Chapter 486: Chapter 348: True Master Blocks the Gate, Another Assassination Attempt (Part 2)

[The Thousand Mechanism Pavilion is no longer suppressed, and many loose cultivators can confidently purchase items within the pavilion, which has become lively once more.]

[At the beginning of the year 5018 of the New Source Era, Yunmiao Master officially joined the Hundred Stars Alliance.]

[The Thousand Mechanism Pavilion became an independent entity under the Hundred Stars Alliance.]

Being Yunmiao Master’s only force.

It was invited into the Hundred Stars Alliance’s grand ceremony.

The joining ceremony was immensely lavish, with each Foundation Establishment True Cultivator soaring through the skies to congratulate the Hundred Stars Alliance.

This was not just Yunmiao Master’s joining ceremony.

It was also a grand event for the Hundred Stars Alliance.

The Hundred Stars Alliance announced it had opened a new Secret Realm, obtaining many resources available for external sale.

One of those materials might even influence the entire Qu Hong Cultivation Realm’s market.

The Hundred Stars Alliance also announced establishing beneficial trade relations with a certain Cultivation Realm.

The highlight was Yunmiao Master’s joining ceremony.

The Hundred Stars Alliance emphasized Yunmiao Master’s achievements.

It was as if rising in power at Shallow Cloud Mountain.

It was unclear if Yunmiao Master was genuinely protecting those close to her or helping the Hundred Stars Alliance showcase its strength.

But now, the Hundred Stars Alliance has firmly established itself in the entire Qu Hong Cultivation Realm.

The representatives of Shallow Cloud Mountain could barely contain their fury, their faces humiliated.

The representatives of the other two major alliances also did not look pleased.

The Hundred Stars Alliance even seemed poised to suppress the other two alliances.

The representative of the Hundred Stars Alliance eloquently spoke from the high platform.

A graceful figure clad in light armor stood on the stage, only then did Zhong Heng lift his gaze.

Beside him, Qian Hua had lost her usual aloof demeanor, becoming as excited as a fangirl.

"Zhong Heng! It’s the True Master!"

"True Master!!"

"This is great, the True Master joined the Hundred Stars Alliance, she’s finally not fighting alone!"

Qian Hua’s pretty face was filled with excitement and flushed with emotion.

Zhong Heng looked over.

Yunmiao Master stood on the stage, without saying much, she simply bowed to an elderly white-haired figure of the alliance, signifying her joining.

Yunmiao Master’s aura was cold yet heroic.

The overwhelming aura combined with prior achievements might evoke awe even among Golden Core Masters with lower cultivation levels.

And deep within Zhong Heng’s mind.

A chart engraved with dots and lines suddenly glimmered with scattered starlight.

The River Map Illusion’s analysis ability unexpectedly activated automatically.

Zhong Heng’s eyes transformed instantly into pure black and white.

The surrounding noise vanished completely in an instant.

Only that heroic figure remained in the world.

Those cold auras, unique light armor, graceful posture, and assertive Sword Intent were swiftly dissected into threads.

Zhong Heng let out a muffled groan, falling painfully to the ground.

Two lines of bloody tears flowed from his eyes.

In his view just moments ago.

Everything about Yunmiao was broken down into dots and lines, ultimately revealing... a rusty sword...

What was that!?

Zhong Heng’s actions attracted some attention, colleagues and Qian Hua glanced over, supporting and checking on him.

Others merely observed briefly.

Yet, Yunmiao cast an extra glance at Zhong Heng.

............

By the time Zhong Heng recovered, the event had concluded.

"Zhong Heng, this is from the True Master for you."

"It’s rare to see the True Master caring for Qi Refining Disciples, Zhong Heng, you’re quite fortunate, huh?"

Qian Hua reluctantly handed a jade pendant to Zhong Heng, her gaze filled with evident envy.

Yet Yunmiao Master was nowhere to be seen by then...

[You personally attended Yunmiao Master’s joining ceremony.]

[The influence of the Hundred Stars Alliance is now at its peak.]

[Your River Map Analysis ability activated automatically, you seemed to have glimpsed something unusual...]

[Yunmiao Master appeared to notice you, gifting you a Cultivation Technique.]

[The technique is named "Cloud Splendor Body Purification Technique," an exceedingly rare technique capable of washing away Pill Poison.]

[This signifies you can consume more Cultivation Pills to accelerate your training, which brings you immense joy.]

