LRAB Chapter 181 Ancient Thunder Beasts Join Forces to Block the Path
Chapter 181 Ancient Thunder Beasts Join Forces to Block the Path
Chapter 181 Ancient Thunder Beasts Join Forces to Block the Path
Qin Chengcheng led the group of wounded back to the Miaoyin Sect.
It was supposed to be a triumphant return, but of the dozens of disciples they had taken with them, only a dozen or so returned.
Despite heavy casualties, the campaign achieved brilliant results and made significant progress.
Of the remaining dozen or so people, nearly ten were at the Qi Refining stage, and their magical power had been honed to an extremely resilient level, making their chances of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage far greater than before.
Several of the Foundation Establishment disciples also broke through their cultivation levels, including two who were in the late Foundation Establishment stage and have now reached the peak of Foundation Establishment. Their magical power and divine sense are also very solid.
If they had a Crystallization Pill, they would dare to try to break through to Core Formation.
After all, they've been through so many life-or-death battles, what are they afraid of?
Qin Chengcheng's participation in this battle, especially the final few, brought back resources far exceeding what a normal sect could accumulate through normal operations.
By hiring just one alchemist, these disciples can advance to a higher level within a year.
It was a mixed bag of joy and sorrow, and there was also a lot of fatigue and injury.
After Qin Chengcheng returned, his expression was neither sad nor happy. He quickly assigned tasks to the sect, appointing these disciples who had experienced the baptism of war as important deacons and managers.
Then, when she met Chen Yi in private, she revealed a childlike expression.
"Waaah~, Chen Lang, am I really that useless? I led nearly a hundred people away, but only brought back a dozen or so."
Especially in the final battle, they lost more than half of their disciples!
Qin Chengcheng threw herself into Chen Yi's arms, finally daring to reveal the emotions she had been holding back for so long.
Chen Yi gently comforted her:
"These are the rules of the cultivation world, and they understand them; these are also their own choices."
You don't need to blame yourself. Survival of the fittest happens, even if you're not on the battlefield, it happens in every corner of your training.
"I understand the logic. But why?"
Why did the little monk Linghui become so terrifying? If it weren't for him, I might not have suffered such heavy casualties!
Qin Chengcheng gritted her teeth, her heart filled with hatred for Mo Hui. Even now, she still didn't know that the other party had used the Thunder Beast as bait to lure her into the arena; otherwise, why would they have done this?
"What spiritual wisdom?" Chen Yi asked, puzzled.
After Qin Chengcheng explained the general process,
Chen Yi frowned slightly.
He then asked a few more detailed questions:
"You mean, after you used the Thunder Crystal Array to instantly kill the Thunder Beast, the little monk was terrified?"
Also, when you used the Azure Thunder Brew, you severely injured him with a single blow?
Qin Chengcheng nodded in agreement.
Chen Yi shook his head slightly, "If what you say is true, and the little monk used golden crystal marrow formed from a hundred strands of golden light, then..."
You shouldn't be able to hurt him. He probably hasn't even shown one-tenth of the defensive capabilities of the Golden Crystal Marrow.
Even if you had the ability to harm him,
With his Lotus Steps technique, even if you learned lightning escape, you might not be able to defeat him.
"Besides, he already knew I had planted lightning crystals for you back in the secret realm. Although I used them then, I planted some more for you afterwards."
How could he not have thought of such a trump card?
"You mean?" Qin Chengcheng was taken aback upon hearing this.
Chen Yi nodded slightly: "This Thunderous Beast may be a gift he gave to you and me."
"But more than thirty of my sect's disciples have truly died!"
Qin Chengcheng's expression turned anxious.
"This is also one of the messages he wants to convey: he is now deeply trapped in the demonic sect and has no choice in his own destiny."
If we don't actually kill some, it might be difficult to explain to the other side.
Besides, think about it, if it weren't for that little monk's intervention, but instead a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator ambushed you...
"Could these casualties in the sect have been avoided? Not only can you not bring back these ten or so disciples, but you yourself might be in danger!"
At this point, Qin Chengcheng suddenly thought of something:
"That's right. No wonder that Thunder Beast suddenly lost its mind and launched a super-burst attack on me when I was in dire straits, abandoning its defenses."
That gave me the opportunity to kill him.
So, the young monk was behind all of this? Why would he do that?
"He might need our help."
Chen Yi pondered.
"But he's already a demonic monk, his Vajra Kung Fu has been completely corrupted by demons, does he really want to come back?"
Why didn't he go to the Vajra Temple to save him?
Qin Chengcheng asked again.
