Lán Tíng, Wèi Kāng, and his wife were terribly worried about Lei Ze and hurried to the Alchemy Hall. They arrived just as Lei Ze woke up, not merely recovered, but strong, as if he had never suffered an injury at all.
He sat up in the bed, his expression anxious. He tried to piece together his fragmented memories: Hú Yì knocking him off the cliff, the glowing red orb, and the chilling, massive weapon of the Demon King.
"Lei Ze, are you truly alright?" Lán Tíng rushed to his side, gently touching his shoulder to check for injury, acting every bit the elder sister. "I was terrified when I heard you fell into the Forbidden Stream."
Lei Ze smiled reassuringly, holding her hand.
"I'm fine, Lán Tíng. No need to worry so much."
She frowned, adopting a playful, childish pout. "Don't ever do that again. Don't try to—to take your own life."
"Take my life?" Lei Ze repeated, shocked by the assumption. He quickly covered the lapse, beginning a halting explanation, "I didn't try to kill myself, but—" He stopped himself, remembering the potential consequence: if he revealed Hú Yì's involvement, the bully would surely be severely punished, which would only incite Gāo Fēng's wrath.
"But what?" Wèi Kāng and his wife spoke at the same time, their expressions anxious, eager to know the truth.
"Oh, well, it was like... Umm... Something like..." Lei Ze stammered, frantically searching for a believable lie.
Lán Tíng and Wèi Kāng narrowed their eyes, their brows furrowing with suspicion. They knew he was hiding something.
"Yes, I tripped off the edge accidentally," Lei Ze quickly inserted, trying to sound convincing. "I was practicing the Seven Spiritual Sword Art near the cliff and lost my balance."
"Oh, really? Well, next time you must be far more careful." Wèi Kāng said, settling the matter for now.
"Understood, Master Wèi. Thank you for your kindness and concern."
They nodded and left. Lán Tíng looked back one last time, still worried, but after seeing Lei Ze's composed face, she reluctantly walked away.
"Seriously? I actually defended that stupid brat Hú Yì," Lei Ze muttered to himself as he finally got off the bed. His mind instantly snapped back to the images from under the stream. "What exactly was that thing? It was red and felt overwhelmingly supreme. I wonder what it truly was."
He quickly dressed and headed toward the Central Hall.
Meanwhile, Hú Yì burst into Gāo Fēng's private abode, where the Elder was deep in meditation. The room was heavily scented with boiling herbs.
"Eww, what is that awful smell?" Hú Yì whispered, covering his nose dramatically. He walked up to his uncle.
"Uncle Gāo, I'm in serious trouble! You have to help me, please!" Hú Yì bent down in front of Gāo Fēng, pleading, but the Elder remained motionless, locked in his meditative state.
Hú Yì stood there for what felt like hours, waiting impatiently for his uncle to finish his cultivation session.
"What do you want, Yì Fēng?" Gāo Fēng finally spoke, opening his eyes.
Hú Yì bristled, annoyed by the formal name.
"Uncle, I told you not to add the 'Fēng' to my name! Just say Hú Yì or Yì."
Gāo Fēng stood up, folding his hands behind his back, a mocking smile touching his lips. "Alright, alright. What is it that brings you here?"
"Uncle, I'm in deep trouble now."
"What is it?"
"Uncle, that boy named Lei."
"Yes, Jìng Xū's student."
"Yes! He completely embarrassed me and even beat my little brother Yǔ Dà. So, consumed by anger, I beat him and knocked him off the valley. Now he's back and alive. I'm terrified he will tell Lord Lǐ Yúnzhōu, and I will be punished severely."
Gāo Fēng stroked his beard, his eyes fixed calmly on the world outside the window.
"Hmm. Lei Ze survived the Forbidden Stream."
"Yes, Uncle. I always thought the forbidden land itself was incredibly dangerous, and so was the stream inside. How is this even possible?"
"I don't know either. It should be impossible," Gāo Fēng murmured. He walked toward the doorway, still shocked and deep in thought.
"Lei Ze. Lei Ze. Hmm. Who are you really that Jìng Xū would take such an interest in you?" he whispered to himself.
Hú Yì stood petrified and nervous, waiting for a solution. "Uncle, what are we going to do now?"
"We?" Gāo Fēng mocked, raising an eyebrow.
"Huh?"
"Oh, just kidding. You simply go back. I will figure out how to solve this."
Hú Yì calmed down, nodded, and quickly left, leaving Gāo Fēng still consumed by his thoughts of Lei Ze.
"Greetings, My Lord, and Master Jìng." Lei Ze knelt on the ground before Lǐ Yúnzhōu and Jìng Xū, who were in a private discussion.
Lǐ Yúnzhōu was genuinely overjoyed to see him well. "Oh, my boy, stand up!"
Lei Ze obeyed. Jìng Xū stepped forward, asking gently about what truly transpired, but Lei Ze repeated the same lie he had given Wèi Kāng and Lán Tíng.
Lǐ Yúnzhōu's expression suddenly turned serious. "Lei Ze, next week marks the beginning of the great Treasure Hunt."
"The Treasure Hunt?"
"Yes. It will not be easy. Disciples from every major sect across the Eastern Lands will participate, making it exceedingly dangerous."
Lei Ze wasn't concerned about the danger; he was only focused on claiming a powerful treasure. "Where will it be held?"
"It will take place at Wǔ Yán Gǔ (Five Flames Valley)—a volcanic region known for its harsh, fire-elemental terrain."
Lei Ze clenched his fist, instantly connecting the name to his volcano vision, ready to seek his destined weapon. Jìng Xū approached him and placed a hand gently on his shoulder.
"There is a place I know where you can find a peerless, legendary treasure, but seeking it will risk death."
Lei Ze exhaled slowly, eager to hear the details.
Jìng Xū lowered his voice, speaking only to Lei Ze. "Seek the Jade Sun Pagoda deep within the valley. It houses a treasure that will greatly aid your Daoist and Buddhist paths.
However, there is one place you must avoid, no matter what. Never go to the central caldera. The deepest chamber there is rumored to hold a powerful treasure, but it is said to channel the dark power of the ancient Demon King. You must not go near that place. Go only to the Pagoda."
Lei Ze nodded solemnly, bowing once more before turning to leave. "I may now take my leave."
The two Masters nodded proudly as he departed.
Rumors immediately spread across the sect that Lei Ze had miraculously survived the Forbidden Stream, concluding that he must be a monster of some kind. Now, everyone feared him more than they feared Hú Yì.
Those who had disliked him before suddenly sought his favor, and the beautiful girls of the sect were all openly crushing on Lei Ze.
"Why is this happening now?" he muttered to himself, passing through the crowds on his way back to his premises.
As he neared his quarters, a sharp, cold voice echoed loudly in his mind, causing searing pain to shoot through his head. He screamed, clutching his temples.
"Lei Ze. You are on the Tri-Path."
The Demon King's essence, now a part of him, began to whisper dark counsel. The whispers were laced with cold promises of power, attempting to force the chaotic dark energy to fully consume his body.
The whispers echoed: "Accept the darkness. Only the dark path brings true dominion. You are a vessel. Take the power, little king."
However, the Golden Relic Bead resisted, its pure light preventing the Demonic influence from gaining complete control.
Lei Ze collapsed to his knees, clutching his head, screaming in agony as the forces battled within him.
"What is happening to me?" he cried out.