Exaggerated Improvement
The next two months were a hellish period of training for Lin Ming that was both unbearable to recall and incredibly rewarding.
Under the "meticulous" arrangement of Mang Tianchi, the "devil coach," he experienced almost every type of lightning in the outer area of the Thunder Pool. Red Fire Lightning, Gui Water Lightning, Yi Wood Lightning, Geng Metal Lightning, Thick Earth Lightning... took turns attacking, and sometimes several different types of lightning struck at the same time, creating an energy storm in his body. The feeling was simply exhilarating.
Later, Lin Ming even became numb. The first thing he did every morning when he woke up was to prepare to be struck by lightning. From being in excruciating pain from the first lightning bolt to being able to withstand two or three at the same time without changing his expression (while still cursing wildly in his heart), his physical body underwent a transformative change in the daily destruction and rebirth of lightning.
Beneath his skin, various colored lightning crackled faintly, his flesh became incredibly solid, his bone density increased dramatically, shimmering with a jade-like luster, and his meridians were widened and strengthened several times over! His physical strength increased exponentially! According to his estimation, with just this physical body, he now dared to go toe-to-toe with Peak Dou Ancestor expert!
The strength of his physical body also boosted his cultivation. In the process of refining those pure lightning energies, his Dou Qi cultivation also rose accordingly. After a month of cultivation in the depths of the lightning pool, he naturally broke through to the Six-Star Dou Ancestor. A month later, he made even more rapid progress, reaching the Seven-Star Dou Ancestor and steadily advancing towards the peak of the Seven-Star Dou Ancestor!
If word got out about this rocket-like speed of advancement, it would leave countless people speechless.
On this day, after Lin Ming had completely refined and absorbed another bolt of lightning mixed with the Geng Metal Power, he slowly opened his eyes. Deep within his pupils, it seemed as if fine, colorful arcs of electricity flashed by. He felt the surging, powerful Dou Qi within his body, as well as the terrifying physical strength contained in every movement he made, and finally, a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.
Two months of inhuman torture, but it was worth it!
Beneath his skin, on the chest near his heart, a faint, complex, and mysterious Lightning Pattern, interwoven with crimson and azure colors, was faintly visible.
The first level of the Rainbow Lightning Venerate Body Technique: Lightning Pattern Initially Formed!
The profound mysteries of the <Rainbow Lightning Venerate Body Technique> have been deeply imprinted on Lin Ming's soul during these two months of inhuman torture and thunderous baptism.
Lin Ming also clearly understood that this body-refining method, which could be described as heaven-defying, was divided into four realms.
Once the first level is completed, the physical body will initially bear Lightning Pattern, becoming harder than Fine Gold, and able to withstand strong opponents of the first to third-star Dou Venerate without being defeated!
Upon mastering the second level, Lightning Pattern intertwine, and the physical body undergoes a regeneration and transformation, making it capable of contending with mid-level Dou Venerate of four to Six Stars!
Once the third level is mastered, the inner lightning is contained, and the physical body is nearly immortal. Even against High-Grade Dou Venerate of seven to Nine Stars, there is still a fighting chance!
If one could cultivate the final fourth level to perfection, then with this physical body alone, one would be able to withstand Half Sage powerhouse without being at a disadvantage! That would be the true capital to stand at the pinnacle of the continent!
Lin Ming looked inward at the mysterious Lightning Pattern on his chest, which were interwoven with crimson and azure and slowly rotating. He felt the terrifying power surging through his limbs and bones, far surpassing anything he had ever experienced before, and his heart was filled with boundless pride.
He never expected that the <Purple Lightning Radiant Body Technique>, which he had accidentally obtained in the Library Pavilion Jia Nan Academy years ago and which had almost been forgotten by Lin Ming because it was of little use in battles against people with increasingly higher cultivation levels after he had cultivated it to perfection, would actually be encountered by Dean Mang Tianchi in this Void Space, and he would obtain its follow-up - the Quasi-Heaven Tier <Rainbow Lightning Venerate Body Technique>!
In just two months, after hellish training, he successfully stepped into the first level! This means that his physical strength has already broken through the limit of Dou Zong and officially entered the Dou Venerate realm! Although it is only in terms of physical body, this achievement is enough to make countless experts who specialize in body training speechless.
The leap in his physical body also greatly boosted his progress in Dou Qi cultivation. In the process of refining those lightning energies of different attributes, yet all of them incredibly pure, his Dou Qi naturally broke through barriers one after another, soaring from the peak of the Five-Star Dou Ancestor at the depths of the Thunder Pool all the way up, eventually reaching a level close to the Peak Eight-Star Dou Ancestor! A full three-star improvement! Such a cultivation speed would be enough to terrify a whole host of so-called geniuses if word got out.
Just as Lin Ming was immersed in the joy of his sudden increase in strength, Mang Tianchi's familiar voice rang out with a hint of disdain.
"Alright, kid! Look at you grinning like an idiot. Now that you've mastered the first level and your foundation is solid, there's no chance you'll break through to the second level anytime soon. So, I don't need to be your free Protector anymore. Get lost!"
During these two months, Mang Tianchi did not keep an eye on Lin Ming being struck by lightning every single moment.
While Lin Ming was focused on refining the lightning, he also chatted with Elder Yao, Xiao Yi Xian, and others on the periphery.
From Elder Yao, he not only learned the cause and effect of Lin Ming's resurrection, but was also shocked to learn that Lin Ming was actually an eighth-grade alchemy master capable of summoning three-colored pill lightning! He also learned that Lin Ming planned to participate in the grand event that would soon gather the most outstanding alchemists of the entire Dou Qi Continent—the Pill Tower Pill Gathering!
