Chapter 31: Ninefold Lightning Scripture

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Ninefold Lightning Scripture

[Who is she?]

She looks like Senior Sister Wu Zhixua, my senior from the Spiritual Beast Hall.

Ye Xuan fell silent, continuing to stare ahead. The woman approached him with a faint smile on her face.

"You haven’t sent any news for a month. Elder Ming has been worried about you," Wu Zhixua explained.

The woman’s gaze swept over Ye Xuan from head to toe. Her eyes immediately widened when she noticed something.

"You were gone for a month, and now you’ve reached Early Foundation Establishment. That’s surprising!"

"Where have you been all this time, Junior Ye?" Wu Zhixua asked.

Ye Xuan sighed. He had initially thought his journey would go smoothly and that he wouldn’t run into anyone he knew from the Sky Cloud Sect.

He had chosen Yunlong City because it was a major city far from the sect, making it unlikely that he would encounter anyone familiar.

Unexpectedly, he had run into Wu Zhixua in Yunlong City rather than in Shunxi City or Yanlong City.

"Since the sect elders’ evaluation is approaching, I was given permission to leave and find a spiritual beast of my own," Ye Xuan replied. He turned slightly and introduced Qingyu to Wu Zhixua.

"This is Qingyu, my spiritual beast."

[I’m your wife!]

"...Or perhaps something more," Ye Xuan muttered.

Wu Zhixua narrowed her eyes as she examined Qingyu closely. She raised a hand to her chin, seemingly deep in thought.

"I’ve never seen a spiritual beast like her before. Is she an unaffiliated spiritual beast, or something else?"

I can’t reveal your Thunder Crimson Python Clan identity to her.

[It’s fine. You can make up whatever story you want. I understand your concerns.]

Ye Xuan nodded and chuckled softly. He explained that he had been unlucky enough to form a spiritual beast contract with a snake that didn’t belong to any of the recognized spiritual beast clans.

The woman readily believed him. She added that unaffiliated spiritual beasts were far more numerous than those belonging to established beast clans.

"The sect doesn’t restrict that sort of thing. At least you’ve made significant progress while you were away instead of simply slacking off," Wu Zhixua remarked.

"What brings Senior Sister Wu to Yunlong City?"

"Elder Ming gave me permission to purchase some medicinal herbs that I need to advance my spiritual beast’s cultivation stage."

The woman turned around, directing her gaze toward a pagoda in the center of the city.

She told Ye Xuan that she had heard about a spiritual herb auction being held there, featuring medicinal ingredients useful for spiritual beasts.

"What do you think? Would you like to come with me?"

Ye Xuan politely declined immediately. Attending the auction might broaden his knowledge considerably, but he was too occupied with his current plans to join her.

"I’m afraid I’ll have to decline, Senior Sister Wu," Ye Xuan explained. "I’ve only recently broken through to Early Foundation Establishment, so I want to use my time to train and cultivate."

"Very well. But you must return soon, Junior Ye."

"Don’t keep Elder Ming worried about you any longer than necessary."

Ye Xuan clasped his hands together and bowed his head obediently. He accepted Wu Zhixua’s advice and assured her that he would return to the sect soon.

The two then bid each other farewell. Wu Zhixua headed toward the auction alone, while Ye Xuan made his way toward the city gates.

[I can smell a lion’s scent on her.]

Ye Xuan glanced back briefly. "Senior Sister Wu’s spiritual beast is indeed a Northern Snow Lion."

[I knew it. The lion clan is always so arrogant. I hate them.]

"You don’t need to worry. Compared to her, you’re much stronger."

[Of course. I’m the last descendant of the Thunder Crimson Python Clan’s bloodline. They’re nothing compared to my clan.]

After passing through the city gates, Ye Xuan summoned the sword he had recently purchased and used it to fly away.

To his surprise, the lightning sword was far faster and more powerful than an ordinary sword. Sparks of lightning also trailed behind it as he flew.

It seems I made the right choice buying this sword.

They flew according to the directions on the map of the Xiao Empire. To the northwest lay a vast forest near the Huangjin Mountain Sect.

According to the map’s description, the forest was inhabited by monsters of various stages.

Although their exact stages weren’t specified, the monster icons displayed on the map made Ye Xuan confident that the strongest creatures inhabiting the forest were only at the Spirit Beast Realm.

