Cultivation: Immunity to Negative Effects

"A Fake Core Demon Beast?"

Zhang Chi had a sudden realization upon hearing this.

When a Demon Beast reached Tier Three, it was the same as a human breaking through to the Golden Core Realm—both went through a process of Solidifying a Pill.

The resulting True Demon Pill was similar to a human’s Golden Core. Based on quality, they were graded from lowest to highest: Inferior, Low Grade, Middle Grade, Upper Grade, Top Grade, and even the legendary Celestial Grade.

Among these, an Inferior Demon Pill, much like an Inferior Golden Core, was also known as Pseudo Grade, Substandard, and sometimes, a Fake Core.

A Fake Core Cultivator was the weakest type of Golden Core. Not only was their Lifespan only a hundred years longer than a Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s, but their Combat Power was also considered the weakest of their tier.

The Fake Core Demon Beast was in a similar situation.

But even if they were the weakest of their tier, a Fake Core Cultivator was still a Golden Core Powerhouse. A Fake Core Demon Beast was still a Tier Three Demon Beast. Therefore, they were by no means comparable to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

That was precisely why these Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators from top Immortal Sects were thinking of joining forces to deal with that Fake Core Demon Beast.

It was also only because the Demon Beast had a Fake Core that they even dared to try. Otherwise, they would have no hope at all, even if they joined forces.

"Fellow Daoist, what do you think?"

"If you agree, Fellow Daoist, we can sign a Spirit Contract and form a temporary offensive and defensive alliance. That way, we won’t have to worry about anyone causing trouble from within."

"But if you don’t agree, then we’ll have to take some necessary measures. After all, if you were to take the opportunity to run into the Oasis while we’re fighting the Demon Beast, or sneak attack us from behind, that would be... less than ideal!"

The seven Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators continued to press him, their tone a mix of persuasion and threat.

"I have no problem joining forces. I agree. However, I’m not actually at Foundation Establishment Peak. My Body Refining Cultivation is just a bit stronger, which is how I was able to get here. You don’t mind, do you?"

"Also, I need some Spirit Stones—the more, the better. I hope you can provide them. I can trade Spirit Medicines and the like for them."

Zhang Chi could understand their position. After a moment of contemplation, he immediately nodded, but not before stating his situation and adding his own conditions.

In truth, he could storm the Oasis directly with his Ancient Treasure Wood Carving, but he wasn’t certain he could instantly kill the Fake Core Demon Beast.

’If I can’t kill it instantly, I’ll have wasted my trump card for nothing.’

Besides, he had trump cards, and these people certainly did too.

If he used his while they held back, he would be at a disadvantage when it truly mattered.

Therefore, joining forces was undoubtedly the best and least costly option.

’These Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators are so keen on an alliance for the same reason.’

And with a Spirit Contract as a safeguard, he wouldn’t have to worry about any treachery.

Especially since others would be bound by the Spirit Contract, while he could ignore it. This undoubtedly gave him the upper hand.

As for revealing his Cultivation level beforehand, it was because he knew he couldn’t hide it once they teamed up. Admitting it upfront would seem more sincere.

He wasn’t worried that revealing his Cultivation would put him in danger.

After all, even if he couldn’t defeat these Cultivators, he had no doubt he could escape unscathed.

"You’re not at Foundation Establishment Peak?"

"Then how did you get here? Could it be that your Body Refining Realm has reached Tier Two Peak?"

The seven Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators were astonished.

Zhang Chi had been using the Divine Concealment Technique and hadn’t made a move, leading them to assume he was also at Foundation Establishment Peak, just keeping it hidden.

"Not quite. My Body Refining is only at Tier Two Late Stage, but my Body Refining Technique is a Top Grade one, so my Combat Power is comparable to the Foundation Establishment Peak," Zhang Chi said frankly, shaking his head.

The Celestial Net Evil Body Technique was Upper Grade, but when he used both types of Evil Qi simultaneously, its Mighty Power was comparable to a Top Grade technique. So, calling it Top Grade wasn’t exactly a lie.

’This way, they won’t be able to guess which Body Refining Technique I cultivate, and thus won’t know my true secrets.’

"So that’s how it is!"

"As long as your Combat Power is strong enough, your Cultivation level doesn’t matter!"

"That’s right, and trading for Spirit Stones is no problem either. In fact, we were planning on holding a trade meet toward the end of this Exploration anyway, so everyone could get what they need!"

The seven Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators finally understood, and their gazes toward Zhang Chi held a new level of respect.

Any Top Grade Cultivation Technique was extremely difficult to obtain and even harder to cultivate.

The fact that Zhang Chi could obtain one, cultivate it to Tier Two Late Stage, and arrive here just like them, clearly meant he was no ordinary person.

’I just wonder which Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivator is going to lose their spot to this guy!’

At the same time, the Cultivators felt a bit of pity for the three Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators who hadn’t arrived yet.

The three Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators belonged to the Divine Sword Sect, the Cyan Cloud Sect, and the Cangwu Sect.

The Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators from the seven other major Immortal Sects were all present—five men and two women, not one missing.

"Then there’s no problem. Let’s sign the Spirit Contract now," Zhang Chi said immediately, his worries assuaged.

"Alright!"

The seven Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators all smiled.

They were curious as to why Zhang Chi was in such desperate need of Spirit Stones.

After all, Spirit Stones normally couldn’t be used to rapidly increase one’s strength.

