After Lei Ying brought Lei Qi out of the ancestral land, the moment his gaze fell upon him, his expression hardened.
Waves of violent energy pulsed from Lei Qi's body — dark currents of black lightning flickering erratically across his skin.
"Lei Qi, what's happening to you?" Lei Ying demanded, his tone laced with urgency.
Lei Qi steadied his breathing. "I defeated one of the strongest puppets within and… obtained this black lightning. But it's far stronger than I expected. I can't control it."
Lei Ying's eyes narrowed, then without hesitation, he placed his hand on Lei Qi's back and injected his powerful Dou Qi.
Thunder boomed faintly as their energies collided. Even Lei Ying's eyes widened slightly. "This lightning… it's not ordinary."
What he sensed made even an Eight-Star Dou Sheng tremble — this wasn't just violent energy; it was a living storm.
But precisely because of that, he knew one thing for certain: Lei Qi was no ordinary youth.
Lei Ying immediately began to seal the raging lightning. For an ordinary cultivator, this would have been impossible — but Lei Ying's thunder-attributed Dou Qi, sharp and absolute, clamped down on the black lightning like an unyielding cage.
Gradually, the violent energy subsided.
Half an hour later, Lei Ying exhaled deeply, beads of sweat glimmering on his forehead. He looked at Lei Qi, his expression a mix of awe and concern.
"I've sealed it temporarily," he said at last. "But it's not under my full control. This lightning… it's something far beyond ordinary black demonic thunder."
Lei Qi, whose body now faintly glowed with residual arcs, finally felt a weight lift from his chest.
Lei Ying continued, voice steady but heavy, "Listen, Lei Qi. Until you master it yourself, I'll need to reinforce the seal every year. Otherwise, it will break free — and destroy you from within."
Lei Qi's expression froze. A bitter smile tugged at his lips.
"So I've basically got a ticking bomb inside me, huh…?"
Lei Ying sighed but nodded. "Exactly. Still, this power—if mastered—will become your greatest strength. It's a curse now, but it could one day be your path to divinity."
Lei Qi clenched his fists, frustration flickering behind his calm exterior. I was careless this time… but next time, I'll turn this curse into power.
"Not bad, Xiao Qi," Lei Ying finally said with a faint smile, breaking the tension. "You've made tremendous progress in these years."
Indeed, Lei Qi's cultivation had reached Two-Star Dou Huang. At only seventeen years old.
Even among the Eight Ancient Clans, such talent was monstrous — clear proof that the divine bloodline flowed within him.
Lei Qi smiled faintly. "I've been lucky these past years. Though… it's been a bit lonely."
Lei Ying nodded knowingly. "That's the path of cultivation. The higher you climb, the fewer can walk beside you."
"Clan Leader," Lei Qi said after a pause, "I'd like to go out for a while."
Lei Ying blinked. "Go out? Why would you want to leave the clan?"
"I feel… I've reached the limit of what I can achieve staying here. I want to go to the mainland, test myself, gain experience."
Lei Ying fell silent for a moment. "The mainland is vast — and full of danger."
"Only by facing danger can one truly become powerful," Lei Qi replied calmly.
Lei Ying smiled faintly, a mix of pride and worry in his eyes. "Very well. I'll arrange for several protectors to accompany you. They won't interfere unless absolutely necessary."
Originally, he had intended to keep them hidden, but Lei Qi wasn't a fool — knowing they were there was better than being secretly guarded.
"Good," Lei Qi said. "With my current strength, I'm still far from the apex. Having a few people watching my back isn't a bad idea."
Lei Ying nodded in satisfaction. "An eagle must eventually leave the nest to soar. Staying sheltered only dulls its wings."
"By the way, Clan Leader," Lei Qi said suddenly, "I heard Elder Mang Tianchi once founded an institution on the mainland called Canaan Academy?"
Lei Ying's eyes flickered in surprise. "Yes… that's true."
"And… that academy holds the Fallen Heart Flame?"
Lei Ying frowned slightly. "That, I'm not sure. Why ask?"
"I'm interested in strange fires," Lei Qi admitted. "My attributes are… unusual. I possess both thunder and fire. I want to obtain that flame."
Lei Ying raised an eyebrow. "Strange fire? It's useless to thunder cultivators."
"Normally, yes," Lei Qi said, "but my black lightning seems to have a devouring nature. If it can absorb strange fire, I might be able to merge both attributes — thunder and flame — into one."
Lei Ying's expression softened with understanding. "I see. That's not a bad path… but Elder Mang Tianchi is currently at the Medicine Clan, attending the new Pharmacopoeia conference. You'll have to wait until he returns."
"Have they departed yet?" Lei Qi asked quickly.
"Not yet."
"Then I'll go with them," Lei Qi said decisively. "My fire attribute contains traces of wood. If we're going to the Medicine Clan, perhaps I can learn alchemy along the way."
Lei Ying hesitated for a moment, then smiled faintly. "In that case, I'll speak to Mang Tianchi. Go back and rest for now. We'll depart tomorrow."
"Yes, Clan Leader."
Returning to his residence in the Inner Realm, Lei Qi found several maids already waiting, their arms laden with fresh robes, spirit fruits, and herbal tonics.
It was clear that, even without officially being named Young Clan Leader, his status had already reached that level.
As he stepped inside, Lei Qi frowned slightly.
Why are all the maids built like warriors?
Even the smallest of them looked like she could break boulders barehanded.
Lei Qi sighed inwardly. "The Thunder Clan truly has no concept of aesthetics…"
He leaned back against the window, gazing out at the silver clouds that marked the borders of the Inner Realm.
The air crackled faintly with thunder, yet it felt calm — serene.
Still, deep inside, Lei Qi's heart stirred with anticipation.
The mainland… Canaan Academy… the Fallen Heart Flame. And this black lightning inside me — what exactly are you?
He closed his eyes, his lips curling into a faint, confident smile. "Let's find out."