Fang Lang

The Divine Ability Dojo of the Thunderfire Hall.

This was an extremely spacious open-air arena. It was bustling with noise and excitement, and powerful surges of heaven and earth's primordial energy erupted from time to time.

When Lu Ming followed Lu Qingyan into the arena, brilliant flashes of fire and the rumbling of thunder filled his eyes and ears. The primary divine abilities cultivated at the Thunderfire Hall were fire and lightning spells, making the training scenes look incredibly fiery and intense.

“Second Hall Master.”

When Lu Qingyan showed his face, many disciples of the Thunderfire Hall in the dojo respectfully greeted him one after another.

Lu Ming followed behind Lu Qingyan, scanning the Divine Ability Dojo. There were about a hundred people inside, all of whom were disciples who had joined the Thunderfire Hall to cultivate divine abilities.

To enter a Divine Ability Hall and cultivate divine abilities, one had to pay an annual entry fee. This fee would be gradually reduced or waived as the disciple's years of membership increased and their own divine ability rank improved. Once they possessed sufficient seniority and strength, they could even become part of the hall's upper management. At that point, they would not only be exempt from paying fees but would also receive a handsome income.

Of course, there were exceptions... such as being favored by the Hall Master and accepted as a personal disciple.

Such personal disciples not only did not have to pay the entry fee, but they could also receive a massive amount of cultivation resources. Their status was far beyond that of ordinary disciples.

However, although the treatment of a personal disciple was excellent, it also established a true master-disciple bond with the Hall Master, meaning they could no longer leave the hall and change masters at will.

“The atmosphere seems a bit off.”

Lu Ming's gaze swept across the dojo. He could faintly sense that the emotions of many Thunderfire Hall disciples present were quite complex, and they seemed distracted while cultivating their divine abilities.

The reason... was naturally because of Zhang Yue.

Doubtless, under Jiang Ling's manipulation, the entirety of Qingyuan Ward now knew that the Thunderfire Hall was “short-sighted” and had “sold” Zhang Yue, who possessed a High-grade Divine Ability Bone, to the Great Golden Crow Hall for a batch of resources.

But the laughable part was that the so-called “resources” amounted to only a single high-grade Bone Refining Pill.

That noble young lady was simply too arrogant to even bother giving them some resources to save face. Perhaps in her eyes, her personal visit to a Tier 3 Divine Ability Hall was already showing them more than enough respect.

And the most frustrating part was... they could not explain themselves. They could only silently bear this scapegoat. Otherwise, that noble lady of the Great Golden Crow Hall would not mind employing some violent and ruthless methods.

Without sufficient strength, you didn't even have the right to argue.

Perhaps there were smart people who noticed something unusual about this matter. However, under the prestigious reputation of a Tier 5 Divine Ability Hall like the Great Golden Crow Hall and its Divine Ability Grandmasters, who would care about a tiny Tier 3 Divine Ability Hall?

“Second Hall Master.”

Just then, a burly young man stepped out from the crowd and bowed to Lu Qingyan with cupped fists.

“Ah, young Yuan,” Lu Qingyan said, nodding slightly with a smile as he saw the newcomer.

The young man was named Yuan Da. He was about twenty years old with thick eyebrows and large eyes. He had been in the Thunderfire Hall for three years and was considered a rather senior disciple. Currently at the stage of his third bone refinement, he enjoyed a solid reputation in the hall. Steady and loyal, he was also highly regarded by Lu Jin.

His only flaw was that he only possessed a Low-grade Divine Ability Bone.

“Little Hall Master,” Yuan Da chuckled honestly, nodding in greeting to Lu Ming as well.

Although Lu Ming had not awakened a Divine Ability Bone in the past, because his grandfather was the Hall Master and his father was the Second Hall Master, the disciples in the hall had playfully dubbed him the “Little Hall Master.”

“Brother Yuan.” Lu Ming actually had a much better impression of Yuan Da than Zhang Yue, but unfortunately, the other party only had the talent of a Low-grade Divine Ability Bone and could not shoulder the expectations of his grandfather, Lu Jin.

“Young Yuan, how did the awakening of the Divine Ability Bones go for the latest batch of disciples in the hall?” Lu Qingyan asked.

