Chapter 349 Chu Feng: There Is Still a Surprise!
"Instructor, many thanks for your guidance."
In the courtyard, Thunderclap Great Sage opened his eyes and respectfully gave Chu Feng a grand bow.
"No need for formality."
Chu Feng smiled and asked, "How do you feel?"
Thunderclap Great Sage said, "This student feels that now I can summon thunder and lightning with a wave of my hand, and the true thunder of heaven and earth can be used by me."
"Not bad. To have such comprehension right after breaking through to the Great Sage Realm shows that your insight into the Dao of Thunder surpasses that of the Dao of the Blade."
Chu Feng gave his evaluation.
"What Instructor says is completely true."
Thunderclap Great Sage paused, then continued, "This student has cultivated under Instructor's tutelage for nearly one hundred days, yet still does not know your honored name. May I ask you to reveal it?"
Chu Feng smiled and said, "I am Chu Feng, one of the ten Institute Chiefs of Wendao Academy."
When Thunderclap Great Sage heard this, his face revealed shock. Only after a long moment did he return to himself and say, "I never expected that I could receive the guidance of a peerless Great Sage. From this day forth, Thunderclap Manor will surely honor Wendao Academy as supreme."
"Good."
Chu Feng said, "In the future, if Thunderclap Manor has suitable disciples, they may join Wendao Academy to cultivate. Whatever treatment other Half-Saint powers receive, Thunderclap Manor shall also enjoy."
This was Wendao Academy's rule. To gain the allegiance of a Half-Saint power was equivalent to expanding its own territory.
"This student thanks Instructor deeply."
Thunderclap Great Sage had never imagined that merely selling the ancestral hammer would allow him to become a registered disciple of a peerless Great Sage.
Although Thunderclap Manor had its own ancestral rules to never join any holy land or power, in Thunderclap's view, rules were made by people.
Moreover, the Miscellaneous Dao Institute now had two peerless prodigies who dominated an era.
For him to become their junior was undoubtedly a blessing for the entire Thunderclap Manor.
While they conversed, a familiar mechanical voice echoed once again in Chu Feng's mind.
"Ding, disciple Bai Qian has comprehended the True Meaning of Thunder. Host's Great Dao Truth +1."
There was still a surprise. Chu Feng's gaze fell on Bai Qian, who was in the corner of the great hall.
Bai Qian drowsily opened her small eyes and said to Chu Feng, "Master, this disciple seems to have comprehended the True Meaning of Thunder. It's a pity that Brother Thunderclap's phenomenon has already ended, otherwise I might have been able to comprehend the Five Thunders Divine Ability."
Among the Thirty-Six Transformations of Heavenly Gang, one divine ability was precisely the control of the Five Thunders, allowing complete mastery over lightning.
She had not expected that just by coming out this time, she would gain such a harvest.
Chu Feng smiled and said, "That is simple. As it happens, I have five Thunder Jade Talismans here. Take them back and study them carefully. Mastering the Five Thunders will be no difficulty at all."
As he spoke, he casually sent five pre-inscribed Thunder Jade Talismans before Bai Qian.
Bai Qian's eyes lit up at once. Earlier, Brother Thunderclap had only used two jade talismans to comprehend the True Meaning of Thunder. Now that she had five, would she not soar to the heavens?
In the courtyard, Thunderclap Great Sage saw this scene and could only feel envy. This was the difference between a direct disciple and a registered disciple.
Yet he firmly believed that so long as Thunderclap Manor had disciples joining Wendao Academy, one day another Great Sage would surely emerge.
"We congratulate Daoist Thunderclap on attaining the Great Sage Realm."
A chorus of respectful voices came from outside the palace gates.
Thunderclap Great Sage did not immediately respond, but instead turned to Chu Feng, as if seeking his opinion.
Chu Feng smiled and said, "Thunderclap, go out and enjoy the cheers you deserve."
"Yes."
Thunderclap Great Sage understood that Instructor wished to avoid too much interaction with those arrogant Great Sages outside.
He turned and left. Just as he opened the palace gates, he saw several Great Sages standing there, with cultivators of Thunderclap Manor and Wanbao Pavilion lined up on both sides.
"Fellow Daoists, Thunderclap offers his respects."
The gathered Great Sages all returned the greeting in turn.
"Daoist Thunderclap, you are too polite."
"Fellow Daoists, my Instructor is somewhat fatigued. Please allow me to lead you elsewhere." Thunderclap Great Sage skillfully diverted them from seeking to meet the Instructor.
Hearing this, the crowd could only smile and follow Thunderclap Great Sage away, for today he was the true protagonist.
Elder Liu said, "Then the Thunder God's Sacred Hammer should be personally handed over by Great Sage Thunderclap to that Great Sage."
"Of course."
Thunderclap Great Sage found nothing improper in this. In his eyes, Instructor was the foremost Great Sage of the age, not someone to be casually seen. Otherwise, he would not have had Senior Jinchi bid at the auction.
