Chapter 37: Defeating the Prodigy with a Palm, the First Display of the Five Thunders

A fierce gale swept across the mountaintop, severing the wind and rain. Centered around Xuanming and Chu Yunfei, an invisible momentum surged outward, creating a void where neither wind could enter nor rain could fall. The curtain of rain hung suspended in the air, then slid away to either side. Though not as overwhelming as the force displayed by the man in black moments ago, the pressure was equally terrifying, causing Xuantong and Xuanyu to change color and retreat repeatedly.

The two disciples exchanged a helpless look; being the weakest among them, they could only serve as spectators.

The two forces clashed. Chu Yunfei attacked, and Xuanming defended. The former was rigid and forceful, while the latter was supple and yielding. As time passed, Chu Yunfei’s expression grew complex, shifting between solemnity and excitement.

His solemnity stemmed from the fact that the old Daoist was stronger than him. No matter how majestic his momentum or how he transformed his invisible fist force into a fierce assault, it was like a clay ox entering the sea—it stirred no ripples.

His excitement, too, was because the old Daoist was stronger than him. He had not encountered such a powerful opponent at his level in a long time; it was worth the risk of venturing out in the rain. The stronger the opponent, the more exhilarated he felt. Only by defeating such a foe could he achieve a greater sense of accomplishment and sharpen his skills. His blood boiled, and his fighting spirit was reignited, accumulating like rising water.

Facing Chu Yunfei’s formidable momentum, Xuanming remained calm, as unmoved as a mountain regardless of the winds from any direction.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

When the rain began to fall again, the first drop touched the tip of his boot. With a single step, the ground sank three feet deep. Chu Yunfei finally moved. Without a word, he silently raised his arm and threw a punch. The whistling of the fist wind mirrored the strike he had prepared for the assassin earlier.

The punch was ferocious and peerlessly tyrannical, carrying the wind and rain with it. The accumulated water on the ground surged forward along with the strike, roaring like a mountain torrent.

As the gale whipped his beard and hair and his robes fluttered violently, Xuanming remained composed, making no move, letting Chu Yunfei unleash his full strength. Xuantong and Xuanyu held their breath, watching silently as the strike descended. Whether it was the fist wind, the fist intent, the fist energy, or the spiritual power and the rain, everything automatically parted before him. Like a long river meeting a giant mountain, it could not erode him and was forced to flow to either side.

Only when the punch was upon him did Xuanming finally move. He raised his hand, striking a palm that arrived after, yet struck first.

The moment fist and palm met, his palm radiated brilliance. Thunder surged, and lightning flashed with a blinding blue light—more powerful and tyrannical than the punch itself. After a brief stalemate, the wind and rain vanished, the water fell to the ground, and the fist energy, intent, and momentum were completely shattered. The wind and rain on the mountaintop hung suspended in mid-air once more, unable to fall.

The Five Thunders rumbled, the residual force striking directly at Chu Yunfei. Xuanming flicked his sleeve, withdrawing his hand in time, and the thunder dissipated. He had long since mastered the Five Thunders to the point of perfect control, ensuring no excess energy leaked out. Because of this, even though Chu Yunfei was defeated by the palm wind, he remained completely unscathed.

***

Silence descended upon the mountain peak.

Chu Yunfei was stunned; he had not expected to be defeated so thoroughly, essentially crushed. Xuantong and Xuanyu were equally shocked; they had not realized their senior brother Xuanming was so terrifyingly powerful, capable of effortlessly overcoming Chu Yunfei. The reputation of "the invincible punch" among those of the same rank was not merely a title—it was a name earned through battle, truly deserved, and ranked among the top of the Qi-refining practitioners in Fengyang County. They had expected a fierce, dragon-and-tiger struggle, yet it had ended just like that!

Moments later, the three of them recovered, each reacting in their own way. Chu Yunfei quickly accepted his defeat, his eyes gleaming with a spirited, respectful intensity. Xuantong puffed out his chest, looking proud as if he were the victor. Xuanyu, whose face was usually devoid of emotion, wore a radiant smile, looking at Xuanming with newfound fervor.

