Chapter 499

Chapter 499: Contest of Tasks

The lightning at the valley entrance suddenly vanished, letting outside light flood back in. Disciples from various sects, already gathered there, rushed forward like a frenzied tide, terrified that even a slight delay might bring disaster.

Ye Yun, Jun Ruolan, and the others stayed still, quietly observing the crowd.

Ye Yun felt a flicker of surprise. When Thunder Falls Valley first opened, hundreds had entered. But now, only about a hundred remained. He vividly recalled hundreds of cultivators below the Third Level of the Golden Core stage entering earlier—where had they all gone?

Yun Tianxing noticed Ye Yun’s confusion and chuckled, “Those below the Third Level were always meant to be sect cannon fodder. Surviving ten days of thunder here would refine their souls, aiding future cultivation—even if their cultivation levels didn’t rise.”

Ye Yun frowned. “And if they couldn’t endure?”

“Then they’d die. Their spirits would vanish, turning to mist,” Jun Ruolan cut in, her tone indifferent.

Ye Yun inhaled sharply. “All of them? Is the thunder here truly that deadly?”

Having mastered Thunder Spirit Qi and the Lightning Element Law, Ye Yun found the valley’s thunder only mildly threatening. To him, the dense Thunder Spirit Qi was nourishment. Here, he moved like a tiger in its forest or a fish in the sea—utterly at ease.

“Naturally. Did you think millennia of unceasing thunder that carved these mountains would be weak?” Yun Tianxing smirked.

Ye Yun’s eyes widened. “Wait—Thunder Avoidance Talismans are said to work only for those below the Fourth Level of the Golden Core stage. What about those above the Fourth Level who haven’t faced heavenly tribulation?”

Jun Ruolan shrugged. “That ‘rule’ is just talk. Over centuries, sects like the Misty Sect and Divine Grace Palace developed talismans allowing Fifth Level Golden Core disciples to enter undetected. Some use spiritual weapons or Immortal artifacts to block thunder. Du Jianyin shattered the Divine Thunder with sword intent, while another from your sect used treasures. There are countless methods now.”

Ye Yun nodded. Jue Chen had entered the treasure area using a Thunder Avoidance Talisman and Su Xingyun’s Glazed Umbrella. Shen Mo and Jun Ruolan, lacking Thunder Spirit Qi, clearly relied on protective artifacts.

In truth, only those below the Third Level faced real danger. They weren’t their sects’ favorites—their deaths mattered little.

Soon, most disciples had exited, leaving fewer than twenty at the entrance.

“Ye Yun. Surprised you’re alive,” a voice drawled from behind. Ye Yun turned to see Zhong Huali limping forward, robes torn and body bloodied, yet his eyes burned with determination.

“Zhong Huali. Looks rough,” Ye Yun remarked lightly. Ten days ago, Zhong Huali had been a rival. Now? After reaching the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment and refining Thunder Spirit Qi, Ye Yun could challenge even Sixth Level Golden Core cultivators. With the Thundercloud Lightning Sword’s fourth form—Sword of the Thunder God—he might even rival Yun Tianxing.

Zhong Huali ignored the jab. “I found Thunder Wood. Did you?”

Ye Yun blinked. Thunder Wood? The Thunder Spirit Beast’s eyes had become the wood he’d absorbed. How had Zhong Huali obtained any? Unless…

But Ye Yun didn’t pry. He pulled out two dimly glowing Thunder Wood pieces—most of their energy drained, but still valid. Combined with the Ice Spirit Herb from Yun Tianxing and Zeng Xuan, Tian Yunzi would be satisfied.

As the last disciples exited, lightning crashed down, resealing the valley with a crackling web.

Outside, disciples scattered to their sects’ camps. Five hundred zhang from the entrance, Tian Yunzi meditated, indifferent, while Yue Huai-Chang beamed at approaching disciples.

“Hm? Who are these?” Yue Huai-Chang frowned at the unfamiliar faces beside Ye Yun and Zhong Huali.

“Shen Mo, greetings, Senior,” Shen Mo bowed.

“Yun Tianxing of the Golden Sword Sect pays respects,” Yun Tianxing said formally.

“Jun Ruolan. Moon Goddess Palace,” she stated flatly.

Yue Huai-Chang’s brows rose. The Moon Goddess Palace—one of the Eight Major Sects—wasn’t to be trifled with. This girl carried herself like a core disciple, unflinching before a late-stage Nascent Soul elder.

He turned to Ye Yun and Zhong Huali. “Well? Did you get the Thunder Wood?”

“I did!” they chorused.

Yue Huai-Chang stared. “Which one?”

Zhong Huali produced a lightning-flecked wood fragment from his storage ring. Yue Huai-Chang inspected it and nodded. “Good work, boy.” He eyed Ye Yun. “And you?”

With a grin, Ye Yun held up two gleaming pieces.

“Two.”