Heavenly Punishment, Leaving Jade Wave Island, and the Hunt

The two continued walking back.

After passing through several alleys and turning into that quiet alley, I could see a person standing outside my own courtyard gate in the distance.

The man appeared to be in his early twenties, with striking features, a handsome face, and wearing a moon-white robe with a long sword hanging at his waist. He was none other than Su Xinghe, the Talent Recruitment Hall of the Inner Sect of the Golden Sun Sect.

Wang Mengde frowned slightly.

Why is this person here again?

Su Xinghe sensed the Foundation Establishment aura emanating from the two individuals, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

He strode forward, his voice clear and polite. "Greetings, True Person; True Person, congratulations on successfully Foundation Establishment."

His smile was gentle, and his tone was sincere. "On behalf of the Golden Sun Sect, I once again sincerely invite you two to join our Golden Sun Sect."

If you two are willing to join, you can directly become inner sect elders and enjoy the offerings of elders.

The Golden Sun Sect will also provide True Person with beginner and intermediate level 3 Talisman drawing methods, and provide the two with two intermediate level Earth-rank Law Technique and one intermediate level Earth-rank Cultivation Method.

Wang Mengde looked at Su Xinghe, shook his head, and said in a calm voice, "Hall Master Su, thank you for your kindness."

I have no intention of joining the Golden Sun Sect.

Please leave.

Despite being rejected, Su Xinghe remained unperturbed. He chuckled and took out two Second-Rank Voice Transmission Talisman from his Storage Bag, handing them over and saying, "Master True Person, there's no need to rush to refuse. Think it over carefully."

Contact me anytime when you've figured it out.

This is Second-Rank Voice Transmission Talisman to directly contact me; please accept it.

Wang Mengde did not accept the two Voice Transmission Talisman.

He walked to the courtyard gate, and with a thought, the Light Barrier cracked open, allowing him to lead Xue Linglong inside.

The Light Barrier closed behind him, isolating Su Xinghe from the outside.

Su Xinghe's smile froze slightly, the two Voice Transmission Talisman still in his hand, frozen in mid-air.

He remained silent for a moment, then put away the Voice Transmission Talisman, turned and left. His moon-white robes fluttered gently in the morning breeze, and his steps remained composed.

In the courtyard, Xue Linglong stood under the Spirit Jujube Tree, her cat ears popping up again, trembling slightly, her golden vertical pupils filled with curiosity.

She looked at Wang Mengde and asked, "Master, which sect are you planning to join?"

Wang Mengde reached out and gently rubbed her cat ears, his voice soft. "I want to go to the Myriad Beasts Sect."

Xue Linglong nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Half an hour later.

Someone gently tapped the Light Barrier.

Wang Mengde extended his divine sense and sensed a beautiful and voluptuous woman standing outside the door; it was none other than the True Person Azure Fall.

He opened the Light Barrier and welcomed True Person Azure Fall inside.

True Person Azure Fall walked into the courtyard and saw Xue Linglong standing under the Spirit Jujube Tree. His eyes lit up, and he walked up to her with a Xue Linglong, took her hand, looked her up and down, and said with great joy, "Linglong, congratulations on your successful Foundation Establishment."

Master knew you could do it.

Xue Linglong smiled and nodded.

Although True Person Azure Fall was nominally her master, he was actually her former master.

The other party sold her to Wang Mengde; she became Wang Mengde's woman.

It has little to do with True Person Azure Fall.

True Person Azure Fall took out a brocade box from his sleeve and stuffed it into Xue Linglong's hand. "This is a congratulatory gift from your master, the top-grade Law Artifact, the Frost Sword."

You should take it for self-defense.

Xue Linglong opened the brocade box, inside which lay a pale blue longsword. The blade was slender and thin as a cicada's wing, with a faint blue light flowing across its surface. An ice-blue gemstone was inlaid on the hilt, emanating a wisp of cold air.

She looked up at Wang Mengde, her golden, vertical pupils filled with hesitation: "This is too precious—"

True Person Azure Fall patted her hand and smiled, "This is a small token of my respect as your master. Please accept it."

Why be so polite with your master?

Xue Linglong then looked at Wang Mengde.

She could only take it if Wang Mengde allowed it; if Wang Mengde didn't allow it, she couldn't take it.

Wang Mengde nodded, his voice gentle. "Take it."

Xue Linglong then put the brocade box into her Storage Bag, bowed to True Person Azure Fall, and said in a soft, sweet voice, "Thank you."

True Person Azure Fall waved his hand, turned to Wang Mengde, his expression becoming more serious, and slowly said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, I have come here today to invite you two to join the Mystic Ice Sect."

