Jeon Myeong-hoon breathes in and out with an excited breath.

"Hoo..."

He feels good.

As if his lover is caressing every part of his body, Jeon Myeong-hoon moves forward with a vacant look in his eyes, listening to the voice of lightning that seems to stroke every corner of his mind.

Whisper, whisper, whisper...

A mysterious voice leads him.

'Inside here... further within...'

With a dumb look, he flings open the door to the Thunder Tribute Hall.

The elder guarding the Thunder Tribute Hall is currently away, assisting in deploying the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's protective barrier.

Hong Fan's Heavenly Tribulation was so powerful that it necessitated the activation of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's protective barrier to prevent the sect's formations from running rampant due to its aftermath.

Thanks to this, Jeon Myeong-hoon is able to enter the Thunder Tribute Hall without facing any obstruction.

Crackle, sizzle...

He enters the vast space inside the Thunder Tribute Hall and moves forward unabated.

Many restrictions attempt to block Jeon Myeong-hoon, but as he waves his hand with a vacant look, most of the lightning-formed restrictions are absorbed by him and cleared away.

Jeon Myeong-hoon walks foolishly to the edge of Thunder Tribute Hall.

And then, he takes a deep breath.

"What's a disciple of the Blue Lightning doing in Thunder Tribute Hall...?"

It's that woman.

The very illusion he had seen amidst Hong Fan's Heavenly Tribulation.

'Huh... Is she the elder of Thunder Tribute Hall?'

A woman, dressed in palace attire formed of lightning, with long white hair and bare white feet.

She does not reveal her face in detail but asks Jeon Myeong-hoon.

"Child, this is not a place where one should enter recklessly. Did the elders not warn you?"

Only then does Jeon Myeong-hoon come to his senses.

"Hmm..."

'What? Thunder Tribute Hall? How did I end up at the place where the Heavenly Lightning Banner is sealed...'

He smiles awkwardly at the woman in front of him.

"I apologize. This unworthy disciple got confused..."

"Hmm... Does this place look like somewhere you can just wander into if you're confused?"

"I apologize!"

At Jeon Myeong-hoon's apology, she laughs with a melodious voice.

Inside the desolate Thunder Tribute Hall,

Jeon Myeong-hoon finds her echoing voice truly mystical.

"If you're sorry, then that's settled? Do you know where this is?"

"Th-this is the Thunder Tribute Hall."

"What is this place for?"

"It's where the immortal treasure Heavenly Lightning Banner is sealed!"

With every question she asks, the woman with white hair takes slow steps towards Jeon Myeong-hoon, barefoot.

"Blue Lightning disciples cannot simply come as they please. Even Purple Lightning elders only enter when they need to handle the restrictions, and only the chosen ones among the Golden and Heavenly Lightning grand elders can enter this place. Yet, you, merely a disciple of Blue Lightning, have entered here... You should rightfully ask for punishment..."

Rustle...

Her hand, as white as her feet, caresses Jeon Myeong-hoon's cheek.

"I ought to scold you."

Slip...

All too naturally, her hand begins to untie Jeon Myeong-hoon's clothes.

Caught off-guard by her natural movements, Jeon Myeong-hoon fails to regain his senses, and soon his robe is undone.

"What is your name?"

"I, I am Jeon Myeong-hoon...!"

By now, Jeon Myeong-hoon should have realized something is amiss.

It's absurd for any elder or grand elder secluded in a corner and only focusing on seclusion not to know him, given his status as the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body.

However, Jeon Myeong-hoon didn't feel anything strange, let alone resist.

"I see... So that's how it is..."

Her delicate fingers trace over Jeon Myeong-hoon's chest.

"Ah, ah..."

Jeon Myeong-hoon, with a vacant look, stutters at the touch of her fingers.

"Mo-more... a little more..."

That's when.

Thud

The delicate fingers stop in place.

Jeon Myeong-hoon looks down at her.

Her face isn't clearly visible.

However, somehow Jeon Myeong-hoon feels like the owner of that face, hidden within the white hair, is wearing a bewitching smile.

"Ah, ah..."

Yet, Jeon Myeong-hoon clearly feels that the smile, which should have been eerie and cunning, somehow seems too beautiful.

As soon as he becomes aware of that 'smile,' his mind feels as if it is engulfed in pleasure, burning white-hot.

But Jeon Myeong-hoon fails to reach the peak of pleasure.

Just before reaching the climax,

Something seems to block it.

The woman with white hair laughs.

"Aren't you curious about my name?"

"Ah, ah... Ye-yes, curious..."

"Ask me."

"Your name... what is it...?"

