"Transcendence Tribulation Stage human, what do you think you’re doing before me? A human of the Transcendence Tribulation Stage challenging the authority of a Divine Beast with Great Success Stage strength, are you seeking death?" Mo Qilin’s pair of cold eyes stared at Qin Yu in the distance, his voice echoing between heaven and earth.

This Mo Qilin was not a Fierce Beast; the eyes of a Fierce Beast are blood red, but those of this Mo Qilin were not. Furthermore, this Mo Qilin was a Demon, having even transcended into an Independent Demon.

"Mo Qilin, a Divine Beast that has overcome three Independent Demon Tribulations, just concede defeat in front of me. You are not my opponent," Qin Yu said with a smile.

Mo Qilin, a Third Tribulation Independent Demon. Yet just now, this Mo Qilin claimed to be ’a Divine Beast with Great Success Stage strength.’ He indeed had the strength of a Divine Beast in the Great Success Stage, but he was not in the Great Success Stage; he was a Third Tribulation Independent Demon, which also goes to show how arrogant this Mo Qilin was.

"Independent Demon? You’re seeking death." Angered, Mo Qilin moved; with a flicker, an afterimage had already arrived in front of Qin Yu. Confronting this, Qin Yu’s response was—

Black Flame Monarch’s Ring—Skyfire Domain.

"Ah!" A painful scream emanated from Mo Qilin’s mouth. At the same time, Mo Qilin quickly retreated, shock visible in his eyes, "Heavenly Fire, you can actually use Heavenly Fire to attack?"

Even a Fourth Tribulation Independent Demon couldn’t withstand it. Mo Qilin, as a Divine Beast of the Third Tribulation Independent Demon level, indeed had strength surpassing that of the Fourth Tribulation Independent Demon, but he couldn’t hold out for long either. Realizing Qin Yu could use Heavenly Fire to attack, Mo Qilin wisely chose—to flee.

"Fleeing? The Divine Beast Mo Qilin shouldn’t be particularly skilled at running for his life. Unfortunately for you, I excel at speed," Qin Yu said, stepping on a Middle Grade Immortal Artifact, and initiating Human and Artifact Fusion.

Qin Yu’s body was incredibly robust, tougher even than Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts. When flying, his body didn’t serve as a hindrance. Moreover, complemented by the Middle Grade Immortal Sword, Qin Yu’s speed was frighteningly fast.

Mo Qilin had only just begun to flee when Qin Yu had already reached the area ahead of him.

"Don’t run, you can’t escape," Qin Yu said with a light smile.

When Mo Qilin saw the enigmatic man in black before him, his heart skipped a beat. Speed was not his forte, but Mo Qilin wasn’t slow. Even those in the Great Success Stage might not be able to catch up with him.

"You’re only at the Tribulation Crossing Stage, how can you possibly catch up to me? And... how can you use Heavenly Fire? Even ordinary Heavenly Immortals don’t have the ability to use Heavenly Fire," Mo Qilin stopped fleeing and instead asked Qin Yu.

"Secret."

With a slight smile, Qin Yu’s body turned into a black light and charged towards Mo Qilin.

Hands, feet, elbows, knees...

In an instant, Qin Yu, like a humanoid Divine Beast, unleashed incredibly fast close-quarters attacks. Mo Qilin, initially very excited, thought it ridiculous for a human to compare physical strength with a Divine Beast.

But as the fight went on, Mo Qilin found it hard to believe.

The physical strength of a Divine Beast is formidable, but not so formidable that it could achieve the strength of the Great Success Stage solely with its body, without relying on its internal energy. After all, for a Divine Beast, the body is only part of its strength; the energy within its Nascent Soul is the most important.

Qin Yu’s mere physical strength was enough to counter that of a Divine Beast.

Punches landed with solid thuds, like hitting a sandbag, the sound continually echoing. Black Qilin scales began to shatter, and blood started to flow.

"Are you a human? No, you must be a Divine Beast, what is your true form? A Five-clawed Golden Dragon? Or the legendary Golden-eyed Stone Ape?" Mo Qilin angrily communicated with his spiritual sense.

The Golden-eyed Stone Ape was a Divine Beast on the same level as the Five-clawed Golden Dragon and was renowned for its incredibly tough body.

"No, I am human."

Qin Yu turned into a vortex, and his right leg, like the Outer Heaven Divine Whip, viciously struck Mo Qilin’s abdomen, sending Mo Qilin’s body flying into the air.

