Chapter 306 - 1: First Immortal City, Immortal Martial City
Chapter 306: Chapter 1: First Immortal City, Immortal Martial City
"Go back and get a good night’s sleep. For the next three days, the lingering Dao Rhyme of Longxi Peak will remain in your dreams... But remember one thing: those who learn from me will live, while those who imitate me will die. The Dao Rhyme I’ve comprehended is only for your reference. In the end, you must still walk your own path."
Jiang Yue: "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother. I understand."
After giving everyone some benefits and settling the karmic debts he owed from the past, Zhong Ming waved his hand and dismissed them.
As they walked out of the Starry Courtyard and looked back at Zhong Ming’s figure, Shi Yun, Qi Hong, Lin Shuyu, and the others, who had now recovered, felt a mix of excitement and exhilaration, tinged with a hint of regret.
"Sigh, it’s a shame. Zhong Ming rose too quickly, and we helped him too little. If we’d had three to five years of camaraderie as fellow disciples and forged a life-and-death bond, our rewards would have been far greater. We might have even had a shot at reaching the Golden Core realm."
While Qi Hong was merely sighing, Jiang Yue felt a stabbing pain in his heart, his face a mask of deep regret and sorrow.
’He had been the first to discover Zhong Ming’s Talent. From the very beginning, he had planned to support Zhong Ming with all his might. He had even been prepared to push his own sister toward Zhong Ming to win him over.’
But what filled him with despair now was the fact that he had thought of everything, had planned the perfect path for his sister, but she had refused to listen to him.
’With Zhong Ming’s rise, the one who benefited the most was definitely Yi Yunya. Her aura—her Divine Soul, her physical body, her Magical Power—everything indicated she was on the verge of breaking through to Foundation Establishment!’
’Her cultivation couldn’t have advanced so quickly on its own... A share of all this should have belonged to Yu...’
Jiang Yue had always been perceptive. Yi Yunya’s rapid increase in strength was, indeed, inextricably linked to Zhong Ming.
When he was still a nobody, Yi Yunya had bet everything she had on him. And Zhong Ming, a firm believer in repaying a drop of kindness with a gushing spring, had certainly not forgotten the young woman.
Every three days, he would grant Yi Yunya a session of Eternal Flame. Her body had long since fused with the Essence Blood of the Demon Star Tai Sui. As for her Magical Power—Zhong Ming had also incinerated her Erysipelas on several occasions.
At this moment, her cultivation was indeed only a single step away from Foundation Establishment.
...
Zhong Ming didn’t notice Jiang Yue’s distress. After seeing his fellow disciples off, Ji Qingyue stepped forward and said to him, "Young Master, my father the Prince requests your presence."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Ming immediately followed Ji Qingyue, hurrying toward the study in Prince Qinghe’s Mansion.
As soon as he stepped through the door, he saw Prince Qinghe holding a jade bottle shimmering with a flowing radiance, a wide smile on his face.
"Zhong Ming, you’re here. Here, this is the Dragon Vein Essence you wanted. Also, we’ve found the True Intent Map of the Mountain and River Dragon Veins and the Array Master you asked us to look for. They’re both in Immortal Martial City. Tomorrow, I’ll arrange for someone to take you there ahead of the others."
"Qingyue and Qinglian will go with you. They will take care of everything for you. Once you arrive, all you need to do is focus on your cultivation."
The moment he took the jade bottle, Zhong Ming felt his wrist dip from the weight, despite his considerable strength. This told him that the bottle contained a truly massive amount of Dragon Vein Essence. His eyes lit up, and he cupped his hands in a fist and palm salute, sincerely thanking Prince Qinghe.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"Hahaha..." Zhong Ming’s words made Prince Qinghe laugh. "No need to be so formal with me. The stronger you become, the better my chances are of becoming a Vice Military Commander."
"By the way, the situation with that Array Master is... unique. When you are studying under her, you must be on your absolute best behavior." As he spoke of the Array Master, Prince Qinghe’s expression grew much more solemn.
This made Zhong Ming raise an eyebrow. "Is she incredibly powerful, or is the faction behind her very strong?"
Over the past month, Zhong Ming hadn’t been exclusively cultivating. At times, he would also discuss the formation of the New Army and the situation in Immortal Martial City with Prince Qinghe.
And so, Zhong Ming had learned that for just the two of them to obtain a single portion of the Qi of the Celestial Spirits and Earth Demons, Prince Qinghe had to cast aside his pride and plead with many people.
—He was, after all, just a wealthy and noble Prince. And as for Zhong Ming, he had Talent, but that Talent had yet to be converted into actual strength.
In Immortal Martial City’s New Army, the competition for the rank of Military Commander was exclusively among those at the Golden Core realm.
The next rank down, Vice Military Commander, also required a Golden Core cultivator.
The subsequent ranks of Divine General (Ten Thousand Men Captain) and Celestial General (Thousand Men Captain) were the positions that Foundation Establishment cultivators could hold.
Furthermore, the competition for the ranks of Divine General and Celestial General was not limited to newcomers to the Foundation Establishment realm; cultivators at the stages of Cultivating Evil, Gang Condensation, and even Wind Fiend Unity could all contend for them.
After entering Foundation Establishment, even with his profound foundation allowing him to directly perform the Refinement of Sha Qi, Zhong Ming was still a long way from the Wind Fiend Unity realm.
Even against a cultivator at the Gang Condensation realm, he was still an entire stage behind.
His own strength was insufficient. After discussing matters with Prince Qinghe, Zhong Ming knew that if he wanted to achieve his goals, he would have to build alliances in Immortal Martial City and rally people to his side.
At that moment, Zhong Ming recalled what Prince Qinghe had told him several days prior: "Zhong Ming, I’m not short on resources. What I’m short on is people. True geniuses and powerhouses can’t be won over with resources alone... And the undeniable truth is that most people don’t think much of my current strength, let alone my future prospects."
"But you’re different. You possess exceptional Talent. If you can showcase it and gain recognition, then I can use my resources as a lure. Together, we can convince many people to support my cause."
"Then, I’ll secure the position of Vice Military Commander, and you’ll secure the Cultivation Resources you need. It will be a mutually beneficial partnership."