Recaps

Lu Ming perfected his second bone refinement and advanced both Flame Blade and Lesser Thunderlight to major accomplishment before beginning to cultivate Golden Plasma Fire. He left with Lu Jin and the others for the medicinal herb garden ahead of the Rain Fog Period, recalling that he had met Jingyi there during the earlier chaos.

• Lu Ming completed his second bone refinement and reached major accomplishment in Flame Blade and Lesser Thunderlight.
• Lu Jin taught Lu Ming how to cultivate Golden Plasma Fire using a Lesser Geng Metal Stone, and Lu Ming endured the painful process.
• Lu Qingyan and Lu Jinglei warned Lu Jin that the Rain Fog Period would begin soon, so Lu Jin decided they would leave for the medicinal herb garden and bring Lu Ming.
• Over the next two days, Lu Ming condensed his first strand of Golden Plasma Fire, astonishing Lu Qingyan with how quickly he learned it.
• Lu Ming set out with his family for the medicinal herb garden and remembered meeting Jingyi there amid the earlier chaos.

Lu Ming accompanied Lu Jin and the others to the Thunderfire Hall’s medicinal garden as black rain mist approached, and learned that the garden’s Moon Spirit Grass could potentially benefit from the Flame of Life. The group repaired the garden’s Divine Ability Restriction before nightfall, but the black rain mist soon engulfed the mountain.

• Lu Ming arrived at the medicinal garden with Lu Jin, Lu Qingyan, and Lu Jinglei, where Qian Shan learned Zhang Yue had left the Thunderfire Hall and Lu Ming had awakened a High-Grade Divine Ability Bone.
• Lu Jin asked when the black rain mist would arrive, and Qian Shan estimated it would reach the garden that night with little chance of Rain Spawn appearing.
• Qian Shan reported that about fifty Moon Spirit Grass plants would mature this year, while Lu Ming considered whether the Flame of Life could improve the herbs’ growth.
• Lu Jin oversaw the repairs to the garden’s Divine Ability Restriction, which Lu Qingyan and the others completed before dark.
• The black rain mist swept over the mountain after the restriction was activated, plunging the garden into silence and cold.

As black rain fog surrounded the medicinal garden, Lu Jin explained the Black Rain Zone’s origins and why cultivation and rare treasures thrived in its fog. Lu Ming recognized a familiar yellow light in the darkness as the Rain Spawn appeared, leaving everyone braced for its arrival.

• Lu Ming and Lu Jin watched the black fog beyond the medicinal garden as Lu Jin described how Black Rain Zones formed and spread.
• Lu Jin explained that the fog made Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi seek refuge in cultivators, speeding cultivation and helping rare resources appear.
• Lu Ming took a High-Grade Bone Refining Pill and began cultivating while Lu Jin and the others kept watch.
• Two hours later, Lu Jin sensed the Rain Spawn approaching, and a warm yellow light appeared in the fog.
• Lu Ming recognized the light from the rainy night when he and Jingyi had nearly been deceived, as Lu Qingyan, Lu Jinglei, Qian Shan, and the others prepared for a fight.

Three Four-Armed Rain Spawn were drawn to the herb garden by Lu Ming’s Sub-Heaven-Grade Divine Ability Bone, but Lu Jin’s presence kept them from attacking. Lu Ming chose to remain and cultivate through the Black Rain Fog, only for six warm lights to appear in the fog the following night.

• A Four-Armed Rain Spawn and its Spawn Beast approached the Azure Light Restriction, then two more arrived after its call.
• Lu Jin explained that the Rain Spawn were attracted to Lu Ming’s Sub-Heaven-Grade Divine Ability Bone, and the three creatures retreated after sensing Lu Jin’s killing intent.
• Lu Ming decided to stay at the herb garden and cultivate during the Black Rain Fog, with Lu Jin guarding him.
• The next day, Lu Ming began his third round of bone refining and practiced Flame Blade, Lesser Thunderlight, and Golden Plasma Fire while Lu Jin advised him.
• When the fog returned that night, six warm yellow lights appeared within it, and Lu Ming realized more Rain Spawn had gathered.

