Chapter Ninety-Four: The Legacy of the Thunder God

Du Qingfeng, seeing the grave situation, wished to act, but his body, wounded, could no longer channel his vital energy. As countless bolts of thunder converged upon him, beads of sweat began to form densely on his brow in his growing anxiety.

“Hmph… You’re quite bold! Let’s see how you break through my Ten-Thousand Calamity Thunder Domain!” The Thunder Lizard Beast lay obediently on the ground, patiently awaiting the unfolding spectacle.

No matter how Du Qingfeng tried to connect his spirit with the ancient Taiyi sword, there was no response—it was like casting a stone into the sea. Desperation gnawed at him. Having cultivated the sword path for over a decade, his trusted weapon was now unusable. How could he possibly escape this sea of thunder?

Just as sorrow and helplessness engulfed him, the myriad thunderbolts drew ever closer, closing the ten-meter distance by inches, then feet. The overwhelming celestial might crashed upon his soul, the ferocity unbalancing him, nearly causing his true energy to spiral out of control midair.

Startled, he attempted to forcibly mobilize his true energy to flee, willing to suffer grievous injury rather than perish passively. But just as he moved, the long-silent Taiyi sword suddenly emitted a thunderous sword cry, its volume surpassing even the rolling thunder.

Du Qingfeng’s heart, long held in suspense, finally steadied. He withdrew the true energy he had just summoned back into his dantian, watching the Taiyi sword with eager anticipation to see what astonishing feat it would unveil next.

After the thunderous cry, the entire Taiyi sword became somewhat hazy and indistinct; its blade’s radiance flickered and wavered. From within the ancient sword, a deep violet figure flickered into view—a commanding visage framed by flowing hair and sharp features, donned in a dark purple thunder armor studded with purple spikes at every joint. A singular purple helmet crowned the figure’s head, concealing all features but the eyes. Behind him stretched a pair of pristine white wings, and in his hands gleamed the Taiyi sword itself.

Du Qingfeng’s eyes widened in utter astonishment as he stared at this ethereal man. Only one thought echoed relentlessly in his mind: “He’s exactly as I saw in my dreams…”

Since his master ancestor had bestowed the Taiyi sword upon him, for five years every night a purple silhouette appeared in his dreams—always vague and indistinct. Whenever he tried to see it clearly, the image would dissipate, and he could never find it again. Waking from these dreams was elusive; within them, this purple figure was always in a strange realm where he had to endure endless trials until dawn.

He had repeatedly asked his master ancestor about these dreams, but the only reply was, “When the time comes, you will understand.” No matter how much he pressed, the master only smiled in silence.

Thus, for five years, Du Qingfeng dreaded dreaming more than anything. Entering that strange realm and seeing that ephemeral purple figure was an ordeal he wished to avoid.

But today, seeing the purple figure emerge from the Taiyi sword clad in thunder armor, Du Qingfeng immediately recognized him as the one from his dreams.

The purple figure’s deep black eyes flashed with seven-colored thunder, revealing glimpses of an endless sea of multicolored lightning raging in the depths.

His gaze shifted downward to the Thunder Lizard Beast, and a resolute, low voice echoed, “Not bad. Though his strength is somewhat lacking, his bloodline is pure. From now on, follow him.”

The purple figure’s words were directed at the Thunder Lizard Beast below, who had grown unusually obedient since the figure’s appearance. In its heart, it shouted, “By the heavens… so majestic! Yet why does it feel so familiar?” Memories stirred deep within its bloodline—a legacy image surfaced, gradually revealing the figure’s face. “My heavens…” The Thunder Lizard Beast gaped, eyes locked unwaveringly on the purple figure above.

After hearing the figure’s words, the beast nodded repeatedly, joyous beyond measure. “The Divine Pavilion… it seems my day of ascension is at hand!”

From birth, the Thunder Lizard Beast had ruled as king of the Thunder Marsh, commanding nearly a thousand clans. Its dominion was secured because each generation could wield the Thunder God Pearl to protect the marsh from demonic incursions.

The purple figure was undoubtedly the Thunder God venerated through generations in the tribe, which explained the beast’s overwhelming excitement. When the Thunder God spoke of having Du Qingfeng follow the white-clothed youth, it signaled that Du Qingfeng was the Thunder God’s heir, destined for great elevation.

After speaking, the purple figure’s gaze flickered as he turned toward the demon tribe’s altar. “So many years, and still not recognized by my own people? That shameless child Bi Luo, if he still lives, let my heir take vengeance!”

Hatred for the Great Sage of the Azure Sea resonated in his voice, tinged with melancholy. Turning back to Du Qingfeng, he regarded him intently before speaking again. “Does this seem familiar? For five years, whenever boredom struck, I played hide and seek with you in dreams. It must have troubled you greatly.”

