Chapter 101: Chapter 78: Zhong Ming Repays a Favor, Envious Longxi Peak Disciples

"..."

A wordless silence spread between Su Lingya and Ning Yunlu.

After a long moment, Ning Yunlu resumed examining the condition of her junior disciples and asked them for details about their confrontation with Zhong Ming.

Although the Cuixiang Mountain disciples had been utterly dominated by Zhong Ming, they had, after all, directly faced his Divine Soul.

Listening to the accounts of her many disciples, Ning Yunlu slowly pieced together the techniques Zhong Ming had used.

"After a single, clear sound of a water drop, the world changed... Wind and rain, Thunderbolt, and a Dragon Flood Dragon... This is Dao Rhyme!"

"And for it to suppress your Divine Souls, rendering you unable to move... His Dao Rhyme must be at least halfway complete..."

’A supreme prodigy of comprehension... This is the worst-case scenario...’

But before the words were even out of her mouth, Ning Yunlu shook her head.

"No, for the Seven Profound Sect, this is the best-case scenario..."

While Ning Yunlu was questioning her disciples for information, Su Lingya was recalling past events and coming to a few realizations of her own.

’I invited Senior Brother Zhong Ming several times before, but he was never willing to cooperate with us. At the time, I thought he was arrogant, but now I see that I was the arrogant one... I was bound by conventional wisdom, never imagining that Zhong Ming, with his C Class Spiritual Root, could be so powerful... So powerful that he doesn’t need anyone’s help and can lead Longxi Peak to first place all by himself...’

Su Lingya was emotional, and even a little self-reproachful.

Hearing her words, Ning Yunlu shook her head. "Lingya, you can’t blame yourself for this. Who could have expected such an anomaly to appear on the declining Longxi Peak? To comprehend such a Dao Rhyme in less than a month... ’prodigy’ isn’t enough to describe him. He’s a monster!"

After this lamentation, the two women exchanged a look and immediately decided to ease tensions with Longxi Peak.

Well... their decision also had to do with the characteristic style of Cuixiang Mountain.

Daoist Skills can influence a person’s character.

It’s like how those who study the sciences develop stronger logical reasoning and more rigorous personalities.

Whereas those who study the humanities are more gifted at expressing their emotions.

In the Seven Profound Sect, Sword Cultivators are more decisive and sharp. When faced with a problem, the first thing Zhong Ming and his peers think of is to rely on the sword in their hand to cut down all obstacles.

But the disciples of Cuixiang Mountain, who specialize in alchemy, focus on the harmony of dragon and tiger, the balance between monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy.

When faced with problems, people like them don’t act rashly; instead, they use alternative methods to resolve conflict.

Su Lingya said, "First Senior Sister, leave this to me."

"Alright. If you need any cooperation from Cuixiang Mountain, just let me know."

...

While the people of Cuixiang Mountain discussed how to deal with Zhong Ming, he himself had already left and was, after a long absence, heading back to his own residence.

Just outside his cave residence, he saw Dong Sea in the middle of his Cultivation. Sensing his Cultivation Realm, the corner of Zhong Ming’s mouth curved into a faint smile.

"Dong, it seems you haven’t slacked off at all. You must have a C-level Rating now, right?"

Dong Sea chuckled at his words. "It’s all thanks to you, Brother Zhong. The Spiritual Qi outside your cave residence is thirty percent denser than other places. My Cultivation is just faster here."

"The Spiritual Qi is just an aid. If you yourself don’t work hard, even the best environment is useless."

At this, Zhong Ming paused in thought.

As a friend he had known before even entering the sect—and one who had helped him a great deal—Zhong Ming really wanted to give Dong Sea a hand. And now, he had the perfect opportunity.

"The Seven Peaks Competition assessment is in two days. Once you enter the Heaven-Filling Map, find me immediately. I’ll get you into the inner circle."

As soon as he said this, the people who had followed Zhong Ming but weren’t familiar with him all showed faces full of envy.

