Chapter 28

In a moment, he arrived at the treetop, struck it with his palm, and the massive canopy shattered and fell. He stood up, thrusting the steel spear into the trunk, and raised his head to stare at the sky, where lightning streaked across the clouds. Supporting the steel spear, he began to fully activate the Wheel Imprint Force, needing just a little more to convert it into Imprint Force. At that time, he would have recovered his original strength.

Wheel Force, Wheel Imprint Force, and Imprint Force are the three levels of power. Wheel Force is the lowest, while Imprint Force is the highest.

Crack! Boom!

Attracted by the old man's power, a bolt of lightning struck the steel spear standing upright. Instantly, the old man glowed like a light bulb, emitting a dazzling light as immense energy surged into his body through the steel spear.

Lei Xingfeng wrapped Lei Xingyao in animal skin and placed her in a corner of the tree hollow. He then walked to the entrance, already sensing the dense Thunder Force but not daring to leave. The little girl was sleeping in the tree hollow, and if no one guarded her, the consequences of a wild beast entering would be unbearable. So he sat at the entrance and began to cultivate.

As soon as he started cultivating, Lei Xingfeng felt a difference. The Thunder Wheel Force grew rapidly. Originally, it increased one by one, but now it increased by tens at a time. In less than a minute, it had increased by a hundred. No wonder his grandfather wanted him to cultivate during thunderstorms; this explosive growth was indeed exhilarating.

The sky kept rumbling, and lightning bolts struck one after another, causing Lei Xingfeng's strength to grow wildly.

Lei Xingyao had fully woken up. She saw Lei Xingfeng sitting at the entrance of the tree hollow, emitting a faint silver glow. She obediently huddled in the animal skin, watching quietly. Instinctively, she knew she must not disturb her brother at this moment. Just seeing him there was enough to put her at ease.

The strength of both the old man and Lei Xingfeng soared. However, one was recovering his strength, while the other was genuinely improving. The thunderstorm did not last long. When the sky began to brighten, the thunderstorm had already ended, but the snow continued to fall.

Lei Xingfeng took a deep breath. In just a short night, he was almost at the level of Ten Thousand Wheel Forces. This terrifying rate of improvement was beyond his expectations, but he still needed to further consolidate and refine the Thunder Wheel Force.

The old man quickly descended from the treetop, his face beaming as he entered the tree hollow.

Lei Xingfeng asked, "Grandpa, how was it?"

The old man smiled, "Very good. One more time, and I will be fully recovered. Haha."

Lei Xingfeng and the old man sat down. Lei Xingyao came over with a thick fur, burrowing into Lei Xingfeng's arms and covering herself with the fur. She had not slept while Lei Xingfeng was cultivating and was now very tired. Like a puppy finding its den, she snuggled into Lei Xingfeng's arms, and the warm environment soon put her to sleep.

The wrinkles on the old man's face diminished, revealing a youthful flush. His back was straight, and his eyes sparkled, making him look like a completely different person.

Lei Xingfeng did not know what level of strength the old man possessed, but he was clear about the old man's transformation. He was very excited. The old man's strength meant safety for him and Lei Xingyao. This world was not safe, and having a grandmaster like his grandfather to protect them gave him no resistance at all.

"Grandpa, if we leave Hucliff Castle, where will we go?"

The old man smiled slightly, "What? Can't hold it in anymore? Haha."

Lei Xingfeng laughed, "Yes, we've been here too long. I want to go out and see the world."

The old man said, "I will take you with me. I don't want to stay here anymore..." He sighed, "I thought... I would die in this cursed place, but I never imagined I would have a chance to turn things around. Haha!" He became excited again.

Lei Xingfeng said, "Grandpa, I only need a thousand more Wheel Forces to reach the level of Ten Thousand Wheel Master!"

The old man was overjoyed, "Good, very good. I will teach you a method of circulating Wheel Force that can quickly purify the Thunder Wheel Force."

Lei Xingfeng asked, "Is it not recorded in the Star Python Record?"

The old man shook his head and began teaching the entire method. The cultivation method was very simple, and Lei Xingfeng understood it immediately. He said, "This is the Circulating Wheel? The Wheel Force chases and compresses, moving rapidly within the body? This... will it be effective?"

This method was so simple that Lei Xingfeng found it hard to believe.

The old man sighed, "The simpler the method, the more effective it is. I never thought that directly absorbing lightning would be so powerful. If I had discovered this method earlier after my injury, I wouldn't have had to go into hiding here."

"The Circulating Wheel method can be used by anyone cultivating Wheel Force. It is a unique technique I created. Apart from your little sister, don't tell anyone else. This method is very easy to learn but extremely effective, especially during the Wheel Force and Wheel Imprint Force stages, making it the best way to purify Wheel Force."

