Striking at the Soft Spot
After Lin Ming revealed his Dou Wang aura, many people present shared the same shock as Lu Man. It could be said that, apart from a few people who knew Lin Ming's strength, everyone else was stunned by Lin Ming display of Dou Wang power.
It's important to understand that there are only a handful of families in the Jia Ma Empire that possess Dou Wang (Battle King) expert. A family with Dou King Expert can become Great Family, second only to the top families. And after several decades of management by that Dou King Expert, they can become a top family. The Nalan Family and the Mu Family are examples of this.
Although Lin Ming displayed great talent from a young age, it was still just talent. It would take time to develop and transform that talent into real strength. Moreover, while there was no shortage of highly talented people on the continent, very few were truly able to grow into their full potential.
These people were only so polite and respectful to Lin Ming because he was a member of the Mittel Family and because of his talent. But that was due to Lin Ming's background.
In these people's minds, if Lin Ming were to disregard the background of the Mittel Family, he would at most be a young man with some strength. Even if he had outstanding talent, he would only be able to reach the Da Dou Shi level at most.
In other small counties, a Da Dou Shi is a very high-ranking figure, but this is the Imperial City of the Jia Ma Empire. Families that can establish themselves here must have a strongest member who is at least Dou Ling, and they should have more than one Dou Ling. Therefore, in the eyes of these people, a Da Dou Shi is nothing special.
However, Lin Ming has now displayed the cultivation level of Dou Wang.
Dou Wang! In the Jia Ma Empire, that's already considered a powerful figure. Here, aside from the extremely Dou Emperor, Dou Wang are the strongest fighters. And Lin Ming, whom they had imagined to be at most Da Dou Shi, had actually surpassed almost everyone and reached the Dou King cultivation.
Such cultivation level is no longer just about having the title of genius; it's about being a true powerhouse. At this moment, these people's attitude towards Lin Ming has shifted from being intimidated by Lin Ming family background to being intimidated by Lin Ming own strength.
Judging from the expressions of everyone present, Lin Ming had anticipated this change even before revealing his cultivation level.
After all, in the Jia Ma Empire, a Dou King Expert in his early twenties is truly astonishing. If the Jia Ma Royal Family were to find out, their wariness of the Mittel Family would likely increase several notches. This is why Lin Ming concealed his aura earlier.
However, in order to intimidate the Lu Man, Lin Ming Lu Man no choice but to reveal his potential, forcing them to consider not only his Jia Nan Academy background but also his terrifying potential.
In fact, Lin Ming chose to reveal his cultivation level at this time largely because he wanted Lu Man to be mindful of his potential, but it was also because Lin Ming now felt that he could bear the consequences of revealing his cultivation level.
With Elder Hai's return, the Mittel Family now possesses Dou Emperor Expert. No matter how unwilling the Jia Ma Royal Family may be, they have to consider the consequences of turning against the Mittel Family, which now has Dou Emperor.
Now that Lin Ming has revealed his cultivation level, the Mittel Family now openly boasts one Dou Emperor and two Dou Wang. The force required to take on the Mittel Family is no ordinary matter.
Furthermore, Zi Yan now possesses the Dou Emperor cultivation. As a member of the royal bloodline of the Ancient Void Dragon, Zi Yan Zi Yan, having advanced to the Dou Emperor, is no match for ordinary Dou Emperor Expert, even those at the Peak Dou Emperor.
Therefore, in terms of strength, within the Jia Ma Empire, Lin Ming may not be the absolute ruler, but it wouldn't be so easy for others to do anything to him.
"Qing Lin, go and talk to Lu Man!" Seeing the shocked crowd, Lin Ming ignored them and instead tightened his grip on Qing Lin's hand, saying to Qing Lin.
"Okay, Qing Lin will listen to Brother Lin Ming." Qing Lin nodded obediently in response to Lin Ming's words.
"Qing Lin, what a lovely name! Let's go over there Qing Lin talk!" Lu Man said with a smile as soon as Qing Lin finished speaking.
"Lord Lu Man Barbarian, I don't want what you just said to come true, so Qing Lin..." Lin Ming said again, looking at Lu Man Barbarian's words.
"Don't worry, Lin Ming, I will only talk to Qing Lin. I wouldn't stoop to doing anything else," Lu Man assured Lin Ming before he could finish speaking.
Seeing Lu Man reiterate his assurance, Lin Ming nodded and handed the Qing Lin to Green Barbarian.
With Qing Lin by her side, Lu Man walked toward the side. Then, after a barrier rose up, Lu Man and Qing Lin stayed alone inside the barrier.
"Sister Lu Man, although I don't know why you want me to join your sect, Qing Lin will not leave Brother Lin Ming. So Qing Lin will not go with you." Seeing that the two of them were alone in the barrier, Qing Lin immediately expressed her attitude.
"Qing Lin, let's not talk about that for now. Let's talk about your Brother Lin Ming first! Your Brother Lin Ming is so young and already has the Dou King cultivation. He is truly a young genius with unlimited potential!" In response to Qing Lin's words, Lu Man did not respond, but instead spoke about Lin Ming.
Upon hearing Lu Man praise her Brother Lin Ming, Qing Lin immediately couldn't hide her emotions and revealed a smile.
Seeing Qing Lin's expression, Lu Man immediately smiled and then continued, "Qing Lin, a genius like Lin Ming is destined to leave the Jia Ma Empire, leave the Northwest Continent, and go to the center of that world. You can stay by your Brother Lin Ming's side now, but what about then? Can you bear to let your Brother Lin Ming go to that unfamiliar land to both open up new territories and protect you, who is weak? There, although you may not be able to surpass Lin Ming, there are certainly those who can rival Lin Ming. Plus, those people are the local forces there. What do you think your Brother Lin Ming will do when he goes there, unfamiliar with the place and the people, facing those local forces?"
Seeing Qing Lin's terrified expression, Lu Man's smile widened. She continued, "Qing Lin, I know you don't want to leave your Brother Lin Ming, but think about it. If your cultivation falls too far behind Brother Lin Ming, you'll only be holding him back. Even if Brother Lin Ming doesn't mind, would you have the nerve to stay by Brother Lin Ming side? But if you come with us, with your talent, you'll definitely catch up quickly. Then, wherever you go, you can help Brother Lin Ming. Even if you go to the Brother Lin Ming Middle Continent Plains, you'll still be able to lend Brother Lin Ming a hand. So, Qing Lin, do you want to stay with Brother Lin Ming for now, or stay with him for the long term, helping Brother Lin Ming instead of holding him back?"