The dust and thunderous aura that lingered over the main peak square of Azure Cloud Sect finally began to dissipate slowly, revealing the devastated scene beneath. The once flat and smooth bluestone ground was covered in crisscrossing cracks, like a broken spider web spreading endlessly, and huge boulders that had been blown apart were scattered everywhere, some even split into fine gravel by the raging thunder force. The ancient pine trees that had stood around the square for thousands of years were broken at the waist, their branches withered, and the cloud-carved pavilions beside them collapsed completely, turning into a pile of ruined wood and stones.
The countless inner and outer disciples of Azure Cloud Sect stood frozen in place, their eyes wide open, their faces filled with unprecedented shock and fear, as if they had seen the most incredible thing in the world. No one dared to make a sound, and the entire square was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop, only the faint sound of the wind blowing through the ruins lingering in the air. All their eyes were fixed on the two figures in the center of the square, their hearts pounding violently in their chests.
Li Qingyun, the peerless genius of Azure Cloud Sect who had dominated the Eastern Wasteland and was favored by all, was half-kneeling on the ground at this moment, his body trembling uncontrollably. His white cloud-embroidered robe was already tattered, covered in scorch marks left by the chaos thunder, and bright red blood oozed from the corner of his mouth, dripping onto the bluestone ground, blooming into dazzling blood flowers. The Azure Cloud Sword in his hand clanged to the ground, its original radiant luster completely dimmed, and the spiritual energy flowing on it was almost cut off, as if it had lost its soul.
He raised his head with great difficulty, his eyes bloodshot, staring fixedly at Chen Lei standing not far away, filled with unwillingness, anger, and a deep sense of powerlessness that he had never felt before. For the first time in his life, the pride that had been carved into his bones was completely shattered, and the pride of being a supreme genius was trampled underfoot. He couldn't accept that he, who had a supreme spiritual root and practiced the top-grade orthodox cultivation technique of the sect, would be defeated so thoroughly by Chen Lei, a discarded outer disciple with a seemingly useless spiritual root who practiced a heretical chaos thunder technique.
"How... how could this happen? Your cultivation technique is clearly an unorthodox evil art, why does it have such terrifying power?" Li Qingyun growled in a hoarse voice, his voice full of despair and confusion. He had practiced diligently since he was a child, consumed countless panacea, and received careful guidance from the sect elders, breaking through to the late Golden Core stage at the age of twenty, a feat that was rare in a thousand years. He had always thought that he was invincible among his peers, and that no one in the entire Eastern Wasteland could compete with him, but today's defeat completely overturned his cognition.
Chen Lei stood quietly in place, the purple chaos thunder lingering around his body gradually retracting into his body, and the violent and oppressive aura on his body slowly calmed down, but the faint thunderous aura lingering around him still made everyone present dare not approach easily. He looked down at Li Qingyun who was half-kneeling on the ground, his eyes calm and deep, without the slightest arrogance or complacency after winning, only calmness and relief after years of suffering finally being rewarded.
"Orthodox or evil art? It's just a superficial definition imposed by the world." Chen Lei spoke slowly, his voice clear and firm, echoing throughout the silent square. "The so-called orthodox cultivation techniques you practice are supported by the sect's massive resources, and you walk a smooth path arranged by others. You have never experienced the pain of being abandoned, never tasted the despair of struggling to survive in the mountains, and never risked your life to comprehend a trace of the great way."
"I was expelled from the sect three years ago, left to die in the cold and dangerous barren mountains. I was chased by wild beasts, poisoned by evil spirits, and suffered from cold and hunger countless times. I almost lost my life more than a hundred times. It was in that desperate situation that I accidentally obtained the inheritance of Chaos Thunder Cultivation, and I walked out of my own path step by step by gnashing my teeth and persisting. Every bit of my strength is exchanged for my blood and life, and every breakthrough is forged through countless hardships."
Chen Lei's words were sonorous and powerful, hitting the hearts of everyone present like a heavy hammer. Many outer disciples who had also been neglected lowered their heads, their eyes reddening. They had experienced the feeling of being ignored and bullied, and they could deeply understand the suffering Chen Lei had endured over the years. The inner disciples who had always been proud of their status also fell silent, and the contempt they had for Chen Lei earlier had long since turned into awe.
At this moment, several powerful auras suddenly surged from the depths of the Azure Cloud Sect. Several figures dressed in elder robes, with white hair and profound cultivation, soared through the air and landed steadily on the main peak square. They were the high-ranking elders of the Azure Cloud Sect, and their cultivation bases were all above the Nascent Soul stage, exuding a powerful and oppressive aura that made all the disciples bow their heads in respect.
When these elders saw Li Qingyun kneeling on the ground in a state of distress, and the devastated square around them, their faces suddenly turned extremely gloomy, and their eyes burst out with sharp light, staring firmly at Chen Lei.
"Bold madman! You, a discarded outer disciple, not only trespassed on the main peak, but also seriously injured the sect's genius, destroyed the sect's buildings, and acted recklessly. You are simply unforgivable!" An elder with a cold face shouted sharply, his voice containing powerful spiritual pressure, pressing towards Chen Lei overwhelmingly.
"Three years ago, we should have completely abolished your cultivation and driven you out of the Eastern Wasteland. We didn't expect you to not only not repent, but also dare to come back to cause trouble. Today, we will take you down personally and punish you severely to warn others!" Another elder also spoke in a cold voice, his eyes filled with killing intent.
These elders had always supported Li Qingyun, regarding him as the future hope of the Azure Cloud Sect. Now that Li Qingyun was defeated and injured by Chen Lei, and the sect's face was completely lost, they naturally hated Chen Lei to the bone and wanted to kill him on the spot.
Faced with the simultaneous pressure of several Nascent Soul stage elders, Chen Lei did not show the slightest fear. The corners of his mouth curled up into a faint smile, and his eyes burst out with a bright purple thunder light. The Chaos Thunder power hidden in his body began to boil again, and the spiritual energy between heaven and earth around him frantically gathered towards him, forming a huge thunder vortex above his head.
"I knew that the so-called Azure Cloud Sect has always been bullying the weak and shielding its own disciples." Chen Lei looked directly at the several elders, his voice clear and without fear. "Li Qingyun bullied me wantonly three years ago, and the sect turned a blind eye. Today, I just defeated him in a fair duel, but you elders want to join hands to deal with me. Is this the so-called orthodoxy and justice of the Azure Cloud Sect?"
"Today, I, Chen Lei, am here. If you want to take action, just come. I have walked through the gate of hell countless times, and I have never feared any battle!"
As soon as Chen Lei's words fell, the thunder vortex above his head roared, and purple thunder snakes danced wildly, exuding a power that could rival the Nascent Soul stage. All the people present were shocked again. No one expected that Chen Lei, who had just experienced a big battle, still had such powerful strength to face the pressure of several Nascent Soul elders.
The faces of the Azure Cloud Sect elders became more and more gloomy. They looked at each other, and a strong killing intent flashed in their eyes. They knew that if Chen Lei was allowed to leave today, the reputation of the Azure Cloud Sect would be completely ruined, and Chen Lei's growth would become a serious problem for the sect in the future. In an instant, several elders simultaneously mobilized their spiritual power and prepared to join hands to suppress Chen Lei.
A life-and-death battle between Chen Lei and the high-level elders of Azure Cloud Sect was about to break out again, and the entire Azure Cloud Sect was once again enveloped in a tense and chilling atmosphere, with the storm coming again