"How could... this happen?"

Pan Shuyi was stunned when she saw Luo Xu fall.

Her family heritage allowed her to see that this man named Luo Xu was definitely at the top among fifth-rank fighters, Jiang Shihua, Ji Qianxing, and several others who were already famous might not be his opponents.

Such a formidable guy, yet he’s no match for Chen Ming?

Is this reasonable?

Pan Shuyi had been holding it in for two days, just wanting to see Zhao Xiyan’s frustrated look after Chen Ming was defeated. Who would have thought, he kept winning match after match.

Even Luo Xu, in whom she had high hopes, mysteriously fell.

Chen Ming won again!

Pan Shuyi could almost see Zhao Xiyan’s smug face, feeling extremely uncomfortable inside, her head bowed, teeth nearly grinding.

She lowered her head, unable to see Zhao Xiyan’s expression at the moment, somewhat bemused by the shock.

Is this truly Chen Ming?

In just a few months, how could his strength have advanced so dramatically?

Did I really only leave for a few months and not years?

...

After the remarkable battle between Chen Ming and Luo Xu, the following competitions became somewhat dull.

By the third round, Chen Ming took the stage again, exchanging blows with his opponent.

Because it felt so fake, it seemed tasteless.

It’s absurd how this guy can seriously perform here, truly hypocritical, many people internally complained.

It wasn’t until over thirty moves that his opponent couldn’t withstand the peculiar stares of others, voluntarily admitted defeat, ending this competition.

Subsequently, there were no more clashes between strong contenders. Several hours later, all the day’s matches were over.

Chen Ming and Feng Siyuan didn’t hurry to leave, waiting for Zhou Weihao and Gu Yuantao to come over.

When the two came over, their gaze felt unfamiliar, as if they didn’t recognize him.

Feng Siyuan looked at the two with surprise, "What’s wrong with you guys? Chen brother won, you seem not too pleased."

Before Zhou Weihao spoke, Gu Yuantao opened his mouth first, seriously saying, "Your swordsmanship has reached the level of spontaneity. With such Sword Dao enlightenment, you shouldn’t be wasting away in Jiangzhou. You should try to join the Nine Extremes Sword Sect."

Chen Ming knew about the Nine Extremes Sword Sect, one of the nine major schools. The current Sword Master ranks third on the Celestial List, standing at the pinnacle of this world’s strongest.

He replied, "When I have the chance, I will definitely give it a try."

Gu Yuantao, hearing his casual response, realized he didn’t take it to heart, wanted to persuade but opened his mouth, then simply sighed silently without saying more.

Zhou Weihao beside him, wore a complex expression, rarely fell silent. This made Feng Siyuan uneasy, frequently glancing his way.

...

Outside the door, Li Jinchuan left with several fellow sect members, listening to them discuss the battle between Chen brother and Luo Xu, the evaluation of Chen brother drastically changed.

His heart surged with a strong sense of pride.

However, just now when he left, he didn’t go over to greet Chen Ming. Simply because he didn’t want his sect members to know about his relationship with Chen brother.

The sensitive pride of youth always led him to do some inexplicable, childish things. The inner thoughts aren’t for outsiders to understand.

Wu Zhang asked, "Uncle, did you already see through Luo Xu’s origins?"

"Correct."

The middle-aged man stroked his beard, once all disciples looked over, continued, "In Jiangzhou, there’s an ancient secluded family. No one knows where their base is, or their strength. It’s only known that this family practices a special cultivation technique."

He paused, then continued, "I believe you all noticed just now, Luo Xu’s True Qi attribute is quite special, it’s Gold Attribute. This is precisely the unique Divine Skill of that secluded family.

"Although this family remains secluded, occasionally clan members venture out. This Luo Xu should be one of them."

The younger members felt satisfied learning a bit of martial arts secret.

