Returning to the Scripture Pavilion, Spirit Stream Finger: Meridian Severing

"Ten times the resource benefits!"

The moment Senior Disciple Sister Mo Shuying said that, Zhong Ming's already resolute gaze became even firmer.

Zhuang Yi gave a sharp smile. "Senior Disciple Sister, rest assured. We'll give it everything we've got."

"And it's not as if we have no chance at all. Among the Seven Mysteries Sect's peaks, our Dragon Stream Peak has the fiercest offensive power. Lower realms defeating higher realms isn't impossible."

After him, Zhong Ming, Yi Yunya, and Xue Yao all nodded, indicating that they would give their all to fight for Dragon Creek's place in the top three—or even first place.

"...Good luck."

Everyone's declaration cheered Mo Shuying somewhat.

Yet Zhong Ming noticed that the expression on his Senior Disciple Sister's face... was still more worry than anything else.

Clearly, she did not believe Zhong Ming and the others had much chance of making the top three.

The Seven Peaks Grand Competition measured overall strength. Molten Fire Peak, Green Fragrance Mountain, Dharma Seal Peak... each peak had a Mid Qi Condensation disciple.

And beyond those top combatants, those three peaks each had seven or eight Class A disciples—twice as many as Dragon Stream Peak.

"They might even have twice as many Class B disciples as us..."

Given such a massive gap, Zhong Ming understood why his Senior Disciple Sister was so dejected.

"Under these circumstances, pushing Dragon Stream Peak upward really won't be easy... But it's not time for despair yet."

With that thought, Zhong Ming looked toward his Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme and Dragon Creek - Sword Drawing Technique.

"So the question now is how to quickly raise Dragon Creek - Sword Drawing Technique to the fourth realm and complete the Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme."

"Mm... I can't neglect the Dragon Creek Breathing Technique either. If I raise it to the third realm, mastery, then even with a Third-grade Spiritual Root, I might have a chance to reach Mid Qi Condensation by the end of the month."

Thinking this far, Zhong Ming shook his head speechlessly.

"Why does it feel like after being rated Class A, not only have the things I need to consider not decreased, but they've actually multiplied? And I've become busier too?"

"Is this what they mean by: the greater the power, the greater the responsibility?"

Considering that his rights and status were rising along with his strength, Zhong Ming found the heavier responsibility less objectionable.

While Zhong Ming was pondering how to rapidly improve his strength, Zhuang Yi turned his blazing gaze toward Zhong Ming and the others.

"As long as we take fourth place, the four of us can all become Inner Sect Disciples. If we advance to third, there'll even be one more slot."

At that, Zhuang Hao showed a wild smile. "I'm aiming for the top three. What about you? Do you want to fight the other six peaks, or do you know victory is beyond hope and, like cowards, only want to settle who ranks higher within our own peak?"

The moment those words fell, a cold snort rang out. "A clumsy attempt at provocation."

It was Yi Yunya who spoke. "Even without you saying it, my goal is also the top three."

Xue Yao said, "I promised Senior Disciple Sister that I would strive for the best ranking possible."

As the two women finished speaking, everyone looked toward Zhong Ming. Naturally, his answer was to stand united against outsiders.

"With the sect's resources tilted in our favor and its full support in cultivation, I'd quite like to experience such a fine thing myself."

"Everyone, please guide me well from now on."

Having learned of Dragon Stream Peak's current predicament and agreed to face the enemy together, Zhuang Yi, Yi Yunya, and Xue Yao all went off to cultivate with renewed drive.

Zhong Ming also returned to where he had originally been.

Seeing him approach, Jiang Yue immediately stood up and tugged at his younger sister, preparing to welcome Zhong Ming together.

But halfway there, Jiang Xiaoyu could not help stopping.

This time, it was not because her spoiled temper had flared up and she did not want to go over. Rather... she could not squeeze in.

"Young Master Zhong Ming, you're amazing."

"Lord Zhong Ming, you must be tired. Would you like some water?"

"Senior Brother, I'm confident I can be rated Class B. Take me as your follower, and I'll definitely assist you with all my strength."

