Ch 120: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

Ling Xiao, realizing his cultivation had been completely destroyed, quickly grabbed Taoist Bai He’s hand and cried, “Shen Yunxuan is a demonic cultivator! She’s gone mad! We discovered her secret, and she’s trying to kill us to silence us. Taoist, please save me!”

Ling Yun, catching on, lowered his resentful gaze and began sobbing as well. “She stole our artifacts, used us to shield herself from the tribulation, and even raised ghosts…” He pointed furiously at Xianglan. “That’s one of her ghosts too! Stop her now; we can’t let her complete her Foundation Establishment. She’ll be a menace to the country!”

Ling Xiao spat another mouthful of blood. “Esteemed elders, Shen Yunxuan crippled our cultivation and destroyed our spiritual roots without a second thought. We’ll never be able to cultivate again—we’re finished! How could someone so ruthless and vicious be part of the righteous path?”

Some of those unfamiliar with Shen Yunxuan hesitated. Destroying someone’s spiritual roots was indeed severe, and Ling Xiao and Ling Yun were disciples of the Xuantian Sect’s Taoist Xuan Yang. Now that they were at odds with Shen Yunxuan, who was in the right?

Idle Wanderer and Xianglan stood protectively in front of Shen Yunxuan, their faces filled with vigilance. “My junior sister has a kind heart. She’s done countless good deeds and saved many lives. She wouldn’t harm anyone without cause. If she destroyed their roots, it must be because they committed grievous wrongs and are unfit to be cultivators! In fact, I believe they’re the ones who injured her and destroyed Idle Wanderer Temple!”

He glared at the two. “Speak! What were you doing at Idle Cloud Temple?”

Ling Xiao and Ling Yun claimed they had merely passed by and noticed something amiss, which led to their conflict with Shen Yunxuan. Mao Ximing frowned. “Master, elders, Shen Yunxuan isn’t like that.”

Ling Yun glared at him angrily. “Mao Ximing, are you accusing us of lying? If this demonic cultivator successfully establishes her foundation, bringing harm to the nation, will you take responsibility? Stop her now!”

Taoist Bai He clasped his hands behind his back and said, “In my view, we should wait until Shen Yunxuan has finished her tribulation to get to the bottom of this. It’s been so many years since someone underwent a tribulation—this is a blessing for the cultivation world. And without concrete evidence, we cannot arbitrarily interrupt her Foundation Establishment.”

Ling Xiao and Ling Yun were filled with panic but were powerless. Their cultivation had been destroyed, leaving them as mere mortals, forced to watch as Shen Yunxuan used their precious artifacts, one after another, to endure the heavenly tribulation.

Meanwhile, the police and a prominent university issued a joint announcement exposing a major scandal.

A well-known professor was accused by a doctoral student of stealing research, plagiarizing theses, and exploiting students by overworking them without any compensation or bonuses. Five years ago, a doctoral student had been driven to commit suicide by jumping off a building, but the incident had been covered up, leaving the police with no evidence. The grieving family’s pursuit of justice was thwarted, and they were nearly accused of defamation by the professor.

However, this time, the whistleblower had obtained new evidence: a video from an amateur photographer who had accidentally captured an argument between the professor and the victim, showing the professor pushing the student off the building. The victim hadn’t committed suicide—they had been murdered.

The photographer, initially unaware of the significance of the footage, had misplaced it amidst personal crises. Upon discovering its importance, he reported it to the police.

Once the professor was arrested, more than ten individuals came forward with testimonies of the professor’s crimes. Their courage to speak out shattered years of silence and fear.

The disgraced professor now faces the death penalty and massive compensation claims. His past accolades have been entirely erased, and the mountain that once crushed so many students was finally toppled.

Among those rejoicing was the whistleblower, who posted a heartfelt video thanking Shen Yunxuan. “The person who helped me find this evidence was none other than Shen Yunxuan. I was the anonymous guest on her livestream, and it was her extraordinary insight that led me to uncover the truth. Now that Shen Yunxuan is missing, I pray sincerely for her safe return. To everyone who cares about her, please join me in praying for her.”

At the end of the video, she clasped her hands together and silently prayed. Her earnest devotion moved countless viewers, many of whom began to pray as well, creating a powerful surge of faith energy.

