Chapter Thirty-One: The True Art of Nine Heavens Thunder Radiance

Thunder, the movement of heaven and earth, the pivot of yin and yang, the authority of punishment and law.

Within the dual paths of the Mysterious Primordial, there existed a worship of “thunder” that Ji Feichen found difficult to comprehend. Among the Three Calamities, there was always the Tribulation of Thunder. In demon-subduing arts, thunder techniques were indispensable. Even the arts of the five elements required thunder spells. The Yin Nether Sect itself possessed secret arts of shadow thunder and demonic thunder.

On Earth, thunder was nothing more than a natural phenomenon, never elevated to such reverence. Yet, in this strange world of immortals and heroes, thunder arts held the highest esteem. The Supreme Palace itself established its doctrine upon thunder, acting as the heavenly executor of punishments, and became one of the Three Palaces.

Ji Feichen and his companion successfully infiltrated the Three Mountain Tower. Ji Feichen assumed the identity of Chen Luo, while Tu Shan took on the name Wu He. They had already spent three days within the tower.

During these three days, Ji Feichen could sense someone watching him. Therefore, he dared not act rashly, dutifully cleaning the Immortal Lock Tower while studying the "Nine Heavens Thunder Sovereign True Method."

This thunder art was not considered advanced within the Supreme Palace, but it detailed cultivation for both the Mortal Shedding and Human Immortal realms, granting Ji Feichen deeper insight into the path beyond the Human Immortal stage.

Unlike the “Profound Evil Demon Dragon Manual,” which transformed the practitioner into a demon dragon, the "Nine Heavens Thunder Sovereign True Method" had two layers: the first required the practitioner in the Mortal Shedding realm to refine their life-bound divine thunder. This was then condensed, much like a golden core, into a thunder pearl, with the practitioner visualizing the Ninefold Thunder Heavens to transform the pearl into a true celestial thunder deity.

The initial life-bound thunder arts recorded in the method included ten common types, arranged according to yin-yang and the five elements: First Wood, Second Wood, Third Fire, Fourth Fire, Fifth Earth, Sixth Earth, Seventh Metal, Eighth Metal, Ninth Water, and Tenth Water. Chen Luo’s Tenth Water Divine Thunder and Wu He’s Second Wood Divine Thunder were among them.

Next, one could use the ten divine thunders to condense a thunder pearl, or further refine the thunder to align more closely with one’s own path, then condense it into a pearl.

The thunder pearl was equivalent to a golden core, and could justly be called a Profound Thunder Dao Pill.

“Chen Luo’s foundation is solid, and his mastery of thunder arts is much like mine. It isn’t difficult to impersonate him. But with the next evolution of thunder arts, how should I further transform the Tenth Water Divine Thunder?”

Ji Feichen’s body was saturated with demonic energy; altering the Tenth Water Divine Thunder’s form would only expose his own evil aura and betray his identity.

“Should I refine the Ninth Water Divine Thunder? Tenth Water is the yin thunder, Ninth Water is the yang thunder. Combine them and they become Profound Water Divine Thunder—perhaps this is a path I can take.”

“Tenth Water Divine Thunder can also be transformed into Earth Fiend Yin Thunder, Celestial Fiend Thunder, Netherworld Thunder, Nine Yin Demon Thunder…”

Ji Feichen had chosen the Tenth Water Divine Thunder precisely because it was common, starting at a low point but highly malleable, usable by both immortals and demons.

“Brother Chen, it’s time for morning lessons!” Wu He came to their quarters to fetch Chen Luo.

Tu Shan, perfectly mimicking Wu He’s manner, pulled Ji Feichen along to attend the lecture.

Within the Three Mountain Tower, three Earth Immortals of the Supreme Palace resided. Each elder had fifty direct disciples at the Human Immortal level, rivaling the strength of a major sect.

Tu Shan's "Heaven-Masking Talisman" could fool the perception of Human Immortals, but not the Earth Immortals. Thankfully, the three Earth Immortals lived atop the towers and paid little attention to the lower disciples. As long as the two did not approach the tower summits, they would remain unnoticed.

Today, only one Human Immortal presided over the morning lesson.

When the pair arrived, they saw the immortal seated high upon a jade dais.

He wore a dark blue robe, a pure-yang headscarf, and possessed a handsome bearing, appearing about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. His name was Zhen Guang, and he too practiced the "Nine Heavens Thunder Sovereign True Method."

