The Unparalleled Sword Emperor Chapter 2733 - 2708: City Lord of Blackwater City! Zhao Wuji!

After Tai Yi departed, Lin Bai turned to Lin Ye and instructed, "Lin Ye, remain here and await my return. Do not wander off."

Lin Ye gazed up toward the Lake Pavilion. Through the sheer drapes within, a faint outline of a middle-aged man could be discerned, radiating an immense power that filled the air.

Clinging to Lin Bai's arm, Lin Ye's eyes widened with a terrified expression, clearly intimidated by the presence of the old City Lord, Zhao Wuji.

Lin Bai offered words of reassurance, "Have no fear, just wait here for me."

Lin Ye looked at Lin Bai with a hint of apprehension but eventually released his grip on his arm.

Lin Bai then advanced, stopping outside the Lake Pavilion. He clasped his hands together and announced, "I am Lin Bai, here to pay my respects to the City Lord."

Within the Lake Pavilion, the surrounding silk veils danced in the gentle breeze. Lin Bai could vaguely make out a middle-aged man seated inside, partaking in a solitary drink!

"Enter and speak!"

Zhao Wuji's voice resonated, deep and somewhat raspy.

"Yes," Lin Bai replied. He then stepped towards the Lake Pavilion, lifted the veil, and was face-to-face with Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji was seated on a cushion within the pavilion, a small table before him laden with a wine jug and two cups. He was currently pouring and drinking from one of the cups.

Upon seeing Zhao Wuji, Lin Bai was taken aback by his exceptionally pale complexion. It wasn't the pallor of someone severely wounded and bleeding, but rather a deathly, ashen hue.

A frighteningly stark white!

A flicker of unease stirred within Lin Bai as he approached and took a seat opposite Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji lifted the wine jug, poured a cup for Lin Bai, and inquired softly, "I've heard your negotiations with the Zhao family reached an impasse? You are unwilling to lend your aid to the Zhao family, is that correct?"

Even as he poured the wine, Zhao Wuji spoke directly.

His bluntness caught Lin Bai slightly off guard.

Lin Bai offered a smile and nodded, stating, "In truth, I am not originally a warrior of Black Water City; I am merely a traveler passing through. I have no desire to become entangled in the internal power struggles of Black Water City!"

"However, I did not outright refuse the Zhao family!"

"My condition was clear: whoever could bestow upon me the 'Post-celestial Divine Thunder Technique,' I would pledge my services to them during the Dragon City Battle!"

"Since the City Lord summoned me here today, the head of the Zhao family must have conveyed my request to you, correct?"

The old City Lord filled a cup with wine and offered it to Lin Bai.

Lin Bai accepted the cup and took a delicate sip.

The aged City Lord, Zhao Wuji, then stated, "Your desire for the Houtu Divine Thunder Skill is an excessively demanding request, bordering on the impossible. Choose something else!"

Lin Bai placed his cup down and replied calmly, "Apart from that, I have no other requests in Black Water City!"

"Without the Houtu Divine Thunder Skill, I will not assist any faction!"

The old City Lord Zhao Wuji let out a low chuckle and mused, "The Houtu Divine Thunder Skill, Houtu City, the Wang Family..."

"Lin Bai, do you have any inkling as to how these injuries I bear came to be?"

Lin Bai knitted his brows and shook his head.

Upon Lin Bai's arrival in Black Water City, he had indeed heard whispers of Zhao Wuji's critical condition.

Yet, to this day, the precise cause of Zhao Wuji's grievous injuries remained unknown to Lin Bai.

Zhao Wuji emitted a cold laugh and, directly before Lin Bai, pulled aside the garment on his chest.

Lin Bai looked intently and observed that Zhao Wuji's chest was blackened, the flesh within festering and refusing to heal!

Witnessing the severity of this wound, Lin Bai's brow furrowed instantly.

The nature of the injury suggested it was inflicted by some form of thunderous strike.

Zhao Wuji then revealed to Lin Bai, "These wounds were inflicted by an ancestor of the Wang family!"

Lin Bai inquired with curiosity, "Was it a Divine Thunder strike?"

Zhao Wuji laughed and declared, "It was the Five Thunders Righteous Method!"

"The Five Thunders Righteous Method?" Lin Bai repeated, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Zhao Wuji continued, "Lin Bai, when your true identity was revealed in the Fighting Arena, I had both the Arena management and the Zhao family conduct an investigation into you!"

"Your claim of being a mere passerby in Black Water City, I understand that. I also surmised that you came to Black Water City in pursuit of the 'Black Water Divine Thunder Skill!'"

"Furthermore, you demonstrated the 'Qingmu Divine Thunder Formula' within the Fighting Arena!"

