Chapter 738: This child is the hope of the righteous path

Purple Thunder Peak, standing majestically above the cloud waves.

This towering main peak is like a crouching giant dragon, its head held high toward the sky. And around it, there are several slightly shorter secondary peaks guarding it, like soldiers holding halberds.

The mountain body of Purple Thunder Peak is deep purple-black, faintly covered with strange patterns, hundreds of millions of them, flowing with faint and noble cold light.

Above the mountain peak, it is shrouded in dense purple clouds all year round, with lightning like purple snakes wandering in the clouds, beautiful and mysterious.

Meng Wuyan, as one of the Vice Peak Masters of Purple Thunder Peak, is climbing on the mountainside at this moment.

Even he, if he wants to climb the mountain, has to take it one step at a time, and has no qualification to use magic power to ride the clouds.

Coming to a protruding cliff pavilion, Meng Wuyan stopped, folded the list in his hand into a flying letter, and sent it out from afar.

"Respectfully before the Purple Extreme Hall, listening to the Thunder Pool, Vice Peak Master Meng Wuyan, trembling with fear, respectfully reports to the Peak Master of our peak:"

"I have received the grace of the superior, and I am in the position of Vice Peak Master, day and night, fearing that I will fail the Peak Master’s heavy trust and the sect’s expectations. Now the 'Cloud-Rising Trial' has reached the first stage, with heroes gathering and clouds and mist flourishing."

"The subordinate personally visited, observed their actions and abilities, and saw several children, although their origins are different, some are humble, some are strange, but their talents are extraordinary, their spiritual roots are deeply planted, their hearts are firm, they are truly unpolished jade and gold, the unicorns and phoenixes of the future. I respectfully list their essentials for the Peak Master:"

"First is Xiao Cai Ting. A daughter of a rogue cultivator in the mountains, her spiritual sense is clear and secluded. She has never practiced profound thunder techniques, only relying on a trace of meager inheritance and innate spiritual rhinoceros, she actually predicted the trajectory of the seven-fold thunder talisman changes in the 'Thunder Identification' trial, drew the purest strand of Dry Yang Purple Qi into her body, and a thunder beast phantom appeared around her body, which is a natural unpolished jade, suitable for thunder path cultivation."

"First is Situ Xing. This child comes from the Situ family, a noble son of a famous family, using stars as chess and sword light as painting. His sword technique fits the star orbit of the week, and in the 'Hundred Soldiers Struggle' Cloud-Rising Trial, he broke the 'Nine Luminaries Phantom Star Array' with one sword, his edge exposed, his star pride, outstanding."

"First is Huang Dang. A descendant of a famous general of the Earth Wall Country, his muscles and bones are like iron, and his will is like a rock. His body, tempered a hundred times, and his blood courage that never yields, in the 'Nine Tribulations Thunder Path' trial, he withstood the three-fold thunder strike, his whole body was charred but he did not fall, and instead, under the invasion of thunder evil, he drew a trace of earth dragon vein Qi to feed his own body, turning the tribulation into power, his toughness is rare in the world."

"First is Ning Zhuo. Only in the Foundation Establishment middle-stage cultivation, not a Confucian cultivator, but in the two Confucian Cloud-Rising Trials, he won the double championship! And in the Evil-Slaying Hall trial, he passed the three questions of asking the heart and won the championship again! Therefore, he was awarded the magic treasure-level Merit Pagoda as a reward!"

"The subordinate dares to state: to win the allegiance of such unparalleled talents and future stars, it cannot be restrained by common rules, nor can it be moved by vulgar benefits. Only the unique Purple Thunder Peak, this Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Dao field, and the supreme opportunity of thunder pool body tempering at the top of the mountain can attract the elites of the universe."

"Such an opportunity to visit the holy land in person and face the heavenly Dao is far better than thousands of spirit stones and ten thousand volumes of Dao books! It will inevitably make them feel the sincerity of our peak’s thirst for talent and the tolerance of embracing all rivers. Let them know that our Purple Thunder Peak is not only the supreme thunder path, but also a supreme Dao field for achieving talents and opening up the future! In this way, good birds choose trees, unicorns and phoenixes come to court, the Dao can be expected, and the prosperity of our peak is just around the corner!"

"The subordinate knows that this request may be presumptuous, but for the sake of the sect and the future, my heart is like burning fire, and I have to speak!"

I hope the Peak Master will understand my foolish loyalty and grant permission. Then the sect will be fortunate, and the Dao will be fortunate!"

"Subordinate Meng Wuyan, waiting in fear!"

"Bow again!"

The flying letter soon disappeared at the edge of Meng Wuyan’s perception.

Meng Wuyan stopped, looked up at the mountain peak, and waited silently.

The mountain body of Purple Thunder Peak shook slightly, the mountain body hummed, and made a long sound that seemed like a dragon’s roar.

The mountain sound was magnificent, rushing straight into the sky.

The purple clouds shook, and the next moment, the sky darkened, neither dusk nor dark.

A condensed-to-the-extreme imperial purple quickly spread and dyed in the purple clouds. This purple, deep, heavy, far better than all the noble silks and gems in the world.

