I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Vol 2 Chapter 91 – Tribulation

It took only a single sword strike.

That one attack from Old Han had completely changed Martial Uncle Pang’s fate—and the battlefield’s outcome.

Near the Thunder Pool, the old man stood lazily, short in stature, his hair bun sloppily tied. His expression remained utterly indifferent.

He only glanced at the bronze coffin, the corners of his lips curving into an amused smirk, as if he couldn’t be bothered to strike again.

He looked so casual, so unmotivated.

And yet—

The demonic elder inside the coffin reacted as if he had come face to face with some indescribable horror.

The coffin lid shut even tighter, as if he wanted to weld it shut and never come out again.

The entire bronze coffin spun in midair and fled at full speed.

It moved so fast it seemed to drift across the sky.

If it had four wheels, it would’ve been squealing its tires.

Martial Uncle Pang was utterly exhausted.

His spiritual energy was nearly depleted, and his body felt hollow.

He had no way to chase after the fleeing elder.

Instead, he turned toward the old man near the Thunder Pool.

The elder glanced lazily at him, then at Yan Wushuang, then simply pursed his lips—

His expression clearly saying:

"Not my problem."

Pang Qian pressed his lips together, deliberately avoiding the sight of his disciples watching from the Thunder Pool.

He also tried very hard not to look at his pitifully ruined Five Dragons Palace.

Then, he calmly flew down toward the old man, landing respectfully before him.

"Would you be the legendary Duskblade Sword Immortal, Zhenren Han?"

The old man nodded.

"I am."

"Your grace in saving my life… I have no words to express my gratitude."

"…Wasn’t free."

Zhenren Han, his face still sour, stated bluntly:

"You have a Junior Nephew named Zheng Fa, don’t you?"

Pang Qian’s expression twitched slightly.

"…I do."

"He already paid for it."

Zheng Fa suddenly felt that Martial Uncle Pang’s gaze was…

Different.

It wasn’t just gratitude.

There was also a small trace of resentment.

But it was the kind of resentment that he didn’t know how to voice—the kind that made people suffocate inside.

“…That old man is Zhenren Han?”

Sun Daoyu finally spoke up.

"Duskblade Sword Immortal."

"I’ve heard of him before… He’s a famous late-Nascent Soul cultivator, said to be only a step away from Soul Formation."

His voice was filled with disbelief.

Then—

He turned toward Yan Wushuang, suddenly much more cautious in his expression.

Even Zheng Fa couldn’t help but be impressed.

Yan Wushuang can actually command someone this powerful?!

“Old Han is a senior from my sect.”

Yan Wushuang grinned.

"I’m traveling outside, and he was worried about me. So, he just tagged along."

Sun Daoyu’s envy became even more intense.

"…So, true disciples from the Five Great Sects all get late-Nascent Soul bodyguards when they travel?"

Even Zheng Fa felt a little shaken.

A late-Nascent Soul powerhouse…

Even his own master, Martial Uncle Pang, had only dared to brag that his talisman formations could kill a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator—

*Never a late-Nascent Soul.

Meanwhile, Yan Wushuang was just casually traveling with one at his side?!

This is the life I dream of…

"Don’t misunderstand."

The cultivator from Haori Mountain

"I don’t have one."

"Me neither," added the Taishang Dao disciple, Xue Zhenchuan.

Zheng Fa blinked.

For some reason…

Their tone sounded suspiciously similar to his own resentful thoughts.

“…Then.”

Zheng Fa squinted at Yan Wushuang.

"Is it because your talent is incredible that Tianhe Sect values you so highly?"

Yan Wushuang nodded rapidly.

The other two disciples both rolled their eyes.

"The elders and my father all say my talent is amazing!"

"They told me to be careful when traveling."

“…Your father?”

Zheng Fa frowned slightly.

"Oh, yeah."

Yan Wushuang waved dismissively.

"My father? He’s the Sect Master of Tianhe Sect."

"Not important, not important. What’s important is that they say my talent is great."

"…Not important?"

"YOU SHOULD HAVE SAID THAT EARLIER!"

If Zheng Fa had known this earlier, they wouldn’t even be negotiating about partnerships.

They would be sworn brothers from different mothers!

“…Brother Yan.”

