With the powerful leader in charge confirmed, the people of Tianqi Academy now focused on improving their own strength.
After leaving Tianqing Palace, Yue Qinglong's complexion had improved considerably. Ming Qi could clearly see that this guy seemed to be vaguely on the verge of overcoming that psychological barrier.
Ming Qi wasn't entirely sure of Yue Qinglong's talent, but it seemed that once he overcame that psychological barrier, his cultivation would undoubtedly improve.
"Qinglong, why don't you enter the Tianguan Tower to train? You might see a significant improvement. It seems you have a lot to do next."
He had heard some of this from their previous conversation, but Ming Qi wisely avoided asking. This information wouldn't be of much practical help to him; he would know it when it was time, and he didn't care at all.
"Tianguan Tower, well, I'm really looking forward to it!"
Yue Qinglong rubbed his hands, looking eager to try.
Indeed, the allure of the Tianguan Tower was immense. Regardless of whether the legends were true or not, Ming Qi's experience confirmed that it was a truly ideal place for tempering one's mind and will. No wonder so many people coveted it.
Back at Tianqi Courtyard, Yue Qinglong completely regained his somewhat rogue demeanor, whether it was just a facade or not. Pulling Meng Junyi along, he immediately unlocked the Tianguan Tower's restrictions and eagerly entered.
Ming Qi shared the good news of finding a powerful leader, and without further ado, everyone began their intense strength-building session.
Watching everyone return to their homes with serious expressions, Ming Qi hurried back to his attic.
He didn't immediately plunge into his training.
Because only he knew it was impossible to cultivate at this moment.
Entering his room and closing the door, Ming Qi turned around. Unsurprisingly, Yue Dongqing, wearing a peacock mask, had already stood before him.
The azure dress she wore didn't offer any breathtakingly stunning beauty, but just standing there, even without being able to see her face, Ming Qi had a false impression that she must be a beautiful woman.
Yue Dongqing's lively eyes were darting around. Having previously paid no attention to Ming Qi's presence at Tianqing Palace, she now stared intently, as if she had discovered a rare animal.
It looked as if she was going to take Ming Qi in from head to toe.
"I knew you'd come, but I didn't expect you to arrive so soon."
Ming Qi finally gave a wry smile, gestured to the chair beside him, and said, "Protector, please take a seat."
Yue Dongqing wasn't the least bit polite, sitting down directly. She raised her right hand, resting her chin on her shoulder, and looked at Ming Qi.
"Ah, you almost tricked me."
Ming Qi smiled wryly again.
Well, he had never imagined that this ordinary visit would turn out so dangerously.
In Tianqing Palace, Yue Dongqing appeared to be completely oblivious to Ming Qi's presence, as if she were nothing. However, Ming Qi had truly narrowly escaped death.
Indeed, during their conversation, Yue Dongqing launched an attack on Ming Qi, an attack that came without warning.
Facing an innate powerhouse like Yue Dongqing, Ming Qi, despite having previously slain the innate powerhouse Mo Hufa, remained completely unaware and incapable of resistance.
Yue Dongqing's impassive strike struck directly into Ming Qi's soul.
Though Ming Qi was powerless to retaliate, he escaped immediate death. This was naturally due to the Supreme Mountain and Sea Map hidden within his mind.
At that moment, the Supreme Mountain and Sea Map once again unleashed its unfathomable power, effortlessly neutralizing the fatal blow that had pierced his heart like a sharp sword.
One can imagine Yue Dongqing's expression at that moment, but fortunately, she was wearing a mask, so no one noticed.
"Master Protector, you're joking. I didn't mean to lie to you."
Ming Qi knew Yue Dongqing had deliberately attacked him, but what could he say at this point? Was he even asking for an explanation? What a joke! Just because you have a bigger fist, you're the one who can make the difference.
"You have a strong demonic aura, and you're clearly an acquired power, yet you were able to block my attack. How do you explain all this?"
It was clear that Yue Dongqing wasn't picking on Ming Qi for no reason.
"With such a strong demonic aura, I'm afraid you'd be more than capable of being executed on the sect's Demon Slaying Platform."
This matter was extremely serious, but Yue Dongqing spoke with a calm demeanor, her eyes quizzical as she looked at Ming Qi.
"Master Protector, are you planning to send me to the Demon Slaying Platform?"
"What do you think?"
Yue Dongqing's tone was filled with teasing. Then, a flash of green light appeared on her left hand, and a square green object appeared in her palm.
"I'm quite skilled in the art of control, you see."
She seemed to be performing a performance. She gently shook the green cube in her left hand, and a series of clicking sounds were heard, much like a Rubik's Cube used to train intelligence. Then, a gap appeared in the cube.
With a whoosh, a white fox leaped out of the gap.
Ming Qi, upon seeing the fox, was immediately shocked.
It was none other than the Nine-Tailed Fox, an innate demon beast!
