“Boom!”
A deafening thunderclap rang out as two massive thunder swords clashed, erupting in a blinding burst of light. The two thunder swords dissolved into a vast, ocean-like surge of thunderous energy, billowing fiercely in all directions with terrifying shockwaves.
Their strike was evenly matched!
This was somewhat disappointing to onlookers. Lin Xiao’s thunderous power didn’t surpass Lei Kuang’s.
However, considering Lin Xiao’s cultivation was two levels below Lei Kuang’s, many still believed Lin Xiao was more talented.
Lin Xiao, too, was quietly amazed. Lei Kuang’s Thunder Sword Technique, powered by his thunder bloodline, was indeed formidable. Before mastering the third form, Lin Xiao’s first two forms would have been no match for Lei Kuang.
But things had changed. Not only had he tempered his body with heavenly thunder to master the third form of the Thunder Sword Technique, but his cultivation had also reached the first level of Martial King, granting him immense power.
Even so, without using the third form, he could only fight Lei Kuang to a draw.
“Then let’s use you to hone my sword!”
With a low shout, Lin Xiao sprang into action, his longsword slashing repeatedly, sending bolts of thunder and lightning shooting out.
A practitioner of the Thunder Sword Technique was a rare sparring partner, and Lin Xiao wasn’t about to miss this chance.
Lei Kuang, facing him, had the same thought.
“Come at me!” Lei Kuang roared, unwilling to show weakness, and the two clashed in a fierce battle.
Thunder rumbled continuously, dazzling beams of light flared, and vast waves of thunderous energy erupted, sending terrifying shockwaves rippling across the battlefield.
Their fight was intense, a blazing spectacle, lasting a full half-hour.
After half an hour, both unleashed a powerful strike, forcing each other back several metres.
“It’s time to end this,” Lin Xiao said with a faint sigh, his thunderous power surging within him, exuding a terrifying aura.
At these words, Lei Kuang’s face darkened with anger. Lin Xiao’s tone suggested he was about to lose.
“Hmph, don’t think surviving three of my attacks means you can defeat me!”
With a cold snort, Lei Kuang sheathed his sword. Many expected him to draw his thunder hammer, but instead, he pulled out a transparent glove, slipping it onto his hand.
“This is the Thunder God Glove. It not only amplifies my attacks but contains boundless thunder energy. With a single activation, it can multiply my thunder power several times.”
Lei Kuang’s words stunned the crowd. His thunder power was already formidable; multiplied several times, who could withstand it?
Even Lin Xiao, who held a slight edge, might not be able to resist.
Even Xiahou Jing and Gu Xuanyuan’s expressions shifted. So, this was Lei Kuang’s true trump card.
“I had planned to use it against Gu Xuanyuan and Xiahou Jing. But since you’ve stepped up, I’ll test it on you first.”
A cold voice came from Lei Kuang, his confident gaze fixed on Lin Xiao. With a clench of his hand, several bolts of thunder exploded from the glove, radiating outward.
“Moreover, building on the second form of the Thunder Sword Technique, I’ve trained in another thunder technique, the Five Thunder Method. It rivals the power of the third form and far surpasses the second. Let’s see how you counter it!”
A gleeful madness gleamed in Lei Kuang’s eyes. No one could master the third form of the Thunder Sword Technique, nor would anyone try.
Thus, Lin Xiao’s strongest move was merely the second form.
In other words, Lin Xiao had reached a dead end. The second form was his limit.
If Lin Xiao lacked a stronger thunder-based technique, his offensive power would forever be capped at the second form.
“Replacing the third form with another technique? How laughable!”
Lin Xiao scoffed, “The third form is the core of the Thunder Sword Technique. Tempering the body with heavenly thunder creates an unparalleled physique and summons heavenly thunder for devastating attacks. The first two forms are merely its foundation. It’s absurd to abandon the third form for another technique. That’s forsaking the essence for the trivial.”
“Hmph, you think I’m a fool? The first two forms aren’t body-tempering techniques. Trying to summon heavenly thunder to temper the body is suicide. No one could survive it!”
Lei Kuang dismissed Lin Xiao’s words with scorn. Pursuing an unattainable technique and stalling progress was the real folly.
“You lack a substitute for the third form and will forever be stuck at the second. No amount of talk changes that!”
“Now, prepare your strongest attack. I want to see if your thunder power can truly match mine.”
At this, a faint smile curled on Lei Kuang’s lips, his aura surging as terrifying energy radiated from the Thunder God Glove.
“As you wish. But you’re wrong about one thing. The third form isn’t unattainable. I’ve mastered it, and I’ve achieved it.”
With that, Lin Xiao’s aura skyrocketed, his vast thunderous power surging violently. He raised his sword to the sky, his presence overwhelming, shaking the heavens. Before he struck, the sky darkened, and storm clouds gathered.
The clear sky turned tumultuous, with dark clouds rolling in from all directions, plunging the world into darkness as if day had become night.
An immense, terrifying pressure emanated from the roiling black clouds, enveloping the entire arena. Everyone’s hearts trembled, sensing the apocalyptic energy within those clouds.
“With heavenly thunder, I reign supreme!”
Lin Xiao’s long hair whipped in the wind, his aura towering. With a thunderous roar, a deafening clap of thunder exploded from the clouds. A torrent of heavenly thunder poured from the sky, surging into his sword and flooding his body.
“What? Drawing heavenly thunder into the body? That’s… the third form? How is this possible?”
In that moment, Lei Kuang’s expression changed, his shock absolute. Someone had actually mastered the third form?
Not just Lei Kuang—everyone present was stunned. Heavenly thunder was one of the most terrifying forces of nature, far surpassing the thunder arrays of the Saint Yuan Academy. A single touch could obliterate anyone.
To draw it into the body without being destroyed, and to wield it, was utterly astonishing.
“The third form!” Even Xiahou Lan and others leapt from their seats.
Baili He also stood abruptly. He had suspected as much in the fourth-level thunder array, and now, witnessing Lin Xiao channel heavenly thunder, he was thrilled.
In truth, it wasn’t just them. In the void, an elderly figure had appeared, unnoticed amidst the dazzling thunder. All eyes were on Lin Xiao, and no one paid the old man any mind.
“Thunder Third Form, Thunder Judgment!”
With a booming shout, Lin Xiao swung his sword downward. A cataclysmic thunderclap erupted, and a torrent of heavenly thunder surged forward like a raging river, engulfing everything in its path.
