Yan Zhen stepped out onto the balcony without a hint of panic.
According to the script, the Thunder Supreme had come to take him as a disciple.
After all, Yan Zhen had tamed the Wind-Thunder Crystal Fire that even the Thunder Supreme couldn’t conquer. To save face, the old man planned to accept him as a disciple. That way, the mockery of “not even the mighty Thunder Supreme measuring up to some Mystic General Realm kid” would flip to “the Thunder Supreme’s disciple outshining his master.” The old fellow’s little scheme was cleverly calculated.
However, Yan Zhen already had his Beautiful Female Master and had no intention of taking another teacher—no matter how lofty a Supreme powerhouse the other party might be.
In the script, Yan Zhen politely refused the Thunder Supreme’s kind offer. But the supremely prideful and hot-tempered Thunder Supreme ignored his wishes and tried to force the apprenticeship.
At that time, the Beautiful Female Master had exhausted herself helping Yan Zhen refine the Wind-Thunder Crystal Fire and had fallen into a temporary slumber, unable to intervene.
Long Ying, meanwhile, had been zapped to a crisp inside out in the Thunder Pool and lay weakly in bed.
Yan Zhen had been left alone to face the raging Thunder Supreme.
Under the Supreme powerhouse’s overwhelming pressure, Yan Zhen’s self-created Flame Yama Ninefold Transformation advanced further. It even drew on the power of the Fire Refining Starry Sky to hold its own for a while—until the Yu Shizun arrived, and the matter was dropped.
Now, with his Beautiful Female Master in perfect condition and his trump card at the ready, Yan Zhen had nothing to worry about.
Still, the key to this plot segment was clear: the Flame Yama Ninefold Transformation advancing a step, and striking up an unlikely friendship with the Thunder Supreme after their clash.
Later, after Yan Zhen became the Saint Son, he would even cultivate the Sovereign Thunder Method that the old man had created. The two would end up as fast friends despite the age gap.
Yan Zhen looked up. Dark clouds blanketed the sky, lightning flashing and thunder rumbling amid them. Hovering there was a burly old man with a ferocious face and hair standing on end like steel needles. A pair of eyes like copper bells gleamed down at him piercingly.
Though he had deliberately restrained his aura, he couldn’t match the Yu Shizun’s seamless elegance. His presence remained utterly intimidating.
The Thunder Supreme—one of the Jialan Seven Sages with the most seniority, strength enough to rank in the top three. He had long served as the commander of the Demon Slaying Army and commanded immense respect in the Jialan Holy Land.
In battle, he loved to bellow one particular line:
“With thunderbolts… shatter the darkness!”
Yan Zhen pushed off with his toes and rose into the air, coming to a stop before the Thunder Supreme. He cupped his fists and said, “This junior, Yan Zhen, wonders what business brings you here, Senior?”
“You’re Yan Zhen, huh? The one who tamed the Wind-Thunder Crystal Fire?” The Thunder Supreme sized Yan Zhen up and down, his face twisting into the aggrieved scowl of a jilted lover—the man who’d chased a goddess for years only to watch her end up with some no-account loser. “The Wind-Thunder Crystal Fire that this old man has dreamed of day and night… tamed by a green kid like you! Hey, show it to me. Let this old man see if it’s the real deal.”
Yan Zhen grew wary. “Are you… Lord Thunder Supreme, Your Excellency?”
“None other!” The Thunder Supreme straightened proudly, striking a pose. “Relax. This old man is a Supreme powerhouse—he wouldn’t stoop to robbing a junior. Just bring it out.”
Yan Zhen blinked, half-doubting, then flipped open his palm and summoned the Wind-Thunder Crystal Fire.
Purple Lightning crackled into existence first, followed by swirling purple flames—like flowing crystal, pure and dreamlike. Tiny purple particles faintly gathered and dispersed amid the lightning and fire.
The Thunder Supreme’s eyes lit up like headlights.
“So this is the Wind-Thunder Crystal Fire’s true form…”
In a flash, the Thunder Supreme teleported right in front of Yan Zhen for a closer look. Yan Zhen reacted instantly—Starlight flickered, and he retreated a hundred paces with a whoosh.
