A Fight Breeds Friendship, Xie Yuzhu's Admiration

"Rumble..."

The force was as powerful as a flood, while the rapid rotation of the water created slicing currents, making the Vortex Dragon immensely powerful.

Like a runaway train, it smashed trees when it met trees and shattered rocks when it met rocks.

In the end, the charging Vortex Dragon rammed Xie Yuzhu and brutally sent her flying more than a hundred meters before exhausting all its power.

"Boom!"

At the very end, it even triggered a massive explosion.

Even with a treasure protecting her, Xie Yuzhu could not get back up for the moment after being struck by such savage force.

"..."

"..."

"..."

That terrifying blow, along with the battle's outcome that had surpassed everyone's expectations, plunged the scene into silence.

Only after a long while did Granny Lan come to her senses and rush toward Xie Yuzhu.

"Miss!"

As she cried out in alarm, Qi Hong, Yang Chen, and the others hurried over to Zhong Ming's side as well.

"Zhong Ming, are you all right?"

Xie Yuzhu had been struck so hard that she was dizzy and disoriented, but Zhong Ming's condition was not much better.

That attack had indeed been terrifying, but it had also completely drained Zhong Ming's stamina, mana, and Mental Strength.

His Long Sword had shattered, his face was deathly pale, and he could only barely remain standing by leaning against a large tree.

Naturally, this sight worried Qi Hong and the others—they regarded Zhong Ming as the hope for Dragon Stream Peak's rise and for the recovery of their own injuries.

Of course, they were not the only ones concerned. Youlan was also deeply worried about Zhong Ming. Seeing his body sway as though he might collapse at any moment, she immediately went to his side and supported him without regard for propriety between men and women.

She then took out a white jade porcelain bottle and said to Zhong Ming, "Young Master Zhong Ming, this is Moonlight Spirit Water. It can restore mana. Drink it quickly."

Zhong Ming had heard of Moonlight Spirit Water. It was extracted from Moon Spirit Energy and was incomparably precious.

That made him wave his hand. "Cough, cough, no need. It's too precious. I've only exhausted my mana—I'll be fine after resting for a while."

His words brought a trace of irritation to Youlan's face. "Young Master, no matter how precious Moonlight Spirit Water is, it is not more important than your health."

As she spoke, Youlan offered the Moonlight Spirit Water to him again.

Seeing her insistence, Zhong Ming could only helplessly take a sip.

"Whew..."

The water's effects were indeed excellent. As soon as it entered his stomach, Zhong Ming felt some of his depleted mana recover. Even his spirit was nourished by a cool, refreshing aura.

"Thank you."

After recovering somewhat and reassuring Qi Hong, Youlan, and the others, Zhong Ming began reviewing the gains and losses of that battle.

I did well enough in the early stages, but Xie Yuzhu's raw strength surpassed mine by far...

If this were compared to a game, Zhong Ming had possessed decent skill, but Xie Yuzhu had levels—an extremely high level, around ten levels above his.

Beyond that, she also had several fully equipped items. No matter how skilled Zhong Ming was with his bare-bones setup, he could not win.

It was an overwhelming gap in raw strength.

This duel also made Zhong Ming understand why all immortality cultivators emphasized that cultivation was everything.

That statement truly was the truth. If not for the resonance of the Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme, Zhong Ming would have lost this battle without a doubt.

And even with the Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme resonating, Zhong Ming had only been able to unleash one strike because his mana was so weak.

That kind of performance won't earn me a good result in the month-end examination.

No, I have to find a way to increase my mana.

While Zhong Ming was analyzing the battle's gains and losses, Xie Yuzhu had climbed to her feet on the other side.

Her injuries were not serious. It would be more accurate to say that she had not been injured at all. The protective artifact the Xie Family had given her was of exceptional quality—Zhong Ming had only attacked with such all-out force because he knew she had a treasure protecting her.

"I lost..."

Though she was unharmed, she already knew she had lost when she stood up.

This left her looking dazed.

She found it somewhat unbelievable as well.

Clearly, whether it was their first duel or their second, she had never expected herself to lose.

Two consecutive defeats had dealt her quite a blow.

But she quickly recovered her composure. The instant she did, she ran over to Zhong Ming.

"You still refuse to admit defeat?"

Her arrival made Qi Hong, Yang Chen, and the others surrounding Zhong Ming frown.

Thinking that she could not accept her loss, Qi Hong and the others even considered standing up for Zhong Ming and teaching her a lesson, even if it meant offending the Xie Family.

