Chapter 573: Riding the Wind, Summoning Lightning

Chapter 573: Riding the Wind, Summoning Lightning

February 5th, 2025

Su Chen paid no heed to his surroundings as his mind was entirely focused on the first page of the ancient book before him.

Riding the wind, controlling clouds, dispelling rain, and summoning lightning.

Each of these abilities was awe-inspiring and would shock anyone who heard of them.

How could a martial artist's power harness the forces of nature?

If Su Chen hadn't experienced it himself and overheard related information, he would have found it hard to believe.

In a moment of concentration, Su Chen once again attempted to practice.

Against the wind, sudden rain fell, and the blade's edge revealed its chilling coldness.

Under the moonlight, the long knife flickered with a cold, silvery light.

But in an instant, surging thunderous energy seemed to coil around the blade's edge.

The long knife in Su Chen's hand instantly gained the ability to summon lightning.

Terrifying lightning crackled and hissed, making the knife feel unfamiliar in that moment.

With each swing of the knife, lightning energy coiled around it, accompanying its every move.

Su Chen didn't know how long he had been practicing.

But the already dark night seemed to grow even darker.

After enduring two nights of darkness, the sky finally brightened.

Su Chen looked around at the bright surroundings, but his thoughts lingered on the darkness, still uncertain about its nature.

He didn't understand what kind of technique this was.

Without delving deeper, Su Chen focused his thoughts on exploring the first page.

He had only touched the edge of the first page, which covered wind, rain, thunder, and clouds.

The art of riding the wind significantly enhanced his physical agility, making him feel almost brand new.

With the support of this wind-riding technique, his progress in the 'Ling She Chanyan Gong' and 'Xingyun Step' was astonishing.

It was as if he had gained an additional powerful blessing from Tianming.

The art of summoning lightning was even more impressive.

The lightning serpent coiled around the blade, and at the moment of blade contact, it could even bite into the opponent.

This was the first time Su Chen had encountered such a technique.

The power of the lightning serpent even injured Su Chen several times.

This formidable pressure would give him a significant advantage in combat.

Even among the top martial artists, Su Chen had never seen anyone with such a skill.

For the next period, Su Chen stayed nearby, meditating and practicing this ancient technique.

He had studied countless cultivation techniques, even those prepared for the Gui Yuan realm, which he had glimpsed from Qi Ruoshuang.

The ancient book before him was genuinely challenging to comprehend.

To cultivate and improve with this technique, it was more accurate to say that it was leading him in his cultivation rather than him comprehending it.

When he read it, it pulled him into an illusion, guiding him through visions.

At this moment, Su Chen decided to rely on his own understanding to delve deeper.

Activating his Tianming Scholar, Su Chen was ready to test his luck.

Even if he couldn't comprehend it himself, the Tianming Scholar could bring him enlightenment, and there would be some gains.

Su Chen didn't want to be entirely guided by the ancient book; he wanted to take the initiative.

The Tianming Scholar's power was indeed formidable. After several hours of meditation, Su Chen had gained almost nothing, but even so, he eventually received a moment of enlightenment.

The essence of this ancient book was to harness external forces for one's benefit.

This concept was somewhat contrary to the principles of martial arts cultivation.

The foundation of martial arts cultivation always lies within oneself.

All problems originate from one's own physique and mental state.

However, this ancient book aimed to harness the power of nature and external objects.

Its fundamental principle didn't rely on Su Chen himself.

The enlightenment he gained through the Tianming Scholar was a realization of this concept.

This enlightenment seemed ordinary, but it resolved his most substantial doubts.

Why was this ancient book so challenging to comprehend?

The core reason was his different understanding of it.

Even with the guidance of the ancient book, it was challenging for Su Chen to grasp its essence through martial arts cultivation.

Now, with a change in perspective, he wouldn't be at a loss anymore.

For the next half month, Su Chen stayed in that place.

His thoughts were entirely focused on the ancient book.

In half a month, he achieved minor successes in riding the wind and summoning lightning.

However, he couldn't fathom how to cultivate the techniques related to clouds and rain.

Even with the help of the Tianming Scholar, the enlightenment he received didn't seem to be related to these elements.

Nevertheless, the benefits he gained from riding the wind and summoning lightning were already substantial.

These techniques had limited impact on his cultivation realm, but they significantly enhanced his direct strength.

It had been almost two months since he left.

Su Chen felt he had been away for too long.

He was also eagerly awaiting a reply from Qiu Xi Yu, who had invited him to visit the Qiu family again.