"Roar~~~~" Mo Qilin roared furiously to the sky, the surrounding water currents turned chaotic. Stream after stream of water formed into flying swords shooting towards Qin Yu. The radiance of these water stream flying swords was enough for Qin Yu not to doubt their power.

Mo Qilin, naturally skilled in water control.

Among the Qilin clan, he was considered to be quite strong. Of course, the king of the Qilin clan was the ’Fire Qilin,’ which was said to have been nurtured from flames in legends.

Mo Qilin was born through successive generations and was not like the Fire Qilin, which was conceived from fierce flames. Nevertheless, Mo Qilin’s water control abilities were very powerful.

It seemed that Mo Qilin knew that these water stream flying swords would not be enough to trouble Qin Yu. Its body emitted streaks of black light, which enveloped hundreds of meters of seawater around it. This seawater began to rise into the air, forming a giant water ball over a kilometer in diameter.

The water ball rapidly shrank, and in just an instant, it became the size of a fist.

"Human, you just now did not attempt to stop me from deploying this ultimate move. Yes, you possess Heavenly Fire, yet my life-saving ’Black Heavy Water’ is not as simple as you might think. Prepare to meet your doom," Mo Qilin coldly declared.

Indeed, as Mo Qilin had said, Qin Yu hadn’t tried to stop Mo Qilin from using this move. With Qin Yu’s speed, he had the opportunity to interfere, but he didn’t.

Because Qin Yu wanted to subdue Mo Qilin as a Spiritual Beast, not kill him, it was necessary to show Mo Qilin his formidable strength. Only then might the proud Divine Beast submit.

"I won’t use Skyfire to block, rest assured, even without Skyfire, I can easily defeat you, not to mention your ultimate move has practically no effect on me," Qin Yu said with a faint smile.

"Then you are courting death." Hearing that Qin Yu wouldn’t use Skyfire to block, Mo Qilin’s body emitted streaks of black radiance, which then wrapped around the small water ball from all directions.

Like a black beam of light, it shot towards Qin Yu at high speed.

And Qin Yu simply... extended his right hand.

With ease, Qin Yu’s right hand caught the black water ball that was flying at high speed.

Mo Qilin’s face was full of madness, as he seemed to foresee the black water ball blasting off Qin Yu’s right hand, severely injuring or even killing Qin Yu.

"Quite powerful, eh," Qin Yu’s voice rang out.

Mo Qilin’s facial expression changed.

In his heart, Qin Yu was being extremely cautious, "This move really is powerful, even my current body can hardly withstand it, the power is almost up to that of the green ripple attack by Zhou Xian that day."

Qin Yu clearly felt his right palm being torn apart, but with the ’Life Essence Power’ at his command, Qin Yu would never allow his right hand to be destroyed.

Back when Qin Yu was defending against Zhou Xian’s attack, the Life Essence Power automatically repaired his body. But at this moment... Qin Yu was consciously controlling a massive amount of Life Essence Power to repair it together.

As Qin Yu held the black water ball in his hand, he kept depleting the ball’s energy, and even if his palm was injured, it would be repaired in a flash. Actively controlling a large amount of Life Essence Power to repair, the speed was much faster than the Life Essence Power’s automatic healing.

"How is this possible..." Mo Qilin was dumbfounded.

Because Qin Yu had simply and easily neutralized his ultimate move with just one hand.

"Without Skyfire, I can easily defeat you..." As soon as Qin Yu finished speaking, he charged forward. At this moment, Mo Qilin had already begun to feel fear and worry.

He was very clear that even he himself would not be able to block that move unscathed.

"Ah... die." Mo Qilin roared angrily, his Qilin’s sole horn fiercely stabbing towards the approaching Qin Yu, but at that moment, Mo Qilin’s body suddenly sank.

Black Flame Monarch’s Ring—Gravity Domain.

The sudden heavy pressure caused Mo Qilin to reveal a fatal flaw at the most critical moment.

"Puchi." Qin Yu’s short sword pierced directly through Mo Qilin’s scales, and in just a moment, Qin Yu’s hand emerged from within the Qilin’s body, holding its Nascent Soul.

The shock was apparent on the face of Mo Qilin’s Nascent Soul, "What level is this flying sword of yours? It easily pierced through my scales, how is that possible?"

