Sparring

After receiving his cultivation resources from the External Affairs Hall, Zhang Tie stood before his Master's cave dwelling. He had already called out "Disciple Zhang Tie pays respects to Master" three times and was now calmly waiting for a response from within. Suddenly, a passageway appeared within the cave dwelling, and the stone door at the end of it slowly opened.

Zhang Tie didn't hesitate and walked straight in. Although it wasn't the first time he had seen the numerous spirit stones on the cave walls, he was still filled with envy. Soon, he entered the main hall. As soon as he stepped in, he saw True Man Miao sitting calmly on a chair in front of him.

Zhang Tie quickly cupped his fists and bowed, "Disciple Zhang Tie pays respects to Master!"

"Rise," True Man Miao said calmly. "How has your cultivation progressed recently? I notice your Qi Cultivation seems to have vanished. Did you cultivate some technique that conceals your cultivation?"

"My Body Cultivation has fortunately reached the Meridian Casting mid-stage. I haven't cultivated any concealment techniques. My cultivation just went awry, causing my cultivation to dissipate temporarily. As long as I have sufficient spirit stones and medicinal herbs, I can recover it in a month or two," Zhang Tie replied respectfully.

True Man Miao's expression brightened. "Good, good. As expected of Xuan-tier Body Cultivation aptitude. We have a better chance in the Secret Realm Grand Competition. Did you encounter any difficulties when you came here?"

"To Master," Zhang Tie replied, "my Body Cultivation seems to have hit a bottleneck, and my cultivation speed has slowed considerably. Therefore, I wish to first restore my ninth layer of Qi Refining cultivation as soon as possible. However, I lack spirit stones and medicinal herbs. Cultivating solely by absorbing spiritual energy from heaven and earth is too slow."

"Here are some low-grade spirit stones and low-tier medicinal herbs. Keep them for your use. Quickly recover your cultivation. You still have two years, so you should focus more on Body Cultivation," True Man Miao said, tossing a storage bag that flew into Zhang Tie's hand.

"Thank you, Master. This disciple will not fail to live up to your nurturing. I shall take my leave now." Zhang Tie bowed gratefully again. True Man Miao waved his hand, and Zhang Tie exited the cave dwelling and returned to his own.

Back in his cave dwelling, Zhang Tie eagerly opened the storage bag. Inside were twenty thousand low-grade spirit stones and fifteen bottles of Pure Yang Pills. Fifteen bottles of Pure Yang Pills weren't a large quantity; presumably, Core Formation cultivators rarely kept such low-tier medicinal herbs, as they were of little use to them. However, the sheer number of low-grade spirit stones truly astonished Zhang Tie. It was the first time he had seen so many low-grade spirit stones.

These spirit stones should be enough to charge the Undying Pearl three times, right? Still, the more the merrier. Perhaps he could ask some senior brothers or sisters for help?

No sooner had he thought of it than he acted. Zhang Tie took out the communication talismans of six senior brothers and sisters, explained his intention to borrow spirit stones, and sent them out. Not long after, he received replies from the second senior brother, third senior sister, and fourth senior brother. The others had not yet responded.

Zhang Tie stopped waiting, walked out of his cave dwelling, leaped up, and headed towards the cave dwelling of his fourth senior brother, Lei Hu, as it was the closest to his own.

As soon as Zhang Tie landed, before he could even call out to the cave dwelling, the door of his fourth senior brother's cave dwelling slowly opened.

"Hahaha, little junior brother, I was just idling around when I received your message. I have spirit stones, but you'll have to defeat me first." Before he could be seen, his voice came from within the cave dwelling. Then, a robust man walked out – it was his fourth senior brother, Lei Hu.

"Fourth Senior Brother is joking. How could I possibly be your match?" Zhang Tie cupped his fists and bowed. "However, if Senior Brother is willing to guide this junior brother, that would be acceptable."

"Haha, good, I like direct people like you. I won't bully you either. If you can spar with me for longer than the time it takes for a cup of tea to steep, I'll lend you five thousand low-grade spirit stones. How about that?" Senior Brother Lei said.

"Then I ask Senior Brother for your guidance," Zhang Tie said, cupping his fists.

The two exchanged a smile and moved together to the forest at the foot of the mountain. As soon as they steadied themselves, Senior Brother Lei launched the first attack. With a wave of the Thunder Sword in his hand, a thick bolt of lightning instantly tore through the air, accompanied by crackling sounds, charging directly at Zhang Tie. Where the lightning passed, the surrounding trees instantly turned black and charred. Zhang Tie, however, did not dodge. He thought to himself, This is a good chance to test my physical strength. With a roar, the muscles on his body bulged, and he actually withstood the lightning with his bare body. The lightning struck him, splashing countless arcs of electricity, but he merely trembled slightly before stabilizing himself.

