by Translator: Pokka; Author: 我本纯洁 (I Am Pure); Licensed From: Migu
At some point, Money found that he was starting to have a hard time withstanding the lightning blasts around him. He had no choice but to attempt an advancement and reach the eighth stage before doing anything else. His advancement created quite a scene, attracting the attention of many cultivators in the area.
One of them was a woman who cultivated lightning power. She was the cultivator nearest Money, and her eyes were filled with excitement as she muttered, "What a fine lightning snake. A mount is precisely what this young lady is missing. I'll need to subdue that snake!"
Then, she ignored all the lightning around her and dashed toward Money. She was a second-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator, moving at an astonishingly fast speed. When she arrived near Money, he had just finished withdrawing his demonic core into his body. The first thing she did was stomp his head with her foot.
Bang!
Money was slammed into the ground before he even realized what was going on.
"Submit or die!" shouted the woman coldly.
She then took out a polearm and stabbed it at Money. The polearm was an emperor weapon. If struck, Money would definitely be injured. Sensing danger, his demonic aura erupted as his serpentine body started twisting and thrashing, trying to throw the woman away.
Money's combat prowess was decent, but he was still rather lacking when compared with this woman. He was able to avoid the first stab but failed to avoid the second. It landed, causing him to wail in pain.
"Vile woman, release me, or my boss won't spare you!" roared Money.
A look of astonishment covered the woman's face as she said, "You already have an owner? What a pity."
"What are you waiting for? Release me!" said Money as he continued thrashing about.
The woman thought for a bit before saying, "Your master is most certainly a lightning cultivator as well. Take me to him. I'm in need of a helper, so I guess it's his lucky day."
One ought to admit that she was quite an ambitious woman.
Money pondered for a bit and said, "Ok. Release me, and I'll take you to my boss."
The woman reduced her suppression on Money and said coldly, "I don't think you have the guts to mess with me anyway."
But those words had barely left her mouth when Money instantly reduced in size to a snake the size of an arm before shooting off toward the Purple Lightning Pool. The woman was dumbfounded. She had not expected the snake to be so crafty or that he could change his size and escape before she could react.
As Money fled, he even left the threat, "Stinky woman, just you wait until I'm done. I'll teach you a real nice lesson."
Like a fish, he swam amid the lightning bolts before diving into the Purple Lightning Pool.
The woman wanted to give chase, but when she sensed the terrifying lightning power ahead of her, she stamped her foot on the ground and shouted, "Don't let me see you again, or I will chop you into pieces!"
An ethereal voice rang out behind her, "Are you capable of that?"
A figure then strode out amid the thick lightning bolts.
"Who are you?" asked the woman.
"That's not important. What's important is that you have harmed my brother. I'm afraid I will need to avenge him," said Xiang Shaoyun coldly.
Xiang Shaoyun had noticed Money's advancement almost immediately. Hence, he had rushed over as well. Surprisingly, Money had caught the attention of yet another person, and she had even injured him. Her actions caused Xiang Shaoyun to be infuriated.
"You're Xiang Shaoyun?" asked the woman when she got a good look at his face.
"So you know me? Things will be much simpler, then. Give me an explanation, and I can let this slide. Don't force me to make a move on you," answered Xiang Shaoyun.
"Hehe, others might fear you, but not me, Xiao Ting!" said the woman with a laugh.
Although she had average looks, when she laughed, her bountiful curves jiggled, exuding endless allure.
"Seems like you're forcing my hand," said Xiang Shaoyun, stepping forward.
"Bring it on. You're really quite handsome, so I should probably turn you into a servant who worships the ground I walk on," said the woman while licking her lips, her eyes shining.
Chapter 624: The Fearsome Purple Lightning Pool
Xiao Ting was a powerful cultivator within the top 300 of the Jiao Luan List. It was also rumored that she was related to Xiao Xie, one of the freaks in the Dragon Phoenix List's top 10. Of course, nobody could verify the rumor.
