At the periphery of the Sky-Supporting Mountain Pillar, the Jade Void Elder stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

Perhaps the younger disciples would cheer and leap for joy at the perfection of the Thunderbolt Tribulation Method, but not the Jade Void Elder. Over the years, he had assisted Jiang Zhen in managing the Sect. With Grandmaster Fang above them, both had kept a low profile, yet they were astute in their observations. He knew that the refinement of the Thunderbolt Tribulation Method was indeed a cause for celebration in the long run. Not to mention the benefits it would bring to the Thunderbolt Tribulation Cultivators, at the very least, the disciples of the Empirical Department would no longer be perplexed about their future path of cultivation. The "firm step by step" nature of True Divinity would be fully exemplified, allowing them to cultivate with even greater courage and diligence.

However, all of this had to be built upon the stable foundation of the Sect. If the Sect's two foremost forces, especially Grandmaster Fang, were to suffer any harm, the future of the Lichen Sect would still be fraught with unpredictable challenges.

The Jade Void Elder understood that before today's divination, the two individuals upstairs were anything but composed. Grandmaster Fang was still faring better; after all, he had been tempered by numerous major and minor Thunderbolt Tribulations and had a heart as steadfast as iron and stone. As for He Qing... to be frank, he was somewhat worried.

The Outer Realm Sky Demons were most adept at seizing any opportunity to strike. Especially the likes of Outer Sky Calamity Demon and Dharma Ending Lord Demon, these high-level Demon Heads were virtually impervious to physical defenses. The Shangqing Sect of old had the Three Hundred and Sixty Layers of the Great Celestial Constellations Formation, which was impeccably complete, yet it was as fragile as paper before the demonic Thunderbolt Tribulation. In the end, only the fortitude of one's own heart is the sole means of resisting the demonic Thunderbolt Tribulation.

His gaze shifted towards the Star Plucking Tower. Ever since the scriptures had been repaired, that figure had remained by the balustrade, watching the clouds rise and the thunder fall, surrounded by Fish-Dragons, with occasional flashes of lightning illuminating her face, revealing an expression that was unnervingly calm.

"May the esteemed ancestors of the Sect bless us for a good beginning and a successful end..." he thought, only to suddenly realize that no matter what, this situation could not be described as a "good beginning." A slight tremor went through his heart at that moment, and just then, a Communication Flying Sword struggled through the thunderous region to reach his hands. Upon seeing the message, the Jade Void Elder frowned and uttered in annoyance:

"Childish antics!"

Of course, the Jade Void Elder was aware of Yu Ci. After all, no one would overlook a young man who played a pivotal role in the high-level battlefield of the sword garden. That young man's name might have already spread throughout the Jade Purification Alliance by now, becoming a prodigy mentioned in the same breath as the distinguished sons of heaven like Xia Boyang and Di She—at least, he was an anomaly.

For the Sect to have such a rising star was indeed a stroke of fortune. However, dealing with a young man who had taken such an unconventional path was an exceedingly troublesome matter.

Not far off, Yang Yin, driven by curiosity, came over and took the Communication Flying Sword to read. After one glance, he shook his head and clicked his tongue, "This kid really knows how to stir up trouble, nothing at all like Yu Zhou!"

"Like Yu Zhou, swallowing his teeth and blood without complaint?" Uncle Lu De also flew over and immediately retorted.

Hearing Uncle Lu De's words, Jade Void Elder shot him a fierce glare and angrily retorted, "That's hardly the attitude to solve problems. Don't think I'm unaware that you were the one who told him about that matter—seeking momentary satisfaction without considering the consequences. If this really stirs up trouble, you'll be the one to explain it to the Ancestral Master's Hall and our Ancestral Lineage."

At this point, there was no room for others to interfere near the Star Plucking Tower. The female cultivator Su Ji Ren and others had also drawn closer; they were the main force assisting in repelling the Thunderbolt Tribulation fiends on this side. As for the Ancestral Master's Hall, it was under the protection of Cheng Hui, assisting the newly returned True Immortal Xian Luo in overseeing the defense.

Su Ji Ren, upon spotting the critical information, remarked with surprise, "Strange, Yu Ci's cultivation level is merely at the Initial Stage of the Golden Elixir. Even if his talent is extraordinary, how could he have escaped being cornered by Junior Brother Shan and the two nephews?"

"It's a diversion; someone assisted him," came the reply.

