Linda Foster's expression shifted slightly. After thinking for a moment, she said, "What you said makes sense. We really have been neglecting those mine tunnels, so we should pay more attention. Keep an eye on that fool for the next few days, and find a chance to go into the mine to see what's going on with the Ling family."

"Understood, mother."

"Heh, sooner or later, Ling Family Town will become Du Family Town. If there really are spirit stones in the Yaoshan mine, they should belong to our Du family. We can't let them be stolen by the Ling family." Linda Foster pursed her lips and laughed as if it were only natural.

"Hehe, those two daughters of the old man will become playthings for me and my brother sooner or later!" Brian Foster grinned wickedly.

……

The next day.

Ryan Carter got up on time. He didn't continue to use the Soul Suppressing Pearl to enter the state of mindless cultivation. Before leaving, he took out a bronze mirror and slowly adjusted his gaze in front of it.

After a while, seeing that his eyes in the mirror had become as empty and dull as usual, he finally left the stone house.

At the precise time, he stepped into the Ling family dining hall. The whole John Harper family, young and old, were surprised to see him arrive on time and stared at him.

Ryan Carter felt no waves in his heart and began to eat in silence, no different from usual.

He only wanted to quietly solidify his foundation for "Heavenly Thunder Punishment" in the Ling family. Once he no longer needed to rely on the Yaoshan mine to guide thunder and lightning to temper his body, he might choose to leave the Ling family and go outside to look for David Carter.

Soon, after finishing his meal, he got up absentmindedly and walked again toward Yaoshan.

In the dining hall, the Ling family members were all somewhat silent. The three members of Linda Foster's family were also unusually attentive to Ryan Carter today. Only after he left did they finally withdraw their gazes from his back.

"Big brother, Nebula Pavilion sent word that we need to deliver a batch of herbs to them soon." Linda Foster elegantly wiped the food from the corner of her mouth and spoke casually.

The The Harper Family Patriarch's heart tightened. He frowned and said, "We might need to delay a bit. The alternating season of thunderstorms has affected the harvest of spirit herbs..."

"Heh, I'll tell them that and hope they can be patient." Linda Foster was surprised. Over the years, the Ling family had never once delayed the supply of spirit herbs to Nebula Pavilion. John Harper's suggestion to delay made her a bit suspicious. After pondering for a moment, her eyes turned cold as she said, "The Ling family relies on Nebula Pavilion. If it's just a few days' delay, it should be fine. But if something goes wrong with the supply of spirit herbs, things won't be so easy to resolve. I'm sure you understand that, big brother?"

"I know what I'm doing! I don't need you to teach me!" John Harper was in a bad mood and grunted irritably.

"Good. I'm just a woman and can't manage much in the clan. I just wanted to remind you, big brother—don't let the Ling family fall into danger! You know very well that if we lose Nebula Pavilion's protection, Ling Family Town won't stay peaceful for long!" Linda Foster's expression was cold and her tone harsh.

"Enough!" John Harper snapped, his face dark as he got up and left the dining hall.

The rest of the Ling family also filed out.

"As for Yaoshan, it seems something really is happening there. Heng'er, you and George Foster keep a close watch on that area for me. If you get the chance, go into the mountain or the mine tunnels to take a look." Linda Foster's eyes were cold and sinister, like a venomous snake lurking for a long time, ready to strike at any moment.

……

Ryan Carter walked along the stone path in the mountains leading to the mine.

At the turn of spring and summer, the weather was unpredictable, with frequent thunderstorms. Unknowingly, the sky had already grown dark, and the mountain wind howled.

"Rumble!"

Amid the thunder, lightning gradually appeared, snaking across the sky like dragons and serpents, twisting and turning.

In the flashes of lightning and thunder, Ryan Carter's whole body trembled. He felt an overwhelming sense of joy, and his once dull eyes now shone like stars, as if lightning serpents and thunder dragons were imprinted in his pupils, bright and startling.

"This season really is the best for cultivating Heavenly Thunder Punishment. My luck is great today!"

Muttering to himself, Ryan Carter strode toward Yaoshan, his steps clearly much faster than before.

If someone were beside him at this moment, they would see that lightning was gradually gathering above his head, and could faintly hear muffled thunder coming from within his body.

The countless bolts of lightning in the sky seemed to have a strange and close connection with him, moving in response to his presence!

Chapter 6: Drawing Thunder Into the Body

Yaoshan stone cave.

To John Harper, the labyrinthine and complex stone passages, mysterious and dangerous like a maze, were filled with peril. During yesterday's exploration, not only was he unable to reach the center of the mountain, but he also ended up dizzy and nearly injured his mind.

However, after Ryan Carter entered, he moved like a fish in water, easily and freely weaving through the stone passages, heading straight for the deepest part of the mountain.

During this, his steps never paused, clearly unaffected by the maze-like formations within the cave.

Very soon, he reached the center of the mountain, where the once dark stone passage suddenly became bright.

It was a huge cavern, about the size of a football field. The stone ceiling was more than ten meters above the stone floor, and eight stone pillars as thick as a person's waist stood tall at the eight corners of the cave.

The eight stone pillars were conical, their tips wedged into cracks in the ceiling, like eight giant hands holding up the cave, making the interior appear grand and imposing.