As the competition progressed, more and more people were eliminated, and the enthusiasm of the populace grew increasingly fervent. Almost everyone in the city was talking about it.

By the fifth day, fewer than thirty contestants remained, and by tomorrow, the final victor would be decided.

"It’s just some exchanges between third-rate martial artists of humble origins; what’s there to see?"

Zhou Weihao was quite puzzled by this. A few years ago, he had witnessed a battle between two Third Grade fighters in Jiangzhou, and it hadn’t caused such a sensation.

Everyone he encountered outside was discussing this matter.

Chen Ming laughed, saying, "For ordinary folks, they can’t even see what’s happening when martial artists above the Sixth Grade fight. But with lower-grade martial artists, they watch with great relish."

In fact, this is just like a talent show; people of this era have never seen such a spectacle. Naturally, their unprecedented enthusiasm spreads to others, making it feel like a festival.

Someone like Zhou Weihao, a child of a noble family, naturally wouldn’t understand. Ultimately, it comes down to the ignorance of commoners.

The two were in a private room at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, chatting over drinks.

Chen Ming suddenly asked, "Do you know about the Demon Scion of the Blood Demon Sect?"

"You’ve asked the right person." Zhou Weihao downed a glass of wine and said smugly, "This time, when I returned, I specifically asked my family elders about the Blood Demon Sect."

Chen Ming poured him a drink, "Tell me the details."

"For thousands of years, the Longevity Sect has been destroyed so many times, yet it always rises from the ashes. The secret lies in its inheritance of cultivation techniques. No one knows how the Longevity Sect passes them on. Even if all disciples are killed, in as short as a few decades or as long as a few centuries, new inheritors will appear.

"Moreover, when the inheritors of the Longevity Sect re-emerge, there are often more than one. Those possessing the demon skills of the Longevity Sect are known as Demon Scions.

"These Demon Scions, to gain support and divert attention, usually spread their cultivation techniques, naturally forming a group.

"These Demon Scions often kill each other until only one remains. Once this person breaks through beyond the First Grade, they become the Demon Lord of the time."

Chen Ming learned something new, "So that’s how it is."

Just then, they heard a loud bang, and the ground shook, causing the beverages on the table to spill.

He was startled, "What’s going on? An earthquake?"

Zhou Weihao exclaimed, "It’s not an earthquake; it’s a Third Grade fighter making a move! Nearby."

Third Grade?

Chen Ming’s face changed; is the destructive power of a Third Grade fighter so exaggerated?

The commotion just now was like a bomb exploding nearby.

"Quick, let’s get out of here."

Zhou Weihao directly smashed through the window and dashed in the opposite direction of the sound.

When a Third Grade fighter acts, one should run as far as possible.

Chen Ming reacted quickly and followed suit.

The two rapidly fled across the rooftops, and Chen Ming glanced back in the direction of the noise, vaguely seeing a cyan figure followed by a dazzling burst of sword light.

"Don’t look—"

Zhou Weihao’s warning reached his ears, but it was too late. Chen Ming felt as if the sword light had pierced through his eyes, causing sharp pain and rendering him blind.

"You dare to look directly at a Third Grade fighter’s sword intent? Are you out of your mind?"

Why didn’t you say earlier?

Chen Ming tightly shut his eyes, not daring to open them again, and asked, "I won’t be blind, will I?"

"Fortunately, we’re far away; let’s leave here first."

Zhou Weihao pulled him along and ran.

...

Half an hour later, the pain in Chen Ming’s eyes began to subside, but he still didn’t dare to open them. Opening them caused sharp pain and made tears flow.

The good news is, his eyes were intact, and he wasn’t blind.

Zhou Weihao inspected him and said, "Take a few days of rest, and it should be fine. Remember, next time when Third Grade fighters clash, run as far as possible, don’t even look. If you encounter someone practicing sword intent, even a glance could be fatal."

Chen Ming said fearfully, "Are Third Grade fighters truly that terrifying?"

At that time, they were at least several dozen meters away; just one glance, and he nearly went blind. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Zhou Weihao patiently explained, "Of course, not all Third Grade fighters practice sword intent like Admiral Zhao. Among those with such talent, not even one in ten has it."

"How do you know it’s Admiral Zhao?"

"In Qingfeng City, besides Admiral Zhao, is there any other Third Grade? What kind of person could make him act personally?"

Chen Ming’s heart stirred, he had a guess.

The only one who could make Zhao Shouchang act personally was the Demon Scion of the Blood Demon Sect.

This Demon Scion is truly good at hiding; it’s been seven or eight days since the Blood Demon Sect disciple was caught, and only now was he captured.

Since this person was hidden in Qingfeng City, their strength shouldn’t surpass the Third Grade. Zhao Shouchang acting personally wouldn’t let them escape.

From now on, he should be safe. There’s no need to worry about being attacked by the Blood Demon Sect anymore.

...

Zhou Weihao personally escorted Chen Ming home, explained to his family how his eyes were injured, and then left without staying long.

Chen Rui quickly got the news and rushed back, personally checked his younger brother’s eyes, and feeling uneasy, personally went out to get a doctor.

