Chapter Fourteen: Zhang Sanfeng Faces the Heavenly Tribulation

A blue spark, no bigger than a grain of rice, touched the pile of wood, and with a sudden whoosh, the entire heap erupted into blazing flames. The fire soared, shooting straight up to the iron plate above.

Under Tang Yi’s direction, those wounded by the ghostly creatures were healed within ten days. Among them was Bai Dongfang’s senior brother, Li Zhan, who, persuaded by Bai Dongfang, agreed to join the Tang Group. The Tang Group was desperately short of personnel, so Tang Yi was delighted to welcome willing additions. However, before anything could be finalized, they needed approval from their sect leader. Yi Shui informed them that their leader, Hua Fengxian, was currently negotiating cooperation matters on the Free Trade Planet of Saturn’s moons.

“That’s easy to handle. First, I’ll set up some protective lights and electric nets here to keep those monsters contained. Then we’ll set off for that trade planet,” Tang Yi decided.

Within two days, Tang Yi constructed two compressed light shields and three high-voltage electric nets powered by spirit stones, crisscrossing above and below, wrapping the ancient teleportation array in an impenetrable barrier.

Once he was sure nothing would escape, they activated their spaceship and headed for the negotiation site.

…

On the Free Trade Planet, the temporary camp for negotiations was more like a palace than a camp—roughly built, but imposing nonetheless.

The talks had lasted nearly twenty days, yet there was no substantial progress. Both sides were stalling, but there was no urgency now; news from the front lines had arrived: the Tang Group had stabilized the ghostly attackers for the time being. Cultivators, with their long lifespans, were unbothered by a few months of delay. Still, the negotiations persisted, for the Tang Group now held a unique position. No one could guarantee Tang Yi wouldn’t simply remove the protective array if he was displeased, which would benefit no one. Moreover, Tang Yi was already en route; he could arrive at any moment.

“Wow, this is a camp? Even a royal palace wouldn’t compare!” Tang Yi exclaimed upon entering the negotiation site.

Everyone laughed. Both negotiating parties came out to greet Tang Yi.

“Friend Tang, your merits are immeasurable! Allow me to thank you on behalf of everyone,” Ling Ren approached Tang Yi with gratitude.

“No need for thanks—just bring out something practical. Superior spirit stones, rare treasures of heaven and earth, those will do. Anything else, I doubt you could offer,” Tang Yi waved his hand dismissively.

The group fell silent, refraining from further empty words.

The next day, the negotiation hall was filled, both sides occupying an extra-long table. The left was the representatives from the Solar System, the right from the Pegasus System. Tang Yi sat at the central seat right opposite the main entrance, feet propped on the table. While the two sides argued heatedly, Tang Yi calmly enjoyed fresh fruit and fragrant tea.

Negotiations were arduous, and Tang Yi understood this well. So, for most of the talks, he only appeared occasionally, spending the rest of his time with Hua Ruoxue, wandering the trade market. As for Bai Dongfang and Li Zhan joining the Tang Group, Hua Fengtian agreed immediately upon their arrival. The Tang Group’s ranks had swelled impressively.

“Ruoxue, help me think—should the Tang Group recruit more people?” Tang Yi asked as they strolled and chatted.

“Let me count: Hua Shaojie and his two companions, Gu Zhenzhen, Daoist Qiu and his two brothers, Liu Yuefeng, Zhang Qiang, Sun Lang, Lin Jiang, Liu Mingde, Guo Ziping, Bai Dongfang, Li Zhan, and Zhang Sanfeng and Zhang Cuishan. Seventeen in all. If we include the two of us, it’s nineteen. And if we count the production staff, there’d be even more,” Hua Ruoxue said, counting on her fingers.

“Silly girl, the production staff don’t count. Nor do we. As for Zhang Qiang, Liu Mingde, and Guo Ziping—they’re unaffiliated cultivators without sect or clan. What I want to count are those from sects or clans who’ve joined us temporarily. That makes fourteen—about enough,” Tang Yi teased, pinching her chin.

“But wait, isn’t Zhang Sanfeng also unaffiliated?” Hua Ruoxue brushed away Tang Yi’s hand.

“He is, but he’s about to face his tribulation. Ah, will he want to retire afterward? Oh, I promised to help him succeed in his tribulation! Ruoxue, we need to hurry back—I have to prepare to help Zhang Sanfeng. Otherwise, people will say I don’t keep my word,” Tang Yi slapped his forehead, suddenly remembering.

Back on the ship, Tang Yi entered his private laboratory and stayed there for ten days. When he emerged, he summoned Zhang Sanfeng.

“Daoist Zhang, I can fulfill my promise to you now,” Tang Yi said.

“Oh, I thought you’d forgotten. I was about to find a good spot and face the tribulation myself,” Zhang Sanfeng replied, not sounding very pleased.

“How could I forget? I, Tang Yi, always keep my word. Here—take these. This bottle contains rapid recovery pills; they’ll restore your strength, energy, and spiritual power instantly, even if you’re gravely wounded. And this—though it looks small, it’s actually an array within an array. Four interlocking array bases activate a chain of four overlapping defenses, offering exceptional protection. Lastly, this—just in case. I’ve heard there are many types of heavenly tribulations: three-nine, four-nine, and the most severe, nine-nine tribulation. This item is to guard against the worst kind. Do you understand?” Tang Yi handed several items to Zhang Sanfeng, carefully explaining their functions.

“I understand the first two, but you haven’t explained the last one, so how could I?” Zhang Sanfeng replied.

“Don’t rush. This is another of my great inventions,” Tang Yi laughed heartily.

“Is it that funny?” Zhang Sanfeng was baffled.

“Well, not to you, I suppose. Let me explain: I call this the Super Invincible Life-Saving Device. It’s powerful—it can neutralize any form of attack,” Tang Yi said.

“I don’t believe it. Let me test it first, can I?” Zhang Sanfeng was skeptical.

“Of course, but I advise against it. There’s only one box of energy, and collecting more is incredibly troublesome. If you use it up now, I won’t make another for you,” Tang Yi said indifferently. The tribulation was Zhang Sanfeng’s, not his. The energy inside was antimatter, collected by Jet at full power over nine days and nights. Tang Yi had thought of this while treating the wounds from the ghost creatures. In theory, antimatter energy could neutralize corresponding material energy, but no one in the cultivation world had realized this yet, so even if it worked, they wouldn’t be able to explain it.

“All right, I’ll trust you this once. I’m about to face the tribulation—do you want to come watch?” Zhang Sanfeng thought for a moment, then invited Tang Yi.

“Haha, I was waiting for you to say that!” Tang Yi laughed joyfully.