Mortal: Starting with the Seven Mysterious Sects, I proved my Dao through sacrifice.

Since becoming a formal disciple of Abbot Yuanxiang, Murong Fan's status naturally rose. He moved out of Leiyin Courtyard and returned to his newly assigned, more secluded cultivation cave—the summit of Leiyin Peak. The spiritual energy here was so dense it was almost tangible, more than ten times stronger than his previous courtyard. He dismissed his attendants and eagerly took out the two secret manuals given to him by Yuanxiang: the "Thunderous Sound Technique of Tathagata" and the "Subduing Demon Heart Sutra."

If it were an ordinary disciple, upon receiving such a secret that was not passed down within the sect, they would surely regard it as a rare treasure, studying it repeatedly word by word, for fear of missing even half a word of crucial information.

However, Murong Fan had his own set of cultivation methods. He was born with a rare and unique Heavenly Spiritual Root. Over the years, he had explored a wide range of cultivation methods. In addition, he always liked to review and summarize, so he had a much deeper understanding of the essence of cultivation techniques than ordinary people. Many essential principles of cultivation methods were like second nature to him.

He sat cross-legged on the futon, not in a hurry to cultivate, but instead spread out the two secret manuals at the same time.

"The Thunder Sound Sect cultivates the Tao through Buddhism and displays its power through thunder, fiercely subduing demons. The 'Thunder Sound Technique of Tathagata' focuses on cultivating the physical body and spiritual power, allowing one to draw upon the thunder of heaven and earth to temper oneself; the 'Subduing Demon Heart Sutra' focuses on cultivating the soul, capable of suppressing all kinds of inner demons." Murong Fan's gaze was sharp as torches, his fingertips lightly tracing the pages of the book, as he continued, "But it seems that these two techniques are missing a crucial 'bridge' connecting the physical body and the soul."

Ordinary cultivators often need to spend several years figuring out how to make the two coexist, and a slight mistake can lead to qi deviation and demonic possession.

But in Murong Fan's mind, another image appeared—the "Gathering Yang Micro Dust Array" that he set up at the Grand Ceremony of Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage to the Ancestors, and the essence of the array he had learned from Xin Ruyin and Qi Yunxiao.

"Array formations emphasize the circulation of spiritual energy; cultivation techniques are the same, except they are array formations within the human body."

Murong Fan's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He boldly used the Mingwang Jue as a base and regarded the operation route of the Fumo Xinjing as "array pattern", forcibly embedding it into the thunder meridian of the Rulai Leiyin Jue!

"If we deduce the cultivation method using the principles of formations, the first level of the 'Thunderous Sound Technique of Tathagata' should operate as follows..."

He closed his eyes, and his nascent soul slowly rose up, forming a strange and profound hand seal with his hands.

boom!

His previously dormant dantian instantly surged with energy. Normally, the first time one cultivates lightning techniques, one must draw in external lightning spirits, a painful and slow process. However, Murong Fan utilized the principles of formations to construct a miniature "spirit-gathering array" within his body, directly plundering the spiritual energy within a ten-mile radius of his cave and forcibly compressing it into his meridians!

sizzle...

Murong Fan sat cross-legged on the futon, the power of the three techniques surging and colliding within his body like three unruly, angry dragons. He slowly closed his eyes, sinking his consciousness into his body to carefully analyze the attributes and characteristics of the three powers: the Mingwang Technique was domineering and fierce, like a drawn sword, its sharpness fully revealed; the Subduing Demon Heart Sutra was steady and profound, like the solidified earth, containing endless depths; and the Tathagata Thunder Sound Technique was destructive and violent, like rampaging thunder, full of world-destroying destructive power.

"The three powers have completely different attributes. Directly fusing them will inevitably lead to a backlash. At best, it will cause one to suffer a qi deviation; at worst, it will cause one to explode and die," Murong Fan thought to himself. "I must find a way to neutralize and transform their attributes."

He recalled his talent for array formations, thinking that perhaps he could solve this problem using the principles of array formations. "The human body itself is a giant array plate, the meridians are the array patterns, and the dantian is the array eye."