The imperial purple cloud layer churned endlessly, becoming heavy and magnificent, pressing down layer by layer like the emperor’s crown, with strict order. A deep purple-micro vortex eye in the center of the purple clouds slowly opened, full of majesty, silently overlooking this world.

Even though Meng Wuyan had seen such a situation many times, he still couldn't avoid the oppression, awe, longing, and reverence in his heart.

Meng Wuyan’s purple eyes narrowed more and more, watching the thunder snakes in the clouds swell rapidly, turning into strands of dragon shadows.

The purple intent condensed at the bottom of his eyes became more and more intense.

Suddenly, his heart moved, and he recited: "It’s coming."

In an instant! A magnificent heavenly thunder struck down from the core of that vortex eye!

The light of the thunder was so bright that it seemed to condense the will of heaven and earth. Its core was the blinding white-hot edge, and the edge was flowing with purple flowing fire that melted the stars.

Judging Yin and Yang, combing the universe, rewarding and punishing all things, supreme majesty!

The thunder struck the indestructible mysterious iron rock bone of Purple Thunder Peak!

"Boom!!!"

This was a loud noise that seemed to shake the framework of heaven and earth. The peak rock that was hit instantly turned into molten purple jade glaze, and then the thunder turned into surging flowing light, rushing down like a flood in the mountain body.

Wherever the imperial purple flowing light went, it instantly stimulated the thunder marks on the mountain body that were like blood vessels.

Hundreds of millions of thunder marks lit up, as if dragons were crisscrossing, and in just an instant, they dimmed as the flowing light left. But just a moment of magnificent scenery brought Meng Wuyan enough shock, making this powerful demon cultivator at the Nascent Soul level burst into tears.

"The secret of the thunder Dao is all in it, all in it!" He shouted in his heart, both shocked and moved.

This is a kind of emotion that makes his whole body tremble.

Hearing the Dao in the morning, one can die in the evening!

Just a thunder strike, the imperial purple faded rapidly, the thunder clouds turned light, and returned to the light purple clouds before, floating lazily.

That purple heaven divine thunder that had just torn the sky and shocked the universe, that overwhelming heavenly Dao pressure, all seemed to be a fleeting grand illusion.

Meng Wuyan still stood in the pavilion with his hands tied, his dark green robe sleeves fluttering gently in the breeze, no longer rustling like before.

His mood gradually calmed down, and then a little white light flew down from the top of the mountain.

The white light fell into Meng Wuyan’s hand and returned to the flying letter he had sent before.

Meng Wuyan’s spiritual sense poured into the letter, and the first time he cast it toward the blank space at the end.

Empty, no words, no magic seal.

His heartbeat paused imperceptibly for a moment, and deep in his pupils, deep disappointment surged. Following that was worry about the future, like vines entwining his heart; and a trace of indescribable fatigue quietly climbed to his brows.

Meng Wuyan was silent for a few breaths, then looked up slowly, as if he could see the Purple Thunder Pool on the top of the mountain, and the Purple Extreme Hall by the pool.

The mountain wind lifted a few strands of hair at his temples, and he finally sighed, bowed his hands, and turned slowly.

Step by step, he walked heavily and silently toward the mountain path, his figure soon swallowed by the craggy rocks.

Evil-Slaying Hall Main Hall.

The palace is magnificent, but there is no luxury. The cold stone bricks are huge, showing deep black, iron giant pillars support the dome, and the walls are covered with huge talismans for suppressing evil and slaying demons.

Zhong Dao sat upright behind the huge mysterious iron desk at the head of the hall. His broad shoulders and back stood straight, like an isolated peak standing tall. The edge of the desk was sharp, as distinct as he was.

After processing a file in his hand, Zhong Dao’s sharp gaze could not hide the cold anger, and he looked at the vast hall in front of him, as if he wanted to burn through the invisible air.

"Petty schemes! Eating without working!" Recalling the matter discussed with the high-level officials of the main peak after his spiritual sense was summoned into the array just now, Zhong Dao became even more angry.

He was depressed in his heart, and his experience in the officialdom of the Flying Cloud Country appeared in his heart again.

Those private desires hidden under the grand appearance, those open and secret struggles under the rules—where there are people, there is a world, even in the Myriad Manifestations Sect.

A deep disappointment and indescribable lonely anger turned into cold tides, spreading from the depths of his heart.

His straight spine looked even more rigid like iron, and the deep vertical lines between his brows showed the power of being carved by a knife and axe.

The atmosphere in the hall was oppressive and heavy, and the guarding cultivators did not dare to breathe.

The captain of the guards sighed secretly, thought for a while, and stepped out of the queue lightly: "Report to the Hall Master, the subordinate has something to report. The Cloud-Rising Trial has reached the first stage, and a hall has announced the top spot and issued a magic treasure-level Merit Pagoda as a reward."

Zhong Dao’s expression paused slightly, he naturally knew very well what the magic treasure-level top spot reward meant.

"Did this person pass the three questions of asking the heart?" His gaze stayed on the captain of the guards, immediately bringing huge psychological pressure to the latter.

