Identity Exposed
It must be said that the Eleventh Prince, Ying Yan, was a genius who was able to snatch a formal title among so many Princes and Princesses. With the resources provided by the Imperial Clan, his cultivation speed was extremely fast. Naturally, the Cultivator who could catch his eye were all rare geniuses.
Although all ten Cultivator under Ying Yan tutelage, any one of them would be qualified to compete for a place in the top eight of the Dragon Phoenix Ranking in their respective prefectures.
The ten Cultivators, both men and women, were all highly skilled individuals. Moreover, they were all very young, appearing to be in their early twenties, and their cultivation levels were all at the Spell Control Stage, with the strongest even reaching the Ninth Layer of Spell Control Stage.
"Greetings, Prince Highness," the ten Cultivator said in unison as Ying Yan brought Zhuge Xiang and the others over.
"Please, everyone, no need for such formalities. We are all friends, there's no need to be so reserved," Ying Yan said with a warm smile in response to the Cultivator's bows. However, to Zhuge Xiang, his expression seemed somewhat affected.
A quick glance revealed ten talented Cultivator under Ying Yan's command. Zhuge Xiang was slightly taken aback; he had encountered a familiar face: Lei Qianjun.
Zhuge Xiang never expected that the top genius of Canghai Commandery, Thunderclap Sword Lei Qianjun, was actually Cultivator under the tutelage of the Eleventh Prince, Ying Yan.
Clearly, Lei Qianjun also saw Zhuge Xiang and secretly wondered if Zhuge Xiang had also been recruited by Ying Yan. He believed it was true; with Zhuge Xiang's talent, it was normal for Ying Yan to take notice of him.
After examining Zhuge Xiang more closely, Lei Qianjun was astonished to discover that Zhuge Xiang's cultivation level had actually reached the Spell Control Stage Fourth Layer.
How is this possible?! It's only been a short time since we last met, and his cultivation has improved so quickly? He's directly reached the Spell Control Stage Fourth Layer? How exactly did he cultivate?
"Come, everyone, let me introduce you," Ying Yan said with a friendly smile, eager to introduce Zhuge Xiang to everyone.
Seeing Zhuge Xiang's noticeably younger face and sensing his cultivation level at the Spell Control Stage Fourth Layer, these Cultivator dared not be arrogant in front of Zhuge Xiang. When Ying Yan was about to introduce him, they all secretly paid attention. At this age, possessing the cultivation level at the Spell Control Stage Fourth Layer, he was clearly not an unknown figure.
"I know, Zhuge Xiang, I didn't expect to see you here," Lei Qianjun said as soon as Ying Yan finished speaking, greeting Zhuge Xiang at the same time.
"Yes, Brother Lei, we are truly destined to meet." Nodding, Zhuge Xiang also spoke up. As fellow Cultivator from Canghai Commandery, he had at least encountered Lei Qianjun, an acquaintance, so far.
"Zhuge Xiang? I've heard that the Asura Sect in Yanling Commandery has produced a genius Cultivator, only nineteen years old." Upon hearing Lei Qianjun's address to Zhuge Xiang, the leader of the ten Cultivators, a man who had been holding a bow and arrow and was as invisible as Ghost, suddenly spoke up, his eyes fixed on Zhuge Xiang.
"Oh? Ming Ying, are you referring to that young genius who survived the Heavenly Tribulation at the age of nineteen, who's been making headlines recently?" As the Ghost man finished speaking, the Cultivator also recalled the name. One of them asked in surprise, while also glancing at Zhuge Xiang. There was no way around it; they were about the same age and had the same name. No wonder some people would be suspicious.
"Surviving the Heavenly Tribulation at nineteen? While your talent is certainly not bad, none of you here are any less so?" But a woman in a tight leather outfit that perfectly accentuated her voluptuous figure spoke up. Dressed provocatively, she looked at Zhuge Xiang with her beautiful eyes. Among those present, who wasn't a renowned Cultivator in the county? Surviving the Heavenly Tribulation at nineteen was hardly something to be proud of.
No wonder this woman was so arrogant. Apart from Ming Ying, who was the strongest and had no presence despite holding a bow and arrow and was at the Tenth Layer of Spell Control Stage, this woman was actually Cultivator at the Ninth Layer of Spell Control Stage.
"Gu Mei, you've been in seclusion lately, haven't you heard any news from the Empire? Passing the Heavenly Tribulation at nineteen is nothing special, but what if it triggered the Lightning Crystal Dragon Palace?" Xie Xie glanced at the woman in the revealing leather clothes and Ming Ying said calmly.
"What!? Lightning Crystal Dragon Palace!?" Ming Ying's words caused Gu Mei to exclaim in surprise, and her eyes, which were fixed on Zhuge Xiang, were clearly different now.
The geniuses who can trigger the Lightning Crystal Dragon Palace are said to possess the aptitude of a sect leader. Among all the Void Realm Great Expert in the world, perhaps only a very small fraction have triggered the Thunder Lightning Crystal Dragon Palace, but more than 90% of the Cultivator have triggered the Thunder Lightning Crystal Dragon Palace have all entered the Void Realm.
If the abilities of Sword Intent and Mind's Eye during the Qi Refining Stage can be considered the passport to the Nascent Deity Transformation stage, then the Heavenly Tribulation of the Heavenly Tribulation Lightning Crystal Dragon Palace represents the aptitude required to enter the Void Realm.
"Little brother, I never expected you to have such talent. It truly surprises your Elder Sister. Tonight, how about we find a quiet place and discuss this?" With seductive eyes, Gu Mei extended her fair fingers to lift Zhuge Xiang's chin and teased him.
Seeing Gu Mei's actions, Qin Qing frowned. Zhuge Xiang, however, was not polite. He reached out and wrapped his arm around Gu Mei's exposed waist, pulling her close to his body, and said with a smile, "How could I refuse Fellow Daoist Gu's invitation?"
"You little pervert..." she seemed very open-minded, but when Zhuge Xiang put his arm around her waist, Gu Mei slipped away like an eel, looking shy and spitting softly.
"Alright, everyone, I think you've misunderstood. This Zhuge Xiang is not that Zhuge Xiang. This Brother Zhuge is Cultivator from the Azure Sword Sect," Ying Yan said, clarifying the situation as everyone was surprised by Zhuge Xiang's triggering of the Thunder Lightning Crystal Dragon Palace.
The legendary Zhuge Xiang is long dead and was born into the Asura Sect of Yanling Commandery. However, this Zhuge Xiang is from the Azure Sword Sect and possesses Buddhist Power, which is almost the complete opposite of the legendary Zhuge Xiang from the demonic Asura Sect.
"Prince Highness, the Azure Sword Sect is a Small Sect in my Canghai Commandery. As far as I know, this Brother Zhuge came from Yanling Commandery some time ago. The time he appeared coincides perfectly with the time when news of Zhuge Xiang's death in Yanling Commandery was reported," Ying Yan's clarification made these Cultivator realize what was going on. But then, Lei Qianjun spoke up.
"Oh?" Ying Yan's eyes lit up completely, and she stared intently at Zhuge Xiang.
I initially thought Zhuge Xiang was quite talented, but if he really is the Zhuge Xiang from the rumors, then I've really struck gold. If I could recruit such a genius, once he grows up, my chances of seizing the Imperial Throne would increase by at least half a step.
"So, Brother Zhuge is the legendary Zhuge Xiang who triggered the Lightning Crystal Dragon Palace! You kept this from me for quite a while," Ying Yan said, feigning anger with a clear smile. At this moment, Ying Yan's form of address clearly brought the two closer once again. (To be continued...)