Chapter 177: Chapter 168: What a Lousy Name

[You defeated a LV65 enemy and gained 33000 experience points.]

Chen Ming stood in place, his vision suddenly turning dark.

The strike just now not only drained his remaining true qi but also greatly exhausted his spirit. Now the aftermath hit, and the back of his head throbbed with pain.

"Luckily, he escaped..."

He thought with some relief, if Lai Xiangran had been a bit bolder and hadn’t fled directly, it might have been him lying dead.

At this moment, a somewhat familiar voice sounded beside him, "Being so soft-hearted will lead you to great losses."

Chen Ming took a deep breath, and in his depleted sea of qi, a thread of true qi finally emerged. Opening his eyes, he saw in the moonlight the figure of "Sister Hong" in a red dress standing before him.

The stabbing pain in his head also eased significantly.

He said joyously, "Sister Hong, why are you here?"

Princess Hongyu looked a bit complicated, "If I weren’t here, how could I have seen that scene just now? Nearly killing a Fourth Grade with a Fifth Grade cultivation, Chen Ming, your progress these last two months has truly surpassed my imagination!"

In just a few breaths, the thread of true qi in Chen Ming’s body grew stronger, and he recovered a bit, saying, "Sister Hong praises me too much. I merely relied on the advantage of a divine weapon."

"There are many who wield divine weapons; how many can slay foes across grades? You don’t need to be modest."

"Sister Hong, is your visit to Jiangzhou City for business?" Chen Ming shifted the topic.

"Everything’s done, and I was just about to leave. Tonight, I intended to drop by and greet you, unexpectedly witnessing such a thrilling battle. You were momentarily soft-hearted, and nearly harmed yourself. Remember this lesson, show no mercy to your enemies."

"I will definitely keep Sister Hong’s teachings in mind." After thanking her, Chen Ming invited, "How about visiting my home, Sister Hong?"

"No need, I must be going." Princess Hongyu paused for a moment and added, "If you had invested more thought in the ’Phoenix Dance of Nine Heavens’ body technique, you wouldn’t need to wield sword intent to defeat this opponent today."

After saying this, she drifted gracefully away.

Chen Ming watched the red-clad figure, like a celestial maiden under the moon, depart and fell into contemplation.

Actually, during the fierce fight with Lai Xiangran, he had realized that the opponent’s body technique far surpassed his own. Several times he had detected Lai’s openings, yet the opponent always managed to evade his sword impossibly.

Now, with the red-clad woman’s insight, he understood the situation.

The discrepancy lay in body technique!

Previously, he had faced Fifth Grade adversaries, almost none posing any pressure, and under the perfected ’Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship’, he always resolved them easily.

Lai Xiangran was, thus far, the most formidable adversary he had encountered. This battle taught him how to enhance the prowess of the ’Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship’.

And that is body technique.

"Young Master—"

At this moment, Chen Ming heard the voices of Qiuxiang and Dongxiang. Turning, he saw the two maids running over, surrounding him anxiously, asking, "Are you hurt, sir?"

"I’m fine. Pick up that severed hand and the Black Blade."

He instructed. Then, he led them home.

In one aspect, the red-clad woman was right. He had severed Lai Xiangran’s arm, thus firmly setting enmity with the Celestial Extreme Sect.

It’s no different ritually than having killed him regarding enmity depth.

Of course, not killing Lai Xiangran leaves him available, perhaps to harvest experience points again.

The current trouble is the Celestial Extreme Sect’s sect leader, a Second Grade power, to kill him would be as effortless as killing a chicken.

"I still need to find Yu Haitang and see if she has a solution."

Yu Haitang gifting him the "Mingfeng Sword" clearly indicates she sees potential in him. Now, having slain a Fourth Grade with his sword, such performance should prompt her to increase her investment, right?

...

At the Celestial Extreme Sect’s premises.

Han Xiangcheng had already awoken, learned his elder brother had gone to find Chen Ming to seek justice, and nearly fainted again.

From anger.

He knew too well the temperament of this elder brother, definitely he’d fight Chen Ming. Then, if not injuring the opponent severely, their face would be lost.

What would others say about them?

Disciples of the Celestial Extreme Sect go challenging others, unable to win, and therefore call their elders to regain prestige — too shameless. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

If the Celestial Extreme Sect treats others like this, naturally others will have the same reason to deal with the Celestial Extreme Sect likewise.

Elder brother is foolish!

Han Xiangcheng was deeply worried and fretful, yet lacked any means out, at his elder brother’s pace, this affair was probably settled...

While he pondered, he noticed a figure flying in.

"Brother, you—where is your hand?"

Han Xiangcheng was about to complain but soon realized something was wrong with his brother’s condition. Upon looking closely, he was shocked to see his brother’s right hand was missing.

Lai Xiangran’s face was pale, gripping his junior’s collar with his remaining hand, speaking weakly, "Immediately announce my plans to break through to Third Grade, entering closed isolation..."

He gasped, "Remember... Do not provoke... that... Chen Ming..."

