Over the next few days, under the combined effects of the High-grade Bone Refining Pills, the Rain Pearls, and the unique cultivation environment of the black rain mist, Lu Ming's cultivation progressed at a rapid pace.
In just a few short days, he had completed more than half of his progress in the most difficult third bone refining.
Unfortunately, this special resource of Rain Pearls could not be sustained indefinitely. After those six four-armed Rain Abominations were drawn to the medicinal garden that night, there were no more such bountiful harvests.
Only a couple of stray four-armed Rain Abominations showed up, along with a few wandering two-armed variants.
Lu Jin could do nothing about this either. After all, it was currently only the Rain Mist Season, not the actual Black Rain Season. The number of Rain Abominations breaking through the restriction was ultimately small. The only reason they had been able to harvest these Rain Pearls this time was because they had used Lu Ming's Sub-Heaven-grade Divine Ability Bone as bait.
During a normal “Rain Mist Season,” it was rare for even a single Rain Abomination to appear near the medicinal garden.
But Lu Jin could not leave the medicinal garden to actively hunt for Rain Abominations elsewhere. During this special period of “black rain mist,” he did not feel safe leaving Lu Ming alone in the medicinal garden.
Amusingly, while Lu Jin and Lu Ming lamented the lack of more Rain Abominations, Qian Shan, who was guarding the medicinal garden, was left terrified and unable to eat or sleep properly due to the frequent appearances of the creatures over the past few days.
Qian Shan did not know the secret of Lu Ming's Sub-Heaven-grade Divine Ability Bone. Naturally, he was deeply perplexed as to why these Rain Abominations, which were usually so rare, kept popping up one after another.
At this rate, if Lu Jin had not happened to be at the medicinal garden this time, Qian Shan would probably have perished along with it.
After all, Qian Shan was just an ordinary Grand Divine Ability Practitioner. He could not have fought off the three four-armed Rain Abominations that appeared on the first night by himself, let alone the six that came on the second.
Fortunately, the frequency of the Rain Abominations' appearances decreased over the following two days. Otherwise, Qian Shan would have seriously considered resigning after this ordeal.
He had taken the job of guarding the medicinal garden for peace and quiet. If the Rain Abominations appeared at this frequency every Rain Mist Season, it would be no different from venturing directly into the Black Rain Zone.
...
In the open space of the medicinal garden.
Lu Ming was completely focused on his cultivation. In one of his palms, he held a piece of Lesser Gengmetal Stone. As it gradually melted, sharp Gengmetal energy continuously poured into his body.
Half an incense stick's time later, the Lesser Gengmetal Stone was completely melted.
Lu Ming suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp golden flame flickering within them. He extended his hand, and a ball of golden fire condensed in his palm. The flame flowed slowly like molten metal.
The firelight was both scorching and sharp.
Mid Divine Ability, Golden Liquid Fire.
The Golden Liquid Fire that emerged this time was brighter and more violent than before. Most importantly, a golden fire core had actually appeared at the very center of the golden flame.
“Not bad. With the fire core condensed, your Golden Liquid Fire can be considered to have truly reached the entry level,” Lu Jin's pleased laughter came from the side.
“Tsk tsk, reaching the entry level of Golden Liquid Fire in less than ten days. Lu Ming, your talent for divine abilities is even stronger than that dog Zhang Yue's! Haha, it looks like our Thunderfire Hall has hope of rising to a Grade 4 Divine Ability Hall within three years!” Qian Shan marveled repeatedly. He had naturally cultivated the Mid Divine Ability Golden Liquid Fire himself, but compared to Lu Ming's speed, his own progress could only be described as pathetic.
However, Lu Ming's performance also made Qian Shan realize the potential of Thunderfire Hall. It seemed he needed to maintain a closer relationship with the hall in the future and not harbor other thoughts just because Zhang Yue had left.
Looking at the Golden Liquid Fire that had finally reached the entry level in his hand, joy welled up in Lu Ming's heart. Cultivating in the medicinal garden over the past few days had brought him immense progress, far better than bitter cultivation back at the hall.
Now, there were only three days left until the Hall Meet.
Lu Ming had also undergone earth-shaking changes compared to nearly a month ago.
Back then, Zhang Yue had left the hall, Lu Ming had not yet undergone Bone-Opening, and the entire Thunderfire Hall had fallen into a slump because of it.
But now, Lu Ming had completed seventy to eighty percent of his third bone refining. His Flame Blade and Lesser Lightning Flash had both reached Great Success, and his Golden Liquid Fire had also stepped into the Initial Success stage. In terms of strength and divine ability cultivation, he had already caught up to the veteran disciples like Yuan Da and Gao Yu.
Such progress, while not entirely world-shaking, was still incredibly rare in Qingyuan Ward.
At the very least, the former Zhang Yue had not possessed such speed.
However, since there were inherent differences even among High-grade Divine Ability Bones, no one would suspect that Lu Ming possessed a Sub-Heaven-grade Divine Ability Bone. Force of habit made most people believe that such a high-grade bone could never appear in a tiny place like Qingyuan Ward.
