Thunderclap Fire Art

The thousands of disciples of the Great Luo Pill Dao, those with high cultivation, floated in the air, while those with lower cultivation stood on the hillside, all foolishly staring at the more than twenty mountain peaks that had been burned to white ground. Although there were no important medicinal gardens or the like in the back mountain of Spring Return Valley, quite a few wild vegetables, melons, and fruits were planted there, serving as the main source of food for the disciples on a daily basis. This fire had burned everything clean. The more than twenty mountain peaks were still spewing black smoke, and the disciple in charge of the kitchen was already rolling on the ground, crying out, "Heavens, how are we going to prepare tonight's dinner?"

Nearly three thousand disciples of the Great Luo Pill Dao could not yet abstain from eating, and it was impossible to force them all to rely on Grain Abstinence Pills. More than two thousand people would go to the kitchen to eat every day. The workload for the kitchen, preparing meals for over a thousand people a day, was not small. This fire had completely burned down the vegetable gardens, small plots of farmland, and fruit orchards that the kitchen disciples had painstakingly cultivated, leaving the managing disciple of the kitchen in despair.

The Crimson Dragon Sword had already been sheathed by Lin Xiao. Yao'er was fiddling with her fingers, standing with her head lowered in front of Daoist Danling, Dan Fusheng, and Danxia, muttering aggrievedly, "This can't be blamed on Yao'er. If you have to blame someone, blame those pheasants. Yao'er used her sword to chop them, but they didn't stand still obediently for Yao'er to chop them. Instead, they darted everywhere. Yao'er didn't notice they were drilling into nests and bushes~~~ So~~~ With one swing~~~ With two swings~~~ With three swings~~~" Yao'er's fingers moved rapidly, and her voice grew softer and softer.

"Mhm, mhm!" Daoist Danling coughed lightly and asked sternly, "Yao'er, how long did you chase those pheasants?"

Yao'er's eyes rolled, and her head was almost buried in her chest. "Wuwu, Yao'er chased them for a quarter of an hour."

Dan Fusheng's face twitched, and his head drooped deeply. Dan Fusheng felt a sharp pain in his heart. His disciple, a cultivator with considerable skill and knowledge of many spells, had actually chased a few pheasants with a flying sword and still hadn't caught them after a quarter of an hour! If this were to spread, how could he, Dan Fusheng, show his face again?

Suddenly, Yao'er looked up, her eyes teary, and pointed at Lin Xiao aggrievedly to Daoist Danling, "Martial Uncle Sect Leader, this must be blamed on Junior Brother's sword. It's too strange. Why does it catch fire wherever it strikes? Yao'er didn't notice either! Later, several mountains caught fire, and Yao'er wanted to put out the fire, but it was too late!"

Lin Xiao's face twitched, and his head drooped. Hearing Yao'er's accusation, he truly felt that his Crimson Dragon Sword was the culprit behind all this. Well, if the Crimson Dragon Sword were an ice-attribute flying sword, it probably wouldn't have caused such a big problem, right? Lin Xiao was self-reproaching, depressed, and very angry that the Crimson Dragon Sword happened to be a fire-attribute flying sword.

"Hehe, what's wrong, little fellow? This little girl, do you like her?" A teasing laugh suddenly came from the side. Lin Xiao turned his head and saw Jiang Zizai winking and making faces at him. Jiang Zizai squinted at Lin Xiao and chuckled softly, "Alas, youth! Hmm, back then, this old Daoist was also young." A hint of melancholy flashed across Jiang Zizai's face. Jiang Zizai patted Lin Xiao's shoulder forcefully, his figure flickered, and he disappeared into thin air. Lin Xiao's ears heard a voice as faint as an ant's whisper: "I won't interfere in your family matters. If you have time tonight at midnight, come to my residence for a chat. Hmm, I've been arranged to stay in a guest house at the foot of Brocade Peak to the southeast."

Lin Xiao silently remembered Jiang Zizai's words.

Daoist Danling also made a decision regarding Yao'er's punishment: "You will face the wall and reflect for a month. During this month, Danxia will be responsible for teaching Yao'er various restriction spells."

With a wave of his large sleeve, Daoist Danling looked at Daoist Danyu again: "Junior Brother Danyu, you must quickly leave the valley and purchase~~~ Hmm, you figure out the amount of food needed by the valley before the vegetable gardens and orchards in the back mountain are restored, and purchase a large batch." Daoist Danling glared fiercely at Yao'er, then glanced intentionally or unintentionally at Dan Fusheng and Danxia, and sighed, "Hmm, Junior Brother Dan Fu, Junior Sister Danxia, you must teach your disciples well and absolutely not waste their talent!" After speaking, Daoist Danling glared fiercely at Lin Xiao.