Jade Void Elder's slightly plump face grew more serious. The divine power of Thunderbolt Tribulation Cultivators was not something that could be deduced by common sense. With his level of divine intent transformation, a mere thought could make the surroundings within a hundred miles as clear as the moon reflected in water, leaving nothing hidden. For more intense stimuli or particularly key events, his sensory range could extend to a thousand miles, even ten thousand. Special occurrences within the Sect's Mountain Gate usually could not escape his attention when he was focused.

However, with the Thunderbolt Tribulation fiends running rampant—though nearing its end—the aura within thousands of miles was still chaotic and intermixed, posing a significant challenge to his senses, and he could not pinpoint with accuracy:

"The person's cultivation level must be of the Vacuum Walking Realm. The methods they practice are seldom life-affirming, possibly a Heretical Method, or akin to that of Ghost Cultivators. They are adept at Earth Escape and likely have an understanding of the habits of Outer Realm Sky Demons, knowing how to leverage the Remnant Aura of the Heavenly Demon to conceal their presence. Yet, they harbor no malice, intent solely on escape. Now, with the Sect Mountain Guardian Array occupied with defending against the Thunderbolt Tribulation fiends, they found their opportunity. But it's worth pondering how they infiltrated before this."

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

As he spoke, Jade Void Elder casually delineated a section of the Sect's Mountain Gate in the clouds: "It's this area. Yu Ci might be here as well. Fellow disciples, you are responsible for apprehending him and his accomplices. The Sect's Mountain Gate is a vital area, especially during critical times—it's not a place for him to cause a ruckus!"

Uncle Lu De immediately called out, "I'll go too. How does that kid manage to make acquaintances with everyone? I'll teach him a good lesson!"

Jade Void Elder shot him a cold glance: "Silence..."

His scolding was abruptly cut off as Jade Void Elder suddenly looked up, his gaze piercing through the clouds above to a falling lightning bead. That familiar sensation, unseen for many years, seared into his heart like a flash of lightning:

"Could this be... the Thunder-Slaying Tribulation-Dispelling Ukase?"

With a sudden loud shout, his eyebrows stood on end: "Be on guard, everyone! We must not let the Thunderbolt Tribulation lightning strike the Star Plucking Tower!"

There was a phrase he did not voice, yet it resounded heavily in his heart:

"How dare you, insolent fool!"

*************

"That's truly not bad..."

Standing in the shadow of the peak's summit, Yu Ci looked back at the Ancestral Master's Hall. From here, the thread of sunlight-like vermilion light seemed even more distinct and striking.

Shadow Ghost's voice rang directly in his mind: "Heh, the youth still lacks some experience. According to my plan, at the critical moment, use the Thunder-Slaying Tribulation-Dispelling Ukase in reverse to harness the power of the Thunderbolt Tribulation, calling down myriad Heavenly Thunders, all guided and controlled by the Sword aura. To say it would kill them is difficult, but to leave them disheveled and covered in dust, or even to trigger the Heavenly Demon God Erosion, is not impossible. As for that so-called deduction, there's no need to mention it; your current posture, apart from startling others, is utterly useless."

Yu Ci paid him no mind, yet he thought to himself that indeed, none of these ancient beings who had lived for tens of thousands of years were simple creatures. He had previously trapped Shadow Ghost within a demonic creature's skull, thinking he had completely subdued him. However, in just a few months, this wretch had somehow caught his breath and even seized the opportunity to negotiate terms with him...

While they were cooperating, past grievances were another matter. Shadow Ghost still harbored a deep hatred for Yu Ci, biting at the bit for any chance to harm him. "The way you're acting now is laborious and thankless, not to mention indecisive. It's completely different from what you preach. Do you really think that Grandmaster Fang and your cheap companion will do as you say?"

"If you continue with this useless drivel, I'll throw you into the deepest level of the 'Infinite Prison' and let you wail through three, no, five Thunderbolt Tribulations before we talk again!"

It wasn't that Yu Ci was being ruthless, but rather that Xing Tian, who had been silent until now, had spoken up, and Shadow Ghost immediately fell silent.

Yu Ci smiled faintly, seeing through Xing Tian's black-heartedness. Shadow Ghost was the very culprit who had ruined the Cultivation Levels of the Xuanhuang, a sworn enemy of Xing Tian, and to kill him with a single sword strike would have been the most logical choice. Yet, Xing Tian was able to hold back, seemingly taking pleasure in seeing Shadow Ghost bound within a lowly Magical Instrument, unable to escape. One could imagine the number of tactics Xing Tian had up his sleeve, yet to be deployed.