“Let's go. The Rain Mist Season has ended, so there is no need to stay at the medicinal garden anymore. The Hall Meet is in three days, and the hall will surely be very busy,” Lu Jin instructed upon seeing Lu Ming finish his cultivation for the day.
For Thunderfire Hall, the upcoming Hall Meet was the true main event.
Over the past month, the impact of Zhang Yue leaving the hall had persisted. Although Lu Ming's High-grade Divine Ability Bone had pacified the anxious minds within the hall, the number of new disciples joining this month had still decreased significantly. This was a very serious matter for a Divine Ability Hall.
Therefore, Thunderfire Hall had to use this Hall Meet to establish its prestige. At the very least, they needed to secure their position as the second-ranked hall in Qingyuan Ward, letting everyone know that even without Zhang Yue, Thunderfire Hall remained stable.
Only in this way could Thunderfire Hall gradually eliminate the negative impact of Zhang Yue's departure.
“Hall Master, I will wait here at the medicinal garden for your good news from the Hall Meet,” Qian Shan said with a smile.
“Thank you for your hard work here at the medicinal garden.”
Lu Jin nodded, gave a few more instructions, and then took the lead to turn around, leaving the medicinal garden to return to Qingyuan Ward.
...
As soon as Lu Ming returned to Thunderfire Hall, he was greeted by his mother, Zhong Ying, who showered him with warm concern. It was clear that Lu Ming leaving Qingyuan Ward to head to the medicinal garden during the Rain Mist Season had deeply worried her, fearing some unforeseen disaster.
Yet she also understood that Lu Ming carried the hopes of the entire family on his shoulders, so she could not bring herself to hold him back.
Fortunately, Lu Ming had returned home safe and sound.
To welcome Lu Ming home, Lu Mengmeng also generously brought out the snacks and pastries she had secretly hoarded to reward her brother. A playful Lu Ming, however, unceremoniously stuffed his face. Under Lu Mengmeng's dumbfounded gaze, he ate every single one of her carefully hoarded treats clean. As expected, he teased her until her lips puckered and she began to cry, earning him a half-angry, half-amused scolding from their mother, Zhong Ying.
Amidst this joyful family atmosphere, Lu Ming also relaxed and began preparing for the upcoming Hall Meet.
...
Golden Gang Sword Hall.
Lin Changkong sat on the high platform of the dojo, looking down at the numerous disciples cultivating their divine abilities. The entire area was filled with dazzling golden sword qi. He extended his hand, and a highly eye-catching wisp of golden sword gang wrapped around his fingers, swimming like a fish and brimming with spiritual energy.
At this moment, he was casually playing with this golden sword gang—which was powerful enough to pierce gold and shatter stone—as if it were a mere toy.
“Xu Xiong, the Hall Meet is in three days, right? Is everything ready in the hall?” Lin Changkong suddenly spoke in a calm voice.
“Hall Master, everything has been prepared.”
Behind Lin Changkong, a man with loose, long hair stepped forward. He had a robust build and several sword scars on his face, giving him a somewhat violent and fierce aura.
The man was named Xu Xiong, the instructing hall master of the hall. He was powerful and possessed a fierce battle record, making him a renowned Grand Divine Ability Practitioner in Qingyuan Ward. Whenever he went out, everyone would show him some respect.
“Rest assured, Hall Master. In this Hall Meet, our Golden Gang Sword Hall will surely remain the champion hall. No one will dare challenge us,” Xu Xiong said with a grin, his words full of arrogance.
“I am naturally not worried about that.”
Lin Changkong gave a faint smile and said, “I am thinking about Thunderfire Hall and Red Sand Hall.”
Xu Xiong was taken aback and asked, “Are we still following the usual custom, sitting back and watching them fight each other?”
As the strongest Divine Ability Hall in Qingyuan Ward, Xu Xiong usually looked down on the other halls. After all, neither Thunderfire Hall nor Red Sand Hall had dared to provoke them in recent years.
Many lucrative opportunities in Qingyuan Ward were regarded as exclusive property by Golden Gang Sword Hall, and other halls were not allowed to interfere. Over time, this naturally bred the arrogance of Golden Gang Sword Hall.
“No.”
This time, however, Lin Changkong shook his head and said calmly, “This time, I want to support Red Sand Hall. I want Thunderfire Hall to suffer a setback. This Hall Meet is especially critical for them. If they cannot protect their position as the second-ranked hall, the reputation Thunderfire Hall has painstakingly built over the years in Qingyuan Ward will be mostly ruined, making it hard for them to ever recover.”
“Support Red Sand Hall?” Xu Xiong asked with some surprise.
Lin Changkong nodded slightly and said, “I dare not neglect the request of our esteemed guest. Although Thunderfire Hall has done nothing wrong, who told them to offend someone they shouldn't have? Such is the way of the world.”
“Then, Hall Master, your meaning is...”
Lin Changkong stood up and placed his hands behind his back. His indifferent voice entered Xu Xiong's ears.
“As long as Golden Gang Sword Hall remains in Qingyuan Ward, Thunderfire Hall shall never have a day of recovery.
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