Chapter 4

Even with extraordinary talent, everyone had only cultivated the Supreme Pure Heaven-Connecting Art to the fifth or sixth level. Even Duobao had merely reached the seventh.

Yet Tai Cang, a mere inner disciple, had cultivated it to the eighth level. "Tai Cang!"

Duobao's furious roar echoed through the valley.

After failing to defeat him for so long, Duobao instead sensed that Tai Cang was growing stronger with every battle, and jealousy blazed within him.

He could clearly sense that the Supreme Pure spiritual power within Tai Cang was far purer than his own. That meant Tai Cang's comprehension of the Supreme Pure Heaven-Connecting Art surpassed his.

At that thought, Duobao could no longer suppress his resentment and hatred. He formed a hand seal, and a hundred flying swords tore through the air, shooting straight at Tai Cang!

"Sword Control Technique!"

"Duobao, you've run out of tricks!"

Tai Cang sneered. Facing the swarm of incoming flying swords, he showed no fear. The sword he had seized in his hand trembled violently as surging spiritual power flooded into it.

"Slash!"

With a low shout, violent sword qi swept outward, instantly knocking every flying sword away and sending them crashing into the ruined valley, kicking up clouds of dust.

Crack—

After that strike, the sword in Tai Cang's hand shattered.

An ordinary magic treasure simply could not withstand such pure Supreme Pure spiritual power.

Duobao's flying swords suffered equally heavy damage. They scattered across the ruins with mournful cries, impossible to control any longer.

"Tai Cang!"

At the sight, killing intent surged in Duobao's eyes.

Tai Cang's strength alarmed him, while his talent made Duobao feel an unprecedented threat.

If this boy rose to prominence, Sect Master Tongtian would surely accept him as a direct disciple. By then, Zhao Gongming, San Xiao, and Tai Cang would make five people. Together, they would be enough to shake his status and authority.

"Today, I'll show you what a Supreme Pure direct disciple truly is!"

Duobao gritted his teeth and formed a thunder seal. Lightning flickered around his body—he was clearly about to unleash the Upper Clarity Divine Thunder!

"Senior Brother Duobao, don't!"

"Stop at once!"

Zhao Gongming and the others watching beyond the barrier panicked at once.

The Upper Clarity Divine Thunder possessed power comparable to a divine ability. With Tai Cang's cultivation, he would have no chance of withstanding it. One careless mistake, and he could die on the spot!

Yet Duobao turned a deaf ear. Before anyone could rush into the barrier, he raised his hand and locked onto Tai Cang. "Take my Upper Clarity Divine Thunder!"

Boom!

Thunder exploded. Amid rolling dark clouds, a bolt of azure lightning crashed down.

"So fast!"

Tai Cang's pupils constricted sharply.

This divine thunder was terrifyingly powerful. If it struck him, he would either die or be grievously injured. Duobao clearly intended to kill him!

"Since that's the case, don't blame me for showing no mercy."

A cold glint flashed through Tai Cang's eyes. Facing the descending divine thunder, he suddenly formed a seal.

Crackle!

Black Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder suddenly coiled around his body, swallowing the Upper Clarity Divine Thunder whole in an instant.

Then heaven and earth changed color, and the land for a thousand miles trembled violently.

Amid the rampaging black lightning filling the sky, Tai Cang rose into the air, bathed in thunderlight like a thunder god descending into the world.

"Hiss—"

Zhao Gongming and the others, who had been about to rescue him, sucked in a breath.

The aura of destruction emanating from that black divine thunder was even more chilling than the Upper Clarity Divine Thunder!

In an instant, the black divine thunder engulfed Duobao. Tai Cang controlled that lightning, and its power was sufficient to destroy the entire region.

Not only would Duobao struggle to escape disaster, but even Zhao Gongming and the others might be caught in it.

Retreat!

Leave this place at once!

Zhao Gongming and the others did not dare hesitate. They immediately withdrew at top speed. That destructive divine thunder could seriously injure even a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. If they were touched by it, they would be severely weakened even if they survived.

Though they retreated, their gazes remained fixed on Tai Cang. Looking at that figure commanding lightning, bitterness filled their hearts. Even as direct disciples who had mastered the Upper Clarity Divine Thunder, they still could not compare to the power Tai Cang displayed now. What shocked them even more was that Tai Cang had unleashed the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder.

Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder!

