’Could Prince Qinghe’s Mansion really be getting a seat at the table—a chance to make a move in the great game—all because of Zhong Ming alone?!’

Zhong Ming’s strange yet incredibly powerful ability had the three great families and two royal mansions watching the trial all thinking the same thing. They saw a real possibility that he could last until the very end and emerge victorious from this confrontation.

This prospect sent waves of turmoil through the various factions.

Among them all, the one whose emotions were in the greatest turmoil was undoubtedly Prince Qinglin.

Two extreme emotions now warred within him. The first was a burning jealousy that his brother in misfortune had found such an unparalleled prodigy, one who could turn the tables and earn them a seat at the game. The thought filled him with endless envy.

The other was a fervent, scalding hope.

’Luo Zhiwei’s Dream Array alone could never support two Vice Military Commander positions. But the Dream Array, plus a man like Zhong Ming who can single-handedly crush the Silver Moon Royal Mansion... that changes everything.’

Prince Qinglin had never dared to dream of the Military Commander position for the New Army. However, a Vice Military Commander position would be more than enough to satisfy him—and more importantly, it would allow him to protect his entire household.

As for how a single man like Zhong Ming could sway the fate of a Vice Military Commander position, the answer was simple. Ji Qinglin was, after all, a Prince, and possessed a certain degree of power and resources of his own.

What he lacked was a decisive factor that would command respect—even if it wasn’t raw combat strength, world-shocking potential would suffice.

In fact, Prince Qinghe’s Mansion was in a similar situation.

With Zhong Ming alone, no matter how brilliantly he performed, he wouldn’t be qualified for a seat at the table as long as he was a lone figure who hadn’t advanced to the Golden Core realm.

As for Prince Qinghe, he too was just one final step away from securing a Vice Military Commander position.

Originally, Prince Qinglin’s plan had been to join forces with Prince Qinghe to ensure at least one of them could secure a Vice Military Commander position.

But Zhong Ming’s arrival changed everything.

Luo Zhiwei, whom he had attracted, along with that Dream Array Map, when combined with the strength of the Commandery Prince’s Mansion, had been just enough to scrape together the qualifications for one of them to be promoted.

Now, Zhong Ming himself was displaying that same quality.

’If Zhong Ming demonstrates overwhelming strength and Talent, that unparalleled potential, combined with my Commandery Prince’s Mansion... we’d have a real chance at securing another Vice Military Commander position!’

’And with two Vice Military Commander seats in hand, we’d have some real say in matters. We could even influence the selection of the Military Commander!’

Against either the Celestial Sea King’s Mansion or the Silver Moon Royal Mansion alone, Zhong Ming and his allies stood no chance. Prince Qinghe and Prince Qinglin combined were no match for a single Prince. And as for a battle between Golden Core experts, the current Zhong Ming was in no position to interfere.

But with the Celestial Sea and Silver Moon factions fighting like two tigers, it gave Zhong Ming and his allies the opportunity to fish in troubled waters and reap the rewards.

’Zhong Ming, you have to win!’

The Vice Military Commander position, which had seemed hopeless, was now within reach again. This made Prince Qinglin’s heart pound with a mixture of excitement and profound anxiety.

At the same time, he glanced at the carefree Qingque beside him, and a flicker of resolve crossed his mind. ’If you can pull this off, what’s the harm in throwing my daughter into the bargain?’

...

While Prince Qinglin prayed for Zhong Ming’s ultimate victory, Ji Hao of the Silver Moon Royal Mansion was desperate to see him fail.

He had hoped his subordinates would crush Zhong Ming with the force of a Thunderbolt, making Prince Qinghe’s Mansion see the vast gulf in power between them. Then, with a mix of threats and promises, he would bring Zhong Ming’s faction under his command.

But if Zhong Ming won this trial, not only would his own scheme be ruined, but Prince Qinghe’s Mansion’s prestige would soar. That would, in turn, attract numerous factions sympathetic to the Royal Family to flock to their side.

This would be nothing less than a devastating blow to the Silver Moon Royal Mansion. At that point, they would be left isolated and find it nearly impossible to contend with the Celestial Sea King’s Mansion.

Of course, this didn’t mean the Silver Moon Royal Mansion would be defeated. When the time came, they could always cede more benefits and authority to win over other factions, or even get Prince Qinghe’s faction to join them.

But no one wants to give away their own power and interests for nothing. Thus, Ji Hao didn’t want to lose this confrontation; he couldn’t afford to. He wasn’t the only direct descendant in the Silver Moon Royal Mansion. If he botched this, his own position within the mansion would be in jeopardy.

Fortunately, Ji Hao was still quite confident of his victory.

’Hmph. No matter what, Zhong Ming only just reached Foundation Establishment. He’s no match for the Silver Blood Guard.’ With this thought, he immediately used a Secret Technique to send a command to his subordinates on the Path of Purgatory: "Silver Blood Guard, stop playing around. Advance with your full strength."

Upon hearing Ji Hao’s command on the third level, the Bone Rotting Poison Abyss, the leader of seven cultivators standing shoulder-to-shoulder turned to Zhong Ming with an apologetic look. He cupped his fists and spoke. "The agony of having one’s body devoured by myriad poisons... even I find it difficult to bear and can only resist by force with my Magical Power. Zhong, you allow the Heart Devourer’s toxic mist to corrode your body without a shred of fear. I am impressed. But I am sorry. In the end, we each serve our own master, and this victory is one we must claim!"

"BZZZZ—!"

As he finished speaking, the seven known as the Silver Blood Guard activated their Magical Power in unison, their auras intertwining and resonating as one.

Their unique positioning, complementary Cultivation Techniques, and flawless coordination allowed the seven of them to form an Array right there on the Path of Purgatory—the Seven-Star Demon-Breaking Array.

Once the Array formed, the strength of all seven skyrocketed. Then, as a female Cultivator stepped forward to take the lead position, the Array even began to exhibit a purifying effect.

"SWOOSH—!"

As a milky-white light swept out in all directions, the toxins within the bodies of the seven were instantly purged clean.