The forest soon came into view. Ye Xuan flew inside and surveyed the surrounding area.

Compared to the Scarlet Moon Forest, this place felt far less ominous.

[Over there, Ye Xuan.]

Qingyu pointed to the side, where a tall waterfall cascaded down a hillside. An abundance of spiritual qi filled the surrounding area.

Ye Xuan directed his sword toward the waterfall and landed on the grassy ground in front of it.

Between the rocky crevices along the hillside, he spotted a small cave that would be suitable for cultivation and studying his techniques and formations.

"This is a good place."

[Do you need me to stand guard?]

"No need. I can handle that later."

Ye Xuan leaped forward and entered the small cave, which was almost completely concealed from view by the waterfall. This made it a safe place to avoid unwanted trouble.

"This place is perfect."

The young man walked inside and sat on the ground, allowing Qingyu to leave his body and guard the cave entrance.

Ye Xuan quickly took advantage of the opportunity by bringing out one formation scroll and three combat technique scrolls.

All four scrolls floated in front of him, yet he hadn’t fully understood any of them.

It wasn’t because his comprehension was poor, but because he had limited time.

As he examined the four scrolls, Ye Xuan became particularly interested in the mysterious gray scroll titled Ninefold Lightning Scripture.

"Your understanding of lightning is greater than mine. I might ask you for help if I get confused," Ye Xuan said.

[Of course. I’ll answer your questions to the best of my ability.]

Ye Xuan waved his hand, bringing the gray scroll forward. Its description was clearly visible, including the reason why the technique’s initial stage was Yellow Stage.

He formed a hand seal, activating his Basic Comprehension Technique.

The qi aura within his body began to glow brightly. Ye Xuan pointed the index and middle fingers of his right hand forward, releasing qi to activate the technique on the scroll.

Basic Comprehension Technique successfully activated.

The young man closed his eyes and allowed the spiritual qi to flow into his forehead, like a soothing stream of water.

Within the sea of consciousness in his dantian, Ye Xuan’s consciousness awakened.

Ancient characters appeared before him, manifesting the contents of the Ninefold Lightning Scripture.

He stood up and began reading the inscriptions, trying to understand them thoroughly.

Ye Xuan was worried that rushing his comprehension of the technique might cause serious consequences for his body or cultivation base.

[The Ninefold Lightning Scripture is divided into nine heavens. Each heaven contains its own power, growing stronger, more dominant, and more destructive with every level.]

[At a certain point, the power of the Ninefold Lightning Scripture can rival the power of heavenly tribulation multiplied a thousandfold. A cultivator only needs to deepen their understanding of lightning to break through each restriction.]

Ye Xuan studied the scripture carefully. He wasn’t foolish and could understand its meaning clearly.

"The Ninefold Lightning Scripture isn’t a single technique, but a branching cultivation art."

"Each time I break through one of its folds, I might be able to comprehend a unique combat technique associated with that level."

"But can I break through all the folds and activate the Ninefold Lightning at once with my current abilities? That seems impossible!"

"This technique is closely related to two things: my understanding of lightning and my cultivation base."

The young man fell silent for a moment before taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling.

He realized that he had obtained a technique he might be able to rely on in the future.

However, given his current condition, Ye Xuan didn’t want to become greedy.

He would only use its power according to his abilities and wouldn’t force himself to break through the folds.

"I don’t know who originally owned this technique, but I’ll do my best to understand it."

Just as Ye Xuan was about to comprehend the technique, a mysterious projection appeared in his soul, like a fleeting vision of something he had never seen before.

"W-What was that...?"

The vision passed so quickly that Ye Xuan’s head began to feel heavy. He groaned in pain, desperately wishing for the vision to stop, but his pleas were not enough.

Outside, an explosion of lightning qi erupted from Ye Xuan’s body, startling Qingyu. She immediately turned around and stared at him.

[Ye Xuan!]

Ye Xuan spat out a mouthful of blood as another burst of lightning qi exploded from his body.

Seeing this, Qingyu immediately panicked.

[I’ll help you—]

"No, Qingyu," Ye Xuan whispered.

"If I want to comprehend this technique, I have to do it myself!"

[But that lightning power could damage your cultivation foundation!]

"I’ll do everything I can. Please... trust me!"