Chapter 22: Xiao Hongchen Wet Himself.
Kong Deming's transaction was a complete empty-handed swindle; after he broke through to Level 95 and entered the ranks of Nine-Level Soul Guide, he would certainly not grant himself the privilege of freely choosing Nine-Level Soul Guidance Devices.
How powerful a Level 95 Nine-Level Soul Guide was had been fully demonstrated in the original work; Kong Deming, a Level 95 Super Douluo, fought against Xuan Zi, who had broken through to Level 99, gaining the upper hand and forcing Xuan Zi to retreat.
Perhaps Xuan Zi was truly useless, but Kong Deming was truly formidable; at Level 94, he dared to directly confront Ye Xishui, a ruthless individual at Level 99, without falling into a disadvantageous position.
Jin Tianming felt that he temporarily couldn't suppress Kong Deming, this local tyrant, and in order not to cause trouble for Engulfing Sky Dragon, he chose to refuse.
"Sorry, Old Man, the organization always keeps its promises. We've already made a deal with Hall Master Jing, so we won't be making deals with anyone else for now."
"This..."
Kong Deming was clearly surprised to hear this. He thought this kid was just arrogant, but he didn't expect him to be cautious too.
He truly wanted to pull off an empty-handed swindle, intending to exchange his most ordinary Nine-Level Soul Guidance Device for the treasure that would allow him to break through to Level 95. Once he broke through to Level 95 and became a Super Douluo, he would then deal with Jin Tianming and the forces behind him.
He didn't expect this arrogant kid to be so cautious.
His mind raced, and Kong Deming's gaze fell on Jing Hongchen. He knew the way to break the deadlock lay with Jing Hongchen. Jing Hongchen naturally understood that Jin Tianming's words were aimed at him, so he immediately lowered his head and remained silent.
Choose between the interests of the Sun Moon Empire and personal interests?
Sorry, I, Jing Hongchen, always choose the conditions that are good for my own juniors. As for the so-called interests of the Sun Moon Empire, I'm really not familiar with them.
Kong Deming knew exactly what Jing Hongchen was thinking. He could see through his little scheme at a glance. This guy had always spoiled his two juniors to no end. How could he possibly give such a great temptation to himself!
"Alas~" Kong Deming sighed inwardly, only able to settle for the next best thing, saying, "Jin Tianming-tongxue, I heard you need a Nine-Level Soul Guide to teach you. What do you think of this old man?"
If this kid won't make a deal with him, then he would become his Soul Guidance Device teacher. What kind of relationship does Douluo Continent value the most?
Love? No, no, no, it's the teacher-student relationship!
If love ranks second, then the teacher-student relationship ranks first, alright!
Ten thousand years ago, Shrek's ancestor, that Tang what's-his-name San, broke through to the God-level because of his teacher's guidance, making the teacher-student relationship surpass all other relationships.
As long as there was this bond, he didn't believe Jin Tianming wouldn't return the favor!
When Jin Tianming heard this, he didn't rush to refuse. He stroked his chin and pondered for a moment, then replied, "Old Man, let me go back and consider it. Your spiritual prying just now made me very annoyed!"
Kong Deming:
Is this never-ending?
I just peered with my Spirit for a moment, and you're just going to hold onto it, aren't you?
Jing Hongchen remained silent, not speaking. Now he only wanted to minimize his presence.
— —
"He really is an Old Fox!"
Outside the Offering Hall, Jin Tianming had already walked out and said to Jing Hongchen beside him, "Don't you agree, Hall Master Jing?"
"This isn't the place to talk," Jing Hongchen transmitted telepathically, then grabbed him and flew towards the Hongchen Family's residence.
Not long after the large and small figures left, Kong Deming and an old man appeared at the spot where the two had just stood.
"Why didn't you try to threaten him?"
The speaker was the old man who came with Kong Deming. He looked at Kong Deming with curiosity, muttering to himself, wondering when his old classmate had become so timid.
Kong Deming's gaze was fixed in the direction the two had left, and he answered the old man's question.
"I did think of it just now, but as soon as I was about to speak, I felt the aura of death drawing close to me."
The old man's face showed surprise when he heard this answer. He understood the meaning in his old classmate's words: when the three of them were talking just now, at least one Title Douluo was present.
"Agility-type?"
"Perhaps," Kong Deming was also uncertain, "but that kid, we must pay close attention to him."
"He's not as ignorant as the original Three Kingdoms; at the very least, he knows how powerful a Nine-Level Soul Guide is after Level 95!"
The old man nodded upon hearing this and watched Kong Deming leave.
He knew how much his old classmate wanted to break through that cultivation level; only then could he research a Level 10 Soul Guidance Device that surpassed Level 9 Soul Guidance Devices.
After all, fate plays tricks on people. To accelerate his cultivation breakthrough, Kong Deming had consumed too many elixirs that over-drew his body and cultivation potential, making his physical body unable to withstand the pressure of his second Martial Soul absorbing Soul Rings.
He was the same; if he didn't have other opportunities to help him break through, his cultivation would only ever remain at Level 93.
Alas~ — —
Hongchen Family
Jing Hongchen brought Jin Tianming to the entrance of his family's residence, scanned the surroundings with his spiritual power, and seeing no eyes on them, immediately led the young man behind him inside.
How to describe the Hongchen Family's residence?
It could be described as extravagant; Soul Guidance Technology was everywhere, even Soul Guidance Devices for testing cultivation were arranged for the family.
"Grandpa, you're back!"
A young boy, seeing Jing Hongchen return, immediately trotted over, calling out happily.
Standing behind Jing Hongchen, Jin Tianming observed the young boy with interest. If he hadn't guessed wrong, this guy should be Xiao Hongchen. "This little guy really has a lot of luck on him!" he thought to himself.
"Xiao!" Seeing his eldest grandson, Jing Hongchen immediately transformed into a kind old grandfather, squatting down and stroking his grandson's small head, then introducing Jin Tianming behind him.
"Xiao, this is Jin Tianming, he's a Soul Master genius, oh!"
"Genius?"
Xiao Hongchen tilted his head and curiously looked at Jin Tianming after hearing his grandfather's words. He was a full-level Soul Power genius, and this guy was at most a few years older than him. His Soul Power cultivation might only be in the tens of levels, at most five levels higher than his own.
"Hmph!" Xiao Hongchen snorted, dissatisfied, and said to his grandfather, "Grandpa, I'm the strongest genius!"
"The strongest genius?" Jin Tianming stared at this arrogant young man, his eyes full of disdain. His Engulfing Sky Dragon's might instantly locked onto Xiao Hongchen. "Little guy, it seems your grandpa hasn't taught you too much!"
Jing Hongchen instinctively wanted to stop him, but after thinking about it, he chose to watch the show.
He really should let Xiao see the cruelty of this World. Xiao was indeed very talented, or rather, he was one of the most talented in the Sun Moon Empire in the last century. But compared to the original Three Kingdoms, especially Shrek Academy.
His grandson's talent simply couldn't compare. There, innate full Soul Power was abundant, as were divine beast bloodlines, including twin Martial Soul geniuses.
Xiao Hongchen's eyes widened, and he trembled all over, frozen in place. Yellow liquid began to appear from his lower body, but he still hadn't reacted.
You ask him what he saw?
He saw a true dragon, and he himself was like an ignorant golden toad coveting the dragon's throne, truly laughable to the extreme.