Chapter 208: Chapter 208: Palm Thunder
 

Above Falling Thunder Peak, tumultuous clouds formed a massive vortex, slowly spinning from west to east.

Within the thick cloud layer, lightning serpents occasionally darted about, and a bolt of lightning would suddenly strike down onto the summit.

This scene had lasted for thousands of years.

Every year, for at least 300 of the 365 days, this solitary peak bore the brunt of thunderous assaults.

It was precisely because of this extraordinary sight that Falling Thunder Peak was very famous throughout Nan Shao Prefecture, with rumors about it documented in the county annals.

It was said that people often climbed to the top of the peak, attempting to unravel the secret behind its continual attraction of lightning.

Some also suspected there were treasures hidden atop the mountain.

These people included mountain dwellers, hunters, martial experts, and even cultivators.

But aside from the bare rocks, they found nothing, and some were even struck dead by lightning.

As time went by, everyone grew accustomed to the strange phenomena of Falling Thunder Peak.

No one came looking for death any longer.

But for Wang Chen, Falling Thunder Peak was simply his cultivation paradise!

Of course, this cultivation referred specifically to the Five Suns Qian Thunder.

As the cultivation technique began, wisps of Thunder Power that lingered outside silently permeated through Wang Chen’s skin, seeping into his limbs, bones, and internal organs.

Wang Chen felt his entire body tingle, as though touching a live electric switch.

Goosebumps erupted all over his body, the hairs on his skin stood on end, and tiny lightning sparks flickered at his fingertips.

This sensation was hardly painful, but it was extremely uncomfortable, as every inch of skin, muscle, and bone sent itch-inducing, tingling signals to his brain.

Wang Chen endured merely by relying on his strong willpower.

With time, the Thunder Power he absorbed grew increasingly intense.

This unique force merged gradually with Wang Chen’s Mana, cycling back and forth within his meridians and Dantian.

Bit by bit, he completed the steps of refining his body by absorbing the thunder.

Wang Chen gradually came to realize the benefits this refining process brought to his Physique.

Wang Chen’s Heavenly Dragon Vajra Method had reached the tier-four realm, with his Physique surpassing many Purple Mansion cultivators.

And the refinement by the Thunder Power further enhanced and purified his body.

Although the current effect was still very weak, with persistence over the years, the improvement would be significant!

Most importantly, during the refining process, Wang Chen touched upon the mysteries of the Five Suns Qian Thunder.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes, and lightning flashed through his pitch-black irises.

The next moment, Wang Chen abruptly raised his right palm.

A flicker of ghostly blue light flashed in the center of his palm, and a bolt of lightning shot out, accurately striking a rock ten paces away.

[Five Suns Qian Thunder (Entry-Level): 0/100]

Crack!

The surface of the rock turned charred and was blasted with a small fissure, flinging debris in all directions.

Although the power of this “Palm Thunder” seemed weak, it was important to remember that Wang Chen’s Five Suns Qian Thunder had just reached the beginner level, and the rocks on the top of Falling Thunder Peak had been tempered by lightning over a long period, making them especially hard.

As a higher-tier Qi Cultivation Thunder Magic, the power of Five Suns Qian Thunder was undoubtedly above that of the Fire Crow Technique.

That single palm strike had consumed about one-tenth of Wang Chen’s Mana!

Meaning that with his Qi Cultivation tier eight, he could perform the Palm Thunder only about ten times at most.

And as the Spell level advanced, the mana expenditure would only increase.

While delighted at having entered the door of Five Suns Qian Thunder, Wang Chen also realized that he needed to strive for higher cultivation levels.

Qi Cultivation tier nine, Qi Cultivation Perfection, Breakthrough Mansion!

These three major steps were precisely his core cultivation goals for the next three years.

Although he was in the Spiritless Land, a mortal, Wang Chen’s determination to pursue the Dao had not changed; on the contrary, it had grown even stronger.

He rubbed his hands together, eager to seek out the pernicious aura of the Evil Wraiths.

For these Evil Wraiths had become the most crucial cultivation resource Wang Chen urgently needed!

He hoped that Zuo Yongjun’s investigation would yield results quickly, preferably leading him to ten or eight Evil Nests.

At this very moment, the heavily relied-upon Head of the Hundred Households, Zuo, was trudging along a rugged mountain path with his deputy and a squad of the Imperial Guard.

Nanshao Prefecture was a land of many mountains, where mountainous terrain made up a large part of its area, thus it was dotted with numerous small and large mountain villages.

However, in the past ten years, incidents of Evil Wraith disturbances had occurred frequently, and many villages had suffered, some even facing the tragedy of entire villages being wiped out.

As a result, a large number of civilians living in the mountains had abandoned their homes and fled to the relatively safer life in the county towns.

Over time, the mountain paths that were once frequently traversed had been completely covered with weeds and vines.

Those unfamiliar with the terrain could easily lose their way.

“We’re approaching Wu Family Village,” said Wu Song, who was leading the group, his voice solemn, sadness and bleakness showing in his determined eyes.

And a hint of undying hatred!

Wu Family Village was Wu Song’s birthplace. He and his elder brother had spent their childhood there, leaving behind many fond memories.

After their grandfather’s death, he and Wuda were taken to Nan Shao city by their parents and had never returned since.

Yet in this village, many of Wu Song’s relatives remained.

Seven years ago, on a visit to Wu Family Village, his parents encountered the calamity of an Evil Wraith.

Not a single villager was left alive!

During his time in the military, Wu Song fought desperately to train in martial arts and later joined the Imperial Guard Bureau.

It was all so that one day he could avenge his parents!

“Everyone, be careful,” commanded Zuo Yongjun, following behind Wu Song. “Get your Talismans ready!”

The squad of Imperial Guards responded in unison, “Yes, Sir!”

Under the leadership of Wu Song and Zuo Yongjun, this elite Exorcism Hall squad crested the ridge and soon saw the Wu Family Village at the base of the mountain.

There used to be over a hundred households in Wu Family Village, with plenty of good farmland cultivated around the village and a stream nearby, appearing from a distance as if it were a secluded paradise.

However, this once-peaceful and serene mountain village was now nothing but ruins and broken walls.

The majority of the houses in the village had collapsed and were overtaken by vines, the farmland overrun with weeds as tall as a person, presenting a desolate and dreary scene.

The team entered the abandoned village and quickly completed their search.

But they found nothing.

This was to be expected because once a village disturbed by Evil Wraiths became deserted, the Evil Wraiths often disappeared as well.

Wu Song stood in front of a collapsed house, tears in his tiger-like eyes, his expression one of grief.

He knelt down and kowtowed three times, crying out, “Father, Mother, your son has failed you!”

This iron-willed man hated his past helplessness.

Zuo Yongjun sighed and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, “Erlang, contain your grief and accept the change; let’s go back.”

Wu Song had volunteered for the investigation in Wu Family Village regarding the Evil Wraiths.

Zuo Yongjun knew of his deputy’s situation and, feeling concerned, decided to personally lead the squad.

Now it seemed they had made the trip for nothing.

At that moment, a mist suddenly rose up in the desolate village!

———–

Here’s the first release.