Chapter 402: Summoning Art, Palm Heart Thunder!

Chapter 402: Summoning Art, Palm Heart Thunder!



After lunch, at the Bai residence.

"Brother Jiang!" Bai Luoyu was overjoyed to see Jiang Ning's arrival.

"Brother Bai, I have some news regarding the matter you entrusted me with this morning!" Jiang Ning got straight to the point.

Upon hearing this, Bai Luoyu's eyes lit up.

The task assigned to him had been troubling him for over half a month, and he had made no progress.

That morning, after seeing Jiang Ning's Heaven Eye, he had asked for his help.

The Heaven Eye could observe the Nine Yu Qingming, perceive all things in heaven and earth, and discern both visible and invisible objects.

Ordinary people could not see various energies, but they were all exposed under the Heaven Eye.

That was why he had sought Jiang Ning's assistance.

He wanted to obtain some clues with the help of Jiang Ning's Heaven Eye.

"Brother Jiang, what have you found?" Bai Luoyu asked eagerly.

Jiang Ning replied, "Have you heard of the Sanyuan Taoist Temple?"

"Sanyuan Taoist Temple?" Bai Luoyu muttered, his eyes revealing a thoughtful expression.

Suddenly, a divine light flashed in his eyes.

"I remember now, it's a ruined Taoist temple!"

"Over a hundred years ago, Sanyuan Taoist Temple was quite famous. It enshrined the Heaven Yuan, Earth Yuan, and Human Yuan, the three Yuan statues. The temple master was skilled in divination and could predict good and evil fortune. It was a place of thriving incense offerings!"

"But now, due to the incompetence of later generations, the Sanyuan Taoist Temple has fallen into ruin."

As he spoke, Bai Luoyu turned to Jiang Ning.

"Brother Jiang, are you saying that the Sanyuan Taoist Temple is the source of the anomaly detected by the Jiandian Si?"

Jiang Ning replied, "After I recovered my strength, I used the Heaven Eye and saw surging energy above the Sanyuan Taoist Temple, which was unusual."

"Then I saw an altar in the temple with a Yellow Robe Daoist worshipping at the Rain God's altar, dispersing the clouds and rain."

Hearing these words, a look of realization flashed in Bai Luoyu's eyes.

"I understand now!"

"No wonder I felt the weather changing this morning, as if it was about to rain, but then it suddenly cleared up. It turns out someone was performing a ritual."

Jiang Ning nodded in agreement.

Then, Bai Luoyu turned to Jiang Ning.

He cupped his hands and said, "Brother Jiang, please lead the way later. If we succeed, we will split the merit equally. What do you think?"

"In that case, I cannot refuse!" Jiang Ning smiled and added, "It's just that I currently need some resources for my cultivation."

"But..." Jiang Ning spoke up again.

"What is it?" Bai Luoyu asked, puzzled.

Jiang Ning explained, "The Yellow Robe Daoist I saw has already attained the Divine Muscle and Jade Body."

"Divine Muscle and Jade Body?" Bai Luoyu's eyebrows furrowed.

He knew that the Divine Muscle and Jade Body referred to a Fourth Rank cultivator.

A Fourth Rank cultivator skilled in Taoist arts was not someone he could handle.

After a moment of thought, Bai Luoyu looked up at Jiang Ning.

"Brother Jiang, please wait a moment. I'll contact Magistrate Su and ask for her assistance!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning hesitated for a moment.

He knew that the Magistrate Su Bai Luoyu mentioned was Su Zhi.

She was also ranked Fourth Rank.

If Su Zhi were to help, she would naturally claim a portion of the merit.

But after only a moment of hesitation, he decided not to dwell on it.

After all, it was an easy opportunity for a reward.

He nodded and said, "Alright!"

Bai Luoyu assured him, "Brother Jiang, rest assured. If that person is indeed the one the Jiandian Si is looking for, you will still get half the merit. After all, the main credit for finding this person goes to you, and you deserve the primary merit!"

"As for the other half of the merit, I can split it equally with Magistrate Su, or I can make some concessions."

Hearing Bai Luoyu's words, the hesitation in Jiang Ning's heart completely dissipated.

He smiled and said, "No need! If Magistrate Su agrees to join, we can split it three ways, which is fair and reasonable."