The old man spoke with great seriousness.

Lei Xingfeng nodded, "Yes, Grandpa, I will remember." He responded with equal seriousness.

After resting for a day, there was no thunderstorm that night. The next morning, the old man took Lei Xingfeng and Lei Xingyao to continue their journey through the snowfield, searching for the thunderstorm.

After a day and night of practicing the Circulating Wheel method, Lei Xingfeng's Thunder Wheel Force did not increase in number, but each one became extremely powerful. When the Thunder Wheel Force condensed into a ring, it was very easy to use.

On the way, the old man often taught various applications of Wheel Force. These were closely guarded secrets that any sect would not impart to anyone except their disciples. Many disciples of sects and organizations received very rough and basic cultivation methods, unless they were geniuses with exceptional talent, in which case they would receive more resources and techniques. Of course, geniuses with exceptional talent were usually taken as disciples by great masters.

Some things could be recorded, while others could not and had to be memorized. In the evening, Lei Xingfeng, in addition to learning these techniques, would also organize the Star Python Record, recording his own insights and experiences.

With a great master like the old man, there was no danger on the journey. They would occasionally slay fierce beasts, obtaining fresh meat.

If the weather was clear, Lei Xingfeng would let Lei Xingyao walk on her own and strengthen her body. She was too young to cultivate Wheel Force, so physical training was essential. The little girl was very hardworking and took her training seriously, sometimes making Lei Xingfeng feel reluctant.

Lei Xingyao showed no discomfort. She ran joyfully on the snow, following her grandfather's instructions to find wild fruits on tree branches. In the forest, she was more adaptable than her grandfather and brother.

The old man sighed, "No wonder she has the Life Attribute, which has a natural affinity with the forest. Once she starts cultivating, she will progress very quickly. Haha, if Lei Xingyao reaches the level of a Secret Wheel Master, Lei Xingfeng, you will be very fortunate."

Lei Xingfeng had known this for a long time. People with Green Wheel Force were best at extracting the essence of plants and condensing it into medicinal liquids, which were extremely useful for healing injuries and enhancing Wheel Force. Green Wheel Force was also a rare potential, usually appearing in three or four Wheel Attributes, considered a mixed Wheel. However, Lei Xingyao had a single Green Wheel Force, making her potential so good that it was enviable.

...

The large contingent from Eagle Territory had already arrived at the base of the cliff below Hucliff Castle.

Du Hongchen looked up at the nearly hundred-meter-high cliff and praised, "This place is really good. The terrain is dangerous, making it easy to defend and hard to attack. The terrain in Eagle Territory is much worse."

Eagle Owl could only nod continuously. He was annoying to talk to, so he remained silent. Eagle Dafei looked at the cliff wall for a while and said, "How do we get in?"

Du Hongchen said, "It's simple. First, Zhi Chiyi will climb up, then throw down a rope for the cleanup team to ascend and occupy the stone castle, controlling the entrance and exit. Hehe, this place is indeed difficult to enter and exit. Once we control the stone castle and the basket, the people of Hucliff Castle won't be able to escape."

For a hunter, climbing a hundred-meter-high cliff in a snowstorm was almost impossible. But for a Secret Wheel Master, this cliff was no challenge.

The hunting team from Eagle Territory was not at the location of the stone castle but a few hundred meters to the side to avoid being discovered.

A direct assault on Hucliff Castle was unrealistic because the terrain was too advantageous. Even if Du Hongchen had a True Body of the First Ring and was a Secret Wheel True Person, he could not fly directly up. He also had to climb the cliff, and if attacked along the way, he would need to defend himself. The footholds on the cliff were few, and the snow made it even more treacherous with many icicles hanging from the cliff.

Zhi Chiyi carefully observed the cliff wall below, looking for a way up. He needed a path with footholds. Wearing tight leather clothing, he could condense his Secret Ring Armor, similar to the Wheel Force Armor, which provided protection, so he was not worried about his defense.

After several searches, Zhi Chiyi began to sigh. The cliff was too steep, and some parts even protruded outward, especially at the top, making it impossible to climb. Only a few places had icicles hanging from them.

Du Hongchen asked, "Have you found a way up?"

Zhi Chiyi smiled bitterly and said, "The lower part is fine, but in the middle, there is a hanging ice wall. We need to cross this ice wall, move to the left, and follow the crack to have a chance of climbing up. It's too dangerous." He checked several times and began to lose confidence.

Du Hongchen said, "Keep looking. There must be a way. I don't believe that such a long cliff has no suitable spot. How did the people of Hucliff Castle get in? The cleanup team, split up and search, but don't go to the stone castle!"

Everyone responded and immediately dispersed to search for a suitable climbing spot.

Du Hongchen looked up at the cliff and thought, "Damn it, if there's no other way, I'll climb up myself!"