532: Chapter 533 Breakthrough to Golden Core!

"What 'Acting Sect Master'? It is clearly Sect Master Yi Qing!" A reprimand suddenly exploded within the crowd.

Everyone looked toward the source of the sound and saw the crowd automatically part. A chubby, round-faced, and greasy-looking middle-aged Cultivator waddled out, swaying from side to side.

This person was Qian Guang, who had just arrived after notifying Zhou Yang and the others.

He strutted to the front of the crowd and swept his gaze over those around him, his eyes filled with arrogance, as if looking at a group of ants.

He then looked up at the phenomenon in the sky, his greasy Face instantly filled with a fawning smile, like a blooming chrysanthemum.

The onlookers showed disdain in their eyes, silently cursing him as a bootlicker.

But Qian Guang didn't care at all; in fact, he even felt a bit proud. So what if he was a bootlicker?

To be a bootlicker for a Golden Core True Person was his good fortune—something others couldn't even envy!

Moreover, after Sect Master Yi Qing achieved his Golden Core Breakthrough, the benefits for himself would be self-evident.

As Sect Master Yi Qing's number one henchman, his status would naturally rise with the tide, and he would ascend to greatness along with his master.

From now on, in the Tianxing Immortal Sect, his words would likely carry more weight than those of the Elders.

No, not just the Tianxing Immortal Sect. Even in the entire Southern Wilderness Region, as long as he didn't provoke those few old monsters, he could walk sideways everywhere.

Furthermore, he could be even bolder in extorting benefits. Which of those small Sects and minor families wouldn't have to give him a bit of Face?

Whoever dared not to give him Face was not giving Face to the Sect Master. Not giving Face to the Sect Master meant being an enemy of the Tianxing Immortal Sect. Being an enemy of the Tianxing Immortal Sect was simply courting death!

Qian Guang thought more and more happily, and the curve of his mouth grew wider. Just then, the phenomenon in the sky suddenly changed.

Qian Guang immediately reined in his drifting mind and looked over. The prerequisite for all his fantasies was that Sect Master Yi Qing successfully achieved the Breakthrough; otherwise, it was all just empty talk. For this, he was sweating in his heart.

"You must succeed in the Breakthrough!"

High in the sky, the massive vortex of Spiritual Qi began to shrink. It wasn't dissipating, but beginning to condense.

From a radius of tens of miles, it shrank to ten miles, five miles, one mile... It became smaller and denser, and the spiritual light grew brighter.

Finally, the vortex transformed into a beam of light that plunged straight into the great hall below. The world suddenly fell silent for an instant.

Then, a heaven-shaking thunderclap exploded in all directions. "Boom—"

Immediately after, a purple bolt of lightning pierced down from the Nine Heavens, tearing through the Void Realm and illuminating the entire world in a ghastly white. The Golden Core Lightning Tribulation had arrived!

At the same time, the great hall where Sect Master Yi Qing was in seclusion exploded. A figure shot up from the rubble and debris, flying straight toward the lightning. It was Sect Master Yi Qing!

At this moment, his robes fluttered, his long hair flew, and his body was surrounded by green spiritual light, full of vitality. This was the Qi of Azure Wood, the primary Cultivation Technique of Sect Master Yi Qing.

However, what was strange was that within that green spiritual light, dark red veins appeared. They looked like blood vessels, intertwined with the power of Azure Wood, transforming into a bizarre and eerie glow.

"Huh?" Qian Guang looked up at the figure darting through the Lightning Tribulation, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes. Wasn't the Sect Master cultivating the Dao of Azure Wood? Why was there such a thick aura of blood and evil?

But soon, he cast this thought to the back of his mind. Whatever it was, as long as he succeeded in the Breakthrough, he would be a Golden Core True Person; otherwise, all his plans would turn to nothing! "You must succeed in the Breakthrough!" Qian Guang prayed in his heart, never having been so devout before.

"Boom!" Just then, the first bolt of the Lightning Tribulation struck down. The purple lightning, like a sword of divine punishment, slashed straight down from the Nine Heavens, hitting Sect Master Yi Qing squarely on the head.

However, Sect Master Yi Qing, who was in the midst of it, remained motionless. The lightning exploded on him, and dense arcs of electricity crawled along his body but could not shake him in the slightest. The power of Azure Wood simply flowed over his skin, dissolving and absorbing those lightning arcs layer by layer, until they finally dissipated into nothingness.

However, the ferocity of the Lightning Tribulation increased with each layer. The second, third, fourth... each bolt was more violent and furious than the last.

When the seventh bolt of lightning struck, Sect Master Yi Qing could no longer maintain his calm demeanor; a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. By the time the eighth bolt of lightning slammed down, his robes had been torn to shreds.

But he did not take a single step back. Even though the great hall had been blasted to pieces by the aftershocks of the Lightning Tribulation, he stood motionless in that void.

At this moment, the ninth and final Lightning Tribulation began to brew. High in the sky, the dark clouds churned like boiling water, and purple lightning flashed and intertwined within the clouds, like Dragon after Dragon ready to strike.

