After the Law Enforcement Disciples took Gu Ziye away, the onlookers did not disperse. Instead, they turned their attention toward Shen Lingxi and Gu Ming.
Given the Saintess’s temperament, she would certainly do something to Gu Ming.
For instance, she might directly allow Gu Ming to enter Saintess Mountain as an Outer Disciple, or perhaps even more boldly, take him as her Personal Disciple.
Once the Saintess did such a thing, the news would spread across the land by the next day, becoming a topic of conversation for people over tea and meals.
Elder Zhong also watched Shen Lingxi’s every move tensely, deeply afraid that she might do something unexpected.
However, to everyone’s surprise, Shen Lingxi did nothing at all. She simply said to Elder Zhong, “Let us return.”
As soon as those words were spoken, Elder Zhong was stunned. He doubted his own hearing and asked for confirmation, “Re… return?”
“Yes, is there a problem?” Shen Lingxi asked in confusion.
“Then he… what about him?” Elder Zhong finally could not help but glance toward Gu Ming.
“Him?” Shen Lingxi feigned hesitation and asked, “Did he do something?”
“No… he didn’t do anything.” Elder Zhong shook his head and gave a bitter smile. “I… I thought you would, Saintess…”
“You thought I would recruit him to my side?” A playful glint appeared at the corners of Shen Lingxi’s lips.
“Ah, well… I didn’t think that.” Elder Zhong had not expected Shen Lingxi to expose his thoughts directly, so he hurriedly shook his head in denial.
Shen Lingxi’s lips curled slightly as she said indifferently, “He just looks similar, that’s all. He isn’t the True one.”
“True, true.” Elder Zhong wiped a bead of sweat and quickly agreed. It seemed his worries had been unnecessary.
The onlookers, seeing nothing of the drama they expected, dispersed one after another. They each went to prepare for their own matches. It seemed that while the Saintess was devoted, she was not a fool. A fake was a fake, after all. What was the use of a similar face if he wasn’t the True one?
Gu Ming also broke into a cold sweat. For a moment, he had truly thought the Saintess might do exactly what others predicted — naming him as her personal attendant or a guard.
‘It seems taking down the Saintess isn’t as simple as the Sect Leader said,’ Gu Ming thought. ‘But this is fine. It saves me from having no way to explain things later.’
The reactions of the people around her fell into Shen Lingxi’s gaze, and her heart blossomed with joy.
This was exactly the effect she wanted.
She — Shen Lingxi — would absolutely not take Gu Ming as a Personal Disciple and keep him by her side just because of his face!
She wasn’t stupid.
According to her original prediction, as long as Gu Ming participated in the tournament, there was no doubt he would take first place in this final Martial Arts Tournament.
Therefore, there was no need for her to cause unnecessary complications.
If she had directly named Gu Ming as her attendant or guard, she would surely have faced significant resistance and criticism.
A group of people would accuse her of ignoring etiquette and procedures, calling her too reckless. Recruiting just anyone into Saintess Mountain was one thing, but the key was that this person looked so much like the Fifth Heavenly King of the Demon Cult. What was she trying to do? How would it look?
Someone might even slander her for colluding with the Demon Cult.
How would she even live her life then?
Just thinking about it made Shen Lingxi feel it was a hassle.
Leaving Elder Zhong behind, Shen Lingxi stepped into the air and headed toward the high platform.
Elder Zhong hurriedly followed, also treading through the air.
As Shen Lingxi and Elder Zhong returned to the platform, order at the scene gradually returned to normal.
Not long after, the Martial Arts Tournament began.
Each contestant took their Number Plate 88 and found their corresponding arena to begin their martial arts exchange.
Gu Ming also found his arena with Number Plate 88 and leaped onto the stage.
Someone was already waiting there.
This person had sharp brows and bright eyes, possessing a handsome appearance. He held a white scabbard in his arms.
As he slightly raised his chin, a gust of wind happened to blow by, fluttering his tied-back long hair. This caused the women below the arena to scream repeatedly.
“AHHH! LING YUNFENG, YOU’RE SO HANDSOME! I LOVE YOU!”
“LOOK AT ME! I’M RIGHT HERE!”
“LING YUNFENG, I WANT TO HAVE YOUR BABIES!”
***
Hearing the cheers from the women below the stage, Gu Ming’s lip twitched slightly. ‘This guy… he’s way too popular.’
“I am the son of the Master of Lingyun Pavilion — Ling Yunfeng.” Seeing Gu Ming approach, Ling Yunfeng introduced himself politely.
Lingyun Pavilion?
Gu Ming’s expression became a bit subtle.
Lingyun Pavilion was one of the five major forces of the Righteous Path Alliance.
And the person before him was actually the son of the Pavilion Master.
Gu Ming was speechless. Was he some kind of innate magnet for young masters? First, it was the Second Young Master of the Hundred Flowers Valley Master, and now it was the son of the Lingyun Pavilion Master.
He thought these people really had nothing better to do. Why did they insist on running off to participate in the Saintess Mountain Martial Arts Tournament?
Presumably, it was for the Saintess.
“I am…”
Gu Ming?!
Gu Ming thought for a moment. Reporting his real name would be a bit too arrogant.
But what should he call himself?
Gu Chi?
Zhao Yiming?
Gu Ming thought of two names but felt neither was appropriate. Thus, he said, “Just a nobody, Nameless.”
“Nameless?” Ling Yunfeng was stunned for a moment, then he cupped his fists in a salute. “Then, please advise me.”
Gu Ming followed his example and cupped his fists.
Once the two finished their greetings, the referee announced the start and stepped back.
Ling Yunfeng was very cautious. After drawing his long sword, he did not attack for a long time, seemingly searching for a flaw in Gu Ming’s stance.
Gu Ming couldn’t help but chuckle.
He could see that Ling Yunfeng’s strength was far inferior to his own. Therefore, no matter what moves the opponent used, it would be in vain.
The reason he hadn’t struck immediately was simply that he was wondering what method to use to defeat him.
Gu Ming practiced a Demonic Technique, so he naturally knew demonic skills.
But if he used a Demonic Technique, he would certainly be viewed as an evil cultist.
Having his identity exposed didn’t matter much, but he wouldn’t be able to explain it to the Sect Leader.
“Make your move,” Gu Ming urged, adding provocatively, “You can’t possibly beat me.”
“That’s not necessarily true. Although I am only a Provisional Level 5, you are merely a Level 5. The gap between us is not that insurmountable,” Ling Yunfeng countered matter-of-factly.
Among practitioners, strength was generally divided into the Ten Realms System. The lowest realm was Level 1, and the highest was Level 10. However, to this day, no one had ever reached Level 10. The Sect Leader was only at Provisional Level 10, and the four Heavenly Kings beneath him were either Level 8 or Provisional Level 9.
Gu Ming himself was at Provisional Level 8.
However, after taking the pill from the Sect Leader, his strength was at Provisional Level 7, but he suppressed it further, making his apparent strength appear to be Level 5.
A difference of one full realm was like a massive chasm that was difficult to cross.
The reason Ling Yunfeng was so confident was that he was the son of the Master of Lingyun Pavilion, one of the five major forces. With abundant resources, he likely possessed some pill, treasure, or formation that could bridge that gap.
Exactly as Gu Ming expected, before taking action, Ling Yunfeng swallowed a pill. His strength instantly surged, and then he charged forward with extreme speed.
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