The Ancient Thunder Palace trembled.
Purple lightning covered the entire hall.
At the center of the formation stood Ye Xuan.
His white hair was disordered.
Blood trickled down his cheek.
His clothes were torn in several places.
Yet his golden eyes remained calm.
Across from him—
the ninth Thunder Guardian stood silently.
Its body was several meters tall.
Countless purple lightning bolts moved across its armor.
In its hands was a massive thunder sword.
The pressure it released was far beyond the previous guardians.
Even Ye Xuan could feel the difference.
Half-Step Spirit Sea King.
A single step separated it from the next major realm.
And Ye Xuan—
was only at the
Body Tempering Ninth Layer
.
The gap was enormous.
Su Lian clenched her fists.
"Junior Brother..."
She wanted to enter the formation.
But the moment she moved—
BOOM!
A powerful barrier pushed her backward.
Yue Li's voice echoed through the palace.
"Nobody can interfere."
Su Lian looked toward her.
"Then what happens if he loses?"
Yue Li remained silent for a moment.
"Then the trial ends."
"And Ye Xuan?"
A faint smile appeared on Yue Li's face.
"That depends on how much he is willing to gamble."
Su Lian's expression became serious.
She looked at Ye Xuan.
"Don't lose."
Ye Xuan glanced back.
He smiled.
"I'll try not to."
Bai Yue immediately shouted,
"That's not reassuring!"
Ye Xuan laughed.
"Don't worry."
He turned toward the Thunder Guardian.
"I have a plan."
The Accumulated Reward
Ye Xuan silently communicated with the System.
How much cultivation energy have I accumulated?
[Current Stored Cultivation Energy:]
[8 Years.]
Ye Xuan's eyes brightened.
Eight years.
That was the reward accumulated from the previous guardians.
Can I absorb it all?
[Yes.]
Any danger?
[The host's body is currently capable of handling it.]
Ye Xuan smiled.
Then do it.
[Understood.]
The moment the System responded—
A massive stream of pure spiritual energy erupted inside Ye Xuan's body.
BOOM!
His meridians expanded.
His muscles tightened.
His bones vibrated.
The Primordial Chaos Physique began devouring the energy.
The Golden Azure Dragon Emperor Bloodline roared.
The Nine-Tailed Moon Fox bloodline fragment released a faint silver light.
Even the Thunder Spirit Bone began glowing purple.
Ye Xuan's aura exploded.
[Cultivation energy absorbed.]
[Foundation reinforcement in progress.]
[Body Tempering Ninth Layer — Peak.]
Ye Xuan's eyes sharpened.
The spiritual energy continued.
His cultivation barrier trembled.
BOOM!
A powerful wave erupted from his body.
[Breakthrough successful.]
Spirit Gathering Realm — First Layer!
The entire hall shook.
Everyone outside the formation froze.
Su Lian's eyes widened.
"Spirit Gathering?"
Bai Yue covered her mouth.
"He broke through?"
Gu Yuexin's expression became complicated.
"During the battle?"
Li Ming stared at Ye Xuan.
"That's impossible..."
Yue Li, however, merely smiled.
"Interesting."
Spirit Gathering
Ye Xuan slowly opened his eyes.
Everything looked different.
The spiritual energy surrounding him was clearer.
His perception had expanded.
His body felt lighter.
The spiritual energy within his dantian was far denser than before.
He clenched his fist.
Crack!
Purple lightning wrapped around his fingers.
Ye Xuan smiled.
"So this is Spirit Gathering."
[Congratulations, Host.]
Thanks.
[The host has successfully crossed the first major realm.]
How strong am I now?
[Current physical body is considerably stronger than ordinary Spirit Gathering cultivators.]
And compared to the Thunder Guardian?
A pause.
[Still weaker in raw cultivation.]
Ye Xuan sighed.
I knew it.
[However, the difference is now manageable.]
Ye Xuan smiled.
"That's enough."
He looked toward the Thunder Guardian.
"Let's fight."
The Ninth Guardian Moves
The Thunder Guardian suddenly disappeared.
BOOM!
Ye Xuan's pupils contracted.
The thunder sword appeared directly before his chest.
CLANG!
Ye Xuan crossed both arms.
The sword struck.
His body flew backward.
He landed heavily.
BOOM!
The stone beneath his feet shattered.
Blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Ye Xuan looked at his arms.
A deep cut ran across them.
He smiled.
