Ch. 26 Lightning

After explaining cultivation and how vast the universe is, both Zhi and Yuuka sat there astounded.

"Ren, I don't care if I have to start over, cultivation is far superior than inner force." Zhi said firmly

"It shouldn't take you that long. Meng'er started over and caught up to me in no time! In fact she is surpassing me as we speak. Check out the library and ask me if you have any questions on the techniques."

Ren stood there for a moment then continued "How are we going to explain this to others though?"

[I have a solution. Notify Mei and she will definitely take the two out of here. Others dont need to know they are alive right now. If there is a spy from the Yin Soul sect and they find out the two are alive then things could escalate and many lives will be at stake]

'Right, I'll get to it.'

"My sister will come and take you two out of here. It would be troublesome having to explain things to the sect. As soon as I break through to Golden core I'll return to you" Ren said to Zhi and Yuuka.

Before they could answer, a huge wave of energy assaulted the three.

"Looks like Meng'er broke through" Ren mumbled under his breath

Mengmeng stepped out from her room and flashed in between Ren and the other girls with a suspicious look.

"What's this?" She eyed the two and gave Ren a questioning look

"Um well.. they both found out some things and I didn't want to kill them nor make them servants.. We are family now so no fighting!" Ren said while fidgeting with his hands.

"I see" Mengmeng had a smile on her face but inside she was a little annoyed. He didn't even consult with her before this decision.

"You both need to start cultivation as soon as possible. The techniques available are ones I'm cultivating, any questions you have come to me for the answers" Mengmeng looked past her feelings and only wanted the best for the two new 'wives'.

"Mn" both answered simultaneously

'Sister Mei can you come to me? I have good news but I need your help.' Ren sent a transmission

A spatial disturbance happened as the message ended. Mei appeared behind Ren with her arm raised as she swung down at Ren's butt.

"AHH! What was that for?!"

"Little brat! You're in a lot of trouble. Your mother has returned, you will need to visit her soon. I'm not going to hide anything for you. I won't be explaining to her for you either. Your decisions will be yours to bear alone" Mei snorted

"Momma is back already?! This is good! Mt. Ji will have many new faces soon" Ren didn't think about Mei's other meaning as he had no clue...

"Hmph. So what do you need from me?" Mei asked with crossed arms

"Zhi and Yuuka are supposed to be dead but I saved them. Can you bring them to your house? I can myself but I don't want to risk anyone finding out. Especially about Zhi…"

Mei looked at Zhi closely, her eyes widened and a gasp escaped her lips. This woman was in her 40's but had the face of an 18-20 year old beauty! No cultivation nor treasures were used! After a few moments she calmed down and nodded "I can do that for you, but you must tell your mother the news."

She looked at Mengmeng and gave a slight smile "Congratulations, you managed to pass the little monster in cultivation."

"Thank you but I'm still no match for him" Meng said as she looked at Ren with eyes full of admiration.

"He is a special case, but if I'm to be completely honest with the two of you. Neither of you are a match for the young cultivators of clans in real cultivation worlds. Ren's battle power is about 1 stage above his cultivation. Clans with a million years of history have perfected their techniques and can defeat someone 2 stages above themselves with ease in the mortal realms. They may be older because they started cultivation at 14-15 but don't underestimate them. Once you get to Nascent soul we will be leaving this planet as the natural qi cannot allow advancement past the Unity stage."

"Where will we go? A stronger world that allows ascension?" Ren asked

"Not just a strong world, the strongest of the strong, Planet Serene. It has been the strongest planet in the mortal realms for many billions of years. The goal is to allow you to grow as much as possible before ascension. After ascension you will need to tread alone. When you become an Immortal the Heavens will punish us if we help you too much, you will only be able to contact us through transmission." Mei had a downcast look just thinking about the future

"I won't get to see my sister, mother and grandma anymore?" Ren got teary eyed

[Ren this is for the best. How can you really get stronger if you can always fall back on your family? Think about it, would you recklessly have fought with the Heaven stage martial artists if you knew Mei couldn't teleport you out if things went wrong? No, you would have made sure everything was 100% secure and there was no chance of a loss. Trust me, this is the fastest way for you to get stronger. You may not have the family that raised you but what about Meng, Yuuka and Zhi? They will be there, growing with you.]

"I understand, sister. You're doing this for my well being." Ren straightened his back as he spoke

"Mn, I will now take Zhi and Yuuka. Once you break through to Golden core and solve the crisis of your sect, please return with Meng to meet your mother." Mei finished and disappeared with Zhi and Yuuka.

Ren looked towards Meng and resolved to get stronger as quickly as possible.

"I will now breakthrough, be careful Meng'er."

Ren sat down and circulated his qi faster than he ever had before.

'To protect my family. To not let anyone or anything prevent me from seeing them. Peh, what Heavens? Who are they to decide my life?'

Qi waves spread from his position. 5m waves with immense power, enough to shatter everything around him. His skin started refracting light, a rainbow appeared within the 5m waves of qi.

10m..20m…. They kept spreading until the house had almost completely vanished. His waves eventually stopped at 50 meters. With enough power to shatter everything around him, they condensed then started shrinking rapidly.

He compressed all the qi until a mirage of colors formed into a 10cm orb. The orb then flew between his brows into his spirit sea that was located in his glabella.

"I DID IT- huh?"

A lightning bolt as thick as a tree trunk struck where he was standing.

'Tribulation? I just reached the Golden core stage!'

He stood still and reached up and took the strike with his body alone.

His entire arm was stripped of skin and turned into a crisp but he remained standing straight, waiting for the next strike to come.

The sky turned calm and nothing seemed to come down. He looked at his arm that was already self repairing due to his body refinement.

[Congratulations, You have reached initial mastery of the Tribulation element]

"That's a thing?!"

[Of course it is. Just because it comes from the Heavens doesn't mean you couldn't obtain it. Don't look down on the Quintessence System.]

'Hold up on the notifications system. The house is wrecked, Meng and I better flee before someone comes and asks questions..'

[As you wish]

"Meng'er we better leave the sect. Let's take down the vice sect leader of the Yin Soul sect. Finding their sect leader could take some time but cleaning up the rest of the small fry should be no issue."

"Mn"

Ren and Meng were much faster now that they had reached the 1st tier of the Golden core stage. They were 5km away from the sect within 30 seconds, they didn't even use Silent Steps either!

'Ok give me the news!'

[You have advanced both in Body and Qi cultivation. The lightning strike you took with your body gave a huge boost to your body refinement. You are now in the early 3rd stage of body refinement and at the 4th tier of the Golden core stage. You did not form a Golden core but instead a Quintessence Core. It will take many more resources to advance but it will be better in the long run. Your reward is 10000 shop points and a Meditation Mat. It will prevent heart demons during cultivation. This mat can only be used by you but if you're in contact with other family members during cultivation it will allow them to benefit as well.

I recommend you purchase Tribulation stones from the system shop and raise that element to the peak. This will be immensely beneficial towards future breakthroughs.]

'Yeah. Just the fact it boosted me from early 2nd stage body refinement to early 3rd stage is enough for me to see how wondrous it is'

"Meng'er would you like to hunt that scum now or wait rest and consolidate your realm?" Ren asked her

"We can rest tonight. You've accomplished MANY things today" rolling her eyes as she said 'many'

"En"