The Bamboo House

Before the words even fell, the lightning transformed into a silver snake and struck through the air.

"Well met!" Tai Cang's spirit soared as he charged into the lightning.

A cold glint flashed in Tai Cang's eyes. With a flicker of his body, he dodged that Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder.

With a thunderous roar, the divine lightning struck the bamboo house, instantly leveling the bamboo dwelling within a hundred-zhang radius. Smoke and dust billowed, revealing a scorched, deep pit on the ground. Lightning snakes writhed within the pit, wisps of green smoke rising.

"What a powerful Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder!"

Tai Cang's heart tightened. Although this was a minor divine ability, its power could not be underestimated. If he were hit, with his current cultivation, he would certainly struggle to resist.

"I must finish this quickly!"

In the blink of an eye, Tai Cang rode the clouds and lunged at Cihang. Only by engaging in close combat, relying on the pure mana refined by the Supreme Pure Heaven-Connecting Art, could he achieve victory.

"Seeking death!"

Cihang sneered and formed a spell. Another Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder streaked through the air. Tai Cang sidestepped to evade, but was still grazed on his right arm by the lightning glow. His sleeve exploded, leaving his flesh and blood mangled.

With a muffled groan, Tai Cang endured the intense pain and accelerated his approach, his iron fist aimed directly at his opponent's face. Cihang hastily raised his fist to meet it. The two fists collided with a crisp bone-cracking sound.

Before Cihang's cry of pain could subside, Tai Cang had already closed the distance, his fist shadows raining down. Dozens of heavy blows sent Cihang crashing down from mid-air, smashing into the ground and creating a deep pit. Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

"I concede, Senior Brother," Tai Cang said.

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

Ding! Mission Complete. Reward: One-click max level permission!

As the system notification sounded, Tai Cang reached out and helped Cihang up. "Senior Brother, I have offended you."

Cihang forced a bitter smile and handed over a jade talisman. "This is the cultivation method for Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder, but..." He hesitated. After all, the two sects were different, and he feared incurring the displeasure of a Sage.

"What's wrong with an inner disciple cultivating another sect's divine ability?"

Tai Cang calmly accepted the jade slip, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. Cihang fell silent at his words, finally letting out a long sigh and turning to leave.

This identity is indeed a bit awkward, but compared to those personal disciples, I don't need to worry too much.

"Fine!"

Cihang took a deep breath, feeling his injuries improve considerably. He cupped his hands and said, "Since that's the case, I, your brother, shall take my leave first."

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

Before his words could finish, he had already ridden the clouds and departed. As a personal disciple of the Heavenly Origin Sect, he had actually lost to an ordinary disciple of the Intercepting Sect today. He dared not publicize this matter, nor could he retaliate openly, or he would surely face Yuan Shi's punishment. But he had noted this debt, waiting for the Three Sects Competition in a thousand years to regain his honor.

"Interesting."

This Cihang isn't as unbearable as the rumors say.

Gazing at the receding figure, Tai Cang's lips curved slightly. The other party's straightforwardness had genuinely surprised him.

Recalling his focus, Tai Cang rubbed the jade slip in his hand. "If Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder is mastered, there's hope for winning the Three Sects Competition."

He built a bamboo house by the riverside and began to cultivate diligently.

Seven days passed in a flash.

"Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder - Absolve!"

At noon, with a soft cry, the mudra was formed, and the divine lightning struck the water's surface. Waves crashed against the shore, and mist filled the air. When the clouds cleared and the rain stopped, a rainbow spanned both banks.

Ding! Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder cultivation successful!

"It's done!"

Tai Cang could barely conceal his joy and immediately commanded, "System, upgrade Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder to max level with one click!"

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

In an instant, countless profound incantations flooded his mind. His left hand unconsciously formed a seal. The lightning turned from green to a dark purple-black, its destructive aura causing hearts to palpitate. Even a True Immortal of Grand Unity would be gravely injured or killed if touched by it.

"Destruction-level divine lightning!"

Tai Cang opened his eyes and gazed at the black lightning in his palm, confident. "With this divine ability, I'll have few rivals within the same realm. If I can advance to Grand Unity, I can even touch upon the law of destruction."

While he was contemplating, he suddenly heard a call:

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

Looking up, he saw Yunxiao approaching on the clouds.

Why is she here?

A hint of surprise flashed in Tai Cang's eyes.

