Having himself appointed to a post at the Sword Testing Platform was a way of gaining sect Merit Points.
Having Xie Yuzhu forge a Flying Sword for him was a way of expanding his connections.
As for Mo Shuying, this Senior Disciple Sister, she truly treated him well and genuinely raised him as her junior brother.
Zhong Ming was naturally willing to accept such kindness.
Thus, Zhong Ming clasped his hands and said with deep gratitude, "Thank you, Senior Disciple Sister."
"I am willing to accept Miss Yuzhu's test. Also, at the Seven Peaks Grand Competition at the end of the month, I will give it my all and strive for a good result for Dragon Stream Peak."
Zhong Ming's grateful words made Mo Shuying somewhat embarrassed.
She felt guilty toward Zhong Ming for giving Dragon Stream Peak's remaining resources to Xue Yao instead of him.
What she had done now was all compensation for Zhong Ming.
Feeling awkward, she swiftly changed the subject. "No need to thank me. This is what you deserve..."
Before she finished speaking, she seemed to recall something and continued solemnly, "My niece is very interested in the sword path. If she asks you to undergo a test, it will most likely be a swordsmanship duel. She is very strong, and you may not be her match."
"When the time comes, don't force yourself. If things do not work out with her, I will choose a Flying Sword for you from Dragon Stream Peak's treasure vault."
At this point, Mo Shuying grew somewhat despondent again.
She thought highly of Xie Yuzhu's somewhat proud nature. The sword path ought to be a little unrestrained.
Moreover, the Xie Family had always been on good terms with Dragon Stream Peak, and Xie Yuzhu possessed considerable talent for the sword path. Under normal circumstances, Xie Yuzhu should have joined their Dragon Stream Peak.
Unfortunately, compared to strength, the Xie Family valued Xie Yuzhu's safety more.
"What a pity..."
The regret she felt robbed Mo Shuying of any interest in speaking further with Zhong Ming. After offering him a few brief words of encouragement, she left.
After her figure had gone far away, Zhong Ming had originally intended to head to the Sword Testing Platform and claim the position of team leader.
However, before he could leave, the mistress and servant pair, Yi Yunya and Youlan, came to his side.
Their arrival gave Zhong Ming some guesses.
"Is this because of the Golden Jade Tower retainer matter?"
As he guessed, Zhong Ming cupped his hands toward the two women.
"Senior Sister Yi, Junior Sister Youlan, did you need something from me?"
Yi Yunya said, "Indeed, there is something. At the Seven Peaks Grand Competition, Dragon Stream Peak has few people and weak strength. We should all join hands and advance together. I wish to join your team and form an alliance with you, Young Master Zhong Ming."
"Huh?"
Yi Yunya's answer caught Zhong Ming somewhat off guard.
He was not stupid. He understood very clearly what Yi Yunya meant.
Joining his team meant she intended to rely on him, or at the very least, to regard him as the leader.
But precisely because of that, Zhong Ming did not understand.
He could not figure out why Yi Yunya, who had advanced before him, possessed better spiritual roots, and came from a distinguished family, would seek to align herself with him.
—No matter how one looked at it, Yi Yunya's apparent conditions were stronger.
Although he had great confidence in his own future, without triggering the Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme, Zhong Ming felt that against Yi Yunya, he merely had a higher chance of winning, not certain victory.
"When the gap is not great, shouldn't Yi Yunya be chasing hard after me... Could she have seen the sword strike when I triggered the Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme?"
"But that is not right either. If she had seen it long ago, she would not have come only today."
Zhong Ming had no intention of tying himself in knots. Since he could not understand it, he simply stopped thinking about it and asked Yi Yunya directly, "Why do you wish to join my team, Miss Yi? The team you formed with Miss Youlan and the others should not be weak either."
Zhong Ming asked this lightly, but what he did not notice was that upon hearing his words, Yi Yunya's slender jade hand suddenly clenched.
My team... He is teaming up with Xue Yao, yet he calls it that. He truly is the captain, and Xue Yao sincerely believes he is the strongest.
And he himself does not think he is weaker than Xue Yao.
A single sentence from Zhong Ming sent countless thoughts flashing through Yi Yunya's mind, but outwardly, her expression did not change much.
The next moment, she answered Zhong Ming's question. "Because I think highly of you, Young Master Zhong Ming."
As she said this, she stepped closer and whispered to Zhong Ming, "I also believe that you are the strongest, Young Master Zhong Ming."
"Uh... Could she really have seen my Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme, or heard about it from somewhere?"
Though he had not yet confirmed it, Yi Yunya joining them was ultimately a good thing for Zhong Ming and Xue Yao's team, so naturally, he had no reason to refuse.
"Miss Yi, I look forward to your guidance from now on."
