I Pick up a Lost Godhood-Chapter 85 - 83: Who Is He

Thunderbolt felt he would go mad if he watched any longer. Just as he was about to leave, a rhythmic hammering sound reached his ears, piquing his interest.

Suo Ming was completely absorbed in forging the Wolf Fang Club in his hands, his focus absolute. Thunderbolt watched quietly from the side. He could tell from the force of the boy’s strikes that he had already surpassed the Fifteenth Layer. Moreover, his forging skill was clearly a cut above those outside. His focused gaze was impressive, too. It showed he was genuinely serious about his craft, not just putting on a show like the others.

Suo Ming hammered for a while, but felt something was off. He was not satisfied.

"Heh, kid. Don’t just blindly focus on the Wolf Fang Club’s imposing aura. You need to remember that weapons are meant to be used. The most important thing is for it to suit its wielder."

Thunderbolt’s tone was amiable and approachable. Master Lei was famous for his explosive temper, but after seeing a parade of infuriating examples, even he couldn’t help but feel his mood lift when faced with a sight like this.

Beauty, after all, is born from contrast.

Even a homely face can look lovely when compared to a truly ugly one.

At these words, Suo Ming stopped his hammer and nodded. "That makes sense. I was going about it the wrong way. Ah, thank you for your guidance, Senior."

’Polite and humble, too,’ Thunderbolt added to his mental assessment.

"Heh, kid. I can tell you’ve got some aptitude and a solid foundation in forging. Did Wang Bodang teach you?"

"My master gave me some pointers, but it’s also partly passed down in my family."

Thunderbolt nodded. ’No wonder,’ he thought. ’With Wang Bodang’s paltry skills, he could only produce idiots like the ones outside.’

"Heh, carry on. I’ll just take a look around. Oh, quite the collection. Are all of these your work?"

"More or less. Please, Senior, look around as you please. I have to rush to finish this before the Hundred Treasures Hall Meeting."

Thunderbolt sized up the weapons arranged neatly against the wall. They weren’t masterpieces, but they were made with rigor and discipline. Compared to the overall standard of Thunderlight Hall, this kid was practically a savior. Thunderbolt decided to give him a few pointers. Regardless of whether the boy participated, he couldn’t let Thunderlight Hall be utterly humiliated.

When Thunderbolt’s gaze swept over a sword in the corner, his entire body went rigid. A torrential aura erupted from him. Suo Ming, who was standing nearby, was crushed by the pressure. He was frozen in place, unable to even breathe.

THUD...

The hammer hit the floor. The sound snapped Thunderbolt back to his senses, and he hastily reined in his aura. He solemnly picked up the sword from the ground.

Ancestor Master Lei’s hands were trembling slightly. ’This... How is this possible!’

The sword felt as if it weighed a ton in Thunderbolt’s hands. The craftsmanship was crude, yet the essence it contained... it was indescribable, unimaginable!

But that wasn’t the reason Thunderbolt was so shaken. ’Why does this sword look so much like the Master’s Silence Sword?!’

’That peerless pride contained within the blade, that Sword Intent as if standing alone at the apex of the world... There’s no mistaking it! Absolutely no mistaking it!’

Suo Ming gasped for air, his face pale with shock. ’This old man is terrifying!’ Even if he was ignorant, Suo Ming knew the man before him had to be at least an Elder... or maybe even... an Ancestral Master!

After a long moment, Thunderbolt finally suppressed his excitement. "This... who left this sword here?"

Suo Ming gritted his teeth. "Who are you!"

"Kid, I asked you who left this!"

RUMBLE...

It had been years since anyone had dared to make Thunderbolt ask a question twice.

Suo Ming’s body shook from the terrifying, thunderous voice, but he held his ground. "Who are you!"

Thunderbolt finally realized he had lost his composure. ’How could I lose my temper with a grand-disciple?’ he thought. At the same time, he felt a flicker of approval for the boy. ’He’s got a strong backbone.’