Their statuses were vastly different. By all logic, she shouldn't have sought him out proactively.

"Senior Sister Yunxiao!"

Despite his doubts, Tai Cang quickly leaped into the air and waved to Yunxiao.

Yunxiao heard the call and, upon seeing Tai Cang, immediately rode her clouds over.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

She bowed slightly and said gently, "It's been a while. How have you been, Junior Brother?"

A hundred years have passed since everyone joined the Kunlun Mountains sect. While not a long time for cultivators, it felt like a lifetime.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister."

Tai Cang cupped his fists in return, his expression calm. "May I ask why you've come, Senior Sister?"

Yunxiao's beauty was unparalleled, but he harbored no impure thoughts.

More importantly, he hadn't yet decided whether to stay with the Intercepting Sect. After all, the Intercepting Sect met a tragic end during the Great Tribulation of Investiture of the Gods. If he couldn't protect himself, he'd prefer to find another path.

"Junior Brother is quite straightforward."

Yunxiao gave a helpless smile, not expecting him to be so indifferent. However, she wasn't one to dither, and soon her expression turned serious. "To be honest, I've come to invite Junior Brother to a gathering."

"We've been disciples for over a hundred years, and Eldest Senior Brother has specifically prepared a celebration and sent me to invite you."

A celebration? Arranged by Duobao?

Tai Cang's eyes flickered, and he instantly understood Duobao's intention—this Eldest Senior Brother wanted to use this occasion to establish his authority and solidify his position.

Seeing Yunxiao's excited demeanor, she clearly hadn't grasped the deeper meaning.

Just as he was about to politely decline, a system notification suddenly chimed:

"Ding! Quest Triggered: Defeat Duobao. Reward: One-click max level permission, once."

Defeat Duobao?

System, you're deliberately making things difficult for me!

Tai Cang gave a wry smile inwardly. Duobao was the chief personal disciple of the Intercepting Sect, while he was merely an inner disciple. If he defeated Duobao in public, wouldn't that be a huge embarrassment for him?

However, the reward of max level permission was too great. After a moment's thought, he changed his tune. "In that case, I'll trouble Senior Sister to lead the way."

"You're too kind, Junior Brother."

Yunxiao smiled charmingly. "It's a gathering of fellow disciples, a good opportunity to get acquainted. Junior Brother is also a member of the Intercepting Sect and should participate."

"Eldest Senior Brother and the others have likely arrived. Let's go."

"Alright."

Tai Cang nodded in agreement and left with her, riding clouds.

Not long after, the two arrived at a secluded valley.

Spiritual mist swirled around, and exotic flowers and strange herbs bloomed everywhere. Innate spiritual roots could be faintly seen interspersed among them, making it look like a fairyland.

"Eldest Sister!"

"Youngest Sister!"

At the valley entrance, Zhao Gongming, Bixiao, and Qiongxiao had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Yunxiao arrive, the three showed joy.

Yunxiao smiled and led Tai Cang forward, bowing to Zhao Gongming. "Eldest Brother!"

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

"Eldest Sister! Qiongxiao smiled. It was too boring inside. Compared to chatting with Eldest Senior Brother and the others, I'd rather meet Junior Brother Tai Cang." As she spoke, her gaze fell upon Tai Cang.

As the only inner disciple of the Intercepting Sect, Tai Cang had left a deep impression on them. Unlike others chosen by the Sages, Tai Cang had actively sought to become a disciple. This courage had earned him the opportunity to change his destiny.

"Greetings, Senior Sister Qiongxiao." Tai Cang cupped his hands in greeting. Feeling her goodwill, he naturally wouldn't be cold. Yunxiao's previous invitation had already made him feel favorably towards the three sisters and Zhao Gongming.

"Junior Brother, no need for such formalities!" Qiongxiao waved her hand, scrutinizing Tai Cang. "Your cultivation speed is truly astonishing. From the early stage of True Immortal of Grand Unity to the early stage of Golden Immortal in such a short time, even I am ashamed. Do you have any secret techniques, Junior Brother? Tell Senior Sister, and she'll protect you from now on." She leaned closer to Tai Cang, her eyes full of curiosity.

These words surprised Yunxiao, Bixiao, and Zhao Gongming. Although Yunxiao had invited Tai Cang, she hadn't paid attention to his cultivation progress. Now, she couldn't help but wonder if he had mastered a special cultivation method.

