Dense, layered clouds enveloped the entire sky, occasionally bursting with lightning bolts as thick as a man's stride—silver serpents that tore through the clouds, splitting the heavens and casting an intense, radiant light that bathed the entire mountain range in awe-inspiring power. Amid this fierce turmoil, even the indigenous wild beasts dwelling deep in the mountains dared not venture forth, retreating into their caverns. Faint growls could be heard, carried by the gusts of wind, spreading across the mountain range. A small tree near Xiao Yan was suddenly uprooted and hurled down the mountain slope, remaining silent for a long time afterward. Seated cross-legged on a patch of green stone, Xiao Yan clutched a silver scroll tightly in his hands. Under this stormy weather, the scroll—normally unremarkable—was gradually radiating a gentle warmth, and occasionally, when Xiao Yan glanced at it, delicate streaks of silver lightning flickered faintly within. Lifting his head, gazing at the sky shrouded in clouds, thunder, and lightning, Xiao Yan exhaled deeply. His right hand rested on his thigh, and he could feel the subtle tremor in his palm. In this environment where a devastating bolt of lightning could strike at any moment, his inner composure clearly fell short of the calm appearance he projected. Nodding slightly, Xiao Yan knew clearly that acquiring power would never be smooth sailing. Though he had once encountered Yao Lao and obtained the "Burned Decree," a rare technique capable of absorbing hetero-flames, the evolution of this technique required him to risk his life repeatedly. Therefore, the current dangers and challenges, while formidable, did not daunt him. He believed that even the terrifying Qinglian Earth-Core Flame had failed to claim his life—how then could this powerful wind-and-thunder force drive him to retreat midway? "Unfolding the scroll and placing it upon his legs, at this moment the wind-and-thunder energy in the heavens and earth reaches its peak. Without any need for guidance, the concealed wind-and-thunder essence within the scroll will naturally surge forth. At the very instant it flashes out, simply grasp it, absorb it into his body, and refine it." Yao Lao delivered all the steps of refinement in one continuous flow. After silently reciting the words once more and ensuring no details had been missed, Xiao Yan nodded firmly, grasped the scroll with both hands, and suddenly tore off the special medicinal liquid sealed on the scroll's surface—this liquid possessed a certain sealing effect. As the scroll was torn, a brilliant silver light erupted violently from within, instantly forming a thick silver energy column that plunged directly into the dense cloud layer. The powerful beam was visible even from a distance of several miles. The unexpected surge of energy from the scroll startled Xiao Yan, but fortunately, the light column did not last long—it swiftly retracted with a hissing sound from within the clouds and eventually fully returned into the scroll. The scroll responded normally, and only then did Xiao Yan quietly exhale, wiping a few strands of cold sweat from his forehead. The region was now close to Blackthorn Domain; if anyone had been disturbed, complications would surely arise. Xiao Yan was well aware of the Blackthorn Domain's insatiable greed. What troubled him most, however, was the somewhat unsavory nature of his own technique—the roadblock and treasure-seizing maneuvers he had performed there. These actions had made it clear that he now stood at odds with the so-called "Blood Sect" in an irreconcilable manner. He didn't believe that after having killed the other's son, the elder would simply let him go. Indeed, if the Blood Sect's master knew he was the hidden culprit, he would surely have forcibly extracted him—even if Xiao Yan were hiding within the Galen Academy. Collecting his thoughts, Xiao Yan turned his gaze back to the scroll laid before him, only to be slightly taken aback. Perhaps due to the unusual fluctuations earlier, the silver scroll was now enveloped in a delicate layer of silvery luster. On the surface of this luster, faint, strange images seemed to shimmer—yet upon closer inspection, they offered no clear meaning. As the silvery glow intensified, the faint images superimposed upon it gradually became clearer, appearing as figures of various forms rushing forward. Though their postures varied, each figure was accompanied by a shimmering trail of silver lightning, resembling slender electric serpents beneath their feet. With the