Zhang Yong and Su Ming paid no attention to the crowd; both were immersed in their own worlds after what they had achieved.
"Thank you, brother," Su Ming repeated, his voice low and intimate this time, touching his chest as if trying to grasp the new golden will settling in his soul. "I would not have reached this without you."
Zhang Yong smiled, a rare genuine smile reaching his red eyes. "You did it yourself. You've always been talented." Then he added in a brotherly tone, "Now you're even more annoying than before."
Su Ming laughed, a light and free laugh devoid of the burden of competition that had been between them moments ago. "Just wait until I get used to this new power. I'll force you to use everything you have next time."
"Heh, I don't think you'll be able to do that," Zhang Yong smiled with a hint of arrogance in his voice. "We'll see again after you break through to the Ancestor stage."
"Hmph," Su Ming scoffed. "Fine then. But when I reach it, you must have achieved Sword Intent by that time! And don't say you're not talented or that nonsense again. It's just that your path is harder than mine."
As Zhang Yong and Su Ming wandered through the bustling event plaza, searching for their senior brothers, a passerby suddenly stopped before them. He was an elegant young man wearing a light green robe, with a thin sword hanging at his side. His sharp eyes examined Su Ming with obvious appreciation.
"Excuse me, fellow Daoist brother," the young man spoke in a soft but firm voice, with a faint smile. "I just watched your battle on the sword stele. Your swordsmanship skills were truly remarkable. May I know your name?"
Su Ming looked at the young man, then at Zhang Yong who stood quietly beside him, before replying: "Su Ming, from the Purple Star Sect. And this is my companion, Zhang Yong."
"Ah, the Purple Star Sect!" the young man said, raising his eyebrows exaggeratedly. Then, upon hearing Zhang Yong's name, he trembled for a moment, but his gaze still focused on Su Ming. "I've always heard that the Purple Star Sect produces talented individuals, and now I see it's true. I am Zhou Yan from the Zhou family of Ringed Moon City."
Su Ming nodded with a slight acknowledgment, while Zhang Yong noticed that Zhou Yan's gaze was ignoring him—or rather, avoiding him, as if he didn't exist.
"Brother Su, do you have time to exchange some insights?" Zhou Yan suggested enthusiastically. "I also specialize in the Sword Path, and I believe exchanging ideas would benefit us both."
Before Su Ming could respond, Zhang Yong intervened quietly: "Unfortunately, we are in a hurry to join our other companions. Perhaps another time."
Zhou Yan didn't seem bothered; he turned his gaze to Zhang Yong for the first time, but his eyes carried a hint of contempt. "You are Zhang Yong, aren't you? How dare someone from the demonic path be here?"
Zhang Yong's eyes widened for a moment. 'What is he talking about? Demonic path? Did someone spread rumors about me?'
After a moment of silence, Zhang Yong smiled coldly. "What demonic path are you talking about? Do you have proof?"
Zhou Yan felt the coldness in Zhang Yong's gaze, but he did not back down. "Proof? Hmph, everyone knows you were close to that girl from the demonic path in your sect. And you didn't participate in the war while your sect was on the verge of falling. You only appeared at the end, after the tide had turned in favor of the Purple Star Sect."
Su Ming immediately intervened, his voice sharp: "Your words are incorrect. Zhang Yong does not belong to the demonic path—"
Zhang Yong raised his hand, stopping Su Ming's words. His red eyes stared at Zhou Yan, but his expression was eerily calm. "Rumors are just rumors. If you believe everything you hear, perhaps you need to reconsider how your head function"
Zhou Yan smiled contemptuously: "Hmph, aren't you afraid that the rumors will damage the reputation of the Purple Star Sect? Your presence here might bring..."
Suddenly, a calm but firm voice cut through the conversation: "Brother Zhou, perhaps you have misunderstood."
Everyone turned toward the source of the voice. Standing there was a young man wearing a white robe, his features clear and his eyes deep.
He belonged to the Cold Sword Sect, one of the higher sects in Qingyun Province.