Shen Yunxuan, who had been struck down by the eighth bolt of lightning and lay immobile on the ground, was covered in soot and unable to move even a finger.

The heavenly tribulation was overwhelming. Despite using numerous artifacts and decoys, she had still been reduced to this state. Coupled with her cursed bad luck, her tribulation was far harsher than anyone else’s. As she stared at the ninth bolt forming in the sky, she hazily thought, Is this where it all ends?

Meanwhile, fans blocked from entering the mountain by police watched the lightning bolts descending from the sky. Initially, they thought it was a storm, but as they saw multiple strikes concentrated in one spot, their shock turned to awe. Someone started livestreaming the phenomenon, saying, “Doesn’t this look like a heavenly tribulation? Could someone really be undergoing tribulation? Look how many bolts there’ve been, all in the same spot. Could it be?”

“It must be! Is someone really undergoing a heavenly tribulation on Idle Cloud Temple’s mountain?”

“Could it be Shen Yunxuan? Please let it be her! If she’s undergoing tribulation, it’s a good sign—it means her cultivation has advanced. Everyone, let’s pray for her together!”

“You’re kidding, right? Watching too many fantasy novels? There’s no such thing as heavenly tribulations!”

“I don’t care! I believe it’s real. Sister Xuan must still be alive, and she’s undergoing her tribulation. Sisters, let’s all pray together. With so many of us, we’ll surely move the heavens and keep her alive!”

“Brothers, let’s join in too. I’ve never admired anyone in my twenty-odd years of life, but I admire Master Shen for daring to confront criminals and stand up to tycoons. She even took down that scumbag professor. No matter what, we can’t let her fail. Let’s all join forces!”

The fans’ willpower was at its most sincere at this moment. Down at the foot of the mountain, fans stopped talking, sitting cross-legged with their hands clasped in prayer. The scene was surreal, resembling a large-scale religious gathering, but the police exchanged glances and said nothing.

As long as they were merely praying and not engaging in malicious activities, they let them be.

At that moment, Shen Yunxuan suddenly felt a surge of pure faith energy—stronger than ever before—nourishing her entire body. Overjoyed, she activated her cultivation method to refine it. Gradually, she regained the strength to stand. At the same time, she received a crucial influx of karmic virtue.

Regardless of its origin, this karmic virtue suppressed her bad luck and turned the tide of the situation.

Filled with newfound confidence, Shen Yunxuan leapt to the mountaintop. As the ninth bolt of heavenly lightning struck, she fearlessly met it head-on, colliding with it mid-air.

The onlookers could only see her silhouette as she flew skyward and was engulfed by the lightning. Amid the flashes of light, nothing was visible, and everyone’s hearts clenched in worry. Ling Xiao and Ling Yun, despite their fury, felt a moment of satisfaction. Such a powerful tribulation would undoubtedly obliterate her, and their vengeance would be fulfilled.

However, Taoist Bai He and the Porcupine Elder, both experienced Foundation Establishment cultivators, frowned deeply. The tribulation’s power far exceeded what they had faced during their own breakthroughs. Why was Shen Yunxuan’s tribulation so severe? Was it due to her unique cultivation method or her rapid advancement? Could she endure this?

Amid the searing pain of the heavenly lightning, Shen Yunxuan gritted her teeth and refined the faith energy, enduring wave after wave of agony. The fans’ prayers had taken effect, and the influx of faith energy rapidly healed her body, giving her boundless strength to persevere through the ordeal.

Finally, the pain dissipated. Shen Yunxuan felt a warm glow envelop her, as though she were bathed in the gentle breeze of spring, floating on clouds.

Looking down at her hands, she saw the wounds healing rapidly. Her new skin was soft and white, her once-scorched hair now sleek and lustrous. She had been completely reborn.

She retrieved a fresh set of clothes from her storage pendant, changed, and emerged from the glow, landing beside Idle Wanderer.

“Junior Sister! Are you alright?” Idle Wanderer asked anxiously, examining her closely.

Shen Yunxuan smiled. “Don’t worry, Senior Brother, I’m fine. In fact, I’ve turned misfortune into fortune—I’ve broken through to Foundation Establishment!”

Idle Wanderer laughed in excitement. “Wonderful! Wonderful! Idle Cloud Temple finally has a successor. Master and our forebears in the beyond would be so proud!”

