Cultivation: Immunity to Negative Effects

"Good luck is a form of strength, too!"

"Exactly!"

The Foundation Establishment Stewards continued their enthusiastic chat with Zhang Chi and immediately completed his registration.

"All set. You can claim a Foundation Establishment Level cave residence now. When you have a moment, though, you should still return to the main Sect grounds. After all, you originally came from the Upper Sect."

"You were an Outer Disciple, so you must be practicing a Middle Grade Cultivation Technique. To receive the reward of an Upper Grade Cultivation Technique, you’ll also need to make a trip back to the main Sect grounds..."

Then, one of the Foundation Establishment Stewards added a few specific reminders.

Afterward, the stewards personally accompanied Zhang Chi to select a Foundation Establishment Level cave residence.

The Qi Cultivation Disciples who witnessed this were filled with regret. If only they had known Zhang Chi would succeed in reaching Foundation Establishment, they would have done anything to get on his good side over the years.

But now, as mere Qi Cultivation Disciples, they were no longer qualified to even approach him.

"Zhang Chi, you reached Foundation Establishment? That’s great! I knew you could do it!"

"Congratulations, Zhang Chi!"

Just as his new Foundation Establishment peers were leaving, Chen Ling’Er, Chen Bufan, and Zhong Yu received the news. They rushed to Zhang Chi’s new cave residence, their faces alight with pleasant surprise.

Chen Bufan and Zhong Yu, in particular, saw Zhang Chi in a completely new light, as they had both previously assumed he would fail.

"Haha, it was just a stroke of luck. I also have to thank you all for your insights on Foundation Establishment—and especially you, Senior Sister, for the Bone Marrow Cleansing Spirit Liquid," Zhang Chi laughed, remaining modest.

"You’re too modest, Junior Brother. It was the least we could do," Zhong Yu said. "What are your plans now? We should celebrate! We can handle all the arrangements."

"Junior Brother, would you be willing to become an Honored Guest Elder for my Chen Family? If you agree, we will absolutely not treat you poorly, and we won’t place any demands on you. You would only need to help with alchemy occasionally!"

Chen Ling’Er immediately began her recruitment pitch, worried that if she waited, someone else would snatch him up.

"Yes, become an Honored Guest Elder for our Chen Family. We may only be a Foundation Establishment Clan for now, but we possess a Tier Two Upper Grade Spiritual Vein, and my sister and I are bound to reach the Golden Core stage sooner or later."

"Furthermore, the Chen Family doesn’t just have the Sect behind it; we’re also backed by a Golden Core Clan. If you join us, you’ll never be pushed around. Not even Patriarch Xie will be able to touch you!"

Chen Bufan chimed in to support her.

’Back then, he thought that even if Zhang Chi reached Foundation Establishment, he wouldn’t amount to much. But things were completely different now.’

’A cultivator who reaches Foundation Establishment before thirty has a great chance of reaching the Golden Core stage. Once that happens, even if he has no Combat Power, he absolutely cannot be underestimated!’

’Besides, the talent for alchemy Zhang Chi had displayed all this time had long surpassed his initial expectations.’

Then, Chen Bufan and Chen Ling’Er got straight to the point, laying out the specific terms and compensation right then and there.

They were both at the Foundation Establishment stage and had promising futures. Chen Bufan, in particular, possessed an Innate Sword Bone and was already at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

As such, it was clear they held considerable sway within their family.

"They’re right. The Golden Core Clan backing the Chen Family is, in fact, my Zhong Family," Zhong Yu added. "And I once told you that I would present you with an opportunity after you reached Foundation Establishment. That opportunity is to become one of the Zhong Family’s Honored Guest Elders."

"However, when it comes to the Zhong Family’s affairs, I don’t have the final say. I can only help build a bridge; whether or not it works out will depend on the circumstances," Zhong Yu clarified.

"I can be an Honored Guest Elder for two families at the same time?" Zhang Chi asked, a little confused.

"Of course. As long as you can manage the workload and have the skills, you could be an Honored Guest Elder for three, four, or even more families."

"It’s best if those families are on friendly terms, though. Otherwise, if a conflict breaks out, you’ll be in a difficult position when it comes to choosing sides," Zhong Yu added with a smile.

"Alright, I accept the Chen Family’s offer. And I’ll do my best to secure a position with the Zhong Family as well!"

It dawned on Zhang Chi, and he nodded without hesitation.

