Chapter 1944: Observing Thunder in the Palm

The Taiyi Thunderous Power Talisman remained dormant until it moved, then it shook heaven and earth!

The halo above Qin Sang's head burst forth with light, as if an unending torrent of lightning was unleashed from within. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged, and streaks of lightning materialized in the void, transforming the desolate area into a land of thunderous power. Lightning permeated everything, above and below, all aimed directly at Qingyuan.

Qingyuan appeared to be immersed in a cauldron of boiling thunderous energy.

“Boom!”

From within the thunderous energy, even more brilliant bolts of lightning erupted.

While the Taiyi Thunderous Power Talisman shared its origin with the Taiyi Thunder Drill Talisman, it wasn't merely an upgrade. The power of the talisman manifested not as a few thunder drills, but as eight thunder dragons! The silver-white thunder dragons frantically absorbed the surrounding lightning, expanding rapidly, and in an instant, grew incredibly massive and formidable. Their tails touched the sky while their heads hung low, resembling divine dragons descended from heaven. Their roars resonated as thunder.

Qingyuan was surrounded by the thunder dragons. Compared to the colossal thunder dragons, Qingyuan appeared minuscule, and there were eight of them!

“CRACK!”

Accompanied by a deafening clap of thunder, the eight thunder dragons swayed their heads and tails, fiercely lunging at Qingyuan.

This attack was immensely powerful because Qin Sang acted without restraint, fully manipulating the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and transforming it into thunder. Life-and-death battles between Refinement Void cultivators involved a struggle for spiritual energy, yet they dared not be completely reckless. More spiritual energy isn't always better; if it can't be meticulously controlled, it becomes a liability in the eyes of an equally skilled opponent. If the opponent seizes an opportunity or even usurps control, the Daoist art will crumble. Had both sides been cautious enough, a full-scale battle might not have generated such a powerful display.

However, since the agreement with Qingyuan was a contest of Daoist arts, there was naturally no need to worry about such limitations. The two had already joined forces to seal off the area, ensuring that no matter how great the commotion, it wouldn't extend beyond.

The thunder dragons converged into one.

Where Qingyuan stood, only a blinding ball of lightning was visible; his body was completely consumed by the thunder. Only Qin Sang could 'see' the scene within, peering through the intense lightning. From the moment the Taiyi Thunderous Power Talisman erupted, Qingyuan remained motionless, maintaining a hand-seal posture, suspended three zhang above the ground. He appeared to cast no Daoist art, yet Qin Sang knew the secret lay within his hand seals.

“This is…”

Qin Sang's gaze sharpened, and he immediately understood.

It was, in fact, a talisman! A spiritual talisman, its form refined to the utmost. Though Qingyuan lacked a talisman altar for storing seals, he could activate talismans effortlessly.

Talisman against talisman! This demonstrated Qingyuan's astonishing mastery in the art of talismans!

Lightning engulfed him. Qingyuan's palms glowed with a shimmering blue light. Then, the sound of surging waves filled the air around him as a vast river materialized from the void, swiftly condensing into four water mirrors that enveloped Qingyuan.

“Thud! Thud! Thud!”

The lightning struck the water mirrors, as if impacting a yielding water membrane. The thunder was utterly powerful and rigid. The water mirrors' surface was incredibly pliant, yielding repeatedly, yet capable of overcoming hardness with softness, forming an exceptionally sturdy barrier. Crackling sounds and frantic flashes of lightning enveloped Qingyuan, but no matter how furious the lightning attack, it failed to breach the water mirrors and harm him.

The Taiyi Thunderous Power Talisman alone clearly couldn't repel Qingyuan, a fact Qin Sang had already anticipated. As the thunder dragons launched their attack, he silently recited an incantation, unleashing another talisman. This talisman was also a third-tier thunder talisman, named the Bloody Smoke Broken Rainbow Talisman, and it surpassed the Taiyi Thunderous Power Talisman. Qin Sang hadn't fully comprehended this talisman yet and hadn't managed to condense a divine talisman mark, so its activation wasn't as swift as the Taiyi Thunderous Power Talisman. However, with the aid of the talisman altar, even without a divine talisman mark, Qin Sang's talisman casting speed was unparalleled.