As for Xiao Ting herself, her ranking was proof of her combat prowess and the reason for her to show no fear toward Xiang Shaoyun. Furthermore, Xiang Shaoyun's handsomeness triggered amorous feelings within her, making her decide to make him submit.
Xiang Shaoyun couldn't be bothered to waste more words on her. He immediately erupted with strength, sending his presence crashing down on her. His soul, which was at the level of a Sovereign's, further bolstered his presence, instantly causing Xiao Ting to suffocate from the pressure.
Xiang Shaoyun stepped forward one step at a time, his presence surging in power. Xiao Ting did not wait and attacked before Xiang Shaoyun's presence could reach the peak of its might.
"Trying to suppress me with your presence? You're still not qualified for that," roared Xiao Ting as she erupted with her strength as a peak second-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator. Her polearm, rippling with lightning, shot toward Xiang Shaoyun's throat like a bolt of lightning.
Fully displaying the characteristic of a lightning cultivator, she sent numerous lightning bolts surging forward the moment she took action, attacking Xiang Shaoyun like a bunch of destructive lightning snakes. However, Xiang Shaoyun wasn't even bothered to avoid the attack. He formed a fist and threw it right toward Xiao Ting.
As the fist shot forward, over 100 bolts of lightning converged around them, as if a thunderstorm had formed. The sight caused Xiao Ting's face to pale. She could similarly summon natural lightning bolts to do her bidding, but she was incapable of summoning so many at once like Xiang Shaoyun. His punch was at least twice the destructiveness of her attack.
Fortunately for her, she had a higher cultivation level. Thus, she clenched her teeth and decided to proceed with her attack.
Rumble! Rumble!
Lightning crashed into lightning, instantly creating a firework of lightning as the collisions made a mess of their immediate surroundings. Xiao Ting was sent flying. She did not dare to continue the fight, so she made use of the momentum and fled. Xiang Shaoyun already had the upper hand in terms of presence. If she continued forcing the fight, she wouldn't be able to gain any sort of advantage.
"You're leaving already? No, you need to learn your lesson first," said Xiang Shaoyun coldly as he bolted toward her like a bolt of lightning.
Overlord's Nine Nether Steps!
He aimed his step at Xiao Ting's back, converged powerful lightning in his foot, and sent a stomping attack toward her back. She had not imagined that Xiang Shaoyun's attack would come so fast. Even when she was trying to flee without fighting back, the stomp still sent her stumbling down from the sky.
Bang!
She crashed into the ground, sending dust and stones flying everywhere, leaving a human-shaped hole in the ground. It was obvious Xiang Shaoyun wasn't holding back just because he was fighting a woman. He was really venting out on behalf of Money.
Instead of pressing on with more attacks, he said, "You stepped on Money once. Now I return it. As for the stab you gave him, I'll let him repay it personally."
He then left and headed toward the Purple Lightning Pool.
As for Xiao Ting, she struggled back on her feet and glared at Xiang Shaoyun's back, shouting, "Xiang Shaoyun, I won't spare you!"
It had been a very long time since she had suffered such humiliation. Thus, what Xiang Shaoyun just did to her caused her to bear a grudge.
Meanwhile, Money had arrived beside the pool. The lightning bolts by the pool were extremely concentrated and dreadful. He couldn't find an open
ing he could slip through. In fact, the lightning bolts still badly wounded him even after he reduced his size. He was having a hard time advancing, and if he continued to stay, he would definitely die.
But he couldn't accept just leaving like this. He opened his mouth and swallowed the lightning around him continuously. His sole horn started exuding an odd power as he charged toward the pool. The power his horn was exuding was a mixture of silver lightning power and an unknown power, protecting him from the destruction of the ambient lightning power around him.
Nobody knew what Money was trying to do. He continued pushing forth without regard to his injuries, pushing his horn again and again. Before long, he was dying. Cracks started appearing on his demonic core, signifying that he was in very bad shape.
