Chapter Five: The Ancestor's Gaze! Gratitude for the Heavenly Tribulation!
In the Western teachings, a different scene unfolded.
The radiance of Buddha's light pervaded, and the power of faith was omnipresent.
On a pure lotus, the Daoist Master of the Western Paradise sat in solemn meditation.
Upon discovering that Li Changshou hailed from another world, his eyes widened slightly.
One hand held the Seven-Treasure Mysterious Tree, while the other pointed lightly at Li Changshou in the screen, his majestic aura filling the air, his voice resounding.
"This individual has a connection with our Western realm. Maitreya, Xu Bodhi, go and guide him."
...Within the Du Xian Gate.
Countless inscrutable gazes were fixed upon Li Changshou.
The atmosphere was palpably tense.
Li Changshou smiled wryly to himself.
At this point, things had deteriorated to their worst possible state.
Originally, his plan was to quietly bide his time within the Du Xian Gate, cultivate to the Great Luo Realm, and then seek a position in the Heavenly Court to safely weather the deification tribulation.
Li Changshou had always been meticulous and cautious, preferring to strategize and calculate before acting, avoiding risks at all costs.
He had prided himself on his prudence and stability.
Yet today, he found himself ensnared by an unforeseen predicament!
The pain was excruciating!
However, Li Changshou was no ordinary person. Since arriving in the Primordial World, he had devised countless contingencies and hidden strategies.
Now, he was merely confronting the worst-case scenario.
Li Changshou gradually regained his composure.
He sensed the covetous glances of several elders from the high platform.
A cold smile played at his lips.
It was time to reveal his trump card!
As Li Changshou prepared to unveil his first trump card—the close relationship with the Jade Emperor—to intimidate those within the Du Xian Gate, the narration on the screen sounded once more.
["In the mountains, where time is endless and cultivation knows no years, when Li Changshou reached the age of one hundred and ten, he gained a younger sister."]
["To protect his master and sister from future tribulations, Li Changshou meticulously planned and prepared for every eventuality—"]
On the screen, Li Changshou sat cross-legged, his aura subtly trembling, with wisps of spiritual energy swirling around him.
The heavens and earth within a myriad-mile radius suddenly darkened.
Boundless spiritual energy surged forth, with innumerable tribulation clouds churning in the sky, creating a grandiose and awe-inspiring spectacle.
Among the myriad realms, all cultivators familiar with tribulations held their breath for Li Changshou.
In the scene, Li Changshou took a deep breath.
As everyone anticipated he would face the tribulation unflinchingly, a practiced and rehearsed proclamation escaped his lips.
"Disciple Li Changshou of the Dao Sect, I now address the heavens!"
"Grateful for the celestial tribulation that bestows the path of enlightenment! This disciple sincerely receives it!"
"If this disciple cannot endure, it is due to inadequate skill and insufficient cultivation. If I perish, I shall have no grievances!"
"Thank you for the celestial compassion! This disciple is profoundly grateful for your grace!"
After his words, Li Changshou bowed deeply towards the heavens.
...After Li Changshou's speech before the tribulation, the myriad realms fell into an eerie silence.
A sense of bewilderment crept into their minds.
"This Li Changshou... truly an anomaly!"
"We cultivators should not shy away from confrontation! Even if one must die, it should be a grand and valiant end! To seek life in such a manner, appeasing the heavens for survival, is a disgrace to our kind!"
Countless cultivators began to murmur.
Those from worlds where tribulations were a requisite for cultivation understood that tribulations were manifestations of the indifferent and unfeeling Dao.
Crying and pleading, or cursing and raging, would not diminish or amplify the tribulation's power.
In their view, Li Changshou's actions were futile, appearing as nothing more than cowardice and lack of dignity.
In a world focused on martial souls,
A man with blue hair floated above the turbulent sea.
Broad-shouldered and tall, with piercing azure eyes, he gazed at the screen in the sky.
