Chapter 209: Chapter 209: Song Qingyun Undergoes Tribulation

Too many people would just muddy the waters, making it easy for someone to take advantage of the chaos. If anyone were to resort to underhanded tactics, the losses would far outweigh any gains.

"The three of you will come with me to act as protectors. That will be enough. The other elders will lead the disciples and guard the family estate."

Just as the orders were given, a figure shot into the sky from the rear courtyard. It was Song Qingyun.

Spiritual Energy swirled around Song Qingyun, his aura unstable. The moment he appeared, he was instantly locked onto by the Heavenly Dao.

Dark clouds gathered rapidly in the distance. Song Qingyun’s heart sank as he looked down below.

"Father, I’ve already chosen a place for your tribulation! You go on ahead!"

"Alright!"

Song Qingyun didn’t have time for questions and sped off in the direction Song Wanning had indicated.

The Heavenly Tribulation for the Divinity Transformation Stage was incredibly violent. If he delayed any longer, it might damage the family’s defensive Array.

His figure streaked across the sky, and moments later, he arrived at a large mountain outside the city.

By now, the Heavenly Tribulation was pressing down. Dark clouds blotted out the sun amidst flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder. A terrifying pressure descended, making everyone feel as if they were suffocating.

Many people saw the Heavenly Tribulation gathering and converged on the city gates, pointing and murmuring at the figure in the sky.

"Isn’t that Sect Leader Song? He’s actually advancing to the Divinity Transformation Stage?"

"Hiss... Doesn’t that mean the Song Family is about to have two Divinity Transformation cultivators?"

"Incredible, simply incredible! The Song Family is about to become a top-tier family!"

"Tch. It’s not even certain he’ll survive the tribulation. ’Top-tier family,’ my ass..."

The Heavenly Tribulation was a deadly trial. Countless Cultivators had perished beneath it. Who could guarantee that Song Qingyun would succeed?

Many watched with dark expressions, secretly praying for Song Qingyun to fail his tribulation.

As Song Wanning sped through the air with her entourage, she happened to overhear someone say, "I bet this Sect Leader Song dies under the Heavenly Tribulation. The Song Family ought to be left leaderless!"

Her expression immediately darkened, and she looked down.

The speaker was a Golden Core Cultivator. He had a handsome face with rosy lips and white teeth, but his mouth was utterly foul.

He was the Shopkeeper of a store in the city and also a member of another family.

No wonder he was so eager to see Song Qingyun fall.

A cold glint appeared in Song Wanning’s eyes. Without a second word, she struck out at him with her palm.

BOOM—

With a deafening bang, the Golden Core Cultivator instantly exploded into a mist of blood.

The Cultivators standing nearby were splattered with blood, frozen in shock.

The surrounding Cultivators, who had been murmuring amongst themselves, fell silent in an instant, staring dumbfounded as the bloody mist dissipated.

’That was a Golden Core Cultivator...’

’Gone, just like that, with a single palm strike?’

The crowd gulped in fear, their gazes fixed on Song Wanning filled with utter terror.

’That level of power...’

’It’s simply too terrifying!’

But when they recalled the man’s outrageous words from just a moment ago, all they could do was silently light a candle for him in their hearts.

Based on that sentence alone, no one could possibly cry foul over his death.

The crowd fell into line. Whatever they were thinking, no one dared to voice their thoughts aloud.

Song Wanning swept a cold gaze over the crowd. A chill ran through them once more, and they lowered their heads, not daring to meet her eyes.

She withdrew her gaze, her face an icy mask.

That was a case of killing the chicken to scare the monkeys—a warning to all those harboring their own little schemes.

’If anyone dares to cause trouble at this critical juncture, I won’t show any mercy, no matter who they are!’

The three elders at her side wore solemn expressions, standing ready in mid-air. Inwardly, they were also quite horrified.

’Song Wanning’s strength... it doesn’t seem to match her stated Cultivation level...’

The men exchanged a look and suppressed the thought.