Lu Jin killed six Rain Spawn outside the herb garden and gave Lu Ming their Rain Pearls, which accelerated his bone refinement without causing the usual mental side effects. After realizing Lu Ming could likely resist the pearls’ corruption because of his Divine Ability imprint, Lu Jin allowed him to keep using them and admitted he had used Lu Ming as bait to lure the Rain Spawn.

• Lu Jin left the Azure Light Restriction and killed six four-armed Rain Spawn with his Thunderfire abilities.
• Lu Jin refined the Rain Pearls and explained that their purified Primordial Qi could aid Lu Ming's bone refinement.
• Lu Ming absorbed a Rain Pearl and found that it boosted his progress without conflicting with his Bone-Tempering Pill.
• Lu Jin questioned Lu Ming about the Rain Pearl's effects, and Lu Ming showed no irritation, confusion, or hallucinations.
• Lu Jin suspected Lu Ming's Divine Ability imprint had protected him and agreed to let him absorb more Rain Pearls.
• Lu Ming realized Lu Jin had waited to use him as bait, and Lu Jin admitted it.

Lu Ming returned to Thunderfire Hall after making rapid progress during the Rain Fog Period, including mastering the basics of Golden Plasma Fire, and prepared for the hall assembly. Meanwhile, Lin Changkong decided that Golden Gang Sword Hall would help Red Sand Hall undermine Thunderfire Hall at the assembly.

• Lu Ming completed much of his third round of bone refining and condensed a flame core in his Golden Plasma Fire, earning praise from Lu Jin and Qian Shan.
• Lu Jin took Lu Ming back to Thunderfire Hall as the Rain Fog Period ended and the hall assembly approached.
• Lu Ming reunited with Zhong Ying and Lu Mengmeng, then settled in to prepare for the assembly.
• Lin Changkong asked Xu Xiong about preparations for the assembly and revealed that he planned to support Red Sand Hall against Thunderfire Hall.
• Lin Changkong declared that Golden Gang Sword Hall would prevent Thunderfire Hall from rising again.

Qingyuan Market held its annual Divine Ability Hall meet, where the Thunderfire Hall faced pressure to defend its standing without Zhang Yue. As the competition began, Li Yan worried about the Thunderfire Hall and Jingyi’s suspicion that she had interfered with Lu Ming.

• The Divine Ability Halls gathered at the lake to compete for the top hall seat and the promised increase in Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi concentration.
• Lu Jin assigned himself to defend the upper flag and named Gao Yu, Yuan Da, and Lu Ming as defenders of the lower flag; Lu Ming was nearing completion of his third bone refinement.
• Market Master Zhou Xuan and Yan Jing discussed the Yuan Qi Earth Veins prize, while Li Yan joined their conversation and watched the Thunderfire Hall’s ship with concern.
• Li Yan worried that the Red Sand Hall would exploit Zhang Yue’s absence to challenge the Thunderfire Hall.
• Jingyi sent Li Yan a letter asking whether she had said something to Lu Ming, and Li Yan chose not to answer.

The hall meet began as the Divine Ability Halls’ tower ships raced toward the lake’s central mountain and their flag guardians took their positions. Lu Ming’s appearance on Thunderfire Hall’s platform surprised the gathered spectators, while Golden Gang Sword Hall’s master revealed that his hall intended to target Thunderfire Hall.

• Zhou Fuling met the Li and Yan Clans’ young scions, including Yan Qing and Li Mu, and watched the halls’ tower ships gather on the lake.
• Yan Qing dismissed Lu Ming as too inexperienced to compete, but Zhou Fuling wondered whether he had a hidden advantage or had been sent out unprepared.
• Lu Jin carried Lu Ming, Gao Yu, and Yuan Da to Thunderfire Hall’s mountain platform as the flag guardians took their positions; Lu Mengmeng cheered for her brother.
• Li Yan and the young scions noticed Lu Ming’s presence and questioned the risk of sending him to compete so soon after he opened his bones.
• Lin Changkong saw Lu Ming guarding Thunderfire Hall’s lower flag and considered why Lu Jin had chosen him, while privately recognizing that Golden Gang Sword Hall had marked Thunderfire Hall as prey.

