Chapter 76: Breakthrough, Late Golden Core Stage!
For the following months, Shen Sang Ruo repeatedly leapt from the skies, her falls leaving countless pits of various sizes in the Moonwind Spirit Ruins. Each time, no matter how fiercely she crashed, she always rose again, swallowed a few Spirit-Replenishing Pills, and called out to Celestial Lady Qing Luan, “Continue.”
Celestial Lady Qing Luan was astounded by her resilience. “This child is truly tough.”
At last, with the sweeping of her arms as though they were true wings, Shen Sang Ruo had mastered the art of wind manipulation in the Sunset Glazed Flame Art to such a degree that even Celestial Lady Qing Luan could find no fault. The craters she left in the ground had shrunk to near nothingness.
Shen Sang Ruo had grown so adept at controlling her falls that she moved gracefully, both in ascent and descent. Her meridians and dantian were continuously refined by the intense pressure, pushing her limits further, making them stronger and more resilient.
One day, Celestial Lady Qing Luan took her to the highest point they could reach, then raised her hand and dispelled all wind forces.
Shen Sang Ruo understood this was to be her final test.
“Do you dare to jump?” Celestial Lady Qing Luan’s face remained as cold as ever, her eyes sharp.
“What is there to fear?” Shen Sang Ruo smiled confidently, her face glowing with determination.
Although their conversations over the past period had been brief, she could tell that Celestial Lady Qing Luan was not as cold-hearted as she seemed. In truth, the woman was likely a proud and somewhat aloof figure—one who would seem indifferent but actually cared deeply. It was clear that the “tortures” imposed upon her were aimed at strengthening her control over the Sunset Glazed Flame Art.
Every fall, Celestial Lady Qing Luan had closely observed her, guiding each move with a deliberate and meaningful action, even more patiently and responsibly than some masters. The only difference was her perpetually unpleasant expression.
It seemed that Celestial Lady Qing Luan didn’t harbor as much hatred for Celestial Lord Chang Li as she first appeared.
“Still lost in thought? Hesitating, thinking of retreating?” Celestial Lady Qing Luan sneered when she noticed Shen Sang Ruo zoning out.
“No,” Shen Sang Ruo replied with a smile that bloomed even brighter. “I was just thinking of thanking you.”
“Pfft.” Celestial Lady Qing Luan rolled her eyes. “Do you think I care for your thanks?”
“Besides,” she scoffed, “When have I ever helped you? Stop flattering yourself. Hurry up and jump. You’ve wasted enough of my time. Once you’re done, just leave!”
Shen Sang Ruo paid no heed to the mockery, giving Celestial Lady Qing Luan a formal thank-you before taking a deep breath and leaping into the swirling clouds.
This time, without the assistance of the wind forces, she would rely entirely on herself.
As she began to fall, she made no movement, and the force of gravity increased her speed.
This meant she had to draw deeply on her spiritual power, fully attuned with the Sunset Glazed Flame Art, to control her descent.
She waited for the right moment, a moment that would push her to the limit and help her break through to the late Golden Core stage!
A third of the way down, she still didn’t make a move.
High above, Celestial Lady Qing Luan furrowed her brow, murmuring, “What is she doing?”
At the halfway point, Shen Sang Ruo’s speed was so fast that she appeared as little more than a shadow.
It wasn’t enough. She needed more. This speed was still not enough.
Her eyes burned with determination and strength. She would not stop until her goal was achieved.
Moments passed, and the difficulty of maintaining her balance skyrocketed. Finally, she made her move!
Celestial Lady Qing Luan could only watch as Shen Sang Ruo gathered all the knowledge and experience she had learned over these months. With immense effort, she fought against the speed of her fall.
The scene seemed perilous, yet Shen Sang Ruo managed the descent with remarkable composure, her actions well within her control. It wasn’t just her arms—her entire body radiated with a layer of crimson spiritual power, guiding her like a flame of defiance against gravity.
