I Cheated While Cultivating

Because Zhou Heng would not stay in the Heavenly Lightning Realm for a long time, and his main purpose was to practice the Fury Thunder True Qi, the tasks he received were relatively simple.

“Guide the reincarnation of the ‘Ghost Immortal’ ‘Wang Li’ onto the orthodox path of a Thunder Heavenly Walker and extend the awakening of his past life’s memories as long as possible.” This was the content of the task.

This task was a continuous one.

Actually, before this, whether it was the martial arts instructor Liu Wu who taught Wang Li, or the merchant who told him about the Purple Lightning Sect’s recruitment of disciples, both were people from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer.

The aim was to lead him onto the righteous path without leaving any trace.

Zhou Heng was more or less the key link in this series of tasks—to lead and help Wang Li successfully pass the Purple Lightning Sect’s entry assessment.

After all, those who came to participate in the Purple Lightning Sect’s entrance examination mostly came from noble families and had laid a solid foundation from a young age.

Even though Wang Li had been taught by people from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer and had laid a very solid foundation, he ultimately only had his own abilities and lacked favorable external conditions.

It was inevitable that he would be at a disadvantage.

…

The Purple Lightning Sect was one of the Nine Great Sects of the Heavenly Lightning Realm, with extremely formidable strength.

It was said that they had over ten Divine Monarchs who had overcome seven calamities or more, with their current sect leader being a ‘Divine Monarch’ who had successfully withstood eight lightning tribulations.

This ranked them among the top three in the Nine Great Sects.

With such formidable power, naturally, the territory they governed was vast, including more than thirty-seven countries such as Qianyang Country, Zhusha Country, and Distant Seas Country, all within a territory of millions of miles under the rule of the Purple Lightning Sect.

Every year, the countries would send envoys to the Purple Lightning Sect with tributes and countless treasures to express gratitude for the Purple Lightning Sect’s protection.

This situation made Zhou Heng click his tongue in wonder.

After all, although in Da Qi, the top sects might not care about the Imperial Court, for most of the medium and large sects, the power of the Imperial Court is still very strong.

Hence, the situation where sects govern nations was somewhat reminiscent of the vague and ominous Dark Age, and it seems that some of it was also preserved in the Middle Ancient Era, but the overall situation should have been much milder.

At the moment, Zhou Heng and Wang Li were queueing up to undergo an identity check to see if they already had Thunder Patterns on their bodies.

Thunder Patterns are symbols of having withstood lightning and obtained divine might. Each instance of withstanding lightning would form a Thunder Pattern, and the Thunder Patterns formed by different secret techniques of lightning attraction are very distinguishable.

Although Zhou Heng was no longer an ordinary person, he indeed did not have Thunder Patterns, which made passing this checkpoint very easy, and with his currently restored cultivation realm, hiding his strength to pass as an ordinary person was not difficult.

He had now recovered about thirty percent of his strength, roughly equivalent to a strong Seventh Calamity in this world, which is the level of most sect masters in the Nine Great Sects.

Before coming to the Purple Lightning Sect, Zhou Heng had inquired from various sources and simply compared this world’s Heavenly Walker system to his own.

The highest level in this world, the Divine Emperors who overcame nine calamities, were roughly equivalent to being infinitely close to the Sect Fifth Rank, with seven calamities similar to the True Qi Realm and eight calamities akin to the True Gang Realm.

Four to six calamities are equivalent to the Seventh Rank, while one to three calamities are akin to the Eighth Rank, which is the peak of human strength, not much different from a Ninth Rank Warrior.

However, this was just a simple comparison, and there are actually many differences in the specific details between the two.

For example, Heavenly Walkers in this world usually gain the divine might of flight from their fourth calamity, something that Seventh Rank Warriors cultivating the Martial Path could not achieve.

Yet, in terms of manipulating heaven and earth’s primordial energy, Heavenly Walkers heavily rely on the divine might of the Thunder Patterns granted by heaven and can hardly diverge into other areas, which means they are far less versatile than Martial Artists.

As a result, Zhou Heng effortlessly bluffed his way through and passed the first round of screening.

In this round, not many people were eliminated; over three thousand people passed, and were gathered in a huge hall, waiting for the notification of the next round of assessment.

Wang Li was enthusiastically trying to socialize, but was mostly met with cold shoulders—how could those of noble birth pay attention to a country bumpkin like Wang Li?

“Zhou Wei, I always feel like they look down on me,” Wang Li said to Zhou Heng in a somewhat dejected tone, “I know it’s because of my background, but it just makes me uncomfortable, and I even feel like they are… somewhat disrespectful.”

By the end, he himself laughed, shaking his head, “This feeling is really strange. What right do I have to feel disrespected by them, sigh…”

This must be the unawakened Ghost Immortal True Spirit within you causing trouble…

Zhou Heng knew what was happening, but he couldn’t explain it, instead smiling and saying, “In the future, you will impress them. ‘Thirty years in the east and thirty years in the west, do not underestimate the youth in poverty.’

