Realization dawned on Long Tao and Li Xuan.
Sun Ningxiang, who had already guessed Liu Jie’s identity, looked both shocked and confused.
While she contemplated her doubts, the other disciples of the veteran and top factions were also wondering what was going on.
Zuo Ming was an important person.
Even in their prime, Sun Ningxiang’s grandfather still needed a month’s notice before visiting Zuo Ming. Even then, the meeting was not guaranteed.
Important people always cared about their reputation.
Since the man wearing the standard Spirit Guards mask was Chief Guard Ye’s disciple, it was only right that Zuo Ming bowed to him.
But if Zuo Ming only wanted to bow to Liu Jie, he could have stood directly in front of Liu Jie. He would definitely not have stood between Liu Jie and Lin Yuan like he was doing now.
Since Zuo Ming was facing Lin Yuan and Liu Jie, the others could only see Zuo Ming’s back and not his face.
The people present had all lowered their heads because of Zuo Ming’s arrival and his terrifying aura. None of them dared to gaze upon Zuo Ming’s face.
But when Sun Ningxiang saw the way Zuo Ming was standing, she lifted her gaze to glance at Zuo Ming’s expression.
She realized that he had nodded almost imperceptibly at Lin Yuan.
This meant that Zuo Ming had not stood in the wrong position and was genuinely bowing to Lin Yuan.
It proved that Zuo Ming held Lin Yuan in the same regard as he did the disciple of Chief Guard Ye.
From Lin Yuan’s physique, his chin’s curve, speech style, charisma, and voice, Sun Ningxiang had already ascertained that he was that strange mask-wearing young man from Sky City.
She knew that there was more to his identity than a mere member of Sky City.
Lin Yuan had to be of similar status to Liu Jie.
Sun Ningxiang thought back to Lin Yuan’s bottomless well of Creation Master resources, and she suddenly recalled the rumor she had heard about the Moon Empress also accepting a disciple and that the disciple was likely to make an appearance at the Guard Ye Banquet.
All the doubts that Sun Ningxiang had about Sky City and Lin Yuan’s identity cleared.
She had initially entertained the possibility that there could be a Class 5 Creation Master supporting Sky City. Otherwise, it was impossible for them to evolve fey qualities so quickly.
But now, she knew that she had been wrong. A new Class 5 Creation Master couldn’t appear out of nowhere so easily.
If it was so easy for pinnacle Class 4 Creation Masters to break through to Class 5, there wouldn’t only still only be three Class 5 Creation Masters in the Radiance Federation after so many years.
Although Sun Ningxiang could not be certain that she was right about Lin Yuan’s identity, she felt that she was likely to be right.
Her shock aside, Sun Ningxiang felt her tightly wound heart start to relax.
Regardless of whether or not Lin Yuan was the Moon Empress’ disciple, his position gave him the right to receive a nod of greeting from Zuo Ming.
Condense Fairy Orchard and Sky City were working closely. All she needed to do was to cling onto him, and Condense Fairy Orchard would quickly be able to replenish their lack of Creation Master resources.
However, it was not enough for her to just cling to Lin Yuan. She also needed to deepen the relationship between Condense Fairy Orchard and Sky City.
It was even fine if Condense Fairy Orchard relied on Sky City for its expansion.
It was only in such a situation that Lin Yuan would be willing to help Condense Fairy Orchard in the event of an overwhelmingly dangerous circumstance.
Over the years, as Sun Ningxiang continued to hold up Condense Fairy Orchard on her own, it had become harder with time.
With a lack of Creation Master resources and strong combat power, it would be impossible for a top faction to maintain its influence.
It was becoming harder for Condense Fairy Orchard to maintain their domination of some plant-type fey markets.
Otherwise, the Miao family would not have brazenly schemed against Condense Fairy Orchard and attempted to consume them under the pretense of collaboration.
When she saw Lin Yuan’s resolute and calm expression, Sun Ningxiang felt that she could consider leaving the fate of Condense Fairy Orchard in his hands.
Before any further speculation took place, Zuo Ming said to Liu Jie apologetically, “Young Liege, I didn’t expect there to be people here who dare to disregard the rules and offend you. They are supposed to have come to the Guard Ye Banquet to celebrate you, yet they disrespect you. Please advise me on how I should handle them.”
Zuo Ming’s gaze did not go anywhere near the ghostly pale Miao Zhuo, Zheng Kaiyuan, Du Shuo, Fang He, and Qi Haitao.
It was as though they were specks of dust on his shoe that were not worth paying a hint of attention to. Once Liu Jie issued his order, they would be ejected without hesitation.
Rage boiled within Zuo Ming.
Before
Liu Jie had used the Insect Queen to create a sea of insects that defended Cold Frost City for half an hour before becoming a member of the Radiance Hundred Sequence.
By the time the Spirit Guards arrived, Liu Jie had fainted and had been unaware of how many citizens and spirit qi professionals he had protected.
Although Zuo Ming had not been the one to lead the team to aid Cold Frost City, he had gained respect for Liu Jie because of this matter.
Not even the Guard Envoys would be able to stand up to an invincible enemy like Liu Jie had done.
When Zuo Ming had heard that Chief Guard Ye had accepted Liu Jie as her disciple, he had immediately acknowledged Liu Jie.
After spending time together, Zuo Ming had completely accepted Liu Jie as his junior.
He felt that he understood Liu Jie’s character well and that Liu Jie was extremely amicable.
It was not easy to stir up Liu Jie’s ire.
Before the Guard Ye Banquet began, Zuo Ming was in charge of the area outside the Midnight Palace, while the right-hand manager was in charge of the area inside the Midnight Palace.
He had just been called away to accompany Zong Ze and Gu Lang to the Night Words Pavilion, and someone had dared to anger Liu Jie in his absence.
It was unforgivable!
A fresh batch of Sin Cleansing Weeping Willows from the Sin Cleansing Pool had been nurtured but had yet to be bathed in blood.
Zuo Ming felt that this newly nurtured batch of Sin Cleansing Weeping Willows could teach these people who had broken the Midnight Palace’s rules and insulted his Young Liege a lesson they would never forget.
Du Shuo yanked Fang He’s hand and lowered his head. He felt that his impulsivity had burdened Fang He.
Otherwise, Fang He’s peaceful nature would not have let him involve himself with Miao Zhuo’s issues.
If the right-hand manager had been the one to come to settle the scuffle, Du Shuo might have dared to argue.
However, if he uttered one wrong word in front of Zuo Ming, it would only lead to worse consequences.
