Chapter 206

Chapter 206: Ranked Second on the Azurecloud List (4000 words, two-in-one)

　　An incredibly exaggerated event.

　　When Yue finally calmed down, the cultivators in the air fell to the ground like dumplings.

　　At first, the disciples of Heavenly Profound Gate were like a series of battles, taking turns to try and knock Ming down.

　　Initially, they felt that doing so was somewhat dishonorable.

　　But later, these disciples of Heavenly Profound Gate realized that for Ming, this wasn’t an unfair advantage; instead, it gave him time to catch his breath.

　　To their surprise, Ming simply abandoned his advantage.

　　Ming found these disciples too slow, so he charged into the crowd, fighting a hundred men alone.

　　The other disciples of Heavenly Profound Gate were forced to join the battle.

　　Then Yue witnessed a scene she would never forget.

　　A Sea Observing Realm cultivator, a Heroic Soul Realm martial artist, defeated cultivators of higher realms as if entering a realm without people, much like a true dragon swimming freely in the ocean.

　　Not to mention the Sea Observing Realm cultivators who could only stand still under Ming’s spiritual pressure and fist energy, like lambs awaiting slaughter.

　　Even Dragon Gate Realm cultivators couldn’t withstand Ming’s two moves.

　　In comparison, Golden Core Realm cultivators could exchange blows with Ming.

　　But even then, they couldn’t defeat Ming together.

　　Many thought this was too fantastical.

　　This man had surpassed two major realms, easily defeating Golden Core Realm cultivators.

　　In just a bit more than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, a large number of cultivators around Ming had been cleared away.

　　The other disciples dared not step forward.

　　They knew that stepping up would be akin to asking for humiliation.

　　And at this moment, most realized something – this guy named Ming had an astonishingly high quality in his realm.

　　Perhaps he really could break out in the White洼Secret Realm.

　　The rumors about Ming began to waver in their minds.

　　Such a strong person, did he really need any conspiracies or collude with the Demon Sect?

　　Moreover, Ming said he had friends helping him back then.

　　With assistance, he could very well have become a war god in the White洼Secret Realm.

　　If initially the attitude of Heavenly Profound Gate’s disciples towards Ming was one of “contempt and disdain,”

　　then now, despite the shame and anger from being defeated by Ming, in their hearts, they only held respect for him.

　　Yue also noticed that most of the disciples of Heavenly Profound Gate had changed the way they looked at Ming.

　　At this point, even if Yue were dumb, she understood Ming’s intentions, knowing why Ming deliberately provoked the entire Heavenly Profound Gate.

　　Ming wanted to clear his name.

　　This didn’t require substantial evidence; strength was Ming’s best proof.

　　Cultivators, to put it bluntly, are creatures that admire strength.

　　In the cultivation world, power is respected above all else. If your power is sufficient, many wrongs can become rights.

　　Let alone that Ming was right from the start.

　　Of course,

　　the key was strength, like Ming’s, powerful like a young fierce beast.

　　”Is there anyone else here who wishes to spar?” Ming stood with his hands behind his back.

　　Ming’s words spread through the air again.

　　Compared to the initial outrage of all the cultivators,

　　now the majority of them looked at each other, none daring to step forward.

　　Ming chuckled lightly. Just as Ming was about to move forward to meet the son of the Sect Leader of Heavenly Profound Gate,

　　suddenly, a green longsword descended from the sky, its tip pointing directly at Ming’s crown! Ming looked up and slowly raised his hand, extending his finger.

　　The green longsword was stopped by Ming’s finger, unable to advance even an inch.

　　The spiritual energy of the sword blade clashed with the Martial True Qi of Ming’s finger, causing waves of air currents.

　　”Zhen!”

　　The green longsword emitted a resonant sound.

　　Ming’s Martial True Qi repelled the sword tip.

　　The green longsword spun backward, drawing arcs in the air, and finally landed in the hands of a woman dressed in a green long dress.

　　Ming looked up.

　　A woman holding a longsword approached.

　　Many male cultivators who saw this woman brightened their eyes, and some even showed a hint of shame.

　　It was like a young man losing face in front of the goddess they liked.

　　”May I ask for the lady’s name?” Ming bowed respectfully, carefully observing this woman.

