Because of the Seven Peaks tournament at the end of the month, Zhong Ming considered Molten Fire Peak, Cuixiang Mountain, and Dharma Seal Peak to be his rivals—the greatest obstacles standing in the way of Longxi Peak taking the top spot.

That was why Zhong Ming was so surprised when people from these very Peaks came looking for him.

’Are they here to eliminate a rival ahead of time? But the Seven Profound Sect isn’t some Demon Sect. That’s not how we do things here, is it?’

As Zhong Ming was pondering this, at the entrance to the bamboo grove, Lian Zhixia of Molten Fire Peak was scowling at Lin Yuxuan of Cuixiang Mountain.

"What are you all doing here?"

Lin Yuxuan bristled at his tone, as if he were the master of the place.

"Hmph. If you can be here, why can’t we? This is Longxi Peak’s territory, not yours on Molten Fire Peak. Don’t you think you’re overstepping your bounds?!"

After glaring at each other and realizing neither could intimidate the other, both Lian Zhixia and Lin Yuxuan gave a cold snort.

Then, refusing to give an inch, the two led their respective groups and walked toward Zhong Ming in unison.

While still a good distance away, the displeasure on Lin Yuxuan’s face vanished, replaced by a gentle smile as she addressed Zhong Ming. "You must be Junior Brother Zhong. To have a breakthrough in just seven days despite having only a third-rate Spiritual Root... Junior Brother, your Talent is truly extraordinary."

This immediate praise told Zhong Ming they weren’t here to cause trouble.

But that only made him more curious.

"So, why have you all come?"

"Our Master Yan Chen of Molten Fire Peak wishes to recruit you to face the tournament at the end of the month together."

It was Lian Zhixia who spoke this time, his blunt words only deepening the confusion on Zhong Ming’s face.

"Recruit me? For the Seven Peaks tournament at the end of the month, aren’t our Longxi Peak and your Molten Fire Peak supposed to be rivals? Coming here to recruit an opponent... Are you sure you’re not mistaken?"

"Besides, would the sect even allow it?"

...

At Zhong Ming’s words, especially the phrase "we are rivals," Lian Zhixia sneered, his expression growing even more disdainful.

And with that, Zhong Ming instantly understood a few things.

The man’s next words confirmed Zhong Ming’s suspicions.

"Our Seven Profound Sect is one of the Renowned and Righteous Sects, and the Seven Peaks are all branches of the same tree. The Sect Leader and the elders would only be pleased by our cooperation; they would never stand in the way."

"As for rivals... AHEM... Molten Fire Peak’s goal is to compete for first place in the Seven Peaks tournament. Our main opponents are Dharma Seal Peak and Cuixiang Mountain. As for your Longxi Peak... I believe your core objective from the leadership is just to stay out of the bottom three, isn’t it?"

"Therefore, your main rivals are Bright Stone Peak, Bamboo Forest Peak, and Profound Stone Peak."

"Our goals are different. That gives us a foundation for cooperation."

At this, Lian Zhixia paused before adding, "Zhong, if you join Molten Fire Peak and lend us a hand, we’ll give you a twenty-percent discount on all your future flying swords. And if you make a great contribution, our Master Yan Chen might even forge a flying sword for you personally."

"Furthermore, we won’t put you in a difficult position during the tournament. You can take twenty percent of the Merit Points you earn and attribute them to Longxi Peak."

...

Zhong Ming was left speechless by this offer.

Before he had a chance to speak, Lin Yuxuan stepped forward. "We can give you thirty... no, forty percent! You can take back forty percent of the Merit Points."

"And from now on, you’ll get a thirty-percent discount when you buy Elixir Pills from our Cuixiang Mountain. If our senior sister refines any high-grade pills, you’ll be given priority..."

Both were laying out their terms. Comparatively, Cuixiang Mountain’s offer was slightly better.