[Simultaneously, you also wonder what exactly you saw, but for now, you can only bury the thought in your heart.]

[The Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, now part of the Hundred Stars Alliance, has seen a substantial improvement in treatment.]

[You’ve become a Third-Grade Silver Honored Guest Elder of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, as well as a C-Class Honored Guest Elder of the Hundred Stars Alliance, enjoying extremely high treatment.]

[You’re entitled to a ten percent discount on goods sold by the Hundred Stars Alliance, and with the alliance’s identity, your actions are more convenient.]

[In the same year, you used Spirit Stones to invite a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator specialized in Five Elements Technique to explain it to you; your understanding and proficiency in the technique substantially increased, enhancing your cultivation.]

[As the turmoil gradually settled, you resumed your peaceful routine. A notable difference now is that you receive higher treatment; in the Three Clouds Market, many loose cultivators respectfully refer to you as Master Zhong.]

[Your focus returned to cultivation and arrays, using arrays to exchange for resources, purchasing special materials like Nine Cloud Water and Cultivation Pills needed for the Cloud Splendor Body Purification Technique to continue training...]

[Meanwhile, your reputation soared, prompting you to begin engaging with various masters in major markets, discussing the Dao of Array with several Array Masters.]

[The only regret is that your reputation is immense, leaving several Array Masters hesitating on whether to accept you as a disciple.]

[One day, you were assassinated en route...]

[The assailant’s methods were professional, swiftly slashing your throat and piercing your heart with an arrow; fortunately, you carried the Tier Five Pill Nirvana Nine Flowers Pill you just obtained, given to you by a Tier Three Array Master after sharing the Spiritless Array.]

[This allowed you to feign death, narrowly escaping the crisis...]

[Yunmiao Master had just ascended Shallow Cloud Mountain, yet someone attempted to kill you.]

[Upon learning of this, Qian Hua was shocked and furious, insisting on reporting to Yunmiao Master to make her stand up for you; but you stopped Qian Hua.]

[This matter was dubious; if it were Shallow Cloud Mountain, having just faced Yunmiao Master at their gates and lost face, their revenge wouldn’t be swift.]

[You surmise it might be a tactic of an opposing force against Shallow Cloud Mountain, borrowing a knife to kill; you share your thoughts with Qian Hua, who hesitates and refrains from reporting to Yunmiao Master, instead notifying the Hundred Stars Alliance, entrusting them to investigate.]

[The Hundred Stars Alliance, upon learning, took this issue extremely seriously, forming an investigation team to delve into the details.]

[This incident left a subtle impact on you; in this lifetime, you didn’t cultivate Slaughter Skills, only learning some basic Magic; all other attention was dedicated to cultivation and arrays.]

[Your means primarily comprised of a few Killing Arrays and Trapping Arrays, effective against ordinary foes, but facing professional assassins left you without sufficient countermeasures.]

[A cultivator within the investigation team heard your thoughts and advised you to focus on arrays.]

[According to Hundred Stars Alliance records, arrays rank among the top in terms of combat ability within the Hundred Skills of Cultivation; early-stage Array Masters can utilize Moving Arrays, using advanced techniques to manipulate arrays to unleash considerably overwhelming power.]

[In later stages, when Array Masters achieve the Void Array stage, their combat ability undergoes a qualitative change, completely obviating the need to cultivate other slaying methods, Void Arrays alone possess commendable combat prowess.]

[Conversely, Alchemists have the weakest combat power; Talisman Masters are generally powerful and knowledgeable Magic Cultivators, while Artifact Refiners possess potent Artifacts that can overwhelm enemies.]

[Yet being a rather special C-Class Honored Guest Elder of the Hundred Stars Alliance and to favor your superior Yunmiao Master, a high-ranking member of the alliance granted you permission, allowing you to enter a secure location to select one highest-ranking War Slave.]

"War Slave?"

Zhong Heng was somewhat stunned.

Li Yue, a familiar member of the Hundred Stars Alliance investigation team, nodded, casting an envious glance at Zhong Heng.

"After all, such situations aren’t unheard of; many talented Masters of Hundred Arts often lack combat prowess, thus becoming prime targets for rival forces."

"This is when selecting War Slaves of top-grade in both aptitude and combat ability to serve masters becomes vital."

"Properly tamed, they may turn into trusted companions for life; you’re unusual, ordinarily, Masters of Hundred Arts have no possibility of obtaining War Slaves, especially not with the highest permission like your case."

Li Yue’s eyes held a hint of envy.