Chapter 101: 101 - Lord of Storms "I don’t remember creating this place..." Qingyi heard Ruxue’s voice in his head, his grip on the heaven-defying thunder sword intensifying as he observed his surroundings. Everything looked the same, the density of Qi, the deafening silence, the black, stony walls. Nothing had changed, but Qingyi couldn’t allow himself to let his guard down. After long moments, the answer to his doubts finally arrived. He felt the air tremble, a thunderous crackling noise spreading throughout the fourth floor as the wall slowly opened up. Qingyi held his sword ready. His lightning sword Qi spread across the blade, which glowed brightly. In all the swords he had ever used, the metal immediately showed signs of fatigue when he circulated his Qi through them, but the heaven-defying thunder sword was different. It was like a bottomless pit, devouring all the Qi poured into its blade and slowly growing stronger. ’Yes... that’s the sword I needed...’ Qingyi’s thoughts were interrupted by light footsteps approaching. His vision focused on the figure that emerged from the opening in the wall. It was a middle-aged man, tall and handsome. His tired face displayed a gentle smile, his clothes were luxurious but not exuberant, a black cloak covered in golden dragons and a red cape apparently made from some kind of spirit beast skin. Watching Qingyi, the man’s eyes lit up, focusing on the sword the handsome young man was carrying. "Greetings, young cultivator!" He spread his hands, his animated voice contrasting with the tired expression he tried and failed to hide. "Fucking pigs!" Ruxue gritted her teeth, her sweet, mature voice filled with anger. "I insisted many times that my last bearer exterminate this family of disgusting snakes. Why did she never listen to me?" Fortunately, her voice could only be heard in Qingyi’s mind. ’Do you know this guy?’ Qingyi asked mentally. "Yes, it was his family together with that filthy whore who plotted the fall of my temple and ambushed my former bearer. If it hadn’t been for them..." Ruxue’s voice suddenly died away. Through the connection with Ruxue, Qingyi felt the beauty’s emotions explode, anger, melancholy, grief. If she manifested herself now, he was sure she would jump straight down that man’s throat. ’Calm down... I’ll deal with them when the time comes...’ Qingyi spoke. He could barely sense that man’s Qi, but could easily deduce that he was in the Golden Core realm. "That worm ambushed me along with two other Golden Core realm cultivators a few years ago. It was because of this ambush that my power fell so quickly. He was at the first stage of the golden core realm at the time." ’And the other two?’ "Dead. I tore out their throats and ripped out their guts myself. I have no idea how that bastard managed to escape." Becoming uncomfortable with Qingyi’s silence, the man cleared his throat before introducing himself. "I am Xiao Zhenwang, Lord of Storms and Monarch of the Heavenly Thunder Realm." He declared arrogantly before ordering: "What are you waiting for? Prostrate yourself before your king!" Qingyi hesitated for a brief moment, but then knelt down, clasping his fists together. He still wasn’t sure if he would be able to defeat this man and, for now, he preferred to just go along with him, at least until he had a chance to escape. "Long Qingyi greets Xiao Zhenwang, Lord of Storms." Qingyi bowed his head, drawing a smile from the king. "Good! Good!" He clapped his hands, signaling Qingyi to stand up. "It’s been tens of thousands of years since Xiao kings ruled this kingdom. During that time, we’ve never stopped dreaming of the day when a young hero would finally be able to wield this sword and tame that cursed spirit..." "Your Majesty’s words flatter me..." Qingyi forced out the most emotional voice he could produce, his eyes almost watering. "Disgusting..." Ruxue’s voice took his attention away for a brief moment before he focused on the king again, whose lips rose in a wide smile. "I’m the one who’s flattered by the presence of such a hero in my kingdom, hahaha!" Zhenwang laughed. "Now swear allegiance to me." The king spoke, straightforwardly. "I have ten beautiful daughters, you can choose any one of them to be your wife, any land within the royal domain to rule over and the title of supreme commander of my armies!" ’Is this bastard really going to hand over so much power to a random person just because of the heaven-defying thunder sword?" Qingyi wondered. If it had been anyone else, he would have been thrilled, but such promises didn’t touch Qingyi’s heart. Not even a thousand princesses from this kingdom could match a single fingernail of an incomparable beauty like Ruxue. Zhenwang noticed Qingyi’s hesitation, a warm smile taking over his face. "There’s no need to rush, young man. Come with me to my palace, drink with me and make a decision, but first..." His voice lowered, his eyes shining with greed as they roamed over the sword in Qingyi’s hands. "Why not let me have a look at it?" He spread his hands slightly. "Don’t worry, since it’s already accepted you, I have no way of taking it from you, I’m just curious." "Let that filthy pig touch me and I guarantee it, I’ll blow myself up along with you and this whole place," Ruxue threatened in Qingyi’s mind, drawing a smile from him. Yes, that was exactly how one of his women should react to the idea of being touched by another man. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞 Sighing heavily, Qingyi stood up, looking at his balance of lust points. It was more than enough. "It would be an honor to serve you, Your Majesty, but I have a question..." "Go ahead." Zhenwang’s smile began to fade, but he kept a calm expression. "I believe that it was your majesty and his family who hunted down the lightning spirit priestesses and killed them before they reached the sword. Am I correct?" Qingyi asked. Those words completely wiped away the king’s smile. His eyes were filled with a deep cold and he clenched his fists.