221: Chapter 221 The Fisherman Pulls in the Net

Outside the entrance to the Spiritual Vein, Gu Yue sensed the terrifying thunder fluctuations coming from deep within and frowned slightly.

"The crystal core is sentient; it will actively attack any living being that approaches it," he said in a low voice. "The people from the Sun and Li families should have been completely wiped out by now."

"Then what should we do?" a Loose Cultivator beside him asked.

"Wait," Gu Yue said. "Wait for the crystal core to calm down. Young Master Ling said that the thunder source crystal core needs a lightning-attribute Bloodline to be soothed. Hall Master Ling Xiao is already on his way. Once he arrives, the crystal core will naturally recognize him as its master."

"Then what are we supposed to do?"

"Guard the entrance." Gu Yue's gaze swept across the surroundings. "Do not let anyone approach, especially those from the Heavenly Dao Palace."

He took out a Formation Plate and began to carve runes on the ground. It was the 'Spirit-Sealing Array' he had researched from ancient ruins, capable of temporarily suppressing the spiritual energy fluctuations in the Spiritual Vein to prevent them from leaking out.

"Mr. Gu also knows how to set up arrays?" the Loose Cultivator asked in surprise.

"I know a thing or two," Gu Yue said indifferently. "After studying ancient ruins for decades, one has to learn some life-saving skills."

---

When the news reached the surface, Sun Zhongmou and Li Wannian almost simultaneously collapsed into their chairs.

"What? They're all dead?" Sun Zhongmou's voice trembled.

"Yes." The reporting Cultivator's face was pale. "The thunder source crystal core is sentient and will attack any living being that approaches it. Soul Transformation Cultivators are like ants before it."

"Then what do we do?" Li Wannian grit his teeth. "Are we just going to give up like this?"

"We can't give up." Sun Zhongmou took a deep breath. "The thunder gods legacy must be obtained. Otherwise, how can we explain the deaths of so many people to our clansmen?"

"But how do we get it?"

Sun Zhongmou was silent for a long time before slowly saying, "Request outside help."

"From whom?"

"The Heavenly Dao Palace." Sun Zhongmou said word by word, "The Void Refining deacon sent by Star Lord Luohou will arrive tomorrow. If he takes action, the crystal core will surely be retrieved."

"But why would he help us?"

"For profit," Sun Zhongmou said. "The thunder gods legacy are shared by those who see them. He takes the lion's share, and we take the rest. It's better than getting nothing at all."

Li Wannian grit his teeth and finally nodded.

---

Deep within the Spiritual Vein, Ling Xiao had already arrived first.

He had rushed over from the Thunder Abyss immediately after receiving the message from Ling Hao.

At this moment, he was standing in front of the thunder source crystal core.

The dark golden crystal core floated deep within the fissure, rotating slowly. Every rotation drew in the surrounding power of thunder. On the surface of the crystal core, a phantom image of a thunder dragon swam slowly, a vigilant light flickering in its eyes.

Ling Xiao did not rush to act; instead, he first took out the thunder gods war hammer.

The moment the war hammer appeared, the thunder dragon phantom on the surface of the crystal core jolted violently.

The vigilance in the dragon's eyes turned into confusion, and then gradually into affinity.

The thunder gods war hammer was the thunder god's Lifebound Treasure. The crystal core was the energy core the thunder god relied on during his Cultivation. The two shared the same origin and had been companions day and night ten thousand years ago.

"It really is effective." Ling Xiao was delighted and stepped forward slowly.

He did not use any spiritual energy or activate the war hammer; he simply held the war hammer across his chest, letting the crystal core's spirit 'see' it clearly.

The thunder dragon phantom swam closer, circled the war hammer once, and then circled Ling Xiao once.

Then, it let out a low dragon roar, and the vigilance in its eyes completely dissipated.

The crystal core stopped rotating and simply floated there quietly, waiting.

Ling Xiao took a deep breath and reached out to grasp the crystal core.

The moment his fingertips touched the crystal core, a warm power of thunder surged into his body. It was not an attack, nor was it rejection; it was the recognition of a master.

The thunder source crystal core recognized Ling Xiao as its master.

Dark golden light surged from the crystal core, enveloping Ling Xiao entirely. The power of thunder poured into his Dantian like a tide, resonating with the thunder gods war hammer and the Thunder God True Scripture.

