wet tongue left a trail of slobber across my nose. Ew.

I gently set him down and cleaned myself.

The kid must have sent him here. Did he think the puppy would keep me company while he sorted through his thoughts or something?

When I sat down, the dog crawled into my lap. Ugh. His fur was going to get everywhere. Whatever.

Stroking his soft head seemed to lessen my frustrations about being unable to have a proper fucking conversation, and focus my mind on the issues I needed to face by myself.

Dying during my immortal ascension tribulation apparently left a mark on my once-iron subconscious. I had ignored it, as if it didn't exist at all, allowing it to fester. My delays and procrastination only made it worse. Hearing stories of people who failed and seeing those scorch marks on the floor of Little Black's favorite cave only exacerbated the issue.

But now, I had fully admitted and recognized my fear. A powerful first step towards correcting my mental state that came with consequences. If I didn't take care of this within the next several hours, it might actually become an inner demon that would devastate my growth.

I was not letting that fucking happen.

Of course, with the time I had left, I had to quickly get my affairs in order. Maybe the kid would be ready to talk after I'd finished.

I pulled a bucket full of jade slips out of my ring. Over the past year, I'd recorded information on them whenever I could. Now it was time to sort them into inheritances while… petting the puppy. This wouldn't take long.

Let's see. To Sect Leader Peerless Resolve, he'd need the intelligence I had on where the sect defenses were lacking. Places where the demonic sect attacked us successfully in my last life. Also, a warning to always be on Little Spring's side.

After I carved the Sect Leader's name into the jade, I set the two slips on my table. Then I created a spiritual seal that would destroy the information if I wasn't dead, and someone with a spiritual signature that didn't match the sect leader tried to access it. It was a simple and effective security only grandmasters could bypass.

Next, to Salamander, I left a series of hints that would lead him down the path he wished he'd gone down in my past life. This should be enough to repay him for all that he did for me.

To Senior Auspicious Paifeng, I left a note of apology for being unable to fulfill my promise. Of course, I couldn't allow it to go completely unfulfilled since it was a matter of the sect's security, so I left instructions for the spiritual item forgers. They might be able to upgrade him. Might.

To Ghosty McGhostFace, who was still recovering from losing most of his energy, I gave instructions on how to nourish his soul and the list of items that could help create his new body.

To my martial grand nephew, Unyielding Firestorm, I left the rare spiritual fruit I was given after curing the vine plague. It wasn't like I'd need it if I failed.

Then to Clear Eyes Mad Tongue, that too observant motherfucker, I just left a pile of protective talismans and ten bottles of Lin's Healing Dan. Also, the spirit stones I owed him.

Since that seemed lacking, I added a note telling him that if he kept running his damn mouth off, he'd be next.

Just thinking of his face metaphorically covered in black lines while reading that... Muahahaha!

I continued down the list I'd made for myself. Soon, only one person remained. My junior martial brother, both in this life and my last.

With a sense of finality, I set down the copy of his cultivation technique that I created before the Sect Trials.

Next, a series of jade clacked onto the table as I placed all the other manuals I'd made. There were ones on sword techniques, inner energy spells, alchemy, and item forging.

I also left instructions to never make Fairy Garlic any chef tools. Bahahaha!

The kid would inherit everything else of mine, so making a detailed list wasn't really worth my time.

Since he still wasn't done thinking, I left a note explaining why I kept him in the dark and that, if anything happened to me, he should go learn from Salamander. And not only how to wield a sword, either. If he could pick up Salamander's philosophy, he could become both a decent person and a badass cultivator.

Huh. There was something I was forgetting.

I pulled out my hairpin and ran my hand along the white jade surface.

The blade I borrowed. It wasn't the best I had ever used but, for a Qi Cultivator like me, it was perfect. It had been with me for so long that I felt like it belonged to me. But, I'd never, not for one moment, forgotten that it was the brat's. If things went poorly, I guessed that I would be returning it soon.

I brushed back the fluffiness that covered the good puppy's blue eyes.

"The thing is, Xiao Bai... I'm terrified I'll die in this tribulation. But, what I'm not, is scared to face my fears. Only by facing them can I overcome death and reach immortality."

He tilted his head and swiveled a pointy ear toward me.

I looked up at the mini noodle dragon sticking its head into the room.

"Do me a favor. Tell your master... I'll be back."

"Fine." He blew out a puff of smoke.

"And take the puppy with you!"

He waved his little claw. Both he and Xiao Bai vanished.

Running away wouldn't solve anything for that brat or myself.

After changing into my armor, it was time to fuckin' go.