The Grand Elder said that as long as you are willing to join the Mystic Ice Sect, you and Linglong will both be inner sect elders and enjoy the offerings of elders.

The Grand Elder also promised to purchase the third-tier beginner Talisman drawing method and the third-tier intermediate Talisman drawing method you need in the future, and to give you two two intermediate-level Earth-rank Law Technique and one intermediate-level Earth-rank Cultivation Method.

In addition, the Mystic Ice Sect has a spiritual fruit called the Mystic Ice Fruit that can directly increase the cultivation speed of the Foundation Establishment Realm. You will receive one as soon as you join the Mystic Ice Sect.

As long as you have contribution points, you can continue to make purchases.

Wang Mengde looked at her, remained silent for a moment, and then said the same thing again, "OP, I'll think about it."

Unlike the previous two times, True Person Azure Fall did not stop there. Instead, he looked at him sincerely and asked directly, "Fellow Daoist Wang, what exactly are you considering?"

The Grand Elder said that the Mystic Ice Sect sincerely invites you to join.

If you have any conditions, just say so.

"Anything the Mystic Ice Sect can fulfill, we will definitely fulfill."

Others might not know about Wang Mengde's terrifying Talisman, but she did.

Wang Mengde will definitely become a third-tier talisman master in the future, and may even become a high-level third-tier talisman master.

A third-tier advanced talisman master is as important to a sect as a Peak Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Moreover, Wang Mengde earns Spirit Stones extremely quickly, and it is entirely possible that he will advance to the Peak Foundation Establishment in the future.

A third-tier advanced talisman master at the Peak Foundation Establishment is very important to a sect.

She strongly recommended Wang Mengde to the Grand Elder, securing many benefits for Wang Mengde.

Looking at her sincere expression, Wang Mengde felt a slight stirring in his heart.

He paused for a moment, then said, "OP, I'll think about it some more."

True Person Azure Fall nodded, not pressing further, but said earnestly, "Fellow Daoist Wang, you must consider the Mystic Ice Sect as soon as the time comes."

Although the Mystic Ice Sect is not the strongest among the five major sects, its sincerity is certainly the greatest.

Wang Mengde nodded.

True Person Azure Fall changed the subject and asked, "Could you buy me some more of those Spirit Shield Talisman you gave me seven days ago?"

This time, I'll price it at sixty-two Spirit Stones.

Wang Mengde said, "Okay."

You previously bought me Yin Spirit Fruit and Xuanhuang Pills worth 115,500 Spirit Stones; it's time to settle the debt with you.

Come pick up the goods in ten days.

True Person Azure Fall waved his hand and said with a smile, "That debt isn't urgent for now; we can pay it off slowly later."

I'll give you the Spirit Stones in ten days; just give me the Talisman.

Wang Mengde didn't stand on ceremony and readily agreed, "Okay."

True Person Azure Fall revealed a happy smile, her eyebrows curving upwards, her charm even more captivating.

After exchanging a few more words, True Person Azure Fall rose to take his leave. With a flicker, he transformed into a streak of white light and vanished into the void.

Wang Mengde turned off the Light Barrier, turned around and returned to the quiet room, where he sat cross-legged on the futon.

He closed his eyes, pondering silently.

Of the five major Golden Core sects, the Evergreen Sect can never return.

The Golden Sun Sect, the Mystic Ice Sect, and the Sky Sword Sect all invited him twice.

The Mystic Ice Sect showed its utmost sincerity.

The Myriad Beasts Sect has not yet sent anyone to invite him.

The Myriad Beasts Sect is the strongest sect in terms of overall strength among the five major Golden Core sects in the Blue Wave Sea. It has three Golden Core True Persons, one of whom is also a fourth-grade Alchemist.

Most importantly, the Myriad Beasts Sect has many contracted spirit beast cubs with superior aptitude, as well as many spirit fruits that can quickly improve the cultivation level of spirit beasts.

Joining the Myriad Beasts Sect allows spirit beasts to grow rapidly, and the feedback from these spirit beasts also helps his soul to strengthen quickly, greatly increasing his speed in cultivating Law Technique.

For now, I'll focus on cultivating the True Myriad Beast Taming Formula, saving up some Spirit Stones, buying a set of equipment, and then heading to the Myriad Beasts Sect.

Wang Mengde composed himself, formed hand seals, and activated the True Myriad Beast Taming Formula.

Two golden runes slowly appeared in his palm, one as solid as a star, the other as faint as smoke.