Time was of the essence, Pill Gathering to convene; he naturally couldn't keep Lin Ming here any longer to "get struck by lightning."
Hearing the Dean's blunt "drive away," Lin Ming was not angry at all; instead, his smile became even more genuine.
So Lin Ming concealed the faint lightning flowing around him, straightened his tattered robes that could not hide his powerful physique, straightened his face, and once again respectfully bowed to Mang Tianchi.
This bow was even more solemn than when I received the Cultivation Method before, filled with heartfelt gratitude for the Headmaster teachings and Protector.
Looking at Lin Ming's posture, Mang Tianchi's eyes flashed with a hint of barely perceptible satisfaction and gratification, but his face still maintained an impatient expression. He waved his hand as if shooing away a fly.
"Alright, alright, stop with the nagging! Get lost, just looking at you annoys me! Oh, right--"
As if suddenly remembering something, his tone became stern, and he pointed at Lin Ming, saying, "Kid, let me tell you, if you don't win the championship at the Pill Gathering, don't ever say you're my student, let alone that you came from the Jia Nan Academy! I can't afford to lose face like that! Do you hear me?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Ming raised his head, a confident and radiant smile spreading across his face, and declared loudly, "Dean, you can rest assured! The champion position at this Pill Gathering will definitely belong to our Jia Nan Academy!"
Lin Ming spoke with conviction and confidence. However, deep in his heart, a cunning thought, unknown to anyone, flashed through Lin Ming mind.
"I only said the championship would belong to our academy, but I didn't guarantee it would be mine... That kid Xiao Yan, judging by the timeline, should also be participating in this year's Pill Gathering. Although with my current alchemy skills, his chances of taking the championship from me are almost nonexistent. But... what if that guy gets incredibly lucky and concocts some extraordinary pill? Then I'll just have to admit defeat. However, Xiao Yan is also a member of the academy, so if he wins, the championship will naturally still belong to our Jia Nan Academy! Hehe..."
Thinking of this, Lin Ming couldn't help but give himself a thumbs up for his "cleverness." Of course, he couldn't reveal these thoughts to Mang Tianchi.
"Hmph, that's more like it! Get lost, just looking at you makes me angry, you're delaying my exploration of the depths of the Thunder Pool!" Mang Tianchi snorted, turned around, and once again cast his gaze towards the darkness at the deepest part of the Thunder Pool.
There, the even more terrifying Black Demon Lightning could be vaguely seen lurking. He seemed disdainful of Lin Ming's "bold words," but the slight upturn of his lips betrayed his inner enjoyment and anticipation.
After bidding farewell to the Dean, Lin Ming reunited with Elder Yao and Xiao Yi Xian.
When the two saw Lin Ming return safely, and that his aura was much stronger than it had been two months ago, especially the faint, stinging physical pressure emanating from his body, they were both surprised and delighted.
"Lin Ming, your strength..."
Xiao Yi Xian's beautiful eyes sparkled with wonder. She could sense that even without using his Dou Qi, Lin Ming's physical body alone could put considerable pressure on her.
Elder Yao stroked his beard and exclaimed in admiration, "Tsk tsk, as expected of the Headmaster's personal training, such improvement is nothing short of a complete transformation!"
Lin Ming smiled and briefly recounted his experiences over the past two months, leaving the two speechless with astonishment. At the same time, they felt even greater awe for the elusive Headmaster.
"Brother Hei Qing, thank you for your help. We should head back now," Lin Ming said to Hei Qing, who was waiting nearby.
Hei Qing nodded without saying anything more. With a flicker of his body, he transformed into a massive black Giant Dragon amidst a strong Spatial Fluctuations. Lin Ming and the other two easily leaped onto the dragon's head.
"Roar!"
The Giant Dragon let out a roar that shook the Void Space, and with a flick of its massive tail, its enormous body transformed into a bolt of black lightning, carrying Lin Ming and the other two towards East Dragon Island, leaving the still thunderous and lightning-streaked Void Lightning Pool far behind.
At the edge of the Thunder Pool, Mang Tianchi stood with his hands behind his back, gazing in the direction the Giant Dragon had gone. The "impatience" on his face had long since disappeared, replaced by a deep smile.
"Young man, don't disappoint this old man... The Pill Gathering Champion... Heh, if you can really win, then the name of the Jia Nan Academy will truly resound throughout the Middle Continent..."
He muttered something to himself, then suddenly turned around, his gaze fixed intently on the chilling darkness deep within the Thunder Pool. The space around him distorted slightly, and a vast aura unique to a Half Sage flickered in and out of existence.
"Next, it's time to confront those Black Demon Lightning... Hopefully, we can find clues to the legendary Nine Profound Golden Lightning..."
As soon as he finished speaking, his figure vanished like a ghost, merging into the endless silver lightning.
The Void Lightning Pool returned to its state of being that of billions of years ago, with only the rumbling thunder echoing eternally, as if telling of the supreme power between heaven and earth, waiting for the next destined person, or... the next lucky one to be "struck by lightning".
Having left the Void Lightning Pool, Lin Ming stood atop the Giant Dragon, facing the fierce turbulence of the Void Space, his clothes fluttering in the wind. He glanced back at the gradually shrinking silver light spot, his eyes hardening with determination and fighting spirit.
"The Pill Gathering... Sacred Pill City... Soul Hall... and the many challenges to come..." he murmured softly, his hands slowly clenching as he felt the surging Dou Qi and the terrifying hidden physical power within his body. An unprecedented confidence surged into his heart.
"I, Lin Ming, have arrived!"