After Lu Ming returned to Thunderfire Hall, he immediately sought out Lu Jin and the others and told them everything about his conversation with Zhou Xuan at the market administration office.
The momentous news Lu Ming brought back made even Lu Jin's expression change. His aged face grew extremely grave.
"The Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner? What does Zhou Xuan mean by this?" Lu Jinglei asked, his face full of shock and doubt.
"What else could he mean? He must have taken a liking to the extraordinary talent A-Ming has shown in cultivating divine abilities and wants him to cultivate this inexplicable Upper Divine Ability. But cultivating an Upper Divine Ability to major accomplishment is easier said than done. And he wants it done before this year's Black Rain Season breaks out. That's only half a year away." Lu Qingyan frowned as well.
Lu Jin's brow darkened. He rubbed his fingers together to produce a spark and lit his pipe. He took two deep draws, thick smoke streaming from his mouth and nose, before speaking in a low voice. "This new market master really does have a powerful background. From what he said, there's an extraordinary figure behind him. I'm afraid he was only sent ahead to pave the way."
"According to him, this Upper Divine Ability, the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner, should be one part of a Great Divine Ability Restriction. Heh, if an Upper Divine Ability is only one part of it, what grade must this Great Divine Ability Restriction be? If it were laid out, would it be used to slay a Divine Ability Grandmaster? A scheme like that is far from simple."
"The waters here run deep."
"A-Ming, I don't recommend accepting this deal. Whether it's Zhou Xuan or the great benefactor behind him, both are unpredictable variables. With your strength, getting involved in their scheme would be extremely dangerous."
Lu Jin was cautious and seasoned, with a wealth of experience and knowledge, and had weathered countless storms over the decades. In his eyes, everything Zhou Xuan had offered, whether instruction in the Dao of pills, the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner, or that great benefactor, carried risks.
"You're right, Grandpa. The scheme of the great benefactor behind Zhou Xuan must be astonishing. I'd only be a chess piece in it, and the danger would be considerable." Lu Ming naturally agreed with Lu Jin's caution.
"But..."
Lu Ming pursed his lips and said softly, "The Lu Clan needs protection that can withstand a Divine Ability Grandmaster. I want you to have an easier time, Grandpa, so you don't have to sit on the ancestral hall roof every night, constantly on edge. That takes too great a toll on your mind and spirit."
"If this goes on for long, I'm afraid your mind and spirit will be exhausted before I can restore the Lu Clan."
Lu Jin fell silent. His stern gaze gradually softened amid the smoke, and his voice was a little hoarse as he said, "Silly child, I'm just a withered old man. Seeing you rise has long been enough for me."
"But Grandpa, if this hidden danger isn't resolved, I'll be constantly on edge on my cultivation path from now on. That will affect my state of mind. When I try to break through, I might be obstructed by a Divine Ability Barrier and find it difficult to advance," Lu Ming said seriously.
Lu Jin's gaunt fingers rubbed back and forth over the scorching pipe. He said nothing. He regarded Lu Ming as the Lu Clan's last Divine Ability Child, so naturally he placed great importance on his Dao of Divine Abilities.
"Of course, there's another point. Zhou Xuan proposed this deal himself. If we refuse now, might we offend the new market master? Thunderfire Hall still depends on him to some extent, and on top of that, we made an enemy of Golden Gang Sword Hall at the hall gathering. Add our old enemy Red Sand Hall to that..."
"If the market master is narrow-minded, given the situation, I'm afraid Thunderfire Hall will find every step difficult in Qingyuan Market before Great Golden Crow Hall's Divine Ability Grandmaster even makes a move."
Lu Qingyan and Lu Jinglei's expressions darkened. It was indeed a problem.
A heavy silence hung over the room. After a long while, Lu Jin sighed softly. "It's all because I'm useless. I'm not capable enough to keep you safe."
"A-Ming, you're no longer a child. You have a mind of your own now, and many of the things you've considered truly never occurred to me. If you really think you should do it, then go ahead. We'll all support you with everything we have."
Lu Jin was not an indecisive man. After pondering for a long time, he finally made his decision.
Seeing Lu Jin relent, Lu Ming smiled, then changed tack. "But you don't need to worry, Grandpa. We can agree to this for now, but as for whether we ultimately get involved, we can take it one step at a time."
"What do you mean?" Lu Jin asked.
"Their goal is for me to cultivate the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner to the Major Accomplishment Realm before the Black Rain Season arrives. That's a difficult task in itself. Perhaps even they aren't completely sure I can do it."
"So I can start cultivating the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner. During that time, I can also take the opportunity to seek guidance from Market Master Zhou Xuan on the Dao of pills. When that great benefactor finally arrives in Qingyuan Market, we can decide whether he's trustworthy. If we think he's reliable, I'll show him the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner at the Major Accomplishment Realm, establish a good relationship with him, and seek his protection."
