Chapter 145: A Token of Meeting

"Junior Sister Shiji, what brings you to my Mount Emei today?" Although Zhao Gongming possessed a stern expression, he appeared quite gentle toward his fellow apprentice sister Shiji.

Shortly after, noticing Wen Zhong, whom Shiji was holding by the hand and who had now reverted to his youthful appearance, a look of surprise crossed Zhao Gongming's face.

"You brat, have you finally decided to see the light? That at least makes up for my junior sister waiting so bitterly for you all these years."

At this moment, Wen Zhong felt rather awkward. He harbored deep reverence for this senior brother whose reputation resonated widely throughout the截教 (Interception Teaching).

"In the past, this junior nephew was narrow-minded."

"It is good that you know it." Zhao Gongming assumed an expression that suggested the brat at least knew how to read the room.

Hearing this, Wen Zhong could only offer an embarrassed smile.

Jiang Yuan rarely witnessed the usually formidable Wen Zhong reduced to such awkwardness, and for a moment, he found it rather amusing.

"Junior sister, you haven't stated the purpose of your visit yet," Wen Zhong said, looking at Shiji in confusion.

Shiji explained, "Junior sister has come to lobby Senior Brother on behalf of the Human Emperor to lend your assistance."

"The Human Emperor?" Zhao Gongming frowned.

With a faint smile, Shiji turned her gaze toward Jiang Yuan.

Stepping forward at that moment, Jiang Yuan offered a gentle smile to Zhao Gongming. "It is indeed this junior who has come to seek Senior's aid in supporting our Great Shang."

Zhao Gongming studied Jiang Yuan for a moment before shifting his gaze to Bai Ze standing behind him, asking with a hint of puzzlement, "And this is?"

A solemn look crept into Zhao Gongming's eyes, for he sensed a trace of a threat emanating from Bai Ze.

"The Demon Sage Bai Ze," Jiang Yuan answered with a smile.

"A half-sage?" Zhao Gongming asked outright, his nature being such that he never minced words when a question arose.

"Senior has a discerning eye," Jiang Yuan complimented.

"What if this poor Daoist refuses to assist the Human Emperor? Would this half-sage Bai Ze intend to make a move against me and apply forceful persuasion?" Zhao Gongming asked, his tone turning somewhat chilly.

"Senior worries too much. This junior brought the Demon Sage Bai Ze merely to ensure our own safety. Should Senior be unwilling, we naturally will not force the matter," Jiang Yuan said with a smile.

From beginning to end, Bai Ze maintained a completely calm expression without uttering a single word.

"That sounds more reasonable. Tell me about the current situation," Zhao Gongming said indifferently.

"This war was originally an internal affair of our human race, but alas, the saints also wished to meddle, prompting members of the Elucidation Teaching to enter the fray one after another."

"Left with no other choice, this orphan had to come and seek Senior's assistance," Jiang Yuan explained.

Zhao Gongming nodded faintly. "Why would the saints wish to intervene?"

"Because they desire a world without a Human Emperor, hoping to absorb the Human Emperor's destiny to establish a heavenly court. When that time comes, immortals such as Senior will all fall under the jurisdiction of the heavenly court."

"They wish to rely on the heavenly court to rule the three realms," Jiang Yuan stated flatly.

"Is every word true?" Zhao Gongming furrowed his brow. He had spent the last few years in seclusion, paying almost no attention to external affairs, and had never expected such massive changes to occur within the three realms.

The saints intended to establish a heavenly court and exercise unified rule over the three realms?

"Every word is true," Jiang Yuan replied sincerely.

"Then why has Master never mentioned this matter to me?"

"Because the schemes of Primordial Beginning Celestial Worthy and Nuwa were never communicated to the Master of Tongtian," Jiang Yuan said with a smile.

"Have the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Elucidation Teaching participated?"

"Not yet, but this orphan estimates their entry will not be far off. Given that the current progress of this war is rather sluggish, the descent of the Twelve Golden Immortals might cause Great Shang to collapse even faster," Jiang Yuan shook his head and said.

"Do you know my cultivation realm?" Zhao Gongming asked with a smile.
Junior Sister Shiji likely would not have disclosed such matters to the Human Emperor, and he could see that the Human Emperor was at the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.

Yet, he simply wished to test the mettle of the Human Emperor, wondering what could possibly prompt a half-sage to serve him willingly.

