Chapter 463

Chapter 463: Core Area

Yi Xingshen and the others didn’t realize Ye Yun hadn’t truly left. After disappearing, he doubled back using his grasp of spatial laws, stepping between spatial nodes while shifting positions to remain hidden less than ten zhang away. He overheard every word of their conversation.

"Senior Brother Zhang, let’s harvest the Thundercloud Grass," Yi Xingshen whispered after seeing Ye Yun depart.

Zhang Yicheng shook his head. "Since Ye Yun claimed it, we shouldn’t touch it even if he’s gone. His cultivation far surpasses ours, and he’s backed by Tian Yunzi’s influence. Whether he takes it or not, this Thundercloud Grass isn’t ours to claim."

Yi Xingshen frowned irritably. "He’s gone to fight for Thunder Wood—might not even survive! If we leave this grass, others will take it. Why let strangers benefit? If you won’t harvest it, I will!"

Zhang Yicheng’s face darkened. "Yi Xingshen, you have talent, but your judgment is lacking. Do you think we’re still within Yun Hua Sect’s walls?"

"What’s that supposed to mean?" Yi Xingshen snapped.

Zhang Yicheng replied coldly, "Do you think I don’t know its value? It’s worth thousands of top-grade spirit stones. But consider how many know of its existence!"

Yi Xingshen blinked. "Only Xuan Yuan Sect, us, and Ye Yun. What of it?"

"Senior Brother Yi," Junior Brother Li interjected quietly, "Zhang Xiansheng means too many know about it. Carrying it could make us targets."

Zhang Yicheng nodded. "Exactly. I initially thought our group could dominate Thunder Falls Valley’s outskirts. But even Xuan Yuan Sect’s nearly-forgotten disciples have fourth-level Golden Core stage cultivation. Yun Hua Sect isn’t a major power in the Great Qin Empire. If word spreads we have this grass, could you survive ten days?"

Understanding dawned on the group. Their cultivation levels placed them firmly among Thunder Falls Valley’s weaker entrants—nowhere near mid-tier, let alone the late-stage Golden Core experts.

Yi Xingshen exhaled sharply. The sect hadn’t sent them to seize treasures, but to cultivate under the Thunderous Strike’s destructive pressure. Their true task was finding quiet areas to reduce Thunder Avoidance Talisman protections gradually, using the lightning to advance their cultivation.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Zhang." Though often at odds with Zhang Yicheng, Yi Xingshen spoke sincerely. Without this warning, they’d have kept chasing treasures until getting killed.

Zhang Yicheng nodded toward the valley mouth. "No objections? Then let’s find seclusion to train."

"Yes!" The Yun Hua Sect disciples chorused, disappointment lingering but acceptance clear.

Zhang Yicheng hid a sigh. Until recently, he’d shared their ambition to win glory for the sect. Being saved by Ye Yun had revealed the truth—this was a survival trial, not a treasure hunt.

Ye Yun, if we meet again, I’ll repay this debt, Zhang Yicheng vowed silently.

Ye Yun didn’t linger at the spatial nodes. Prolonged concealment risked exposure despite his spatial law mastery. He left quickly after overhearing essentials, unaware of Zhang Yicheng’s thoughts.

Thunder Wood!

This valley’s unique treasure could replenish Thunder Spirit Qi rapidly. Forged by centuries of lightning, it might hold fragments of Lightning Element Law. Grasping even a sliver promised lifetime benefits, including effortless Thunder Spirit Qi mastery.

Every valley opening drew factions’ Golden Core disciples—Nascent Soul elders would swarm in if permitted. Lower-level cultivators came to train; late-stage Golden Core veterans who’d survived great tribulations competed for Thunder Wood and core area treasures. Even second-rate sects like Yun Hua Sect sent late-stage Golden Core disciples—first-rate factions’ representatives would be formidable.

Approaching the core area, lightning thickened until every space crackled with thunder.

Ye Yun focused on the thunder’s power. Without Lightning Element Law comprehension, even his exceptional Thunder Spirit Qi affinity might not have sufficed for entry. How could ordinary cultivators like Zeng Xuan reach here?

The question didn’t concern him. His lightning understanding let him advance effortlessly through the storm.

Thunder Falls Valley’s compact terrain hid natural spatial magical arrays. Trapped cultivators needed time to escape. But Ye Yun’s spatial law expertise—second only to his lightning mastery—let him spot array weaknesses instantly, slipping through without pause.

Two hours later, the scenery shifted abruptly. The thunderstorm thinned, revealing a clear blue sky ahead.

Ye Yun stared. This serene vision contradicted all core area expectations.

Whoosh!

A cultivator shot past into the calm zone.

CRACK!

Purple lightning thicker than a wrist struck from the clear sky, hurling the man hundreds zhang back into thunderous territory.

"Another fool," sneered a voice a hundred zhang left. Two men emerged from flickering lightning. "Thinks that’s safe ground? That’s the death zone—Purple Mansion Thunder annihilates Golden Core cultivators."

"More idiots than wise men," his companion chuckled. "They fancy themselves chosen ones while being worthless."

"Enough chatter," a third voice cut in. "See the warped space center? That spatial passage leads to the true core. But first, we wait."

Over a dozen cultivators materialized around the calm zone’s edges, none venturing closer.

Ye Yun narrowed his eyes. He’d nearly rushed in too, halted by the sky’s odd tranquility. Purple Mansion Thunder—rumored capable of world-destruction—guarded this area. Could his lightning mastery withstand it?

"Ye Yun! You reached here?"

A familiar voice rang out. Ye Yun turned to see Jue Chen glowering nearby, flanked by a thirty-year-old man in snow-white robes.