Chapter Four: The Mark of Thunder and Lightning

Although Yang Xiao’s behavior was somewhat unnatural, He Ming simply assumed it was a sign of his recent recovery from illness and did not give it much thought. He continued to show deep concern for Yang Xiao.

“Senior brother, I’d like to rest alone for a while. I’m not sure why, but I’m feeling a bit dizzy again,” Yang Xiao said, pressing a hand to his forehead. He wanted some time to himself to sort out all that had happened. Seeing that He Ming was in no hurry to leave, Yang Xiao had to gently hint at his wish for privacy.

“In that case, rest well, junior brother. I’ll come visit you again tomorrow,” He Ming said, finally rising to take his leave.

“Thank you for your trouble, senior brother.” Yang Xiao replied politely.

Once He Ming left, Yang Xiao went over the recent events in his mind once more. There were still many mysteries from his previous life, and now, having been reborn, there were also many challenges yet to face.

After considering his cultivation plans, Yang Xiao suddenly remembered that at the end of his previous life, a mass of lightning had entered his body. Now, in the quiet of his room, he felt compelled to search for it within himself. Soon, he found traces of it: the lightning had formed a sigil, now branded in his Sea of Consciousness. The mark felt astonishingly real, as though it had been carved there.

“What is this? If this mark really is the Annihilating Divine Thunder, my Sea of Consciousness shouldn’t be able to contain it—it would’ve been destroyed long ago,” Yang Xiao muttered to himself.

He remembered all too well the power of the Annihilating Divine Thunder from his previous life. That thunder could only be described as world-shattering, and even those at the Golden Core stage would struggle to withstand it. Yet now a lightning sigil had lodged itself within his Sea of Consciousness—how could he not be shocked?

“Is this mark still the same Annihilating Divine Thunder as before? Will its presence in my Sea of Consciousness affect me?” Yang Xiao was full of questions. He tried to move the sigil, or perhaps to draw upon a portion of its power.

After many attempts, the sigil remained utterly unmoving, as if it didn’t exist at all. This only puzzled him further. Still, the sigil seemed to do him no harm, which brought him some small measure of relief.

Just as Yang Xiao was puzzling over the lightning sigil, voices suddenly rose in argument outside his room, growing louder and drawing closer until they entered the courtyard. Clearly, the quarrel involved him.

Stepping outside, Yang Xiao saw the source of the commotion. Another senior brother from the Giant Spirit Sect, Uli, had come shouting for him. Behind Uli was He Ming, who had only just left, still trying to explain something.

Uli was one of the disciples responsible for managing the daily chores of the Giant Spirit Sect. His cultivation was respectable—while not the best among the disciples, he was skilled at getting along with everyone and thus highly valued by their master, the Immortal Lingfeng. Most everyday matters were entrusted to Uli by their master.

However, Uli was also a schemer, bullying the weak and flattering the strong. To those senior brothers with greater cultivation, he was obsequious, but to those beneath him, he was often overbearing and harsh.

As soon as Yang Xiao stepped out, he heard Uli’s voice: “Yang Xiao! What have you been doing hiding in your room these last few days? You haven’t even fulfilled your assigned chores for the sect—this is outrageous!”

He Ming tried to block Uli, defending Yang Xiao, “Brother Uli, you don’t understand. Junior Brother Yang has been ill these past two days and needed to rest.”

“Hmph! I think this illness is just an excuse to slack off,” Uli retorted, ignoring He Ming, striding straight toward Yang Xiao’s quarters with an air of righteous anger.

“Brother Uli, Junior Brother Yang truly is unwell. How about this: I’ll take over his chores. In addition to fetching water every morning, I’ll also handle his share of firewood. Surely that’s enough?” He Ming pleaded.

“Two sets of chores? Clearly, your own tasks are too easy. From now on, you’ll fetch twice as much water. Let’s see if you still have time to wander about. As for Yang Xiao’s share, he must finish it himself. He’s only himself to blame for his poor cultivation. After all these years, he’s still stuck at the second level of Spirit Sense. It’s embarrassing to the sect. Having him do more chores is already lenient; if I were the master, I’d have expelled him long ago.” Uli dismissed He Ming without a trace of sympathy.

He Ming had wanted to shoulder Yang Xiao’s chores, but Uli gave him no chance, instead piling on more work. There was little he could do—Uli’s cultivation was much higher, and He Ming had no choice but to endure. Yet he couldn’t stand by and watch Uli barge into Yang Xiao’s room to reprimand him further, so he pleaded again, “Brother Uli, Junior Brother Yang truly is ill. When he recovers in a few days, he’ll make up for the chores then.”

“Out of my way!” Uli snapped, seeing He Ming still blocking his path. His temper flared.

He Ming tried to say more, but Uli gave him no chance. With a single palm strike, accompanied by a rush of wind, he sent He Ming tumbling several meters aside.

Though He Ming tried to defend himself, he was only at the third level of Spirit Sense, no match for Uli, a master of the fifth level. Blood welled in his throat, and he spat it out.

“Enough!” Yang Xiao cried, but his shout came too late. Seeing He Ming injured on his behalf, Yang Xiao was seized by guilt and anger—guilt for He Ming, and outrage at Uli’s casual violence against his fellow disciples.

“Yang Xiao, you’ve finally come out. You look quite well to me—hardly ill at all. I suppose you’ve just been hiding to avoid your chores. But don’t think you can get away with it. All the work you’ve neglected these past days must now be done in double, and all of it must be finished today. If you’re late, it’ll be doubled again.” Uli berated Yang Xiao fiercely.

“Uli, don’t think a little favor from the master gives you free rein to bully us junior brothers. If you’re so keen on chores, why not assign them to those with higher cultivation than yours? Why pick on us?” Yang Xiao retorted sharply. He went to help He Ming up, who, after some struggle, managed to stand, clearly seriously hurt.

“Hmph, what did you just call me, Yang Xiao? You actually dare address me by name? And you have the nerve to question me? You must have a death wish. Very well, today I’ll teach you a lesson on behalf of the master.” Uli was astonished by Yang Xiao’s defiance—so different from Yang Xiao’s usual obedient, non-confrontational self. But Uli was no soft touch; disobedient junior brothers had always felt the sting of his discipline.

But Yang Xiao showed no fear. In his former life, he’d borne many humiliations due to his lack of strength. Yet now, granted a second chance by the heavens, he’d resolved to live boldly and without regret.