Return to the Clan, No Time to Lose

Three days later.

Inside the imperial palace of the Jia Ma Imperial Capital.

"Rumble, rumble, rumble!!!"

The entire imperial capital suddenly began to shake!!

The reason the imperial capital could tremble was that a powerful surge of energy had spread from the direction of Misty Cloud Mountain!!!

"Jie jie jie."

Within the imperial hall, a mass of black mist sensed the violent energy fluctuations. It looked at Jia Xingtian, one of the Jia Ma Empire's three great fools, and said in a bewitching tone, "Yun Shan has already broken through to the Dou Zong realm, and there is another Dou Huang expert by his side. Are you willing to remain beneath others forever?"

Jia Xingtian hesitated at those words, his fists tightening involuntarily.

Of course he was unwilling!

But this person before him clearly had ill intentions as well!

How could he so easily trust him?

"As long as you cooperate with the Hall of Souls, we can not only help you break through to that realm, but your imperial family can also cultivate more experts. Naturally, to make your imperial family stronger, all you need to do is gather some experts above the Dou Wang realm for the Hall of Souls every year." Seeing Jia Xingtian's unwillingness, the black mist tempted him again.

"If I cooperate with you, how can I trust that you have no designs on my imperial family?" Jia Xingtian was an old fox himself, so naturally, he did not believe in free lunches.

"You need not worry about that. Other than soul bodies, I only came here for a piece of ancient jade. As for the Jia Ma Empire, we have no interest in it whatsoever," the Hall of Souls Protector replied.

"Think it over. If you refuse, then I will go seek cooperation with the Cloud Sect instead." The voice emerged from the black mist again, but this time, it carried impatience.

Even Jia Xingtian, foolish as he might have been, grew anxious upon hearing that.

The Cloud Sect already had a Dou Zong expert. If they also gained the support of a powerful Central Plains faction, wouldn't the imperial family be facing a complete upheaval?

"Fine, I can agree. But I hope you will keep your word as well. Otherwise, even if we must fight to mutual destruction, I will not let you have your way." Jia Xingtian looked at the Hall of Souls Protector and finally said.

"Jie jie jie."

The rear mountain of the Cloud Sect.

At this moment, the stone chamber door had opened. The one who emerged was no longer a decrepit old man on the verge of death. Instead, he carried an otherworldly, ethereal air. He did not look particularly old now, and his face lacked the wrinkles an old man should have. Rather, it resembled warm jade glowing with a faint luster. Although his hair was white, he possessed the bearing of an immortal.

After advancing, Yun Shan had completely changed.

Though his aura had not yet stabilized, he was now undeniably a Dou Zong expert.

"Many thanks to you, worthy nephew Lei Qi, for this time." After emerging, Yun Shan clasped his hands and said.

"Hehe, Elder Yun is too polite. Your aura is still unstable, and this is precisely when you need secluded cultivation. With Yun Yun accompanying me, there is no need for you to worry about me," Lei Qi said.

"Yun Yun, then accompany worthy nephew Lei Qi around Misty Cloud Mountain." Seeing this, Yun Shan did not stand on ceremony and immediately returned inside.

Seeing that Yun Shan had already broken through, Lei Qi did not intend to remain any longer.

Because of the simple exchange earlier, the Black Demon Lightning had become increasingly restless lately.

Thus, Lei Qi had no choice but to leave!

He truly feared that the Black Demon Lightning might suddenly erupt.

If this continued, it would truly become a ticking time bomb for him. However, although the Black Demon Lightning was restless, Lei Qi had gained something during this period as well. During these days at the Cloud Sect, he had reached the three-star Dou Huang realm. Based on his previous calculations, it should have taken him over another month.

Because he was leaving, Lei Qi naturally explored Yun Yun a little more that night.

"You're leaving, Lei Qi?" Yun Yun asked softly.

"Mm, I'm leaving. I'll first make a trip to Canaan Academy. An elder of my clan is waiting there," Lei Qi replied.

"Canaan Academy!?"

Yun Yun looked at Lei Qi curiously. "Canaan Academy is connected to your family?"

"It was founded by one of my clan's elders." Lei Qi nodded.

Yun Yun was greatly shocked upon hearing this!

Canaan Academy was renowned even across the entire continent. Yet who could have imagined that this famous institution had been founded by an elder of Lei Qi's clan?

"..."

Seeing Yun Yun's astonishment, Lei Qi told her more about Canaan Academy.

"What kind of force is your family, exactly?" Yun Yun could not help asking.

"You'll find out later." Lei Qi did not explain further, because Yun Yun's horizons were still far too limited.

Yun Yun looked a little displeased, but only for a moment.

Lei Qi was about to leave, and she did not know when they would meet again. Though she was somewhat reluctant, Lei Qi did not linger any longer and chose to depart.

Zhang Yi naturally left with Lei Qi.

On the road to the Black-Corner Region, Lei Qi specifically instructed Zhang Yi to make a trip to the Heavenly Serpent Mansion and obtain cultivation techniques suitable for Qing Lin.

Lei Qi did not know, nor did he care, how Zhang Yi acquired them. After all, Zhang Yi was a high-level Dou Zun, while the strongest person in the Heavenly Serpent Mansion was only a Dou Zong. Naturally, they had no ability to resist.

Unless they wished for their sect to be destroyed entirely. But clearly, Zhang Yi had not needed to take action. Mere intimidation had forced them to hand over the cultivation techniques.

After roughly eight days, the two caught up with Yang Ji's group.

The Snake-People Clan traveled very slowly, so Lei Qi merely left Yang Ji behind to escort them safely to Canaan Academy, while his own group went ahead first.

When one was weak, most of one's time was practically spent traveling. It would still take quite some time to return, and he truly could not delay any longer.

Over the past few days, the fluctuations from the mutated Black Demon Lightning had grown increasingly intense.

Another ten days passed, and they arrived at Canaan Academy. After learning about the fluctuations within Lei Qi's body, Mang Tianchi took Lei Qi, Cao Ying, Little Fairy Doctor, Qing Lin, and Zi Yan and led the group directly away from Canaan Academy.

As for Zhang Yi, he was left to handle the Snake-People Clan's affairs with Yang Ji.

Inside the spatial wormhole.

The girls' initial excitement about this place eventually gave way to nothing but boredom. They had no desire whatsoever to admire the empty space around them. It was simply too monotonous.

Lei Qi's residence.

Over the past few days, he had been extremely settled, cultivating quietly every day.

"Hiss, hiss."

Then, on this day, the seven-colored little snake that had slept for so long suddenly darted out.