At the Ward Office, under the watchful eyes of Zhou Xuan and Zhou Fuling, Lu Ming once again refined a batch of Qi Refining Elixirs.
“Not bad. Your application of the ‘True Explanation of the Six Refinements of Clear Qi’ is becoming increasingly proficient. This Qi Refining Elixir has already reached the High-grade,” Zhou Xuan said. He summoned the newly formed Qi Refining Elixir, examined it in his hand, and a hint of satisfaction appeared on his face.
Lu Ming was also quite pleased. A High-grade Qi Refining Elixir was worth a hundred heavenly gold sand, doubling the value of a Low-grade one. In terms of profit, this already exceeded the cost of the medicinal herbs. At this point, Lu Ming could even secure a position at some pill shops.
“Back then, Fuling spent several months and consumed countless herbs of mine before she raised her proficiency and refined her first High-grade Qi Refining Elixir.”
Zhou Fuling glared at him in annoyance. Why did he have to bring her up for no reason?
“In the future, you must diligently cultivate the True Explanation of the Six Refinements of Clear Qi that I taught you. Although you merge the medicinal properties perfectly during pill refinement, your Clear Qi is too weak to perform Double Refinement. Thus, you cannot refine higher-grade pills.”
“Once you cultivate thirteen wisps of Clear Qi, you can attempt to use Clear Qi Double Refinement to refine Bone Refining Pills,” Zhou Xuan said.
Lu Ming nodded respectfully. He had currently cultivated five wisps of Clear Qi in his body, still some distance away from thirteen wisps. However, at this rate, it would probably only take him a little over a month to reach that point.
“Ward Master, this junior has a request. I wonder if it is possible?” Lu Ming suddenly said, dispersing the lotus cauldron in front of him.
“You certainly have a lot of matters,” Zhou Xuan grumbled.
Zhou Fuling poured a cup of hot tea for Lu Ming, then glanced at Zhou Xuan.
Zhou Xuan could only clear his throat and ask, “What is it?”
Lu Ming first thanked Zhou Fuling, then gave Zhou Xuan a grateful smile and said, “Ward Master, the intelligence you provided previously is extremely important to our Thunderfire Hall. Based on our deductions, the Peach Mountain Bandits intend to ambush the caravan guarded by Thunderfire Hall at the beginning of the month to destroy our reputation.”
Zhou Xuan nodded slightly and said, “That is indeed a vicious move.”
Over the past two months, Thunderfire Hall had been thriving, and its reputation in Qingyuan Ward was growing more prominent by the day. If the Peach Mountain Bandits targeted and slaughtered the caravan they were guarding at this time, it would deal a fatal blow to Thunderfire Hall.
In a sense, this blow would be even more devastating than Zhang Yue leaving the hall.
“What do you plan to do? Avoid the beginning of the month?” Zhou Xuan asked.
Lu Ming shook his head and said, “You can hide for a day, but you can't hide forever. Besides, how can we guard against thieves every single day? We still have to live our lives. Therefore, we plan to set off for the caravan escort mission as scheduled.”
“This time, I will also accompany the caravan to execute the escort mission.”
Zhou Xuan was slightly startled. He studied the youth before him, who stood tall and straight, with a youthful yet handsome face. The youth's eyebrows were slightly raised, exuding a sharp, sword-like aura and a hint of rebelliousness. “You are going too? Aren't you afraid of something happening? The Peach Mountain Bandits have existed in Qingyuan Ward for so many years; they are not to be trifled with.”
“Since they don't want to let Thunderfire Hall live in peace, we can only fight to the death. In the future, only one of us—Thunderfire Hall or the Peach Mountain Bandits—will remain in Qingyuan Ward,” Lu Ming said with a bared-teeth smile. Within the youth's brilliant smile was an unmistakable decisiveness for slaughter.
“Lu Jin will also take action, right?” Zhou Xuan asked.
Lu Ming nodded and said, “We don't know yet if Guo Kui, the leader of the Peach Mountain Bandits, will show up. So to be safe, Grandfather will also hide in the shadows behind us.”
“Your Thunderfire Hall is mobilizing all its forces to fight a decisive battle to the death with the Peach Mountain Bandits.”
Zhou Xuan sighed, then said with a solemn expression, “Can your grandfather's body hold up? Even if you really manage to repel Guo Kui, won't his condition deteriorate even further?”
“Once something happens to him, who else can support your Thunderfire Hall?”
“Your move is far too risky. Some things can be conceded. It might be safer to endure and wait until you grow stronger before seeking revenge.”
His underlying meaning was to advise Thunderfire Hall to avoid their edge this time.
Lu Ming fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. “If this plan of the Peach Mountain Bandits fails, they will surely have many other schemes. They are in the dark while we are in the light; they are impossible to guard against completely. Rather than living in fear every day, it is better to use this intelligence to fight a bloody battle with them and eliminate the future trouble once and for all.”
“And...”
“I don't want to endure it either. Since they are targeting Thunderfire Hall, I want them all to die.”
The youth spoke the most ruthless words with a calm expression, causing Zhou Xuan's eyelid to twitch. He muttered to himself, “This kid has a heavy killing intent. He truly deserves the title of Thunderfire Butcher.”
However, Zhou Xuan could also see that Lu Ming and Thunderfire Hall had already made up their minds.
“So, what do you want to ask of me?” Zhou Xuan asked slowly.
