Chapter 416 – A Shocking Result

“Then I’ll beat you until you listen.”

When these words left Old Ling’s mouth, regardless of Su Ming’s reaction, everyone who knew Old Ling immediately grew anxious.

“Commander!”

“Su Ming!”

Chi Qian and Xu Xiayan were the first to speak up, seemingly ready to rush forward and pull Su Ming back.

Yet Su Ming raised his hand, stopping Chi Qian, Xu Xiayan, and the others, his gaze never leaving Old Ling.

In his eyes, there was no tension, no solemnity, not even a trace of resolve—only calmness and tranquility.

“Beat me until I listen?”

Su Ming chuckled.

His laughter left everyone baffled.

But his next words sent a collective gasp through the crowd.

“Are you sure you can beat me into listening to you, old man?”

Though devoid of sarcasm, everyone sensed the unmistakable skepticism in his tone.

Clearly, Su Ming hadn’t taken Old Ling’s words seriously, even carrying a hint of amusement.

“It seems I’ve been underestimated by you,” Old Ling responded with a mix of amusement and exasperation, speaking lightly. “Your strength has improved quite a bit, hasn’t it?”

In Old Ling’s view, Su Ming’s confidence in saying such things could only stem from his recent progress.

During this period, Su Ming had been in seclusion at home, and with Old Ling’s support and the team’s efforts, he had obtained many precious resources.

With those resources at his disposal, it was only natural for Su Ming’s strength to advance.

However…

“You don’t actually think you’re already strong now, do you?” Old Ling’s tone was unusually calm. “Did that last battle with Old Qin make you believe you’re qualified to speak like this?”

In Old Ling’s eyes, there were likely two reasons why Su Ming dared to say such things.

One was his improved strength.

The other was the confidence gained from his previous battle with Qin Yue.

As the top figure under the Guardian Deity, Qin Yue had failed to subdue Su Ming. Instead, after using his signature technique, he was inexplicably countered by Su Ming and nearly defeated in return. With such a record, it was understandable if Su Ming now considered himself among the elite Seven-Star Professionals.

Under these circumstances, if Su Ming had further enhanced his strength with abundant resources, he might naturally assume that even a Guardian Deity like Old Ling would find it difficult to subdue him.

To this, Old Ling had only one thing to say.

“Don’t indulge in wild fantasies. You’re still far from my level, and far from Old Qin’s level as well. If it weren’t for that old man taking a liking to your talent, valuing your potential, and wanting to recruit you, do you really think you could have held your own against him?”

This was the truth.

Although the outcome of that last battle favored Su Ming, in reality, it was heavily skewed.

If Old Qin hadn’t developed a fondness for Su Ming, wanting to win him over without offending him—even hoping to make him his son-in-law—he could have ended the fight in just a few rounds.

With the overpowering effects of the 【Dawn Star Orbit】, Old Qin didn’t need to engage Su Ming in such a drawn-out manner. If he had unleashed his full power from the start, would Su Ming have had any chance at all?

Even the breaking of the 【Soul Lock】 was only possible thanks to Hai’er’s hidden assistance. Without her, Su Ming would never have been able to crack such a Spell Formula.Not to mention, at that time, Su Ming had already exhausted all his means—activating his Vision Mark, using Demonization—essentially giving it his all, yet he still couldn’t do anything to Old Qin.

In contrast, Old Qin never activated his Vision Mark from start to finish, and didn’t even use many high-sequence Spirit Arts. Apart from the final [Soul Lock], Old Qin could almost be said to have never truly struck Su Ming with full force.

From this, it’s clear just how much Old Qin, the top Guardian Deity, held back during that battle.

The amount of water he let out back then could probably fill the Pacific Ocean.

“With your strength at that time, forget about trading blows with Old Qin, you’d have a hard time gaining the upper hand even against a first-tier Seven-Star Professional,” Old Ling said just like that.

“Wake up, you’re still far from ready now.”

As he spoke these words, Old Ling began walking step by step toward Su Ming.

With each step, Old Ling’s Aura gradually intensified, enveloping the entire square in a terrifying pressure.

Chi Qian, Xu Xiayan, and the others already had pale faces, unable to help but retreat repeatedly.

Su Ming, however, remained unfazed, simply watching Old Ling quietly.

