Chapter 222: What is Called a Calamity

People bustled along the street as Chen Luo squatted in the marketplace with three large fish displayed before him. It had been half a year since he entered the Demonic Heart Tribulation. During this time, Chen Luo had tried numerous methods, yet he still couldn’t find any trace of the Elder FusionSpirit. This ‘Heavenly Tribulation’ was proving even more challenging than he anticipated—it seemed brute force wouldn’t solve the problem after all.

He felt he was on the verge of becoming an actual fisherman.

After selling his fish, Chen Luo carefully counted the day’s earnings in copper coins and stuffed them into the pouch at his waist. He then rolled up the cloth used for displaying the fish and started walking towards home. But just a few steps into his journey, he spotted an old man crafting small figurines from dough.

The intricately detailed figures cost two flatbreads each. For some reason, Chen Luo recalled the woman back home and her wooden hairpin worth just two flatbreads. Despite knowing that this was all part of the Demonic Heart Tribulation—false and illusory—he still found himself reminiscing, momentarily forgetting certain truths.

If even a Heavenly Tribulation could ensnare him so, one could only imagine how deeply it might have tangled the Elder FusionSpirit. Chen Luo suspected that by now, the one undergoing Transcendence might have forgotten who they were entirely.

Chen Luo paused, walked over to the stall, and bought a dough figurine from the old man. It was a finely crafted figure of a woman, the old man’s skilled hands having molded it with remarkable detail. The lifelike expression even captured the subtle curve of a smile at the corners of her lips.

“Xiaoyun, look what I brought you.”

As he opened the door, a hint of a smile also graced Chen Luo’s face. After half a year of living here, he had difficulty seeing this woman merely as a manifestation of the heavenly tribulation.

“Second Brother, you’re back?”

The familiar voice spoke again, different this time because two extra people were in the yard. His eldest brother Zhang Dalin and his nephew Zhang Rongling were present. Upon seeing his nephew, Chen Luo finally found his goal; unexpectedly, the Elder FusionSpirit he had sought for half a year was, in fact, his own nephew.

He had heard this nephew mentioned many times by the woman—seen as the Zhang family’s hope, a young man devoted solely to the ancient classics, rarely venturing outside.

The current Elder FusionSpirit bore no resemblance at all to the image of a powerful old demon in the Foundation Establishment stage. Instead, he was dressed in a long azure robe, his hair combed neatly, looking about seventeen or eighteen years old. His brows still held the arrogant air of a scholar, one who had steeped himself in knowledge.

“Rongling, quickly greet your second uncle.”

Zhang Dalin, the eldest brother, also noticed Chen Luo’s entrance and promptly urged his son to rise and greet him. This visit was a plea for help, so they needed to maintain the right attitude.

“Greetings, Second Uncle,” Zhang Rongling respectfully bowed to Chen Luo.

Looking at the youthful Zhang Rongling before him, Chen Luo found it hard to connect this innocent face with that of the cunning Elder FusionSpirit.

What is his fixation?

Chen Luo was eager to see what exactly Zhang Rongling’s fixation was, how his Demonic Heart Tribulation would unfold, and how it would ultimately test him.

“I’m here for a specific matter as well,” Zhang Dalin said, gazing at his brother. He knew his own times were tough, but some matters couldn’t be avoided. For his son’s lifelong prospects, how much did his old face matter?

“The autumn exams are approaching soon. Rongling was nominated by the headmaster last year and now wishes to take the examination at the Earth Province level this time.”

Chen Luo listened attentively, although most of his focus remained on Zhang Rongling. Unlike himself, as a transcendent being, all memories of Elder FusionSpirit had been shielded from the heavenly tribulation. To him, this was reality: his father was Zhang Dalin, his second uncle was Zhang Er Lin, both fishermen in Beiyu County, and their family had always been poor.

In those days, education was no small expense. Every writing utensil, brush, paper, and ink required a hefty sum of money. Over the years, Zhang Dalin had incurred substantial debt to ensure his son’s education. To make this journey to the prefectural capital for the exam, he had sold their only ox, leaving just enough for basic travel preparations. He had yet to arrange for road expenses and examination fees. After much deliberation at home, the father-son duo could only approach Chen Luo once more.

Zhang Dalin finally spoke, “We still need ten taels of silver. I wanted to see if I could borrow some from you, my brother. Once Rongling passes the exams and begins his career, we’ll repay you, Second Uncle.” He looked at Chen Luo pleadingly, having reached the end of his rope.

As the elder brother, Zhang Dalin had once lived much better than Zhang Er Lin’s family. However, since Zhang Rongling began his studies, their financial situation had taken a turn for the worse. They were now barely scraping by. A few years ago, they couldn’t even afford medicine for Zhang Rongling’s mother when she fell ill, ultimately leading to her untimely death. Father and son now clung to their hope by sheer force of will; without it, they likely would have crumbled completely.

“You truly want to take the examination?”

Chen Luo posed a question, and as his conversation with Zhang Rongling continued, he could distinctly feel the heavenly tribulation power within him stirring significantly. As a ‘Demonic Heart’, he was drawing substantial strength from Zhang Rongling.

If Zhang Rongling failed to overcome his tribulation, his entire cultivation would dissipate like water, becoming part of the ‘Heavenly Tribulation’ and absorbed by the Demonic Heart.

“Please accept my gratitude, Second Uncle. Rongling will never forget this kindness,” Zhang Rongling pleaded.

“Agreed!” Chen Luo nodded.

