Chapter 67: Mastery of the Thunder Vein

"Fully formed Thunder Meridian?"

Su Ye’s pupils contracted sharply, pain lancing through his body, but what shook him even more was the power of the Thunder Meridian surging from Yu Xingkun.

According to the stages of the Thunder Meridian, there was the Thunder Source, the First Manifestation of the Thunder Meridian, the Fusion of the Thunder Meridian, the Perfection of the Thunder Meridian, and finally, the Innate Thunder Meridian.

If one was born with the Thunder Meridian, it would surely reach the stage of being "wholly innate," perfectly fused into one’s being.

The Thunder Meridian within Yu Xingkun must have been transplanted three years ago, when he dug out Su Ye’s own. In just three short years, even someone as gifted as Yu Zhisha had not reached the stage of Perfection, yet Yu Xingkun already had.

"I already told you, didn’t I? You know nothing about the Thunder Meridian! Only I am worthy of possessing it! This time, I will show no mercy and leave no future trouble." Yu Xingkun did not press his advantage, but stood there like a titan, fists clenched, arcs of lightning flickering ceaselessly around him.

Su Ye gritted his teeth and slowly climbed back to his feet.

Jiang Liuying, always quick-witted and sharp-tongued, could not watch in silence. She shouted, "Su Ye, don’t fight him! You old scoundrel, did a dog lick your face? Bullying the young, waging a war of attrition—ha! You self-righteous clans, I spit on you."

The Yu and Zhou families had brought along their own ruffians, many adept at trading insults. But upon seeing Jiang Liuying’s stunning beauty, her delicate fair skin, and even hearing her scold was a pleasure to the ear, they all burst out laughing, clamoring for her to insult them more—they enjoyed it immensely.

Jiang Liuying flushed red with embarrassment.

Jiang Ziyang spoke in a low voice, "Su Ye, fall back! Let me handle him!"

"No need! In my eyes, everyone else’s Thunder Meridian is useless. I will win! I must take my revenge with my own hands!"

Su Ye shook his head forcefully. He knew Yu Xingkun’s cultivation was higher, but he could not give up so easily. He had to fight, he had to avenge himself.

Within the Yu family, Yu Wenhuan now found the courage to step forward, shouting, "Hmph, Su Ye, what are you? You dare fight my father? You’re as good as dead! And you, Jiang Liuying, you little wretch, don’t be so cocky! After we kill Su Ye and wipe out the Jiang family, I’ll deal with you myself!"

Jiang Liuying wanted to retort, but Su Ye had already charged in again, so she could only grit her teeth and continue watching.

With a flash—

Su Ye leapt skyward, the lightning around him crackling as he spun midair, bringing his fist down hard upon Yu Xingkun.

The force of the blow boomed downward, clashing violently with Yu Xingkun’s own attack.

The ground trembled beneath Yu Xingkun’s feet, and with a dull crack, fissures spidered out across the earth.

"Still using that move? It’s useless against me!" Yu Xingkun sneered. Su Ye had already used this technique in his earlier battle with the Zhou family head.

With a sudden surge of power, Yu Xingkun kicked at Su Ye midair, white light flaring from his toes.

Su Ye’s brow twitched; he responded with a punch, but with a resounding bang, he was sent flying ten meters into the air.

All the martial artists watched in awe—what kind of power did Yu Xingkun possess to send someone so high with a single kick?

"Roar!"

Su Ye let out a furious cry, twisted in midair, and with his left leg raised, brought his right foot crashing down with blinding light.

"Truly a genius!" Yu Xingkun praised, unmoving as his muscles swelled and lightning danced over his fists. His voice changed: "But before me, you’re no different from trash!"

He smashed his fist upward to meet Su Ye’s descending kick.

Boom!

Centered where fist met foot, a shockwave of light and wind thirty or forty meters across exploded outward, leaving everyone’s ears ringing in pain.

Su Ye’s body trembled; he felt as if the bones in his foot had shattered, his leg instantly numb, and he was flung backward once more.

Within Yu Xingkun’s fist, a savage current of lightning surged into Su Ye’s body, violently assaulting his vital meridians.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A sweet taste flooded Su Ye’s throat—blood rising to his mouth. He gritted his teeth, swallowing it back down.

When he landed, he could barely stand.

"Careful!" Jiang Ziyang, already watching closely, leapt forward and caught Su Ye.

Su Ye nodded to him, wanting to continue, but after just two steps, a wave of searing pain wracked his body. He knew that if not for his Thunder Meridian, most of his meridians would already be destroyed.

It was clear Yu Xingkun had mastered the Thunder Meridian to a degree far beyond most.

"Master Yu, what’s the point of bullying a junior? Let me experience your techniques…" Jiang Ziyang sheltered Su Ye behind him and stepped forward.

Su Ye gritted his teeth, "Let me fight. I can still go on! He only relies on brute force. Once I find his fatal weakness, I can kill him with one strike!"

Jiang Ziyang refused to let him continue. "Step back—you cannot fight anymore!"

Jiang Liuying rushed to Su Ye’s side, grabbing him. "Listen to my father. You’re already hurt. He’ll kill you."

Yan Tian was even more blunt. "Su Ye, stop trying to show off! This is a contest between clans. Your strength alone can’t change the outcome. Step back! If you lose again, we’ll have to rescue you."

The rest of the Jiang family pulled Su Ye back. Though they knew Su Ye had grown formidable, the earlier clash with Yu Xingkun showed he was no match.

If he went up again, defeat was certain.

"Hahaha! Both of you, stop fighting over who gets to die first!" Yu Xingkun’s ankles were buried in the earth, but he pulled free without effort and declared loudly, "A half-crippled old man, and a reckless youth—defeating either of you is no glory. Why don’t you come together? I can’t be bothered to take you one by one."

His provocative words sent the Yu family crowd into a frenzy of arrogant shouts.

No matter how talented Su Ye was, he would die today.

"Yu Xingkun, don’t be so arrogant. You’ve targeted the Jiang family for years—it’s time we settle the score." Jiang Ziyang stepped forward, a heavy look upon his deeply lined face.

Among the great clans of Yang City, almost all the clan heads were in their prime, at the peak of their vigor. A few old men still held power only because their sons had not yet seized control.

But the Jiang family was different. Jiang Ziyang, at his age, managed countless affairs himself, and doted on Jiang Liuying, unwilling to expose her to family business too soon.

Years of heavy burdens had bent the back of this elder who carried old wounds. The lines on his face spoke of a lifetime of hardship.

"Come then!"

Jiang Ziyang strode forward, clenching his fist until a dark light flared with a hum.

It was a light that made all who saw it uneasy; none could name the technique.

At that moment, everyone held their breath, watching intently. They all knew this duel would decide victory and defeat.

Master Ou, the one-armed Zhou family head, the Martial Alliance representative, Mentor Zhou Jinghao, and the neutral families—Ning and the rest—wore grave expressions, knowing a melee could break out once one side fell.

Yu Xingkun shouted, "I’ve heard the Jiang family wields a demonic art. Today, let my heavenly thunder suppress your evil sorcery!"