***

On my way to the location I'd prepared, there were two places I needed to stop. The first was the Sect Leader's Hall. While trying to find Peerless Resolve, I ran into Early Rise Swift Brush.

"If you're here for the sect leader, he's checking on each of the peak masters."

Something he rarely did. During his visits to them, he would keep a mental barrier up, preventing secret sound transmissions so he could focus on each master individually. I guessed it was just my bad timing.

"Can you pass on the message that I'm going through my tribulation?"

He looked excited. "Yes, Great Martial Aunt! I'm sure you'll do well!"

This guy was the inheritor of my strangest and most unexpected legacy. One that appeared to grow on its own. Since I didn't prepare an inheritance for him, I felt that I couldn't leave without at least saying something.

I straightened my spine and clasped my hands so I looked like the little master I was. "Even if I'm not here, continue cultivating the Dao of Paperwork. It suits you. You may even develop it into a black rank cultivation technique."

He seemed to understand the deep meaning of my words because his eyes widened and he said, "G-great Martial Aunt! Don't say that. You've been working so hard on your preparations, you should have one of the easiest tribulations in the whole sect."

I smirked. Well, he didn't know. "Just remember to pass my message along."

Even if it didn't reach my nephew, he'd feel it once my tribulation started.

***

Next, I visited Salamander's courtyard to collect the pagoda. One of his students let me know he was in closed-door cultivation. Apparently, my forcing him to learn my style had given him a massive epiphany. I even overheard several people talking about how brilliant he was to have two so close together.

As expected of my mentor.

Unfortunately for me, his epiphany had occurred suddenly and he forgot to leave the pagoda with someone who could give it to me. Then again, I was about a week early thanks to Shadow Gopher. He wouldn't have known I'd need it now.

Since my fear was becoming a heart demon, I had to take care of it immediately. No waiting. No more putting it off, even if it meant leaving the pagoda behind.

But that wasn't entirely bad. If I couldn't borrow it now, I could use it for my next tribulation. It would be even more helpful then. Muahahaha!

***

I'd originally looked at several locations, but there was only one place I felt comfortable enough to call down my tribulation. The valley between what would be my peak — Righteous Defense Peak — and my past-life's home, Mystical Bamboo Peak.

A grassy field stretched on for miles, only broken by a foothill-sized boulder that stood out like a zit on an immortal's face.

Over the past few months, I'd prepared this field for my tribulation. Since this valley lacked an immortal cave, I had carved a small one out of the boulder where I could retreat to and complete my foundation. I even jury-rigged a door that slid up or down when I triggered the switch with my spiritual energy. When shut, it blended into the stone completely.

Using the Golden Walnut flags I'd prepared, I quickly threw each out to create my Lin's Awesome Lightning Defensive formation. Once activated, it would produce a mystical faraday cage that would protect me from heavenly lightning strikes. Of course, it could only take so many since it sucked up my spirit stones like a damn vacuum.

I'd have to use it only towards the end of my tribulation during the worst attacks. It made me glad I grabbed all that cash from Little Black.

Of course, just one formation wasn't enough. I continued to throw out flags creating four defensive formations that circled the big faraday cage. These would only slightly help against lightning. Mostly I included them since my paranoid ass had read too many Xianxia where the main character had to deal with a tribulation while being attacked. While it was unlikely, I did have enemies, so I wasn't taking any chances.

Of course, activating them would cost spirit stones, so I'd try not to use them. If I was lucky, I could get my stones back after this, preventing me from being completely broke. Whatever. Money could only be enjoyed by the living.

I needed to do one last thing.

With a step, I briefly entered and exited the space. Unfortunately, the brat still hadn't lifted my restriction.

Once I made it out of this, I'd give him such a long lecture on how to talk through issues. Or maybe he'd have to learn that by himself...

I looked up at the clear sky. White clouds drifted by as the wind tickled the hair on the back of my neck. The sun's rays seemed to make the green valley sparkle.

What a beautiful day to battle myself and the heavens. Alone.

Despite all the good friends and juniors I've met along the way in the end, cultivators must walk their path by themselves. Even ones like me, from another world and another time.

While I was terrified of this tribulation, I'd face it no matter what. After all, having an indomitable will wasn't about never being afraid. No. It was about never allowing those fears to have control over you.

While holding my sword like a gangster, I lifted my fist up to the heavens.

Then, grinning, I extended my middle finger to give it a big, 'fuck you.'

Power gathered overhead. Wind blew. The air smelled of petrichor as if the earth opened up to praise the will of the heavens descending. Humidity increased and droplets formed on my sword from a sudden chill.

