"It's happening! It's happening!" Cries from all over the world reverberated as dark nimbus clouds took over the sky, casting day into night, preparing to release bolts of lightning.
"The thunder tribulations of the ascending venerable one is truly terrifying," a sigh of admiration left the lips of a man in his mid-twenties dressed in a simple white robe with his hair tied up with a jade crown. His eyes were focused singularly on the center of the storm as several disciples were seen scurrying around, assisting in setting up a protective formation.
In mere minutes, the force of the heavens struck down, casting the world in white. With the first starting, a continuous stream of lightning fell onto the cultivation world with a force that shook the world and started typhoons. One after another, relentlessly striking the same spot, at the peak of a mountain.
On that mountain sat a woman dressed in white. Her black hair scattering as the winds furiously gust, her hairpin having long been displaced. Her delicate brows furrowed and lips pursed as she withstood the immense pain of the thunder tribulation. Sweat dripped down her forehead as another bolt struck. She vaguely heard the sound of the Heavenly Dao echo in her ears.
"How dare a mortal who is unwilling to severe their obsessions, be allowed to ascend?" Piercing cries came with every strike of lightning and with every strike, the voices and clamoring increased in volume. How can I be willing to give up those obsessions when they are me and I am them, she thought in irony as blood began dripping from the corner of her lips and her face continued to pale as she endured the onslaught.
As time passed, tension rose as hushed whispers and prayers were heard. At last, the clouds dispersed, allowing rays of sunlight to pass through again. It was silent as people craned their neck upwards for the chance to see the outcome of the tribulation. Perhaps, witnessing the ascension would enlighten them and bring fortuitous results. But nothing happened. Minutes passed and the people became anxious.
"Did it fail?"
"It is unlikely, Venerable Jiang is heavens' favored one, how could she possibly fail?"
"Right, right, there is no way she could have failed."
"She's the most talented cultivator since the Beginning Ages."
"It's impossible..."
"There's no way she would fail..."
The murmurs continued, still retaining hope for the successful ascension. But the sight on the mountain's peak spoke of another story. Venerable Jiang was still sitting there, her eyes were still open and her chest still rose and fell. But she was covered in blood, bleeding profusely from cuts and internal injuries.
"Shimei... are you okay? Did your ascension fail?" The male from before quickly moved forward, wanting to check on the woman's condition. However, a wave of the sleeve from Venerable Jiang stopped him. She raised her eyes, and a self-mocking smile appeared on her face.
"Shixiong... it seems that in this life, I will be unable to ascend to heavens." The male's face drastically changed.
"What... what do you mean? Even if you failed this time, you still have a thousand years ahead-" he wanted to continue speaking but halted when he heard a sigh as well as the rustling of the robes as she stood up. It was laden with hidden meanings and self-deprecating acceptance.
"The Dao is ruthless and unyielding. We, as cultivators, cultivate the path of indifference- to cut all karmic ties and remove ourselves from the mortal world. Perhaps, the only reason I have made it this far is due to heaven's favor. But even then, to break the core principle of being a cultivator, how am I able to ascend? Perhaps, it because heaven knew my fate and took pity on me, bestowing upon me its favor."
"Shimei.."
"Shixiong, I want to wander the mortal world. Please tell the cultivation world that I failed and died the tribulation."
"What?"
"I apologize for requesting this selfish wish of mine, but it's for the best. I wish to wander the mortal world where my obsessions lie."
"Shimei, I do not understand what you are talking about."
"Sect Leader Xu, I no longer wish to cultivate. I know this sounds absurd, but I have longed to travel the mortal realms. This obsession of mine with always persist with me and I do not wish to burden the sect any longer with my inability."
"You are not a burden, even if you failed the ascension, your powers still rank top among this world."
Venerable Jiang lowered her head, silent. The stalemate lasted long seconds before Sect Leader Xu let out a sigh. "You have always been stubborn and it seems like you have already made up your mind. Leave and roam the world as you desire. Just... remember to stop by occasionally so I can feel at ease." He turned around with a flick of his sleeve.
"Shixiong," Venerable Jiang called out. "Thank you so much." Sect Leader Xu who had stopped just shook his head in a helpless manner and disappeared, leaving the lone figure of the woman standing on the peak. The sun, which had just barely risen when the tribulation started now sunk beneath the horizon. Jiang Yingyue looked on as the world once again sunk into darkness before her figure also left.
The mountain peak was now empty, charred marks on the ground only served to enhance the majesty of the mountain and on the mountain slope, we stop and bid farewell, when dusk descends, I close my eyes. I wonder, in Spring, when the grass will again turn green, will you return?[1]
[1] A slightly changed version of the poem Farewell by Wang Wei