Ye Lan didn't answer immediately.“It could,” she finally said. “But I don't want you to misunderstand me. The pavilion isn't inviting you out of charity, and no force can guarantee your safety against every enemy. If you join us, we would expect you to contribute to the pavilion in return for the resources and support you receive.”She met his gaze without looking away.“I simply believe that someone with your talent deserves the opportunity to consider more than one path.”Liu Kang couldn't help but smile.That was a much better answer than the promises of absolute protection he had expected to hear.“Then let me ask you one more question. If I join the Flowing Mist Pavilion, what happens to my relationship with the Azure Cloud Sect?”Ye Lan's face became serious.“That depends on what kind of arrangement you choose. I haven't come here to demand that you abandon the Azure Cloud Sect, nor can I make that decision on behalf of the pavilion. If you are interested, we can discuss the c

They had heard countless stories about Liu Kang's achievements, but this was the first time many of them had stood before him and listened to him speak as their Peak Master.He hadn't made grand promises about turning them all into geniuses or granting them endless resources. Instead, he had asked about their circumstances and acknowledged that he needed to do better.For many of them, that was enough to make them feel that their Peak Master was finally paying attention to them.Elder Qin watched the interaction with a satisfied expression.He remembered the young man he had brought into the Azure Cloud Sect. Back then, Liu Kang had been regarded as someone with little future, and his position within the sect had been far from enviable.Now, the same young man stood before an entire gathering of disciples who addressed him as their Peak Master.The change was remarkable.However, Elder Qin also understood that the road ahead would not be easy. Liu Kang's recent achievements had brough

Just then, several figures emerged from the mountain path.The disciples standing outside immediately turned their attention toward them.Liu Kang walked at the front, with Elder Qin and the others following behind him.His azure robe fluttered gently in the breeze, and his expression was relaxed. There was no trace of anger or nervousness on his face.When Yang Hao saw him, a faint smile appeared on his lips.“Brother Liu, it has been a while.”Liu Kang stopped a short distance away and looked at him.“Indeed. I was beginning to wonder whether the Holy Son had forgotten where Divine Lightning Peak was located.”A few disciples behind Yang Hao frowned.Yang Hao's smile remained unchanged.“You jest, Brother Liu. I have simply been occupied with important matters concerning the sect.”“Is that so?”Liu Kang glanced at the disciples standing behind him.“Because from what I've heard, you've had plenty of time to concern yourself with the affairs of my peak.”The smile on Yang Hao's face

One month passed in the blink of an eye.During that time, the Azure Cloud Sect experienced a noticeable change. The greatest change, however, occurred within Divine Lightning Peak.Ever since Liu Kang defeated Yang Hao without drawing Heavenrend, news of the confrontation had spread throughout the inner court. Different versions of the story circulated among the disciples, and with every retelling, the reputation of the newly appointed Peak Master grew.Some claimed Liu Kang had shattered Yang Hao's strongest technique with a single punch. Others insisted that the dark-violet lightning surrounding his fist had nearly destroyed the Holy Son's cultivation foundation.Although those accounts were exaggerated, one thing remained certain: Liu Kang's strength was no longer something the other disciples could casually dismiss.As his reputation grew, so did the number of people interested in joining Divine Lightning Peak.At first, only a handful of disciples from other peaks came to inquir

Liu Kang sat cross-legged on the high stone platform, his eyes closed as he slowly calmed his breathing.The noise from the training grounds had gradually faded into the distance. Although he could still hear the occasional shout of a disciple practicing a technique, he paid no attention to it. His mind had already turned inward, following the familiar path of his consciousness as it descended into his dantian.The moment he arrived, his attention was drawn to the enormous Lightning Bead rotating at the center.Dark-violet lightning intertwined with translucent white lightning, forming mysterious patterns across its surface. Every rotation released a faint pulse of energy that spread through his dantian before disappearing into his meridians.Liu Kang had witnessed this scene countless times, but the more he observed the Lightning Bead, the more he realized how little he truly understood about it.Especially now that he had learned the truth about the Chaos Lightning Source and its co