Chapter 224: Chapter 128: Victory! Prince Qinghe’s Astonishment

"Hiss... O-one move?"

"Not one move, just a single glance?!"

"A True Disciple from a Major Sect couldn’t even withstand a glance from Zhong Ming. How can he be this terrifyingly strong?"

"Are you sure he’s at the Qi Cultivation Stage, and not some powerhouse who’s already established their Dao Foundation?"

There was no earth-shattering battle, no life-or-death struggle as expected. With just a single, condescending, indifferent glance from above, the victor was decided.

This unbelievable scene left the cultivators by the lakeside silent for a long moment before they erupted in gasps of astonishment.

However, the impact on the cultivators by the lake was nowhere near as bone-deep as it was for the True Disciples in the center of the lake.

Zhong Ming’s previous feat of vanquishing all his foes with a single glance had already led the ordinary cultivators on the shore to overestimate his strength.

Therefore, while his recent victory was shocking, they gradually came to accept it after their initial astonishment.

The True Disciples in the middle of the lake, on the other hand, were a different story.

These individuals had genuinely believed that Zhong Ming’s physical body was weak and his Magical Power of poor quality. They thought he was relying solely on a strange and unique Pupil Technique to barely even reach their level.

’But as long as we break Zhong Ming’s Pupil Technique, he’ll be out of tricks.’

With this mindset, the True Disciples from the Major Sects in the middle of the lake held a condescending, superior attitude toward Zhong Ming.

It was for this very reason that they saw Zhong Ming as a mere pawn, one they could use to strike at their rival sects.

But this battle—Zhong Ming’s utter crushing of Lin Kong—was like a resounding slap across their faces, shattering their arrogance and even filling them with fear.

Now, they could no longer maintain the relaxed and self-assured expressions on their faces.

Just like the ordinary disciples on the shore, their faces were filled with utter disbelief.

The difference was that, beyond their astonishment, a heavy gravity remained in their eyes.

The ordinary cultivators on the shore could simply enjoy the show, but these True Disciples, for the sake of their sects’ interests, would have to face Zhong Ming sooner or later.

Because of this, a question wormed its way into their minds and refused to leave, like a maggot clinging to bone:

’Lin Kong couldn’t withstand a single glance from Zhong Ming. Can... I?’

None of the True Disciples from the Major Sects answered this question aloud, but from the ever-deepening gravity in their gaze as they looked at Zhong Ming, one could tell that not a single one of them... felt completely confident.

—Even though they had all wanted to see Lin Kong fail and make a fool of himself, and some felt he lacked cunning, none of the True Disciples from the Major Sects had ever truly looked down on his strength.

If he couldn’t take one glance from Zhong Ming, then naturally, neither could they.

"Heh heh, I really misjudged him this time. Good thing I didn’t invite him earlier, or I would have been deeply humiliated..." Nangong Die of the Spirit Illusion Sect felt a hint of fear as she sensed Zhong Ming’s power, but her cunning eyes revealed even more calculation. ’But this is good too. Only with such power will you have a chance to clean up the Celestial Sound Sect.’

Aboard the Celestial Sound Sect’s Flying Ship, Miaoyun frowned as she watched the distant figure radiating boundless Divine Power. She turned to her senior brother beside her and said, "Zhong Ming’s strength... this is going to be trouble."

"..." After a moment of silence, Di Yun’s expression returned to its usual calm. "I know. But how to deal with him isn’t our concern yet. The Void Moon Sect will be far more anxious than we are."

And indeed, that was the truth.

"Junior Brother!"

Lin Kong’s miserable defeat had far exceeded Zhu Junfeng’s expectations. His heart tightened, and he immediately flew out of the ship’s cabin, wanting to rescue him.

However, before he could reach Lin Kong’s side, an old man appeared out of thin air, caught Lin Kong, and fed him an Elixir Pill.

The next moment, the old man’s gaze shot toward Zhong Ming like a sword.

"SWOOSH!"

Seeing this, Ji Qingyue’s guards and female attendants immediately rushed into the sky, positioning themselves in front of Zhong Ming.

"Kids roughhousing don’t know their own strength. Forgive us for the unsightly display, Senior."

Mrs. Qin took a step forward. Although her expression was a little grave, it was mostly filled with an unquestionable confidence:

"If Senior is displeased, you are free to withdraw from this challenge. As for Young Master Lin Kong’s healing expenses, we are also prepared to cover them completely."

By stepping forward and framing the duel between Zhong Ming and Lin Kong as mere child’s play, Mrs. Qin left the Void Moon Sect’s Guardian unable to do anything but give Zhong Ming a deep look.

Just as Zhong Ming had said before, after pledging allegiance to Ji Qingyue, he, a man from a minor sect, was no longer just a member of the Seven Profound Sect, but also a vassal of Prince Qinghe’s Mansion.

To act against Zhong Ming was to slap Prince Qinghe’s Mansion in the face. Therefore, despite his impatience and killing intent, the old man could only force a laugh and say, "Hahaha, Miss Qin, you jest. Lin Kong was defeated because his skills were inferior. There’s naturally no reason for you to pay for his treatment."

With that, he even offered a word of praise to Zhong Ming: "Zhong Ming, is it? You did very well. I wish you victory in all your future battles."

After speaking, he took Lin Kong and transformed into a streak of light, departing.

Seeing this, Zhu Junfeng, his eyes narrowing slightly, seemed to realize something. He quickly adopted an anxious expression, cupped his hands toward Zhong Ming, and said, "Zhong, what impressive methods! After my Junior Brother Lin Kong’s defeat, I originally wanted to witness your own Daoist techniques. However, to challenge you, Zhong, while you have yet to recover your strength would be taking advantage of your situation. I, Zhu Junfeng, would never stoop so low."

"I’m not..."

Before Zhong Ming could finish, Zhu Junfeng continued:

"Besides, my junior brother’s injuries have yet to heal, and I have no heart to linger here. My apologies, Zhong. Let’s schedule our challenge for three days from now."

The words had barely left his mouth when, without waiting for Zhong Ming’s reply, he adopted an anxious expression and hastily chased after his martial uncle, returning to the Void Moon Sect’s encampment.