slightest flicker of the glow, the figures seemed to come alive, causing gentle ripples in the space around them. One after another, bursts of energy surged forth, breaking free from the glow and hurtling directly toward the distant sky. Although Xiao Yan had already entered a state of focused concentration and had sensed the energy figures as soon as they emerged from the glow, sensing them was one thing, while being unable to stop or deflect them was quite another. When the energy within Xiao Yan's body first burst forth from his palms, the energy figures had already slipped beyond his range of attack, leaving him with a touch of astonishment on his face. The elder pharmacist's deep voice resonated once more, and the powerful surge of spiritual energy that had nearly enveloped the entire mountain peak surged back, drawing the energy figures along with it. As the spiritual energy receded, those figures were pulled by an immense force, spiraling downward and ultimately converging into Xiao Yan's mind. Still stunned by the elder's astonishingly potent spiritual power, Xiao Yan's clear mind jolted sharply, and immediately a wave of drowsiness washed over him. Amidst this haze, he could faintly perceive strange, ethereal figures moving and flickering, though he managed to remember little of them. The drowsiness lasted only half a moment before the images in his mind faded away. Gradually awakening from the haze, the sky remained aglow with lightning, and the dark, heavy clouds pressed down like a weight upon the hearts of those below, making it difficult to breathe. "The strength of the teacher's soul truly is remarkable—should one only consider soul power, it's likely that few on this Continent could surpass him. It's no wonder that merely through this soul power, he can stand equal to a Dao Sect master." As he recalled once again the soul power that had nearly frozen the very space around him, Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel a surge of astonishment. "Don't hesitate—wind and thunder power has already entered your body through those images. Quickly refine it!" Suddenly, the low voice of Yao Lao resonated clearly within Xiao Yan's mind. As soon as Yao Lao's voice fell, Xiao Yan's body stiffened abruptly, his face turning a deep crimson, and faint streaks of lightning—shrunken to a fraction of their original size—flashed across his dark eyes. Xiao Yan swiftly formed the cultivation hand seals, nearly instinctive, his mind surging into his body like lightning. As his mind entered, the cultivation crystals within the spiraling qi began to tremble violently, and powerful waves of jade-colored combat energy surged forth, flooding through the meridians like a flood, eventually converging to encircle a point where two meridians intersected, enveloping a faint, silvery, hazy energy. Thanks to the timely reminder from Yao Lao, the concealed wind and thunder forces within had not yet unleashed their full destructive potential, and were now safely contained by Xiao Yan. Observing the increasingly intense fluctuations emanating from the region where the silvery energy was concentrated, Xiao Yan felt a growing sense of relief. "Shhh... shhh..." The hazy silver energy continuously twisted and emitted strange hissing sounds, resembling a massive, coiled python. Under the strange hum of the silvery energy, Xiao Yan was surprised to notice that the aura surrounding the former seemed to be subtly trembling—almost frightened. It looked as though a flock of sheep were encircled by a fierce, mighty python, ever afraid of the latter's final counterattack. The faint silvery energy, sensing the tremor in the surrounding aura, suddenly surged powerfully. Where the intense silver glow passed, the green aura promptly retreated. As the green aura began to withdraw, the hissing sound within the silver glow grew more intense, as if laughing wildly. This human-like response deeply astonished Xiao Yan. Yet, amidst his astonishment, a quiet, subtle smirk also surfaced—how bold was this wind-and-thunder force? "Hmph!" A soft hum resonated within him, and as the hum grew, the qi surrounding the silver energy suddenly surged and trembled. Then, the qi subtly warped, and strands of emerald flame gradually seeped out from within. With the emergence of the emerald flame, the silver energy, startled, swiftly expanded its glow and retracted. While the silver energy withdrew, the emerald flame qi transformed, as if suddenly becoming a fierce, hungry wolf, advancing step by step, poised and ready to pounce at any moment.