On the plaza before Taiyang Peak's main hall.
After Huo Yun was tragically defeated, Zhang Junbao, who had just arrived, was challenged and subsequently defeated as well.
The eight first disciples of Jiuyang Sect's nine Peaks were all defeated.
"They're trying to thoroughly humiliate us!" Chang Yiming said with a dark expression on his face as he supported Zhang Junbao who sported a bloody lip.
Jiang Ming could see this clearly as well.
There were ten Qingyun Sect disciples present at this moment. Some of them stood with their arms crossed while some stood lazily. Despite their varying postures, all of them lifted their chins slightly, knowingly or unknowingly portraying their superiority.
One of the Qingyun Sect disciples, who was dressed in a black robe with golden embroidery, was surrounded by the others. He had an insolent, domineering, and arrogant air about him.
Many of those from Jiuyang Sect found the black-clad Qingyun Sect disciple's arrogant gaze rather annoying.
Swoosh!
Jiang Ming flipped open the Human Path Records.
Name: Mu Lei
Gender: Male
Cultivation base: Fourth Extreme of the Golden Core Realm
Background: Core disciple of Qingyun Sect
Relationship: -45.
Innate Talent: Eight stars (primary flood dragon bloodline)
Status: After hearing about a female disciple of Jiuyang Sect with the phoenix bloodline, he suggested to the Elder to bring him here so he can ask for her hand in marriage. He would entice her with benefits, and if that fails, he would use force. Once he succeeds, he plans to use
Heard that there was a female disciple with the phoenix bloodline in the Jiuyang Sect. Hence, he invited the Elder on this trip where he would ask for her hand in marriage. He would entice her with benefits and pressure her with force. Once he succeeds, he plans to use the furnace method to harvest the power from the phoenix bloodline. The dragon and the phoenix were a pair. He intends to use the phoenix bloodline to boost his flood dragon bloodline. When his dragon rises to the ninth heaven, he'll be a candidate of the Holy Son.
Jiang Ming's eyes narrowed and flashed coldly upon reading Mu Lei's status. 'Trying to lay your filthy hands on my junior sister? Keep dreaming!'
Jiang Ming fought back the violent urges surging in his body as he carefully studied Mu Lei's information.
Mu Lei had an Innate Talent of eight stars, the primary flood dragon bloodline, and was at the 4th Extreme of the Golden Core Realm. With these, he was considered a peerless expert, a Proud Son of the generation, and a cultivator with exceptionally high talent. As expected of a core disciple of Qingyun Sect.
Jiang Ming was not surprised by the -45 relationship value. After all, Mu Lei was trying to get Linglong. It was only natural that Mu Lei had heard about Linglong's senior brother.
At this moment, Mu Lei said to a young man next to him, "Zhang Yu, you're the youngest among us. You're not even 30, and you're the weakest among us since you're only at the Real Core Realm. You'll spar against Chuyang Peak's first disciple. After that, we'll end this friendly match. Remember to show restraint and not hurt disciples from another sect."
"Yes, Senior Brother!" Zhang Yu replied respectfully. He stepped forward and looked at the disciples of Jiuyang Sect contemptuously before he asked, "Who's the first disciple of Chuyang Peak? Step forward now."
Jiang Ming frowned. His impression of Mu Lei grew worse.
'F*ck him!'
Mu Lei naturally knew how 'weak' Jiang Ming was, but he shamelessly asked his fellow disciple to challenge him. Moreover, he told his fellow disciple to show restraint and not hurt him. Mu Lei was clearly trying to further humiliate Jiang Ming.
Jiang Ming took a step forward before he was held back by Chang Yiming.
Chang Yiming said, "I'll fight in your place."
At the same time, Zi Linglong appeared in the sky. Before her feet even touched the ground, her melodious voice, which sounded like the clattering of pearls on a jade tray, rang in the air. "Which unknown person challenged my senior brother?"
Then, she landed in front of Jiang Ming before she dove into his arms. "Senior Brother, I missed you so much!"
Chang Yi Ming raised an eyebrow before he tactfully moved to the side with a small smile on his face.
At the same time, Zhang Junbao sighed with relief.
Mu Lei, who was standing in the distance, narrowed his eyes immediately.
Jiang Ming ruffled Linglong's hair before he pulled away, "Show some propriety, Linglong." Then, he asked, "Are you done cultivating in seclusion?"
"Yes, I just came out. I was about to return to Chuyang Peak when I sensed your aura here. That's why I rushed here!" Zi Linglong explained, "Senior Brother, these shady people don't have the right to challenge you. Sit back and watch the fight from the side. Leave the rest to me!"
