Thunder Lord

Hu Liena's cheeks were crimson, as if she had drunk the strongest wine and the intoxication had gone to her head.

"If I said I didn't do it on purpose, that you seduced me first, would you believe me?"

"Y-You bastard!"

Seeing Hu Liena in his arms averting her gaze and turning her head aside, Jiang Chen finally realized how inappropriate it was and released her.

"Senior Sister, it was a misunderstanding. Don't take it to heart."

"Jiang Chen, you're courting death!"

"Blazing Inferno!"

Pillars of fire shot into the sky like they had gone mad, charging toward Jiang Chen.

By the time the fire pillars reached him, Jiang Chen finally reacted and hurriedly dodged, but it was already too late. The clothes on his back had been scorched black.

"Yan, you've gone too far."

Seeing this, Hu Liena hurriedly spoke up.

"No, I'm going to kill this bastard!"

"Lordflame Earth, sweep away all the evils of this world!"

"Die!"

Jiang Chen had barely dodged one fatal strike when another killing move came at him. His anger immediately surged.

"If you're looking to die, I'll grant your wish!"

"Second Soul Skill, Lotusfall from the Nine Heavens, ride the wind and soar!"

"Sixth Soul Skill, Thunderous Thousand-Pound Force!"

Jiang Chen stood suspended in the sky, murderous intent blazing in his eyes. A purple Azure Lotus stood before him, while lightning coiled around his entire body.

Boom—

Dark clouds instantly filled the sky, churning and surging, with the faint sound of dragon roars echoing within.

"Thunderfall."

Jiang Chen slowly uttered the two words, like a mighty sovereign issuing a royal decree.

"You deserve to die!"

"Jiang Chen, stop! Yan was only carried away for a moment!"

Seeing the strange phenomenon, Hu Liena knew Jiang Chen was truly enraged and might very well kill Yan.

"Thousand-Pound Force."

The lightning filling the heavens gathered into Jiang Chen's hand, transforming into Thunder Dragons that charged toward Yan.

"You think I'm afraid of you?!"

"Origin Flame, burn!"

Purple-red flames engulfed Yan's body. Burning his life essence, he charged desperately toward Jiang Chen.

"Those who profane must die!"

"Yan, are you crazy?!"

"You'll die!"

Hu Liena cried out anxiously, but Yan had already lost his reason and could not hear a word.

Watching Yan charge at the Thunder Dragons, Jiang Chen spoke with disdain. "Hmph, idiot!"

"Thunder Dragons, destroy him!"

Yan withstood three Thunder Dragons head-on in succession. Though his skin had been burned charred black, he still rapidly closed in on Jiang Chen.

Countless bolts of lightning behind Jiang Chen transformed into a giant dragon dozens of times larger than before, blotting out the sky as though it would swallow the mortal world whole.

Yan was already covered in wounds. It was clear that he was at the end of his rope.

Hu Liena's heart rose to her throat. If Yan was struck, he would undoubtedly die.

Every Thunder Dragon from the first manifestation had been worn down by Yan. His steps now swayed with difficulty, like a frostbitten leaf in the wind, drifting without certainty.

Roar—

The massive Thunder Dragon's roar echoed through the heavens, shaking the soul. Yan stared fixedly at the Thunder Dragon about to descend upon him, powerless to resist.

Thud—

Yan's legs could no longer support his heavy body, and he fell to his knees. Facing the Thunder Dragon, he felt despair and fear for the first time. Like an ordinary mortal facing a lofty god, he could only await judgment upon his fate.

Am I going to die?

Damn it, I'm really unwilling!

Roar—

The Thunder Dragon soared high into the nine heavens, then dove down, tearing through layer after layer of clouds with unmatched dominance.

"Everyone, stop!"

A majestic, domineering voice rang throughout the entire training grounds.

"Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Time Stop!"

The Thunder Dragon, just inches away, froze in midair, while Yan collapsed unconscious from exhaustion.

Suddenly, a purple-black sickle flew over, carving a formidable blade of light through the air and cutting the Thunder Dragon in two. The dragon dispersed at once, the dark clouds gradually faded, and gentle sunlight shone down.

"Jiang Chen, what are you doing?!"

A cold, beautiful voice came from nearby.

Jiang Chen looked up and saw Bibi Dong slowly approaching, holding a scepter and dressed in an imposing pope's robe, anger written across her face.

"Teacher, he wanted to kill me. So I'm not allowed to kill him?"

Hearing this, Bibi Dong's anger faded, replaced by a sigh. "Even if he was at fault first, he is still a genius of Wuhun Hall. Punishing him will be enough."

Jiang Chen merely said indifferently, "True reason has always rested in the hands of the strong."

"Let this matter end here. All of you, disperse."

Bibi Dong addressed the crowd below the stage.

