Section 13: Ten Years of Cultivation, Heavenly Envy! Demonic Tribulation!
By Gu Zhenren, February 9, 2013
Under Chu Yun’s expectant gaze, the miniature Sky Fox tilted its head back, opened its small mouth, and began to absorb the Vital Energy around it.
Like a whirlwind appearing out of nowhere, the Vital Energy in the air immediately became dense. There were all sorts of Vital Energy: blue Water Vital Energy, red Fire Vital Energy, green Wood Vital Energy, white Gold Vital Energy, yellow Earth Vital Energy, and even LightningVital Energy, Wind Vital Energy, Light Vital Energy, and Dark Vital Energy.
The Sky Fox had nine attributes: Fire, Earth, Gold, Water, Wood, Wind, Lightning, Light, and Shadow. The first absorption of Vital Energy was equivalent to Foundation Establishment. Thus, it drew all nine types of Vital Energy to gather in the cave, forming a colorful, brilliant vortex of Vital Energy.
The Vital Energy buffeted Chu Yun’s clothes, rustling like great banners in the wind. Astonishment mixed with joy flickered in his eyes. The vast and brilliant Vital Energy vortex made him feel as small as an ant. The entire cave was filled with dense Vital Energy, a scene of extreme grandeur.
These Vital Energies were originally present in varying amounts. However, under the regulation of the Disha Stone, the most abundant Fire Vital Energy was converted into the other types of Vital Energy. This achieved an equal coexistence of the nine major Vital Energies.
One year of cultivation.
Two years of cultivation.
Three years of cultivation.
The Sky Fox’s cultivation was steadily increasing, but the Disha Stones were being consumed rapidly!
Ordinary Demonic Beasts had a single attribute, but the Sky Fox possessed nine. Therefore, the cost of Foundation Establishment was about ten times that of ordinary Demonic Beasts.
Chu Yun noticed this problem immediately, his face turning pale. In his past life, the Sky Fox only absorbed Fire Vital Energy. His preconceived notions caused him to be caught off guard when the situation arose.
Fortunately, he still had many Disha Stones. Thanks to someone “delivering” Disha Stone Coins last night.
He decisively took out a handful of Disha Stones and tossed them into the Vital Energy vortex. The Disha Stones were swept into the air, infused with Spiritual Energy, and immediately produced different types of Vital Energy.
Disha Stones did not possess pure Vital Energy themselves, but because they were rich in Disha Qi, they could convert any type of Vital Energy into another.
Thanks to the regulation of the Disha Stones, the nine types of Vital Energy in the cave remained in a delicate balance.
The Disha Stones were consumed rapidly. Before they could even land, they disappeared into the dense vortex of Vital Energy.
Four years of cultivation.
Five years of cultivation.
Chu Yun threw handful after handful of Disha Stones into the Vital Energy vortex. The Sky Fox’s form, shrouded in Vital Energy, was faintly visible, growing larger.
Six years of cultivation.
Seven years of cultivation.
Chu Yun was secretly excited. This was a record from his past life, but he could clearly feel now that this was not the limit of a perfect Sky Fox!
The cultivation was increasing!
Vital Energy was dense, pouring in from all directions, filling the entire cave. To Chu Yun, it looked like a river of colored energy, rippling with dazzling and magnificent waves.
Eight years of cultivation!
Piles of Disha Stones were being thrown in. The black stone coins sank into the surging river of Vital Energy, not falling to the ground. Instead, they were carried by the waves, constantly shrinking until they finally dissipated completely.
Nine years of cultivation!
Chu Yun trembled with excitement, almost unable to believe it. The difference between eight and nine years, though only one year, was like a chasm. Eight years was rare, one in a thousand. Nine was an extreme number, even rarer!
However, the river of Vital Energy in the cave showed no signs of slowing down.
“Could it be…” A thought flashed through Chu Yun’s mind, filling him with disbelief yet immense anticipation. He did not stop, sparing no expense. He tossed the Disha Stones as if they were ordinary pebbles.
Ten years of cultivation!
It was truly ten years!
Nine was the extreme number, and ten was transcendence. The previous step was mortal, the next was ascension to immortality.
Ten years of cultivation showcased the Sky Fox’s extraordinary aptitude, surpassing mortal limitations. In the future, it had the potential to achieve the divine!
Chu Yun was utterly stunned.
In the history of this World, anyone whose cultivation surpassed ten years during Foundation Establishment had achieved remarkable accomplishments, shining brightly and illuminating history.
“I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it…” Chu Yun muttered dazedly.
In the cave, the colorful nine-hued Vital Energy finally ceased to gather and gradually dissipated. A Sky Fox, with snow-white fur and an elegant posture, appeared before Chu Yun’s eyes.
At its birth, it was tiny, fitting in an adult’s palm. But now, it had grown to the size of a normal fox.
Its fur was like snow, like silk, giving a smooth and lustrous feel. Its eyes, like black crystals, shone brightly. At this moment, it displayed a serious and tense expression, as if facing a formidable enemy.
The air seemed to press down like an invisible mountain, making Chu Yun feel suffocated.
“What’s going on?” Chu Yun frowned. Although he had memories from his previous life, the changes now were too significant, leaving him with no reference.
He keenly sensed that a great calamity was about to strike. It was the calm before the storm.
…
“Look, what is that?” In the Salt Fishing Village near the nameless volcano, someone with sharp eyes suddenly shouted, pointing towards the direction of the forest.
Everyone looked up, and a commotion erupted.
“That is!” Someone froze.
“Tribulation Cloud! Which Demonic Beast is transcending its Demonic Tribulation to cause such a phenomenon?!” someone exclaimed in amazement.