He practiced the Cultivation Method again and again, gradually improving his proficiency.

After cultivating for three hours, Wang Mengde dispersed the runes in his palm, took off his shirt, and began cultivating the Thunder Tempering Body Formula, leaving his upper body bare.

A purple arc of electricity crackled and popped in his right palm, with tiny electric snakes leaping between his fingers.

His gaze sharpened, and he slammed his right hand onto his chest.

A burst of purple lightning erupted, and muscles began to twitch uncontrollably.

He gritted his teeth, activated the Thunder Tempering Body Formula, and channeled the power of lightning into his meridians, cleansing his internal organs again and again.

[Thunder Tempering Body Formula +1]

[Physical Body Cultivation +1]

Days passed by, peaceful yet fulfilling.

Six months have passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Wang Mengde was practicing his Palm Thunder Technique in a quiet room.

[Palm Thunder Technique (Transcendent Mastery) 6359/6400]

The Palm Thunder Technique Transcendent Mastery is almost at its pinnacle.

He stood in the center of the secret room, his right hand raised, palm facing outward, purple arcs of electricity crackling and leaping in his palm.

He repeatedly unleashed the Palm Thunder Technique, exhausting his True Essence, then sat cross-legged to recover before standing up to continue.

After unleashing the Palm Thunder Technique, a line of small golden characters suddenly appeared in Wang Mengde's mind.

[Palm Thunder Technique +1]

The moment those small words appeared, an exceptionally powerful sense of enlightenment surged into his mind like a tidal wave.

Countless pieces of information, images, and experiences exploded in his consciousness, like a star compressed a thousand times larger bursting forth in his mind.

He closed his eyes, quietly processing those insights.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he opened his eyes, and a sudden realization dawned on him.

A completely new route for the circulation of True Essence appeared in his mind. It was no longer the route of the original Palm Thunder Technique, but a completely new, more complex, and more profound route.

The route starts from the Dantian, meanders along the meridians, passes through several acupoints that have never been touched before, and finally converges in the palm.

The True Essence flows faster along the path, is compressed more, and unleashes greater power.

Wang Mengde was deeply shocked.

The Palm Thunder Technique has evolved into a higher-level Law Technique.

He originally thought that once he reached the Transcendent Mastery Law Technique, there would be a next level, or perhaps that would be the limit. He never expected that after Transcendent Mastery, his Law Technique would evolve into a higher-level Law Technique.

With a thought, he began to circulate a new path of True Essence.

True Essence surged through the meridians, flowing along that new route and converging in the palm.

A ball of blue and purple lightning appeared in his palm. The blue was as deep as the sea, and the purple was as rich as the sunset. The two colors intertwined, like a blooming flower, which was extremely beautiful.

However, the power it contains is exceptionally terrifying.

As the electric arc leaped, the air was ionized, emitting a piercing hissing sound. Even the surrounding spiritual energy was stirred up by this force, forming a...

A tiny vortex.

Wang Mengde closed his eyes and focused his inner vision.

[Subject: Wang Mengde]

[Destiny: Heaven Rewards Diligence (Success is inevitable)]

[Foundation Establishment Cultivation Level: Foundation Establishment Early Stage (5600/100000)]

Physical Body Cultivation: Ninth Layer of Body Tempering (9820/25600)

[Cultivation Method: Luan-Phoenix Harmony Formula Level 10 (6600/100000); True Myriad Beast Taming Formula Level 2 (5380/10000); Thunder Tempering Body Formula Level 9 (9820/25600)]

Law Technique: Sword-Controlling Technique (Transcendent Mastery) 1609/6400; Heavenly Punishment (Initiation) 5000/100000; Spirit Eye Technique (Transcendent Mastery)

2530/6400; Fishing Technique (Peak Mastery) 2260/3200; Entwining Silk Technique (Peak Mastery) 2320/3200; Water Arrow Technique (Peak Mastery) 2223/3200; Water Escape Technique (Peak Mastery) 2180/3200; Voice Transmission Technique (Major Accomplishment) 380/400]

[Secret Technique: Imprinting Art]

[Talisman Drawing Methods: Spirit Shield Talisman (Transcendent Mastery) 2925/6400; Shrinking Earth Talisman (Initiation) 15/100;...]

Wang Mengde paused slightly.

On his Fate Panel, the Palm Thunder Technique had disappeared, replaced by a brand new Law Technique: Heavenly Punishment.

Heavenly Punishment, Initiation level.

What level of Law Technique is this?

It takes 100,000 proficiency points to Initiation to Minor Accomplishment.

