Chapter 190: Concubine and Bloodline
"Reaching Foundation Establishment early is important, of course. How about this? I’ll help you buy some Tier Three Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to aid your recovery. That way, you should be back to normal in five or six years at most."
"As for the Spirit Stones, you can pay me back slowly after you reach Foundation Establishment."
Zhang Chi felt a bit helpless, but considering they had known each other for thirty-five years, and that she had earned him a good number of Spirit Stones, he wasn’t upset by her request.
In fact, he immediately thought of a solution.
Failing the attempt at Foundation Establishment usually results in a severe loss of Vitality and leaves behind hidden injuries, making recovery quite slow.
However, Tier Three Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures can largely mend the damage and significantly speed up recovery.
The only problem is that Tier Three Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures often cost over a hundred thousand Spirit Stones—an amount that ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators can’t even dream of.
Even some of the great families and Major Sects wouldn’t casually spend so many Spirit Stones on a junior, unless that junior’s aptitude was exceptionally high.
After all, with that many Spirit Stones, they could cultivate several more Foundation Establishment cultivators, as long as time wasn’t a factor.
Therefore, the fact that Zhang Chi was willing to go this far showed he was already looking out for her. Of course, he had always taken good care of Qin Susu and the others.
"Thank you, Martial Uncle. But is there truly no faster way? Five or six years is still too long, and I’m worried I’ll fail again."
"It’s not that I’m trying to push my luck; it’s because I possess the Charm Demon Bloodline. Only by reaching Foundation Establishment as soon as possible will this bloodline awaken and become effective."
"If I don’t reach Foundation Establishment by the time I’m sixty, or if I can’t reach it at all, the bloodline will gradually dissipate. Even if it’s forcibly awakened later, its effects will be minimal."
"And if you can help me, Martial Uncle, I am willing to become your concubine, starting right now. If you feel I am unworthy, I can be your Maid instead," Qin Susu said gratefully, continuing her plea.
"Charm Demon Bloodline? No wonder. When I first met you, I noticed you seemed to have mastered some sort of Charm Technique. So that’s what it was all about!"
It all clicked for Zhang Chi, and many things suddenly made sense.
He was no longer the Immortal Cultivation novice he once was. He knew that Charm Demons, much like Asuras, were a legendary ancient race with an immensely powerful bloodline.
The Charm Demon Bloodline also possesses Charming Power, similar to an Innate Charming Body, but with a higher growth ceiling.
However, the bloodline isn’t active from birth. Instead, it grows stronger over time as one’s Cultivation increases.
At the Qi Cultivation Realm, the bloodline is in a semi-dormant state, which is why it wasn’t detected during her entry-level tests back then.
’Qin Susu must have realized there was something different about her and investigated secretly to find out about her bloodline.’
’It was only natural that she kept it a secret.’
’When the host is weak, the Charm Demon Bloodline offers little bonus to Cultivation or Combat Power, and it makes one an easy target for High Tier Cultivators looking for a Furnace Cauldron.’
’For one, women with this bloodline are all exceptionally beautiful and possess a natural Charming Power.’
’Especially after they become a true woman, their allure is enough to bewitch a man to his very soul—they are true natural-born temptresses.’
’Second, women with this bloodline produce a substance in their bodies called Charm Demon Jade Liquid.’
’This substance isn’t a conventional Heavenly Material or Earthly Treasure, but it can cleanse a Cultivator’s meridians and purify their marrow, continuously improving their aptitude for Cultivation.’
’Furthermore, it’s not a one-time resource; a new portion is generated at regular intervals.’
’This makes the woman’s body a renewable source of what is essentially a Miracle Elixir for cultivators of the opposite sex.’
’That’s why Qin Susu would never have dared to reveal her secret.’
’But now she’s realized she probably won’t be able to reach Foundation Establishment in time, and if that happens, her bloodline will be lost.’
Therefore, after much consideration, she had come to find Zhang Chi.