"Brother Jiang, you are so generous!" Bai Luoyu continued, "I won't say more. I will remember this."

In less than half an hour, a white shadow flashed by.

Su Zhi quietly appeared in front of the two of them.

She was dressed in white martial attire, holding a sword, and its scabbard was silver.

"Magistrate Su!"

"Magistrate Su!"

"There's no need for such formalities, both of you," Su Zhi said calmly.

She turned to Bai Luoyu, "White Magistrate, lead the way!"

"It's not me leading the way, but Brother Jiang!" Bai Luoyu smiled and continued, "The credit for finding that villain belongs to Brother Jiang."

Hearing this, Su Zhi looked at Jiang Ning in surprise.

Then, she remained silent and said no more.

After a moment, the three of them left.

Bai Luoyu was dressed in martial attire, with a carefree demeanor, and he carried no weapons.

Jiang Ning didn't find this strange.

Bai Luoyu was of the same kind as himself, possessing an immortal root and spiritual insight.

Therefore, he could also use the Sumeru Ring, an ancient storage item.

Moreover, Bai Luoyu's wealth far surpassed his own.

As far as Jiang Ning knew, the Sumeru Ring used by Bai Luoyu was far more precious than his own.

Its storage space was also much larger.

As for Su Zhi, she held a long sword and wore white martial attire.

Although she was of a certain age, having reached the Fourth Rank, she had attained the Divine Muscle and Jade Body.

Her physical abilities were on a completely different level from ordinary women.

The man appeared to be in his early thirties.

Along the way, Jiang Ning led the way, with Bai Luoyu and Su Zhi following closely behind.

"Brother Jiang, your movement technique is extraordinary!" Bai Luoyu, walking behind, whispered, her voice reaching Jiang Ning's ears.

Then she added, "Observing its form, swift as the wind and quick as thunder, could this be the Gale Thunder Step?"

"Good eye, Brother Bai!" Jiang Ning's figure remained unchanged, still swift as the wind, as he swiftly glided over the rooftops. "This movement technique of mine is indeed the Gale Thunder Step!"

Hearing the conversation, Su Zhi didn't interrupt, but she couldn't help but glance at Jiang Ning with a hint of surprise.

As one of the deputy magistrates of Dongling Jun, she had extensive knowledge.

Naturally, she was familiar with the Gale Thunder Step movement technique.

She also knew that this high-tier movement technique was extremely difficult to master, let alone reach the level of Jiang Ning, who had returned to the essence of nature, achieving a level of perfection.

"This talent is truly frightening!" She recalled that Jiang Ning hadn't spent much time in the Martial Arts Academy, and she couldn't help but marvel silently.

As they conversed, the three of them soon entered the mountain forest.

Ancient trees with intertwining roots and tall bushes towered over their heads.

However, this didn't hinder their movement.

Any one of these three individuals would be considered a true powerhouse within Dongling Jun.

Especially Su Zhi and Jiang Ning, both of whom had reached the Fourth Grade.

Their figures moved swiftly, like phantoms gliding through the forest, disappearing into the depths of the jungle in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Ning also controlled his speed along the way to prevent going too fast.

The high-tier movement technique, at the Breaking the Limit level, could reach several times the current speed when at full speed.

A moment later.

Jiang Ning, Bai Luoyu, and Su Zhi's figures appeared on a cliff.

Below them stood a dilapidated Taoist temple, overgrown with weeds.

A damaged wooden door lay in the courtyard, waterlogged and decayed.

Through the opening above the main hall, they could see a divine statue that had already collapsed in the hall.

It was clear that this temple had no incense offerings and was not maintained.

But at this moment.

In the center of the courtyard, there was an obviously carefully arranged altar.

On the altar were incense, candles, talismans, and scriptures.

There was also a divine altar set up, the Rain God's altar.

Bai Luoyu's gaze swept across the temple.

"Brother Jiang, where is the Yellow Robe Daoist you mentioned?"

Jiang Ning pointed to the location of the main hall.

Even without opening his ability, he could hear the deep breathing coming from the hall below, thanks to his heightened senses.

With each breath, the sound lingered.

It was clear that the cultivator inside had achieved a high level of inner strength, at least a Fifth Grade cultivator.