The pressure grew heavier and heavier, making the observing Disciples below almost unable to breathe. Those with lower cultivation levels were already feeling their legs go weak, their Faces turning pale.

Sect Master Yi Qing in the sky did not pay attention to those below; he only looked up at the lightning pillar that was condensing, his eyes devoid of fear, filled only with a near-manic excitement.

He raised his right hand, and a blood-red light suddenly flared in his palm. The medicinal power of the Blood Evil Barrier-Breaking Pill was fully activated at this moment. Dark red blood light surged from his body, intertwining with the green spiritual light of the Azure Wood power, forming a red and green intertwined light shield around him.

"Boom!!!" Finally, the last bolt of lightning fell. The purple lightning pillar, like a giant axe splitting the heavens, slashed toward Sect Master Yi Qing with an unstoppable force. Wherever it passed, the Void Realm was scorched, leaving behind charred cracks.

Sect Master Yi Qing did not dodge or evade, but flew straight up to meet the lightning pillar. "Boom!!" The two collided violently in mid-air, and Sect Master Yi Qing was instantly submerged in a purple sea of lightning! In an instant, his skin was torn open, and he spat out a mouthful of Essence Blood, but it was immediately evaporated by the lightning.

"Quick!" Sect Master Yi Qing formed a hand seal, and the power of Azure Wood instantly surged from his Qi Sea, beginning to repair his Physical Body. At the same time, the aura of blood and evil was replenishing his consumed magical power. As one ebbed and the other flowed, he actually managed to endure this ninth Lightning Tribulation.

However, the purple sea of lightning did not disappear; instead, it continued to bombard Sect Master Yi Qing relentlessly. After becoming the Acting Sect Master, Sect Master Yi Qing had read the Sect's archives and knew that this final Golden Core Lightning Tribulation had to be forcibly shattered, or it would exist indefinitely.

Thus, his expression turned ferocious, and he let out a roar. "Break for me!" Then, the green and red light on his body suddenly brightened, and he collided with the Lightning Tribulation once again.

Boom!! A deafening roar echoed across the sky. Purple lightning splashed in all directions like blooming fireworks. Sect Master Yi Qing, bracing himself against the sea of lightning, shattered everything with an unstoppable force.

From the top, cracks appeared in the center of the lightning, spreading in all directions until it finally shattered! The dark clouds in the sky slowly dispersed at this moment, and sunlight shone down once again.

Sect Master Yi Qing stood with his hands behind his back in the Void Realm, his robes tattered and his body bathed in blood, but his eyes shone with an unprecedented light.

The Qi of Azure Heaven descended from the Nine Heavens, enveloping Sect Master Yi Qing. That gentle power surged into his body, repairing the Meridians scorched by the lightning and nourishing the Golden Core that had just formed and was still somewhat unstable. Finally, it transformed into pure magical power and merged into the Golden Core.

His aura completely stabilized at this moment, landing firmly on the threshold of the Early Golden Core Stage.

"Ahhh!!!" Sect Master Yi Qing roared to the heavens, his voice shaking the surroundings. A moment later, he opened his eyes and looked down at his hands. Clenching his fists and feeling the unprecedented power within his body, the corners of Sect Master Yi Qing's mouth slowly curled up. A Golden Core True Person—he had succeeded!

Sect Master Yi Qing stood with his hands behind his back in the Void Realm, his long hair flying. He did not restrain his pressure but released it without any scruples. Below, thousands of Disciples felt that pressure simultaneously, instantly feeling as if they were bearing a mountain, and they involuntarily bent over.

"Thump—" The first to react was Qian Guang. He, without any regard for his image, knelt on both knees, his forehead touching the ground, his voice trembling with excitement. "Congratulations to the Sect Master for attaining the Golden Core, may your immortal life be boundless!"

This shout was like lighting a fuse. The other Disciples reacted as well, following suit by kneeling down and shouting in unison. "Congratulations to the Sect Master for attaining the Golden Core, may your immortal life be boundless!" The waves of sound were like a tide, rising and falling, echoing among the mountains.

At the back of the crowd, Zhou Yang, Dong Pingan, and Zhang Li stood in an inconspicuous corner. They had just arrived at the scene and hadn't had a chance to catch their breath before they saw the heroic figure of Sect Master Yi Qing in the Lightning Tribulation and heard the tsunami-like cheers of congratulations. They looked at each other, their eyes filled with helplessness. But in order not to attract attention, they could only bow their waists and join the crowd in offering congratulations, though their voices were drowned out by the waves of sound.

High in the sky, spiritual light flashed around Sect Master Yi Qing. The tattered robes vanished, replaced by an elegant brocade robe. He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the kneeling figures, enjoying the worship of the crowd, a feeling of unprecedented satisfaction welling up in his heart.

However, his gaze was suddenly drawn to a few people in the crowd. It was Zhou Yang and his group! "Heh..." Seeing the respectful appearance of his own people, Sect Master Yi Qing suddenly chuckled.

