Chapter 61: Chapter 56: Stacking, Fusing, and Comprehending the Water Dao Rhyme

"To comprehend a Dao Rhyme Fragment in less than a month... In my eyes, Senior Brother’s talent is unparalleled. I also believe that with time, he’ll surely defeat the others and take the position of Sect Leader of the Seven Profound Sect."

Toying with a lock of her hair, Yi Yunya’s gaze was completely serene:

"But Senior Brother Zhong Ming’s strength is his comprehension, and comprehension only comes into its own in the later stages. The higher one’s Cultivation, the more important it becomes."

"But right now, in the early stages of Cultivation, the Spiritual Root is more important."

"The others have long since reached mid-stage Qi Cultivation, while Senior Brother is still stuck in the initial stage. This gap in Cultivation makes it very difficult for him to be a match for them."

"Even if he could activate his Dao Rhyme, he’d only have the power for a single strike. What’s more, what Senior Brother has comprehended is just a Dao Rhyme Fragment, and it’s not even certain he can activate it in battle..."

"Besides that, Senior Brother has many other disadvantages, like his connections... Whether it’s Dharma Seal Peak, Molten Fire Peak, or Cuixiang Mountain, they all have numerous disciples from prominent families. In contrast, while our Longxi Peak has many people, most are from common backgrounds. Our overall strength is a whole tier lower. And the Seven Peaks Grand Competition at the end of the month is a test of the Seven Peaks’ overall strength..."

At this, Yi Yunya sighed and shook her head.

She simply couldn’t see how Zhong Ming could win.

"Unless Senior Brother Zhong Ming gets another treasure that’s compatible with him... No, even a treasure wouldn’t be enough. The opposition has more treasures, and even top-grade Magical Artifacts custom-made for them..."

After this analysis, Orchid fell silent as well. She also didn’t know how Zhong Ming was supposed to win at the end of the month.

Just as she was frowning in distress, a nonchalant voice suddenly spoke up beside her. "Still, it would be for the best if Senior Brother loses."

"Huh?"

Her lady’s words left Orchid stunned.

Yi Yunya, however, looked indifferent. "After he loses, it will temper some of his pride. More importantly, it will make him follow the plan I’ve laid out for him."

"I’m only worried about one thing right now: that his failure at the end of the month will affect his Dao Heart... but it shouldn’t come to that. Senior Brother isn’t that fragile."

As a highly calculating woman, Yi Yunya hadn’t just handed the Clear Sound Spring Stone to Zhong Ming to then sit back and wait for him to become powerful and carry her to glory.

She wanted to be involved in Zhong Ming’s growth. In fact, she had already mapped out a comprehensive plan for his entire future.

"In the grand examination at the end of the month, even if Senior Brother can’t take first place, it will be easy for him to make a name for himself. At that point, Longxi Peak will surely begin to train him as a True Disciple."

"With the title of True Disciple, Senior Brother will receive the full support of Longxi Peak. I’ll also be able to answer to my family and have the Yi Family cooperate with me to subtly guide public opinion."

"If I succeed, I can make the Seven Profound Sect start cultivating Sword Cultivators again and divert the sect’s resources toward Senior Brother..."

...

Zhong Ming was oblivious to Yi Yunya’s thoughts and her concerns for him.

However, Zhong Ming was mentally prepared for the difficulty of the end-of-month assessment.

’Objectively speaking, myself and Longxi Peak are definitely at a disadvantage at the end of the month... but I still have a chance.’

Even knowing Longxi Peak’s poor situation, Zhong Ming still aimed for first place and believed he could win.

This wasn’t because Zhong Ming was arrogant or conceited.

He was genuinely confident.

HUM...

With a single thought, Zhong Ming opened his attribute panel.

[Zhong Ming]

[Cultivation Realm: Initial Stage Qi Cultivation]

[Reading: Fourth Realm, Minor Achievement (979/13600), Traits: ① Scholarly Aura, ② Calm Heart, ③ Mind Reading]

[Longxi Sword-Drawing Technique: Third Realm, Refinement (4772/13600), Traits: ① Quick Eyes and Swift Hands, ② Flow of Water]

[Longxi Breathing Technique: Second Realm, Insight (5310/8100), Traits: ① Flow of Water... Dragon Flood Dragon Dao Rhyme (Fragmented) (4.23%)]

[Longxi Swordsmanship: Third Realm, Refinement (312/14800), Traits: ① River and Sword Convergence, ② Flow of Water]

[Spirit Stream Finger: Water Dragon Technique: Third Realm, Refinement (335/14200), Traits: ① Water Attraction, ② Flow of Water]

[Wave-Surging Dragon Stream Step: Third Realm, Refinement (421/14600), Traits: ① Water Stepping, ② Body Like a Stream, ③ Flow of Water]

[Spirit Stream Finger: Jie Technique, Third Realm, Refinement (1/18800), Traits: ① Observing the Flow of Water, ② Bright Mirror Stilled Water - Ripples]

A glance at the five instances of ’Flow of Water’ and the one ’Bright Mirror Stilled Water - Ripples’ on his attribute panel caused endless inspiration to surge through Zhong Ming’s mind.

’I’ve found the opportunity I need. If I can just use Bright Mirror Stilled Water - Ripples one more time, I can stack all these comprehensions of the Flow of Water and fuse them into one!’

’As soon as they fuse, I’ll obtain a new Dao Rhyme!’

’And this time, the Dao Rhyme I obtain won’t be something that only appears in moments of crisis. It will be able to assist me in my daily cultivation.’

’The Dao Rhyme... *that* is my greatest advantage and my ultimate trump card.’

HUFF...

Despite these thoughts, Zhong Ming didn’t immediately attempt the fusion.

Having used Mind Reading three times in a row, Zhong Ming wasn’t in the best condition.

’Just a little longer. Once the drop from the Clear Sound Spring Stone refreshes, everything will be fine...’

...

Suppressing the urge to fuse them immediately, Zhong Ming closed his eyes and began to recuperate.

While Zhong Ming was recovering his Heart Power, striving to fuse the Flow of Water in the most perfect state possible, Granny Lan returned to the Xie Family with a regretful expression.

Her gloomy expression was immediately noticed by Xie Lingmin, which caused the latter to frown.

"Did something go wrong on your end? Did Zhong Ming refuse to take the trial pass?" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

At this, Granny Lan shook her head. "No, he took it. But what we gave was too little."

"He found the resources lacking?" Granny Lan’s reply surprised Xie Lingmin, and annoyed her even more. At this moment, she felt Zhong Ming’s disposition was somewhat brazen. "To become so arrogant and insolent the moment he finds a bit of success. I was wrong about him..."