The Profound Old Ghost was taken aback. He cleared his throat and quickly said, "There was a reason I didn’t give it to you at first."

"What reason?"

"Hmph, brat. Even if I’d given you a Combat Skill, could you have cultivated it? You weren’t even a First-Ring Martial Disciple back then—how could you have possibly learned it?"

Mu Chen was stunned. "Uh... That does make sense."

The Profound Old Ghost continued, "However, this Combat Skill is incredibly powerful, but its usage restrictions are extremely strict. Take it and have a look."

With that, the Profound Old Ghost casually flicked his wrist, and a scroll made of the same material as the Extreme Spirit Chaos Technique appeared before Mu Chen’s eyes again. Mu Chen excitedly took the scroll, but instead of opening it immediately, he tucked it into his chest. He found a hidden spot before taking out the scroll from his robes. The scroll was impossibly soft and felt almost weightless to the touch. With a stir in his heart, Mu Chen unrolled it. Three large, glowing characters wreathed in Thunder Light materialized before him.

"’Furious Thunder Force’," Mu Chen murmured, his heart leaping with joy. ’Just from the name, I can tell this Combat Skill is definitely not some Lower Grade trash. Anything related to Thunder can’t possibly be garbage, right? The Thunder Attribute is universally acknowledged as the attribute with the greatest Explosive Power!’ Filled with anticipation, Mu Chen continued to read.

"’Furious Thunder Force’ is an Earth Tier Middle Grade Combat Skill that I, Lei, spent my entire life creating. The skill is divided into three scrolls: upper, middle, and lower. The upper scroll is the Attack Technique known as the ’Boom’ Technique, the middle scroll is the Instant Body Technique known as the ’Move’ Technique, and the lower scroll is the defense technique known as the ’Ward’ Technique."

"When all three techniques are combined, although it is an Earth Tier Middle Grade Combat Skill, its power can rival a Celestial Tier Lower Grade Combat Skill. Furthermore, if you possess the Power of Thunder and Lightning and regularly temper your body with it, this skill can be elevated to the Celestial Tier, Middle Grade. Once its cultivation reaches Great Success, you can advance to attack, retreat to defend, or flee if outmatched. I, Lei, was once hunted for several months by ten Martial Venerable Level experts. Relying on this skill, I repeatedly escaped from their grasp. After several months, three of them were dead, one was crippled, and six were severely wounded. From then on, my name was known throughout the world."

Reading this, Mu Chen’s mouth went dry, and he gulped hard. He had already estimated this Cultivation Technique to be very powerful, but he never would have imagined it could reach the Celestial Tier, Middle Grade at its peak.

Mu Chen excitedly read on. But the more he read, the more shocked he became, and the more he admired this Elder Lei who had created Furious Thunder Force.

"There are three rules to remember when cultivating this technique: First, only men may cultivate it. A woman’s aura is yin and gentle, while Furious Thunder Force is yang. If a woman cultivates this technique, it will conflict with her own body. The slightest mistake will cause her to explode and die. This does not apply to Thunder Attribute Martial Artists."

"Second: only virgins may cultivate it. Only with a virgin body can your physical form be considered complete, ensuring that Furious Thunder Force has no vulnerabilities. If one truly cannot resist the call of love and passion, one must first cultivate the ’Ward’ Technique to the stage of Great Success to preserve the integrity of the skill. This rule must also be followed by Thunder Attribute Martial Artists."

Reading this, Mu Chen’s expression turned odd. ’This Elder Lei really thought of everything; he even came up with a countermeasure for that. He must have been a meticulous person.’

"Third: one must possess a formidable physique to cultivate it. This is the most crucial point. To cultivate this technique, your physical strength must surpass your Cultivation Realm by at least one full level. Otherwise, if your physical strength is insufficient, there is only one outcome for those who attempt it: every meridian in your body will be severed, your bones will shatter, and you will be left dead or crippled. However, this does not apply to Thunder Attribute Martial Artists."

After reading the third rule, Mu Chen let out a long breath and whispered, "These restrictions... they’re really strict."

’The rule that women couldn’t cultivate it already eliminated half the population. Then, the virginity requirement eliminated another portion. And finally, this physical requirement would stump countless people. To have physical strength at least one realm higher than your Cultivation Level... anyone like that must be born with an exceptionally powerful constitution.’

