How to Be the Perfect Junior Sister to a Reborn Villain - Chapter 34

Chapter 34 

Several golden needles darted swiftly through the air, weaving in and out like threads of light, forming a fine spiritual web that pieced together a shattered beast bone.

The bones had just been brought fresh that morning from the dining hall’s kitchens perfect material for practicing the Spiritual Bone Suturing Technique.

Gao Lang was completely absorbed, mind and spirit wholly immersed in the act of repairing the bone. In that moment, he’d entered a state of absolute focus unaware that he was about to face his heavenly tribulation.

Just a little more. Just one final connection and it would be perfect.

His eyes glowed with razor-sharp concentration. It was as though he was thinking of countless things and nothing at all, hovering in a profound, mysterious state of enlightenment.

Around him, spiritual energy surged and gathered, thickening like a rising tide, until it formed a dense mist that wrapped him completely.

Several elders rushed over, forming layers of protective arrays in quick succession. The rest wisely retreated to a safe distance.

But even as the thunderclouds of the tribulation began to churn above, Gao Lang remained lost in his comprehension, utterly unaware of the imminent danger.

The sight made everyone’s heart leap to their throats.

The sky darkened into an oppressive gray, as if a heavy curtain had been drawn across the heavens. The air was thick with the tension before a storm.

Yan Jiuzhi stood to the side, his fists clenched tight as he watched his uncle-master still focused on his bone work. His heart was practically suspended in midair.

Then just as the final fracture was perfectly mended a blinding bolt of lightning tore through the clouds like a blade, ripping the gray curtain of the sky apart.

The first strike came down with the fury of heaven itself, carrying the power to shatter worlds.

Even with the defensive arrays, the ferocity of the lightning was overwhelming. It blasted straight through the roof, striking Gao Lang the moment he snapped out of his trance  and sent him sprawling.

He lay dazed for a long while before groggily pushing himself up, every muscle aching. Looking up at the roof, now charred and broken open, he saw the swirling clouds above, heavy with lightning.

The next strike was already brewing.

Only then did realization dawn on him. Oh heavens, I’m transcending my tribulation!

And he wasn’t prepared at all.

Panic flickered through him for a moment but there was no time for panic.

Fine, he muttered to himself. I’ve lived long enough anyway. Come on, then.

He braced himself to take the full force of the next strike head-on. But to his surprise, when the second bolt fell, most of it was diverted by the protective array only a fraction struck him.

Relief and renewed confidence surged through him. Someone powerful was shielding him.

He lifted one of his golden needles with a determined grin. All right, old friend, let’s transcend this tribulation together.

From afar, Master Mishang dressed in serene blue robes, her expression calm and distant watched him from the sky.

Though Gao Lang was older and had only formed his core near the end of his lifespan, his medical insight and experience were exceptional.

All he’d lacked was exposure to advanced techniques. His comprehension and perseverance, however, were outstanding.

He had approached every lesson she taught with tireless dedication, working day and night without pause.

If he succeeds in this tribulation, Mishang thought, I’ll take him as a personal disciple.

The tribulation thunder fell one strike after another, each one thicker, louder, and far more terrifying than the last.

By the time the final bolt struck, it descended like divine judgment, shaking the entire mountain.

The ground trembled violently, rocks exploded outward like fireworks, and the spot where Gao Lang stood became a massive, smoking crater.

Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on that blackened pit.

Then just as suddenly as it had gathered the tribulation cloud dispersed like a receding tide. Light flooded the sky.

Brilliant, multicolored radiance spread across the heavens like embroidered silk, dazzling and vivid.

A fine spiritual rain began to fall, washing the world in a soft glow and filling the air with rejuvenating energy.

At that moment, the new disciples were released from confinement. Li Xi immediately pulled out her jade pill furnace and several bowls and basins carved from spirit jade, lining them up neatly to collect the rain.

It was the perfect chance this was the gift her third senior brother had given her for her sixteenth birthday last October.

She then brought out the grand purple crystal alchemy furnace that Patriarch Chengyuan had given her, setting it down with a solid clang.

The other disciples instantly regretted coming empty-handed.

Wei Yutong’s face darkened she felt utterly defeated. From now on, she resolved to always carry a cauldron of her own.

Jin You, on the other hand, couldn’t care less. He simply stripped off his outer robe, lifted his head to the sky, and spread his arms wide, bare chest gleaming as he let the spiritual rain drench him.

Li Xi winced and quickly looked away. That’s one sight I didn’t need to see.

If it were her third senior brother under that rain.

She stopped herself mid-thought. What kind of dangerous nonsense am I thinking?

The other male disciples, inspired by Jin You’s example, followed suit until the etiquette instructor glared at them so fiercely they froze in place.

From within the blackened crater, Gao Lang slowly climbed out.

His robes were in tatters, his hair stood on end, still smoking at the tips. He looked like a beggar who’d crawled out of a chimney.

The spiritual rain poured over him, washing the soot from his face, though it did little to restore his dignity.

Thankfully, his considerate nephew Yan Jiuzhi quickly brought him a clean robe, sparing him from complete humiliation under the bright daylight.

Master Mishang descended gracefully, her expression cool as ever but the aura around her was soft and calm.

She looked at Gao Lang. Once the new disciples finish their assessment, are you willing to take me as your master?

Gao Lang froze for a heartbeat, then his heart leapt in joy.

Mishang Zhenren the head of the Medical Hall herself! Her lectures were famous, and her knowledge of the healing arts was as vast as a mountain. He had admired her deeply for years.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, he dropped to his knees to bow, but a gentle wave of spiritual energy lifted him up before he could touch the ground.

A faint smile curved Mishang’s lips.

All new disciples must wait until their first-year assessment is completed before formally taking a master, she said. For now, go into seclusion and consolidate your new cultivation base.

Yes, Master Mishang!” Gao Lang responded at once, bowing deeply.

He then turned and offered respectful thanks to the elders who had erected the protective arrays and guarded him during the tribulation before departing for the secluded caves to meditate.

Only now did Li Xi and the others realize that the one who had just transcended his tribulation was their Uncle Master Gao.

The thought made them shiver in delayed fear but relief quickly followed.

To reach enlightenment mid-study and break through without even using a Core Condensation Pill he was destined to go far on the path of cultivation.

Lin Ruo and Tao Wen, however, couldn’t help staring at the ruined house and the smoking crater left behind.

They exchanged a meaningful glance. 

Wait… they’re not going to make us pay for that, are they?

Fortunately, no.

The stewards of the Disciples’ Hall quickly cordoned off the area and hung up a  Repair in Progress  Keep Out sign.

No one ever mentioned compensation.

The class location on their communication jade slips even updated automatically.

Still uneasy, Lin Ruo went to ask Steward Wu just to be sure.

Wu Lan chuckled. “Why would you need to pay? You’re disciples of the sect. If a building breaks, the sect just repairs it.”

Lin Ruo and Tao Wen both exhaled in relief. If they’d really had to pay, even selling themselves wouldn’t cover the cost.

Their third senior brother had told them that multiple protective arrays and several elders were on watch the entire time.

Truly worthy of a grand sect, they thought, hearts swelling with loyalty and pride toward Taixian Sect.

Even Yan Jiuzhi, ever critical, found himself unable to fault the sect’s conduct.

For the first time in his life, he wasn’t wandering aimlessly and he could see that his master, uncles, seniors, and juniors all felt content here.

Yes. This life, this sect  it was truly good.