Duobao stood dumbfounded on the ground. Under the pressure of the thunder filling the sky, his legs went weak, and he dropped to his knees. Staring fixedly at Tai Cang, who seemed like a deity, Duobao suddenly roared, "Tai Cang! As a member of the Jie Sect, you cultivated a Primordial Clarity technique. This is betraying your master and forsaking your ancestors!

"Master will never forgive you!

"I am a direct disciple. How dare you touch me?!"

"Betraying my master and forsaking my ancestors?

"How ridiculous!"

Tai Cang sneered and waved his left hand. A snake of lightning lunged at Duobao. Though it was not the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder, this destructive lightning was still terrifying. The lightning flashed, and Duobao screamed as he fell. His clothes were reduced to scraps, his body charred black and convulsing. A dignified Golden Immortal at the peak of perfection was utterly unable to resist this lightning.

Ding! Defeated Duobao. Obtained One-Click Max Level Privilege!

The System Notification made Tai Cang pause.

That's it? He glanced at the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder that was still poised to strike and shook his head inwardly. I haven't even put in any effort yet.

"Enough!"

A majestic voice suddenly rang out. Sect Master Tongtian appeared in the valley, glanced up at the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder in the sky, and shattered it with a flick of his finger.

"Duobao, Tai Cang, all direct disciples, report to the Upper Clarity Palace immediately!"

Before his words had faded, Tongtian had already vanished.

This was the might of a Saint...

Tai Cang looked at the clear sky stretching for thousands of miles, his heart still shaken. He knew full well how terrifying the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder was, yet before Tongtian, it had been casually destroyed as if it were child's play.

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

Zhao Gongming and San Xiao raced over, while Wudang and the other direct disciples behind them hurried to check on Duobao.

"Greetings, Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters. Thank you for your help earlier."

Recovering himself, Tai Cang calmed the aura around his body and cupped his hands toward Zhao Gongming and San Xiao.

If the four of them had not supported him with all their strength, he might not have been able to fight Duobao openly and fairly, much less accomplish his objective so smoothly.

"Junior Brother, there is no need for such courtesy."

Zhao Gongming and San Xiao exchanged glances, complicated emotions flashing through their eyes.

They had guessed that Tai Cang intended to dampen Duobao's arrogance, but they had never expected him to truly win. If Sect Master Tongtian had not intervened to stop that Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder, Duobao might have died today. With such strength, even they might not be his match.

"Junior Brother," Zhao Gongming asked in a deep voice, "was that truly the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder you used just now?"

San Xiao's expressions also tightened. Although Duobao's words had been fueled by personal resentment, he had exposed the key issue—cultivating Chan Sect secret techniques as a Jie Sect disciple was a major taboo.

"That is correct." Tai Cang answered calmly. "The other day, I discussed Dao and sparred with Senior Brother Cihang, and I happened to obtain this technique. I am not a direct disciple, so there is nothing improper about my learning it. Besides, the Three Pure Ones share the same origin. I trust Master will not blame me."

The four fell silent for a moment. The reasoning was sound, but a Primordial Clarity secret technique in the hands of a Jie Sect disciple was still problematic. Even if Sect Master Tongtian did not pursue the matter, would Heavenly Lord of Primordial Beginning really stand by and watch?

Wudang called out from the ground, "Senior Brother Zhao, it's time to leave."

Duobao was being supported to his feet by several direct disciples. His face was deathly pale as he flew toward the Upper Clarity Palace.

"Let's go." Zhao Gongming nodded in response, then turned to Tai Cang. "Junior Brother, come with us. Let us hope Master's anger subsides."

"Of course." Tai Cang knew that this matter required an explanation. If Sect Master Tongtian punished him, then at worst he would leave the sect and establish himself independently. Now that the system had awakened, why should he fear the road ahead?

Five streaks of escaping light tore across the sky, heading straight for the Upper Clarity Palace.

Inside the palace, the pressure was heavy. Duobao knelt trembling before the steps, while the direct disciples remained silent as cicadas in winter. Besides Sect Master Tongtian, two Saints sat upon the main seats: Taiqing and Yuqing. The battle that had shaken Golden Ao Island had ultimately drawn all three Saints together.

"Greetings, Master!"

"Greetings, Uncle-Master Taiqing!"

"Greetings, Uncle-Master Yuqing!"

