"8th stage." The sect master couldn't help but be shocked. Only a single stage remained till the absolute peak of 9 thunder body art. Even the top talents within the Thunder academy couldn't attain this point while being in the Qi general realm.
The sect master tried her best to gain control over her elation. "What about the last stage of 9 Thunder body art?"
"I feel like I have attained a bottleneck in that art." Li Meng was trying his best to overcome the current stage, but failed multiple times already. It felt like an invisible barrier was holding him back.
"The last stage of 9-thunder body art is not limited to the comprehension of the practitioner, but also natural luck. The thunder energy within the pool would no longer be enough for you to practice in. It's time for you to prepare for the journey."
"Can the master describe the complexity of 9-thunder body art?"
"The origins of 9-thunder body art are related to another core art in the Thunder Academy. That art is called the body of Thundergod. It is one of the sect protection art that has been passed down since the first generation of Thunder Academy's ancestors. The art relies on the refining of one's body with the help of Thunder."
"Why didn't master directly allow me to practice the Body of thunder god?"
"You are quite an amusing fellow. You couldn't even reach the end stage of art which was derived from Thunder-god's body, but wanted to practice the original art." Li Meng lowered his head in shame.
"Your goal is set on a good target, but you need to understand the reason behind 9-thunder's creation. When the ancestors began practicing the original art, a huge part of the success depended upon the natural luck of the practitioner. Those without a top tier thunder element body couldn't even take the first step. They would be directly incinerated by the thunder energy."
"After lots of research, the problem was finally located. The reason for the fall of so many geniuses while practicing the Thunder-god's body was their incompatibility with the level of thunder required to practice it. The fact was established that one would require to train his body with thunder energy before practicing the Thunder-god's body."
"Although there were multiple pathways to achieve the desired result, one of the ancestors decided to create a fixed pathway with the help of which you could meet the minimum requirements. This was how the 9-thunder body was created."
"Mastering the 9-Thunder body art is the minimum requirement to practice the Thunder-god's body. Just what kind of art is it."
"A tyrannical art which requires one to establish a Heavenly Thunder law within his body." This requirement blew Lu Ming's mind even more. The base requirement was Heavenly law. Just what was the grade of the art?
"You shouldn't concern yourself with that art. You have managed to achieve the 8th step while being in 7th level Qi general. I hope your luck is good enough to help you reach the end of this art. Another lesser-known secret about 9-thunder body is related to the base requirement for Thunder-god."
"Does art help one to establish a Heavenly thunder law?" Li Meng looked at the sect leader with surprise.
"Only if you manage to reach the last step."
"Then sect master must have established the heavenly thunder law."
"I have." The sect master said with a calm tone. She was one of the top students within the Thunder Academy, who was nearing the border of Emperor.
"You need to stay focused on your martial path. Thunder-god's body is just one of the core arts. There are many treasures within the Thunder academy, but you need to perform likewise to achieve them. The entrance exam is about to happen within the next month. I want you to suppress your cultivation and go through the exam."
"The exam might be able to provide the necessary opportunity for you to break through the last stage and enter the 9th circulation of 9-thunder body."
"Will Masters be returning to the Thunder academy too?"
The sect master tossed a wooden plate to Li Meng. A thunder symbol was engraved within it and a number was written on top of it.
"This is the identity plate which establishes your identity as the disciple of this Thunder-god hall. You will be traveling alone to the location of Thunder Academy. I hope you can climb to the top of the rankings and make me and your master proud."
"Can I meet my master before leaving?"
"Your performance seems to have instigated your master's mentality. He is preparing for his breakthrough into the QI King realm."
"Did the master reach a peak of 9-thunder body art?"
"Due to a lucky encounter, he managed to get his hands on a Thunderous bamboo of peak King grade. It helped him break through the last level of 9-thunder body. He is currently consolidating his realm. He will shortly begin his breakthrough. Our hall will be gaining another King level practitioner. I hope for you to be the third."
"We have a lot of hope resting on you. The entrance examination is also a trial for ranking the various Thunder god halls. We have never ranked higher than the bottom twenty. I hope you can elevate the situation for us."
"I will try my best." Li Meng bowed before the sect master and left for his journey.
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Crimson Lord World-
"Does the 9-thunder body art act like the art which Pill-sword saint presented to me?"
"It should have a similar type of concept. He did say that the barrier which prevents someone from establishing a heavenly law is generally their body. Your preparation is way abnormal and you have two more cultivation realms to pass before the next stage. Qi shouldn't be an issue. The 9-thunder body should also be concentrating on opening elemental acupoints."
"I need to combine its theory with the circulation art provided by my ancestor. I may be able to reach the highest realm with the help of this art." If he managed to achieve another metamorphosis before breaking through the King's realm, he might be able to connect with the Chaotic laws.
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Pill Valley-
Huge commotions ranged throughout the valley following the return of the Blackfire emperor, Ti Shen. He was one of the pillars of Pill Valley, who helped it get through the tribulation it had faced years ago. Although he was heavily injured in that fight, he seems to have made a breakthrough and returned to the valley.
When the world found out about Lu Ming's identity, another commotion was created. The Blackfire emperor was even going to start a massacre on the grounds of Pill valley, seeking justice for his disciple. His name was resplendent throughout the central plains as one of the most powerful cultivators within the emperor realm.
"You have performed well above my expectations." Ti Shen couldn't help but smile when he met his disciple. He had only asked him to rise within the ranks of top 10, but he was crowned as the champion of this competition.
"It's all due to the blessings showered on me by the master. I wouldn't be able to reach this step without your guidance. I hope the master is satisfied with my performance and would show goodwill to his disciple."
"No need to coax me with your honey-coated words, boy. I will be true to my promise to you. You will be awarded huge gifts. Let's leave this location first."
"Is the master going somewhere?"
"The valley protector invited me to his peak. It would be disrespectful if I didn't oblige to his request. You will be accompanying me to meet your martial grand-uncle."
"The valley protector specifically asked for the three of you. Wouldn't my presence create an unnecessary distraction?"
"What nonsense are you spouting brat? Your martial grand-uncle is a titan-like existence within the surrounding area. It's a huge privilege to have a meeting with him. As a grand-nephew, it's your duty to pay your respects to him. Who knows, he might even shower some blessings on to you."
Lu Ming couldn't help but bite his tongue. His master was even more unbridled when compared to him. He was thinking about extorting the valley protector in his name.
Lu Ming was soon surrounded by an invisible aura and lifted towards the interior section of Pill Valley.
.............................
The interiors of Pill valley were separated into huge sections, which were differentiated into student and elders' areas, along with specific areas for herb gardens and alchemy caves.
After traveling for some time a huge range of mountains came into view. Majestic natural monuments covered the whole area. Lu Ming was shocked upon seeing the view. Pill Hall was like a tiny island when compared to this place.
"This is the area where core elders and the inheritance disciple practice cultivation." After passing three mountain ranges, the group of two reached a location where individual mountains stood.
A majestic mountain was surrounded by four others. The duo arrived at the foot of one of the four mountains. Two other figures arrived at the same time. They were the valley master and Teng Luo.
"All of you can come up."
The four people began to descend the mountain. They finally reached the top, which held a single hut. Four figures halted at the doorstep.
"Enter." An imposing voice spoke.
Upon entering, an old man was sitting in the middle of the hut. It was none other than the protector of the Pill Valley.