　　This girl’s appearance was truly top-notch. Her lustrous light-ink colored hair danced slightly in the night wind, tied simply with a jade hairpin, leaving the rest to flow gently over her snow-white shoulders.

　　Under the thin silk sleeves, a delicate hand was revealed. She had a slender figure, not overly exaggerated, but giving off a willow-like grace.

　　However, objectively speaking, compared to Mo Zhu’er and Qingwan, those ranked in the top ten of the Red Beauty List, she seemed to lack something.

　　How to say it?

　　It’s like the top ten of the Red Beauty List reached the pinnacle in their respective styles.

　　Although the Red Beauty List has rankings, “aesthetics” varies from person to person. You can’t judge who among the top ten is more beautiful; you can only say who you prefer, who better fits your preferences.

　　But this girl, when compared to the top ten of the Red Beauty List, clearly wasn’t as beautiful.

　　Of course, this comparison is with the ten most beautiful women in the world.

　　And this girl, placed anywhere else, would still be considered stunningly beautiful.

　　”Liu Xiang Peak – He Qingqing.” He Qingqing spoke coldly.

　　”He Qingqing”

　　Listening to He Qingqing’s name, Ming felt somewhat familiar.

　　”He Qingqing? Is she He Qingqing?” Soon, Ming remembered.

　　The alias Qingwan used in the White洼Secret Realm was called “He Qingqing.”

　　Moreover,

　　this He Qingqing seemed to be the woman Yu Wen Xi liked.

　　Well, Yu Wen Xi did have good taste.

　　Just that He Qingqing appeared somewhat cold, which Yu Wen Xi seemed to prefer.

　　”Does Miss He wish to spar with me?” Ming asked.

　　”Exactly.”

　　As soon as He Qingqing’s words landed, Ming hadn’t even prepared when He Qingqing’s longsword already pierced toward Ming.

　　Ming tilted his head to dodge, and He Qingqing’s longsword cut a strand of hair from Ming’s temple.

　　”Hmm?” Ming felt something was off and quickly extended his finger, flicking it against He Qingqing’s sword.

　　Instantly, Martial True Qi exploded, forcing He Qingqing’s longsword away, and the True Qi pushed through the sword, dispersing green mist outward.

　　Ming increased the distance.

　　He Qingqing’s longsword was surrounded by green mist, and behind her stood another woman in a green long dress. However, this woman’s appearance was completely different from He Qingqing’s.

　　”Sword Spirit.”

　　In Ming’s mind, these “two words” popped up.

　　Half-immortal weapons and immortal weapons must have a Sword Spirit, and naturally, a first-grade Immortal Sword can also generate a Sword Spirit.

　　Although Sword Spirits are rare, they aren’t extremely scarce.

　　Ming was surprised merely because it was his first time seeing one.

　　However, having a Sword Spirit doesn’t mean He Qingqing is a Sword Cultivator.

　　In Ming’s view, He Qingqing follows the path of “Dao Sword,” meaning Dao techniques as the main focus, with sword techniques as secondary.

　　Dao principles are myriad, and even He Qingqing’s sword techniques are Dao techniques.

　　”Go!”

　　He Qingqing held nothing back, unleashing her strongest killing move from the start.

　　The green longsword detached from He Qingqing’s grasp and thrust toward Ming. Ming punched, striking the sword.

　　Green mist surged from the sword, rising continuously, and the Sword Spirit reappeared.

　　The Sword Spirit opened its eyes.

　　At that instant,

　　the green mist flowed like water, continuously wrapping around Ming.

　　Soon, Ming’s hands and feet were bound, and the Sword Spirit manifested before him, raising the longsword to slash down.

　　Seeing this, everyone’s hearts trembled! Finally! Is Ming about to be defeated?

　　Truly worthy of being Mistress He! But obviously, they rejoiced too early.

　　Suddenly, a cold light shot out from Ming’s storage pouch.

　　Fierce Sword Qi and Sword Intent rapidly spread around Ming.

　　The Sword Spirit’s forehead was pierced by a large hole made by the Nine Heavens Cloud Lightning Sword.

　　The Sword Qi emitted by the longsword sliced through the green smoke like a scalpel!

