Chapter 165: Chapter 107: Zhong Ming: How Stupid Do You Have to Be to Fail Even Cultivation Technique Initiation?

"All you have to do is train me up."

"..."

Those words made Ji Qingyue’s skin crawl. She wished she could find a hole to crawl into and hide. Ji Qinglian had been furious at Zhong Ming for interrupting, but her anger had since vanished. Now, the look she gave her second sister was filled with pity.

"Recruiting someone like *him*? Sister, you must really have no one left on your side."

"What are you talking about? Didn’t I already say I alone am enough..." Zhong Ming tried to protest.

"Ahem, Master Zhong Ming, we should go comprehend the Daoist Skill now."

Not wanting to be embarrassed any further, Ji Qingyue immediately grabbed Zhong Ming’s arm and began dragging him toward the Star Moon Courtyard.

At this, the people behind Ji Qinglian couldn’t help but sneer and shake their heads.

"Princess Qingyue is getting desperate and clutching at straws."

"That’s right. Letting an idiot like that comprehend Star Heaven·Divine Monarch... The Princess must be so desperate she’s not thinking straight."

"If he can comprehend it, I’ll eat this pillar on the spot."

"Hahaha, forget comprehending it! I bet he’ll pass out after a single glance. Star Heaven·Divine Monarch contains the profound mysteries of the stars; it’s not something so easily understood."

Clearly, no one believed Zhong Ming could comprehend Star Heaven·Divine Monarch.

Arrogant, reckless, and unable to read the room—Zhong Ming’s temperament did not at all fit their image of a genius.

It wasn’t just them; Ji Qinglian also believed Zhong Ming couldn’t possibly comprehend Star Heaven·Divine Monarch.

Feeling both jealous of and competitive with her sister, Ji Qinglian stepped forward at the sight and addressed the clan elder guarding the Star Moon Courtyard.

"Sixth Grand-uncle, you need to rein in Second Sister. It was one thing when she brought disciples from all those minor sects here to seek enlightenment. Even though they had humble origins, they at least had some Talent."

"But Zhong Ming... letting an idiot like him come to comprehend it is a complete insult to our family’s heritage."

These words did indeed make the Sixth Elder of Prince Qinghe’s Mansion frown.

However, the kind-hearted Ji Qingyue was well-loved within the Ji Family, which stopped the Sixth Elder from making an immediate decision. Instead, he looked at her, waiting to hear what she had to say.

In response, Ji Qingyue hurriedly stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Sixth Grand-uncle, I have no intention of insulting the family’s heritage. Master Zhong Ming... he is, no matter what, the most outstanding disciple of the Seven Profound Sect..."

"PFFT..."

Ji Qingyue was in the middle of her defense, but before she could finish, a snort of derisive laughter sounded from behind her.

This time, even the good-natured Ji Qingyue couldn’t help but clench her delicate fists, her voice tinged with suppressed frustration.

"Master Zhong Ming, what is it now?"

"Ahem, it’s nothing. I just feel a bit of pity for your sister."

"Huh?" Ji Qingyue was stunned.

’Pity... me?’ Ji Qinglian, who prided herself on being sharp as a tack, felt her brain short-circuit for a moment. She had no idea what there was about her to pity.

While she was lost in confusion, Zhong Ming’s voice rang out again. His next words left everyone present completely dumbfounded.

"To think someone would actually find comprehending a Cultivation Technique difficult. Your sister even recruits idiots like that? She really must be desperate."

As he finished speaking, the corners of Zhong Ming’s mouth curled into a faint smile, his tone as matter-of-fact as if he were stating common sense:

"Initiation into a Cultivation Technique—isn’t that something anyone with hands can do?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

These words left the entire scene in a prolonged silence. The Sixth Elder of Prince Qinghe’s Mansion, who had been stroking his beard and waiting to hear what profound insight Zhong Ming might offer, trembled so hard he nearly yanked his beard out.

If even an elder like him reacted this way, the others were all the more at a loss for words.

"’Initiation into a Cultivation Technique is something anyone with hands can do?’ How can he say something like that with a straight face?"

"Where on earth did Princess Qingyue find such an oddball..."

"I’m really curious what kind of people the Seven Profound Sect has to produce someone so arrogant... No, that’s not arrogance, it’s ignorance!"

"To be this stupid... I’m impressed."

Clearly, no one believed Zhong Ming’s theory that ’comprehending a Cultivation Technique is something anyone with hands can do.’

As for Zhong Ming, he was unaffected by them.

’Being able to speak so freely and say whatever strange things I want is truly refreshing.’

This extreme freedom, this ultimate exhilaration, even caused Zhong Ming’s Sword Heart to solidify a little.

Of course, the current Zhong Ming was unaware of this.

Hearing their words, Zhong Ming simply let his gaze toward Ji Qinglian grow even more pitiful.

"Princess, your subordinates are too useless. Take my advice and get some better ones... Wait, you’re not just playing house, are you? If that’s the case, then my apologies. I’ve said too much."

"CRACK..."

Zhong Ming’s pitying gaze, coupled with the taunt about "playing house," was more than Ji Qinglian could bear.

The thread of reason she had been holding onto snapped completely.

However, unable to contain her emotions, she didn’t get angry. Instead, she started to laugh.

"So, Zhong Ming, you think you can comprehend Star Heaven·Divine Monarch."

This displeased Zhong Ming. "Even if you are a Commandery Princess, you can’t insult people like that, can you? No matter how stupid someone is, how could they possibly fail at the Initiation of a Cultivation Technique?"

"..."

Hearing this, Ji Qinglian took a deep breath, swallowing the feeling of helplessness in her heart. She continued, "Since you’re so confident, Master Zhong Ming, do you dare to make a bet? A bet on whether or not you can learn Star Heaven·Divine Monarch."

"If you learn it by dusk today, I will provide all the resources for you to cultivate Star Heaven·Divine Monarch. If you can’t, I don’t need any resources from you. You just have to be my servant for three days."