“…do not underestimate the youth in poverty.” Wang Li stood dazed for a while as if savoring the words, the light in his eyes gradually turning resolute, and finally, he nodded seriously, “Yes, I understand. Only by training hard and becoming strong can others look at me differently. Brother Zhou, thank you for the guidance.”

I’m just worried that the little bit of Ghost Immortal True Spirit’s influence will accelerate the awakening of your past life’s memories… Zhou Heng thought to himself, while outwardly, he just nodded lightly, with an expression of seeing a teachable child.

Following that, there were five more rounds of testing, and the elimination rate was very high, leaving less than fifty people in the end.

With Wang Li’s current level, he was barely qualified to pass, but there were a few so-called ‘related parties’ in the group, and he should have been eliminated. However, with Zhou Heng’s secret assistance, he passed the assessment.

Wang Li noted this kindness deep in his heart, determined that when he was no longer ‘young and poor,’ he would repay Zhou Wei properly.

After the five-round assessment, the day had come to an end.

The remaining three rounds of assessment would take place tomorrow.

However, it was said that these three rounds of assessment were just a formality, with the final candidates having almost been decided today.

The remaining forty or so people could basically be considered the final selections.

Thus, a young man from the Qianyang Country’s royal family suggested they go to a restaurant for a feast; this was an attempt to build connections and establish a base within the Purple Lightning Sect ahead of time.

Zhou Heng did not attend, but he sent Wang Li.

His purpose in coming to the Purple Lightning Sect was to find a Heavenly Lightning location to cultivate the Fury Thunder True Qi.

These useless “social interactions” would only bring unnecessary trouble.

…

That night.

Zhou Heng lay in the dwelling prepared by the Purple Lightning Sect for the disciple assessment, his gaze drifting toward the bright moon outside the window, slightly absent-minded, he thought to himself, “What principle rules the moon in this world?

“After all, it is the sun that revolves around ‘Earth,’ and there are a total of nine suns at that. When I previously arrived here, it seemed there was no sight of the moon either.

“Tsk, tsk, the great thousand worlds are really full of wonders… Ah, Jiang Jian arrived here ten days before me. I wonder how she’s doing now, whether she’s already mastered the Jade Heaven True Qi.

“Ah, it seems I’ve forgotten to buy her candy. I’ll make it up to her when I return… After tomorrow, I should officially become a disciple of the Purple Lightning Sect, and I can check where the thunderous energy is richest.”

…

The three rounds of assessments on the second day were indeed just as the rumors said, nothing more than a mere formality.

In the end, not a single person was eliminated.

Full attendance passed.

However, among those who passed, there were still different levels.

A group of nobles and those with connections, as well as those who performed exceptionally well, like Zhou Heng, a total of nine people, were directly admitted to the Inner Sect, while the rest went to the Outer Sect.

Zhou Heng needed to find places within the vast Purple Lightning Sect where the thunderous energy was dense, which naturally required him to move around a lot. Having the status of an Inner Sect disciple was clearly more convenient than being an Outer Sect disciple.

Subsequently, after a series of confirmation and inspection procedures, Zhou Heng and others finally proudly became the newest disciples of the Purple Lightning Sect.

On the second day after their formal initiation, Zhou Heng visited his fellow sect members under the guise of getting to know them better, while casually surveying the concentration of thunderous energy.

This kind of behavior was actually quite conspicuous, but he didn’t care.

His time was limited, after all.

As long as he acted politely and showed enough potential, even if the Purple Lightning Sect found his behavior conspicuous, they would not rashly deal with him.

By the time they truly made up their mind, Zhou Heng’s Wrathful Thunder True Qi would have already been perfected.

…

“Hey, Zhou Wei, have you heard that things have not been quite peaceful in the world lately?” Wang Li said to Zhou Heng with a chicken leg in his mouth, speaking somewhat indistinctly.

Although there is a difference in the treatment and living quarters between Inner and Outer Sect members, the communication between them is still very frequent. Zhou Heng often comes over to chat with Wang Li these days.

Lest this reincarnated Ghost Immortal should “veer off course.”

“What’s going on?” Zhou Heng asked curiously. Since his initiation five days ago, he had been running around everywhere, and although he had confirmed three suitable places for cultivating thunderous energy, he was not well-informed about news from the outside world.

“It’s about the Barbarian Tribe,” Wang Li said enthusiastically: “It’s said that there is a strong being in the northwest Barbarian Tribes, equivalent to an Eight Tribulations Divine Monarch, who recently invaded the Central Plains in a big way, nearly breaking through the mountain gate of the Heavenly God Pavilion.”

The Human Race in the Heavenly Thunder Realm similarly faces a crisis, namely the Barbarian Tribes living within the desolate Northwestern desert.

These Barbarian Tribes have a similar physique to Humans but are fundamentally different. It is said that they are the descendants of ancient gods and demons, inherently miraculous. With the growth of age, they can awaken various divine powers without the need to attract thunder.

