Chapter 918 - 3: Three Heavenly Tribulations, Ascension Well (3 Updates)

Chapter 918: Chapter 3: Three Heavenly Tribulations, Ascension Well (3 Updates)

’Autumn Okra Day?’ Mu Qingge suddenly understood in her heart.

In Linchuan, Autumn Okra Day is a day for family reunions, just like the Mid-Autumn Festival on the blue planet of her previous life. It is a day for moon viewing, a custom for the people of Linchuan.

She had been so busy all the time that she had long forgotten these festivals. She hadn’t expected that upon her return, she would come across this traditional holiday.

It truly validates the saying, ’Better choose a day than hit a day!’

"Hahaha—, chubby boy, look at this girl’s bewildered face, you should know it’s just by chance she returned today. This busy person, how could she remember our Linchuan’s Autumn Okra Day?" The Elder spoke up. The tone was both sour and resentful, yet concealed within was worry and longing.

"Qingge!"

"Qingge."

"Boss!"

"Sister! No, Boss!" The little boy Xue also called Mu Qingge boss, following Mu Yichen and Shao Chubby’s lead.

Mu Qingge’s sudden return delighted everyone in the family. They all stood to welcome her and pulled her to sit beside the Elder.

"Grandfather, I’ve come back, haven’t I?" Mu Qingge apologized with a smile to Mu Xiong.

The Elder kept a deliberately tense face, snorted, and said, "You remembered me, your grandfather, but you’ve been gone for years without a trace. Before, you knew to at least send home a message of peace, but now it’s even harder to receive any word from you."

Seeing the Elder angry, Mu Qingge had no choice but to make amends.

She didn’t explain anything, as she knew the Elder didn’t need an explanation. These seemingly blaming words were actually full of care and longing.

"Alright, alright, I know I was wrong. I will definitely change in the future!" Mu Qingge promised.

It is said that old people are like children; rather than arguing with the elderly, it’s better to go along with them and make them happy.

After finally appeasing the grandfather, Mu Qingge addressed several elders: "Father, Mother, Uncle, Aunt." Then she looked at Mu Yichen and Xue Qingxiang, saying: "Yichen, the little guy has grown up." Lastly, she looked at Shao Chubby, smiled, and said: "Chubby, it’s Autumn Okra Day, shouldn’t you be at home with your parents, wife, and kids instead of coming to my place?"

"Hum, you’ve got a nerve to even mention that. The chubby boy is more conscientious than you, knowing today is Autumn Okra Day, specially coming to see me, keeping this old man company for you." Mu Xiong replied with dissatisfaction.

Shao Chubby giggled, "Hehe, I guessed the Boss would come back today, so I specially came to wait."

Mu Qingge laughed, "Thank you, Chubby." Her ability to forge her own path, moving forward without worry, was because of the many people behind her, taking on the burdens that should have been hers and looking after those she cared about.

Mu Qingge’s gratitude made Shao Chubby shy immediately. He rubbed his hands together, laughed, and said, "Boss, if you say ’thank you’ to me, isn’t that being strangers?"

His plump awkwardness made Mu Yichen and Xue Qingxiang burst out laughing.

The laughter floated far away from the small courtyard, scattering all worries.

Mu Qingge also temporarily set everything aside, immersing herself in this rare familial warmth. Because she knew this warmth couldn’t last too long; soon she would sail again, starting a new Chapter.

In the twilight canopy, the bright moon hung high, shedding its clear glow. That moon was exceptionally bright and exceptionally large. Mu Qingge tasted the osmanthus wine and gazed at the moonlight, feeling slightly intoxicated.

That night, she didn’t remember how she returned to Chi Yun Garden.

Only remembering that when she opened her eyes the next day, her mother was sitting by her bedside caring for her.

"Awake?" Seeing Mu Qingge open her eyes, Sang Lan put down the hot towel in her hand. "Don’t drink so much in the future." She said with heartache.

Last night, watching her daughter drink with Shao Chubby, holding the wine jar like a man, made her especially distressed.

"Mother, I’m fine." Mu Qingge propped on the edge of the bed, sitting up. She looked at Sang Lan and noticed her attire was the same as yesterday. Her eyes flashed, and she asked, "Mother, did you stay up all night taking care of me?"

Sang Lan shook her head and said, "I’m all right. It’s you..." She looked at Mu Qingge with some worry, struggled a bit, and finally gathered the courage to ask, "Did something happen to you? Even the Illusionary Artifact is broken." This question had lingered in her mind, but she had kept it there until she finally asked it upon seeing Mu Qingge herself.

