Jingjing

As night fell, the streets of Qingyang City were sparsely lit with few pedestrians, but a strange undercurrent flowed beneath the surface.

At the street corners, a group of Wang Family martial artists, clad in black, carried lanterns and weapons, searching house by house.

Their expressions were grim, their gazes like eagles scanning the surrounding pedestrians, seeking the killer of their hunting party.

"Damn it! Still no trace of the killer?" the leader of the martial artists roared in a low voice, his face filled with anxiety and unease.

"The killer's aura just vanished once they reached the county town. It's truly bizarre," another man said gravely.

"Keep searching! He couldn't have disappeared without a trace," the black-clothed martial artist snorted, leading his subordinates forward to continue the search.

Chu Ning, dressed in a gray robe, blended into the crowd, his steps steady and his gaze calm.

Although Wang Family martial artists were patrolling along the way, with his dual identities as an executive of the Thunderclap Martial Hall and a constable of the county yamen, these men, despite their grim looks, could only watch him leave without daring to stop him.

However, Chu Ning knew that while the Wang Family hadn't acted against him directly, suspicions were already brewing in the shadows.

"I must completely erase all suspicious traces," he thought to himself.

At this moment, the air was filled with a faint scent of blood, and a subtle hint of sulfur.

These were traces of the previous battle. If the Wang Family noticed them, it would surely arouse suspicion.

Chu Ning took a deep breath, his mind stirred, and his palm grew slightly warm. The Void Spirit Bell instantly released an invisible wave, spreading out like gentle ripples.

In an instant, the aura on Chu Ning's body retracted sharply.

The lingering scent of blood seemed to be washed away at this moment, vanishing without a trace; even the faint sulfurous smell in the air seemed to be isolated in another space.

Chu Ning looked down at the Void Spirit Bell in his hand, which was faintly emitting a cold light, and marveled inwardly.

"This thing... is indeed more than just for concealing one's cultivation."

It could not only conceal his own aura but also clean up the traces left by battle, and even the almost imperceptible killing intent on his person seemed to be completely masked.

"A good treasure."

The corners of his mouth curved slightly as he walked towards the martial hall.

In the distance, the Wang Family's patrol martial artists suddenly stopped. One of them frowned and sniffed the air.

"Strange, I thought I smelled a hint of blood just now... why did it disappear so suddenly?"

"Was it just an illusion?"

"Perhaps. Let's keep searching!"

Chu Ning walked past them, his expression unchanged.

The Wang Family martial artists didn't notice anything amiss and could only watch him leave.

Chu Ning let out a cold laugh in his heart.

"The Wang Family probably never imagined I'd be right under their noses."

A moment later, he passed through the crowd and successfully arrived at the Thunderclap Martial Hall.

Inside the Thunderclap Martial Hall, the lights were bright.

Disciples were training at night, their shouts like thunder, the powerful gusts of their synchronized punches and kicks stirring the courtyard, like rumbling muffled thunder. From afar, each disciple carried a thunderous power, their steps shaking the ground, making the entire martial hall exude a powerful aura.

Chu Ning pushed open the heavy door and walked towards the backyard.

In the courtyard, a robust figure sat before a stone table, clad in a loose gray robe, holding a wine pot in one hand and slowly pouring a cup of clear wine. The aroma of wine filled the air, wafting in the night breeze.

Lei Wanjun looked up at Chu Ning, his gaze deep and probing.

"What have you learned from Li Jing'an recently?" he asked casually, his tone seemingly carefree, but his eyes seemed capable of seeing through people's hearts.

Chu Ning walked to the opposite side and sat down, reached for the wine pot, poured a cup of wine, and gently swirled it. "Some simple methods of controlling force, and techniques for concealing one's aura."

Lei Wanjun's brow twitched, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. "Concealing aura? Why can't I sense your cultivation now?"

Chu Ning chuckled. "Li Jing'an taught me a set of techniques to hide my cultivation, allowing true qi to be contained within and aura to be restrained, not revealing itself outwardly."

Lei Wanjun fell silent for a moment, then nodded slightly, before changing the subject, his tone lowering. "With the Wang Family making such a big fuss outside, what happened?"

Chu Ning casually swirled his wine cup and said lightly, "The Wang Family's hunting party went to Black Wind Forest to hunt Azure-Eyed Snow Foxes, and they were all wiped out."

Lei Wanjun was stunned, his gaze suddenly sharp. "All wiped out? What about Wang Li, the direct descendant of the Wang Family?"

"He's dead too." Chu Ning's tone remained calm, as if stating an insignificant matter.

Lei Wanjun's expression instantly became complex. First, he was shocked, and then a look of ecstatic joy appeared on his face.

He slammed his palm on the table, laughing heartily, his eyes filled with the satisfaction of revenge.

"Good! The Wang Family has it coming! They harmed my loved ones, and now they finally taste the pain of losing their own!"