Xiang Shaoyun, who was farther away, couldn't even get to where Money was. It was already hard enough for him to reach this far. The heavy armor was helping him block out most of the lightning power. If he relied on his own flesh alone, he wouldn't be able to withstand all the lightning around him.
Money is getting too rash! He actually came all the way here by himself? Xiang Shaoyun grumbled inwardly.
He had no way of advancing and was forced to stop where he was and absorb as much lightning energy as he could to build a stockpile within him so he could use it during his future breakthrough.
But he had barely sat down when he sensed a dreadful undulation of lightning power erupting ahead of him. Terrifying lightning bolts rained down again and again while waves of lightning power rippled toward him. The ground was shaking, and it was as if the end of the world was coming.
Startled, Xiang Shaoyun immediately started running at his top speed without wasting a single second. Terrifying sounds of explosions rumbled without end, the sound alone almost causing him to lose consciousness.
After running for an unknown amount of time, he finally stopped when the lightning power immediately behind him no longer seemed so terrifying. He turned around and saw a screen of lightning completely covering the space ahead of him. It was an overwhelming scene to witness.
"Shit! Things do not look good for Money!" Xiang Shaoyun cried out in alarm.
But at this point, he really couldn't think of anything he could do. What he saw before him was something scary enough to kill even a Sovereign. The only thing he could do now was to pray for Money's safety.
Instead of leaving, Xiang Shaoyun sat down and continued cultivating as he waited, hoping that Money would remain safe. Just like that, he spent a month in wait. When his lightning star and lightning bone were fully stuffed with lightning energy, he finally considered leaving.
In truth, he could attempt his advancement right here before continuing to absorb more. After all, the pure lightning energy in the unique zone was extremely rare and very beneficial to him. But his plan was to balance all nine of his powers before breaking through.
Looking at the receding lightning power, he went near the pool again and started calling out for Money, but he received no reply. He sighed and could only leave. Suddenly, a change occurred at the Purple Lightning Pool.
Chapter 625: The Rise of Money
Before Xiang Shaoyun could leave, a violent wave of lightning surged out of the Purple Lightning Pool. Startled, he madly dashed away. However, this wave did not seem as scary as the previous eruption, and it seemed much weaker in comparison.
Suddenly, a voice rang out, "Boss, it's me!"
Xiang Shaoyun turned back and saw a massive coiled lightning snake hovering in the air. It was none other than Money.
Money's body had turned even longer than before, his silver scales were now mixed with purple, and his massive head looked even scarier than before. His single horn was also more conspicuous, with lightning constantly swirling around it. Apart from that, his physical appearance had changed slightly. Two limbs had grown from his belly, making him look rather peculiar.
Xiang Shaoyun exclaimed in shock, "Money, are you transforming into a dragon?"
In his memories, only those who had transformed into a dragon would possess draconic limbs. A regular snake or jiao wouldn't have them. Money withdrew his aura, causing the lightning around him to weaken as he replied, "I am a draconic snake. With the growth of my strength, my dragon blood has awakened, causing this change in appearance. Boss, don't I look mighty and formidable right now?"
As he said that, he started waving his limbs around, showing off cheerily.
"Haha, yes, yes, formidable indeed," said Xiang Shaoyun with a happy laugh.
He had been worried that something bad had happened to Money. Now that Money was fine, his mood improved. That was especially so when he learned that Money had grown in strength. It seemed like he had benefited greatly from coming here.
"Boss, I have a gift for you," said Money as he spat something out of his mouth.
The moment that item appeared, it gave rise to a purple aura that caused the ambient lightning energy in their surroundings to increase in purity. Studying the item in his hand, Xiang Shaoyun's pupils constricted.
"T-this is a legendary saint lightning crystal!" Xiang Shaoyun exclaimed in alarm. The moment he said that, numerous powerful auras erupted and started heading toward him.
"Shit!" Xiang Shaoyun cursed when he realized what was happening. He quickly stored the crystal in his astral cosmos sea.
"Where is the saint lightning crystal?" asked a person who had just arrived.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Xiang Shaoyun acted dumb. He was confident in himself, but he still preferred not to attract too much trouble.