"The art of control is profound and extensive. Demons, ghosts, and all manner of creatures in the world can be controlled with sufficient strength!"
The Nine-Tailed Fox, released by Yue Dongqing, sat docilely on the ground beside her, its eyes narrowed like a divine brush, staring at Ming Qi with a dazed look.
Ming Qi didn't have time to listen to the art of control. He already vaguely understood Yue Dongqing's intentions.
She wanted to capture him and keep him like this fox!
Oh my god! Ming Qi was instantly enraged. This girl had absolutely no moral composure. He truly had to be on guard.
"Do you think I'm a demon?"
Ming Qi suppressed the resignation on his face and looked at the girl before him seriously.
"What do you think?"
Yue Dongqing shook the Rubik's Cube in her hand, retracting the Nine-Tailed Fox.
...
Faced with an innate powerhouse whose level of power was unknown, Ming Qi remained cautious and refrained from immediately refuting his claim.
Although this was a completely absurd assumption.
"How about a bet?"
Ming Qi said calmly.
He was trying to find a way to mitigate the situation. He knew the demonic aura he possessed must be Meng Ling's. However, if he spoke directly, the woman before him might wave her hand and send Meng Ling to the demon slaying platform.
"Oh? A bet?"
A glint of light flashed in Yue Dongqing's eyes.
"What's the bet?"
"If you can turn me back to my original form, I'll let you do whatever you want."
"Okay!"
Yue Dongqing's eyes lit up, and she sprang to her feet. Though she remained seated, her left hand was raised, ready to strike.
"Wait!"
Ming Qi quickly stopped her. "I haven't finished speaking yet."
"Go on."
Yue Dongqing didn't retract her left hand, simply waiting for Ming Qi to speak.
"If you can't turn me back to my original form, then this matter ends here. You must also keep this a secret for me and not tell anyone about it."
"No problem!"
Yue Dongqing readily agreed. Ming Qi saw a flash before his eyes, and the seated Yue Dongqing appeared before him.
Then, Yue Dongqing's right hand gently slapped out.
Ming Qi could clearly see that on the tips of Yue Dongqing's five fingers, a fingernail-sized formation pattern was condensed. This small formation pattern continued to rotate rapidly as it was pushed forward.
A superior technique within the art of control, the Meridian-Severing and Subduing Dragon Power.
The Meridian-Severing and Subduing Dragon Power is a technique used against demonic beasts. Condensing a formation diagram at the fingertips, it instantly penetrates the demonic beast's form, sealing its meridians and forcing it to reveal its true form.
Dangdang!
Although Yue Dongqing's attack contained the superior meridian-severing energy of the Meridian-Severing and Subduing Dragon Power, its destructive power was minimal. Ming Qi, struck by the palm strike, merely took two steps back.
"Huh?"
Seeing that the Meridian-Severing and Subduing Dragon Power hadn't even managed to revert Ming Qi to his true form, Yue Dongqing was deeply surprised. Could this fellow be a highly skilled demon? Or perhaps the reincarnation of a peerless demon? A reincarnation?
Baffled for a moment, Yue Dongqing's hands never stopped. With a speed barely visible to the naked eye, he unleashed nearly a hundred palm strikes in the blink of an eye.
Ming Qi was knocked against the wall, but he showed no sign of returning to his true form.
"Strange."
Yue Dongqing finally realized something was amiss. Logically, even a reincarnated peerless demon wouldn't be able to maintain his human form under the influence of the Meridian-Severing and Dragon-Subduing Power at this low level of cultivation. But this thing before him? What on earth was going on?
"You lose, but you must keep your promise."
Ming Qi took a breath and stood up straight.
This series of beatings was truly unpleasant, but Yue Dongqing wouldn't believe him unless he made a desperate move. That would be truly troublesome.
After a long, suspicious look, Yue Dongqing couldn't make any sense. Finally, she waved her hand helplessly, saying, "Alright, let's just pretend this never happened, but..."
Hearing this, Ming Qi's head suddenly became overwhelmed. This "but" was truly unsettling.
Fortunately, Yue Dongqing's quick thinking didn't come into play this time. Instead, she continued, "There are many in the sect with higher cultivation than me. I can sense the demonic aura in you, and so can they. Be careful not to get captured and used to refine weapons, medicine, or anything like that."
…
Ming Qi was completely speechless. At that moment, he truly felt the dark and difficult future Meng Ling faced as a demon.
"I'll be careful."
Seeing that the girl had finally given up on capturing him, Ming Qi breathed a sigh of relief.
Since there was no other way, Yue Dongqing didn't linger. However, she seemed unwilling to give up, and before leaving, she uttered, "You must be a peerless demon!" Then, with a disheartened expression, she departed.
Peerless demon? ?
Ming Qi was truly amused and embarrassed by this title, but there was nothing he could do.
Confirming that this unreliable and terrifying girl had truly left, Ming Qi finally began his cultivation with peace of mind.