Seeing this, Senior Brother Lei shifted his sword stance, muttered an incantation, and countless bolts of lightning intertwined before him, forming a huge electric net that enveloped Zhang Tie. Let's see how you escape the confinement of this Thunder Net, Senior Brother Lei thought to himself.

Zhang Tie's expression turned serious, and his heart tightened. This Thunder Net is powerful; I cannot withstand it directly. He stomped his feet on the ground, and his entire body shot towards Senior Brother Lei like a cannonball. He intended to get close to Senior Brother Lei before the electric net fell.

Just as Zhang Tie was about to reach Senior Brother Lei, a sharp glint flashed in Senior Brother Lei's eyes. He thrust his Thunder Sword forward, and a fierce bolt of lightning sword energy whistled out. Zhang Tie dodged to the side, but the sword energy still left a shallow gash on his shoulder.

"Senior Brother Lei, you can't hurt me!" he said with a smile, increasing his speed again. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Senior Brother Lei and delivered a powerful punch. Senior Brother Lei quickly raised his sword to block. With a loud "bang," Senior Brother Lei was forced back several steps. This guy's strength is immense, Senior Brother Lei thought in surprise.

Senior Brother Lei stabilized himself, quickly formed hand seals, and unleashed the Thunderstorm technique! Instantly, the surrounding lightning power converged wildly, forming a massive Thunderball that exploded towards Zhang Tie.

Where the Thunderball passed, rocks shattered, and dust flew. Zhang Tie felt this powerful force and dared not be careless. He circulated the blood and qi within his body with all his might, instantly channeling it all to his right arm.

The Thunderball collided with Zhang Tie's right fist, emitting a deafening explosion. Smoke billowed, and both sides were repelled several feet.

Seizing this opportunity, Senior Brother Lei unleashed the Myriad Thunderbolts technique again. Countless small bolts of lightning rained down like raindrops, covering the entire battlefield. The strong winds, carrying the lightning, made the area resemble a Sea of Thunder.

Under this dense lightning attack, Zhang Tie was hit repeatedly, but he continued to dodge, steadily closing in on Senior Brother Lei.

Senior Brother Lei frowned, formed a hand seal with one hand, and pointed it at his flying sword. A fierce dragon made of purple lightning flew out from the Thunder Sword, lunging at Zhang Tie with bared fangs and claws. Zhang Tie had just reached Senior Brother Lei. He shouted loudly and struck out with both fists, directly confronting the purple lightning dragon.

Immediately after, as Senior Brother Lei retreated, he formed hand seals. Centered around Senior Brother Lei, a Sea of Thunder appeared out of thin air. Countless bolts of lightning intertwined to form cages, attempting to trap Zhang Tie and prevent him from getting close.

Zhang Tie dashed left and right but found it difficult to break through the confinement of this Thunder Prison. He could only stomp hard on the ground and instantly retreat, moving away from the Sea of Thunder.

Seeing Zhang Tie retreat from the Sea of Thunder, Senior Brother Lei was not in a hurry. He tossed his flying sword and formed hand seals with both hands. The flying sword, carrying purple electrical arcs, shot directly at Zhang Tie. Zhang Tie instantly channeled his blood and qi power to his fists, hitting the flying sword with "bang," "bang," "bang," "bang." For a moment, they were locked in a stalemate.

Although it appeared that Senior Brother Lei was controlling the flying sword and easily suppressing Zhang Tie, only Senior Brother Lei himself knew that he was using a low-grade spirit treasure, and it was a lightning-attribute one. This fellow Zhang Tie could actually contend with a low-grade spirit treasure bare-handed. If he took one punch from this guy, he'd be seriously injured even if he didn't die. At this thought, Senior Brother Lei knew he couldn't do anything to his junior brother.

Zhang Tie was also not feeling great. Although he could repeatedly repel the flying sword, electrical arcs were transmitted into his body each time. While the impact was not significant, as time went on, he found that the speed at which he could mobilize his blood and qi was slowing down. Although it wasn't very noticeable, it was indeed slowing down. It was likely that the lightning power was hindering the mobilization of his blood and qi.

As Zhang Tie was thinking, the flying sword suddenly flew back and instantly returned to Senior Brother Lei's storage bag.

"Little junior brother's strength is extraordinary. Today's spar was very enjoyable. I'll lend you these spirit stones. Take them." Senior Brother Lei suddenly spoke and tossed a storage bag. Zhang Tie took the storage bag and put it away.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Lei. And thank you even more for your guidance today. I'll be heading back now." Zhang Tie said, then turned to leave.

Just then, a chilling aura suddenly shot out from their left. Zhang Tie's heart cried out, "Not good!" The blood and qi power in his body was quickly channeled to his legs. With a "whoosh," he lunged towards Senior Brother Lei, shouting, "Be careful, Senior Brother Lei!"