The Lightning Guiding Art and the Emperor’s Plight

Having secluded herself in the pavilion for three days, Luo Yingkong successfully broke through to the ninth level of Qi Condensation with the aid of a Qi Gathering Pill. The spiritual tea from the previous gathering had played a significant role in her advancement.

She then perused the Lightning Guiding Art, a technique Li Yuan had given her. Comprising three layers, it could be cultivated up to the late Foundation Establishment stage. The first layer involved a simple transformation of spiritual energy into electricity, possessing limited destructive power.

Upon mastering the second layer, one could unleash electrical arcs spanning ten zhang. Should a mortal be struck, the effect would be akin to being hit by lightning, instantly charring them to a crisp.

Conversely, the third layer was designed for use during thunderstorms. If conditions permitted, it could summon several bolts of heavenly lightning to strike the ground, all while consuming very little spiritual energy.

****

Luo Yingkong’s spiritual root aptitude was perfectly suited for lightning techniques, and she had already achieved minor success with the first layer.

A ball of spiritual energy gathered in her palm, followed by a crackling sound between her fingers, as if electricity were leaking.

“There’s electricity…” Luo Yingkong mused, retrieving several buckets of clear water.

She intended to use electrolysis in water to extract heavy water, which could then be used for a nuclear reactor. With this, the materials needed to construct a nuclear bomb would be nearly complete.

After toiling for half the day, she rose and stepped out, preparing to head to the artifact refinement room to forge a handgun. It was at this moment that Li Yuan flew to the edge of her formation.

“Master, is something amiss?” Luo Yingkong inquired, dismantling the formation.

“Oh? You’ve broken through to the ninth level of Qi Condensation!? Excellent! Excellent! What are you planning to do now?” the old man asked, noticing her intention to leave.

Luo Yingkong did not conceal her plans. “This disciple wishes to borrow the sect’s earth fire in the Artifact Refinement Hall.”

“Oh? You also know how to refine artifacts?” The old man seemed somewhat surprised.

“No, this disciple knows nothing about artifact refinement. I merely purchased a basic artifact refinement manual at the last gathering and intend to try my hand at it.”

“Artifact refinement, you say? I also have some insights into it. Take this for reference.” Li Yuan tossed her a tattered scroll, and Luo Yingkong thanked him.

“I came this time to assign you a task. All newly inducted disciples receive tasks as a form of test. I’ve chosen a simple one for you, so put aside your artifact refinement for now.”

She hadn’t expected a task so soon after joining. However, upon reflection, it made sense; she had bypassed all tests to directly become an inner disciple, so a trial of strength was inevitable.

“This disciple understands.”

“Good, take this map.” The old man threw a blueprint to her, which Luo Yingkong carefully examined upon catching.

This map was far more complete than the one Qin Jiu had given her, detailing the topography of neighboring countries and meticulously marking various dangerous zones.

“A small country bordering Wu has suffered persecution from a rogue cultivator. The opponent is likely at the Qi Condensation stage. Their prime minister has sought our aid, so you shall make the trip. I believe your abilities surpass those of my other disciples, but you must still proceed with caution.”

“This disciple accepts the mission,” Luo Yingkong stated, collecting the map and cupping her fists in a salute.

Before departing, she put away her butterflies and the Qianji Tower, leaving the formation to protect her spiritual herbs.

She rode a flying boat with the old man to the edge of the mountain gate, where a convoy of carriages was visible below. Several cavalrymen and a few individuals in court attire, all portly with slicked-back hair, were awaiting them.

‘This court must be incredibly wealthy,’ Luo Yingkong thought to herself. ‘Even their subordinates are so well-fed.’

****

“Hey! They’re here! Look up!” exclaimed an official with light makeup on his face, his voice brimming with excitement. Everyone looked skyward.

As the flying boat slowly descended, an official quickly bowed respectfully and stepped forward.

“Senior Immortal! Both Senior Immortals, the carriages are ready. Without further ado, please board…”

“There’s no need to panic. This young lady will be making the journey. You must provide her with your utmost assistance,” Li Yuan declared, and Luo Yingkong promptly leaped from the flying boat.

