In the early morning, the first rays of dawn broke across the horizon, and the air still carried a hint of nighttime chill when Zhang Jingyun arrived at the solemn and ancient cultivation ground of the Tandao Sect.
First, he closed his eyes and gathered his focus, adjusting the churning spiritual power within his body. Then, slowly opening his eyes, he shifted his posture and began practicing Ten-Star Annihilation.
This technique was the most powerful of all martial arts in the world, and therefore its consumption of spiritual power was astonishingly high. Its movements possessed no chaining or flow whatsoever; with every single strike executed, he had to pause briefly before he could unleash the next.
As the entire technique was performed, far from flowing like water as sword forms did, it could not even be called smooth. It was like heavy boulders crashing repeatedly into a stream—immensely powerful yet clumsy.
Zhang Jingyun withdrew his stance and stood upright, fine beads of sweat already seeping across his forehead. He took a deep breath and turned around, intending to head toward a stone stool by the edge of the arena to rest for a moment.
Unexpectedly, at that moment, a crisp and pleasant voice rang out behind him, fresh and carrying a hint of pleasant surprise like a newly blossomed flower on a spring branch: "Senior Brother Zhang, you've arrived so early today!"
The speaker was none other than Yun Zi'an. Today, she was not wearing the usual disciple attire of the Tandao Sect, but had deliberately changed into a light pink long dress. The hem of the skirt fluttered gently in the breeze, quietly softening her original princess-like reserve and nobility, and instead adding a touch of youthful innocence and romance.
Her gaze toward Zhang Jingyun lacked its past evasiveness, coldness, or resistance. In their place was a warm and affectionate radiance, as if she were a girl-next-door who had known Zhang Jingyun for many years.
Unfortunately, despite all the effort Yun Zi'an had put in, Zhang Jingyun's attitude toward her did not change much. He said flatly, "I've gained some new insights into Ten-Star Annihilation, so I wanted to come and try them out."
Hearing this, Yun Zi'an nodded earnestly, putting on a pensive look.
After a brief pause, she mustered her courage and spoke, "Senior Brother, I've encountered some bottlenecks in my cultivation and need a Thunder Flood Dragon demon beast core to assist my breakthrough. I wonder if Senior Brother might..."
Before she could finish, Yun Zi'an lowered her head somewhat bashfully, her hands unconsciously twisting the hem of her dress, as if she had reservations about making this request. But immediately afterward, she raised her head again, her gaze filled with anticipation.
Hearing this, Zhang Jingyun frowned slightly. "A Thunder Flood Dragon? Why didn't you ask someone else?"
Yun Zi'an had long since prepared her excuse and replied, "I don't want to trouble Master with such a small matter, and I'm not close with the other Senior Brothers. Besides, didn't Senior Brother save my life the other day? So I thought of asking you for a favor once more."
"Don't worry, Senior Brother. Once you obtain the demon beast core, Junior Sister here will properly thank you for it, along with the grace of saving my life last time."
Zhang Jingyun thought for a moment and said, "A Thunder Flood Dragon is a demon beast of the Early Foundation Establishment Stage. Hunting it isn't too difficult, but it likes to hide in caves and is extremely hard to track down."
"You don't need to worry about that, Senior Brother! I already discovered a Thunder Flood Dragon in the mountains a few days ago, but I didn't dare go after it because I was afraid my strength wasn't enough."
"I've already memorized the exact location," Yun Zi'an said as she took out a map and handed it to Zhang Jingyun. "Here! Right at this place where I drew a red circle."
Hearing this, Zhang Jingyun felt a slight sense of relief in his heart. He took the map handed to him by Yun Zi'an and carefully examined the location marked with the red circle, discovering that the place where the Thunder Flood Dragon resided was situated right in the middle section of the mountains. To him, it was neither too far nor overly dangerous.
Hunting a Foundation Establishment Stage Thunder Flood Dragon and then retrieving its demon beast core to hand over to Yun Zi'an did not seem like an overly difficult task. Moreover, Yun Zi'an was his fellow junior sister, so it was only right and proper for him to help.
Zhang Jingyun nodded and agreed, "Alright! I'll set off tomorrow. Do you have time that day?"
A look of guilt appeared on Yun Zi'an's face, and she quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Senior Brother! I know this is my own affair, but I cannot use my spiritual power lately. Please forgive me, Senior Brother."
During cultivation, various issues could indeed arise that temporarily prevented one from using spiritual power. Zhang Jingyun did not make an issue of it and said magnanimously, "If you can't go, you can't go. I should be able to handle a single Thunder Flood Dragon on my own."
Yun Zi'an bowed deeply to Zhang Jingyun and expressed her gratitude once again, "Thank you so much, Senior Brother!"
Disturbed by this interruption from Yun Zi'an, Zhang Jingyun no longer had the heart to continue practicing Ten-Star Annihilation. Pondering the matter of dealing with the Thunder Flood Dragon, he walked out of the Martial Arts Arena.
"Senior Brother!" Yun Zi'an called out affectionately from behind. "Are you leaving right now?"
"Yes! I need to make some preparations."
"Senior Brother, I'm sorry to have troubled you so much." Yun Zi'an watched Zhang Jingyun's retreating figure, her tone growing increasingly sincere. Yet, the moment Zhang Jingyun completely disappeared from sight, the corners of her mouth curled upward into a beautiful yet deeply plotting smile.
On the following day, as the morning mist was just beginning to clear, Zhang Jingyun rose early and, holding the map given to him by Yun Zi'an, stepped into the mountains.
He proceeded along the winding mountain path, the surrounding trees growing increasingly dense, with the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves intertwining.
After a difficult search, Zhang Jingyun finally found the cave. He poked his head in to look and saw a faint blue light flickering in the depths of the cavern.
Zhang Jingyun instantly recognized that as the lightning crackling around the Thunder Flood Dragon, and his heartbeat involuntarily accelerated a fraction.
He stopped in his tracks, standing quietly at the cave entrance while rapidly analyzing the current situation in his mind.
Although charging directly into the cave to fight the Thunder Flood Dragon carried a slightly higher risk, once defeated, the creature would have no way to escape. Moreover, in such a confined space, Ten-Star Annihilation would be much easier to land.
Conversely, if he lured the Thunder Flood Dragon out of the cave, this cunning beast would immediately abandon its lair and flee the moment it realized things were going south.
Zhang Jingyun ultimately decided to enter the cave and fight the Thunder Flood Dragon. Adjusting his condition, he cautiously stepped inside.
A damp and mystical aura permeated the Thunder Flood Dragon's cave, with strange lights flashing along the cavern walls. Zhang Jingyun tried his best to step on soft patches of ground so as not to make the sound of footsteps.
Meanwhile, the Thunder Flood Dragon usually liked to lurk in the depths of the cave, which also afforded Zhang Jingyun certain advantages.
Step by step, he drew closer until he was only a few meters away from the Thunder Flood Dragon before the beast was startled awake.
The massive form of the Thunder Flood Dragon loomed indistinctly in the darkness, blue lightning flashing across its body like agile little snakes.
It abruptly snapped open its eyes, revealing two sharp beams of light that stared straight at Zhang Jingyun.