Yi Yunya's Allegiance, True Intent Diagram

Getting himself a post at the Sword Testing Platform was giving himself sect Merit Points.

Having Xie Yuzhu forge a Flying Sword for him was expanding his connections.

Senior Disciple Sister Mo Shuying truly treated him well, and she genuinely regarded him as a junior disciple to be nurtured.

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 was doing now could all be considered compensation for him.

Feeling awkward, she quickly changed the subject. "No need to thank me. This is what you deserve..."

Before she finished speaking, she seemed to recall something and continued in a grave tone, "My niece is very interested in the sword path. If she asks you to take a test, it will most likely be a sword duel. She is very strong, and you may not be her match."

"When the time comes, do not 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."

Having said that, Mo Shuying became somewhat melancholic again.

She thought highly of Xie Yuzhu's somewhat proud temperament. Those who pursued the sword path ought to be a little uninhibited.

Moreover, the Xie Family had always been on good terms with Dragon Stream Peak, and Xie Yuzhu was highly gifted in the sword path. Under normal circumstances, Xie Yuzhu should have joined Dragon Stream Peak.

Unfortunately, compared to strength, the Xie Family valued Xie Yuzhu's safety more.

"What a pity..."

The sense of regret drained Mo Shuying's interest in continuing her conversation 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 visit the Sword Testing Platform and claim the position of team leader.

But before he could leave, the mistress and servant pair, Yi Yunya and Youlan, came to his side.

Their arrival also gave Zhong Ming some guesses.

"Is this because of the Golden Jade Tower retainer matter?"

As he pondered, Zhong Ming clasped his hands toward the two women.

"Senior Sister Yi, Junior Sister Youlan, is there something you need from me?"

Yi Yunya said, "There is indeed 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, Young Master Zhong Ming, and form an alliance with you."

"Huh?"

Zhong Ming had not expected Yi Yunya's answer.

He was no fool. He understood very well what Yi Yunya meant.

Joining his team meant she intended to attach herself to him, or at the very least, to place him at the head.

But 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 had a family background, would seek to rely on him.

—No matter how he looked at it, Yi Yunya's apparent conditions were stronger.

Although he had great confidence in his future, without triggering the Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme, Zhong Ming felt that against Yi Yunya, his chances of victory were merely higher—not certain.

With such a small gap between us, shouldn't Yi Yunya be striving to catch up... Could she have seen the sword strike where I triggered the Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme?

But that doesn't make sense. If she had seen it long ago, why would she only come to me today?

Zhong Ming had no intention of agonizing over something he could not understand. He simply stopped thinking about it and directly asked Yi Yunya, "Miss Yi, why do you wish to join my team? The team you formed with Miss Youlan and the others is not weak either, is it?"

Zhong Ming asked casually, but what he did not notice was that upon hearing his words, Yi Yunya's delicate jade hand suddenly tightened.

My team... He teamed up with Xue Yao, yet he calls it that. He truly is the captain, and Xue Yao sincerely believes him to be the strongest.

And he himself does not believe he is weaker than Xue Yao either.

A single sentence from Zhong Ming sent countless thoughts through Yi Yunya's mind, yet her expression did not change much on the surface.

The next moment, she answered his question. "Because I think highly of you, Young Master Zhong Ming."

As she spoke, she took another step forward and lowered her voice. "I also believe that you are the strongest, Young Master Zhong Ming."

Uh... Could she really have seen my flood dragon intent, or heard about it from somewhere?

Though he was still not certain, Yi Yunya joining them was ultimately a good thing for Zhong Ming and Xue Yao's team. Naturally, he had no reason to refuse.

"Miss Yi, please guide me well from now on."

When he finished speaking, Zhong Ming smiled. "I had thought Miss Yi came here because of the Golden Jade Tower retainer matter."

Yi Yunya said, "You may call me Yun Ya, Young Master. And this visit of mine is indeed related to that matter... Though you have become a Class A disciple of Dragon Stream Peak, one can never have too many resources. You should also strive to become an Earth-tier Retainer of Golden Jade Tower."

"However, I do not recommend that you go now."

