The Ferocious God in the Celestial Master's Mansion

Zhang Qingjing dared not be negligent. He formed hand seals and chanted incantations. A soft golden light emanated from his hands, like a large net, enveloping Zhang Yulei. The golden light landed on Zhang Yulei, instantly enveloping him, attempting to suppress the malevolent energy and uncontrolled lightning power within him.

But Zhang Yulei had completely lost his mind at this moment. The malevolent energy and lightning power within his body intertwined and erupted with astonishing strength. He struggled frantically, and the golden light shield was shaken to the point of collapse by his attacks.

"Master, your disciple is here to help you!" Zhang Zhiwei shouted, his Qi erupted instantly, and the Golden Light Mantra was activated at full power. A thick golden light shield covered Zhang Yulei's body, working in conjunction with Zhang Qingjing's golden light to suppress his power.

"Yulei, wake up!" Zhang Zhiwei's voice boomed like a great bell. "I'm your senior brother! Look at me!"

Zhang Yulei paused slightly, and the crimson in his eyes seemed to fade a little. He looked at Zhang Zhiwei in a daze, letting out muffled roars, and his struggles weakened somewhat.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zhang Qingjing increased the output of Qi. The gentle Qi nourished Zhang Yulei's meridians like spring rain, guiding the out-of-control lightning power back on track, while also trying to purify the violent energy within his body.

After a long while, Zhang Yulei's struggles gradually ceased, the bloodshot in his eyes slowly faded, and reason regained its advantage. He collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, his clothes tattered and stained with mud and blood.

"Master... Senior Brother..." he said weakly, his voice hoarse and filled with guilt.

Zhang Qingjing and Zhang Zhiwei finally breathed a sigh of relief and withdrew their Qi. Looking at the weak Zhang Yulei on the ground, their faces were full of worry.

"How are you? Is anything bothering you?" Zhang Zhiwei quickly stepped forward and helped Zhang Yulei up, his tone full of concern.

Zhang Yulei shook his head, a deep sense of self-reproach on his face: "This disciple is incompetent and has lost control again... I have also damaged the scenery of the back mountain. Please punish me, Master and Senior Brother."

Zhang Qingjing looked at him with a complicated expression: "Punishment is unnecessary. However, your condition is getting more and more serious. The Thunder Technique is fierce and domineering, complementing the malevolent energy within you. While continuing to cultivate it will certainly increase your strength, it will also make your malevolent energy increasingly difficult to control."

He paused, then said, "It seems that relying solely on mental cultivation and physical training is no longer enough to suppress your ferocity. From today onward, in addition to practicing martial arts and techniques, you will also need to study Taoist classics with me to cultivate your character and temper your temperament. Only by making your mind strong enough can you truly control the power within your body."

"Disciple obeys," Zhang Yulei replied respectfully. He knew that his master was doing this for his own good. If he couldn't control his violent energy, he would be devoured by it sooner or later.

In the following years, Zhang Yulei's life became even busier. Every day before dawn, he would get up to meditate and practice breathing exercises, and then practice fist and foot techniques and weapons with Zhang Zhiwei. In the morning, he would study Taoist classics with Zhang Qingjing, from the Tao Te Ching to Zhuangzi, from Baopuzi to the Book of Changes. He would carefully study and ponder the principles in each of these obscure and difficult classics. In the afternoon, he would practice the Golden Light Mantra and Thunder Magic on his own, constantly consolidating and improving his cultivation. In the evening, he would review his practice of the day and reflect on his shortcomings.

Under the influence of Taoist classics, Zhang Yulei's temperament gradually became calmer. He learned to control his emotions, no longer easily angered by things, and the violent energy within him became much calmer than before. Although it was still latent deep within him, it was no longer easily aroused.

During this period, his cultivation also progressed rapidly. At the age of twelve, his Golden Light Mantra had reached the advanced level, and his defensive capabilities were comparable to those of the core disciples of the Celestial Master's Mansion. At the age of thirteen, he was able to skillfully use his thunder magic, summoning, controlling, and unleashing thunder, with each move carrying the force of thunder. At the age of fifteen, his fist and foot skills and swordsmanship had also reached a high level, and ordinary extraordinary people were no match for him.

That year, Zhang Yulei formally challenged Zhang Zhiwei for the first time.