"This is another point of doubt. I don't know why either."
But I remember two things that the young monk in the underground cave of the secret realm once told me:
First, not all demonic cultivators are demons, and not all righteous cultivators are upright.
I agree with this point. True good and evil reside in people's hearts, not in martial arts techniques. Of course, some demonic techniques are inherently inhuman, and there's no denying that, but we must also consider the greater good.
Whether the young monk is good or evil is still too early to judge.
Secondly, the young monk once told me that unless absolutely necessary, one should never fuse together the golden crystal marrow into a single strand of golden light, as it would cause great terror.
Since he warned me, it means he had sensed that great terror, but what forced him to take this step?
You must understand, this young monk is not an ordinary physical cultivator; he possesses great fortune and auspicious destiny.
Chen Yi explained two things that Qin Chengcheng didn't know, but he still didn't have an answer to this question.
However, he estimated that if the young monk had other purposes and plans, he would probably come looking for him soon.
Next, Chen Yi accepted the special bloodline lightning crystal given to him by Qin Chengcheng.
About half the size of a palm,
The special bloodline lightning crystal was about half the size of a palm, and it was translucent with a dense network of purple-gold lightning patterns on its surface.
At its core, a drop of liquid plasma condenses, refracting a deep blue-purple light as the angle changes. Inside the crystal, the faint phantom of a thunder beast moves about, exuding an aura of ancient thunder spirit origin.
After Chen Yi obtained it, he was able to sense the difference between this Thunder Spirit Origin and the Thunder Crystal Origin within his body.
"Is the thunder spirit essence cultivated by the ancient thunder beasts different from the thunder spirit power we have now?"
Chen Yi frowned and pondered.
Over the years, he has also read a lot of information about the cultivation world.
Many records state that in ancient times, the laws governing heaven and earth differed from those of today.
In that era, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was more abundant, high-level spiritual veins were countless, and cultivation was easier for cultivators.
Back then, there wasn't any concept of Foundation Establishment Pills, Crystal Condensation Pills, or Nascent Soul Pills.
Generally speaking, his cultivation level and understanding have reached a certain point; he might even break through while sitting on some mountaintop.
Back then, a Foundation Establishment cultivator could unleash spells with a mere wave of their hand that were more powerful than a current Core Formation cultivator.
This is because the spiritual energy between heaven and earth is more abundant, and the spiritual power cultivated is more likely to align with the laws of heaven and earth.
Now, Chen Yi is sensing the lightning crystal, which contains a trace of ancient lightning beast bloodline, especially the drop of liquid plasma inside.
Chen Yi finally gained a sliver of understanding of the ancient thunder spirit.
"Chengcheng, thank you. This item will be very useful for my Core Formation."
"I'm glad I could help you."
At this moment, Qin Chengcheng finally felt a sense of relief.
She fought desperately, suffering serious injuries, and also lost so many disciples on the battlefield.
Finally, we've received some feedback.
"Sigh—I won't take this for nothing. If I get the chance, I'll settle accounts with the demonic cultivator behind it."
Even though Qin Chengcheng didn't say anything, Chen Yi knew she was upset.
This thing was a trap that Qin Cheng fell into to help Chen Yi reach the Core Formation stage. Regardless, so many people died.
Chen Yi could not possibly remain indifferent.
Upon hearing this, Qin Chengcheng smiled again, "Chen Lang, although you are sometimes a little timid, I know that you are a responsible man."
"Just hearing you say that makes me content."
"No, I mean, if there's no danger, they'll seek revenge. But if the demonic cultivator behind this is a mid-to-late stage Core Formation cultivator, or even a Nascent Soul expert, then..."
This matter might not be discussed again for centuries.
Hearing this, Qin Chengcheng rolled her eyes at him again, "You're still the same old you!"
"But no matter what, Chengcheng, don't take the risk for me again next time."
Even without this lightning crystal, my chances of successfully forming my core are not small.
Besides, this time it's a young monk in charge; if it were someone else, you'd be the one who gets hurt.
What should I do?
Chen Yi then offered further advice.
"If I were to die in this battle, would you avenge me?"
Qin Chengcheng's eyes shone brightly.
"Of course! Even if you died for me to seize the Core Formation artifact, let alone if you didn't die for me,..."
Even if you are killed by someone else, I will definitely avenge you!
Chen Yi was resolute.
Qin Chengcheng's beautiful eyes crinkled with laughter, her face radiating sweetness.
"However, this grudge may take hundreds of years to be avenged."
