Chapter 1476 — Face to Face Once More
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"Peak mid-Xuan Rank strength..." Wei Zhao was deeply shocked. Zhang Naipao, once merely a lackey trailing behind Zhong Yongliang, now possessed strength on par with his own! Although the energy within Zhang Naipao couldn't exactly be called true qi—there was something strange about it—the strength was nonetheless real. Yet upon closer inspection, there was a faint trace of familiarity to it.
Wei Zhao felt he had encountered similar true qi somewhere before, but it wasn't quite true qi in the fullest sense. This kind of energy could enhance one's strength, yet it differed from what ordinary cultivators possessed, much like the energy within his own body, which was also slightly different from true qi. Still, Wei Zhao could be certain that the true qi within Zhang Naipao's body was definitely not the same as his own energy—what circulated inside him had to be a form of true qi, not universal energy.
As for exactly which kind, Wei Zhao couldn't yet say.
"Peak mid-Xuan Rank strength?" Yu Bing was taken aback. "That level doesn't count for much among the ancient sects, does it? I'd assumed he was at peak late Xuan Rank..."
"Heh... but you know what? Just two months ago, he was an ordinary man..." Wei Zhao forced a bitter smile, finding the whole thing somewhat hard to believe.
"What? Two months ago he was ordinary?" Yu Bing's eyes went wide. "How is that possible?"
"He was my classmate... so what do you think?" Wei Zhao sounded resigned. "Are the ancient sects really that formidable? Capable of raising an ordinary person's strength at such a terrifying pace?"
"The ancient sects—it's not that they themselves have existed since antiquity, but rather that the mental cultivation methods and incantations they practice are mostly passed down from ancient times. These internal techniques are extremely powerful, far superior to what we hidden families and aristocratic clans cultivate, so it's not entirely impossible." Yu Bing explained, "It's just that we never knew... To be honest, I'm shocked as well, but knowing he comes from an ancient sect, it makes sense."
By this time, Zhang Naipao and his companions had already begun striding toward the inn's main entrance, and at that very moment, Zhang Naipao spotted Wei Zhao and Yu Bing standing off to one side of the doorway.
In that instant, Zhang Naipao halted, his gaze settling on Wei Zhao's face with a trace of shock. Yu Bing standing beside him was naturally overlooked—who Yu Bing was, what he did, none of that mattered to Zhang Naipao. What mattered was: why was Wei Zhao here at this very moment?
Right... last time, when Brother Liang came up the mountain to visit him, he'd mentioned that Wei Zhao was already a skilled Xuan Rank hand. So it made sense he'd come for this Ice Palace trial. As for which family or sect he belonged to, Zhang Naipao had no need to know. All he needed to know was that Wei Zhao came from the Sect of Tomorrow and Tomorrow Reborn Again—one of the very top ancient sects!
Even if Wei Zhao belonged to a hidden family, or some minor sect, it didn't matter. The two of them were no longer on equal footing. Even if he killed Wei Zhao on the spot, in public, no one would dare speak up for Wei Zhao, no one would dare stand in his defense!
To oppose him was to oppose the entire Sect of Tomorrow and Tomorrow Reborn Again!
Wei Zhao's gaze met Zhang Naipao's. Eyes locked on eyes, yet no sparks flew.
In Zhang Naipao's heart, although he hated Wei Zhao, his current status was already more than enough to have Wei Zhao completely in his grasp, so there was no need for anger. What he felt was contempt.