The scene is set with an air of awe and tension, as Shen Sang Ruo stands amid a whirlwind of spiritual power. Her energy, once intangible, has now manifested as searing fire, dancing and swirling around her body, her spirit ablaze.
Her body becomes an inferno, a true embodiment of fire!
The spiritual force within her surges, rapidly flowing and clashing against the golden core within her dantian.
“Break!” Shen Sang Ruo’s voice rings out, a sharp and penetrating cry that pierces the heavens.
In the crimson fire, golden light bursts forth, shining so brightly that the fire is swiftly overwhelmed by it. The light dazzles like the second sun in the sky, a radiance that blinds the heavens.
Breakthrough! Late Golden Core!
Celestial Lady Qing Luan, observing this miraculous sight, finally smiles, her lips curling in satisfaction.
She had not anticipated it would be this effective.
But just as a moment of joy graces her heart, the golden light fades, and Shen Sang Ruo, unexpectedly, begins to fall uncontrollably once more.
“What trickery is this?”
Celestial Lady Qing Luan’s smile vanishes as she assumes Shen Sang Ruo is attempting yet another reckless push for higher realms, just as before. She remains still, watching with cold detachment.
But as Shen Sang Ruo continues her fall without any sign of recovery, Celestial Lady Qing Luan’s calm demeanor shifts into concern. The fall is too steep—she is no longer in control.
“Did something go wrong during the breakthrough?”
Shen Sang Ruo’s intense breakthrough had been too violent, and now, there was a risk of backlash, a dangerous aftermath. Qing Luan’s thoughts turn grim, and she looks down. Shen Sang Ruo is nearing the ground, a mere dozen meters above.
At this speed and in her current state, death is certain.
“Damn!” Celestial Lady Qing Luan curses under her breath, transforming into a streak of azure light, shooting towards Shen Sang Ruo.
Thankfully, Qing Luan’s strength is formidable. She manages to catch Shen Sang Ruo just before impact, securing her in her arms. Had she been even a moment too late, Shen Sang Ruo would have become nothing more than a shattered heap.
The Celestial Lady breathes a sigh of relief, though she doesn’t even realize the relief that escapes her.
However, in her arms, Shen Sang Ruo stirs.
With a swift motion, Shen Sang Ruo’s arm loops around Celestial Lady Qing Luan’s neck.
Qing Luan: ???
Shen Sang Ruo opens her eyes, her bright gaze filled with a playful smile directed at Qing Luan.
“It seems Celestial Lady Qing Luan was quite worried about me. You’re not as cold as you pretend to be.”
Qing Luan’s eyes flicker with uncertainty. She now understands what’s happened, but her voice is sharp with anger: “Were you playing tricks on me?”
Realizing the awkward position she’s in, she quickly dumps Shen Sang Ruo from her arms, as though handling a hot potato.
Shen Sang Ruo stands gracefully, her smile widening. “But, Elder Qing Luan, during the breakthrough, I did feel a little light-headed. How could I have intentionally tricked you?”
“Hmph.” Qing Luan sneers coldly, clearly unconvinced. “Playing with your life like that—don’t think I won’t let you die from your own foolishness.”
Shen Sang Ruo responds leisurely: “After spending so many days with Celestial Lady Qing Luan, I know you are not the type to stand by and watch me fall. Also…”
She pauses for a moment, then continues with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I’ve carefully calculated every single moment of my fall, including the time you hesitated.”
Qing Luan’s expression flickers with unease.
“I’m sure it won’t go wrong. You see, my timing is perfect,” Shen Sang Ruo beams.
Celestial Lady Qing Luan’s forced calm betrays her discomfort, her façade cracking. “Don’t think you understand me so well.”
She pulls a feathered fan made of azure feathers from thin air and tosses it to Shen Sang Ruo.
“Take the fan and get lost. You and that Chang Li fellow should never show your faces in front of me again.”
With these parting words, Celestial Lady Qing Luan vanishes into a blur of azure light, her retreat almost resembling a flight in haste, as if running from the scene.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation