Chapter 2427 The First Second of 2020
Song Shuhang pocketed his phone and whispered, "There"s one more minute."
The closer one got to the final moment, the more important it was to remain vigilant. Throughout history, countless predecessors had stumbled just before reaching the finish line of success.
"The disposable flying sword, Small Dark Room Destroyer edition, is ready. Open the Inner World portal, and I"ll hand them over to you," Senior White messaged through the cultivation chat function.
"Thank you, Senior White!" Song Shuhang swiftly opened the connection between the Inner World and the real world.
In the next instant, Senior White"s spatial package silently appeared beside him. Senior White"s mastery of spatial manipulation had reached new heights.
Inside the package were six disposable flying swords, each made of different materials. There were two of each type: one crafted from Qingwu"s branch, one from Song Shuhang"s wooden body, and one from Senior White"s own branch of light of virtue. These various materials were suited for different environments.
Song Shuhang had initially requested only two flying swords, but Senior White had decided to send him six after considering various scenarios.
...
...
Song Shuhang stowed away the six disposable flying swords. His confidence in overcoming the Eighth Stage Profound Sage Tribulation grew.
In the hot spring, Pavilion Master Chu asked, "Is there anything else you"ve forgotten?"
"Equipment, pills, status, pendants—everything"s in order. Now, we just have to wait for the opportunity Soft Feather mentioned," Song Shuhang replied.
"Do you have any regrets? Before the heavenly tribulation descends, is there anything you"d like to share?" Fellow Daoist Stone Tablet asked.
Song Shuhang was momentarily at a loss.
"Let me translate it for you, Fellow Daoist Stone Tablet. Do you want to write a will before facing the tribulation?" the sword quipped. "In fact, many cultivators in the cultivation world do prepare a will before transcending their tribulation, just in case."
Song Shuhang ignored their comments, reached out, and gave the sword "Saber Nurturing Technique" x20.
This time, it wasn"t because the sword had touched upon his inner thoughts; it was purely a slip on his part. He hadn"t used any dark techniques on the sword for a while.
There were indeed some regrets. The primary regret Song Shuhang was facing was the impending Eighth Stage Profound Sage sterilization.
However, even the brakes on his cultivation couldn"t halt his advancement. What choice did he have?
If he were an ordinary cultivator, he would have plenty of time to find a fairy before reaching the Eighth Stage. He could slowly cultivate a romantic relations.h.i.+p, become Dao companions, and even establish a bloodline.
But Song Shuhang"s progress was far too rapid. He didn"t have the luxury of time for romance like his peers.
Song Shuhang glanced at Su Clan"s Sixteen and Soft Feather.
Soft Feather embodied the ideal partner image for most male cultivators. However, there was no spark between her and Song Shuhang throughout their interactions. Soft Feather had never considered the concept of a "Dao partner." To her, the concept was far less important than enjoying life"s pleasures.
Perhaps Soft Feather might change in the future. Her demeanor might transform into that of a refined lady. But at present, neither Song Shuhang nor Soft Feather had any intention of becoming Dao companions with each other.
Su Clan"s Sixteen, on the other hand, also fit the ideal image of a partner for many men. She had a different style from Soft Feather, and her personality was more mature. With more time, their relations.h.i.+p might have warmed up naturally, leading them to become Dao companions. Even now, they were already in the early stages of a Dao couple, but it would take more time to fully solidify their bond.
Yet Song Shuhang had no time!
Currently, the only thing worth celebrating was that Papa Song and Mama Song had regained their youth. With their restored vitality, they might even have a third child after the second one.
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...
"Senior Song, are you thinking about the Eighth Stage Profound Sage sterilization?" Soft Feather suddenly voiced Song Shuhang"s thoughts.
"Hahahaha!" Song Shuhang chuckled awkwardly while trying to conceal the fact that Soft Feather had hit a nerve. Despite wearing a mask, Soft Feather seemed to have a knack for reading his inner thoughts.
Su Clan"s Sixteen reached out and gently held Song Shuhang"s hand to silently express her understanding.
Song Shuhang"s heart warmed, and he reciprocated by gently holding Su Clan"s Sixteen"s hand.
"Senior Song, there"s no guarantee that Eighth Stage Profound Sages will be sterilized. Even if you advance to the Ninth Stage Tribulation Transcender Realm, you needn"t despair entirely," Soft Feather said to break the silence.
Pavilion Master Chu, yawning in the hot spring, interjected, "The path to immortality. Stepping onto the path of immortality, related to the "life" attribute, could alleviate concerns about sterilization. This applied not only to Eighth Stage Profound Sages but also to those who reached the Immortal Realm. For example, Cheng Lin."
"The path of progeny?" Song Shuhang"s eyes lit up, and the Scholarly Sage"s eye in his left eye began to s.h.i.+ne.
Fellow Daoist Stone Tablet chuckled softly.
The sword added, "Don"t stare at me!" Pavilion Master Chu evaded Song Shuhang"s gaze. Though she wouldn"t be affected by the Scholarly Sage"s eye due to her realm, she still didn"t appreciate being scrutinized by the Impregnating Eye.
Senior Turtle also stood up and dodged Song Shuhang"s gaze.
Soft Feather giggled and continued, "So, Senior Song, you can therefore face the tribulation with confidence."
Song Shuhang cleared his throat and swiftly changed the subject. "When will I transcend the tribulation? What"s the "timing" we"re waiting for?"
"The timing... Oh? Wait a moment!" Soft Feather suddenly grabbed Song Shuhang"s arm.
"What"s wrong?" Song Shuhang asked.
"I... Song... Senior, you... need to add... some effort," Soft Feather"s words came out intermittently.
In the next moment, the refined aura around her vanished, and her pupils became unfocused.
With the suppression of Soft Feather lifted, energy surged within Song Shuhang"s body like a volcano.
"Sixteen, you and Soft Feather wait for me in the Inner World. I"ll be back in no time!" Song Shuhang stood up and declared.
In the future, Soft Feather had disappeared, but the "right time" she had mentioned had not yet arrived.
However, that didn"t matter.
Even if it wasn"t the perfect "opportunity," Song Shuhang was confident in facing the Eighth Stage heavenly tribulation.
"Okay," Su Clan"s Sixteen gently released Song Shuhang"s hand.
Song Shuhang clenched his fist lightly.
He opened the Inner World and set the coordinates to an uninhabited region of the universe.
In the next moment, his primordial spirit and physical body appeared at the coordinates marked by the wooden saber in the depths of the universe. His Essence Soul and physical body merged into one as he reached the pinnacle of the Seventh Stage Realm and met the standard for transcending the Eighth Stage Profound Sage Tribulation.
The familiar Eighth Stage heavenly tribulation s.p.a.ce opened up and engulfed Song Shuhang.
As the clock ticked, China entered the year 2020.