Chapter 2014: 引雷桩和五雷诛妖大阵

A streak of purple light vanished into the purple lightning, followed by a painful shriek.

Upon hearing this, Deng Yunbo and the others' expressions changed dramatically. They were about to rush to provide support when a commanding male voice suddenly rang out, "Have you disregarded my words? Do not approach!"

As soon as the voice fell silent, a dazzling golden light flared within the lightning, which then flickered wildly before dissipating, revealing Deng Tianxin's figure.

Deng Tianxin's face was slightly pale, and there was a finger-sized bloody hole on his left chest, from which a scorched smell emanated.

"I admit defeat," Deng Tianxin said. "Fellow Daoist Wang, there's no need to hide anymore. Please show yourself!"

Deng Tianxin said with a frown, acknowledging that lightning cultivators were truly terrifying and offered no opportunity for direct confrontation.

The thunderclouds churned violently, revealing Wang Mengbin's figure.

He was surrounded by countless silver electric arcs, like a god of thunder, exuding a powerful sense of oppression.

Wang Mengbin cupped his fists and said, "I accept your concession, Fellow Daoist Deng. I hope you will keep your promise."

Deng Tianxin was filled with resentment. Despite his reluctance, he couldn't do anything to Wang Mengbin and could only admit defeat.

He took out a blue porcelain bottle and tossed it to Wang Mengbin.

"Let's go, let's head back!"

Deng Tianxin waved his sleeve, transformed into a streak of golden light that broke through the air, and quickly vanished into the horizon.

Deng Yunbo and the others were startled and quickly followed after him. The group dejectedly departed the area.

Wang Mengbin made a hand seal, and the thunderclouds churned violently, then suddenly dispersed and disappeared.

Zhong Yangming was immediately overjoyed and flew over, bowing respectfully.

"Thank you, Senior Wang, for your assistance. Our Zhong family is eternally grateful."

Zhong Yangming said earnestly that if Wang Mengbin had not intervened, today might have been the day of the Zhong family's annihilation.

"Let's discuss it after Fairy Zhong completes her lightning tribulation," Wang Mengbin said. "I hope she successfully advances to the Spirit Transformation stage."

Wang Mengbin looked at the distant thunderclouds, his gaze solemn.

A rumbling sound of thunder rang out, as a thick bolt of lightning tore through the sky, striking the golden light barrier.

Zhong Yangming repeatedly affirmed, his expression agitated.

"I have something to ask you. Come with me."

Wang Mengbin instructed, transforming into a streak of silver light that streaked across the sky, landing on a small hill, not far from the Zhong family compound.

Zhong Yangming quickly followed, landing in front of Wang Mengbin, his expression tense.

"Where in the Azure Sphere Realm is the lightning energy most abundant? Are there any places with special types of lightning?"

Wang Mengbin got straight to the point. It was not easy to refine other types of lightning energy. He currently only controlled the True Purple Firmament Lightning, and the power of his divine abilities was greatly related to the types of lightning energy he mastered.

"The place with the most lightning energy?" Zhong Yangming mused. "The Myriad Beasts Mountain Range has the most, but the fifth-tier Golden-Winged Eagles occupy it. Approaching rashly would invite attacks from demonic birds."

Zhong Yangming said with a frown.

"Besides the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, are there any other places?" Wang Mengbin pressed. "Forget about Fallen Immortal Valley. Some forbidden areas would also work, or even formations that can guide heavenly lightning."

Wang Mengbin pressed, his voice heavy.

Zhong Yangming frowned deeply, a pensive look on his face. He couldn't immediately recall any such places, as he wasn't a lightning cultivator and didn't pay much attention to areas with abundant lightning energy.

"Never mind," Wang Mengbin said understandingly. "Let's wait until Fairy Zhong finishes her lightning tribulation."

Zhong Yangming let out a sigh of relief and thanked him repeatedly.

After the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, accompanied by a deafening clap of thunder, the thunderclouds churned violently, transforming into a silver lightning eagle over ten zhang in size, which swooped down from high altitude at an extremely fast speed.

Zhong Yangming's face tightened, full of worry.

After a tremendous boom, a dazzling silver sun suddenly lit up, extremely eye-catching.

After a while, the silver sun dispersed. Zhong Yangming apologized briefly and quickly transformed into a streak of light, breaking through the air, while Wang Mengbin remained where he was.