After Tai Cang finished paying his respects with the others, Sect Master Tongtian waved Zhao Gongming and the rest to either side. His profound gaze fell upon this registered disciple. "Tai Cang, do you still remember the teachings from when you entered the sect?"

"I remember them well." Tai Cang's mind settled slightly. Since he was not immediately condemned, there was still room for maneuver.

Tai Cang's thoughts stirred. He immediately stepped forward and cupped his hands toward Duobao. "How could fellow disciples harm one another?

"I have always obeyed Master's teachings. When I struck earlier, I deliberately replaced the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder with ordinary lightning."

Tai Cang had long prepared this explanation.

After all, he truly had not used the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder. Even Saints could not hold him accountable for something that had never happened.

Tongtian's expression eased somewhat.

He had witnessed everything that had happened. Although Tai Cang had injured Duobao, he had indeed used only ordinary lightning.

"Tai Cang!"

Yuan Shi suddenly spoke. "Where did you learn the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder?

"And your mastery of it is already no weaker than ours before we became Saints."

At those words, Laozi, Tongtian, and the Jie Sect direct disciples who had not understood the situation all turned to Tai Cang.

Secretly learning another sect's divine abilities was already improper. It was even more so for one who had entered Tongtian's sect while cultivating Yuan Shi's techniques.

"This..."

Tai Cang hesitated briefly before answering Yuan Shi, "Uncle-Master, I won the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder technique in a wager with Senior Brother Cihang.

"As for the cultivation process, I do not know why, but while cultivating it, I suddenly gained insight. When I awoke, I discovered that the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder had turned black."

"Enlightenment!

"Such a thing actually happened!"

Everyone was shocked. The Jie Sect direct disciples glanced at Tai Cang, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Especially Zhao Gongming and San Xiao.

They remembered Tai Cang saying that he had gained enlightenment and comprehended the Upper Clarity Tongtian Art.

Now, he had even gained enlightenment in the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder to this extent. Had enlightenment become commonplace for him?

"Indeed!

"Your fortune is truly extraordinary."

Yuan Shi gave Tai Cang a long look and did not press further.

Since it had been enlightenment, it was enough to prove the height of his comprehension.

Moreover, the origin of the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder had been explained. Further questioning would only embarrass Cihang.

"Tai Cang!"

Tongtian came back to his senses and stared at Tai Cang. "Since you won the Primordial Clarity Divine Thunder, I will not pursue the matter.

"However, you struck too heavily in a dispute between fellow disciples. Your punishment is to face the wall at Siguo Cliff for five hundred years. You are not to descend the mountain without permission."

Facing the wall in reflection!

Tongtian intended to settle the matter peacefully.

A sharp light flashed through Tai Cang's eyes. He had not expected Master to punish him so lightly.

He had originally prepared to leave the sect, but since Tongtian would not pursue the matter, there was naturally no need to depart.

"I accept." Tai Cang bowed.

"Master!"

Duobao, still on the ground, grew anxious.

Would Tongtian's handling of this not amount to recognizing Tai Cang's status?

With the talent Tai Cang had displayed, if he remained in the sect, Duobao's position as eldest senior brother would likely...

"Silence!"

Tongtian interrupted him sternly. "As the eldest senior brother, you disregarded your status and engaged in a private fight with your junior brother.

"Tai Cang is an inner disciple and does not understand the rules. As a direct disciple, do you not understand them either?

"From today onward, Duobao will reflect behind closed doors for eight hundred years and may not leave his residence even half a step."

The entire hall fell silent.

Eight hundred years facing the wall!

This punishment was harsher than Tai Cang's. Tongtian was clearly dissatisfied with Duobao.

The Jie Sect direct disciples appeared calm, but undercurrents already churned within their hearts.

Their eldest senior brother Duobao had been punished and incurred Tongtian's displeasure. His position within the sect would surely be shaken in the future. Others might have the chance to replace him, so why would they continue flattering him?

Especially Zhao Gongming, San Xiao, and Tai Cang, who had long been irreconcilable with Duobao. Now that Tai Cang had displayed astonishing talent, once his period of reflection ended, he would very likely be promoted to a direct disciple. By then...

"I obey Master's command!"

Duobao collapsed onto the ground, his face ashen.

He understood that he had thoroughly angered Master.

Worse still, all his plans had failed. It would be far harder to control the Jie Sect direct disciples from now on. Tai Cang, Zhao Gongming, and the others would likely seize this chance to rise.