After speaking, Zhong Ming smiled. "I originally thought Miss Yi had come because of the Golden Jade Tower retainer matter."
Yi Yunya said, "You may call me Yun Ya, Young Master. And my visit this time is indeed related to that matter... Although you have become a Class A disciple of Dragon Stream Peak, one can never have too many resources. You may also compete for a Golden Jade Tower Earth-tier Retainer position."
"However, I do not recommend going there right now."
"Earth-tier Retainers are divided into upper, middle, and lower grades. You have only just advanced, Young Master. If you go now, at most you will be rated lower grade. That does not suit your talent."
"I suggest that you cultivate for several more days and improve your abilities in every aspect. If you go then, you will have a chance to be rated middle or upper grade."
"Of course, I also know that time is a resource. The sooner the Golden Jade Tower's benefits arrive, the more advantageous it will be for you. Therefore, I can cover your losses and expenses during this period."
Yi Yunya was actually intending to spend money supporting Zhong Ming, and naturally, she had her reasons.
If Zhong Ming went to the Golden Jade Tower now, then even if he were rated Class A, it would be due to his own ability and have little to do with Yi Yunya.
Furthermore, the resources Zhong Ming received would be from the Golden Jade Tower, not from her. Under such circumstances, if she wanted to have Zhong Ming help her fight for status within the Golden Jade Tower, Zhong Ming might not necessarily assist her.
—No matter who rose to power, Zhong Ming's benefits as an Earth-tier Retainer would remain unchanged. In that case, he had no reason to help Yi Yunya.
Thus, Yi Yunya wanted to bestow favors upon Zhong Ming. More than that, she wanted to spend spirit stones on him—the more, the better.
Only once the favors piled up would Zhong Ming find it hard to refuse when she asked him for help later.
Zhong Ming sensed some of Yi Yunya's intentions.
Still, spending her spirit stones made Zhong Ming feel somewhat embarrassed.
Zhong Ming said, "Ahem, isn't this inappropriate?"
Yi Yunya said, "It is all right. Besides, if your rating is higher, Young Master, it will benefit me as well. So please use these resources as you please."
Since she had put it that way, Zhong Ming no longer stood on ceremony.
"Then I will accept these resources... If you need my help in the future, you may come find me."
In the end, Zhong Ming agreed to form an alliance with Yi Yunya and intended to offer some assistance in her climb through the Golden Jade Tower.
Over the past few days, Zhong Ming had also inquired about the Golden Jade Tower. It was a colossal force spanning several regional prefectures, with overall strength even greater than the Seven Mysteries Sect. It also possessed countless rare treasures and precious resources.
For example, the method of advancing spiritual roots that he desired could be found in the Golden Jade Tower.
Beyond that, the Golden Jade Tower even possessed Flood Dragon Essence Blood.
Those many resources made Zhong Ming covet them immensely.
Although he neither intended nor had the ability to seize the Golden Jade Tower for himself, since he planned to become a Golden Jade Tower retainer, he did not mind supporting a fellow disciple with whom he had a good relationship and helping her become one of the Golden Jade Tower's upper ranks.
That way, it would become much easier for him to exchange for resources from the Golden Jade Tower.
Yi Yunya was a decisive person. Since she had decided to rely on Zhong Ming and borrow his strength to establish herself firmly in the Golden Jade Tower, she was willing to pay the price.
The instant Zhong Ming agreed, she took resources worth at least two hundred spirit stones from her storage ring.
"This is an Origin Spirit Pill, this is Earth Marrow Spirit Liquid, and this is Calming Incense. It can restore mental energy..."
Besides some ordinary resources, Yi Yunya also gave Zhong Ming an enormous surprise.
"Young Master, you should have heard of True Intent Diagrams, yes? They are the illustrated records Senior Disciple Sister showed us on our first day entering Dragon Stream Peak."
"Our Golden Jade Tower has many such illustrated records containing artistic conception."
"The Dragon Creek Swordplay belongs to water. I can take you to view the Raging River Waves Diagram once."
"Hm?!"
The moment Yi Yunya spoke those words, Zhong Ming's eyes abruptly shone with brilliance.
At her reminder, Zhong Ming discovered a way to rapidly improve his strength.
"True Intent Diagrams, how did I not think of that! On my first day after entering the sect, I relied on Intent Reading to comprehend a trace of Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme."
"Although I was lucky that time, since I possess Intent Reading, my gains from viewing True Intent Diagrams will definitely exceed those of ordinary people, perhaps even by tenfold!"
"Even if my luck is poor, a single viewing will increase my cultivation technique experience by several hundred points."
"If my luck is good, I might even complete the Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme that I currently cannot touch at all, or comprehend an entirely new Dao Rhyme."
Before you continue