Chapter 202: Chapter 122: Wu Chuan: I Rose, and Was Insta-Killed by a Glance
An eerie silence hung over Crescent Lake, but the discussions on the shore were like water brought to a boil, growing louder, more clamorous, and grating to the ear.
Thanks to his physical enhancements, his Candlelight Heart Eye could now develop new traits. This meant Zhong Ming’s power grew simply by basking in the sun, so he was in no hurry at all.
Lying on a soft couch aboard the luxurious flying ship, he even closed his eyes, letting the warm sunlight wash over his body, and drifted into a deep sleep under its gentle heat.
He wasn’t in a hurry. And mindful of the proverb "the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind," the True Disciples from the various Prefecture Cities were also being patient. Even if they weren’t inclined to be, their sect elders would force them to calm down.
But while they could hold their ground, the Prefecture City crowd and the prodigies from the minor sects, who had all come for the spectacle, were losing their patience.
"Are they going to fight or not? What’s with all the dawdling?"
"Don’t tell me these Major Sects are actually scared stiff of Zhong Ming?"
"I’d say that’s about it..."
"So this is what disciples from the Major Sects are like... Zhong Ming might be arrogant, but at least he backs up his words. He said he viewed everyone in the Prefecture City as an opponent, and he actually dared to step forward to face all challengers alone! But look at the True Disciples from the Major Sects. Every single one is timid and cowardly, utterly gutless."
The spectators saying such things didn’t actually believe Zhong Ming was stronger than the True Disciples of the Major Sects.
They were merely acting on the principle that a good show is never too dramatic, deliberately fanning the flames and sowing discord. They just wanted the True Disciples from the Major Sects to make a move so the fighting would start sooner.
It had to be said, their method was quite effective.
The Major Sects were very concerned with their prestige. If they continued to hold back out of caution for one another, and rumors began to spread that all their True Disciples were afraid of Zhong Ming, they would lose all face.
Unwilling to suffer such a fate, Zhu Junfeng decided to use a secret treasure to contact the other True Disciples and discuss how to deal with Zhong Ming.
Unfortunately, very few responded to his call.
Aboard the Celestial Sound Sect’s flying ship, Miaoyun lightly plucked a zither string. Her gaze swept over the Void Moon Sect’s vessel, a playful smile gracing her lips. ’If we don’t accept the challenge, we’ll certainly lose face, but the Void Moon Sect will be the most disgraced. After all, you were the ones who clashed with Zhong Ming first and caused this whole uproar. We can afford not to fight, but you have no way out...’
As this thought crossed her mind, something else occurred to her, and a glint of cunning flashed in her seemingly dignified and gentle eyes.
’Perhaps I should add a little more fuel to the fire.’
With this in mind, she flicked a zither string. An invisible sound wave instantly shot downward, carrying an order for her sect’s disciples to secretly spread the rumor that the Void Moon Sect was afraid to fight.
Following Miaoyun’s lead, the True Disciples of the other Major Sects also began to act.
As a Prince who occupied a prime territory, Prince Qinghe was exceedingly wealthy.
By proactively making his resources available, he had attracted quite a few Major Sects to Qinghe Prefecture City. Among those present at Crescent Lake alone, there were a full six different factions.
As for why none of them, aside from the Void Moon Sect, had been seen around Ji Qingyue, Ji Qinghui, or Ji Qingkang before, it was naturally because the price wasn’t right yet, and they had other plans in motion.
Take Qianqiu Valley, for example. They had been hovering around Ji Qingyue, trying to get her to accept their terms, but Zhong Ming’s arrival had thrown their plans into disarray.
This, in turn, made them the most hostile toward Zhong Ming, and they desperately wanted to drive him away and see him fail.
Now, in order to get this buffoon Zhong Ming out of the picture as soon as possible, they too sent people to spread some passive-aggressive rumors.
"You know, I never expected the Void Moon Sect to have such forbearance. To be so thoroughly humiliated and still do nothing... I guess that’s the famous composure of a Major Sect for you!"
"Composure, my ass! They just lack the strength... If they were confident of victory, they would’ve made a move long ago."
"Exactly! Since the Void Moon Sect is so good at forbearance, I say they should change their name. Something like the ’Turtle Sect’ would be a good fit..."
With several Major Sects working in concert, these comments spread like a virus along the Crescent Lake shore, growing nastier with each retelling.
This caused many people to look at the Void Moon Sect with peculiar expressions.
Zhu Junfeng noticed this, and his expression turned incredibly dark.
CRACK! He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, as he instantly grasped the truth. ’The other Major Sects are making their move. They want us to act as the vanguard and reveal our true strength.’
His speculation was completely correct.
What he didn’t know was that because the Void Moon Sect had invested in Ji Qinghui early on and gained a first-mover advantage, many others were wary of them.
Now, sensing an opportunity, the other Major Sects didn’t just send people to spread rumors on the lakeshore. Some even went directly to Princess Qingyue to provide her with intelligence on the Void Moon Sect.
"And you are?" Ji Qingyue asked, her expression strange as she looked at the two people who had furtively boarded her flying ship, claiming they had intelligence to offer.
But she soon discovered that two was not the limit.
"Princess, another person has arrived. He says he greatly admires Young Master Zhong Ming’s courage for daring to stand against the Major Sects, so he has come to deliver some intelligence on the Void Moon Sect."
"..."
Ji Qingyue fell silent at these words, and the first two arrivals were also left speechless.
When the third person arrived, the three of them could only stare at one another in dismay.
Although they were all in disguise, none had expected the others to be there. And as rivals who had studied each other extensively, all three of them recognized one another.
