"Thank you for the offer, but my mind is made up. I will remain on Longxi Peak."

As before, Zhong Ming couldn’t be sure if the Six Extremes Demon Sect was genuinely recruiting him or just luring him into a trap to kill him.

Moreover, the Demon Sects had always been known for their cruelty. Disciples killing each other was a common occurrence. What Zhong Ming found even more intolerable was that many Demon Dao masters, when faced with exceptionally talented disciples, wouldn’t choose to nurture them.

Instead, they would refine them into Furnace Cauldrons, transform them into avatars, or even seize their bodies... In short, the Demon Sect operated on the principle of survival of the fittest. The weak were prey for the strong; it was utterly ruthless.

If he had nothing to rely on, Zhong Ming wouldn’t mind taking the risk.

But he possessed the Heaven Rewards Diligence attribute panel. With it, as long as he spent time grinding, he could continuously advance his Cultivation Technique and crush all obstacles with a superior realm.

Given this, there was no need to step into a cesspool like the Demon Sect.

...

With Heaven Rewards Diligence at his side, Zhong Ming was incredibly confident about his future.

But others didn’t know all this. Li Feng, for one, was deeply disappointed by Zhong Ming’s refusal.

His gaze toward Zhong Ming held a hint of disappointment, as if looking at wasted potential.

"Lost in the comfort of your sect... Zhong Ming, you’ve made the worst possible choice."

Shaking his head, Li Feng didn’t spare Zhong Ming another glance and said coldly:

"I will return in half a year. I hope by then, you can survive a single move from me!"

CRACK!

At these words, all the disciples of the Seven Profound Sect clenched their fists, casting worried glances at Zhong Ming.

While Li Feng saw Zhong Ming’s choice as a sign of complacency, the disciples of the Seven Profound Sect disagreed. They believed he chose to stay out of loyalty and a sense of duty.

They naturally held deep respect for a person like Zhong Ming.

However, even with their faith in Zhong Ming, after learning about the four great trials of the Extreme Realm, they didn’t believe he could defeat a Li Feng who was certain to achieve a breakthrough.

The strength of a Major Sect disciple was just that overwhelming when compared to a Cultivator from a small sect.

Just as everyone was fraught with worry, a clear, bright laugh suddenly rang out from the sky.

"Hahaha... My young friend from the Six Extremes Sect, there’s no need for you to worry about Zhong Ming’s future. Even here at the Seven Profound Sect, his future accomplishments will be no less than yours."

The voice made everyone instinctively turn to look.

They then saw a figure standing among the clouds. At first glance, the figure seemed ordinary, but upon closer inspection, they would discover he seemed one with the Celestial Dao itself, exuding an aura of profound simplicity.

’Who is that?’

Not recognizing the man, Zhong Ming had no particular reaction. The upper echelons of the Seven Profound Sect, however, all bowed to him with solemn expressions and said respectfully, "Sect Leader, you’re here."

"Sect Leader?!"

The title made Zhong Ming look at the middle-aged Cultivator several times in surprise.

The Sect Leader of the Seven Profound Sect was also very kind to Zhong Ming.

Like the other disciples, he also believed Zhong Ming had stayed out of a sense of loyalty and duty.

To be so tempted by the Six Extremes Demon Sect and still be unwilling to abandon the Seven Profound Sect—such loyalty was plain for all to see.

A disciple with such supreme Talent who also held deep feelings for his sect—he naturally liked such a disciple very much.

Therefore, Zong Chengze didn’t put on any airs as the Sect Leader in front of Zhong Ming. Instead, he patted Zhong Ming’s shoulder with a gratified expression and, like an elder, assured him, "Zhong Ming, you are a good lad. And rest assured. You’ve stood by the Seven Profound Sect, and the sect will not let you down."

"Even if I have to sell everything we own, I will ensure you receive the best possible training."

With that said, Zong Chengze turned his gaze to Yi Qing of the Golden Jade Tower.

"I recall that your tower possesses a Celestial Level Cultivation Technique. Don’t be in a hurry to leave. I have something to discuss with you all."

As soon as he said this, Zhong Ming’s eyes lit up.

Quick-witted as he was, he instantly understood the Sect Leader’s intention—he was going to acquire a Celestial Level Cultivation Technique for him!

And while he was confident he could use Heaven Rewards Diligence to cultivate a technique to an extremely High Realm and then break through his four Extreme Realms...

...if there was an easier and faster path, he certainly wouldn’t choose to make things harder for himself.

"Thank you, Sect Leader!"

Zhong Ming was overjoyed, and the other Seven Profound Sect disciples also looked relieved upon hearing this.

Someone even said to Li Feng, "Hmph, now our senior brother’s Cultivation Technique will be no weaker than yours. We’ll see if you can still be so arrogant in half a year."

"Heh heh..." Li Feng shook his head, speechless at such words. "Pinning your hopes on a Celestial Level Cultivation Technique from the Golden Jade Tower... your stupidity truly exceeds my imagination."

"Do you really think the Golden Jade Tower would be willing to part with a Celestial Level Cultivation Technique that’s actually usable?"

"Don’t delude yourselves. The so-called ’Celestial Level’ techniques from the Golden Jade Tower either barely touch upon the Celestial Level, have a cultivation difficulty that defies the heavens, or require resources that have long since vanished, making them impossible to practice."

"In short, their techniques are for show, not for practice!"

SNAP!

The moment Li Feng’s voice fell, Yi Qing’s hand, which had been lightly waving her folding fan, stopped abruptly. The gazes of Dong Jinhai and Qin Rou also turned hostile.

Seeing this, Mu Huai frowned and said to Li Feng, "That’s enough. Since he is unwilling to join, we should leave."

With that, he took the lead, guiding his sect’s members away from the Seven Profound Sect.

After a moment’s hesitation, Li Feng followed.

However, as they reached the main gate, he couldn’t help but ask, "Martial Uncle, are we really not going to try recruiting Zhong Ming again?"

His persistence wasn’t simply because he didn’t want to see Zhong Ming waste away. The Six Extremes Demon Sect sent disciples to various mid-sized cities for the express purpose of gathering resources to strengthen the sect.