"Alright, enough nonsense—let's get started."
The corner of Jin Peng's eye twitched violently as he glared at Thunderclap.
Perhaps it was because the beast had lived for so many years that life had grown dull, and after spending thousands of years with the Body Sect, it had become quite close with them. Whenever a new disciple came for thunder-tempering, it could never resist bullying the newcomer a little—big picking on small.
Back in the day, Jin Peng himself had fallen victim to Thunderclap's mischief, and that had become the one blemish in his otherwise glorious life.
"Ahem, little Jin, you're still as boring as ever," Thunderclap said teasingly, swaying the sharp tip of its vine-like body.
"Little friend Jiang, go sit in the center of that Thunderclap Infernal Vine cluster. During your cultivation of the Impeccable Golden Body, do not use soul power. Try to mobilize your own blood and energy to circulate the secret art."
Jin Peng pointed toward the patch of vines and spoke softly to Jiang Jue, completely ignoring Thunderclap's teasing.
"Understood, Elder Jin."
Jiang Jue nodded slightly, handing over the gilded manual in his hand. During the short time earlier, he had already memorized every method and caution regarding the Impeccable Golden Body.
"No need—you can keep it for now. Once you've cultivated the Golden Body to the second stage, return it to me."
A strange glint flashed through Jin Peng's eyes as he waved his hand, signaling Jiang Jue to hold onto it.
"So cautious, this Elder Jin," Jiang Jue chuckled inwardly. He didn't comment further and calmly stowed the booklet into his spatial ring.
In sects, even core disciples would normally have to return the original copy of such an inherited cultivation secret immediately. For Jin Peng to let him keep it wasn't a sign of full trust—it was a test.
But you'll be disappointed, Elder Jin.
Jiang Jue knew perfectly well that within the Body Sect, "Poison-Immortal" was the true authority. As long as Poison-Immortal approved him as young sect master, no one else would dare object.
In other words—no one could object.
With that thought, Jiang Jue stepped lightly toward the cluster of Thunderclap Infernal Vines crackling with lightning arcs and glowing with electric light.
Crack-crack!
As he approached, the vines automatically parted to form an opening, allowing him to walk into their midst.
"Hm?"
Jiang Jue's brows furrowed slightly, and a flicker of golden brilliance flashed through his eyes.
He could see that the fate-lines above the vines, which had turned black earlier, were now red once again—meaning their life force had recovered.
"The transference of thunder power among those sharing the same origin… quite the ingenious method."
He murmured quietly, moving toward the center and sitting cross-legged beside Thunderclap's massive purple-golden body.
Thunderclap's internal thunder energy was already nearing its limit, but these younger vines were not. Every time it absorbed lightning, any excess thunder power it couldn't contain would be conducted into them—preventing self-destruction while nourishing their growth.
Truly, a win-win situation.
"Jiang Jue, are you ready? This beast's coming in!"
Thunderclap's mocking voice echoed in Jiang Jue's mind.
"Hm?"
We'll see soon enough who calls who "big brother." Jiang Jue thought silently, his expression calm but his eyes gleaming with challenge.
"Begin!"
He barked softly, his gaze resolute.
A fierce gale swept across the cliffside, making his black robe whip violently in the wind. A formless pressure rose from his body—his aura sharp, steady, and unwavering.
As long as he could strengthen himself, nothing else mattered.
Jin Peng looked upon the prepared Jiang Jue with satisfaction, nodding slightly. To become strong, one first needed a fearless heart.
Then he turned toward Thunderclap and said, his tone carrying a faint edge of warning:
"Thunderclap, start with the lowest level. Jiang Jue previously cultivated mainly his first martial soul, not his Body Martial Soul."
"This beast understands. So, another outsider your sect has dragged back in, eh?"
After living with the sect for so long, Thunderclap could tell immediately, and its words were sharp as a blade.
Someone in the Body Sect who didn't focus on the Body Martial Soul? That was classic Body Sect behavior—finding strays and claiming them as their own.
"What are you saying? We're bringing Jiang Jue home."
Jin Peng's expression stiffened; he shot Thunderclap a fierce glare.
"I get it, I get it—no need to explain."
Thunderclap rumbled a laugh and retracted its massive body into the vine cluster. As it entered, the surrounding vines stirred restlessly—as if welcoming an emperor's arrival.
"Power of Thunder—Forest of Lightning!"
With Thunderclap's booming voice, the surrounding vines glowed deep blue, unleashing arcs of electricity that filled the air with surging thunder energy.
Zzzzt—crackle!
Countless serpentine bolts of lightning twisted and wove together, forming a dense electric web that swept toward Jiang Jue.
Buzz-buzz-buzz!
Tiny rocks around him vibrated violently. Jiang Jue closed his eyes, channeling the secret art of the Impeccable Golden Body, circulating his blood energy.
In an instant, his skin flushed red, and a powerful aura of vitality roared within him like an unbridled flood. A faint crimson mist of blood-energy began to rise from his body.
Crackle—crack!
The electric net enveloped him completely. Lightning crashed upon his body again and again—so fierce that in just a blink, his robes burst apart, reduced to drifting ash in the air.
His upper body was revealed—muscles sculpted like they were carved by a blade.
Despite the endless barrage of lightning, Jiang Jue's expression did not change. The terrifying strikes of thunder failed to shake him in the slightest—exploding against him only to dissipate harmlessly into the air.
"Hm? Seems I underestimated Jiang Jue's physical body."
From outside the vine cluster, Jin Peng muttered in surprise as he watched the unmoving Jiang Jue within.
"Thunderclap—increase it!"
"Understood."
"Heh, a talented human brat, but under this beast's lightning… you're still nothing special."
Thunderclap sneered inwardly. At its command, the surrounding vines flared with even more thunder power. Thick bolts of lightning coalesced into writhing serpents of energy that wound tightly around Jiang Jue's body.
As the lightning crawled across his flesh, a sharp metallic screech echoed—the sound of power scraping against unyielding strength. But still, the lightning could not pierce his body; it lingered on the surface, unable to cross that invisible barrier.
"Little Jin, this is the one you said doesn't specialize in the Body Martial Soul? Which part of him looks like that?"
Time passed bit by bit before Thunderclap finally couldn't help but ask, turning to Jin Peng in disbelief.
"This body's far beyond normal limits, isn't it? Didn't you say his first martial soul is of the spiritual type? Why is his physique this strong?"
Jin Peng stroked his long beard, frowning slightly as confusion flickered across his eyes.
"Then increase it again!"
(End of Chapter)