Chapter 2

Before his words had faded, lightning had already transformed into silver serpents and torn through the air.

"Come on!" Tai Cang's fighting spirit surged as he charged straight into the lightning.

A cold gleam flashed in Tai Cang's eyes. With a flicker of his body, he evaded the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder.

Amid a deafening boom, the divine thunder struck the bamboo hut, instantly leveling the bamboo dwellings within a hundred zhang. Dust billowed into the air, and a charred crater appeared in the ground. Lightning serpents writhed within it as wisps of green smoke rose.

What domineering Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder!

Tai Cang's heart tightened. Though it was only a minor divine ability, its power could not be underestimated. If it struck him, his current cultivation would surely be unable to withstand it.

I must end this quickly!

As thoughts raced through his mind, Tai Cang rode the clouds and lunged directly at Cihang. At present, only close combat could secure victory, relying on the pure mana tempered by the Supreme Pure Heaven-Connecting Art.

"Courting death!"

Cihang sneered and formed a hand seal. Another bolt of Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder tore through the air. Tai Cang twisted aside to evade it, but the lightning still grazed his right arm. His sleeve exploded, leaving his flesh a bloody mess.

With a muffled grunt, Tai Cang endured the searing pain and accelerated forward, his iron fist shooting toward Cihang's face. Cihang hastily raised his own fist to meet it, and when the two fists collided, a crisp crack of breaking bones rang out.

Before Cihang's cry of pain could fade, Tai Cang had already closed in, his fists raining down like a storm. Dozens of heavy blows sent Cihang plummeting from the air, smashing him into a deep crater in the ground as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

"I concede, Senior Brother."

Tai Cang stood upon the clouds, looking down at Cihang, who struggled to rise. Cihang's face was ashen, his eyes filled with unwillingness. He had never imagined that Tai Cang's physical body and mana would be so formidable.

Ding! Task completed. Reward: One-Click Max Level Privilege!

As the System Notification sounded, Tai Cang reached out and helped Cihang up. "Senior Brother, forgive my offense."

Cihang gave a bitter smile and handed him a jade talisman. "This contains the cultivation method for the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder, but..." He trailed off. After all, the teachings of their two sects differed, and he feared displeasing the Saints.

"What is wrong with an inner disciple cultivating a divine ability from another sect?"

Tai Cang accepted the jade slip calmly, his eyes gleaming. Cihang fell silent at his words, then finally sighed and turned away.

This status really was somewhat awkward, but compared to those direct disciples, he did not need to worry nearly as much.

So be it!

Cihang took a deep breath and felt his injuries improve considerably. Cupping his hands, he said, "In that case, I shall take my leave first."

"Junior Brother Tai Cang, I will come seek your guidance again in a thousand years."

Before his words had faded, he was already riding the clouds into the distance. As a direct disciple of the Chan Sect, he had actually lost today to an ordinary disciple of the Jie Sect. He neither dared publicize the matter nor openly seek revenge, lest Yuan Shi punish him. Still, he remembered this debt and would wait for the Three Sects Competition a thousand years from now to wash away this humiliation.

Interesting.

This Cihang was not as unbearable as the rumors claimed.

Watching the retreating figure, Tai Cang's lips curved slightly. Cihang's decisiveness had truly surprised him.

Gathering his thoughts, Tai Cang rubbed the jade slip in his hand. "If I master the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder, I may have a chance to claim first place in the Three Sects Competition."

He built a bamboo hut beside the river and began cultivating in earnest.

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder—Pardon!

At noon, a soft shout rang out as a dharma seal formed, and divine thunder crashed into the water's surface. Waves slammed against the shore, mist filled the sky, and when the clouds dispersed and the rain cleared, a rainbow stretched across both banks.

Ding! Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder cultivation successful!

"It worked!"

Unable to hide his delight, Tai Cang immediately commanded, "System, use One-Click Max Level on the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder!"

Ding! Privilege consumed. Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder has reached max level.

In an instant, countless profound incantations flooded into his mind. His left hand unconsciously formed a seal as the lightning changed from cyan to green, then turned purple-black. Its aura of destruction made one's heart tremble; even a Grand Unity Golden Immortal would either die or be grievously injured upon touching it.

Destruction-grade Divine Thunder!

Tai Cang opened his eyes and stared at the black lightning in his palm, confidence filling his chest. "With this divine ability, I will have few rivals among those of the same realm. If I can advance to Great Luo, I may even touch upon the Law of Destruction."

Just as he was pondering this, he suddenly heard someone call out.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

Looking up, he saw Yunxiao riding the clouds toward him.

