Prince Qinghe’s Mansion was vast, yet in a way, very small. News of what happened in the Starry Courtyard reached the ears of the other two Commandery Princes in the time it took for half an incense stick to burn.

Upon hearing the news, the eldest prince, Ji Chengping, who was sitting behind his rosewood desk, merely glanced at the report on Zhong Ming before tossing it aside.

True to his name, Chengping, he had always preferred cultivators who were steady and obedient. An ’arrogant and conceited’ cultivator like Zhong Ming simply annoyed him.

"Even if I managed to recruit an arrogant cultivator like that, he would only bring me endless trouble."

Meanwhile, when Ji Qingkang saw the report on Zhong Ming, he unconsciously stroked the paper with his knuckles, lost in thought for a long while.

Suddenly, he spoke to his own shadow. "Do you think Zhong Ming’s arrogant personality is genuine, or... an act?"

At his question, the shadow squirmed as if it were alive. The next moment, a figure completely cloaked in a black robe emerged from it.

After glancing at the report, the person said, "Half pretense, half genuine. If I’m not mistaken, he truly believes his talent is extraordinary, but he’s also worried that the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be broken by the wind. That’s why he’s deliberately putting on this act of being wildly arrogant."

At this, the figure chuckled softly. "Then again, the trials haven’t even begun, yet he already sees himself as that outstanding tree, superior to all others. Isn’t that just another form of arrogance?"

Ji Qingkang nodded at these words. Clearly, he thought the same.

’That Zhong Ming has some talent, but he thinks too much.’

His expression prompted the black-robed figure in the shadow to add, "Are you interested in recruiting him? I don’t think the chances are good. Whether he’s faking it or not, his personality is extremely arrogant. A man like that can’t be won over with mere words... unless you’re prepared to reveal our existence prematurely."

"That won’t be necessary." A calculating glint flashed in Ji Qingkang’s eyes. "If I’m not mistaken, my arrogant third brother will make a move and have the cultivators from the Void Moon Sect shatter Zhong Ming’s pride. When that happens, we can strike and win him over."

The black-robed figure replied, "The Void Moon Sect? They may be a bit arrogant, but their strength is considerable. If they make a move, that Zhong Ming will be in for a rough time."

"A fall would do him good," Ji Qingkang said calmly, gazing at the moonlight outside his window.

"After this, that Zhong Ming should understand that the things he’s worried about are actually rather pointless..."

...

While the people in the Commandery Prince’s Mansion were lost in their own schemes, Zhong Ming had already returned to the Seven Profound Sect’s quarters and eagerly began cultivating the Star Heaven·Divine Monarch.

"HUM!"

The instant the cultivation technique activated, Zhong Ming’s left eye glowed scarlet like a flame.

Cultivating Star Heaven·Divine Monarch required light: starlight or sunlight.

Normal cultivators could only borrow external light for their practice.

But Zhong Ming was not normal. He possessed the Candlelight Heart Eye, which could absorb and release sunlight.

This eye, containing a massive amount of Solar Power, was the very reason he had been able to casually open nine Star Acupoints just a few hours prior.

Of course, the simulations he ran in his dreams also played a crucial role.

If he hadn’t practiced it over a hundred times until he was intimately familiar with every detail, his body would have surely collapsed on him for daring to open the acupoints so casually.

’And I also have Bright Mirror Stilled Water - Ripples, As Clear as Daylight, and the Dao Rhyme - Flow of Water to thank.’

’The first two traits allow me to perceive all the secrets within my body, locate the acupoints, and constantly control the power I infuse, ensuring I don’t injure myself.’

’And Dao Rhyme - Flow of Water makes it so that the opening of my acupoints isn’t a brute-force breakthrough. Instead, it lets the Flame and Solar Power seep in like ripples in water.’

As the saying goes: one minute of performance is the result of ten years of training.

Zhong Ming’s performance in front of Ji Qinglian had seemed relaxed and casual, but it was all an act!

Before that, he had run through it hundreds of times in his dreams.

After waking, with his Candlelight Heart Eye open, he had to proceed with utmost caution and full concentration.

At that moment, Zhong Ming had pushed all his abilities to their limit just to pull off that grand display.

’But, despite the hassle, I finally succeeded... It’s just that once the acupoints are open, you can’t just ignore them.’

Opening a Star Acupoint was like the initial opening of a Dantian. At this stage, the power it contained was still faint, like the glow of a firefly.

Next, Zhong Ming needed to repeatedly temper the Star Acupoints with the Power of the Stars (i.e., Solar Power).

During this process, the properties of his acupoints would change, and a great deal of Star Power would accumulate within them.

At the same time, these Star Acupoints would emit waves of light, which would, in turn, radiate outwards from these sources and gradually transform Zhong Ming’s physical body.

Eventually, his body of flesh and blood would transform into a Star Body, containing all sorts of marvels. This was the profound secret behind the Body Forging of Star Heaven·Divine Monarch.

’I understand the theory, and it’s because of this understanding that my progress in Star Heaven·Divine Monarch has reached the First Realm, Initiation (11,903/13,600) points.’

’But a Body Forging technique isn’t like Swordsmanship or a Magic Technique; you don’t gain cultivation just by understanding it. If I want to increase my physical strength, I have to actually practice it, and this process can’t be rushed.’

Sighing, Zhong Ming stood in the backyard of the Seven Profound Sect’s quarters like a common laborer and made his Candlelight Heart Eye shine within his body.

The next moment, a scarlet pupil manifested, and light spread over his entire body like ripples on water.

"HUM..."

Because of his Dao Rhyme - Flow of Water, as the power of the light swept over him, it easily permeated his body and acupoints.