Chapter 67: Chapter 59: Arrogant and Haughty? No, Zhong Ming Is Humble and Polite

At that moment, Zhuang Yi, whose condition had improved, turned to Zhong Ming and offered his sincere thanks.

"Zhong, thank you for saving my life, and thank you for sparing me just now."

At this, he gave a bitter laugh. "No wonder Xue Yao considered you the strongest on Longxi Peak. I’m convinced. From now on, I will follow your lead in any of Longxi Peak’s decisions."

"But this is just for now. I won’t stay defeated forever. I will challenge you again."

Zhong Ming: "...Whatever makes you happy."

Since Zhuang Yi had challenged him head-on instead of plotting in the shadows, Zhong Ming didn’t mind much.

’After all, it only took a single drop of water.’

With that thought, having gathered enough information, Zhong Ming stood up again, his gaze turning once more to Shi Yun.

He hadn’t forgotten his original goal: to see the limits of his strength after comprehending the Dao Rhyme - Flow of Water.

When Shi Yun felt Zhong Ming’s eyes on him, his expression turned grim.

"Junior Brother Zhong Ming, I must apologize. I underestimated you earlier."

"But I won’t make that mistake again."

"HUMMM..."

As he spoke, the Magical Power of a mid-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator surged around him. A wave of Sha Qi—or rather, killing intent—pressed down hard on Zhong Ming, giving him the illusion of a blade held to his neck.

Feeling that extreme danger, Zhong Ming felt no fear. Instead, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Yes, just like that. Senior Brother, please be careful from now on!"

"SPLASH..."

...

Standing on opposite sides of the bamboo forest Cultivation Field, Zhong Ming and Shi Yun stared at each other in silence. An oppressive feeling, like the calm before a storm, hung in the air.

This caused the spectators—Qi Hong, Yang Chen, and Yi Yunya—to fall completely silent.

Even Zhuang Yi, who was grievously injured but stubbornly refused to leave, unconsciously held his breath, not daring to disturb the two in their standoff.

What Zhong Ming and Shi Yun, who were busy looking for an opening in each other’s stance, didn’t know was that as they prepared to fight, someone else had arrived.

Fortunately, these newcomers had no intention of stopping the battle. On the contrary, they were quite interested in its outcome.

...

A few breaths earlier, figures were seen Cloud Riding and Mist Driving on the horizon, flying toward the Sword Testing Platform controlled by Longxi Peak. As they flew, a conversation could be heard from atop the clouds.

"Cousin, are you sure someone from this generation of Longxi Peak comprehended a Dao Rhyme Fragment in one month—no, within ten days?"

"Of course. I wouldn’t joke about such matters, nor would I report false information to the elders."

After this graceful and noble voice spoke, another, more youthful but lively and cheerful voice, piped up.

"Fourth Uncle, I can vouch for it too! A few days ago, I personally faced Senior Brother Zhong Ming’s attack, the one that contained Dao Rhyme."

"That move was so powerful! I used all my strength and sent out all seven of my flying swords, but I was still defeated, and soundly at that."

As the young girl recounted that sword strike, her voice held a mix of fear and, even more so, longing.

And within the Seven Profound Sect, the only one from the Xie Family who had directly faced that strike from Zhong Ming was Xie Yuzhu.

With her present, the identity of those arriving from the sky was self-evident. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

It was Xie Lingmin. After reporting the matter to her family, she had brought her daughter to find Zhong Ming.

As for the other two Xie Family members accompanying them, one was named Xie Yongjie, a clan brother to Xie Lingmin, and the other was Xie Yushuang, who was of the same generation as Xie Yuzhu and currently cultivating on Cuixiang Mountain.

The two had come on the instructions of the Xie Family elders to see if Zhong Ming’s situation was truly as Xie Lingmin had described.

—Investing in a peerless genius like Zhong Ming was no small matter, even for the Xie Family.

They needed to know the specifics of Zhong Ming’s strength and character to determine whether to invest in and support him, and to what degree.

Meanwhile, Xie Yongjie was actually quite troubled. ’Zhong Ming comprehended a Dao Rhyme Fragment. He can’t control or release something like that at will.’