"Senior Brother, my family deals in spirit artifacts. Let me become your follower, and I'm willing to offer five hundred spirit stones upfront, with further spirit materials to come..."

The instant Zhong Ming returned, Dragon Stream Peak's ordinary disciples swarmed around him.

Among them were quite a few noble young ladies from Cultivation Families.

Even Liu Wanyu set aside her reserve and came to Zhong Ming's side, indicating that she could become his follower.

It could only be said that after being rated Class A, Zhong Ming's standing within Dragon Stream Peak—and even within the Seven Mysteries Sect—had instantly become different.

He could no longer call himself a Commoner Disciple. He was now a core disciple of an upright and renowned sect.

With such an identity in the outside world, even direct heirs of some medium-sized families would fawn over and curry favor with him.

The crowd's enthusiasm and adoration also made Jiang Xiaoyu fully realize something: Zhong Ming's status had now surpassed both hers and her brother's.

Under such circumstances, the two of them had completely missed their chance.

"..."

Zhong Ming knew nothing of Jiang Xiaoyu's tangled emotions.

He was also quite impatient with everyone's flattery and attempts to curry favor.

Knowing that Dragon Stream Peak's circumstances were far from ideal, he only wanted to continue cultivating. He had no mind to enjoy any of this.

Thus, he drove away all those surrounding him, seeking to add flowers to brocade.

However, Zhong Ming did not care about those people, but his attitude toward Jiang Yue, his old friend, remained quite good.

Of course, Jiang Yue's attitude was even better.

"Brother Zhong, congratulations on being rated Class A."

Then, with a touch of flattery, he said, "From the first day I saw you, I knew you were no creature meant to dwell in a shallow pond. But I never imagined that you would soar so quickly. You have a Third-grade Spiritual Root, yet you broke through before me. I'm inferior to you."

As he praised him, Zhong Ming cupped his hands. "Brother Jiang, don't say that. I was merely a step faster. Besides, you have a chance too."

"Right now, Zhuang Yi, Yi Yunya, Xue Yao, and I are all trying to improve our strength, striving to have Dragon Stream Peak rank third among the Seven Peaks by the end of the Hundred Day Assessment. At that time, we'll have five Inner Sect Disciple slots."

Zhong Ming said no more after that, but Jiang Yue's eyes lit up.

"Five..."

He swept his gaze over Zhong Ming, Xue Yao, Zhuang Yi, and Yi Yunya. After confirming that there were only four of them, Jiang Yue's gaze became increasingly fervent.

This sight made Zhong Ming nod in satisfaction.

It was necessary to spur the other members of Dragon Stream Peak onward and awaken their ambition.

After all, Zhong Ming and the other Class A disciples would not be the only ones participating in the major examination at month's end. Everyone else would participate as well.

Under such circumstances, Jiang Yue and the others' strength and attitude would also affect the Seven Peaks' overall ranking to some degree.

After encouraging Jiang Yue, Zhong Ming did not delay for even a moment before rushing to the Dragon Creek Peak Scripture Repository to search for cultivation methods and arts that complemented the Dragon Creek Breathing Technique.

"Although Dragon Stream Peak's sword arts and techniques come from the same source, even if I cultivate them to the second or third realm, the traits I gain will mostly be Water Flow."

"But Water Flow can stack. With every additional one, my comprehension of Water Flow deepens."

"If enough of them stack, the true meaning of Water Flow will not be weaker than the Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme."

"By then, it will no longer be merely Water Flow. It will be Dao Rhyme—Water Flow..."

Thanks to his Class A rating, Zhong Ming encountered no obstacles in obtaining cultivation methods.

This time, he could even take the methods outside, so long as he did not spread them freely.

Thus, before long, Zhong Ming had taken out the Leaping Wave Dragon Creek Steps, Dragon Creek Swordplay, and Spirit Stream Finger: Water Dragon Art.

Beyond those, he also found a finger technique on the third floor of the Scripture Pavilion, one that appeared quite extraordinary—Spirit Stream Finger: Meridian Severing.