His tone softened as he observed Du Qingfeng’s pale face, then smiled. “How about becoming my successor? From now on, you shall soar to the heavens and ascend the elusive realm of the divine!”

“Are you truly the rightful master of the Taiyi sword? The ancient Thunder God who governs heavenly punishment?” Du Qingfeng’s lips twitched slightly, betraying the tumult stirring within.

“Indeed. The Taiyi sword was my personal divine weapon in life. As for ruling heavenly punishment—that’s merely a joke,” the Thunder God chuckled self-deprecatingly upon hearing Du Qingfeng’s words.

Du Qingfeng could not grasp the full meaning behind this and stood silently, unsure how to respond.

“Speak. Will you inherit my legacy?” The Thunder God’s eyes flashed with streaks of lightning as he fixed Du Qingfeng with an unwavering gaze, awaiting his answer.

In truth, Du Qingfeng had hesitated at the question before, but now, sensing the Thunder God’s genuine desire for him to inherit his legacy, he steeled himself. He thought, “If my sect elders learn I have taken another master, they will punish me severely. But inheriting the Thunder God’s legacy is a different matter altogether.” The words of his ancestor echoed in his mind, and with newfound resolve, he lifted his robe and knelt, bowing deeply. “Du Qingfeng pays respects to Master. Please accept my bow…” He struck his head against the void three times in succession.

The Thunder God smiled approvingly. “Rise.”

Du Qingfeng stood, feeling somewhat restrained facing the deity.

The Thunder God laughed softly. “From today, you join our ranks. Never disgrace my name. I will impart all my accumulated knowledge to you!”

With a wave of his ethereal hand, the raging tens of thousands of crimson thunderbolts ceased their rampage, and the sky regained its tranquility, no longer crackling with lightning.

A purple-red pearl, the size of a small mountain, descended from the mist-shrouded heavens. With its appearance, Du Qingfeng felt an irresistible pressure bearing down on him. Already gravely wounded, this overwhelming weight made him weak and unsteady. “No, I must not disgrace myself before Master…”

As the pearl continued to fall, the crushing celestial pressure proved too great. His body trembled and he collapsed, kneeling midair. The Thunder God merely smiled without comment.

“This pearl is my divine essence, condensed from all the divine power I held in life. With your current cultivation, you cannot bear it. Therefore, I will place several seals upon it. Only when your power suffices to fuse with the divine essence will the final seal be lifted.”

With a wave of his hand, a vibrant rainbow of thunder surged forth, plunging into the Thunder God Pearl. His hands formed intricate seals so swift that to Du Qingfeng’s eyes, they were but illusions.

“Condense…” The word left the Thunder God’s lips as his hand seals completed, and with a motion, the enormous Thunder God Pearl shrank to the size of a thumb.

The miniature pearl no longer radiated pressure; it appeared ordinary, without any remarkable features. The Thunder God’s ethereal palm cradled the orb as he addressed the still kneeling Du Qingfeng: “Open your mouth…”

Shaking all over, Du Qingfeng dared not delay and opened wide. The Thunder God’s palm thrust forward, and the tiny Thunder God Pearl shot into Du Qingfeng’s mouth like lightning. Before he could react, it slid down his throat with a gulp.

“Sit cross-legged, calm your mind. Let everything flow naturally.” The Thunder God’s voice echoed in his mind. Du Qingfeng felt as if countless knives sliced through his insides, his features contorted in agonizing pain, but he endured, following the instructions.

Seeing Du Qingfeng enter a tranquil meditative state, the Thunder God cast one last lingering glance at the distant azure sky before fading back into the Taiyi sword in a flash of purple light.

The ancient Taiyi sword quivered and then hovered once more above Du Qingfeng’s head. “Disciple, I shall use my remaining strength to help you forge the Thunder Punishment Body. Afterwards, I will dissipate forever into the cosmos. Your path henceforth is yours alone to explore. Remember, once you ascend to the divine rank, you must fulfill one task for me—find and slay the Great Sage of the Azure Sea to avenge my betrayal!”

Du Qingfeng tried to speak but found himself restrained by an unseen force. Silently, he vowed, “Master, rest assured, since I have inherited your legacy, I will see your wish fulfilled!”

Upon finishing, the Taiyi sword’s purple radiance surged. In an instant, Du Qingfeng was engulfed by dozens of deep purple lightning bolts as thick as arms, which wove around him, forming a glowing purple sphere crackling with thunderous energy.

“Little one, for guarding the Thunder God Pearl, I grant you this boon!” Similar bolts enveloped the Thunder Lizard Beast.

The Thunder God’s voice grew faint as multicolored divine thunder poured through the sphere, seeping into Du Qingfeng’s flesh and blood.

Thus, Du Qingfeng’s journey into the legacy of the Thunder God began.