As the tribulation clouds grew denser, Heavenly Thunder began to hang in the sky.

CRACK—BOOM—

With a tremendous roar, the Heavenly Tribulation descended.

It was a normal Heavenly Tribulation for the Divinity Transformation stage.

Song Wanning breathed a sigh of relief. ’It seems the Heavenly Dao hasn’t decided to deliberately make things difficult for "cannon fodder" like the Song Family... unlike what it does to me...’

The Heavenly Tribulation quickly enveloped Song Qingyun.

At this moment, representatives from many other powers arrived in the city via the Transmission Array and flew toward the city gates.

When they saw that the one undergoing the tribulation was actually Sect Leader Song, looks of surprise appeared on all their faces.

After all, a Family Head has very limited time to cultivate. Throughout history, not many Family Heads had ever managed to advance to the Divinity Transformation stage.

Instantly, a wave of envy washed over many of the visiting Family Heads and elders.

They exchanged tacit glances. The thought of sabotage had indeed crossed their minds, but under a Heavenly Tribulation, a single misstep could draw its wrath upon themselves. Without absolute certainty, none of them dared to act rashly.

So, the group went forward to offer feigned congratulations, all while probing for information and searching for an opening.

"Congratulations, congratulations! It seems the Song Family is about to produce its second Divinity Transformation Venerable!"

"Truly a joyous occasion!"

"..."

Several Family Heads surrounded Song Wanning and her companions, their faces plastered with polite smiles.

Their families were the closest to the Song Family, which was why they had arrived so quickly. Many others from more distant families were likely observing from afar.

The Cultivation World was filled with countless clans. There were many large families, and an even greater number of medium and small ones.

But as for top-tier families, there had only ever been three.

After all, the power wielded by a top-tier family could rival that of a super Sect.

The Song Family had always been a stable member of the "large family" tier. Now that they were trying to break away and climb higher, the others naturally grew restless.

"The feeling is mutual."

Song Wanning’s smile was radiant, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She was on high alert.

Her single phrase, "The feeling is mutual," left the men feeling frustrated, but they were all old foxes. They didn’t let it show, and instead continued trying to fish for information.

"When I saw Master Song during the recent beast tide, he showed no signs of an impending breakthrough. I didn’t expect him to advance to the Divinity Transformation Stage so quickly. It’s truly enviable!"

The Meng Family Master chuckled as he spoke, his eyes periodically sweeping over the Heavenly Tribulation lightning falling from the sky.

He was inwardly pondering how he could strike without being discovered by Song Wanning and the others.

Killing intent swirled in Song Wanning’s eyes as the corners of her lips lifted slightly. "It was quite a coincidence, actually. My father happened to pick up a demon beast’s inner core during the beast tide..."

She answered without any concealment.

The answer was unexpected. A flash of envy crossed the Family Heads’ minds. An inner core capable of helping someone advance to the Divinity Transformation Stage had to be at least fifth-rank...

’How could Song Qingyun have been the one to find it?’

"Sect Leader Song is truly fortunate!"

The Meng Family Master replied with a laugh, but inwardly he was mocking Song Wanning’s foolishness. ’She answers whatever she’s asked, with no cunning at all.’

The men exchanged a glance, signaling to one another with their eyes.

The Meng Family Master took responsibility for keeping Song Wanning and the elders engaged in conversation, while the other three secretly looked for an opportunity to target Song Qingyun.

If Song Qingyun died under the Heavenly Tribulation, the Song Family, far from prospering, would instead begin to decline.

But with Song Wanning and the elders present, they had to be extremely careful. They absolutely could not be caught or leave any incriminating evidence.

BOOM—

One bolt of Heavenly Tribulation after another descended.

Relying on his own strength, Song Qingyun successfully endured them, though he was left battered and bruised, floating in mid-air.

The final bolt of the Heavenly Tribulation, thick with killing intent, came crashing down. Its power was double that of the previous bolts.

Its immense momentum made everyone’s hearts leap into their throats.

But the eyes of the other Family Heads lit up.

’The opportunity is here!’