The hall assembly’s lower-tier contests ended, and the Thunderfire Hall prepared to defend its position against the Red Sand Hall. Before the expected challenge began, Lin Changkong unexpectedly declared that the Golden Gang Sword Hall would challenge the Thunderfire Hall, leaving Lu Ming and the others to wonder whether the two halls had joined forces against them.

• Gao Yu told Lu Ming and Yuan Da to focus on holding off the Red Sand Hall’s fighters long enough to force a draw.
• The lower-tier hall contests wound down as spectators awaited the battles among the four third-tier halls.
• Lin Changkong announced that the Golden Gang Sword Hall would challenge the Thunderfire Hall, shocking the crowd and Qingyuan Market’s leaders.
• Gao Yu grew angry at the unexpected challenge, while Lu Ming suspected the Golden Gang Sword Hall and Red Sand Hall might be working together against the Thunderfire Hall.

The Golden Gang Sword Hall exhausted Lu Qingyan and Lu Jinglei while avoiding a decisive fight, then the Red Sand Hall challenged the weakened Thunderfire Hall. As the Red Sand Hall moved to take the flags, Lu Ming faced Lü Xiao, Gong Peng, and Gong Hu on the lower platform and warned them he was furious.

• Lu Jin challenged Lin Changkong, but Lin sent Xu Xiong and Zhao Yu to fight Lu Jinglei and Lu Qingyan instead.
• Xu Xiong and Zhao Yu prolonged the fight until Lu Jinglei and Lu Qingyan had spent much of their Primordial Qi, then withdrew and called the match a draw.
• Shi Tong announced the Red Sand Hall's challenge, and its fighters landed on the Thunderfire Hall's three flag platforms.
• Zhu Lian taunted the weakened Lu Qingyan, who and Lu Jinglei condensed their Thunderfire Whips to continue fighting.
• Lü Xiao, Gong Peng, and Gong Hu confronted Lu Ming on the lower flag platform, and Lu Ming warned them he would strike hard because he was angry.

Lu Ming confronted the Golden Gang Sword Hall and Red Sand Hall after their joint attack on Thunderfire Hall, then revealed that he had mastered Flame Blade to the Perfection Realm. He defeated Gong Hu in a single clash, leaving the assembly stunned by his strength and talent.

• Gong Hu attacked Lu Ming with his Major Accomplishment Blazing Fire Palm while Lü Xiao and Gong Peng charged Gao Yu and Yuan Da.
• Lu Ming stopped hiding his abilities and transformed his Flame Blade into its one-zhang, dark-gold Perfection Realm form.
• Gong Hu met Lu Ming's strike with Blazing Fire Palm, but Lu Ming's blade shattered it and severed Gong Hu's arm.
• Gao Yu, Yuan Da, and the assembly's spectators reacted with shock as they realized Lu Ming had reached the Perfection Realm in Flame Blade within a month.
• Zhou Xuan praised Lu Ming's talent, while Li Yan, Yan Qing, Yan Zhizhi, Li Shuang, and Zhou Fuling took notice of him.

Lu Ming used his Perfection Realm Flame Blade to defeat Red Sand Hall’s fighters at the lower flag, turning a match Thunderfire Hall had seemed likely to lose into its first victory. The result revived Thunderfire Hall’s chance to keep the second hall seat, though Red Sand Hall could still contest the middle flag and rely on Shi Tong to beat Lu Jin.

• Lu Ming charged Lü Xiao and burned away his Flying Sand Art before attacking with his Flame Blade.
• Lü Xiao used Red Sand Iron-Melting Hand to block Lu Ming’s strike, but Lu Ming cut off both his hands and nearly struck his head before the Flame Blade ran out of power.
• Gao Yu and Yuan Da moved to confront Gong Peng at Lu Ming’s instruction, and Gong Peng surrendered.
• The fighters’ surrenders gave Thunderfire Hall the victory at the lower flag, shifting the contest for the second hall seat back in its favor.

After Lu Ming’s victory reversed the Thunderfire Hall’s fortunes, Shi Tong withdrew rather than risk a battle with Lu Jin, securing the Thunderfire Hall’s place as the second hall. Lu Ming then proposed challenging the Golden Gang Sword Hall for the first hall’s seat.

