PS: End of the month, asking for monthly tickets!

Dear readers, Kai Huang is about to drop out of sight on the monthly ticket list. It’s the last day and a half, asking for monthly tickets!

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Ice State, Luo Mountain County is located within a deep mountain seven thousand miles on the northern side of the Iron Wall Mountain Range.

Chu Ming’s figure flickered, weaving through the forest. Her Sword Energy dispersed outwardly, sweeping everything within a ten-mile radius, turning all the vegetation to powder.

In just a moment after, the target locked by Chu Ming’s Thought, upon losing its camouflage among the plants, had nowhere left to escape.

It let out a furious roar and charged towards Chu Ming.

It was a Second-grade Lower Rank ’Red-Eyed Blade Mantis,’ suddenly crossing three hundred yards as if moving instantaneously, appearing in front of Chu Ming.

Its exceedingly sharp sword arms completely transcended the concept of Time Order and Void.

Yet at this moment, sheets of sword light resembling mirrors also appeared before Chu Ming.

Clank! Clank! Clank!

In one-tenth of a breath, the over three hundred slashes of the ’Red-eyed Mantis’ were reflected by Chu Ming to nearly seventy percent, turning back to slice the ’Red-eyed Mantis’ and the surrounding void into over a thousand pieces.

Chu Ming watched as this Second-grade tiered subspecies divine insect was shattered into bits and pieces, a hint of satisfaction subtly gracing her lips.

This ’Divine Intent Touch Death Blade’ really is formidable, paired with a First-grade Upper Stage body, virtually invincible.

This ’Red-Eyed Blade Mantis’ is a close relative of the divine insect ’Four-Armed Green Mantis,’ and is considered quite troublesome, with exceptional Escape Skills and high combat prowess. Many figures on the Heavenly List encounter it, yet may not necessarily be able to deal with it.

However, apart from spending some time in pursuit, she merely used one-tenth of a breath, over three hundred moves to settle it.

"Come out."

Chu Ming smartly flourished her saber as she sheathed it, while turning to glance aside: "Commander Wan Qi, your Concealing Skill is not impressive at all."

"The Commandery Princess makes fun of me."

With a clear laugh, a young sorcerer suddenly appeared in the southern high sky.

Hovering a hundred yards above, he looked at Chu Ming with admiration: "Every time I meet the Commandery Princess in the past year, I am astounded. In just a year, the Commandery Princess has not only stepped into the First-Grade, but her Sword Skill has also become increasingly refined. The several dozen strikes just now truly amazed me."

"All thanks to the imperial favor, with so many Spirit Pills at my disposal. If I cannot enter the first grade, I would disappoint his majesty’s high expectations."

Chu Ming’s expression was calm, her gaze indifferent: "Moreover, this cultivation of mine was quickly achieved with medicinal substances and ’Martial Intent Soul Stones.’ I’m quite aware of my own situation; I can’t compare with those who have truly reached the first grade, and cannot wield my cultivation freely. Even compared to Commander Wan Qi, I fall short."

The person before her, Wan Qi Luohou, recently became a close confidant of the emperor, serving as the Heavenly Court Left Wing Commander, temporarily handling the affairs of the Heavenly Court Commander.

Later, possibly bolstered by resources from the court and the Inner Palace, his cultivation also advanced rapidly, already a Second-grade Upper Rank, a top ten tiered magician on the Earthly List, with potential to enter the forefront of the Heavenly List in the future.

Wan Qi Luohou noticed her invigorated spirit, her face glowing, contrasting sharply to her former cautious and fearful self from two years ago.

He inwardly chuckled but showed admiration on his face: "I can’t compare to the Commandery Princess. The reason you used this swift method of cultivation is by imperial decree, not because you couldn’t achieve it on your own.

Moreover, although your cultivation borrowed external aids like ’Martial Intent Soul Stones,’ you have honed it to the utmost, in strength, True Yuan, bloodline and all aspects, just shy of a true first-grade level, far surpassing the inner palatial figures of past generations.

The cultivation you possess didn’t come easily. Your ’Undying Heavenly Sun Saber’ has clearly reached over twenty layers, complementing your Divine Intent Touch Death Blade and your first-grade cultivation, enough to be among the top thirty on the Heavenly List."

Chu Ming couldn’t help but raise her lips again after hearing this, a hint of smile appearing in her eye, clearly appreciating Wan Qi Luohou’s words.

"Top thirty on the Heavenly List?"

She slightly murmured with her hand resting on the long saber, her eyes somewhat dim: "But that is far from enough! Chu Xisheng is already among the top ten on the Heavenly List; he can even slay Huang Tianting. Rumor has it that not long ago, he single-handedly stormed Buzhou Mountain, and the Southern Heavenly Emperor was injured during the pursuit."

She originally thought that once her cultivation advanced to first grade, she could match Chu Xisheng, even surpass him.

However, over a month ago, the battle in Cang Province utterly shattered her illusions.

Wan Qi Luohou harbored a sarcastic sentiment.

This woman had the audacity to hope she could contend with Junior Brother Chu relying on such externally derived cultivation.

He displayed no hint of disdain on his face, instead spoke with vigor: "Why should the Commandery Princess be discouraged? Our palace’s Secret Techniques are unlike those external dharma gates circulating in the Jianghu, having far fewer side effects. The Commandery Princess’s cultivation, upon rising to first grade, boasts a life expectancy of eight hundred years, ample time to mend any foundational deficiencies.

As for Chu Xisheng, though his current influence is indeed booming, it’s akin to a fire cooking oil, unsustainable over time. Undoubtedly, various factions will not allow his continued ascent. His path ahead is fraught with peril and difficulty, unmatched throughout history. His lifetime achievements likely end here."

As Wan Qi Luohou said this, a lingering worry unbiddenly revealed itself in the depths of his eyes.