Many disciples were already gathered around, listening intently. Ji Feichen and Tu Shan sat at the back, listening as the immortal explained ways to refine and elevate thunder.

The reason thunder arts held such high status lay in their capacity to be “refined.”

A simple natural phenomenon, infused with profound meaning of the Dao, could carry the practitioner’s own path, becoming a divine power for defense and attack, rivaling sword energy.

As he spoke, Immortal Zhen Guang revealed his own thunder manifestation.

It was a silver thunder dragon, refined from the First Wood Divine Thunder. It soared above the clear skies, its thunderous roars echoing without cease.

“Thunder of the Eastern Palace of Quake,” Tu Shan commented with interest. In the Eight Trigrams, the Quake Trigram represented thunder, a natural phenomenon of heaven and earth, belonging to wood. Thus, both First Wood and Second Wood Divine Thunder could be refined into “Quake Palace Thunder.” Yet First Wood Divine Thunder, being the thunder of upright wood, was fierce and domineering, rivaling Seventh Metal Divine Thunder, and could easily backfire. Many cultivators preferred the milder, less volatile Second Wood Divine Thunder.

First, the foremost of the heavenly stems, held a prominent place among the ten thunder arts.

“Our Supreme Palace cultivates the path of Profound Thunder. Any disciple seeking immortality must condense a Profound Thunder Dao Pill. After becoming a Human Immortal, they must pass through Ninefold Thunder Heavens, transforming their Dao Pill nine times to attain the body of a heavenly being.”

“My Quake Palace Thunder, refined from First Wood Divine Thunder, embodies the essence of eastern Quake Wood.” The silver dragon curled, three rays of thunder above its head, marking his current realm.

“Teacher, is First Wood Divine Thunder truly inferior to Quake Palace Thunder?”

“No path is superior or inferior; only suited or not. For me, Quake Palace Thunder best expresses my Dao.” Immortal Zhen Guang replied calmly. “But the ten thunder arts of the heavenly stems each have their mysteries. One of my senior brothers specializes in Third Fire Divine Thunder, refining the Three Fires and Five Qi Profound Thunder Dao Pill, achieving a realm above mine.”

“After nine refinements, the Thunder Pill allows one to ascend as a heavenly being. But you’ve transformed your Thunder Pill into a thunder dragon—what is the significance of this form?” Ji Feichen, as “Chen Luo,” asked. If thunder could manifest as a dragon, it would perfectly complement his chosen path.

The way of the dragon was precisely his current practice.

“It’s a spiritual manifestation. Thunder and dragons are deeply connected. Representing thunder as a dragon allows one to soar through the nine heavens.” Zhen Guang paused, then added, “Such manifestations are recorded for Human Immortals: besides thunder dragons, there are thunder gods, thunder trees, thunder marshes, and more, all depending on personal understanding.”

To transform thunder into a dragon form?

The idea inspired Ji Feichen deeply. Previously, he had treated Tenth Water Divine Thunder merely as a thunder technique, used as a ball of lightning. If he could shape his thunder into a dragon, wouldn’t it align better with his Dao?

Tu Shan stroked his chin thoughtfully. Though his family was erudite, the Supreme Palace surpassed them in thunder arts.

Immortal Zhen Guang lectured for an hour, after which the disciples dispersed to begin their daily tasks.

The territory of the Three Mountain Tower was vast. Aside from some disciples guarding the eight beacon towers, the others patrolled the area, overseeing the cultivators. Occasionally, criminals from the towers would be released to perform forced labor as penance.

Chen Luo and Wu He’s job was precisely this: overseeing the actions of prisoners from the Immortal Lock Tower, releasing a portion each day to perform labor.

Ji Feichen had already identified his target among the cultivators on the very first day.

"Liu Wenchang, of the Jade Peace Sect, sentenced to three hundred years in the Immortal Lock Tower for stealing elders’ pills and committing acts of debauchery." Ji Feichen recalled the man’s information as he took up a wooden whip and went with Wu He to the stone quarry.

Beside the territory was a jade mine. With nothing better to do, the criminals were put to work there. Chen Luo and Wu He served as wardens, overseeing the prisoners. The five unaffiliated cultivators they recruited also assisted in guarding the mine.

Of course, the mine was large. Beyond these seven, eight other disciples of the Supreme Palace managed the site.

