Chapter 164: Chapter 107: Zhong Ming: No Matter How Stupid a Person Is, Could They Really Fail to Even Initiate a Cultivation Technique?

Arrogant, conceited, and utterly impolite. He demanded resources the instant he’d "made a contribution." This unbelievable behavior sent a wave of helplessness through Ji Qingyue, and her fingertips quietly dug into her palms.

Those who had accepted Ji Qingyue’s patronage and thrown in their lot with her could only look at each other in dismay.

"He confronted Lin Qingqing right from the start without the slightest bit of fear. I thought he must have some backing, or perhaps he was just brave. But now it looks like I was overthinking it... He never even considered the consequences of offending Lin Qingqing!"

Some people nodded at this, but another disagreed. "I think he would’ve charged in even if he had thought about it... He’s just too confident. He says he’s certain to become a Child of the Morning Star and that with him here, the Commandery Princess finally has a chance..."

At this, the man spread his hands. "What I’m curious about now is what kind of life he must have lived to forge that sort of ’confident’ personality."

Despite the flurry of private discussion, not one person dared to question Zhong Ming to his face.

His persona was successfully established. Everyone on the scene now believed Zhong Ming was reckless and witless, so conceited that he was blind to the world around him.

And if Zhong Ming dared to openly clash with someone like Lin Qingqing, from a Major Sect, these people from lesser sects certainly didn’t think he would be intimidated if they stepped up to challenge him.

Thinking it was better to avoid trouble, they all shook their heads, unwilling to lower themselves to his level.

But while they could simply ignore him, Ji Qingyue was the one who had to suffer.

On the way to the Starry Courtyard, Zhong Ming rambled on endlessly about his supreme Talent, claiming that now that he was here, the great... er, Ji Qingyue’s success was all but guaranteed.

In his speech, besides boasting about his own Talent and solidifying his "conceited" and "arrogant" persona, Zhong Ming also bluntly demanded resources from Ji Qingyue.

Well... the part about demanding resources wasn’t entirely about maintaining his persona. He genuinely believed that the resources would be far more effective in his hands.

Besides, Zhong Ming planned on helping Ji Qingyue rise to a high position, so he felt no psychological barrier whatsoever to asking for some resources.

Ji Qingyue: "..."

Of course, Zhong Ming was the only one who actually believed that.

To Ji Qingyue, Zhong Ming just seemed ridiculously arrogant, and it was becoming almost impossible for her to maintain the smile on her face.

But it had to be said, the princess truly had remarkable self-control. Despite her exasperation, she did not shut him down.

In fact, in the end, she even made Zhong Ming a promise.

"Ahem, Young Master Zhong Ming, thank you for your willingness to stand with me. I believe in your Talent. As for resources... you will soon be attempting to learn Star Heaven·Divine Monarch, correct? If you can successfully achieve Initiation, I will cover the majority of the resources needed to cultivate this Technique. What do you think of that?"

’...You’re actually going to give me them!’

Even though he was the one who’d asked for them, Zhong Ming had expected Ji Qingyue to, at most, change the subject and brush the matter aside.

The possibility of her actually providing the resources was something Zhong Ming hadn’t even considered.

’Is she really that kind-hearted...? No, wait. This isn’t just a reward, it’s a test... She’ll only give me the resources if I successfully achieve Initiation in Star Heaven·Divine Monarch.’

’In that case, Star Heaven·Divine Monarch must be very difficult to learn.’

As he thought this, Zhong Ming felt not a hint of worry. With his Heaven Rewards Diligence, he never had to be concerned about his progress in a Cultivation Technique.

On the way over, he’d even found a moment to glance at his Great Dream of Thousand Years ability. The stats on its attribute panel made his confidence soar.

At this thought, Zhong Ming smiled.

However, before the relaxed Zhong Ming could reply, a clear but petulant voice suddenly piped up from the side.

"Hee hee, Second Sister, you really drove that awful pest away, didn’t you?"

The sudden voice made everyone turn to look. There, on the other side of the Starry Courtyard’s entrance, a young woman who bore a striking resemblance to Ji Qingyue was gracefully approaching with a retinue.

What made Zhong Ming raise an eyebrow was that while the young woman looked like Ji Qingyue, her aura was completely different. Ji Qingyue was elegant and refined, as gentle as jade, but this girl exuded willfulness, petulance, and a certain volatility.

’This one doesn’t look very friendly,’ Zhong Ming mused. ’But that’s to be expected. It’s impossible for everyone in Prince Qinghe’s Mansion to be as gentle and kind as Ji Qingyue. In fact, she’s probably the exception.’

While Zhong Ming was still pondering this, the girl’s voice rang out again, her tone dripping with schadenfreude.

"That awful person had zero respect for you, Sister. Getting rid of her was for the best."

"It’s just that without Qianqiu Valley, you have absolutely no one left to use, do you, Sister...?"

As she said this, the young woman glanced at Zhong Ming’s group, her eyes filled with undisguised contempt.

"With just these people, you can’t accomplish a thing. So, how about it? Why not consider the collaboration our older brother proposed...?"

"There’s no need... Besides, I have faith in Young Master Zhong Ming and the others. You needn’t trouble yourself with my affairs, Fourth Sister."

Ji Qingyue’s voice was still gentle as she spoke, but it held an unyielding firmness.

"Heh..."

These words made Ji Qinglian laugh, but before she could say anything more, Zhong Ming, showing a distinct lack of decorum, inserted himself into the sisters’ conversation.

"That’s right! Hey, little sis, I can’t just pretend I didn’t hear you say that."

"What do you mean, ’no one left to use’? Am I not right here?!"

As he spoke, Zhong Ming shot Ji Qingyue a confident smile and gave her a thumbs-up. "Princess Qingyue, while it’s true that the people around you are pretty useless, there’s no need to worry or be anxious. Even if the other Commandery Princes have numbers and influence, and even though you are a woman, I, Zhong Ming, can carry you to overwhelm all opposition."