As the fierce battle raged between Ying Kongshi and Charles, Reyalon, the thunderous storm over Leize Mountain continued unabated. Where Ye Jingyu had previously been seated, a colossal cocoon shimmering with seven-colored light had appeared. Waves of lightning pulsed across its surface, electric dragons surging back and forth within the massive shell…

Beneath the great cocoon, the Heavenly Venerable Blade remained thrust into the ground. Yet, the blade, which once radiated a purple glow, now pulsed with the same seven colors. Each ray of light was immeasurably brighter than its former violet hue, capable of shooting forth razor-sharp blade energy even without being actively wielded.

Upon closer inspection, one would notice that the entire body of the Heavenly Venerable Blade had turned transparent. Only the emanating seven-colored radiance obscured its true form. This was because the blade’s body had been tempered by the seven-colored lightning of the storm, seemingly dissolved entirely. Even the blade’s spirit had nearly been annihilated in the tempest. However, having survived this ordeal, not only had the spirit's power grown immensely, but the blade itself had reformed using the supreme materials found within the lightning. Its might and grade had increased by more than double compared to before.

The original Heavenly Venerable Blade was already a paramount treasure, but compared to its current state, the difference was merely that between a common kitchen knife and a legendary artifact.

At this moment, the blade trembled continuously, emitting a low, resonant hum, as if desperately eager to test its newfound strength.

The enormous cocoon of light continued to devour the energy of the storm. Above, the thunderous tempest had begun to gradually dissipate. Except for this single luminous shell, everything else in the vicinity had been flattened by the lightning, scarred with pits and uneven ground, making the surface look more rugged than the moon’s face.

Just then, the Heavenly Venerable Blade seemed to sense something. The entire blade sprang upward, unleashing a monumental beam of light that cleaved through space, striking the colossal cocoon with fierce intensity.

With a deafening crack, the immense light cocoon was cleanly bisected by the blade’s energy, revealing Ye Jingyu within, entirely naked…

Even now, his white hair streamed wildly, and every piece of clothing had been pulverized into dust by the lightning. Even his Qiankun Bracelet had been shattered by the electrical onslaught. His body was completely bare, powerful electric currents constantly coursing over him.

His features remained handsome, yet they possessed a new depth; his skin had taken on a bronze hue, and every muscle was sharply defined, brimming with explosive power. Coupled with the dancing electrical light, he appeared as a god descending to the mortal realm.

Majestic, strong, towering…

Suddenly, he opened his eyes, and twin beams of electricity shot forth. An unparalleled, dominant aura erupted from him…

“Hah!” he bellowed, instantly launching a punch toward a nearby peak. A massive surge of power exploded outward, smashing the mountain—a peak hundreds of feet tall—into dust…

Looking at the power of his single strike, a satisfied smile crossed his face. Having successfully condensed the second Thunder Golden Core, his strength had increased by at least tenfold. Based on the power he just displayed, he possessed the capability to contend even against a Martial God of the Sixth Heaven.

Condensing one Golden Core raised one’s realm by three levels. If he could successfully condense nine Golden Cores, what level would his power reach? Martial Venerable? Or perhaps a being beyond that?

The thought of those legendary figures from ancient lore filled Ye Jingyu with yearning. As the core of thunder solidified, various divine abilities related to thunder power surfaced in his mind, much like he could utilize the divine skills associated with starlight…

“Huanmo, thank you for bringing me here. If I hadn't come to this place, how long would it have taken me to condense the Core of Thunder!” Ye Jingyu said with a smile, gazing at the dispersing thunderclouds above. His hands moved constantly in the air, and the surging lightning obeyed him like docile kittens, flowing toward him, dancing in his palms, moving across his hands. Slowly, these currents gathered and converged, finally manifesting as a suit of armor.

A battle suit forged entirely from pure lightning. It was common knowledge that lightning was the most violent of all powers; to condense it into armor required the skills of legendary Immortals—true Immortals at that. Yet, Ye Jingyu achieved this feat effortlessly, a sight guaranteed to shock anyone who witnessed it.

Of course, this did not imply Ye Jingyu’s strength had reached the Immortal realm. Rather, his mastery over thunder had surpassed ordinary comprehension; after condensing the Thunder Core, lightning had become an extension of his very being.

He looked up at the sky, still a deep purple, devoid of a single star, dashing his hope of borrowing starlight’s power for now.

“Never mind, this will suffice for the moment. Once I return to the mortal realm, I will borrow the power of the stars to refine you further. For now, I shall call you the War Soul Divine Armor!” Ye Jingyu stated calmly. With a wave of his hand, the seven-colored, shimmering armor settled onto his body.

At his thought, the flowing light of the armor quickly faded, soon transforming into a suit of black armor that enveloped his form completely…

“Let’s go!” Ye Jingyu glanced at the Heavenly Venerable Blade hovering in mid-air, a satisfied smile gracing his lips. With a beckoning gesture, he grasped the blade and rushed outward.

Meanwhile, far below Leize Mountain, in the earth cavern where Ye Jingyu had cast them out, Liang Xiaoke lay prone in the pool of Nine Nether Water, rapidly absorbing its power. Her strength skyrocketed at an incredible pace, yet her face contorted in agony, clearly enduring immense pain. Beside her, Gongsun Lu was similarly collapsed, arcs of cyan light flickering from her body, intertwining with the dark blue luminescence…

It seemed unlikely they would awaken anytime soon.

At this very moment, outside Leize Mountain, Ying Kongshi was locked in combat with Charles and the others. Suddenly, a streak of silver sword light flashed through the void, hurtling directly toward Luo Ling’er.

“Hmph, you’ve finally emerged!” Ying Kongshi, having just dodged a staff swing from Reyalon, sneered upon seeing the sword light appear. The spear he was driving toward Charles instantly changed trajectory, shooting directly toward the silver beam. His body, meanwhile, moved with blinding speed toward the area.

Just as Ying Kongshi felt certain he could intercept the sword light, a small girl, no older than ten, materialized before him. A look of pure, innocent amusement lit up her cute face.

Ying Kongshi froze, still processing the sudden appearance of the child, when a brilliant slash of purple blade energy ripped through the empty space…

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