435: Chapter 435 Is Senior Brother's Word Truth Real?

"The guixu immortal ferry boat has appeared again!"

A flash of wild joy crossed Pavilion Master Shen's eyes. Ignoring the danger of the lightning pool, he was the first to rush toward the immortal boat.

Chen Xuan, Dongfang Li, and the others followed closely behind.

But when they tried to pass through the pale-gold hull of the immortal boat again, it remained an untouchable void.

The hull was like a phantom; clearly right before their eyes, yet they could not take a single step onto it.

"Still nothing? Just how does one board this boat!"

After hitting a wall several times in a row, the South Pavilion Master's temper couldn't help but flare up.

Gu Yunshen looked at the ferry boat that was so close yet so far, showing a dejected expression: "Could it be that this boat isn't meant for people to board at all?"

Chen Xuan's gaze swept over the violently raging lightning pool. His eyes narrowed slightly, and then he spoke slowly. His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears:

"I might already know the method to board this boat."

As his words fell, everyone turned their heads to look at him in unison.

Chen Xuan smiled slightly: "It's just a guess, but do you all remember that the key to boarding lies in the words 'Immortal Ascension'?"

"Immortal Ascension?"

Dongfang Li murmured the words, her brow furrowing slightly. "But didn't our previous discussions and attempts all end in failure?"

Chen Xuan said calmly: "That's why it's just a guess. To board, one needs to have immortal potential; this much should be correct."

"However... immortal potential is hard to find, but Undergoing Tribulation can be sought."

"I once saw a record in an ancient text stating that those who wish for Immortal Ascension must first undergo three tribulations—Wind, Lightning, and Fire. Only after passing these three tribulations does one possess the potential to step into immortality. This guixu immortal ferry boat likely requires the tribulation as a guide to board."

Although this was just knowledge recorded in his past life, based on their previous encounters, Chen Xuan could only speculate this way.

"The three tribulations of Wind, Lightning, and Fire?"

Gu Yunshen was stunned. He reacted instantly, swallowed hard, and looked down at the lightning pool: "Peak Master Chen, the method of boarding you mentioned... it wouldn't happen to be inside that lightning pool, would it?"

Dongfang Li didn't say anything, but the micro-expressions on her face clearly showed she didn't quite believe it either.

Hearing this, Pavilion Master Shen couldn't help but say: "Peak Master Chen, the lightning in this pool is so violent. Never mind Undergoing Tribulation, even getting half a step closer is difficult. Isn't this just forcing people to their deaths?"

Chen Xuan looked up at him: "Pavilion Master Shen, don't be in such a hurry. Do you all remember the anomalies every time this guixu immortal ferry boat appeared back in the Great Desert?"

"The Great Desert?"

Gu Yunshen was taken aback for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "Peak Master Chen, are you saying that every time the immortal boat appeared, it would stir up a massive storm of spiritual energy?"

"Exactly."

Chen Xuan nodded. "That spiritual energy storm was violent and chaotic, a rare occurrence. Yet why did it trigger every time the immortal boat appeared? And when the immortal boat vanished, the storm quieted down as well."

"Now that I've seen this lightning pool, I've figured it out—that was the first tribulation, the Wind Tribulation."

"The Wind Tribulation was in the Great Desert, and the Lightning Tribulation is here?"

Pavilion Master Shen's brow furrowed even tighter. "But what about the Fire Tribulation? We haven't seen a single spark on this journey."

Dongfang Li pondered for a moment and looked up at the sky slightly: "Could it be... this Secret Realm has a third layer?"

"Most likely."

Chen Xuan explained: "This guixu immortal ferry boat doesn't appear in a fixed location; it moves along the trajectory of the 'tribulations'."

"The words 'Immortal Ascension' have never meant sitting back and enjoying the fruits of others' labor. This immortal boat ferries people, but only those who have undergone the tempering of the three tribulations of Wind, Lightning, and Fire to shed their mortal Impurities will possess the qualification to board."

The dejection on Gu Yunshen's face gradually faded, replaced by a touch of solemnity: "But the lightning in this pool is so terrifying. Even a Heavenly Venerable entering might find it hard to escape unscathed. How are we supposed to cross it?"

"If the immortal boat is illusory, why must the might of this lightning pool be real?"

Pavilion Master Shen looked at the area enveloped in purple electricity, his Adam's apple bobbing:

"Peak Master Chen, this is ultimately just your guess. What if..."

"I've only stated my guess. You should all consider it as you see fit." Chen Xuan smiled slightly. "If you feel this method is improper, we can continue to look for other ways."

It's not like I'm the one boarding the boat anyway; it doesn't matter to me if you go or not.

He estimated that the three figures he saw in the Great Desert had also guessed this. Surprisingly, after the spiritual energy storm, not a single shadow or trace of anyone was found.

Could those three have already boarded the boat?

As Chen Xuan's voice trailed off, the others fell silent.

Gu Yunshen and the other two looked at each other. Clearly, none of them were certain. This Lightning Tribulation was dangerously unpredictable; one wrong step could lead to eternal damnation, so they naturally didn't dare to make a snap decision.

Pavilion Master Shen was the first to compose himself, saying in a deep voice: "I don't think we need to rush. According to Peak Master Chen, this Secret Realm has a third layer. We might as well find the place of the Fire Tribulation first and gather all three tribulations before making a plan. That would be safer than blindly charging into the lightning pool now."

"That makes sense!"

Gu Yunshen immediately agreed. "Perhaps in the third layer of the Secret Realm, there's not only the Fire Tribulation but also a shortcut to pass the three tribulations. There's no need to gamble with our lives right now."

Dongfang Li pursed her lips, her brow slightly furrowed, and suddenly spoke up to remind them:

"But... will there be enough time?"

She looked up at the two men: "We only have twelve days left in this Secret Realm. Setting aside what we might encounter after boarding or whether we can complete the task Revered Master assigned us, just speaking of this world, there is still a Demon Venerable lurking in the shadows.

We need to find the entrance to the third layer within twelve days while remaining constantly vigilant against the Demon Venerable. How much spare time do we really have?"

"This..."

Gu Yunshen and the other man hesitated. Reminded by their Junior Sister, they realized that they didn't have much time left.

To be precise, they had wasted too much time earlier in the Great Desert.

"Furthermore," she paused, her gaze becoming even more solemn, "if there is also a Demon Venerable guarding the third layer, what should we do? We would be attacked from both sides with no way to retreat."

Dongfang Li turned to look at the pale-gold behemoth floating above the lightning pool, then took a deep breath: "I'll go scout the way."

"Junior Sister, you mustn't!"

Gu Yunshen hurriedly tried to stop her. "That lightning pool is too dangerous. The power of the lightning is overbearingly peerless; any slight mistake could lead to severe injury!"

"You probably don't know,"

A bitter smile played on the corners of Dongfang Li's mouth. "My parents died when I was young, and I was kidnapped and sold by evil neighbors. If Revered Master hadn't appeared in time, I might have long since been sold to a brothel at the foot of the mountain, living a life of darkness forever. How could I have the chance to stand here?"

Pavilion Master Shen also snapped out of it and said gravely: "Little Junior Sister, you must not be impulsive. Since Peak Master Chen has seen through the method of Undergoing Tribulation, why don't we discuss it further and find a safer way? If it really comes down to it... I can go scout the way."

"Senior Brother, are you serious?"

Dongfang Li looked over with eyes shining brightly.

Pavilion Master Shen was instantly stunned:

"Huh?"