Chapter 313 - 3: Ring Beast, One Origin Rebirth·Chronological Tree Diagram
Chapter 313: Chapter 3: Ring Beast, One Origin Rebirth·Chronological Tree Diagram
The slowly revolving Planetary System possessed a sense of perfection.
Starlight flowed like clouds, drifting gently through the secret chamber. As Zhong Ming stood at the center of the Array, bathed in this brilliance, he seemed to be surrounded by a sacred and ethereal aura.
This incredible sight made even the ever-proud Luo Zhiwei look on in utter shock for the first time.
This was especially true since she possessed investigative abilities. After using her Pupil Technique to observe the essence contained within Taibai Jinxing, Jupiter, and the Great Sun, her gaze toward Zhong Ming grew solemn. "To be able to comprehend so many profound Dao Rhymes... I admit, you truly have the right to be arrogant."
No sooner had she spoken than her expression turned strange. "You’ve comprehended so much and your foundation is so profound... how are you still at the Qi Cultivation Stage?"
"With a foundation like yours, you could have reached the Gang Condensation stage by now."
Zhong Ming shrugged and replied calmly, "I simply want to forge a better Dao Foundation."
"..."
His words left Luo Zhiwei even more speechless. She desperately wanted to say, ’Your Dao Foundation is already in a state of near-perfection!’
However, after her moment of speechlessness, the strange look on her face gave way to sheer excitement.
’With this level of comprehension, once his Dao Foundation is successfully forged, it will surely be of the Supreme Level...’
The thought that she would have a hand in forging such a Supreme Dao Foundation made Luo Zhiwei’s heart leap with joy.
’Sigh, this is going to cost me a fortune,’ Luo Zhiwei muttered to herself, her expression flashing with a hint of pain at the thought.
Seeing this, Zhong Ming quickly cupped his hands. "Master Zhiwei, I was only joking earlier. I will cover the cost of all resources needed for the formulation. I will absolutely not let you suffer a loss, Master. Please, just focus on the work."
This wasn’t a simple gesture of generosity. He was worried that in an effort to save resources, Luo Zhiwei might design a subpar Array for him.
Besides, he and Prince Qinghe wanted to bring Luo Zhiwei into their camp. Under the circumstances, he couldn’t possibly let her actually take a loss.
However, she rejected Zhong Ming’s offer.
"No need. I said I’d do it, and I don’t go back on my word. Besides, I can afford the loss."
Seeing how resolute she was, Zhong Ming didn’t press the issue.
Zhong Ming remained in the secret chamber for over an hour. During that time, Luo Zhiwei questioned him about the finer details of his constitution and Dao Rhyme comprehension. Once she understood everything she needed to, she promptly kicked him out of the room, took out various rare materials and an Array Plate, and began to focus on formulating the Array.
...
"Hm?"
Upon exiting the secret chamber, Zhong Ming was surprised to find that Chu Hanzhen hadn’t left.
Moreover, the scorn and mockery were gone from her eyes.
Of course, Chu Hanzhen had stopped. As a reasonably shrewd woman, while common sense prevented her from believing Zhong Ming’s Talent was truly "Heaven and Earth, Only I am Supreme," she still thought him far too arrogant for making such a claim.
But for someone to be arrogant to that degree was a rarity in itself.
Not to mention, Prince Qinghe’s daughter was still willing to believe in him. This forced her to reconsider:
’To be so favored by Prince Qinghe, even if Zhong Ming’s Talent isn’t one-of-a-kind or comparable to a Son of Destiny born to face the calamity, it must absolutely be at the very peak among ordinary people.’
’And putting that aside, even if ninety-nine percent of what he said was pure arrogance, what if—just what if—his Talent really is as he claims, peerless in all of Heaven and Earth... Offending him would be a terrible mistake.’
’Especially now.’
At this thought, Chu Hanzhen’s mind turned to the impending formation of the New Army.
It was a matter of extreme importance, concerning the lives and safety of hundreds of millions of people in the Four Continents. It was also a great reshuffling that would determine the rise and fall of the great families, clans, and sect nobility within the Four Continents.
It was a widely accepted fact that the Second Calamity would engulf the entire Frost Moon Dynasty.
The New Army, once formed, would take on the responsibility of fighting demons and monsters and ensuring humanity’s survival.
However, the Four Continents were vast. It was easy to foresee that when the second wave of the calamity struck, war would erupt everywhere.
In comparison, the New Army, even one built on the combined strength of the Four Continents, would still be too small. They would inevitably be stretched thin against a full-scale outbreak of demons and monsters.
At that point, where to send aid first—or where the New Army would be stationed—would become a matter of great debate.
’According to the intelligence I’ve received, the New Army will be led by Celestial Generals and Divine Generals, dispersed throughout the Four Continents to better provide support everywhere.’
’In that scenario, Divine Generals and Celestial Generals will hold extremely high status. If one of them declares a certain area important, the New Army under their command could be stationed there, protecting the peace of that region.’
’Although the Chu Family is large, we have vast territories and numerous businesses to protect. During the Second Calamity, even our main family branch might not survive. If we don’t want to decline during the calamity, or worse, be completely wiped out, then befriending the Divine Generals and Celestial Generals who hold military power is of the utmost importance.’
’Zhong Ming... since he’s so highly regarded by Prince Qinghe, he’s certain to become a Celestial General. If what he claimed is true, it’s not impossible for him to become a Divine General... ’
In times of chaos, the ’warlords’ who control the armies are the most powerful faction, the most sought-after group to court and win over.
Zhong Ming had the potential to become a Divine General. Given the situation, Chu Hanzhen was naturally unwilling to leave.
She decided to first observe Zhong Ming’s situation. If he could really learn the incredibly difficult Array that her best friend was devising for him:
’Prince Qinghe is not as powerful as the Celestial Sea King, and the latter is very likely to become a Military Commander. We can’t afford to break that connection. However, only small families are forced to choose one side. The Chu Family should hedge its bets and offend neither party...’