Storm clouds took shape above me, only to spiral out. Flashes of lightning emphasized the clouds' coil as they expanded for several miles. By the time they stopped, it was large enough to devastate this whole grassy valley... and me.

From what I remembered from my past-past life, the Xianxia authors never went into detail when describing how facing a tribulation actually felt. Then again, I even had trouble doing justice to the hair-raising energy bomb gathering to fall on my head.

Being locked in this little Qi Condensation body while facing a tribulation this far beyond my current realm was like a fucked up nightmare.

I hated being weak. I hated being scared and watching my hands shake. It was time to change things.

Smiling wider, I waved my stiff middle finger back and forth at the tribulation.

A murderous intent radiated from its increased flashes. Guess I must have pissed it off.

"Muahahaha! Let's go, motherfucker!"

Story 8 - Tribulation Trepidations (21/24 ?)

Malevolence and bloodlust wafted off the spiraling cloud structure. Static in the air caused my arm hair to raise. My scalp numbed.

In this life, the heavens wanted me dead.

I pulled out five protective talismans and slapped them all over my body.

Step one of Lin's plan to defeat her fears — throw money at it.

I had a limited number of these, but I'd estimated that there would be between ten and eighteen lightning strikes and purchased double the amount I required. Of course, I had left around a quarter to Clear Eyes but that was fine. Frankly, if everything I'd already prepared wasn't enough to get me through this, then this tribulation's power would have grown to the point I'd need Salamander's pagoda. Which I didn't have.

The light from the clouds pulled in towards its center. The world darkened. That was the sign.

My muscles were stiff, my hands shook, and my ass tightened like I was trying to hold in the side effects from a Cleansing Dan. But, as someone with centuries of practice moving through fear, I didn't freeze. Or shit myself.

I pointed my blade towards the eye of the tribulation. "Thousand Cuts!"

A thousand little blades of sword Qi traveled in one concentrated beam, meeting the sudden lightning strike that bore down on me.

Most of it dispersed or branched, leaving only a tendril that hit my chest. It packed one hell of a punch! I skidded backwards from the impact while all five talismans burned away.

Some of the bolt had broken off, hitting random areas around the grassy field. Where they struck, gashes formed. Small fires started. The scent of smoke and charred grass spread through the area.

I was still alive!

I laughed.

Now that I'd tested my strength against it, I estimated that its power was just under the equivalent of a tribulation to reach the Golden Core realm. At this point, I doubted I could survive a strike without my prepared defenses.

The reason I needed so many defensive techniques and items wasn't because I planned to sit and look pretty. No. The best way to face my tribulation was to attack it. Defensive measures were backups for when my attacks weren't enough.

Which would be — all the time.

I've found that, as long as I prepared properly, surviving a tribulation was mostly a matter of logistics and tactics, rather than strength. If I didn't prepare and just repeated the same strategy, the cloud would either grow more powerful, or start changing things up just to fuck with me.

Heavenly lightning wasn't like electricity. Nor was it something natural. It had rudimentary intelligence and a will f its own.

During my very first tribulation, I created a lightning rod similar to the one I had used in the sect trials. The tribulation completely ignored it. Then, it lasted eleven strikes rather than ten. It was like I'd offended it.

For this tribulation, I would fight it. But it wouldn't be easy. Not with the fuzzy spiritual energy that Qi Condensation was limited to. I had skills and knowledge, but in the end, raw power mattered.

I replaced my used up talismans and glared up at the storm.

"Bring it asshole!"

The cloud thundered, swirled, then darkened once more. It glowed further down the spiral.

It would come from the left.

I sent another Thousand Cuts where I could feel the lightning. Of course, I didn't stop there. As a test, I created a shield out of my spiritual energy to prevent the last bit of lightning from hitting me. Unfortunately, it punched through my shield and struck toward me.

Fuck.

My talismans stopped the last part from actually damaging me. I ended up skidding out of where I'd placed my faraday cage formation and into one of the defensive formation circles. The poor field had collected more scorch marks. Rain fell as if the tribulation was trying to put out the small fires it had created. It also made the grass slippery. That fucking son of a squall.

Considering that my shield barely did anything, I'd need to add two extra talismans to this next strike. As I suspected. It would be better to rely on consumables for defense and reserve my own energy for attacks.

Cold sweat collected on my forehead. Or maybe that was rain. Whatever.

I tightened my grip on my sword. Two down, eight or sixteen to go.

I could do this! I could beat my fear and this tribulation.

And of course. Of fucking course, that was when the shadows appeared at the edge of the valley, surrounding me on all sides. They stood just outside the range of the tribulation clouds.

