72: Tribulation

The noon sunlight fell like gold foil, coating the vermilion doorframe of Junyue Tower with a brilliant layer of gold.

Qin Ximeng had just properly arranged the affairs of the tower when she inadvertently raised her eyes and saw the figure leaning against the doorframe in front of the opposite Jubao Pavilion.

A hint of unruly laughter curled at the corners of Situ Jun's mouth, with three parts teasing and seven parts concern hidden in the depths of his eyes.

A flush of crimson rose on her cheeks, and she gave him a reproachful look before moving with light steps, just as she was about to board the carved carriage.

"Wait, you silly girl."

The clear spiritual sense transmission rang out abruptly, startling Qin Ximeng so much that the tips of her ears turned red.

She paused in her tracks and turned to look, only to see Situ Jun's fingertips lightly twisting; in the blink of an eye, precious items like Advanced talismans and protective spiritual gear flew out from his sleeve, all collected into a brand-new Storage Pouch.

His movement in handing over the Storage Pouch was casual and natural, as if he were merely handing over an ordinary object from the street, but what was inside were life-saving items that could ensure her safety.

Qin Ximeng looked at the Storage Pouch, her mouth slightly open as if she wanted to say something but stopped.

A shimmering light rose in her eyes, which finally transformed into a gentle smile.

This Storage Pouch was heavy, and what it contained was more than just treasures; it was clearly his concern, so full it was overflowing.

Even though she didn't lack these self-defense items, seeing the deep worry in Situ Jun's eyes, she still reached out to take it, a gentle smile rising on her lips like the warmest breeze in spring:

"I'm leaving."

After speaking, she nimbly entered the carriage, and as the curtain was slowly lowered, it cut off the gaze between the two of them.

Situ Jun stood in place, watching the receding back of the carriage as it gradually went further away, a few threads of melancholy rising in his heart.

It wasn't until the silhouette of the carriage completely disappeared at the corner of the street that he gave a light sigh, turned to enter Jubao Pavilion, found Wang Fu, and simply informed him of his plan to go out.

Meanwhile, the hustle and bustle of Northern Border City was gradually left behind.

Qin Ximeng sat peacefully inside the carriage, her slender hand gently stroking the brocade box containing the mysterious yin vermilion fruit.

The road outside was bumpy, but her heart was surprisingly peaceful.

At the thought that her mother would be able to stand up again and show her smile once more after taking this vermilion fruit, the curve of her lips unconsciously rose, her eyes full of vision and expectation.

In a border city not far from the Zhou Dynasty, Bei Batian, the City Lord of Northern Border City, was currently full of smiles, cautiously accompanying a youth.

The youth was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, his brow revealing a hint of arrogance; he was none other than Zhuang Xian, the grandson of Zhuang Bufan, the Outer Sect Grand Elder of the Xihua Sect.

Despite his young age, he had already reached the Peak of the Foundation Establishment Stage, and his whole body was surrounded by an innate sense of superiority.

At this moment, he was nonchalantly playing with the jade cup in his hand when he suddenly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of seemingly non-existent mockery:

"City Lord Bei's Cultivation has been at the Mid Golden Core Stage for some years now, hasn't it? But your aura is quite unstable; even with the help of my Xihua Sect, I'm afraid it will be difficult to take another step forward."

Hearing this, a flash of embarrassment crossed Bei Batian's face, and he immediately said with a bitter smile:

"I was only able to advance to the Mid Golden Core Stage after Old Master Zhuang bestowed a 'Haoyuan Pill' upon me, barely managing the Breakthrough. Young Master Zhuang, please give my regards to Old Master Zhuang when you return."

Zhuang Xian put down the teacup, stood up to pace to the window, and looked at the distant scene of swirling yellow sand, a playful smirk curling at his lips:

"Why doesn't City Lord Bei go and give your thanks in person? If your luck is good, you might even be able to ask for a Medicinal Pill to Breakthrough to the Late Golden Core Stage."

Hearing this, a look of wild joy immediately flashed in Bei Batian's eyes, and he said repeatedly:

"Thank you for the pointer, Young Master Zhuang! I have already prepared some wine..."

"Forget it."