The opponent definitely has a Nascent Soul stage. I wouldn't say I've cultivated to the Deity Transformation stage, but I'd need to have the strength to completely overwhelm them before I could even make a move.
Qin Chengcheng's smile froze for a moment, then she gently punched Chen Yi's shoulder.
Chen Yi held her in his arms.
In the warm and firm embrace, Qin Chengcheng took many long breaths.
She finally resolved some of her inner conflicts, and some of the menacing aura around her dissipated.
This experience on the battlefield still had a significant impact on her.
"Chen Lang, when do you plan to form your core?"
"Soon. You focus on recovering from your injury, and I'll make the final preparations."
In addition, during this period, I discovered that there seem to be spies from outside within the sect.
My Core Formation must be carried out in secrecy; no one except you and me should be informed of the plan.
Chen Yi said seriously.
If he weren't currently struggling to find a third-tier spiritual vein training ground that he could trust more, he might have already considered leaving the Miaoyin Sect to form his core.
The exposure of Feng Xiansheng made Chen Yi wary, as he always felt that he might face retaliation when he reached the Core Formation stage.
"There are traitors in the sect? Is it really necessary to be so cautious?"
Qin Chengcheng was puzzled.
"Better safe than sorry. When the time comes, we'll find out if there are any problems with our actions."
"Okay. Whatever you say~"
On this day, Chen Yi was making the final preparations before forming his core.
Essence, Qi, and Spirit; magical power, divine soul, and physical body—all are adjusting to their optimal state.
A wisp of his divine sense, after merging with the spiritual essence of the Soul Thunder, reached the mid-stage of the third rank. Currently, most of it resides within that wisp of purple lightning Soul Whip.
The remaining portion represents the early stage of the third level of the Four Symbols Divine Sense; the progress in the Divine Control Technique has not been significant recently.
However, the progress of the [Purple Lightning Soul-Nourishing Technique] is quite good.
Now, ten thunderclouds have accumulated within his soul, forming the initial foundation for a thunder soul vortex.
The Thunder Soul Vortex is a fundamental requirement for unleashing the Thunder Soul Sect's secret realm abilities.
The soul lightning power contained within is also more condensed and powerful.
In terms of physical body,
Chen Yi has been at the first level of the Refining Realm for several years.
During this period, he only engaged in regular cultivation and did not expend too many resources to forcibly break through to the physical body realm.
The main focus is on consolidation.
Of course, he had already succeeded in creating the golden crystal core, which was composed of sixty strands, two years ago.
He even possessed three golden crystal cores, each containing sixty-six strands of golden light, all fused together within his body.
In terms of combat power, they are definitely much stronger than they were eight years ago.
However, because the Purple Lightning Crystal is not as effective as the more gentle Five Elements Metal Crystal in strengthening internal organs,
Therefore, Chen Yi has not yet begun the second level of purification.
He planned to study the matter of further refining the second level of the elixir after he had formed the core.
After all, the young monk had said beforehand that if one purely followed the path of body refinement using the Golden Crystal Marrow, there might be big trouble in the future.
Regarding magical power, I won't elaborate further; it's the peak Foundation Establishment stage of magical power cultivation, and the peak Heavenly Grade magical power quality.
It possesses abundant wood-attribute spiritual energy, though its water-attribute spiritual energy is slightly weaker. However, it also has a [Heavenly Purification Liquid] spiritual item for Core Formation, as well as a thunder crystal from the bloodline of an ancient Thunderous Beast, which can be used as an aid in Core Formation.
In addition, over the years, Chen Yi has refined his techniques, gradually improving the quality of his Crystal Pills, bringing them to the upper-middle quality of premium grade.
Chen Yi was almost ready to form his core.
What's affecting his core formation now is the stability of the environment of the third-tier spiritual vein he's in, as well as potential external influences.
On this day,
Chen Yi suddenly felt the anti-calculation tortoise shell he was wearing begin to heat up.
And it got hotter and hotter, until it was almost scalding hot!
If Chen Yi hadn't possessed powerful body-refining skills...
Even a typical Core Formation cultivator might not be able to wear it properly.
"Who's divining for me? The backlash from the tortoise shell is so severe, could it be some late-stage Core Formation cultivator? Or perhaps a top-tier third-order divination master?!"
Chen Yi frowned, his vigilance rising dramatically.
Meanwhile, in an inconspicuous cultivation market town 50,000 miles away from the Miaoyin Sect's mountain gate, in a secret underground cave.
Han Ya Zhenren stood at the lower end, looking at the black-robed Blood Fiend Elder at the upper end with a hint of trepidation.