"Fast."
The guardian didn't answer.
It attacked again.
WHOOSH!
Ye Xuan used Spatial Step.
The sword missed.
He appeared above the guardian.
"Dragon Emperor Fist!"
BOOM!
Golden-blue energy slammed into the guardian's head.
The guardian staggered.
Ye Xuan followed immediately.
Another punch.
Then another.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
The guardian's armor cracked.
But it suddenly swung its sword.
Ye Xuan's expression changed.
He barely dodged.
The sword cut through several strands of his white hair.
Ye Xuan looked at the fallen strands.
"...You almost ruined my hairstyle."
The guardian remained silent.
Ye Xuan grinned.
"Now I'm angry."
Moon Fox Illusion
Ye Xuan raised his hand.
Silver spiritual energy spread through the hall.
Nine silver tails appeared behind him.
The Moon Fox Illusion activated.
Suddenly—
nine Ye Xuans appeared.
The Thunder Guardian's head turned.
One.
Two.
Three.
Nine targets.
The guardian raised its sword.
BOOM!
Lightning exploded in every direction.
Several illusions disappeared.
But Ye Xuan's real body had already moved.
He appeared behind the guardian.
His fist struck its back.
BANG!
The guardian stumbled.
Ye Xuan attacked again.
Spatial Step.
He disappeared.
Reappeared.
Dragon Emperor Fist.
Disappeared.
Reappeared.
Another punch.
The guardian couldn't determine his location.
Its armor continued cracking.
Yue Li watched quietly.
Her violet eyes became increasingly interested.
"He's already combining the three abilities..."
"Spatial movement."
"Illusion."
"And bloodline amplification."
She smiled.
"His combat talent is better than I expected."
Thunder Dragon Combat Art
Ye Xuan suddenly remembered his latest reward.
System.
[Yes.]
Thunder Dragon Combat Art.
[Available.]
Can I use it now?
[The host has sufficient cultivation.]
Ye Xuan smiled.
"Perfect."
Purple lightning erupted from his body.
The lightning began gathering around his right arm.
A dragon-shaped pattern appeared.
Then—
a gigantic thunder dragon phantom formed around his fist.
ROAR!!!
The Thunder Guardian finally reacted.
It raised its sword.
A massive thunderstorm gathered above.
Two enormous energies collided.
Ye Xuan shouted—
"Thunder Dragon—"
The guardian swung its sword.
Ye Xuan punched forward.
"—FIST!"
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
The collision shook the entire palace.
The floor cracked.
The walls trembled.
The thunderstorm above shattered.
The Thunder Guardian was pushed backward.
Its armor began breaking apart.
One crack.
Then another.
Finally—
CRACK!
The guardian's chest shattered.
Its entire body exploded into countless purple particles.
Silence.
The ninth guardian—
was defeated.
[Ding!]
[Ninth Thunder Guardian defeated.]
[Ancient Thunder Palace Trial completed.]
[Performance Evaluation:]
Excellent → Extraordinary → Perfect
Ye Xuan's eyes widened.
"Perfect?"
[Special reward unlocked.]
[Reward: 30 Years of Cultivation.]
Ye Xuan nearly laughed.
Thirty years.
This was enormous.
But then another notification appeared.
[Additional Reward:]
[Thunder Dragon Blood Essence.]
Ye Xuan froze.
"Blood essence?"
[Yes.]
[Can strengthen the host's Golden Azure Dragon Emperor Bloodline.]
Ye Xuan's eyes immediately became serious.
That was exactly what he needed.
But before he could examine the reward—
another notification appeared.
[Special Condition fulfilled.]
[Multiple Ancient Bloodlines detected.]
[Bloodline Fusion Talent unlocked.]
Ye Xuan's expression changed.
Already?
[Yes.]
[Talent: Supreme Bloodline Fusion.]
[Allows the host to temporarily or permanently fuse compatible bloodlines.]
[Current compatible bloodlines:]
Golden Azure Dragon Emperor Bloodline
Nine-Tailed Moon Fox Bloodline Fragment
Thunder Dragon Blood Essence
Ye Xuan's eyes widened.
So it really works.
[The host currently lacks sufficient bloodline compatibility for permanent fusion.]
Then I'll increase it.
[Correct.]
Ye Xuan smiled.
The System had just given him another long-term goal.
The Ancient Inheritance
The formation disappeared.
Ye Xuan walked toward Yue Li.
