Generally speaking, the cultivation threshold for learning a Grade-A Mid-tier Dao technique is the Inner Fane realm.
This so-called cultivation threshold can be directly described as follows: if a Grade-A Low-tier Dao technique only requires pushing one power source to its limit, then some Grade-A Mid-tier Dao techniques must be based on two power sources or even four or five power sources. This is the insurmountable cultivation threshold.
However, some people with exceptional talent can naturally lower the requirements for certain or even entire categories of Dao techniques, or are born able to drive Dao techniques with less consumption than cultivators of the same realm. For example, Wang Changxiang's Wind Sparrow True Spirit from Fenglin City and Zhang Linchuan's Thunder Serpent True Spirit both allowed them to master Dao techniques beyond their level.
Apart from exceptional talent, another exception is the creation of one's own unique Dao technique.
Because one is the creator of the Dao technique, deeply understanding its release principles, and having created it based on oneself, it is the most suitable for one's own conditions and best suited for one's own expression, thus allowing one to master the Dao technique in advance with extreme control.
Countless flame sparrows circled and flew swiftly, each singing its own tune.
At the center of the Dao technique bombardment, Jiang Wang saw Zhang Yong's eyes.
He saw the deep despair and pleading in his eyes.
"Don't say it, I beg you!"
It was a gaze filled with such profound entreaty.
If possible, even if he were crippled here, Zhang Yong would not want to use his eye technique.
Because in the history of the Fengxian Zhang clan, no one had ever been skilled in eye technique. Using it would mean exposure. Then all his painstaking efforts, those sacrifices, plans, blood and tears... would become illusions.
However, breaking free from the jealousy was purely an instinctive reaction of his body.
This subsequently triggered Jiang Wang's sense of crisis, causing the Eight-Tone Flame Sparrow to emerge earlier—this Dao technique, Jiang Wang had originally prepared for Wang Yiwu.
Now Zhang Yong was certain that Jiang Wang had discovered his secret.
But he had no way out. There were so many people present—Jiang Wuqi, Li Longchuan, Xu Xiangqian... any one of them would be difficult to deal with.
Unless he could strike and kill Jiang Wang the moment he detected the eye technique, but without using the eye technique, he had not a shred of chance. However, using the eye technique to kill Jiang Wang would also equate to exposing himself, with no difference in outcome.
Moreover, with the combat power Jiang Wang had demonstrated now, even if he used his eye technique with full force... it might not necessarily succeed.
Such a comprehensive plan and arrangement, successfully passing through the Tianfu Secret Realm, handling the investigation of the Green Badge constable, and finally safely mixing into Jiang Wuqi's side—even the Great Qi imperial family had been unable to trace his origins.
How could he have imagined that just a chance encounter at Cloud Mist Mountain, merely a routine move in a simple execution plan, a moment of carelessness, would lead him into a dead end!
The despair and pleading in his eyes were real and concrete emotions.
Because everything he had achieved on his journey depended entirely on Jiang Wang's whim.
And how would Jiang Wang decide?
...
In the eyes of the onlookers watching from the gallery path.
The sea of clouds on Cloud Mist Mountain churned for miles before being slowly gathered back by the power of the formation at the Heavenly Fragrance Cloud Pavilion.
The eight tones faded, and the flame sparrows dispersed.
Zhang Yong stood dazedly on the cloud, while Jiang Wang pointed his sword at the man's throat.
The outcome was decided.
Jiang Wang gave him a deep look, then moved his long sword away.
He turned on the cloud sea to face Jiang Wuqi: "Your Highness, the show is over."
There was a moment of silence on the gallery path.
Then applause erupted.
Jiang Wuqi was the first to clap: "Brilliant!"
Then the applause thundered!
As if they were truly treating this as an ordinary sparring match, a "martial performance."
While clapping enthusiastically, Xu Xiangqian deliberately sidled up to Lei Yikun: "The Lei family's private school—did they only teach the word 'easy'? So even though you can't see 'easy', you only know how to say 'easy'!"
Lei Yikun glared at him angrily.