Dan Fusheng remained silent, while Danxia unceremoniously rolled her eyes at Daoist Danling. Danxia utterly disdained Daoist Danling's attempt to take advantage of the situation. She vaguely sensed that Daoist Danling was a bit envious of Lin Xiao and wanted to use the trouble caused by Yao'er to make a fuss about Lin Xiao. How could she, Danxia, tolerate such a thing?

With a cold smile, Danxia took Yao'er's hand and nodded, "Yao'er, facing the wall for a month, Mother-Teacher can teach you some commonly used restriction techniques, so you won't make today's mistake again. Hmm, Xiao'er, starting tomorrow, you will also listen to the lecture with Yao'er. Hmm, Mother-Teacher hasn't properly taught you yet." Danxia said meaningfully, "Originally, these things are the duty of your Master and Mother-Teacher, and there's no need for others to worry about them! Humph!" She stomped lightly, crushing a rock at her feet, and Danxia, holding her head high, pulled Yao'er towards the cold pond in the back mountain.

Dan Fusheng looked up and gave Daoist Danling a few strange laughs.

Daoist Danling twisted his mouth, glanced at Dan Fusheng from the corner of his eye, gave a few 'hmph hmph' sounds, summoned a cloud, and flew away gracefully.

Seeing that Daoist Danling had made a decision regarding the fire in the back mountain, the disciples of the Great Luo Pill Dao scattered in a mess, leaving only the stewards of the kitchen and those white-robed young disciples, looking at the more than twenty mountain peaks burned to white ground with tears they couldn't shed. Yao'er was punished by facing the wall for a month, but it would take at least half a year to re-cultivate the vegetable gardens and orchards on these twenty-odd mountain peaks. The person who caused the trouble wasn't punished much, yet it felt like they were punishing those who hadn't made any mistakes.

Lin Xiao also shook his head and retreated with his long sword. He had no intention of listening to the laments of his unlucky fellow disciples. "Hmm, what Martial Uncle Sect Leader said is quite interesting. If Senior Sister Yao'er learns various restriction spells, won't it be easier for her to catch pheasants and wild rabbits in the future?" While lightly leaping between the mountain ridges, Lin Xiao pondered Daoist Danling's strange command. Was this a punishment for Yao'er, or was it to make it easier for her to sneak snacks in the future?

However, regardless of Daoist Danling's intentions, Lin Xiao liked the Great Luo Pill Dao very much. He had even fallen in love with the Great Luo Pill Dao, a sect full of human warmth. It was different from the indifferent and heartless cultivation sects he had imagined before. The Great Luo Pill Dao was truly a warm place. Lin Xiao even felt a sense of home here, something he had never experienced in Spring Return Hall.

That night, Lin Xiao set up a long table in front of his small wooden house, on which were placed the Lin family genealogy and dozens of memorial tablets of various sizes.

Below the Lin family genealogy was the memorial tablet of Lin Shan, and next to Lin Shan's tablet was Lin Yao's tablet. Further down were the memorial tablets of Hu Zhutie, Mr. Wei, and other elders of Spring Return Hall. Lin Xiao placed fresh fruit and several steamed buns, as well as a pot of wine, and three sticks of incense to offer sacrifices to these deceased people. As for Hua Wuniang, Lin Xiao had deliberately forgotten her. The person was dead, and the hatred had dissipated, but Lin Xiao was not so magnanimous as to offer sacrifices to an enemy who had poisoned his own mother.

At the end of every month, Lin Xiao would light candles and offer a sacrifice to express his sincerity.

Lin Xiao did not know if people went to another world after death, but Lin Xiao always remembered Lin Shan's words: the ancestors of the Lin family must have descendants to offer sacrifices to them.

Kneeling on the ground, he respectfully kowtowed to the memorial tablets a few times. Lin Xiao prostrated himself on the ground and prayed silently, "Father, Eldest Brother, all uncles, your revenge has been avenged by the sect. You can rest in peace in the underworld. In the future, Xiao'er will not let you lack offerings and incense." A stone basin was placed in front of the long table. Lin Xiao burned several stacks of paper money in the stone basin before slowly rising, his gaze sweeping over the memorial tablets one by one.

After bowing again to the long table, Lin Xiao stepped back a few paces, looked up at the sky, and used his movement technique, as fast as a galloping horse, to rush towards Brocade Peak in the southeast.