“Second Hall Master, ten disciples awakened their Divine Ability Bones this time. Nine of them have Low-grade Divine Ability Bones, and one has a Mid-grade Divine Ability Bone,” Yuan Da replied hastily.

“Oh? A Mid-grade Divine Ability Bone actually appeared this time? Who is it? That is indeed good news.” A look of pleasant surprise surfaced on Lu Qingyan's face.

When Divine Ability Bones awakened in this world, seventy to eighty percent of them were low-grade. Therefore, having a mid-grade talent was enough to make someone a pillar of strength in many Divine Ability Halls. As for High-grade Divine Ability Bones, they were rare treasures that could only be hoped for but not sought after.

Currently, among the hundred or so disciples in their entire Thunderfire Hall, those with Mid-grade Divine Ability Bones could be counted on one hand, showing just how rare they were.

“It is Junior Brother Fang Lang.”

Yuan Da replied, and then a look of difficulty appeared on his face.

“What is it?” Lu Qingyan asked immediately upon noticing his expression.

Yuan Da's lips twitched, and he let out a bitter laugh.

“After Junior Brother Fang Lang awakened a Mid-grade Divine Ability Bone, his spirits rose significantly. Moreover, having heard that the Fourth Hall Master... no, that Zhang Yue left the hall, he said he wants you, Second Hall Master, to step forward and accept him as a personal disciple.”

Hearing this, Lu Ming could not help but curl his lip. This guy didn't just want to be a personal disciple; he was coveting the treatment Zhang Yue used to receive and wanted to leech off the Thunderfire Hall's free resources too.

Reasonably speaking, a Mid-grade Divine Ability Bone indeed deserved some attention, but the key issue was...

Their Thunderfire Hall had already been eaten clean by Zhang Yue.

“A personal disciple?”

Lu Qingyan was expressionless. Because of Zhang Yue, he was currently a bit triggered by those two words.

Furthermore, how could he not know what Fang Lang was thinking? It was nothing more than wanting to take advantage of the unrest within the hall after Zhang Yue's departure to secure some benefits for himself.

After all, the perks of a personal disciple were simply too enticing. Not only were they exempt from the annual hall fee, but they also enjoyed the hall's cultivation resources for free, and could even receive personal guidance and training from Lu Jin, a Divine Ability Master.

But their Lu family ran a Divine Ability Hall, not a charity house.

In the past, they had chosen Zhang Yue because they were forced by the Spirit-Sealing Curse, so they had no choice but to gamble. As for the result... they had truly lost their resources and their face.

Before, they had no choice. But now that they had Lu Ming, one of their own who possessed a Sub-Heaven-grade Divine Ability Bone, how could they possibly pin their hopes on an outsider again?

However, rejecting him outright was not quite appropriate either. If Fang Lang, in his youthful impetuousness, left the hall in a fit of anger and joined another Divine Ability Hall, it would not only cause them to lose a hall fee but would also add to the recent troubles of the Thunderfire Hall.

After all, a Mid-grade Divine Ability Bone was still considered a talent.

After a brief thought, Lu Qingyan said to Yuan Da, “Gather this batch of new disciples. It just so happens that I will teach them the hall's divine abilities today.”

Yuan Da acknowledged and turned to leave.

Lu Qingyan then led Lu Ming toward an area on the right side of the dojo. Before long, Yuan Da arrived with a group of youthful boys and girls dressed in the crimson robes of the Thunderfire Hall.

Leading them was a high-spirited youth who looked to be about sixteen. Wherever he passed, even some older and more senior disciples of the Thunderfire Hall smiled at him and took the initiative to greet him quite politely.

Such popularity undoubtedly made the smile on the youth's face even more confident.

After all, possessing a Mid-grade Divine Ability Bone meant that in terms of talent, he was indeed qualified to look down on the vast majority of people.

Clearly, he was the new Thunderfire Hall disciple who had awakened a Mid-grade Divine Ability Bone, whom Yuan Da had mentioned earlier—Fang Lang.

The group of ten disciples came before Lu Qingyan and bowed one after another.

Upon seeing Lu Qingyan, Fang Lang directly took the initiative to speak, “Second Hall Master, about my matter...”