She looked at him quietly.
"Congratulations."
Ye Xuan smiled.
"That was harder than expected."
"You defeated a guardian far above your realm."
"Still got beaten around."
Yue Li laughed.
"You survived."
"That's enough?"
"For now."
She raised her hand.
A small black box appeared.
It floated toward Ye Xuan.
He caught it.
"What is this?"
"Your reward."
Ye Xuan opened it.
Inside was a small silver ring.
It looked ordinary.
No spiritual pressure.
No visible inscription.
Ye Xuan frowned.
"A ring?"
"Yes."
"What does it do?"
Yue Li smiled.
"You'll discover that yourself."
Ye Xuan sighed.
"You're becoming more like the System."
Yue Li's eyes narrowed.
"The what?"
Ye Xuan's heart skipped.
He immediately smiled.
"I mean... the system of this palace."
Yue Li stared at him for several seconds.
Then she looked away.
"Be careful with your words."
Ye Xuan nodded.
"Understood."
Nobody had heard his conversation with the System.
Nobody knew what he actually meant.
And it would remain that way.
A Strange Message
Suddenly—
the entire palace shook.
Yue Li's expression changed.
"Something has gone wrong."
Ye Xuan looked around.
"What?"
She looked toward the ceiling.
"The inheritance has been awakened."
"Because of me?"
"Yes."
A crack appeared above them.
Then another.
Ancient golden light poured through.
Yue Li's expression became solemn.
"Someone has sensed this palace."
Ye Xuan's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
"I don't know."
That answer surprised him.
Even Yue Li didn't know?
Suddenly—
a terrifying voice came from outside.
"Ancient Thunder Palace!"
"After thousands of years, you've finally appeared!"
Another voice followed.
"The inheritance belongs to our Blood Moon Sect!"
Then another.
"Dream on! The inheritance belongs to the Heavenly Sword Palace!"
And another.
"Everyone retreat!"
The entire secret realm had become chaotic.
Powerful cultivators were arriving.
Ye Xuan looked at Su Lian.
She immediately understood.
"We need to leave."
Ye Xuan nodded.
Yue Li looked at him.
"Take the ring."
"Why?"
"It will guide you when you need it."
Ye Xuan looked at the silver ring.
Then back at her.
"Will I see you again?"
Yue Li smiled.
"If you continue walking forward."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only answer I can give."
Ye Xuan sighed.
"You really enjoy being mysterious."
Yue Li laughed softly.
"And you enjoy asking questions."
A silver light surrounded her body.
Her figure began fading.
Before disappearing completely, she whispered:
"Ye Xuan."
"Hm?"
"Don't let anyone discover the Moon Fox bloodline."
Her voice became softer.
"Not even those you trust."
Ye Xuan's smile disappeared.
"I understand."
Yue Li nodded.
Then—
she vanished.
Escape
The palace began collapsing.
Su Lian grabbed Ye Xuan's arm.
"Junior Brother!"
"Let's go."
Everyone rushed toward the exit.
The moment they stepped outside—
the sky was filled with cultivators.
Dozens.
Then hundreds.
Several powerful auras descended.
The entire area had become a battlefield.
Ye Xuan looked toward the horizon.
His golden eyes narrowed.
Among the approaching cultivators—
he recognized one familiar aura.
A crimson-robed woman.
Luo Qinghan.
She landed on a distant mountain.
Her eyes immediately found Ye Xuan.
For a moment—
they stared at each other.
Then she smiled.
"So..."
"You really survived."
Ye Xuan smiled back.
"I told you I would."
Luo Qinghan looked at the palace.
Then at Ye Xuan.
Her expression became serious.
"Looks like you obtained something very important."
Ye Xuan's smile remained.
"Maybe."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Then..."
She drew her sword.
"Let's see if you've become stronger."
Ye Xuan's eyes gleamed.
He stepped forward.
"Gladly."
Behind him—
Su Lian sighed.
"Again..."
Bai Yue covered her face.
"Why does he always attract trouble?"
Gu Yuexin smiled.
"Perhaps trouble is attracted to him."
Little Snow raised one paw.
"Carrot?"
Xiao Jin nodded.
"Carrot."
Ye Xuan looked back.
"You two are thinking about food at a time like this?"
Both creatures nodded.
"Yes."
Ye Xuan sighed.
Then he looked toward Luo Qinghan.
His golden eyes sharpened.
The next battle—
was about to begin.