"Mother, it’s all over." Mu Qingge replied.

Knowing she didn’t want to say much, Sang Lan didn’t force her. She just sighed, took out an item from her bosom, and spread it out before her eyes.

Mu Qingge looked down. In Sang Lan’s palm lay quietly a purple earring, more exquisite and subtle than the previous one. That mysterious, splendid purple made one feel slightly dizzy.

"You sent word for me to craft a new Illusionary Artifact. I figured you’re probably used to this style, so I didn’t change it. I just made it finer." Sang Lan explained, placing the new Illusionary Artifact back in Mu Qingge’s hand.

Mu Qingge clenched her hand and smiled at Sang Lan, "Thank you, Mother."

Sang Lan shook her head, "I’m seldom by your side, and I can do very little to help. But Ge’er, Mother wants you to know, no matter what, your safety is the most important."

"Lan, is Ge’er awake?" No sooner had she spoken, a male voice came from outside the door, asking.

The voice naturally belonged to Mu Liancheng.

His appearance interrupted the conversation between mother and daughter. Sang Lan smiled, replied, "Awake."

Mu Qingge adjusted her collar and saw Mu Liancheng walk in. He didn’t sit on the bedside but sat on the chair closest to the bedside, carefully scrutinizing Mu Qingge.

Sang Lan pursed her lips and smiled, took the water basin, and left temporarily.

"Ge’er, after you return this time, are you going to the Divine Demon Continent?" Mu Liancheng opened with the main topic directly. His eyes were full of reluctance and a hint of helplessness.

The responsibility from more than twenty years lost had been entirely placed on the shoulders of his eldest daughter. Even waking up couldn’t change that.

"Did Grandfather already speak with Father about the matters of the Mu Clan?" Mu Qingge asked.

Mu Liancheng nodded and frowned, "Like your grandfather, no matter if we are linked with the Mu Clan, now that ten thousand years have passed, we all hope you won’t put yourself at risk due to past grievances."

"Father, it’s my choice. I’m being the Mu Clan’s Young Master not just for the Mu Clan. If I had no connection with the Mu Clan, I would still go to the Divine Demon Continent."

Mu Liancheng looked at Mu Qingge, who looked back at him.

The two gazed at each other for a long time before Mu Liancheng finally relented. "You child, stubborn. Fine, you want to go, go then. Go without worries, don’t fret about home. Your grandfather, with me and your mother caring, and your younger siblings all here."

Mu Qingge nodded slightly and said to Mu Liancheng, "Father, the Teleportation Array to the Middle Ancient Realm is quite stable. If Grandfather wants to see the Middle Ancient Realm, you can also take him, there are places to stay in Luoxing City. You can let Grandfather see his old friends."

"Alright, I will inform your grandfather about this matter," Mu Liancheng nodded in agreement.

...

Mu Qingge did not linger for long in the Linchuan Realm. After spending several days with her family, she returned to the Middle Ancient Realm. Upon arriving back in Luoxing City, she ignored the bustling city and secluded herself in space, accumulating strength in preparation for the arrival of the third thunder tribulation.

On this day, after finishing her meditation, her gaze fell upon the Exquisite Finger Ring on her right index finger.

Inside, Yuanyuan’s soul remained in slumber, uncertain of when it would awaken. Not a single day went by without her nourishing Yuanyuan’s soul with spiritual power, never daring to slack.

The new illusionary artifact had already been sent to Si Mo for reinforcement, to prevent her identity from being easily discerned by those strong figures once she reached the Divine Demon Continent.

Assuming the guise of a man would prove much more convenient.

Suddenly, she thought of a question and left the space directly, summoning the High Priest.

"Why did I not find the divine essence of the Mu Clan’s ancestors in the Divine Tomb?" Mu Qingge asked directly. She had wondered about this during her time at the Divine Tomb but had not delved deeply into it.

The High Priest paused, a sorrowful emotion flickering in his eyes. He said to Mu Qingge, "The Young Master is unaware that during the Mu Clan’s annihilation, those hypocritical Divine Clan members, to prevent a resurgence of the Mu Clan, directly destroyed the divine essences of the Mu Clan’s heroes."

"Is that so?" Mu Qingge fell into silence within her heart.

The High Priest sighed and told Mu Qingge, "Young Master need not dwell on it. With the Divine Strategy in hand, as long as you find the lower volume, you can surely defeat them."

