Chapter 375 The Grandmaster’s Trial (1/2)

After Lingguang lost conscious, Shen Lian spoke in a serious tone, ”Grandmaster, you have attained the state of Tian Xian?”

Ziling replied, ”That is not the case. If it was just Qing Xiao alone who successfully cultivated the Boundless Taiyin, she could have easily made it past the three trials of Dao and achieved the heavenly immortal state. However, both of us are still closely connected. If she were to go through the trial of Dao, she would trigger my portion of the trial. Essentially, the power of the trial of Dao would double. If this were to happen, our chance of survival is zero.”

Shen Lian queried further, ”Grandmaster, if you were to successfully cultivate the Boundless Taiyang, what are the chances that you will survive the trial of Dao?”

Ziling pondered over Shen Lian's question and replied at last, ”Ten percent.”

Shen Lian sighed as he realized why the grandmaster was in no hurry to absorb the Real Fire of the Sun and to successfully cultivate the Boundless Taiyang. Their respective trial of Dao would overlap on the day of her success. With Yin and Yang complementing each other, it would not be as simple as the power of the trial of Dao doubling anymore.

He replied in a low tone, ”Grandmaster, is there a way for you to circumvent the trial of Dao and achieve the heavenly immortal state directly?”

Ziling saw the determination in Shen Lian eyes; she knew that if there was truly a way, Shen Lian would do whatever it takes to find it for her.

She replied gently, ”No, there isn't. Stop thinking about it anymore. Moreover, with our combined power, we could easily stall the trial of Dao for a thousand years, just as the old man did. Starting from now, I just need to distance myself away from whims. With that, I should be able to delay the trial of Dao to at least three or five hundred years.”

She was aware that there was a way to circumvent the trial of Dao. She would be able to skip past the trial of Dao and achieve the heavenly immortal state directly. However, the Dharma existed only in legends. It would take a lot of effort if one were to search for it. She did not want Shen Lian to worry about her at the expense of his cultivation progress.

Shen Lian had just attained immortality, and he was in his prime. If he was too distracted and missed the golden period, he would not be able to get it back anymore.

As Shen Lian's teacher, she had not done much for him - precisely why she would not allow herself to burden him.

Whether it was for Qing Xuan or for the Taixu branch, Shen Lian was the best heir to the orthodoxy.

Shen Lian was aware that there was a way to circumvent the trial too. However, he was unsure of the details. When he asked his Founding Master about it, she insisted that it did not exist. He knew what she was thinking; the more she behaved in this manner, the more determined Shen Lian was. He decided that he would find the way to circumvent the trial for her.

He recalled the underwater palace in the depths of the sea and the strange words within it. He thought it was about time that he visited it again. After attaining immortality, he was in no hurry to visit the underwater palace. Instead, he had been working on his Dao nature, improving his supernatural power and mana. Now that it came to his mind again, he knew that it was the right time to head over.

A Zhenren would act in accordance to his nature and the circumstances; a fitting description in Shen Lian's case.

Ziling swung out a ribbon. She caught Lingguang and Shen Lian with it. The next moment, she was standing in the void while the altar started shrinking. The jade tree on it underwent some changes and turned into a golden book.

The altar flew into Ziling's sleeve, whilst the little book was left for Shen Lian.

Ziling replied, ”This is the projection of Jinque Jade Booklet. I am handing it to you now.”

She gazed at Shen Lian meaningfully.

Shen Lian could not help but to say, ”Grandmaster, what if I could not keep it with me?” He was reminded of his promise to Ye Liuyun.

Ziling replied, ”It would mean that it was never yours to begin with. There isn't much in this world that one could retain anyway.” She continued, ”Moreover, losing it might be a blessing in disguise. You will understand it soon.”

Shen Lian was tempted to tell Ziling about Ye Liuyun, but now, he decided that he would just hand the Jinque Jade Booklet over to Ye Liuyun.

Though, Ziling did not give him a chance to speak. She dragged him along as she took a huge leap. The moment they appeared again, Shen Lian found himself hovering over Mount Qing Xuan.