Chapter 264: Chapter 142: At the Zenith: The Foremost Influence in Qinghe Prefecture City

Watching Miaoyun’s departing figure, the elder frowned. "Senior Brother, isn’t this a bit inappropriate? You can’t force love. It’s clear Miaoyun is developing an aversion to Zhong Ming..."

Before the elder could finish, Fa Xuan rolled his eyes.

"Just stick to your Melody and keep your mouth shut. If she were truly resistant, do you think I would have sent her?"

"That girl, Miaoyun, has always been proud and ambitious. Zhong Ming managed to dominate the entire younger generation of the Qinghe Commandery Mansion while only at the Qi Cultivation stage, becoming the undisputed number one. How could she possibly look down on a prodigy like that?"

"Huh?!" The elder was stunned by Fa Xuan’s words. "If she’s willing, why did she seem so conflicted?"

Fa Xuan replied, "That’s just a maiden’s heart. She wants to act a little more reserved, that’s all."

...

The Celestial Sound Sect moved in the shadows, pinning the blame for the plot against Zhong Ming on the Spirit Illusion Sect and Qianqiu Valley.

But those two sects were no pushovers either.

After returning to his own encampment, the Guardian Elder of Qianqiu Valley immediately summoned Su Wanqiu for a secret discussion, his words clearly aimed at winning her over.

Meanwhile, the Spirit Illusion Sect acted even more swiftly. While still on his way back, the elder who had previously been so exasperated by Nangong Die’s insistence on getting close to Zhong Ming contacted her, his tone now full of praise:

"Die, your judgment was spot on! That being the case, you absolutely cannot miss this opportunity... Right now, the most important thing is to build a relationship with Zhong Ming. The sect will provide you with whatever you need!"

"Oh, and the other five Major Sects have already secretly devised a plan to deal with Zhong Ming in the Star River Secret Vault. You must remind him to be extremely careful..."

...

Beyond the six Major Sects, another group was also affected: Youtan Heaven.

Ever since Mingya’s defeat and death, the expressions on the faces of the Youtan Heaven members had been as black as thunderclouds.

This time, however, they weren’t clamoring for revenge or vowing to take action as they normally would. Instead, they were exceptionally quiet.

Burning his Holy Blood, fighting with all his might, yet still being instantly killed by a single strike from Zhong Ming. Such power made even Li Ye, a Divine Heir candidate from Youtan Heaven, sense a fatal threat.

At the same time, he didn’t want to attract so much attention, as that would interfere with their grand plan.

But just because they were unwilling to make a move, Luo Qinzh had no intention of letting them off the hook.

"That was a truly spectacular battle. The power of one who is invincible among their peers... I can say I’ve finally witnessed it today." At this, Luo Qinzh’s tone suddenly shifted, her sneer completely undisguised. "However, it seems that invincible power belongs to Zhong Ming, and not to one of your Youtan Heaven clansmen."

"And another thing—the man you sent out was crushed like a cockroach in a sewer, completely unable to even fight back!"

CRACK!

This verbal assault, just short of cursing them by name, made the Youtan Celestial Chief Priest’s expression turn even more glacial.

But in this world, strength reigned supreme.

In the past, Luo Qinzh might have had her reservations.

But now, seeing the Youtan Celestial Chief Priest’s ashen face, her own expression held nothing but contempt and disgust, her attitude utterly domineering. "What, you have a problem with that? In that case, feel free to send someone else to challenge Zhong Ming."

"He’s standing right there, ready to take on all challengers."

Glancing up at Zhong Ming, Luo Qinzh’s eyes filled with delight and admiration, along with a barely perceptible trace of gratitude. "As long as you can defeat Zhong Ming, I will apologize for what I said and agree to let Qinglian become Youtan Heaven’s Saintess."

The Youtan Celestial Chief Priest couldn’t accept that challenge. For the sake of the grand plan, he could only suppress his fury and patiently try to reason with her. "Lady Luo, you must have seen it yourself. It’s not that our disciple was weak, but that Zhong Ming is simply too outstanding. He’s a genius among geniuses, a peerless prodigy the likes of which the Qinghe Commandery Mansion hasn’t seen in hundreds of years..."

Unwilling to clash with Zhong Ming, the Youtan Celestial Chief Priest tried to lay out the facts and reason with her, attempting to indirectly showcase the power of the Youtan Heaven clan.

What he said wasn’t a lie—Mingya had, in fact, displayed incredible power. After burning his Holy Blood, he had completely crushed a True Inheritance disciple from a Major Sect, the Void Moon Sect.

This proved, to some extent, that Youtan Heaven’s power was not to be underestimated.

But Luo Qinzh refused to listen to his reasoning. "You’re right, but you still couldn’t defeat Zhong Ming! And Sir Zhong Ming has already pledged his allegiance to our Prince Qinghe’s Mansion."

"Do you think my husband, the Prince, would ally himself with an outside power that can’t even defeat one of his own subordinates?"

"..."

Her words instantly left the Youtan Celestial Chief Priest speechless.

But Luo Qinzh’s voice didn’t stop, still laced with an overbearing and aggressive tone:

"Tonight, I will inform my husband of my true situation. You people had better think hard about how you’re going to face his boundless fury."

At this, the Youtan Celestial Chief Priest’s expression finally grew urgent.

But he quickly forced himself to calm down and said in a low, heavy voice, "Lady Luo, please, give me a little more time. I will have one of my clan’s Divine Heir candidates come here personally. Unlike a mere guard, a Divine Heir candidate can directly channel the power of the great Youtan God. Then, you will witness with your own eyes just how magnificent and mighty the power of the Youtan God truly is."

"..."

If they were to have a complete falling out at this moment, Youtan Heaven’s situation would become extremely precarious. However, Luo Qinzh’s own condition would also be severely affected, and it might even implicate Ji Qinghui. After weighing the pros and cons, Luo Qinzh ultimately took a step back.