A small whirlwind rose from the ground, and two Daoists, Ming Xin and Ming Xing, suddenly appeared in front of Lin Xiao's wooden house. They walked to the long table and carefully examined the memorial tablets placed there, a mocking smile appearing on their faces. Ming Xin slowly said, "Spring Return Hall of Guihua City? Heh, interesting, interesting."

Ming Xing shook his head and said, "It has nothing to do with our Yin Specter Sect. This is the trouble of the Jimo Sect, don't bother with it."

Ming Xin nodded and said with a faint smile, "Indeed, indeed. An eighteen-year-old Golden Core stage expert, if he can survive this, then it will be the Jimo Sect's problem."

Ming Xing smiled slightly and said calmly, "In that case, there's no need to remind them."

Ming Xin also nodded and smiled, "Only a fool would remind them; we just need to report it to the Sect Master." The two looked at each other and smiled, then both mounted their sword light and resumed their patrol.

To the southeast of Spring Return Valley, 'Brocade Peak' was a place of clear waters and beautiful scenery. A clean, jade-green mountain peak, with a small lake about two hundred zhang in circumference at its foot. The lake water was extremely clear, and the bottom was clean, refreshing white sand. Very fine water plants grew out of the gaps between the sand and stones, swaying gently with the ripples, which was quite interesting. Fish swam back and forth in the lake, occasionally leaping out of the water. A few splashes of water flickered, and the crisp sounds of water added a touch of liveliness to the tranquil Brocade Peak.

At the foot of the mountain, by the lake, in a patch of slender Pteris cretica, there were more than a dozen small and exquisite guest houses. The guest houses were made entirely of white jade and refined with Daoist magic. They were seamless, with novel and ethereal designs, possessing a touch of immortal aura. This was where the Great Luo Pill Dao entertained distinguished guests, and it was usually deserted.

When Lin Xiao arrived at Brocade Peak, he saw the old Daoist Jiang wearing a straw cape, carrying a fishing rod, with a small fish basket hanging from his waist, and walking out of the bamboo forest barefoot. Seeing Lin Xiao, the old Daoist Jiang nodded gently at him, signaling Lin Xiao to follow him. There was no moon at the end of the month, and the starry sky was brilliant, the dazzling silver light illuminating the heavens and the earth. Lin Xiao silently followed behind the old Daoist Jiang, stepping on the soft white sand path on the ground, and slowly walked towards the lake. Gradually, Lin Xiao unconsciously matched the pace of the old Daoist Jiang's steps.

The old Daoist Jiang walked step by step with great steadiness, his steps containing a profoundly mysterious aura. Lin Xiao didn't notice at first, but gradually he came to his senses. He seemed like a puppet, moving with the old Daoist Jiang's steps, almost completely imitating every subtle movement of the old Daoist Jiang. A clear, cool energy suddenly surged from his sea of consciousness, washing over Lin Xiao's body and mind from top to bottom. Lin Xiao let out a clear shout and suddenly stopped his steps. 'Buzz', a circle of faint wind spread around Lin Xiao, rustling the surrounding grass and trees.

The old Daoist Jiang turned back to look at Lin Xiao in surprise and nodded approvingly, "I used the unorthodox 'Phantom Soul Seizing Forbidden Art' to control you, originally thinking you would walk to the lake like a puppet. I didn't expect you to wake up after only thirty-five steps." The old Daoist Jiang repeatedly nodded, "Little fellow, your foundation is truly the deepest I have ever seen in my life."

Lin Xiao retreated a few steps with some vigilance, bowed, and said, "Senior, why are you joking with this junior?" Having been a doctor in Spring Return Hall for so long, Lin Xiao was not a novice. He had heard many stories of the tricks of the martial world from the patients who came for treatment. Various principles of human cunning were also applicable in the cultivation world.

"Don't be afraid. This old Daoist just likes to joke with you young people." A golden light flashed in the old Daoist's eyes, and he smiled, "Back then, that little brat Danling was also controlled by my 'Phantom Soul Seizing Forbidden Art' and followed this old Daoist around foolishly for a day and a night before waking up. Little fellow, you are much stronger than Danling. Hmm, if it weren't for the thin spiritual energy in the cultivation world nowadays, I'm afraid~~~"

Shaking his head, the old Daoist Jiang continued towards the lake, saying as he walked, "The Heavenly Dao is unpredictable, and the heart of Heaven is unpredictable. These things cannot be said to be good or bad. If you can cultivate to the Mahayana stage, refine spirit and return to emptiness to that highest realm, and finally transcend the mortal world and ascend, it is not necessarily better than it is now. These three thousand zhang of mortal dust, billions of Jambudvipa worlds, sentient beings struggling within and lamenting their suffering, yet they do not know, even if they transcend, will it be better? Will it be worse? Who can say for sure?"

