In the dormitory, Xiao Yun sat cross-legged on his bed, studying a scroll in his hands—the very one he had retrieved from the library: Body Tempering with Ten Thousand Thunders.
Unlike most standard martial techniques, this body-tempering art didn't have a clear tiered grading. It was unique in its own right—and extremely dangerous. The technique demanded an exceptional physical foundation. Without that, practitioners risked being blasted to bits by the very lightning they sought to harness.
As its name implied, Body Tempering with Ten Thousand Thunders involved using the power of natural lightning to continuously temper the body, absorbing its energy to build resilience and strength. During the initial stage of training, one had to consume a rare spiritual herb called the Golden Thunder Blossom under stormy skies. This would trigger the descent of lightning to hammer the body.
But Golden Thunder Blossoms were incredibly rare. These radiant, golden-petaled flowers only grew in places where lightning converged. Their appearance alone gave off a faint electrical buzz.
"This really is similar to the Thunder Tempering Technique for Demonic Puppets from the original story," Xiao Yun muttered. "Except that one strengthens puppets, while this one tempers the body. Still, if I want to cultivate this technique, I'll need to find a lightning convergence zone and get my hands on a Golden Thunder Blossom. Neither of which is easy."
He scratched his head in frustration. In the northwestern region, he'd never heard of any such place where lightning gathered naturally. As for the Golden Thunder Blossom, it was one of the key ingredients in the sixth-tier Wind and Thunder Pill—a pill so rare and expensive it could bankrupt entire sects.
"Maybe my teacher might know something," Xiao Yun murmured after mulling it over. With no better ideas, he decided to ask his mentor, Elder Huo, for help. If anyone was knowledgeable, it was him.
No sooner thought than acted—Xiao Yun leapt off the bed, pushed open the dorm door, and set off to find Elder Huo.
Elder Huo was the head of the Alchemy Division, but his personal residence was shockingly simple. Instead of a grand estate, he lived in a humble bamboo courtyard, every inch made of fresh green stalks. Peaceful and modest.
Xiao Yun pushed open the gate and slowly walked toward the room. Before he could even knock, a familiar raspy voice called out from inside.
"Come in, my good disciple. Door's open."
Grinning, Xiao Yun stepped inside.
The interior was plain and unassuming. If not for the array of rare herbs hanging behind the desk, one would never guess this was the abode of a fifth-tier alchemist.
Elder Huo reclined in a rocking chair, completely absorbed in a worn old book.
"Back from the library already? Something's troubling you?" he asked without looking up.
"You guessed right, Teacher. I hit a bit of a snag," Xiao Yun replied.
"Do you know of any places where lightning naturally gathers? And… I'm also looking for a Golden Thunder Blossom."
Elder Huo raised an eyebrow and gave his student a suspicious look.
"A Golden Thunder Blossom? That's a sixth-tier high-grade herb. It's not even good for direct cultivation—it's only useful as a primer for refining Wind and Thunder Pills. Don't tell me you've already reached the level where you can make those?"
A nine-year-old refining sixth-tier pills? If that were true, Elder Huo might as well bash his head on tofu and be done with it.
"No, no! I'm not that crazy, Teacher. I came across a body-tempering art that requires the blossom," Xiao Yun explained, beads of sweat forming as he waved his hands defensively.
"Ah, that makes more sense." Elder Huo chuckled. "Well, you're in luck. Years ago, I got my hands on a few Golden Thunder Blossoms. I was planning to use them to make Wind and Thunder Pills to help me break through to sixth-tier alchemist, but… that breakthrough never came. I've still got one left, so I might as well let you have it."
As he spoke, Elder Huo flicked his hand. A glint of light flashed from his spatial ring, and a golden flower appeared in his palm, its petals streaked with arcs of lightning. He tossed it to Xiao Yun.
"As for a place where lightning gathers…" Elder Huo frowned, deep in thought.
After a moment, he looked up at Xiao Yun's expectant face and said solemnly, "There is one place I know of. But it's extremely dangerous. Even I wouldn't dare step in lightly. If you're serious about this, you need to think it through."
"I'm ready to listen, Teacher," Xiao Yun said earnestly, bowing deeply.
"Well then," Elder Huo sighed, "there's a place in the Inner Academy called Thunderfall Valley. Once you make it into the Inner Academy, bring my token and find Elder Su Qian. He's the Grand Elder there. Tell him I sent you—he'll take you to Thunderfall Valley."
He paused, eyes drifting into the past.
"Thunderfall Valley wasn't naturally formed. Years ago, the Headmaster used to train there. His cultivation was so profound that every session would draw down heavenly thunder. Over time, all that lightning forged a permanent convergence zone."
His tone grew heavy.
"If you really plan to train there, start from the outermost area. If you can't endure it, don't force yourself. You're not trying to be a martyr—you hear me?"
Xiao Yun met his teacher's eyes and nodded solemnly. "Don't worry, Teacher. I'm not that reckless. I won't gamble with my life."
"Good," Elder Huo nodded, visibly relieved. "I know you're diligent and want to get stronger. You're not afraid of hardship—that's admirable. But strength takes time. With your talent, there's no need to rush."
He sighed again, rubbing his temples.
"You… you're just too stubborn sometimes. Always charging ahead. Sometimes I really envy Old Hu. His granddaughter is such a sweetheart…"
The lifelong bachelor Elder Huo looked like a fretful grandfather sending off his only grandson to war. He wanted Xiao Yun to soar, but also worried he'd crash too hard along the way.
Xiao Yun understood. His teacher's concern was genuine. But he wasn't some wide-eyed child anymore. If he started acting all cute and clingy like Hu Qian's granddaughter, he'd probably cringe himself into another realm. He wasn't thick-skinned like that brat Xiao Yan.
"Teacher, I'm leaving for the Inner Academy tomorrow. Why don't you tell me more about the resources there?" Xiao Yun said, gently steering the conversation away from the sentimental puddle they were wading into.
"The Inner Academy, huh?" Elder Huo straightened up. "It's a place where the strong thrive and the weak get trampled. Don't assume that just because you're my disciple you'll be safe. Over there, even my name doesn't carry much weight."
"One of the greatest resources they have is the Blazing Sky Qi-Refining Tower. Training inside it can double your results—but don't get too greedy. Stay in there too long, and the internal flame can scorch your mind, leaving you with fire poison. That's no joke."
"Is there a way to suppress the fire?" Xiao Yun asked, feigning ignorance.
"There is. With your skills, you could try refining some Iceheart Pills. They're fourth-tier pills that infuse the user with a burst of cold energy to shield the mind and reduce the burning sensation."
Xiao Yun's eyes lit up. "Could I… maybe… have the pill recipe?"
Elder Huo narrowed his eyes at his grinning disciple.
"You little rascal. So that's what you were angling for this whole time, huh? Every time I talk about a pill, you're already scheming how to milk me dry. At this rate, you'll rob me of all my secrets."
Still, he flicked his fingers and handed over the recipe.
"Take it. I was going to give it to you anyway. Your success rate is decent—sell the extras in the Inner Academy and exchange them for resources."
Xiao Yun sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. Turns out he and his teacher had the same plan. He didn't need the Iceheart Pill for fun—he was planning to barter them for fire energy once he got to the Inner Academy.
After stashing the recipe into his storage ring, the two continued chatting deep into the night.