"Yue Ming, please accept Miss Su's guidance."
Linghu Ming cupped his hands in a respectful salute to Su Yunying, a playful smile playing on his lips.
Whether it was his imagination or not, Shen Zhao felt Linghu Ming's gaze lingering on him from time to time.
Regardless, he wouldn't allow Linghu Ming to harm Su Yunying.
*Damn it, a Selfless Realm cultivator showing off in the Southern Region, this backwater place? Linghu Ming, you old bastard, have some shame!*
Su Yunying returned the salute with her spear. "Fellow Daoist Yue, I look forward to your guidance."
"Please."
After the formalities, Su Yunying struck first, thrusting her spear directly at Linghu Ming.
Yet Linghu Ming remained composed. After quickly assessing his opponent's movements, he even praised, "Miss Su, your footwork is truly exquisite."
He effortlessly dodged the spear tip, shifting his weight with effortless grace and a carefree air.
*Hmph, just like in our past lives. Still the same arrogant show-off.*
Shen Zhao rolled his eyes in disdain.
The duel had already surpassed thirty exchanges.
Seeing that her ordinary attacks were ineffective, Su Yunying immediately dropped all restraint. With a sweep of her Lone Goose spear, spiritual energy swirled around her, and a faint shadow of the Profound Phoenix materialized behind her.
"Nirvana Realm!!!"
The cultivators present gasped in unison at the sight.
They knew Su Yunying was powerful, but they could never have associated such a young, blossoming maiden with a Nirvana Realm cultivator.
"Seven Dragon-Taming Chapters: Hundred-Li Dragon Surge."
With a sweep of Lone Goose, the spiritual energy around Su Yunying transformed into water dragons that surged like ten thousand waves, roaring as they crashed toward Linghu Ming.
Yue Ming frowned. "What a formidable spear technique. You have impressive skill, Miss."
As his words fell, Yue Ming activated his Primordial Art, radiating a powerful aura.
"Heaven and Earth Traverse Art: Wild Wind Sweeps Fallen Leaves."
A fierce gale erupted, triggering a celestial phenomenon.
A hurricane spiraled outward from Linghu Ming's position.
The Hundred-Li Dragon Surge clashed with the Wild Wind's momentum, unleashing a violent air shockwave.
When the dust settled, the surroundings lay in ruins, leaving only Su Yunying and Linghu Ming standing proudly on the arena stage.
"Fellow Daoist Yue, your cultivation is likely far superior to mine."
"Miss Su, there's no need for discouragement. That single move alone forced me to use seventy percent of my Primordial Art to block it. If you were to fully master this spear technique, I might not be able to block it so easily."
Linghu Ming wasn't being polite; every word he spoke was genuine.
He was truly astonished by Su Yunying's marksmanship. Though her technique was still raw and clearly recently acquired, it was undeniably impressive.
Su Yunying's fighting spirit ignited. With a shift in her stance, she declared, "Then, Fellow Daoist Yue, do you dare to face another of my moves?"
Knowing she stood no chance of winning, Su Yunying still wanted to test her limits. She desperately needed such a formidable opponent to hone her combat experience.
But...
"No, I concede."
Linghu Ming raised both arms and surrendered outright.
The scene left everyone, including Su Yunying, utterly bewildered.
Stone Guanyin, her face a mask of confusion, finally reacted. "Fellow Daoist, what's the meaning of this? Weren't you just evenly matched, exchanging pleasantries? Why concede now? Can't you at least be professional and give us a thrilling, evenly matched battle? Don't leave us hanging after building the anticipation—that's just cruel!"
Linghu Ming shrugged. "As I said, I'm no match for Miss Su. Continuing would only lead to my own suffering. It's better to concede now."
Stone Guanyin, hearing this, flew into a rage. "I hate you self-righteous types the most! Don't think you're so great just because of your high cultivation. Let me tell you, I've eaten the Jade Pool Peach. In five hundred years, I'll be singing and dancing on your grave!"
