Chapter 225: Chapter 128: Victory! Prince Qinghe’s Astonishment

"..."

This scene left all the cultivators, both by the lake and in its center, speechless.

"He... ran away, didn’t he?"

Zhu Junfeng’s words had been high-sounding—not wanting to take advantage of the situation, concern for his fellow sect members—but the other cultivators weren’t fools. They could clearly sense that Zhu Junfeng had grown fearful of Zhong Ming. He had no confidence in victory, which was why he had fled in such a hurry.

The cultivators on the shore didn’t scorn him too much for it, though. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"I can understand him. Zhong Ming is just too strong. He and Lin Kong are from the same sect; their strengths should be comparable. His junior brother was instantly defeated with a single glance. He..."

Shaking his head, the cultivator trailed off, but everyone else understood what he meant.

"He really is too strong. Defeating a True Inheritance disciple from a Major Sect with a single glance and scaring another one away—with that kind of power, could Zhong Ming truly be unrivaled among his peers in the Qinghe Commandery Mansion?"

At these words, the cultivators by the lake all looked at each other in dismay.

After a moment of thought, they all felt that given Zhong Ming’s performance so far, it wasn’t out of the question.

"So, when Zhong Ming said he considered the younger generation of the Qinghe Commandery Mansion his challengers, and that ’being a genius is merely the requirement to meet him’... that wasn’t just arrogance, it was the truth?"

Some nodded in fervent agreement with this statement, while others shook their heads and argued against it.

"It’s not certain yet. Even though Zhu Junfeng left, he set a rematch for three days from now. Their battle isn’t over."

"Besides, what about the True Inheritance disciples from the other Major Sects? They haven’t stepped forward yet, have they?"

As they said this, some people turned their gazes to the Flying Ships belonging to the other Major Sects.

However, the response from those Flying Ships was surprisingly unanimous: "Zhu was unwilling to take advantage of the situation, and neither are we. A challenge can be discussed at a later date."

The Major Sects that said this had two reasons. First, they didn’t want to act as a shield for the Void Moon Sect. Second, they had no confidence they could win.

Defeating Zhong Ming would certainly build their prestige, but a loss would be a great humiliation.

Unwilling to suffer such a fate, these Major Sects were naturally reluctant to issue a challenge.

And after their announcements, the crowd by the lake moved with a great stir, surging toward Ji Qingyue like a tide.

It was the same old story: ordinary cultivators might lack strength, but they were never stupid. They might not be able to defeat the True Inheritance disciples of the Major Sects, but they could see that after Lin Kong’s defeat, none of them were willing to face Zhong Ming alone.

And just like that, Zhong Ming had actually achieved his goal of single-handedly intimidating all the young prodigies in the city.

With someone like Zhong Ming supporting her, Ji Qingyue went from being a relative unknown to the most sought-after person of the hour.

Within the surging crowd, many cultivators couldn’t help but sigh to themselves. ’Originally, I thought that of all the Commandery Princes in the Qinghe Commandery Mansion, Princess Qingyue was in the weakest position. I never expected that now, she’d be the one with the most momentum.’

"Her fortune is truly incredible."

"Heh, I wouldn’t be so sure it’s just fortune. Zhong Ming is ignoring the more powerful Commandery Princes to support the Commandery Princess. Who knows what other ideas he might have..."

"Are you tired of living? Watch what you say..."

While there was a commotion on the lakeshore, the restaurant housing the three major sects of Jade Lake City was filled with sounds of celebration.

"He won! Zhong Ming won! And with just a single glance! He really is the strongest!"

"Calm down, this is nothing. Haha..."

Hong Jing’s face was an open book of delight. As for Zong Chengze, though he tried his best to maintain a calm facade, he couldn’t hide the smile spreading across his face.

But while the two of them were happy, and many from the Mist and Smoke Sect showed their admiration, their Upper Sect, the Cloud Heaven Sect, did not look pleased at all.

Lin Kong’s defeat had caused a stream of strange looks to be cast in their direction.

Some Cloud Heaven Sect disciples tried to save face, arguing, ’Lin Kong was no match for our senior brother,’ but even they lacked conviction as they spoke.

...

While the outside world was in a tumultuous uproar over Zhong Ming’s victory, all was quiet around Zhong Ming himself.

Instantly defeating Lin Kong with a single glance, combined with the immense pressure he had exuded earlier, had firmly cemented Zhong Ming’s fearsome authority in everyone’s mind.

Now, ordinary cultivators didn’t even have the courage to approach him.

Ji Qingyue was one of the few who wasn’t particularly afraid of Zhong Ming, but even her gaze was filled with deep respect.

She had approached him now to ask what he planned to do next.

"Zhong Ming, are you going to take this opportunity to challenge the other Major Sects?"

Hearing such a proactive suggestion from the usually elegant and reserved Ji Qingyue made Zhong Ming raise an eyebrow.

’Quite a change in character.’

As if noticing Zhong Ming’s surprise, Ji Qingyue offered a brief explanation.

"I’m not saying this because I’m eager for a fight, but after you declared yourself unrivaled, those Major Sects won’t let this rest, whether for the sake of their pride or for tangible benefits."

"Right now, they’ve surely sent word about you back to their sects, asking for strategies to fight you, or even requesting treasures specifically meant to counter you."

"The Major Sects of the Prefecture City have unfathomably deep foundations. Zhong Ming, the longer this drags on, the more disadvantageous it will be for you."

Ji Qingyue’s analysis was perfectly reasonable, but Zhong Ming just shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "The longer this drags on, the more disadvantageous it is for me? Heh, I don’t see it that way."

As he spoke, Zhong Ming glanced at the attribute panel only he could see.

[Zhong Ming]

[Cultivation: Late-stage Qi Cultivation]

[Dao Seed: Morning Star · Candlelight Dragon (Sword) (49%)]

[Four Barriers of the Extreme Realm: Qi Barrier (Ordinary), Essence Barrier (Excellent), Divine Barrier (Extreme), Will Barrier (Breaking the Norms)]