Murong Fan muttered to himself, "I can transform the 'Subduing Demon Heart Sutra' into stable array patterns as the foundation for power fusion; use the power of the 'Mingwang Technique' as the power output to drive the entire fusion system; and then use the thunder attribute of the 'Tathagata Thunder Sound Technique' to neutralize and transform it, resolving the conflict between the three powers."

The deduction proved feasible; the next step was implementation. Murong Fan began the deduction according to his plan. He first guided the power of the *Subduing Demon Heart Sutra* into his meridians, transforming it into steady array patterns that covered his entire body. Then, he mobilized the power of the *Mingwang Jue*, injecting it into the array patterns to drive their operation. Finally, he drew upon the lightning attribute power of the *Tathagata Thunder Sound Jue*, merging it into the array patterns for neutralization and transformation.

Clearly, things didn't go as smoothly as expected. The three forces clashed violently the moment they came into contact, and Murong Fan felt as if his meridians were being torn apart, the pain unbearable. "It seems my assumptions still have flaws, and I must readjust them." Murong Fan gritted his teeth, forcibly stabilizing the power within his body, and began to deduce the situation anew.

He carefully analyzed the conflict points of the three forces and discovered that the lightning attribute power of the *Tathagata Thunder Sound Technique* was too violent and could not be perfectly integrated with the other two forces. "I must find a way to weaken the violent nature of the lightning attribute power," Murong Fan pondered, suddenly recalling the words "Subduing Demons" from the *Subduing Demon Heart Sutra*. "Perhaps I can use the power of the *Subduing Demon Heart Sutra* to suppress the violent nature of the *Tathagata Thunder Sound Technique*."

He adjusted the formation again, concentrating the power of the "Subduing Demons Heart Sutra" at the formation's core to create a powerful suppressive force. Then, he guided the power of the "Tathagata Thunder Sound Technique" into the core to suppress and purify it.

The calming power of the "Subduing Demons Heart Sutra" was as solid as the earth, firmly binding the raging lightning power. The lightning power, like being tempered, became more refined and pure under this suppression. After much effort, the violent nature of the "Tathagata Thunder Sound Technique" was finally weakened considerably, and the three powers began to gradually merge.

Murong Fan was secretly delighted and continued to push the fusion of the three powers. As time went by, the three powers became more and more harmonious, eventually forming a completely new power. This power possessed the domineering and fierce nature of the "Ming Wang Jue", the steady and profound nature of the "Fu Mo Xin Jing", and the destructive and violent nature of the "Ru Lai Lei Yin Jue". The three powers were perfectly combined, unleashing unprecedented power.

At the summit of Leiyin Peak, the once clear sky suddenly changed color. Dark clouds, as black as ink, rolled in, and within the clouds, it seemed as if lightning snakes were dancing wildly.

Outside the cave, the low-ranking disciples on guard were pale with fright, looking up at the mountain peak: "What's going on? Could it be a demonic attack?"

"No...look! That's a vortex of spiritual energy!"

At the summit of Thunderclap Peak, a golden beam of light shot into the sky, piercing directly through the dark clouds. Within the beam, countless intricate array patterns could be faintly seen flowing, as if the entire world had transformed into a gigantic array.

The rear hall of the Mahavira Hall.

Yuan Xiang, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them upon sensing this aura, his face filled with shock: "This is... a mid-stage Nascent Soul? And why is this lightning magic aura so pure? It even carries a trace of ancient array formations?"

"Abbot, this aura is emanating from Elder Murong's cave!" The monk who had been transmitting his skills rushed in to report, his voice trembling. "Elder Murong has broken through! And he has triggered a celestial phenomenon!"

Yuan Xiang suddenly stood up and disappeared in a flash. By the time he arrived at the top of Thunder Sound Peak, the strange phenomenon had dissipated, but the lingering thunderous aura in the air was so intense it was suffocating.

Murong Fan slowly opened his eyes, his body surrounded by lightning that then gently disappeared beneath his skin. He stood up, bowed to Yuan Xiang, and spoke with a long, steady breath, without a trace of the previous hesitation: "Disciple Murong Fan has managed to break through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm by sheer luck. I apologize for making Master laugh."

"A stroke of luck?" Yuan Xiang looked at the excessively young disciple before him, his lips twitching slightly. His eyes held both shock and ecstasy. "You've only been practicing the 'Thunderous Sound Technique' for five years, and not only have you mastered the first level, but you've also broken through a bottleneck... You call this a stroke of luck?"