Why had she come here?

A trace of surprise flashed through Tai Cang's eyes.

Their statuses were worlds apart. Ordinarily, she should not have come looking for him of her own accord.

"Senior Sister Yun Xiao!"

Though puzzled, Tai Cang quickly leaped into the air and waved to Yunxiao.

Hearing his voice, Yunxiao looked over. Upon seeing Tai Cang, she immediately rode her cloud over.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

She gave a slight bow and said gently, "It has been a long time, Junior Brother. Have you been well lately?"

More than a hundred years had passed since they had entered the Kunlun Mountains. Though that was not long for cultivators, it was enough to make one feel as if a lifetime had gone by.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister."

Tai Cang returned the salute with cupped hands, his expression calm. "May I ask what important matter has brought Senior Sister here?"

Yunxiao possessed peerless beauty, but there were no distracting thoughts in his heart.

More importantly, he had yet to decide whether he would remain in the Jie Sect for long. After all, the Jie Sect's fate in the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods was tragic. Without the strength to protect himself, he was more inclined to seek another path.

"Junior Brother, you are quite straightforward."

Yunxiao smiled helplessly, not expecting him to be so indifferent. However, she was not a hesitant person either. Her expression soon turned serious. "To be honest, I came to invite Junior Brother to a gathering."

"We have been disciples for over a hundred years now. Senior Brother has specially prepared a celebration and sent me to invite you."

A celebration? One arranged by Duobao?

Tai Cang's eyes flickered as he instantly understood Duobao's intentions—this senior brother wished to establish his authority and consolidate his position through this event.

Seeing Yunxiao's eager expression, she clearly had not noticed the deeper meaning behind it.

He was about to decline when the System Notification suddenly sounded.

"Ding! Task triggered: Defeat Duobao. Reward: One use of One-Click Max Level Privilege."

Defeat Duobao?

System, are you deliberately making things difficult for me?

Tai Cang smiled bitterly to himself. Duobao was the Jie Sect's foremost direct disciple, while he was merely an inner disciple. If he defeated Duobao in public, would that not disgrace him?

Yet the max-level privilege was too tempting. After a brief pause, he changed his words. "In that case, I shall trouble Senior Sister to lead the way."

"Junior Brother is too polite."

Yunxiao smiled brilliantly. "It is a gathering of fellow disciples, a perfect chance to become acquainted. Junior Brother is also a member of the Jie Sect, so naturally you should attend."

"Senior Brother and the others have likely arrived already. Let us go at once."

"Alright."

Tai Cang nodded in agreement and rode the clouds away with her.

Before long, the two arrived at a secluded valley.

Spiritual mist lingered all around, exotic flowers and rare herbs covered the land, and innate spiritual roots could faintly be seen scattered throughout, making it seem like an immortal realm.

"Elder Sister!"

"Big Sister!"

At the valley entrance, Zhao Gongming, Bixiao, and Qiongxiao had already been waiting for some time. When they saw Yunxiao arrive, joy appeared on all three faces.

Yunxiao smiled and led Tai Cang forward, saluting Zhao Gongming. "Big Brother!"

Yunxiao then turned toward Qiongxiao and Bixiao beside her. "Didn't I tell you to go in first? Why are you still waiting here?"

"Elder Sister!" Qiongxiao smiled brightly. "It is far too boring inside. Rather than make small talk with Senior Brother and the others, I would rather meet Junior Brother Tai Cang." As she spoke, her gaze fell upon Tai Cang.

As the Jie Sect's only inner disciple, Tai Cang had left a deep impression on them. Unlike the other disciples chosen by the Saints, Tai Cang had taken the initiative to become a disciple. That courage had earned him the chance to change his fate.

"Greetings, Senior Sister Qiong Xiao." Tai Cang cupped his hands in salute. Sensing her goodwill, he naturally would not treat her coldly. Yunxiao's earlier invitation had already left him with a favorable impression of the three sisters and Zhao Gongming.

"No need for such formality, Junior Brother!" Qiongxiao waved a hand and carefully examined Tai Cang. "Junior Brother, your cultivation speed is truly astonishing. You went from the early True Immortal of Grand Unity realm to the early Golden Immortal realm in such a short time. Even I am ashamed by comparison. Do you have any secret? Tell your senior sister, and I will look after you from now on." She leaned closer, her eyes brimming with curiosity.

Her words drew surprised expressions from Yunxiao, Bixiao, and Zhao Gongming. Although Yunxiao had gone to invite Tai Cang, she had not noticed the changes in his cultivation. Even she could not help wondering whether he possessed some special cultivation method.