Lu Ming raised his head, his gaze shifting toward the direction of the Golden Gang Sword Hall in the ward city. “Our Thunderfire Hall can only fight a decisive battle to the death with the Peach Mountain Bandits, but we cannot afford to suffer other interferences.”
“Are you referring to Lin Changkong?”
Lu Ming nodded slightly. Lu Jin could only deal with Guo Kui, but Lin Changkong was also a hidden threat. Although the other party might not necessarily risk showing up to strike, what if he actually did? A True Primordial Energy Master could easily reverse the situation.
At that time, everyone from Thunderfire Hall might truly die out there.
Such an outcome was not something Lu Ming wished to see.
Zhou Xuan picked up his teacup, took two sips, and said, “Do you want me to help you keep Lin Changkong in check so that he cannot leave the ward city?”
Lu Ming nodded again. Only Zhou Xuan, as the Ward Master, could accomplish such a task.
“I told you before that it isn't easy for our Ward Office to interfere in the grievances between Divine Ability Halls. However, many things in this world have a price. If I help you this much, what do I get in return?” Zhou Xuan asked with interest.
“Consider it as me owing you a favor.”
Zhou Xuan could not help but burst into laughter. “A favor from a Grade 3 Divine Ability Hall? I wouldn't even want it if it were given to me for free.”
“It is not a favor from Thunderfire Hall, but a favor from me,” Lu Ming said seriously.
Zhou Xuan's laughter finally ceased. He rubbed the warm teacup with his fingers and sighed, “You kid, you aren't very old, but you certainly talk big. With just this little bit of strength, you keep talking about your favor. Is it really that valuable? Do you think I've never seen the world?”
Zhou Fuling picked up the teapot to pour tea for Zhou Xuan, and then some scalding tea splashed out, pouring onto the back of his hand.
Zhou Xuan flinched from the heat and glared at Zhou Fuling.
Lu Ming said, “In any case, you won't lose out. It's a highly profitable transaction with zero risk, so why not do it?”
Zhou Xuan wiped the tea from his hand, thought about it, and said, “Forget it, I won't bicker with a child like you. If you only had a High-grade Divine Ability Bone, although I would think highly of you, I wouldn't go so far as to value your favor. But as it happens, I do highly value your talent in the Dao of Alchemy.”
“At the very least, it is an alchemy divine ability that I personally taught you.”
“Rest assured, I promise you that for the next few days, Lin Changkong will not be able to leave the ward city. In fact, not just him—I will also keep an eye on Shi Tong of the Red Sand Hall.”
“Are you satisfied with this?”
A brilliant smile finally appeared on Lu Ming's face. He clasped his hands gratefully toward Zhou Xuan. “Then I thank the Ward Master for your protection.”
He felt a great weight lift from his heart. Without the lingering worries of Lin Changkong and the others, they could finally let loose and fight the Peach Mountain Bandits.
“This is all I can do. When it comes to fighting the Peach Mountain Bandits, you can only rely on the strength of your Thunderfire Hall.”
“Can your grandfather's body really hold up?” Zhou Xuan reminded him with a hint of worry.
Many top experts in Qingyuan Ward knew that after his clash with Lin Changkong at the Hall Meet, Lu Jin's already aging body was bound to be riddled with hidden issues. In such a state, could he really fight against Guo Kui, the leader of the Peach Mountain Bandits?
“Grandfather can do it.” Lu Ming simply nodded, offering no further explanation.
After Lu Ming spent this period of time using Life's Flame to heal Lu Jin daily, the hidden injuries in Lu Jin's body were now almost completely cured, and his condition was better than ever before.
This was also where their confidence to set this trap directly came from.
Since Lu Ming had put it that way, Zhou Xuan said no more. At the same time, he took out a jade bottle and placed it on the table. “Inside are some Mid-grade pills suitable for Grand Divine Ability Practitioners called ‘Lesser Primordial-Restoring Pills.’ They were all meticulously refined by me and can accelerate the recovery of primordial energy. Perhaps they will be of use to you.”
Lu Ming did not refuse, knowing that these pills would be of great help in the perilous situation Thunderfire Hall was about to face. He accepted them directly and bowed solemnly to Zhou Xuan.
Then, he whispered to Zhou Fuling beside him, “Thank you, Senior Sister.”
He could naturally see that Zhou Fuling was helping to push things along, both overtly and covertly.
Zhou Fuling's bright, beautiful eyes blinked at him.
After that, Lu Ming did not linger. He took his leave and departed, as he still had to return and deliver this news to Lu Jin to completely put his mind at ease.
Watching his departing back, Zhou Fuling said with some worry, “Can Thunderfire Hall defeat the Peach Mountain Bandits? Nothing bad will happen, right?”
“What? Are you that worried?” Zhou Xuan smiled.
Zhou Fuling rolled her eyes at him and said, “He is at least a seed we found. If something happens to him, what about the ‘Golden Sun Flame Banner’?”
“Lu Jin is a cautious person. He wouldn't fail to think of the things we can think of. He is very clear about his importance to Thunderfire Hall. If he falls, Lu Ming, with his High-grade Divine Ability Bone, will likely lose all protection.”
“Knowing this, he still chose to take a risk. It can only be said that they must have a trump card we know nothing about.”
Zhou Xuan held his tea and took a sip.
“However, if they can truly return after heavily damaging the Peach Mountain Bandits, then Thunderfire Hall's reputation will indeed become resplendent in the future.”
“The title of champion hall will be unshakable.
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