Old Ling wasn’t surprised by this.

Although he was saying things to discourage Su Ming, he actually held Su Ming’s strength in high regard.

Compared to someone like Qin Yue, Su Ming was naturally still far behind, but that was comparing him to the strongest under the Guardian Deity, the world’s second most powerful fighter.

If compared to others, Su Ming wasn’t actually as bad as Old Ling made him out to be.

Just think back to the Midnight Labyrinth—Su Ming was already able to completely overwhelm Crow, who was at the Six-Star Peak level, without even activating his Vision Mark or using Demonization.

If Su Ming went all out, activating his Vision Mark and using Demonization to unleash the same strength he displayed when fighting Qin Yue that day, how could he be that much weaker than a Seven-Star Professional?

Perhaps compared to second-tier Seven-Star Professionals, Su Ming might still fall short.

But if his opponent were a first-tier Seven-Star Professional, Su Ming actually wouldn’t be far off.

Plus, Su Ming had clearly made some improvements recently. Old Ling believed that the current Su Ming might even be able to match second-tier Seven-Star Professionals.

With all those precious resources, even if Su Ming successfully digested just a small portion of them, it would bring him significant progress.

Perhaps his Hunter strength had already reached the Six-Star Peak level.

Perhaps his Sorcerer strength had already advanced to the Six-Star level.

Either possibility would bring Su Ming a tremendous boost.

Especially the latter—if that really happened, then Su Ming would be a dual-class Six-Star Professional, making cross-level challenges practically effortless.

Add to that his remarkably powerful mutation ability, and it wouldn’t be impossible for him to fight against second-tier Seven-Star Professionals.

With strength like this, he was truly not weak at all, so it was perfectly normal for him to withstand his Aura.

Old Ling felt both gratified and happy about this.

An eighteen-year-old youth, not even twenty, already capable of matching second-tier Seven-Star Professionals—such an achievement would amaze and satisfy anyone who saw it.

But precisely because of this, Old Ling couldn’t let Su Ming go to Longyao City.

“He’s still too young.””He still has much room for improvement and great potential.”

“If the seal in Longyao City is truly broken, he might be humanity’s only hope for the future.”

Considering this, Old Ling decided to stop Su Ming, appearing before him to play the role of the obstructing villain.

Even though Su Ming’s current strength already qualified him to stand among the top combatants as their equal – since they could go to Longyao City, he naturally could too – Old Ling truly didn’t want to gamble.

If the seal were truly broken and that “King” were to emerge, not even Su Ming – who could only match second-tier Seven-Star Professionals – would survive, and even Old Ling himself might not return alive.

Thus, this promising future hope, with unlimited potential far from reaching his peak, absolutely couldn’t be allowed to appear there and fall victim.

Therefore, Su Ming must remain behind.

As long as he stayed, even if the seal were truly broken and the former Spirit Demon Abyss King reappeared on earth, he would still have the opportunity to turn the tide.

If Su Ming could grow to his limits and become a super powerhouse with dual Seven-Star professions, he might indeed be able to confront the legendary terror species.

“You’re still too early to step onto that stage.”

Old Ling delivered his final declaration.

“Stay here obediently.”

As his voice faded, Old Ling unleashed his maximum aura.

Instantly, heaven and earth trembled, the atmosphere wailed, and everyone in the square felt their breath catch as if crushed by tremendous gravity, collapsing to the ground without any ability to resist.

In that moment, they felt they had encountered a deity.

Old Ling also took action.

Seeing Su Ming “frozen” in place, Old Ling didn’t hesitate in the slightest, extending his hand – an aged palm that appeared slow yet was incredibly fast, as if tearing through space and time – to grasp Su Ming’s shoulder.

In his other hand, a rope inexplicably appeared.

This was no ordinary rope, but a tool crafted from specially made alchemical materials.

Anyone bound by this Alchemy Rope, whether Hunter or Sorcerer, would be rendered powerless.

The Alchemy Rope’s composition restricted the flow of both magical and spiritual power, causing any Professional bound by it to lose all supernatural abilities and become incapable of resistance.

This Alchemy Rope was incredibly expensive to produce, with a unique crafting technique that a certain Great Master had only managed to create by chance centuries ago. Only three existed in the entire world.