With that, she roared, "I now declare the winner of this Southern Domain Immortal Martial Grand Tournament to be Su Yunying!"
A deathly silence fell over the crowd.
The next moment, thunderous applause erupted.
Su Yunying stood there, dazed. *What in the world is going on?*
At that moment, Shen Zhao leaped onto the stage and said to her, "Congratulations, little girl, on winning the Immortal Martial Grand Tournament."
Su Yunying pouted, tilted her head, and smiled. "It's nothing. Besides, Fellow Daoist Yue was kind enough to hold back."
Shen Zhao turned and glared at Linghu Ming. "Then thank you for your magnanimity, Fellow Daoist. It's fortunate you showed some sense and didn't push things to the bitter end, or the consequences would have been unimaginable."
Linghu Ming retorted immediately, "Of course I know I have to save face for certain people. Now that this is over, I want you to buy me a drink. You wouldn't refuse, would you?"
The tone between them suggested they were old acquaintances, with none of the awkwardness of strangers meeting for the first time.
Shen Zhao instantly understood. This guy had probably also transmigrated from another world. Otherwise, there was no way to explain why he'd appear in the Southern Region at this particular time, or why his cultivation was so much stronger than in his previous life.
"No need for pleasantries. I'll drink with you until you've had your fill."
Su Yunying also noticed the apparent familiarity between the two men and couldn't help but curiously size up this "Yue Ming."
***
While the public trial committee was holding its award ceremony, Shen Zhao and Linghu Ming had already downed three jars of wine in Jingyang Palace.
"Brother, it's so good to see you here again."
"You old bastard, you've been reborn too?"
"Yes, and I had a strong feeling you had as well."
"How did you know?"
"Come on, in this life you didn't marry into the Great Yin imperial family. Plus, you made a name for yourself in the Northern Region and with the Heavenly Extinction Holy Land. I guessed you'd been reborn."
Linghu Ming set down his wine bowl and sighed. "Brother, your death in the last life was so unjust. I even went to the Peak of the Nine Heavens to pay my respects. Yu Xiyan was never worthy of your sacrifices. I'm so glad you've stayed away from that obsessed woman this time.
"Alas, I was too weak to help you get revenge. Not only that, I was crippled. I had to watch helplessly as the Dao Domain fell into Lin Feng's hands, and the Heavenly Que Holy Dynasty was reduced to ashes. The Empress, to avoid being defiled by Lin Feng, took her own life, but I could do nothing to stop it."
Shen Zhao was deeply moved by his words.
"Brother, you shouldn't have gone through all this for me. You didn't need to get involved in my affairs at all."
"Since we've called each other brothers, we'll be brothers for life. I, Linghu Ming, would fight for my brother without regret, especially since,
If you hadn't intervened back then, my father would have been killed by the Lord of the Dao Domain long ago.
Even if I had to do it again, I wouldn't regret my decision. Besides, in my past life, I relied on you, my brother, so don't be so formal with me."
Hearing this, Shen Zhao said nothing more. He simply raised his wine bowl. "Good. In that case, let's not say another word. Cheers."
"Cheers."
The two drank the Spirit Wine heartily, then shared a knowing smile.
After some pleasantries, Shen Zhao asked, "Brother, I'm curious, how did you suddenly appear in the Southern Region?"
"It's a long story. First, I was naturally searching for you. Second, the court of the Dragon Han Heavenly Dynasty in the Central Continent has been rather unstable lately."
"The Dragon Han Heavenly Dynasty?" Shen Zhao looked puzzled.
Linghu Ming explained, "Empress Song Yanran recently took a Male Consort and wants to make him her Imperial Husband. The matter has caused quite a stir."
Shen Zhao shrugged. "Isn't that normal? What's wrong with an Empress taking a husband? Even having a harem isn't that unusual."
"You don't know, but this pretty boy is said to be the Empress's long-cherished first love.
Ever since the Empress took a liking to him, he's been abusing her favor to act with impunity, throwing the entire Dragon Han Heavenly Dynasty into chaos."