Just as the thunder dragons' power was waning, the Bloody Smoke Broken Rainbow Talisman was already primed.

Suddenly, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth stirred restlessly once more. Dark clouds filled the sky, and the heavens grew somber. This gloom lasted only a fleeting moment before fiery light illuminated the void.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...”

From the dark clouds descended not rain, but torrents of raging flames. Fire rained from the sky! Innumerable meteors plunged from the sky. This scene seemed familiar; the Flowing Gold Fire Bell Thunder Summoning also produced similar phenomena.

The Bloody Smoke Broken Rainbow Talisman summoned boundless thunderous fire, but instead of plummeting to the ground, the fire converged in mid-air, forming a thunder-fire rainbow. The fiery rainbow tore through the air, streaking towards Qingyuan with astonishing power, as if it would pierce the very heavens. It left a trail of billowing black smoke in its wake. The dense black smoke even obscured the fire rainbow's true form. Had this area not been sealed, the people of Jinxian County would have only witnessed the sky-obscuring black smoke and the initial segment of the fiery rainbow. This is precisely how the 'Broken Rainbow' got its name.

In terms of both momentum and power, the Bloody Smoke Broken Rainbow Talisman was superior. The four water mirrors alone wouldn't suffice for defense. Qingyuan joined his fingers like a sword and pointed them towards the sky. A point of profound yellow light gathered between his fingers, exuding a profound and weighty sensation, harboring infinite transformations, then suddenly shot towards the zenith!

Another talisman!

“Whoosh!”

The profound yellow light pierced through the dark clouds. Qin Sang suddenly felt heaven and earth tremble in unison, as if an immense, unparalleled force had impacted the void.

Suddenly, Qingyuan was enveloped by a shadow. A stone tablet, entirely black and less than ten zhang tall, yet incredibly heavy, descended from the sky, piercing through the dark clouds upon its fall. Precisely then, as the fiery rainbow drew near, the stone tablet crashed down upon it.

“Boom!”

The black smoke immediately scattered. Though the fiery rainbow didn't completely disintegrate, its path was blocked by the stone tablet. The entire space seemed to be suppressed by the stone tablet; the thunderous fire behind it couldn't bypass it, only encircle the tablet. More and more thunderous fire gathered around the stone tablet, its tongues of flame frantically licking at the surface. The sky was scorched crimson, yet it couldn't melt the simple stone tablet.

Qin Sang, however, showed no surprise, not even glancing in that direction, and struck again!

“Crack!”

Jade Purity Thunder Summoning Talisman! Accompanying the divine thunder was billowing thunderous fire. The Flowing Gold Fire Bell Thunder Summoning followed closely. At this moment, the thunderous fire summoned by the Bloody Smoke Broken Rainbow Talisman was at its peak. It suddenly surged back, and the two masses of thunderous fire instantly merged. The Bloody Smoke Broken Rainbow Talisman created an ideal environment, allowing the Flowing Gold Fire Bell Thunder Summoning to absorb the thunderous fire's power, boosting its might to a terrifying degree. This was an insight Qin Sang had gained after studying thunder spells: certain thunder talismans with similar properties, when properly combined, could unleash even greater power. The same principle applied to talisman diagrams.

And this wasn't the end. Amidst the sky full of thunderous fire, the Five Thunders Heavenly Heart True Seal Talisman appeared! With three talismans unleashed simultaneously, thunderous power overwhelmed everything!

“Excellent!”

A sharp glint flashed in Qingyuan's eyes. Using his finger as a brush, he sketched in the void, and a rune instantly materialized. The rune's shape was peculiar, possessing a strange divine essence, resembling a flowing stream, or a long banner swaying in a gentle breeze, or perhaps even a wisp of wind itself. The rune flew up automatically, then suddenly dissipated. New runes continuously materialized from Qingyuan's fingertips. Each rune had a distinct form but possessed a similar divine essence. Runes materialized and dissipated in succession, eventually forming a faint outline above, resembling a cyan cloth bag. The cloth bag's mouth was slightly closed. Facing the surging thunder, it suddenly gaped open, unleashing an incredibly powerful suction force.