"Hmph. I clearly sensed an undulation of lightning energy with high purity here earlier, and you even screamed 'saint lightning crystal'. Stop lying." The person then threatened, "Hand over the saint lightning crystal or—"
Xiang Shaoyun attacked before the person could finish.
Pa! Pa!
Xiang Shaoyun landed two heavy slaps on the person's face, leaving two clear marks on both sides of his face.
"Say that again if you have the guts," said Xiang Shaoyun imposingly. He had thought that the little fame he had gained in the academy would serve as some kind of deterrence, but there were still so many people willing to provoke him.
The person couldn't even see how Xiang Shaoyun had attacked. The burning pain on his face gave him a realization that he had probably challenged someone he was not a match for.
"Y-you got me! I admit defeat!" he barked as he quickly fled.
Xiang Shaoyun then glanced at the other new arrivals and said, "You want the saint lightning crystal, right? Bring it on. Take it from me."
"I know you! You're the nine-star physique guy, Xiang Shaoyun," said one of them.
"So what? Do you have the guts to attack me?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.
"I might fear you anywhere else, but here, in this space of lightning, I have a chance against you in a fight," said the person confidently.
"Boss, how about you let me deal with him," said Money.
"Can you do it?" Xiang Shaoyun asked doubtfully.
"I'm a male, so of course I can do it!" replied Money confidently as he transformed back into his human form. He then shouted at the person, "Come, be my practice target!"
"Xiang Shaoyun, you dare view me with such contempt? Fine, let me kill your mount first," said the person as he swung his saber at Money.
He had a mid-grade seven-star physique and cultivated only the power of lightning. As he attacked, lightning power converged around him and then shot forward along with the swing of his saber.
Money smiled and stepped forth, transforming into a bolt of lightning that pierced through his opponent's attack. When he arrived near the person, he spun around and whipped his leg at the person's weak point.
One had to admit that after sticking with Xiang Shaoyun for so long, even Money's fighting habits had started to change to a style that was similar to his. The kick struck the person's right shoulder, causing his saber to almost fly from his hand. As Money m
oved to attack a second time, the person shifted his stance and summoned more lightning bolts, attempting to subdue Money with brute force.
Unfortunately for him, Money was already immune to the lightning energy in the unique zone. He ignored the lightning bolts and threw repeated punches at his opponent. The strength Money was displaying was no longer at the level of a Demon King. Rather, he had reached the second stage of the Demon Emperor Realm. He erupted with remarkable combat prowess.
Inwardly, Xiang Shaoyun gasped in alarm, How has Money advanced so much? What treasure did he obtain in the pool?
One ought to know that when they had entered, Money was only a seventh-stage Demon King. Subsequently, he had advanced to the eighth stage, but it hadn't even been a month since then, and he was already a second-stage Demon Emperor. It was an inconceivable speed of growth.
Money's opponent was completely helpless and was ultimately forced to flee covered in wounds.. If Xiang Shaoyun hadn't restrained Money, he probably wouldn't have stopped until the person was dead.
"All of you. Come together. I need a good practice session!" said Money toward the others that were still around. Strands of lightning energy swirled around his horn as he summoned and rained down lightning bolts on them.
His actions terrified them, and they started fleeing with all their strength. It would seem Money's rise had begun!
With a look of satisfaction, Xiang Shaoyun said, "Looks like you have benefited a lot. You will have no problem standing on your own from here on out."
"Hehe, I found a lightning pearl inside the pool. That's the reason for my abrupt growth," said Money with a somewhat bashful smile.
Xiang Shaoyun's face twitched as he found himself filled with envy at his words.
Chapter 626: Vicious Steel Mist
The so-called lightning pearl was some sort of crystallized lightning essence, similar to Xiang Shaoyun's Yun Flame and yin devil wind. The Purple Lightning Pool was filled with extremely powerful lightning energy that even Soul Foundation Realm cultivators could use to cultivate. It also proved that the lightning power in the space was at the Sovereign level.