The grade of this Heavenly Punishment definitely surpasses that of a low-level Earth-rank Law Technique, and may even surpass that of a mid-level Earth-rank Law Technique.

As for whether it was high-level Earth Rank or Heaven Rank, he didn't know.

Wang Mengde was both surprised and delighted.

He looked down at the blue-purple lightning in his palm, and with a thought, increased the output of his True Essence.

The lightning suddenly surged, growing from the size of a fist to the size of a head, with blue-purple arcs of electricity leaping wildly and emitting a deafening roar.

The entire secret chamber was illuminated by the light of lightning, and the runes on the walls flickered violently, desperately suppressing the raging power.

Suddenly, he realized that his True Essence was rapidly decreasing.

In just a few breaths, his True Essence had been consumed by a full 60%.

While the power of Heavenly Punishment is terrifying, the consumption of True Essence is also terrifying.

Most importantly, I didn't unleash the full power of Heavenly Punishment just now.

If he were to unleash his full power and concentrate a single attack, he could drain all the True Essence from his Dantian.

Wang Mengde swiftly dispersed the lightning in his palm and, following the Transcendent Mastery circulation path of the Palm Thunder Technique True Essence, recirculated his True Essence.

Purple lightning reappeared in his palm, its power several times weaker than the Heavenly Punishment, but it also consumed far less True Essence.

He smiled.

The power of Heavenly Punishment is extremely terrifying, but the consumption of True Essence is also terrifying.

It can be used as a trump card.

It should not be used lightly.

For dealing with ordinary enemies, a Transcendent Mastery Palm Thunder Technique is sufficient.

His eyes were burning with anticipation for the power of Heavenly Punishment.

I wonder if Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator can withstand his Heavenly Punishment.

If I have the chance, I should try my luck against a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator.

Wang Mengde regained his composure and looked at the other Law Technique.

He originally intended to cultivate more Earth-rank Law Technique, but he never expected that after mastering Human-rank Law Technique to Transcendent Mastery, they would actually be upgraded to higher-rank Law Technique.

Since that's the case, let's cultivate all the high-level Law Technique we have to Transcendent Mastery extreme and see what they evolve into.

Wang Mengde took out a Vermilion Fruit from his Storage Bag, took a bite, and began refining it using the Luan-Phoenix Harmony Formula.

The flesh of the Vermilion Fruit is crisp and the juice is sweet. It melts in your mouth and transforms into a warm spiritual energy that flows into your meridians.

He circulated his cultivation Cultivation Method again and again, refining and absorbing the medicinal power of the Vermilion Fruit.

After absorbing all the spiritual power contained in the Vermilion Fruit, my spiritual power increased by thirteen points.

Wang Mengde sighed.

After reaching the Foundation Establishment, every point of increase in spiritual power requires a massive amount of energy.

A single Vermilion Fruit can increase spiritual power by eighty points when one is at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement, but it has only increased by thirteen points so far, which is less than twenty percent of what it used to be.

In the past six months, he has had no shortage of spiritual fruits and Spirit Stones. Whenever the effects of the medicine wore off, he would use it immediately. In addition, he would go to the ninth floor of the Spirit-Gathering Tower to cultivate every day, along with dual cultivation.

In a full six months, his spiritual power only increased by 4,213 points.

Most importantly, whether it's a spiritual fruit or a spiritual pill, its effects become weaker with each use.

Wang Mengde made an estimate.

At this rate, it would take eighteen years to reach the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

This cultivation speed is already quite terrifying for someone with Five-Element Spirit Roots.

The vast majority of cultivators with Five-Element Spirit Roots are stuck at the Qi Refinement Realm throughout their lives, with only one in ten thousand able to Foundation Establishment.

Not only did he Foundation Establishment, but he was also able to reach the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage within eighteen years, which is an extremely rare occurrence among the Five-Element Spirit Roots.

However, he was not satisfied.

He can now confidently say that he has no shortage of Spirit Stones.

In the past six months, he has been drawing more than 400 Spirit Shield Talisman every day, earning more than 19,000 Spirit Stones daily.

In half a year, he earned a total of more than 3.5 million Spirit Stones.

Most Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators probably don't have this much wealth.

Unfortunately, pills that can rapidly increase the cultivation speed of Foundation Establishment cultivators are extremely rare, possessed only by the five major sects, and never circulate outside their ranks.

He needs to join one of the five major sects as soon as possible to obtain those elixirs.

Just then, someone gently tapped the Light Barrier.

Wang Mengde probed with his divine sense and discovered it was the True Person Azure Fall.

