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272: Dongling Kingdom Hidden Dragon ListLin Jingyu gained even more significantly.

As a True Disciple of the Qinglan Sect, Zhan Tai Mingyue’s understanding of the Dao of Thunder was systematic and profound, far beyond what Lin Jingyu could achieve by groping in the dark on his own.

Although constrained by Sect rules, Zhan Tai Mingyue could not impart core secret techniques like the Nine Heavens Thunder Canon in their entirety.

However, during their discussion of the Dao, he was often able to expound upon the Yin and Yang interactions and the evolution of Thunder from a higher perspective, speaking with great insight.

Every time he offered a pointer at a critical juncture, it was like parting the clouds to see the sun, causing Lin Jingyu to have a sudden enlightenment.

Many of the key points that he had previously tried to forcibly analyze using the Spirit Refining Art, yet remained vague and could only be understood through intuition,

became instantly clear after the other party’s seemingly casual pointers.

For example, the power of Thunder is not merely rigid and fierce; its extreme speed contains the profound principle of ”teleportation,” and the vibration of thunderous sounds can not only injure an enemy’s soul but also temper one’s own Divine Sense, making it more resilient.

Moreover, the vitality nurtured within destruction is closely related to the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, involving the Reincarnation of heaven and earth and the withering and flourishing of all things.

Although constrained by their cultivation levels, they could not possibly understand or practice these Concepts, but knowing and understanding them was a very important foundation.

Lin Jingyu felt that his understanding and control of the Thunder True Intent were deepening and consolidating at an astonishing speed; the nascent Thunder Origin mark was becoming increasingly solid, even faintly showing a hint of perfection.

This exhilarating discussion of the Dao lasted for a full three hours.

During this time, perhaps because their discussion of the Laws of Thunder had stirred the Qi of heaven and earth, the thunderclouds on the mountaintop, which were already churning endlessly, became even more active.

Thick silver snakes of lightning tore through the sky, and the sound of thunder echoed throughout the universe. The majestic might of heaven seemed to be responding to their debate, adding a touch of profound Concept.

Finally, Zhan Tai Mingyue stood up, his aura perfectly rounded and transparent, faintly resonating with the violent thunder environment around him, as if he himself were a part of this thunder domain.

The look in his eyes as he gazed at Lin Jingyu had completely shed its initial scrutiny and condescension, replaced by a sense of equal appreciation and recognition.

”Fellow Daoist Lin, I have benefited greatly from our discussion today. Your insights, such as ’using the spirit to command thunder’ and ’vitality hidden within destruction,’ are original and have given me some enlightenment as well.”

Zhan Tai Mingyue said sincerely, ”I look forward to meeting you again at greater heights. I am sure that by then, there will certainly be a place for you on the Eastern Spirit Nation hidden dragon ranking list.”

”The hidden dragon ranking list?”

Lin Jingyu’s heart stirred. This was the second time he had heard of this list; the first time was vaguely from Feng Xixi. He stood up and bowed solemnly:

”Many thanks to Fellow Daoist Zhan Tai for your guidance; Lin will remember this kindness. However, I am ignorant and must ask, what exactly is this hidden dragon ranking list? What are the benefits of being on it? And what kind of strength is required to attain it?”

Hearing this, Zhan Tai Mingyue smiled calmly and explained:

”The hidden dragon ranking list is published by the ’Tianji Sect,’ a mysterious Sect detached from worldly affairs in the Central Divine Province, targeting all young Cultivators under the age of thirty in the entire Eastern Spirit Nation.

The list is subdivided into two categories: Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment, each selecting the top three hundred and sixty-five individuals. Those who make the list are all outstanding figures among their peers, Dragons among men, hence the name ’hidden dragon.’”

He paused for a moment and continued:

”As for the benefits... first, it is to become famous throughout the Eastern Spirit Nation, bringing glory to one’s Sect and Family, and gaining great personal prestige.