This man was Tang San, a paramount figure of the world known as Douluo Continent.
Upon seeing Li Changshou's fearful demeanor in the face of the so-called tribulation,
Tang San's eyes flashed with disdain.
"Although I do not understand why the lightning suddenly appeared, it must be due to the world's incomplete laws..."
"To think they haven't even awakened their martial soul; it seems this world's cultivation system is still in its infancy."
"Li Changshou, even though he shares a common origin with me from Blue Star, the disparity in talent shows how different the worlds can be."
Tang San shook his head. In a world where martial souls remain unawakened, the strength of its cultivators was evidently negligible, not worth his concern.
...In the world of遮天,
In the North Dipper Star Region.
Ye Fan watched the screen intently, anxious not to miss a single detail.
He was originally an Ancient Saint Body, one of the most potent physiques among humans.
But after the great upheaval in heaven and earth, his Saint Body was cursed.
What should have been a clear path to the heavens had turned into a dead end, trapped by the constraints of heaven and earth, unable to attain enlightenment.
Now, the cultivation system of another world displayed before him.
Could he seize this rare opportunity to carve out a new path?
Ye Fan held his breath, waiting for the next scene to unfold.
...Han Li's expression was grave.
The scene on the screen had given him a profound shock.
He had never imagined encountering someone so "self-preserving"!
Avoiding every bit of danger, never acting without absolute certainty!
Li Changshou's conduct had opened a new perspective for Han Li.
He began to reflect on how mistaken he had been in previous dangers when he hesitated and waited for things to unfold!
Clearly, he was not cautious enough!
...As the myriad realms scorned Li Changshou's cowardice and his shameless act of thanking the tribulation,
On the screen, Li Changshou was surrounded by rolling thunder and drifting tribulation clouds.
Amid the thunder, a voice of heavenly majesty suddenly resonated: "Good!"
"..."
"?"
What was this situation?!
Cultivators familiar with tribulations were left dumbfounded, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Tribulations could have consciousness?!
Those who had mocked and ridiculed Li Changshou found themselves awkwardly exchanging glances.
This world was truly strange!
...Within the Du Xian Gate.
The previously eager spectators now wore solemn expressions.
The younger disciples, who did not grasp the deeper meaning of the scene, continued to mock Li Changshou until they were silenced by their masters' reprimands.
The elders, who had been comfortably watching from their seats, now wore grave expressions.
Their extensive experience made them aware that tribulations were not devoid of sentiment, though ordinary tribulations might be.
These tribulations were set by the Sage to regulate the excessive absorption of celestial power by Primordial beings.
Ordinary cultivators either overcame the tribulation and ascended or failed and perished, without any response from the tribulation itself.
In other words, Li Changshou eliciting a reaction from the tribulation indicated that the Sage was observing him.
Moreover, the Sage's response following his gratitude signified something even more significant.
Li Changshou... The once-covetous elders now wore faint smiles.
Elders who were shrewd and discerning analyzed the situation swiftly, weighing the benefits and drawbacks.
They understood the might of the Sage was beyond their ability to contend with.
At this juncture, pursuing Li Changshou was akin to looking for trouble in a dung heap—futile and unwise!
It was better to build relationships and gain favor. If Li Changshou was favored by the Sage, it would be a step to greatness.
Even if they could not curry favor with the Sage, befriending this promising Li Changshou would be highly advantageous.
The elders eagerly awaited someone to cause trouble, so they could showcase their unity and care for their disciples before the Sage.
By the way, how old is Li Changshou, and is he married?
Elder with granddaughters and great-granddaughters at marriageable age had their eyes light up.
Li Changshou noticed the elders on the platform looking at him with peculiar expressions.
As if they were about to introduce their granddaughters to him.
Just then, a surge of Buddha light erupted outside the Du Xian Gate, and the sounds of Buddhist chanting resonated.
"Please, Junior Brother Changshou, come to the Western Paradise for a visit!"