Chapter Six: Denied the Foundation

Lei Zhennan faced the entire assembly, both of his large hands pressing downward, and the clamor of the crowd gradually subsided. "I hereby announce," he declared, "that the Lei Family Fortress tournament has concluded perfectly. The champion of this year is..." He paused deliberately.

Dong, dong, dong! Three beats of the drum resounded, and then Lei Zhennan proclaimed in a voice trembling with excitement, "The champion is Lei Xiang!"

The hall erupted in thunderous applause and cheers. After ten long years, someone had finally dethroned Lei Yunlong as champion. Was this the start of a fierce rivalry between two titans, or would Lei Xiang now stand unmatched and alone?

Perhaps the era of Lei Xiang had truly arrived.

As people exited, they buzzed with animated discussion. Yet Lei Zhennan’s expression remained solemn; he stood quietly, as if listening intently to something unheard, or perhaps conversing with someone invisible.

His lips, however, did not move—only occasionally nodding unconsciously.

After a long pause, he leaned toward Lei Xiang and said softly, "Just now, your grandfather sent me a message. He wants me to bring you to see him."

The master of Lei Family Fortress, the patriarch himself, wished to see Lei Xiang?

The old patriarch had been in seclusion for years—why would he suddenly show interest in this so-called good-for-nothing? Lei Xiang followed calmly as they made their way to the back mountain. After rounding a bend, Lei Zhennan stopped.

Facing a stretch of open land at the mountain's base, Lei Zhennan pulled out a lustrous green stone, muttered an incantation, and pressed it forcefully into the air.

The space before them twisted and distorted, and a doorway, over three meters tall, materialized. Lei Xiang entered behind Lei Zhennan.

Inside, the space was small, no more than enough for twenty people. A table was heaped with fresh fruits of all seasons; there was even a beggar’s chicken and a jug of aged spirits. Behind the table sat an elderly man, his hair and beard snow white, holding a slate that flickered with yellow light, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he played.

Lei Xiang, usually composed, was startled. "So this is what the old patriarch does in seclusion? Eating, drinking, and playing games? How strange! And what is that device in his hand? It looks like a handheld console from my previous world. Is he not cultivating, but instead addicted to games?"

At that moment, Lei Zhennan bowed respectfully. "Father, I have brought Lei Xiang."

The old patriarch set down his console, his smile fading. "Very good. At fifteen, you have already reached the seventh level of Qi Refining, breaking through four realms in half a month—truly a talent unseen for generations. Was it only because of the tempering by lightning? Have you had no other fortuitous encounters, or practiced any other techniques?"

Lei Xiang now understood. The patriarch did not believe his story—and who could blame him? Advancing four levels in just over a fortnight was unheard of, even in the entire world of cultivation.

"Should I reveal the many flaws in the Dragon Elephant Divine Art to him? Would he then realize I am not the original Lei Xiang?" Lei Xiang hesitated inwardly, but outwardly maintained a tranquil expression.

He bowed low. "Master Ancestor, after being struck by lightning, my meridians and dantian were tempered and expanded, but I didn't know how to utilize this. Only recently did my mind suddenly clear, though I don't fully understand the reason myself."

Suddenly, the old patriarch turned, his eyes flashing with a penetrating brilliance, locking onto Lei Xiang as if to see through his very soul.

At that moment, Lei Xiang felt utterly transparent.

Yet he kept his heart perfectly calm, while feigning fear on his face—after all, not being afraid in front of a near-centenarian at the eleventh level of cultivation would be unnatural.

After a long time, the patriarch withdrew his gaze, his tone softening. "Perhaps your cultivation is not yet enough for you to sense your own changes. I can see that your meridians and dantian are already beyond mine, fully at the level of a great master. A genius, truly a genius not seen in a hundred years—far superior to my grandson Lei Yunlong."

"Lei Xiang, from now on, Lei Family Fortress is your home. You may cultivate freely. Whatever you lack, be it spiritual herbs, techniques, manpower, or resources, speak up, and I shall do my utmost to provide. Now, go."

Lei Xiang could sense the elder’s sincerity and replied from the heart, "Thank you, Master Ancestor."

