As the golden flame from the bronze oil lamp flickered and shone, like a golden sun illuminating all directions, an eerie silence fell around the stone pavilion.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the lamplight, which shone like a golden sun, their expressions shifting rapidly.
The intensity of the flames alone was enough to demonstrate that Lu Ming's " Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner " was indeed at the genuine Perfection Realm, and not a deceptive means to conceal his true abilities.
Zhu Chi's expression was uncertain, still unable to comprehend the scene before him.
He had defeated so many competitors in the Imperial Domain to become Her Highness's follower, accompanying her on her long journey from the Imperial Domain to this remote and impoverished place. But now, a mere youth from this wretched land has actually cultivated the Perfection Realm Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner?
How absurd this is.
Not only was Zhu Chi incredulous, but even Zhou Xuan, who taught Lu Ming the Golden Flame Banner of the Sun, was in a daze. He had only thought that Lu Ming was quite talented in cultivating supernatural arts and was the most outstanding among the qualified candidates in Qingyuan Workshop. At that time, his greatest expectation for Lu Ming was that he could cultivate the Golden Flame Banner of the Sun to the Great Perfection Realm so that he could report back to His Highness.
But who would have thought that Lu Ming would quietly cultivate the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner to the Perfection Realm in just half a year!
"This young man is rather interesting."
A soft laugh rang out; it came from the beautiful Daoist nun standing beside the red-robed prince. Her deep, unfathomable gaze was fixed on Lu Ming, and she smiled slightly.
Her Highness extended her fair hand and gently brushed it across the lamplight. Instantly, the golden flame vanished, and the bronze oil lamp was tucked into her sleeve. She nodded slightly to Lu Ming, a gentle smile on her face, "I never expected that something no one in the Imperial Domain could accomplish would happen here in Qingyuan Market. Lu Ming, you've given me quite a surprise."
She also searched for some young prodigies in the Imperial Domain who met the requirements to cultivate the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner, but in the end only Zhu Chi was selected. Of course, this does not mean that there are no one left in the Imperial Domain, but that the real prodigies in those top forces are not willing to spend the time and energy to help her cultivate this Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner.
Of the other banner holders, only Qin Xiao, a prodigy from the Qin Clan, had cultivated the Ten Thousand Thunder Banner to its Perfection Realm.
And now, she saw a second one.
"Wow, the Perfection Realm! Lu Ming, you're amazing!"
Zhou Fuling was overjoyed at this moment, her bright eyes shining with delight. She felt that Lu Ming had made her look good.
"It's all thanks to my senior sister's support and investment; otherwise, I wouldn't be where I am today," Lu Ming said modestly.
Zhou Fuling's red lips curled slightly as she said, "Although my contribution is indeed significant, your own efforts are also very important. You must maintain this and not slack off."
Lu Ming smiled and agreed.
"Since Lu Ming has cultivated the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner to the Perfection Realm, then he will be the one to take on this banner position. Zhu Chi and Ye Yuan, you don't need to be discouraged. You will still need to accompany us on this trip as backup. Once the mission is accomplished, you will certainly be rewarded accordingly." His Highness glanced at the two's secret exchange and then spoke calmly.
Ye Yuan didn't care; losing to anyone was the same to him. Lu Ming, on the other hand, had been with him for longer and had a better attitude. So if he really had to choose a winner, he would rather it be Lu Ming than that arrogant Zhu Chi.
Zhu Chi's face was ashen. He must have thought that losing to a country bumpkin from Qingyuan Market was a shameful thing. If this got back to the Imperial Domain, he would probably be ridiculed for the rest of his life.
"Your Highness, although this person has cultivated the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner to the Perfection Realm, his own Primordial Qi foundation is too weak. I'm afraid he won't be able to meet Your Highness's expectations," Zhu Chi said.
"Your Highness, Zhu Chi is right. Lu Ming's Primordial Qi foundation is only around ten Divine Ability Dharma Mark. With such strength, if he were to activate the banner restriction, he might hold us back." Han Yanzhi nodded in agreement.
His Highness smiled faintly and said, "Insufficient Primordial Qi foundation can be compensated for in other ways, but the problem lies in the insufficient level of the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner."
She thought for a moment, then with a flick of her red sleeve, a jade box appeared in her hand. Opening the box, she found a perfectly round, dark golden pill inside.
" Lu Ming, this is a high-grade, top-level pill called the ' Qi Ascension Pill.' Taking it at a critical moment can temporarily enhance the foundation of your five Divine Ability Dharma Mark. Take it, just in case."
Lu Ming was overjoyed. He hadn't expected such an unexpected gain. The addition of five Divine Ability Dharma Mark would undoubtedly greatly increase his chances of survival in critical moments.
This is a rare life-saving item.
