Late-Night Conversation

"Eighth-Rank Martial Venerable..."

Lu Changsheng slowly rose to his feet, his bones crackling in a continuous volley like beans popping in a pan. He lowered his head to look at his fists. Seven-colored lightning flickered faintly in his palms, azure-green arcs flowing between his fingers and intertwining with black, white, gold, purple, blue, and red thunderbolts, forming an unprecedented harmony.

The meridians within his body had widened several times over, spiritual power surging like rivers. With every breath, it was as though thunder rumbled through his lungs and organs.

The gains from refining the Azure Heaven Sacred Thunder had been even greater than he had expected. Not only had all six types of lightning returned to their proper places, but his cultivation had soared from Fifth-Rank Martial Venerable all the way to Eighth-Rank Martial Venerable, crossing three minor realms in succession. Even on the Nine Heavens Continent, where geniuses gathered like clouds, such a rate of advancement would have been enough to shock the world.

He knew that the road to the Immortal Realm in search of his parents would surely be filled with even greater hardships and dangers. Powerful strength was his most important safeguard.

"Junior Brother Lu!"

A rough shout pulled Lu Changsheng from his thoughts. He looked up to see three figures breaking through the thunderclouds and descending into the courtyard. Shi Jingtian carried the Mountain Shaker Staff over his shoulder, his bald head gleaming beneath the lightning; Tu Jiao wore a fitted outfit, her short hair lifting lightly in the wind; Rui'er fluttered over like a little butterfly, her large eyes brimming with delight.

"Wow! Brother Changsheng, you broke through again?"

Rui'er raised her little face. Sensing the aura around Lu Changsheng, several times stronger than before, her small mouth formed a round O.

"So amazing!