“Whoosh! Whoosh!”

The naked eye could discern nearly tangible gusts of wind at the bag's opening. It appeared to be a bottomless wind pouch, capable of swallowing anything, including lightning! The power of the three talismans, along with the lightning scattered throughout the void, were all consumed by the wind pouch. In an instant, the chaos between heaven and earth subsided, leaving only the wind pouch, slowly descending before Qingyuan, conspicuously bulging.

Qin Sang stared at the wind pouch in astonishment. This attack, save for the Azure Luan True Thunder, was almost his most potent thunder magic technique. Having personally witnessed the Thunder Ancestor deploy the Five Thunders Heavenly Heart True Seal, he possessed a profound understanding of this talisman. Even a mid-stage Refinement Void cultivator wouldn't dare treat this attack lightly. Yet it was contained by a mere pouch, in an almost comical fashion.

Qin Sang didn't strike again; there was no point in continuing this sparring match.

“Buzz, buzz, buzz...”

The wind pouch writhed erratically, with muffled thumps emanating from within. Qingyuan's eyes were tightly closed, as if he was fully suppressing the internal thunderous power, not as effortless as he appeared. However, Qin Sang soon realized something was amiss.

Qingyuan remained still for about a cup of tea's time, then raised his hand and gently patted the wind pouch. The pouch immediately expelled a ball of lightning. The lightning distorted, emitting fluctuations familiar to Qin Sang.

Jade Purity Thunder Summoning Talisman! Qin Sang's expression subtly shifted. What was astonishing was that Qingyuan had not only unleashed a talisman, but it also faintly carried a trace of the High-Rank Divine Firmament Talisman's aura! Spiritual talismans carry dharma talismans, and dharma talismans are the very foundation of the Talisman lineage! How did Qingyuan do it?

Qin Sang was profoundly shaken, about to speak but stopping himself. He then watched as Qingyuan patted the wind pouch again, and a ball of thunderous fire flew out. As expected, the thunderous fire evolved into the Flowing Gold Fire Bell Thunder Summoning, also bearing the aura of a dharma talisman!

Qingyuan then became still once more. Qin Sang desperately wanted to know the reason, and patiently waited for a full three hours. Qingyuan finally moved, patting the wind pouch again. The remaining thunder returned to the world, materializing directly before Qin Sang as the Five Thunders Heavenly Heart True Seal. Qingyuan's current display of mastery over this talisman was no longer inferior to Qin Sang's. Qin Sang suspected that Qingyuan's inability to fully unleash the Five Thunders Heavenly Heart True Seal Talisman was connected to him, as he himself had not yet fully comprehended it!

Still, the most astounding aspect was the dharma talisman's aura emanating from the thunder talisman. Qingyuan was actually using these three thunder talismans to reverse-engineer the High-Rank Divine Firmament Talisman. Though he hadn't fully deduced it, the feat itself was astonishing enough. After all, the High-Rank Divine Firmament Talisman was one of the three great official talismans, meticulously developed by generations of sages from the Daoist Court, embodying the culmination of countless individuals' efforts!

“Indeed exquisite!” Qingyuan exhaled lightly, praising sincerely.

Qin Sang fell silent; by this point, he felt numb. The person before him might be far stronger than imagined!

“Fellow Daoist... have you cultivated Daoist dharma talismans before?” Qin Sang's voice was strained. He wondered if it was disrespectful to still address the other as 'fellow Daoist'.

Qingyuan nodded slightly. “I've encountered some incomplete talismans, but the renowned orthodox transmission of the Thunder Division—the High-Rank Divine Firmament Talisman—has been lost for so long, and I've never had the chance to see it, which has been a great regret! Today, my long-cherished wish is finally fulfilled.”

Qin Sang fell silent again.