“This…”

Disappointment welled in the hearts of the onlookers. The old man appeared more formidable and more like an immortal cultivator, while the young woman seemed ordinary and perhaps unreliable.

“Senior Immortal, that cultivator is extremely powerful. Sending this young lady… it might not be appropriate…”

The person next to him quickly tugged at the speaker’s sleeve, whispering, “They are all immortal cultivators; do not be rude!”

“A Qi Condensation cultivator hardly warrants my intervention. This young lady is sufficient. You may go.” With those words, Li Yuan controlled the flying boat and departed, leaving Luo Yingkong alone with the stunned officials.

“Aren’t you in a hurry? Let’s go.” Luo Yingkong independently climbed into a carriage, and the others promptly set off.

After traveling for a short while, Luo Yingkong poked her head out and questioned a nearby cavalryman.

“Um… about the cultivator you mentioned, do you know anything specific about their background?”

The cavalryman was still young. When Luo Yingkong questioned him, he immediately straightened his back, not daring to meet her gaze.

“This cultivator has been in the imperial palace for over a month now. Initially, His Majesty befriended and served them. However, this cultivator simply refused to leave the palace, disrupting the court…”

“Stop. I’m asking how formidable they are; for instance, what spells they can cast.” Luo Yingkong had no interest in their grievances; she only cared about how to deal with the cultivator.

“That… this subordinate does not know… They don’t seem to have ever made a move… I often see them getting quite close to His Majesty’s concubines…”

“Hmph.” Luo Yingkong sighed and withdrew back into the carriage.

‘It seems I can’t glean any useful information. Getting close to the concubines… it’s probably not that simple. His Majesty has likely been cuckolded.’

‘The opponent hasn’t even made a move, and they don’t dare to resist. They’re quite cowardly…’ Luo Yingkong shook her head, dismissing the thought.

She took out the artifact refinement insights Li Yuan had given her and began to read.

They traveled at a furious pace for an entire week, finally leaving the territory of Wu and entering the lands of Lu.

‘At this slow speed, by the time we reach the imperial palace, that cultivator will probably have become the emperor.’

“Senior Immortal, we are almost at the imperial palace. Please, Senior Immortal, prepare yourself…”

Luo Yingkong stood outside the carriage. Who could endure seven days of continuous travel? Sitting in a quiet room for a few months would be no problem, but the constant jolting on the road made it impossible to cultivate with a calm mind.

The city was neither large nor small, and its houses were quite dilapidated. Collapsed buildings remained unrepaired, and the stench of waste wafted from the roadside.

This was entirely different from the prosperous small country she had imagined; it was far less comfortable than her own Sifang Town.

The carriages dashed through the main street, with cavalry leading the way. Pedestrians scattered, many secretly glancing at Luo Yingkong in the last carriage—women with envy, men with longing.

****

At the end of the street, a striking gate appeared. It stood out dramatically from the surrounding houses, its luxurious decorations even surpassing those of the imperial residence in the capital.

“Senior Immortal, we have arrived. This humble one will immediately prepare a sedan chair; please proceed…” a steward respectfully said from outside the carriage.

“There’s no need for such trouble. I’m not some delicate young lady. After such a long carriage ride, I wish to walk.” Luo Yingkong promptly jumped out of the carriage and strode towards the gate.

Although Luo Yingkong was beautiful, no one dared to look her directly in the eye, seemingly terrified by the cultivators’ past actions.

The interior of the imperial palace was lavishly decorated, a stark contrast to the streets outside—truly a heaven and earth apart.

The palace was vast, and it took quite some time to reach the emperor’s living quarters.

Luo Yingkong was protected in the center of the group, her white hair remarkably striking. Many recognized the white robes she wore; they had frequently sought aid from Hidden Forest Mountain and knew this young woman was an immortal cultivator.

At that moment, the emperor sat in an armchair, sipping tea, his face etched with worry. A servant rushed in, kneeling quickly.

“Reporting, Your Majesty! The immortal cultivator from Hidden Forest Mountain has been invited!”

The emperor immediately sprang to his feet, agitated. “They’re finally here! Quick, quick, invite the Senior Immortal in!”