On the way, they had already inquired about the format of the Seven Peaks Competition assessment and knew that the longer one survived, the more points they would earn.

Furthermore, the ratings for the Seven Profound Sect’s new disciples were not set in stone.

Without a doubt, the month-end assessment would be a major shake-up.

Those who performed exceptionally would have their ratings increased after the competition.

With Zhong Ming putting Dong Sea in the inner circle, it was impossible for his results to be poor.

’When this is over, he’ll be at least B Class.’

Although they were envious and jealous of Dong Sea, and felt it was unfair, no one dared to question Zhong Ming’s decision.

A single glance from him had been enough to suffocate the Cuixiang Mountain disciples. Such power had not only beaten the Cuixiang Mountain disciples into submission, but it also made the people of Longxi Peak revere Zhong Ming as a god.

At this moment, their only regret was not having befriended Zhong Ming sooner.

As they were thinking this, some of them looked toward Jiang Yue, their hearts full of envy for him as well.

’Given Jiang Yue’s friendship with Zhong Ming, his rating is sure to rise after this assessment.’

And they were right.

Zhong Ming would never forget an old friend like Jiang Yue. He might not have had the ability to help before, but now, he didn’t mind lending him a hand.

Of course, Jiang Yue was also very capable, so Zhong Ming’s way of helping him would be different from how he helped Dong Sea.

He wouldn’t help him overtly, nor would he make it obvious.

’During the Seven Peaks Competition, you can be more aggressive. If you run into danger, I’ll intervene.’

This was the message Zhong Ming sent to Jiang Yue, and it was also a promise.

Killing Demonic Fiends was also a way to earn points. With Zhong Ming watching over him, Jiang Yue could fight without restraint, and he would certainly earn a great number of points.

Coupled with his outstanding strength, his A-level Rating was practically guaranteed this time, and he might even rank among the top few.

And since the first-place peak in the Seven Peaks Competition would get seven Inner Sect Disciple slots, a fearless Jiang Yue had basically locked one down for himself.

"Thanks..."

Zhong Ming’s message made Jiang Yue feel excited, but also... regretful.

’It’s a shame. If only Yu had listened to me back then and been more proactive, she would definitely have a spot as an Inner Sect Disciple this time. Sigh...’

While he was sighing, Zhong Ming discussed their plan of action inside the Heaven-Filling Array with the others.

As Sword Cultivators, Zhong Ming and the others didn’t discuss any complex strategies.

"Once we enter the Heaven-Filling Map, head for the tallest structure. After we gather there, we’ll fortify our position and wait for time to pass."

"Our ultimate goal is to survive past the second day."

At this point, Yi Yunya also advised Zhong Ming, "Senior Brother, try not to act in the early stages. Given the difficulty set by the sect, none of us have any hope of surviving past the second day except for you. You’re the only one with a sliver of a chance."

"So, in the beginning, you must do your best to conserve your strength."

Zhong Ming replied, "I know."

...

Once the plan was set, the unrelated people left.

As for Zhong Ming, he opened his status panel to check his stats.

[Zhong Ming]

[Cultivation Realm: Mid-stage Qi Cultivation]

[Reading: Fourth Realm Minor Achievement (1978/13600)]

[Longxi Sword-Drawing Technique: Fourth Realm Proficiency (198/36000), Traits: ...③ Sword-Containing Seed (Dao Rhyme: Vortex Dragon 48.7%)]

[Longxi Breathing Technique: Third Realm Refinement (1392/36000), Traits: ...③ Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme (Fragmented) (12.57%)]

[Longxi Swordsmanship: Third Realm Refinement (7106/14800)]

[Spirit Stream Finger: Water Dragon Technique: Fourth Realm Proficiency (264/36000), Traits...③ Spirit Bestowal]

[Wave-Surging Dragon Stream Step: Third Realm Refinement (6271/14600)]

[Spirit Stream Finger: Jie Technique, Fourth Realm Proficiency (445/39000), Traits: ① Observing the Flow of Water, ② Bright Mirror Stilled Water - Ripples, ③ Blocking]

’A pity. There’s still not enough time. My Stepping Technique and Swordsmanship are both still stuck in the Third Realm. Without enough Fourth Realm traits to resonate and stack, I can’t comprehend the Rhythm of Life.’