Soon after, a streak of light flew out from the Zhong family's main residence, flashing and landing in front of Wang Mengbin. It was Zhong Yunxiu.

Her face was pale, looking as if her vital energy was greatly depleted. Judging by her aura, she had indeed advanced to the Spirit Transformation stage.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Wang, for your assistance. I am extremely grateful."

Zhong Yunxiu bowed gracefully, expressing her gratitude.

"It was nothing more than a small effort, no need to mention it," Wang Mengbin replied. "Congratulations, Fairy Zhong, on advancing to the Spirit Transformation stage. By the way, have you managed to contact your Zhong family ancestor in the Spirit Realm?"

Wang Mengbin asked about the important matter. Besides asking the Zhong family to help him find places with abundant lightning energy, he also wanted to use the Zhong family's influence to ascend to the Spirit Realm.

His arrival in the Azure Sphere Realm was purely coincidental; returning would not be easy.

Even if he returned, it wouldn't affect the overall situation much, as his clan already had two Spirit Transformation cultivators.

Wang Mengbin was completely unaware of his clan's current situation, since when he went missing, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan were still in the Eastern Wisteria Realm.

"We haven't been able to contact them," Zhong Yunxiu replied. "Our Zhong family ancestor might genuinely be in trouble; otherwise, the Deng family wouldn't have dared to invade."

Zhong Yunxiu shook her head, her face filled with regret.

She originally didn't want to tell the truth, but to cover it up, she would have to fabricate another lie, and too many lies would eventually be exposed.

If Wang Mengbin hadn't intervened, the Zhong family might have been annihilated. After much consideration, Zhong Yunxiu decided to tell the truth.

The most important point was that the Deng family had figured out that the Zhong family no longer had any backing in the Spirit Realm, which was why they had dared to attack their home.

Wang Mengbin was somewhat disappointed. He had originally hoped to use the Zhong family's influence to ascend to the Spirit Realm, but it seemed that was no longer an option.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, please rest assured," Zhong Yunxiu said. "We will send people to help you search for places with abundant lightning energy. If you have any other needs, we will do our best to fulfill them."

Zhong Yunxiu's tone was sincere. She suddenly thought of something and hesitated to speak.

"Fairy Zhong, please speak your mind," Wang Mengbin prompted.

Wang Mengbin waved his hand.

"I heard that the Deng family possesses a treasure called the 'Lightning Guiding Stake'," Zhong Yunxiu began. "It's said to be forged from the Lightning Guiding Orb found within a fifth-tier Lightning Turtle Beast and can guide heavenly lightning. The Deng family uses it to cultivate body refiners. Furthermore, the Azure Cloud Palace has a 'Five Thunder Demon Slaying Formation', rumored to be crafted from five-thousand-year-old Golden Lightning Wood, and it possesses immense power."

Zhong Yunxiu narrated slowly. Her words carried a clear implication of wanting to use others to achieve her goals, which was why she had been reluctant to speak.

Wang Mengbin frowned. He didn't want to form a deadly feud with the Deng family. As for the Azure Cloud Palace, there was even less to say: Liu Hongji, the Grand Elder of Azure Cloud Palace, was a mid-Spirit Transformation stage cultivator and one of the top experts in the Azure Sphere Realm.

"The Azure Sphere Realm is vast," Zhong Yunxiu continued. "Besides the Lightning Guiding Stake and the Five Thunder Demon Slaying Formation, there might be other treasures that can guide heavenly lightning. I will send people to keep an eye out for them on your behalf. Fellow Daoist Wang, you've had a long journey. If you don't mind, why not stay at our Zhong family? Whatever cultivation resources you need, just say the word; I will send people to collect them for you."

Zhong Yunxiu said earnestly. She had just advanced to the Spirit Transformation stage and needed time to recuperate. With Wang Mengbin overseeing the Zhong family, it would be as stable as Mount Tai.

"Then I shall impose," Wang Mengbin replied. "And my two friends would also like to stay at your Zhong family's residence."

Wang Mengbin agreed. He had already been considering it.

"You are most welcome," Zhong Yunxiu said, making a gesture of invitation. "Fellow Daoist Wang, please."

Wang Mengbin nodded and followed Zhong Yunxiu towards the Zhong family compound. Zhong Yangming would contact Cheng Zhenyu and Zheng Nan to invite them to stay at the Zhong family compound as well.