Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
After thorough investigation, Chen Jinshu and the others confirmed that the butcher's son, Chai Junhao, truly had no prior connection to Liu Huameng, their master's incarnated self during this tribulation.
Only then did they finally breathe a little easier.
Not only that, but they also found that Chai Junhao was well regarded by many in the town. During the years of famine, he had often given food to the poor, earning the quiet respect of many townsfolk.
Although he inherited his father's strength and trade, the resemblance ended there. His personality and conduct were nothing like the roughness of a butcher. In fact, he had a scholarly air, and often shared his writings with Liu Huameng. Their relationship, it seemed, was growing deeper by the day.
"This must be Master's love tribulation," Chen Jinshu murmured as she watched the pair meeting in a quiet corner of the brothel's courtyard. "I just don't know how long it will last."
Something in her heart told her this tribulation wouldn't end peacefully. It might be through pain and loss that their master would find her breakthrough.
"She turns fourteen in two years. We'll know by then," Zheng Shaosi said calmly.
They had already lingered too long here. Within five years, they needed to return to the sect.
"Senior Brother, did something happen back at the sect?" Xie Mofeng asked with interest.
"The sect leader sent word. The Five Realms Assembly is about to begin," Zheng Shaosi replied. His voice carried a faint trace of anticipation, though his gaze turned distant with memory.
He had participated in the last Assembly twenty or thirty years ago, though back then he was only at mid-Foundation Establishment. He had only been allowed in the lower hall and missed out on many rare opportunities.
The Golden Core level competition, on the other hand, offered prizes beyond imagination. Even a single reward could propel a cultivator's path to new heights.
"Our junior sisters probably haven't heard of the Assembly yet," said Hua Jingyi with a slight smile. "Senior Brother, why don't you tell them?"
"Well," Zheng Shaosi chuckled, "when I last went to the Assembly, Master had only just taken in our fourth junior brother. It's no wonder you haven't heard."
"The Five Realms Assembly is the grand gathering of all sects ranked above Golden Core stage across the Five Realms. Each time, one of the Five Great Sects hosts the event. Our Xuanming Sect ranks fifth among them. Even Chiyan Sect, which split from us years ago, didn't make the top five. That should give you some idea of how many powerful sects lie beyond our view."
"In other words, Xuanming is respectable, but not unrivaled."
"This year, the host is the Saint Sword Sect in the Yellow Sands Province. They're considered the strongest cultivation sect in the entire realm. Their sword cultivators are unmatched, and they have a Dao Lord in the Tribulation stage who hasn't yet ascended. Rumor has it, though, he's close."
"It's that Dao Lord's presence that makes the Saint Sword Sect untouchable. No other sect dares to challenge them, which is why they were chosen as this year's host."
"The spiritual herbs you all need to form your Golden Cores are not considered particularly rare in Yellow Sands Province. As long as you're strong enough, you can seize them. Of course, the safer option is to buy them—but the price is painful."
"The Assembly is divided into two halls, one for Foundation Establishment and one for Golden Core cultivators. The rewards differ between the two. The Golden Core hall offers prizes even Nascent Soul cultivators would covet. That's why the journey will be escorted by several Nascent Soul Elders."
Zheng Shaosi's explanation stirred excitement in everyone's hearts. The Five Realms Assembly was a rare event where one could train, earn rewards, and encounter powerful cultivators from across the realms.
Chen Jinshu, however, had her eyes set beyond the Foundation Hall. Her cultivation was already nearing the peak, and she was determined to fight in the Golden Core division.
"If I want a place there, I need to break through soon."
Unfortunately, the local spirit veins were thin. Breaking through to the Golden Core stage here was nearly impossible without a vast amount of qi from a strong underground leyline.
She had been refining her cultivation daily. Once they returned to the sect, she would attempt the breakthrough. Yet after hearing about the Assembly, she felt a growing urgency. She had to advance before it began.
As they completed the final stage of guarding their master through her tribulation, the date of the Assembly loomed ever closer. The others noticed the hesitation in her expression, but they could easily guess what she was thinking.
Each of them held the spiritual item needed for Core Formation, a gift left by their master. In theory, they could break through at any time. But with their master's tribulation ongoing, no one dared take the risk.
"If you want to form your core, go," Bu Yuanxiang said after watching Chen Jinshu for a moment. "We'll stay and watch over Master. There's no need for all of us to be here."
"Thank you, Senior Sister. But until Master's tribulation is resolved, I won't have peace of mind."
"Why be so stubborn?"
"If I leave to advance while all of you stay here, how could I hold my head high?"
A month later, while Chen Jinshu was still cultivating in a nearby cave, something unexpected happened.
"Liu Huameng was caught meeting with Chai Junhao," Hua Jingyi reported grimly. "The madam of the brothel dragged them out and denounced them in front of everyone."
In the water mirror before them, an illusion shimmered into view. Liu Huameng and Chai Junhao were bound and surrounded by furious courtesans and madams.
The brothel madam who had once been most proud of Liu Huameng now looked enraged.
She shouted, accusing Liu Huameng of betrayal. All those years of training, all her effort to turn her into a prize, had been for nothing. She had hoped to sell Liu Huameng's first night at a high price—but that dream had now shattered.
"Will they beat Master to death?" one of them asked.
"No," someone replied. "Brothel matters rarely leak outside. But the idea of auctioning her virginity is over. That's finished."
"I wasn't talking about her," Chen Jinshu said quietly. "I meant Chai Junhao. If he dies…"
She trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
"We'll see," Hua Jingyi said, his tone unreadable. "This may be the event that pushes Master to complete her tribulation."
"You shameless little brat," the madam spat, eyes blazing. "So young and already sneaking around with men!"
"I'm sorry, Mama, it was my fault," Liu Huameng sobbed, crawling forward on her knees. "Please, just let Chai go."
The madam slapped her hard across the face.
"You think you can act pure after entering Huayue House? You belong to us now. There's no getting out."
She turned to the others. "Tell that butcher to bring silver if he wants his good-for-nothing son back!"
Chai Junhao's eyes filled with panic. His mouth had been sealed, and he could only struggle in silence.