Zheng Fa was still a little puzzled.

He distinctly remembered that Yan Wushuang was always short on money.

Yan Wushuang sighed.

"My father didn’t want me to go traveling.

"And he definitely didn’t want me to start my own faction."

Then, as if he had explained this a thousand times before, he added:

"Old Han also doesn’t intervene in my fights."

Zheng Fa suddenly understood.

A rebellious second-generation cultivator.

Running away from home to start his own business.

Old dad refused to fund him, but was too worried to leave him completely unsupervised.

"...And today, Zhenren Han stepped in because…?"

Yan Wushuang puffed out his chest.

"If he hadn’t acted—I would have had to act."

And then—

He smiled proudly.

…So this was a ‘I’ll die if you don’t help me’ kind of strategy?!

No wonder Zhenren Han’s face looked so sour.

After the battle, Thunder Pool Market lay half in ruins.

Five Dragons Palace, outwardly, seemed unchanged—

But in reality, its foundation had suffered immensely.

A ruined market could be rebuilt in a few days.

But Five Dragons Palace…

Would take at least a century to recover.

“Surviving is already a blessing,” Martial Uncle Pang sighed.

Then, he turned to Li Nuo, his expression softening.

“…I never expected that in the end, it would be you who saved me.”

Li Nuo, who had never been acknowledged by a Nascent Soul cultivator before, suddenly found himself at the center of attention.

His mouth opened and closed, but he couldn’t seem to find the right words.

The disciples of Jiushan Sect, especially those under Martial Uncle Pang, exchanged glances.

Then, as one—

They rose to their feet and bowed deeply to Li Nuo.

“D-Don’t!” Li Nuo panicked, waving his hands. “It was all Junior Brother Zheng’s work!”

His eyes flicked toward Zheng Fa, seeking help.

But Zheng Fa simply shook his head.

Li Nuo had spent years in Thunder Pool Market, suffering through disdain and cold shoulders.

But now, his moment had come.

“This is your achievement,” Zheng Fa said softly.

“…And it’s also your father’s.”

Li Nuo froze.

He didn’t respond.

But his fingers clenched, his shoulders trembling slightly.

His eyes grew red.

“With Duskblade Sword Immortal here, the Great Freedom Demonic Sect will have no time to interfere with Senior Sister Zhang’s breakthrough.”

Zheng Fa was somewhat confused. “But… Han Zhenren is only a late-Nascent Soul cultivator, isn’t he?”

“…Only late-Nascent Soul?” Pang Qian spat in disbelief.

“You think your master, even with all his talisman formations, would dare say he could even escape from Han Zhenren?”

“…Aren’t they all just Nascent Soul cultivators?” Zheng Fa still didn’t quite understand.

Pang Qian exhaled slowly.

“Forming a Nascent Soul is hard. But stepping into Soul Formation is even harder.”

He explained patiently:

“Late-Nascent Soul cultivators are called Great Elders for a reason. Their power levels vary widely—

“Some are barely stronger than mid-Nascent Soul cultivators.

“But others… are only stuck because of a lack of opportunity.”

“…Then Han Zhenren is?”

“You could say… he is the last Senior Sister Zhang.”

Zheng Fa suddenly understood.

A cultivator of extreme talent—who, like Senior Sister Zhang, had been stuck at a bottleneck.

But on the other hand—

Senior Sister Zhang was someone who could fight Nascent Soul cultivators while still at Golden Core level.

Meaning—

Han Zhenren was an absolute monster.

“…Doesn’t the Great Freedom Demonic Sect have any Soul Formation cultivators?”

“They do.”

Pang Qian’s voice grew solemn.

“But Soul Formation cultivators rarely act. There’s a taboo surrounding them.”

“Even the Hundred Immortals Alliance has Soul Formation cultivators… but they almost never interfere with the mortal world.

“I’ve only ever seen ours… twice.”

Zheng Fa nodded thoughtfully.

“…Then Senior Sister Zhang’s tribulation should be safe now.”

With Duskblade Sword Immortal lurking, the Great Freedom Demonic Sect wouldn’t dare interfere.

Pang Qian sighed.

“Safe…

“That still depends on her.”

Above them, the five-colored clouds thickened, condensing into a glass-like mass.

