Chapter 102: Dogs Don’t Bite

Soon, a surge of intense Azure Dragon energy began to circulate through Lu Hao’s limbs and bones. The energy had thickened to the size of a strand of yarn, and its speed as it completed the celestial cycle within his body had quickened significantly. The Azure Dragon energy consisted of thirty levels in total, with each successive level becoming more robust and potent than the last. The higher the level, the more energy it provided to Lu Hao, and naturally, the faster his recovery became. Furthermore, every five levels, the energy underwent a qualitative transformation. Lu Hao was currently on the verge of breaking through to the fifth level of the Azure Dragon Fuxi Sacred Method.

"Hoo!"

As Lu Hao finished the final cycle of his practice, he exhaled a long breath of turbid air. A layer of dark, foul-smelling sweat seeped out from the surface of his skin. It felt as though an eggshell within his body had shattered in that very instant. Following this, Lu Hao successfully broke through to the fifth level of the Azure Dragon Fuxi Sacred Method.

Immediately, a faint azure glow shimmered across his skin, which now appeared more translucent and smooth. His hair grew thicker, his muscles became more resilient, and the density of his entire skeletal structure surged several times beyond that of an ordinary person. At this moment, Lu Hao’s physical condition would not be inferior even when compared to the country’s most gifted athletes.

"Hoo! Not only has my body changed on the outside, but there has also been progress within," Lu Hao noted.

When he used his spiritual sense to look inward, he saw that the Azure Dragon energy within him, previously the thickness of yarn, had turned as fine as spider silk.

"Why has it become thinner instead of thicker?" Lu Hao frowned, puzzled. He felt a robust and abundant life force surging within him, making him feel strong enough to wrestle a tiger; it was impossible that his internal energy had regressed.

Then, the Azure Dragon energy circulating through his body suddenly emitted a faint purple luster, immediately catching his attention.

"It’s turned light purple?" Lu Hao examined it closely and realized that his originally azure-colored energy had undergone a qualitative change, turning entirely purple. This explained why the energy had become "thinner." Though he did not understand the underlying cause, he was certain that this light purple energy was far superior to the previous azure version.

"What is its function?" Lu Hao carefully searched through the Azure Dragon heritage within his mind, hoping to find an explanation.

At that moment, the ancient book of the Azure Dragon heritage in his mind slowly flipped to a brand-new page—a page Lu Hao had not seen before.

"It seems there are more treasures hidden within this heritage waiting to be excavated, though they require me to further improve my cultivation of the Azure Dragon Fuxi Sacred Method to unlock," Lu Hao deduced upon seeing the new content.

"Azure Dragon heritage, every five levels, the Azure Dragon energy undergoes a qualitative transformation. Currently at level five, ability unlocked: Thunder Quality." Only that brief sentence appeared, followed by nothing else.

"Thunder Quality?" Seeing these words, Lu Hao felt his heart skip a beat. Lightning was considered a form of divine punishment sent down to earth by ancient gods. Among the five elements, thunder techniques were the most formidable and violent methods of destruction; in the past, the most powerful means for Taoists to exorcise demons was the Heavenly Gang Thunder Technique.

Lu Hao was not yet sure what it meant for the Azure Dragon energy to take on a "Thunder Quality." He decided to channel a strand of the energy directly into his hand. Immediately, he felt a tingling sensation, like a current of electricity passing over his palm and the back of his hand.

"Zzz..."

Lu Hao looked closely at his hand and discovered tiny arcs of electricity crackling across his skin.

"So, at the fifth level, the Azure Dragon energy can be manifested externally, allowing it to generate electrical arcs. This means that when I strike someone, it will also carry a paralyzing effect. Furthermore, it seems I can infuse this energy into silver needles to produce different effects, thereby broadening my medical treatment options."

With this realization, Lu Hao felt a surge of excitement. "I wonder how it works in practice?"

Driven by curiosity, he stepped outside to find a vicious dog in the village to test his new ability. This particular dog, known as "Three Cannon," lurked in the northern part of the village and was not on Lu Hao’s usual path, so he had never encountered it before. The dog was fat and burly, belonging to a local hoodlum and village bully named Er Hu. Because of Er Hu’s arrogant and overbearing behavior, the dog had bitten several people without ever facing consequences. Consequently, it had developed a habit of biting, specifically targeting the elderly and women. These victims, knowing the dog belonged to Er Hu’s household, could only swallow their anger in silence.

Soon, Lu Hao found the dog. It was a large, jet-black mongrel, as dark as coal and not of the same breed as the one at Sun Wenguo’s house. It seemed full and was lying lazily in the middle of the road with its eyes closed, seemingly unafraid of being run over by passing cars. Seeing its plump and sturdy frame, Lu Hao knew it lived a life of luxury.

Lu Hao walked right up to the dog, but it showed no reaction, as if it were completely ignoring him. Just as Lu Hao stepped a bit closer, however:

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

A thunderous bark echoed through the northern part of the village. The dog snapped its eyes open, as if startled by Lu Hao or perhaps annoyed at being disturbed. It bared its menacing fangs and crouched low, snarling at Lu Hao with a level of arrogance and self-assurance that Lu Hao had never seen in any other dog. Its barks sounded like rumbling thunder as it aggressively displayed its ferocity. Seeing it becoming increasingly angry and lunging forward to bite, Lu Hao didn't hesitate. He raised his hand, channeling the thunder-imbued Azure Dragon energy, and struck the dog’s massive head.

"Awoo!" Before Lu Hao could even use his full strength, the dog let out a sharp, miserable howl.