Chapter 92 - 73: Who Dares Claim Invincibility, Who Dares Speak of Being Undefeated

"Your Cuixiang Mountain sought an alliance with our Longxi Peak? When did this happen? Why wasn’t I aware of it?"

"And you’re saying you proposed a partnership, but someone from Longxi Peak scornfully rejected it? Are you certain?"

Mo Shuying’s look of shock, surprise, and utter disbelief was a satisfying sight for Lin Yuxuan, who stood beside Ning Yunlu.

’This is how it should be. When Cuixiang Mountain deigns to notice you, this is the ecstatic reaction you ought to have.’

As this thought crossed her mind, Lin Yuxuan began to recount Zhong Ming’s arrogant ’misdeeds,’ embellishing the story with every word.

"Of course it’s true. Just ten days ago, as a sign of respect, our Cuixiang Mountain’s most outstanding disciple of this generation, Senior Sister Lingya, personally went to the Sword Testing Platform to seek out your Longxi Peak’s Zhong Ming for a partnership."

"Our Senior Sister made it perfectly clear that the partnership would only require mutual support. You wouldn’t have to give up anything at all, but that Zhong Ming still refused."

At this point, Lin Yuxuan’s tone grew even more hostile.

"Hmph! You wouldn’t even agree to such fair terms! Did you expect us to become your vassals instead?!"

"And you have the gall to say you’re not arrogant!"

Her voice full of indignation, Lin Yuxuan was clearly still brooding over what had happened ten days prior. Feeling that her senior sister had been wronged and Cuixiang Mountain had been slighted, she had reported the incident to their First Senior Sister, Ning Yunlu, asking her to seek justice on their behalf.

Now, seeing Mo Shuying’s deeply furrowed brow, Lin Yuxuan’s inner joy and smugness grew.

Clearly, she believed her tattling had succeeded.

’Hmph. How dare he insult Sister Lingya and look down on Cuixiang Mountain. Zhong Ming, you will be punished.’

However, just as she was silently celebrating her victory, the scene that unfolded next left her stunned.

Actually, she wasn’t the only one who was stunned.

After listening to Lin Yuxuan’s account, Mo Shuying’s brow furrowed even more deeply.

But before she could speak, a voice as clear and cold as ice rang out beside them.

"Our Senior Brother believes Cuixiang Mountain is unworthy of an alliance with us? If that’s his judgment, then you are indeed unworthy."

"Huh?!"

The sudden voice made Du Gang and Ning Yunlu turn to look in astonishment, as did Mo Shuying.

They then saw that the speaker was Xue Yao. Her expression was nonchalant, and she had uttered those words with such a matter-of-fact look, as if Zhong Ming’s judgment were some kind of irrefutable truth.

The scene was already astonishing, but what happened next left everyone speechless.

After Xue Yao, Zhuang Yi, the other A-Class prodigy Mo Shuying had brought with her, also spoke up.

His strength might have been somewhat lacking, but he was a true Sword Cultivator.

Now, upon hearing of Zhong Ming’s ’arrogant’ and ’insolent’ behavior in provoking Cuixiang Mountain, he wasn’t the least bit worried. Instead, he let out a wild laugh. "Zhong Ming, you truly are the man who defeated me and earned my respect... Are you planning to take on all the other peaks with the strength of Longxi Peak alone?"

"Haha! That kind of carefree, untamed spirit is exactly how we Sword Cultivators should be!"

As soon as the two of them finished speaking, the scene fell silent.

Du Gang of Bright Stone Peak gave Mo Shuying an incredibly strange look.

"When Junior Sister Yunlu came over, I thought she might be exaggerating. I never expected that even in this situation, your Longxi Peak would still harbor such an indomitable spirit..."

Not quite knowing what to say, he finally just cupped his fists.

"My respects!"

With that, he gave up any thought of allying with Longxi Peak.

He clearly didn’t believe that Longxi Peak, which looked down on even Cuixiang Mountain, would have any interest in his own declining Body Forging lineage.

After he stepped back, Ning Yunlu’s expression grew even colder. "Mo Shuying, do you have anything to say for yourself now?"

"..."

At this moment, Mo Shuying was naturally at a loss for words.

Her mind was in turmoil.

It was a turmoil born from her shock at Zhong Ming unilaterally rejecting the alliance with Cuixiang Mountain, but also from a deep sense of bewilderment.

She wasn’t a complete fool. When both Xue Yao and Zhuang Yi endorsed Zhong Ming’s decision, even hailing him as the strongest, she began to sense that something was amiss.

And looking at the members of Cuixiang Mountain who had come to confront them, she realized something else:

’Why would Cuixiang Mountain seek out Zhong Ming for a partnership? And why would they offer such favorable terms?’

Mo Shuying didn’t believe for a second that Cuixiang Mountain was acting out of sect fellowship, wanting to give Longxi Peak a helping hand.

’Sect fellowship exists, yes, but the internal competition for benefits within the Seven Profound Sect is even stronger. For them to act this way, it must be because Zhong Ming has some value that makes him worth recruiting...’

At this, a thought finally clicked into place for Mo Shuying.

’So, I was mistaken. Could it be that the most talented disciple on Longxi Peak isn’t Xue Yao, but Zhong Ming?’

...

"Ahem, I’m not entirely clear on this matter. Junior Sister Yunlu, please give me some time. Once I’ve investigated thoroughly, I will give you an answer."

Sensing that something was off, Mo Shuying wasn’t about to mindlessly promise to punish Zhong Ming.

Her choice was to buy some time and then find out what was going on with Zhong Ming.

Unfortunately, this response did not satisfy the disciples from Cuixiang Mountain.

With the exception of Su Lingya, everyone from Cuixiang Mountain believed their peak was stronger than Longxi Peak.

In fact, even Su Lingya herself believed this—her desire for a fair partnership with Zhong Ming was mostly driven by the need to stand against Molten Fire Peak and Dharma Seal Peak, which was why she had been willing to concede some benefits.

Because they considered themselves stronger than Longxi Peak, they viewed Zhong Ming’s actions as a provocation. Mo Shuying’s refusal to punish him was seen in the exact same light.