Chapter 109: The Furious Jiang Ping

Setting aside Zhao Hu’s fate, on the day after Ji Mo sobered from her drunkenness, she meticulously transcribed the entire Divine Thunder God Art and handed it to Lei Wei. Upon receiving the manuscript, Lei Wei flipped through the pages once, his breath growing increasingly rapid with each turn.

When he finished the last page, his resolute Dao heart nearly leapt from his chest. Closing his eyes, he took several deep breaths and remained silent for the duration of an incense stick before opening them again. His gaze landed on Ji Mo, who stood nearby, and he spoke in a somewhat disjointed manner, “Mo, Mo girl, this… this is the cultivation technique you obtained beneath Blue Moon Lake?”

“That’s right,” Ji Mo replied calmly.

“Mo girl, I… I don’t know how to say this. You shouldn’t have copied the entire text for me—just the middle section would have sufficed. If such a technique were to be leaked, it would ignite a bloody storm across the entire Azure Profound cultivation world.” Lei Wei fell into silence for a long while, then looked up at Ji Mo with a complicated expression and sighed deeply.

Only after reading the complete Divine Thunder God Art did Lei Wei realize that the technique he had been cultivating was originally created by the Heavenly Thunder Punishment Celestial Lord of the Celestial Realm. The technique was divided into three major sections: upper, middle, and lower. The piece stored by the Moon Gazing Sect was merely the upper section. The middle section could lead one to the pinnacle of Harmonization Dao—ascension. As for the lower section, if mastered, it would grant the practitioner the power of a formidable general in the Celestial Realm.

Lei Wei had once fantasized about Ji Mo one day completing the Divine Thunder God Art, but the surprise she presented now was overwhelming—so great that his Dao heart nearly could not bear the impact.

Ji Mo seemed to understand his thoughts and smiled faintly, then said, “Master, since I entered the Moon Gazing Sect, I have been under your protection and care. This cultivation technique was acquired from Blue Moon Lake, which is our sacred ground. It is only right that I offer what I have obtained to the sect, not to mention the greater benefits I have gained personally.”

“Of course, this technique is of utmost importance. If mishandled and leaked, it could indeed cause chaos throughout the cultivation world. Therefore, I humbly suggest that Master only submit the middle section to the sect. If, in the future, we are fortunate enough to meet in the Celestial Realm, you can then pass the lower section on to others in the sect.”

“I understand. Thank you, Mo girl. On behalf of the entire Moon Gazing Sect, I thank you,” Lei Wei said earnestly, looking at Ji Mo with solemn respect. She smiled quietly in response, saying no more.

“Mo girl, there is one more thing I want to ask. Our sect’s grand competition, held once every twenty years, is about to begin. Are you interested in participating?” After resolving that matter, Lei Wei immediately thought of another.

“I won’t be participating, Master,” Ji Mo shook her head. As a practitioner of the Five Elements and a cultivator of the Heavenly Demon Body Refining Technique, her strength far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators in this world. Given her current power, no one among the Foundation Establishment disciples could match her. Participating in the Congealing Core stage arena would be too ostentatious; she preferred to avoid such attention.

“That’s good. With your current power, no Foundation Establishment disciple in the Moon Gazing Sect could contend with you. Sending you to the arena would indeed be unfair,” Lei Wei nodded knowingly. Having personally sparred with Ji Mo, he was fully aware of the astonishing extent of her strength.

The power Ji Mo unleashed was far beyond what a Foundation Establishment disciple should possess, revealing many secrets unknown even to Lei Wei. Though he was her master, he respected her privacy and would not pry into her mysteries. Whatever fortunes she carried were her own fate, and he could only rejoice for her.

Ji Mo’s return was a momentous occasion for Thunder Peak. In recent years, Spirit Sword Peak had Mu Baiyun, and Mist Peak had Jiang Ping. Previously, Thunder Peak’s Foundation Establishment cultivators, who had always rivaled Spirit Sword Peak in strength, had dimmed in comparison this term, causing the proud disciples of Thunder Peak great discouragement. Now, Ji Mo’s return was like a stimulant, rekindling their spirits.

Many had witnessed Ji Mo’s power ten years ago. Now, with her successful return to Foundation Establishment, it was believed she would be at least on par with Mu Baiyun of Spirit Sword Peak and Jiang Ping of Mist Peak. The disciples of Thunder Peak were eagerly rubbing their hands in anticipation.

In stark contrast, Jiang Ping of Mist Peak fell into uncontrollable frenzy upon hearing of Ji Mo’s safe return. At her peak, her eyes were bloodshot, her face twisted in rage as she violently destroyed the flower pavilion she had built with her own hands, annihilating countless rare flowers and herbs.

Fortunately, she had already driven out the attendants before her outburst; otherwise, anyone witnessing her state would have thought her mad. After all, Jiang Ping had always presented herself as a gentle, graceful immortal in front of others over the years.

Having successfully established Foundation Establishment, Jiang Ping now possessed her own peak. Just as she prepared to continue her destruction, a cold, grim voice suddenly echoed in her mind: “Enough. To lose your composure so completely at the mere mention of her name is disgraceful!”

The voice struck Jiang Ping like a bucket of cold water, instantly sobering her from the frenzy. She steadied herself, hesitated briefly, then cautiously asked, “Senior, this demoness fell into Blue Moon Lake and still climbed out. What do you suggest we do next?”

“Your Moon Gazing Sect’s grand competition is about to begin. When the time comes, you should test her strength. See how powerful she truly is before making further plans,” the voice replied coldly.

“If, senior… I mean, what if I am not her match?” Jiang Ping frowned, her voice tinged with unease.

With her current strength, Jiang Ping was confident she could defeat Mu Baiyun with full effort, but facing Ji Mo, she felt an inexplicable fear. Over the years, Ji Mo had repeatedly escaped death and turned the tide, leaving Jiang Ping unable to discern her true capabilities. Such uncertainty bred unease.

“I have carefully nurtured you all these years. If you cannot handle someone just beginning Foundation Establishment, there is no use in keeping you,” the voice grew colder and more menacing, sending chills through Jiang Ping’s heart. (To be continued…)