His cultivation began to climb.

Late Stage of Spirit Severing Peak, Spirit Severing Peak, Half-step Void Refining...

Finally, it stopped steadily at Half-step Void Refining.

He was only one step away from true Void Refining.

"It's done." Ling Xiao opened his eyes, thunder light flashing within them.

He put away the crystal core and quietly exited the mine, without alerting anyone.

The next day, at noon.

Meng Tong, the Void Refining deacon of the Heavenly Dao Palace, arrived as scheduled.

He was ordered to Tianhuo City to investigate the matter of the "thunder gods legacy" and, in passing, help the Sun and Li families "solve their problem."

Sun Zhongmou and Li Wannian personally went outside the city to welcome him with respectful attitudes.

"Deacon Meng's arrival is a great honor. Please forgive us for not welcoming you sooner," Sun Zhongmou said with a face full of smiles.

"No need for formalities," Meng Tong waved his hand. "Take me deep into the Spiritual Vein."

Sun Zhongmou did not dare to delay and personally led the way.

The three entered deep into the Spiritual Vein and came to the location where the thunder source crystal core had originally been.

But there, it was empty.

"This... how is this possible?!" Sun Zhongmou's face turned pale. "Where is the crystal core?"

Li Wannian also panicked. "It was still here yesterday! Our people have been guarding the entrance, and no one has gone in!"

Meng Tong crouched down and carefully examined the marks on the edge of the fissure.

There were thunder scorch marks on the rock walls, but they weren't left by an attack; they were more like the residual fluctuations of some sort of master-recognition ritual.

"Someone got here ahead of us and took the crystal core." He stood up, his expression dark. "Furthermore, the person who took it possesses a lightning-attribute Bloodline and likely holds some sort of supreme treasure related to the thunder god."

"Who?!" Sun Zhongmou blurted out.

"That is for you to answer." Meng Tong looked at him coldly. "Are you telling me you don't know of any Cultivators with lightning-attribute Bloodlines near Tianhuo City?"

Sun Zhongmou and Li Wannian looked at each other, both thinking of the same person.

That young man who came with 'Lin Tian' had entered and exited the thunderstorm zone many times and could even Cultivate within the Thunder Abyss.

"It's... it's someone from the Jiang Family," Sun Zhongmou grit his teeth. "The outside help Jiang Wanshan invited."

"The Jiang Family?" Meng Tong narrowed his eyes.

"Yes," Li Wannian added hurriedly. "The Jiang Family recently invited a merchant named 'Lin Tian,' who claims to be from the Southern Region. There is a young man with that merchant who has a lightning-attribute Bloodline and a high cultivation level. The crystal core was likely taken by him!"

Meng Tong was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Take me to see Jiang Wanshan."

---

Jiang Mansion, main hall.

Jiang Wanshan had already been waiting.

His expression was calm, and his attitude was respectful but not subservient.

"Deacon Meng's arrival is a great honor. Please forgive me for not welcoming you sooner."

"Patriarch Jiang, no need for formalities." Meng Tong sat in the main seat and got straight to the point. "The thunder source crystal core has been taken. Does Patriarch Jiang know about this?"

"I do," Jiang Wanshan said frankly. "The one who took the crystal core is a merchant with whom I have a partnership."

A cold light flashed in Meng Tong's eyes. "Patriarch Jiang, you have quite the nerve! Are the thunder gods legacy something your Jiang Family can swallow privately?"

"Deacon Meng, please calm yourself." Jiang Wanshan was unhurried. "The merchant took the crystal core through his own ability. I did not interfere. Furthermore, that person and I are only in a partnership; he is not a subordinate of the Jiang Family. I have no right to interfere with him taking the crystal core."

"A partnership?" Meng Tong sneered. "Patriarch Jiang is certainly good at distancing himself. Just who is this 'Lin Tian'?"

"A merchant from the Southern Region who has some business dealings with me," Jiang Wanshan said indifferently. "As for his specific background, I am not clear either. If Deacon Meng wishes to know, you can investigate it yourself."

Meng Tong stared at Jiang Wanshan for a long time before finally letting out a cold snort.

"Patriarch Jiang, the Heavenly Dao Palace will not let the matter of the thunder gods legacy go just like this. You had better pray that 'Lin Tian' has no other schemes, otherwise..."

He did not finish his sentence, stood up, and led his people away.