Upon hearing this, Ji Hao didn’t press the issue, only sending a telepathic message back coolly, "It had better be."

And while the two of them clashed covertly, Zhong Ming’s advance through the trial continued.

After passing the fifth stage’s deathly chill, he stepped into the sixth: the Blood Jail.

Here, there was nothing but a boundless, crimson ocean. Waves of blood churned, carrying a terrifying power that could dissolve all things. Even Refined Steel Cold Jade, if dropped within, would first be turned to flesh and blood, then completely melted into the sanguine water, vanishing without a trace.

But upon stepping into this stage, Zhong Ming’s expression turned strange.

’Tai Sui!’

The moment he touched the bloody water, a resonance with his own physique instantly told Zhong Ming that the sea’s ability to dissolve all things and turn them to blood originated from the Forbidden Demon Object—the Demon Star, Tai Sui.

’...What is this? Talk about a flood washing out the Dragon King’s Temple.’

Unsurprisingly, this stage couldn’t harm Zhong Ming.

Of course, that wasn’t to say the stage was useless.

After standing still and sensing his surroundings for a moment, Zhong Ming committed everything about this place to memory.

’When I get back tonight, I’ll comprehend this ability through my dreams. Then I’ll have one more skill... one that’s a specialized attack against flesh and blood.’

After the sea of blood was the seventh stage, the Thunder Jail.

Above, in the sky, endless thunderbolts boomed and cracked. Purple lightning danced wildly, pouring down like a torrential storm. Within the violent thunderbolts was a power that seemed capable of annihilating everything.

Because of the thunderbolts’ ferocity, even a Cultivator at the Wind Fiend Unity stage would have to steer clear.

However, upon arriving at this stage, Zhong Ming just shook his head even more. Having witnessed the Celestial Dao Thunder Tribulation, he simply looked down on these ordinary thunderbolts.

Whether for Body Tempering or for comprehension, he had his own thunderbolts to use. The ones before him weren’t even worth his notice.

With nothing to gain, Zhong Ming walked through the Thunder Jail with growing ease, as if taking a leisurely stroll.

But while he walked with ease, the observing Cultivators and major powers outside felt their minds shatter once again as they watched Zhong Ming saunter through the Thunder Jail.

"Just like in the Blade Mountain Sword Array, none of the thunderbolts in this stage are attacking him!"

"Zhong Ming... he can’t be a Body Cultivator and a Sword Cultivator *and* also cultivate a Thunder Skill, can he?!"

"It’s not just a matter of cultivating it. To be able to command legions of thunderbolts... his comprehension of thunder is very likely at the Supreme level as well."

Supreme Sword Intent, an Undying Physique, and the ability to command the most tyrannical of all Magic Techniques—the thunderbolt. A Zhong Ming like this left the crowd of Cultivators speechless.

As for his opponent, Ji Hao, his fists were clenched so tight that his nails dug deep into his palms, drawing blood without him even noticing.

At that moment, only a single, frantic thought consumed his mind: ’I can’t lose! No matter what, I cannot lose! If I win, we still have a sliver of hope. If I lose, it’s all over!’

While he was praying, Zhong Ming was still walking.

However, as Zhong Ming, who wanted to cross this stage quickly, was halfway through and brushed past a struggling Cultivator, he suddenly heard a furious, broken roar from beside him:

"How did you catch up?! Why aren’t the thunderbolts attacking you?"

The sudden voice made Zhong Ming turn his head. He then saw a Cultivator enveloped by a thousand thunderbolts, his clothes in tatters and his body bathed in blood. The man was gritting his teeth, struggling to hold on, his eyes filled with indignation and disbelief.

Looking at the man’s resentful expression, Zhong Ming furrowed his brow slightly and asked hesitantly, "Who are you?"

"PFFT—!"

Those nonchalant words actually made the Cultivator spit out a mouthful of blood, his composure completely shattering.

This person was none other than Qi Yue.

Before the trial began, he had already identified Zhong Ming as his greatest rival, his mind consumed with the thought of surpassing him.

But now, he had already exhausted all his strength and reached his limit, while Zhong Ming had effortlessly surpassed him as if on a leisurely stroll. This chasm between them was something he found difficult to accept, let alone believe.

At this point, however, he was merely baffled as to why Zhong Ming was so strong.

But for him to consider the other man his lifelong nemesis, only for that man not to even know who he was—this disregard was more devastating than a direct defeat!

He was already struggling desperately amidst the thunderbolts. As his aura destabilized from the shock, a thunderbolt immediately struck him, leaving him severely injured.

And yet, even so, he wasn’t teleported out by the Trial Array. Instead, he held on with his last breath, glaring daggers at Zhong Ming, his voice hoarse as he roared with a hint of despair, "You... You really don’t know who I am?!"

Hearing this, Zhong Ming looked even more confused and replied instinctively, "Uh? Am I supposed to know you?"