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Let's see what new attributes Wu Liang will gain after gobbling up the Black Flame Phoenix's bones. Should be something cool...
A five-meter-tall, ten-meter-winged, jet-black skeleton lay in the Linjiang Middle School storeroom.
The skeleton was enveloped in eerie black flames—a sight that could chill anyone to the bone.
This was the ferocious power of a powerful magical beast, exerting immense suppression.
Wu Liang's gaze lingered on the Black Flame Phoenix skeleton, his eyes filled with delight.
Liu Qingshan looked at Ling Qingxue.
"You want to use this unknown bird-like beast skeleton to evolve your magical beast, right?"
Ling Qingxue nodded slightly. "Ordinary basic resources won't help me much. If I can evolve my magical beast, I'll have a much better chance!"
Liu Qingshan smiled. "You're very clever, but I suggest you wait until your beast's level increases further. The higher the level, the higher the success rate of evolution. Missing this opportunity could have significant consequences."
"I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Principal!"
Liu Qingshan gave a few more instructions before leaving the storeroom to Ling Qingxue.
Wu Liang immediately pounced and began gnawing on the Black Flame Phoenix's skeleton.
"Hiss, so hard! This is the first time I've encountered something I can't bite through at all!"
The Taotie's teeth were extremely sharp. They could easily crush ores, but they couldn't break this skeleton.
"The Black Flame Phoenix was once a Sixth Level magical beast, after all. Your current level is too low. Just grow to your maximum size and then dismantle its bones one by one and swallow them!" Ling Qingxue reminded him.
Wu Liang clicked his tongue, then used the 'Size Control' skill.
"The bigger I am, the faster I eat. I still need to level up a few more times!" Wu Liang muttered.
The next moment, Wu Liang's size exploded to be almost the same as the Black Flame Phoenix's, making it much easier to swallow its skeleton.
After frantically devouring for about ten minutes, Wu Liang swallowed the entire Black Flame Phoenix skeleton.
[Ding! Sixth-Level early-stage Black Flame Phoenix's bones consumed. Estimated digestion time: seven days!]
"Hiss, it actually takes seven days!" Wu Liang was astonished.
This was the first time he'd needed such a long digestion time.
He only took a day to digest a Second Level peak Bloodthirsty Wolf.
"Seven days for the remains of a Sixth Level early-stage magical beast? That's too slow!"
The factors limiting Wu Liang's digestion speed were his own level, his bloodline level, and the level of his 'Gluttonous Stomach'.
Improving any one of these would increase his digestion speed, but each one was difficult.
"How long will it take to finish devouring it?" Ling Qingxue asked curiously.
"About a week."
Ling Qingxue nodded, secretly thinking: "That's good, a little faster than I expected. The City Lord's Mansion secret place opens in a week, then we can kill the beasts within!"
She remembered there were several spiritual herbs in the City Lord's Mansion secret place that could enhance spiritual power. If she obtained them, along with the Spirit Nourishing Pill, her spiritual power would directly break through to the Second Rank peak.
With four months remaining, even if she couldn't break through to the Third Rank, Ling Qingxue was very confident she could break through to the Second Rank peak.
With Wu Liang's powerful combat strength and her many methods, getting into Beiming Martial Arts University shouldn't be a problem.
"Little Xuexue, what should we do with the Thunder Mercenary Group now?" Wu Liang asked.
Ling Qingxue smiled, her eyes sparkling.
"Don't worry, they won't dare to bother us again!"
......
Thunder Mercenary Group's base.
Lei Tianbao sat in a chair, his face filled with deep resentment and hatred.
"Brother, what do we do now? Ling Qingxue won first place in the Linjiang Middle School mock exam, broke through to the Second Rank, and even defeated a Second Rank late-stage prospective student from Qingshan Martial Arts University!" Lei Meng asked with a bitter face.
Lei Tianbao clenched his jaw, his eyes burning with fury.
He was just a hair's breadth away from killing Ling Qingxue, but Zhang Zhengyuan and Liu Qingshan stopped him.
Now, Ling Qingxue had displayed unparalleled talent, and both the City Lord's Mansion and Linjiang Middle School would protect her with all their might.
Liu Qingshan treated her like his lifeblood; a few days ago, he even came here alone to warn him.
He made him feel inferior with his Fifth Rank strength.
Liu Qingshan even had a Seventh Rank martial artist son-in-law. Lei Tianbao was utterly dumbfounded.
He only wanted to kill a mere First Rank high school student. How the hell did he end up offending both the City Lord's Mansion and Liu Qingshan, two powerful figures?
"Brother, stop daydreaming! We have to get rid of her as soon as possible. Otherwise, with her talent, she'll definitely reach at least the Seventh Rank in the future, and our Thunder Mercenary Group will be finished," Lei Meng urged.
Lei Tianbao's eyes flashed coldly, and with a wave of his hand, he sent his younger brother flying.
"Idiot, you go kill her! As if you could do it! That old bastard Liu Qingshan is a Fifth Rank martial artist, and the City Lord's Mansion has specifically sent people to guard Linjiang Middle School. How the hell are we going to kill her?!"
Lei Tianbao was furious.
The Star Stone was lost, and he'd offended some big shots—he'd gained nothing from it.
If Lei Meng hadn't been greedy, wanting to keep the Star Stone for himself, none of this would have happened.
Thinking of this, Lei Tianbao grew even angrier and then proceeded to beat his brother severely.
Lei Meng covered his face, kneeling on the ground, utterly aggrieved.
Lei Tianbao exhaled, his eyes gleaming coldly.
"You're coming with me today to apologize to Ling Qingxue and beg for forgiveness. You must get her forgiveness!"
Lei Meng's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.
"Impossible! Absolutely not! You want me to apologize to that little thief who stole my Star Stone? You might as well just kill me!"
Lei Tianbao's face was icy as he threw a dagger in front of him.
"If you don't want to go, then use this dagger to kill yourself. I'll drag your corpse over there."
Lei Meng swallowed hard, only now realizing his brother wasn't joking.
"Is it… is it really necessary?" He asked through gritted teeth.
Lei Tianbao nodded calmly. "It's necessary!"
He had climbed his way up through the ranks in several small towns, achieving his current success through ruthlessness and following his heart!
Bowing his head was not shameful; it was better than losing his life.
He couldn't possibly kill Ling Qingxue. Even if he managed to kill her with great effort, his entire Thunder Mercenary Group would be wiped out, rendering his hard-earned status as a Fourth Rank martial artist meaningless.
He wasn't stupid; otherwise, he wouldn't have achieved his current position.
The ability to bend and adjust was the essence of his shrewdness in dealing with people.
Lei Tianbao glanced at him.
"Don't even think about revenge. If you're killed, I'll sever all ties with you in front of everyone. If you want to die, don't drag me with you. I'm just your brother, not your father!"
Lei Meng slammed his fist heavily on the ground, his eyes bloodshot.
"I'll apologize to her, and I promise I won't seek revenge again!"
"Good. Go prepare yourself. You'll be coming with me to Linjiang Middle School later. Don't let me down."
Lei Meng then stood up and left the room.
Lei Tianbao was also helpless. It would be a lie to say he wasn't angry. The Star Stone, worth a fortune, had been stolen from him; he was heartbroken.
But he couldn't afford to offend Ling Qingxue anymore. If he could use resources to ease the tension between the two parties, the matter should be solved.
After all, Ling Qingxue was the one who snatched the treasure first, and he hadn't actually harmed her.
Right now, apologizing and offering gifts were his only options.