How could a small temple like this have a Fifth Grade cultivator and a Fourth Grade one?

Therefore, Jiang Ning naturally knew that the powerful cultivator in the temple must be the Yellow Robe Daoist.

"I'll go and meet him!" Bai Luoyu said.

"Patrol Commander Bai, if what you said earlier is true, and the Daoist who can manipulate the heavenly phenomena is indeed a Fourth Grade cultivator, then he must have walked the path of the ancient times, possessing dual paths. It's still not advisable for you to take the risk yourself!" Su Zhi spoke slowly.

"I know! That's why I specifically invited Magistrate Su!" Bai Luoyu smiled, then his expression turned serious, "But I want to see for myself how big the gap between me and a Fourth Grade cultivator is!"

Seeing Bai Luoyu's earnest expression, Su Zhi nodded slowly, "Alright!"

Then she added, "If you're no match for him, retreat quickly, and I'll support you right away!"

"In that case, thank you, Magistrate Su!" Bai Luoyu bowed.

He then raised his hand, and a seemingly agile longsword appeared in his hand.

"Magistrate Su, I'll leave my safety in your hands!" Bai Luoyu said.

He also knew that he was no match for the Daoist.

As Jiang Ning had said.

That Daoist had reached the Fourth Grade and possessed the strength of a divine body.

In terms of martial arts alone, there were only a few people in the entire Dongling City who were qualified to fight him.

Not to mention that the Daoist could manipulate the heavenly phenomena, pray for rain, and was a powerful master in the Taoist community.

He must have cultivated the path of immortality from ancient times.

With dual paths, he was not an ordinary Fourth Grade cultivator.

That's why he had invited Su Zhi.

In the Patrol Bureau, apart from Zhao Yulong, Su Zhi was the strongest.

And Zhao Yulong, he knew that disturbing him at this time was not appropriate.

Subsequently.

Bai Luoyu, holding the longsword, leaped down.

His figure glided through the air and landed in the Sanyuan Taoist Temple in an instant.

At the same time.

Jiang Ning also heard the long breath inside the temple suddenly stop.

Obviously, the Daoist had been disturbed by Bai Luoyu.

The next moment.

Bai Luoyu's figure flashed, and he entered the main hall of the temple.

In less than two breaths.

Boom—

A thunderous boom echoed, fragments of stone flew, and a corner of the hall collapsed.

Bai Luoyu was ejected from the hall like a projectile, spitting blood in the air.

At the same time.

Jiang Ning and Su Zhi saw a figure in yellow robes walking out of the dust and smoke below, taking slow steps in four directions.

In the midst of the scene, a person stood with a sword in one hand and a Taoist seal in the other.

Their body was enveloped by golden light, forming a human-shaped figure that towered at ten feet tall, exuding an aura of majesty with every movement.

"Summoning Art!" Su Zhi's eyes narrowed, her voice heavy with intent.

She then turned to Jiang Ning.

"Commander Jiang, I've heard of your exceptional archery skills. When the time is right, use your archery to assist me. This Taoist's combat strength is terrifying; he can defeat Patrol Commander Bai in an instant. I might not be a match for him!" Su Zhi spoke hastily, not waiting for Jiang Ning's response before leaping into the air and heading towards the Sanyuan Taoist Temple.

"Su Magistrate..." Jiang Ning had barely opened his mouth when he saw Su Zhi had already darted several zhang away.

He couldn't help but shake his head with a bitter smile.

His archery skills were indeed formidable; after all, Feng Lei Archery was a medium-tier martial art, not of low caliber.

Moreover, he had completed the Breaking the Limit three times.

In terms of power, Feng Lei Archery, having broken the limit three times, surpassed ordinary high-tier martial arts.

However, without a suitable bow in hand, even the strongest archery skills were useless.

It was like a skilled cook unable to prepare a meal without rice.

At that very moment, Su Zhi's sword was unsheathed, and her body, like a willow leaf, gently descended in front of Bai Luoyu, standing between him and the Taoist.

"Su Magistrate, Patrol Commander Bai!" The Taoist in the yellow robe laughed coldly and continued, "I underestimated you; I didn't expect you to discover me."

"Enough talk!" Su Zhi's expression turned frosty. "Evil Taoist, surrender, and I'll spare your life."