’That was exactly why the Master had taken a liking to him all those years ago—because he had a backbone.’

"Heh, kid, don’t worry. I have no ill intent. I have a connection to this sword’s owner. Do you know who left it here?"

Thunderbolt probably hadn’t spoken in such a pleasant tone for several decades.

In that brief instant, Wang Bodang had already come scrambling over. "I was unaware of your arrival, Ancestral Master! This disciple... Suo Ming, you little bastard! How dare you talk back to the Ancestral Master? Are you looking for a beating?!"

Suo Ming stood his ground stubbornly. ’I don’t care who he is. Even if the Heavenly Emperor himself came, it would make no difference. The most they can do is take my life.’

"Until I have my friend’s permission, I can’t say anything!"

Suo Ming said with firm resolve, completely unafraid of the pressure coming from the "Ancestral Master." After surviving the Lin Family massacre, there was nothing left in the world that could frighten him.

Thunderbolt waved a dismissive hand at him. "Get out of my sight. I haven’t even settled the score with you for letting Thunderlight Hall fall into this state!"

Wang Bodang, who was usually as explosive as a thunderstorm, was now as meek as a lamb. He stood to the side, bowing and scraping, while frantically trying to signal Suo Ming with his eyes. ’This little idiot!’ he thought. ’A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is staring him in the face, how can he be so dense?’

Wang Bodang had only come over for a casual look, feeling quite gratified by his disciples’ recent diligence. He never expected to suddenly sense Thunderbolt’s Elemental Power.

’Knowing Thunderbolt’s personality,’ he thought, ’the fact that Master Lei is holding back his temper is an incredible blessing! It means Master Lei sees potential in Suo Ming!’

Suo Ming didn’t know which Ancestral Master this was, but one thing was clear: the man was incredibly strong and fierce, and Suo Ming feared he might be a threat to Wang Meng.

"Heh, you’re Suo Ming, right? Very good, very good. It’s fine. You can go ask your friend. Just tell him that Thunderbolt would like to meet him. Wang Bodang here can vouch for me. My temper might be foul, but I’m not a bad person."

Thunderbolt knew that when he got angry, he was more frightening than a Demon Beast, so he felt he had to offer an explanation.

Wang Bodang’s jaw nearly hit the floor. ’Holy shit,’ he thought. ’Master Lei is actually *explaining* himself???’

He quickly stepped forward. "Suo Ming, don’t be a fool! The man standing before you is the founding Ancestral Master of our Holy Hall’s Body Cultivators!"

Suo Ming’s expression softened slightly. "Disciple Suo Ming pays his respects to Master Lei. However, on this matter, I must first have my friend’s consent."

A smile spread across Thunderbolt’s face. "No trouble, no trouble at all. There’s no rush. Just have Wang Bodang notify me when you have an answer. Haha, excellent! Wang Bodang, come with me!"

When he turned to Wang Bodang, his expression was no longer so friendly. Wang Bodang immediately scurried after him. ’The Ancestral Master being willing to get angry is a good thing,’ he thought. ’If he didn’t care whether Thunderlight Hall lived or died, why would he bother getting angry at all?’

When they reached Wang Bodang’s quarters, Thunderbolt sat down with a commanding air. Wang Bodang quickly served tea and stood quietly to the side.

"You little brat, you’ve nearly disgraced me completely!" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Your scolding is justified, Ancestral Master. But as you know, our Thunderlight Hall is truly in a predicament. We receive the fewest resources, our best disciples are poached by other Halls, and Senior Brother Xu is also... My disciples have it rough."

It was a rare chance for Wang Bodang to air his grievances.

"Hmph. All you do is make excuses. Take a good look at your own shortcomings. These children are our future. Stop focusing only on your own cultivation all day. Still, my visit wasn’t a total loss. The atmosphere here is good. As long as they’re willing to fight, they have a chance. I’ll see what I can do about the resources. But you all must show your determination at the upcoming Hundred Treasures Hall Meeting. Otherwise, no one can help you."

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