After Lei Xiang left, Lei Zhennan ventured, "Father, is he truly…"

The old patriarch slowly nodded. "The boy did not lie to me. His constitution is indeed suited for cultivation. Perhaps he truly is a genius whose potential was awakened by lightning. His future achievements will surely surpass mine. I am certain he will at least reach the Foundation Establishment stage; as for further progress, that will depend on his fortune."

The old patriarch suddenly closed his eyes. "When I found that child, he was but an infant in swaddling clothes. It was in one of the most perilous places on the Limitless Continent—a place of unimaginable horror where even Foundation Establishment cultivators dare not tread. I ended up there by chance… Well, I happened to encounter the boy, Lei Xiang."

He seemed to sink into deep reminiscence, his expression shifting. "That day, a strange rain fell from the heavens, thunder crackled, yet his cries rang out loud and clear, audible even through the storm. Heaven cherishes life, so I carried him back with me. Not knowing his name, I gave him my own surname, and since thunder roared that day, I named him Lei Xiang."

Lei Zhennan asked, "Father, since you found him in such a deadly place, do you mean that this child’s…?"

The old patriarch nodded. "Yes, his parents, whether immortal or demonic, were extraordinary beings—perhaps among the very top of the Limitless Continent. Zhennan, after some time, you should send him away. I have sworn an oath: the Lei Family Fortress shall not produce a Foundation Establishment cultivator. We must not hinder his future."

Lei Zhennan’s eyes flickered. "Father, I’ve never understood—why do you prevent us from developing further?"

The old patriarch glared. "Some questions are better left unasked. And speak of this to no one. By the way, didn’t you plan to procure a batch of demon beast cores? Let Lei Xiang go—early experience will do him good."

Night pressed in like a vast sea.

Along a wild country lane lay a massive, overgrown graveyard. Countless mounds, large and small, spread across the land. Whether from age or neglect, they were covered in lush green shrubs.

On one somewhat larger mound, a blue glimmer flickered from the tangled undergrowth.

Lei Xiang's body was buried in the grave, only his head exposed and concealed by the shrubs. He also wore a low-grade concealment talisman, a gift from his master before departure—the only one in the Lei Family Fortress. Lei Xiang was on his way to Yun City to buy demon cores; he’d already been traveling for ten days, with five more to go.

Hidden completely, Lei Xiang remained motionless, staring eastward as blue light danced in his eyes. Suddenly, the rapid clatter of hooves echoed from that direction, a fierce wind swept by, and in the blink of an eye, a column of riders appeared. Each was masked in black cloth and rode skillfully.

Suddenly, the leader—a square-faced man atop a blue-maned horse—jerked his reins, stopping his mount as if nailed to the ground. The others halted as well. "Big brother, what is it?" someone asked.

"Someone is following us," the leader rumbled, his voice deep and muffled. "Their spiritual sense is incredibly strong."

Lei Xiang, hidden away, relaxed. He had sensed these people approaching and hidden in advance. Their highest cultivation was only the seventh level of Qi Refining—nothing he couldn't handle.

Yet he did not move. With the blue light in his eyes, he saw what followed. Soon, ripples of spiritual energy flared from the east, and a streak of green light shot toward the riders, condensing into the figure of a beautiful woman in her thirties. She wore green cloth and had a curvaceous figure, but her face was veiled.

"Well, well, a young lady chasing us in the dead of night. Lonely, are we?" The group snickered, and a particularly obese man leapt down and tried to lift the woman's veil.

"Ow!" The fat man screamed as if stung by a scorpion, clutching his hand and collapsing. The woman's voice, gentle yet dangerous, sounded: "So this is all the Flying Dragon Sect can muster? And you think you can scheme for that treasure?"

None of the others understood what had happened, but Lei Xiang saw clearly: as the fat man's hand touched her veil, a streak of green light shot from the woman's sleeve, piercing his arm.

The square-faced leader’s expression changed drastically. Drawing a broadsword with a golden spine from his back, he demanded, "Who are you, daring to oppose the Flying Dragon Sect?"

