Chapter Twelve: Thunderclap Sect

  Zhou Shenxian's strength was extraordinary, and his speed was very fast, almost catching up with the spaceship from his previous life. Chen Pan was flying in the air for the first time, scared to death, his five internal organs were all over the place, and his heart was about to jump out of his mouth. However, after getting used to it a bit, Chen Pan became extremely excited.

  According to normal theory, the wind's power at such a fast speed could easily blow a person into pieces, but in front of Chen Pan, there seemed to be an invisible barrier that protected him completely unscathed.

  Chen Pan, with his lively mind, has started his professional disease again, entering a state of contemplation. Why can humans fly in the sky? Is it like an airplane using wind power to glide? Or is it using anti-gravity principles or something like magnetic levitation?

  It's not Chen P'an's fault for thinking too much, as he often browsed through religious books in his past life. Because even though it was the 40th century where science had advanced so much, there were still many objective facts that couldn't be explained. In fact, many great scientists after analyzing a large number of theories chose to become followers of different beliefs. Of course, most of them didn't truly become believers but wanted to use their knowledge combined with research on religious books to explain some supernatural phenomena.

  To some extent, some so-called magic can also be achieved with high-tech means. Just like before the advent of telephones, transmitting sounds over thousands of miles was considered something only gods could do, but after telephones became widespread, people unknowingly became the gods that humans worshipped a thousand years ago.

  And in the 40th century, those gods and goddesses who controlled flames and water flows in ancient myths can be demonstrated one by one through technological means. Genetic humans created using biogenetic technology can already convert some flammable substances into high-temperature plasma states, which is a kind of flame. Although this flame is far inferior to those gods and goddesses in myths, it has achieved the means of granting humans superpowers. As technology advances, these abilities will only become stronger.

  As a physics scholar, the more I understand this world, the more I will have some reveries about the ancient gods. In Chen Pangu's view, the ancient gods may be some life forms with extremely high scientific and technological capabilities. The so-called miracles must all be achievable through certain principles. If it cannot be done now, it does not mean that only gods can do it, but rather that the current level of science has not yet reached that level.

  In his past life, he had some involvement in this aspect. Now that he has personally arrived in a mythical world, Chen Puan naturally hopes to use his knowledge to explain the matter of cultivating immortality.

  But after thinking about it, Chen Pan, who had not even entered the door of cultivation, still couldn't figure out a reason why he was brought to Tian Lei Sect, and finally gave up.

  During the break, Zhou Shen Xian also gave Chen Pan a brief explanation of the situation in Dongji Xuanzhou. Dongji Xuanzhou is the foundation of the orthodox Xuanxiu of the ancient continent, with thousands of large and small sects and aristocratic families. Among them, there are five sects that are known as the "Dongwu Ji" because of their extremely strong strength. The Tianlei Sect, where Chen Pan will soon become an apprentice, is one of them. The other four extremes are the Huoxiu Sect's Tanggu, the Bingxiu Sect's Binghai Tiangya, the Yinxin Sect's Qingyin Pavilion, and the Nvxin Sect's Yihong Building.

  Although Chen P'an had some understanding in his heart, he was still frightened when he saw the Tian Lei Sect. What is called layered peaks, this is it. From outside to inside, layer by layer, from short to high, like a lotus flower. The outermost short peak is even higher than Mount Tai seen in the previous life, and the innermost high peak is like a sword piercing the sky.

  Through the introduction of Zhou Shen Xian, the Tian Lei Sect has a total of thirty-seven peaks. The highest one is the main peak, Zi Xiao Peak. The remaining thirty-six peaks are divided into three layers, with twelve peaks in each layer, from short to high, surrounding the main peak in a pattern of stars and moon. The thirty-six peaks also contain the number of Tian Gang, so the ancestors of the Tian Lei Sect used it to lay down the formation method called Tian Gang Zi Xiao Formation, which has enormous power. However, since the establishment of the Tian Lei Sect, this formation has not been used against enemies, so no one knows what degree this formation has reached.

  These arrays are what, Chen Pan fundamentally doesn't understand, he only knows that there is such a treasure land and blessed place, and can be listed as one of the top five in the East, this time being able to join the Tian Lei Sect is absolutely a great fortune. This Tian Lei Sect may not be inferior to those so-called sacred mountains of the Northern Wilderness that have been passed down.

  After passing the outermost layer of mountain peaks, the gate of Tianlei Sect came into view. Upon arriving at the gate, Zhou Shenxian led Chen Pan down from the clouds. With the Tianxia Purple Night Array in place, even cultivators couldn't fly in casually.

  The gatekeeper's disciple saw the two of them and hurriedly saluted Zhou Xian with a bow, then let them pass.

  After entering the mountain gate, Zhou Shenxian did not rush to take Chen Pan up, but instead said to Chen Pan: "My Tianlei Sect is one of the five extremes in the east, and the selection of disciples is extremely strict. The matter of accepting you as a disciple was indeed sudden, since I have already agreed, I will naturally not go back on my word, however, you cannot avoid going through some hardships."

  "But as Master orders! The disciple will obey without question!" Chen Pan hastily replied.

  "Other disciples are led to the main peak by Elder Qingsong, but your situation is different, so it can't be done that way. Moreover, you haven't undergone the qualification assessment, which would be unfair to other fellow disciples. Therefore, you must show your sincerity and perseverance. From here to the main peak of Tianlei Sect, there is only one path, with 180,000 levels of stairs. I will go up the mountain to the main peak now and wait for you. If you can't reach it before sunset tomorrow, I'll have no choice but to send you down the mountain regretfully."

  180,000 steps, Chen Ping almost popped his eyes out. In his previous life, he went to Mount Hua and nearly died halfway up the several thousand steps, and after returning, he spent five days in bed without turning over. Now, he's being asked to climb 180,000 steps - isn't this trying to kill him? Zhou Xian, you're trying to trick me! Why didn't you say so earlier? If you had said so earlier, I would have gone directly to Tanggu and wouldn't have risked offending Liu Yun by making up such a big excuse.

  Seeing Chen Pan didn't respond immediately, Zhou Shen Xian furrowed his brow: "You're unwilling?"

  "I'm willing, I'm willing! As long as I can learn the skills to subdue demons and protect the Tao, even if it's 180,000 levels of discipleship, I won't bat an eyelid!" Chen P'an immediately agreed. He couldn't possibly refuse, now that his desire for immortality was at an all-time high. If he were to back down now, he'd probably jump off a cliff in despair. Since he had to agree anyway, he might as well make it sound good.

  Seeing Chen P'an so determined, Zhou Shen Xian smiled and nodded: "Good, you have spirit. I'll go to the mountain and wait for you. 180,000 steps, huh? It's said that Mount Sumeru has that many stairs. Since you have this idea, if there's a chance, I'll take you there to try it out!" After finishing speaking, he floated away, leaving Chen P'an who was scared to the point of trembling three times.

  180,000 levels, am I cultivating immortality or training for an Ironman triathlon?! Chen Pan was almost scared to the point of losing his will to fight. However, no matter how scary it is, things that need to be done still need to be done.

  There is no difficulty in the world, as long as you are willing to climb. Chen Pan recited the famous saying of a great man from his previous life and took the first step of his own Long March.