No. I shouldn't assume this was trouble from the start. This could just be bored disciples checking out who was going through this strange not-exactly-Golden-Core tribulation.

As I added a fresh layer of talismans, I stretched my divine sense outward, and touched a familiar cloaked presence. Little Black?

She pointed at me and a hundred spiritual arrows flew at me from all sides.

HA! Hahahaha! I understood.

She'd betrayed me. But she was still alive. That meant this black market creep had to be a demonic convert.

As a member of the Demonic Sect, they would have even worse and higher-level soul enchantments than the one I'd cast on her. Likely one that absorbed other attempts at meddling. It also explained why I felt that bit of resistance.

She was someone born within the sect, who didn't have to get approved by Senior Auspicious Paifang. This made her the perfect person to corrupt.

Since she was sending arrows at me, I guessed she hadn't heard about my sect trial. Or maybe she thought spiritual arrows could do more damage to me than mundane ones.

She... wasn't wrong. If they could hit me.

Shit. There was no way I'd get my spirit stones back.

Since I was already in one of my defensive formations, I activated it. The arrows that curved towards me pinged off the rounded shield and plunged into the surrounding ground, including where I'd placed my flag sticks. Fortunately, the higher-quality flags didn't take damage from getting bombarded. If I hadn't upgraded my wood, those would be toast.

From my right, lightning fell. "Thousand Cuts!"

Before the last bit could get through, I activated the enchantment I'd added to my shoes to turn them into a flying tool. I briefly stepped into the air as if I were a golden core. The lightning, stuck to its downward path, blasted the ground where I would have been. The sound would have deafened me if I hadn't had body cultivation.

Of course, I knew from experience that avoiding the bolt like that wouldn't work against this tribulation a second time. I could already see it boiling with anger.

Life was not giving me a break today.

"Dear customer, before you die..." The evil giddiness in her voice made me want to strangle her. "Did you actually think a brilliant merchant like me would let a potential big fish like you get assassinated... and only receive money as compensation? Are you that dumb or was that all an act?"

This biiiiitch. "What did the demonic sect offer you?"

Of course, she wouldn't answer. I could practically see her smugly smiling a while being amused that I'd never know.

Another volley of arrows pinged against my defensive formation, causing it to flash. My spirit stone battery drained significantly. Her underlings must be at Foundation Establishment.

"With your tiny wallet, how long can your defenses last?"

I slapped a few more talismans onto my robes. "I should have killed you when I had the chance."

"And I'd be grateful if you'd die here."

"Fuck you!"

Volley after volley of spiritual arrows hit my formation. I took that moment to use the split mind technique and separated my thoughts into four parts.

Two evaluated the attack pattern of the arrows and the tribulation. I focused another on sending distress calls. Because I could not handle this shit on my own. They were too far away for me to attack them.

The last analyzed my time with Little Black, searching for clues.

***

This bitch had loved meeting me in that cave with the lightning burns. Then, when I was getting close to collecting all the items I needed for my tribulation, she told me that story about her father. Something I now found suspicious as fuck.

Of course I wouldn't have noticed it back then.

She must have had someone discover my weakness. Then she subtly influenced me, pushing me to slowly develop an inner demon.

It was like that time Senior Grand Deviant Fire taught a friend's disciple a seemingly harmless attack spell. It was only later that the disciple discovered it was incompatible with their cultivation technique and that, out of jealousy, Deviant Fire had purposefully ruined their progress.

Wait. No, that wasn't exactly it.

Actually, the whole thing really fucking reminded me of those messed up algorithms from my past-past life. They found depressed people and showed them images and stories that encouraged harmful tendencies and self-destructive behaviors. There was even one company that was successfully sued because of their negligence.

This bitch had used her stories and environments in the exact same duplicitous way. Trying to coerce me into fearing my tribulation so much that I would develop an inner demon. One that would prevent me from increasing my strength and becoming another powerhouse for the righteous sects.

Or they just wanted to get rid of the disciple of Immortal Zhenren Sword Within the Light of Virtue.

Regardless of why, she realized it hadn't worked fast enough. She or her demonic boss must have sent those assassins after me.

While my fear was real and my putting it off of it exacerbated the issues, the reason I'd been so close to developing an inner demon was because of the demonic cultivators!

***

The first person I attempted to contact was the Sect Leader. ::Aunt Lin! You're back?!::

::You didn't know?::

::This isn't a good time! I'm in a fight."

Same.