This man had a temperament that could not withstand provocation, and was about to step forward.
A hand rested on his shoulder, making him fall silent.
Jiang Wuqi withdrew his hand, formed a fist, and held it before his mouth, unable to suppress a few coughs.
At this moment, Zhang Yong walked forward with a gloomy expression and half-kneeled: "Zhang Yong is incompetent, bringing shame to Your Highness's face. I deserve a thousand deaths."
Jiang Wuqi gently raised his hand, and an invisible force lifted Zhang Yong up: "The Fengxian Zhang clan suffered misfortune, and their ultimate techniques were lost. You have already shown remarkable skill by relying on superficial cultivation methods and blending Confucian, legal, and Daoist arts! How has it harmed my face?"
"If a jewel is covered in dust, it is my fault. After we return, I will prepare a complete set of cultivation methods for you." His gaze was sincere and focused: "I hope Lord Zhang will not be discouraged, and will not waste his youth."
"Your Highness..." Zhang Yong actually choked up for a moment.
Jiang Wuqi turned his head to look at Jiang Wang again, his smile brimming: "Today on this Cloud Mist Mountain, seeing Lord Jiang's heroic bearing has truly delighted me. The matter of the Fourteenth Prince is now settled; I will not trouble you about it again."
His words were naturally imperial decree, with no possibility of going back on them.
Jiang Wang had actually prepared himself for another battle or even two, but seeing Jiang Wuqi's attitude, he sheathed his sword and accepted the good grace: "Your Highness is magnanimous."
Jiang Wuqi smiled and led his people down the mountain.
Although Zhang Yong had lost a match, looking at the people around him, except for Lei Yikun who was genuinely angered by Xu Xiangqian, not a single person showed any resentment.
It was clear they were all very convinced by Jiang Wuqi's decision.
People of the time said the Eleventh Prince was most like the Qi ruler, and from this brief encounter, Jiang Wang had to admit that the man indeed possessed an imperial aura.
If all his opponents were at the level of the Fourteenth Prince Jiang Wuyong, this competition would probably have no suspense.
Zhang Yong trailed behind the group, and when he reached the corner of the gallery path, he turned his head to glance at Jiang Wang, his gaze complicated.
"What, is he still unconvinced?" Xu Xiangqian asked very vigilantly.
Jiang Wang answered perfunctorily: "Perhaps!"
Although there had been this little episode, there was no longer much interest in flower viewing. But since the plan was already set, there was no need for changes, and the group continued up the mountain.
The gallery path wound around the mountain, eventually converging at the summit.
There, the entire mountaintop had been leveled by human hands.
The gallery path extended into the air, forming a square pavilion directly above the center of the summit.
On the front was a plaque inscribed with the two characters "Cloud Mist."
Cloud Mist Mountain clearly took this Cloud Mist Pavilion as its peak.
And just below where everyone stood, beneath the suspended Cloud Mist Pavilion, bloomed a whole field of pale purple flowers.
Though the flowers were purple, wisps of white mist rose from their petals, gathering with the clouds and mist at the mountain's edge.
It seemed the thick clouds that shrouded Cloud Mist Mountain year-round also owed something to these Cloud Mist flowers.
The fragrance of the Cloud Mist flowers grew even deeper here. It was inevitably intoxicating and indescribable, no wonder it had the reputation of "Heavenly Fragrance."
Everyone gazed around from within the pavilion, momentarily forgetting their worries.
...
The downhill gallery path.
Lei Yikun couldn't help but ask: "That Jiang Wuyong overestimates himself, is weak in virtue and thin in talent, yet still foolishly covets the throne. Your Highness, why bother with such extra steps for him?"
He came from Jiang Wuqi's maternal clan, so while others might find certain words inconvenient to say, he had no need for such scruples.
"It is the Fourteenth Prince," Jiang Wuqi corrected him.
"Cough, cough."
The wind on the mountain was strong, and he coughed a couple more times before saying with double meaning: "Maintaining the dignity of the Great Qi imperial family is maintaining my own dignity."