"Hahaha, Zheng Ming, I never expected you to take down Zheng Hu like that—true to the saying 'like father, like son'!" Amid the hearty laughter, a burly man gave Zheng Ming's shoulder a solid pat with his palm.
The pat came with such force that one couldn't tell if the man did it on purpose or pretended to be clueless, but within his rough palm was a hidden power.
Although Zheng Ming circulated his Inner Strength to stand still, his shoulder still throbbed with pain under the man's heavy hand.
Zheng Ba, Hall Master of the Zheng Family's Crazy Lion Hall in Qingchuan County, with a cultivation at the Peak of Tenth Grade Level, the eldest son of the Second Elder of the Zheng Family, and a good friend of Zheng Gongxuan.
Zheng Ming looked at Zheng Ba somewhat greedily, "Red Reputation Points over thirty thousand, Yellow Reputation Points over two hundred—how does this guy have so many Prestige Points?"
Although Zheng Ba's Yellow Reputation Points were less than those of the Third Elder, his Red Reputation Points completely overshadowed the Third Elder.
If I could get my hands on his Red Reputation Points, I'd be able to draw thirty random cards—just the thought of it makes me drool.
With a cultivation at the Peak of Tenth Grade, given time and using the Nine Shakes Mountain Crumbling strike, I could cripple him with a single punch.
"Little Ming, have you not seen a gallant and valiant man like your uncle before? Haha, give it a few years, and you'll be just like me," said Zheng Ba, noticing Zheng Ming's intense gaze and assuming he admired his heroic image. With a happy heart, he pulled out a bottle of Elixir Pills from his pouch.
"I didn't bring much to give you, but here, take this Yellow Earth Pill—it's yours!"
As Zheng Ba said this, he stuffed the Yellow Earth Pill into Zheng Ming's hands. If he knew the reason Zheng Ming was staring so intently at him was actually to figure out how to beat him up and snatch his Prestige Points, he would probably have fed the Yellow Earth Pill to a dog rather than give it to Zheng Ming.
A Yellow Earth Pill was worth a thousand taels of silver; Zheng Ba was indeed generous with his gifts, and Zheng Ming decided right then and there not to target Zheng Ba for now.
"Seventh Brother, this Yellow Earth Pill is too valuable!" Zheng Gongxuan, not waiting for Zheng Ming to speak, was already trying to take the pill from Zheng Ming to return it to Zheng Ba.
"What, Gongxuan, are you looking down on me? This is a gift from an uncle to his nephew, and you want to give it back to me?" Zheng Ba blocked Zheng Gongxuan's hand and then said to Zheng Ming in a carefree manner, "Kid, when you're in the Jade Blood Pool, make sure to lay a solid foundation and don't let your father down."
While speaking, he mounted a horse as black as coal and then said to Zheng Gongxuan, "Gongxuan, when we reach the Jade Blood Pool, let's have a good drink together!"
Under Zheng Ba's lead, a dozen robust Martial Artists roared away.
Zheng Gongxuan waited until Zheng Ba and the others disappeared from the town entrance before he turned to the crowd with a grave voice, "Everyone, go about your duties. Zheng Ming, come with me."
In the Zheng Family Hall, Zheng Gongxuan, with an icy expression, sat on a Taishi Chair without saying a word, but the air in the hall felt a few degrees colder.
Zheng Ming initially wanted to sit down, but ultimately he decided to give his father some face and stand for a while longer.
Just when Zheng Ming's gaze wandered to the sky as he silently calculated how much slower his Prestige Points were increasing, Zheng Gongxuan heavily placed his teacup on the table.
"Zheng Ming, the changes in you these past days have even surprised your father. If all goes well, you're going to be the most outstanding man of the Zheng Family!"
"But you mustn't get complacent. It's even more important to be grateful. You must understand why you have achieved what you have today."
"Everything you have is because of Fu Xianzi. Without the miraculous pills and medicines she gave you, how could you have come this far?"
"Though Fu Xianzi lives in our house and is approachable, you must show her the respect she deserves—do you understand?"
"I'm telling you, boy, don't you dare spread idle gossip in front of Fu Xianzi, especially not in Little Xuan's presence. If I hear anything about 'big chest' or the like again, I'll break your legs."
Zheng Ming felt aggrieved as he listened to his father's earnest advice. His achievements had nothing to do with that woman, Fu Yuqing.
However, unwilling to reveal the Hero Card he held, he could only silently take his father's lesson.
"Your son understands," said Zheng Ming.
Zheng Gongxuan nodded and said, "Prepare yourself thoroughly these next few days. The opening of the Jade Blood Pool is approaching, and you must enter the pool in peak condition."
"Your father is still waiting for you to Open your Dantian and Convert Strength into Qi to become our family's first Ninth Grade Strongman!"
"Father, please rest assured, I will not let you down." The thought of the opportunity to enter the Jade Blood Pool, which Zheng Gongxuan had fought hard to secure for him, filled Zheng Ming with determination.
Zheng Gongxuan then smiled and said, "It's good to try hard. Oh, and your Uncle Zheng Ba brought me a message, saying that the Great Elder is holding a grudge against you for defeating Zheng Jinlong and might trip you up when it's time to enter the Jade Blood Pool."
"Your cousin, Uncle Zheng Ba's son, is also one of the contenders for entering the Jade Blood Pool. Get close to him; he'll look after you."
Zheng Ming nodded again. Although he didn't feel he needed any help, having more friends meant more pathways.
Zheng Gongxuan, continuing, went over the matters to be aware of when entering the Jade Blood Pool. Naturally, the first to enter the pool would benefit the most since that's when the Spiritual Power in the pool would be at its fullest.