’And since it exists in his Sea of Consciousness, I can’t just go probing for it.’

’...Do I have to use my spiritual pressure to force him to reveal it?’

’But doing that would likely destroy any goodwill... Hmm?’

Just as Xie Yongjie was pondering how to get Zhong Ming to reveal the Dao Rhyme Fragment without angering him, he felt a solemn aura.

This caused him to halt the cloud he was riding in mid-air.

Seeing this, Xie Lingmin raised an eyebrow. "What’s..."

Before she could finish her sentence, she also sensed it.

Then, with a wave of her fair hand, she summoned a Treasure Mirror capable of reflecting distant scenes.

Looking at the two people in a standoff within the mirror, Xie Yongjie raised an eyebrow and asked Xie Lingmin and Xie Yuzhu, "The slightly younger-looking one, that’s Zhong Ming, right?"

"Yes, that’s Senior Brother Zhong Ming..." Seeing Zhong Ming and thinking about how she would soon be able to learn swordsmanship from him, Xie Yuzhu jumped for joy. But she quickly tilted her head in confusion. "Senior Brother, how did he get so much fairer? And a little more handsome?"

Ignoring Xie Yuzhu’s last remark, Xie Yongjie confirmed that the youth surrounded by flowing water was indeed Zhong Ming and immediately sized him up. "His appearance and temperament aren’t bad. Looks like he’s about to challenge someone. Challenging a mid-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator directly? He’s got some nerve... This is perfect. We can see for ourselves what Zhong Ming’s true strength is."

He had been wracking his brain over how to test Zhong Ming’s strength, so seeing him take the initiative to fight someone was a welcome development.

Xie Lingmin had no objections to this either.

She had only heard about Zhong Ming’s extraordinary talent and had never witnessed it firsthand. The outcome of this battle would allow her to make a more informed judgment.

The two of them and the silent Xie Yushuang watched quietly. Xie Yuzhu, who had tagged along, tilted her head back and said with pride, as if sharing in the glory, "Senior Brother Zhong Ming will definitely win this fight! When he unleashes that dragon-like sword strike, no mid-stage Qi Cultivation cultivator can withstand it!"

Having been defeated by Zhong Ming—not just defeated, but crushed, and for the first time so miserably—Xie Yuzhu saw him through a filter of awe, believing him to be incredibly powerful.

However, while she thought this, Xie Yongjie and Xie Lingmin did not share her opinion.

’Yuzhu has no real combat experience,’ Xie Lingmin judged. ’Although her cultivation is also at the mid-stage of Qi Cultivation and she has good Magical Artifacts, her true strength is absolutely no match for that cultivator in the arena with the crippled leg.’

’Just because she couldn’t defeat Zhong Ming doesn’t mean that man can’t.’

This was Xie Lingmin’s judgment. Xie Yongjie, on the other hand, was even more pessimistic.

’Those injuries, that disposition... The man fighting Zhong Ming is a Swordsman retired from the Demon Suppression Bureau. And from the looks of him, he probably spent six or seven years there.’

Sensing this, Xie Yongjie shook his head. ’Anyone who can survive in the Demon Suppression Bureau for three years is a hardened veteran. Yuzhu wouldn’t have a sliver of a chance against him.’

’I don’t know the reason, but he’s clearly preparing to go all out. That Zhong Ming kid can’t win.’

’But that’s fine. Extreme pressure will make it easier for me to see Zhong Ming’s true capabilities.’

Neither of the adults agreed with Xie Yuzhu or believed Zhong Ming could win. They were merely guessing how long he could last and... whether he could unleash that strike of Sword Momentum Like a Dragon that Xie Yuzhu kept mentioning.

Of course, despite their disagreement, they wouldn’t stoop to arguing with Xie Yuzhu.

For now, both Xie Yongjie and Xie Lingmin watched the distant battle in silence.

Just as they thought they could watch this duel calmly until its conclusion, Zhong Ming’s first move made both of their pupils contract violently.

"Is that... Dao Rhyme?!"