“Unbelievable, a nine-colored Tribulation Cloud. Am I seeing things correctly? Are there really Demonic Beasts in this World with nine attributes?” someone clutched their forehead, both shocked and doubtful.
“Chu Yun, that kid, seems to be in that direction? Damn it, which Demonic Beast is undergoing tribulation! I hope it doesn’t cause trouble for the boy…” Old Red Spear stood at the entrance of the salt shop, gazing up at the forest. Worry was etched all over his face.
He knew Chu Yun’s Demonic Beast egg was an ordinary Fire Fox egg. He never imagined that Chu Yun’s hatching of the egg was the cause of the current situation.
Beasts fled through the forest, and birds scattered in panic. The sky was painted with nine hues of light, and an overwhelming pressure descended. A sense of unease enveloped Chu Yun’s heart.
“I remember now! Transcending the mortal realm to ascend, the Heaven and Earth cannot condone it. Nine is the extreme number of Heaven and Earth; exceeding nine will trigger a Demonic Tribulation!” Chu Yun’s face suddenly turned pale as he finally recalled that Demonic Beasts, upon reaching a certain stage of growth, would inevitably attract a Demonic Tribulation.
At 9 years, 99 years, 999 years, 9999 years, when a Demonic Beast’s cultivation reached such a stage and it sought further advancement, breaking through the extreme number would trigger a Demonic Tribulation. All Demonic Beasts in the World were the same, without exception.
This was common knowledge, which Chu Yun knew. However, he hadn’t reacted immediately due to the shock he had just experienced.
“Yes, the Sky Fox’s aptitude is Wushuang. Upon Foundation Establishment, its cultivation broke through nine years, reaching ten. It is only right that it should trigger a Demonic Tribulation.” Thinking of this, Chu Yun broke out in a cold sweat.
Transgressing a Demonic Tribulation required extreme caution and thorough preparation. Failure meant the Demonic Beast’s demise.
Now, Chu Yun was completely unprepared. Could the newly born Sky Fox survive?
Without giving Chu Yun any time to prepare, the Demonic Tribulation began.
The nine-colored converged Tribulation Cloud enveloped the summit of the nameless volcano. It was immensely vast, casting a shadow of about a *li* in area.
Even if he wanted to run now, it was too late.
The Sky Fox suddenly moved, like a white lightning bolt, darting out of the cave. It tilted its head back and let out a long cry, its black crystal eyes burning with fighting spirit.
Boom!
Suddenly, a fireball the size of a basket shot down like a cannonball.
A cunning glint flashed in the Sky Fox’s eyes. Just as the fireball descended, it quickly darted away and plunged into a stream with a splash.
The fireball hit the water, causing a huge explosion. A large amount of steam evaporated, revealing a completely dry riverbed. The Sky Fox, however, was on the bank upstream, shaking its body and flinging off water droplets.
“It’s unharmed? What a clever Sky Fox!” Chu Yun stood at the cave entrance, astonished and delighted. The Sky Fox from his past life certainly didn’t possess such intelligence. Was this the wisdom of a perfect Sky Fox?
It was truly admirable.
A new hope surged in Chu Yun’s heart: “There’s a chance! Although I’m unprepared, with such intelligence, combined with my experience…”
A Demonic Tribulation was a test from Heaven and Earth for Demonic Beasts. Whatever method was used—hiding, relying on others, or diverting disaster—success lay in overcoming it.
“Next is the Earth Tribulation. Jump onto the big tree,” Chu Yun shouted, reminding the Sky Fox. He believed that with the Sky Fox’s intelligence, it would undoubtedly understand his intentions even without training.
The Sky Fox’s ears twitched, clearly receiving Chu Yun’s reminder. A hint of hesitation flashed in its eyes, but then it scampered on all fours, moving in three quick steps, and leaped onto a towering tree.
“It’s so intelligent!” Chu Yun’s eyes suddenly brightened.
After the Fire Tribulation passed, only eight colors remained in the Tribulation Cloud. The yellow Earth Vital Energy suddenly brightened, condensing into a round flying stone.
The flying stone whistled through the air, directly at the Sky Fox. The moment the attack was imminent, Chu Yun suddenly yelled, “Jump!”
The Sky Fox leaped, and the ancient tree behind it was struck by the flying stone. With a loud crack, it toppled down. The flying stone, however, was restrained by Wood Qi and dissipated.
The Sky Fox’s earlier evasion of the fireball was merely an instinctive reaction, a desperate dive into the water for safety. By chance, it overcame the Fire Tribulation by Water countering Fire. Chu Yun’s command this time, however, utilized his rich experience and wisdom from his past life.
In the Five Elements, Fire engenders Earth. Therefore, he deduced that the Earth Tribulation would follow the Fire Tribulation.
Wood, in turn, counters Earth, so he ordered the Sky Fox to leap onto the ancient tree. Using the tree’s Wood Qi to counter the Earth Tribulation.
It worked.
“After the Earth Tribulation comes the Gold Tribulation. Fire counters Gold. Sky Fox, go to the volcano’s crater!” Chu Yun shouted again.
The Sky Fox moved at his command, darting away playfully. Its speed was astonishing. Being halfway up the mountain, it shot up towards the volcano like an arrow released from a bow. Chu Yun followed closely behind.
After some time, the Gold Vital Energy within the Tribulation Cloud condensed. It transformed into a golden halberd and stabbed towards the Sky Fox.
The Sky Fox circled the volcano, and the golden halberd, missing its target, fell into the crater. It was immediately dissolved by the dense fire Qi.
Chu Yun rejoiced. He followed the same pattern. The Sky Fox’s intelligence was exceptional, and he possessed the experience of his past life. Combined, they were both forces beyond ordinary reckoning. Together, after more than an hour, they had indeed successfully overcome the Demonic Tribulation!