Wu Zhang said, "I heard someone say, the Nine Extremes Sword Sect has a Gold Attribute Supreme Divine Skill, it’s said this skill is unparalleled, reaching fourth-rank allows the understanding of Sword Intent. Uncle, could this Luo Family be related to the Nine Extremes Sword Sect?"

"Perhaps."

...

"Brother Chen!"

Chen Ming exited the gate, unsurprisingly saw Jiang Yingxue in men’s attire again. Her eyes were filled with concern, earnestly asked, "Are you hurt?"

"No."

"That’s good." Jiang Yingxue patted her chest, exhaled a breath of relief, her eyes suddenly brightened, "I was scared to death just now, watching with my heart in my mouth..."

The two stood talking for a while, this time, Chen Ming didn’t see her brother Jiang Shihua.

"It’s getting late, time to go back."

Only then did Jiang Yingxue reluctantly leave.

...

Chen Ming and some others returned to the Feng Mansion.

"What’s wrong with you today, old Zhou? You’re worried about something." Feng Siyuan saw Zhou Weihao still looked gloomy, couldn’t help but ask.

Zhou Weihao finally reacted, exhaling deeply, forcing a smile, "I originally thought, with my talent, if I worked hard. Someday I’d be able to defeat brother Chen, restore my honor. Now seems there’s no hope in this lifetime."

Feng Siyuan suddenly realized, "Hey, you’ve been brooding over this for half a day, just for this?"

Zhou Weihao rolled his eyes at him, retorted, "You know nothing."

"Yes, yes, I know nothing, you know the best."

This little commotion, helped Zhou Weihao return to normal.

Chen Ming again began reviewing today’s battle, sharing his insights and strategies with them.

While chatting, the steward of Feng Mansion brought over a girl.

Today’s visitor wasn’t the yellow-robed maid from yesterday, but another green-dressed maid, also very pretty.

"This servant is here under the lady’s orders to present a congratulatory gift. The lady said, the young master didn’t favor yesterday’s Star Moon Sword. Specially sent this most cherished Red Sun Sword of the lady. This sword complements the young master’s True Qi, with this sword, surely you will be even stronger."

Chen Ming frowned, "Miss, I made it clear yesterday, I can’t accept anything without merit. I can’t take this sword. Please leave."

The green-dressed maid didn’t say much, slowly got up, with an expression of sadness, saluted gently before leaving.

Once she left, Zhou Weihao suddenly said, "She’ll probably get punished once she’s back."

Chen Ming glanced at him, said, "Brother Zhou truly is empathetic towards women."

That Yu Haitang’s tactics are just moral blackmail.

It works on playboys like Zhou Weihao, thinking to use this way to force him to comply, really should give up.

...

Into the night, everyone else left, leaving only Chen Ming alone, a lamp lit in the room, reading a medical book in his hands.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open from outside, Su Zhining dressed in snow-white, veiled walked in.

She hadn’t appeared for several days, sometimes even Chen Ming when called didn’t get a response, not sure what she was up to.

He placed the medical book aside, "Miss Su—"

He suddenly felt Su Zhining was a bit odd at this moment, those clear bright eyes revealing a trace of battle intent, he curiously asked, "What’s this?"

Su Zhining said, "Draw your sword."

"Miss, what do you mean?"

Not just because you wanted to see my true face last time, does it make sense to be so angry? Disappear for several days and now want to teach me a lesson?

Chen Ming internally complained.

Su Zhining said, "I want to test your swordsmanship."

"I refuse."

"Why?" Su Zhining was puzzled, isn’t this guy always keen on sparring with others?

I only spar with those I can defeat.

Chen Ming didn’t want the hard-earned experience points to be deducted, he asked, "Miss, your strength far exceeds mine, why suddenly want to assess my swordsmanship?"

Su Zhining looked into his eyes, saying, "Someone said, your swordsmanship has reached an incredible level. Therefore, I want to test your swordsmanship."

She indeed had eyes present at the scene, likely members of the Celestial Dao Alliance.

PS: Third update, requesting monthly votes.