Chapter 16: Leaving the Fire and Thunder Crypt

Taking advantage of the undisturbed past couple of days, Mao Xuanzi placed the small snake inside his robes and sat quietly within the Fire-Thunder Crypt, absorbing the heat carrying the light of thunder while converting it into his own vital warmth. This heat laden with thunderous light slowly transformed into a scorching flame within the snake's body, making its scales gleam with a brighter luster.

Lei Dong and Lei Cong were far from idle. They were also cultivating within the Fire-Thunder Crypt, practicing the "Nine Chapters of Divine Thunder" imparted to them by Lei Bingye. The "Nine Chapters of Divine Thunder", the "Nine Chapters of Heavenly Thunder", and the "Nine Chapters of Earthly Thunder" formed the absolute foundation of the entire Fire-Thunder Mountain City. The incantations for the "Nine Chapters of Divine Thunder" were held by Lei Bingye, which Lei Dong, Lei Cong, and Lei Qiaoer now knew. The incantations for the "Nine Chapters of Heavenly Thunder" were possessed by the two brothers Lei Chong and Lei Xiang, and thus had been passed down to Lei Dong and Lei Cong. As for the "Nine Chapters of Earthly Thunder", its incantations were held by Lei Huayan. Since Lei Huayan was the wife of Lei Xiang and the mother of Lei Cong, Lei Cong was naturally familiar with them as well.

The Fire-Thunder Crypt was an ideal place to enhance the cultivation of these three celestial, earthly, and divine thunder arts, and both Lei Dong and Lei Cong practiced with utmost diligence.

Fang Zhe had fully mastered the first movement of the Celestial Melody, and he was slowly groping his way toward the second movement, though he had yet to find the threshold.

Lei Qiaoer had kept her eyes fixed on Han Tianyue the entire time. Upon hearing that Han Tianyue already held Crown Prince Mao in such high regard, for reasons unknown, she felt an even greater fondness for the young man before her. "If there were someone willing to care for me with such reckless abandon, I would gladly die for him." Yet the harsh reality was that she was the daughter of the City Lord, the focal point of everyone's pampering. Even if someone were willing to risk everything for her, it was solely because of her father; she could never feel that kind of selfless, desperate love that Han Tianyue bore for Crown Prince Mao.

As for Feng Shang, watching everyone else diligently cultivating and improving themselves, he caught their infectious enthusiasm. With a sudden hardening of his resolve, he thought, "Bian is already monstrously powerful. It seems I need to show off a few tricks of my own." Spurred by this thought and his exceptional comprehension, a swirling tornado formed before him in a matter of moments. "Ha! My brain really is brilliant!" Seeing everyone else struggling with their profound studies while he had mastered the tornado in less than a quarter of an hour, he happily stretched out on the ground and fell fast asleep.

The last was Han Tianyue. Although he was well aware that Lei Qiaoer kept staring at him, Han Tianyue acted as if he saw nothing. Having already advanced his Ice Blade Slash, Ice Mountain, and Massive Ice Orb, he found further progress difficult because his internal cold Qi could not keep pace. Consequently, he began pondering how to harness that terrifying aura of death. Although he had previously infused the aura of death into the Ice Blade Slash, that had been a mere coincidence; truly mastering and commanding the death aura within the Ice Blade Slash was no easy feat. As for the Ice Mountain, he had only managed to summon the black, death-infused ice mountain under the heaven-shrouding protection of Guan Tian, one of the Four Great Protectors of the Daughter Kingdom. Trying to replicate it now by his own solitary strength was exceedingly difficult. And since the Ice Orb was projected directly from the mouth, infusing it with the aura of death was even harder.

These obstacles were not insurmountable, for with enough resolve, Han Tianyue would eventually fuse the aura of death with his Ice Blade Slash, Ice Mountain, and Massive Ice Orb. What truly troubled him, however, was where he could find another source of the death aura.

With all seven of them absorbed in their own pursuits, two days vanished in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, a streak of thunderous light flashed toward them, and three figures touched down on the ground.

Naturally, the first was City Lord Lei Ce. Casting a glance at Lei Qiaoer, he alternated between joy and wrath as he scolded, "Qiaoer, how could you dare run off here on your own? If any harm had come to you, how could I ever face your mother?"

Lei Qiaoer stepped forward, completely ignoring the City Lord, and retorted, "I agreed to toss the embroidered ball to him, and I tossed it. Besides, I'm perfectly fine now, so stop harping on about mother, mother, mother, as if you actually cared about her that much!"

"You—" City Lord Lei Ce was completely at a loss with Lei Qiaoer. Turning instead to Lei Dong, he demanded, "Has the matter been settled?"

Lei Dong turned and looked at Lei Cong.

In truth, accompanying City Lord Lei Ce were Lei Cong's parents, Lei Xiang and Lei Huayan. Catching sight of their safe and sound son, they strode forward and rebuked him angrily, "Who told you to run off to a place like this?"

Lei Cong lowered his head, not daring to talk back.

"Alright, our son is fine, so spare him a few lectures," Lei Huayan interjected.

"You're the one who spoils him rotten! Look at what he's turned into!" Lei Xiang shot a fierce glare at Lei Cong. However, mindful of City Lord Lei Ce's presence, he refrained from administering physical discipline.

Lei Dong looked back at Lei Cong, and City Lord Lei Ce did the same.

"The Thunder-Winged Dragon has been subdued."

Lei Ce, Lei Xiang, and Lei Huayan strained their ears to listen closely.

