Zhong Mingâs Candlelight Heart Eye involved his Divine Soul and could be projected directly into an enemyâs sea of consciousness through the simple act of gazing, making its activation incredibly stealthy.
Outsiders could see virtually no change in light or shadow. Even the fluctuations of Spiritual Qi were so faint as to be nearly nonexistent, as if no Magic Technique had been activated at all.
Because of this preternaturally elusive attack method, even though Zhong Ming had unleashed his Candlelight Heart Eye dozens of times, the many spectating True Disciples still couldnât comprehend the principles behind his Magic Technique, let alone find a single flaw.
However, a Major Sect was a Major Sect for a reason. Through special Secret Techniques or precious artifacts, some people still managed to perceive the true nature of Zhong Mingâs Pupil Technique.
"Thatâs not a Pupil Technique, itâs Swordsmanship!"
"Sharp, swift, and exceptionally skilled at a One-Hit Kill, yet also difficult to counter... This all fits the style of a Sword Cultivator perfectly."
Nangong Die, a True Disciple from the Spirit Illusion Sectâthe sworn enemy of the Celestial Sound Sectâhad already discerned Zhong Mingâs ability through her own keen senses and extraordinary intuition.
Upon realizing Zhong Ming was a Sword Cultivator, a grave expression flickered in her eyes.
A Sword Cultivator who had comprehended a Sword Heart and condensed Sword Intent was practically synonymous with power and was incredibly difficult to face.
What was even more terrifying was that when a Sword Cultivator was pushed into a desperate situation, there was always a chance they would suddenly have an explosive breakthrough.
This made Nangong Die rather reluctant to face Zhong Ming.
But soon, a thought occurred to her, and the corners of her lips curled into a cunning smile. âHeehee, it seems we have no reason to be opponents. In fact, we could even work together...â
She glanced toward Zhong Ming, then at the Celestial Sound Sectâs Flying Ship. Recalling Miaoyunâs sacred and otherworldly beauty, a calculating glint flashed in the depths of Nangong Dieâs eyes.
âPerhaps I can do it this way...â
...
Nangong Die had noticed something. And another who had perceived Zhong Mingâs true nature wasâLin Kong!
As a Major Sect, the Void Moon Sect certainly had deep foundations. By relying on his special Void Spirit Realm, Lin Kong had not only sensed Zhong Mingâs true nature but had also detected something dangerous.
This realization made him shoot to his feet.
He rose so abruptly that the Spiritual Qi flaring from his body sent the cabinâs curtains whipping about.
Seeing this, Zhu Junfeng let out a deep sigh. "Iâve told you several times..." he said, his brow tightly furrowed. "Now is not the right time for you to make a move..."
Before he could finish, Lin Kong cut him off. His gaze was locked on Zhong Ming, his tone utterly grave. "If I donât act now, itâll be too late. Zhong Ming... heâs a Sword Cultivator!"
"His challenge to all the prodigies of Qinghe Prefecture City isnât some thoughtless act. Heâs using this bloody battle to temper his Sword Heart!"
"?!"
The words "Sword Cultivator" and "tempering his Sword Heart"âthat six-word revelation left Zhu Junfeng utterly stunned.
When he came to his senses, even though he knew Lin Kong wouldnât lie, he still had to ask, "Are you sure?"
"I wouldnât lie to you about this!"
Lin Kongâs reply made Zhu Junfengâs gaze turn frigid. For the first time, he no longer looked down on Zhong Ming. Instead, he saw him as an opponentâone who needed to be taken seriously.
"He played the fool to make us lower our guard. Then, just when we all thought he was nothing but an arrogant idiot, he challenged the entire city in the most high-profile way imaginable."
As he spoke, Zhu Junfeng ground his teeth, his tone thick with the frustration of being outmaneuvered.
"Because we all thought he was a fool who couldnât possibly succeed, none of us made the first move. That gave him time to grow... Heh, what a brilliant scheme. A perfect case of deceiving the heavens to cross the sea. Weâve all been played!"
Zhu Junfeng and Lin Kong had clearly misunderstood. They believed Zhong Mingâs arrogance was merely an act, put on for the sake of this very battle.
However, they had stumbled upon one truth by accidentâZhong Ming had indeed manifested his Sword Heart!
âSword Heart: Heaven and Earth, Only I am Supreme... I never expected this would be my Sword Heart. Am I really such a domineering person?â
Zhong Ming himself was a little surprised as he regarded the Sword Heart he had just comprehended.
However, after carefully sensing and resonating with it, he began to understand why.
Possessing his attribute panel, Zhong Ming had always firmly believed his future was second to none. He was even certain that he could one day transcend the shackles of this world!
This bone-deep confidence was a perfect match for the Mental Realm of "Heaven and Earth, Only I am Supreme."
Of course, that alone wasnât enough to form such a tyrannical Sword Heart.
Zhong Ming was well aware that while his future was bright, there were currently many people who surpassed him.
Forget about the old monsters who had cultivated for centuries or millennia; even among Cultivators of the same realm, Zhong Ming wasnât invincible.
There was no helping it. His attribute panel was a measure of his comprehension, a quality that only truly shined in the later stages of cultivation. In this world, however, some people were simply born with an advantageâlike the naturally divine, those with an Innate Dao Body, or even the direct heirs of super-clans who began cultivating in the womb. Against such Cultivators, Zhong Ming had no guarantee of victory.
Knowing he was not invincible, he naturally shouldnât have been able to comprehend the "Heaven and Earth, Only I am Supreme" Sword Heart.
The real reason the Sword Heart had taken form was the Candlelight Heart Eyeâor more specifically, something related to the Sun.
The special characteristic of Zhong Mingâs Candlelight Heart Eye at the Third Realm had finished gestating. And he could feel that in order to create this characteristic, all the potential of his Candlelight Heart Eyeâs Third Realmâand even its Fourth Realmâhad been completely exhausted.