• Lu Ming’s victory at the lower flag let Lu Qingyan give up the middle flag while putting the Red Sand Hall’s upper-flag contest in doubt.
• Lu Jin prepared to fight Shi Tong, but Shi Tong feared being left vulnerable to the Mountain Moving Hall and ordered the Red Sand Hall to retreat.
• The Thunderfire Hall’s disciples and spectators celebrated its survival, while Lin Changkong seethed that the Golden Gang Sword Hall’s intervention had failed to secure a victory.
• Lu Ming remained angry at the Golden Gang Sword Hall and asked Lu Jin whether their earlier draw meant they could challenge for the first hall’s seat.
• Lu Ming suggested that the Thunderfire Hall aim for first place, and Lu Jin asked what he wanted to do.

Lu Ming completed his third round of bone refining and recovered his strength, then challenged the Golden Gang Sword Hall to fight for the leading hall’s seat. The chapter ended with him landing on its lower-banner platform and publicly declaring the challenge.

• Lu Ming’s Divine Ability Bone rang with Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound as he completed his third round of bone refining and his Primordial Qi surged.
• Zhou Xuan, Yan Jing, Li Yan, and the younger clan members were astonished by Lu Ming’s cultivation speed, while Yan Qing acknowledged his ability and Zhou Fuling considered him suitable for His Highness’s requirements.
• Lu Jin agreed to stop Lin Changkong and aim for a draw at the upper banner, leaving the lower-banner match to decide the contest.
• Lu Ming asked Gao Yu and Yuan Da to hold off the Golden Gang Sword Hall’s other fighters while he faced Wang Chen.
• Lu Ming landed on the Golden Gang Sword Hall’s lower-banner platform and announced that the Thunderfire Hall challenged it.

Lu Ming faced Wang Chen in the contest for the leading hall, while Lu Jin confronted Lin Changkong on the upper platform. The battles remained unresolved as Wang Chen revealed an Incomplete Mark and Lin Changkong revealed that he had reached the True Qi Realm.

• Lu Ming and Wang Chen began fighting on the lower platform while Gao Yu and Yuan Da engaged Golden Gang Sword Hall disciples.
• Wang Chen used Golden Pattern Body and Golden Sword Finger to match Lu Ming’s Perfection Realm Flame Blade, then strengthened his sword light with an Incomplete Mark.
• Lu Ming recognized that his Flame Blade alone might not defeat Wang Chen and summoned his Middle Divine Ability, Golden Plasma Fire.
• Lu Jin refused Lin Changkong’s demand that he yield, saying he would not let the spirit of a youth in his family be diminished.
• Lin Changkong formed a golden snake of True Qi, revealing to Zhou Xuan, Li Yan, and Yan Jing that he had advanced beyond the Feather Robe Realm.

Lin Changkong attacked Lu Jin with his True Qi, but Lu Jin trapped it inside his left arm and forced Lin Changkong to accept a draw. Lu Jin returned the strand of True Qi and ended the match with his trump card exposed, then encouraged Lu Ming from above.

• Lin Changkong revealed that he had cultivated True Qi and unleashed a golden sword python at Lu Jin.
• Lu Jin transformed his arm with thunderfire and swallowed the golden sword python, trapping Lin Changkong's True Qi inside his flesh.
• Lu Jin told Lin Changkong he would damage the True Qi with thunderfire unless Lin Changkong agreed to a draw.
• Lin Changkong accepted the draw, and Lu Jin cut open his arm to release the strand of True Qi for Lin Changkong to reclaim.
• Lin Changkong warned Lu Jin that his trump card would be less useful next time, while Lu Jin looked down at Lu Ming and silently encouraged him.

Lu Ming defeated Wang Chen and helped the Thunderfire Hall win Qingyuan Market’s top hall title, but he worried that Lin Changkong’s hostility would endanger his family. He resolved to grow stronger and considered retrieving the Flame of Life from the black ring’s space.

• Lu Ming combined his Perfection Realm Flame Blade, Minor Accomplishment Realm Golden Plasma Fire, and Perfection Realm Lesser Thunderlight to overwhelm Wang Chen.
• Lu Ming broke Wang Chen’s Golden Light Art and severely wounded him, while Gao Yu and Yuan Da defeated Lin Zhao and the other Golden Gang Sword Hall disciple.
• Lu Ming cut down the Golden Gang Sword Hall’s flag, and Zhou Xuan announced the Thunderfire Hall as Qingyuan Market’s top hall.
• Lin Changkong left with the defeated Golden Gang Sword Hall disciples, deepening the feud with the Thunderfire Hall.
• Lu Ming reflected on the threat to his family and considered whether his three rounds of bone refinement would let him retrieve the Flame of Life from the black ring.