Lin Xiao did not understand the old Daoist Jiang's complaints. His time cultivating was too short, and he did not understand many of the most basic 'principles'. However, he sensed that the old Daoist Jiang had no ill will towards him, so he lowered his head and pondered for a while before stepping forward to follow the old Daoist Jiang. Given the old Daoist Jiang's reputation and status, he would not plot against a junior like himself, would he? Moreover, this was Spring Return Valley, the territory of the Great Luo Pill Dao. When the old Daoist Jiang invited him out late at night, he had encountered several patrolling disciples along the way, and they all knew his whereabouts. The old Daoist Jiang would not be foolish enough to harm Lin Xiao here. Therefore, Lin Xiao relaxed his heart, put his hands behind his back, and followed two zhang behind the old Daoist Jiang.

They walked slowly to the small lake. The old Daoist Jiang gave a soft command, and the sand and stones by the lake churned, condensing into a small stone stool. Lin Xiao's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. With a single shout, he could summon the power of Wu Tu to condense and form, yet Lin Xiao couldn't sense even the slightest fluctuation of magic power. This old Daoist's cultivation was truly unfathomable, worthy of being one of the three most famous reclusive cultivators in the cultivation world today. Lin Xiao envied him for a while and then simply sat down on the sandy ground beside the old Daoist Jiang.

The old Daoist Jiang slowly threaded bait onto the fishhook, gently swung the fishing rod, and cast the hook into the lake water.

The old Daoist Jiang remained silent, and Lin Xiao did not speak either. The starry sky was brilliant. Lin Xiao sat there with his knees hugged, his chin resting on his knees, quietly watching the fish float gently on the lake's surface.

A quarter of an hour, two quarters of an hour~ an hour~ two hours~

The starlight in the sky dissipated, and a fish-belly white appeared in the east. Dewdrops clung to the old Daoist Jiang's straw cape and Lin Xiao's hair and clothes.

"Hmm!" With a soft hum, the old Daoist Jiang suddenly flicked his fishing rod. The long, transparent fishing line drew a long arc in the air. As the morning breeze blew, the fishing line trembled gently, emitting a faint 'buzzing' sound. On the hook, three large fish were dragged out of the lake, tied together in a bundle. The three desperately wriggling fish drew an arc and flew into the fish basket that the old Daoist Jiang had placed by the lake. The fish basket shook slightly a few times. The old Daoist Jiang had already reeled in his fishing rod and line, placing the fishing rod casually beside him.

"Hmm, you see that my aura was steady and my eyes were clear and bright while I was fishing. You don't know why I asked you to come here, nor do you know why I fished by myself and could maintain this demeanor, hmm, little fellow~~~ Not bad." Praising Lin Xiao again, the old Daoist Jiang suddenly smiled and asked, "You are now cultivating in the Great Luo Pill Dao, do you know what you are seeking?"

"What is this junior seeking?" Lin Xiao looked at the old Daoist Jiang in surprise. Just as he was about to answer, his voice suddenly choked, and he was stunned.

'What am I seeking?' This question was so simple, yet Lin Xiao could not answer it.

What was he seeking by cultivating?

Or rather, what had he been seeking his entire life?

Lin Xiao stared blankly at Old Daoist Jiang, drenched in sweat. A single sentence from the old man had thrown his mind into disarray.

"Jun... Junior has no idea what Junior is seeking," Lin Xiao stammered, finally answering Old Daoist Jiang's question honestly.

"This old Daoist sees it that way too," Old Daoist Jiang pouted and nodded. "The moment I first saw you, I marveled at what a pure, uncarved jade you were. Great Luo Pill Dao is quite lucky this time to have gained a disciple with such good aptitude. However, I see that you yourself are muddled and ignorant, as if you have no passion and no ambition, as if your entire being is empty. Such a state of mind is both suitable and unsuitable for cultivation, which is why I pointed it out to you."

Lin Xiao stared blankly at Old Daoist Jiang, unsure what to say.

"With your current state of mind, an empty heart is good, as you are at least not afraid of inner demons. But an empty heart is also not good. Cultivation is an act against heaven. When acting against heaven, without any obsession in your heart, it is naturally easier to break through realms. But without any obsession at all, if you encounter any difficulties or dangers on the path of cultivation, you will easily give up, and that is also not good."

Old Daoist Jiang spoke eloquently, "Therefore, cultivators should have a heart as clear as the moon, unstained by any dust, yet also possess a bit of obsession, so that they have the motivation to traverse the endless path of cultivation."

