Pinnacle of Martial Arts

Atop the continent’s highest peak, inky black clouds rolled and thundered, with massive silver bolts of lightning flashing relentlessly within their depths, unleashing deafening, terrifying roars that made it seem as if nothing remained in the world but this earth-shaking thunder. Su Yi stood at the summit, ethereal as an immortal. The raging winds, furious clouds, and the primordial lightning that threatened to annihilate all things could not shake him in the slightest; it was as if he had stood there for millennia.

With a slight movement of his hand, the Blood of Heaven and the Nine Nether Heavenly Thunder appeared in his palm. For a moment, even the heavens and earth seemed to tremble in mournful resonance. Gazing down at all living things from this height, Su Yi—who had finally become the pinnacle existence in this world—felt as if a lifetime had passed in a single instant. After so many years of struggle, he had at last climbed to this summit.

Memories of those past days began to resurface in his mind...

...

Unnoticed, dusk was drawing near. The sun slanted westward, casting lazy rays through gaps in the forest canopy, speckling the ground with flecks of golden light. Occasionally, a gentle breeze would stir the leaves, causing the scattered light to dance across the earth like schools of fish. The comfortable sunshine, the soft breeze, and the unique tranquility of twilight would make anyone want to lean against a tree and nap.

Yet, beneath a lush, broad tree, a youth of about eighteen sat cross-legged, his hands resting on his knees,