In an instant, the people beneath the training grounds scattered like startled birds, vanishing without a trace.

"You two, take Yan back for treatment."

"Yes, Teacher."

Hu Liena lowered her head while Xie Yue carried Yan on his back, and the two left the training grounds together. After all, Yan had wanted to kill Jiang Chen largely because of Hu Liena. At that moment, she was deeply consumed by guilt.

She did not know how to face Yan, much less Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen had taken her first kiss, yet it had also been caused by the charm technique she had used. Her thoughts were in complete disarray.

"Xiao Chen, Yan's injuries are severe. I'm afraid he won't be able to participate in the Advanced Soul Master Tournament."

Jiang Chen replied calmly, "It doesn't matter. I'll take action."

Even if Jiang Chen used only his first Martial Soul, he could easily take on every team by himself. One more person or one less person made no difference at all.

"I know that with you here, we won't lose. But Wuhun Hall doesn't care about winning or losing. This is an opportunity for them to gain experience."

"..."

"Teacher, he's just a useless fool blinded by love. There's nothing to regret..."

"Fine. I know you're stubborn, but don't cause any more trouble later..."

"Sure, but only if they don't provoke me."

Bibi Dong gave Jiang Chen a deep look, then turned and left, with Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo following close behind.

The vast training grounds had already been devastated by the battle between Jiang Chen and the others. Broken bricks and scorch marks of varying depths covered the area as far as the eye could see.

Dusk arrived.

Jiang Chen returned to Autumn Pavilion, sat on his bed, and opened the system panel.

"System, absorb the Soul Ring."

A faintly visible Soul Ring enveloped Jiang Chen. It was nearly transparent and radiated a powerful aura, but the system concealed it, allowing it to spread only within the room. Otherwise, the entire continent might have been shaken by it.

The Zhuxian Sword, radiating ancient light, slowly appeared before Jiang Chen. Crisp sword cries rang out, as though it were cheering with joy.

Time passed, and the moon shone bright amid sparse stars.

Jiang Chen slowly opened his eyes. Endless divine charm shone within them. Jiang Chen had become a god!

"Today, I establish my own Godhood. I am the Sword God!"

"With one sword strike, all gods shall fall!"

Jiang Chen's calm words carried boundless dominance.

In truth, with Jiang Chen's strength, there was no need for him to hide his abilities. Very few remained who could threaten him, but Jiang Chen was not someone who liked to show off.

If one day all his old friends ascended to the God Realm, Jiang Chen might remain in the mortal world and become an unknown swordsman.

When he encountered injustice, what should he do?

When evil gods brought chaos, what then?

I have a sword. Naturally, I shall draw it.

Why draw the sword? To slay gods.

In Jiang Chen's eyes, Tang San was merely a chess piece to be toyed with by others. If Jiang Chen wanted him dead, he would die. If Jiang Chen wanted him alive, he would live.

The seven great sects had been passed down through generation after generation, accumulating through generation after generation, yet they too would eventually vanish into the river of history. After hundreds of thousands of years, nothing would remain but dust scattered across the ground. How worthy of respect, how laughable, how tragic, how pitiful.

With a single thought, Jiang Chen arrived at the central region of the Star Dou Great Forest. A massive lake lay calm and without ripples. Jiang Chen knew that a hundred-thousand-year-old Azure Sky Bull Python lived within it.

Among the mountains and forests, a giant ape dozens of meters tall leaned against a mountain as it rested. Its breathing was thunderous, sending leaves scattering in the wind.

A sleeping young girl sat upon the giant ape's shoulder. She was tall and slender, and her pink dress suited her perfectly. Her two rabbit ears drooped down, giving her a charming air.

"Looks like Dongfang Yuechu did a good job. This little girl hasn't taken a single step out of the Star Dou Forest."

Jiang Chen stood beside the Lake of Life just like that, and the two soul beasts could not detect even the slightest trace of his presence.

"Xiao Wu, Xiao Wu, I'm doing this for your own good. Keeping you from leaving the Star Dou Forest is better than letting someone deceive you into becoming a Soul Ring, isn't it?"

"They keep saying it's for your own good. Again and again, you use Invincible Golden Body to protect him, wearing down your soul, yet you do it willingly."

"I don't know whether to call you devoted or foolish."

Jiang Chen silently placed the letter in his hand beside Xiao Wu, ensuring that she would notice it the moment she woke up.

The letter read: Four months from now, you may leave the Star Dou Forest. If I had not stopped you, I fear you would have lost your life. Do not blame me.

PS: Once this chapter is released, I'll meet the signing requirements. If you enjoy it, please add it to your bookshelf. After reading, tap for more updates. I'll start releasing chapters in bulk next. You can post any plot ideas you have in the comments, and if I see one that fits, I'll write it into the later story.