"My name is Zhengli."

Zhengli says with a mischievous smile.

"Call my name. Then, I will grant you the next level of pleasure..."

Just then.

Zzzt

Above Jeon Myeong-hoon's neck, a dark curse spell emerges.

Screech!

"...! Aaaahhhhhh!"

Simultaneously, the curse spell wraps around Jeon Myeong-hoon's neck, as if a noose made of curses formed, binding his neck tightly.

"Ahhhh! Keeeuuuk! Kkuuuk!"

Jeon Myeong-hoon clutches at his neck, screaming in pain.

The next moment.

Tsstsstsst!

The curse spell that formed around his neck reversed into a bright white, guiding Jeon Myeong-hoon's mind.

"Ha!"

Jeon Myeong-hoon regains his senses and looks around.

"What are you doing here, Jeon Myeong-hoon?"

"...!"

And then, an icy voice comes from behind him.

I look at Jeon Myeong-hoon, who has regained his senses.

'What exactly happened?'

I had been training Jeon Myeong-hoon according to the methods of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect, and always carried a drop of his blood with me.

As a curse sorcerer, having a part of someone's body means I can use curse spells to know their location and condition, a precaution in case he is kidnapped.

Just a moment ago, when I checked his condition with a curse spell,

Jeon Myeong-hoon was deeply ensnared in a powerful brainwashing.

I turn my head to look at the Heavenly Lightning Banner sealed on the altar of the Thunder Tribute Hall.

Perhaps because the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens is a collection of Lightning Path Methods, unlike in my previous life, I can clearly see the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

'So that's it...'

I look at Jeon Myeong-hoon, who still seems not quite in his right mind, sporting a slightly dazed expression.

'The currents in his brain were clearly flowing strangely.'

I had rushed over before Jeon Myeong-hoon could do something rash, but it seemed he was about to do something under the influence of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

Fortunately, I seem to have arrived just in time.

"Snap out of it, Jeon Myeong-hoon."

I use the White Orchid Blessing Incantation once more to clear Jeon Myeong-hoon's mind.

"Ha!"

Only then does he seem to fully regain his senses, suddenly standing up.

"That, that person was..."

"That person?"

"Seo, Seo Eun-hyun? When did you get here...? And where did the elder who guards Thunder Tribute Hall go?"

I frown.

"She is not present. Currently, she temporarily vacated her post to assist with the activation of the sect's protective formations."

"What are you talking about? I mean her. The one with white hair and..."

"Stop!"

Grasp!

I rush to Jeon Myeong-hoon and cover his mouth directly.

"Uh, ugh..."

"Do not carelessly mention that name. Keep your mouth shut, and from now on, blink once for 'yes' and twice for 'no.'"

Worried that he might not grasp the situation, I deliberately spread a killing intent while speaking.

"...!"

Receiving my killing intent, Jeon Myeong-hoon stiffens and stands rigidly in place.

"Did something happen here just now?"

Blink.

"Did you meet someone?"

Blink.

"That someone... did they...?"

I recall how the Heavenly Lightning Banner asked me in my previous life to call its name.

"Did they reveal their name to you?"

Blink.

"...."

I frown.

'Damn it...'

Cold sweat runs down my back.

I could have inadvertently moved on to the 18th cycle without realizing it.

"Listen carefully, Jeon Myeong-hoon. The elder guarding Thunder Tribute Hall temporarily left their post due to Hong Fan's unexpected Heavenly Tribulation. Right now, there is no one else in the Thunder Tribute Hall besides you and me. Therefore, the white-haired 'elder' you saw does not exist. Understand?"

Blink, blink, blink.

He blinks frantically.

It seems like he doesn't understand what I am saying.

"In simple terms, what you saw was not an elder of the sect but some bewitching entity residing in Thunder Tribute Hall. Got it?"

Blink.

"You were momentarily enchanted by that bewitching entity. Also..."

I sternly warn Jeon Myeong-hoon.

"Never, ever mention that bewitching entity's [name]."

He again sends a gesture that he doesn't understand.

"The name that entity revealed to you... is nothing less than a terrifying curse spell that will bring disaster upon the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. Understand?"

"...."

His eyes convey disbelief.

'I can't let it end like this.'

The most efficient way would be to kill or seal Jeon Myeong-hoon right now.

Of course, I'm neither Seo Hweol nor the Mad Lord, and there's no reason for that.

Then, I have to persuade him...

"...There's a hidden secret in the sect. Unleashing that secret could bring forth a terrible disaster. The Heavenly Lightning Banner sealed in this Thunder Tribute Hall is not just a divine object. The entity that revealed its name to you is probably the resentful spirit dwelling within the Heavenly Lightning Banner."