Omitting only the part concerning Mao Xuanzi, Lei Dong recounted everything: the cavern they had encountered, the bottomless abyss and scorching magma, their meeting with Lei Bingye, and how Lei Bingye had ultimately bestowed the "Nine Chapters of Heavenly Thunder" upon them.

Upon hearing this, City Lord Lei Ce let out a long sigh and said, "Never could I have imagined that the Thunder-Winged Dragon possessed such fierce loyalty. Lei Cong, you must treat it well from now on."

Lei Cong nodded.

City Lord Lei Ce turned his gaze back to Lei Dong and asked, "Did you learn anything of your parents' whereabouts from Lei Bingye?"

Lei Dong shook his head.

City Lord Lei Ce continued, "Since Lei Bingye is still alive, it stands to reason that your parents are likely alive as well. Rest assured, Lei Dong, there will come a day when you are reunited with them."

"If that is the case, Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law will surely be safe," Lei Xiang stepped forward to console Lei Dong.

With this matter brought to a close, City Lord Lei Ce expressed his gratitude to Han Tianyue, Mao Xuanzi, Fang Zhe, and Feng Shang. Yet, seeing that they had not truly rendered any substantial assistance, he offered no further tokens of appreciation after the polite words.

City Lord Lei Ce, accompanied by Lei Xiang and Lei Huayan, led Han Tianyue, Mao Xuanzi, Fang Zhe, Feng Shang, as well as Lei Dong, Lei Cong, and Lei Qiaoer, out of the Fire-Thunder Crypt. The spot where they emerged was the Fire-Thunder Pool within the city, the mandatory transit point for anyone leaving the crypt. Upon landing, City Lord Lei Ce immediately departed with Lei Qiaoer.

Lei Qiaoer cast one last glance back at Han Tianyue.

Han Tianyue nodded in acknowledgment. Lei Qiaoer smiled and vanished into the city streets.

Watching the retreating figure of Lei Ce, Lei Xiang's expression darkened drastically. He strode forward, grabbed Lei Cong by the arm, and snapped, "Do you realize you are the son of Lei Xiang? Acting so recklessly time and again—how can I ever dare entrust the future legacy of the Heavenly Thunder descendants to you?"

Lei Cong pleaded for mercy, "Father, I swear I will never dare do it again!"

Lei Huayan stepped in to mediate, "Look, the son already knows he was wrong. Just spare him this once."

"How many times have you said 'spare him', and when has he ever given me a moment of peace?" Determined this time, Lei Xiang resolved to teach this unfilial son a hard lesson no matter what.

Watching Lei Cong being dragged away by his parents, Lei Dong let out a heavy sigh.

Feng Shang also sighed, remarking, "Lei Cong's father is certainly harsh."

Lei Dong shook his head, replying, "Uncle Lei Xiang is a good man. Being so strict with Lei Cong is for his own good; after all, he is the destined successor to the Heavenly Thunder lineage." Originally, that position rightfully belonged to Lei Dong and his father Lei Chong, but with his father's disappearance, Lei Xiang had naturally assumed leadership of the Heavenly Thunder descendants, making Lei Cong, as his only son, the inevitable heir.

As for the domestic affairs of Lei Dong and Lei Cong, Han Tianyue had no desire to pry further. Having stayed here for several days, Han Tianyue wished to depart, and sensing his intentions, Mao Xuanzi and Fang Zhe also signaled their desire to leave.

Seeing this, Lei Dong spoke up, "I kept these matters hidden from you all these days. If we are truly brothers, allow me to make amends. Come back to my home, and let me properly host you."

Hearing this, Han Tianyue found no reason to refuse and could only nod in agreement.

Feng Shang, who lived solely for wine and carefree pleasure, was overjoyed at the prospect of being hosted and nodded eagerly.

Returning all the way to Lei Dong's home, Lei Dong made a quick trip to Lei Cong's residence to procure some fresh fish and meat, with which he prepared a lavish feast for Han Tianyue and his companions.

"Ooh, it smells so good!" Before the dishes were even fully cooked, Feng Shang was already salivating.

Lei Dong laughed and said, "It'll be ready in a moment."

Today, Lei Dong had specially prepared a spread of fine dishes. Waving his hand, he urged, "Eat up, don't stand on ceremony."

Han Tianyue, Mao Xuanzi, Fang Zhe, and Feng Shang gathered around the table and began to eat with great relish. Between bites, Han Tianyue said, "Lei Dong, to be honest, since you are now living alone, we would like to invite you to hit the road with us."

Lei Dong smiled, glanced back toward the direction of Lei Min's home, and shook his head. "I'm sorry, brothers, but I have sworn an oath never to leave Fire-Thunder Mountain City for the rest of my life."

Hearing this, and respecting that everyone had their own aspirations, Han Tianyue pressed the matter no further. After the meal concluded, Han Tianyue stood up and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, Brother Lei Dong. It is time for us to take our leave."

Lei Dong wished to urge them to stay longer, but ultimately let them go on their way.

Looking back at Fire-Thunder Mountain City with lingering reluctance, Feng Shang muttered gloomily, "Can't we stay just a few more days?"

"What, do you still want to be dragged into some Heavenly Thunder Crypt or Earthly Thunder Crypt to battle monsters?"

At Fang Zhe's words, Feng Shang shook his head and grumbled, "Forget it, let's hit the road."

"Wait for me!" At that very moment, the Thunder-Winged Dragon soared down from the sky, and Lei Cong leaped off its back, shouting, "I want to come with you on your adventures!"