Chapter 722 - 669: Revisiting the Thunder Marsh

Chapter 722: Chapter 669: Revisiting the Thunder Marsh

The snow-covered peaks resembled an immortal realm, with highland meadows dotted with herds of cattle and sheep.

Jiang Yuebai came out from the Vajra Platform and saw Yun Shang hiding behind a gold statue, secretly observing the monks coming and going.

"Shang," Jiang Yuebai walked over.

Yun Shang stepped out from behind the gold statue, "Was it successful?"

Jiang Yuebai pursed her lips and thought for a moment before saying, "It was... relatively smooth. Buddha Venerable Wochen has been closing off for the Life and Death Gate. The host of the Vajra Platform meant that they are Buddhist disciples and do not wish to participate in the Earth Spiritual Realm’s disputes. However, if martial monks from the Vajra Platform wish to attend the Fuyao Immortal Conference, they will not be stopped."

Yun Shang nodded slowly, "Did you get the Spirit Stone?"

"The Vajra Platform is not directly involved in this matter on the surface, but if their martial monks participate, it does indicate a stance. Although we can’t get the lion’s share, their monks must pay the registration fee, which is better than nothing."

"That’s good. Where to next?"

"We’ll detour through the Thunder Marsh, have a look at the Prajna Temple, and then head to Iron Feather Country to find Shen Huaxi."

"Okay!"

The Vajra Platform was surrounded by vast grasslands, sparsely populated, and not much for entertainment. The two rode the Cloud-Breaking Charge south, reaching the border of the Thunder Marsh in just a few days.

The Thunder Marsh was still shrouded in low black clouds and rolling thunder, revealing a gray-black barren land, devoid of vegetation.

"Lieque, back to your homeland~"

Jiang Yuebai released Lieque from the Lotus Platform Small World, and as soon as Lieque landed, it first crouched warily, scanning the surroundings with a hint of confusion. Then, sensing the abundant thunder elemental power in the air, along with a familiar feeling it couldn’t describe, it became excited.

"Go on, go play."

Lieque, filled with curiosity and exploration, rushed into the Thunder Marsh, chasing after the falling lightning bolts.

Jiang Yuebai didn’t release Jixiang and the others to scour the land, mainly considering that the resources of the Earth Spiritual Realm were not as rich as the Upper Realm, and the cultivators there weren’t as free, only able to leave after reaching the Divinity Transformation Stage.

So she resisted the urge to scour the land and left more resources for the Earth Spiritual Realm cultivators.

After all, the resources in the Thunder Marsh were not essential for her at this point.

Jiang Yuebai used to wonder why the Nine Great Star Alliances must restrict the Earth Spiritual Realm cultivators to the Divinity Transformation Stage before letting them out. After thinking it over, she realized that where there are people, there is vitality, and it can create endless potential.

Otherwise, once the Earth Spiritual Realm is fully opened, the cultivators there, once they gain the ability, would all choose to leave. By then, the Earth Spiritual Realm would become a desolate place.

It’s like Ao Juan, who was pursued and intercepted by various forces in the North Sea for hundreds of years, and under such pressure, constantly pushed towards the Dragon Gate, eventually transforming into a Winged Dragon.

If it were allowed to escape, it would have long disappeared for survival, and without pressure, the matter of transforming into a dragon might not have succeeded.

"Lieque was born in Huaxi Valley, and this is its first time in the Thunder Marsh."

Yun Shang said beside her as she also pulled out a Spiritual Beast Bag from her waist.

"Lingye, go play too."

A Thunder Beast larger and stronger than Lieque was released by Yun Shang. Its body was dazzling with silver lightning, looking fierce and intimidating, with cultivation that had reached the Late-Stage Golden Core.

"Not bad, Shang, your Thunder Beast looks way stronger than mine." Jiang Yuebai praised without reservation.

Yun Shang shyly said, "It’s not as exquisite as your Lieque, which was raised on Water Thunder and Jian Palace Thunder since it was young. Lingye is just somewhat stronger than ordinary Thunder Beasts."

Mentioning this, Jiang Yuebai suddenly recalled that in the depths of the Thunder Marsh, there were frequent appearances of Water Thunder and Jian Palace Thunder.

"Let’s go, I’ll take you to the depths of the Thunder Marsh."

They hurried all the way, with Lieque and Lingye following closely on either side.