Zhu Chi and Han Yanzhi are really good people.
He respectfully reached out and took the jade box, then cast a grateful glance at the two of them.
That one glance almost made Zhu Chi and Han Yanzhi unable to catch their breath. They were extremely frustrated, never expecting that their attack would result in Lu Ming receiving a reward.
"You said earlier that you had a request? Tell me about it." His Highness had not forgotten Lu Ming's initial request, so he took the initiative to ask.
Upon hearing this, Lu Ming's heart tightened immediately, and he said solemnly, "I wish to ask Your Highness for protection. My family has a grudge against the Great Golden Crow Hall of the Great Luo Domain. This time, the Qingyuan Market Sacred Ruins have attracted a Divine Ability Grandmaster from the Great Golden Crow Hall. If this Grandmaster intends to harm my family, I implore Your Highness for protection. Furthermore, if I could also borrow Your Highness's prestige to gain some time for growth, that would be even better."
" The Great Golden Crow Hall? Divine Ability Grandmaster?"
Upon hearing this, His Highness was slightly taken aback, probably not expecting that Lu Ming would actually attract the trouble of Divine Ability Grandmaster.
" The Great Golden Crow Hall is a top-tier Fifth-Tier Divine Ability Hall in the Great Luo Domain. It has three Divine Ability Grandmaster. With such strength, it can be considered a true overlord in the Great Luo Domain. How could your small Third-Tier Divine Ability Hall have provoked such a powerful enemy?" His Highness asked with some surprise.
Lu Ming paused for a moment. He already felt too ashamed to even mention such family scandals, especially since they involved someone like Zhang Yue.
However, before he could speak, Zhou Fuling, who was standing to the side, had already recounted what had happened indignantly.
After hearing this, Her Highness remained quite calm. It seemed that having seen so many storms and dark secrets, she was already quite used to such so-called betrayals.
"I thought it was a small matter, but I didn't expect you to actually give me such a difficult problem." Her Highness said slowly. She was naturally not afraid of the Great Golden Crow Hall. Even though there were three Divine Ability Grandmaster in it, they were not much of a threat to her now that she was gaining strength.
The problem is that this is the Great Luo Domain, not the Imperial Domain.
The Great Luo Domain belongs to the Great Luo Domain Lord. Even if the Imperial Court wants to intervene, it must consult the Domain Lord's opinion. After all, in this vast Great Shang Kingdom, the seven Domain Lords hold a very high status.
Upon hearing this, Lu Ming couldn't help but feel a little nervous. If this prince also found it troublesome, then he had underestimated the power of the Great Golden Crow Hall.
"What does Aunt Shu think?" His Highness turned to the beautiful Daoist nun and asked for her opinion.
The beautiful Daoist nun said calmly, "From a value perspective, it's naturally not worthwhile to antagonize Fifth-Tier Divine Ability Hall that possesses three Divine Ability Grandmaster just for a Perfection Realm Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Chi's eyes lit up with joy; he hadn't expected this kid to bring such trouble.
Lu Ming's heart sank as well.
"Aunt!"
Zhou Fuling couldn't help but speak up, but Zhou Xuan coughed lightly, suppressing her voice.
The beautiful Daoist nun glanced at Zhou Fuling, then at Lu Ming, a hint of suspicion in her eyes. She then slowly said, "However, the situation is special now. His Highness wants to enter that Sacred Ruins to obtain what he plans to obtain. Therefore, the value of this boy's Perfection Realm Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner has increased significantly. So, if we compare His Highness's planned item with the Great Golden Crow Hall, then the Great Golden Crow Hall is somewhat weaker."
"Furthermore, the Divine Ability Grandmaster at the Great Golden Crow Hall might not even remember such a small Third-Tier Divine Ability Hall, so there's a good chance he won't make a move against them."
"It's just that this last point bought him some time to grow..."
At this point, she couldn't help but smile knowingly, staring at Lu Ming, and said, "What? You want to rely on yourself to grow to the point where you can contend with that Great Golden Crow Hall? How long will that take you? Thirty years or a hundred years? You might as well just say you'll be protected for life."
Lu Ming remained silent for a moment, then raised his head and looked directly at Zhou Fuling's aunt.
Three years!
"Your Highness has been protecting the Thunderfire Hall for three years. As long as the Divine Ability Grandmaster of the Great Golden Crow Hall do not attack the Thunderfire Hall during these three years, I will settle these grievances myself after three years!"
From the stone pavilion in the middle of the lake, the young man's calm yet firm voice rang out. His eyes seemed to burn with flames, so intense and vigorous that even the beautiful Daoist nun and the fair, smooth-skinned woman showed a slight look of astonishment.
She thought she had heard a joke.
But for some reason, I inexplicably couldn't bring myself to laugh.