Secondly, it is rumored that when the list is updated every year, the Tianji Sect secretly grants those on the list some unexpected Opportunities or resources. As for the specifics, only those on the list know.”

”Furthermore, the higher the ranking, the easier it is to attract the attention of large Sects and major Families, increasing the chances of receiving prioritized cultivation.”

Speaking of this, a faint look of helplessness and self-deprecation appeared on Zhan Tai Mingyue’s face:

”As for what strength is required? Hehe, Fellow Daoist Lin, do you think it’s easy to make the list? I, Zhan Tai Mingyue, have cultivated bitterly until now, luckily comprehending three types of True Intent and mastering two Sect secret techniques, yet I am currently only barely ranked outside the top three hundred and thirty on the Qi Refining list.

The Eastern Spirit Nation’s territory is vast, with countless aristocratic families and Sects like rain. There are also no shortage of disciples from reclusive experts; there is always someone stronger than the strong!”

After saying this, he said no more, signaled to the two guards beside him, and turned to walk away. In a few flashes of his figure, he had melted into the denser thunderclouds above like a ghost, disappearing from sight.

The two guards took a deep look at Lin Jingyu, their eyes complex and filled with hidden awe, before following him away.

The path was now clear. Lin Jingyu looked in the direction where Zhan Tai Mingyue had disappeared, his heart filled with surging waves. Today’s discussion and conversation gave him a deeper understanding of the profound foundation of the Qinglan Sect.

True Intent and secret techniques were not out of reach for their Core Disciples.

One True Disciple already possessed such demeanor, insight, and strength; the power of their Sect could be seen from this.

This also made him yearn even more for the Nine Heavens Thunder Canon, which could point directly to the Origin of Thunder.

And the existence of the ”hidden dragon ranking list” had opened a window for him to peek at the top talents of the younger generation in the Eastern Spirit Nation.

Zhan Tai Mingyue, with his three types of True Intent, could only be ranked outside the top three hundred! The high value and fierce competition of this list far exceeded his imagination.

Truly, there is heaven beyond heaven, and people beyond people!

An unprecedented fighting spirit and sense of urgency quietly rose in his heart.

Suppressing the churning distracting thoughts in his heart, Lin Jingyu’s eyes regained clarity, and he continued to climb upward.

After three hours of discussing the Dao with Zhan Tai Mingyue, he felt that his adaptability to the surrounding thunder environment had significantly increased, the Spirit Refining Art operated more smoothly, his affinity for the power of Thunder had improved quite a bit, and his steps were much lighter than before.

However, he knew deeply that while Zhan Tai Mingyue could move freely here by relying on his profound cultivation and Sect secret techniques, his own real test was only just beginning.

The closer he got to the mountaintop, the more brutal the environment became, nearly reaching the point of a forbidden zone.

The thunder here no longer fell sparsely, but poured down densely like a torrential rainstorm.

Lightning as thick as water buckets were no longer silver snakes, but roared like Thunder Dragons, connecting heaven and earth, crazily whipping the charred mountain.

Each strike shook the mountains and earth, leaving behind bottomless charred pits.

The air was no longer just filled with the pungent smell of ozone, but also a destructive aura of all things burning and heaven and earth returning to nothingness; inhaling it, even his Qi seemed to be on the verge of being ignited.

The invisible pressure of heaven and earth was as heavy as a mountain, pressing down relentlessly.

Every step Lin Jingyu took felt like carrying a heavy burden, and his bones emitted an unbearable ”creaking” sound.

He had to push the Evergreen Art to its limit, with pure wood-attributed Qi circulating through his entire body, nourishing the Meridians and flesh scorched by the might of the thunder.

At the same time, he operated the Spirit Refining Art with all his might, the three spiritual lakes surging with waves, and his powerful Divine Sense formed an invisible sensory barrier on the surface of his body.

Together with the purple electric arcs flickering around his body, he struggled to resist the all-pervading, destructive erosion of the power of Thunder.