"I want to choose the Thunder God Body," Meng Chuan said. "Before becoming a Godfiend, I feel confident in this choice. But after becoming a Godfiend… whether the Thunder God Body will be right, I have no certainty. I hope Gugu-mother can guide me."
His vision had to extend far.
He could not only think of immediate benefits; the future mattered as well.
"Oh?" Meng Xian'gu smiled. "Tell me why you wish to choose the Thunder God Body." Meng Dajiang, listening beside her, also showed interest.
"My greatest strength is speed," Meng Chuan said. "At present, my body technique and sword technique rely most on swiftness! Among the sixteen basic Godfiend Bodies, the Thunder God Body is indisputably the fastest. I believe cultivation should compensate for one's weaknesses while further strengthening what is already strong. That's why I choose the Thunder God Body—to make my body technique and sword technique even faster."
"A combination of strengths?" Meng Xian'gu's eyes brightened. She nodded approvingly. "Meng Chuan, although you are young, your thinking is correct. Cultivation must avoid mediocrity. Mediocrity means you cannot defeat your enemies, and will only be killed by them."
"After becoming a Godfiend, will the Thunder God Body still be suitable?" Meng Chuan asked.
Meng Xian'gu sighed. "After becoming a Godfiend, the Thunder God Body becomes even more formidable. Its advantage far surpasses that of the mortal stage. Your body becomes lightning itself—speed unmatched, attacks terrifying. Even if you cannot slay your enemy, escape is effortless. But the 'Life-and-Death Trial' of transitioning from mortal to Godfiend is harder than for ordinary Godfiend Bodies."
"Harder Life-and-Death Trial?" Meng Chuan frowned in confusion.
"During the breakthrough, lightning strikes from above. If you cannot withstand it, you die," Meng Xian'gu explained. "Thus, a deeper accumulation and a stronger foundation are required. The threshold to become a Godfiend is higher. Of course, at Yuanchu Mountain, they will clearly tell you what level of mastery is needed to have absolute certainty of success."
"I've heard that at Yuanchu Mountain, one must have complete certainty before being allowed to breakthrough. And those who enter are all extraordinary geniuses," Meng Xian'gu said with a smile. "Those of us less gifted usually gamble with sixty to seventy percent confidence. If delayed too long, as age increases, confidence may drop to forty or fifty percent… even twenty or thirty percent. The chance of success diminishes."
Body, true energy, realm, spirit, and mindset—all play a role.
"Since it remains powerful even after becoming a Godfiend, then I'll choose the Thunder God Body," Meng Chuan said.
"Good," Meng Xian'gu nodded, smiling. "Even after becoming a Godfiend, you can select among several Thunder-type Godfiend Bodies—some stronger, some weaker. If your accumulation is sufficient, pick the strong one; if weaker, pick the lesser. It makes surviving the Life-and-Death Trial easier."
"Mm," Meng Chuan nodded silently.
With his nature, he would naturally aim for the strongest path. Aim high—otherwise, how could one become truly strong?
…
Back at Mirror Lake Meng Residence, father and son walked side by side.
"Chuan'er, when will you breakthrough?" Meng Dajiang asked.
"Tonight," Meng Chuan replied. "No need to delay."
"Then follow me."
Meng Dajiang led the way to his quarters.
Meng Chuan was slightly puzzled but followed into his father's room.
Rumble~~~ Inside, Meng Dajiang pulled a mechanism beneath the bed, revealing a hidden passage.
"A secret passage?" Meng Chuan was astonished. He had never known his father had concealed such a chamber.
Constructing hidden tunnels was normal in rural forts; entire underground networks allowed clans to survive monster attacks. Even if the fort fell, the clan could hide in dozens of tunnels, pulling down thick gates behind them. Monsters would need to find each hidden passage and overcome the mechanisms to reach the people inside.
Within a city, such constructions were rarer.
Rumble~~ Rumble~~~
Inside the tunnel, two stone doors required mechanisms to open before reaching a secret chamber.
"Sit down first, Chuan'er," Meng Dajiang said.
Meng Chuan, puzzled, sat on a meditation cushion. Meng Dajiang rifled through a densely packed bookshelf and produced a book, which concealed a wooden box within its cover.
He took the wooden box and, sitting cross-legged opposite Meng Chuan, retrieved a jade box from his bosom.
"Give me the Godfiend Jade Marrow Essence first," Meng Dajiang said.
Meng Chuan handed it over, slightly confused.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Meng Dajiang placed the long wooden box, jade box, and porcelain bottle on the floor.
"These are three treasures of heaven and earth," Meng Dajiang said. He opened the jade box first. Inside lay a pale, icy fruit emanating cold energy. "This is the Iceheart Fruit. You may consume it on the first day of cultivating your Godfiend Body."
Closing the jade box, he then pointed to the porcelain bottle. "The Godfiend Jade Marrow Essence your family obtained—you may take it on the third day of cultivation."
"This last one…"
Meng Dajiang opened the long wooden box. Inside was a green herb shimmering with rainbow light. Leaves and roots were intact. "This is the legendary Star Spirit Herb. Its value far exceeds that of the Godfiend Jade Marrow Essence. From the first day of cultivating your Godfiend Body, consume a portion daily—leaves and roots alike. Finish it all within a month."
"From today onward, every night, you will come to this secret chamber to cultivate," Meng Dajiang instructed.
Meng Chuan was stunned.
"Father… these three treasures?" he could hardly believe it.
His Gugu-mother had already spent the family's wealth to obtain a single drop of Godfiend Jade Marrow Essence, dedicating herself entirely to Meng Chuan. Now his father had presented two more treasures—especially the Star Spirit Herb, even more valuable.
"In terms of worth, the Star Spirit Herb is most precious, then the Godfiend Jade Marrow Essence, finally the Iceheart Fruit," Meng Dajiang said. "Each was difficult to obtain; you must cherish them."
"Father, how did you get these? The Star Spirit Herb… more precious than what Gugu-mother spent everything for?" Meng Chuan could hardly believe it.
"Don't ask," Meng Dajiang frowned. "When the time comes, you'll know." He sighed. "Sometimes, knowing too early is not beneficial. What you must do now is grow strong."
Meng Chuan could feel the mystery surrounding his father. Iceheart Fruit… Star Spirit Herb… where did they come from?
His normally cheerful, wine-shop-running father held secrets beyond imagination. Yet if his father deemed him not strong enough, then he must train diligently.
"Cherish them," Meng Dajiang said.
"Yes, father," Meng Chuan replied.
…
That night, Meng Dajiang remained in his room, staring at a painting of his wife.
"Chuan'er has grown up."
Meng Dajiang gazed at the woman in the painting, the one he loved most. "Nian Yun, the Star Spirit Herb you left for him, I've given it. Rest assured, our child is extraordinary, even with potential to become a Godfiend. I'll cultivate him well. He's filial and obedient…"
…
In the underground chamber, Meng Chuan sat cross-legged, preparing for his breakthrough.
He guided his true energy into each acupoint, following a precise route through 182 acupoints. As he entered the final acupoint, the path formed a three-dimensional diagram—each acupoint a node. This structure was the core of the Thunder God Body.
Boom!!!
The three-dimensional true energy diagram completed. Lightning sparked, flowing along the diagram, merging into every part of his body.
"Ah~~~" Meng Chuan felt the electricity coursing through him, initiating the body's transformation.