When Ji Feichen and Tu Shan arrived, the prisoners had already been released, each shackled and moving slowly as they mined. Liu Wenchang was among them, hair disheveled, covered in dust, his face full of resentment as he glared at the Palace disciples.

A reed hut stood by the mine, where eight disciples and the five new cultivators were chatting over tea.

Ji Feichen and Tu Shan approached, and Tu Shan greeted the group in Wu He’s voice, “Just now, Brother Chen and I attended Teacher Zhen Guang’s lecture and arrived a bit late. Please forgive us, brothers.”

“It’s nothing. Today’s lesson was worth attending. Next time it’s our turn, you’ll need to stand guard for us.” Among the ten disciples, Guo Shaoyang was the eldest. “Tomorrow, Teacher Zhang will lecture on sword arts, so I won’t be here.”

Guarding the mine required only that the disciples coordinate and avoid mistakes; the immortals would not interfere.

The five unaffiliated cultivators observed the ways of the Supreme Palace, seemingly gaining some understanding. Their purpose in coming to the Three Mountain Tower was to use this connection to enter the Palace for cultivation.

Guo Shaoyang spoke to Ji Feichen and Tu Shan while instructing the five cultivators, “Usually, our only task is to guard the mine. The five of you will reside here, responsible for counting the jade and carving it into suitable blocks for arrays and artifact refining.” As for the core areas of the tower, only Palace disciples could enter.

The ten Supreme Palace disciples gathered, discussing and exchanging Dao techniques.

Suddenly, demonic energy surged in the distance. One disciple frowned, “The people from the Demon Suppression Tower are coming out. Brother Chen Luo, go check on them and make sure no conflict arises.”

Prisoners from all three towers were allowed out for labor. However, the Demon Suppression Tower and Monster Refining Tower were high-risk, so only those with lighter sentences were permitted out. They worked on the opposite side of the mine.

Ji Feichen agreed and went to investigate.

He found a dozen demonic cultivators in gray robes, obediently working under the whip of a man in gold. They were kept strictly separate from the Immortal Lock Tower prisoners.

“Brother Ma.” Ji Feichen greeted him.

The gold-robed man saw Ji Feichen, hesitated, then nodded, “Brother Chen, what brings you here?”

“The brothers were concerned about conflicts between the two groups, so I came to check.”

“Rest assured, all these demons are chained with specialized demon-subduing instruments, and my demon-subduing whip is a treasure specially crafted to restrain them.” Brother Ma smiled, “These few won’t cause trouble.”

Supreme Palace disciples categorized the tower prisoners. Disciples of the Daoist sects might be released in the future, so they were treated more leniently. But monsters and demons had only one fate: death, never to be released.

Ji Feichen surveyed the area and deliberately asked, “Where are the others? Are you guarding alone?”

“They went down the mountain. Brothers Feng, Liang, Chu, and Zhao are subduing demons below, Wang and Li are in seclusion, so including me, only four are on duty. The other three are patrolling inside the Demon Suppression Tower.”

Ji Feichen nodded, his gaze lingering on the demonic cultivators, spotting someone from the Yin Nether Sect. He quickly looked away and continued chatting with Brother Ma, “Why not recruit more people from outside?”

“I’d like to, but can’t spare the time.” Brother Ma smiled wryly. “By the way, I heard you’re recruiting unaffiliated cultivators at the Verdant Mountain Platform? Anyone worth using?”

“They just arrived, their backgrounds are unclear.” Ji Feichen shook his head. “Let’s wait until the elders have checked their origins. If they’re trustworthy, I’ll send some to the Demon Suppression Tower.”

“Good idea. If any are actually here to raid the towers, it would be disastrous.”

Though the Three Mountain Tower was guarded by Earth Immortals and few dared to come, Ji Feichen and Tu Shan had managed it themselves.

After some casual conversation, Ji Feichen returned to the reed hut.

At noon, he and Tu Shan withdrew to a secluded spot to confer. “Do you have a plan? I’ve found my target. What about yours?”

“I’ve found mine, on the third floor of the Immortal Lock Tower.”

“The third floor? That’s a Human Immortal?”

“Yes.” Tu Shan’s target was a Daoist Human Immortal who knew the secrets of the Holy Land of the Demon Clan. Tu Shan had to rescue him.

“The Three Mountain Tower is hard to breach. With three Earth Immortals in residence, it’s no wonder few dare approach. If there’s a weak point, it must be—” The two exchanged glances and suddenly spoke in unison, “The Demon Suppression Tower!”