Chapter 188: Chapter 117: A Sword Arises from the Sea of the Heart; It Slays Others and It Slays Me

The surrounding stares made her feel a surge of shame.

But even so, she still didn’t dare to issue a challenge.

Her status as an Inner Sect Disciple was somewhat superficial; her strength was far inferior to Zhu Hao’s.

He had been severely injured with a single glance. She was terrified that if she went up there, she would end up dead, her body and soul obliterated.

Clearly, compared to death, a moment of humiliation was nothing.

This led Zhuang Mingzhu to ultimately choose to flee in disgrace.

As she left, thinking of Zhong Ming’s power and the nonchalant ease with which he had one-shot Zhu Hao, a rare sliver of regret rose in Zhuang Mingzhu’s heart.

’Maybe we shouldn’t have made an enemy of Zhong Ming back then.’

...

Zhong Ming paid no mind to Zhuang Mingzhu, who had fled, scared out of her wits.

Yawning as he walked over to Ji Qingyue’s side, Zhong Ming spoke casually, "If you have something to do, hurry it up. I need to get back to my cultivation."

His words made Ji Qingyue’s expression turn serious. "I will, Young Master Zhong Ming."

As she spoke, she quickly walked over to Zhuo Feng of the Star-Picking Sect.

Seeing this, the representatives sent by the other princes also came forward one after another to extend invitations to Zhuo Feng.

However, while talking with them, Zhuo Feng keenly noticed something. Whether it was the old butler sent by the First Young Master, the two women from the Seventh Young Master, or even Ji Qinglian who had stayed behind—although they were all inviting him, their gazes frequently drifted toward Zhong Ming, who was standing off to the side, seemingly lost in his own world.

Clearly, they were more concerned with and valued information about Zhong Ming than about him.

If he hadn’t already been claimed and if Ji Qingyue wasn’t right there, these people would have long since cast him aside to go curry favor with Zhong Ming.

As for Ji Qingyue, while inviting him, she would frequently ask after Zhong Ming’s well-being. She even specified that Zhong Ming was the leader of their team.

"Young Master Zhuo Feng, you’ve seen it for yourself. With Young Master Zhong Ming leading the team, our strength won’t be lacking, and we won’t be at too much of a disadvantage in the Star Moon Treasure Vault..."

As she said this, Ji Qingyue exuded a confidence and composure she had never shown before.

All of this made Zhuo Feng look toward Zhong Ming, a battle-hungry, eager light in his eyes.

Young prodigies were always brimming with confidence and high spirits. Even though Zhong Ming had displayed the power to one-shot Zhu Hao with a single glance, Zhuo Feng still wanted to challenge him.

And it was necessary for him to do so.

Zhong Ming’s sudden appearance had stolen all his thunder. It also made the four princes of Prince Qinghe’s Mansion value Zhong Ming more, offering him far better terms than they offered Zhuo Feng.

If he were to back down now and let this situation continue, then in the upcoming recruitment and alliances, both he and his sect would be suppressed by Zhong Ming in terms of acquiring resources and status.

This was something he absolutely could not tolerate. Therefore, for the honor of his sect, and even more so for its benefits, this battle was inevitable.

’Dignity and benefits can ultimately only be won on the edge of a sword!’

’Besides, it’s not like I’m guaranteed to lose!’

As the top prodigy of the Star-Picking Sect, Zhuo Feng still had some confidence in his own strength.

"Zhong." Having made his decision, Zhuo Feng no longer hesitated. Temporarily ignoring the others’ recruitment offers, he turned to Zhong Ming with a solemn expression and spoke. "Zhong, your unparalleled style in that last battle has filled me with admiration. I would like to have a friendly spar with you. Would you be willing to grant my request?"

These words roused Zhong Ming a bit, and he turned his gaze toward him.

SWOOSH!

The instant Zhong Ming’s gaze fell upon him, Zhuo Feng’s body and spirit tensed up. He entered a combat-ready state, his internal Magical Power circulating at high speed as the air around him churned.

Evidently, after Zhong Ming had one-shot Zhu Hao with a single glance, no one could remain calm and composed under his stare.

Ignoring his on-guard posture as if facing a great enemy, Zhong Ming simply said coolly, "Challenge me? Of course, that’s not a problem. As far as I’m concerned, all of you are challengers."

...

The statement was undoubtedly arrogant to the extreme. But unlike before, after Zhong Ming spoke these words, no one in the crowd refuted him.

In fact, many of the young men and women had a worshipful glint in their eyes, their gazes toward Zhong Ming filled with admiration.

"...So cool."

"A man should be just like that."

"I wish I were the one who said that."

"You? Forget it. Young Master Zhong Ming dares to speak like that because he has the absolute strength to back it up. If you said that, you’d be beaten to death the same day."

These words, in particular, made Ji Qinglian’s Heart Spirit flutter.

’So arrogant... If Young Master Zhong Ming supported me, he definitely wouldn’t be afraid of the Void Moon Sect... But how can I get Zhong Ming to support me?’

Just as Ji Qinglian was frowning in thought, Zhong Ming’s voice rang out again.

"But are you prepared to be severely wounded, or even killed?"

The moment he spoke, the atmosphere on site instantly turned grim and murderous, and the air seemed to freeze.

Zhuo Feng’s expression also became extremely grave.

But soon, he began to laugh.

"Hahaha, isn’t that a matter of course? Since I dared to step forward, I am naturally prepared to bear any and all consequences."

"Very good." The other’s frankness made Zhong Ming nod, his left eye narrowing slightly. "In that case, let me see what you’re made of."

BOOM!

To the senses of the others, Zhong Ming, with his left eye narrowed, had not changed in the slightest.

But it was a different story for Zhuo Feng, who was directly facing him. A chill ran through his body and soul.

The moment their eyes met, a brilliant and boundless Great Sun suddenly appeared before him.