First Thunder Techniques Accomplished

The news brought by Uncle-Master Four Eyes was like a pebble dropped into a calm lake, stirring ripples in Mo Yuan's heart.

The Three Sects Tournament. The sect placed great importance on it, and the opponents were strong. This was not only a test of his cultivation progress but also immense pressure.

He transformed this pressure into a greater motivation.

Every day, besides his unwavering routine of going to the Scripture Pavilion to absorb knowledge, he dedicated almost all his remaining time to comprehending and cultivating the Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman Scripture.

The Ancient Thundercloud Mark he obtained from a sign-in, though faint, was like a silent teacher. Whenever he encountered obscure parts in his comprehension of thunder techniques, it would always give him a flash of inspiration, allowing him to grasp the profound essence of thunder.

Outside the Listening Thunder Abode, the sound of low thunder often echoed, not from the sky, but from Mo Yuan's quiet room.

The electric light dancing on his fingertips, initially fine and pale, gradually took on a deep purple hue, his power and control growing with each passing day.

One day, inside the quiet room, Mo Yuan sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. Suspended before him was a special talisman paper made from the heartwood of Hundred-Year Thunder-Patterned Wood.

His fingertips condensed highly compressed purple-gold spiritual energy, his expression intensely focused as he meticulously sketched an incredibly complex rune—it was the nascent form of the "Purple Firmament Thunder Talisman," a powerful thunder talisman recorded in the Qi Refining chapter of the Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman Scripture.

The drawing process was extremely taxing on his mind and spiritual energy, requiring extremely precise control of his divine sense.

Fine beads of sweat seeped from Mo Yuan's forehead, his arm as steady as a rock. The essence of the scripture and the insights from the Ancient Thundercloud Mark continuously echoed in his mind.

Just as he was about to complete the final stroke of the rune, requiring an extremely subtle twist and burst of spiritual energy output, Mo Yuan had an epiphany. He activated the wisp of dormant Innate Spiritual Energy within his body.

Although it was only a wisp, it was like dropping a drop of cold water into a boiling oil pan, instantly providing crucial guidance and stability!

"Buzz—!"

The purple-gold rune on the talisman paper suddenly lit up, erupting with dazzling lightning, a heart-palpitating destructive aura spreading out before quickly retracting, finally stabilizing.

On the talisman, thunder patterns flowed, accompanied by faint sounds of wind and thunder, its spiritual light brilliant!

The Purple Firmament Thunder Talisman was complete!

Although it was only the lowest grade, "Nascent," its power was definitely several times that of ordinary lightning-attracting talismans.

More importantly, this meant Mo Yuan had truly stepped onto the threshold of the Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman Scripture, mastering its unique method of drawing thunder talismans!

Mo Yuan let out a long sigh, a tired yet joyful smile appearing on his face.

Successfully drawing the Purple Firmament Thunder Talisman not only signified a great increase in his thunder technique attainments but also gave him a new understanding of his own power, especially the application of that wisp of Innate Spiritual Energy.

"System, sign in!"

[Ding! Sign-in successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining: High-Grade Spirit Stone x2, Lightning-Struck Jujube Wood Core (300 years) x1, Minor All-Heavens Cloud Restriction Secret Method (Fragment) x1, Remnant Aura of the Primordial World: A wisp of pure Innate Gengjin Thunderous Fiend Energy!]

[Lightning-Struck Jujube Wood Core (300 years)]: A thunder-element spiritual material with higher quality than Thunder-Patterned Wood, containing more powerful thunderous force.

[Minor All-Heavens Cloud Restriction Secret Method (Fragment)]: A fragment recording a mysterious spiritual energy restraint and sealing technique, usable for subduing enemies or sealing treasures.

[A wisp of pure Innate Gengjin Thunderous Fiend Energy]: A special fiendish energy containing the sharpness of Gengjin and the destructive power of thunder. It can be integrated into thunder techniques or artifact refining, greatly enhancing attack power and evil-dispelling effects (Warning: The fiendish energy is ferocious, requires careful refinement).

"Innate Gengjin Thunderous Fiend Energy!"

Mo Yuan's heart trembled. This item was a perfect match for his Gengjin Sword Qi Secret Arts and his thunder techniques! If he could successfully refine and integrate it, his offensive power would leap to a new level.

He carefully guided the wisp of fiendish energy, emitting sharp, white-gold electric light, into his Dantian. He slowly enveloped and nurtured it with his Innate Spiritual Energy and Dragon Essence, not rushing to absorb it.

After successfully drawing the Purple Firmament Thunder Talisman, Mo Yuan did not stop.

He began to try integrating his thunder technique insights into his own spell system.

