Back Mountain Valley
The valley was no longer dark and ominous as it once had been.
Now, it was filled with spiritual energy and calm winds. Birds chirped softly in the trees, and mist floated gently over the water's surface.
Zhang Xiaofan landed near the pool, looking around with satisfaction.
"This is a perfect place to practice," he muttered.
He then pulled out the Fire Stick, glancing at it with a wry smile.
"Others use refined magical swords for this technique. Lu Xueqi even used the powerful Tianya Divine Sword... And I'm using a fire stick?"
Still, he wasn't too worried. The Fire Stick wasn't ordinary—it had withstood lightning before and was tougher than it looked. In fact, it was comparable to a divine weapon.
Zhang Xiaofan closed his eyes, focusing his mind. He began reviewing everything Tian Buyi had just taught him, along with Lu Xueqi's technique he had seen before.
Unbeknownst to him, Tian Buyi was watching from behind the trees.
Rather than stop him, Tian Buyi chose to wait.
He knew that sometimes a lesson needed to be learned through personal experience.
If Xiaofan recklessly used the technique and suffered the backlash, he might finally understand the danger.
After all, for thousands of years, not a single disciple had used the Divine Sword Controlling Thunder Art without suffering injury, or worse. Some lost their cultivation, and others even died.
Half an hour passed.
Suddenly, Zhang Xiaofan opened his eyes.
A brilliant blue glow emerged from his body the Tai Chi Xuanqing Dao circulating within him. Then, from his core, a golden light radiated—the power of the Great Brahma Prajna Sutra activating.
His body rose into the air, floating above the valley.
He looked down and whispered the mantra with unwavering confidence:
"Nine Heavens Mysterious Destruction, transform into divine thunder, and with the might of heaven, guide it with my sword!"
.....
High above the back mountain, storm clouds began to gather as dark thunderclouds rolled across the sky. Lightning flashed, and the heavens roared.
Hovering in mid-air, Zhang Xiaofan held the fire stick tightly in his hands.
As he chanted the final line of the Divine Sword Controlling Thunder Art, the sky responded.
BOOM!
A thick bolt of lightning crashed down from the sky, drawn directly toward Zhang Xiaofan.
But instead of hitting him, the lightning was absorbed by the fire stick in his hands.
"Cut!"
With a loud shout, Zhang Xiaofan slashed downward.
A burst of brilliant, lightning-infused sword energy shot through the air and crashed into the pool below.
In an instant, the water exploded—huge waves surged up as the force of the strike shattered the surface.
Mist and water flew in all directions, blanketing the valley in a blinding spray.
Hidden deep within the forest, Tian Buyi stood watching the scene with wide eyes. His jaw dropped in astonishment.
He could hardly believe what he was seeing.
"Impossible…" he muttered to himself.
No disciple in Qingyun Sect had ever successfully used the Divine Sword Controlling Thunder Art on their first try.
In fact, most couldn't even grasp the basics after years of practice.
And yet here was Zhang Xiaofan...who had just learned the technique that same day....unleashing it flawlessly on his very first attempt.
Even more shocking was the raw power behind the attack.
Tian Buyi could feel it clearly—Zhang Xiaofan's cultivation had already reached the eighth level of the Jade Purity Realm.
He was stunned.
Most cultivators spent years advancing past the third level.
After that, every level took increasingly more time and effort.
Tian Buyi had assumed Zhang Xiaofan would reach the seventh level at best by now.
But not only had he reached the eighth level, he had done it in just three years.
He's a true genius...
Tian Buyi couldn't help but feel pride swell in his chest. If this continued, Xiaofan might even reach the ninth level in two more years—just in time for the Seven Clans Martial Arts Competition.
However, Tian Buyi didn't dare imagine him reaching the Upper Purity Realm.
That stage usually took decades, even for prodigies like Wan Jianyi. Few ever reached it.
Suddenly, something caught Tian Buyi's eye.
As Zhang Xiaofan hovered in the air, a faint golden glow shimmered within his eyes.
Tian Buyi furrowed his brows.
"That's odd..." he whispered. "The Tai Chi Xuanqing Dao should give off a green light, not gold. What technique is he hiding?"
Even though he was confused, Tian Buyi didn't ask questions. He respected that his disciple might have secrets. After all, everyone had their own path, and Zhang Xiaofan had already given him so many surprises.
With a rare smile on his face, Tian Buyi quietly turned and left the valley without making his presence known.
This was his way—always watching his disciples silently, protecting them from the shadows, never asking for credit.
---
Meanwhile, at Tongtian Peak – Yuqing Palace
At the very peak of Qingyun Mountain, inside the majestic Yuqing Palace, the sect leader Daoxuan sat on a tall platform, his expression calm and dignified.
Outside, Cangsong led Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu into the main hall.
The moment they entered, Cangsong bowed deeply and spoke in a serious tone,
"Master, you must seek justice for my disciple Qi Hao. He was badly injured."
Daoxuan's eyes swept over Qi Hao, who was standing beside him with a pale face and weak breath.
Clearly, he had suffered serious internal injuries.
"Junior Brother Cangsong," Daoxuan said slowly, "Tell me what happened."
Cangsong cleared his throat and explained,
"This morning, I sent Lin Jingyu and Qi Hao to Dazhu Peak to inform Junior Brother Tian about some changes to the upcoming Seven Clans Martial Arts Competition."
"While they were there, Jingyu met Zhang Xiaofan again after three years and decided to challenge him to a friendly duel.
To my surprise, Jingyu was defeated."
"Then, Tian Ling'er and Jingyu started arguing, and Jingyu ended up using one of the most powerful sword techniques I taught him. It was a dangerous move—Tian Ling'er wouldn't have been able to block it."
"Luckily, Qi Hao rushed in to save her.
But at that moment, Zhang Xiaofan struck Qi Hao from behind, severely injuring him!"
Cangsong finished angrily, "Senior Brother, this behavior must not go unpunished. Zhang Xiaofan must be disciplined!"