The next day felt different.
Everyone still remembered the incident from the night before. The three disciples had their cultivation sealed and were now no different from ordinary men. Because of that, the Divine Sword Sect's trust in Isshin deepened even further. At this point, it was almost certain that he would be the one chosen for the thunder cultivation.
After a few more days passed, the time finally arrived.
Everyone gathered at the center of the ruined temple hidden within the jungle. It was no longer just the Divine Sword Sect. At least forty cultivators stood there now, all drawn by the same prize. Three sects were present: the Divine Sword Sect, the Ninefold Path Sect, and the Wudang Sect.
The moment the Divine Sword Sect noticed the Wudang members, hostility flared. Their elder's aura sharpened for an instant, as if he were about to strike, but he restrained himself. Causing chaos here would only make things worse.
By now, it was obvious to everyone that Isshin was the main candidate for the thunder cultivation.
There was a pact that no sect ever broke during events like this. Elders were forbidden from interfering. The right to fight for the cultivation belonged solely to the disciples. That meant Isshin would face two opponents: one from the Ninefold Path and one from the Wudang Sect.
When the disciples were sent forward, the Wudang disciple immediately charged at the Ninefold Path disciple. The attack was blocked just in time. It was clear the two recognized each other. Rivals, perhaps from past encounters.
Isshin took that moment as his chance.
While chaos unfolded below, he climbed toward the peak of the temple. The structure was unstable, but his footing remained steady. As the fighting intensified, the other two disciples realized too late that they had been distracted.
The Wudang disciple leaped upward toward the peak. The Ninefold Path disciple followed, using a technique that was fast and nearly silent. They both reached the top, ready to stop Isshin.
Then something massive moved above them.
A shadow fell over the temple.
The wyvern descended and landed directly in front of Isshin as he began cultivating. Its presence alone sent shockwaves through the air. Its eyes locked onto the two disciples, filled with clear hostility.
The crowd below erupted.
"Is that even allowed?" a Wudang elder shouted.
But there was nothing they could do. The wyvern was not part of any sect. It had acted on its own.
The two disciples tried to attack anyway, desperate and unwilling to give up. The wyvern responded with a blast of qi so powerful that they were forced to block. Even so, the shockwave sent them skidding backward. It was obvious they stood no chance.
Then the sky changed.
Lightning began to gather above the temple.
The first bolt struck straight down onto Isshin.
Pain surged through his body, enough to kill an ordinary cultivator instantly. But Isshin remained calm. He guided the lightning instead of resisting it, harmonizing it with his own qi. Both carried the same attribute. With Raijin's guidance, it felt natural.
Bolt after bolt descended.
When it ended, Isshin broke through to the fifth stage of the Nascent Soul Realm.
The sight stunned everyone. There was no visible struggle, no desperation. Just control.
The other sects accepted their loss. Even though the Divine Sword Sect still held resentment toward the Wudang Sect, they let it go for now.
Soon after, the elders announced that it was time to dig beneath the temple to uncover its hidden treasures.
Isshin frowned. "You didn't tell me anything about that," he said to Raijin.
"The cultivation was the only thing worth taking," Raijin replied. "Anything else is unlikely to help you. You already have better resources from the Skeleton King."
Isshin understood.
He turned to the Divine Sword Sect elder. "I would like to join your sect."
Smiles appeared immediately.
Then Isshin added, "But I have to leave now. The treasures here are not useful to me. I will return to the sect later. I have urgent matters to attend to."
"Wait!" the elder shouted as Isshin vanished in a streak of lightning.
The elder could have chased him, but he stopped. It was pointless. Isshin was faster now, far faster than before.
He sighed, scratching his forehead.
"What am I supposed to tell the sect leader now?"