Fang Lang was very clever. He knew that under normal circumstances, although a Mid-grade Divine Ability Bone was excellent, it wouldn't be enough to make the three hall masters grant him the status of a “personal disciple.” However, these were extraordinary times. The Thunderfire Hall was in the midst of a major storm, so they desperately needed a figurehead to step forward and stabilize people's minds. He, as a newly awakened Mid-grade Divine Ability Bone holder, was the best choice.

Taking advantage of the situation to ask to be a personal disciple at this moment would yield a much higher probability of success.

However, before Fang Lang could finish speaking, Lu Qingyan waved his hand to interrupt him. “Let us finish teaching today's divine ability first.”

Fang Lang could only shut his mouth, thinking to himself, Very well. With my talent of a Mid-grade Divine Ability Bone, I should perform well first to win the support of the other disciples.

“Ah Ming also awakened his Divine Ability Bone yesterday. From now on, he will cultivate divine abilities alongside you all.” Lu Qingyan pointed to Lu Ming at his side.

Fang Lang glanced at Lu Ming, not paying much mind to this “Little Hall Master” who was two years younger than him.

“Since you have only just awakened your Divine Ability Bones and your own primordial energy is not yet abundant, the first divine ability I will teach you is a Lower Divine Ability of our Thunderfire Hall, called Flame Blade.” Lu Qingyan's powerful voice rang in the ears of Lu Ming and the others.

The Thunderfire Hall was named after thunder and fire because the divine abilities taught were all lightning and fire spells. Although Flame Blade was only a Lower Divine Ability, its offensive power was quite outstanding among Lower Divine Abilities.

Lu Qingyan waved his hand, and Yuan Da led some people to bring over ten clay pots, placing them down in front of Lu Ming and the others.

Lu Ming took a look. Inside the clay pots was a fiery-red grease. Heat wafted over, and when the high temperature radiated, occasional sparks even drifted about.

As the “Little Hall Master” of the Thunderfire Hall, Lu Ming naturally knew what this was. This was “fire oil paste,” a secret divine ability material used to cultivate the Lower Divine Ability, Flame Blade.

For divine abilities in this world, one not only needed the cultivation method but also the matching secret divine ability materials. Only when the two were paired together, yielding twice the result with half the effort, could it be considered a complete inheritance of a divine ability.

Although Flame Blade was a Lower Divine Ability, the same rule applied.

“All of you, stretch out your palms.”

Following Lu Qingyan's command, the crowd of new disciples, including Lu Ming and Fang Lang, all hastily raised their palms.

Lu Qingyan curled his two fingers together, and his fingertips rapidly turned bright red, transforming into a crimson fiery glow. With a sudden shake, the fiery glow split apart and landed on everyone's palms.

Sizzle.

A slight burning pain arose in their palms, forming a faint, fiery-red imprint on everyone's hands.

“Cover your palms with the fire oil, and circulate the primordial energy in your bodies to merge with the heat of the fire oil. Control it, and carve out the pathway of the Flame Blade along the trajectory guided by the divine ability imprint I left behind. Ultimately, if you can imprint a trace of the divine ability onto your Divine Ability Bone, you will have successfully initiated into this Lower Divine Ability.”

Listening to Lu Qingyan's voice, Lu Ming was the first to extend his right palm, plunging it without hesitation into the clay pot before him, allowing the scalding fire oil to completely cover his hand.

Sizzle.

A scalding temperature spread from his right palm, and the intense burning sensation caused Lu Ming's face to twitch slightly.

As for some of the other beginner disciples, they could not help but scream in pain, frantically shaking the fire oil off their hands. Their comical appearance drew bursts of laughter from the older disciples watching nearby, who were likely reminded of their own pathetic state when they first learned the Flame Blade.

Lu Ming took a deep breath. He could feel a scorching heat surging within his right palm. Not daring to delay, he hurriedly followed Lu Qingyan's previous instructions. With a thought, a strand of primordial energy surged out from the Divine Ability Bone inside his body.

In the next instant, the primordial energy collided with the heat of the fire oil.

“Ah!”

