Chapter 228: Chapter 129: Dao Seed · Morning Star · Candlelight Dragon (Sword)

"Hm?!"

A low murmur of disbelief escaped Prince Qinghe’s throat. The wolf-hair brush in his hand paused for a moment.

He lifted his gaze to the old steward bowing before him, his expression a mask of confusion.

"Zhong Ming won? How did he win?"

"There were at least ten True Disciples from the Major Sects, weren’t there? One against ten... even if they came at him one by one, he should have had no chance of winning."

Sensing the astonishment in the Prince’s tone, the old steward quickly replied, "Your Highness, the True Disciples from the other Major Sects have yet to make a move. Zhong Ming has only defeated a single person: Lin Kong of the Void Moon Sect."

"Oh?" At this, Prince Qinghe raised an eyebrow, his suspicion growing. But in a flash, he seemed to realize something. Instead of becoming angry, he began to tap his fingers lightly on the desk. "Something must have happened, then?" he asked, his tone placid.

Prince Qinghe had some understanding of how disciples from the Major Sects operated. ’If something unusual hadn’t occurred, those True Disciples would never have passed up such an opportunity.’

"Your Highness is wise." After the compliment, the old steward’s voice became laced with a mixture of awe and shock as he relayed the report he had received. "Although Zhong Ming only defeated Lin Kong, there was no drawn-out struggle, no life-or-death clash. Zhong Ming merely gave Lin Kong a single glance, causing him to bleed from all seven orifices and his Divine Soul to suffer grievous wounds."

SCRRRTCH—

The old steward’s report made the hand Prince Qinghe used to hold his brush tremble sharply. He recovered his composure in an instant, but the long, black streak the brush left on the paper was enough to reveal the true state of his mind.

"One glance? Are you certain?"

The old steward replied, "Your Highness, I would never dare deceive you. When I first heard the news, I too found it hard to believe, so I made a point to send men to investigate further."

"After making several inquiries, I can confirm the report is true. It was precisely because Lin Kong’s defeat was so crushing that the True Disciples from the other Major Sects dared not make a move. And with Zhong Ming’s support, Miss Qingyue has now become the most influential figure in the Commandery Mansion."

As he spoke, the old steward produced a crystal. He infused it with Spiritual Qi, and an image appeared, displaying the entire confrontation between Zhong Ming and Lin Kong.

After watching the entire recording, a trace of amazement still appeared on Prince Qinghe’s face. He had been to the Imperial City and considered himself a man of the world, but this was something else.

He then shook his head and chuckled. "To think I would have a day where I misjudge someone so completely. This young man’s abilities are on par with some of the prodigies in the Imperial City."

But after his moment of admiration, he shook his head again. "However, if this is the extent of it, it’s still impossible for him to dominate the entire Commandery Mansion on his own. Those Major Sects... they won’t give him a fair fight."

Prince Qinghe knew the ways of the Major Sects all too well. When their reputation and interests were on the line, the elders would never just sit back and watch.

At that very moment, in the Void Moon Sect’s local residence, the elder Zhuang Gong snorted coldly. His sharp gaze landed on Zhu Junfeng’s troubled face as he snapped, "Are you afraid of Zhong Ming?"

Zhu Junfeng stiffened at the question, but he quickly cupped his hands and explained, "Martial Uncle, I have no intention of shrinking from battle. It’s just that my strength is about the same as Junior Brother Lin Kong’s. He couldn’t defeat him. If I were to go up there, I would also find it difficult to withstand that attack."

"Besides, by withdrawing now, our Void Moon Sect’s reputation takes a small hit, but there’s still hope of winning it back. If I were to recklessly challenge Zhong Ming and lose, *that* would be a complete and utter defeat."

Zhuang Gong grudgingly accepted this explanation. His expression softened slightly as he said to Zhu Junfeng, "Alright, stop looking so dejected. Zhong Ming’s power—his own intrinsic power isn’t as unfathomable as you believe."

"You must have sensed it, didn’t you? When Lin Kong first faced Zhong Ming, he wasn’t afraid. In fact, he was confident enough to let Zhong Ming make the first move."

"It wasn’t until Zhong Ming’s power surged twice that Lin Kong was no longer his match."

"Furthermore, Zhong Ming’s Divine Soul has already reached the very limit of the Qi Cultivation realm. A surge in power like that can’t come from nothing."

Zhuang Gong’s words were like parting the clouds to reveal the sun, and Zhu Junfeng’s eyes immediately lit up.

He recalled the details surrounding the surge in Zhong Ming’s aura, and gradually, he began to deduce the source of his explosive power.

’The Sun! When Zhong Ming’s power surged, his aura was identical to that of the Great Sun in the sky—lofty, noble, and carrying the majesty to illuminate all of creation!’

’And there was more. Zhong Ming rose into the air, and that’s when he got his first power boost. Then, his body erupted in a brilliant, fiery light, and he got a second boost.’

’This matches the nature of the Sun—high above, endlessly bright... If I can just stand in a higher position than Zhong Ming, or if my own aura is stronger than his, I can stop his power from surging.’

’No, wait, I don’t need to do any of that. If I arrange the duel for nighttime, without Solar Power to aid him, he’ll be knocked back down to his original state!’

It just goes to show that no one who becomes a True Disciple of a Major Sect is a fool.

While Zhu Junfeng might have lacked the indomitable will of a Sword Cultivator, his knowledge was vast and his mind was sharp.

With just a few hints from Zhuang Gong, he had perceived the essence of Zhong Ming’s abilities and already found a way to counter them.

Zhuang Gong first nodded, acknowledging Zhu Junfeng’s speculation, but then he shook his head. "He won’t necessarily accept if you challenge him to a fight at night. Besides, there’s no need for all that trouble."

At this, Zhuang Gong’s gaze sharpened. His voice was placid, but it carried an undeniable authority. "In three days, at noon, it will rain over the Qinghe Commandery Mansion. A torrential downpour, with clouds thick enough to blot out the sun."