Chu Yunfei cupped his hands and bowed. "One mountain is higher than another, and there is always someone stronger. I thought the Daoist was merely peerless in swordsmanship, but I did not expect you to be a master of the thunder arts as well. Your depth is unfathomable. I am truly convinced."

"This junior will keep his promise and guard your secret. When I break through my current realm in the future, I will come to seek your guidance again."

Watching Chu Yunfei, who possessed the grace and resilience of a noble family heir, Xuanming felt a touch of admiration. He nodded slightly in return. "Young friend, you worry too much. We both possess superior Dao foundations; I merely benefited from having already entered the True Person realm, allowing me a deeper insight into the Five Thunders. My victory was pure luck."

"Your 'Heaven-Dominating Fist' makes the wind and rain dim; the Chu family's martial prowess is renowned throughout Fengyang County. When you step into the Qi-refining stage, your mastery of this fist will surely surpass mine."

Politeness is mutual. Chu Yunfei was courteous, and Xuanming knew how to speak well. His reasoning was half-truth, half-modesty. The Tyrant Fist was indeed a superior martial art, and the Five Thunders was a superior Daoist technique. He did indeed have a deeper understanding of his defensive arts. He certainly could not reveal that he possessed a "Perfect Foundation," as that would be exposing his own secrets.

Chu Yunfei, realizing that the True Person Xuanming was giving him face, bowed in gratitude and laughed heartily.

Just then, a sound cut through the air. A figure arrived.

The person revealed their true face—a middle-aged man with a full beard and an average build. However, Xuanming knew that within that seven-foot frame lay immense power, like a dormant volcano. Once unleashed, it would be earth-shattering. He was clearly a martial powerhouse of the Innate Realm.

He was holding a corpse, dressed exactly like the previous assassin. Judging by the lingering aura, this one was also an Innate-level combatant.

Seeing the middle-aged man safe and sound, Chu Yunfei felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. He bowed happily. "Uncle."

The man nodded, tossed the corpse aside, and cupped his hands toward Xuanming. "Chu Dong pays respects to the True Person. I was lured away by that thief earlier, falling for a 'lure the tiger from the mountain' scheme. Thank you, True Person, for your intervention and for protecting Yunfei. The Chu clan will certainly reward you handsomely."

He was the very reason Chu Yunfei had dared to take such a risk. He had not expected the mastermind to be so cunning, utilizing two assassins in coordination. Thinking of this, Chu Dong felt even more grateful to Xuanming. Had it not been for him, he would likely be collecting Yunfei’s body, a tragedy that would have created an irreparable rift between him and his third brother, ruining decades of brotherhood.

Xuanming returned the salute. "Lay Practitioner Chu, you speak too seriously. Since you came to Floating Cloud Mountain, it was the duty of my Qiuzhen Temple to ensure young Master Chu’s safety. I have informed the young master of the details, and he can relay them to you."

Chu Yunfei interrupted, "Uncle, was the attacker truly an assassin from the Fuyi Tower?"

Chu Dong acknowledged with a grave expression, "It is more than likely."

Both were men of swift, decisive action. Not wanting to intrude further, they bowed to Xuanming once more and departed the temple, heading straight down the mountain. Before leaving, they made sure to take the two corpses with them; if the secret was to be kept, the assassins had to be seen as having died at the hands of Chu Dong alone. Furthermore, the Chu clan intended to make use of what remained of them.

On the summit, the wind and rain began to fall again. Xuanming sat cross-legged, continuing his meditation. Soon, he was once again soaked to the bone, looking disheveled, as if the old Daoist who had so casually injured a Qi-refining expert and defeated a prodigy was merely an illusion.

This, at the moment, was his true self.

Two figures hurried up the mountain and returned—it was Xuantong and Xuanyu. They bowed, and looking at the old Daoist’s back, Xuantong was the first to speak.