What on earth made this person so extraordinary?

Jiang Yuan paused for a moment. Was Zhao Gongming testing him?

"Don't bother trying to ask the Demon Sage Bai Ze. Although my strength falls short of Demon Sage Bai Ze's, I can still perceive fluctuations in inner thoughts," Zhao Gongming said with a smile.

"Senior is at the mid-stage Primordial Golden Immortal realm, are you not?" Jiang Yuan hesitated and asked.

"For you to exploit such a loophole makes little sense," Zhao Gongming scolded with a laugh.
Naturally, he was inquiring about a specific realm, such as the early, middle, late stages, or peak perfection.

Jiang Yuan smiled easily. Wasn't using such a question to stump him underestimating him a bit too much?

Pardon me, but I am a cheater.

Jiang Yuan peered directly through the system to view Zhao Gongming's information.

Character: Zhao Gongming
Title/Position: Disciple of the Master of Tongtian
Realm: Peak Mid-Stage Primordial Golden Immortal
Possessions: Golden Whip, Twenty Sea-Calming Pearls, Dragon-Binding Pearl
Cultivation Technique: Treasure-Life Art
Mount: Black Tiger
Loyalty: 00
Favorability: 60
Obtainable Tyrant Value: 5000

This Zhao Gongming was quite "expensive." Jiang Yuan actually felt a fleeting urge to have Bai Ze subdue him so he could finish him off himself.

A full five thousand tyrant points! Jiang Yuan had never experienced anything like it.

This was a heavyweight at the Primordial Golden Immortal realm; no wonder he could defeat the Twelve Golden Immortals during the Investiture of the Gods.

"Senior is currently at the peak of the mid-stage Primordial Golden Immortal realm, which means you are only a hair's breadth away from the late stage of the Primordial Golden Immortal realm, correct?" Jiang Yuan asked, full of confidence.

Zhao Gongming looked at Jiang Yuan with a trace of surprise. "How did you manage to see that?"

He could be certain that Bai Ze had not given Jiang Yuan any hints. After all, as a formidable great demon at the half-sage realm, Bai Ze had no need to engage in such behavior.

"This orphan naturally has his own methods. If Senior does not believe me, you may ask Senior Bai Ze. The very first moment this orphan laid eyes on Senior Bai Ze, I perceived that Senior Bai Ze was at the half-sage realm," Jiang Yuan said with a smile.

Zhao Gongming looked doubtfully at Bai Ze, who faintly nodded in response.

Although Jiang Yuan had not explicitly stated that he knew his realm at the time, Bai Ze was well aware that Jiang Yuan had seen right through his cultivation.

"Consider that you have passed my test, brat," Zhao Gongming said indifferently.

"What kind of test was that?" Jiang Yuan felt rather helpless.

Zhao Gongming widened his eyes and retorted, "How is that not a test? If you were completely unaware of my strength..."

"Why on earth should this poor Daoist exert myself on your behalf?"

Jiang Yuan struggled to grasp this logic. Perhaps this was simply the demeanor of an expert; he truly found himself at a loss.

"Then what is Senior's decision?" Jiang Yuan asked with a trace of anticipation.

Since he had already passed the test, shouldn't he be assisting Great Shang now?

"I am willing to help you for two reasons. First, the Interception Teaching has long-standing grievances with the Elucidation Teaching, and naturally, I must stick my hand into whatever the Elucidation Teaching wishes to accomplish."

"Second, since Junior Sister Shiji has personally come to plead with me, her senior brother, on your behalf, I naturally cannot deny her that face," Zhao Gongming said with a straight face.

Jiang Yuan was thoroughly defeated. So this had nothing to do with him passing the test at all?

Be that as it may, the outcome was favorable—Zhao Gongming had ultimately chosen to assist him.

Since that was the case, he naturally had to offer something in return.

"Since Senior is so decisive, this orphan naturally cannot be stingy. Allow me to present Senior with a welcoming gift," Jiang Yuan said with a faint smile.

"A welcoming gift?" Zhao Gongming looked somewhat surprised. What kind of welcoming gift could a Human Emperor at the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm possibly offer him?

Maintaining a calm expression, Jiang Yuan called out to the system in his mind.

"Stupid system, how many tyrant points are required to advance Zhao Gongming to the late stage of the Primordial Golden Immortal realm?"