Seeing this, Lian Zhixia didn’t raise his offer. Instead, he said to Zhong Ming, "I suggest you think carefully before you answer."

"The tournament at the end of the month is a serious matter. The results are crucial for you and for Longxi Peak."

"The disciples from Cuixiang Mountain... their cultivation levels aren’t bad, but their combat prowess? Heh."

"Lian Zhixia!"

The blatant mockery infuriated Lin Yuxuan.

But Lian Zhixia ignored Lin Yuxuan’s glare. Fixing his gaze on Zhong Ming, he continued, "Our Molten Fire Peak is different. With the advantage of our Magical Artifacts, we were in the top three even before the Demonic Fiend invasion. Now, with our Master leading us and with the direct heirs of other great families on our side, Molten Fire Peak’s strength is undoubtedly number one among the Seven Peaks."

"If you join us, you won’t have to do much to last until the very end of the tournament and share in our immense rewards."

"At that point, even if you only take twenty percent of the Merit Points, it’ll be far more than you could ever earn on your own."

"Forgive my bluntness, but joining us is the best choice for you—and for Longxi Peak."

Lian Zhixia spoke these words with utter arrogance.

Clearly, he genuinely believed his Peak was the strongest of the Seven.

To this, Lin Yuxuan could only snort. "Our Cuixiang Mountain isn’t afraid of you! Besides, don’t you forget about Dharma Seal Peak. They’re no weaker than you are."

But by bringing up Dharma Seal Peak during a direct confrontation between their two Peaks, Lin Yuxuan was already revealing her own lack of confidence.

Seeing this, Zhong Ming could understand why someone like Lian Zhixia would be so arrogant.

But understanding was one thing; accepting was another.

"You might have a point." Before the words had even fully left his mouth, and before a smile could form on Lian Zhixia’s face, Zhong Ming stated decisively, "But I’m sorry. I refuse."

"...Why?"

Zhong Ming’s answer made Lian Zhixia’s brow furrow. He wanted an explanation.

But before he could say more, Lin Yuxuan stepped forward, looking both happy and a little smug. "Hmph, must there be a reason for everything? Since Junior Brother Zhong isn’t interested in your group, you should stop pestering him."

After shoving Lian Zhixia aside, Lin Yuxuan beamed at Zhong Ming. "Junior Brother, we’ll make sure you don’t regret this choice. And our Cuixiang Mountain is by no means weak! Our Elixir Pills aren’t limited to just Spirit Pills; we have Poison Pills, too."

"What’s more, we’ve already won over some of the senior brothers from Bright Stone Peak. If we work together, we can definitely take first place."

"Oh, and Junior Brother, do you think you could bring some more people from Longxi Peak...?"

Overjoyed that Zhong Ming had rejected Lian Zhixia, Lin Yuxuan launched into a torrent of words.

This, in turn, brought a look of resignation to Zhong Ming’s face.

"Senior Sister, please, calm down... I think you’ve misunderstood. It’s true that I don’t want to join Molten Fire Peak, but I have no intention of joining Cuixiang Mountain, either."

"Huh?"

Zhong Ming’s reply left Lin Yuxuan stunned for a moment.

"If you’re not joining us, then why did you refuse Molten Fire Peak’s recruitment offer?"

She couldn’t understand it, but Lian Zhixia, on the other hand, seemed to have figured something out.

The thought left him speechless, and he shook his head with a somewhat amused expression.

"Zhong Ming, you don’t actually harbor the delusion of restoring Longxi Peak’s former glory and vying for third place, do you?"

...

Lian Zhixia’s words made Zhong Ming realize exactly how the other Peaks in the Seven Profound Sect viewed Longxi Peak.

’They call it a delusion, but even then, they only think we’re aiming for third place. They really are underestimating us.’

After a moment of reflection, Zhong Ming shook his head and spoke frankly. "Calling it a delusion is a bit of an exaggeration, don’t you think? The rankings in the Seven Peaks tournament are meant for the most capable. As long as we win at the end of the month, that rank will be ours."

