Chapter 236: Chapter 131: Zhong Ming: Oh? So You’re Not Running Away, But Approaching Me Instead?
Of course, unlike the steady and reliable Heaven Rewards Diligence, the "Heaven and Earth, Only I am Supreme" invincible path offered high rewards, but also high risks.
With no one to stop him, his Dominating Thought would continue to grow. But if he were to be defeated, even just once, the majority of the Dominating Thought a Sword Cultivator had accumulated would dissipate.
This was also the reason why many Swordsmen made rapid progress in their early stages, only to fade into obscurity after a single defeat, their spirit broken.
A Sword Cultivator’s path depended heavily on their spirit.
’But that might not apply to me. My Heaven Rewards Diligence works on the principle of "One Certificate Forever." Perhaps even if I am defeated, I can retain a portion of my Dominating Thought... Never mind. It’s better not to lose in the first place!’
With his eyes closed, Zhong Ming quietly felt his Divine Thought, nourished by his fortune, gradually growing more solid and powerful.
Time slowly trickled by as his eyes remained closed.
Zhong Ming had assumed that after witnessing his performance yesterday, the Major Sects from the Prefecture City would hold back. He thought they would quietly wait for three days, watch his duel with Zhu Junfeng, and then decide whether to make a move.
But just as this thought drifted through his Heart Lake like a speck of dust, a series of thunderous roars suddenly echoed from the horizon as they tore through the air—the Flying Ships of those Major Sects had actually arrived!
And it wasn’t just one or two groups that came, but nearly all of them. Their iridescent ships streaked across the sky, hovering unabashedly not far from his own Flying Ship.
The sight left Zhong Ming, his eyes now open, momentarily stunned. Then, he began to laugh.
’Oh? So you chose not to avoid my edge, but to approach me directly? Heh, interesting.’
While he chuckled softly, the ordinary Cultivators by the lakeside also perked up, their burning gazes fixed on the sky.
"My god! After seeing Zhong Ming’s power, those Major Sects didn’t just play dead?"
"They couldn’t have found a way to deal with Zhong Ming, could they?"
"It’s not that simple! You all saw Zhong Ming’s strength that day. It’s simply not something someone of the same level can withstand!"
"But the resources and foundations of the Major Sects are also unfathomable..."
Whispers rose and fell. Faced with the arrival of the Major Sects, the Cultivators by the lake had varied expressions: some were shocked and suspicious, some were curious, and still others were expectant, eager to watch a good show.
Meanwhile, some people’s gazes quietly drifted toward the Flying Ships of Qianqiu Valley, the Celestial Sound Sect, and the Spirit Illusion Sect. Their eyes held an unconcealable hint of gossip as they muttered in low voices:
"Who do you think is involved with Zhong Ming? Is it Fairy Miaoyun from the Celestial Sound Sect, or Su Wanqiu from Qianqiu Valley?"
"Why not Miss Nangong Die from the Spirit Illusion Sect? If you ask me, she’s the one most likely to be mixed up with Zhong Ming, right?"
"Shh! Keep it down! If the people from those Major Sects hear us, we’re done for... They might not be able to do anything to Zhong Ming, but you think they can’t handle us?!"
...
While the ordinary Cultivators were discussing and speculating, Prince Qinghe also found himself growing interested in this battle.
Of course, he wasn’t there in person. He sat in his study, a jade-like Treasure Mirror hovering before him. The mirror clearly projected the entire scene around Crescent Lake, so clearly that he could even faintly hear the Cultivators’ whispers.
Watching the scene of the Major Sects’ Flying Ships gathering in the mirror, Prince Qinghe raised an eyebrow slightly, a flicker of interest in his eyes.
Seeing this, the old butler standing by his side showed a subtle change in expression. After a moment’s hesitation, he bowed respectfully and said, "Your Highness, should this old servant send some treasures to Young Master Zhong Ming? According to the information I’ve gathered, the True Inheritance disciples of the Major Sects have all found ways to counter Zhong Ming. Without our help, the outcome of this battle will not be good for him."
"Yes, I know." Prince Qinghe nodded, his tone tinged with a hint of a headache. "We can help Zhong Ming, but not now."
As he spoke, he looked up at the mirror, at the tall, upright figure standing in the center of Crescent Lake, a touch of emotion on his face:
"He is too arrogant, too dismissive of everyone and everything."
"It’s good for a young man to be spirited, but I’ve rarely in my life seen one as wildly arrogant as him." freeweɓnovel.cѳm
"For him, this defeat will not be a bad thing."
...
Prince Qinghe was watching Zhong Ming, but he wasn’t the only one. In the Qinghe Commandery Mansion, someone else was using a treasure to watch the battle between the Major Sect disciples and Zhong Ming. That person was—Luo Qinzh.
That’s right, the mother of Ji Qinghui and Ji Qinglian.
As she watched Zhong Ming in the mirror, her eyes held a mix of complex emotions and anticipation.