Now, after hundreds of years, one was destroyed in war, another was taken back to the Spirit Demon Abyss by a Nightmare Species, leaving only this final one that had been stored in Tianfeng City’s treasure vault.

If not for the fact that the Alchemy Rope could only restrain magical and spiritual power – highly effective against humans but less useful against Phantom Demons who possessed naturally powerful physiques and could easily break free without relying on supernatural abilities – it would certainly have become a treasure equal in status to Divine Artifacts, rather than gathering dust in Tianfeng City’s treasure vault.Until today, in order to keep Su Ming here, Old Ling had brought this Alchemy Rope from Tianfeng City’s treasure vault, intending to use it on Su Ming.

With this Alchemy Rope, Su Ming would have no choice but to obediently remain in Tianfeng City.

However, for the Alchemy Rope to take effect, one prerequisite had to be met.

That was, the rope must first be able to bind its target.

“Boom!”

Just as Old Ling placed his hand on Su Ming’s shoulder, an astonishing force suddenly erupted from Su Ming’s body, violently repelling Old Ling’s palm.

Old Ling was forced back by this sudden burst of power, stumbling over a dozen steps before finally steadying himself.

The entire area fell into abrupt silence.

“This…”

Chi Qian, Xu Xiayan, An Zijin, and the others were utterly stunned.

“You…”

Old Ling couldn’t believe his eyes either, staring at Su Ming in disbelief.

Su Ming remained standing in place, as if nothing had happened.

Yet, an Aura slowly began to rise from Su Ming’s body.

At first, it was an extremely weak Aura, so fragile that it seemed on the verge of extinguishing under Old Ling’s terrifying pressure, like a flickering lamp in the wind.

But this seemingly fragile Aura was like spring sprouts that no wildfire could consume, gradually growing stronger.

The speed of its growth appeared slow but was actually astonishingly fast.

In no time, the once fragile Aura directly broke through Old Ling’s Aura, forcing it back.

Yes.

The Guardian Deity of Tianfeng City, humanity’s Ultimate Weapon, universally acknowledged as invincible and peerless in the world, the sole existence of the third tier, had been forced back and overwhelmed by Su Ming’s Aura.

Astonishment.

Shock.

Horror.

Incredulity.

Disbelief.

A myriad of emotions surged through everyone present, leaving them staring dumbfounded at Su Ming, who stood there unwavering, unable to recover for a long time.

Only then did Su Ming’s voice ring out.

“The one who’s been underestimated is actually me.”

Su Ming’s voice, unwavering from start to finish, echoed clearly.

“Still far from enough?”

“Indeed, that was true before.”

“But do you really think that after digesting so many resources, I’m still the same as before?”

Su Ming lifted his gaze, looking at Old Ling, whose face was still filled with disbelief, and spoke.

“That battle with Old Qin truly made me see myself clearly, letting me know whether I was strong or not.”

“Clearly, I wasn’t strong enough back then.”

“If I had been strong enough, would there have been so much trouble?”

Therefore, after that battle, when Old Ling caught up to him, Su Ming had only one thing to say.

That was, all he wanted now was to become stronger.

And he had done it.

“If it were me now, the previous situation would no longer be possible.”

Su Ming said this.

“The current you cannot keep the current me here, Old Ling.”

With these words, Su Ming withdrew all of his Aura.

“————”

Silence spread throughout the plaza.

Old Ling fell silent.

Chi Qian, Xu Xiayan, An Zijin, and the others also fell into silence.

Wang Di, Wang Qian, Bai Xuefei, Bai Ruxiang, Bai Xiaoyan, and Mu Yan were still in shock.The entire hall fell into complete silence, with no one daring to speak another word.

After a long while, Old Ling finally managed to force out a question.

“What level have you reached now?”

Hearing this, Su Ming smiled once more.

His smile was remarkably calm.

He said nothing, yet Old Ling understood everything.

In the end, Old Ling’s eyes shone with unprecedented brightness as he too broke into a smile.

“Come with me.”

After leaving these words, Old Ling turned and departed.

“Follow him.”

This time, Su Ming didn’t hesitate. After instructing the others, he immediately followed.

The crowd exchanged uncertain glances before hastily trailing behind.

The entire plaza was suddenly left completely empty, with only the countless cracks and scattered rubble serving as proof that everything that had just transpired was no dream.

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(End of Chapter)