Hello, dear readers! Here's chapter 127 Part 1! Hope you'll enjoy it!
This week: Like I mentioned previously, I've been altering my writing process in terms of how much words I write every time, which day of the week I'm writing on, etc. The result is pretty good so far, with not only my 'productivity' increasing(I'm getting closer to two advance chapters a week), but I also have much more free time overall, so it's really win-win. I even have a bit of time to set up the next book series, mainly the Power System which will be more Martial Art/Body Refinement than the one used in the current story. The 'Golden Finger' will also be different, though there will be some similarities with the current Three perks one Gotta give the MC some advantages, otherwise, what's the point, right? The last thing I can tell you about it is that it will take place in a Europe/China Martial Art Medieval World, where I will mix what I like from both time period and fantasy novels I read before. A bit like the story you're currently reading. It's just advance preparation, though, since the story won't come out for a while for obvious reason. Well, since my writing speed is increasing, the time needed may be shorter than predicted. Who knows?
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Bright Star City, Bright Star Island, Flowing Stars Archipelago, Earth
Omniscient P.O.V.
A few minutes earlier, at the Serene River Mansion's Main Courtyard. After taking a sip of her coffee, Ling remarked absentmindedly, her gaze roaming around the river as it streamed serenely below the wooden pavilion they were seated inside of. "It's been more than a month already. Time flies so fast..." With an amused smile gracing his lips, Sergei, who was seated in front of her, replied. "Is it about those four? It's only been a month, merely the blink of an eye." Pausing for a second, he added. "It's not like you to be so wistful. What's wrong?" Hearing her husband's words, she responded, her tone light, though having known her for more than two decades, he immediately caught the fact that she was hiding something from him. "It's nothing..." Shaking her head slightly, she then fell silent, continuing to admire the peaceful scenery, while reminiscing on her past, not noticing the hint of concern appearing on Sergei's attractive face. After waiting for a few moments for her to share what was on her mind, he decided to ask her directly. With a tone filled with care, he said. "My Love." Seeing that he caught her attention, he continued. "It's clear that something is bothering you. So, tell me, what is it?" Noting her man's worries, Ling, who was about to subconsciously deflect the conversation, had her words caught in her throat. "I..." From her reaction, Sergei knew that the problem she faced might be more serious than he had previously thought. Thus, he swiftly grabbed her hands from the other side of the table and, while staring deeply into her eyes, declared. "Feng Ling, do you remember what we promised each other when we had our wedding?" Seeing the small smile and reminiscing look on her face, he continued. "We promised to share each other's hardship and happiness. So, I ask. No, let me rephrase that. I WANT you to tell me what's bothering you." Pausing for a second, he added, his expression turning playful. "If you don't, I'll keep pestering you until you give in. And I might even ask the other four to help me with that." Rolling her eyes at his 'joke'—though she knew he was only half-joking—, she retorted, her tense expression melting away. "That's called harassment, Darling. It's not something you should put your wife through. Or any woman for that matter." Chuckling at her response, the thirty-year-old-looking man replied while feeling the worry in his heart disappearing, replaced by intense curiosity. "Well, that's your fault, Wife. You're always trying to hide it when you feel sad, so you can't blame me for finding creative ways to pry the truth from your beautiful lips." His reply brought a few beautiful giggles out of those exact lips, though her 'merriment' swiftly stopped when Sergei uttered his following question. "Joke aside, can you tell me what I want to know now? Why did you have that lost look on your face?" Seeing that she could not avoid the topic anymore, Ling let out a sigh before sharing the reason behind her low mood. "It's about our Tribulations."
