Chapter Seventy-Eight: Crossing the Heavenly Tribulation

Although the meal was simple fare, the group enjoyed themselves immensely. Their spirits were especially high, not only because they had narrowly escaped death, but also due to the imminent departure of Yu Jun and Hou Bocheng from Hangdu.

After several rounds of drinks, each of them was somewhat inebriated, their own troubles weighing on their minds. It was uncertain whether it was the wine that made them drunk, or they themselves who sought solace in intoxication.

Daoist Hou wore a look of deep worry. The already bland water seemed even more tasteless as it passed his lips. The problem of corpse transformation in his body had become grave; it was truly the relentless corrosion of his flesh by yin energy. The fewer parts of the body affected by supernatural powers, the slower this erosion. For instance, Zhou Bai’s Yin-Yang Eye was unlikely to spiral out of control. But Daoist Hou’s ghostly arts were unique, affecting his entire being and turning him into a half-human, half-corpse. Unable to control the yin energy within, the traces of corpse transformation became increasingly apparent with time. What began as a slight purplish hue to his skin had now deepened into a dark crimson, as if he were a freshly dead body.

With a sigh, Daoist Hou picked up a peanut with his chopsticks and ate it with his wine, pinning his hopes on his ghostly cultivation method to resolve the affliction within him.

As the alcohol took hold, everyone felt more at ease. Wen Meng most of all—though now of ordinary constitution, he continued to drink cup after cup, indifferent to the others’ attempts to persuade him otherwise. He had survived this ordeal because his life-bound ghostly artifact had not yet fully fused with his soul, sparing him from certain death. Now, bereft of his cultivation and with no children or family, he intended to spend his remaining years in Hangdu, though he could no longer serve as its guardian.

The matter of the corpse disaster in Hangdu had already been reported to the Ministry of the Underworld. Although it caused some alarm, the casualties had been minimal, and so no urgent measures were taken. The appointment of a new guardian was yet undecided. According to Yu Jun, the post was likely to be filled by someone from the Ministry, as Zhou Bai lacked the rank and merit for the role—otherwise, it might have fallen to him.

What they did not know was that after Zhou Bai killed the corpse, he received an astonishing amount of merit; the star map on his badge lit up with over a thousand new stars. If not for his insufficient cultivation, this merit would have been enough for him to reach the sixth rank of Seal Master.

It must be said that Zhou Bai’s fortune had always been exceptional. Even his loss of control over his true form had been saved by the Great Treasure Glazed Elixir. In the entire history of the Ministry, there had never been a case of someone returning to normal after losing control of their true form.

This granted him a rare second chance at mastering his true form, and this time, he intended to proceed step by step, with utmost caution.

Yu Jun took the opportunity to impart some crucial secrets to him. Wen Meng’s cultivation path was already at its end, and Wang Lei was just an ordinary man. Only Daoist Hou had his seven orifices sealed by Yu Jun’s demonic energy, to prevent him from knowing too soon. In the Ministry of the Underworld, only those of sufficient cultivation were allowed to learn how to break through to the next stage, for the risk of losing control over supernatural powers was far too great.

After the ordeal of the White Bone Avatar, Zhou Bai’s body now brimmed with yin energy, qualifying him to attempt mastery over his true form.

Yu Jun took a sip of wine and spoke gravely, “The most critical step in attaining your true form is weathering the Heavenly Tribulation. This is absolutely vital, even relating to your true soul. Without complete mastery, you’ll waste untold time and effort for little gain.”

Zhou Bai nodded in agreement, though his curiosity about Hou Bocheng’s true form prompted him to ask. Hou Bocheng answered frankly, “My true form was achieved by piercing my body with thousands of fine needles, simulating the tribulation, and infusing my flesh with a secret silver. The pain was excruciating.”

Zhou Bai understood. Even for those who practiced the Way of Humanity, achieving the pseudo-true form required enduring the suffering of the tribulation.

In the Ministry’s cultivation methods, crossing the Heavenly Tribulation was both the first and final step to mastering one’s true form—imitating the ordeal monsters go through when shedding their demonic bodies to avoid demonic backlash.

But the tribulation was perilous. Zhou Bai would need to make a trip to Underworld Street to purchase the necessary spiritual materials and prepare thoroughly.

Wang Zhen had never explained the importance of mastering the true form to him because the Ministry’s cultivation was simply too dangerous. Any misstep could lead to ruin. She hoped he would lay a strong foundation first.

Zhou Bai and Bai Wanming served as stark examples. Both had forced themselves into their true forms but, having skipped the tribulation, could not withstand the backlash. Zhou Bai, protected by the Great Treasure Glazed Elixir, was spared all side effects and given a second chance. Bai Wanming was not so lucky. Transformed fully into a demon, it was uncertain whether he even retained any sentience.

Throughout the feast, Yu Jun shared her experience in achieving her true form, though there were differences between the demonic and ghostly paths. Related methods could be purchased in Underworld Street.

The only troubling matter was that the tribulation required a special location. Yu Jun knew only of the requirements for the demonic path, not the ghostly one.

Zhou Bai also took the opportunity to learn about the next realm after the true form—the True Soul—but Yu Jun only briefly mentioned it. Once one fully mastered their true form, the yin or demonic energy would begin to erode consciousness, dividing the soul into seven spirits and six souls. At that point, one needed to begin mastering their own soul.

Wen Meng, though older, lacked the talent to even break through the second level of ghostly cultivation, let alone achieve the true form or true soul. He had no say in these matters. Wang Lei, confused by the conversation, soon fell asleep in a drunken stupor.

Wen Meng offered Zhou Bai some advice: “We all serve Lady Wang. If you can make use of her resources, you must. Go to Underworld Street and look for a fellow called Old Rat Li—he should still be around these days.”

Zhou Bai’s interest was piqued. “Old Rat Li?”

Yu Jun was also surprised. “I know of him, but I didn’t expect he was acquainted with Wang Zhen.”

“What about this Rat Li?” Zhou Bai inquired.

Yu Jun explained, “He was originally a grave robber, with a rather unimpressive demonic awakening called Scenting—he can only distinguish smells. But his true form is special: a rare treasure-seeking rat. Relying on his grave-robbing skills and his true form, he’s become very well-informed and possesses many treasures. If he’s willing to help, Zhou Bai, you could avoid many detours in mastering your true form.”

Wen Meng surreptitiously handed Wang Zhen’s token to Zhou Bai, instructing him to try his luck at a certain place on Underworld Street. Meeting Old Rat Li would still require some luck.

The feast lasted throughout the night. At dawn, Yu Jun and her companion departed from Hangdu. Zhou Bai saw the thoroughly drunk Wen Meng and Wang Lei to their guest rooms, giving each a mild medicinal pill to ensure their health.