"By the way, do you have any leads on the lower volume of the Divine Strategy?" Mu Qingge asked the High Priest.

The High Priest nodded, having a rough idea, and surmised that upon reaching the Divine Demon Continent, the accuracy of the inference would increase further.

Mu Qingge nodded, her gaze steady.

Divine Strategy Lower Volume, Mu Clan, foes of the Mu Clan, Mu Tianyin!

Mu Qingge’s gaze sharpened, a cutting light piercing through.

...

Three months later, the skies above Luoxing City were again filled with dark clouds, oppressive and heavy, pressing down on the city, making it hard to breathe.

Luoxing City was extremely quiet, the streets and alleys deserted, as everyone was ordered to stay indoors, not allowed to venture out.

At the city’s largest plaza, Mu Qingge sat cross-legged on a high platform, once more garbed in male attire, a dazzling purple earring adorning her left ear.

With the passage of years, her aura grew stronger, yet more restrained. The fierce defiance against heaven and earth, the arrogance that once was bold, had transformed into a subtler presence.

A line of people stood around the plaza.

There were her Dragon Tooth Guards, Dragon Feather Guards, a ten-thousand strong army of the remnants, as well as You He Hua Yue, Bai Xi, Yin Chen, the Hou, Xuan Ya, Xuan Kui, Xie Ya, Mu Chen, Mu Peng, Mu Feng, and the High Priest.

All of them were to enter Mu Qingge’s space and journey with her to the Divine Demon Continent.

Apart from the High Priest, none of them had a divine essence, so they relied on Mu Qingge for survival, temporarily residing in the space until Mu Qingge broke through the Spirit Cave Realm, marking them with a Slave Mark, allowing them to cultivate and act freely in the Divine Demon Continent.

Remaining behind... The Dragon Hidden Army and the few thousand remnants stayed in Luoxing City, managed by Jing Hai.

Around the plaza, comprising the Dragon Hidden Army and others, Jing Hai stood among them as well. Though he wished to leave with Mu Qingge, he understood his responsibility to guard Luoxing City.

Thus, he could only stand here, bidding his instructor farewell.

Farther away stood Mu Qingge’s friends: Mei Zizhong and three others who accompanied her from Linchuan, Qin Yiyao, Han Caicai, and, from the Middle Ancient Realm, Ji Yaohua, Ying Ze, Yao Xinghai, Xi Qianxue, and Wei Molili.

They all came to see Mu Qingge off, though their farewell was only temporary. Once they experienced three thunder tribulations, they too could enter the Divine Land in search of Mu Qingge.

Boom——!

A bolt of tribulation thunder descended from the sky, directly aimed at Mu Qingge’s heavenly spirit.

The lotus seal on her forehead automatically transformed into a five-colored heavenly gate, rising from her brow to meet the tribulation thunder.

With a thunderous crash, the tribulation thunder struck the heavenly gate, becoming more solid and distinct.

Mu Qingge slowly opened her eyes, a cool gaze beneath them. She looked at the heavenly gate, knowing it would be her path to ascend. The third thunder tribulation, merging the heavenly gate with the divine essence, would activate the path into the Divine Demon Continent.

Since the closure of the Divine Tomb, many Transcendance Tribulation Stage elders who obtained a divine essence had flown to the Divine Land.

"Young Master, the divine essence!" the High Priest reminded as the second tribulation thunder fell.

Mu Qingge’s gaze sharpened as three golden lights shot from her brow, charging into the heavenly gate. At this moment, the lightning struck the gate, the three divine essences competing for supremacy, causing Mu Qingge to suffer backlash, spitting out blood.

"Qingge——!"

"Young Master——!"

"Little Lord——!"

"City Lord——!"

"Instructor——!"

Countless worried voices arose from all directions, yet the High Priest calmly tossed an object toward Mu Qingge’s heavenly gate.

After it merged, the three competing divine essences became somewhat peaceful.

Mu Qingge calmed her turbulent breath, looked upward, and saw the Primordial Venerable’s chaotic divine essence devouring the Sang Clan’s divine essence first, followed by the Dan God divine essence.

She was shocked, looked at the High Priest, but did not voice any stoppage or interruption to the devouring, for she trusted the High Priest.

The chaotic divine essence, after consuming the other two essences, grew stronger, gradually merging with Mu Qingge’s heavenly gate as the third tribulation thunder fell again.

In the heavenly gate, a vortex surged, akin to an ascension well...