"Surrender?"

"Hahaha!"

The Taoist in the yellow robe burst into laughter, looking up at the sky.

As he spoke, the Golden Armor General he had summoned also let out a deep laugh.

The sound waves seemed to materialize and spread out.

Flowers bowed, and fragments of rocks fell.

Is this the Summoning Art? Jiang Ning's expression grew grave.

From the Taoist in the yellow robe, he felt an extraordinary sense of oppression.

Instantly, he realized the strength of the Taoist, who had cultivated both martial and spiritual paths.

With the enhancement of his Taoist arts, he far surpassed an ordinary Fourth Rank warrior.

At that moment, Su Zhi's long sword trembled in her hand, and a three-foot-long green light burst from the blade's tip, shattering the floor tiles where the sword pointed.

Then, with a light tap of her toes, the tiles cracked like a spider web, and her body moved like a dragon approaching the Taoist in the yellow robe.

As the sword light flashed, before it even reached its target, the Taoist's peachwood sword slashed down.

With the fall of the sword, a golden armor shadow appeared.

Clang!

The shockwave spread, and a gust of wind swept through the four directions, causing Su Zhi's palm to go numb, and her body was instantly repelled.

"Petty trick!" The Taoist in the yellow robe laughed coldly.

His left hand swiftly manipulated the Taoist seal.

Instantly, the Eight Trigrams appeared in his palm.

Seeing this, Su Zhi's pupils contracted sharply.

"Liho Dao Fa!" The Taoist in the yellow robe shouted.

In an instant, snake-like fire burst forth, emitting a terrifying heat wave.

Su Zhi's vision distorted, becoming unclear.

Su Zhi's expression changed drastically.

Humm!

Her long sword trembled, emitting a clear ringing sound like a dragon's roar.

"Break!"

With a light shout, her True Energy erupted.

The dazzling sword light was blinding.

The moment the sword light clashed with the fire, the entire Taoist temple lit up as bright as day.

The fire raged, and the sword light shone brilliantly.

Su Zhi retreated repeatedly, her hair curling from the scorching heat.

After the clash.

The Taoist in the yellow robe stood calmly, while Su Zhi had retreated to Bai Luoyu's front, her expression growing even more grave.

Was this the strength of one who cultivated both paths? Jiang Ning's expression turned solemn.

At this moment, the Taoist in the yellow robe displayed combat strength that was obviously far superior to a Fourth Rank warrior.

Su Zhi struggled to catch her breath under the pressure.

It was evident that even Su Zhi, a top-tier Fourth Rank warrior, was no match for the Taoist in the yellow robe.

Inside the Sanyuan Taoist Temple.

The Taoist in the yellow robe continued advancing with the Four Directions Step.

"You two are not enough; we need Zhao Yulong!"

His left hand changed the Taoist seal, dispersing the Eight Trigrams and revealing leaping thunder.

"What a pity! You're too arrogant!"

Palm Heart Thunder!

Seeing this, Su Zhi felt an even more troublesome sensation in her heart.

Palm Heart Thunder was a high-tier Taoist art within the Taoist arts.

Only those who had enlightened the Three Souls and Seven Spirits and could see their own spirit could master such a powerful and pure Yang Taoist art.

Thunder represented the wrath of heaven.

At this moment, Bai Luoyu's pupils reflected the leaping thunder.

He had never seen Palm Heart Thunder before, and this was his first encounter with it.

Within the leaping thunder, dragon-textured lightning moved about.

He hadn't expected that, to ensure nothing went wrong, he had summoned Su Zhi even though he knew Jiang Ning had reached the Fourth Rank.

He was worried that even with Jiang Ning's assistance, they might not be a match for a veteran Fourth Rank warrior.

Moreover, this Fourth Rank warrior could manipulate heavenly phenomena, clearly a powerful cultivator who had cultivated both paths.

So, he was willing to share the credit to ensure nothing went awry.

But unexpectedly, something did go wrong.

Even Su Zhi, a top-tier Fourth Rank warrior, was no match for the Taoist in the yellow robes.

The only option now was to retreat first! This would also disrupt the Taoist's plans!

These thoughts flashed through Bai Luoyu's mind.

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(End of Chapter)

Chapter end