Chapter 39 | The Divine Ability Practitioner

Boom!

Amidst the boiling clamor of the entire field, Lu Ming's figure was like a cannonball, being the first to land heavily on the Golden Gang Sword Hall's Lower Flag Platform.

Gao Yu and Yuan Da followed closely behind.

Lu Ming raised his head and looked ahead. He saw three white-robed figures standing there with cold faces, their eyes faintly carrying ridicule as they stared at them.

The leader, with a tall and upright posture that made him look exceptionally elegant, was none other than Wang Chen.

“Lu Ming, on you, I see four words,” Wang Chen said calmly.

“Invincible among peers?” Lu Ming replied casually.

Even though the current occasion wasn't quite appropriate, Lu Ming's reply still made Gao Yu, who was beside him, unable to hold back a laugh. She then quickly covered her mouth.

Wang Chen's eyes turned cold. “Carried away!”

“It won't be too late for me to accept those words after my Thunderfire Hall wins this year's champion hall position.” Lu Ming shook his head. Having no interest in verbal sparring with the other party, he took a step forward. The Divine Ability Bone inside his body rumbled and vibrated, and the massive amount of primordial energy that had recovered due to the completion of his bone refinement was entirely converted into Fire Lotus primordial energy.

Lu Ming extended his right palm. A dark-golden Flame Blade flickered into existence, its scorching heat rising and directly causing the surrounding temperature to surge violently.

Flame Blade, Great Perfection!

Along with Lu Ming completely completing his third bone refinement, his primordial energy had clearly received a boost. Thus, the dark-golden Flame Blade condensed this time was far more violent in both its fiery light and sharp edge compared to his previous execution.

The dark-golden flame blade edge flickered and contracted. The pressure it released made both Gao Yu and Yuan Da's eyes fill with envy, while the expressions of Lin Zhao and the others opposite them also grew somewhat solemn, a faint trace of wariness appearing.

A Great Perfection Lower Divine Ability was a realm they dreamed of. Unfortunately, if they wanted to reach this step, they would likely have to wait until they condensed Divine Ability Dharma Inscriptions and became Grand Divine Ability Practitioners.

After all, an achievement like Lu Ming's was rare even among those geniuses who possessed High-grade Divine Ability Bones.

Boom!

Without the slightest hesitation, lightning flashed beneath Lu Ming's feet. His figure seemed to turn into a faint streak of lightning as he crossed dozens of feet in an instant, launching the first attack at Wang Chen.

Just as Lin Zhao and the other Golden Gang Sword Hall disciple were about to intercept him, Gao Yu and Yuan Da lunged forward, their azure Flame Blades turning into scorching blade lights to block them.

Lu Ming charged straight at Wang Chen, his dark-golden Flame Blade slashing straight down.

The fiery blade rapidly enlarged in Wang Chen's pupils. He raised his hand and bent two fingers together. In the next moment, golden light patterns emerged from his hand like incantation runes, covering his palm while dyeing his bent fingers a piercing gold.

Lower Divine Ability, Golden Pattern Body!

Swoosh!

At the same time, from the tips of Wang Chen's bent sword fingers, a dense and sharp golden sword light erupted. The sword light condensed, turning into a three-foot-long golden light sword. Its blade flowed with a metallic luster, looking almost solid.

Lower Divine Ability, Golden Sword Finger!

These were the two Lower Divine Abilities of the Golden Gang Sword Hall. The Golden Pattern Body could strengthen the physical body, making the skin as hard as gold and iron, while the Golden Sword Finger converted primordial energy into sword light that sprayed from the fingertips, incomparably sharp and capable of slicing gold and cleaving iron.

Wang Chen had clearly immersed himself in these two Lower Divine Abilities for many years. It could be said that he had mastered them to absolute perfection, far exceeding the ordinary Great Success stage.

Clang!

The dark-golden Flame Blade slashed down furiously, colliding with the golden sword light.

The sword light vibrated violently. The violent and scorching primordial energy transmitted from the Flame Blade continuously melted away the sword qi primordial energy.

“A Great Perfection Flame Blade is indeed overbearing,” Wang Chen could not help but exclaim in admiration. Even though his own primordial energy strength was far superior to Lu Ming's, in this head-on clash of divine abilities, Lu Ming's Flame Blade actually held the upper hand.

This was purely due to the advantage of the divine ability's mastery level.

“But if you think that relying on a Great Perfection Flame Blade will allow you to sweep through me as easily as you did Lü Xiao and the others, then I can only say you have vastly underestimated me, Wang Chen!”

Wang Chen stared at Lu Ming's face, which was mere inches away, his expression also turning cold and harsh. In the next instant, the worldly primordial energy around him suddenly fluctuated. As if drawn by some kind of attraction, it surged into Wang Chen's body.

As this worldly primordial energy entered his body, strands of light patterns suddenly emerged from the golden sword light spraying from Wang Chen's fingertips. These light patterns wound around the golden sword light like vines.

The ancient, mysterious light patterns seemed to possess an extremely special ability. When they wrapped around the golden sword light, the latter instantly received a powerful amplification, and the sword qi primordial energy became exceedingly sharp.

The dark-golden Flame Blade, which had originally held a suppressing advantage, was actually blocked head-on by the golden sword light at this moment.

This sudden turn of events caused Lu Ming's eyes to narrow. Staring at the mysterious light patterns on the golden sword light, he said, “A Divine Ability Dharma Inscription?! Have you entered the Grand Divine Ability Practitioner realm?!”