As for Yu Ci's understanding of Shadow Ghost's intentions, it was indeed somewhat elusive, but a simple threat of "I'll hand you over to Xing Tian" was an unparalleled killer move, and that was the confidence behind his cooperation with Shadow Ghost.

After Xing Tian had intimidated Shadow Ghost, he turned to speak with Yu Ci, his meaning not much different: "Your choices are not very wise."

"Hmm," Yu Ci responded simply.

"The struggle for the Great Dao is the cruelest. You may empathize with others, but they may not reciprocate. If you understand your own 'Dao' and know what to do, yet you deliberately hold back—giving an inch might as well be conceding everything. What you're doing now is not magnanimity; others will not be grateful, they'll only laugh at your overestimation of your own abilities."

"In the eyes of others, there's probably no difference."

Yu Ci smiled again, speaking slowly: "If at this moment I had a Taoism Immortal of significant influence within the sect, I would do as you previously described. I would storm the Star Plucking Tower, causing heaven and earth to turn upside down, but alas, I do not. If I possessed the Power of Vacuum Walking, able to stand alone against many, perhaps I would act as Shadow Ghost suggested, striking midway to fight for the greatest victory, letting the consequences be damned, but unfortunately, I also lack that!"

"At present, I am but at the Initial Stage of the Golden Elixir, a person as insignificant as an ant. Undertaking these actions, I will still be labeled as 'a spoiled child of Yu Zhou, ignorant of the gravity of matters, lacking in reason, throwing tantrums—both laughable and lamentable.' Since this is the perception both inside and out, it is better to be thorough and let people know that the child Yu Zhou took in, though from a rustic village, at least understands the basic principles well enough to contend with others—even if it doesn't quite conform to propriety!"

"This is not like your 'nature'..."

"Indeed, because it is not for me yet."

At this point, Yu Ci's smile faded as he directly addressed the Shadow Ghost, "Has Tie Lan managed to extricate himself?"

"He's on his way here. But don't expect him to be of much help; aside from his Cultivation Level, his injuries have not yet fully healed."

Yu Ci paid him no further attention, flexing his right wrist twice, recalling the method of Manipulating Artifacts he had discussed with the Tu Brothers:

"The so-called thread of connection, responding to the situation, is the art of Sword Control over a thousand miles. Let us begin... now!"

************

The electric spark of the Light Bead plummeted towards the Star Plucking Tower. Its speed was not fast, yet the unique traces of Sword aura within it cast a shadow over one's heart like accumulating storm clouds.

"The 'Thunder-Slaying Tribulation-Dispelling Ukase' from the Sword Competing Pavilion, how could it appear here?"

"Could there be a mistake? How could that lad possess such a Supreme Treasure?"

While such doubts were voiced, no one questioned the judgment of the Jade Void Elder. At this moment, Uncle Lu De's eyes, already as wide as copper bells, widened to their utmost limit, "Lad, don't do anything foolish!"

"Gosh, old Lu, your disciple nephew has truly surpassed his master!"

Yang Yin's inopportune and madcap remarks immediately drew the glare of Jade Void, Uncle Lu De, and even Su Ji Ren. His guileless nature couldn't help but make him shrink back.

Yet his words cleared a doubt in the Jade Void Elder's mind, "Yang Yin's childlike innocence is most sensitive to danger. To still have the mood for such nonsensical talk at this time, could it be an innate premonition..."

With this thought in mind and another glance at the electric Light Bead, the Jade Void Elder breathed a sigh of relief, "It has form but has not been unleashed, strange, did the lad make a mistake?"

Su Ji Ren furrowed her delicate brows, equally puzzled, "To break through the Talismanic Seal and send this object here is already inconceivable..."

"Sent here?" The Jade Void Elder realized something else and exclaimed, "Where is the guardian of the tower?"

Before the Power Guardian Saint could respond, a dull thud was heard, accompanied by a spray of blood.

Upon a closer look at the Star Plucking Tower, He Qing touched her face, somewhat dazed, with specks of blood staining her complexion. Beside her, the Fish-Dragon spun wildly as if possessed, and of the two Bifurcated Golden Horns atop its head, one was now broken off cleanly at the root.