Yuan Xiang took a deep breath, his gaze fixed intently on Murong Fan: "Fan'er, tell me honestly, how exactly did you cultivate? Why is there an element of formation within this lightning technique?"

Murong Fan smiled slightly, not hiding anything, and said frankly, "This disciple believes that cultivation techniques are array formations, and the human body is the array plate. This disciple was just trying to transform the 'Subduing Demon Heart Sutra' into array patterns and integrate it into the operation of thunder magic, but I did not expect it to fit so well."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Xiang was struck dumb, as if by lightning.

A moment later, Yuan Zhi, the guardian elder of the Leiyin Sect, laughed loudly: "Good! What a wonderful technique that is also an array! Our Leiyin Sect has been passed down for thousands of years, yet it is not as good as your sudden enlightenment! Such comprehension, such talent, Abbot! This is truly a blessing for our Leiyin Sect!" Yuan Zhi looked at Abbot Yuan Xiang with a joyful expression.

Yuan Zhi looked at Murong Fan with eyes that showed not only the affection of an elder for a junior, but also a hint of awe for the "Dao".

"Fan'er, your sudden enlightenment today is probably comparable to the sect elders' decades of secluded cultivation!" Yuan Xiang exclaimed. "It seems that the array formations that Xin Ruyin and Qi Yunxiao taught him in Tiannan have come in very handy, becoming the steps for him to ascend to the Great Dao." Murong Fan once again understood the importance of the myriad arts of cultivation and flexibility.

Murong Fan cupped his hands and said, "Master, you flatter me. This disciple only knows a little bit about the basics. This opportunity is entirely due to the guidance and care of the sect, the abbot, and the elders."

"Fan'er is too modest. I didn't believe in talent before, but now it seems..." Yuan Xiang waved his hand, his expression becoming extremely solemn. "From today onwards, I will pay more attention to your cultivation. When the time is right, the top floor of the Thunder Sound Sect's Scripture Pavilion will be partially open to you."

Murong Fan's heart skipped a beat. The top floor of the Scripture Pavilion was a forbidden area that only those at the Three Realms level could access!

He knew that his overwhelming display of comprehension during cultivation had completely won over the leader of the Thunder Sound Sect. In the dog-eat-dog world of cultivation, demonstrating value was always more valued than demonstrating loyalty.

He adjusted the formation again, concentrating the power of the "Subduing Demons Heart Sutra" at the formation's core to create a powerful suppressive force. Then, he guided the power of the "Tathagata Thunder Sound Technique" into the core to suppress and purify it.

The calming power of the "Subduing Demons Heart Sutra" was as solid as the earth, firmly binding the raging lightning power. The lightning power, like being tempered, became more refined and pure under this suppression. After much effort, the violent nature of the "Tathagata Thunder Sound Technique" was finally weakened considerably, and the three powers began to gradually merge.

Murong Fan was secretly delighted and continued to push the fusion of the three powers. As time went by, the three powers became more and more harmonious, eventually forming a completely new power. This power possessed the domineering and fierce nature of the "Ming Wang Jue", the steady and profound nature of the "Fu Mo Xin Jing", and the destructive and violent nature of the "Ru Lai Lei Yin Jue". The three powers were perfectly combined, unleashing unprecedented power.

At the summit of Leiyin Peak, the once clear sky suddenly changed color. Dark clouds, as black as ink, rolled in, and within the clouds, it seemed as if lightning snakes were dancing wildly.

Outside the cave, the low-ranking disciples on guard were pale with fright, looking up at the mountain peak: "What's going on? Could it be a demonic attack?"

"No...look! That's a vortex of spiritual energy!"

At the summit of Thunderclap Peak, a golden beam of light shot into the sky, piercing directly through the dark clouds. Within the beam, countless intricate array patterns could be faintly seen flowing, as if the entire world had transformed into a gigantic array.

The rear hall of the Mahavira Hall.

Yuan Xiang, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them upon sensing this aura, his face filled with shock: "This is... a mid-stage Nascent Soul? And why is this lightning magic aura so pure? It even carries a trace of ancient array formations?"