"...?"

I begin to concoct a plausible story for Jeon Myeong-hoon to believe.

I have no choice but to avoid directly mentioning things like the Owner of Heavenly Punishment, his Immortal Treasure Zhengli, Yang Su-jin, and so on, because Jeon Myeong-hoon might not be able to handle it.

"The history of the sect spans 120,000 years. Throughout that time, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect has had countless enemies, and the resentment and lingering thoughts of those enemies have fused into that Heavenly Lightning Banner. What you heard was the name of that mass of resentment."

"...!"

"Calling that name would release the resentment and grudges from the Heavenly Lightning Banner, potentially devastating the sect. It's the accumulated grudges of 120,000 years, impossible to handle!"

A look of bewilderment flashes in Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes.

Reading his intent, I guess what he means and explain.

"You're wondering why you don't know this when I do?"

Blink.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm going to be the future sect leader."

"..."

"Anyway, you must never call that entity's name again. Understand?"

Blink.

I let go of Jeon Myeong-hoon's mouth.

"Ah, damn. Your grip is ridiculously strong."

Jeon Myeong-hoon grumbles, massaging his jaw.

As he grumbles, I secretly engrave another curse spell on the back of his neck, just in case.

Should Jeon Myeong-hoon attempt to speak the true name of the Heavenly Lightning Banner, the spell will seal his voice and free him from the illusion of the Heavenly Lightning Banner, just like before.

"Let's get out of here."

I push the grumbling Jeon Myeong-hoon's back, expelling him from the Thunder Tribute Hall and exit.

Just before leaving the Thunder Tribute Hall,

I stealthily look back.

"..."

'What is with that person...'

In my past life.

The Heavenly Lightning Banner was clearly terrified of Jeon Myeong-hoon.

But in this life, the Heavenly Lightning Banner not only isn't afraid of Jeon Myeong-hoon but even seems to rejoice in his presence.

'...Well, maybe it's because he hasn't grown enough yet.'

Thinking about it, Jeon Myeong-hoon was at least in the late stages of Core Formation in my past life, but right now, he is only at the early stage. Maybe it just isn't time to be afraid of him yet.

I decide to increase the intensity of Jeon Myeong-hoon's training as I close the door of Thunder Tribute Hall and leave.

Inside the Thunder Tribute Hall.

A woman with long, white hair flowing down her back is sitting on top of the altar, her hands covering her face.

"Ahaha..."

She chuckles mischievously, her shoulders shaking.

[Jeon Myeong-hoon...

[Jeon Myeong-hoon...

[Jeon Myeong-hoon...

[The owner of the Heavenly Tribulation Body has directly conveyed his name to me... Jeon Myeong-hoon...]

She stretches out her hand into the void.

[The descendant of the Golden Deity has undone one layer of my seal, and the owner of the Heavenly Tribulation Body has delivered his name to me...]

Her delicate white fingers caress the void.

[I can make a deal with the Heavenly Tribulation Body...]

She speaks into the void.

No, it is both a song and a ritual.

[O Heavenly Tribulation Body... I shall elevate your talent and grant you the authority of the Golden Deity... in return, lend me the power of the Heavenly Tribulation Body... I have already given you pleasure, now, give me your power... The pleasure is already given, and it cannot be taken back... likewise, give me authority that I cannot return... I may not take back the pleasure, but what you give me, I shall kindly return...]

Crackle!

Crack!

As she clenches her hand in the void, red lightning writhes and shoots toward the direction Jeon Myeong-hoon had left.

The next moment, something returns from the direction where the red lightning had been shot. She successfully catches something invisible in her hand.

[With this...]

She strikes the invisible object down around her.

Clank!

Simultaneously, one of the invisible chains binding her is released on the spot.

[One layer...]

Zzzt!

Simultaneously, the invisible thing in her hand shoots back in the direction Jeon Myeong-hoon had left.

In the darkness, the Purification of the Great Heavenly Punishment.

Zhengli laughs mischievously.

[There was an obstacle this time, so I couldn't reveal my name... but I will teach you the path of the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation... O owner of the Heavenly Tribulation Body. However, you must provide me the power to undo the seal of the Golden Deity in return. Whether you want to... or not...]

Zzzt...

The next moment, only the Heavenly Lightning Banner remains, placed atop the altar where Zhengli had stood.

Inside the Thunder Tribute Hall.

The Heavenly Lightning Banner chuckles mischievously, sinking into the darkness.

[Whether you want to... or not... having received the payment, you must pay it back with interest...]