Wang Xuan ignored Ling Qiming, who had entered the Bodhisattva hall earlier with a cold expression and had completely overlooked them. Now, suddenly calling out for them to wait?

In front of the courtyard stood a group of energetic guards, their power evident as they blocked Wang Xuan and Qin Cheng's path. Given Ling Qiming's status, security was undoubtedly tight. Even in the supposedly safe Crescent City, there were super-experts accompanying him. Additionally, advanced robotic sentries patrolled the area, capable of taking down entire groups of flesh-and-blood beings or even intercepting small spacecraft.

Wang Xuan halted, his expression darkening. Was Ling Qiming trying to intimidate them?

Qin Cheng also wore a cold look, standing firmly with his friend, well aware of the tensions between them.

Ling Qiming approached, his face still impassive as he glanced at Wang Xuan and then at Qin Cheng. Finally, he waved, signaling the bodyguards to step aside and wait outside.

The massive bronze incense burner still billowed smoke, but it no longer spiraled around the Bodhisattvas or pointed toward anyone; everything seemed to return to normal. Ling Qiming, a skeptic of the supernatural, was merely visiting for the historical significance of the site; the incense was just a casual gesture for him, and he now felt he had overthought the situation.

"What are you two in such a hurry to leave for? Just two years ago, you were calling me ‘Uncle Ling'; now you're acting like strangers," Ling Qiming remarked.

As an extraordinary individual, Ling Qiming displayed a calm yet assertive demeanor. Despite his earlier coldness, he now questioned them.

Wang Xuan replied, "Your presence is quite imposing; we thought you might want to clear the area for some private offering, so we decided to leave early."

Ling Qiming scrutinized him, noting that this young man seemed more irksome than before.

He then turned to Qin Cheng. "Little Qin, I've heard about you from Ling Wei. You seem like a solid guy—down to earth, not overly ambitious."

Qin Cheng, loyal to his friend, smiled and nodded in humility.

Wang Xuan quickly realized Ling Qiming was subtly signaling something. Why was he dragging Qin Cheng into this? Was he trying to engage with Ling Qiming?

Not caring about Ling Qiming's thoughts or expressions, he pressed on, "You might remember Qin Cheng; he's really quite remarkable. When Ling Wei first came to Ancheng, Qin Cheng was immensely helpful. Some local young tycoon and prominent students were bothering her with constant gifts. It was Qin Cheng who resolved that for her."

Ling Qiming felt the young man was becoming too verbose. The more he listened, the more it seemed Qin Cheng's intervention for Ling Wei had indirectly smoothed Wang Xuan's path. His irritation towards Wang Xuan grew.

After enduring Wang Xuan's comments, Ling Qiming nodded toward Qin Cheng, affirming his positive impression. Yet, he coldly disregarded Wang Xuan, ignoring him completely.

Wang Xuan continued his monologue, "At that time, Qin Cheng was really protective of Ling Wei. But do you know what? When he first arrived on your turf, he was extorted and treated like an easy target!"

Wang Xuan remained calm, but when he met Ling Qiming's piercing gaze, he didn't flinch, maintaining eye contact.

He wanted to help Qin Cheng resolve his troubles, but they were in New Star, governed by unyielding rules. There were warships in the sky and intimidating robots patrolling; he couldn't just go in recklessly. If he struck someone down, he'd pay the price.

This wasn't an ancient society. Under the brilliant technological stars, even standing on principle, ordinary people couldn't act as they pleased. Everything had to be done according to New Star's rules, even for the tycoons who helped create them.

Ling Qiming smiled faintly, the first hint of warmth on his face. Was this young man asking him for a favor?

Qin Cheng, sensing the tension, felt uneasy and didn't want to see Wang Xuan bowing to Ling Qiming for his sake. He opened his mouth to speak, but Wang Xuan stopped him.

"Originally, I wanted to inform Ling Wei that an old classmate who cared for her had been bullied on her turf," Wang Xuan said calmly.

Ling Qiming's smile faded as he scrutinized Wang Xuan. Finally, he replied, "You don't need to involve Ling Wei; just talk to me."