"Abbot, this aura is emanating from Elder Murong's cave!" The monk who had been transmitting his skills rushed in to report, his voice trembling. "Elder Murong has broken through! And he has triggered a celestial phenomenon!"

Yuan Xiang suddenly stood up and disappeared in a flash. By the time he arrived at the top of Thunder Sound Peak, the strange phenomenon had dissipated, but the lingering thunderous aura in the air was so intense it was suffocating.

Murong Fan slowly opened his eyes, his body surrounded by lightning that then gently disappeared beneath his skin. He stood up, bowed to Yuan Xiang, and spoke with a long, steady breath, without a trace of the previous hesitation: "Disciple Murong Fan has managed to break through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm by sheer luck. I apologize for making Master laugh."

"A stroke of luck?" Yuan Xiang looked at the excessively young disciple before him, his lips twitching slightly. His eyes held both shock and ecstasy. "You've only been practicing the 'Thunderous Sound Technique' for five years, and not only have you mastered the first level, but you've also broken through a bottleneck... You call this a stroke of luck?"

Yuan Xiang took a deep breath, his gaze fixed intently on Murong Fan: "Fan'er, tell me honestly, how exactly did you cultivate? Why is there an element of formation within this lightning technique?"

Murong Fan smiled slightly, not hiding anything, and said frankly, "This disciple believes that cultivation techniques are array formations, and the human body is the array plate. This disciple was just trying to transform the 'Subduing Demon Heart Sutra' into array patterns and integrate it into the operation of thunder magic, but I did not expect it to fit so well."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Xiang was struck dumb, as if by lightning.

A moment later, Yuan Zhi, the guardian elder of the Leiyin Sect, laughed loudly: "Good! What a wonderful technique that is also an array! Our Leiyin Sect has been passed down for thousands of years, yet it is not as good as your sudden enlightenment! Such comprehension, such talent, Abbot! This is truly a blessing for our Leiyin Sect!" Yuan Zhi looked at Abbot Yuan Xiang with a joyful expression.

Yuan Zhi looked at Murong Fan with eyes that showed not only the affection of an elder for a junior, but also a hint of awe for the "Dao".

"Fan'er, your sudden enlightenment today is probably comparable to the sect elders' decades of secluded cultivation!" Yuan Xiang exclaimed. "It seems that the array formations that Xin Ruyin and Qi Yunxiao taught him in Tiannan have come in very handy, becoming the steps for him to ascend to the Great Dao." Murong Fan once again understood the importance of the myriad arts of cultivation and flexibility.

Murong Fan cupped his hands and said, "Master, you flatter me. This disciple only knows a little bit about the basics. This opportunity is entirely due to the guidance and care of the sect, the abbot, and the elders."

"Fan'er is too modest. I didn't believe in talent before, but now it seems..." Yuan Xiang waved his hand, his expression becoming extremely solemn. "From today onwards, I will pay more attention to your cultivation. When the time is right, the top floor of the Thunder Sound Sect's Scripture Pavilion will be partially open to you."

Murong Fan's heart skipped a beat. The top floor of the Scripture Pavilion was a forbidden area that only those at the Three Realms level could access!

He knew that his overwhelming display of comprehension during cultivation had completely won over the leader of the Thunder Sound Sect. In the dog-eat-dog world of cultivation, demonstrating value was always more valued than demonstrating loyalty.

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He adjusted the formation again, concentrating the power of the "Subduing Demons Heart Sutra" at the formation's core to create a powerful suppressive force. Then, he guided the power of the "Tathagata Thunder Sound Technique" into the core to suppress and purify it.

The calming power of the "Subduing Demons Heart Sutra" was as solid as the earth, firmly binding the raging lightning power. The lightning power, like being tempered, became more refined and pure under this suppression. After much effort, the violent nature of the "Tathagata Thunder Sound Technique" was finally weakened considerably, and the three powers began to gradually merge.

Murong Fan was secretly delighted and continued to push the fusion of the three powers. As time went by, the three powers became more and more harmonious, eventually forming a completely new power. This power possessed the domineering and fierce nature of the "Ming Wang Jue", the steady and profound nature of the "Fu Mo Xin Jing", and the destructive and violent nature of the "Ru Lai Lei Yin Jue". The three powers were perfectly combined, unleashing unprecedented power.

