The disciple of the Blood River Sect was caught in the Thunder Net and flew into a rage. He swung his blade with even greater force.
However, the Thunder Net followed the principle of the hollow bamboo, dissipating the force of the blade and absorbing the slivers of blade energy.
This disciple was particularly fierce. When his initial strike failed, he sneered, turned the blade on himself, and sliced several wounds across his body.
Blood spurted out of the wounds.
Oddly enough, when the blood splattered onto the Thunder Net, it sizzled and emitted white smoke. The net, though composed of lightning, appeared to be corroded by the blood.
The thunderbolts crackled and fought against the blood. The Blood River Sect disciple struck with his blade again, finally breaking through the Thunder Net.
As he bled, the blood-red blade energy grew stronger and more destructive.
Yet, after breaking through the Thunder Net, he found that Lei Jun was no longer in sight...
Lei Jun stood behind him, calmly withdrawing his fist.
“In terms of attack, it matches a Body Refining Martial Artist of the same realm, with a broader range. However, speed and defense are lacking.”
Lei Jun nodded slightly. “That strange blood energy can steal and convert the opponent's life force to heal injuries. When they harm themselves, the blood can defile and counter my spells, and their combat power briefly increases when wounded...”
Each time he faced a different opponent, Lei Jun would analyze and summarize the battle. His combat techniques continuously improved.
“After reaching the Third Heaven of the Blood River Sect’s cultivation, do they leave no corpse behind upon death?”
Lei Jun observed the disciple's body, which was gradually dissolving into a puddle of blood. This was different from what he had seen with Second Heaven disciples, who left corpses behind.
The blood puddle on the forest floor refused to seep into the soil, emitting a stench so strong it made one nauseous.
Lei Jun only felt it was pungent, but he could sense the malicious energy within. Ordinary people near this blood would likely go mad and become bloodthirsty.
He raised a Warding Talisman. Under the talisman’s radiant glow, the foul blood was purified and eradicated.
After handling the situation, Lei Jun departed.
He had been away for a while and had new ideas for improving the Five Thunder Talisman, so he returned to Mount Longhu.
After reporting to the elder on duty at the mansion, Lei Jun went to his residence for a brief rest, planning to head down the mountain later.
His talisman paper was running low. Before leaving, he stopped by the mansion to pick up more supplies.
In front of the Treasure Pavilion, he coincidentally encountered a group of grey-robed young Daoist apprentices climbing the mountain.
Manpower was tight, and although they didn’t send apprentices into dangerous tasks, many low-risk errands were assigned to them temporarily.
The grey-robed apprentices saw Lei Jun and hurriedly saluted. “Greetings, Daozhang!”
“Rise.” Lei Jun nodded and swept his gaze over them, noticing a familiar face.
It was a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy with a scholarly air—Chu Kun from the Chu Clan.
Previously, Yuan Mobai had promised to accept Chu Kun as a disciple and allowed him to return to Suzhou to settle matters before coming to Mount Longhu.
However, much had changed with the Tianshi’s emergence and subsequent upheaval. Nevertheless, Chu Kun had arrived as promised.
To outsiders, his arrival symbolized the Chu Clan’s stance, at least partially.
According to the rules, Chu Kun entered the Daoist Children’s Academy to build his foundation and learn rituals. If all went well, he would formally become Yuan Mobai’s disciple during the next Initiation Ceremony.
Seeing this future junior, Lei Jun asked, “Are you adjusting well on the mountain?”
Chu Kun quickly replied, “Yes, everything is fine. The instructors and fellow disciples are very kind.”
With others present, Lei Jun kept his words brief. “These are unusual times, but focus on your cultivation.”
Chu Kun nodded earnestly.
The other apprentices looked at him with envy.
An elder from the mansion overseeing the Treasure Pavilion smiled approvingly.
Among the younger generation, Lei Jun not only displayed exceptional talent and strength but also had a commendable temperament.
Rumor had it that his peers, such as Xia Qing, Chu Andong, and Li Zhenchang, had all received his help.
Though not as warm as his mentor, Elder Yuan, Lei Jun was clearly someone who built good relationships and supported his fellow disciples.
After collecting his supplies, Lei Jun returned to his residence.
He bathed, changed, purified himself, and drew some Spirit Talismans.
That night, he settled into meditation.
Hidden beneath the Breath-Taking Flag, the two Tianshi Seal imprints resonated, opening a path to the True-One Altar.
Though he couldn’t enter the altar itself, hovering above the altar's spiritual energy was beneficial.
Tonight, however, after a period of meditation, Lei Jun felt unsettled.
This unease didn’t originate from within but seemed linked to the True-One Altar’s Grotto-Heaven.
Was someone else trying to enter?
Lei Jun cautiously observed, sensing no other presence. However, someone was indeed attempting to open another path to the grotto-heaven.
Their attempt failed.
Lei Jun deduced it wasn’t the Tianshi Seal falling into someone else’s hands but rather someone who had partial knowledge of the seal trying to access the grotto-heaven.
After a moment, the disturbance subsided.
Lei Jun frowned and pondered.
In the Jiangnan water village, between pavilions, Chu Yu stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the paper on the table.
The paper bore a simple yet profound seal pattern.
Chu Yu shook his head. “It seems I’ll have to try my luck near Mount Longhu.”