Wang Xuan held back the anxious Qin Cheng and quickly explained the situation.

Ling Qiming nodded, maintaining a cold demeanor but evidently in a better mood. This young man's proactive approach was different from the past.

"Once you step into society, you must face reality," Ling Qiming remarked, with no attempt to conceal his thoughts.

He believed that once one began to compromise, it meant abandoning many initial principles. At this moment, he saw that the once defiant individual was no longer a threat and that any relationship with Ling Wei was unlikely.

Qin Cheng was anxious. "Old Wang, there's no need to do this; we don't have to ask him for help!"

Wang Xuan sighed, realizing that Qin Cheng misunderstood his intentions. At his core, Qin Cheng still held a victim mentality, thinking he was groveling for assistance.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Did Wang Xuan possess such traits? Absolutely not.

Understanding Ling Qiming's aversion towards him, he decided to use this chance to make Ling Qiming assist with something tangible.

"I have some cooperation with Dingwu. Since Little Qin is in trouble, could you bring that person here?" Ling Qiming suggested, his tone calm yet assertive. For him, this was merely routine.

Wang Xuan sensed Ling Qiming's mindset; the latter felt that he had bowed his head and lowered his pride, which had put him in a good mood.

A smirk played on Wang Xuan's lips. Ling Qiming really did not think highly of him, but if he thought that Wang Xuan was submitting, he was sorely mistaken.

Who had Wang Xuan been facing recently? The Sword Fairy, the Ghost Monk, the unparalleled Scarlet-clad Demoness; he had just toured Old Zhang's grand Taoist temple. Moreover, Old Wu often sought to befriend him, and Little Zhong's brother, Zhong Cheng, was hell-bent on learning the Old Technique from him. Most importantly, he was the guardian of the Old Technique's foremost practitioner. So lately, Wang Xuan felt a surge of confidence, embodying the mindset of an invincible powerhouse.

Thus, when he asked Ling Qiming to do something, it was not out of desperation; it was more a matter of mutual disdain. Why not make use of someone who had the resources to help?

Qin Cheng, now pushed by Wang Xuan, was forced to call the department head, Li Kun, to come over, saying that an important client of the Ling family wanted to see him.

At this point, Wang Xuan casually remarked, "Actually, we have many classmates here in New Star who would be eager to help if we reached out. For instance, Zhao Qinghan, Zhou Kun, and Su Chan—they're all on good terms with us. The problem is that Qin Cheng is too proud and doesn't want to admit that he's struggling. He keeps telling everyone that he's doing well and has no difficulties."

This was the truth. Qin Cheng was too proud, feeling that simply coming to New Crescent already put him in a difficult position. Asking classmates for help would only deepen his embarrassment.

Wang Xuan continued at an unhurried pace, "So I thought I should tell you. After all, Qin Cheng helped Ling Wei, and if he gets bullied here, it wouldn't reflect well on anyone…"

"Enough!" Ling Qiming interrupted sharply. He quickly caught on; this young man was not submitting but rather demanding him to act while disregarding any sense of camaraderie. How thick-skinned could one be?!

In that instant, his disdain for Wang Xuan multiplied tenfold. The more he looked at him, the less he liked it.

In fact, Wang Xuan felt similarly. Internally, he was rebuking, *Ling, you blocked my path in New Star. I haven't forgotten about that, so why shouldn't I make you do something useful?*

Qin Cheng gradually understood what was happening. Old Wang was indeed bold, exhibiting an astonishing mindset of strength, insisting that Ling Qiming "do his part" simply because he could.

Ling Qiming, however, was thinking deeper, and his dislike for Wang Xuan only intensified.

"Focus on your Diamond Fist and break through soon," Wang Xuan advised.

Qin Cheng nodded and began to practice the Buddhist martial arts, moving with vigor and spirit, filling the temple with a sense of majesty.

Wang Xuan discreetly channeled mysterious energy toward Qin Cheng, allowing him to bathe in a rich atmosphere that significantly boosted his physical vitality. However, there were no unusual phenomena this time; the distance from the Bodhisattva hall ensured that only the overall sanctity of the temple increased.