Taoist Bai He and Mao Ximing congratulated Shen Yunxuan, and she politely thanked them. Then, noticing the others present, she said, “Ling Xiao and Ling Yun of the Xuantian Sect ambushed me. Because I intervened in the case of Fang Dehai using six abducted children to boost his fortune, Xuan Yang, fearing exposure as the mastermind, sent his disciples to kill me. Ling Yun even secretly raised ghosts as servants—”

“Don’t slander me!” Ling Yun roared. “Those are clearly your ghosts! Don’t try to shift the blame. Our Heavenly Gate Sect won’t let you frame us!”

Ling Xiao, clutching his chest and barely standing, said solemnly, “The Xuantian Sect is the leading righteous sect. We won’t tolerate baseless accusations. Taoist Bai He, if Shen Yunxuan dares to accuse my master, let’s all go to the Xuantian Sect and have her confront my master directly.”

Shen Yunxuan sneered. “What’s wrong? Can’t beat me, so you want to go crying to your sect for backup? Hoping they’ll cover for you?”

Someone frowned and said, “Master Shen, without evidence, it’s best not to implicate the Heavenly Gate Sect. It could cause unnecessary trouble.”

“What if I have evidence?” Shen Yunxuan scanned the group and said, “Let’s head down the mountain first. We’ll discuss this thoroughly at Idle Cloud Temple.”

No one objected. As Shen Yunxuan descended the mountain, she spotted numerous police officers and over a hundred people sitting cross-legged in prayer. These people gave her a strong sense of familiarity. Since her Foundation Establishment, her senses had sharpened, as though she had ascended to another realm. She vaguely felt a connection with these people—they were her fans.

Hearing the commotion, a fan opened their eyes and saw Shen Yunxuan. Overjoyed, they burst into tears. “Xuanxuan! She’s alive!”

The crowd rose in excitement, crying, “It’s really Xuanxuan! Thank goodness you’re alright, Xuanxuan!”

Their concern was palpable. Touched, Shen Yunxuan walked toward them, her eyes glistening with emotion. “Thank you all. Were you praying for me? I felt it—it saved me. You’ve helped me immensely. Truly, thank you.”

She bowed deeply, leaving the fans flustered as they rushed to help her up. “Xuanxuan, are you really okay?”

“Are you hurt?”

“Did someone try to harm you?”

“Was that a tribulation just now?”

Taoist Bai He cleared his throat, subtly signaling that discussing tribulations with ordinary people was inappropriate. Shen Yunxuan smiled at her fans. “I was indeed at death’s door just now, but your prayers saved me. Those who sought to harm me have been caught and will be dealt with according to the law. As for my injuries, they’ve healed completely. Look—don’t I seem even better than before?”

Shen Yunxuan spun in a circle in front of her fans. Only then did they notice her snow-white skin and ethereal aura, which made her seem like an immortal. Though she stood right before them, they dared not touch her, yet they felt an overwhelming sense of closeness. Someone whispered, “She must have succeeded in her tribulation!”

Shen Yunxuan raised her index finger to her lips in a gentle “shh” gesture and smiled at them. “There are still others waiting for me to handle some matters. I can’t stay with you. Please head back. Remember to join me in my next livestream, and I’ll pray for all of you then. This area is remote—be sure to travel in groups and stay safe.”

Seeing that Shen Yunxuan was safe and seemingly had succeeded in her tribulation, the fans gradually became elated. However, noticing the group of ethereal and dignified individuals in the distance, they understood they couldn’t delay Shen Yunxuan further. Reluctantly, they bid her goodbye, their faces filled with sorrow.

Before leaving, Shen Yunxuan took a group photo with her fans and reminded them once more to be careful. Then, waving goodbye, she returned to Idle Wanderer and continued walking toward Idle Cloud Temple.

Idle Wanderer thought about the state of Idle Cloud Temple, glanced at Shen Yunxuan’s back, and hesitated to speak. Should he tell her that the temple was gone?

However, the rear mountain wasn’t far from Idle Cloud Temple, and Shen Yunxuan soon saw for herself. She let out a loud cry, “My temple! My temple that cost so much to build! My books, my treasures, my ancestors—they’re all gone! Who did this?!”