Han Xiangcheng held back tears, chokingly said, "Brother, your hand... What on earth..."

"Don’t ask, remember my words! Do not fear, as long as the uncle master is here, our Celestial Extreme Sect won’t fall! Now, help... help me inside..."

...

Dawn broke.

In a quiet courtyard, Yu Haitang, dressed in a white gown, was sitting beneath the eaves reading a book. The morning sun poured over her, dyeing her face a golden hue.

Suddenly, the maid Mei’Er tiptoed over and reported softly, "Mistress, Young Master Chen just sent a message."

Yu Haitang didn’t lift her head, "What does he want?"

"He asked if the Mistress could pay him a visit." Mei’Er observed her expression stealthily as she spoke. Seeing no joy or anger on her face, she only commented, "He’s grown bolder."

After a while, she asked, "Who delivered the message?"

Mei’Er lowered her head, "The maid by Young Master Chen’s side, named Qiuxiang."

Yu Haitang frowned slightly, "What a ridiculous name. And the other one?"

"Dongxiang."

"..."

Yu Haitang closed the book "Fiery Sun Divine Skill" that she got from Chen Ming, stood up, and said, "Prepare the carriage."

"Yes."

Soon, she set off in the carriage. She headed towards Tianyang District, got off the carriage at the intersection, and walked to the entrance of Evergreen Hall.

Yu Haitang was still wearing a veiled hat, her white veil hiding her peerless beauty. Under Ji Qianxing’s escort, she walked into the unobtrusive hospital doors.

Upon seeing the elder inside, she curtsied elegantly, "Senior, I’ve come to see you again. Was the calming incense I sent last time useful?"

Old Master Sun said indifferently, "I told you, don’t waste your efforts on this old man. I am just a doctor. In Jiangzhou City, there are at least three others whose medical skills surpass mine."

Yu Haitang said, "I know Senior wishes to keep his identity hidden. Don’t worry, I am being cautious, no one will notice."

"You have mistaken me for someone else, I’m just a doctor."

"Yes, yes, Senior is indeed a doctor. I just wish to establish a benevolent connection, hoping that if I am ever injured or fall ill in the future, Senior might save me."

Old Master Sun scanned her with his eyes and said blandly, "At present, there’s an issue with your True Qi."

Yu Haitang was slightly startled, "Senior perceived it?"

"If I’m not wrong, you intend to dual-cultivate a Cultivation Technique. You were too eager for success and nearly suffered from Qi deviation recently. Your meridians sustained significant damage."

Yu Haitang bowed again, "Senior, you have sharp insight. Please guide me through this perplexing situation."

"I only understand medical skills, asking me won’t help you." Old Master Sun’s tone changed, "You should ask the person from whom you obtained your Cultivation Technique."

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior."

"Alright, a patient has arrived, don’t disturb my practice of medicine and saving lives."

"I take my leave, Senior."

As Yu Haitang walked out of Evergreen Hall, she suddenly stopped in her tracks, her gown fluttering without wind, a blazing aura erupting from her being.

A few moments later, the anomaly subsided.

At this moment, Ji Qianxing softly asked, "Mistress, are you okay?"

Yu Haitang shook her head, said nothing, and continued forward. She reached the back alley of Evergreen Hall from a small path, standing in front of the door to a small courtyard adjacent to Evergreen Hall.

Ji Qianxing stepped forward to knock on the door.

Soon, the door opened.

Chen Ming came out to greet her personally, "Lady, your presence truly graces this humble abode."

Yu Haitang entered with Ji Qianxing.

Inside the courtyard was a table with a tea set upon it.

Beside the table were two chairs.

Yu Haitang’s gaze swept past the two maids behind him, and she asked, "Speak, what’s the matter."

Chen Ming said, "I caused a major trouble last night and don’t know what to do except seek your advice."

"Oh? Tell me, what kind of trouble."

He gestured, and Qiuxiang and Dongxiang turned to bring a tray over, which held an arm and a black blade.

Yu Haitang glanced at it, recognized the peculiarly shaped blade, and remarked nonchalantly, "You severed the hand of Han Xiangcheng of the Celestial Extreme Sect?"

The tone as if to say, for this?

Chen Ming corrected, "Not Han Xiangcheng, but Lai Xiangran."

Yu Haitang was slightly taken aback, her tone finally adopting a tone of seriousness, "Was it the Celestial Dao Alliance disciple by your side who did this?"

Chen Ming smiled wryly, "If it was her, I wouldn’t be so troubled. It was I who severed it."

"You?"

Yu Haitang’s tone was obviously incredulous.

For Chen Ming to sever the hand of Lai Xiangran, a fourth-grade Martial Artist, unless Lai Xiangran had been knocked out.

"Indeed, it was me. If you don’t believe it, you can ask them."

Chen Ming pointed to the two maids behind him.

Qiuxiang and Dongxiang kept their heads down, not daring to look at their former mistress. Upon hearing Chen Ming’s words, they became immediately tense, "It was indeed Young Master who severed it. We witnessed it with our own eyes. It absolutely isn’t a lie."

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