Hearing the word 'Tribulation', Sergei felt confused. Of all the reasons behind her concerns, Tribulation was the last thing he would have chosen. Of course, every Tribulation was a deadly ordeal, never to be taken lightly, as even those extremely talented geniuses could fall if underprepared, whether in terms of foundation, combat strength, or resources. When it came to the couple, though extremely young for their cultivation level, it did not mean that their foundation was lacking. Actually, it was pretty much the opposite. Otherwise, how could they have reached such a high level so quickly? Talent was one thing, but aspects like Energy Purity had a major impact on cultivation speed as well, and that was something the couple was plenty aware of. It was the difference between sailing through mud and clear water: Utterly incomparable. Through their adventures outside the Federation, and with their incredible Luck, they had often found Heaven and Earth Treasures and Heaven-defying opportunities, helping them refine their foundations, improve their own Innate Talents, and, combined with the previous two, boost their cultivation speed massively. While some people could find treasures by simply walking around, others would spend their entire lives risking their lives for nothing. Such was the effect of Luck for cultivators. When it came to the other two aspects of 'combat strength' and 'resources', the couple lacked none, whether it was because of the resources discovered while adventuring outside or acquired thanks to their professional attainments, especially with Ling's Low Tier 4 Alchemist proficiency, which was extremely lucrative. Knowing all that, Sergei asked, his tone perplexed. "What do you mean? I'm quite sure the risks should be manageable, though we'd still need to be careful." As something came to mind, he added. "Are you worried that some people would try to disrupt our Tribulations? Those Frost Demon Palace's Demon Beasts? Or maybe those mentally challenged cowards from the Li Family? If so, you don't need to. With my status as the foremost genius of the Anrepov Family, even though I only come from a side branch, there's no way those Elders from the Family would let anyone interfere with my Tribulation. And since you're my wife, and as much of a genius as I am, they'll also protect you. It's especially the case since the Senior Protector General in charge of the Tribulation Plateau is Mikhail Anrepov. With him there, even if we weren't from the Anrepov Family, he would make sure no one could intervene during our Tribulations. After all, he's well-known for favoring talented young cultivators." Pursing her lips at those words, she remarked sarcastically. "Funny how those Elders from the Anrepov Main Family are all over you now that you've grown so much. Strange how those opportunistic old farts were nowhere to be seen before!" Seeing her resentful expression, Sergei commented wryly. "Isn't it how all those Forces function, Dear? It's only if you demonstrate some level of talent that you can be considered as a target to be nurtured. That's simply human nature." Though she knew he was right, she detested that utilitarian attitude, prompting her to declare, her gaze especially serious. "Well, my dear husband, if you ever do the same with our future children, you'd better prepare yourself mentally, because I won't let you touch me for a few hundred years." That comment brought out a few chuckles from him before he responded. "Noted. But having only you as a wife, and with our current cultivation, I doubt I'll be forced to make that choice anytime soon. Speaking of which, you've never mentioned having children in the past, always saying that we should focus on increasing our cultivation base. What changed?" Feeling unusually embarrassed at him pointing it out, her cheeks reddened slightly as she avoided his gaze and replied. "I... I may have been influenced by those horny kids. I mean... They're always talking about marriage this, wedding that. And a few days ago, Seraphine even asked me a few questions about cultivators' pregnancy. Do you believe that?! Does she think she's still a Mortal, or something? Barely in her twenties with a few months of cultivation behind her, and all she's got in her little head is to get that brat's babies."
While listening to his cute wife complain about her student's 'irresponsible behavior', 'how the youth nowadays are reckless', or even 'that it could set back her cultivation by many important years', Sergei immediately observed how her tone and facial expression did not match her words at all. Indeed, what he sensed from her was plain and simple envy. However, she seemed unaware of it, which made her whole complaining act extremely entertaining for the black-haired man. With an amused grin on his face, Sergei waited until she stopped talking before commenting. "You look incredibly adorable when you're trying to lie to yourself. What's the word Sera and Demian used? Something about Japanese cartoons... Was it Tsundere? That's it! That's the word!" When she heard the words 'Japanese cartoons' and 'Tsundere' coming from her deceptively young-looking husband, Ling's mind froze for a brief moment before her gaze turned strange. As the silence stretched for a few seconds, even Sergei, with his thick skin, started feeling uncomfortable, prompting him to ask hesitantly. "Did I use that word incorrectly?" Now, it was Ling's turn to feel amused at her man's reaction, which made her burst into laughter for a few moments before she squeezed his hands and replied with a shake of her head. "No, you used it perfectly well. It just