Chapter 107: Thunderous Eight-Step Art

Chapter 107: Thunderous Eight-Step Art

Mu Feng quickly ran toward the lake after witnessing the elder's fall. The gray-robed old man was floating in the water, unmoving.

"Xiaotian, help!"

Reluctantly, Xiaotian slithered off Mu Feng's arm, enlarging its body as it swam toward the elder. The white flood dragon carried the elder to the shore, where Mu Feng carefully laid him on the ground.

Pressing on the elder's chest, Mu Feng managed to force out a mouthful of blood-tinged water. Feeling for a pulse, he found it faint but present.

Mu Feng quickly retrieved a second-tier healing pill, placing it in the elder's mouth and using his internal energy to help dissolve and absorb the medicine.

An Old Master's Farewell

After a long while, the elder coughed weakly and opened his tired eyes.

"Elder, are you alright?" Mu Feng asked anxiously.

The gray-robed elder studied the youth before him, his gaze landing briefly on Xiaotian. A flicker of surprise crossed his face.

"Young one, did you save me?" the elder asked in a hoarse voice.

"Yes, elder. I happened to be nearby when you fell into the lake," Mu Feng replied.

"What about that ungrateful wretch?" the elder asked, attempting to rise but finding himself too weak.

"He fled after sustaining heavy injuries," Mu Feng answered honestly.

The elder sighed deeply. "So be it. It seems the heavens still have plans for him."

Seeing the elder's condition, Mu Feng said, "Elder, your injuries are severe. Let me take you to my family's estate so our healers can help you recover."

The elder shook his head and gestured for Mu Feng to put him down. "It's no use, young one. My internal organs have been shattered by the backlash of the heavenly lightning. I'm only alive because of the last traces of my energy, but I won't survive." A bitter smile crossed his face. "To think I raised that traitorous wretch for over a century, only to be betrayed for a technique. It's laughable that a stranger like you would show me more kindness."

Mu Feng remained silent, his heart heavy with sympathy for the elder's plight.

"Young one, what is your name?" the elder asked suddenly.

"I am Mu Feng, elder."

The elder nodded faintly. "Mu Feng… a good name. Meeting you in my final moments feels like destiny."

With great effort, the elder summoned a small purple jade token from his spatial ring. Intricate runes glowed faintly on its surface.

"This jade token contains a powerful martial art, the Thunderous Eight-Step Art. It allows one to draw the power of heavenly lightning into their body, unleashing devastating attacks. Drip your blood on it, and the secrets within will be yours."

Mu Feng's eyes widened in astonishment. He had heard from Xiyue that techniques above the Earth-grade were inscribed on jade tokens due to their extraordinary complexity and power.

"Elder, I am not worthy of such a gift," Mu Feng said, kneeling respectfully.

The elder chuckled weakly. "Your respect alone makes you worthy. I have no need for it in the afterlife. Take it, young one. Our meeting is fated."

As the elder coughed up more blood, Mu Feng quickly moved closer.

"Come here, Feng'er," the elder said softly.

When Mu Feng approached, the elder pressed a hand to his abdomen, channeling his remaining energy into Mu Feng's dantian. A surge of purple lightning coursed into Mu Feng's body, condensing into a small lightning seed within his core.

"Ah!" Mu Feng cried out as searing pain spread through him. The elder removed his hand as Mu Feng gasped for breath, feeling the foreign energy settle within him.

"I've given you a lightning seed. It will help you cultivate the Thunderous Eight-Step Art. If you ever reach the Core Formation Stage, seek out a place called the Thunder Pool. There, you will find another inheritance I've left behind."

The elder's voice grew faint. "My name is Liu Qianye. The one who injured me is my adoptive son, Liu Qing. He betrayed me for this technique. If you grow strong enough, avenge me by taking his life."

With those final words, Liu Qianye's head fell to the side, his breath ceasing.

A Final Promise

"Elder Liu! Elder Liu!" Mu Feng cried out, shaking the lifeless body. Seeing the elder's passing, a wave of sorrow washed over him.

Kneeling before Liu Qianye's body, Mu Feng kowtowed three times. "Elder Liu, I swear to avenge you one day. You entrusted me with your technique and called me your disciple. I will bury you with the honor befitting a teacher."

"Haha, you are truly a good child," a faint voice echoed as Liu Qianye's spirit emerged from his body, gazing fondly at Mu Feng.

"Teacher, may you rest in peace," Mu Feng said, bowing deeply.

The elder's spirit smiled. "A century of cultivation ends in dust. To meet a worthy successor at the end of my journey… it's a blessing. Farewell, my disciple."

With a faint laugh, Liu Qianye's spirit dissolved into the heavens, leaving behind a lingering sense of tranquility.

A Precious Inheritance

After collecting Liu Qianye's spatial ring, Mu Feng sat cross-legged beside the body. He pricked his finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the jade token. His consciousness was immediately pulled into the jade.

Within his mind, scenes of a figure mastering the Thunderous Eight-Step Art unfolded. The figure channeled heavenly lightning, their movements producing deafening roars as they unleashed unparalleled power.

Information flooded Mu Feng's mind. The technique, a top-tier Earth-grade martial art, allowed the user to draw upon heavenly lightning to amplify their power up to ninefold. When mastered, its destructive force rivaled Heaven-grade techniques.

Mu Feng withdrew from the jade, his eyes shimmering with awe.

"Thunderous Eight-Step Art…" he whispered, his voice filled with gratitude and determination. Turning to Liu Qianye's remains, he bowed once more. "Thank you, Teacher."

As he activated his spiritual sense to explore the spatial ring, Mu Feng's eyes widened in shock. "This… what a treasure trove!"