Su Chen mentioned this to Qiu Xi Yu in his reply as well.

He hoped that she could provide a time frame, specifying which months would be suitable for his visit.

He wanted to avoid rushing there and wasting time.

Su Chen refocused his mind and returned to Jin Kingdom with the aid of his wind-riding technique, making the journey back feel incredibly effortless.

It was as if he didn't need to exert any effort, as a constant stream of energy supported and propelled him forward.

Upon reaching his courtyard, Su Chen immediately retrieved the letters from the past two months and began reading them.

Among them was a letter from Qiu Xi Yu addressed to him.

The content of the letter contained the very news Su Chen had been anticipating.

Qiu Xi Yu had arranged a time to meet with Qiu Ruo Shuang, and he could discuss any guidance he needed with her.

It was best to prepare his questions in advance, and he could ask Qiu Ruo Shuang all at once.

Qiu Xi Yu had provided a relatively flexible timeframe, allowing for a visit anytime between April and the end of May.

However, if Su Chen wanted to meet with Qiu Ruo Shuang after mid-April, he couldn't go to the Qiu family's territory.

Instead, he would have to go to the northern border of Jin Kingdom, which was currently in a state of unrest.

Even if there was a brief period of stability, it would only last a few months before new troubles emerged.

This trip was intended for him to rearrange the formation in that area.

Therefore, Qiu Xi Yu would also accompany him on this journey.

Reading this, Su Chen mentally calculated the timing.

He could make the trip.

It had been a long time since he last saw Qiu Ruo Shuang.

She had made significant progress in the past two years, and his own improvement was also notable.

Moreover, he had encountered numerous challenges within Jingbo Xianren's secret realm.

Su Chen had long wanted to have a thorough discussion with Qiu Ruo Shuang and hear her thoughts on these matters.

In addition, Su Chen already had an image of Qiu Ruo Shuang's expression in his mind.

He wondered how surprised she would be when she learned that he had come through Qiu Xi Yu's introduction.

She would probably be startled. With these thoughts in mind, Su Chen decided not to reply to the letter but instead prepared to head north.

The letter must have arrived some time ago.

Today was already the beginning of May, and if he wanted to go, he could only visit the northern border of Jin Kingdom.

He would go directly to their camp.

After some consideration, Su Chen didn't hesitate much and prepared for the journey.

Wuluan Mansion, on the other hand, was likely engulfed in chaos once again.

They had set up numerous defense formations specifically to deter attacks from martial artists, but how long had these preparations been in place?

It had only been a couple of months since the situation stabilized, and now the formations were compromised.

The anxiety and worry within their hearts were probably more intense than ever before.

This is how people are; when their beliefs are shattered time and again, they become more desperate.

Wuluan Mansion had finally achieved stability, and from top to bottom, everyone believed that the interior of the mountain villa was secure.

But Su Chen's words had shattered their sense of security, a cruel blow to their hearts.

Su Chen had carefully considered his next steps.

It might be better for him to disappear for a while.

He wanted the people of Wuluan Mansion to experience a sense of unfounded fear.

Danger could strike at any moment, yet it never seemed to arrive.

The Hua Jing Perfect Realm martial artists of Wuluan Mansion would have to remain in a state of high-intensity defense.

Su Chen wanted the people of Wuluan Mansion to live in constant fear and anxiety.

During this time, Su Chen didn't plan to take any more risks.

He would wait and observe.

Wuluan Mansion would undoubtedly devote significant energy to defending against him during this period.

Acting on impulse could easily land him in trouble.

Wuluan Mansion was a major sect with numerous Hua Jing Perfect Realm martial artists under its command.

There were nearly seven martial artists at the peak of the Hua Jing Perfect Realm.

If Su Chen were to be surrounded and pressured by so many top-tier experts, his life might genuinely be at stake.

After careful consideration, Su Chen felt that going directly to the north during this time was the right decision.

Having made up his mind, Su Chen sent a letter to Tian Gang City to inform them of his safety.

Then, he headed straight for the northern border of Jin Kingdom.

In recent years, the northern region of Jin Kingdom had become increasingly dangerous.

The disturbances caused by Youwu were more frequent than ever.

Speculations about the situation in the wilderness were also on the rise.

However, regardless of the speculations, the major powers of Jin Kingdom would have to invest and expend even more resources to resolve these challenges.

Su Chen understood why Qiu Ruo Shuang had to return to the border so soon after her last trip.

The previous time she left the border, it was because the border region required her assistance.

It seemed that the dangers and troubles at the border persisted.