The elder's knuckles turned white, veins bulged, and he suddenly bit his tongue, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the tortoise shell divination plate.
The blood droplets were absorbed by the divination patterns, emitting an eerie red light.
His face quickly turned ashen, his cheeks sunken, and as he made hand seals, he continuously forced out his essence and blood to condense into blood-red runes, which he then injected into the divination plate.
After trembling for a while, the divination plate suddenly exploded, and blood spurted out from the shattered patterns.
The elder swallowed hard, a thin line of crimson spilling from the corner of his mouth. His withered fingers gripped the fragment of tortoise shell tightly as he hissed:
"This child is no ordinary person. He possesses a high-level anti-divination treasure. Even with my third-grade superior divination skills, I find it difficult to discern his origins."
This forced divination has actually cost me several years of my lifespan!
Upon hearing this, Master Hanya's heart sank. "I was actually outmaneuvered by such a powerful expert? If this boy couldn't have foreseen this, what about the missing batch of mid-grade third-tier spirit bamboo?"
The elder, having caught his breath, continued his calculations, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes:
"There's a chance the whereabouts of the Spirit Bamboo has changed! Although the grade of that batch of Spirit Bamboo has decreased, most of it is still within the territory of the Wonderful Sound Sect!"
"What?! Still at the Wonderful Sound Sect?"
Master Han Ya's face darkened, his eyes surging with murderous intent: "Outrageous! The Myriad Sounds Sect only has one female cultivator who has just formed her Core, and she hasn't been in the sect at all recently!"
The person who handled this matter was at most that late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator chef.
Since that's the case, then don't blame this true master for being impolite.
"The Wonderful Sound Sect? I, this True Person, can destroy it with a flick of my wrist!"
"stop!"
Elder Blood Fiend interrupted sharply, his sleeves fluttering even without wind, an invisible pressure emanating from him. He stared coldly at Cold Crow, his eyes filled with warning:
"Do not take action against the Miaoyin Sect. Even if the items are still on Miaoyin Mountain, their maximum effectiveness has been completely lost!"
Even if you manage to breach the mountain gate and reclaim the Spirit Bamboo, what benefit will it bring you?!
His voice was deep, "Those old Nascent Soul cultivators in Qi Kingdom are not incapable of eliminating the great demons, but they are unwilling to expend their strength and are waiting for us, the people of the Demonic Sect, to make a move!"
They are holding back, waiting for us to make the first move.
If you were to launch a full-scale attack on the Miaoyin Sect now, wouldn't you be walking into a trap?!
After a brief pause, the elder's gaze grew even colder as he continued to analyze the pros and cons:
"Moreover, Miaoyin, that little girl who plays the zither, has just made great achievements in the capital and is currently enjoying great popularity!"
If you have the ability to secretly capture him alive outside and bring him to the headquarters of my Demonic Sect, it will be considered a meritorious service for you.
However, you already took action against Feng Xiansheng several months ago, but did not achieve a complete victory. Now you want to take action against the Miaoyin Sect, which is quite unwise.
"Taking action now would ruin my temple's grand plan!"
The elder calculated for a while longer before continuing:
"I also calculated the fortune of the Miaoyin Sect. Recently, that sect has been experiencing great fortune, and soon another cultivator will form a Core Formation."
Although our Demonic Sect is gaining momentum, we lack talented individuals. For now, we can only follow the trend and should not confront such a fortunate sect head-on.
However, there is a way to resolve this issue.
We should go... and let the righteous sects of Taoism fight amongst themselves like dogs!
That new dog you adopted, named Lin Fan, doesn't it have an old grudge against the Miaoyin Sect?
Let him try to probe.
If it works, great; if it doesn't, we'll just lose a dog.
Upon hearing this, Master Hanya was filled with admiration and prostrated himself in reverence.
"Thanks to Elder Blood Fiend's guidance, if the elder had not foreseen the situation, I fear I would have made a grave mistake."
"As the elder said, let Lin Fan take a bite!"
Two days later,
Lin Fan was summoned to a secret room.
Master Han Ya said with a stern face:
"The whereabouts of the lost spirit bamboo have been found, and it is now hidden in the territory of the Miaoyin Sect."
Elder Blood Fiend calculated that someone in the Myriad Sounds Sect who obtained this opportunity was likely about to break through to the Core Formation stage!
"I am preoccupied with important matters and cannot openly attack the mountain gate. You will handle this matter, and I will provide covert support."
Upon hearing this, Lin Fan's eyes widened in fury, and a surge of anger rushed to the top of his head!