"Brother Yi Chen," Zhou Yan looked at the newcomer with obvious respect.
Yi Chen first turned to Zhang Yong and Su Ming and nodded to them, then said to Zhou Yan: "I watched these two's battle on the sword stele. Their skills and understanding of the Sword Path are rarely seen. How could such a person be from the demonic path?"
Zhou Yan seemed unconvinced: "But the rumors..."
"Rumors remain baseless rumors," Yi Chen said calmly, but his voice carried undeniable authority. "The Buddhist Sect invited them; that in itself is the best proof. Or do you doubt the wisdom of the Buddhist Sect?"
Zhou Yan's face fell immediately: "No... I don't doubt it."
Yi Chen nodded: "Then, there is no need for more of this pointless conversation." Then he turned to Zhang Yong and Su Ming: "Brothers, your swordsmanship skills are truly remarkable. I hope to have the opportunity to exchange insights with you."
Zhang Yong replied politely: "Brother Yi is too kind. We are merely beginners, still needing to learn from our seniors."
Yi Chen smiled quietly. "If it doesn't take too much of your time, I would like to invite you both to meet someone."
After a moment of hesitation, Zhang Yong looked at Yi Chen, who remained smiling calmly, then nodded in agreement. "Certainly, we are honored."
Su ming couldn't help but follow too , leaving the talk and hidden meanings for zhang yong was more logical than saying anything himself
They quietly followed Yi Chen through the teleportation formation to the residential area, and he soon led them to a very luxurious place, where there was a small balcony overlooking the surrounding mountains. There, a young man stood, with long brown hair and black pupils, wearing a calm smile.
Su Ming's expression changed upon seeing him, while Zhang Yong's guard immediately rose, because this person was the Second Prince of the Empire, Jiang Liang.
"Your Highness," Yi Chen bowed with respect, followed by Zhang Yong and Su Ming in their bows.
Liang Qin smiled, his eyes gleaming with slight curiosity. "Please rise. It is not proper for my brother-in-law and his brother to bow before me."
Su Ming looked toward the Second Prince and swallowed. 'He just called me his brother-in-law?!'
Zhang Yong internally scoffed. 'Heh, I feel sorry for Su Ming joining the imperial family. Good luck with the brothers-in-law.'
Prince Jiang Liang smiled gently. "I've heard a lot about both of you. Your skills are truly exceptional, especially at such a young age."
Zhang Yong nodded politely. "Your Highness flatters us. We are merely beginners on the Dao path."
Jiang Liang shook his head, his black eyes gleaming with sharp intelligence. "Humility is a virtue, but don't let it obscure the brilliance of true talent." Then he added, turning toward Su Ming specifically, "Brother Su, my younger sister often mentions your skills in the Heavenly Boundary World."
A faint blush appeared on Su Ming's face as he tried to maintain his composure. "The princess is too kind. It was an honor to fight alongside her."
Of course, Su Ming was on the verge of passing out. Zhang Yong would bet that if he heard that directly from her, he would have fainted.
But now he was trying his best to at least maintain his confident appearance before his brother-in-law, even though his ears had reddened slightly.
Prince Jiang Liang smiled innocently, but his eyes hid a glint of amusement. "No need to address me by my title; just call me Brother Liang. After all, in the future, we won't be strangers."
Jiang Liang turned toward Zhang Yong, his smile still gentle but his eyes becoming more serious. "As for you, young master Zhang Yong, I have heard of your achievements in the Heavenly Boundary World, and let's just say they were... interesting."
Zhang Yong bowed slightly again. "Your kindness overwhelms me, Your Highness. I am merely a student seeking the Dao."
Jiang Liang shook his head. "Don't underestimate yourself. What you have achieved is already quite good for your generation." Then he added in a more serious tone, "In fact, there is a reason I invited you both today."
The atmosphere suddenly became more serious. Even Yi Chen, who had been standing quietly beside the prince, appeared more focused.
"As you both know, the Dao Discussion Assembly is not only about exchanging knowledge," Jiang Liang continued. "It is also an opportunity for the various sects to discuss... potential alliances."