Thunder continued to fall from the clouds, and every time, Lieque would keenly jump up to catch the lightning with its mouth, extraordinarily lively.

Compared to it, Lingye was exceptionally steady, like a loyal guard, with a serious face, staying by Yun Shang’s side, vigilantly scanning the surroundings for any possible dangers.

Several times, when other Thunder Beasts appeared nearby, they were driven away by Lingye’s intimidation.

"Shang, why are your spiritual beasts so well-behaved and self-disciplined, while mine are so mischievous? Always scheming and fighting with me? I teach them using your method!"

The wind and thunder whistled past, and the scenery retraced quickly. Jiang Yuebai saw Lieque jump up to catch the lightning, only to be knocked over by a strong bolt, rolling several times before jumping up to bark at the sky angrily.

Jiang Yuebai covered her face, hardly able to look. It was clearly a Beast, but at that moment, it seemed more like a dog.

Yun Shang covered her mouth and laughed quietly, "The beast reflects the owner’s nature. This means your ’teaching by example’ is excellent!"

Jiang Yuebai chuckled, "You’ve even learned to tease me now."

At this moment, the two suddenly sensed a strange aura ahead and stopped, stepping back.

"Lieque, Lingye, come back."

Upon Yun Shang’s call, Lingye instantly returned to her side, while Lieque glanced at her, then seeing Jiang Yuebai hadn’t spoken, huffed and charged forward.

"Lieque!"

"It’s fine."

Lieque stepped into a trap, suddenly six golden talismanic lights burst from the black sandy ground, forming a cage in mid-air, both suppressing Lieque’s lightning and shrinking to seal it.

Jiang Yuebai’s eyes flickered, "Why does this look like the runes I used for making the Five Elements Thunder Pearl?"

Standing in the trap, faced with the encroaching golden talismans, Lieque sneered, its body exploding with black and white lightning, sweeping in all directions.

The golden talismans were instantly pulverized by the thunderlight, powerless to resist.

A tunneling light burst from the storm, revealing a late-stage Golden Core male cultivator, wearing a Beast Spirit Sect badge.

The man was initially furious, but upon recognizing the two, his face lit up upon seeing Yun Shang.

"Master Bailin!"

The man’s eyes were intense, making Yun Shang somewhat uneasy, leaning towards Jiang Yuebai.

"I didn’t mean to destroy your trap, just passing through."

The man quickly waved his hand, "No worries, no worries. This trap to capture Thunder Beasts was indeed created by Master Bailin; I was simply showing off. I wonder if Master Bailin has any suggestions on improvements."

"It’s quite... good..."

Jiang Yuebai, completely ignored, saw Yun Shang almost hiding behind her, quickly said to the man, "We have things to do and must depart first. Enjoy your playtime."

With that, she led Lieque and Lingye, dragging Yun Shang along, and vanished.

"Master Bailin, when will you visit the Beast Spirit Sect again—"

The man shouted warmly from behind, while Yun Shang, blushing, ran even faster than Jiang Yuebai.

Jiang Yuebai thought Yun Shang had grown less timid over the years, having just teased her earlier, but unexpectedly she was still the same.

"Insect species are naturally jumpy, and I have that Insect Gu, which affects me somewhat," Yun Shang explained.

"You invented that trap to catch Thunder Beasts, Yun Shang, you’re amazing!" Jiang Yuebai continued to praise.

Yun Shang smiled shyly, "It’s not that great. I was inspired by the Five Elements Thunder Pearl you gave me. I thought, if an incorporeal Thunder Beast couldn’t be caught, maybe it could be like thunder elemental power, captured using a sealing thunder pearl, so during the days with Ge Yuchan in the Thunder Marsh, I kept trying..."

"By the way, is your Daoist Name ’Bailin’?"

Yun Shang nodded, "Yes, my master, True Monarch Cang Huo, gave it to me, wishing I’d be as vocal as the lark, also meaning the ability to command all larks, to always succeed."

Jiang Yuebai laughed, "True Monarch Cang Huo is quite talented at names~"

The two chatted and walked, with Jiang Yuebai protecting on the side. No matter how many thunders came in the Thunder Marsh, they weren’t enough for her to consume, posing no threat.

In less than three days, they reached the deepest part of the Thunder Marsh, rarely trodden by anyone.