CHAPTER 232: 167. FOURTH-GRADE OPPORTUNITY, SHELTERING SPIRIT VEIL (20,000 WORDS UPDATE)

The five disciples of the Blood River Sect from afar had just gathered and hurried over. They had originally intended to assist their fellow Sect Elders, Bo Hong and Shuiying. Little did they expect Bo Hong to be so swiftly and easily defeated in just a few breaths. By the time they were ready to flee with Shuiying, it was too late; they were all enveloped by Lei Jun’s dark Gui Water Yin Thunder. Once the thunder water touched them, it immediately began to destroy and erode their bodies, making these disciples feel that this black thunder water was even more sinister than their Sect’s corrupt blood. Shuiying’s complexion turned ugly as she watched Lei Jun approach unhurriedly.

The legacy of the Blood River lineage has always been built on cultivating with dead Qi and killing intent as its foundation. In the Lower Three Heavens, the Life-Bound Magic Arts chosen by Blood River Sect cultivators were generally similar. These often included the Blood River, which contaminated an opponent’s Mana; Blood Battle, which increased their combat strength after injury; and Blood Devouring, which absorbed an opponent’s vitality and blood Qi to nourish the user—all variations on a theme.

In the Middle Three Heavens, their specific manifestations in actual combat could be roughly divided into three paths depending on the specific cultivation methods. These paths were established on the foundations of Blood River, Blood Battle, and Blood Devouring, each with its own emphasis.

For example, when Bo Hong reached the Fifth Heaven Layer, his Life-Bound Magic Arts beyond his primary three techniques were Unpredictable Flesh and Blood and the Eight Styles of Blood Battle. He followed the path of close combat and fleshly battles. His close-range attacking power rivaled that of a Body-Refining Martial Artist of the same realm. Though his defense and speed might have been weaker, his twisting and ever-changing flesh was unpredictable. His techniques combined hard and soft moves, ferocity and cunning, all supported by a strong recovery ability.

Shuiying, on the other hand, chose the path of upgrading the Blood River into a Blood Sea, practicing Blood Sea Tide and Heavy Waves of Blood Surge as her primary techniques. The corruption of the Blood Sea was even more intense than that of the Blood River, with its coverage area and volume of water far exceeding the latter. However, her Blood Sea was no match for Lei Jun’s Lei Hai.

The Blood River Sect’s heritage certainly had its marvels, and the fierceness of the Blood Sea was not necessarily inferior to Lei Jun’s Lei Hai. But Lei Jun’s Mana was more refined and ferocious than hers. Shuiying, a product of the Blood River Sect, had immense combat experience. She keenly felt that when Lei Jun used the same spells, they were more powerful than those wielded by other True Inheritances of the same realm from the Celestial Master Mansion; she wondered just how he cultivated.

What was even more infuriating was that this tall Taoist had just engaged in a head-on confrontation, sending Bo Hong flying in close combat. And now, he was crushing her in a mid-to-long-range spell battle!

"...Dragon Tiger Mountain, Lei Jun, truly lives up to his reputation!"

Shuiying snapped back to reality, her complexion growing even worse. She now matched the portraits she had seen before with the Lei Jun she faced, recognizing this new prodigy from the Celestial Master Mansion whose fame had risen rapidly in recent years.

Prior to this, she had mostly heard about Lei Jun’s unusually rapid progress in cultivation and his swift rise. But only upon meeting him in person did she realize how outrageously fierce his combat methods were! Is the Celestial Master Mansion really about to produce another generation of exceptional talents?

"I didn’t expect to encounter you here. Today, we’ve met our match. My master might not have the time to free himself to deal with you right now."

Shuiying glared at Lei Jun, "But don’t be too pleased. You’re already on Our Sect’s killing list, and many covet your essence and blood. We will meet again soon. I’ll be waiting for you below!"

"Be good, now. Stop causing trouble," Lei Jun said. With a single blow, he smashed her head down into her chest cavity. "You’re not worthy of such an honor."

He turned his gaze toward the distance. The fierce battle involving Li Song and the others was far from over; in fact, it was becoming even more intense, reaching a fever pitch. Perhaps Li Song and Tian Linlong had no intention of engaging in such a meaningless, bitter fight. Even if Li Song was currently furious, a fight to the death against these enemies held no value for him. However, the Blood River Sect Elder and the Great Demon likely thought differently. Threatened by them, Li Song and Tian Linlong had no choice but to fight with True Fire and battle to the death.

Under the influence of the Demonic Qi Evil Miasma, the Spiritual Energy here had become hopelessly muddled, further affecting the surrounding area. Lei Jun quickly cleaned up the area where Bo Hong and Shuiying had died. It was too close to Tang Xiaotang’s seclusion spot, and leaving traces might be problematic, so he needed to tidy up.

After cleaning, he approached the cave mansion from which the Pure Yang Qi was leaking and sensed the traces of this Qi. After a moment, Lei Jun sat cross-legged and silently began to circulate his Mana.

Unlike when he had misled Liang Chen, Li Zhusheng, and the others, Lei Jun now used his Yin Yang Sacred Body to transform his Mana into a predominantly Pure Yin energy. The Yin Yang Dual Qi swirled, further refined by the Celestial Book within the True One Altar Cave Heaven, ultimately transforming into pure black Qi that emerged from Lei Jun’s body. This stream of black Qi mingled with the Pure Yang Qi seeping from the cave mansion, subtly interweaving Yin and Yang.

After some time experimenting and stabilizing the flow, Lei Jun gradually found the balance point. Thus, harmonizing Yin and Yang, the two energies circulated, forming a cycle that became concealed and invisible. As a result, the Pure Yang Qi no longer leaked out.

The dull yellow Spirit Light of the Breathing Soil Banner generated a large amount of illusory earth and stone, filling and concealing the surrounding rock formations. This ultimately created a seamless covering that sealed and hid the cave mansion.

Lei Jun flicked his finger lightly. The Yin Thunder of Yi Wood, produced by the Dark Five-Thunder Orthodox Talisman and filled with Vitality, nourished the rock, allowing a sparse covering of trees and vegetation to grow over it. With Lei Jun’s deliberate control, his disguise became even more convincing as it shifted with the natural earth tremors of the mountainous region, making it difficult for outsiders to detect anything amiss.

After completing these finishing touches, Lei Jun finally turned his attention back to the cave mansion.

Given the current situation, Tang Xiaotang must have already entered the final stage, completely engrossed in her closed-door cultivation, oblivious to external affairs, and focused solely on her practice. Otherwise, with such a commotion outside, she would have emerged to investigate long ago.