The sight caused Zhuo Feng’s pupils to contract. ’But I already expected this.’
CLANG!
With a sharp ring, a keen saber imbued with an aura of deathly stillness manifested within Zhuo Feng’s Sea of Consciousness.
Then, leveraging the ho-field advantage within his own Sea of Consciousness, he poured his Divine Intent, his Soul Power—his very everything—into the Big Dipper Saber.
The next mont, the saber transford into a brilliant beam of starlight and slashed viciously toward Zhong Ming’s Morning Star - Candlelight Sword.
This sight made Zhong Ming let out a sigh.
’Just as I thought. If I don’t use the Longxi Sword-Drawing Technique, I’ll have to clash with him head-on.’
In response, Zhong Ming did nothing.
Nor did he need to.
CLANG!
The instant the two Divine Weapons, forged from Heart Spirit Dao Rhy, collided, Zhuo Feng understood the aning of a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
He felt as if he had struck a sliver of the Great Sun itself. In the next instant, a boundless power surged forth from that Great Sun, shattering the Big Dipper Saber forged from his Heart Spirit and Soul Intent with unstoppable force.
Zhuo Feng even had the feeling that if the Great Sun were to fully unleash its power within his Sea of Consciousness, it could incinerate his Heart Soul Rhy to nothing.
That deathly stillness filled Zhuo Feng with panic and terror, yet also a strange sense of release.
’He’s too strong. The gap between us is just too vast!’
Just as he had completely given up, the Great Sun Divine Sword suddenly dissolved into light and returned to Zhong Ming’s eyes.
——He had no need to kill Zhuo Feng.
But even though Zhong Ming had held back at the last mont, their prior clash had still left Zhuo Feng severely wounded.
SPURT...
In the physical world, this manifested as blood seeping from all seven of his orifices. His entire aura weakened imasurably.
"Senior Brother!"
The disciples of the Star-Picking Sect panicked at the sight. A crowd of them rushed to stand in front of their Senior Brother, glaring furiously at Zhong Ming.
However, just as they were about to berate him, Zhuo Feng spoke up.
"Shut up! Do not disrespect Zhong Ming!"
COUGH COUGH...
After saying this, he coughed up another mouthful of blood and got to his feet, supported by his fellow disciples.
Then, without bothering to wipe the blood from his lips or tend to his injuries, he gave Zhong Ming a deep bow and spoke with utmost sincerity:
"Thank you for sparing my life, Zhong."
It might seem strange that the severely wounded man was grateful to Zhong Ming, but it was perfectly logical.
He had been the one to challenge Zhong Ming. Even if he had been killed, no one could have said a word against it.
Furthermore, Zhong Ming truly had the power to kill him. Under these circumstances, for Zhong Ming to have shown rcy was a debt of gratitude that Zhuo Feng would naturally never forget.
Zhong Ming’s expression remained placid. "There’s no need. We had no prior grievances."
With that, Zhong Ming returned to his spot behind Ji Qingyue and once again slipped into his dreamlike state.
However, though he did nothing more, the way everyone looked at him—and at Ji Qingyue—had completely changed.
And what happened next made it palpably clear to all onlookers that the power dynamics within Prince Qinghe’s Mansion had shifted.
Zhuo Feng, who had been courted by multiple factions, after careful consideration, made his choice—he would join Ji Qingyue’s retinue.
At this, a clamor of discussion erupted from all sides.
The expressions of Ji Qinglian, the old butler, Qin Hongye, and Autumn Cicada all changed in an instant.
Everyone understood that after this incident, Ji Qingyue, the Commandery Princess known for her benevolence, was no longer the minor player of yesteryear, capable only of small squabbles.
"With Zhong Ming present, the power struggle in Prince Qinghe’s Mansion is no longer a three-way contest. It has beco a four-way standoff!"
"Ji Qingyue now has what it takes to be a player on the board, to contend with the other princes and princesses on equal footing!"
Naturally, the repercussions of this event were not confined to this place. Its influence continued to spread.
And because of it, Zhong Ming’s na beca known to many more people.
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