::If you can, get somewhere safe. We enacted our plan to take out the demonic sects' infiltrators, but there were far more than we suspected.::

Shit! Before I left, he'd mentioned something about clearing out this infestation. And I gave him the two weeks I would have been gone to get it done. But I returned from my trip a week early thanks to Shadow Gopher. I couldn't have known about it since I'd been back less than a day and spent most of that time in the space where no one could contact me.

The next person I tried to talk to was Salamander, but he was still in closed door cultivation.

I attempted to get a hold of Garlic and Verdant Bamboo but they were both in fights of their own. The whole sect was drowning in chaos.

Just my fucking luck.

If I knew the sect was going to do a damn spring cleaning, I would have dragged everyone I could over here to protect me during my tribulation.

So, all of my higher realmed acquaintances were busy fighting traitors.

That left those at Foundation Establishment. The first person on that list I contacted was Unyielding Firestorm. "Great Martial Aunt Lin! This isn't the best time!"

"I know, but I'm in the middle of my tribulation and being attacked by a bunch of demonic archers."

"... I'm on the other side of the sect... I'm on my way, but I don't know if I can reach you in time. Stay alive."

"Always."

The next person I talked to was Clear Eyes. "Senior! This isn't a good time. There are trusted inner sect disciples detonating their dantians, destroying important buildings, and killing promising disciples."

Fuck. The demonic infiltrators were trying to cripple the newest generation. "Be careful! You're likely one of their targets! Salamander too."

"I will!" He paused. "Ah, Senior. Are you okay?"

My head ached. This was either the strain of keeping up the split mind technique or a natural consequence of my situation. "Of course not! I'm in the middle of a tribulation while being attacked by goddamn demonic cultivators. I need backup."

"That massive tribulation is yours?! It's enormous! It looks like a Golden Core tribulation but double in size. I thought you were only in Qi Condensation?!"

I mentally sighed. "Just get somewhere safe."

"Great Aunt!" He sounded touched. "I'll come as soon as I can."

"Staying alive is more important. I'm not out of options yet." I still had the space. Of course, if I used it, too often I could either make the tribulation think I'd failed — which would become my reality — or enrage it further.

Maybe I'd create a new Dao. The way of tribulation infuriation.

***

I survived another volley of arrows without a scratch.

The merchant's cloak vibrated with her rage. "Are you a cockroach? How do you keep surviving?"

"Tell me how you brought your archers into the sect, and I'll tell you, Little Black."

"Don't call me that! That name is a disgusting reminder that you tried to make me your underling. I'd never work for a weak child like you!"

Again, the tribulation zipped down. Clenching my teeth, I secretly pulled out a few more talismans and, in a fucking power move, I let it hit me without flinching, even though it still hurt. Of course, my heart rate increased and my ears rang, but my talismans stopped it before it could actually damage me.

All Little Black would see was a little girl getting struck by lightning like it was nothing and smoke coming off the top of her head.

Of course, doing things this way just pissed off the Tribulation, but whatever. I'd proved my fucking point.

Little Black took a step back. Then, from her exaggerated movements, it looked like she was yelling at her archers to keep attacking me, only harder.

The speed of the arrows released increased. My formation, which had helped to decrease the lightning's attack power, had weakened rapidly. Nearly all the spirit stones at its core were consumed.

I subtly pulled out another series of talismans and plastered them all over my body, increasing the amount by five. Shit. I was going through more of my stock than I suspected. At this rate, if my tribulation lasted more than ten bolts, I would run out of these.

Of course, I still had my armor.

It wasn't that I didn't want to damage my new armor, but it should be my last line of protection before my body took a hit. I'd likely need it to save my ass toward the end of this tribulation if my formations didn't last.

The small pile of mid-tier spirit stones I'd used to power this small defensive formation turned to dust.

Arrows flew towards me.

I laughed and used my Impossible Leap combined with my flying shoes to almost instantly fly upwards several feet. That drained more energy than I liked, but it took me out of the way of their arrows.

I allowed gravity to pull me down into one of my other defensive formations.

I pointed my fist at Little Black, then extended my middle finger. Once again, I fired off another Thousand Cuts.

Bolt number five was twice as thick and three times as fast. Surviving the tribulation's strike with only talismans had obviously made it unhappy. With this new speed, dodging was impossible. Fortunately, I had a space.

I flashed into my room and caught a glimpse of Little Spring reading the note I'd left. Since I basically blinked in and out, I didn't have time to talk, but he also didn't see me.

Fortunately, it explained my reasoning for not telling him the truth. That would help ease any guilt he may feel. Once this was over, I'd sit him down to have a proper goddamn conversation. Like rational people.

But first, I'd have to avoid becoming a fried arrow cushion.