The old monk looked back; he had sensed something unusual about the Bodhisattva statue earlier, but now it had returned to stillness. Was it just his imagination?

Ling Qiming said nothing. He accepted the existence of extraordinary phenomena but preferred scientific explanations and did not revere the ancient figures.

Recently, the financial conglomerate had explored the Secret Realm, reaping substantial benefits and acquiring rare treasures, which could extend his life by many years.

Boom!

Suddenly, Qin Cheng's body trembled as he punched out, producing a thunderous boom that unleashed a powerful air current. He could no longer suppress his breakthrough.

Ling Qiming was taken aback; this was the first time he witnessed someone practicing the Old Technique achieving a breakthrough—especially a familiar face.

"Breath gathering and inner nurturing, all in one step!" Qin Cheng's eyes sparkled with joy and excitement.

Having successfully gathered energy, many would require a long time to navigate the path of inner nurturing, but only a few could accomplish both at once.

Wang Xuan had assisted him with the mysterious energy, nourishing his flesh to the perfect degree; if he couldn't achieve this breakthrough, something would be amiss.

The old monk's expression changed. Had the earlier phenomena all been caused by this young man practicing the Diamond Fist? And the fact that he had achieved breath gathering and inner nurturing simultaneously indicated he had extraordinary potential!

He chanted a Buddhist mantra, "You are destined to be with Buddha."

"I feel the same. Last night, I dreamt of the Bodhisattva glowing, as if summoning me, so I came," Qin Cheng nodded. He shared a strong rapport with Wang Xuan, wanting to help him out, even though he felt that saying it wasn't necessary.

"You are welcome to visit often!" the old monk said with eagerness in his eyes.

…

Li Kun arrived and immediately felt nervous upon seeing the group of bodyguards and the latest-model robots outside the courtyard.

Not long after entering, he recognized Ling Qiming's identity and, seeing Qin Cheng standing nearby, a cold sweat broke out.

Ling Qiming regarded him with subtle disdain, speaking only a few words, leaving his intent deliberately ambiguous, quite different from the straightforwardness of the younger generation.

This was a habit developed from a lifetime of cautiousness. Wang Xuan, feeling it was too indirect, stepped forward and plainly told Li Kun to return the three million New Star coins immediately.

"No, make it five million!" he added, "There should be consequences for mistakes!"

Seeing the cold sweat trickling down Li Kun's forehead as he nodded in agreement, Wang Xuan kicked him, sending him soaring out of the courtyard.

Ling Qiming shot him a fierce glare.

"Old Ling…" Wang Xuan called out again.

Qin Cheng stood nearby, feeling a chill run down his spine. The old monk looked on in astonishment at the two of them.

Ling Qiming glared at Wang Xuan, and his disdain for him soared a thousandfold.

Wang Xuan sighed, "I've called you Old Ling; I'm asking you to do something. What's there to worry about? Let's just agree to disagree moving forward!"

Ling Qiming paused, considering. Indeed, that was the case, but his expression remained cold.

"So don't try anything funny. If something happens to me, the world will receive my emails claiming you're responsible. I believe that even Ling Wei wouldn't forgive you then!" Wang Xuan said seriously.

He truly had to be cautious; Ling Qiming wielded considerable power in New Star and had many ways to put him down if he chose.

"So, calling you Old Ling is also a statement of my stance…" Wang Xuan spoke earnestly.

Ling Qiming, feeling a mix of emotions, nodded slowly before leaving with a frozen expression.

Once he was out of the temple and in a secluded area, Qin Cheng asked, "Old Wang, were those things you said true?"

"What's true or false? If I meet Ling Wei, do you think I'd change how I address her? I'll call her the same as always," Wang Xuan replied calmly. "As for Old Ling, I'm already calling him that, so it'll stick."

"Old Ling will kill you when he finds out!" Qin Cheng sighed.

"What can he do? We'll each stick to our own matters," Wang Xuan said dismissively.