Chapter 665: A Bolt of Gold Lightning Swallowed — Sovereignty Lies with Me, Not Heaven
Shen Mo stood at the forefront of the Tribulation Lightning Cloudship, naturally receiving the respectful greetings of the gathered cultivators.
Those of lower cultivation levels even knelt directly, like mortals before the divine.
At this moment, the three aboard the Tribulation Lightning Cloudship appeared as deities gazing down on all living beings.
They held the power of life and death over countless people.
With a mere flick of the finger, one might live, another might die.
This was what it felt like to stand at the pinnacle of power.
Lei Zhonghe turned to look at Lei Zizhen.
He saw that although Lei Zizhen stood quietly, a hint of smug satisfaction showed on his face.
Clearly, he was quite taken with this scene.
Lei Zhonghe then looked toward Shen Mo.
What he saw was a black-robed cultivator as calm as still water, as immovable as a towering mountain, as unfathomable as the deep sea.
Nothing external could sway his emotions.
Lei Zhonghe couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
This was already the fourth time he'd been shaken by this man.
The first was when he saved Lei Zizhen.
The second was his sudden enlightenment through the Tribulation Lightning Cloudship.
The third was his complete lack of awe before the grandeur of Thunder Saint City.
And the fourth—his indifference to the feeling of standing atop supreme power.
People like this were exceedingly rare.
In all his years, Lei Zhonghe had never encountered anyone like him.
"Even Lei Zizhen, a supergenius in his own right, appears somewhat inferior in comparison."
"The Sword Prince of the Eastern Departure Dynasty, the Heavenly Maiden of the Creation Heaven Sect, the Twin Saint Sons of the Reincarnation Holy Land, the Saintess of the Heaven-Burning Divine Sect—they all pale in comparison..."
Lei Zhonghe muttered inwardly, secretly astonished.
Moments later, the Tribulation Lightning Cloudship descended onto a wide and level martial arena.
Immediately, several cultivators who had been waiting ahead of time stepped forward to receive the three.
In truth, with Lei Zhonghe's cultivation, he could have flown down himself.
But those who sit in high positions ought to enjoy such privileges.
Only then can they inspire the younger generations of the clan to strive forward.
"Old Mo, lead the way to Wind and Thunder Pavilion."
Lei Zhonghe said calmly.
"Yes."
A white-haired middle-aged man answered in a deep voice.
After the group departed, the cultivators on the martial arena finally began voicing their astonishment.
"Wind and Thunder Pavilion? Isn't that the place reserved for distinguished guests like the Emperor of Departure, the Sect Master of Creation, the Holy Master of Reincarnation, and the Divine Master of Heaven-Burning?"
"Could that black-robed youth be the honored guest brought back by the clan leader?"
"How odd. The young master is back too. I heard he was out tempering himself?"
The cultivators exchanged words one after another, none knowing what had transpired.
Wind and Thunder Pavilion.
Shen Mo sat opposite Lei Zhonghe.
His gaze settled on the lake before him.
Only now did Shen Mo notice that the Wind and Thunder Pavilion was built atop a purple lake.
But the lake did not contain water—it was filled with deep purple lightning slurry.
Lightning serpents and electric fish darted and danced within it.
Lively, aggressive, and extremely fierce.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, does this Wind and Thunder Pavilion of my Thunder Prison Clan meet your expectations?"
Lei Zhonghe asked with a smile.
Shen Mo gave a slight nod, "Not bad. Drawing purple lightning as slurry to nourish lightning serpents and electric fish."
"These creatures live and die within this Purple Lightning Lake, cycling endlessly. In the end, there may be a chance for golden lightning to be born."
"No wonder you're called the Thunder Prison Clan—truly remarkable."
Lei Zhonghe nodded.
It seemed there was no need for testing—this man had instantly seen through the secret of the lake.
Heavenly lightning came in many forms.
The most basic form was no different from ordinary lightning—blue lightning.
The city walls of Thunder Saint City absorbed blue lightning.
Stronger heavenly lightning was called purple lightning.
The lake here contained purple lightning.
If refined to its extreme, purple lightning could give rise to golden lightning.
Golden lightning was an exceptional supplement for cultivators with lightning-attributed physiques attempting to break into the Sovereign Realm.
