The Saintess Cult had been gaining influence for nearly thirty years, yet the Saintess herself had never appeared in public.
Many cultivators speculated that her eventual appearance would be an unprecedented spectacle.
However, due to several unforeseen incidents along the way, the Saintess's arrival was so understated that it was almost unacceptable to everyone.
As they followed the direction of the voice, the Saintess was already standing on the high platform ahead, gazing at True Person Zhaiye from afar.
The Saintess wore a long, dark gown intricately embroidered with purple threads. A gilded black veil concealed her face, projecting an aura of natural authority.
This was entirely different from what everyone had imagined the Saintess to be.
Yet, the moment they saw her, they knew, without any reason, that she was indeed the Saintess.
A flicker of confusion crossed Xu Yi's eyes. For some reason, this Saintess gave her a sense of familiarity.
Was it a misperception, or...?
True Person Zhaiye studied the Saintess intently for a moment before chuckling loudly, "The Saintess is indeed unlike ordinary mortals. You exude an ethereal aura that inspires reverence."
"Ethereal aura?"
Both the disciples of Lingyun Mountain and the surrounding onlookers were stunned.
They looked at the Saintess again, this time with greater focus. Indeed, in their daze, they perceived a fleeting, elusive sense of purity emanating from her, involuntarily stirring feelings of awe.
"True Person Zhaiye, my intention was to gather followers and spread my teachings. I have no wish to oppose Lingyun Mountain. Why do you insist on pressuring me?"
"Saintess, that is where you are mistaken. Lingyun Mountain has no intention of causing trouble for the Saintess. As the leading sect of Rongzhou, we must naturally consider the welfare of Rongzhou's cultivators.
The Saintess's refusal to reveal her true appearance inevitably breeds suspicion. My presence here is to dispel the doubts in everyone's minds, and it is also for your own good.
Since the Saintess has appeared, why not propagate your teachings and reveal your true form before all the fellow cultivators and this old man?
This old man is willing to listen with an open mind."
True Person Zhaiye's words were polite, but the underlying coercion was apparent even to the most simple-minded.
The Saintess was clearly no fool.
A sneering laugh echoed from beneath her veil.
"So, the old man of Lingyun Mountain is also one who seeks fame and reputation. You wish to hear my teachings, but I fear you may have the desire but not the means to hear them.
Today, I shall let you witness a true tribulation of thunder.
Thunder gather!"
The Saintess seemed to have lost patience with True Person Zhaiye's maneuvering. She let out a cold cry, raising her delicate hand. Instantly, the wind and clouds shifted, and countless thunderclouds converged towards where the Saintess stood.
The sky was filled with thunder and lightning, and a terrifying pressure brewed within the thunderclouds, resembling the collapse of the heavens.
"Thunder tribulation! It's really a thunder tribulation!"
"How did she do that? Summoning a thunder tribulation, it's unheard of!"
"Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden! Could it be that the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden has truly descended!"
"..."
Even those cultivators who had not experienced a thunder tribulation had witnessed others undergoing tribulation. The moments leading up to the descent of a thunder tribulation were exactly like the current scene.
At this moment, the cultivators recalled the rumors about the Saintess, their expressions varied.
"Xu Yi, is this… is this real?"
Xiong Zhuangzhuang, who believed he had weathered countless storms, was still awestruck by the scene before him.
Thunder tribulations were heavenly tribulations that only the Dao of Heaven could control. Now, to be summoned so casually by a cultivator was enough to shake anyone's heart.
"No, it's impossible! She can't be the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden! There must be another reason!"
Before Xu Yi could reply, Xiong Zhuangzhuang had already denied his earlier statement in a daze.
"The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden is mere fantasy. However, the thunder tribulation she summoned is indeed similar to the ones I've experienced.
Perhaps she possesses a special magical artifact that allows her to create such a phenomenon."
Xu Yi possessed the Pixiu Stone, an artifact she had refined in the secret realm, which also contained a thunder tribulation.
If Xu Yi were to unseal the Pixiu Stone now, she could also summon a thunder tribulation, just like the current scene.
Therefore, Xu Yi was merely a little surprised but not panicked.
Yet, there were very few cultivators who could remain as calm and rational as Xu Yi.
Many had already begun to shift their allegiance towards the Saintess Cult.
True Person Zhaiye's usually serene expression faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.
In his thousand years of cultivation, he had never heard of anyone controlling a thunder tribulation with a mortal body.
This Saintess Cult was indeed deeply problematic.
True Person Zhaiye felt a pang of regret. If he had known this would happen, he should have brought more sect elders.
Today, he was determined to eradicate the Saintess Cult completely.
"Fall back."
He turned his head to remind the disciples behind him.
The disciples of Lingyun Mountain immediately retreated several miles. The surrounding onlookers followed suit, scattering outwards until they reached a safe distance.
Fearing they might be caught in the crossfire, they retreated a considerable distance.
Xu Yi and her companions, looking at the crowd now at a considerable distance, exchanged glances and then unhesitatingly withdrew their outer barrier, blending silently with the crowd.
Chen Long, who happened to be nearby, sensed something amiss, but his attention was quickly drawn back to the descending lightning, leaving him no time to focus on anything else.
Xu Yi, standing among the crowd and observing the area now engulfed by purple lightning, couldn't help but worry for True Person Zhaiye.
With her eyesight, she could tell that the lightning summoned by the Saintess was several times stronger than the one during the Pixiu Stone's tribulation. She herself wouldn't dare to withstand it head-on.
She wondered if True Person Zhaiye possessed any means to counter this astonishing attack.
The purple lightning descended with a deafening roar, continuing for nearly the time it takes to steep a cup of tea.
Even from miles away, Xu Yi could smell the scent of scorching.
Ding Sihe also lost his usual composure; the Saintess's power far exceeded his imagination.
However, he still believed that his master would ultimately triumph, as he firmly believed that good would prevail over evil.
The Saintess's eyes were deep. Others might not know, but she was aware of the situation beneath the lightning.
To be honest, she was not surprised.
After all, True Person Zhaiye was a seasoned cultivator. If he couldn't even withstand this move, his years of cultivation would be a joke.
She was just surprised that he would personally step forward to suppress her newly flourishing sect.
However, it was for the best. True Person Zhaiye's appearance was also an opportunity for her.
She could use True Person Zhaiye to establish her authority before all her followers.
After this, all places in Rongzhou, except for that accursed Mo City, would be within her grasp.
The corner of the Saintess's mouth beneath the veil curved slightly, a cold, deep light flashing in her eyes.
Boom—
As the final thunderous roar subsided, everyone eagerly looked towards the location that had been gouged out into a massive crater.
What was once a rocky hillside had now become a deep ravine emitting an unpleasant odor.
One breath, two breaths, three breaths…
Time flowed silently, but True Person Zhaiye was nowhere to be seen. The onlookers couldn't help but murmur amongst themselves.
Could it be as they imagined?