"Middle Grade Immortal Artifact," Qin Yu said, looking at Mo Qilin’s Nascent Soul in his palm.

"You can use Skyfire, your body is so powerful that you can easily kill me, you’re even faster than me, and you have an Immortal Sword that can easily pierce through my scales, why torment me like this?" Mo Qilin was full of anger at this moment.

He could see that this mysterious young man in black had overwhelming strength. If he wanted to kill him, he probably could have simply used Skyfire to burn him to ashes at the beginning, or directly kill him with the Immortal Sword. Why drag it out until now.

"It’s nothing, I just hope you will become my Spiritual Beast," Qin Yu took out a Spiritual Beast Ring.

Clearly aware of the Spiritual Beast Ring, Mo Qilin, upon seeing it, proudly said, "You really want me to be your Spiritual Beast. Your strength is undeniable, but I do not wish to be at your beck and call, controlled by you, I would rather die than live a life without freedom."

Qin Yu let out a long sigh of relief in his heart.

Divine Beasts are usually proud and wouldn’t willingly become someone else’s Spiritual Beast. By demonstrating his complete dominance just now, Qin Yu had subdued Mo Qilin. Mo Qilin’s words indicated that in fact, he was already relenting inside. If Mo Qilin were truly unwilling, his response would have been completely different.

"Don’t worry, you are a Third Tribulation Independent Demon. For now, you will be my Spiritual Beast. When I ascend, you just need to look after my relatives. No one will bind you, and I won’t order you around," Qin Yu said with a smile.

Knowing Qin Yu’s strength, Mo Qilin nodded and said, "Alright, I believe you."

Mo Qilin had long realized Qin Yu’s strength; any human capable of being that powerful would definitely be able to overcome the Ninety-nine Tribulations and separate from him upon ascension.

Qin Yu infused Star Power into the Spiritual Beast Ring and then placed the ring onto the Nascent Soul.

Suddenly... the Spiritual Beast Ring began to shrink and directly merged into the Nascent Soul.

Since the Spiritual Beast Ring is related to the soul, once it has merged with the Spiritual Beast Ring, Mo Qilin, no matter how powerful he becomes in the future, cannot possibly betray him.

*****

"Bastard, you better hope I never find out who the hell you are, otherwise, I swear I’ll make your death a miserable one." A handsome young man cursed angrily, with fresh blood still on his body.

The young man named Lian Chong was a Seventh Tribulation Independent Demon. His parents were even more terrifying; his father was an Eleventh Tribulation Independent Demon, and his mother was even more formidable, being a Twelfth Tribulation Independent Demon. By rights, given his status, there were few in the Chaotic Star Sea who would dare to provoke him.

This time, Lian Chong was preparing to face his eighth Independent Demon Tribulation, and his parents were extremely strict with him, even to the point of cruelty.

"My child, cultivating the Asura Demon Path, if you always rely on your parents, wanting to succeed is but a dream. Everything... must be relied upon by oneself!" This was a frequent admonition from Lian Chong’s parents.

The Asura Demon Path, cruel to one’s enemies and equally harsh and cruel to oneself.

For the eighth Independent Demon Tribulation, with Lian Chong’s strength, of course, he was fully confident, and had prepared quite a number of Tribulation Crossing Treasures for himself. Although his parents said such things and were usually strict, they still gave their cherished son Protective Dharma Treasures.

A Middle-Grade Demon Artifact Flying Sword!

Normally, even Ten Tribulation Independent Immortals and Demons, and even some Eleventh Tribulation Independent Immortals didn’t possess a Middle-Grade Demon Artifact, yet Lian Chong had one, a gift from his mother.

Originally full of confidence, he sought a place to prepare for the tribulation.

However, a few days before the Independent Demon Tribulation, he was unexpectedly attacked by an Independent Demon. What was most crucial was... this Independent Demon was too powerful, at least a Ninth Tribulation Independent Demon, or even stronger.

This Independent Demon’s face was always indistinct, utterly impossible to see through. Presumably, to ambush Lian Chong, he had prepared everything to prevent Lian Chong from recognizing him.

Lian Chong was a Seventh Tribulation Independent Demon, but he possessed many treasures and had several life-saving items given to him by his parents. Clearly, his parents had also considered the possibility of their son being hunted down.

But... this time the enemy hunting him was too strong.

