Chapter 169
As the destructive force of the thunder tore through Zheng Fa's body, it simultaneously reshaped him, subtly hinting at a slow transformation—no, an evolution!
He began to grasp the essence of the "Five Thunder Body Technique." The so-called four layers were merely a means to help Zheng Fa withstand the destructive power of the heavenly thunder, awaiting the nourishment of vitality.
Zheng Fa could sense something growing within him.
Before he could fully comprehend what was developing inside, suddenly, the azure yang energy gifted by the Nine Mountains Ancestor erupted from his dantian!
Since this azure yang energy had entered his dantian, it had remained dormant, seemingly waiting for the day Zheng Fa would master the "Five Thunder Body Technique."
Part of this azure yang energy dispersed throughout Zheng Fa's body, while another part surged skyward, breaking through the thunderclouds above him and ascending into the boundless expanse.
In the sky, a colossal tree appeared.
This giant tree had a trunk but no branches, its crimson broad leaves encircling the main trunk like the glow of a sunset.
So immense was this tree that it seemed to connect the azure clouds above with the yellow springs below.
In the thunder pool, the clouds dispersed and the thunder ceased, as if paying homage to this giant tree.
The incessant sounds of battle quieted down.
Everyone looked up, gazing at the spectacle above.
Zheng Fa felt the azure yang energy within him radiating outward, forming numerous fine meridians throughout his body.
The patterns of these meridians seemed to resonate with the leaf veins of the giant tree in the sky.
The words of the Nine Mountains Ancestor echoed in his mind—when he perfected his pure yang body cultivation technique, it would mark the day of his achievement in the azure yang path.
Could these newly formed fine meridians be the sign of his azure yang path?
At that moment, Zheng Fa had no time to ponder this; he urged the ferry boat to leave the area—what had just transpired was too significant.
He feared someone might come.
“Do you also enjoy getting struck by lightning?”
Suddenly, a voice called out from a distance behind him.
Zheng Fa turned around to see a disciple of the Tianhe Sect, his eyes bright and seemingly friendly.
Not quite.
What do you mean, "also"?
(End of this chapter)
**Chapter 168: Kindred Spirits**
Zheng Fa looked at the disciple of the Tianhe Sect.
Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the man was quite tall. Zheng Fa, now standing at about 1.85 meters (approximately 6 feet), found himself only level with the other’s brow.
Perhaps because of this, the disciple appeared to have a slender, ethereal presence in his crane cloak, exuding an air of celestial grace.
But Zheng Fa hadn’t forgotten the image of this man as a muscular powerhouse when he summoned the heavenly thunder…
He felt a twinge of wariness; this person had been a bit unhinged before.
The disciple seemed to read Zheng Fa’s expression, pausing for a moment as if recalling something. He curled his fingers in front of him and made a rather unique gesture, saying, “I am Yan Wushuang, a true disciple of the Tianhe Sect. It’s a pleasure to meet you, fellow Daoist.”
Zheng Fa returned the greeting, “Zheng Fa of the Nine Mountains Sect, honored to meet you, Yan Zhenchuan.”
He observed the unusual greeting gesture with curiosity.
Yan Wushuang looked down at his hands, seemingly a bit disdainful, and said, “This gesture was popular in the time of our ancestor. Nowadays, in the Xuanwei Realm… only my Tianhe Sect still uses it.”
Another cosplayer of the Tianhe Ancestor?
Zheng Fa felt a bit speechless.
Why did it seem like the Tianhe Sect was always clinging to their past?
As if sensing his thoughts, Yan Wushuang chuckled, “For over a hundred thousand years, our Tianhe Sect has dreamed of producing another Tianhe Ancestor.”
“…”
Zheng Fa nodded slowly; that made sense.
“However, I don’t wish to follow in the footsteps of our ancestor.” Yan Wushuang suddenly looked at Zheng Fa and declared, “The ancestor’s path lies in the sword. My path is in the thunder!”
“Fellow Daoist, you surpass the aspirations of your predecessors; I admire that.”
Zheng Fa reflected on his own feelings. If he had a Tianhe Ancestor as a mentor, he would probably have tried the sword path too.
This man’s choice to abandon the sword for the pursuit of thunder was commendable, to say the least.
Moreover, given the Tianhe Sect’s various actions, it seemed that his ideas might be somewhat unconventional.
That made it even more admirable.
“I can’t say it’s an ambition; it’s more of a hobby.”
Yan Wushuang waved his hand, his expression humble.
“A hobby…”
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but recall the earlier remark:
“Do you also enjoy getting struck by lightning?”
