Chapter 373 - 22: Frenzy, Invitations from Various Powers, the Celestial Sea King Appears

Chapter 373: Chapter 22: Frenzy, Invitations from Various Powers, the Celestial Sea King Appears

"Heh heh. Liang Qiu, let’s not joke around. The position of Director-General of the Demon Suppression Bureau... are you sure just anyone can take it without the royal family’s approval?"

To dare call the Director of the Demon Suppression Bureau, Liang Qiu, by his full name and openly confront him, the newcomer’s identity was clearly extraordinary.

Turning his head, a father and daughter came into Zhong Ming’s view. Among them was an acquaintance of his—Ji Qingque. The moment he saw her, Zhong Ming knew that the people who had arrived were from Prince Qinglin’s faction.

In fact, when Zhong Ming had revealed his Supreme Sword Intent, Prince Qinglin had rushed over, hoping to use Zhong Ming’s support to become the Vice Military Commander of the New Army.

Now, with the Demon Suppression Bureau trying to snatch Zhong Ming away, he could no longer hold himself back.

After rebuking Liang Qiu, Prince Qinglin turned to Zhong Ming with a smile and said, "Young friend Zhong Ming, rest assured. I don’t know what others may think, but if you have the ability to be a Military Commander, not only will I not stand in your way, I will even support you!"

Prince Qinglin’s attitude toward Zhong Ming was very warm, as if he were truly treating him like a favored nephew.

He then casually pushed Ji Qingque toward Zhong Ming’s side.

When Ji Qingyue and Ji Qinglian saw this, the sisters’ expressions darkened in unison, and an unconcealable anxiety swirled in their eyes.

"..."

However, before they could say anything, another solemn voice rang out in mid-air. Zhong Ming’s outstanding, almost monstrously talented, performance had flushed out many who had originally planned to just watch from the sidelines.

"Well said!"

As the voice faded, a figure exuding a powerful and majestic aura appeared in the sky above.

VMMMM!

The moment he materialized, the sky rippled and turned a deep, profound blue, as if an endless ocean had been forcibly lifted into the high heavens.

Accompanying this strange phenomenon was a suffocating pressure, like being plunged into the depths of the sea. It suddenly seized the Heart Spirits of everyone present, inspiring a baseless fear in their hearts and causing them to look at the figure in the sky with even greater trepidation.

Of course, while some were terrified, others were delighted. Shen Wanshang was one of the latter.

Seeing the figure appear, her tightly furrowed brows suddenly relaxed, and a genuine joy bloomed in her eyes as she called out softly, "Father, you’re here."

Her cry made everyone else’s Heart Spirit freeze for a moment.

"Father... The Celestial Sea King?!"

"We respectfully greet the Celestial Sea King!"

His arrival prompted everyone to rise and bow to him.

Even Zhong Ming gave a respectful nod. Though they were on opposing sides, he still had to show respect to someone so powerful.

The Celestial Sea King nodded in satisfaction at their welcome. Then, instead of going to his daughter’s side, his figure flickered and he landed next to Zhong Ming.

The next moment, he clapped Zhong Ming on the shoulder and said with a warm smile, "To dare and directly devour a Mysterious Source and emerge unscathed... little guy, you’ve got no shortage of guts, and your skills aren’t half-bad either."

At this point, his tone suddenly shifted. "Are you interested in coming under my command? In my Prince Mansion, you would receive the most dedicated instruction. Besides, you have Dragon Blood in you, don’t you? I have long resided in the East Sea and have some dealings with the Dragon Palace. If you come with me, I will do everything in my power to secure you a qualification to enter the Dragon Palace. Once you’re in, your path of Dragon Blood may advance even further."

Seeing the Celestial Sea King arrive, immediately praise Zhong Ming, and then lay out a series of offers, the most tense and anxious people at the scene were, naturally, the sisters Ji Qingyue and Ji Qinglian.

While Zhong Ming’s outstanding performance had been a pleasant surprise for the two women, in less time than it takes to drink a cup of tea, he had already received invitations from three major powers: the Demon Suppression Bureau, Prince Qinglin, and the Celestial Sea King. How could such a scene not make them worried and nervous?

’Father, if you don’t get here soon, Zhong Ming is going to be snatched away!’

What worried her even more was the bitter realization that even if her own father were to arrive, it seemed he wouldn’t be able to make much of a difference.

Fortunately, to her relief, Zhong Ming showed no intention of leaving.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Celestial Sea King. But I’m afraid Prince Qinghe has done me a great service. Until I have repaid that debt of gratitude, I wish to continue serving Prince Qinghe’s Mansion."

Zhong Ming had two reasons for his refusal. First, the Celestial Sea King had experts as numerous as the clouds under his command; he wouldn’t necessarily place too much importance on Zhong Ming or grant him vast resources.

The second reason was that if he were to switch allegiances so easily just because someone extended an olive branch, such fickle behavior would not only make it difficult to gain true importance, but would also earn him the scorn of all factions.

And indeed, things were just as he had thought. After hearing Zhong Ming’s reason for refusal, the Celestial Sea King showed not a hint of anger. Instead, his gaze held even more approval.

"Hahaha! A truly straightforward young man! Then again, you’re a Sword Cultivator. A character that so deeply values promises and righteousness is exactly as it should be."

After his laughter subsided, the Celestial Sea King, Shen Jiuyuan, swept his gaze across the cultivators in the Qi Family Plaza.

This time, however, his expression turned grim, and a powerful, murderous aura rippled out from him. This pressure caused everyone to hold their breath, not daring to relax in the slightest.

In this solemn atmosphere, he began to speak, and his next words sent the entire crowd into an uproar.

"Everyone, the time for playing house is over. From now on, I will be temporarily assuming the position of Commander of the Celestial Patrol Army to lead you onto a true battlefield!"

CRASH...

The moment he spoke, a commotion erupted among the crowd below.

Among them, the one with the most intense reaction was none other than Ji Hao. He snapped his head up, his voice filled with unconcealable shock and anger. "How can this be? Why are you temporarily taking over as Commander of the Celestial Patrol Army? Where is my father?"

After him, Zhong Ming also looked up, stunned.

’Temporary commander? Did something happen to the Silver Moon King? Or have these two Princes finally determined a winner?’