...

Seeing that Zhong Ming was serious and not just joking, Lian Zhixia was lost for words.

Then, his tone turned cold. "I’ve always heard that you Sword Cultivators are arrogant, stubborn, and refuse to turn back once you’ve started down a path. I used to think it was just slander, but now it seems the rumors are quite fitting."

"Having principles is a good thing, but being unable to recognize the disparity in strength... that’s just hubris."

These words didn’t anger Zhong Ming. Instead, they made him laugh.

"Heh. If the difference in strength is so great that one doesn’t even dare draw their sword, is that person even a Sword Cultivator anymore? That’s just cowardice. Besides, your strength isn’t necessarily enough to crush us."

...

Faced with such a conceited Zhong Ming, who couldn’t see the reality of his own situation, Lian Zhixia simply shook his head, no longer willing to waste his breath.

"If that’s what you believe, then I can only wish you good luck."

...

Zhong Ming’s "hubris" had made Lian Zhixia give up on recruiting him, but Lin Yuxuan hadn’t quit yet.

"Junior Brother, even if you want to restore Longxi Peak’s glory, you have to take it one step at a time. With your current strength, you can’t possibly defeat us or Dharma Seal Peak."

"And it’s not just us you’re up against."

"Molten Fire Peak has people from Bamboo Forest Peak, we have Bright Stone Peak, and as for Dharma Seal Peak... they have the most people of all. You absolutely cannot win."

"Work with us. Your first priority should be to avoid falling into the bottom three. That’s what you should be focusing on."

Believing Longxi Peak to be utterly outmatched, she did her best to persuade Zhong Ming.

However, Zhong Ming’s goal was first place. How could someone like him ever be content serving under another?

Thus, no matter what Lin Yuxuan said, Zhong Ming simply shook his head.

Zhong Ming’s attitude drove Lin Yuxuan to the point of despair.

Just as she sighed in dejection, ready to give up, the arrival of an outsider made her eyes light up.

"Senior Sister Yushuang, what are you doing here...? Don’t tell me you know Junior Brother Zhong?"

Feeling like she’d found reinforcements, she quickly ran to Xie Yushuang’s side and pulled her in front of Zhong Ming.

"Senior Sister, you have to convince Junior Brother to join us on Cuixiang Mountain!"

"Vying for the top three is completely impossible with Longxi Peak’s current strength. If he joins us, it’s a win for him, for us, and for Longxi Peak! If he performs well, we can even give him fifty percent of the Merit Points..."

Lin Yuxuan continued to plead her case as she pulled Xie Yushuang along.

In the process, she shot a smug glance at Lian Zhixia—after being rejected, he hadn’t left immediately, but had instead stayed on the sidelines to watch the drama unfold.

Now, Xie Yushuang’s arrival made him frown.

’They actually sent someone over beforehand to get on his good side. Despicable.’

He, too, assumed Xie Yushuang would help Lin Yuxuan and, by extension, Cuixiang Mountain.

But just as Lian Zhixia frowned and Lin Yuxuan wore a smug look, confident her senior sister would lend her a hand, what happened next left her utterly dumbfounded.

Having been brought before Zhong Ming, Xie Yushuang actually bent her knees and bowed deeply to him.

Her posture was one of utmost respect, even carrying a hint of subservience, like a concubine before her master.

The next moment, her words left Lin Yuxuan so dumbfounded she couldn’t even form a complete sentence.

"I’m sorry, Junior Sister. Here, Senior Brother’s word is law. Whatever he says, goes. I only obey; I would never dare to give him orders."

As she finished, something seemed to occur to Xie Yushuang. "Junior Sister, you’re here about the tournament, aren’t you? It’s true that cooperation in this kind of event is mutually beneficial. Senior Brother Zhong Ming... he’s very strong. Why don’t you join Longxi Peak instead?"

...

...

...