Chapter 339: Chapter 12: Opening the Great Dream of a Thousand Years, I See All Beings, All Beings See Me
Shen Wanshang’s single sentence laid bare Ji Yao’s predicament. The mockery on her face vanished in an instant, and the spark of gleeful provocation in her heart was extinguished like a cinder doused with cold water.
After that, she lost all desire to linger. Lifting her skirts, she hurried out of the Celestial Sea Villa.
The moment she crossed the vermilion threshold, she arched an eyebrow. Her brother, Ji Hao, was rushing over in black martial attire, leading several dozen of the Prince Mansion’s elite guards. They moved with hurried steps, a faint killing intent hanging about them.
Such a display made Ji Yao’s eyes widen, and she blurted out, "Brother, why did you bring so many men? Don’t tell me you’re planning to drop all pretenses with Shen Wanshang and start a fight here at the Celestial Sea Villa!"
Seeing that his sister was unharmed, Ji Hao let out a long sigh of relief, his anxious heart finally at ease. He shook his head and said gravely, "This has nothing to do with Shen Wanshang. I came for you—until I can sound out Zhong Ming, you are forbidden from seeing him."
"Huh?" Ji Yao was stunned for a moment when she heard this, but she quickly grasped her brother’s concerns.
A blush crept onto her cheeks, and she puffed them out in vexation. "Brother! Are you worried I’ll be bewitched by Zhong Ming?" she pouted. "In your eyes, am I some reckless girl who would let a man turn her head so easily?"
"That’s not what I meant at all." Seeing his sister’s vexation, Ji Hao quickly waved his hands in denial, but his tone quickly shifted. "Yaoyao, of course I trust your intelligence. But Xiyue was known for being cold and aloof, yet she practically defected the moment she met Zhong Ming. Then there’s Luo Zhiwei, Ji Qingyue, and Ji Qinglian—so many proud, beautiful women with impossibly high standards have all fallen for the unremarkable Zhong Ming... There is absolutely something wrong with him."
!!!
When Ji Yao heard that besides Xiyue, two Commandery Princesses and even a Master like Luo Zhiwei held Zhong Ming in high regard, she immediately forgot her vexation. Her face filled with astonishment, and a chill ran down her spine.
Evidently, she too was startled by Zhong Ming’s unnatural Charm. Like her brother, she was now convinced there was something wrong with him.
However, her shock did not last long. After returning with her brother to the Silver Moon Royal Mansion’s residence in Immortal Martial City, Ji Yao relayed Shen Wanshang’s analysis to Ji Hao in full detail. Then, her brow furrowed with worry, she asked, "Brother, with Zhong Ming and his faction on the rise, are we in for a lot of trouble?"
Ji Hao didn’t deny it. Yet, his expression wasn’t grave; instead, a sharp, eager glint flashed in his eyes. "The sudden rise of Zhong Ming and Prince Qinghe is indeed a tricky problem for us. But as they say, fortune and misfortune are two sides of the same coin. The sudden emergence of Prince Qinghe is a sword hanging over our heads, but it’s also the very opportunity we need to reverse our decline."
At this, the light in Ji Hao’s eyes intensified. "Our Silver Moon Royal Mansion was originally at a slight disadvantage against the Celestial Sea King. But Zhong Ming’s appearance gives us a chance to pull ahead. No matter what, we and Prince Qinghe are both Princes of the Royal Family. As long as we can bring him and Zhong Ming to heel, we can unite the strength of our two houses to challenge the Celestial Sea King. Then, Shen Wanshang and her faction will be the ones with the headache."
His words were like the sun breaking through the clouds, and Ji Yao’s eyes suddenly brightened. But a moment later, she keenly pinpointed the crux of the issue. "The only way our houses can join forces is if we can make them submit. But since Ji Qingyue and her group arrived in Immortal Martial City, they haven’t paid us a single visit. Instead, they’ve been busy recruiting other talented individuals. They don’t seem willing to accept our leadership... Should we arrange a time to fight them?"
Ji Hao first nodded, but after a moment’s thought, he slowly shook his head. "Subduing Zhong Ming, Ji Qingyue, and the rest is necessary, but challenging them at their doorstep would be too reckless. It would also create too much ill will."
After a moment of contemplation, Ji Hao had a plan. "I have it. I recall that the Qi Family of Immortal Martial City, who are pledged to us, once spent a fortune and three hundred years forging a Path of Purgatory. The path contains thousands of killing formations and can temper a Cultivator’s physical body, Divine Soul, and Dao Heart. It’s practically a secret realm for intense training. Later, I will visit the Qi Family and have them temporarily open the Path of Purgatory. I will also draft a formal invitation for Ji Qingyue, Zhong Ming, and the others to train there."
"Since they want to establish a foothold in Immortal Martial City and make a name for themselves, they’ll have no reason to refuse. When the time comes, we can use the Path of Purgatory to determine who is superior and who is stronger!"
Before the words had even left his mouth, Ji Hao seemed to think of something else. He turned, waved to a subordinate behind him, and ordered in a deep voice, "Compile a list of all the powers that have arrived in Immortal Martial City, along with any unaffiliated experts. Three days from now, when the Path of Purgatory opens, send out invitations. Tell the leaders of these factions that they may also send their people to participate in the opening of this secret realm. As for the resources required to open the Path of Purgatory, my Silver Moon Royal Mansion will bear the entire cost!"
At his words, Ji Yao and the advisors of the Prince Mansion all lit up, instantly grasping the depth of Ji Hao’s foresight. Their young master (her brother) wasn’t just trying to suppress Zhong Ming and the Prince Qinghe faction. He also intended to use the Path of Purgatory to display the Silver Moon Royal Mansion’s power and resources to all the factions in Immortal Martial City. This would make them lean completely to his side in the matter of assembling the New Army.
"Yes, Young Master!"
His subordinates answered with a resounding cry of assent and immediately split up to act. Some went to gather intelligence, others to draft the invitations, all moving with organized haste.
Comments