Qinghe's smile froze, then she puffed out her cheeks indignantly: "External objects are also part of strength! Besides, I can unleash the power of the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle, that's my skill!"
"That's sophistry!"
Old Huang snorted, his tone suddenly turning serious, "Get out of here and go to the Innate Thunder Pool! Cultivate properly inside, and don't come out until you've fully comprehended the power of thunder!"
Upon hearing the words "Innate Thunder Pool," Qinghe's face immediately fell, and she said with a bitter expression, "Huh? We have to go again?"
"Peak Master, I'm not as monstrous as Junior Brother Xiao, who can stay inside for three months without any problems. Last time, I could barely last fourteen days..."
She was genuinely terrified of the violent lightning power; every time she went in, it felt like she had shed a layer of skin.
"Enough with the nonsense!" Old Huang glared at him, his tone leaving no room for argument. "If Xiao Chen can do it, why can't you? Go now!"
Qinghe pouted, feeling wronged. She glanced at Xiao Chen, and seeing that he couldn't help either, she reluctantly turned away.
He dawdled as he walked toward the Innate Thunder Pool at the back of the mountain, muttering under his breath, "Tyrant Peak Master... all he does is bully me..."
Old Huang ignored her complaints, turned to look at Xiao Chen, and asked in a gentler tone, "What are your plans next?"
Xiao Chen bowed slightly, his tone steady: "Reporting to the Peak Master, this disciple plans to go into seclusion for a period of time to cultivate, to reflect on the insights gained from this competition, and to attempt to break through to the Nirvana Realm."
After his battle with Ruizhang, he became more proficient in using the Thunder Path Spear Intent, and his spiritual power had accumulated to a critical point.
With just a little time to settle down, one can attempt to break through that bottleneck and enter the Nirvana Realm.
Once he breaks through, his strength will surely experience a qualitative leap, and he will be more confident in dealing with Mo Zezong.
Elder Huang nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes: "Not bad, your foundation is solid, it's time to break through to the Nirvana Realm."
"There is a 'Tranquility Cave' on the back mountain of Wuyue Peak. It is rich in spiritual energy and can isolate you from external interference. Go there for seclusion."
He raised his hand and waved it, and a jade tablet engraved with intricate patterns landed in Xiao Chen's hand. "This is the token for the Tranquil Mind Cave. You can enter with this."
"Thank you, Peak Master!" Xiao Chen accepted the jade token and bowed in gratitude.
"Go on, I hope you can break through soon." Old Huang waved his hand, turned around, picked up the wine pot, and swayed towards his residence, his shadow stretching long in the setting sun.
Xiao Chen gripped the jade token in his hand, his gaze fixed on the direction of the back mountain, a resolute glint in his eyes.
He knew that this seclusion was of paramount importance, not only for improving his own strength, but also for whether he could truly establish himself within the Four Directions Sect.
This laid a solid foundation for dealing with Mo Zezong later.
…………
Two months passed quietly, and two figures could always be seen taking turns cultivating by the Innate Thunder Pool on the back mountain of Wuyue Peak.
Xiao Chen and Qing He took turns entering the lightning pool to temper themselves. Although Qing He still complained incessantly about the power of lightning, she also gained some insights under the heavy pressure, and her cultivation steadily improved to the sixth realm of creation.
Xiao Chen's control over the power of thunder has reached a new level.
The Thunder Path Spear Intent became increasingly refined, and faint purple-gold lightning arcs even spontaneously swirled around his body, emanating from every gesture.
They all carried the domineering and majestic aura of thunder, getting closer and closer to the bottleneck of the Nirvana Realm.
On this day, a decree from the sect leader suddenly came from within the sect, summoning the disciples of each peak to the council hall.
Xiao Chen and Ling Xue walked side by side on the bluestone path leading to the main hall. The disciples along the way all bowed respectfully upon seeing the two.
After the Five Peaks Grand Competition, they had already become the leading figures of the younger generation of the Four Directions Sect, with unparalleled prestige.
Inside the council hall, Wen Yizheng sat solemnly in the main seat, with the five peak masters sitting on either side.
Once all the Daoist disciples from the various peaks had arrived, Wen Yizheng got straight to the point, speaking solemnly: "Three days from now will mark the start of the once-in-a-century resource competition at Xianke Mountain."
"Xianke Mountain contains a vast amount of rare and precious natural treasures, as well as ancient secret realms and ruins, which have always been the focus of contention between our Sifang Sect and Moze Sect."
"This time, as the disciples of each peak, you must go all out to secure more resources for your sect!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and added, "Mo Zezong has also sent five exceptionally talented prodigies this time."
"The leader is none other than Mo Shuo, the son of Sect Master Mo Tianyang. His cultivation has reached the mid-stage of Nirvana, and his strength is unfathomable."
"The other four are also at the Nirvana Realm, and should not be underestimated!"
The atmosphere inside the main hall instantly became tense, and the Daoist disciples from each peak all showed expressions of vigilance.
The holy sons of Mo Zezong are all ruthless characters, making this battle for resources destined to be extremely dangerous.
Wen Yizheng then gave many instructions, including the opening time of the secret realm, the rules of the competition, and strategies for dealing with Mo Zezong. Afterwards, he told everyone to go back and prepare.
As we stepped out of the council hall, the afterglow of the setting sun cast long shadows on the cobblestone path.
Ling Xue stopped and turned to look at Xiao Chen, smiling sweetly, but with a hint of worry in her eyes: "Three days later at Xianke Mountain, you will inevitably have to fight against the Holy Son of Mo Ze Sect."
"Your spear technique is so unique that it probably won't be long before Mo Zezong discovers your true identity."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen smiled faintly, a sly glint in his eyes: "I know. That's why I'm so high-profile within the sect, making no attempt to hide my talent."
"Oh?" Ling Xue raised an eyebrow and asked curiously, "Does this mean the Four Directions Sect will do everything in its power to protect you?"
"That's only one point." Xiao Chen nodded, his tone suddenly becoming firm. "Secondly, I want to completely sever ties between the Four Directions Sect and the Moze Sect!"
He sneered inwardly. Mo Zezong dared to make a move on Ling Xue and even issued a kill order against them. He would settle this score with him sooner or later.
Now, by taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the battle for resources at Immortal Mountain, he can publicly display his strength and gain the attention of the Four Directions Sect.
He was cultivated as a core disciple, and his confrontation with the Holy Son of the Moze Sect could intensify the conflict between the two sects.
Once the conflict fully erupts, the Four Directions Sect, for its own benefit, will inevitably fight the Moze Sect to the death.
He could then use the power of the Four Directions Sect to gradually erode the power of the Moze Sect, and ultimately achieve his goal of destroying the Moze Sect!
However, he did not reveal all of these plans buried deep in his heart; some things were best left to himself.
Ling Xue felt a slight warmth in her heart as she saw the fleeting cold glint in Xiao Chen's eyes.
She knew that everything Xiao Chen did had its reasons.
She nodded gently, her tone firm: "Whatever you do, I will support you. I will fight alongside you at Xianke Mountain in three days!"
Xiao Chen turned to look at her, the coldness in his eyes fading, replaced by a gentle smile: "Alright. With you here, this battle will only be more exciting!"
As the sun set, the two walked side by side, their auras intertwined, carrying the youthful vigor and the determination to stir up the winds and clouds of the star field.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com