In her eyes, Zhang Chi was clearly the only person with the ability and reliability to help her, someone who wouldn’t just treat her as a tool.
"That’s right. So, Martial Uncle, will you help me?" Qin Susu nodded, her voice a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
"Even with your Charm Demon Bloodline, I can’t guarantee I can help you. However, I can certainly try my best."
"And if I succeed, you don’t have to become my Maid. You only need to provide me with the Charm Demon Jade Liquid," Zhang Chi said after a moment’s thought.
Clearly, he disdained taking advantage of someone in their moment of desperation.
He believed matters between a man and a woman should be consensual. Even Lan Xuan had been the one to offer to serve him.
Besides, he wasn’t even certain he could actually help her.
After all, luck played a huge part in reaching Foundation Establishment.
’Unless I can find a Top Grade Cultivation Technique to help her cultivate quickly and successfully.’
’Otherwise, if her luck is bad, she’ll fail no matter what.’
The reason he was willing to help was twofold. First, he was wealthy enough, and the Charm Demon Jade Liquid would indeed be of great use to him.
Second, he had the Jade Pendant, which might actually be able to help her recover quickly.
The Jade Pendant had no healing properties, but it should be able to purge the hidden damage caused by her failed breakthrough.
"Thank you, Martial Uncle. But regardless of the outcome, I still wish to be your concubine. I’ve always admired you, and... taking the Charm Demon Jade Liquid will require frequent physical intimacy."
"In that case, my heart could never belong to another man. Unless... you despise me, Martial Uncle, and see me only as a tool!" Qin Susu said with determination.
"You admire me? Weren’t you and He Shi both interested in Chen Bufan?" Zhang Chi asked, slightly taken aback and confused.
"Not at all! Back then, that was just admiration for a High Tier Cultivator, nothing more. Besides, Martial Uncle, the aptitude you’ve displayed has long surpassed Chen Bufan’s, and you’ve been so good to me over the years. The truth is, I’ve wanted to be by your side for a long time!"
Qin Susu froze for a moment before rushing to deny it.
"Alright. In that case, you can stay with me from now on."
It dawned on Zhang Chi, and he nodded in agreement.
’He knew he couldn’t take her Charm Demon Jade Liquid and then let her be with another man in the future.’
’Besides, with a bloodline like that, she was qualified to walk the path of cultivation with him for a long, long time.’
’And of course, most importantly, he genuinely admired her beauty, her competence, and the courage she’d just shown by speaking her heart.’
"Yes, thank you, Martial Uncle."
A smile blossomed on Qin Susu’s face. Deep down, she felt a pang of reluctance at losing her "freedom," but it was overshadowed by a much greater sense of relief and joy.
After all, to her, Zhang Chi was a true powerhouse, excellent in other respects as well, and truly someone worthy of entrusting her life to.
If not for her special bloodline, she never would have had such an opportunity.
"I, Qin Susu..."
Then, Qin Susu swore an oath to the heavens, taking out a special Spirit Contract and letting a drop of her blood fall onto it.
The Spirit Contract was called a Unity Contract, used exclusively by cultivation partners. Although she was to be a concubine, she could still use it; the terms would just be slightly different.
Zhang Chi didn’t refuse.
’After all, people’s hearts are fickle. If they were going to be together, she would eventually learn some of his secrets. Having these bindings in place was for the best.’
"Alright, drink this Spirit Wine," Zhang Chi said, taking out a cup of cyan-colored Spirit Wine and handing it to her.
"Alright."
Qin Susu’s face instantly turned a deeper shade of red, thinking he was offering it to ease her awkwardness and help her... get into the mood more quickly.
But she had already steeled herself. She immediately took the cup and downed it in one gulp, only to pass out cold the very next moment.
’A mere Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivator, drinking a Tier Two Peak Spirit Wine like that... It’d be a miracle if you *didn’t* pass out!’ Zhang Chi smiled faintly, took a step forward, and reached out with his hands.