Chapter 20: Wind and Thunder

Among them, the representative is thunder.

Zhang Jian realized that the speed of comprehending the Minor Wind Thunder Technique among the three minor spells far surpassed that of the other spells.

Especially the Thunder Travel Secret within the Wind Thunder Technique.

The Minor Wind Thunder Technique can be divided into the Wind Travel Technique and the Thunder Travel Secret.

The Wind Travel Technique is a divine method for riding the wind.

The Thunder Travel Secret can control a portion of heavenly thunder, its power is astonishing, yet it is also extremely dangerous, because this is not the invisible yin thunder formed by the collision of yin and yang within one's body, but the heavenly thunder that fills heaven and earth, supremely pure and yang.

And the Minor Wind Thunder Technique formed by the combination of wind and thunder power is extremely powerful.

Whether it is the Wind Travel Technique or the Thunder Travel Secret, he progresses extremely quickly, as if there is an innate resonance with the thunder that fills heaven and earth.

Zhang Yi lacks such a sense; no matter what, he cannot feel the wind and thunder qi between heaven and earth.

He also has no perception of the yin wood essence required by the Myriad Wood Secret.

Zhang Jian estimates that this is a spiritual root.

This may be related to his consumption of the fire apricot.

Although the comprehension speed is not slow, Zhang Jian still needs to use some means to strengthen the connection, such as talisman scripts.

The two immediately ordered Zhang Lu to personally purchase a batch of cinnabar from outside, while also going to the Phoenix Perch Observatory to buy some fine talisman brushes and yellow paper.

Handfuls of silver were flung out, and these resources were continuously sent into the Zhang Family Residence.

After half a month, Zhang Jian, through meditation, gradually could sense that two illusory runes had been born in his inner spiritual awareness; they were two extraordinarily mysterious runes, which, with a slight tremor, could condense into form in the void and transform into wind-thunder blasts.

"Thunder Travel Secret!"

Zhang Jian opened his eyes; a cinnabar red talisman appeared in his hand, and instantly a large surge of spiritual power burst forth, transforming into a crimson bolt of lightning that flew out and struck the stone before the ancestral hall.

Boom—!!

With a tremendous roar, the stone as tall as a person before his eyes instantly shattered, its core blackened.

"Success?"

At this moment, two other figures were watching from afar.

Zhang Yi2 and Zhang Yi4.

Zhang Jian and Zhang Yi4 entered the path of cultivation without concealing it from Zhang Yi2, who also attached great importance to this.

However, he was half‑believing and half‑doubting; upon seeing Zhang Jian summon thunder from his hand, he could not help but believe, and his heart filled with overwhelming joy.

But his city‑deep disposition remained; after taking a deep breath, his expression stayed calm.

The Zhang Clan now has two more reclusive experts, making the whole clan's hope of realizing that dream greater.

"Too fast!"

Meanwhile, Zhang Yi4 had to admit he felt a bit sour.

He and this nephew entered the gate of the Great Dao together; among the three methods, only the Soul Purification Law Chant gave him a slight threshold before him, while the other two were impossible to cultivate.

He felt it was as hard as climbing to heaven, even doubting that these two techniques were fake……

Yet now Zhang Jian can touch the threshold so quickly; even if he uses talisman scripts to unleash it, he is filled with envy.

"Still far off!"

Zhang Jian shook his head; mastering such a spell to a profound level means directly following one's heart‑mind, without needing paper talismans—hand‑rolling thunder is his ideal state.

Next, he still needs prolonged training, composing talisman scripts to imprint this wind‑thunder talisman into his mind, ultimately achieving the supreme realm where thought follows the law.

In the following time, Zhang Jian and Zhang Yi4 spent most of their time jointly studying the three techniques around the ancestral hall.

Although the Wind Thunder Technique has just taken shape, it requires a great deal of time to practice.

As for the other two techniques, because his soul is exceptionally strong, the Soul Purification Law Chant is comprehended just as quickly, not inferior to the Wind Thunder Technique.

The Myriad Wood Secret is obviously slower, but compared to Zhang Yi4's complete lack of sensation, Zhang Jian finds it considerably stronger.

……

Time flowed by unnoticed, and half a month passed again in the blink of an eye.

In the rear garden,

Gu Xiu'er, accompanied by two stout female attendants, glanced from afar at Duan Mu Yan.

At this time Duan Mu Yan could not get down; he could only be carried and lie far away on a bamboo chair, his whole body unable to move.

He looked somewhat dejected, not noticing Gu Xiu'er's presence.

"Gu Clan niece, you may be satisfied now, but we are quite dissatisfied—your father sent someone to damage our Zhang Clan's treasure, and he has not shown the slightest sign; what do you think we should do to you two?"

"Although the Zhang Clan is generous, some rules must be observed; otherwise, how can the uncle unite the clan and become its lord? Do you agree?"

Zhang Yi2 stood with his hands bound, his expression calm.

Gu Xiu'er heard this, glanced at Zhang Yi2, felt a bit bitter in her heart, knowing the Gu Clan had surely hit a wall.

Otherwise, the Gu Clan and his master would certainly not have remained completely silent for so long.

Such a situation may not matter much to the Gu Clan, but for the two of them it is probably the worst circumstance.

After thinking, Gu Xiu'er said: "Uncle Zhang, I am willing to write a letter; please take it back to the Gu Clan. I believe my father will surely send someone soon."

"However, Uncle Zhang, I am humble and my words carry little weight; perhaps my effect will be limited—please prepare yourself mentally."

After a slight pause, Gu Xiu'er raised her head and said: "Besides, I have another idea here; perhaps it can help Uncle Zhang a little, perhaps it cannot fully compensate for the fault, but it counts as a modest recompense."

"Oh?"

Zhang Yi2's eyes flickered.

But after Gu Xiu'er finished speaking, his expression became solemn, and he quickly strode away.

In place, Gu Xiu'er furrowed her brows, glanced left and right at the Zhang Clan, secretly sighed, the Zhang Clan's surveillance of her was extremely tight; even if she were cleverer, she would still be a bird in a cage.

She could only temporarily preserve herself.

……

Without Yang Qing interfering from within, the Zhang family's series of plans were successively carried out; whether planning disaster relief, winning over hearts, or, under the pretext of causing trouble with refugees, organizing a People's Protection Squad, all were put on the agenda.

The Zhang family was not short of money, and besides having 'professional' personnel, they quickly raised a guard squad.

Of course, in name only, they still requested Yang Qing to step forward and establish a local guard squad under the joint signature of the prominent households of Fengxi County, in order to protect the villagers and prevent the county seat from being affected by the refugee influx of Fengyang Commandery.

……

On the other hand, after Ji Ming and Wang Yuanlang suffered a setback, they were no longer able to resort to other means.

Ji Ming could only send the news back and wait for a reply.

This time, having suffered a major loss, Ji Ming also developed a sense of wariness toward the Zhang family.

He was still encountering for the first time the existence of someone who could wield thunder techniques.

Ji Ming secretly felt a bit startled season, this time he prepared to first further develop the Summon Spirits and Dispatch Generals and then come back to cause trouble.

His Summon Spirits and Dispatch Generals is an orthodox great law; if cultivated properly, it can nurture a force of yin soldiers and ghost generals that constantly guard his side, respond swiftly in emergencies, and act promptly when needed. When practicing or executing the law, it is extremely fierce and vigorous in slaughter—details unknown!

Unlike before, where he could only cultivate four or five reckless soldiers.

That is, the standard for four or five ordinary ghostly beings.