A bolt of golden lightning swallowed into the belly—sovereignty lies with me, not with heaven!
Lei Zhonghe looked at Shen Mo once more and solemnly said, "Fellow Daoist, your life-saving grace to Zizhen is something my Thunder Prison Clan and I will never forget."
"May I ask, what method did you use to save Zizhen?"
Standing to the side, Lei Zizhen was also filled with curiosity.
It had taken the combined effort of the old Sovereign and three other Sovereigns just to suppress the baleful lightning within him.
Yet this black-robed cultivator was clearly only at the Nirvana Realm.
Just what method had he used to accomplish what four Sovereigns had barely managed?
Shen Mo responded with a faint smile, "That cannot be said."
Every eternal flame was a peerless treasure.
The Nine Nether Ice Flame ranked second on the Eternal Flame List, especially effective in suppressing demons, and was unmatched in the world.
How could it be casually revealed?
One misstep, and he would become the target of all sides.
Lei Zhonghe appeared thoughtful.
But in the end, he could only sigh lightly.
"Fellow Daoist has rendered a great service to my grandson Zizhen. Might I invite you to serve as an honored retainer of our Thunder Prison Clan?"
"I have full authority to appoint you directly as a Heaven-ranked retainer."
Lei Zhonghe spoke seriously.
Shen Mo nodded, "I have no issue taking the position. In exchange, I want a training quota for the Thousandfold Lightning Prison."
Lei Zhonghe agreed without hesitation. "Granted."
"However, the Thousandfold Lightning Prison opens only once every three thousand years. The next opening is still more than a thousand years away."
"Can you wait that long?"
Shen Mo gave a faint smile. "I can wait."
If nothing unexpected happened, then indeed, it would take over a thousand years to open.
But the unexpected had already occurred.
He had long seen on Lei Zizhen's life panel that the Thousandfold Lightning Prison would open in just over twenty years.
That was why he aimed to secure a slot now.
If it truly took a thousand years, then the prison wasn't worth entering.
Better to seek another opportunity than to wait in vain.
"Very well. Since that's the case, I won't say more."
Lei Zhonghe clapped his hands lightly.
Old Mo stepped forward with a box, respectfully placing it beside Shen Mo.
He opened the box, revealing two items lying quietly within.
The first was a close-fitting inner armor, shimmering with flickering lightning.
The second was a lightning bead, about the size of a fist, pulsing with weak arcs of electricity.
Lei Zhonghe explained solemnly, "This is the Lightning-Repelling Garment. When worn, it can weaken the lightning inside the Thousandfold Lightning Prison. Normally, only core members of my Thunder Prison Clan are allowed to wear it before entering."
"This is the Baleful Lightning Bead. It was forged by condensing the baleful lightning of the prison into a single orb. It can be embedded into a spirit artifact. From that point on, the artifact will release baleful lightning to wound opponents."
"These two items are gifts of gratitude from our Thunder Prison Clan to you, Fellow Daoist."
"Please don't decline—do accept them."
Shen Mo gave a slight nod.
The Lightning-Repelling Garment's defense was only average—merely a top-grade Heaven-tier spiritual item.
But within the Thousandfold Lightning Prison, it was equivalent to a second life.
Many cultivators would do anything for a chance to obtain one.
The Baleful Lightning Bead, on the other hand, was even more valuable.
Shen Mo's Black Dragon Shears happened to be a perfect vessel for it.
From now on, his offensive power would be greatly enhanced.
Shen Mo did not refuse and accepted it casually.
Good deeds ought to be rewarded.
Otherwise, evil would grow while good would dwindle.
Seeing Shen Mo accept the gifts so decisively, Lei Zhonghe silently breathed a sigh of relief.
At the very least, this man was not without desire.
He could finally be tied to the Thunder Prison Clan's war chariot.
At that moment, Lei Chuan's voice came from outside Wind and Thunder Pavilion.
"Clan Head, the task is complete."
Lei Zhonghe nodded. "Come in."
Lei Chuan strode in and placed four command tokens on the stone table.
Shen Mo glanced at them and saw that the topmost token was inscribed with the characters for "Shaoyang."
Lei Chuan respectfully reported, "As per the Clan Head's order, the four sects led by Shaoyang Manor have been eradicated."
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