Deceiving Light

Imagery determines Destiny; what it nurtures determines supernatural powers.

So Tribulation Qi's power to bring about change can actually turn Destiny into something almost like a supernatural power, something that nurtures life. But why is it only gray? Is the imagery of this Destiny too weak?

Li Fuchan did not rush to use the gray Talisman Register. Instead, he calmed his mind and examined it carefully. Only after a long while did he finally grasp its essence.

The Flood Serpent Destiny is certainly too low in rank. But there is also far too little Tribulation Qi. If I could erase dozens of death scenes at once and turn them all into Tribulation Qi, perhaps this gray talisman’s grade could rise further.

He calculated silently, In the future, perhaps I can imitate Flying Earthworm's fate-nurturing art and acquire more of other people's Destiny to condense into Talisman Registers. That would solve the shortage of Tribulation Qi and benefit me greatly as well. Even founding a faction of my own is not out of the question.

As his thoughts surged, the Illuminating Light of "Brow Peak" flickered. A wisp of clarity rippled from between his brows, slowly suppressing the distracting thoughts filling his mind.

He lowered his gaze to the gray Talisman Register in his palm.

[Jiao-Driving Lightning].

With this gray Talisman Register, my ability to wield lightning in magical combat should increase greatly. But... this gray Talisman Register is far too specialized. I intend to abandon "Li Thunder" in the future. Using it now would do me more harm than good. And this is not my own Destiny, after all; it may have consequences, making any future change even harder. Besides, its grade really is too low.

He hesitated for a moment, then suddenly shifted his gaze toward a corner of the Cave Abode. "Awaiting Light" rested quietly against the stone wall, its sheath giving off a faint, cold gleam in the gloom.

"Awaiting Light" is a magical implement of the Outer Scenery level. When it first emerged from the furnace, it nearly underwent a transformation into sentience. Now that my cultivation has advanced again, I should take this opportunity to raise its grade. Even if I change my cultivation lineage in the future, I can still wield the Thunderbolt through this sword, without planting a Thunder Sigil in my own foundation.

With that decision made, he hesitated no longer. He rose and drew "Awaiting Light" from its sheath. Cold radiance flowed along the blade, casting a chilly light over his features.

He held the gray Talisman Register in his palm and studied it for one breath, then flicked his finger, sending it straight into the blade.

Clang!

A serpent's cry suddenly rang through the Cave Abode, clear and resonant, yet edged with ferocity. It shook loose stone chips from all four walls.

In a corner of the Cave Abode, the Fierce Tiger Li Fuchan had captured to guard the entrance had been dozing on the ground, drool still hanging from the corner of its mouth.

Struck by the serpent's cry, its limbs convulsed and its eyes flew wide. Black blood poured from all seven orifices. Before it could even let out a wail, the shock killed it where it lay.

As for "Awaiting Light," its three-foot-seven-inch blade had shed its physical form and become a blaze of lightning, drawing dazzling arcs through the dim Cave Abode.

At times it condensed into a sword; at others it dispersed into a lightning snake. Interlacing flashes lit the chamber, making it alternately bright and dark.

This repeated for an unknown length of time.

At last, the restless lightning gradually subsided. The blade stabilized once more and lay quietly across Li Fuchan's palm.

A radiant gleam flowed along the sword's spine. Counted carefully, it contained thirteen thousand five hundred fine rays.

That radiance lingered on the blade for seven full breaths before slowly fading away.

Li Fuchan lowered his head to examine the Enchanted Sword in his hand. His gaze stirred, and a rare hint of satisfaction appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He opened his palm and stirred his will slightly.

"Awaiting Light" abruptly shrank, its blade curling into a fist-sized ball of lightning. Within it, a tiny Lightning Serpent as thick as a thumb could faintly be seen, its scales and claws distinct as it raised its head and swung its tail.

The Lightning Serpent became a streak of light and darted into his qi sea. Finding the yang image of "Lightning-Struck Wood," it stretched out its body and coiled around it.