Therefore, the individual strength of the Barbarian Tribes is much greater than that of the Human Race’s Heavenly Walkers, it’s just that the Barbarian Tribes have difficulties with reproduction, which is why their numbers are far fewer than the Human Race, forced to live in the barren and cold deserts of the Northwest.

“`

However, as long as a top-notch warrior emerged from the Barbarian Tribe, it would be inevitable for them to invade Central Plains and even attack the mountain gates of Sects, rampaging with large-scale slaughter and looting.

“The Sect Master of the Heavenly God Pavilion is just a Seventh Rank warrior, right? How did she manage to hold them off?” Zhou Heng was curious.

“It is said that a Yu Xiao Fairy appeared out of nowhere, repelling the Barbarian Tribe’s Divine Monarch with the overwhelming divine might of her palm. With a single strike, she sent the Divine Monarch flying. That must be at least a formidable Eighth Rank warrior. How impressive, if only I could be so formidable,” Wang Li said with a lifted spirit.

“Yu Xiao Fairy?” Zhou Heng was momentarily stunned upon hearing this and thought to himself, “If my speculation is correct, this must be Jiang Jian—has she already mastered the Yu Xiao True Qi?”

“However, if the rumors are true and she was able to repel a warrior comparable to the Eighth Rank of the True Gang Realm with her Cultivation that had just broken through to the Secret Sixth Rank, didn’t she receive any suppression from the Heaven and Earth Laws?”

“Or could it be that by using the treasures of this world as aid in cultivating True Qi, one could effectively avoid the suppression of the Heaven and Earth Laws of this world? Hmm, it seems possible.”

“Do you have any more news about this Yu Xiao Fairy?” Zhou Heng inquired.

“Very little,” Wang Li shook his head, somewhat regretfully, “This Yu Xiao Fairy is very mysterious, seemingly without a past, as if she’s a powerhouse that appeared suddenly. We only know that she should have some connection with the Heavenly God Pavilion.

“However, there are some rumors saying that the Yu Xiao Fairy is actually a Protector secretly kept by the Heavenly God Pavilion, a deep accumulation from the past, possibly an ancient Ninth Rank Divine Emperor…”

“That rumor must have been spread by the Heavenly God Pavilion themselves,” Zhou Heng chuckled, then added, “What about the Barbarian Tribe’s Divine Monarch? Did he retreat back to the Northwestern Deserts after being repelled by the Yu Xiao Fairy?”

“They say not. The Barbarian Tribe’s Divine Monarch apparently suffered heavy injuries and, after escaping, has vanished without a trace.” Wang Li pondered for a moment and then said with some worry, “Brother Zhou, do you think that Barbarian Tribe’s Divine Monarch might flee to our Purple Lightning Sect? We are the closest to the Heavenly God Pavilion among the Nine Great Sects.”

“It wouldn’t be so coincidental, and he should also know that the Purple Lightning Sect has an Eighth Rank Divine Monarch,” Zhou Heng shook his head and laughed, “What would he come here for, to be completely annihilated by an Eighth Rank Divine Monarch?”

“Mm, I also think that’s true,” Wang Li nodded in agreement.

…

After nearly ten days of selection, Zhou Heng finally chose a location rich with Thunder essence and relatively hidden. He then submitted an application to establish his residence.

Inner Sect Disciples of the Purple Lightning Sect were allowed to have their own private residences, although the locations were usually assigned and not freely chosen. Zhou Heng had used some tricks to get this particular location assigned to himself.

Consequently, after half a day of simple construction, Zhou Heng’s residence took shape, and he could finally enter the proper state of mind to start preparing for the cultivation of “Pure Yang Wrath Thunder Technique.”

Because the Pure Yang Wrath Thunder Technique was essentially a further exploration of the Pure Yang Dan Scripture, it shared many similarities with it. Therefore, Zhou Heng’s cultivation went very smoothly, virtually without any bottlenecks.

Furthermore, as one of the Nine Great Sects in the Tian Xiao Thunder Realm, the Thunder treasure lands found within the Purple Lightning Sect were truly extraordinary, allowing Zhou Heng to absorb extremely pure Thunder essence, greatly aiding in the cultivation of Wrath Thunder True Qi.

As time passed day by day, Zhou Heng’s progression grew increasingly rapid.

However, just as he was at a critical juncture in his cultivation, on the verge of a breakthrough and about to advance further to truly form the Wrath Thunder True Qi, a thunderous noise suddenly erupted from outside.

BOOM!

The mountains and rivers shook, the ground quaked, and Zhou Heng’s simply constructed residence was directly toppled by the tremors. Yet, he remained unmoved, continuing to cultivate the Wrath Thunder True Qi.

At the same time, a furious shout exploded above the Purple Lightning Sect.

“How dare these Northwestern barbarians assault the Purple Lightning Sect—seeking death!!”

“`

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