“Unfortunately, Daoist dharma talismans are intrinsically linked to scriptures and rites, and ultimately cannot be fully deduced merely from 'talismans'. Nevertheless, I am thoroughly content to have witnessed the true essence of the Talisman Sect's Thunder Division today. Thank you, Daoist priest.” As Qingyuan spoke, he noticed Qin Sang's expression and, misunderstanding slightly, quickly apologized, “I was momentarily thrilled by the discovery and couldn't resist studying and imitating it. It was an impetuous act; I hope Daoist priest doesn't mind.”

Was this imitation, or was it direct appropriation of techniques? But could such brazen appropriation of techniques exist? To be able to learn another's Daoist art with a single glance—with such a terrifying ability, who would dare to display their Daoist arts before this person?

Qingyuan flicked his finger, and a ray of spiritual light flew towards Qin Sang. “It would be impolite not to reciprocate. Please accept this 'Palm-View Thunder Art,' Daoist priest.”

Qin Sang was initially hesitant, but upon hearing the function of this Daoist art, he immediately reached out and grasped the spiritual light.

“This is not a combat art, but it is quite profound. By employing the 'Palm-View Thunder Art,' all divine thunders, except for tribulation thunder, can be gathered within your grasp and observed with your mind, allowing you to swiftly comprehend the characteristics of thunder…” Qingyuan explained.

Qin Sang could not refuse this Daoist art! When he had just cast the thunder talismans, he had never used the Azure Luan True Thunder. Firstly, he didn't want to reveal his trump card; secondly, he still couldn't fully control the Azure Luan True Thunder. If the power of this 'Palm-View Thunder Art' wasn't exaggerated, it would be of immeasurable value to him. Clearly, Qingyuan had sensed a unique thunderous power hidden within him, identified the core issue, and provided the perfect solution.

Qin Sang clutched the spiritual light, hesitated briefly, then said, “I can activate the power of the talisman altar to create a token for you. Should you find the Myriad Dharma Sect Altar, it would inform them that the Talisman lineage endures in this vast world! However, I cannot guarantee its efficacy, nor whether the Talisman Sect will grant you an audience…”

Qingyuan's strength was unfathomable; he might genuinely be able to locate the Daoist Court. This gesture would not only gain Qingyuan's goodwill but also allow Qin Sang to relay a message through him. The Daoist Court and the First Sword Attendant must still be in contact. If they had already pinpointed the Sword Pavilion's location, they might proactively seek him out to retrieve the Earth-Slaying Sword fragments and cultivation methods.

Qingyuan was naturally delighted. His greatest fear was arduously finding the Myriad Dharma Sect Altar only for the Talisman Sect to refuse to see him. With this token, he would at least have a means of communication.

From his Qianjun Ring, Qin Sang retrieved a piece of spiritual jade. He activated the power of the High-Rank Divine Firmament Talisman, leaving a mark inside the jade and refining it into a special artifact. It would surely be sensed once it was near the Daoist Court.

“Many thanks! Take care, Daoist priest!”

Qingyuan offered a slight bow, then, with no further lingering, he swept his sleeve, walked leisurely as if riding a carriage, and headed south.

Qin Sang watched Qingyuan leave, his feelings complex. His attitude towards Qingyuan was contradictory. Fortunate to have encountered such a powerful being, he should have sought proper guidance. Yet, he held reservations and dared not pester him. He couldn't take the other party's easygoing nature for granted. The low-level cultivators he encountered during his travels likely felt the same way.

Glancing around, Qin Sang mused that Yun Du Tian and Luohun Yuan surely remained unaware that a mysterious powerful being had once passed near their mountain gates.

“What an unconstrained rogue immortal!” Qin Sang couldn't help but exclaim. Of course, he knew well that the prerequisite for all this was Qingyuan's formidable power.

Lost in thought, Qin Sang pondered for a long time. His spiritual sense touched the spiritual light, and a Daoist art immediately imprinted itself upon his mind.

Qin Sang sat down on the spot. A full day and night passed before he slowly awoke. He conjured a streak of light and flew back to Qingyang Temple.