Lu Ming recovered from the hall meet and entered the black ring space to obtain the Flame of Life. After it merged into his Fire Lotus Mark, it strengthened his divine ability bone and healed hidden injuries, while the other flame seeds remained beyond his reach.

• Thunderfire Hall gained many new disciples after Lu Ming’s victory, and Zhou Xuan raised the area’s Primordial Qi to the upper level.
• Lu Mengmeng brought Lu Ming food and guarded his room while he prepared to enter the black ring space.
• Lu Ming repeatedly attacked the barrier around the Flame of Life until it cracked and shattered.
• The Flame of Life merged into Lu Ming’s Fire Lotus Mark, strengthened his sixth strand of Glazed Heavenly Light, and healed his hidden injuries.
• Lu Ming tried to break the barrier around the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame but failed, then withdrew from the black ring space.

After absorbing the Flame of Life, Lu Ming learned that the Thunderfire Hall was rapidly growing but struggling to recruit instructors amid its feud with the Golden Gang Sword Hall. Hearing that Lu Jin’s old injuries had ended his hopes of advancing, Lu Ming realized the flame might heal him and asked him to hold out his hand.

• Lu Ming sensed the Flame of Life within his Fire Lotus Mark and reflected on the mysteries of the Buddha’s Fury Flame Lotus inheritance.
• Lu Ming welcomed Lu Jin, Lu Qingyan, and Lu Jinglei after Lu Mengmeng had dutifully kept them from disturbing him.
• Lu Qingyan told Lu Ming that a hundred disciples had joined the Thunderfire Hall and described plans to recruit instructors for the growing hall.
• Lu Jin explained that former Thunderfire Hall members hesitated to return because of the hall’s feud with the Golden Gang Sword Hall and Lin Changkong’s strength as a True Qi Master.
• Lu Qingyan revealed that Lu Jin’s hidden injuries had damaged his foundation and likely prevented him from advancing further.
• Lu Ming recalled the Flame of Life’s healing power and asked Lu Jin to hold out his hand.

Lu Ming used the Flame of Life to heal some of Lu Jin’s long-standing hidden injuries, giving the family hope that Lu Jin might eventually become a True Qi Master. Lu Jin then told Lu Ming that Zhou Xuan’s niece had summoned him to collect his reward, the Pattern-Transforming Lesser Yuan Pill.

• Lu Ming examined Lu Jin’s scarred arm and resolved to help Thunderfire Hall and the Lu Clan recover their strength.
• Lu Ming revealed the Flame of Life to Lu Jin, Lu Qingyan, and Lu Jinglei and explained that it could heal wounds.
• Lu Ming used the Flame of Life on Lu Jin’s arm, and the flames began clearing his hidden injuries and easing the flow of his Primordial Qi.
• After Lu Ming ran out of Primordial Qi, Lu Jin confirmed that many injuries in his arm had improved and said his Primordial Qi flowed more smoothly.
• Lu Jin told Lu Ming that Zhou Xuan’s niece had invited him to the workshop office to receive the Pattern-Transforming Lesser Yuan Pill.

Lu Ming met Zhou Fuling and went with her to see Zhou Xuan, who rewarded him with the promised Pattern-Transforming Lesser Yuan Pill. Zhou Xuan then asked whether Lu Ming could sense pill Qi, leaving his other purpose for the meeting unrevealed.

• Zhou Fuling waited for Lu Ming at Thunderfire Hall and teased him about his reputation as the “Thunderfire Killing Prodigy.”
• Zhou Fuling told Lu Ming that Zhou Xuan wanted to discuss an opportunity with him, and Lu Ming agreed to accompany her to the market office.
• Thunderfire Hall disciples gossiped about Lu Ming leaving with Zhou Fuling and speculated about their relationship.
• Lu Ming thanked Zhou Xuan for making superior Primordial Qi available to Thunderfire Hall.
• Zhou Xuan gave Lu Ming the promised Pattern-Transforming Lesser Yuan Pill, which Lu Ming hoped to use to break through within a month.
• Zhou Xuan asked Lu Ming whether he had a talent for sensing pill Qi.