The hues grew deeper—

Until, finally, a colossal eye, purple and black, opened within the tribulation clouds.

“Senior Sister Zhang’s Nascent Soul Tribulation has begun.”

Pang Qian’s voice was heavy.

Zheng Fa and the others stood as close as they dared, at the edge of the Thunder Pool.

Activating his Void-Seeking Spirit Eyes, Zheng Fa looked toward Senior Sister Zhang.

She gazed up at the sky, staring directly into the giant tribulation eye.

Then—

As if sensing something—

She suddenly turned toward Zheng Fa and the others, her lips curving into a small smile.

One incense stick’s time later—

The first bolt of tribulation lightning struck.

It crashed down onto Senior Sister Zhang—

But was blocked by the Mysterious Gate Mirror.

The tribulation eye seemed angered by this.

The second bolt followed immediately—

Twice as thick.

The Mysterious Gate Mirror let out a sorrowful wail—

And then shattered, falling beside Senior Sister Zhang.

Now, without its protection—

The next bolt of tribulation lightning completely engulfed her figure.

Not even Void-Seeking Spirit Eyes could see her.

Zheng Fa’s heart clenched.

For nine days and nights, the tribulation continued.

Lightning never ceased.

Only after the ninth day did the giant eye in the heavens slowly fade—

Revealing Senior Sister Zhang’s silhouette once more.

“Hurry! Protect Senior Sister Zhang!”

Pang Qian’s face darkened.

“The Mysterious Gate Mirror is broken—she still has to face the Heart Demon Tribulation!

“This is the Great Freedom Demonic Sect’s last chance to strike!”

Zheng Fa was already prepared.

According to their plan, he immediately activated the Du’e Boat—

Carrying the disciples forward at full speed toward Senior Sister Zhang’s location.

They were somewhat relieved—

During a Lightning Tribulation, no matter their cultivation, no one dared approach.

And with Duskblade Sword Immortal nearby,

The Great Freedom Demonic Sect could only cower in the shadows.

By the time they reached Senior Sister Zhang, they encountered no resistance.

But—

Senior Sister Zhang’s state was… troubling.

She sat motionless, eyes closed, brows furrowed in distress.

Her face was constantly shifting—

Surprise.

Anger.

Sorrow.

Despair.

Then—

Her expression grew colder.

More ruthless.

Finally—

Her features settled into a look of utter determination.

“Is Senior Sister Zhang… crying?”

One of the disciples whispered.

Zheng Fa turned toward her—

And saw two clear streaks of tears running down her face.

“…Have any of you ever seen Senior Sister Zhang cry?”

“No…”

“I wouldn’t even dare imagine it.”

But—

Senior Sister Zhang was deeply trapped in the Heart Demon Tribulation.

Through his Void-Seeking Spirit Eyes, Zheng Fa could see—

Her spiritual energy was growing murky.

There was even…

A trace of demonic corruption.

“Junior Brother Zheng! What do we do?!”

Yang Senior Brother’s voice was urgent.

Zheng Fa gritted his teeth.

Heart Demon Tribulations had to be overcome alone.

No one could directly help.

“…Call out to her?”

Yang Senior Brother suggested hesitantly.

Zheng Fa was speechless.

“…Do you think it’s that simple?”

“You two are the closest. If anyone can wake her, it’s you.”

Yang Senior Brother looked serious.

“I heard that during Heart Demon Tribulations, cultivators can sometimes hear faint words from the outside world.”

“If it’s someone they deeply care about…”

“…They might recall memories strong enough to break free.”

Even as he spoke, his voice grew uncertain.

It sounded like a baseless rumor.

But Zheng Fa clenched his jaw.

He suddenly pulled out several books.

And then—

“Senior Sister Zhang, yesterday we were discussing—”

Everyone froze.

Then—

All the disciples backed away.

“…Junior Brother Zheng, I feel like I’m experiencing a Heart Demon Tribulation just listening to you.”

One muttered weakly.

But—

As Zheng Fa continued reading,

Senior Sister Zhang’s expression began to calm.

“…Could this be… using poison against poison?”

One disciple murmured.

“…Then Junior Brother Zheng’s ‘poison’ is far stronger than Senior Sister Zhang’s tribulation.”