She turned sharply, her expression filled with fury, and glared at Ling Xiao and Ling Yun. The powerful aura of a Foundation Establishment cultivator bore down on them, forcing blood from their mouths.

Taoist Bai He quickly intervened, “Master Shen, please calm yourself. If it’s proven that the Xuantian Sect is responsible, I will ensure they compensate you for your losses.”

Shen Yunxuan huffed, “They’d better include damages for emotional distress! They didn’t just destroy a building—they destroyed my home!”

“Of course. Rest assured, Master Shen. We won’t skimp on the compensation,” Taoist Bai He assured, feeling Shen Yunxuan’s aura surpassing his own. Not wanting to escalate the situation, he gave a straightforward promise. After all, money was no concern for any sect.

Ling Xiao objected, “Taoist Bai He, are you taking Shen Yunxuan’s side? There’s been no investigation, yet you’re already demanding the Xuantian Sect pay compensation.”

Mao Ximing jabbed Ling Xiao in the ribs with his elbow, causing a fit of coughing. “Keep talking, and we’ll leave you to Shen Yunxuan’s mercy,” he sneered.

Recalling the terror of Shen Yunxuan’s strikes that had ruined their cultivation and destroyed their foundations, Ling Xiao and Ling Yun finally fell silent.

With Idle Cloud Temple in ruins, there was no way to accommodate guests. Shen Yunxuan accompanied the group back to the headquarters of the Supernatural Affairs Department (SAD).

It was her first time learning the department’s name. Their base was located in an unassuming royal palace compound, protected by formations that barred entry to outsiders without a guide.

Shen Yunxuan was inspired and said, “In the future, Idle Cloud Temple could also be divided into two areas—one open to visitors, the other protected by formations to prevent intruders. That way, such a betrayal wouldn’t happen again.”

Ling Yun’s face turned pale. “Stop saying we ambushed you! If you have evidence, present it. If not, don’t slander us!” He clung to the hope that there was no proof since only the three of them had been present at the time.

Ling Xiao regained some composure. “Contact our master. With our cultivation crippled and foundations destroyed, this matter requires an explanation to the Xuantian Sect.”

Shen Yunxuan readily agreed. “Go ahead. Summon him. It’s best he comes here directly—saves us the trouble of fetching him.”

“You’re outrageous, Shen Yunxuan!” Ling Xiao and Ling Yun were enraged but utterly powerless beyond shouting.

Without sparing them a glance, Shen Yunxuan entered a conference room with Mao Ximing. The first thing she did was check her phone to catch up on recent events. She immediately saw that the scumbag professor had been arrested and the truth had been uncovered. No wonder she had received karmic virtue—it was from the resolution of that matter.

Next, she saw the apologies from blacklisted detractors, Douyin, and Xinxing Entertainment, along with countless people praying for her. She finally understood the source of the overwhelming waves of faith energy. The purest surge, in particular, had come from her fans. They truly adored her, equivalent to devoted followers, and their efforts had saved her life.

Recalling the nine heavenly tribulations, Shen Yunxuan felt a chill of fear. Her life had truly been saved by her fans. Faith energy nourished her cultivation, karmic virtue altered her destiny, and both had rescued her at a critical moment. It was clear that doing good deeds and becoming a beacon of faith was the path she needed to walk—and she had chosen correctly.

Taoist Bai He entered and introduced Shen Yunxuan. “Master Shen, this is the head of our department, Minister Zhou. Minister Zhou, this is Master Shen, who has successfully reached Foundation Establishment and is now the youngest and most gifted cultivator in the mystic world.”

Shen Yunxuan immediately stood up, shook hands with Minister Zhou, and greeted him politely.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, she could see more of the “aura” surrounding people. Minister Zhou was enveloped in a dense glow of karmic virtue. In his youth, he had fought in wars to protect the nation, earning great merit. In peacetime, he managed SAD, leading efforts to eliminate countless evils and stabilize the country. Though not a cultivator himself, Minister Zhou was an exceptional leader with a steadfast patriotism and a benevolent heart. He was, without question, the most virtuous person present—a man worthy of respect.

Previously, when encountering people in the back mountains, Shen Yunxuan wasn’t angered by their doubts because they carried righteousness in their aura. Some were surrounded by golden light, others by white light. For example, Mao Ximing had a faint white glow around him, symbolizing his integrity and uprightness. She understood that their skepticism stemmed from a lack of understanding, not malice toward her, so she didn’t take offense.

