Upon hearing this, Zhu Junfeng instantly understood. His sect’s elder was planning to stir up a storm to neutralize Zhong Ming’s strongest ability.
Influencing the weather like this wasn’t a direct attack. And if the elder refused to admit it, insisting it was just a natural storm, no one could say a thing.
"Phew..."
The ordinary disciples of the Void Moon Sect all breathed a sigh of relief. They now knew that Zhong Ming’s power wasn’t entirely his own but relied on an external force—a force their sect could counter.
Then, an idea struck one of the younger disciples. His eyes lit up as he said, "Senior Brother Zhu, since we can summon a storm, why wait three days? You can challenge Zhong Ming tomorrow and restore our sect’s reputation."
"After Senior Brother Lin Kong was defeated, the outside world’s opinion of our Void Moon Sect has grown increasingly harsh..."
The Void Moon Sect disciple’s tone was urgent, as if he were genuinely concerned for his sect. What he failed to notice, however, was a deeply hidden flicker of gloom and annoyance in Zhu Junfeng’s eyes.
He didn’t want to face Zhong Ming so soon. The man had pulled off too many unbelievable feats. Even with his elder neutralizing Zhong Ming’s greatest strength, the Solar Power, Zhu Junfeng still wasn’t certain he could win.
—Zhu Junfeng himself didn’t realize it, but his mindset had been influenced by Zhong Ming’s Sword Heart: Heaven and Earth, Only I am Supre.
After Lin Kong’s defeat, he had co up with several high-minded excuses, but the undeniable truth was this: he subconsciously believed he couldn’t defeat Zhong Ming, and so he had shrunk from the challenge.
This retreat was, without a doubt, a form of defeat in itself. As a result, Zhong Ming’s invincible Dominating Thought had been etched into the depths of his mind, making him subconsciously fear the man.
This fear ant that without a foolproof plan, he didn’t dare to face Zhong Ming in a duel.
’Three days from now is enough ti for the sect to send over the treasure that’s perfectly compatible with . With the treasure’s help, and with a torrential downpour to block out the heavens’ light, my victory will be one hundred percent certain.’
’Plus, I’ll be able to score a free treasure out of it.’
These were Zhu Junfeng’s inner calculations. Of course, he wouldn’t say any of this out loud.
Fortunately, he was clever and quickly ca up with a few plausible-sounding excuses.
"Junior Brother Chi, you’re right. Fighting tomorrow would be the fastest way to restore the sect’s reputation."
"However, Lin Kong was ultimately defeated. Under these circumstances, even if we defeat Zhong Ming, it will still be a flawed victory, and we’ll be mocked by the other Major Sects."
"So, I’ve specifically left a three-day window for others to challenge Zhong Ming—they don’t necessarily know the source of Zhong Ming’s power. Without a way to counter it, they are sure to be defeated."
"At that ti, I will step in to clean up the ss and defeat Zhong Ming. With the defeats of other Major Sects as a backdrop, not only will our reputation be restored, but our prestige will soar!"
This reasoning was quite convincing, and many began to flatter Zhu Junfeng. "Senior Brother Zhu is truly a man of great foresight."
However, while so were full of praise, others frowned and said, "Senior Brother, will the other Major Sects actually make a move? They’re wary of Zhong Ming and would rather see us eliminated. It’s more likely they’ll just sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight."
"Heh heh..." Zhu Junfeng chuckled at his junior brothers’ words, his laugh tinged with malice and cunning. "Not make a move? It won’t be up to them."
"They used public opinion to force us to fight. That’s a trick we know how to play, too."
Waving his hand, Zhu Junfeng beckoned the others forward. "Co here. I have sothing I need you to do..."
...
The Void Moon Sect had found a ’thod’ to deal with Zhong Ming and was even preparing to drag the other Major Sects into the fray.
anwhile, Prince Qinghe had a feeling this would happen. While he didn’t think Zhong Ming could ultimately triumph against a siege by the Major Sects, he was still prepared to lend him a hand.
"I recall that Zhong Ming lacks a Qi Cultivation Technique, and Yue’Er has been searching for one for him... Take the mansion’s partially restored copy of the *Star River Secret Manual* and give it to Yue’Er. Have her deliver it to Zhong Ming."
"Yes, Your Highness." Bowing, the old butler accepted the command and slowly withdrew.
After he left, Prince Qinghe went to the window. He looked out over the vast Qinghe Prefecture City, his gaze profound, his thoughts unreadable.
...
While Prince Qinghe’s Mansion and the Void Moon Sect were making their own moves, the other Major Sects were not idle either.
So watched from the sidelines to see how things would develop; others, however, were happy to stir up trouble and spread rumors in the Prefecture City, making the situation even more chaotic.
Nangong Die of the Spirit Illusion Sect was one of the most active among them.
Summoning a few of her trusted subordinates, her eyes twinkling with a cunning light, she gave her orders:
"In a mont, I want you to go out and spread this: Zhong Ming is arrogant and treats the True Disciples of the Major Sects like ants..."
At this, her subordinates’ expressions didn’t change at all. In their eyes, Zhong Ming’s temperant was indeed that arrogant and domineering.
But they weren’t expecting what she said next:
"And add this—the Celestial Sound Sect feels threatened by Zhong Ming and doesn’t want their sect’s reputation to be damaged, so their True Disciple, Miaoyun, secretly went to find Zhong Ming at midnight. The two of them were in a private discussion in his room all night long..."
"Huh?" Her words gave the Cultivators pause, and they exchanged uncertain glances. "Senior Sister, will anyone actually believe that?"
"Oh, they will." A mischievous grin spread across Nangong Die’s face as she savored the idea. "Sex and gossip are primal urges. A scandalous affair like this is exactly what common Cultivators love to hear about..."
The actions of the Major Sects caused the situation in Qinghe Prefecture City to beco treacherous and unpredictable.
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