The competition was to be held at the martial arts arena of the Celestial Master's Mansion. Once the news spread, all the disciples of the mansion flocked to the scene, eager to witness this exciting contest. With a gifted and rapidly improving closed-door disciple on one side, and the number one young talent of Longhu Mountain and the future Celestial Master on the other, the level of attention this competition garnered was immense.

Zhang Qingjing sat calmly on the high platform beside the martial arts arena, observing the two people in the arena. Zhang Zhiwei was dressed in a blue Taoist robe, with a smile on his face, looking composed; Zhang Yulei was dressed in a black outfit, with a tall and straight posture, a firm gaze, and a youthful vigor and fierce aura.

"Junior brother, go easy on him," Zhang Zhiwei said with a smile, his tone slightly teasing.

Zhang Yulei cupped his hands in greeting: "Senior brother, please give me your guidance."

No sooner had he finished speaking than he struck first. His figure blurred, and he hurtled towards Zhang Zhiwei like an arrow released from a bow. His fist clenched, carrying a fierce burst of energy, aimed directly at Zhang Zhiwei's face. This punch contained the essence of fist and foot techniques, incorporating the power of thunder magic; its speed was lightning-fast, and its power astonishing.

A hint of approval flashed in Zhang Zhiwei's eyes. Instead of retreating, he advanced and threw a punch as well. His fist appeared slow, but it contained endless variations, perfectly blocking Zhang Yulei's attack.

"Bang!"

The two fists collided, producing a dull thud. A powerful shockwave spread outwards, causing the surrounding disciples to involuntarily take a few steps back.

Zhang Yulei felt a surge of immense power from his opponent's fist, his arm went numb, and he involuntarily took three steps back. Zhang Zhiwei, however, remained motionless, a faint smile still on his face.

"Not bad, the power is quite strong," Zhang Zhiwei said, "but it's not refined enough. Let's try again!"

Zhang Yulei took a deep breath, adjusted his internal energy, and surged forward again. This time, he didn't use brute force, but skillfully combined his fist and foot techniques, the Golden Light Mantra, and lightning magic. Sometimes he used his fists and feet to clear a path, fierce and domineering; sometimes he used golden light to protect his body, making his defense impenetrable; and sometimes he summoned lightning for ranged attacks.

Zhang Zhiwei also abandoned his contempt and began to take the situation seriously. With his profound cultivation and rich experience, he could calmly deflect any move Zhang Yulei used, and at the same time, he could occasionally counterattack, forcing Zhang Yulei to retreat repeatedly.

On the training ground, the two figures moved with lightning speed, the sounds of fists and feet clashing, qi colliding, and thunder roaring intertwined, creating a very intense scene. The surrounding disciples watched with wide eyes, exclaiming in amazement.

"I never expected my junior brother to be so powerful, managing to fight my senior brother to such an extent!"

"Yes, Junior Brother is only fifteen years old. If he cultivates for a few more years, he might really surpass Senior Brother!"

"Senior Brother is too amazing. No matter what moves Junior Brother uses, he can easily neutralize them."

Sitting on the high platform, Zhang Qingjing looked at the two people in the arena with a satisfied smile on his face. Zhang Zhiwei's composure, experience, and ability to control his emotions greatly pleased him; while Zhang Yulei's daring, fighting spirit, and rapid progress gave him a glimpse of the future of Longhu Mountain.

What particularly pleased him was that Zhang Yulei maintained his composure and rationality throughout the intense competition, showing no signs of his inner rage erupting. This indicated that the years of teaching and training had begun to bear fruit.

Time passed slowly, and the two had exchanged more than twenty blows. Although Zhang Yulei's attacks were fierce, he was unable to break through Zhang Zhiwei's defense. Instead, due to the depletion of his physical strength and Qi, he gradually became somewhat powerless.

Zhang Zhiwei saw his predicament and, instead of seizing the opportunity to attack, slowed down the pace, saying, "Junior Brother, there are only a few moves left. Use your full strength!"

Zhang Yulei gritted his teeth, a resolute glint in his eyes. He took a deep breath, his internal energy surging wildly, and he deliberately drew out a trace of malevolent energy, merging it with his lightning magic. Instantly, his aura surged, his body crackling with faint lightning, and his eyes sharpened even more.

"Senior brother, be careful!"

He roared, his figure transforming into a blur, simultaneously drawing upon the Qi within his body and the power of lightning in the world, unleashing his strongest move—Thunder Shakes the Nine Heavens!

A thick bolt of lightning struck down from the sky, resonating with the lightning power within him, forming a devastating force that hurtled towards Zhang Zhiwei.

