Chapter 1138 - 8: Defeated by a Clone? The Shocked Prince and the Happy Ji Che!
Ji Che appeared to be all smiles on the surface, but inwardly he was already cursing.
Zhao Xing immediately understood what was going on; as a prince of a vassal state, Jin Ke was somewhat out of line.
When the other party doesn’t send their experts, letting you freely choose someone to spar with and showcase your warrior style, do you really have to keep winning, not giving the future Emperor any face?
Zhao Xing scrutinized closely, while also beginning to evaluate in his mind.
"Five warriors, all at the Perfect Heavenly Fate Realm. From these more than thirty matches, the other three are all second-tier powerhouses above the standard, mastering a single First-class True Intent, and at least one has trained a top-level magic to perfection, with rich combat experience."
"You can tell from their use of the environment, almost every one of them can easily distort the Heaven and Earth Rules."
Distortion is not change, this is still within the category of the Second Grade.
"Only the ’Bing Tu King’ and ’Kelo King’ have strengths that can be considered first-rate." Zhao Xing mused to himself. "Of course, it still can’t be counted as the echelon of unparalleled geniuses."
The standard of the Second Grade corresponds to the Second Grade True Intent, with small-scale deformation rules.
Exceeding the standard, mastering a single First-class True Intent, and at least mastering a top-level spell or martial technique to perfection, that counts as the second tier.
The first tier is mastering multiple First-class True Intents, having perfected multiple top-level spells or martial techniques, and being relatively powerful, usually having mastered one or two ultimate moves, thus being able to survive under a First-class opponent.
Super first-rate refers to unparalleled geniuses, who can develop a Rule Domain even in the Second Grade Realm, like Ye Yuxong; a hundred years after entering the Second Grade, he already developed the Bright Moon Domain.
Zhao Xing hasn’t developed a Rule Domain yet, and he doesn’t even know what would happen if he were to use his full strength.
"With Five Elements True Intent all complete, mastering multiple top-level spells to perfection, even without a domain, nearing the way of the Dao, in actual combat might not necessarily fall short of those who have just realized a Rule Domain."
"If my true self brought the Ten Thousand Skill Avatar from Shangluo Academy, the Ten Thousand Skill Avatar is too powerful that it was once said Xu Xing could take out ten Li Boqians in cooperation with the Ten Thousand Skill Avatar, even if the level of Dao is inferior, it’s enough to cause an overwhelming advantage."
"The level of Dao can be viewed as inner strength. Spells are techniques, tricks, the application of the way of Heaven and Earth, transforming comprehension into powerful moves."
"You can’t just rely on data comparison, you still have to see actual combat."
"This Bing Tu King and Kelo King, both are first-rate martial artists, my avatar should be enough."
The other three, Zhao Xing held in contempt.
For a prince from a small vassal state to visit an Upper Country, being able to bring two first-rate powerhouses is already quite good.
Those super first-rate ones? In Great Zhou, with such a vast population base, the super first-rate geniuses would not exceed fifty. How could a small country produce them so easily?
After observing for a while, Zhao Xing concluded: Bing Tu King and Kelo King, although they had reserves, the possibility of them being super first-rate experts is very slim.
"Brother, how about it?" Seeing Zhao Xing putting down the Earth Mirror, Ji Che couldn’t help but show an expectant expression.
"No problem." Zhao Xing smiled and said, "However, fifth brother could first challenge the other three warriors, let me warm up a bit, I haven’t fought in years."
"Alright, big brother, take a rest for a moment, I’ll arrange it right now." Ji Che bared his big white teeth and laughed joyously.
As for Zhao Xing, he secretly called out his true self from Shangluo Academy, as it had been a long time since he moved his hand.
If after three matches things feel amiss, he could let his true self step in.
Fighting with the nation’s strong—lose, and it’s just a loss. But to lose to a vassal state’s expert? Even if only the avatar lost, it would be embarrassing, and an international disgrace at that.
Zhao Xing estimated that he wouldn’t need to use his full strength to handle the vassal state’s expert, but he was used to being prepared, so while Ji Che made arrangements, his true self also left Shangluo Academy.
...
Two and a half days later, Zhao Xing was arranged by Ji Che to attend the same banquet as Prince Jin Ke of Moss State.
At the banquet, Ji Che’s close attitude towards Zhao Xing aroused Prince Jin Ke’s curiosity: "Your Highness, this Shangguan is filled with heroic spirit and possesses extraordinary bearing. I wonder which master of the Heavenly Dynasty he is?"
"Jin Ke, this is our dynasty’s Duke Divine Might, Zhao Xing." Ji Che smiled, refraining from detailed introductions, fearing that if Jin Ke knew too much, he would hesitate to fight.
"Prince." Zhao Xing stopped chopsticks, slightly nodded in acknowledgment.
Such haughty attitude immediately made the few warriors beside Prince Jin Ke frown slightly.
A Marquis, confronting their prince, doesn’t even bother to properly bow or toast, just nodding?
Still, they were merely dissatisfied in their hearts. As they thought, Zhao Xing was just a Marquis, while in their home country they were all ’Princes.’ Zhao Xing wasn’t qualified to be actively challenged by them.
They didn’t challenge, but Zhao Xing was determined to make them take the initiative: "I heard that under the prince, there are five warriors who performed well in the war against the small country Sith. Why not showcase your swordsmanship, exhibit your prowess, and provide some entertainment for your highness?"
As soon as these words came out, Ji Che was immediately delighted, nearly laughing out loud.
Princess Yingluo, sitting in the first position on the bottom left, showed a hint of peculiar glow in her eyes.
The rest of the nobles all appeared unsurprised, with no reaction at all, even waiting for Prince Moss to send someone to perform swordsmanship.
Because in their minds, Duke Divine Might Zhao Xing was completely entitled to say such words.
For our Great Zhou’s Duke Divine Might to make you, little Prince, display swordsmanship for fun, it’s already giving you face, and you should embrace it, shouldn’t you?
Prince Moss’s face turned somewhat ugly. As for the five warriors, a spark of anger flared in their eyes.
They had heard too much flattery in the recent days, and after continuous victories, they became a bit arrogant.