Living In Another World With A Farm Chapter 8561: Tribulation (1)

Daily life for the cultivators on Ghost Bone Island followed a monotonous cycle. Recently, however, a fresh topic had gripped everyone: the destruction of the Tang family and the humiliating blow dealt to the Yin Yang Sect. Being one of the nine great sects, the Yin Yang Sect was a formidable entity, and the annihilation of one of their powerful clans was effectively a slap to their face; such occurrences were exceedingly rare. Previously, when the Yin Yang Sect had been targeted by the Ghostwind bandits, the Yin Yang Sect members had been quick to respond with haughty, sarcastic comments. Now that the tables had turned, spectators were left wondering how they would react.

Discussions regarding this event dominated the days of the disciples on Ghost Bone Island. The influence of the nine great sects was undeniable, and few dared to publicly insult them. Even the Blood Slaughter Sect, having been destroyed, was not someone to be trifled with lightly, as their might had been immense. It was widely believed that only the intervention of top-tier experts from the higher realms allowed for the Blood Slaughter Sect’s downfall. If one were to truly analyze the power balance, the Blood Slaughter Sect was likely even more formidable than the Dark Ghost Sect.

With the Yin Yang Sect’s overall strength being comparable, the residents of Ghost Bone Island found great entertainment in watching their rivals suffer a public humiliation while speculating on the identity of the perpetrators. Cultivator life was, by nature, quite dull. Beyond the rigors of Cultivation and duty-bound missions, a simple conversation with peers was a rare and cherished luxury.

Suddenly, an immense black cloud materialized over Ghost Bone Island, startling the disciples. Confused by the anomaly, they gazed up at the sky; some rose in a panic, and others took to the air in disbelief.

As the minutes passed, the dark clouds thickened and converged above, accompanied by waves of oppressive pressure. The sheer intensity of this force was enough to strike fear into the hearts of the cultivators, causing widespread unease on the island. Panic ensued, and several disciples began plotting their escape.

A booming voice echoed throughout the island, cutting through the chaos: "Everyone, remain calm. This is a heavenly Tribulation. Someone on this island is breaking through to become an Island Lord level expert. Disciples are strictly forbidden from wandering about. Return to your quarters and wait. If you wish to observe the Tribulation, remain still and silent; do not disturb the process!" The proclamation reached every person on the island. Initially, there was an uproar, which quickly transformed into jubilation. Witnessing a cultivator ascend to the level of an Island Lord was rare, so rather than returning to their rooms, the disciples gathered, eyes brimming with excitement to watch the spectacle.

While they had never personally witnessed a heavenly Tribulation, these cultivators were well-versed in its nature. Knowing it would not threaten them directly, they watched with keen interest, hoping that observing the event might provide insights to aid their own Cultivation.

Outside the courtyard of Yu Qing, a small cluster of people gathered. The leader, an elder with white eyebrows and a white beard, frowned as he watched the residence. "I never anticipated that Yu Qing would achieve the Island Lord level at such a time. He was once a gifted disciple under my guidance, but after suffering some unknown trauma, he fell into despair. I believed he had lost the potential to reach this height, yet here he is. It is truly astonishing. Does anyone know what he has endured lately?"

Beside him stood two Island Lord level experts alongside several others in the Foundation Establishment realm. These men, no longer in the prime of youth, gazed at the courtyard with visible envy. They all shook their heads in response to the elder's query, including the two Island Lords.

The elder was Gu Ming, the master of Ghost Bone Island. His strength was legendary, and he practiced a technique akin to a body-cultivation method known as the Blood Bone skill. By mastering the art of manifesting bone armor, he could summon a vicious ghost into each plate of armor during combat, making him nearly invincible. Gu Ming had used this unique skill to dominate, facing very few genuine peers.

The surrounding cultivators were his disciples. Out of the twenty-five he had mentored, seven had perished, two had attained the Island Lord level and helped establish the island, and the remainder were still honing their craft in the lower realms. Yu Qing had been counted among them.

In the Dark Ghost Sect, once a cultivator reached the Island Lord stage, the requirement to conceal one's face vanished. Though some chose to continue masking themselves, it was not strictly mandated. The tradition of covering faces existed because most Dark Ghost Sect techniques involved ghost Cultivation, which distorted the user's features, making them ghastly. Naturally, the disciples hid their appearance to avoid embarrassment.

However, upon reaching the status of Island Lord and surviving the heavenly Tribulation, the inward pressure of the technique would be refined into a divine spark, restoring the cultivator's natural face. This was why Gu Ming remained unmasked, looking like a sage-like elder rather than a practitioner of the dark arts.

Gu Ming continued to stare at the small courtyard. "Yu Qing’s sudden decline years ago left me perplexed. He emerged from seclusion deeply troubled, and his vitality has been hemorrhaging ever since. Yet now, he has miraculously broken through. There is clearly an underlying reason. I intend to question him once the Tribulation concludes."

His disciples remained silent, nodding as they waited for the event to unfold. Soon, the heavenly Tribulation arrived in full force. The lightning struck directly into the building, yet magically, neither the structure nor anyone else in the vicinity suffered damage. The lightning behaved like a phantom, focused solely on its target.

The fire tribulation and wind tribulation inevitably followed the lightning. Once the clouds parted and the sky cleared, Yu Qing walked out of the room cautiously. Spotting Gu Ming and his group, he immediately knelt before his master. "Disciple Yu Qing greets Master."

Gu Ming gestured for him to rise, his tone grave. "You have successfully transcended the heavenly Tribulation and attained the Island Lord level. This is a meritorious achievement. However, I have questions. Let us speak inside." He entered the courtyard, with Yu Qing and the others following closely behind until they reached the living quarters.

After settling into his seat, Gu Ming cast a piercing look at Yu Qing. "Yu Qing, explain how you suddenly achieved this breakthrough. Furthermore, why the deep depression all these years? It seemed as if you were burdened by a great tragedy. Day by day, your vitality faded as if you had given up on your path to becoming an Island Lord. Yet today, you succeeded. Tell me everything in detail. If I detect a single lie, I will end your life, regardless of your new status."

Yu Qing fell to his knees immediately. "I would not dare deceive you, Master. I was once of the Yu family within the Yin Yang Sect. They sent me to the Yin Ghost Sect in my youth to infiltrate and master our techniques. But when I became a true disciple, the Tang family colluded with certain elders of the Yin Yang Sect to purge my entire family. I was consumed by grief and helplessness, which led to my years of despair. Only recently, upon hearing that the Tang family had been wiped out, did my inner demons finally vanish. That relief allowed me to break through. Every word is true, Master; please verify it."

Yu Qing chose complete honesty. Having been abandoned by his own kin, his loyalty lay elsewhere, and he knew he could never return to the Yin Yang Sect. Spies were a reality in the cultivation world, and Gu Ming would likely understand this. If he lied and were discovered, however, there would be no salvation.

Gu Ming was momentarily stunned before he nodded slowly. "So that is the truth. Your decline began exactly when the Yu clan fell. I never realized you were their blood. It all makes sense now. Rise." Yu Qing stood up, appearing somewhat relieved.

Gu Ming eyed him intently. "You are an Island Lord now and are entitled to your own domain. Do you intend to build your own island elsewhere, or shall you remain here on Ghost Bone Island?" The question was a test of loyalty. Yu Qing’s senior brothers had both chosen to build on Ghost Bone Island. If he chose to leave, it might appear as if he were distancing himself from his master, yet staying could hinder his own ambitions. Weighing his options, Yu Qing gritted his teeth and replied in a firm, respectful voice, "I shall establish my island here on Ghost Bone Island!"