Chapter 309 - 2: Had Heaven Not Birthed Me, Zhong Ming, the Way of Cultivation Would Be an Eternal Night
Chapter 309: Chapter 2: Had Heaven Not Birthed Me, Zhong Ming, the Way of Cultivation Would Be an Eternal Night
Zhong Ming thought to himself, ’Luo Zhiwei is aligned with the Daoist School. If we want her to join our faction, does that mean we’ll have to help her restore the school’s prestige?’
Lost in thought, the group had already entered the Daoist School and arrived outside Luo Zhiwei’s residence.
Zhong Ming raised an eyebrow. A group of people had already gathered in front of the courtyard gate.
What concerned Zhong Ming more was that upon seeing them, Ji Qingque, the usually lively young woman, actually furrowed her brow, revealing a vexed expression for the first time.
"You know them?"
Without any prompting from Zhong Ming, Ji Qingyue took the initiative to gather information.
Ji Qingque didn’t hide anything. "Those are people from the Chu Family, a powerful local clan in Immortal Martial City. They’re very close to the Celestial Sea King... Shen Wanshang of the Celestial Sea Royal Family also arrived ahead of us. The Chu Family has been covering her expenses and providing her with manpower during this time."
When she mentioned Shen Wanshang, Ji Qingque’s tone became complicated, holding a hint of resentment, a measure of fear, and a trace of imperceptible admiration.
"Qinglian, you have to be careful when you see that woman. I was just having some fun in the city when she reprimanded me, saying I had lost the dignity of a Commandery Princess and shouldn’t be displaying a lavish lifestyle at a time like this."
"Hmph, I didn’t do anything wrong. What right does she have to say that to me? Besides, she’s a Commandery Princess from a royal family with a different surname."
With those words, Zhong Ming formed an impression of Shen Wanshang.
’So she’s an intelligent and capable Commandery Princess. As expected, she came to Immortal Martial City ahead of everyone else to recruit talent.’
’And now the Chu Family, her supporters, have come to Luo Zhiwei’s residence. Does the Celestial Sea King’s faction also plan to recruit this Master?!’
’—That’s reasonable enough. Anyone with the slightest bit of ambition would try to recruit a talent like her.’
At this thought, Zhong Ming’s gaze deepened.
He knew he had to change his strategy. If they stuck to conventional recruitment methods, Prince Qinghe stood no chance of competing against the immensely powerful Celestial Sea King.
...
"What are you doing here? To pick up your daughter? She’s only been gone for three days. There’s no need to make such a fuss."
Just as Zhong Ming had predicted, the Chu Family’s visit was indeed to recruit Luo Zhiwei.
What he hadn’t expected, however, was that the noblewoman from the Chu Family was actually an acquaintance of Luo Zhiwei.
Seeing Luo Zhiwei’s lovely brows furrow in displeasure, Chu Hanzhen quickly said, "Of course I’m at ease with Yuling staying here with you. I came today to discuss something else."
Her words only made Luo Zhiwei’s frown deepen.
"Are you here to be his mouthpiece too? What benefits did the Celestial Sea King offer you?"
Evidently, despite being within the Immortal Martial Daoist School, she was still aware of the situation outside.
"I didn’t come because of the Celestial Sea King, but because of Lu Yuan." As she spoke, Chu Hanzhen’s expression grew solemn. "You must have heard the rumors. When a great calamity befalls the world, a Child of Heaven’s Will is destined to rise. Lu Yuan is one such Child of Heaven’s Will that we have found."
"His power is absolute. Back in the Qi Refining Stage, he killed a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Now that he has reached the Gang Condensation realm, he can even contend with those at the Wind Fiend Unity realm."
"We even speculate that if he advances to the Wind Fiend Unity realm, he could briefly hold his own against a Golden Core Daoist."
After listing Lu Yuan’s capabilities with great admiration, she revealed another piece of news. "Even Shen Wanshang of the Celestial Sea Royal Family acknowledges Lu Yuan’s talent."
"Hmph. So what if she acknowledges it? It has nothing to do with me. I, Luo Zhiwei, am second to none."
As a genius, Luo Zhiwei had her own pride. Chu Hanzhen’s words failed to move her in the slightest.
Seeing this, Chu Hanzhen did not get angry. Instead, she chuckled. "Zhiwei, of course I’m aware of your talent. You were the strongest of our generation."
"But a Child of Heaven’s Will like him doesn’t just advance rapidly on his own. Favored by heaven and earth, they can also share their good fortune with their friends, greatly increasing their luck. They can even help others achieve epiphanies and break through cultivation bottlenecks... It’s because of this that Shen Wanshang found a hidden ancient demesne containing heaven-grade Wind Fiend Qi. Wouldn’t you like to have that kind of luck, Zhiwei?"
"—The cultivation of Arrays is incredibly difficult. Even for someone like you, I’m sure you’ve accumulated quite a few problems. If you spend more time with Lu Yuan and let his good fortune rub off on you, those problems might just solve themselves."
At these words, Luo Zhiwei’s eyes narrowed slightly. As an Array Master, she was considered a High Cultivator. Because of this, she knew full well that in this world, Children of Heaven’s Will born in response to great calamities truly did exist.
The blessing of great fortune could indeed grant a person multiple epiphanies.
However, she was an extremely proud woman. Rather than follow a Child of Heaven’s Will, she believed in her own strength and preferred to rely on her own ingenuity to solve problems.
But just as she lifted her head, ready to reject Chu Hanzhen’s proposal, an announcement rang out from the gate: "Princess Qingyue and Princess Qinglian of Prince Qinghe’s Mansion, and Princess Qingque of Prince Qinglin’s Mansion are here—"
’They’re here? So soon?’
Prince Qinghe truly valued Zhong Ming. Knowing that he wanted to study Arrays, the prince had not only found Luo Zhiwei for him but had also sent people to contact her in advance, even paying a great price to negotiate the terms.
Therefore, Luo Zhiwei had been somewhat expecting Zhong Ming and the others to arrive.
What she hadn’t expected was for them to arrive so quickly.
At the same time, recalling what Chu Hanzhen had just said, an idea began to form in her mind.