"What does that have to do with me?"
"My Dao Domain Heavenly Pavilion Holy Dynasty has always been on good terms with the Dragon Han Heavenly Dynasty. If unrest breaks out there, the Dao Domain will be partly responsible."
"And then?"
"So, since we brothers have met, why don't you handle the affairs of the Central Continent for me? I've thought long and hard, and I can't think of anyone more suitable for this damn task than you."
"You Old Sixth, trying to trick me again, huh?"
"Given the Empress's aloof nature, only a brother like you could keep her in check.
Moreover, I've discovered this pretty boy has impure motives. My investigations suggest he might be secretly colluding with the Xiongnu.
You know the Xiongnu Empire has always been the Dragon Han Heavenly Dynasty's greatest enemy. Even though the Empress shattered them years ago, they've never stopped plotting. If those barbarians set foot half a step past the Great Wall, it would mean untold suffering for all. You must help me."
"Since Empress Song Yanran ruled the Celestial Dynasty for two thousand seven hundred years, she must have been extraordinary. How could she have been so infatuated with some pretty boy?"
"Who knows? Maybe after thousands of years of vegetarianism, she suddenly decided to indulge. Maybe she craved the warmth of love."
"I've never seen the Empress love someone so deeply before. How did we never notice this before?"
Shen Zhao pondered for a long time, then suddenly a perfect plan formed in his mind.
He said, "Brother, I can handle this perfectly for you, but you'll have to do me a favor in return."
"Just say the word."
"Su Yunying is the future empress I've been cultivating. I need you to take her to a place to obtain a great fortune."
"What place?"
"The Divine Phoenix Ruins."
"You mean the Divine Phoenix Legacy Phoenix Marrow Pill?"
Shen Zhao nodded.
Linghu Ming was taken aback, then narrowed his eyes. "Brother, what's your relationship with Miss Su?"
"Why so many questions? Yes or no?"
"How could I refuse? She's my future sister-in-law, of course I'll help! I've been wondering why Su Yunying's greatest achievement in her past life was only the Supreme Realm..."
"How did you reach Nirvana second-grade cultivation so quickly? So it was you supporting her behind the scenes, no wonder! That makes sense. Su Yunying is a thousand times better than Yu Xiyan, no matter how you look at it. If you two end up together, I'll definitely contribute to the wedding feast."
Shen Zhao was speechless. He still hadn't recovered from the trauma of his previous nine lifetimes and had no interest in romance. As for Su Yunying, he felt only immense guilt. He had to find a way to repay her for her silent devotion in their past lives.
Too lazy to explain, he simply picked up his wine bowl and asked, "Tell me, what's that pretty boy's name?"
"Di Feijing."
*Pfft—*
Shen Zhao immediately spat out a mouthful of wine, choking and coughing violently.
"What did you say? What's that guy's name?"
"Di Feijing. What's wrong? Do you know him, brother?"
Shen Zhao was speechless.
He couldn't possibly tell Linghu Ming that in his past life, when he'd disguised himself as Di Feijing to compete for the Heavenly Flame Stone in the Central Continent, he'd used that alias.
But in his past life, he'd never even met Song Yanran. How could he have inexplicably become her white moonlight?
*Coincidence*, he told himself. *It must be coincidence.*
Just as they were about to continue their casual conversation, a disciple of the Confucian Sage approached Shen Zhao and whispered a few words in his ear.
After listening, Shen Zhao turned to Linghu Ming and said, "Sorry, brother. Something came up. I'll catch up with you later."
Without waiting for Linghu Ming to respond, he stood up and left abruptly.
"Same old Shen Zhao. Runs off the moment something comes up. I still get pissed off thinking about that insane stunt in his past life—running all the way from the Eastern Region to the Northern Region to buy ointment because Yu Xiyan's foot got a blister!
*Thank God he bought it fast enough. Otherwise, her leg injury would have healed on its own!*
Linghu Ming grumbled, took a swig of his wine, and shook his head.
-----------------------
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