"Little Sister, do not be rude!" Zhao Gongming spoke first. "How can one's personal opportunities be revealed so easily?" As their elder brother, he was more composed than his three sisters and understood the importance of a cultivator's fortuitous encounters.

Qiongxiao pursed her lips. Though unwilling, she did not press further.

"Senior Sister need not be disappointed." Tai Cang smiled calmly. "There is no special method behind my cultivation progress. It is simply that, after switching to the Supreme Pure Heaven-Connecting Art, I found myself compatible with it. During that time, I had an epiphany that deepened my understanding of the technique, so my cultivation speed improved." He skillfully concealed the existence of the system and revealed only part of the truth.

An epiphany!

"Junior Brother is truly blessed with profound fortune!"

Zhao Gongming and the San Xiao all revealed envious expressions. An epiphany was an opportunity countless cultivators sought but could never obtain.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!" Qiongxiao asked excitedly, "What level of the Supreme Pure Heaven-Connecting Art have you cultivated to? I have been stuck at the sixth level for so long. Do you have a way to help me?"

Hearing that Qiongxiao had reached the sixth level, Tai Cang's eyes flashed with approval. "This epiphany allowed me to comprehend the eighth level. If Senior Sister is willing, we can discuss the Dao after the gathering. I am certain it will help Senior Sister break through to the seventh level."

The Supreme Pure Heaven-Connecting Art had twelve levels. With the system's help, Tai Cang had long since perfected it. However, he did not say so, understanding that too much was as bad as too little.

Qiongxiao beamed with delight and nodded repeatedly. "Since Junior Brother has said so, do not think of slipping away when the time comes."

It was not only her whose heart was moved. Yunxiao, Bixiao, and Zhao Gongming also looked toward Tai Cang and asked, "Junior Brother, may we join as well?"

"Junior Brother, may your elder brother also come discuss the Dao?"

"Of course!"

Tai Cang nodded without hesitation.

According to records from later generations, most disciples of the Jie Sect had quite good reputations, especially Zhao Gongming and the San Xiao, whose reputations were the finest. Zhao Gongming had defied his master's orders and descended the mountain for a friend, while the San Xiao had set up the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation for their brother, severely injuring the Chan Sect's Twelve Golden Immortals. Yunxiao had even dared to strike at a Saint, proving how deeply loyal and righteous she was. Befriending people like them could only benefit Tai Cang.

"Good. Then many thanks, Junior Brother."

Zhao Gongming and the others all smiled at his words.

Just as they were about to say more, a voice called from behind them. "Junior Brother Gongming, three junior sisters, since you have already arrived, why have you not come in? Your senior brother has been waiting for quite some time."

Following the voice, they saw Duobao slowly emerge from the valley. He was plump, rosy-cheeked, and seemed kind and approachable.

Yet Tai Cang sensed a faint rejection and coldness beneath that appearance.

Duobao had clearly seen Tai Cang when he left the valley, yet he had not mentioned him at all. It was obvious that Duobao did not regard him highly and had no intention of associating with him.

"Senior Brother!"

Zhao Gongming and the San Xiao hurriedly cupped their hands in salute.

Zhao Gongming immediately explained, "Please forgive us, Senior Brother. We were just about to go in. Also, we invited Junior Brother Tai Cang to join us this time."

As he spoke, he pointed toward Tai Cang to indicate his presence. How could they fail to notice Duobao's deliberate distinction in his words? Yet after their earlier conversation, Zhao Gongming and the San Xiao had already accepted Tai Cang and did not wish to embarrass him.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Duo Bao."

Understanding Zhao Gongming's intentions, Tai Cang stepped forward and saluted.

Although he did not wish to have much to do with Duobao, he had to attend this gathering for the sake of his earlier plan.

"Mm."

Duobao answered indifferently without giving Tai Cang another glance. He merely said to Zhao Gongming and the San Xiao, "In that case, come with me."

With that, he turned and headed into the valley.

"Junior Brother..."

Zhao Gongming frowned slightly at the sight, worried that Tai Cang might be upset. He stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Senior Brother did not mean it that way. Junior Brother, please do not take it to heart."

The San Xiao also cast concerned looks his way. Duobao's behavior was indeed discourteous. If it had been them, they might have already left in anger.

"It is nothing."

Tai Cang smiled calmly and said to Zhao Gongming and the San Xiao, "I am merely an inner disciple. It is only natural that Senior Brother does not pay me much mind."