The night air was cool as Ye Fan and Xue Ying crossed the stone ridge west of their last battleground. His system interface pulsed softly in his vision, a marker glowing steadily in the darkness.
[Safe-zone reached. Dimensional anchor stable.] [High-tier Summon Token detected. Beginning advanced summoning procedure.]
Ye Fan inhaled deeply. "Let's see what the system has in store."
The space before him shimmered like heat on desert sand. Energy gathered fast—electric pulses in the air, the pressure thick like the moment before a storm.
[Summon identified: Class – Thunder Warlord] [Name: Lei Yun – Former Celestial Vanguard of the Cloudbreaker Realm] [Initial Level: 83] [Spirit Rank: Title Douluo Tier Equivalent] [Martial Spirit: Stormheart Halberd] [Assigned Spirit Rings: 8] — Ring 1: Thunder Quake (AoE stun) — Ring 2: Sky Surge (Mobility burst + anti-air) — Ring 3: Volt Reaver (Lightning dash strike) — Ring 4: Tempest Shield (Damage absorption) — Ring 5: Judgment Spear (Piercing attack, armor shred) — Ring 6: Storm Soul Burst (Domain skill, limited duration) — Ring 7: Arcstorm Barrage (Chain lightning strike, targets multiple enemies) — Ring 8: Thunder King's Wrath (Ultimate burst, temporarily amplifies all lightning-type abilities) [Loyalty: Absolute — System-bound. Cannot disobey or betray the host.]
A rift tore open.
From it stepped a man in layered silver armor streaked with gold and deep blue. Long golden hair flowed behind him, and in his right hand he held a halberd crackling with chained lightning. His presence alone made the trees bow inward.
Lei Yun looked around, then locked eyes with Ye Fan. A smirk tugged at his lips.
"So you're the one who pulled me out of that realm?" he said, voice deep and electric. "Interesting."
Xue Ying stepped forward slightly, her stance tight. She said nothing, but the tension in her posture was unmistakable.
[Summon Personality: Independent, Proud] [Bond Level: 0 — Emotional connection: None yet. Loyalty: Absolute]
Ye Fan didn't react to the pressure. "You're powerful."
"I was a warlord of the eastern skies," Lei Yun said, spinning the halberd once before planting it in the earth. "Now I fight for you. That's all that matters."
[Host-Summon Link Established. Synchronizing battlefield command interface...]
[New Feature Unlocked: Formation Grid Tier 1 — Dual Summon Coordination Enabled]
A tremor rippled through the ground. The forest beyond growled.
[Beast Surge Detected. Multi-spirit beast aggression incoming.] [Threat Level: Moderate-High. Estimated Rank: Spirit Emperor to early Title Douluo.]
Four red-glowing eyes flashed in the shadows. Then two creatures emerged—massive panther-like beasts with armored hide and glowing tails of flame.
[Hellfire Twin Sabers – Rank 81 Spirit Beasts – Known for coordinated attacks and flame-surge tactics.]
"Two at once?" Ye Fan said.
Xue Ying already vanished into mist.
Lei Yun rolled his shoulders. "Finally, something to warm up with."
[Combat Mode Initiated]
Xue Ying struck first—her blade slicing across one beast's flank before vanishing. It screamed, lashing out blindly. The second panther charged forward, its flames sweeping in an arc.
[Lei Yun – Ring 2: Sky Surge Activated]
Lightning exploded under his boots as he launched into the air, flipping once and bringing the halberd down.
[Ring 1: Thunder Quake Activated]
Electric shockwaves spread across the battlefield, stunning both beasts. Xue Ying reappeared behind one and stabbed deep under its armor plate.
The other panther recovered quickly, leaping at Lei Yun with a roar.
[Ring 4: Tempest Shield Activated]
A dome of storm energy absorbed the impact. Lei Yun twisted his halberd and struck with Ring 3: Volt Reaver — a flash of light, and the beast crashed to the ground.
[Ring 6: Storm Soul Burst – Domain Unlocked]
Dark clouds materialized overhead. Rain fell like needles, each drop humming with energy. The beasts staggered under the pressure.
[Ring 7: Arcstorm Barrage Activated]
Forked lightning lanced from the sky, striking both beasts with rapid pulses. Xue Ying danced between arcs, slashing cleanly.
[Ring 8: Thunder King's Wrath Activated]
Lei Yun roared as his halberd surged with amplified lightning. His strikes became blinding flashes, leaving smoldering trails.
Within moments, it was over.
[Beasts Eliminated. EXP gained: +430] [Lei Yun: Bond Level +1 → Cautious Trust] [Xue Ying: Bond Level Stable at Friendly]
[Loot Acquired: Twin Flame Cores x2 (High Tier)]
Ye Fan stepped into the clearing as the system screens pulsed softly.
[Formation Grid now supports 2 Summons in combo mode.] [New Ability Available: Thunder Veil Execution – Shadow Assassin + Lightning Vanguard Fusion Combo]
Lei Yun leaned on his halberd. "You're not what I expected."
Ye Fan met his gaze calmly. "Neither are you. But I'm glad you came."
He turned toward the horizon. A pulse echoed in his core.
[New Mission: Investigate Celestial Ruins South of Blackscale Wilds] [Reward: Unknown | Risk: High]
Ye Fan smiled slightly.
"Then let's go see what else this world is hiding from me."