After Sheng Jun Chapter 1 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 1.1 Rebirth After Tribulation (part 1)
Heavenly Mountain’s Mystic Platform, rumored to be the place closest to the Upper Realm.
At this moment, a cyan light enveloped the sky, and cumulus clouds swirled like a gigantic vortex.
On the Mystic Platform, directly beneath the vortex, stood a figure clad in indigo.
Hundreds of meters around the terrace, cultivators stood, near and far. A glance revealed that eighty to ninety percent were at the Out-of-Body stage or higher, and two or three Mahayana cultivators were also present.
The current cultivation world was at its peak in a thousand years. Spiritual energy was abundant, Mahayana cultivators were common, and two Sheng Juns were infinitely close to ascension.
Ting Xue Sheng Jun Jiang Xingzhi was one of them.
Today, almost all the top cultivators in the Three Realms had gathered here for one reason: Ting Xue Sheng Jun was about to undergo his tribulation and break through to the Ascension Realm.
As for the other Sheng Jun close to ascension, Xu Jian Sheng Jun…
The crowd looked around: he seemed to be absent.
What a pity. They thought they could witness a duel between the two before Ting Xue Sheng Jun’s tribulation. After all, rumors said that the opportunity for ascension originally belonged to Xu Jian Sheng Jun.
Thinking of this, dozens of gazes fell upon the figure standing on the Mystic Platform, his back to the crowd.
Indigo robes, a silver sash around his waist. His long hair was tied high behind him, and as he turned his head, a handsome jawline was revealed.
This was Ting Xue Sheng Jun, Jiang Xingzhi.
Beside him stood a young man. The Xuantian Sword at his waist revealed his identity: the Young Sect Master of the Xuantian Sword Sect, Lin He.
The observing cultivators murmured amongst themselves:
"Ting Xue Sheng Jun seems to be instructing Young Sect Master Lin about something…"
"Could it be a secret cultivation technique? They are old friends. Perhaps Sheng Jun intends to entrust his techniques before ascending."
"Or maybe he's asking the Xuantian Sword Sect to protect him, fearing interference from Xu Jian Sheng Jun, who might appear at any time."
"Makes sense, makes sense!"
…..
Ignoring the undercurrents outside the platform, Jiang Xingzhi handed several paper contracts to Lin He, carefully instructing him, "This is the ascension accident insurance I bought for myself at the Mutual Aid Society. If I fail the tribulation, there will be a large sum of funeral expenses…"
Lin He's hand trembled as he took the contracts, incredulous, "You actually had the time to buy this kind of thing!" After the brief shock, he quickly recovered, "You won't fail. Don't speak such inauspicious words."
Jiang Xingzhi waved his hand to stop his agitated friend. "I have to prepare for both outcomes. If I can't achieve ascension, please collect the funeral expenses for me."
Lin He's eyes welled up. "Xingzhi, I didn't know you cared so much…"
"And then give it to Xu Jian."
"…What?" Lin He paused.
Jiang Xingzhi smiled profoundly. "You don't understand." It's love.
If he successfully ascended, this matter would be dropped. If he perished, leaving a large sum of money to Xu Jian, the latter would surely understand his feelings!
What a romantic confession.
"You've been possessed!?" Lin He exclaimed. Meeting Jiang Xingzhi's calm gaze, he took several deep breaths, pressed his aching forehead, and whispered, "Could the rumors be true?"
"What rumors?"
"That you stole Xu Jian's ascension opportunity. Could it be true…so you feel guilty towards him?"
Jiang Xingzhi was momentarily speechless. The more Lin He spoke, the more he felt it made sense. "But do you think Xu Jian would be happy? His rival steals his ascension opportunity, fails, and then leaves him a hefty sum of funeral expenses."
It sounded like some kind of curse.
Jiang Xingzhi, "..."
He skipped the controversial topic and returned to the previous one. "Just rumors." This was a denial of stealing the opportunity.
Lin He looked dubious.
Jiang Xingzhi immediately rebuked, "You're questioning my character!"
"I believe you, I believe you…" Lin He quickly changed the subject, looking around in feigned surprise. "Huh? Xu Jian Sheng Jun isn't here today."
Jiang Xingzhi didn't expose his clumsy acting. "We're not on good terms. It's normal that he's not here."
Lin He breathed a sigh of relief. "That's true. But many observers have come."
From the Three Realms and Nine Continents, the eight major sects, humans, demons, and demonic cultivators were all present. A Mahayana cultivator attempting to ascend, regardless of success or failure, would offer some insights.
Jiang Xingzhi looked thoughtful. "Indeed."
Lin He became wary. "What are you thinking?"
Jiang Xingzhi, "If I charged each person three hundred spirit stones as an observation fee…"
Lin He's voice suddenly rose. "You still have time to think about this!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a faint rumble of thunder sounded overhead, as if even the Heavens couldn't stand it.
Jiang Xingzhi looked up at the sky, estimated the time was near, and without further ado, waved his hand, pushing Lin He off the Mystic Platform. "Remember to collect the fees for me. Half price for those under one point five meters tall."
"..."
In an instant, Lin He was pushed back a hundred meters.
The Xuantian Sword Sect Master caught his son and pulled him behind him. Looking at his son's slightly dazed eyes, he then turned his gaze to the figure on the Mystic Platform, robes fluttering in the wind.
Spiritual energy surged around them. The tribulation was about to begin.
He gravely transmitted his voice, "What did Ting Xue Sheng Jun teach you?"
Lin He didn't respond for a moment. "…The way to get rich?"
Sword Sect Master, "What?"
****
In the center of the vortex, the rumbling thunder grew louder.
The cyan sky was quickly covered by dark clouds. The sky darkened, and only the silver-white lightning behind the clouds illuminated half the sky, flickering brightly and dimly.
Jiang Xingzhi glanced at the dense crowd outside but still didn't see the person he was looking for. Only a white dot busily shuttled through the crowd, clearly Young Sect Master Lin collecting the observation fees.
He felt a little comforted and, without waiting any longer, drew the long sword from his waist.
"Shua—" The sharp sword left its sheath, its tip pointing towards the sky. The translucent blade reflected his handsome features. Spiritual energy from the Eight Desolates surged towards him, filling his indigo robes, which rustled in the wind.
All the cultivators held their breath.
Silence fell over the land.
A moment later, a silver serpent of lightning cracked across the dark sky, striking directly at the lone figure on the Mystic Platform.
The grand Heavenly Tribulation had finally begun.
****
The lightning tribulation lasted for nine whole days.
The sun and moon couldn't be seen through the dark, cloud-filled sky. Jiang Xingzhi was enveloped in lightning, losing track of time.
Before his eyes was a blinding white light. Salty sweat dripped down his forehead, blurring his vision as it landed on his trembling eyelashes. The rumbling thunder echoed in his ears, seemingly never ceasing.
His meridians and bones had long been shattered under the Ninth Heaven Thunder. From the initial excruciating pain to numbness, then from numbness to clarity, his consciousness drifted in the turbulent waves.
Jiang Xingzhi felt he couldn't even move a finger.
Only the opportunity he had found circulated within his heart meridian, mobilizing his spiritual energy to mend his broken meridians.
Boom… Another bolt of lightning struck.
His natal sword trembled precariously, bearing nine scorch marks.
The crowd outside began to stir. "The last lightning bolt!"
"As long as he withstands this one, Ting Xue Sheng Jun will be the first person in the Three Realms to ascend."
Time slowly passed, and the thunder seemed to gradually diminish. Light pierced through the dark clouds above, signaling the imminent end of the tribulation.