"Master!" Chen Jinshu's voice carried a trace of choked emotion. One moment, her master was there, and the next, she had vanished. The abrupt disappearance shook her deeply.
She had never imagined the karmic tribulation would begin like this.
"Fourth Brother, is there anything you can do to help Master?" Bu Yuanxiang asked in a hushed tone, turning to Huai Jingyi.
Huai Jingyi was known for his mastery of divination. Perhaps he might understand something about the tribulation. As soon as Bu Yuanxiang spoke, all eyes turned toward Huai Jingyi. Watching him calmly sip his tea, the others couldn't help but feel reassured. There was something about his serene manner, as if he had already foreseen all of this.
"It is not that I am unwilling," Huai Jingyi said slowly, his expression growing grave, "but Master's fate is too profound. As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, I cannot calculate it. Attempting to do so could very well cost me my life."
Although Huai Jingyi was skilled in the art of divination, he adhered strictly to three taboos: never read the fate of someone vastly more powerful than himself, never read the fate of the wicked, and never read his own future.
Their master, Shui Huanmeng, clearly fell into the first category. Her fate was protected, and any attempt to peer into it would yield nothing, or worse, result in death.
"Then... is there truly nothing we can do?" someone asked.
The brief spark of hope that had ignited in their hearts faded instantly, replaced by a quiet frustration. Their master had given them so much, and yet they could do nothing to help her. The sense of helplessness was hard to bear.
But Chen Jinshu noticed something else in Huai Jingyi's expression. It was too composed, too deliberate. She had the faint impression that he might already have a plan, and was simply playing coy to make them stew a little before revealing it.
Maybe she would never fully understand the way diviners thought.
"Actually," Huai Jingyi finally said with a sigh, "there might be a way. But it is dangerous. If we succeed, Master may pass her karmic tribulation safely. If we fail, we will suffer Heaven's punishment, and our own future tribulations will become far more difficult. Worst of all, Master's tribulation may fail, causing her cultivation to regress."
He wasn't worried about his own safety, only the possibility that their interference might sabotage the tribulation their master had spent years preparing for.
"Still, we can't just sit by and watch, can we?" someone else murmured.
"Tell us, Fourth Brother. Maybe together we'll think of a solution."
Huai Jingyi nodded. "Very well. Rather than brooding on our own, it is better to discuss it together. Perhaps new ideas will emerge."
He continued, "We cannot interfere directly with Master's tribulation, but we can assist her as 'Protectors of the Path.' That means remaining nearby, watching over her, and offering occasional guidance. However, those giving guidance must not possess spiritual cultivation."
"'Protectors of the Path'?" someone repeated, eyes lighting up. It was the first time they had heard this term.
"What if we seal our cultivation and stay by Master's side as mortals? Would that avoid interfering with her tribulation?" Chen Jinshu asked thoughtfully.
Huai Jingyi nodded. "That is indeed a viable solution. But if you seal your cultivation, you won't be able to use spells or spiritual tools. If you encounter danger, survival will be difficult."
To cultivators, mortals were painfully fragile. A single demon cultivator could annihilate them.
"Master has treated us so well. If all it takes is sealing our cultivation to help her through this... it is worth the risk," Zheng Shaosi said firmly.
"However," Huai Jingyi added, "no one above the Foundation Establishment stage may go. If a Core Formation cultivator participates, it will still draw Heaven's attention."
Golden Core cultivators, unlike those at the Foundation Establishment stage, had crossed a major threshold and attracted much greater scrutiny.
"So only those of us below the Golden Core stage may go," Zheng Shaosi said with a sigh. "Still, I understand. Second Brother and I will remain behind and support you from the shadows, ensuring that no demon cultivators disturb your mission."
"You don't need to worry, Senior Brother. We will look after each other," someone reassured him.
"What now, Fourth Brother?" someone asked.
"I cannot divine the exact location of Master's tribulation," Huai Jingyi said. "But I will ask my grandfather to investigate. He is a Nascent Soul cultivator and highly skilled in divination. If anyone can help, it's him."
"Thank you, Fourth Brother!"
"Much appreciated!"
Huai Jingyi waved them off. "Before you descend into the mortal world, you will need to prepare thoroughly. Bring items that can conceal your spiritual energy, and prepare to blend into mortal society. That way, Heaven will not notice you."
He left shortly after finishing his instructions.
Chen Jinshu returned to her courtyard and took out the Qingluan Resonance Pendant. She hoped the artifact's spirit could shed some light on karmic tribulations. None of them were experts in this, and she didn't want to make a mistake.
The artifact spirit responded after some time. "Karmic tribulations are one of Heaven's trials for cultivators. They take many forms and vary greatly in difficulty. The more talented one is, the harder the trial."
"If you want to assist your master, you must blend into the environment. If you are exposed, it will lead to failure, and the consequences will be dire."
"But worry not," it continued. "The Qingluan Resonance Pendant can conceal your fate. As long as you don't use spiritual energy, Heaven will not detect you. I can even help mask the others' presence."
Chen Jinshu's eyes brightened. She had not expected the pendant to be so powerful.
…
Five days later, Huai Jingyi gathered everyone again.
"My grandfather has found the location. Master will descend to a mortal village called Clear Spring Village. It's remote and impoverished. We must infiltrate it and live among the villagers for some time."
"The villagers must fully trust us. Only then will Heaven be deceived. Above all, we must not reveal our identities."
Everyone fell silent, contemplating the challenge. Creating false identities was easy, but gaining the villagers' trust would be much harder.
"Do you have any suggestions, Fourth Brother?"
Huai Jingyi nodded. "The mortal world is suffering famine. We can pose as refugees who stumbled into the village. Once we have our roles, they cannot change. And we must not slip, or all will be for nothing."
"Do not worry too much," he added. "Even my grandfather once had protectors who helped him through his own tribulation. Thanks to their aid, he succeeded in twenty years. Without them, it might have taken sixty."
"Remember, we are only observers. We must not interfere with any of Master's trials."
After several hours of discussion, everyone finalized their roles.
Chen Jinshu would pose as a village healer. Huai Jingyi, a schoolteacher. Bu Yuanxiang, a skilled seamstress. Pang Zhuoqun, a blacksmith. Wen Yushu, a fruit farmer. Dai Yuzhu, a cook with a passion for good food.
"Once your identities are chosen, they must not be altered. If the villagers start doubting us, it will all fall apart."
"I've also prepared Face-Altering Pills," Chen Jinshu said. "They'll maintain your disguise for one year. If we're going to pretend, we need to be convincing."
"Will this pill wear off on its own?" someone asked, half-joking.
"It will. I've tested it. Let me show you."
Chen Jinshu swallowed one, and her complexion changed from pale and radiant to ordinary but gentle. Though her features shifted, the red mark on her forehead remained, giving her the perfect look of a village healer.
"Wow... I almost didn't recognize you. This pill is amazing!"