She now realized that her spiritual vision had essentially upgraded. Moving forward, she could better discern a person’s goodness or wickedness. For instance, seeing the clear golden karmic aura around Minister Zhou reassured her, and she smiled more freely.

Minister Zhou, having heard that Shen Yunxuan was assertive and flamboyant, was pleasantly surprised to meet a polite and righteous young woman with clear eyes. Smiling, he invited her to sit.

Taoist Bai He smiled and said, “Master Shen, now that Minister Zhou is here, do you have any evidence you can present? Rest assured, everyone here is impartial. If Xuantian Sect is at fault, we will ensure justice is served.”

Shen Yunxuan smiled slightly, “Please wait a moment. Let me find it.”

She lowered her head and began operating her phone. The first thing she did was donate over ten million yuan from her account to disaster relief for a major typhoon. She hadn’t forgotten her streak of bad luck; the karmic merit she earned during her tribulation had already countered some of it, but now, facing the Xuantian Sect, she couldn’t take any chances. She used the refunded money from Xinxing Entertainment and Douyin for the donation. The typhoon had caused significant losses, and the funds were desperately needed. Her donation immediately earned her a substantial amount of karmic merit.

Only then did she retrieve the surveillance footage from Idle Cloud Temple and project it onto the big screen.

Ling Xiao and Ling Yun turned pale instantly, staring wide-eyed at the screen, their bodies stiff. How could there be surveillance at a Taoist temple? In Xuantian Sect, where ancient living practices were emphasized, modern devices were avoided. How could the still-under-construction Idle Cloud Temple possibly have installed surveillance cameras? Did this mean everything they had said was caught on tape?

Others were also surprised. “Master Shen, did you monitor the entire Idle Cloud Temple?”

Mao Ximing explained on her behalf, “The surveillance was installed just two days ago because Master Shen’s reputation attracted many visitors, and not all were trustworthy. When I had a minor conflict while screening disciples, Master Shen thought of installing cameras to ensure future disputes could be clarified.”

Looking at the footage on the screen, Mao Ximing was furious. “It’s fortunate we installed them. Otherwise, who would believe that the esteemed Taoist Master Xuan yYang would send his disciples to silence someone and commit so many evil deeds in secret?”

Minister Zhou and the others looked grave. Ling Xiao finally realized why Shen Yunxuan had said so much, despite being injured at the time—it was to get them to confess and use the surveillance as evidence!

Taoist Bai He turned to the pair. “Do you have anything to say now?”

Ling Xiao and Ling Yun exchanged a glance and decided to stay silent. Saying anything now would only make things worse. They had already contacted their master; once he arrived, the situation could be salvaged.

With their lack of cooperation and their status as Xuantian Sect disciples, they couldn’t be dealt with immediately. They would wait for Xuan yang’s arrival. Minister Zhou instructed someone to arrange accommodations for Shen Yunxuan, but she checked online and saw that many people had already learned of her safe descent from the mountain. Speculation that she might have successfully undergone a tribulation was rampant, with countless messages on her account asking to see her.

Thinking for a moment, Shen Yunxuan inquired about the whereabouts of Dominating tycoon and his siblings. Taoist Bai He took her to their hiding place.

Dominating tycoon hurried over, his face full of concern. After confirming Shen Yunxuan was safe, he breathed a sigh of relief. “Was it because of our situation? Did the person behind Fang Dehai try to harm you? Did we implicate you?”

Shen Yunxuan waved it off. “I helped because it’s fate and part of the heavenly path. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have drawn my fortune bag. So don’t overthink it. The blame lies entirely with Fang Dehai and the one backing him.”

“Who’s backing him? Are they hard to deal with?”

Shen Yunxuan nodded. “Very. He’s a grandmaster from the leading sect. That’s why I’ve come to you—to face him together.”

The six siblings exchanged glances. “Us? What can we do?”

“Master Shen, you’ve done us a great favor. Whatever you need us to do, just say the word.”

Shen Yunxuan smiled. “All you need to do is join me in a livestream to find your biological parents.”