　　The Nine Heavens Cloud Lightning Sword returned to Ming’s hand.

　　Ming thrust the sword, hitting the body of the green longsword.

　　”Zhen!”

　　The green longsword resonated, striking He Qingqing’s chest. He Qingqing spat out a mouthful of blood.

　　”He Junior Sister!” Several male disciples worriedly shouted.

　　This Ming! Doesn’t know how to cherish beauty, does he?! “I’ve lost.” He Qingqing wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth with her sleeve and left without hesitation.

　　Ming looked at He Qingqing’s back, wondering if he had gone too far. After all, He Qingqing was Qingwan’s friend and the object of Yu Wen Xi’s affection.

　　Would Yu Wen Xi blame him? If before He Qingqing, some disciples still wanted to give it a try,

　　after He Qingqing, no disciple wanted to fight Ming anymore.

　　He Qingqing was among the outstanding young disciples, ranked in the top ten.

　　Yet even Junior Sister He was defeated.

　　”Is there anyone else here who wishes to spar?” Ming asked again.

　　Hearing Ming’s arrogant inquiry was more painful than death, yet they couldn’t beat Ming!

　　”If only Senior Brother Chen were here!”

　　”If Senior Brother Chen were here, he would definitely stomp him into the ground.”

　　Such thoughts emerged in many people’s minds.

　　But they also knew that Senior Brother Chen wouldn’t come.

　　Regardless of Senior Brother Chen’s realm, even if he came, it would be bullying someone weaker, and Senior Brother Chen was on a mission in the Northern Wilderness. He might not have returned yet.

　　Ming scanned everyone once more, feeling that no one else would come.

　　”Miss Yue, stop daydreaming and take me to visit Senior Brother Xia on Liefeng Peak.” Ming landed and spoke to Yue.

　　”Eh?” Yue was startled, then quickly nodded, “Okay, okay.”

　　Yue glanced at Ming several times. Previously, Yue’s attitude towards Ming was more casual.

　　Now, Yue held almost complete respect for Ming.

　　”Don’t rush, if little brother has time, may I request a bout?”

　　A male voice came from the horizon.

　　Ming furrowed his brows; his Dao heart kept warning him.

　　That oppressive spiritual pressure was like a mountain, making Ming feel somewhat breathless.

　　Ming turned to see a bearded man carrying a huge sword, stepping through the air step by step.

　　Every time he took a step forward, the spiritual energy beneath his feet crackled, as if the spiritual energy underfoot was being physically crushed.

　　”Senior Brother Chen?”

　　”Senior Brother Chen has arrived!”

　　”Impossible! When did Senior Brother Chen return?”

　　”With Senior Brother Chen here, I want to see how arrogant this Ming can still be!”

　　Upon seeing this man, everyone instantly regained confidence. In their view, the moment Senior Brother Chen arrived, Ming had already lost.

　　Ming scrutinized this man.

　　This man was unkempt, not only bearded but wearing ordinary hemp clothes, and his pants even had a couple of holes.

　　His hair was casually tied with a dirty cloth, and he carried a wine gourd at his waist. The shoes on his feet were broken, revealing his toes.

　　Although this man looked very casual, almost like a beggar, Ming’s first impression of him was good.

　　Ming liked such carefree people.

　　In Ming’s mind, the wandering knights of the jianghu should be like this.

　　Ming turned around, ready to fly into the air again.

　　Unexpectedly, this should be his last battle in Heavenly Profound Gate. After this battle, probably no one would bother him anymore.

　　But just as Ming was about to soar into the air, Yue pulled on Ming’s sleeve.

　　”Miss Yue?” Ming questioned.

　　Yue shook her head at Ming: “You’re not going to fight him, are you?”

　　Ming: “What else?”

　　”Absolutely not.” Yue hurriedly shook her head, “You can’t win against Senior Brother Chen!”

　　Ming asked: “Is this Senior Brother Chen very powerful?”

　　Yue looked at Ming speechlessly: “You don’t really know who he is, do you?”

　　Ming helplessly smiled: “I really don’t know who this Senior Brother Chen is.”

　　After all, he had just started traveling.

　　”He’s called Yun!”

　　Yue reminded him.

　　”Ranked second on the Azurecloud List.”