But just as he was immersed in this pleasure, his expression changed slightly, as if he realized something.

He looked deeply at Chu Ning and said slowly, "How do you know such detailed information? Could it be... related to you?"

Chu Ning nodded gently and said calmly, "I killed them."

Lei Wanjun's pupils contracted slightly, and he stared at Chu Ning, speechless for a long time.

A moment later, he suddenly threw his head back and laughed, his voice echoing throughout the courtyard.

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Chu Ning, you've truly made me happy!"

As his laughter faded, his eyes gleamed with admiration. He looked at Chu Ning solemnly and said, "Based on this alone, from now on, you will be the next master of Thunderclap Martial Hall!"

Chu Ning waved his hand and said calmly, "Master, I am young and it will be difficult to win the respect of the others."

Lei Wanjun paused, then laughed heartily and nodded, "Yes, yes, yes, it would indeed be too sudden to make you the master."

Lei Wanjun picked up his wine cup, his gaze suddenly deepening. "Chu Ning, if you win first place in the Azure Cloud Arena, I will betroth Jingjing to you."

Chu Ning's fingertips trembled, and he almost spilled the wine. The image of his Elder Sister curled up in the corner of their thatched hut flashed before his eyes – that year, during the harsh winter, debt collectors had kicked over the brazier, and his mother, coughing up blood, had clutched his clothes tightly.

"Master..." His throat tightened. "Someone like me is not worthy of discussing marriage."

Lei Wanjun slammed the table abruptly, his wine cup leaping three inches. "Do you think I'm a pedantic old fool? When Jingjing was thirteen, she was targeted by the Wang Family and nearly killed. If you can sever this man-eating world for her..." He suddenly stopped, tilted his head back, and drained the remaining wine. "Never mind, regarding the arena, you decide for yourself."

Chu Ning frowned slightly, thinking to himself, Even someone as powerful as the Master, with the backing of the martial hall, cannot fully guarantee his family's safety… I need to become stronger even faster!

Lei Wanjun suddenly laughed, "You already agreed to represent Thunderclap Martial Hall in the Azure Cloud Arena. Don't go back on your word just because I'm offering my daughter to you."

Chu Ning felt a bit awkward and quickly waved his hands, "No, no, I won't."

Lei Wanjun laughed heartily, his gaze carrying a hint of depth. "Don't worry, Jingjing's talent and beauty are definitely worthy of you."

Chu Ning could only agree, "Thank you for your kind offer, Master."

"The prize for the Azure Cloud Arena is a fragment of the Nine Heavens Thunder Canon," Lei Wanjun said, stroking Chu Ning's repaired Thunderclap Blade. "Do you know why the Thunder Saber Sect was destroyed back then? It was because someone believed..." He suddenly smashed a teacup. "Whoever collects all three volumes of the Thunder Canon can summon heavenly tribulations to slay immortals!"

Lei Wanjun's tone shifted, and his expression became serious. "The Azure Cloud Arena is about to begin. You should also prepare to set off for the prefectural city."

Chu Ning picked up his wine cup and slowly drank, his eyes flickering slightly.

He had long heard the Master talk about the Azure Cloud Arena. It was a competition that gathered geniuses from all sides. The victor would not only receive generous rewards but also achieve fame and renown throughout the prefectural city.

Lei Wanjun's expression grew solemn. "This arena is more different than ever before. Although there were many strong individuals in previous years, this time, the strongest disciples from the major sects will also be present. Even... some of the top sects in the prefectural city have sent their core disciples."

Chu Ning put down his wine cup and said calmly, "Sects in the prefectural city?"

Lei Wanjun said in a deep voice, "That's right. The Heavenly Thunder Sect and the Cold Mountain Sect in the prefectural city, and even people from Marquis Wu's Estate will be present."

Chu Ning's heart trembled slightly. Marquis Wu's Estate – that was a martial arts family that held real power, and their disciples were all extraordinary.

Lei Wanjun continued, "If you can make a name for yourself in the arena, you will not only bring glory to the martial hall but also gain additional cultivation resources. However, at the same time, attracting too much attention will also bring you many enemies."

Chu Ning smiled and said, "That's good, I also want to see what level I'm currently at."

Lei Wanjun showed a hint of satisfaction at his words, then glanced at him again. "However... now that you're leaving, have you made proper arrangements for your home?"

Chu Ning frowned slightly and said slowly, "My Elder Sister is still at home. I am indeed a little worried."

Lei Wanjun smiled casually and waved his hand, "What's so difficult about that? Just have her move into the martial hall. As long as she's in the martial hall, even people from the Wang Family won't dare to cause trouble easily."

Upon hearing this, a hint of gratitude flashed in Chu Ning's eyes. He stood up and cupped his fists. "Thank you, Master."

Lei Wanjun raised his wine cup and gently clinked it against Chu Ning's, the wine rippling slightly, like the calm before the arrival of thunder.