However, the next moment, something happened that surprised Shi Yun and the others.

Faced with their rebukes, Xie Yuzhu did not argue. She simply shook her head. "I don't mean that I refuse to accept defeat."

After speaking, the petite yet exquisitely adorable girl turned her gaze toward Zhong Ming.

As she raised her head to look up at him, her beautiful eyes were filled with respect and admiration.

"Senior Brother Zhong Ming, you're amazing. That sword strike just now was so cool too. Can I learn swordsmanship from you?"

"Uh..."

That answer caught Zhong Ming somewhat off guard, leaving him unsure how to respond for a moment.

Seeing Zhong Ming like this, Xie Yuzhu thought that her sincerity was insufficient. She immediately bowed to him and said with deep respect and apology, "Senior Brother, I know my doubts just now upset you. I apologize for that. If you are unwilling to forgive me, you can punish me."

After saying that, she spoke with a hint of yearning, "I really love swords. I also believe swords should be treated with solemn respect. That is why I wanted to find a good master for the sword I forged myself..."

"And, Senior Brother, if you let me study under you, I will absolutely spare no effort for your Flying Sword..."

Seeing that she had misunderstood, Zhong Ming hurriedly waved his hands. "Stop, stop, stop. It isn't that I'm unwilling to teach you. It's that dividing your attention to cultivate sword techniques would not be a good thing for you."

"Whether artifact forging or swordsmanship, both are vast and profound enough to occupy cultivators like us for an entire lifetime. If you split your focus between the two, you may end up mediocre at everything."

Immortality cultivation also valued purity. Xie Yuzhu wanting to learn swordsmanship now was equivalent to a weapons researcher from his past life suddenly changing careers to become a pilot. Such an enormous leap could easily affect her future.

Under such circumstances, Zhong Ming did not dare make the decision for her. Especially since her background was far from ordinary, he wanted even less to get involved.

Xie Yuzhu said, "I don't think it will affect me. As a sword forger, I should understand the way of the sword in the first place. Besides, many high-level cultivators also pursue other paths..."

You know they're high-level cultivators. They have enough time.

Immortality cultivation was ultimately different from other professions, because nearly every cultivator sought longevity and immortality.

As a cultivator's cultivation rose, their lifespan increased as well.

With a longer lifespan, cultivators like Zhong Ming naturally had the energy to study other things if they achieved success in cultivation.

Of course, cultivators usually only switched to other paths when their Fundamental Cultivation Method encountered a bottleneck and could no longer advance, hoping to gain a bit of insight through analogy.

If their Fundamental Cultivation Method could still improve, most cultivators would continue cultivating it.

Your first priority now is to forge spirit artifacts. Raise your cultivation to Foundation Establishment first...

Naturally, Zhong Ming did not voice his thoughts.

Neither did he refute Xie Yuzhu's words.

He merely said calmly, "What you said makes some sense. But this matter is too important and concerns your future. I cannot make the decision. I suggest that you go home and ask your parents. If Uncle and Aunt agree to let you pursue Sword Cultivation, I would not mind teaching you everything I have comprehended."

"...I understand."

Knowing that she had to tell her parents made Xie Yuzhu's delicate little face somewhat unhappy.

Clearly, her parents did not support her learning swordsmanship.

However, she soon thought of something, and her eyes lit up.

"There might be a chance this time."

After saying that, she happily waved at Zhong Ming.

"Senior Brother Zhong Ming, wait for me. I'll make Father and Mother agree."

She left, but her Dao Protector, Granny Lan, did not depart immediately. After looking at Zhong Ming with an extremely complicated expression, she bent down and saluted Zhong Ming and Qi Hong's group. Then, filled with apology, she transmitted her voice to Qi Hong and the others.

"To comprehend Dao Rhyme at such an age—no wonder you said the Xie Family was not qualified to take Young Master Zhong Ming as a Dao Protector."

"I apologize. I was presumptuous just now."

"Our Xie Family truly does not have those qualifications."

"This was my idea, and it was my fault. Later, I will inform the Matriarch and ask her to punish me. Our Xie Family will also provide an explanation for the insult to Young Master Zhong Ming."

"I ask that you please do not tell Young Master Zhong Ming about this matter for now."

"I'm sorry."

Only after apologizing once more did Granny Lan leave.

Yet what she did not notice as she departed was that, upon hearing her apology, Qi Hong and the others all wore rather strange expressions.