Lake Heart Island, rocky ground.

Qi Xiu sat cross-legged on the raised hillside, exuding a stable and heavy aura. He shared his understanding and experience of cultivating Palm Thunder with a calm and gentle voice. His speech was slow, starting from the basics. He patiently explained complex concepts and expounded on them in simple, easy-to-understand language. By referencing various examples, stories, and practical experiences, he made abstract and difficult paths approachable.

Beneath him, Zhu Mo and the seven Yan Baizhe brothers silently pondered Qi Xiu's words, then integrated these experiences into their own cultivation. This lecture lasted for seven days and seven nights. Qi Xiu did not feel tired, and Zhu Mo, Yan Baizhe, and the others listened as if intoxicated. With Qi Xiu's explanations and teachings, it was as if a torchbearer in a dark wilderness was guiding them on the path ahead. If they followed this torchbearer, they could proceed steadily on this winding and rugged road.

As he spoke like a torrent, releasing all his thoughts and realizations, Qi Xiu fell silent after the final word. A long, contemplative breath escaped his nostrils. With that breath, his aura became even more stable and reserved. While explaining his insights to Zhu Mo and the others, Qi Xiu himself also reflected, looking back to see if there was anything improper or lacking in his path. It could be said that from this lecture, he too was a beneficiary.

With Qi Xiu's explanations and teachings, Zhu Mo, Yan Baizhe, and the others immediately entered deep cultivation thoughtfully. In terms of talent and understanding, they were not weak. Otherwise, they could not have reached the Peak of Dao Entry, Three Flowers Gathering at the Top, at such a young age. It's just that Thunder Magic was more obscure and difficult to comprehend compared to other techniques. What they lacked was not talent or understanding, but opportunity. Now, Qi Xiu was precisely that opportunity leading them into the Thunder Path.

There are still seven months left. It should be about right.

Jumping down the hillside, Qi Xiu found a flat rock to sit on. His palm slightly opened, a trace of vermilion Lei Mang flickering in and out of visibility.

Palm Thunder.

The basic entry-level Thunder Magic of the Shenxiao Sect. It is also the prerequisite for cultivating subsequent true scriptures and secret texts like the Five Thunder Celestial Heart Skill, the Innate Thunder Crystal Hidden Scripture, and the Mysterious Jade Pivot Thunderclap Great Skill. Palm Thunder belongs to human-originated Thunder. Its power is derived from the human body.

Guided by the Thunder Decree, it channels the qi of the five internal organs, accumulating a strand of Divine Marvel of Thunder. Each of the five internal organs leads in its strength, and one must be supreme. I cultivate the Hunyuan Dragon Tiger Scripture Mystery. With vigorous yang energy and a strong central heart, I am in the state of pure yang virginity. Therefore, the heart qi was the first to erupt, dominating the five internal organs. Thus, my Palm Thunder, wide in its opening and closing and fierce without equal, belongs to the most standard, most orthodox Palm Thunder technique.

Gazing at the vermilion Lei Mang in his palm, Qi Xiu's expression was calm.

The Shenxiao Sect set Palm Thunder as the content for the second round of assessment, not because they were really so generous as to freely give so many candidates a skill in the Thunder Path. Once this Thunder Magic is cultivated, a thunder pattern will condense within the body. This thunder pattern will continuously compete for True Gang to sustain its existence. The higher the realm of Palm Thunder, the heavier the thunder pattern. Although the thunder pattern can transform True Gang into thunder, the consumption is extraordinarily heavy. Moreover, even if one does not activate the Thunder Magic daily, the thunder pattern will still consume Gang Qi, presenting a heavy burden for the cultivator. To resolve the endless consumption of the thunder pattern, the methods are most likely contained within the subsequent Thunder Magic true scriptures. But such true scriptures will most certainly be taught only upon joining the Shenxiao Sect. Therefore, if one fails to pass the assessment, those cultivators who have mastered Palm Thunder but haven't obtained the subsequent true scriptures will have to find a way to eliminate the thunder pattern themselves. Otherwise, if the thunder pattern remains in the body for long, their cultivation level might even regress instead of advancing. As for the content of the Palm Thunder scripture, the Shenxiao Sect also placed a seal within it. If one dares to reveal even a word, the scripture will instantly turn into Lei Mang and pierce through one's brain. Unless one actively erases this section of the Palm Thunder scripture from memory, can one be free of concerns forever.

