After the unexpected incident at the Blazing Radiance Hall involving the clock gift, the birthday banquet was successfully completed without any major incidents.
As the guests gradually left, they all glanced at Lu Ming in the banquet with some surprise. Today's battle would surely make this young man from Qingyuan Market famous throughout the city.
After all, to be able to cultivate Upper Divine Ability to the Perfection Realm at such a young age is a talent that would be considered outstanding even among the younger generation of geniuses in Fengyang City.
No one expected that Zhong Taiyue would have such a talented grandson.
Among the departing guests, Zhao Qian, Zhao Clan from the Zhao Qian family, followed her elders as they left. At this moment, one of the elders asked with a smile, " Xiao Qian, wasn't it arranged for you to meet Lu Ming today? How did it go? I originally only sent you because Zhong Taiyue had spoken up, and I didn't want to offend him, but now it seems this Lu Ming is indeed a promising talent."
"Although the background of a Third-Tier Divine Ability Hall is a bit inferior, it still has the support of its maternal grandfather's family. In addition, its talent is outstanding. In the future, it may be able to inherit Zhong Taiyue's mantle and become a Nether Spirit Master."
Hearing the elders' praise, Zhao Qian couldn't help but look at Lu Ming at the banquet. Seeing him standing with Zhou Fuling, she immediately gave a wry smile and said, "Third Uncle, I'm afraid it's a bit late. I can't compete with that noble lady from the Great Shang Imperial Domain."
Upon hearing this, the elder shook his head helplessly and said, "That's a real pity. I always felt that this young man had the potential to soar to great heights in the future. Who knows, he might even surpass Zhong Taiyue."
Zhao Qian's eyes widened slightly. Surpass Zhong Taiyue? That's Divine Ability Grandmaster!
Such a figure, not to mention in Qingyuan Market, even in the vast Great Luo Domain, would definitely be considered a powerful overlord, and all the powerful families would have to grovel before his Grandmaster -level prestige.
Could Lu Ming really have gotten this far?
Zhao Qian shook her head violently and said, "Third Uncle, don't make such unrealistic guesses. It's true that Lu Ming has outstanding talent, but although High-Grade Divine Ability Bone are rare in the city, they are not unheard of. In recent years, I haven't heard of anyone breaking through to the Divine Ability Grandmaster level. And Lu Ming is ultimately a member of the Thunderfire Hall. How many cultivation resources can he obtain there?"
" The Dao of Divine Abilities requires increasingly vast amounts of cultivation resources as one progresses. He can keep up with the city's prodigies now, but who knows what the future holds?"
She didn't want to actually see Lu Ming reach that level. After all, the more outstanding he was, the greater her losses would be. After all, she had a legitimate reason to deepen her relationship with him today.
It was only because of her initial contempt that she squandered this opportunity, and the subsequent appearance of Zhou Fuling further eliminated all her possibilities.
Therefore, due to the selfishness inherent in human nature, Zhao Qian was unwilling to see or acknowledge that Lu Ming had this potential.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qian's third uncle didn't say anything more, shook his head, and led her away from the birthday banquet.
Lu Ming was naturally unaware of the Zhao Clan family's evaluation of him, and even if he did, he wouldn't care. After all, his future wouldn't be affected by the opinions of these irrelevant people.
Instead of paying attention to those irrelevant people, he'd rather cherish his proud senior sister, since he still needs her to lend him 200,000 Heavenly Gold Sand to create Spirit Fire.
At this time, Zhou Xuan and Huo Shanhe had already left their seats and bid farewell to Zhong Taiyue.
Zhou Fuling naturally followed.
As she stood up, her bright, starry eyes fixed on Lu Ming, a warning glint in them. "Come to the government office to find me tomorrow. If you dare to be even a fraction late, you will be executed without mercy!"
Lu Ming found it amusing. Just a moment ago, she seemed indifferent, but now he had to emphasize it. The more he got to know this noble senior sister, the more pronounced her arrogant nature became.
However, only after getting to know her can one appreciate this proud and aloof personality. If one cannot develop a deep relationship with her, all one will see is a noble lady from a prestigious family who keeps people at arm's length and has a cold and aloof personality.
"Don't worry, Senior Sister, I'll be waiting at the government office tonight. I'll make sure you see me as soon as you step out tomorrow," Lu Ming said earnestly.
Zhou Fuling chuckled, her bright and beautiful smile seemingly brightening even the surrounding spring scenery.