The woman laughed coldly. "Shen Feilong, do you not even recognize me?" With that, she pulled off her veil. In the faint moonlight, Lei Xiang saw a face so hideous it defied description—a devil’s visage atop a temptress’s body.

If not for his strong mind, Lei Xiang might have vomited on the spot. Already the Flying Dragon Sect’s men were retching; only Shen Feilong, the leader, stared in horror. Swinging his blade, he shouted, "Serpent Scorpion Lady? Formation, now!"

The grotesque woman swayed her slender waist. "Shen Feilong, as long as I'm here, you have no chance at the treasure. Get lost."

Shen Feilong laughed madly. "Trying to scare children? As if you’d let us leave!" He drew a small black triangular flag from his chest. The others formed up, each producing a similar flag. A cacophony of incantations rose, and shields of light appeared before each rider.

"Then die," the Serpent Scorpion Lady sneered, summoning two green storage bags. With a pair of incantations, the bags spat forth two clouds of green light that swept toward the group.

By then, the Flying Dragon Sect’s shields had merged into a five-meter-high wall of light. As the green light descended, Lei Xiang’s blue eyes saw hundreds of green scorpions and snakes gnawing at the shield. After half a quarter hour, the wall wavered, on the verge of collapse.

A fragrant wind blew by.

"Whoosh!" A massive ball of light streaked through. Within the light, Lei Xiang saw a lavish carriage. Eight beautiful women crawled on all fours beside it, each holding a colored ribbon in one hand and a palace lantern in the other. Beside the carriage stood a one-legged monster.

At the sight of these newcomers, the Serpent Scorpion Lady seemed genuinely frightened. She tossed out another beast pouch, sending hundreds of snakes and scorpions to coil around her, then glanced back at the carriage. The curtain lifted to reveal a pale young master, who took out a white handkerchief and began to cough.

The one-legged monster thumped his cane. "Serpent Scorpion Lady, Young Master Gao of the Crippled Heaven Gang is here. Surrender the treasure."

She gritted her teeth, recalling her creatures from the light wall and having them circle above her. Shen Feilong shouted, and his men hurriedly gathered their flags and fled westward. They knew better than to provoke either the Crippled Heaven Gang or the Serpent Scorpion Lady.

Within the carriage, Young Master Gao ceased coughing. "Exterminate them!"

The one-legged monster’s spiritual power surged. His cane shot up to three meters, and his remaining leg lengthened by several meters, his foot over a meter long. He sprang forward, using the cane as a pivot, and with a sweep of his giant foot, killed the fleeing men instantly—even burying one head-first in the mud, leaving only his skull exposed.

Young Master Gao sneered cruelly. "Serpent Scorpion Lady, you’d best end yourself. You’re not worthy of a treasure from the Upper Realm."

She flung her arm, sending her swarm at him. "Gao Qiu, you’re not up to the task!"

Gao Qiu’s smile was cold and merciless. With a flick of his finger, a flash of icy light flew out to meet the swarm. Lei Xiang saw clearly: it was a gleaming flying blade. Wherever it passed, serpent and scorpion corpses rained down. In three breaths, the blade reached the Serpent Scorpion Lady’s throat.

"So fast! What kind of monster is this Gao Qiu, with such formidable spiritual power?" Lei Xiang’s thought was cut short as the Serpent Scorpion Lady collapsed. Gao Qiu recalled his blade, wiped his hand with a silk cloth, and ordered, "Go!"

The eight beauties scrambled up, crawling with inhuman speed, ribbons stretched taut as they pulled the carriage away with a whoosh—it seemed to fly.

Lei Xiang struggled to contain his astonishment. "So those eight are his horses? They’re headed back the way I came. Did some heaven-defying treasure appear there? Why didn’t I notice anything earlier?"

At that moment, the one-legged monster had already looted the Serpent Scorpion Lady’s storage bags and dashed after the carriage. Lei Xiang forced himself to abandon his curiosity; it was too dangerous to follow. As he leapt out of the grave, he suddenly felt something hard poking his backside.

ps: Another chapter coming later—please support with your votes!