’In any case, it wouldn’t be any pressure on him.’

’He could always leave the position of Honored Guest Elder in the future.’

’Of course, he didn’t really care about the compensation that came with being an Honored Guest Elder.’

’For someone like him, who had mastered multiple Immortal Cultivation Techniques, the benefits were better than nothing, but not by much.’

’What he cared about was having a powerful backer.’

’With the Zhong Family as his backer, he wouldn’t have to fear the Song Family anymore.’

’Once he reached the Golden Core stage, he could annihilate the Song Family himself. This was just a transitional period; it wouldn’t take that many years.’

’He also wasn’t worried about being drawn into clan conflicts.’

’For one, he was an artisan and wouldn’t be easily sent out as a combatant.’

’For another, his hidden strength was formidable. Unless he ran into a Golden Core Master, he had nothing to fear.’

’Of course, he was also agreeing to the invitation because he had a good relationship with Chen Bufan, Zhong Yu, and the others.’

"That’s great. We’ll inform the family right away!"

Chen Bufan and the others were overjoyed and deeply touched. ’Zhang Chi is truly a loyal and honorable friend,’ they thought.

’They had assumed Zhang Chi would want to compare offers from various families, carefully investigate the circumstances, and only then make a decision.’

’If he had done that, their Chen Family really wouldn’t have had much of an advantage.’

’Even the Zhong Family might not have been his first choice.’

’After all, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator who was also a skilled artisan was bound to be sought after by many families.’

"Oh, right. Junior Brother Zhang, the Sect treats cultivators who reach Foundation Establishment at different ages differently."

After they finished sending their messages, Zhong Yu continued, "Those who reach Foundation Establishment before thirty can become a Sect’s True Inheritor and take a Golden Core Master as their teacher. Have you given any thought to this?"

"I haven’t, actually. Do you have someone to recommend, Senior Sister? Also, this business of taking a master... it’s a mutual choice, isn’t it?" Zhang Chi asked, shaking his head slightly.

’He really hadn’t given it any thought. Under normal circumstances, he would likely reach the Golden Core stage in just thirty or forty years.’

’Whether he took a master or not wouldn’t really make much of a difference.’

’But since this was a rule, he couldn’t very well refuse. Besides, having a good Golden Core Master wouldn’t be a bad thing.’

"My master is excellent, but her lifespan is nearing its end, so I won’t recommend her. I can, however, give you a general rundown of the other Golden Core Elders," Zhong Yu offered.

"Same with my master," Chen Bufan added. "His lifespan is still long, but he’s a powerful Sword Cultivator who only accepts Sword Dao geniuses, so I can’t recommend him either!"

Following that, the two of them began describing the various Golden Core Elders in the Sect.

Finally, Chen Ling’Er took out a Jade Scroll, made a copy on the spot, and gave it to Zhang Chi.

The Jade Scroll contained information about the Golden Core Elders of the Cangwu Sect.

Since Chen Ling’Er had only broken through six months ago and had yet to take a master herself, Chen Bufan and Zhong Yu had prepared this Jade Scroll for her. They just never expected Zhang Chi would have a use for it as well.

"Thank you, Senior Sisters, and Senior Brother Chen."

Zhang Chi humbly accepted their guidance and the Jade Scroll, as it was exactly what he needed.

After chatting for a while longer, the group dispersed. Zhang Chi then went to find Junior Martial Uncle Hong to be relieved of his duties guarding the Medicinal Garden.

Of course, ’Junior Martial Uncle Hong’ was now ’Senior Brother Hong.’ When he learned that Zhang Chi had successfully reached Foundation Establishment, he was utterly astonished and couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of emotion.

He still vividly remembered the day Zhang Chi first arrived over nine years ago. Back then, he never would have dreamed that Zhang Chi could reach Foundation Establishment so quickly.

「Three days later.」

With the help of Zhong Yu and the others, Zhang Chi held a small celebration for his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.

Because he had reached Foundation Establishment before the age of thirty and was also a gifted Alchemy Master, the number of Foundation Establishment and Qi Cultivation Cultivators in attendance was no less than the crowd at Chen Ling’er’s celebration.

Even the Azure Dragon Master made another appearance to offer his encouragement, gifting Zhang Chi a Top Grade Magical Artifact as a congratulatory present.

Zhang Chi received many other gifts that day as well.

The very next morning, he and Chen Ling’Er boarded a Floating Airship and flew toward the main Sect.