Inside the Forbidden Stream, the massive, scaled creature, a monstrous beast known as Jīnlóng coiled around Lei Ze's unconscious body, its gaping maw preparing to devour him.
Suddenly, Kun Zhan, the Demon King watching from his distant lair through a spiritual bubble, struck. A searing bolt of pure red lightning erupted through the bubble and pierced the stream, slamming into the Jīnlóng. The beast roared in pain and was violently thrown back.
The Jīnlóng was resilient, however. It recovered instantly and attacked with terrifying speed, its mouth glowing with a lethal purple smoke. As the beast lunged toward Lei Ze, Kun Zhan struck again. This time, the red lightning bolt was absolute. It ripped through the water and exploded the entire Jīnlóng beast into a mist of blood and shredded scales beneath the stream's surface.
Lei Ze's body drifted gently downward in the quiet water.
Kun Zhan watched his intended vessel and smiled a cold, dark expression. "I shall imbue you with my power, young one. Though my path is one of darkness and evil, this power is necessary to protect the world from the monsters and beasts that will soon rise to claim it. But first," he added, his voice dropping into a sinister whisper, "I must secure what is rightfully mine."
He spoke of the Bloodfire Halberd.
This was an ancient, legendary weapon, the very symbol of the Demon King's dominion said to be locked away deep under a colossal Volcano in the Western Lands.
Retrieving it would be a near-impossible quest, guarded by powerful, terrifying Soul Devourer cultivators who had dedicated their lives to ensuring the Demon King's return would be forever impossible.
Kun Zhan extended his hand toward Lei Ze through the spiritual bubble. His deep red Qi energy and essence flowed out, twisting into a powerful, glowing red orb that slowly descended toward the Lei beneath the water.
Lei Ze's eyes fluttered open slightly. Through the blurring water and the pain, he saw the terrifying luminous red orb hovering above him, beginning its slow descent. His vision failed him again, and he slipped back into unconsciousness.
Kun Zhan immediately settled into a cross-legged position, beginning a forceful meditation. He initiated the transfer of his million-year-old Demonic Cultivation Path into Lei Ze.
The red orb of essence sank into Lei Ze's spiritual sea. Inside, the core of Lei Ze's cultivation, the Golden Relic Bead gifted by Jìng Xū, which held the foundation of his Buddhist and Daoist paths was violently awakened.
The Golden Bead instantly recognized the invasive, dark energy and furiously pulsed, attempting to repel the Demonic Orb.
A catastrophic battle began within Lei Ze's spiritual sea: the pure, golden Buddhist/Daoist energy clashed fiercely with the raw, chaotic crimson of the Demonic energy. Lei Ze's spirit screamed under the stress of the opposing forces.
Gradually, however, the Golden Bead was unable to completely expel the ancient, tyrannical power of Kun Zhan. Instead of destruction, a dangerous synthesis occurred. The Demonic Orb successfully rooted itself, merging with the Golden Bead, forging a singular, terrifying Tri-Path Core.
Lei Ze now simultaneously followed three distinct spiritual paths: the serene Buddhist, the balanced Daoist, and the violent Demonic.
Kun Zhan's body, having expended the vast majority of his essence, began to slowly dissolve and fade. He let out a harsh, rasping laugh, a sound of triumph, and proudly nodded at Lei Ze's floating form before his corporeal body vanished entirely.
Simultaneously, Lei Ze's body was ejected from the stream. He shot upward into the sky, hovering far above the cliff. A massive burst of multi-colored Qi—golden, green, and deep crimson erupted from his body, creating an immense, powerful shockwave that momentarily illuminated the sky.
His body then gently drifted down, landing softly on the ground near the stream's edge.
Far away, the Sect Elders searching the forbidden land saw the massive burst of spiritual light.
"What was that?" one elder shouted in genuine terror, having never witnessed such a sudden, overwhelming release of power.
"Let's check it out immediately!" They all changed direction, flying at top speed toward the brilliant epicenter.
They finally arrived at the spot and saw the wet injured form of Lei Ze lying on the ground.
