Chapter 153: Chapter 103: Supreme-grade Body Forging Cultivation Technique: Star Heaven·Divine Monarch

"Princess Qingyue? Why is she here?"

The announcement from outside the courtyard prompted Zhong Ming, Zong Chengze, and Hong Jing to exchange a look, and they all saw the surprise in each other’s eyes.

However, although somewhat taken aback, the three still went out to greet her as a sign of respect for the Princess.

It was now nighttime. At the courtyard entrance, Zhong Ming saw Princess Qingyue being received by Yi Yunya.

This time, she wore a moon-white palace dress embroidered with cloud patterns, with a single suet-white jade hairpin tucked in her hair. Her face, devoid of makeup, was clear and gentle, yet her brow held a hint of imperceptible worry. Her appearance, like a fairy beneath the moon, made Zhong Ming take a second glance, but only a glance.

After seeing Princess Qingyue, Zhong Ming stood quietly to the side, watching Sect Leader Zong Chengze converse with her.

"Sect Leader Zong Chengze of the Seven Profound Sect greets Princess Qingyue. I was just discussing the Starlight Gala with Sect Leader Hong. We didn’t expect your visit, so please forgive our failure to give you a proper welcome..."

After some pleasantries, the group welcomed Princess Qingyue into the courtyard. Once a maidservant had served tea, Zong Chengze got straight to the point, "May I ask the purpose of the Princess’s visit tonight?"

"It’s about the body refining techniques... I heard you once submitted a request to my father, the Prince, for an opportunity to study an Earth-level top-grade cultivation method for your sect’s prodigy to train in. Is that correct?"

"That is indeed the case." This was a well-known matter, so Zong Chengze made no attempt to hide it. Then, just as he finished speaking, Ji Qingyue’s elegant and gentle voice rang out, "I can give you this opportunity."

"Huh?"

These words made Zong Chengze pause, but he quickly realized something. His eyes narrowed as he asked, "Are you asking for our support, Princess?"

He assumed Qingyue was trying to win them over by offering such a precious resource. But what happened next surprised him.

"No." Shaking her head gently, Ji Qingyue’s face was gentle, yet it held a trace of determination. "If you are willing to embrace my philosophy, I would welcome your support. But it matters not if you decline. I only ask one thing of you."

At this, Ji Qingyue’s demeanor turned solemn, and a stern light flashed in her eyes. "If you accept my patronage, you cannot associate with Demons and Evil Spirits, you cannot collude with Evil God Cultists, and if you have the strength to spare, you must do your utmost to protect the people under your care."

"..."

These words left Zong Chengze utterly stunned. The probing look on his face gave way to sheer astonishment.

Clearly, he had never expected Princess Qingyue to propose such terms.

Neither had Zhong Ming.

’It’s not for personal gain, but for the greater good of humanity.’

At that moment, Zhong Ming truly understood why Ji Qingyue was known for her virtue.

’But it made sense. People are complex. For everyone who puts profit first, there are bound to be those of noble character. It would be stranger if a world of cultivation like this didn’t have a single truly virtuous person.’

The stunned expressions on their faces lasted only for a moment. Quickly, the gazes of Zong Chengze and Hong Jing shifted to Zhong Ming.

Zhong Ming was the one who would receive the cultivation technique, so it was only natural that he be the one to take the oath.

Zhong Ming, for his part, did not hesitate. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Not associating with Demons and Evil Spirits, not colluding with Evil God Cultists—that’s no problem at all. I never had any intention of bending the knee to other races in the first place."

Zhong Ming’s resolute answer brought a smile to Ji Qingyue’s face. She then raised her hand, retrieving a Glowing White Jade Scroll from her sleeve and offering it to him.

"This is a catalog of the Earth-level top-grade body refining techniques collected by the Prince Mansion. You can take a look and then choose one."

Hearing this, Zhong Ming did not immediately accept it.

Looking Ji Qingyue straight in the eye, Zhong Ming spoke in a flat, almost cold, tone. "Bestowing favors with no expectation of return is a charitable act, but I imagine Prince Qinghe wouldn’t see it that way. He certainly wouldn’t approve of what you’re doing."

"Even if the cultivation techniques can be copied and the Prince Mansion loses nothing by you giving one away..."

"...not profiting is its own kind of loss. For an heir, your temperament could be called ’weak.’ This is a move that costs you dearly. So, have you completely given up on contending for the title of Prince, as well as your influence in the new alliance?"

Zhong Ming’s words were not gentle; they even carried an accusatory tone. This caused the ever-graceful Ji Qingyue to frown.

However, her excellent upbringing kept her from saying anything.

But while she remained silent, the gazes of the maidservant, the middle-aged guard, and the female official by her side were anything but friendly as they looked at Zhong Ming.

As a Commandery Princess, Ji Qingyue would never travel alone, both for her reputation and her safety. She was clearly favored, and the guards protecting her were powerful.

Under the gaze of such powerful experts, an ordinary Cultivator would have broken out in a cold sweat, their Heart Spirit trembling.

But Zhong Ming’s expression remained unchanged; he didn’t so much as blink.

Of course he wouldn’t show any reaction. Everything that was happening was what he had expected and engineered.

Zhong Ming understood perfectly—as long as Ji Qingyue said nothing, her guards could not act directly. They could only try to intimidate him with spiritual pressure.

But his Heart Spirit was precisely his greatest strength, thanks to his ’Extraordinary Comprehension Talent.’ This was especially true now that he had condensed a Dao Seed, the very hallmark of Foundation Establishment.

Well... although his Dao Seed was incomplete, its supreme quality compensated for this. Therefore, unless Ji Qingyue’s guards could mentally shatter a Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage, they had no hope of overwhelming Zhong Ming.

Besides, even if Prince Qinghe’s Mansion possessed such experts, they would be treated with the highest regard—it would be an impossible extravagance to assign them as Ji Qingyue’s personal guards.