Zhang Zhiwei's expression hardened, and he dared not be negligent. He formed a hand seal and activated the Golden Light Mantra at full power. A thick golden light shield enveloped his entire body, and at the same time, the Qi within his body continuously flowed into the golden light shield.

"Boom!"

The lightning struck the golden shield with a deafening roar. The shield shook violently, cracks appearing on its surface, but it ultimately held firm.

As the lightning subsided, Zhang Zhiwei remained standing in the same spot, the golden light shield slowly dissipating. Zhang Yulei, however, exhausted his internal energy, his legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.

"Thirty moves are up." Zhang Zhiwei looked at Zhang Yulei on the ground with a smile on his face. "Junior Brother, you've won."

The surrounding disciples erupted in thunderous applause and cheers. Fifteen-year-old Zhang Yulei, without holding back, had managed to withstand thirty moves from Zhang Zhiwei—a truly miraculous achievement.

Zhang Yulei struggled to his feet, a tired but excited smile on his face: "Senior brother, I...I did it."

Zhang Qingjing walked over with a gratified smile on her face: "Good, good, good! Yulei, you haven't disappointed me. To be able to withstand thirty moves from Zhiwei at the age of fifteen, this talent and strength is enough to make you stand out among the younger generation of the entire supernatural world."

He paused, then continued, "Now that you have mastered your skills and your temperament has matured, it's time for you to go down the mountain and gain some experience. The world of extraordinary beings is ever-changing, and simply staying behind closed doors on Longhu Mountain is far from enough. Only by experiencing trials and tribulations can you truly grow."

To go down the mountain for training?

A glint of anticipation flashed in Zhang Yulei's eyes. He had spent fifteen years on Longhu Mountain and was already filled with curiosity about the outside world. Moreover, he wanted to see for himself what the world of "Under One Person" was really like.

"Disciple obeys!" Zhang Yulei bowed respectfully. "Disciple will certainly live up to Master and Senior Brother's expectations, and will train hard, broaden my horizons, and temper my character."

Zhang Zhiwei patted him on the shoulder: "Junior Brother, be careful in everything after you go down the mountain. The outside world is much more complicated than Longhu Mountain. People are treacherous, especially the Quanxing people, who are capable of any evil. Don't act impulsively when you encounter problems; think things through. If you encounter trouble that you can't solve, go back to the mountain immediately."

"Don't worry, senior brother, I will." Zhang Yulei nodded.

Zhang Qingjing took out a token from her bosom and handed it to Zhang Yulei: "This is the token of the Celestial Master's Mansion. With this, you can have someone to help you if you encounter any extraordinary people from other sects. Remember, no matter when or where, you must uphold the righteousness of Longhu Mountain and never do anything wrong. More importantly, you must control your emotions and never let your violent temper get out of control again."

"Disciple will remember Master's teachings!" Zhang Yulei said solemnly as he accepted the token with both hands.

Over the next few days, Zhang Yulei began packing his belongings. He didn't bring much, only a sword hand-forged by his master, a few changes of clothes, and some travel money.

On the day of his departure, Zhang Qingjing and Zhang Zhiwei personally escorted him to the foot of Longhu Mountain.

"Go on your journey, take care." Zhang Qingjing's voice carried a hint of reluctance.

Zhang Zhiwei handed Zhang Yulei a package: "This contains some healing and detoxifying pills. Take it, just in case. Remember, Longhu Mountain will always be your home. Come back soon."

Zhang Yulei bowed deeply to the two of them, his eyes slightly moist: "Master, Senior Brother, take care! This disciple will definitely return soon."

After saying that, he turned and resolutely walked down the mountain. Sunlight shone on him, casting a long shadow. His steps were firm, and his eyes were filled with longing and anticipation for the future.

Little did he know that this journey down the mountain for training would not bring him growth and experience, but rather a catastrophe that would change his entire life. The conspiracy of Quanxing, the hypocrisy of the prestigious sects, and the latent malice within him, ready to erupt at any moment, would soon plunge him into an abyss of no return.

At this moment, Zhang Qingjing and Zhang Zhiwei had no idea that when they met again, the genius disciple in their eyes would become a "fierce god" who would make the entire world of supernatural beings tremble with fear.

The wind on Longhu Mountain blows gently, carrying a faint trace of sadness. It seems to have foreseen the tragedy to come, yet is powerless to stop it.