As a top-tier martial artist, Qiu Ruo Shuang was needed immediately after her return.

Su Chen didn't stop to rest.

He rented a horse-drawn carriage and continued his journey, planning to rest inside the carriage if necessary.

After stepping into the Hua Jing realm, his control over his body had indeed improved significantly.

Su Chen felt that his stamina and recovery speed had greatly increased compared to before.

The biggest change this time was his newfound understanding of the Riding the Wind technique.

Sitting in the carriage, he could manipulate the gentle breeze to help push the carriage forward.

After traveling for a while, even the coachman couldn't help but marvel.

He exclaimed that his horse was running exceptionally well today.

Usually, after running halfway, the two horses would start to tire.

They would have to take a break and feed the horses some hay before continuing to the next post station.

But today, the carriage was moving much faster than usual.

The key was that the horses didn't seem tired at all, and they reached the next post station in one go.

In fact, this was because Su Chen was using the Riding the Wind technique.

With the gentle breeze helping to push, the horses naturally felt less fatigued.

Su Chen's mastery of the Riding the Wind technique had indeed become more proficient, and he was using it with increasing ease.

The applications of Riding the Wind and Summoning Lightning were becoming more and more diverse.

The ancient book left by Jingbo Xianren contained teachings that were no longer just cultivation techniques.

After gaining several insights through the Xueshi, Su Chen's understanding of the ancient book had deepened significantly.

The teachings in the book were, more accurately, techniques.

Riding the Wind and Summoning Lightning were methods similar to array deployment and mechanisms.

They were not meant to enhance a cultivator's strength directly.

After understanding this, Su Chen's mindset changed completely, and his progress in studying these techniques accelerated significantly.

He no longer limited the use of Riding the Wind and Summoning Lightning to himself but found more diverse applications for these techniques.

Su Chen traveled by carriage for about four days.

This four-day journey was roughly equivalent to six days of walking in the past.

During this journey, the coachman repeatedly exclaimed in awe about his horse.

He praised it as a rare Qianlima with a Heijin Constitution, a treasure horse that could travel a hundred li without tiring and only needed a brief rest after a thousand li.

Su Chen felt that the coachman was so impressed with his horse that he might want to worship it.

In the Jin Kingdom, many officials and nobles were passionate about horse racing.

The coachman seemed to believe that his horse could compete in such races.

Midway through the journey, the coachman tried to ask Su Chen for more money.

He repeatedly boasted about how fast his horse was.

A fast horse should earn more money than a slow one.

However, he must have noticed that Su Chen was a cultivator, so he ultimately held back from asking for more.

The coachman was in high spirits throughout the journey, feeling like he was about to strike it rich.

He was so happy that he didn't even notice that Su Chen hadn't given him extra money.

Su Chen had traveled about seventy percent of the distance by carriage and decided to walk the rest of the way, which would be faster.

The coachman was also pleased.

After completing Su Chen's journey, he planned to enter his horse in a race.

Checking the time, he realized he still had plenty of time.

It was still early compared to the deadline Qiu Xi Yu had given him.

Su Chen had arrived at a place called Xieyun City.

It was still some distance from the frontlines, but according to the rules, they couldn't rush in without permission.

The area between Xieyun City and the frontline defense was known as the buffer zone.

Anyone entering this area needed to report in advance; otherwise, there was a high risk of friendly fire.

This area was constantly patrolled by cultivators.

If they encountered anything suspicious, they would immediately take action without hesitation.

They wouldn't waste time identifying the target before attacking.

If it was a Youwu, they might not even be able to harm it, and they could potentially get injured themselves.

Su Chen also followed the rules when going to the frontlines to find someone.

He waited for a response or an escort from the frontlines before proceeding.

Otherwise, sudden noises in the rear of the frontline formations could startle people.

Su Chen naturally abided by these rules.

Each rule was likely established due to a costly lesson learned.

Su Chen wrote a letter in Xieyun City and asked someone to deliver it to Qiu Xi Yu.

He would wait in Xieyun City for the time being.

The distance from Xieyun City to the frontline formations was only half a day's journey at full speed.

At a slower pace, it would take about a day.

The distance wasn't far at all.

This also indicated how tense the situation was at the frontline defense.

The Youwu were only half a day's distance from the border city.

The level of danger was self-evident.

Su Chen stayed at an inn, waiting calmly.

The situation at the frontlines was complex, and even if Qiu Xi Yu received the letter, she might not be able to return immediately.

It was already a relief that she could spare the time to reply.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end