Lu Ming used the Fire Lotus Mark to identify pills hidden in golden pellets, convincing Zhou Xuan that he had talent for the Pill Dao. Zhou Xuan offered to teach him if he met a condition, but had not yet revealed what it was.

• Zhou Xuan asked Lu Ming to test whether he could sense Pill Qi using a Pill Qi Disc.
• Lu Ming used the Fire Lotus Mark to pick out four golden pellets containing pills.
• Zhou Fuling crushed the pellets and confirmed that each one held an intact pill.
• Zhou Xuan offered to teach Lu Ming the Pill Dao, and Lu Ming wondered whether the offer meant Zhou Xuan wanted him to marry into his family.
• Zhou Xuan said he had one condition for teaching Lu Ming and handed him a piece of purple jade.

Lu Ming considered Zhou Xuan’s offer to teach him alchemy in exchange for cultivating the Upper Divine Ability Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner before the Black Rain Season. Zhou Xuan promised that success could secure protection for the Thunderfire Hall from the Great Golden Crow Hall, and Lu Ming left to consult his family.

• Zhou Xuan asked Lu Ming to cultivate the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner to Major Accomplishment within six months, explaining that it was part of a Great Divine Ability Restriction and that he lacked its method of use.
• Lu Ming hesitated over the demanding cultivation, but Zhou Xuan warned that the Great Golden Crow Hall’s Divine Ability Grandmaster could threaten the Thunderfire Hall as Lu Ming grew stronger.
• Zhou Xuan said an important woman could prevent any Divine Ability Grandmaster from directly attacking the Thunderfire Hall if Lu Ming satisfied her requirements.
• Lu Ming asked to discuss the offer with his family, then returned the jade slip and departed.
• Zhou Fuling asked whether Lu Ming would agree, and Zhou Xuan said he was only one of several candidates for Her Highness’s plan in the mysterious Black Rain Zone.

Lu Ming and his family weighed the dangers of Zhou Xuan’s offer and decided to tentatively accept while waiting to learn more about the benefactor’s plans. Meanwhile, Lin Changkong resolved to wait for Lu Jin to weaken and hinted that he had prepared a gift for Thunderfire Hall.

• Lu Ming told Lu Jin, Lu Qingyan, and Lu Jinglei about Zhou Xuan’s offer to teach him the Sun-Shining Golden Flame Banner in exchange for reaching Major Accomplishment before the Black Rain Season.
• Lu Ming argued that the Lu Clan needed protection and proposed cultivating the ability while delaying a final decision until they could assess Zhou Xuan’s benefactor; Lu Jin agreed to support him.
• Lu Jin told Lu Qingyan and Lu Jinglei to watch Golden Gang Sword Hall and Red Sand Hall, and urged Lu Ming to focus on forming his Divine Ability Dharma Mark.
• Xu Xiong warned Lin Changkong that Thunderfire Hall was gaining influence and suggested informing Jiang Ling, but Lin Changkong refused to ask her for help.
• Lin Changkong claimed Lu Jin was concealing his injuries and said he would wait for Thunderfire Hall to falter before sending them a grand gift.

Lu Ming broke through the Divine Ability Barrier with the Pattern-Transforming Lesser Yuan Pill and became a Great Divine Ability Practitioner. After condensing three Divine Ability Dharma Marks, he realized that his breakthrough was still continuing.

• Lu Ming continued cultivating, mastered Palm Thunder, healed Lu Jin's hidden injuries, and studied alchemy basics with Zhou Fuling.
• Lu Ming swallowed the Pattern-Transforming Lesser Yuan Pill when his Primordial Qi began stirring and broke through the Divine Ability Barrier.
• Lu Ming's Divine Ability Bone formed its first and second Divine Ability Dharma Marks as Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi surged into him.
• Lu Ming activated his Divine Ability imprints and condensed a third Divine Ability Dharma Mark, becoming more than ten times stronger than before.
• Lu Ming discovered that Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi was still pouring into his body after the third Dharma Mark formed.