’For example, if my Cultivation Level is First-Ring Martial Disciple, then my physical strength is also at the First-Ring Martial Disciple level. If I want to advance to Second-Ring Martial Disciple, my physical body must also reach the Second-Ring level. A person’s Cultivation Realm is entirely dependent on their physical level. There’s simply no way to raise your physical strength by a whole level while keeping your Martial Artist Realm from advancing along with it.’

’So, unless someone has a great stroke of luck and consumes some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that can boost physical strength, it’s impossible for an ordinary person to meet the third condition. Of course, if you’re a Thunder Attribute Martial Artist, you can completely ignore the first and second conditions.’

Reading further, Mu Chen reached the final part of Furious Thunder Force: the cultivation method. After reading it all, he suddenly frowned. The reason was simple: as he reached the end, Mu Chen discovered that this Combat Skill only contained the ’Boom’ Technique and the ’Move’ Technique. The third technique, the defensive ’Ward’ Technique, was nowhere to be found.

Before Mu Chen could even call him, the Profound Old Ghost’s figure floated out and said teasingly, "Are you wondering why this Combat Skill is incomplete?"

Mu Chen nodded. The Profound Old Ghost sighed and shook his head. "I came upon this Combat Skill by chance back in the day. At the time, I happened upon several people chasing a young man. The two sides were in a standoff, each holding half of a book. When they started fighting, the young man couldn’t hold on. Just as he was about to be killed, I stepped in and blasted his pursuers to death, saving his life. It’s not that I like to meddle in other people’s business, but the faction those pursuers belonged to were my enemies. In the end, the man I saved was too heavily injured and still perished. Before he died, he entrusted this Combat Skill to me."

Mu Chen nodded, then asked, "But what does that have to do with this Combat Skill being incomplete?"

Hearing this, the Profound Old Ghost’s old face flushed red, and he gave an embarrassed laugh. "Well, didn’t I say both sides were holding a piece of it? I blasted those other guys to smithereens, so... you get the picture."

"Damn it! So you’re the old bastard who made this Combat Skill incomplete!" Mu Chen roared irritably.

You couldn’t blame Mu Chen for being angry. This was a Celestial Tier Middle Grade Combat Skill! In this world, people would fight to the death over a single Profound Tier Lower Grade Combat Skill. If a Celestial Tier Combat Skill appeared, it would definitely draw out even those secluded Great Powers to fight for it. But now, this Combat Skill was incomplete.

"You brat! Is that how you speak to your Master? It’s just one Celestial Tier Combat Skill. I have plenty of powerful Combat Skills here. Besides, even if this one is incomplete, it’s still an Earth Tier Middle Grade Combat Skill. You should be content, kid," the Profound Old Ghost said irritably.

Mu Chen froze, then immediately put on a fawning expression and said with a grin, "I knew it! Master, you’re the best to me. Look, since you have so many Combat Skills, why not take out a few more Celestial Tier ones for me?"

Looking at Mu Chen’s shameless, grinning face, the Profound Old Ghost suddenly felt a sense of defeat. ’Did I judge him wrong?’ he thought. ’This kid is a total street urchin.’ But that wasn’t all. Hearing Mu Chen’s words, the Profound Old Ghost’s face instantly turned red with anger. He smacked Mu Chen on the head and cursed, "You little bastard! Do you think Celestial Tier Combat Skills are cabbages you can pick up anywhere? I don’t have any! And even if I did, I wouldn’t give them to you! Haven’t you ever heard the saying ’don’t bite off more than you can chew’? Or ’an innocent man gets into trouble for carrying a treasure’? And another thing, do you think every Combat Skill is suitable for you to learn?! Besides, a Combat Skill can only ever be a supportive tool. The only thing you can ever truly rely on is your own strength! As long as you are strong enough, you can unleash a Yellow Tier Low Level Combat Skill with the might of a Celestial Tier one! Do you understand what I’m saying!?" 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The Profound Old Ghost’s words struck Mu Chen’s heart like a bolt from the blue. Mu Chen trembled, and a look of guilt appeared on his face. "Master, I’m sorry..."