The power of Thunder Magic is indeed terrifying, but its consumption is also extremely heavy. It takes one hundred strands of my Hunyuan True Essence to activate Palm Thunder. I estimate that the consumption of Gang Qi not aligned with the Thunder Path would be similar. Therefore, even a Peak of Dao Entry cultivator who has cultivated nine hundred and ninety-nine strands of True Gang can only fire nine Palm Thunders. The Shenxiao Sect's direct disciples must possess special methods to increase their amount of True Gang and break through the True Gang limit of the Initiate Realm. Just like my Mixed Primordial Bead. Otherwise, if the consumption is so immense even for the entry-level Palm Thunder, their Thunder Path Gang Qi might consume less, but it definitely wouldn't be easy. In this way, wouldn't more advanced Thunder Magic likely drain all True Gang with a single use?

Feeling the formidable power contained in the vermilion Lei Mang in his palm, Qi Xiu's eyes stirred. Thunder Magic is recognized in the Cultivation Realm as heavy weaponry. The destructive force contained within this Palm Thunder in his hand is almost comparable to the combined attack of ten strikes of Formless Sword Qi!

However, this is not to say that Formless Sword Qi is inferior to Palm Thunder. Instead, Formless Sword Qi follows a path of stealthy and treacherous strikes. It is shadowless and formless, specializing in breaking Body-Protecting True Gang. It's suitable for sneak attacks and ambushes, not for frontal confrontations. Palm Thunder, on the other hand, is a majestic and powerful technique, sweeping through armies—a Righteous Path Thunder Magic. Its principle is not to act unless necessary, but once a move is made, it's earth-shatteringly powerful.

With this Palm Thunder, I will finally have a strong offensive technique to use in battles against others. Qi Xiu nodded slowly.

Previously, I only had Formless Sword Qi at hand, which fell short when a sneak attack failed. The Star Absorption Skill, albeit powerful, is too sensitive. It's not good to reveal it in public for fear of inviting envy and hatred.

「A month had passed.」

Sitting cross-legged on a rock, Qi Xiu's brows lifted slightly as he opened his eyes. Around Yan Baizhe and his six brothers, who had set up the Great Righteousness and Unity Formation, faint traces of Lei Mang began to appear. This trace of Lei Mang was extremely faint, but it exuded a majestic and profound aura of Thunder Magic. It was apparent they had begun to grasp the essence of Palm Thunder.

Noticing that the Daliang Wolf Cavalry had made initial progress, Qi Xiu turned his attention to Zhu Mo. Without the enhancement of the Divine Marvel Formation, Zhu Mo's progress was clearly lagging far behind.

And... has the yang energy in his heart and lungs failed to generate? Has Old Zhu lost his virginity?

Through the Observing Qi Skill, Qi Xiu clearly saw the circulation of Zhu Mo's five energies. The yang energy in his heart and lungs was sluggish and failed to generate.

If this continues, I'm afraid he won't be able to cultivate the pure Yang Thunder Magic. This fatty isn't actually a virgin—I wonder which family's prize cabbage this pig rooted up?

With a resigned smile, Qi Xiu stood up and went to Zhu Mo's side. He raised his hand, pressed it on Zhu Mo's back, and said softly via voice transmission, "Fatty, your Yang constitution is broken. The Yang qi in your heart and lungs is dull and fails to generate, so you can't cultivate the same Yang Thunder as I do."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Mo, who was deeply absorbed in cultivation, had his breath instantly disrupted, his eyelids fluttering and his face turning an abnormal shade of red.

"Fatty, don't panic," Qi Xiu continued via voice transmission. "If the Yang qi can't emerge from your heart and lungs, try generating yin qi from your kidney water first. Once your Yang qi is replenished, you can then refine and assimilate it. This way, you can also cultivate Palm Thunder. Just take a different path."