He stood up, walked out of the quiet room, went to the courtyard, and turned on the Light Barrier.

True Person Azure Fall walked in with a smile, carrying a Storage Bag in his hand.

Wang Mengde welcomed her to the reception room and brewed her the finest spiritual tea.

True Person Azure Fall picked up his teacup, took a sip, put it down, patted his Storage Bag, took out a stack of contracts, pushed them in front of Wang Mengde, and said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, I have paid back all the spirit pills and spirit fruits you borrowed from the Evergreen Sect."

These are the contracts; please keep them safe.

Wang Mengde took the contract and looked through it page by page.

Each contract bore the seal of the Evergreen Sect, the words "paid off in full," and the personal seal of the person in charge.

He put the contract into his Storage Bag, cupped his hands in thanks, and said, "Thank you, Lord."

He Soul Oath when he borrowed the money.

He didn't know if the Soul Oath would come true, but he dared not gamble.

True Person Azure Fall waved his hand casually, "No need to be so polite."

"We're good friends, this is nothing."

Wang Mengde patted his Storage Bag and took out ten thick stacks of Spirit Shield Talisman, placing them on the table.

The Spirit Shield Talisman were stacked neatly, each one shimmering with golden light and radiating rich spiritual energy.

Wang Mengde pushed it forward, saying, "Five thousand Spirit Shield Talisman, just give me three hundred thousand Spirit Stones."

In the past six months, although he has earned nearly 3.5 million Low-Grade Spirit Stones, he has little left.

He purchased a large quantity of spiritual fruits and pills for himself and Xue Linglong, and also bought them both high-grade magical Law Artifacts.

True Person Azure Fall to buy a batch of spiritual fruits and pills for Liu Yiyi, Shen Qingyue, and Lin Xiaowan and send them over.

Of the 3.5 million Spirit Stones, less than 500,000 were left after the money was spent.

True Person Azure Fall looked at the thick stack of Spirit Shield Talisman, shook his head, and said seriously, "It was agreed that each talisman would cost sixty-two Spirit Stones. Five thousand talismans would cost three hundred and ten thousand Spirit Stones. Not a single one less."

She took out 3,100 Medium-Grade Spirit Stones from her Storage Bag and piled them on the ground, forming a small mountain.

"Alright." Wang Mengde nodded and waved his hand to put the Spirit Stones into his Storage Bag.

True Person Azure Fall put the Spirit Shield Talisman into his Storage Bag, drank another cup of tea, chatted for a few more minutes, and then got up to take his leave.

As evening fell, the setting sun bathed the entire courtyard in an orange-red hue.

The leaves of the Spirit Jujube Tree rustled in the evening breeze. Xue Linglong lay on the Soft Chair, her cat ears trembling slightly and her tail swaying gently behind her.

Her eyes were closed, a faint smile playing on her lips, like a kitten dozing in the sunlight.

Wang Mengde walked up to her, took out a thousand Medium-Grade Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag, and piled them in front of Xue Linglong. He said in a gentle voice, "Linglong, I have something to attend to and will be leaving for a few days."

Stay home and cultivate diligently; don't go out.

Xue Linglong opened her eyes, a hint of worry flashing in her golden vertical pupils.

She sat up from the Soft Chair, took the Storage Bag, looked at Wang Mengde, and asked in a soft, sweet voice, "Master, where are you going?"

Is there any danger?

Wang Mengde reached out and rubbed her cat ears, his voice calm. "Going to the Myriad Beasts Sect will be fine."

You don't need to worry.

Xue Linglong nodded and cautioned, "Master, please be careful."

Wang Mengde nodded, turned around, and walked out of the courtyard.

He ascended into the sky on his sword, flying straight towards the Light Barrier in the heavens.

Flying to the front of the Light Barrier, the identity jade pendant at his waist glowed slightly, and a beam of light shone from the pendant onto the Light Barrier.

The Light Barrier silently cracked open, like an invisible door slowly opening.

Wang Mengde rode his Flying Sword through the portal and shot out, heading south.

He channeled his True Essence, maintaining his Sword-Controlling Technique at its Peak Mastery. His superior-grade Flying Sword transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the sky in an instant.

At this moment, Deacon Zhao, who had been staying on Jade Wave Island to run his shop and supervise Wang Mengde, was the first to notice that Wang Mengde had left.

He suddenly stood up, rushed out of the shop, ascended into the air on his sword, broke through the Light Barrier, and chased after Wang Mengde in the direction he had left.

While chasing, he took out a stack of Voice Transmission Talisman from his Storage Bag and transmitted the sound one by one.