Looking at the boy’s innocent, youthful face, the Profound Old Ghost suddenly felt he might have been too harsh. ’Mu Chen is still young. He’s only a twelve-year-old boy, after all. What child doesn’t have desires?’ It was no exaggeration to say that among children his age, Mu Chen was already doing exceptionally well. The Profound Old Ghost compassionately stroked Mu Chen’s hair and sighed softly. "Silly boy, my tone was a bit heavy. But you must understand, you are all the hope I have now. I will naturally not be stingy with any help I can give you. I just want you to understand one principle: the strong forge their own path with their own two hands. I hope you won’t blame me."

Mu Chen slowly raised his head. Looking at the Profound Old Ghost’s beautiful face, now full of kindness, Mu Chen suddenly had a thought. ’This is the person who gave me hope when I was in despair. This is the person who pulled me back when I was on the verge of falling into depravity. He’s not just my Master, he’s like a father who has given me a new life.’ At this thought, a warmth spread through Mu Chen’s heart. His nose tingled, and tears streamed from his tightly shut eyes.

BOOM.

With a loud thud, Mu Chen’s legs gave way and he fell heavily to his knees. The Profound Old Ghost was stunned and shouted, "Brat, what are you doing?"

Hearing this, Mu Chen just shook his head. "Master, in this life, Chen’Er will not kneel to the heavens, for they have treated me so cruelly. I will not kneel to the earth, for though it lets me stand upon it, it gives me no dignity. Chen’Er has only ever knelt to his parents, for they gave me life and brought me into this world. But you, you have given me a new life. You have given me hope and a path to become strong. You teach me, you guide me, you see me as your everything. Only you would teach me with such severity. You are worthy of having Chen’Er kneel before you."

The Profound Old Ghost’s hand trembled. For a moment, his heart was overwhelmed with emotion. "Silly boy, as long as you understand. Having such a heart means my earnest words were not wasted."

As he spoke, the Profound Old Ghost flicked his sleeve. The Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi suddenly surged toward Mu Chen, lifting him to his feet in an instant. This single move left Mu Chen dumbstruck, raising his estimation of what it meant to be a true expert by countless levels.

Mu Chen murmured, "So... this is a true expert..."

The Profound Old Ghost heard him and smiled faintly. "This is nothing. In my prime, I could have turned this entire Demon Beast Forest to dust, utterly annihilating it with a wave of my hand. Alright, enough of that. Go on and study the Combat Skill. It’s the only one I’ve found that is suitable for you and your current realm."

With that, the Profound Old Ghost slowly faded away before Mu Chen’s eyes with a gratified smile. Mu Chen looked at the Combat Skill in his hand, then at the spot where the Profound Old Ghost had vanished. He nodded firmly and vowed in his heart, ’Master, rest assured. Chen’Er will not let you down.’

Next, Mu Chen began to mentally simulate the movements of the ’Boom’ Technique from Furious Thunder Force. It was then that he discovered the ’Boom’ Technique wasn’t just about a relentless, forward-charging offensive aura. More importantly, it was about unleashing formidable Explosive Power. When a punch was thrown, the Fist Power would arrive first, blasting the opponent back—using offense as defense. The second aspect was to simultaneously drive the Explosive Power into the opponent’s body along with the Fist Power, making it impossible to defend against. And, as everyone knows, the human body’s internal defenses are far weaker than its external ones. One could only imagine the unexpected effects of being struck by the Explosive Power of the ’Boom’ Technique.

Furthermore, the ’Boom’ Technique was divided into three levels. The first level: Thunderous Roar. The second level: Thunderbolt. The third level: Flash Thunder. As the names suggested, the first level, Thunderous Roar, had no Martial Artist Realm requirement. Once successfully cultivated, one’s Fist Force would be accompanied by a booming, thunderous sound. The second level, however, could only be cultivated upon reaching the Martial Artist Realm. It would cause Thunder to course through one’s arms and would inflict a slight paralyzing effect upon attack. The third level could be cultivated at the Martial King Realm. When cultivated to Great Success, an attack would not only produce the sound of thunder and arcs of Thunder, but would also be accompanied by a flash of Thunder Light, capable of momentarily blinding an opponent.