On the run for two to three full days, Lian Chong didn’t care where he ended up, he only knew to flee for his life. Although he could perform Instantaneous Movement, the other party obviously left some kind of mark on him that allowed pursuit no matter where he teleported to.

Plus, since the distance of Instantaneous Movement and strength were directly proportional, Lian Chong couldn’t manage to escape back in time.

After only two Instantaneous Movements, Lian Chong dared not use it again, as each teleportation would cause him a momentary pause. The enemy might take advantage of this to capture him.

After two Instantaneous Movements, Lian Chong started to flee desperately, employing various escape techniques.

In his panic, he finally resorted to the Blood Escape Technique, a unique skill of Demon Path masters, while his Nascent Soul clung tightly to the Middle-Grade Demon Artifact Flying Sword.

Finally, he had come to this place, but at last, he had shaken off the enemy.

"Dad, Mom, I’m being hunted down." Lian Chong was now communicating with his parents.

"You ask where I am? I don’t know, it’s all endless waters around me, there are no special islands, how would I know where I am? Dad, Mom, you should be able to sense my aura, right?" Lian Chong communicated helplessly.

"What? You can’t sense it? No way, did I run too far?" Lian Chong felt a bit dumbfounded. First, he ran desperately for two to three days, then he used the Blood Escape Technique to flee for his life.

Just how far he had run, where he had gone, he did not know himself.

"Dad, Mom, my Independent Demon Tribulation is fast approaching, after running for my life for so long and using the Blood Escape, my power is at most left at twenty percent. Many treasures have been exhausted, only a Flying Sword remains." Lian Chong panicked.

To face the Heavenly Tribulation in his current state was certain death.

"Boom~~~" Suddenly, the sky was filled with thunder, and in an instant, the sky changed color, turning a dark red as if it were a furnace...

"Dad, Mom, the Heavenly Tribulation is coming..."

Lian Chong had nothing more to say.

"Anxiety, you’re anxious, I’m anxious too, but what the hell is the use, who knows where this godforsaken place is, it’s over, I’ve searched for a million miles of waters with my Devil’s Consciousness, not even seeing one island I recognize." Lian Chong was also frantically close to madness.

Not just him, his parents were also nearly driven mad by now.

But what could they do? Obviously, their son had run too far in his flight, and they could not use Demon Consciousness to locate him, nor could they use a map to find where their son was.

Because there were no recognizable islands around.

"My child, who exactly is that person who hunted you, even at the cost of my death, I will kill him to avenge you." Lian Chong’s mother, that Twelfth Tribulation Independent Demon, was almost driven to madness.

"Dad, Mom, prepare to avenge me, that bastard hunted me for more than two days, I reckon at least he’s a Ten Tribulation Independent Demon, Dad, Mom, stop talking, I have no hope of surviving this Independent Demon Tribulation." Lian Chong was almost in despair at this point.

"At least a Ten Tribulation Independent Demon? Good, my child, rest assured, I will kill all the Ten Tribulation and Eleven Tribulation Independent Demons that have some enmity with me, and the only Twelfth Tribulation Independent Demon I have a grievance with. I cultivate the Asura Demon Path, which I entered through killing, but it has been a long time since I’ve killed someone." Lian Chong’s mother was completely crazed at this moment.

"My child."

"Uncle, it’s you." Lian Chong was surprised with joy, if it was his uncle, perhaps there was a chance to save himself.

"Chong’er, it’s no use. When the Heavenly Tribulation descends, one can only rely on oneself. Even if others come to your aid, the tribulation will target both individuals and its power will even increase. No matter what, you must withstand the Independent Demon Tribulation. With your current state, only the Tribulation Spirit Pill from the Island Master of Lianyun Island can instantly restore your power. Without restoring your power, even finding you would be pointless."

"Great Uncle, the Tribulation Spirit Pill? Could you try to borrow the Tribulation Spirit Pill? If you were to ask, you would surely be able to borrow it." Lian Chong, not wanting to die, eagerly sent his message.

At this moment, the tribulation clouds had already formed in the sky, and the first bolt of Heavenly Thunder was about to strike down.

"The Tribulation Spirit Pill is an absolute treasure. If it were something else, it would be easier for me to borrow, but this Tribulation Spirit Pill... it’s really hard to say whether the Island Master of Lianyun Island would lend it or not. And besides... I can’t find where you are."

Securing the Tribulation Spirit Pill and locating himself.