He spent decades painstakingly planning and preparing, sparing no expense to gather a complete batch of mid-grade third-tier spirit bamboo, only to have it stolen and used by someone to break through to the Core Formation realm?!
Suppressing his rage, which was almost destroying his reason, he listened intently to the details that Master Hanya had recounted.
Within the Miaoyin Sect, apart from Sect Master Qin Chengcheng, two Foundation Establishment Peak cultivators have recently returned from the battlefield with improved cultivation, qualifying them to attempt the Core Formation stage.
However, these two people were both previously on the northern battlefield, and it was definitely not that person.
Based on some information from Lin Xiaoyu, Lin Fan calculated and concluded that there was only one key person left.
"Was it that cook? Did he take advantage of his position overseeing the Miaoyin Sect to secretly embezzle funds and manage to pocket that batch of goods?"
Lin Fan no longer bothered to think about the details of how it was done.
In the world of cultivation, divination and fortune-telling abilities sometimes come closer to the truth.
Moreover, that elder of the Demonic Sect was a third-tier superior-grade divination master.
Lin Fan's mind raced, and almost instantly he locked his suspicions onto Chen Yi!
"Whether he is or not, let's just assume he is!"
A sinister and ruthless glint flashed in Lin Fan's eyes.
He had previously learned from Lin Xiaoyu that since Qin Chengcheng took over the Miaoyin Sect, Chen Yi had been inseparable from Qin Chengcheng, and their cave dwellings were even built next to each other!
Furthermore, considering the rumors circulating among the many prodigies in the secret realm—that Qin Chengcheng has a very close Daoist partner, who goes by the alias "Xu Jiu," and is a powerful third-tier body cultivator…
"Xu Jiu... Chen Yi... Hmph!"
Lin Fan's lips curled into a cold smile.
There is absolutely no need for conclusive evidence to prove that Xu Jiu is Chen Yi!
As long as the reason is "reasonable" enough and can be justified, that's enough!
Moreover... there are probably people in this world who are even less willing than Lin Fan to see "Xu Jiu" successfully form his core!
Lin Fan wasn't stupid; he wouldn't rush into the Miaoyin Sect alone to cause trouble. He would find like-minded helpers first.
Behind,
Lin Fan secretly sought out the Jade Dragon Sect and held a secret meeting with its sect leader, True Person Long Xiang.
He revealed his conjecture that "Xu Jiu is Chen Yi" and pointed out that this person was about to form his core.
"Fellow Daoist Longxiang, I've heard that this boy is an abandoned son of your Jade Dragon Sect. Back when he left the secret realm, we had some old scores that we haven't settled yet."
"Heh heh, I wonder what you'll do if this kid, after reaching the Core Formation stage, joins forces with Qin Chengcheng to force your Jade Dragon Sect into submission?"
Upon hearing this, Master Longxiang's pupils contracted.
The fact that "Xu Jiu" used the name of his Jade Dragon Sect to abscond with 200,000 spirit stones in the secret realm back then is still a thorn in his side.
The secret contract that his Jade Dragon Sect signed with Xu Jiu was actually a breach of contract by his Jade Dragon Sect.
If Xu Jiu truly succeeds in forming his core, he will be a third-tier body cultivator, and with Qin Chengcheng's Purple Extreme Golden Core...
If these two were to come to the Jade Dragon Sect to collect their debts...
It might not just be a matter of losing face; he might actually need to prepare a piece of white dragon jade to pay off his debt!
"What Fellow Daoist Lin said is absolutely right."
Master Longxiang suddenly sneered.
"It's quite a coincidence that Xu Jiu owes my Jade Dragon Sect exactly 200,000 spirit stones in the secret realm."
As they looked at each other, they both saw hatred in each other's eyes.
"We absolutely cannot allow this child to successfully form his core!"
That night, two dark figures quietly left the sect.
Master Longxiang concealed his presence with a secret technique and lay in ambush with Lin Fan on the outskirts of the Qingyin Mountains.
They will make their move once the third-tier spiritual vein of Miaoyin Mountain shows signs of movement!
A month has passed,
On this day,
In a hidden cave on the outskirts of the Thousand Sound Mountains, Lin Fan suddenly opened his eyes!
The communication jade talisman in the storage pouch at his waist flashed with a faint light and vibrated incessantly!
He snatched out the jade talisman, scanned its contents with his divine sense, and a sinister smile slowly spread across his lips:
"Master Long Xiang—The third-tier spiritual vein of Miaoyin Mountain has shown unusual activity; someone has begun attempting to break through to the Core Formation stage. It's time to make our move!"
(End of this chapter)