The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 96. End Of the Trial

Chapter 96: 96. End Of the Trial

Somewhere in Unknown No. Of Trial Cave,

Tyler White swam gracefully through the stream, feeling the water’s cool embrace against his skin.

"Ouch... Ouch..."

"It hurts. Be gentle."

"Oh, I am wet."

"Can you please watch your words before saying them out loud?" Tyler said to the people around him.

Around him, immortal practitioners struggled against the stream, their meridians breaking bit by bit with each stroke. Groans of pain echoed through the air as they endured the agonising trial, determined to press on despite the excruciating challenge.

Many had already given up, retreating from the trial, unable to withstand the relentless assault on their meridians.

"How are you fine?" a man couldn’t help but ask.

Tyler just ignored him.

His calm demeanour contrasted sharply with the struggling practitioners around him, who eyed him with a mix of envy and disbelief.

The stream’s first half was notorious for its brutal effects, a trial by water that many immortal practitioners dreaded. The water seemed almost sentient in its cruelty, attacking the very essence of what made them powerful. Meridians, the vital channels through which their spiritual energy flowed, were being systematically destroyed.

Practitioners who dared to enter this part of the stream faced not just physical pain, but the existential threat of losing their cultivation. The groans of those in the water were a symphony of suffering, each note a testament to their fortitude and desperation. Yet, despite the overwhelming pain, many pressed on, driven by the promise of what lay ahead.

Tyler, on the other hand, moved through the water as if it were a gentle breeze. His meridians, already shattered, provided no resistance to the stream’s assault. He swam with a grace that belied his crippled state, cutting through the water effortlessly.

While others flailed and fought, he glided forward, his progress smooth and unhurried. His expression remained calm, even serene, a stark contrast to the twisted faces of agony around him.

The other practitioners watched him with a mix of envy, resentment, and awe, unable to comprehend how he remained unaffected by the trial that was breaking them.

"Finally." Tyler’s eyes shined. He had been waiting for this moment.

As he reached the midpoint of the stream, Tyler felt a change in the water. The biting cold and relentless pressure of the first half gave way to a warmth that seeped into his bones.

The second half of the stream was known for its healing properties, a reward for those who endured the initial trial. For Tyler, this was more than just a respite; it was a chance for redemption. The healing water worked its way into his body, soothing the aches and pains that had plagued him for so long.

Tyler felt an immediate sense of refreshment, as if thousands of soft hands were massaging his weary body.

Tyler wasted no time in taking advantage of this opportunity. He quickly began to operate the Meridian Mending Method he had learned from Lily Gomes, a technique designed to heal and restore damaged meridians. Thanks to the stream’s properties, he could skip most of the steps and save a lot of time to get healed.

He focused his mind, drawing in the energy of the stream with deliberate intent.

"What is that?"

"A vortex?"

"This damn Phantom Blackwood. He is taking all the healing energy for himself," one of the practitioners cursed.

"Don’t mind it. Until someone passes all the trials, the resources here will not be emptied for decades," another one reassured him.

The water around Tyler seemed to respond, forming a swirling vortex that enveloped his body.

He could feel the energy being drawn into him, flowing through his meridians and repairing the damage that had crippled him. It was a sensation unlike anything he had ever experienced, a powerful blend of relief and exhilaration.

As the healing energy coursed through him, Tyler felt his strength returning. His meridians, once shattered and useless, were mending and becoming whole again.

The process was not instantaneous, but he could feel the progress with each passing moment. His body absorbed the energy greedily, hungry for the healing it provided.

While Tyler focused on his healing, the other practitioners continued to struggle. The groans of pain had not abated, and some were beginning to falter. The trial was proving too much for them, and one by one, they started to withdraw.

Tyler watched them go with a mixture of empathy and determination. He knew what it was like to be broken, to feel the despair of losing one’s power. But he also knew the value of perseverance, of pushing through the pain to reach the reward on the other side.

As the healing energy continued to flow through him, Tyler felt a deep sense of gratitude. He thought of Lily Gomes, the one who had given him the Meridian Mending Method. Without her help, he would never have been able to take advantage of this opportunity. He owed her a great debt, one that he intended to repay. But for now, his focus was on his own recovery. He could feel his strength growing with each passing moment, his body mending and becoming whole again.

---

"Hachu..." Lily Gomes touched her nose.

"Some handsome guy must be thinking about me." She nodded, satisfied, and went back to haggle with the stall shopkeeper.

---

The water of the stream continued to swirl around him, the vortex of energy growing stronger. Tyler could feel his meridians knitting back together, the damaged channels becoming whole once more. It was a slow process, but he could sense the progress with each heartbeat.

He felt as if he were being reborn, emerging from the water as a new man.

Tyler smiled. He could see a path forward, a way to reclaim his power and his place in the world of immortal practitioners.

As Tyler stepped out of the water, he felt a sense of renewal. His meridians had been cured.

A stream of light enveloped Tyler, and he was teleported because he passed the trial. This was actually the second trial he passed without using Trial Skipping Pages.

After that, Tyler used Trial Skipping Pages for further trials. The people around each trial ground became fewer and fewer.

---

"Huh? The trial ended?" Tyler was surprised because this time he was standing in the clouds. A huge Kun Peng statue was floating majestically in the center of the clouds. Beside him, another person was floating. Tyler couldn’t see his face clearly. The other person was also in the same situation.

"Congratulations on passing all the trials," the statue said in a pre-recorded voice.

"Since you two appeared here first, it means you two are the ones who finished all the trials the fastest," the voice continued.

The statue began to tell its story.

"I was born as a fish called Kun. I always envied those flying creatures. I also wanted to touch the sky. So I asked the ancestor of all birds, Phoenix, to give me wings. But it just looked at me in disdain. After that, a strange red-coloured bull appeared, which promised me wings. I followed it, and it led me to dragons. Some dragons were born as dragons from birth. But some are carp fish that turn into dragons. I saw how a weak fish dived into the Dragon Gate and turned into a strong, domineering dragon. They allowed me to pass through the Dragon Gate, but nothing happened. Disappointed, I left the Dragon Clan and wandered around aimlessly."

After many centuries, Kun, feeling confined in the Northern Ocean, yearned for freedom and sought to transcend its aquatic existence. Learning of a magical potion (or herb) on a distant floating island, Kun set out on a determined journey. Despite numerous failed attempts to leap onto the island, Kun refused to give up. Finally, displaying remarkable ingenuity, Kun smacked into the island, turning it upside down and dropping the potion into its waiting mouth. The potion gave Kun the ability to transform into the magnificent Peng bird. With this newfound power, Kun commanded not only the water but also the air. The Kunpeng became a mythical creature capable of unrestricted flight and boundless freedom.

"Every story has an end, and my story ended already. This time, I wanted to give my powers to future generations. At least my powers will live in the world. Since there are two chosen ones, I will split my powers into two," the Kun Peng statue said.

Tyler and the other person looked at the statue with anticipation.

"One will get Kun, and the other will get Peng. The ability of water and the ability of the sky."

"I will choose the sky," the other one shouted quickly.

"Since you asked first, you shall have it," the Kun Peng statue said.

"Dang it."

"And you will get the ability of water. You will understand how powerful this is only when you use it," the Kun Peng said mysteriously.

Two orbs, one white and one blue, appeared. The white orb merged with the other guy, and the blue orb merged with Tyler.

Both of their presences became clearer. One was Tyler White. And the other was Ling Tian. But unfortunately, both fell unconscious before they could see each other’s faces.