---

Shen Yunxuan’s announcement about her live stream spread like wildfire. It was her first formal appearance after the incident, and the number of viewers in her live room skyrocketed like a rocket, even causing some lag.

The rapid increase in newly registered accounts caught the attention of Lin Zixiao, who immediately instructed his entire company to focus on Shen Yunxuan’s live stream and ensure everything ran smoothly. This was a massive wave of traffic, and whether they could seize the opportunity depended entirely on their efforts.

Meanwhile, Shen Yunxuan was already on screen with Dominating tycoon and the other siblings, drawing a frenzy of comments from the viewers:

【Shen Shen, are you okay now? Are you hurt? What happened?】

【Where are you now, Shen? Idle Cloud Temple is gone; are you somewhere safe?】

【Master Shen, was that your tribulation? You look more radiant and graceful—did you succeed in passing it?】

【Shen Yunxuan, I apologize. I won’t spread rumors or slander you again. Please forgive me and don’t curse me with bad luck anymore.】

Shen Yunxuan selectively responded to a few comments, “Don’t worry, everyone. I’m safe and doing well now. Everything I’ve been through will be handled justly. However, some matters aren’t suitable for public discussion to avoid unnecessary panic. Knowing too much might even bring you trouble.”

【Got it, we’ll stick to science!】
【Understood. You passed the tribulation, but it’s best not to talk about it.】
【Alright, seeing your situation, I get it—ignorance is bliss. I’ll happily stay uninformed!】

Shen Yunxuan chuckled, “You’re all too sharp! Anyway, don’t worry about me. I’ve grown stronger, enough to protect myself.”

【Got it, no need to explain further.】
【Luckily, you’re okay. As fans, we could only worry and couldn’t do much. We feel so useless.】

Shen Yunxuan quickly reassured them, “You all helped me a lot! Without your prayers, I might not be here to talk to you today. The outcome is good, but the process was dangerous. Thanks to your support, I’m alive and well. I truly thank you all!”

She stood up and bowed deeply toward the camera.

【Really? Do prayers really work?】
【Master Shen, you helped me realize my ex was a scumbag. My whole family loves you for it, so praying for you was the least we could do—it’s just your good karma coming back to you.】
【Exactly, Shen Shen. You’ve always been kind to your fans, so we sincerely care about you.】
【Even as a casual viewer, I prayed for you. I think your consistent good deeds moved people to pray for you. It’s well-deserved.】

Shen Yunxuan smiled warmly, “That’s why I always say, ‘Good deeds are rewarded.’ Everyone should accumulate virtue and do good deeds—it will come back to bless you one day.”

【Master Shen, my family member is sick. If I pray daily, can it help them?】

“It’ll help a little, but it’s like a drop in the ocean. This time, so many people prayed sincerely for me, which made the difference. Illnesses should still be treated by doctors. If there’s anything unusual, come to Idle Cloud Temple for more support.”

【Why are you with Dominating tycoon and his siblings? Are you helping them find their birth parents?】

Shen Yunxuan nodded, “This recent turmoil made me realize how unscrupulous some practitioners backing certain individuals can be. To cover their tracks, they attempted to silence me and destroy Idle Cloud Temple. If this isn’t resolved quickly, I worry these six and their biological parents may be in danger.

“So, today, I’m hosting this special stream to ask for your help. Please spread the word about their search to everyone you know, so we can reach their parents as soon as possible. If you have any leads, share them—we’ll follow every clue. You’re my networking lifeline now, and I’m counting on you!

“Let’s have each of them share their parents’ details again.”

One by one, Dominating tycoon and his siblings shared their information, ranging from approximate ages and locations of their parents to the number of siblings and even details like the ages of nieces and nephews.

Viewers, hearing these specifics, were impressed again. It wasn’t every day you saw people searching for their biological parents with such detailed knowledge of family circumstances. It significantly narrowed the search—though from “finding a needle in the ocean” to “finding a needle in a pool,” the challenge was still immense.

Viewers enthusiastically began providing leads, and the police also confirmed they were conducting investigations.

Meanwhile, Xuan yang was on his way to SAD when Fang Dehai called him again, panic evident in his voice. “Master, Shen Yunxuan hasn’t been dealt with yet? Things are spiraling out of control. She’s subtly accusing me in her live stream, and my company’s stock has hit rock bottom! Master, please do something quickly!”

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