Zhuang Xian waved his hand impatiently:

"In this remote place, I can't stay for even a moment. I've heard that the Zhou Country has many beauties; I'd like to go and see for myself."

"Uh, this..."

Bei Batian's expression stiffened, and then he said with a forced smile again:

"Young Master Zhuang doesn't need to travel far! Although Northern Border City is located on the border, it also hides dragons and tigers, and beauties are as numerous as the clouds. There will surely be a girl Young Master Zhuang likes. Why not stay at my residence for a few days and let me show you some hospitality?"

Zhuang Xian took a sip of tea, glanced at Bei Batian's expectant expression, and said coldly:

"Fine, I'll just go for a stroll in Northern Border City under your jurisdiction. However, it's enough for me and my attendants to go; you don't need to follow. I don't like being disturbed by others."

Although Bei Batian felt dissatisfied in his heart, he didn't dare to show it in the slightest and could only agree with a bitter smile:

"Then as Young Master Zhuang wishes, I will order someone to prepare a carriage for you. You can play however you like in Northern Border City; if you encounter anything, you can order the residence to help you solve it."

After saying that, he secretly shook his head, stood up to take his leave, and went to prepare the carriage.

At this time, Situ Jun's heart and eyes were full of the joy of his impending increase in strength.

He carefully selected items within Jubao Pavilion, spending many Spirit Stones to purchase many Advanced Defensive Talismans.

He already had his own reserves of gold condensing pills and Dust-Shedding Pills; to prevent any accidents when receiving the experience, he prepared everything he could think of one by one.

After everything was properly prepared, Situ Jun left Jubao Pavilion the next morning.

Avoiding the busy streets, he specifically chose places with fewer people, nimbly leaping onto the rooftops and using the eaves and ridges to fly toward the direction of East Lin City to the east of the Northern Dynasty.

In that direction, the mountains were high and the forests dense, with few signs of human habitation; it was an excellent place suitable for a Breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage.

Along the way, Situ Jun stopped and started among the high mountains and lofty ridges, being extremely cautious for fear of causing unnecessary trouble.

It wasn't until night fell that he found a hidden spot on a mountain with jagged rocks.

"This place is far enough from Northern Border City, and being deep in the mountains and old forests, it should be safe."

After murmuring, he carefully scouted the surroundings and, after confirming there was no danger, finally found a stone cliff that could provide shelter from the wind and rain to sit down and close his eyes to regulate his breathing.

After an unknown amount of time, the stars twinkled in the night sky, and the sounds of insects chirping and beasts roaring rose and fell one after another.

Situ Jun slowly opened his eyes, a look of determination flashing in them.

"I've finally waited for this moment."

He took a deep breath, suppressed the excitement in his heart, and muttered in his mind:

"System, confirm the collection of cultivation experience!"

In an instant, the Spiritual Qi within Situ Jun's Dantian became like boiling river water, rotating frantically.

A powerful suction force erupted instantly, and the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi was drawn in as if by an invisible giant hand, continuously pouring into his Dantian.

The vortex formed by the Spiritual Qi grew larger and larger, and even the clouds in the sky began to rotate with it; threads of electricity flashed within the clouds, and bursts of thunder resounded through the sky.

Situ Jun didn't dare to be the least bit careless and circulated the Dragon-Phoenix Grand Derivation True Scripture, his spiritual power surging like a tide.

As the spiritual power continued to condense and reached a critical point, the Spiritual Qi transformed into Spiritual Liquid, and the Spiritual Liquid continued to condense, finally forming a solid the size of a grain of rice.

As the Spiritual Liquid continued to flow in, the grain of rice gradually grew larger until it became the size of a partridge egg, and only then did the Spiritual Qi vortex slowly subside.

Situ Jun opened his eyes and looked up at the sky, only to see dark clouds densely covering the area above his head; the pitch-black cloud clusters blotted out the sun, many times larger than what was described in the ancient texts.

He was startled in his heart and then wildly joyful; without a doubt, this condensed Golden Core must be a Top-grade Golden Core.

"This System is just too generous!"

However, before he had time to properly feel this joy, a bolt of lightning as thick as a bowl came crashing down toward him like a flood dragon.