The Thunder Supreme froze, then flew into a rage.
“You little punk—daring to distrust this old man?”
Yan Zhen coughed twice, gazing at the Thunder Supreme with wide, innocent eyes, as if to say, “I’m just an insecure kid.”
The Thunder Supreme was about to launch into full ranting mode and give this clueless youngster a proper scolding when several figures streaked over from the distance.
Leading them was Elder Yu Yan, followed by a crowd of Inner Academy elders.
Seeing the scene before them, Elder Yu Yan sped up in alarm and landed in front of Yan Zhen, shielding him. The other elders halted behind her.
Elder Yu Yan quickly scanned Yan Zhen and saw he was unharmed. She let out a quiet breath of relief, then turned to the Thunder Supreme with a cheerful smile. “Grandpa Thunder, when did you arrive? Yu Yan failed to greet you properly from afar.”
The Thunder Supreme grumbled, “Big girl from the Yu Family, this old man isn’t here to make trouble. No need for all this—you lot can make yourselves scarce and leave this old man to chat with his future disciple.”
“Future disciple?”
The elders all thought, Just as expected. Yan Zhen tamed the Wind-Thunder Crystal Fire that even the Thunder Supreme couldn’t handle—he’s caught the old man’s eye!
Elder Yu Yan frowned inwardly. She knew full well that Yan Zhen was the Technique Saint Lord’s beloved disciple and wouldn’t take another master.
Given the Thunder Supreme’s extreme concern for face, a public refusal from Yan Zhen would surely enrage him.
“Grandpa Thunder, do you want to take Little Yan Zhen as your disciple?”
“Exactly.” The Thunder Supreme admitted bluntly. “The kid’s got an affinity with this old man—he tamed the Wind-Thunder Crystal Fire, after all. This old man just happens to need a final disciple. He’ll do.”
The Thunder Supreme was advanced in years and would surely treat his closing disciple well. For anyone else, this would be a stroke of immense fortune.
But Yan Zhen was different. He shook his head firmly. “Sorry, Thunder Supreme. I already have a master.”
The Thunder Supreme waved it off carelessly. “Who’s your master? This old man will have a word with him. Such a fine talent can’t be wasted on some mediocrity.”
Yan Zhen’s mouth twitched. He thought, You really dare say that. If the Beautiful Female Master hears you, you’re done for, old Thunder.
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than the pendant tucked in his collar vibrated. It floated out on its own, and his Beautiful Female Master’s cool voice emanated from it:
“You old Thunder tiger—daring to poach This Seat’s disciple?”
Yan Zhen frowned in surprise. Why had his Beautiful Female Master spoken up?
The other elders were equally shocked. Was that voice Yan Zhen’s master? Calling the Thunder Supreme by name so boldly—she must be someone extraordinary.
The named Thunder Supreme shuddered, his eyes widening as he stared at the Glazed Crystal Stone hovering before Yan Zhen, a mix of shock and uncertainty on his face.
That voice—why did it sound so familiar?
She had called him by his true name, so she must know him. But for the moment, he couldn’t place her.
“Who are you? No need to hide—show yourself!”
No sooner had he spoken than spatial ripples spread from the Glazed Crystal Stone, isolating everyone else and leaving only Yan Zhen and the Thunder Supreme. Then, a stunning immortal figure in a black dress and white hair gradually solidified, hovering before Yan Zhen. She gazed at the Thunder Supreme with an expression devoid of joy or sorrow.
Seeing her face, the Thunder Supreme looked as if he’d been struck by lightning himself, his jaw dropping in stunned disbelief.
“Technique Saint Lord? Y-you’re really the Technique Saint Lord?”
“Don’t you even recognize This Seat anymore?” Chen Xi snorted coldly. “It’s been years, your cultivation hasn’t improved much, but your nerve has only grown! Not even the Jialan Fairy would dare call This Seat a mediocrity!”
The Thunder Supreme rubbed his eyes vigorously. Confirming it wasn’t an illusion, his scalp prickled with dread.
“Technique Saint Lord, please hear this old man out.”