"Isn't that Lei Ze?" one elder exclaimed.
"It is him! Let's take him back to the sect at once!"
Another elder rushed forward, checking his vitals. "He is still breathing, but he's soaking wet. If we don't get him back immediately, he might still perish from the cold and his injuries."
They quickly picked him up and flew him back to the safety of the Green Pine Sect.
"Lord Lǐ Yúnzhōu, Master Jìng Xū." A disciple hurried into the hall, bowing respectfully before delivering his urgent message. "The Elders have found Lei Ze.
They are rushing him now to the Thousand Alchemy Hall. He appears severely injured and weakened."
Lǐ Yúnzhōu rose, his face pale with relief and shock, and swiftly rushed toward the Alchemy Hall. Jìng Xū nodded slowly and followed his old friend.
Lei Ze lay stiffly on a cultivation bed. The gathered alchemists tried frantically to examine him, but they were baffled: outwardly, he seemed completely fine.
There were no broken meridians, no shattered core, and no discernible injury.
"But there is nothing wrong with this young man," stated Dān Yī, the chief alchemist, shaking his head in confusion.
Lǐ Yúnzhōu and Jìng Xū arrived, and everyone bowed deeply.
"What is his condition?" Jìng Xū demanded, his tone calm but serious.
"Master Jìng Xū, we can detect no ill effects whatsoever. He is physically and spiritually sound," the alchemist replied.
Hearing this, Lǐ Yúnzhōu felt a huge wave of relief wash over him. He stared at Lei Ze one last time. Jìng Xū stroked his beard, his eyes shining with a strange, miraculous light.
"He is, indeed, the King I saw in my visions,"
he whispered softly before turning to follow the Sect Master out of the room.
In the depths of Lei Ze's unconscious mind, a terrifying vision unfolded. He found himself standing in the center of a monstrous volcano. Magma had melted and flowed like liquid fire. He spun around in fear until he spotted a single, intensely glowing weapon, Bloodfire Halberd, stuck fast within the crusted, black volcanic rock, a place no mortal would dare to seek.
He slowly approached it, curiosity overwhelming his fear. He reached out and touched the weapon. A residual pulse of his newly acquired demonic essence immediately transferred to the ancient weapon, forging an unbreakable spiritual bond.
Suddenly, an explosive blast of raw energy erupted from Lei Ze's body. Though the vision was purely mental, the blast physically manifested, knocking the astonished alchemists off their feet.
"What is that energy?" one cried out, terrified.
Just as suddenly, the powerful aura vanished, and silence returned.
In the training grounds, one of Hú Yì's allies stumbled up to him as he practiced his new techniques.
"Brother Hú Yì," the junior stammered, breathless and terrified.
"What is it!" Hú Yì snapped, annoyed at the interruption.
"Lei Ze is not dead! He's back and is in the Thousand Alchemy Hall receiving treatment!"
"What!" Hú Yì roared, leaping to his feet, his face contorted with fear and furious disbelief.
"This damned rat will truly become a tough obstacle now," he thought, his eyes narrowed in cold malice.
He immediately leaped away, heading straight for his powerful Uncle, Elder Gāo Fēng.
Meanwhile, far outside the sect gates, in the dark headquarters of Jade Green sect the the true name of the rival Bì Yù Zōng Sect—a clandestine meeting was taking place. They were coordinating their plans for the upcoming Treasure Hunt.
"My Lord, the Green Pine Sect will certainly know the location of those legendary artifacts," one master argued. "Jìng Xū, the monk, has lived for over a millennium; he will surely guide them."
"Do not worry," the Sect Master replied with a dangerous smile. "We have prepared a flawless counter-plan."
"There is one final unsettling thing," the elder added, hesitating. "There is a young boy at the Green Pine Sect named Lei Ze. I hear he miraculously survived a fall into the Forbidden Stream beneath the valley."
"Huh? Impossible," the Sect Master scoffed, though a flicker of unease crossed his face.
"I wonder who he truly is," the master mused aloud.
"No worries," one Master assured him, his eyes already calculating. "I will surely obtain intelligence regarding this boy very soon."