By the time he brought the doctor over, it was almost evening.

Chen Ming sat on the chair, with Chunxiang and Xiaxiang attending him closely.

Actually, although his eyes were temporarily blind, his other senses were sharp, and with a bit of adjustment, it wouldn’t be too inconvenient.

However, Chunxiang and Xiaxiang refused to leave him alone here.

Chen Ming just let them be.

Until he heard two footsteps approaching from outside, one belonging to his elder brother Chen Rui, the other steady and strong, likely a martial artist.

Then he heard his elder brother Chen Rui’s voice, "Doctor Wang, please take a look at my younger brother’s eyes."

"Hmm."

The other person responded and stepped forward to open Chen Ming’s eyelids, carefully examining them.

Chen Ming could only see a vague shadow. However, judging by the roughness of the other’s fingers, they were already quite old.

Chen Rui asked anxiously, "Doctor, how is it?"

An elderly voice replied, "It’s nothing serious. Appoint someone to follow me back to fetch the medicine, wrap it in cloth strips, soak in hot water, and apply it as a warm compress on his eyes twice a day. He’ll recover in just three days."

"Thank you, Doctor Wang."

"Manager Chen, you’re too kind, I shall take my leave now."

"Uncle Tian, please escort Doctor Wang back and fetch the medicine."

"Yes."

...

After Chen Rui returned, Chen Ming casually asked, "Is Doctor Wang’s medical skill really so excellent?"

Chen Rui said, "Doctor Wang has been a regular customer at our pharmacy, most of the herbs are supplied by us. Though his medical skill is superb, he has an eccentric temperament, only charges a small fee when treating the poor, but charges highly for the wealthy. Also, he never makes house calls."

Chen Ming laughed, "Even though he doesn’t make house calls, you managed to invite him over, your reputation must be impressive."

"A few months ago, a young lord somehow learned about his good medical skill, went to him for treatment, but later thought the fee was too high, in a fit of rage, smashed his store. I happened to pass by, couldn’t stand it, and lent him a hand."

"So that’s how it is. Big brother, you must know many doctors, why did you choose him?"

"Actually, there are many skillful doctors, but in terms of medical ethics... I trust him more."

Having operated the pharmacy business for so many years, Chen Rui’s major clients were doctors. Which pharmacy provided quality herbs, which doctor’s medical ethics were good, he naturally knew clearly.

Chen Ming nodded, "Big brother is indeed thoughtful."

He suddenly thought, actually, he had quite a few adversaries. The Chen Family rose too quickly, surely occupying interests that originally belonged to others, there must be many who found him displeasing.

If a doctor were to play tricks, rendering his eyes useless, killing them afterward would be futile.

Better safe than sorry.

He felt the need to learn some medical skills as well.

...

In a flash, two days passed, Chen Ming’s eyes had almost fully recovered, indeed Doctor Wang’s medical skill was remarkable, the medicine quite effective.

The disciple recruitment convention had also determined the final winners.

This afternoon, Zhang Mingyu happened to visit him, remarking, "Two Ninth Grades, four Eighth Grades, four Seventh Grades. In front of countless people, they entered the door of a Third Grade master, soaring to greatness like phoenixes."

His tone carried no small amount of envy.

Chen Ming had just removed the cloth strip, his sight had already recovered ninety percent, only occasionally would there be a faint stabbing pain, causing him to uncontrollably want to rub his eyes.

He said, "Actually, with your strength, you had the chance to compete for the top four."

Truth be told, Zhang Mingyu’s lack of participation surprised him.

Zhang Mingyu declared resolutely, "Once a teacher, lifelong father. In this life, I will never take another as my master."

This integrity earned Chen Ming’s admiration.

Zhang Mingyu continued, "Junior Brother Li is different, he was only a registered disciple. Now being able to enter Senior Gold Blade’s door, I’m happy for him."

The Junior Brother Li he spoke of was none other than Li Qingchang, who was quite close with Wang Mingkai and Gu Junrong.

Almost everyone from the Huo Sect signed up, but in the end, only Li Qingchang persisted till the end, successfully entering the door of the Third Grade master.

These ten individuals had now become virtually national idols, their fame already overshadowing Chen Ming, the youngest Sixth Grade, truly top-tier!

Zhang Mingyu looked at Chen Ming and said, "Junior Brother, actually, with your talent, as long as you’re willing, you can become a disciple of those two Third Grades, I believe they wouldn’t refuse, right?"

This was the second person asking him this question.

Chen Ming smiled, "It’s not that I don’t want to, but I can’t."

"I see..."

Zhang Mingyu suddenly understood, as if he realized something.

Chen Ming had no idea what he realized, anyway, he wouldn’t directly answer such questions.

While they were chatting, suddenly a sound of footsteps echoed outside, a group of people stormed in fiercely, it was the people from Six Gates. Leading them was a Cyan Robe Patrol Envoy, face full of hostility, asking, "Are you Chen Ming?"

Chen Ming could instantly tell their intentions weren’t good, but remained calm, saying, "I am."

That Cyan Robe Patrol Envoy barked sharply, "Seize him!"