Chapter 480

Chapter 480: Treasure Hunt

As Yun Tianxing struck, light and shadow flashed around the Thunder Spirit Beast. Zeng Xuan and the others attacked simultaneously.

Yet the expected violent onslaught never came. The Sea of Thunder lay eerily calm, undisturbed by their assault. Their attacks struck the beast instantly, but it remained unmoving, utterly unharmed.

The attacks ceased abruptly. What was the point of useless strikes?

Yun Tianxing, Zeng Xuan, and the others exchanged baffled looks. Ancient texts described the Thunder Spirit Beast as a creature born of heaven’s lightning, commanding the thunder of Thunder Falls Valley—but nowhere mentioned immunity to attacks.

"Could your Thunder Spirit Qi be the issue? Is it immune to Lightning Techniques?" Su Xingyun frowned.

"Impossible," Yun Tianxing shook his head. "My attack held only a trace of Thunder Spirit Qi—mostly true qi. Yet it did nothing."

"Same here," Zeng Xuan said tersely.

"Me too," Ye Yun agreed, confusion flashing across his face.

Nearly everyone’s expressions darkened—except Jun Ruolan, who stood serene, as if holding all the answers.

"Miss Jun, any insights?" Yun Tianxing pressed.

Jun Ruolan didn’t answer immediately. She studied the Thunder Spirit Beast in the Sea of Thunder, her brows suddenly knitting.

"It’s becoming ethereal!" she snapped, eyes sharpening. "The seed of the mysteries of thunder within it is gone!"

Yun Tianxing’s group stared in disbelief. "Who could steal the beast’s heart undetected?"

But they soon saw it—the beast’s form was indeed fading, growing translucent by the second.

The group exchanged stunned glances. The beast hadn’t retaliated, hadn’t taken damage—and now its core was stolen under their noses? If a cultivator did this, their power defied comprehension.

"Forget staring. Take the Thunder Wood," Jun Ruolan whispered to Ye Yun.

Ye Yun’s eyes flashed. He shot forward like lightning, aiming for the beast’s eyes.

"Stop!"

"Audacious!"

"Fool!"

Ying Wujun and Su Xingyun roared belatedly as Ye Yun reached his target.

Too late. Ye Yun activated the Illusory Thunderlight Escape with Thunder Spirit Qi, reaching the beast’s eyes in a flash.

Purple light erupted outward as Ye Yun plunged his hands into the creature’s eyes. The ethereal beast offered no resistance.

Violent lightning power surged through Ye Yun. Without his Great Demon Body, it would’ve shredded him. Even with his Lightning Element Law mastery, the raw force nearly tore him apart—thunder laced with crushing might.

Ye Yun shot skyward, clutching two glowing purple orbs.

"Drop the Thunder Wood, Ye Yun!"

"Hand it over, and we’ll spare you!"

"Defy the Flying Star Sect, and nowhere in heaven or earth will hide you!"

Ying Wujun’s group shouted threats, Jue Chen’s voice rising shrill above the rest.

Yun Tianxing and Zeng Xuan watched Ye Yun silently without moving. Shen Mo’s dark, thin frame trembled with barely contained excitement, his eyes gleaming.

Jun Ruolan observed Ye Yun with a gentle smile, her thoughts unreadable.

Ye Yun floated mid-air amidst the Sea of Thunder. Two purple light shadows shot from his hands, bathing the space in radiant light.

As the purple glow swept outward, the dense Sea of Thunder melted away like snow under blazing sunlight.

Violent energy surged through Ye Yun’s hands, flooding his meridians, blood, and bones. The thunder’s power paralyzed him completely.

Ye Yun realized Jun Ruolan’s scheme. The Thunder Wood couldn’t be claimed safely—its unspent energy trapped the holder motionless, vulnerable to attack.

Rage burned through him. He’d lowered his guard, trusting this cunning woman.

"Cease your noise," Jun Ruolan declared, stepping forward. "These Thunder Woods immobilize Ye Yun for two hours. Let’s discuss their division. I claim one."

Ying Wujun and Su Xingyun instantly grasped Ye Yun’s predicament—the youth hung frozen in midair.

"His Thunder Spirit Qi mastery makes this thunder energy potent nourishment," Su Xingyun narrowed his eyes. "Absorbing it would boost his cultivation immensely."

"True enough," Ying Wujun growled. "What game are you playing, Jun Ruolan?"

Jue Chen laughed uproariously as the receding Sea of Thunder eased his burdens. "Trapped for hours, Ye Yun! Imagine the death I’ll craft for you!"

Ye Yun ignored him. The rampaging thunder energy ravaged his reforged Great Demon Body—a physique that normally repelled even Fifth Level Golden Core stage experts. Yet now his bones and meridians crumbled bit by bit.

"Why?" Ye Yun frowned but stayed calm. His Lightning Element Law comprehension should neutralize this threat. The Heart of Immortals and Demons could absorb the energy… but wasting such pure thunder essence felt wrong. This power could elevate his mastery if harnessed properly.

Below him, arguments escalated.

"The Flying Star Sect claims a piece!" Ying Wujun’s voice brooked no refusal.

"What’s the Flying Star Sect?" Yun Tianxing’s scholarly demeanor vanished, replaced by icy disdain.

"You dare oppose us?" Jue Chen roared.

"Mediocre cultivators shouldn’t trespass sacred grounds," Yun Tianxing retorted, thunder crackling around him.

Su Xingyun and Ying Wujun stood united against him.

"Enough!" Zeng Xuan positioned himself beneath Ye Yun. "These Thunder Woods belong to Divine Grace Palace through Ye Yun. Touch them at your peril."

Shen Mo suddenly straightened, aura swelling explosively.

Third… Fourth… Fifth… Sixth Level Golden Core stage!

The crowd gaped as Shen Mo’s cultivation skyrocketed beyond reason.