In the past, he was very wary of these people. Not only because they were the confidants of True Person Tianxing, but also because there was vaguely a mysterious Golden Core figure behind them. Although this person had disappeared for many years, and it was unknown if they would return or even if they were still alive, the residual power left by that Golden Core made him afraid to act rashly.

But now, he had achieved the Golden Core, what was there to be wary of? That old ghost True Person Tianxing was dead, and that Golden Core figure was nowhere to be found. This group of people was nothing but fish on his chopping block, to be dealt with however he pleased.

Moreover... seeing that they were only bowing and not kneeling to kowtow like the Disciples beside them made him feel annoyed. What was this? Everyone else was kneeling, yet they were acting holier-than-thou and refusing to kneel—were they looking down on him or what?

It just so happened that he was about to formally take over the Tianxing Immortal Sect, and he was worried about not finding an opportunity to establish his authority. Didn't this just deliver itself to his door? A cold smile curled the corner of Sect Master Yi Qing's mouth.

He then took a step and walked down from the Void Realm. Every step he took was on the void, yet ripples spread out beneath his feet. When he walked above the crowd, looking down at the thousands of Disciples from a high position, his gaze finally fell on Zhou Yang, and the smile on his Face deepened.

"Zhou Yang." He spoke suddenly, his voice not loud, yet it clearly reached the ears of everyone present.

Zhou Yang looked up, his expression somewhat confused, but he still bowed respectfully. "May I ask what the Acting Sect Master requires?"

"Acting Sect Master?" Sect Master Yi Qing's brows immediately furrowed, and he felt very displeased with this title. Before I achieved the Golden Core, you called me Acting Sect Master; after I achieved the Golden Core, you still call me Acting Sect Master—didn't that mean I broke through for nothing?

"Presumptuous! You ignorant thing, you must address me as Sect Master!" At this moment, the bootlicker Qian Guang immediately jumped out, pointing at Zhou Yang with an angry Face and berating him loudly.

At this, Sect Master Yi Qing nodded with satisfaction, his gaze returning to Zhou Yang.

Zhou Yang felt helpless in his heart, but the situation was stronger than the person; if he insisted on not yielding now, it would be embarrassing Sect Master Yi Qing in public. So, Zhou Yang took a deep breath, suppressed his emotions, and obediently addressed him again. "Greetings, Sect Master!"

"Hmm." Sect Master Yi Qing just hummed, then changed the subject. "Someone reported that you few have colluded with the Demonic Path and have ulterior motives. I would like to ask, is this true?"

Hearing this, the eyelids of Zhou Yang and the others twitched. Ah no, this change of subject was too blunt! And what kind of talk was this! Weren't you the one colluding with Demonic Cultivators?

The commotion from the other party's Breakthrough just now was too great; it was impossible not to notice the abnormalities on him. Any discerning person could perceive that something was wrong with him; that thick aura of blood and evil was almost becoming tangible. Therefore, when Sect Master Yi Qing said this himself, it felt too dramatic.

"Sect Master, if you are determined to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext!" Zhou Yang cupped his hands and replied righteously.

"A pretext?" Sect Master Yi Qing smiled, raised his right hand, and a blood-colored light emerged from his palm. Before Zhou Yang and the others could show their confusion, they saw Sect Master Yi Qing wave his hand, and that mass of blood-evil aura transformed into several streaks of blood light, falling straight toward Zhou Yang and the others.

At the same time, Sect Master Yi Qing's voice drifted over. "Look, now the evidence is conclusive; what else do you have to say for yourselves?"

"You are clearly framing us!!" Zhou Yang and the others were so angry they felt like their lungs would explode. How could there be such a person! You have to know, there were so many people watching around; you really aren't avoiding anyone at all!

"Framing you?" Regarding the words of Zhou Yang and the others, Sect Master Yi Qing acted very innocent, so he turned to look at the surrounding Cultivators. "Do I, perhaps?"

By this time, the smart ones had already seen the clues. That blood-evil aura clearly came from Sect Master Yi Qing himself, yet he used it as an excuse to frame Zhou Yang and the others. But no one dared to speak the truth. Speaking out now would mean completely offending the Sect Master, and what was the difference between offending a Golden Core True Person and courting death?

More importantly, at this time, it was time to pick a side! Thus, a Disciple stood out first, pointing at the three of Zhou Yang and berating them angrily. "You few have actually colluded with the Demonic Path; your crimes deserve death!"

This person was neither from the lineage of True Person Tianxing nor from the remnants of the original Qingxuan Sect, but a Disciple who had joined the merged Tianxing Immortal Sect later. They were actually well aware of the struggle between the two sides. But in the end, this was the dirty business of the Sect's upper echelon and had nothing to do with them! Over time, a neutral faction had formed. They didn't help anyone or pick a side, sitting firmly on the fence. But now, with Sect Master Yi Qing's Golden Core Breakthrough, it was clear that neutral factions would no longer be allowed. Therefore, those who knew the current trends had already begun to take action.