Chapter Seventeen: The Divine Thunder Art (Part One)

Six days after the apprenticeship ceremony, Ji Mo was summoned by Lei Wei. She returned once more to the main peak of Thunder Mountain. As soon as she set foot on the summit, she saw Lei Wei standing quietly at the edge of the cliff, hands clasped behind his back, lost in thought. Ji Mo approached from behind and softly called, “Master.”

“Mo, you’re here. Come with me.” Lei Wei turned, glanced at Ji Mo, and strode toward his main hall. Ji Mo followed closely behind.

Once inside, Lei Wei led her to a room in the right wing. In the center stood a row of incense tables bearing ancestral tablets. Lei Wei pointed at the tablets and said, “Kneel and bow your head. Though you have already performed the formal apprenticeship rites, these tablets honor all the ancestors of Thunder Mountain. As a true disciple of Thunder Mountain, before you begin learning our techniques, you must pay your respects to them!”

Following his instructions, Ji Mo knelt upon the cushion before the incense table and respectfully bowed three times. Lei Wei said, “That’s enough. Stand up and come with me.” He left the room and headed toward the rear courtyard.

Ji Mo followed him into a small, square courtyard filled with flowers and plants. On the left stood an ancient tree, its name unknown to her. Beneath the tree was a low table, steam rising from a teapot placed atop it. Two short stools sat at either end. Lei Wei took a seat and gestured to the other, “Sit down.”

Ji Mo obeyed. Lei Wei poured her a cup of tea. “Drink.”

“Ma—master, you…” Ji Mo was startled, stammering in surprise. Though only eight years old, she understood that a master pouring tea for his disciple was highly unusual. Since arriving at Thunder Mountain, Lei Wei had shown her much care, but to personally serve her in such a formal way unsettled her.

“Little one, just drink the tea. Why think so much?” Lei Wei raised his thick brows and shot her a stern look.

Ji Mo had no choice but to lift the cup and drink it in one gulp. As the tea slid down her throat, warmth spread through her body and her mind, as if she were soaking in some indescribable liquid. From her soul to every tendon and bone, she felt thoroughly cleansed, an exquisite comfort she could not put into words. Her eyes closed involuntarily.

She did not know how much time had passed before she opened her eyes again. An unpleasant, fishy odor clung to her, and looking down, she saw her exposed hands covered in a thin layer of black, unknown substance. Alarmed, she looked to Lei Wei, who said, “No need to panic. Go wash yourself under the brocade waterfall in the courtyard.”

Ji Mo hurried out. Half an hour later, she had scrubbed away every trace of the strange smell and filth, changed into a pale lavender gown, and returned. Lei Wei was still seated where he had been. Ji Mo sat opposite him and asked, “Master, what kind of tea was that? I feel so much lighter and clearer.”

“That tea is called Purifying Meridians and Cleansing Soul Tea. For someone like you, with a mortal body yet to begin cultivation, toxins and impurities linger in your veins, bones, and organs. One cup of this tea brings your body and soul to a state free of limitation and contamination, as pure as a newborn. In such a state, your cultivation will be far more fruitful,” Lei Wei replied.

“Ah? That’s incredible! Master, such tea must be very precious, right?” Ji Mo asked, wide-eyed.

“Precious? Perhaps. In any case, our entire Moonwatch Sect possessed only this one pot, and now you’ve drunk it all,” Lei Wei shrugged.

“What? All of it was for me?” Ji Mo gasped.

“Of course. It’s meant to be drunk, after all. There’s nothing remarkable about that. It was simply waiting for the right person. Now, let’s turn to serious matters. You’ve been on Thunder Mountain for a week, always accompanied by your second senior brother and third senior sister, those chatterboxes. I’m sure you have a general understanding of our peak. You know Thunder Mountain mainly practices two arts: the Profound Thunder Divine Method and the True Fire Secret, correct?” Lei Wei spoke with little concern.

Ji Mo nodded. Lei Wei continued, “You possess dual thunder and fire spirit roots. Thus, you may practice both the Profound Thunder Divine Method and the True Fire Secret. The True Fire Secret was created by an elder tens of thousands of years ago. Among the many techniques of fifth-grade sects, its power is renowned. The other method is the Profound Thunder Divine Method.”

“The Profound Thunder Divine Method was not created by our sect’s ancestors. Its origin remains a mystery, even to me. All I know is that our founding ancestor obtained it by chance during his travels.”

“This method has nine levels. The first two correspond to the Qi Refining stage, the third and fourth to Foundation Establishment, the fifth and sixth to Golden Core, the seventh and eighth to Nascent Soul, and the ninth is said to correspond to Divine Transformation. Yet, in the tens of thousands of years since our sect was founded, not a single person has ever reached Divine Transformation with this method.”

“Our elders speculate that what we possess is only a fragment. Even so, this fragment is rivaled only by the Wind and Thunder Sword Art practiced by the sect leader’s line.”

“Master, what is the highest level of cultivation on our peak?” Ji Mo asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

“The highest is me. I am currently at the middle stage of Nascent Soul,” Lei Wei replied.

“And what about the highest in Moonwatch Sect?” Ji Mo persisted.

“The highest is the Grand Elder of Spirit Sword Peak, who is a Divine Transformation cultivator—the only one in our sect,” Lei Wei said.

“So, apart from the Grand Elder, no one in Moonwatch Sect is stronger than you, Master?” Ji Mo exclaimed, her face bright with excitement.

“Silly child. My abilities are just passable within the Cloud Sea Dynasty. But in the greater Azure Profound cultivation world, I am nothing. Among the first-grade sects, every ten thousand years produces a mighty cultivator who ascends to join the Dao. Nascent Soul practitioners are commonplace there. Your talent, even in Moonwatch Sect, is exceptional, and it would shine in the entire Azure Profound world. That’s why Yun Shui Lan of Misty Peak said that even if I teach you, it may still hold you back,” Lei Wei said with a bitter smile.

“Master, I think Moonwatch Sect is wonderful, and you’re even better. Those first-grade sects have too many powerful people and geniuses. Even if I joined one, I doubt anyone would treat me as you do,” Ji Mo said sincerely. Though she had only been on Thunder Mountain for a short time, she felt genuine warmth from Lei Wei and her senior brothers and sisters. In just a few days, she’d grown deeply fond of the place.

“What a silly child…” Lei Wei paused, a swell of bittersweet emotion rising in his heart. Even his steadfast soul was moved by the pure, heartfelt words of the child before him.