"Earth-tier Retainers are divided into upper, middle, and lower grades. You have only just advanced. If you go now, you can at most be rated lower grade, which does not match your talent."

"I suggest that you cultivate for a few more days and improve your abilities in every aspect. If you go then, you may have a chance of being rated middle or upper grade."

"Of course, I know that time is also a resource. The sooner Golden Jade Tower's benefits arrive, the more advantageous it will be for you. Therefore, this little woman can bear the losses and expenses you incur during this period."

Yi Yunya was actually going to spend money to support Zhong Ming, and naturally, she had her reasons.

If Zhong Ming went to Golden Jade Tower now, even if he earned a Class A rating, it would be due to his own ability and have little to do with Yi Yunya.

Furthermore, the resources Zhong Ming received would come from Golden Jade Tower, not from her. Under such circumstances, if she wanted him to help her fight for status within Golden Jade Tower, Zhong Ming might not necessarily agree.

—No matter who rose to power, Zhong Ming's benefits as an Earth-tier Retainer would remain unchanged. Under such circumstances, he had no reason to help Yi Yunya.

Thus, Yi Yunya wanted to grant Zhong Ming favors. More than that, she wanted to spend spirit stones on him—as many as possible.

The more favors he owed her, the harder it would be for Zhong Ming to refuse when she asked him for help in the future.

Zhong Ming sensed a little of Yi Yunya's intentions.

Still, spending her spirit stones made him somewhat embarrassed.

Zhong Ming coughed. "Is that really appropriate?"

Yi Yunya said, "It is all right. Besides, the higher your rating, Young Master, the more beneficial it is for this little woman as well. So please use these resources as you wish."

Since she had put it that way, Zhong Ming no longer stood on ceremony.

"Then I'll accept these resources... If you ever need my help in the future, you may come find me."

In the end, Zhong Ming agreed to ally himself with Yi Yunya and intended to provide some assistance for her climb within Golden Jade Tower.

Over the past few days, Zhong Ming had also inquired into Golden Jade Tower's circumstances. It was an enormous force spanning several states, with greater overall strength than even the Seven Mysteries Sect. It also possessed countless rare treasures and precious resources.

For instance, Golden Jade Tower had the method of advancing spiritual roots that he longed for.

Beyond that, Golden Jade Tower even possessed flood dragon essence blood.

Those many resources made Zhong Ming covet them greatly.

Although he had neither the intention nor the ability to seize Golden Jade Tower, since he planned to become a retainer there, he did not mind supporting a fellow disciple with whom he had a good relationship and helping her become one of Golden Jade Tower's upper ranks.

That way, it would be much easier for him to exchange for resources from Golden Jade Tower.

Yi Yunya was a decisive person. Since she had decided to attach herself to Zhong Ming and use his strength to establish firm footing in Golden Jade Tower, she was willing to pay the price.

The moment Zhong Ming agreed, she took resources worth at least two hundred spirit stones from her storage ring.

"These are Origin Spirit Pills, this is Earth Marrow Spirit Liquid, and this is Calming Incense, which can restore mental strength..."

Besides some ordinary resources, Yi Yunya also gave Zhong Ming an enormous surprise.

"You have likely heard of True Intent Diagrams, Young Master. They are the illustrated records Senior Disciple Sister showed us on our first day entering Dragon Stream Peak."

"Golden Jade Tower possesses many such illustrated records imbued with artistic conception."

"Dragon Creek Swordplay belongs to water. I can take you to view the Raging River Waves Diagram once."

"Hm?!"

The instant Yi Yunya spoke those words, Zhong Ming's eyes flashed sharply.

At her reminder, Zhong Ming finally discovered a method of rapidly increasing his strength.

True Intent Diagrams—how did I not think of that? On my first day after entering the sect, I comprehended a trace of Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme through Intent Reading.

Though I was lucky that time, with Intent Reading, I will gain far more from viewing True Intent Diagrams than ordinary people—perhaps even ten times as much!

Even if my luck is poor, a single viewing should 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 reach at all, or comprehend a new Dao Rhyme.