This radiance, known as the Light of Baptism, is a reward for those who can endure the tribulation lightning.
Within the Light of Baptism, Zi Linling felt all the hidden injuries in her body heal without exception. Her entire body became incredibly light, and even her soul felt clearer.
Her cultivation rapidly solidified, eventually stopping at the threshold between the mid-Saint King realm and the late-Saint King realm.
In other words, after breaking through a major realm this time, she had directly advanced by nearly two minor realms.
It seemed the saying "high risk means high reward" was true.
The Light of Baptism lasted for a full fifteen minutes before slowly fading.
Zi Linling opened her eyes, the brilliance in their depths receding.
Using the deep pit, she set up a barrier to prevent peeping and eavesdropping.
This kind of barrier allowed a clear view of the outside from within, but from the outside, the interior was completely invisible.
Within the barrier, Zi Linling dove into the Goddess Palace.
When she saw the scene inside the Goddess Palace, she was startled.
The Goddess Palace, once rich in spiritual energy, now had spiritual energy so sparse it could be ignored.
The well-growing medicinal herbs were all wilted, as if sick.
Between the green mountains and flowing water, some of the verdant had turned withered, and the babbling stream had become a mere thread.
Even beneath the Bodhi tree, a layer of Bodhi leaves had fallen.
These profound phenomena all indicated that the Goddess Palace had almost exhausted its spiritual power in resisting the tribulation lightning.
Fortunately, the Goddess Palace possessed a spirit gathering formation, which had allowed it to slowly recover a little, without any fundamental damage.
Zi Linling did not summon Yiran.
Because she knew that if the Goddess Palace was in such a state, Yiran, as its spirit, must also be severely injured.
She called for Huang Yi and asked Huang Yi to prepare a bath for her.
Of course, her current appearance also startled Huang Yi.
Zi Linling bathed comfortably and changed into fresh clothes.
She desperately wanted to sleep soundly, but this was not the time for rest.
She had not forgotten the undisguised greed in the eyes of those onlookers.
Fortunately, the temporal flow within the Goddess Palace was incredibly fast. Therefore, although she spent a considerable amount of time bathing, only a few breaths had passed in the outside world.
Zi Linling reappeared in the outside world, casually removed the barrier, and leaped out of the deep pit.
As expected, without the deterrence of the tribulation lightning, those people were rapidly approaching.
Zi Linling knew that the moment she triggered the tribulation lightning, she had become prey to the entire cultivation world.
The situation of no one undergoing tribulation for a millennium had destined everyone's obsession with the mystery of tribulation transcendence.
Although Ye Lingyuan had also undergone tribulation before, firstly, he did so in a remote location, and secondly, after his tribulation, many people guarded him.
Therefore, almost no one dared to scheme against Ye Lingyuan.
But Zi Linling was different. She was alone now, and her cultivation was only at the mid-Saint King realm, making her the perfect hunting target.
Of course, this was also because people did not yet know that she, at the mid-Saint King realm, could already contend with those at the mid-Emperor realm, or even the early minor deity realm.
"Hmph!"
Zi Linling sneered as she looked at the approaching figures, killing intent churning within her.
Although she had appeared ruthless before, she had not revealed much of her strength.
Therefore, the brutal killing of Zi Wentian was seen by many as relying on the advantage of pills. Su Dan Novel Network.
This was why, despite their immense fear, people were able to overcome their apprehension under the great temptation.
Soon, Zi Linling was surrounded by a crowd, including members of the Zi, Qin, and Dongfang families.
Shen Wenqing, however, with the strong members of the Shen family, stood behind Zi Linling, much to everyone's surprise, signaling her allegiance.
"Patriarch Zi, although I, Shen, am a merchant, I would never do something as ungrateful. Therefore, the Shen family will stand shoulder to shoulder with Patriarch Zi today!"
Shen Wenqing's gaze swept across the leaders of the three major families before stating firmly.
A trace of comfort bloomed in Zi Linling's heart.
It seemed saving Shen Liuxing had not been in vain, and the Shen family were not ungrateful wretches.
Her gaze fell upon the Qin family's formation, and seeing two familiar figures, a hint of pain flashed in her eyes.
"Qin Mingyue, Qin Mingfei, have you made up your minds?"
Qin Mingyue faltered, then said helplessly, "Patriarch Zi, personally, I greatly respect you. Therefore, when I saw that the one undergoing tribulation was you, I had already tried to persuade my family."
"Oh?" Zi Linling's voice held a faint sarcasm. "And then?"
Qin Mingyue gave a bitter smile. "Patriarch Zi, my position is limited, but I could only secure a small concession for you!"
Zi Linling remained silent, awaiting her explanation. Though she already knew the outcome, she still hoped those words wouldn't come from Qin Mingyue's mouth.
Qin Mingyue chuckled self-deprecatingly, then continued, "The Patriarch and the elders have agreed with me that if Patriarch Zi is willing to join the Qin family, then the Qin family will guarantee Patriarch Zi's safety."
She knew that by saying this, her friendship with Zi Linling would end here.
But she had no choice but to say it, as this was the Qin family's final compromise.
Zi Linling sneered, "Join the Qin family? And then reveal to the Qin family the secret of my ability to transcend tribulation?"
Qin Mingyue, having served as a branch head for the Mercenary Guild, could hardly fail to detect the sarcasm in Zi Linling's words.
Though she didn't want to admit it, the moment she met Zi Linling's disappointed gaze, she couldn't muster the thought of deception.
So, she nodded, her face ashen.
"Heh heh!"
Zi Linling gave a light laugh and looked at Qin Mingfei, saying, "Deputy Commander Qin, is this your intention as well?"
"I... I..."
Qin Mingfei, already a man of few words, was even more at a loss for how to respond in this situation.
Zi Linling's smile turned cold. "I understand! From today onwards, Qin Mingfei is expelled from the King's Mercenary Group. The King's Mercenary Group will no longer have a Deputy Commander Qin. From now on, we are enemies, not friends!"
Her voice, clear and pleasant, carried a strange law-like power.
That potent will chilled Qin Mingfei to the bone.
After speaking, Zi Linling no longer looked at Qin Mingfei.
Although she knew Qin Mingfei was acting under duress, betrayal was betrayal. No matter how many hardships he endured, the fact remained unchanged.
Initially, she had thought highly of Qin Mingfei because of his affection for Sun Shangde and Chu Yunniang. Now, however, she looked down on him for the very same reason.
Everything felt as though fate was playing a cruel joke on her.
It was as if fate had given her a relative, only to then reveal that this relative was actually an enemy's spy.