Seemingly reading Zheng Fa’s mind, Yan Wushuang slapped his thigh and exclaimed, “It’s the thunder that refines the body!” He declared loudly, “While others feel pain when struck by lightning, I’ve found it exhilarating since childhood!”
“The greater the power of the thunder, the more comfortable I feel!”
“My master recognized my talent and allowed me to choose a thunder technique.”
“…”
Zheng Fa turned away in confusion.
What about Tang Lingwu?
What was the phone number for that hospital where his mother was being treated?
There’s a big client!
Yan Wushuang’s gaze toward Zheng Fa grew warmer.
“Though my brothers in the Tianhe Sect are friendly, they’ve never understood my passion. Some even say I’m crazy.”
…That actually makes some sense, doesn’t it?
“But I know I’m not alone in my path. Look, I’ve met you!”
Zheng Fa realized that this eccentric considered himself one of the odd ones too!
“Fellow Daoist, I’m not…”
“Zheng Daoist, those mundane folks don’t understand us, but don’t hide anything from me!”
“...I really don’t…”
“Your body refinement skills can’t escape my eyes.” Yan Wushuang pointed to his own eyes, brimming with confidence. “You’ve already mastered a superior thunder body refinement technique!”
“…”
“Fellow Daoist, I’ve heard your name in the market; you seem to have been practicing for less than a year?”
“Yes.”
“That’s it!” Yan Wushuang clapped his hands, his tone resolute. “There are those who practice thunder body refinement, but I’ve only seen one person achieve mastery in such a short time—most people wouldn’t endure that kind of pain in such a brief period. I’ve even heard of someone who drove themselves mad from overtraining. There are certainly those who are tough on themselves, but seeing how fast you run, you probably don’t fall into that category…”
Zheng Fa had heard people call him cowardly to his face before.
But he still wanted to explain.
“...Senior Brother, I have my own circumstances.”
“Junior Brother, I understand. It’s hard to speak about things that others don’t comprehend.” Yan Wushuang patted Zheng Fa’s shoulder gently, speaking kindly. “You’re not the first I’ve met who refuses to admit it.”
…There are more experts?
“I’ve traveled far and wide and met a few kindred spirits… I’ve even thought about starting a club for enthusiasts, where we can help each other!”
“…”
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of!”
Yan Wushuang’s eyes were filled with encouragement.
……
Zheng Fa found it difficult to explain his rapid progress in the "Five Thunder Body Technique."
In reality, considering his time in the modern world, he had been practicing the "Five Thunder Body Technique" for nearly two years—if one took into account the lack of spiritual energy in the modern world, he had spent most of that time on the technique, which could even be said to exceed two years.
But…
He couldn’t explain that to Yan Wushuang.
“Fellow Daoist, weren’t you chasing after Chen Ting earlier?”
He could only change the subject.
“Chen Ting? Oh, you mean that person from the Nine Nether Demon Sect? I lost track of him.” Yan Wushuang thought for a moment and said, “His treasure mirror isn’t an ordinary item, and it has some hidden tricks. I didn’t dare to be careless—besides, I was actually chasing after the Heavenly Stele and didn’t want to waste time on these small fry.”
“Where did you lose him, Senior Brother?”
Zheng Fa’s heart stirred, and he suddenly asked.
Yan Wushuang glanced at him and then smiled, “When I mention this, others usually ask about the Heavenly Stele first. It seems that Sister Zhang is very important to you.”
Zheng Fa smiled but didn’t deny it.
After Yan Wushuang pointed him in a direction, Zheng Fa pondered for a moment and then asked, “What exactly is the Heavenly Stele? Why do you say you’re chasing after it?”
The Heavenly Stele was the root cause of the commotion in the thunder pool. However, even Uncle Pang had been vague about it in the jade tube, suggesting he didn’t fully understand it either.
The Tianhe Sect was undoubtedly the most knowledgeable about the Heavenly Stele in the Xuanwei Realm.
“The Heavenly Stele?” Yan Wushuang thought for a moment and then candidly said, “It’s… another realm.”
Another realm?
Zheng Fa’s eyes widened.
There’s another world?
“Do you know where the character ‘realm’ in Xuanwei Realm comes from?”
“Could it be the Tianhe Ancestor?” Zheng Fa’s mind began to connect the dots.
“Exactly.” Yan Wushuang explained, “Within the sword path of the Heavenly Stele, there exists a special set of rules in a small realm. Our ancestor believed that beyond the Xuanwei Realm, there is another world, which is why he took action to open the heavens and break the shackles of the realms.”
“…”
“Special rules?”
“That’s a secret of my Tianhe Sect.” Yan Wushuang stated directly. Though it was a refusal, it felt increasingly sincere.
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