Compared to the liveliness outside, inside the palace Chu Feng and his group appeared much quieter.
Jinchi Great Sage and Bing Yan had both gained harvests, smiles upon their faces.
"Brother, when shall we leave?"
Jinchi Great Sage asked.
Chu Feng said, "Once the Thunder God's Sacred Hammer is in hand, we shall leave Wushuang City. There is nothing here worth holding us."
Jinchi Great Sage asked, "Then shall I go fetch the hammer?"
Chu Feng replied, "No rush. I still have one small gift for Thunderclap. Since he calls me Instructor, he must not lack anything he should rightfully receive."
Jinchi Great Sage gave Chu Feng a thumbs up. "Brother, as expected of you."
…
Night fell.
Inside the palace where the cultivators of Thunderclap Manor resided, the halls were brightly lit, cups were raised in endless rounds of drinking, and the atmosphere was lively beyond compare.
The disciples of Thunderclap Manor were all drunk and drowsy.
Since the passing of their founder, Thunderclap Manor had lost its former prestige, and its disciples no longer dared to proclaim themselves as disciples of a Half-Saint.
The very title of Thunderclap Manor as a Half-Saint power had been on the verge of collapse.
But today, everything changed. With the reappearance of a Half-Saint in Thunderclap Manor, they would surely regain their former glory.
Without any deliberate announcement, all of Wushuang City already knew that Thunderclap Manor had a Half-Saint in residence. Within half a year, the entire Xuantian Continent would know of this matter.
Compared to the joy of the disciples, though Thunderclap Great Sage wore a smile on his face, there was not the slightest trace of arrogance about him.
Especially after witnessing his Instructor's strength, he understood the meaning of "there are always greater heights and stronger beings." The Half-Saint Realm was merely the beginning of cultivation on the Great Dao.
After three rounds of drinking, Thunderclap Great Sage raised his cup toward the Great Sage of Wanbao Pavilion. "Daoist friend, it was thanks to the assistance of your Wanbao Pavilion. Otherwise, I could not have broken through to the Half-Saint Realm so quickly. This time's commission, feel free to name your price."
The Great Sage of Wanbao Pavilion smiled and said, "But Daoist friend has already paid. Three days of visions are more valuable than any treasure."
They had discussed this matter beforehand, reaching such a conclusion. Wanbao Pavilion was a merchant power—more friends meant greater prosperity.
Thunderclap Great Sage smiled at this and said, "Since that is so, I will not speak empty words. If Wanbao Pavilion needs anything in the future, you may come directly to me."
"Good."
The Great Sage of Wanbao Pavilion raised his cup. "Drink!"
"Drink!"
The two drained their cups in one go.
As Thunderclap Great Sage set down his cup, the Great Sage of Bloodshade spoke. "Daoist Thunderclap, there is a doubt in my heart. I would ask you to enlighten me."
"Please speak, Daoist Bloodshade."
Thunderclap Great Sage answered with a smile.
Before Bloodshade could open his mouth, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice came from the door.
"How lively you all are."
The sudden voice caused many of the cultivators present to frown slightly. Today was Daoist Thunderclap's day of joy—why would someone choose this moment to speak so mockingly?
All eyes turned toward the doorway. There, a handsome man in a golden feather robe walked in with a smile.
Thunderclap Great Sage immediately stood up and said, "I did not know Uncle Jinchi had graced us with his presence. I failed to greet you from afar; please forgive my lapse."
The moment the others heard him address the newcomer as "Uncle," all dissatisfaction vanished instantly, replaced by reverence.
Jinchi Great Sage laughed. "You old fellow know your manners well. I am here now to take what your Instructor asked for, and also to deliver what you are owed."
???
Everyone's faces revealed curiosity.
Thunderclap Great Sage quickly understood and strode forward, producing a large chest from his storage ring.
"Uncle, the Thunder God's Sacred Hammer that Instructor requested is inside. Please inspect it."
Jinchi Great Sage did not even glance at it and smiled. "No need. Surely you would not dare deceive that esteemed one."
"Of course not. Instructor's grace is something this student will never forget for the rest of his life."
When Thunderclap Great Sage mentioned "Instructor," his eyes held only reverence.
Jinchi Great Sage casually stowed the chest into his storage ring, then drew out a jade pendant and handed it to Thunderclap Great Sage.
"This was entrusted to me by your Instructor to give you. You should have heard the legends of this jade pendant; I need not explain further."
The words "Sword Jade" instantly flashed through Thunderclap Great Sage's mind. Every disciple of Great Sage Qiankun carried one bestowed by him, each containing a strike of sword qi at full power.
Thinking of this, he received it with both hands. "This student thanks Instructor."
"All right, my task here is complete. Continue your music and your drinking."
With that, Jinchi Great Sage turned and departed, leaving behind an enigmatic silhouette.
Only when his figure had completely vanished into the night did everyone return to their senses, their gazes all converging on Thunderclap Great Sage…
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