Chapter 111: Attempted Escape Failed

Lu Chenyuan examined his palm, savoring the sensation from just moments ago when he had unleashed the palm lightning.

Earlier, the young master Chu had demonstrated a palm lightning technique here specifically for him.

With a delicate flick of her jade-like fingers, the surrounding air seemed to be drawn in by an invisible force, converging into a shimmering ball of golden light in her palm—this was the purest, most vigorous thunder energy of heaven and earth.

She gave her wrist a sharp flick, and the golden orb shot forth, striking a large green stone in the courtyard with a crisp crack. The stone fractured into pieces, scattering fragments everywhere, a testament to the formidable power behind it.

Shangguan Chuci explained that this thunder technique was commonly used by cultivators of the Demon Suppression Division. It was naturally effective against yin evil spirits and ghosts, and even more so when facing those fallen Taoist heretics or disciples of the impure cults, delivering twice the effect with half the effort.

However, there were levels of mastery within this technique. Though it could be released from the hand, the lightning’s energy would dissipate, weakening its force. To fully unleash its power, one must imprint the thunder’s light directly onto the opponent’s body during close combat, revealing its true subtlety.

Yet, his palm lightning was unlike any other.

This difference was anticipated by both of them.

After all, his physical constitution was far beyond ordinary understanding.

Both were curious to see how this divine thunder technique of pure righteousness would manifest when wielded by him.

Lu Chenyuan inhaled deeply, following Shangguan Chuci’s instruction, first sinking his mind into the ink-and-wash world within.

Since he had not formally embarked on the path of cultivation, he could not sense the yang thunder energy of the world directly. Only by relying on the ink-fire heart inherited from Wei Zhuo could he barely establish a faint connection with the thunder in the void.

This difficulty was like trying to scratch an itch through one’s boots or to see flowers through the mist—without exceptional talent, it was impossible.

This was unlike talismanic arts, which only required memorizing patterns and copying them to perform.

Sensing and condensing energy were metaphysical matters. If one could not perceive them, no amount of instruction could help.

Fortunately, he happened to possess some gift in this regard.

He slowly raised his right hand, bringing his index and middle fingers together, and gently tapped the empty space before him.

“Shh—”

Several arcs of ink-black lightning burst from his fingertips, twisting and swirling in midair. Yet they could not extend far, and their momentum was noticeably weaker than Shangguan Chuci’s golden flashes.

Seeing this, Shangguan Chuci’s eyes sparkled with admiration and she couldn’t help but tease,

“No wonder you were once an Immortal Emperor; truly a man of extraordinary talent!”

To explore the authenticity of his thunder, Shangguan Chuci volunteered again to personally test it.

She repeatedly unleashed her own palm lightning to compare it with his. According to her, this was a method of “controlling variables”—without it, one could not fully grasp the technique’s nuances.

After testing, she described that when struck by his ink-colored arcs, she felt as though trapped in a nightmare, her limbs unresponsive, as if oppressed by a ghostly weight.

Although the effect resembled ordinary thunder techniques, the paralysis was noticeably stronger, accompanied by a faint but sinister spiritual corruption that stirred unease in the heart.

After several trials, they identified three peculiar traits of this thunder.

First, though its power was modest, its paralysis was more potent.

Second, it could taint the victim’s soul.

Third, and most crucially, this ink thunder was not easily obstructed by normal barriers and could be directed at will by the caster’s thought.

Shangguan Chuci praised it highly, saying, “This thunder may appear mediocre, but in truth, it holds immense potential. Its strength depends entirely on your focused application, Brother Lu.”

Lu Chenyuan did not understand the metaphors of “mediocre” or “large cup,” but he was accustomed to conversing with Shangguan Chuci and knew where to grasp the essence.

The key lay in the latter half—mastery of this thunder depended on one’s own comprehension.

To enhance his combat effectiveness, Shangguan Chuci patiently explained the principles of electrical conduction, describing how all things in the world had varying affinities to thunder energy. She advised him to continue experimenting, so that in battle he could strike with unpredictable force.

Lu Chenyuan withdrew the arcs at his fingertips and felt that today’s training was not unlike the lessons Situ had once given him in reading and writing. He shook his head in silent reflection,

“To think, the path of cultivation holds so many intricacies. Not only must one attune to heaven and earth, but one must also, like scholars in the academy, investigate things to attain true understanding.”

Lost in thought, he suddenly heard voices from the inn’s main hall.

His heart stirred; without delay, he headed toward the hall.

As he entered, familiar figures were gathered together.

There stood the young master Chu, naturally, along with Miss Lin from the Demon Suppression Division, the two senior disciples of the Hundred Refinements Sect, and even the newly arrived novice monk Zhifei—all seated.

Upon seeing him emerge from the backyard, their expressions varied.

The senior disciple siblings stiffened immediately, becoming reserved.

Especially Senior Brother Cheng, whose gaze toward Lu Chenyuan was strange—part fear, part an unspoken, inexplicable envy.

Lu Chenyuan felt puzzled but did not pry.

Shangguan Chuci smiled slightly upon seeing him and said,

“Just in time, Brother Lu. We must discuss something today; why not stay here and deliberate together?”

She glanced around at Lin Jianyanyan, Cheng Xiaoshan, and the others, who all bore serious expressions. With a gentle flick of her white jade folding fan, she continued,

“But before that, since everyone is a stranger here, if we are to work together, we should first exchange names; that way, we won’t feel so distant. What do you all think?”

The upcoming discussion concerned the demon fish and the safety of Zhen Haichuan, so naturally Lin Jianyanyan had to participate. The junior sister of the Hundred Refinements Sect was a witness, so she had reason to listen in.

As for Zhifei, though he was less involved, since everyone was gathered it was no harm for him to observe—more minds meant more strength.

No one present opposed Shangguan Chuci’s proposal.

The young official-in-charge, Lin Jianyanyan, respectfully bowed and quietly said, “I am Lin Jianyanyan, greetings to you all.”

The cloaked senior siblings also introduced themselves: Senior Brother Cheng Xiaoshan and Junior Sister Jiang Yingxue. Lu Chenyuan also gave his name. Only Shangguan Chuci remained her usual enigmatic self, smiling lightly and simply referring to herself as “Young Master Chu,” leaving it at that.

When Lu Chenyuan heard the name Jiang Yingxue, he was struck by its refined and poetic quality, and he sincerely complimented,

“Jiang Yingxue—what an elegant name.”

Yet as soon as the words left his mouth, Cheng Xiaoshan’s expression darkened sharply. He stepped forward with a swift stride, placing himself protectively before his junior sister, sighing deeply,

“Master Lu, you flatter her! Though her name is beautiful, her fate is most unfortunate. Since childhood, she has suffered a chronic illness, severely tainting her Taoist transformation. Now her appearance is marred, forcing her to hide behind this cloak daily—lest she offend others’ eyes, or sully the view of a person like Master Lu!”

His words were heartfelt, as if his sister were the ugliest woman under heaven.

Jiang Yingxue frowned, feeling a mix of anger and confusion.

She wondered silently, “Why is Senior Brother acting so strangely today? Normally he avoids mentioning my Taoist condition, yet today, in front of so many strangers, he speaks of it so openly.”

“Judging by his words, it seems he fears Master Lu might not know about my imperfections, so he’s making sure everyone finds out.”

Her keen mind caught a glimpse of the fear and caution in her senior brother’s expression. Remembering how he had looked unwell during the day, her curiosity deepened.

What had Senior Brother seen last night in the dead of night that caused such a drastic change in his demeanor?