One of the new disciples cried out in panic. The strand of primordial energy he had circulated was dispersed by the heat the moment they came into contact. Subsequently, the heat seeped out from the pores of his arm, turning into flames that began to burn.

Before Lu Qingyan could speak, Yuan Da directly splashed a basin of ice water that had been prepared beforehand, extinguishing the flames on the disciple's arm.

“Continue,” Lu Qingyan's indifferent voice drifted over. Clearly, he was already long accustomed to this.

He then swept his gaze over the batch of new disciples. Most of them were tormented by the fire oil and made slow progress. However, Fang Lang was doing quite well. Although he was also a bit flustered at the beginning, by virtue of his Mid-grade Divine Ability Bone talent, his primordial energy was slightly more robust than that of the other disciples. Consequently, he quickly controlled the heat and began attempting to carve out the pathway of the Flame Blade.

Lu Qingyan finally looked at Lu Ming, and his eyes could not help but light up slightly.

Unlike the painful expressions of the others, Lu Ming's expression was exceptionally calm. Although his hand was covered in fire oil, relying on the divine ability imprint left behind, Lu Qingyan could clearly feel that Lu Ming was carving out the Flame Blade's pathway at an astonishing speed.

Under the control of Lu Ming's primordial energy, the wild heat brought by the fire oil appeared exceptionally docile.

A satisfied smile surfaced in Lu Qingyan's eyes. A Sub-Heaven-grade Divine Ability Bone was indeed extraordinary. Furthermore, the current Lu Ming had already completed his first bone refinement, and the primordial energy contained within his Divine Ability Bone was more than a cut above Fang Lang and the others. Therefore, initiating into the Flame Blade should not pose much difficulty for him.

Over the next shichen, the eleven of them, including Lu Ming, repeatedly utilized the heat of the fire oil paste to continuously cultivate the Flame Blade.

One shichen later, most of them were exhausted. Looking at their hands, which were burnt red and even had blistered skin, they all wore bitter expressions.

“Eh?”

But at this moment, an older disciple watching the commotion nearby let out a surprised exclamation.

Everyone looked over and saw Fang Lang extend his palm. A faint red light surfaced on his palm, actually forming a fiery glow about half a cun long.

As a wave of heat surged, a look of wild joy surfaced in Fang Lang's eyes. He slashed his palm down toward a nearby wooden stake. The half-cun fiery glow swept across like a flaming blade, instantly shattering the stake. The severed end was completely charred black.

“Whoa, a half-cun of firelight! Fang Lang has actually initiated into the Flame Blade!” Some senior disciples widened their eyes and could not help but exclaim in surprise.

“Impressive! It took me a full five days to reach this step back then, yet he actually did it in one shichen. As expected of a Mid-grade Divine Ability Bone.”

“He's weaker than the Fourth Hall Master... weaker than Zhang Yue was. I remember when Zhang Yue cultivated the Flame Blade on his first day, his flames reached four cuns. That was truly remarkable.”

“Stop talking nonsense. He had a High-grade Divine Ability Bone. For Fang Lang to have this kind of progress is already extremely outstanding.”

“...”

The commotion here also drew more disciples from the dojo to watch. When they learned that Fang Lang had managed to produce a half-cun Flame Blade in just one shichen, they all gasped in admiration.

Amidst the many envious gazes, the smile on Fang Lang's face grew increasingly pronounced. He was also extremely satisfied with his performance this time. Thus, he looked at Lu Qingyan with high spirits, having already made up his mind to use this momentum to ask for the status of a personal disciple.

Whatever Zhang Yue had enjoyed, he wanted to enjoy as well.

“Second Hall—” Fang Lang spoke in a clear and confident voice.

Buzz!

But before he could even finish speaking, a peculiar hum of fire suddenly rang out in the noisy dojo, drawing many gazes over.

Including Fang Lang's.

In the next instant, the clamor began to subside. Silence seemed to ripple outward from the center, eventually rendering the entire area dead silent.

Everyone's eyes suddenly went wide, with shock and horror welling up like a tide.

And reflected in those shocked eyes was a youth standing as straight as a spear, slowly raising his right palm, from which a crimson fiery glow flowed out.

The firelight was intense, faintly revealing a sharp edge.

Most importantly...

The firelight was one chi long.