The mysterious light pattern, which exuded a unique charm and could amplify divine abilities, was indeed the hallmark of a Grand Divine Ability Practitioner—a Divine Ability Dharma Inscription!

“No, it's not a complete Divine Ability Dharma Inscription. It's just a residual inscription!”

But Lu Ming quickly noticed something was amiss. Wang Chen's Divine Ability Dharma Inscription was incomplete, clearly possessing many flaws. It was a residual inscription. Yet even so, when unleashed, it could still deepen one's connection with the worldly primordial energy while amplifying the divine ability.

With the amplification of this "residual inscription," Wang Chen had already ceased to fear Lu Ming's Great Perfection Flame Blade.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Wang Chen brandished his sword light, colliding with Lu Ming's dark-golden Flame Blade dozens of times in an instant. Each time, he did not fall into the slightest disadvantage.

Violent primordial energy fluctuations vibrated, and both of their figures were forced back.

Wang Chen stabilized his footing. He raised the sword light at his fingertips and pointed it at Lu Ming, a trace of pride appearing on his face.

“Lu Ming, although you have the advantage of divine ability mastery, I likewise have my own advantages.”

“Your single trick is no longer effective, and a Great Perfection Flame Blade consumes a massive amount of primordial energy. With your level, how much longer can you sustain it?”

“Lu Ming, if you wanted to step on my head to make a name for yourself in Qingyuan Ward, you chose the wrong target.” Wang Chen was in high spirits, his white robes fluttering as the golden sword light at his fingertips flickered. His impressive display actually drew cheers from many spectators outside the lake.

Lu Ming squinted slightly as he looked at the confident Wang Chen. He had to admit that the other party indeed possessed the capital for such confidence. Compared to Lü Xiao and the others, Wang Chen truly deserved to be called the number one person below the Grand Divine Ability Practitioners among the divine ability halls of Qingyuan Ward.

And if he wanted to win today, relying solely on the Great Perfection Flame Blade would likely not be enough.

In that case... he could only raise the stakes.

Lu Ming took a deep breath, circulating the Fire Lotus primordial energy inside his body. He then extended his palm. Within his palm, a flame that looked like golden liquid rose up.

Mid Divine Ability, Golden Liquid Fire.

...

Just as the clash between Lu Ming and Wang Chen began.

At the Golden Gang Sword Hall's Upper Flag Platform, the confrontation here drew the attention of many top powerhouses in Qingyuan Ward even more.

For the ones confronting each other here were the two hall masters.

Clad in the Thunderfire Feather Robe, Lu Jin stood suspended in midair. Thunder and fire flowed around his body, continuously emitting violent rumbles of thunder. The worldly primordial energy formed a vortex around him, and the iron whip wrapped in thunder and fire in his hand exuded a terrifying pressure that made one's heart race.

In front of Lu Jin, Lin Changkong's figure also hovered in the air. This Hall Master of the Golden Gang Sword Hall had resplendent, gold-like sword gang erupting from him at this moment, forming a golden sword gang feather robe that covered his body.

Countless sword qi patterns were engraved on the feather robe, releasing an earth-shattering sharpness at every moment.

Lin Changkong's eyes were indifferent. He said calmly, “I recall that the last time I fought with Hall Master Lu was already many years ago. At that time, I had just arrived in Qingyuan Ward and established the Golden Gang Sword Hall. Both of us were in the Feather Robe Realm, and back then, I was slightly superior.”

The Divine Ability Master rank had three realms.

Feather Robe Realm.

True Primordial Energy Realm.

Eerie Spirit Realm.

Each of the three realms possessed its own mysteries.

Lu Jin held the Thunderfire Whip, his aged face as calm as a deep well. He said, “Back then, this old man had no ambition to strive for supremacy. Toward young and enterprising talents like you, I also held the intention of being amicable, only wishing to quietly guard my Thunderfire Hall. But looking at it now, I was still too naive.”

Lin Changkong said, “I do not wish to make things difficult for Hall Master Lu either. But unfortunately, I share a connection with the Great Golden Crow Hall. Therefore, I can only trouble you all. I believe Hall Master Lu has already endured for so many years, so you shouldn't mind one more time, right?”

“Therefore, please accommodate me once more, Hall Master Lu.”

Lu Jin shook his head, a smile appearing on his face. “I am afraid that won't do this time.”

“Oh?”

“In the past, there was no hope, so I naturally could only endure and back down. This old man is but a sack of old bones; it doesn't matter if I suffer some grievances. But now that there is a sliver of hope in my heart, how could I be willing to let the spirit of my family's child be damaged?” Lu Jin said with a soft chuckle.

A youth's pride and spirit were more precious than gold.

This is the last Divine Ability Child of my Lu family. How could I bear to let him suffer even half a grievance or have his spirit dampened in the slightest?

Lin Changkong fell slightly silent, then shook his head helplessly.

“Since Hall Master Lu is so stubborn, I can only sever your Thunderfire Whip and completely cut off those unrealistic illusions of yours.”

“Having not fought for many years, if Hall Master Lu is still in the same Feather Robe Realm as back then, perhaps you won't have much chance of winning.”

Lin Changkong slowly raised his palm. The worldly primordial energy violently erupted at this moment, and boundless primordial energy gathered toward his palm, ultimately turning into a winding golden snake. The golden snake was filled with unimaginable spirituality, wrapping around Lin Changkong's hand.

And when that golden snake appeared in Lin Changkong's hand, even the eyes of Zhou Xuan, Li Yan, and Yan Jing at the top of the Lake-Viewing Pavilion suddenly narrowed.