’However, while comprehending the rhythm is out of reach, there are still two... no, a day and a half until the Seven Peaks Competition. It might just be possible to train one cultivation technique to the Fourth Realm in that time.’

With this in mind, Zhong Ming chose the Wave-Surging Dragon Stream Step with almost no hesitation.

’There’s no true death in the Heaven-Filling Map. Because of that, the sect will probably go crazy and release Foundation Establishment Stage demonic fiends and monsters as dawn approaches. Even I can’t fight that kind of creature; I can only run. A Wave-Surging Dragon Stream Step at Minor Achievement will give me a better chance of escape.’

SWISH...

Having made his decision, Zhong Ming’s figure suddenly blurred into a green shadow. Like a roaming dragon treading the waves, he began to weave and dodge above the stream in front of his cave residence.

As he trained, time quietly slipped by. In the blink of an eye, it was the twenty-ninth day since Zhong Ming had entered the mountain to begin his Cultivation—the day before the Seven Peaks Competition.

On this day, the Seven Profound Sect grew lively.

This liveliness wasn’t just because the Seven Profound Sect’s disciples were restless due to the approaching assessment.

It was also because a large number of outsiders had entered the Seven Profound Sect today.

Most of these arriving outsiders had been personally invited by the Seven Profound Sect.

The official reason given in the invitations was for the surrounding Cultivation Families to attend the ceremony and promote friendship.

The real intention, however, was to display their strength and project their deterrent power to the surrounding families.

It was also a massive matchmaking event. The surrounding families attending the ceremony would mostly bring their children. While observing the trials of the Seven Profound Sect disciples, if a disciple performed exceptionally well and caught the eye of a certain family, they would arrange for their own children to have some "interactions" with that disciple.

If the interactions went smoothly, a new couple would walk down the aisle.

Through this method, the Seven Profound Sect had woven a vast network of interests.

The sect’s disciples, in turn, could win a beautiful partner and gain the support of the family behind them.

The families didn’t lose out either. With the Seven Profound Sect’s protection, they could act with more confidence in their own territories.

It was a beautiful arrangement that served multiple purposes.

In previous years, the Seven Peaks Competition had always filled the Seven Profound Sect with a festive atmosphere.

But this year, things were a little different.

Several families, only slightly weaker than the three major sects, had also come to the Seven Profound Sect, and they had proactively requested to participate in the Seven Peaks trial assessment.

This added a layer of tension to the otherwise lively atmosphere within the Seven Profound Sect.

"The winds are howling, foretelling a coming storm..."

A family elder remarked with a sigh, gazing at the distant sky.

...

Jade Flower Tower. This was where the Seven Profound Sect housed its distinguished guests.

The Cultivators from the Cheng, Zhu, and Hong Families were gathered here.

But if anyone were to enter the rooms, they would discover something strange.

The disciples of the three powerful families, who had arrived with such an imposing air, were not staying in the best rooms of the Jade Flower Tower.

Instead, a young man and woman, both exuding a strange aura, had occupied the finest rooms.

And outside the door to those rooms, the disciples of the Cheng, Zhu, and Hong Families showed none of their earlier domineering arrogance. Instead, their faces were etched with worry.

"Cheng, is it really a good idea for us to help the Six Extremes Sect test the Seven Profound Sect?"

Cheng Yong replied, "What good would it do to refuse? The Six Extremes Demon... I mean, the Six Extremes Holy Sect is an even greater power than the Golden Jade Tower. If they want to establish a branch in Jade Lake City, how could we possibly stop them?"