The woman beside him looked somber at these words, but she forced a smile, returned to their room, and brought out the family’s savings. It totaled eight taels and two mace – all the silver they had managed to save over the years.

Though it fell short of Zhang Dalin’s requested ten taels, it was still sufficient for their needs.

With the money secured, the Zhang family father and son swiftly went back to prepare for the examination. Chen Luo stood at the door, gazing in the direction where Zhang Rongling had disappeared. He could vaguely discern strands of tribulation qi dispersing into the world around him. He had finally found a direction to transcend his tribulation.

However, whether to help Rongling escape his tribulation or delve deeper into it was a decision that deserved careful consideration.

The Demonic Heart Art also merited further study; its enigmatic nature exceeded his initial expectations. No wonder even the undead brain regarded it highly.

“Second Brother,” a woman’s voice called out.

“No need to worry, everything is under control,” Chen Luo replied with a smile, glancing back at the woman behind him.

The three months passed by swiftly, as if time itself had been accelerated. Chen Luo seemed to have forgotten why he had come here in the first place, each day blending into the next as he fished and sold his catch. Then, one day, Zhang Rongling arrived at the Zhang family residence wearing a set of scholar’s robes. He had changed significantly since the last time they met; he had once again excelled in the provincial exam and was now a gentleman of the scholarly class.

“Second Uncle, I’ve decided to move to the capital city to prepare for the future imperial examination. The environment there is nothing like it is here, and there are some things that must be handled by family members to ensure peace of mind. I hope Second Uncle will help me,” Zhang Rongling said sincerely.

His father had grown too old, and after a recent serious illness, he could no longer travel long distances. Zhang Rongling had searched everywhere but found only “Second Uncle” was a trusted relative he could rely on. He approached the door just as he had before, making his request. Once again, Second Uncle asked the same question:

“Are you truly asking me to go with you to the capital?”

“I’m pleading with you, Second Uncle, please help me.”

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Zhang Rongling nodded again in affirmation.

“Very well.”

Chen Luo observed the aura emanating from Zhang Rongling, gaining a clearer understanding of the power of the Demonic Heart Tribulation. He could sense that his cultivation of the Demonic Heart Art had become more potent, no longer confined to mere theory as before, but capable of being unleashed through established incantations.

In this year, the uncle and nephew duo made their way to the capital.

Their wife remained in the countryside, accompanying them only to the outskirts of the city.

Half a year later.

With the help of this Second Uncle, Zhang Rongling quickly established himself in the capital and devoted himself entirely to preparing for the exams. At this point, Chen Luo was like a constant shadow at his side, observing all his actions.

The woman also arrived in the capital during this half-year period. Just as she had always been, she managed their household frugally, sparing no expenses on food or drink. Compared to the capital, she stood out as a stark contrast, like a country bumpkin. Unaccustomed to the city life, she had come solely for her husband’s sake.

Chen Luo discerned Zhang Rongling’s ‘tribulation’:

‘Resplendent Prosperity and Riches’

He never anticipated that such a great cultivator at the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment would harbor these ambitions. As a cultivator, Zhang Rongling’s concept of ‘wealth and glory’ differed significantly from ordinary people; he yearned for a status akin to Ancestor Blackstone, complete with comparable resources and authority. Driven by these desires and ambitions, he took a fateful step. During the Demonic Heart Tribulation, this temptation transformed into an opportunity to renounce material gains. If Zhang Rongling could ultimately see through the illusory nature of wealth and let go of his attachment to worldly success, he would break through the tribulation, achieving Core Formation and ascending as a cultivator. Failure would plunge him deeper into the Demonic Heart Tribulation, where the heavenly tribulation would consume him, erasing both his life and existence!

Each time Chen Luo observed the gathering aura in the celestial dome, he recognized it emanating from Zhang Rongling’s true form. This indicated that Zhang Rong was becoming increasingly ensnared within the Demonic Heart Tribulation.

Meanwhile, his outer self continued to lose strength at an alarming rate.

Years passed. Zhang Rongling turned twenty-six!

In this year, he successfully passed the imperial examination and caught the attention of influential figures, securing a position in the capital city.

Although he held only a minor role as a compiler, his achievements far surpassed those of most others. He had formally become a significant figure in his hometown, with the Zhang family ancestral hall being restored. Members of various branches flocked around him, forming a vast ‘Zhang Clan’.

Chen Luo remained by Zhang Rongling’s side. This second uncle had transformed into a steward—a person Zhang Rongling trusted above all others.

At twenty-six, Zhang Rongling had let his beard grow. He wore the blue official robes of the imperial court, and his long black hair was neatly combed. His eyes shone with an extraordinary light. An air about him attracted the attention of many high-ranking young ladies, and several powerful officials in the capital began to extend olive branches in his direction. Yet Zhang Rongling paid no heed to these overtures. He had a childhood sweetheart waiting for him.

He had sworn that once he achieved success and made his name, he would definitely marry her.

Nightfall.

Zhang Manor.

Zhang Rongling sat at the table, rare as it was for him not to look at the safety talisman the woman had given him. Instead, he held an invitation, his hands trembling uncontrollably, as if facing some momentous choice.

“Rongling, is there something you needed to find me for?”

Chen Luo looked much older than before. Over the years, having studied alongside Zhang Rongling, he had shed all traces of his days as a fisherman and become like the master of a wealthy family. As for Zhang Rongling’s father, he had passed away two years ago. Now, Chen Luo was Zhang Rongling’s only remaining relative in the world.

From that moment on, the true power of the Demonic Heart Tribulation began to show itself.