"Be careful," Jiang Ming cautioned.
"He's just a weakling!" Zi Linglong said dismissively. Then, she looked at Zhang Yu and asked, "Are you the one who challenged my senior brother?"
"Yes," Zhang Yu's depression darkened as he said, "You're the first person to call Qingyun Sect disciples shady and unknown."
"Are you famous?" Zi Linglong asked coldly, "Are you the Holy Son of Qingyun Sect?"
"No."
"Are you a core disciple?"
"No."
"Then, are you a first disciple?"
"I'm not," Zhang Yu said through gritted teeth.
"So what did I say that's wrong?" Zi Linglong scoffed. "You're not a Holy Son, a core disciple, or even a first disciple. That means you're a nobody. My senior brother is a first disciple. You're insulting my senior brother by challenging him!"
"Impudent!" Zhang Yu was furious. "You should feel honored that Qingyun Sect disciples even deigned to challenge Jiuyang Sect disciple. You're just a brat with a sharp tongue who knows nothing!"
Zi Linglong sneered. "Based on your words, as long as they're from Qingyun Sect, it doesn't matter if they're just a cleaner, they'd have the right to order people around, is that it? Do you think the Qingyun Sect is the king of the Eastern Region? Are we supposed to worship everyone from the Qingyun Sect? Just because I'm dismissive of you, you say I know nothing?"
Zhang Yu was furious, but he did not dare to act recklessly. Although Qingyun Sect was strong, it could not openly bully other sects. At this moment, his ears suddenly twitched, Mu Lei had sent him a voice transmission. Following that, he hurriedly said, "Stop talking nonsense! We're here to have a friendly match today. Our core disciple, Mu Lei, hasn't even stepped forward yet, but eight of your nine first disciples have already been defeated. We haven't fought anyone from Chuyang Peak yet. Are you going to fight or is that what's-his-name going to fight?"
Zi Linglong's eyes flashed coldly. "I won't allow my senior brother to fight an idiot. I'll fight you!"
Zi Linglong stepped forward and released her aura. The void around her rippled as her sleeves fluttered in the air.
"Alright!" Zhang Yu said grimly. His mana surged before forming a divine barrier around him.
With just a move, Zi Linglong seemed to have vanished into thin air. She moved at blinding speed and was instantly upon Zhang Yu. She raised her hand to strike without wasting time.
"No!" Zhang Yu's eyes widened as his heart jolted. She was too fast for him. He hastily retreated and activated his Artifact at the same time. Alas, it was too late.
Bam!
Zi Linglong's hand landed on Zhang Yu's chest, causing him to reel back and spit out blood.
"Is that all you've got? You don't even deserve to be called an idiot!" Zi Linglong flicked her sleeves and placed her hands on her back, naturally exuding a majestic and domineering aura. However, just as quickly as it had appeared, it disappeared. Then, she turned to Mu Lei and the others before she said, "Come at me all at once. Show me the strength of the supposedly powerful Qingyun Sect disciples. Let's see if you're a group of heavenly kings or experts as rumored or if you're just riding on the name of your sect to bully others."
The members of Jiuyang Sect were smiling at this moment. Some of them were even cheering.
"Good job, Linglong!" Chang Yiming gave her a thumbs-up.
"You're doing great!" Zhang Junbao added.
"You've really grown up," Jiang Ming said with a smile. He noticed that Zhang Yu was only injured and did not die. With this, there would not be any issue.
On the contrary, the expressions of Mu Lei and the others darkened immediately. All of them were furious. Some of them even stepped forward but were held back by Mu Lei. Subsequently, he walked toward Zi Linglong and forced a smile on his face before he said, "I, Mu Lei, a core disciple of Qingyun Sect, has cleared the Tower of Trials today. You must be Junior Sister Zi Linglong. Your reputation precedes you. I'm honored to meet you today."
"I'm not your junior sister," Zi Linglong said as she raised a slender eyebrow. Her expression grew frostier as she said, "Are you going to fight or not? I'm tired of talking."
The flames of fury in Mu Lei's heart had been extinguished at this moment. Instead, he was appraising Linglong and was filled with the desire to conquer. "After I reached the Golden Core Realm, I once held my own against a Purple Mansion Elder from the sect. I've also defeated several Purple Mansion cultivators from other sects. Apart from that, I've also killed three Purple Mansion demons."
"Is that all? Don't you feel ashamed for bragging about something like that?" Zi Linglong said scornfully, "You should all fight me at once."
Mu Lei felt his breath caught in his throat for a moment as his face turned red.