"Youngest Sister, don't be rude!" Zhao Gongming spoke first. "How can personal opportunities be revealed so easily? As an elder brother, he was more composed than his three younger sisters and knew the importance of a cultivator's fortune."

Qiongxiao pouted. Although unwilling, she didn't press further.

"Senior Sister, no need to be disappointed," Tai Cang said with a faint smile. "I have no special method for my improved cultivation. It's just that after switching to the Supreme Pure Heaven-Connecting Art, I found it compatible with me. During that time, I had an epiphany that deepened my understanding of the cultivation technique, which is why my cultivation speed increased." He skillfully concealed the existence of the system, revealing only part of the truth.

An epiphany!

"Junior Brother is truly blessed!"

Zhao Gongming and the three Xiaos showed envious expressions. An epiphany was a chance that countless cultivators yearned for but could not obtain.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!" Qiongxiao asked excitedly, "What level have you cultivated the Supreme Pure Heaven-Connecting Art to? I've been stuck at the sixth layer. Do you have any solutions, Junior Brother?"

Hearing that Qiongxiao had reached the sixth layer, a hint of admiration flashed in Tai Cang's eyes. "This epiphany allowed me to comprehend up to the eighth layer. If Senior Sister is willing, we can discuss the Dao after the gathering, and I can definitely help Senior Sister break through to the seventh layer."

The Supreme Pure Heaven-Connecting Art had a total of twelve layers. With the help of the system, Tai Cang had long since reached perfection. However, he didn't reveal this, knowing that too much is as bad as too little.

Qiongxiao was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly. "Since Junior Brother said so, don't think about running away then."

Not only she was excited, but Yunxiao, Bixiao, and Zhao Gongming also looked towards Tai Cang and asked, "Junior Brother, may we also participate?"

"Junior Brother, may elder brother also join in discussing the Dao?"

"Of course!"

Tai Cang agreed without hesitation.

In later records, most disciples of the Intercepting Sect had good reputations, especially Zhao Gongming and the three Xiaos, who were highly esteemed. Zhao Gongming disobeyed his master's orders to descend the mountain for a friend, and the three Xiaos set up the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation for their elder brother, severely wounding the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Heavenly Origin Sect. Among them, Yunxiao even dared to attack a Sage, demonstrating her loyalty and righteousness. Associating with such people brought Tai Cang nothing but benefits.

"Good, then thank you, Junior Brother."

Zhao Gongming and the others smiled upon hearing this.

Just as they were about to speak further, a voice called from behind them: "Junior Brother Gongming, Junior Sisters, since you've arrived, why aren't you coming in? Your Senior Brother has been waiting for quite some time."

Following the sound, they saw Duobao walking slowly out of the valley. He was portly and beaming, appearing kind and approachable.

However, Tai Cang sensed a subtle rejection and coldness from him.

Duobao had clearly seen Tai Cang present when he emerged from the valley, yet he didn't mention him at all, evidently not taking him seriously or having any intention of befriending him.

"Eldest Senior Brother!"

Zhao Gongming and the three sisters immediately cupped their hands in greeting.

Zhao Gongming then spoke to explain, "Eldest Senior Brother, please forgive us, we'll come in now. Also, we've invited Junior Brother Tai Cang this time."

As he spoke, he pointed to Tai Cang, indicating his presence. How could they not hear the distinction in Duobao's words? But after their previous conversation, Zhao Gongming and the three sisters had come to accept Tai Cang and did not wish to embarrass him.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Duobao."

Tai Cang understood Zhao Gongming's intentions and stepped forward to perform the courtesy.

Although he didn't wish to interact much with Duobao, for the sake of their previous plan, he had to participate in this gathering.

"Mm."

Duobao responded indifferently, not sparing Tai Cang another glance. He only said to Zhao Gongming and the three sisters, "Since that's the case, please follow me."

With that, he turned and walked into the valley.

"Junior Brother..."

Zhao Gongming frowned slightly upon seeing this, worried that Tai Cang might be displeased. He stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Eldest Senior Brother didn't mean it that way, please don't take it to heart, Junior Brother."

The three sisters also cast concerned glances. Duobao's actions were indeed impolite; if it were them, they might have already left in a huff.

"It's alright."

Tai Cang smiled calmly and said to Zhao Gongming and the three sisters, "I am merely an inner disciple. It's natural that Eldest Senior Brother doesn't pay much attention to me."