"Therefore, you are currently cultivating two distinct types of Divine Thunder: one being the 'Black Water Divine Thunder Skill,' and the other, the 'Qingmu Divine Thunder Secret Skill!'"

"And your current desperate quest for the 'Houtu Divine Thunder Skill'"

"Clearly indicates your familiarity with this particular cultivation lineage, does it not?"

Zhao Wuji concluded.

Lin Bai responded with a knowing smile, neither confirming nor denying, maintaining an air of ambiguity.

Zhao Wuji pressed on, "Since you are acquainted with this set of techniques, you should be aware that they originate from the ultimate profound art of the ancient Five Elements Sect, known as the 'Scripture of Five Elements.'"

"The Scripture of Five Elements comprises two main scrolls: the Foundation Chapter and the Divine Thunder Chapter!"

"The Foundation Chapter serves as the bedrock for the Scripture of Five Elements. For warriors who haven't cultivated this foundational chapter and forcefully attempt the later stages, it is tantamount to seeking their own demise!"

"Within the second volume of the Scripture of Five Elements, known as the Divine Thunder Chapter, there are five distinct divisions: the 'Qingmu Divine Thunder Secret Skill,' the 'Houtu Divine Thunder Skill,' the 'Black Water Divine Thunder Skill,' the 'Blazing Fire Divine Thunder Skill,' and the 'Golden Divine Thunder Skill!'"

"Furthermore, in ancient times, the second volume of the Scripture of Five Elements, the 'Five Elements Divine Thunder Scripture,' contained a supreme martial technique capable of channeling the five types of Divine Thunder to their absolute zenith! This technique is recognized as the Five Thunders Righteous Method!"

Zhao Wuji imparted this knowledge slowly to Lin Bai.

Lin Bai listened with rapt attention. Despite cultivating the 'Five Elements Divine Thunder Scripture,' his comprehension of its depths was lacking.

"The Five Thunders Righteous Method represents the ultimate secret, the sole divine martial technique within the 'Five Elements Divine Thunder Scripture,' and its power is unparalleled. When unleashed, the Five Thunders Strike Down, capable of annihilating both gods and men alike!"

"Warriors struck by the Five Thunders Righteous Method will suffer injuries that defy healing, wounds that refuse to mend, meridians that cannot reconnect, and a dantian beyond repair... In essence, a direct hit from the Five Thunders Righteous Method guarantees death, or at the very least, a survival plagued by worsening injuries from which they will inevitably perish!"

"Much like my current state!"

Zhao Wuji managed a bitter smile.

Upon hearing this, Lin Bai inquired with a touch of astonishment, "City Lord, is the injury upon your chest a consequence of the Five Thunders Righteous Method?"

Zhao Wuji elaborated, "The ancestor of the Wang Family in Houtu City forged an alliance with us. Black Water City initially received only the 'Black Water Divine Thunder Skill,' while the Wang Family not only acquired the 'Houtu Divine Thunder Skill' but also mastered the sole divine martial technique within the 'Five Elements Divine Thunder Scripture'—the Five Thunders Righteous Method!"

"Consequently, even though few warriors in the Wang Family currently cultivate the 'Houtu Divine Thunder Skill,' they adamantly refuse to impart it to outsiders. They are acutely aware of this Divine Thunder's terrifying might, and even more so, the dread that the Five Thunders Righteous Method inspires!"

Zhao Wuji concluded his statement.

"Approximately one to two years ago, Houtu City experienced some internal discord and harbored ambitions of invading Black Water City to annex it. It was during that conflict that I was struck by an ancestor of the Wang Family, who had mastered the Divine Thunder Skill and employed the Five Thunders Righteous Method!"

"Although the Eight Great Clans united and successfully repelled the Wang Family, inflicting severe damage upon them!"

"However, my injuries have reached a point of no return. I am merely waiting for the inevitable end."

Zhao Wuji spoke in a subdued tone.

Lin Bai drew a deep breath, his gaze solemnly fixed upon Zhao Wuji.

"I share these details not to solicit your pity, but to impress upon you that no one can wrest the 'Houtu Divine Thunder Skill' from the Wang Family's grasp!"

"Should you desire the Houtu Divine Thunder Skill, even if you were to grovel at the Wang Family's feet, they would refuse your plea outright!"

"Therefore, if you are inclined to assist the Zhao family, you may present alternative conditions. I, on behalf of the Zhao family, shall endeavor to fulfill your requirements to the best of our ability."

Zhao Wuji conveyed his proposition to Lin Bai with quiet sincerity.

Lin Bai remained contemplative upon hearing Zhao Wuji's words.