Chapter 249: Chapter 138: Official Coronation! Number One in Qinghe Prefecture City
"..."
In the study of the Commandery Prince’s Mansion, a single candle flame, small as a bean, cast the room in a heavy silence.
Because the matter of the Youtan Sect Members was of great importance, Prince Qinghe had specially summoned all his advisors to watch the battle with him.
The advisors roused themselves, their gazes fixed on the image within the Water Mirror as they searched for the Youtan Sect Members’ weaknesses and considered how to deal with them.
Just as everyone was on high alert, the atmosphere taut as a bowstring, the follower from Youtan Heaven was incinerated into dust by Zhong Ming’s casual glance, as if seared by a scorching sun!
This effortless kill completely defied the advisors’ expectations, leaving them unable to react for a moment.
"..."
After a long moment, as everyone’s senses returned, their expressions became utterly strange.
"That’s it?!"
"They’re a bit too weak..."
"Do the followers of Youtan Heaven really warrant such cautious treatment?"
The advisors murmured amongst themselves. As for Prince Qinghe, his eyes held confusion, but also a chilling glint.
’If this is the extent of their power...’
Dangerous thoughts had already begun to sprout in his mind.
Fortunately, there were still capable men among his advisors. One of them spoke up to remind the others, "Everyone, let’s not jump to conclusions. That man wasn’t necessarily one of the stronger Youtan Sect Members."
"Also, the one he fought, Zhong Ming, is a one-in-a-million, peerless prodigy."
"In this situation, it might not be that the followers of Youtan Heaven are too weak, but that Zhong Ming is too strong."
While some agreed with this sentiment, others shook their heads and retorted, "But does it make a difference? Zhong Ming has already pledged his allegiance to the Prince. With a man like him protecting us, why should we continue to tolerate the followers of Youtan Heaven?"
"Exactly! Pouring resources into cultivating Zhong Ming is far more reliable than worshiping some Outer Evil God... Who knows what malicious intentions these heretics are hiding!"
Listening to his advisors state their different opinions, Prince Qinghe pondered for a moment and decided to observe a while longer.
Positioned in the rear, he had all the time in the world to see how things developed before making a final decision.
However, while he had the leisure to wait, the people on Youtan Heaven’s side did not share his relaxed state of mind.
The death of the purple-robed youth made the pupils of the Divine Heir candidate, Li Ye, and the Chief Priest contract. Disbelief was written all over their faces.
"How is this possible?!"
However, within their faction, the ones who were most shocked and most unable to accept the scene before them were not those who came from Youtan Heaven, but rather—Luo Heng and Luo Xiao.
"No! This can’t be! This isn’t real!"
Luo Heng, who had roared out loud, had a crazed look on his face.
"How can a mere Mortal be mentioned in the same breath as the great Youtan Race!"
The image of Zhong Ming incinerating the purple-robed youth with a single glance was like a heavy hammer smashing viciously against Luo Heng’s Dao Heart, causing his spirit to shatter.
Watching this, Luo Qinzh, who was smirking, understood why he had lost his composure so completely.
By abandoning his human identity to become a Cultist who could be condemned by all, Luo Heng had sought the great power and bright future promised by Youtan Heaven.
But Zhong Ming’s casual glance had shattered his fantasy, as if bluntly telling him: "The power you seek is nothing in the eyes of a Qi Cultivator!"
The thing he had abandoned everything to obtain had turned out to be a joke. Luo Heng naturally couldn’t accept such a huge disparity.
Seeing his devastated expression, Luo Qinzh lost all interest in mocking him. She turned her gaze to the Youtan Celestial Chief Priest, her tone icy and her every word a dagger to the heart. "Great? Invincible? Sublime? And you even claimed that only you could save the Qinghe Commandery Mansion, heh... Is this the ’power’ you spoke of?"
"A power that can’t even withstand a single glance from Zhong Ming."
"If you can be considered invincible, then what does that make Zhong Ming, who incinerated one of you with a look? A Deity?"
Although she wasn’t overtly insulting them, her sarcastic tone and the unconcealed contempt and mockery in her eyes made the Youtan Celestial Chief Priest’s expression darken as he narrowed his eyes.
"Lady Luo, don’t forget that you are now also a priestess of Youtan Heaven."
Hearing these somewhat threatening words, Luo Qinzh didn’t seem to care much.
"I know. However, instead of worrying about me, you should be worrying about yourselves."
"Your weakness, your uselessness... it’s quite surprising. If even I think this way, I’m sure I don’t need to spell out how my master views you now."
"And my master is not an indecisive man. Nor will he show me any special consideration. If you don’t do something, this day next year will be the anniversary of your deaths!"
"...Thank you for the reminder, Lady Luo. I will not disappoint you." After this reply, Li Ye and the Youtan Celestial Chief Priest exchanged a look, their eyes filled with both vexation and killing intent.
"We underestimated Zhong Ming. We absolutely cannot lose the next battle! Otherwise, forget about our plans for the coming days—we won’t even make it through tonight!" the Chief Priest said, his tone grave.
Li Ye asked, "Do you need me to make a move?"
As Li Ye said this, his eyes showed no fear, only confidence and killing intent. Clearly, even after witnessing Zhong Ming’s power, he was still fully confident in his ability to defeat him.
But after a moment of thought, the Youtan Celestial Chief Priest shook his head. "You can’t act yet. We don’t want to alert the enemy and arouse the suspicions of others."
"As for how to deal with Zhong Ming... I will bestow a drop of Holy Blood upon Mingya and have him unleash his full power."
"Holy Blood!" Hearing this, a flash of heartache crossed Li Ye’s eyes.
The cultivation path of Divine Followers is different from that of Cultivators. Cultivators cultivate their true self, their inner self, relying entirely on their own efforts. Because of this, even if they achieve an epiphany, it’s difficult for their strength to leap to an extremely high stage all at once.