"Pah, who would have thought I'd see you the moment I stepped outside?"
Zhou Fuling rolled her eyes at him, waved her hand, said goodbye to Lu Mengmeng beside her, and then turned to follow Zhou Xuan, whose figure gradually disappeared into the distance.
At this moment, Zhong Taiyue walked over with a beaming smile, patted Lu Ming's shoulder vigorously, and exclaimed in admiration, "Good lad, thanks to you today, otherwise your grandfather's old face would have been stomped on by that old dog Lü Huan in front of so many people."
Lu Ming laughed and said, "You are my maternal grandfather. As your grandson, how could I allow outsiders to humiliate you? Even if I am not capable, I will still do my best."
"Hahaha."
Zhong Taiyue laughed heartily, growing more and more fond of his grandson the more he looked at him. He was capable, talented, kind-hearted, and spoke pleasantly.
How many houses will this young man have to marry in the future?
But after laughing, a wave of regret washed over him. His grandson was so outstanding, yet he had always been with the Thunderfire Hall since birth, and was extremely estranged from the Golden Bell Mystic Gang Hall. It was only because he couldn't suppress his paternal love after learning of Lu Ming's birth that he sent people to Qingyuan Market every year to deliver gifts, which barely maintained a bond. Otherwise, he didn't know how estranged they would have become.
" A-Ying, remember to bring A-Ming and Mengmeng to the prefectural city more often. I've been their grandfather for over ten years, and I've only seen them a few times. I'm truly lonely." This was all he could say to Zhong Ying at the moment.
After meeting Zhou Fuling today, Zhong Taiyue knew that his plan to use the noble lady of the prefectural city to entangle Lu Ming was doomed to failure, since there was really no comparison between the two.
The noblewoman from the prefectural city suffered a crushing defeat.
Zhong Ying laughed and said, "Father, you have many wives and concubines, and numerous children and grandchildren, so you can't be described as lonely."
Zhong Taiyue, slightly stung by her subtle remark, gave an embarrassed smile and said, "Those useless things can't compare to A-Ming. Only Zhong Quan is somewhat promising; otherwise, I would have been driven to my death by this family of good-for-nothings long ago."
He quickly changed the subject, asking with concern, " A-Ming, are you alright? You actually sacrificed your essence and life force in your battle with Lü Wen earlier. That was too reckless. You are a prodigy; you should know how to cherish your body. The potential you expended now will require ten or even a hundred times the effort to make up for it in the future."
By the end, Zhong Taiyue's expression had become much more serious.
"I understand, Grandpa, I'm fine." Lu Ming knew the other person was concerned about him, so he immediately smiled and nodded.
"I'll bring you a pill later that can restore your essence and blood and nourish your life force. Although you're young now and can still withstand this kind of loss, it would be best to replenish it," Zhong Taiyue said.
"No need, Grandpa. My senior sister gave me a pill earlier." Lu Ming took out the pill that Zhou Fuling had given him and smiled.
Zhong Taiyue glanced at it and immediately clicked his tongue in amazement. "Wow, this is a ' Life-Restoring Pill,' a high-grade elixir that even Divine Ability Master would keep on hand. This girl is really generous; no wonder she's a noble lady from a top-tier family in the Great Shang Imperial Domain."
At the same time, he winked at Lu Ming and said, "Kid, you'd better seize this opportunity. Don't let Huo Shanhe's son beat you to it. I think that kid also has feelings for Zhou Fuling."
Helpless, Lu Ming changed the subject, saying, "There's something I need your help with, Grandpa."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Taiyue not only didn't find it troublesome, but his spirits lifted, and he laughed, " A-Ming, just say it!"
"I need a high-grade elixir that's a hundred years old. I wonder if Grandpa could help me find one in the city?"
"A high-grade spiritual herb aged a hundred years? That's quite rare. When do you need it?" Zhong Taiyue asked, surprised.
"In the next few days," Lu Ming said.
Zhong Taiyue frowned slightly and said, "So rushed? This kind of high-grade spiritual medicine, aged for a hundred years, is basically in short supply and requires waiting time and pre-ordering. But I'll try to find a way to ask around later and see if I can get some for you."
Thank you, Grandpa!
Lu Ming was overjoyed. With Zhong Taiyue's help, the chances of finding this century-old high-grade spiritual medicine would be much greater.
Lu Ming had given his all for that " Netherwater Flame ".