feels weird hearing you use it at all. It's like an old man trying to be cool by using teenagers' slang. It just feels off." Cocking his brow at her reason, he then wore a teasing smile and retorted. "Aren't you one year older than me?" That careless remark seemed to hit the bullseye as her previously amused expression vanished instantly, leaving only her glaring at him with a 'death stare', her hands holding his turning into an iron grip. "I really love you, Sergei Anrepov, but sometimes I also really want to punch you in the face. Repeatedly." Chuckling at her reaction, he retorted. "Understandable." Pausing for a second, the amusement on his face left for a more serious expression as he reoriented the conversation. "You know, you still haven't told me why you're worried about our Tribulations." The sudden change of topic threw her off for a brief moment before she let go of his hands, a small frown appearing on her face as she explained. "I don't know when it started, maybe yesterday after seeing how fierce Bryn's Tribulation was, or maybe it was way before... I'm not sure if it was confidence or arrogance, but I never really took the Tribulations we went through seriously. I wasn't careless, mind you, but I just didn't believe I could actually fail and, well, die, I guess... But now, although I can't say I lost it all, I've got so many doubts. What if I fail? Or worse, what if YOU fail? What if those adorable kids do? I mean, look at how Bryn almost died yesterday! Honestly, if it wasn't for her ridiculous luck, she'd have probably been obliterated by those Lightning Bolts..." As the words kept leaving her lips and her voice lowered, fear crept up in her tone, startling Sergei. Before he could say anything, however, her eyes found his, and she added, her face displaying a lost look. "I'm scared, Darling. Scared of losing you, scared of losing those four brats, scared of losing our future children... I don't know what to do, Sergei..." At that moment, her voice turned into whispers, and her gaze turned lost.
From the first time he met his wife, who, at the time, had been hired to kill him, to the current day, their wedding was the only occasion he had seen her so fragile. Though knowing her past, it was not entirely unexpected. No, what surprised him was the nature of her current state of mind. Fear always had an origin, and that same origin determined how much it would affect someone's psyche. This time, however, the effect did not match the origin. It was much too strong for what it should have been, especially when taking into account Ling's iron Will. 'It must be some sort of Heart Demon, or she wouldn't feel so devastated. But with her current Dao Heart, how is it even possible?' He wondered, confused. Well, if it were during her Tribulation, then it would be understandable since, besides the 'normal' Lightning Bolts, there was also a Heart Demon Tribulation from the one at Peak Tier 3 and onward. But now? No. That made no sense... 'Forget it! Its origin doesn't really matter. What matters is that she must remove that Heart Demon before going through her Tribulation, or her chance of passing it successfully would plummet drastically.' He concluded, prompting Sergei to reply, his gaze softening. "Darling, there's no need to fear so much. Yes, Bryn's Tribulation caught us by surprise, but that's because we underestimated her foundation. She's clearly that so-called legendary 'Immortal Seed', or she wouldn't have had to face that Grade of Tribulation. As for us, I may be confident in our talent, but I'm also aware of our limits. High 'Heaven Seeds' like us are impressive, but in front of an Immortal Seed, we're not particularly noteworthy. Knowing that, there's no way we'd have to go through that sort of Transcendent Grade Tribulation. Granted, ours will still be dangerous, but as long as we prepare well enough, our chances of passing it successfully are relatively high." Noticing that his words seemed to have some positive effects on her state of mind, he continued. "When it comes to Demian and Seraphine, well... Honestly, with their abnormal healing factor, I believe their chances of passing through their Tribulations safely might be even higher than ours. Think about it for a second, those four are clearly abnormal, even compared to the two of us. Liya aside, Brynhild awakened an extremely rare bloodline with Peak Purity, along with being an Immortal Seed. Demian, despite having an incomplete Physique with only six main Acupoints unlocked, not only brought his Soul Power to Transcendent Grade Purity, but also has Mana and Physical Foundation equivalent to someone like Bryn, whose Nine Main Acupoints have been unlocked. And Seraphine, though her foundation is slightly below Demian, is also an anomaly with her Void Shadow elven Bloodline. Each one of them is abnormal, and having all of them in the same family, with completely different bloodlines, is even more abnormal. Now, I'm not saying that because I want to know their secrets, but to tell you that with such abnormality comes incredible luck. And we both know that as long as their luck is strong enough, going through life and death situations will be as simple as breathing. And that's without taking into account their respective strength, which are already formidable for their own level." His explanation seemed to break her from her gloomy mood, though she still had a question. "What about Liya, then? She's not like the other three. Her talent is above average at best. I admit that going through the Peak tier 1 Tribulation shouldn't be too difficult for her, but what about the following ones?"