The Jornell family was masters of stormcraft; they had a relatively high resistance to the forces of wind and thunder. Plus, their cultivation methods resonated with the environment here. Their morale was high. However, the dangers of Storm Ridge far exceeded their expectations.
The astral wind was no ordinary mountain gust. Mixed within it was the Aetherwind Essence drawn from the upper firmament. Its force was immense, and it could steadily erode the spiritual barrier.
The celestial lightning was even more unpredictable since its power was impossible to gauge. Even members of the Jornell family wouldn’t escape unscathed if struck directly.
Before long, the relentless Aetherwind Essence began eroding the spiritual barrier of one mid-stage Adept. Caught off guard, he was grazed by a sudden streak of golden celestial lightning. He screamed as his body was charred black and sent tumbling from the cliff, his remains reduced to nothing.
Zephyrin didn’t even frown. Instead, he shouted, “Hold your footing! Circulate your stormcraft and guide the lightning into your bodies. Endure it, and you will emerge stronger.”
At his command, the Jornell family members gritted their teeth and pressed on. Even as they climbed, they activated their techniques and attempted to guide a portion of the celestial lightning’s power into themselves and absorb it.
Though risky, the method proved effective Several family members’ energy waves showed subtle signs of improvement as they resisted the wind and thunder.
But the cost of progress was written in blood. Some lost their footing and fell. Others were critically injured by the excessively violent lightning, forcing their companions to intervene. As a result, they quickly lost many people.
About halfway up the climb, they discovered the charred remains of a lightning-struck tree upon a protruding platform. At its core, something extraordinary had formed. It was a fist-sized sphere glowing with violet light and wrapped in coiling arcs of electricity.
The object contained an immense and exceedingly pure concentration of lightning essence. For cultivators of stormcraft, it was a priceless treasure.
“It’s a millennial lightning core!” Zephyrin’s eyes lit up with excitement. ” Retrieve it at once!”
However, a small natural lightning field had formed around the core. Countless fine strands of golden electricity wove together into a dense net. Anyone who approached was met with violent resistance. Two disciples attempted to break through, but were injured and repelled by the electric serpents.
Zephyrin snorted coldly. “Incompetent fools. Watch and learn.”
As he strode forward, violet thunderlight flared around him. He actively drew the surrounding celestial lightning and electric serpents down upon himself.
Clasping his palms together, he compressed the raging lightning between them until it condensed into a razor-sharp violet lightning spear. With a thrust, he drove it at the heart of the lightning field.
“Break!”
The lightning spear collided violently with the lightning field, erupting in a blinding flash and a thunderclap that shook the mountainside. The field was torn open by brute force, but the backlash made Zephyrin stagger, his face paling slightly.
Seizing the moment, he reached out through the air and closed his hand. The violet lightning core shot toward him and landed in his grasp.
The instant it touched his palm, a vast and exquisitely pure surge of lightning power coursed through him. A look of satisfaction spread across his face.
“Excellent! With this, my stormcraft will advance further. All of you have done your part. When we return, you will be rewarded.
The treasure bolstered their spirits, but they had already lost nearly ten members. Zephyrin paid the losses no mind. To him, the sacrifice of the weak was an inevitable price for the advancement of the strong.
They continued climbing, but the wind and lightning only grew more violent. On a nearly vertical stretch of cliff, they were struck by a combined assault of Razorwind Astral Gale and Adamantine Divine Lightning. The attacks were incomparably sharp and specialized in breaking defenses. Even the protective shields formed through stormcraft struggled to endure.
One after another, the Jornells were torn apart as the astral wind shredded their protective spiritual radiance. Others were pierced clean through by the Adamantine Divine Lightning, screaming as they plunged from the cliff.
By the time they finally reached the summit of Storm Ridge, the group of more than 30 had been reduced to fewer than 20.
Every survivor bore injuries, and their spiritual energy was heavily depleted. Though Zephyrin had secured the lightning core, he had also sustained some internal injuries from forcibly breaking open the lightning field earlier. His energy waves were no longer as imposing as before.
The summit was a wide stone platform polished smooth by wind and lightning. At its center stood a solitary, charred stone pillar. A broken sword was embedded at its peak. It was dark gold, its design austere and old-fashioned. Faint threads of lightning coiled around it.
Only half the sword remained, yet the sharp sword aura and lingering thunderous force it radiated were enough to unsettle even Zephyrin.
“This… Is this the remnant of an ancient lightning cultivator’s artifact?”
His gaze burned with greed. If he could subdue the broken sword and extract the ancient lightning sigils and sword aura sealed within it, the benefits to the Jornell family’s stormcraft would be immeasurable.
He was just about to step forward when the broken weapon seemed to sense his approach. It trembled violently, and an invisible yet razor-sharp surge of lightning -infused sword aura erupted outward, sweeping in all directions.
“Watch out!”
Zephyrin’s expression changed sharply as he unleashed the full strength of his protective lightning aura. Several injured members of the Jornell family who stood too close were struck by the sweeping sword aura. Their protective spiritual radiance shattered like fragile glass.
They were hurled backward before they could even scream. The lightning sword aura had already destroyed their spiritual consciousness, killing them instantly.
Zephyrin was forced back several steps. His protective lightning aura dimmed, and blood traced the corner of his mouth. He stared at the broken sword, fury and greed warring in his eyes. The treasure was valuable, but claiming it would demand a far greater price.
At the moment, the summit fell into a tense standoff. The remaining members of the Jornell family gathered around the broken sword, breathing heavily as they tended their wounds.
At the same time, they kept wary watch for other forces that might reach the summit and for the defiant broken sword itself. Three paths, and three different encounters.
They reflected the different styles and costs of each group and explored them. The Quinton family’s cold exploitation, the Frost family’s unity and fortune, and the Jornell family’s domineering approach and sacrifice.
Yet, Mount Aethermoor remained unmoved. In the clouds above, even harsher trials, more tempting treasures, and inevitably more brutal conflicts awaited these battered climbers.