At the summit of Leiyin Peak, the once clear sky suddenly changed color. Dark clouds, as black as ink, rolled in, and within the clouds, it seemed as if lightning snakes were dancing wildly.

Outside the cave, the low-ranking disciples on guard were pale with fright, looking up at the mountain peak: "What's going on? Could it be a demonic attack?"

"No...look! That's a vortex of spiritual energy!"

At the summit of Thunderclap Peak, a golden beam of light shot into the sky, piercing directly through the dark clouds. Within the beam, countless intricate array patterns could be faintly seen flowing, as if the entire world had transformed into a gigantic array.

The rear hall of the Mahavira Hall.

Yuan Xiang, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them upon sensing this aura, his face filled with shock: "This is... a mid-stage Nascent Soul? And why is this lightning magic aura so pure? It even carries a trace of ancient array formations?"

"Abbot, this aura is emanating from Elder Murong's cave!" The monk who had been transmitting his skills rushed in to report, his voice trembling. "Elder Murong has broken through! And he has triggered a celestial phenomenon!"

Yuan Xiang suddenly stood up and disappeared in a flash. By the time he arrived at the top of Thunder Sound Peak, the strange phenomenon had dissipated, but the lingering thunderous aura in the air was so intense it was suffocating.

Murong Fan slowly opened his eyes, his body surrounded by lightning that then gently disappeared beneath his skin. He stood up, bowed to Yuan Xiang, and spoke with a long, steady breath, without a trace of the previous hesitation: "Disciple Murong Fan has managed to break through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm by sheer luck. I apologize for making Master laugh."

"A stroke of luck?" Yuan Xiang looked at the excessively young disciple before him, his lips twitching slightly. His eyes held both shock and ecstasy. "You've only been practicing the 'Thunderous Sound Technique' for five years, and not only have you mastered the first level, but you've also broken through a bottleneck... You call this a stroke of luck?"

Yuan Xiang took a deep breath, his gaze fixed intently on Murong Fan: "Fan'er, tell me honestly, how exactly did you cultivate? Why is there an element of formation within this lightning technique?"

Murong Fan smiled slightly, not hiding anything, and said frankly, "This disciple believes that cultivation techniques are array formations, and the human body is the array plate. This disciple was just trying to transform the 'Subduing Demon Heart Sutra' into array patterns and integrate it into the operation of thunder magic, but I did not expect it to fit so well."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Xiang was struck dumb, as if by lightning.

A moment later, Yuan Zhi, the guardian elder of the Leiyin Sect, laughed loudly: "Good! What a wonderful technique that is also an array! Our Leiyin Sect has been passed down for thousands of years, yet it is not as good as your sudden enlightenment! Such comprehension, such talent, Abbot! This is truly a blessing for our Leiyin Sect!" Yuan Zhi looked at Abbot Yuan Xiang with a joyful expression.

Yuan Zhi looked at Murong Fan with eyes that showed not only the affection of an elder for a junior, but also a hint of awe for the "Dao".

"Fan'er, your sudden enlightenment today is probably comparable to the sect elders' decades of secluded cultivation!" Yuan Xiang exclaimed. "It seems that the array formations that Xin Ruyin and Qi Yunxiao taught him in Tiannan have come in very handy, becoming the steps for him to ascend to the Great Dao." Murong Fan once again understood the importance of the myriad arts of cultivation and flexibility.

Murong Fan cupped his hands and said, "Master, you flatter me. This disciple only knows a little bit about the basics. This opportunity is entirely due to the guidance and care of the sect, the abbot, and the elders."

"Fan'er is too modest. I didn't believe in talent before, but now it seems..." Yuan Xiang waved his hand, his expression becoming extremely solemn. "From today onwards, I will pay more attention to your cultivation. When the time is right, the top floor of the Thunder Sound Sect's Scripture Pavilion will be partially open to you."

Murong Fan's heart skipped a beat. The top floor of the Scripture Pavilion was a forbidden area that only those at the Three Realms level could access!

He knew that his overwhelming display of comprehension during cultivation had completely won over the leader of the Thunder Sound Sect. In the dog-eat-dog world of cultivation, demonstrating value was always more valued than demonstrating loyalty.