"If we feel he isn't someone we can trust, I can politely decline, saying I lacked the talent to fulfill the six-month agreement. I think that for a scheme this important, neither Market Master Zhou Xuan nor that benefactor could possibly see me as their only choice. I don't have that kind of ability, and they wouldn't be foolish enough to do that. So even if I fail to fulfill the agreement, it would only leave Market Master Zhou Xuan somewhat disappointed. They still have important business to attend to, so they probably wouldn't lower themselves to make things difficult for a child like me, would they? That would be beneath them." Lu Ming gave his analysis in all seriousness.
Lu Qingyan and Lu Jinglei exchanged glances. This boy really was bold. Was he planning to freeload off Zhou Xuan?
Even so, it was a relatively safe course: neither refuse nor put in the effort, then place their bet once the situation became clearer.
Even Lu Jin's stern, aged face relaxed somewhat at those words, and his laughter was a little lighter. "That's not bad."
The tense atmosphere eased, and smiles appeared on everyone's faces.
"But come to think of it, the great benefactor behind Zhou Xuan is planning something this big in Qingyuan Market and insists on waiting until the Black Rain Season breaks out. Is their target actually Qingyuan Market's Black Rain Zone?" Lu Qingyan changed the subject, curiosity in his voice.
"It's only a small Black Rain Zone. Why would it draw someone like that into making such plans?" Lu Jinglei was puzzled too.
Lu Jin tapped his pipe against the edge of the table, shaking out the ash. He pondered for a moment, then said, "Black Rain Zones are mysterious and bizarre to begin with. Even the Divine Ability Grandmaster Fengyang Prefecture invited back then failed to reach the source at its deepest point. I think there must be something extraordinary there to draw that great benefactor here."
"Never mind. It's not something we can do anything about, so there's no need to worry that the sky will fall."
Lu Jin reminded Lu Qingyan and Lu Jinglei, "Thunderfire Hall has been enjoying great momentum lately. Keep a close eye on Golden Gang Sword Hall and Red Sand Hall. They suffered heavy losses this time and probably won't let the matter rest. They're bound to put obstacles in our way."
Lu Qingyan and Lu Jinglei agreed.
Lu Jin turned to Lu Ming. "You don't need to distract yourself with the hall's affairs for now. Leave them to your father and second uncle. Since you've obtained the Pattern-Transforming Lesser Yuan Pill, you should devote yourself to cultivation in the coming days. Form your Divine Ability Dharma Mark as soon as possible and become a true Great Divine Ability Practitioner."
The old man gave him the earnest reminder.
"No protection is secure. The only truly secure thing is your own strength."
Lu Ming naturally agreed wholeheartedly.
Golden Gang Sword Hall.
"Hall Master, Thunderfire Hall's influence in Qingyuan Market has been growing stronger by the day. Using their 'high-quality Primordial Qi,' they've recruited quite a few new disciples." In a small pavilion at the center of a lake inside the hall, Xu Xiong reported to Lin Changkong, who sat fishing before him. Xu Xiong's face was filled with resentment.
Lin Changkong's expression remained indifferent and undisturbed.
"Hall Master, we can't let them rise so smoothly, can we? Time waits for no one. That Lu Ming of Thunderfire Hall is exceptionally talented. His comprehension of divine abilities is among the very best, even among those with High-Grade Divine Ability Bones. If he's given another year or two to grow, perhaps... he really could attempt to reach the Divine Ability Master level." Xu Xiong was somewhat anxious.
"Why don't we pass word of what's happening here to that young lady of Great Golden Crow Hall? If she finds out, she'll certainly take action."
Lin Changkong said coolly, "And let the young lady know that I, Lin Changkong, can't even deal with a Thunderfire Hall that's barely clinging to life, and have instead been driven into such a sorry state?"
Outsiders did not know that Lin Changkong had also come from Great Golden Crow Hall. However, he had made a mistake back then and had been forced to leave and make his own way, forbidden from using Great Golden Crow Hall's name.
Lin Changkong had finally managed to establish a connection with Jiang Ling, a young lady of exceptional status as the daughter of Great Golden Crow Hall's chief hall master. As long as he handled the Thunderfire Hall matter to her satisfaction, she might put in a few good words for him before the chief hall master in the future, giving him a chance to return to Great Golden Crow Hall.
Having struggled for years on his own, Lin Changkong knew better than anyone how much trouble having a fifth-grade Divine Ability Hall behind him could spare him in the Great Luo Domain.
Sensing the displeasure in Lin Changkong's words, Xu Xiong dared say no more.
Lin Changkong was silent for a moment before saying, "There's no need to be impatient. Thunderfire Hall's pillar of support is that old fellow Lu Jin. He sealed my Golden Gang True Qi with his arm this time. It looked impressive, but his body must have been injured. His daily appearances now are nothing more than a forced attempt to create the illusion that he's unharmed."
"For all we know, it's the last flicker of a dying flame."
"We only have to wait until the old fellow can no longer hold out and shows signs of weakness. Thunderfire Hall's momentum will naturally crumble like earth and shatter like tiles."
"Besides... it's not as though I've done nothing."
"Just wait."
"I'll send them a grand gift."
As he finished speaking, Lin Changkong's gaze turned sinister. He flicked the fishhook in his hand, transforming it into golden Sword Qi that pierced the surface of the lake and went straight through a red carp.
The fishhook lifted the red carp out of the water, where it struggled in its death throes.