Combining his own insights, Qi Xiu quickly summarized another path for Thunder Magic cultivation and conveyed it to Zhu Mo via voice transmission. With Qi Xiu's reminder, Zhu Mo's qi jolted, and his cloudy, confused mind instantly grasped the key. His disordered qi flow stabilized again.

Just as Qi Xiu was helping Zhu Mo clear his thoughts, the Sky Dome above suddenly burst with azure and violet, thunderous fireworks.

"Half a year remains until the assessment ends!"

"Starting today, Jade Thunder Essence will randomly appear on Lake Heart Island. Consuming it will enhance the thunder patterns, and candidates should acquire it themselves."

The grand and imposing voice appeared once again. This time, in addition to reminding the candidates that only half a year remained, it also revealed the emergence of a mysterious item on Lake Heart Island called Jade Thunder Essence. Consuming Jade Thunder Essence would aid the cultivation of Palm Thunder.

A trap! The word immediately surfaced in Qi Xiu's mind upon hearing the grand voice's announcement. It seemed to reduce the difficulty for candidates to cultivate Palm Thunder within a year, but in reality, it was just a word game. 'Consuming it can enhance thunder patterns'... That statement was missing a crucial part. It should have been: 'For those who have already cultivated thunder patterns and achieved initial success with Palm Thunder, consuming it is suitable.' Those who haven't achieved initial success with Palm Thunder and consumed it rashly would likely face more harm than good. Besides, the voice hadn't specified how much Jade Thunder Essence there would be. Clearly, they intended to instigate conflict among the island's candidates once again.

And just as Qi Xiu saw through the Shenxiao Sect's cunning ploy, having no intention of searching for the so-called Jade Thunder Essence, the solid and stable rocky ground suddenly cracked. A lotus, entirely azure and deep red, gently swaying, gracefully sprouted from the ground. As the Lotus Petals unfolded, on the nine-holed lotus seat, a crystalline Jade Thunder Essence, containing faint Lei Mang, shone, emitting a profoundly enchanting fragrance.

Jade Thunder Essence?

Staring at the alluringly beautiful lotus, Qi Xiu was startled.

Such a coincidence?

But as he sniffed that intense fragrance that couldn't dissipate in his nostrils, a bad premonition suddenly arose in his mind.

This Jade Thunder Essence is too fragrant. Such a strong scent... it's practically a beacon for those starving, green-eyed wolves.

Taking a step beside the Lei Mang lotus, he waved his sleeve. Numerous Suppressing Talismans surged forth, transforming into the Suppression Talisman Seal Skill to contain the scent of the Jade Thunder Essence.

"Brother, no need to hide. I've already seen you."

Around the corner of the nearby woods, a man lazily spoke from where he sat on a tree branch. Wrapped in pale bandages from head to toe, even his face covered, only his left eye was exposed, gleaming with an eerie light. Descending from the tree, the bandaged man floated forward slowly. In this place where Escape Skills and Escape Light were sealed, he could still float above the ground.

"Hand it over," the bandaged man said, arriving at the edge of the formations. His lone eye peered down at Qi Xiu as he spoke indifferently, earnestly advising, "You can't keep it. Insisting on doing so will only attract deadly danger. These small formations won't protect you all for long."

In the midst of this conversation, several figures exuding heavy, sinister auras had already rushed over. Their sharp, oppressive gazes swept towards Qi Xiu as if intending to crush him outright.

"See?" the bandaged man continued. "The wise know when to yield. I can still talk nicely with you, but they may not."

As the bandaged man was still muttering his advice to Qi Xiu, the latter, expressionless, had already picked the Lei Mang lotus. He suddenly threw it towards the bandaged man, who subconsciously caught it.

"I've given it to him. Go bother him for it," Qi Xiu said, pointing at the bewildered bandaged man. He shrugged with an innocent expression and then said to the bandaged man, "Well, what can I say? My greatest virtue is that I always listen to good advice."

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