Zhang Yong raised his eyebrows slightly but remained silent, waiting for the prince to continue.
"You must have already heard about those rumors spread about you, haven't you?" Jiang Liang said, his eyes meeting directly with Zhang Yong's. "I'm afraid this may be the result of a plan by the First Prince."
Zhang Yong did not appear surprised; he nodded quietly. "That is expected. The First Prince sees the Purple Star Sect as a potential threat after our emergence in the Heavenly Boundary World. Defaming my reputation is the easiest way to undermine the sect's influence."
Nevertheless, the Second Prince shook his head. "The reason is not entirely the Purple Star Sect. Rather, it is because of you."
Prince Jiang Liang said, looking at Zhang Yong with a penetrating gaze. "The conflict in the imperial palace is approaching its peak. In political battles, the best method is to gain support. Then there is you. Because the First Prince insulted you over the matter of the Third Prince, and given your personality, his best option would be..."
Zhang Yong's gaze turned sharp. "It would be to eliminate obstacles, and that includes eliminating me."
This sentence was not a threat but a cold, harsh truth. He had become a piece on the grand chessboard between the princes.
For Zhang Yong, this was dangerous. Behind the scenes, it could be said that he controlled the Purple Star Sect. After all, the temporary elder of the Sword Peak was someone he's close to and the Lightning Peak, although currently without an elder, had discussions underway, and it was likely that Gan Li would become a temporary elder as well, given what Zhang Yong had previously arranged to replace the Lightning Peak elder.
Then the serenity peak's peak master was his master, and the Frost Peak's peak master was his master's friend. He also had some relationships with the sect master, even if they weren't deep.
This meant that Zhang Yong's influence in the sect extended to at least 60%. Even if the Purple Star Sect wasn't the best sect, there was a reason why the sons of golden families had been sent there over the years.
Without mentioning his relationship with Liu Yan, whose family was from the imperial court, in addition to his sworn brother being the sole heir of the Su family, and the only daughter of the Long family being in love with him.
All these factors made him the greatest possible threat. If the First Prince couldn't recruit him, he would have to destroy him. Otherwise, if the Second Prince pulled him in, that would be his end.
Zhang Yong had already understood the prince's message: Since my brother wishes to eliminate you, come and take shelter with me, and I will use you In exchange for your protection
It was that simple. If Zhang Yong only said the word, more than half of the golden families would fall under the prince's banner.
After a moment of deep thought, Zhang Yong looked at Prince Jiang Liang with a calm and resolute gaze. "Thank you for your warning, Your Highness. I will make sure to stay out of this fight."
This was a definitive rejection of the prince's offer to join. This was his decision: he would not join either side, nor would he enter the political battles in the palace.
It might be possible for him to go and help Su Ming in the worst-case scenario, but he would not participate between the two princes. He would not allow himself to be manipulated between them
At least, at the peak of the imperial conflict, they would end up killing each other.
This was what would happen according to Wu Rushian's information. The Second Prince would die at the hands of the First Prince
But these two princes did not know that this competition was nothing more than a game for their father, because all of this was the Emperor's plan!
Beneath the false mask of the Holy Emperor, he was in truth a cruel and emotionless person, even toward his own offspring.
He was not even holy; he was demonic
Even if his appearance seemed human, he was the beast that had existed a thousand years ago and had wiped out the original imperial family
And the princes were nothing more than a tool for him. The Emperor was practicing a demonic technique
This was in his pursuit of achieving the Heavenly Emperor realm. When Wu Rushian learned of his pursuit, she stole his method and used it for herself to ascend to that rank, but he ultimately killed her.
In the end, all this nonsense about sons was nothing more than cultivation materials for their father
And to ensure that humanity would not advance, and to reduce the number of future Emperors, he distorted the entire continent's history, causing much information and knowledge to be destroyed.
Because of him, generations of knowledge were lost, causing the number of high-level cultivators to shrink, and the vast majority stopped at the edge of the Venerable stage.
He was the greatest puppet master behind the curtain.