Both conditions were indispensable; without the Tribulation Spirit Pill, finding him would be of no use.

While borrowing the Tribulation Spirit Pill seemed difficult, there was still a glimmer of hope. But how to find himself? And with the Heavenly Tribulation about to descend, there was simply not enough time.

"Great Uncle, Father, Mother, prepare to seek vengeance for me." After sending his final message, Lian Chong put away the Communication Order and began to desperately weather the tribulation.

"Chong’er."

Tears streamed down the eyes of Lian Chong’s parents at this moment, but a towering killing intent likewise flared in their hearts. Lian Chong’s great uncle also had a gaze filled with icy coldness.

...

With only twenty percent of his power left, along with a Middle Grade Immortal Sword, how long could Lian Chong hold out?

"The fifth Heavenly Thunder, and my power has almost been depleted. Four more potent bolts of Heavenly Thunder remain." At this moment, Lian Chong, barely standing above the water surface, had lost all hope.

Merely relying on twenty percent of his power, along with the Immortal Sword, he had barely withstood five Heavenly Thunders. How could he withstand the last four? Just a few days ago, Lian Chong had been unconcerned about this eighth Independent Demon Tribulation. Indeed, if he still had his power, he would have been unconcerned. But now...

I’m going to die.

Death is near.

Before death, Lian Chong reminisced about the glorious years he’d lived, years spent with the support of his parents. Although they were strict with him, it couldn’t change the fact that he had two powerful parents. This had allowed him to live comfortably over the years, and even within the Chaotic Star Sea, there were few who dared to defy him.

"When I die, all will be void," Lian Chong uttered with a bitter smile.

Only when facing death does one realize how wonderful the days lived were.

"Brother, I see that your power is nearly depleted, yet the Heavenly Tribulation isn’t over. Here, I have a Spirit Pill for you. Eat it, and your power will be restored," a voice that seemed like music from the heavens rang in Lian Chong’s ears.

Lian Chong looked up, and right before him stood a young man in black clothing—it was Qin Yu.

"You have a Tribulation Spirit Pill?" Lian Chong knew, the only thing that could immediately restore his power was the precious Tribulation Spirit Pill.

"The Tribulation Spirit Pill? No, this is a Life Creation Pill. It also has the effect of mending one’s power." Qin Yu said with a smile, simultaneously tossing a green-lit pill to Lian Chong.

"The Life Creation Pill? Never heard of it." Lian Chong shook his head, then cursed under his breath, "Damn it, if I’m going to die anyway, I might as well gamble on it." Faced with the imminent descent of the Sixth Heavenly Thunder, Lian Chong immediately swallowed the pill, not caring if it was poison.

Lian Chong also knew, at this juncture, who would poison him to death?

No sooner had he swallowed the Life Creation Pill than Lian Chong felt a surge of hope—he felt the pill turn into streams of energy, merging into his Nascent Soul.

Streaks of green energy permeated Lian Chong’s body, energizing his Nascent Soul as if it had consumed an immensely nourishing tonic, rapidly restoring his power. His originally depleted and shriveled Nascent Soul quickly became plump and filled with strength. In just a short time...his Nascent Soul had fully recovered.

"It’s true, I’m saved," Lian Chong cried out, ecstatic.

In a moment of despair, hope had suddenly arrived. Even Lian Chong was overwhelmed with joy. He turned to Qin Yu with unprecedented seriousness and said, "Brother, I am Lian Chong, the son of the Second Island Master and Third Island Master of Pengmo Island, the foremost power in the Chaotic Star Sea. I shall repay this life-saving grace."

Qin Yu was slightly taken aback, not expecting that the random person he saved would turn out to be such a significant figure from the Chaotic Star Sea. The Life Creation Pill? It was just an ordinary pill combined with Life Essence Power.

Now that Lian Chong’s power had fully returned, and he wielded the Middle Grade Immortal Sword, he had no concerns about the Sixth Heavenly Thunder.

"The foremost power in the Chaotic Star Sea, Pengmo Island?" Qin Yu’s face broke into a slight smile as he watched Lian Chong from afar, enduring the Independent Demon Tribulation.

(This Chapter turned out a bit long, exceeding six thousand words. Combined with today’s total, that’s over ten thousand words. It took a bit longer than expected, my apologies.)

(To be continued. For further details, please visit WWW.CMFU.COM. More Chapters are available there, so support the author and support genuine reading!)