Chapter 1476 — Face to Face Once More

"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.

And Wei Zhao, though startled by how quickly Zhang Naipao had advanced, still regarded him as the same Zhang Naipao he could trample underfoot whenever he pleased! A peak mid-Xuan Rank expert, same as himself—on the surface they sounded evenly matched, but Wei Zhao had cards up his sleeve that could contend even with Earth Rank experts. Why should he fear someone of his own level?

Thus, in Wei Zhao's heart, there wasn't even contempt—only indifference.

Neither of them spoke, staring at each other in silence.

The few people around Zhang Naipao were puzzled by his behavior. "Paoge, what's wrong?"

"I spotted an old acquaintance. I'll go over and say hello!" Zhang Naipao said coolly. Though he could have ordered any one of his followers to deal with Wei Zhao for him, he chose not to. How else could he show off his own glory?

One day, he would personally crush Wei Zhao underfoot and trample him at will—that was his promise to Zhong Yongliang, and he was determined to fulfill it!

"Oh?" Zhuang Niaopao was taken aback. He sensed something odd in Zhang Naipao's words but couldn't fathom what he meant, so he could only follow behind him toward Wei Zhao, not daring to take any initiative.

"Isn't this Leader Wei Zhao? Not throwing your weight around at school, so what are you doing here?" Zhang Naipao looked at Wei Zhao and sneered. "This isn't a place for you. It's dangerous—you could lose your life any moment!"

"Peak mid-Xuan Rank strength? Sounds very impressive." Wei Zhao looked at Zhang Naipao and spoke.

Zhang Naipao was momentarily stunned that Wei Zhao could pinpoint his cultivation level at a glance! And from Wei Zhao's tone, he seemed... dismissive? Could it be that he was an even more formidable expert? At that thought, Zhang Naipao's wariness immediately rose.

But wait—that couldn't be right. This Ice Palace trial had set a clear restriction on cultivation: participants must be Xuan Rank experts. That meant even if you were at peak late Yellow Rank and about to break through, you still couldn't take part. Likewise, even if you'd just broken through to Earth Rank a minute ago, you also couldn't participate.

So Wei Zhao's strength had to be at Xuan Rank as well. As for exactly what level within Xuan Rank, Zhang Naipao didn't concern himself, because he had his own trump cards! As long as his opponent didn't exceed Xuan Rank, victory was assured! Even against an early Earth Rank expert, he had the strength to put up a fight—he might sustain some injuries, but survival was more than guaranteed.

This was precisely why Zhang Naipao was favored by the sect's old ancestor—in all these years, no disciple as diligent, hardworking, and daring as Zhang Naipao had emerged in the sect.

"Impressive or not, you'll find out soon enough!" Zhang Naipao let out a cold laugh. "Too bad Brother Liang isn't here—if he could watch me beat you to death, that would be most satisfying!"

"So you haven't forgotten about avenging Zhong Yongliang?" Wei Zhao couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this. "No matter how strong you've become, you're still Zhong Yongliang's dog."

"Dog or lackey, it makes no difference to me. Wei Zhao, this grandfather of yours will spare your worthless life today—I'll settle things with you when I next see Brother Liang. But while you escape with your life today, you won't escape punishment. Take this!" As he spoke, Zhang Naipao suddenly lashed out with a palm strike toward Wei Zhao!

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