The improved "Fire Snake Art" possessed greater power, carrying the explosive characteristics of thunder and fire; when casting the "Ghost Shadow Footwork," it occasionally produced an almost imperceptible electric spark, making him faster and his movements more unpredictable; even during sparring, he attempted to infuse a wisp of thunderous power into the punches and kicks of the "Dragon Snake Eight Styles," catching his opponents off guard.

His cultivation, through natural accumulation, finally broke through the bottleneck of Qi Refining Layer Seven, steadily advancing to Qi Refining Layer Eight.

The spiritual energy in his Dantian became even more robust, showing faint signs of liquefaction. His divine sense range expanded again, and his absorption speed of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy also increased.

However, just as Mo Yuan was diligently cultivating and his strength steadily improving, subtle changes were quietly occurring in the atmosphere within Stone Bamboo Shoot Mountain.

One day, when he went to the Treasure Hall to exchange some ordinary talismans he had drawn and contribution points accumulated from completing sect missions for auxiliary materials for refining thunder talismans, he vaguely sensed several ill-intentioned gazes secretly watching him.

These gazes were not from familiar fellow disciples but from a few youths standing in a corner, exuding a cold aura and wearing slightly different attire from other inner disciples.

"I heard it's him, the one who received the essence of the Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman Scripture personally bestowed by the Sect Master?"

"Hmph, he's only been here for half a year, and relying on some luck and his master's influence, he's actually climbed over our heads."

"The spot for the Three Sects Tournament should have gone to Senior Brother Zhao, but he took it instead..."

The hushed whispers, though low, did not escape Mo Yuan's keen divine sense.

His expression remained unchanged. After exchanging for the materials he needed, he left directly, but his heart sank.

It seemed his path within the sect was not smooth sailing. The Sect Master's favor and his rapidly increasing strength had already aroused the jealousy and exclusion of some people.

The "Senior Brother Zhao" who had his tournament spot taken was likely the person behind Zhao Gan, whom he had previously defeated.

Upon returning to the Listening Thunder Abode, he informed his master, Uncle Nine, of the matter.

Uncle Nine (Lin Jiu) snorted upon hearing this, "The tree desires tranquility, but the wind will not cease. The sect is not entirely a pure land. Remember this, the cultivation world ultimately respects strength. Do not mind such trivial gossip.

But if anyone dares to resort to any insidious means during the tournament or behind your back, you need not tolerate it. Your master and your Sect Master Uncle will uphold justice for you.

The primary focus remains on improving your strength. As long as you demonstrate sufficient talent and value in the tournament, all petty individuals will naturally fall silent."

His master's words were a reassurance to Mo Yuan. He nodded, his gaze becoming more resolute. He was not one to hesitate; since trouble had found him, so be it.

Just as the master and disciple were conversing, Uncle Qian He arrived in a hurry, his expression somewhat grave.

"Senior Brother Lin, Nephew Mo Yuan."

After Qian He, his senior uncle, sat down, he said in a low voice, "I just returned from outside and heard some rumors. The Black Fiend Sect's activities have seemed more secretive lately, but they haven't stopped.

Furthermore, there are signs that they might be colluding with some other evil cultivator forces. Also, regarding the rumors that Nephew Mo Yuan possesses a rare treasure, possibly an inheritance from an ancient dragon clan, I don't know when they started spreading in some small circles. I'm afraid... it will attract unnecessary covetousness."

Uncle Nine's brows furrowed deeply. "The Black Fiend Sect's wicked intentions are unceasing, as expected. But these rumors about Mo Yuan... where did they originate?" His sharp gaze fell upon Qian He.

Qian He, his senior uncle, shook his head. "The source is hard to trace, and it spread very subtly. But I'm afraid it's related to the incident in the Provincial City that day, and the unusual phenomena displayed by the cultivation techniques and magical artifacts Nephew Mo Yuan is practicing.

Sect Leader, my senior brother, must already know. This exception to bestow the Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman Scripture might also be a way to deter the petty and show the sect's stance."

Mo Yuan remained silent, his thoughts racing.

The tallest tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. He had grown too quickly and harbored secrets, ultimately attracting the attention of various parties.

The threat from the Black Fiend Sect had not been eliminated, there were undercurrents within the sect, and potential covetous individuals outside... His path forward seemed to be covered in thorns.

But he felt no fear, only an eager excitement.

The greater the pressure, the stronger the motivation! The Three Sects Tournament would be his best stage to break through this predicament and awe everyone!

He clenched his fist, feeling the surging spiritual energy within his body and the wisp of Innate Gengjin Thunderous Fiend Energy that was slowly being refined.

"Come on, let me see just how fierce the storms on this cultivation path can be!"