“At last, I’ve cultivated to the twelfth transformation of the Golden Core, reaching full perfection.”

Lu Qing slowly awoke from the deepest state of meditation, sensing the condition within his body. A sigh of wonder rose unbidden in his eyes.

Indeed, his cultivation now stood at the peak of the twelfth transformation of the Golden Core Realm.

Within him, whether it was the Golden Core of Spiritual Power, his fleshly body, or the Divine Soul in the brow acupoint, all had reached their true limits.

Moreover, the three were interconnected—body, core, and soul as one—ready to merge fully and unleash unimaginable might at any time.

Lu Qing gently clenched his fist. Under the surge of sheer physical power, space itself rippled and twisted faintly, a sight enough to startle the heart.

And this anomaly arose solely from his physical strength. He hadn’t even called upon his spiritual power or divine soul force.

“According to the Heavenly Witch Body of Ten Thousand Tribulations, in the ancient Witch path, to shake space with the flesh alone should only be possible after stepping into the True Witch Realm. Yet here I am, still at the Grand Witch Perfection stage, and I can already achieve it.”

But Lu Qing understood why.

After breaking past the limit and stepping into the tenth transformation of the Golden Core, his spiritual power, flesh, and divine soul had become a trinity.

Only when all three advanced together could he step into the next level.

Thus, his physical body’s realm was no longer merely Grand Witch Perfection. Like his Golden Core of Spiritual Power, it had already broken the limits, reaching the twelfth transformation’s full perfection.

Likewise, his divine soul was also at this tier.

If not for that, he wouldn’t have spent more than twenty years in seclusion—even with abundant spirit stones—just to reach this state of perfected twelfth transformation.

Cultivating all three in parallel consumed time severalfold compared to the usual path.

“With my current strength, even without divine abilities, I could fight a two- or three-tribulation Nascent Soul cultivator head-on. Even so-called Flawless Golden Cores likely don’t possess such overwhelming power. It seems my cultivation path truly holds something extraordinary.”

He silently reflected on the power surging within him.

Of course, this was only his estimation. Until now, he hadn’t yet clashed directly with someone beyond the second tribulation of the Nascent Soul Realm.

His Perfect Golden Core Technique had been deduced by him through his unique abilities, weaving together countless Golden Core and Nascent Soul techniques, as well as insights from that Great Dao Chapter.

How it compared to the so-called Perfect Golden Cores of the ancient era, as spoken of by that mysterious existence within the Sacred Tianxu Mountain’s hidden realm, he could not say.

But he faintly sensed that even those ancient cultivators of Perfect Golden Core might not have wielded such strength at his level.

“Still, the deeper the accumulation, the fiercer the tribulation. My Nascent Soul Tribulation will surely be unprecedentedly terrifying.”

At a single thought, Lu Qing extended his divine sense into the void.

Instantly, he sensed heavenly might coalescing above him. Tribulation qi churned, thick with menace.

He knew—it was the Great Dao itself delivering him a warning.

With his current accumulation, he could spark the Nascent Soul Tribulation at any moment.

Even if he tried to suppress it, once enough time passed, the Dao would lower it regardless. There would be no escape.

“At most ten days. If I do not transcend, the Dao will summon the tribulation on its own, forcing me to face it.”

The awareness sank into his heart.

“Ten days is enough. I’ll prepare well.”

His foundation was simply too deep. The Nascent Soul Tribulation would be unimaginably dreadful. Even for him, caution was imperative.

Thus, he would make thorough preparations before crossing.

Rising, Lu Qing opened the barrier of his meditation chamber and stepped outside.

Beyond the chamber, Xiao Li and Wuxing were seated on opposite sides, diligently cultivating. Lu Qing checked their auras and nodded with satisfaction.

In these twenty years, Wuxing had advanced to the fourth transformation of the Golden Core, while Xiao Li was even faster, already at the sixth transformation.

Clearly, during his seclusion, these two little ones had also worked hard.

As though sensing his gaze, Xiao Li stirred from meditation. Upon seeing Lu Qing, he first froze, then leapt up with joy.

“Ah Qing, you’ve come out!”

“Mm. Just now.”

“Then… have you reached the Nascent Soul Realm already?”

Xiao Li probed his aura uncertainly.

What he felt was like an endless abyss—deeper and more terrifying than the Nascent Soul cultivators he had ever encountered.

Obviously, Lu Qing had grown immensely in his long retreat.

But remembering that even before, Lu Qing had always been unfathomable, Xiao Li dared not conclude which realm he had reached.

“Not yet. But soon. To reach Nascent Soul requires facing the tribulation. After I make some preparations, I’ll cross it. Once I step into the Nascent Soul Realm, we can return home.”

“So we’re finally going home?” Xiao Li’s eyes lit up, excitement clear.

Wuxing had also awakened, equally delighted at the words.

They had been away far too long, and both yearned for their homeland.

“What preparations will you make, Ah Qing?”

“I’ll need to reset the formations here.”

…

Deep within the valley’s pool, the white flood dragon cultivated in its cave.

Its body swelled and shrank, at times severalfold larger, at times only three chi thick.

After several repetitions, it trembled violently, returning to normal size and stirring vast waves through the pool.

“Still no good.” Frustration flashed in its eyes.

