Chapter 63

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Chapter 63: Origins

The Thundercloud Lightning Sword consisted of three techniques. The first was called *Thundercloud Emergence*. As the Sword Technique flowed, lightning materialized from thin air, coalescing around the Blade Body to empower a lethal strike.

The second technique, *Thunderous Strike*, required gathering lightning energy into the sword. When unleashed, it blanketed a hundred zhang radius with wild Lightning Light Snakes, reducing all vegetation to ash.

The third technique, *Divine Thunder Annihilation*, lived up to its name—a single strike of unimaginable destructive power capable of annihilating the world.

Ye Yun stood motionless, gripping the Obsidian Sword. The Thundercloud Lightning Sword was merely a ninth-tier Celestial Technique. Flowery descriptions of its might meant little. Moreover, per its practice methods, the latter two techniques required either stormy skies or a spiritual weapon pre-charged with lightning energy. Thus, only the first technique, *Thundercloud Emergence*, was currently feasible.

Having reached the Connecting Orifices stage, his spiritual power had multiplied. It now surged violently into the Obsidian Sword.

Anticipation gleamed in Ye Yun’s eyes as he leapt upward. With a slight twist of the dark spiritual sword, he thrust toward the empty sky.

A cold light erupted from the Obsidian Sword, piercing the void.

Thunder rumbled distantly. A lightning bolt struck the sword, flooding it with wild strength. Ye Yun pivoted the blade and slashed diagonally.

*Boom!*

Thunderclaps shattered the silence. Lightning snakes erupted from the sword tip, tearing through the air.

The blast left behind a charred stench.

Ye Yun stared at the fading electric snakes, stunned. Though he’d struck empty air, the shockwave’s force dwarfed his previous full-powered strikes with the Obsidian Sword.

Had he possessed this technique during his duel with Duan Chenfeng, one slash would’ve sent the latter flying. Though the Obsidian Sword ranked below Duan Chenfeng’s spiritual weapon gauntlets, Ye Yun’s enhanced spiritual power from reaching the Connecting Orifices stage compensated amply.

If the first technique held such power, how devastating were the next two?

He knew this strength remained trivial compared to the Heavenly Sword Sect’s true experts. Still, his drastic improvement thrilled him.

After steadying his breathing, Ye Yun sped toward the Zang Wu Pavilion. Two days had passed unnoticed during cultivation. Per Elder Zi’s instructions, the Little Absorption Technique and Thundercloud Lightning Sword must be returned within three days.

Reaching the imposing tower within half an hour, he approached the black-robed guard from before.

"Senior Brother, I’ve come to return these Celestial Techniques."

The guard blinked. "You? Already memorized both in two days?"

Cultivation Techniques borrowed from the Zang Wu Pavilion couldn’t be copied—foundation establishment stage elders’ restrictions prevented transcription. Typically, outer disciples needed three days to memorize one technique. Memorizing two in three days was considered maximum effort. Yet here Ye stood after mere two days.

"Didn’t want to miss the sect trial deadline," Ye Yun replied, placing the manuals on the counter.

"Wait. Elder Zi requested notification." The guard channeled spiritual power into a jade tablet. "Elder Zi, Ye Yun returns the Thundercloud Lightning Sword and Little Absorption Technique. Shall you inspect?"

A blur materialized into Elder Zi, gold-trimmed black robes rustling.

"Memorized both in two days?" The elder’s voice remained frosty.

"Yes."

"Mastered them?" Deep wrinkles formed on Elder Zi’s brow, eyes betraying shock.

"…Yes."

"Good."

"Gratitude, Elder."

Their terse exchange left the guard gaping. Memorizing and mastering two techniques in two days? Was this new disciple batch truly so monstrous?

"Follow." Elder Zi’s tone softened marginally before turning away.

Ye Yun followed without hesitation, intuition sensing no malice.

They traversed corridors and bamboo groves before stopping at a jade pavilion.

"For a century, none cultivated the Little Absorption Technique. Forgotten thirty years—even sorting elders dismissed it as low-grade trash." Elder Zi’s voice carried icy bitterness.

Ye Yun stayed silent.

"Your spiritual power flows pure and robust at the Connecting Orifices stage. Success seems genuine."

"Spiritual energy nearly ruptured my meridians during cultivation. Fortunately, no mishaps occurred."

Elder Zi snorted. "Deaths and maimings made practitioners shun it as cursed. Thus it gathered dust among worthless manuals."

Ye Yun’s eyes narrowed. "Then this technique has notable origins?"

"Naturally. Others succeeded before you."

The elder’s chuckle held grim pride.

"Who?" Ye Yun’s pulse quickened.

"Talk after surviving the sect trial." Elder Zi’s mirth vanished. "Return alive, and I’ll recommend worthwhile destinations."