The captain of the guards subconsciously lowered his head, his voice clearer and louder: "My lord, please see clearly. This person is named Ning Zhuo, a youth with spirit, did not dodge when answering the three questions, and his attitude was firm. When asked the last question, he said directly: 'Why cherish this body? Why fear it!'"

"Hmm." Zhong Dao heard this, the deep vertical lines between his brows relaxed slightly, and the cold anger in his eyes also reduced by a point.

"With this realization and character, not bad." Zhong Dao thought of himself, "Any intelligence investigation?"

This is as it should be.

In the first stage of the Cloud-Rising Trial, if a cultivator wins the top spot, the Evil-Slaying Hall will naturally follow up on a large scale, actively investigate, and strictly prevent demonic cultivators from disguising and mixing in.

The captain of the guards was quite sensitive to the atmosphere, seeing Zhong Dao dissipate some anger, he was also sincerely happy.

He continued: "Currently still investigating, Ning Zhuo does not seem to be from the Flying Cloud Country. However, according to the latest intelligence, he has exchanged for a stone plaque."

Zhong Dao: "Oh?"

His brows relaxed again: "It seems that this child has a bright future, and his talent should be among the first-class of this Flying Cloud Conference. If the situation is true, it is somewhat—similar to when I was young."

"It seems that the cultivation world—is not all petty people. The righteous path is not without successors, and there are finally newcomers inheriting the will of our generation, maintaining the righteous path. There is an iron bone to bear the righteousness, and a red heart to shine on the history."

Zhong Dao nodded slightly, already having a lot of relief, and immediately ordered to investigate Ning Zhuo well, and must figure out all the situations on him.

The captain of the guards saw Zhong Dao dissipate his anger, felt relieved in his heart, felt that he could share the worries for his superior, and was also happy for this, silently returning to his post.

Zhong Dao was about to process the next file, and suddenly looked up at the captain of the guards halfway: "What kind of Cloud-Rising Trial were Ning Zhuo’s first two top spots?"

The captain of the guards immediately stood in place and stepped forward a few steps, respectfully reporting: "Both are Confucian small trials. And Ning Zhuo is not a Confucian cultivator."

"Oh?" Hearing this rather unexpected answer, Zhong Dao developed some new interest in Ning Zhuo.

Zhong Dao knew the style of Confucian cultivators very well.

"Being able to win the top spot of the Confucian trial with an outsider’s identity shows that this child is upright."

"Not bad, not bad." Zhong Dao nodded, whispering in his mouth.

He waved his hand at the captain of the guards.

The captain of the guards cupped his fists and retreated, standing at his post. He thought: After this incident, I am afraid that his superior has a good impression of Ning Zhuo.

"In the future, if I meet Ning Zhuo, for today’s incident, I must let him treat me to a meal." The captain of the guards muttered in his heart. His original intention was not this, but it did not prevent him from secretly envying Ning Zhuo.

Zhong Dao is what kind of cultivation, what kind of combat power, what kind of prestige, being valued by him, how many detours will a newcomer save.

Zhong Dao buried his head in processing a file, and his efficiency was significantly higher than before.

Taking advantage of the leisure gap, he thought of the Seven Peaks Meeting not long ago, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.

"They want to take action against Wen Ruanyu, Qin De is the key."

"Must strictly guard this person, and also contact Duanmu Zhang to remind him of the Seven Peaks’ plot."

Thinking of this, Zhong Dao wrote a flying letter directly.

There was only one line in the letter: Life is what I want, righteousness is what I want, if both cannot be obtained, can Brother Duanmu sacrifice his life for righteousness?

He and Duanmu Zhang had long been friends, and such a short sentence was enough.

Another cave.

Ban Ji’s face was as heavy as water, staring at the jade plaque in his hand.

The jade plaque was a magic treasure used for contact, but no matter how Ban Ji urged it, there was no response.

He had lost contact with Pan Si Niangzi and could not contact her no matter what.

"But Che Zhuzi is still there—I’m afraid Pan Si Niangzi is in bad luck."

"Then how much intelligence did Ning Zhuo get, has he already noticed me?"

"Damn it!" Ban Ji clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with hateful light.

He had already learned that Ning Zhuo had exchanged for a stone plaque, which was earlier than him. Currently, Ban Ji had only won two top spots and was still one short of the third.

"Pan Si Niangzi cannot be relied upon, but what about the others?"

"What are those people like Wangyan Monk, Iron Skeleton, and Liu Qingyan doing? Can they play any role?!"

Meanwhile.

Ban family ancestral hall.

Clang, clang—

A mechanism creation that almost filled the hall suddenly made a worrying sound.

Under normal circumstances, the wooden blocks moving slowly fell one after another at this time.

The cultivator in charge discovered the abnormality and attached great importance to it, and quickly reviewed it.

"It’s a problem on Ban Ji’s side."

"What the hell is going on with him? Who did he provoke? Actually has such a violent suppression on luck?!"

"Check, check clearly immediately!"

In the back hall of the ancestral hall, it was a mess.