Over ten years ago, Xiao Li had once said that if it could learn body transformation, shrinking small enough, it could join them in the cave.

The words had struck deeply.

For years, the white flood dragon had pondered the art of bodily change. Drawing from its clan’s inheritance, it tried to forge a method of transformation.

And indeed, it had made progress, able to shrink itself several times over, to as little as three chi thick. Yet no smaller.

At such a size, though thinner, its body remained over ten zhang long—far too large for the narrow cave Xiao Li described.

“Next time, should I ask Wuxing for advice?” it mused, troubled.

As another flood dragon, Wuxing’s cultivation was lower, yet he shifted size with ease. Clearly, he’d mastered such an art.

But recalling Wuxing’s coldness toward it, hesitation returned.

“Xiao Bai! Xiao Bai!” Just then, Xiao Li’s voice rang from above.

“Xiao Li!” Delighted, the white flood dragon shot upward. With a thunderous splash, it burst free of the pool.

“Xiao Li, you’re here! But it’s not yet half a year—”

Its words froze. For on the bank stood Lu Qing.

Its body stiffened. With a resounding crash, it fell back into the pool, sending water surging high.

Lu Qing: …

It seemed the shadow he had cast upon this creature remained. Even after all these years, it still feared him so.

The flood dragon hid below, but Lu Qing sensed its cautious gaze watching them.

“Xiao Bai, what are you hiding for? Come on out! Don’t be afraid of Ah Qing—he won’t hurt you!” Xiao Li, perched on Lu Qing’s shoulder, called out.

Though Xiao Li hadn’t witnessed the original encounter, he’d heard enough to know Lu Qing had once disciplined Xiao Bai. Clearly, the fright had lingered.

At Xiao Li’s coaxing, and sensing no killing intent from Lu Qing, the white flood dragon finally surfaced, peeking its head above.

It trembled, rippling the water, yet it came—because Xiao Li was its only friend, and it couldn’t disappoint him.

“Y-you’ve emerged, honored one?” it asked nervously.

“Yes.” Lu Qing studied it with interest.

Its fear was obvious, body quivering despite itself. Yet for Xiao Li’s sake, it had still come forth.

In his absence, the two had indeed forged a genuine bond.

The flood dragon brightened at his words. He had promised, back then, to occupy the valley only temporarily for cultivation, and to leave afterward.

Now that he was out, could it mean this terrifying human would soon depart?

The thought filled it with joy. But then its gaze fell on Xiao Li, and a shadow crossed its heart.

If Lu Qing left, Xiao Li would return home with him.

“Not yet…” it murmured inwardly, disheartened.

Sensing its shifting emotions, Lu Qing frowned slightly. This dragon was oddly jumpy.

Still, he spoke gently: “Xiao Bai, I’ll be transcending my tribulation here soon. The heavenly might will spread widely. You, Xiao Li, and Wuxing should all leave for a time, lest you be harmed.”

“You’re crossing a tribulation, honored one?”

“Yes, Xiao Bai! Ah Qing is about to undergo the Nascent Soul Tribulation! Once he succeeds, we’ll go home!” Xiao Li said cheerfully.

“Nascent Soul Tribulation? But… you’re still in the Golden Core Realm?” The flood dragon was stunned, unable to believe it.

This fearsome human, who had easily defeated it years ago, had grown far stronger after decades of seclusion. Yet he was still only a Golden Core?

Its mind reeled.

Lu Qing nodded calmly. “Yes. But my tribulation will be different. Better you leave, lest the heavenly might destroy you.”

Xiao Li added solemnly: “He’s right, Xiao Bai. Ah Qing’s tribulations are always terrifying, far worse than anyone else’s. If you stay, you won’t withstand it.”

At that, the flood dragon finally grasped the gravity. Yet it hesitated. “But… before my father died, he warned me never to leave this valley until I became Nascent Soul. If discovered, others might covet my flesh and demon core.”

“This is of no concern. Since I am asking you to go, I will guarantee your safety. None will dare touch you.” Lu Qing’s tone was even.

In the past, he would have simply forced the matter. But since Xiao Bai was Xiao Li’s friend, courtesy was warranted.

“That’s right, Xiao Bai! Don’t worry, I’ll protect you too!” Xiao Li waved his paw from Lu Qing’s shoulder.

Hearing him, the flood dragon’s resolve firmed. “Very well. I’ll go with you.”

Lu Qing smiled faintly.

With a flick of his hand, a streak of light flew forth, landing before the flood dragon.

When the glow faded, a bracelet-shaped artifact appeared.

“Here is a storage artifact. Refine it. If there’s anything you wish to keep safe, place it inside. There’s no rush—I’ll transcend in ten days, so you have time to prepare.”

The flood dragon clutched the bracelet, overwhelmed. Its father had spoken of humans crafting wondrous artifacts, but it had never imagined receiving one itself.

“My thanks, honored one. I shall take my leave.” Bowing, it sank back into the depths.

After it vanished, Lu Qing lifted his gaze skyward. In a flash of light, he shot upward.

Hovering high above, he surveyed the vast array formed by mountains and veins below.

The matter of the white flood dragon was settled. Now, at last, it was time to prepare for the tribulation ten days hence.

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