He sighed, shaking his head. "Countless people cultivate, but their hearts are filled with all sorts of obsessions: some seek longevity, some seek power, some seek high office and wealth. There are countless strange obsessions. Yet you, child, don't even know why you cultivate. How absurd?"

Lin Xiao's heart trembled. He remembered what Lin Shan had told him and was about to explain it clearly to Old Daoist Jiang. But suddenly, he felt that what Lin Shan had instructed him to do was too embarrassing to utter. So, he lowered his head and remained silent. He thought of the family tree and Lin Shan's memorial tablet enshrined on the altar in front of the wooden house, and said to himself, "This, should also be an obsession, right?"

Afterward, his thoughts naturally drifted to Yao'er.

The moment he thought of Yao'er's face and her somewhat silly gaze, Lin Xiao's entire heart melted into a pool of warm liquid. Warmth reverberated in his chest. Lin Xiao suddenly raised his head and said in a low voice, "Actually, Junior, right now, also..." As he spoke, Lin Xiao felt a wave of guilt, and with a distinct lack of confidence, he lowered his head, his handsome face flushed red.

Old Daoist Jiang's eyes flickered. He chuckled softly, "Little fellow, you do have your own thoughts. That's good! Hmm, liking a woman, and then cultivating to be with her forever – that idea isn't bad. Moreover, cultivating for love is subject to far less interference than other thoughts. The love between a man and a woman, if it remains unchanged, is originally the purest obsession in this world. It's wonderful, truly wonderful!"

He glanced at Lin Xiao appreciatively, then took three palm-sized jade slips from his sleeve and tossed them to Lin Xiao. He said calmly, "This is the Thunderclap Fire Art. It is most suitable for those with a pure fire attribute to cultivate. Once mastered, your vital energy will carry the might of heavenly thunder, and your sword light will be accompanied by demon-subduing lightning. Furthermore, it contains a very powerful technique called the 'Lightning Drawing Art,' which can use pure Yang true fire to draw down the immense thunder of heaven and earth to strike your enemies. Take it back and study it well. There are few young people I deem worthy in my life, and this is your destiny. You don't need to thank this old Daoist for anything."

He grabbed Lin Xiao's shoulder and tossed him away like a bundle of straw. Lin Xiao let out a startled yelp as he felt his body float uncontrollably through the air, before landing lightly on the ground, right in front of his wooden house.

"Such powerful means!" Lin Xiao stared blankly at the three jade slips, lost in thought. He had no idea why Old Daoist Jiang, after gifting him the Black Tortoise Ring, had then babbled with him for half the night, only to finally bestow upon him the Thunderclap Fire Art. The 'Lightning Drawing Art,' which Old Daoist Jiang had praised as immensely powerful, clearly possessed considerable might. Why was he being treated with such favor?

By the small lake, Old Daoist Jiang leisurely tucked his fishing rod under his arm, picked up his fish basket, and slowly rose, preparing to return to his bamboo dwelling to simmer a pot of delicious fish soup with the three large fish.

One of his five disciples, a Daoist, appeared in a puff of green smoke and bowed respectfully to Old Daoist Jiang. "Master, why are you showing this boy such great favor? You haven't even fully deciphered the mysteries of the Black Tortoise Ring, yet you gifted it to him. And the Supreme Clarity Thunderfire True Art, which you obtained from the cave of an ancient Great Divine Being after facing nine deaths, why did you also impart it to him?"

Old Daoist Jiang glanced at the Daoist indifferently and said coldly, "The will of heaven is unpredictable. Under heaven, we are all but ants. Heaven's will is most benevolent; even if the Great Desolation were to perish, a sliver of hope would always remain in the heavenly secrets. This old Daoist acts this way merely to leave a sliver of hope for Great Luo Pill Dao. My disciples, you must remember that we cultivators must never act too ruthlessly."

The vertical eye on his brow spun rapidly, and Old Daoist Jiang sternly warned, "To be heartless to others is to be heartless to oneself. Leave a line when you act, and you will have room to maneuver later."

With a long sigh, Old Daoist Jiang looked up at the gradually brightening sky and muttered in surprise, "According to my divine eyes, the brows of everyone in Great Luo Pill Dao are filled with deathly energy. Why is it that only this boy's brow is radiating with a crimson light, an anomaly of long-lasting fortune? I leave him a sliver of hope, but can he truly escape this deadly calamity?"

The Daoist stood respectfully to the side with his hands clasped, but a terrifying murderous aura flickered in his eyes. (To be continued)