In an instant, lightning blazed in Li Fuchan's eyes. Tiny fragments of lightning showered from their corners and struck the stone wall, immediately burning a patch of charred indentations into it.

He felt Dharma Power surge throughout his body. With every movement, lightning leaped between his fingers. Better still, once the Lightning Serpent had coiled around "Lightning-Struck Wood," controlling lightning became several times easier than before.

The lightning essence that had once been wild and unruly now obeyed him like an arm obeying its fingers, remarkably docile.

His thoughts stirred, and he tried forcibly gathering the stray lightning, drawing it into his Outer Scenery to refine it.

The once-violent Thunderbolt actually submitted obediently. Bit by bit, he ground away its sharp edges, turning it into pure magical power that merged into the Lightning-Struck Wood.

With this, the speed at which he refined magical power increased severalfold.

And he no longer needed to worry that "Li Thunder" would easily turn against him.

"Traveling and drawing cloud qi, able to hide and conceal itself; harnessing lightning fire, adept at magical combat and swift movement; seizing thunder and breathing lightning—such is the Lightning Serpent."

Li Fuchan suppressed his delight and said softly, "Come out."

No sooner had he spoken than a Lightning Serpent flew from his qi sea in answer. It circled him several times, its blazing lightning illuminating the entire cave.

The Lightning Serpent wheeled in midair and suddenly landed in his palm. The lightning around it receded like a tide, turning it back into the three-foot-seven-inch sword. The blade still trembled and hummed faintly, as though it had not yet had its fill.

It was now unmistakably a Magical Treasure at the Outer Scenery Great Accomplishment stage, touching upon Inner Vision.

It can even raise grades. If I guide Tribulation Qi into my Destiny, using my own Destiny to draw it forth, perhaps using the resulting talisman could raise my cultivation.

At this sight, Li Fuchan's heart stirred intensely. The gloom of all the losses and frustrations he had endured for so long was swept clean away.

Awaiting Light?

What light was there to await?

Light-Deceiving, then.

Thunder rumbled in his palm as his fingertip swept through the air above the blade. In an instant, two seal-script characters burned into its spine in lightning, their strokes like iron lines and silver hooks, with faint sparks flickering within.

"Light-Deceiving."

Several hundred li away, atop a green mountain, a cultivator hurried through corridors and halls. Upon entering the main hall, he fell to his knees, his voice betraying an astonishment he could barely suppress. "Reporting to the Household Head: above a desolate mountain north of Filth Mountain, thunderclouds suddenly began churning, with repeated flashes of lightning. Faint sword chimes and serpent cries rang out and lingered for a long time."

Hearing this, Fei Cai put down the jade slip in his hand and looked up in surprise. "Did you get a good look?"

The cultivator bowed low. "This subordinate practices the 'Pine Snow Cloud-Shifting Art' and has excellent eyesight. There can be no mistake."

Fei Cai nodded slightly. After pondering for a moment, he said with understanding, "In that case, the senior from South of the Yangtze must have made a breakthrough. I have long heard that he commands thunder and wields lightning, and is skilled with a sword as well. From what you describe, he has most likely advanced."

He paused, then gave a decisive order. "Prepare some Pills and Spirit Talismans at once and deliver them personally. Invite that senior to rest at our Fei Household for a time. You must not slight him in any way."

"Yes!" The cultivator accepted the order and hurried out.

Silence returned to the hall. Fei Cai sat alone behind his desk, gazing at the distant mountains beyond the window, lost in thought.

Those who cultivate Thunder Arts are upright by nature. They delight in rooting out evil and slaying monsters and wicked beings. Judging by that senior's conduct since entering the Southern Border, he slays every monster he encounters without mercy. And with such a tremendous disturbance accompanying this breakthrough... he certainly does not follow the path of "Contrary Thunder."

The Monsters around Filth Mountain have entrenched themselves for so long that they have become a thorn in our heart. With this senior's disposition, and his breakthrough coming at precisely this moment, this is a heaven-sent opportunity. Perhaps I can seek his aid and borrow this Thunderbolt to pull that nail out of our Fei Household.