But since Zhang Chi didn’t elaborate, they didn’t pry into his private affairs.

Then, they took out a Spirit Contract, imprinted the detailed terms onto it, and signed it along with Zhang Chi.

As for the other two, they could just sign it after they arrived.

In fact, Zhang Chi signing on with them was also a late addition.

Before signing, Zhang Chi read the contents but found no issues.

That was to be expected; after all, no one was a fool.

Afterward, the atmosphere among the group immediately relaxed.

"I don’t have many Spirit Stones left, only seventy thousand. If you don’t mind the small amount, Junior Brother, you can trade Tier Two Spirit Medicines for them. As long as the price is fair, any kind will do."

"That’s right. I have sixty thousand. You can trade Tier Two Demon Beast Materials for them as well."

One after another, the Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators spoke up.

As for Core Formation Spiritual Objects, they wanted those even more but didn’t mention them.

They had made extensive preparations for this Exploration, which meant they didn’t have that many Spirit Stones on hand. Unless they bartered, they couldn’t afford a single Core Formation Spiritual Object.

Besides, the Exploration wasn’t over yet. There was no need to rush into trading for Core Formation Spiritual Objects.

Who knows, they might get lucky later and find the Core Formation Spiritual Objects they needed themselves.

"No problem, I’ll take all of those Spirit Stones!"

Zhang Chi nodded happily and immediately took out some Demon Beast Materials and Spirit Medicines to trade with them.

He took out relatively more Demon Beast Materials, however, as they took up more space than the Spirit Medicines.

And even though these Cultivators didn’t have many Spirit Stones on them—and certainly hadn’t taken them all out—he quickly managed to trade for a total of four hundred thousand Low Grade Spirit Stones.

"Alright, thank you, Senior Brothers and Sisters. I have to leave for a moment, but I’ll be back within half an hour," Zhang Chi said to the group before quickly flying away.

"Fine, we’ll wait for you."

"There are many Demon Beasts in the desert. Be careful!"

The group grew even more curious, but they still refrained from digging for answers.

Besides, with everyone watching, it would be difficult for anyone to secretly follow Zhang Chi even if they wanted to.

More importantly, the Spirit Contract they had just signed stipulated that no one was allowed to engage in activities like tracking a companion before entering the Oasis.

What happened after they dealt with the Demon Beast and entered the Oasis was another matter entirely.

After all, everyone wanted to rely on their own abilities, and they all knew that scheming and even fighting to the death were inevitable when true opportunities were at stake.

’I didn’t expect to gather the Spirit Stones so quickly!’

Zhang Chi moved far away from the Oasis and set up an Array. He then took out the Black Coffin again and threw all the Spirit Stones he had just acquired directly into it.

ROAR!

Soon, the Corpse Puppet was roaring, violently absorbing the light and Spiritual Qi from the Black Coffin. It finally broke through in one fell swoop, reaching Tier Two Late Stage.

Its appearance didn’t change much, looking even more like a living person, but its physical strength, defense, and Corpse Evil had all grown stronger.

The breakthrough inevitably caused some disturbance.

However, thanks to the concealing Array and the distance from the Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators, it went unnoticed.

Of course, Zhang Chi had long since left a Phantom Beetle near the other Cultivators, which was how he could be so certain that they hadn’t noticed his Corpse Puppet’s breakthrough.

"Good. My Body Refining strength is comparable to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and the Corpse Puppet has also broken through. Adding my own Combat Power and other methods, this exploration of the Oasis is sure to be foolproof!"

Zhang Chi was overjoyed.

Clearly, he had traded for the Spirit Stones precisely for his Corpse Puppet.

The only regret was that for the Corpse Puppet to break through again, it would require over a million Spirit Stones.

Unless those Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators gave him everything they had, there was no way to gather that many Spirit Stones.

With that, Zhang Chi put away the Black Coffin and returned to the gathering spot of the Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators outside the Oasis.

Two more Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators had arrived in his absence: one from the Cangwu Sect and the other from the Divine Sword Sect.

As for the one from the Cyan Cloud Sect, he was clearly a step too late. Even if he wanted to come now, the passage was gone.

"What happened to that Senior Brother Ning? His Cultivation is at least in the top five among us, so how did he end up last?" a Cultivator asked in confusion.

As he spoke, he couldn’t help but glance at Zhang Chi, and the other Cultivators did the same.

"It seems four Foundation Establishment Middle Stage disciples from the Cyan Cloud Sect perished shortly after entering the Secret Realm. And they were carrying Core Formation Spiritual Objects, so that Senior Brother Ning spent some time investigating the matter," said the Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivator from the Divine Sword Sect.

At the same time, he couldn’t help but feel a little fortunate.

’Thankfully, he was delayed by this matter and missed his chance. Otherwise, I might have been the one left behind.’

It wasn’t that the other party was careless; it was just that no one had expected a dark horse like Zhang Chi to emerge from the ranks of the other Cultivators.

After all, everyone present had come through that passage and knew exactly how dangerous it was.

Normally, aside from Foundation Establishment Peak experts like themselves, any other Cultivator—even those with Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivation—would have certainly died upon entering the passage.

"So that’s what happened!"

Everyone understood.

"What a pity!"

"I guess you could just say he and the Cyan Cloud Sect have bad luck!"

At the same time, everyone felt a bit of sympathy for Senior Brother Ning.

The Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivator from the Cangwu Sect, like the one from the Divine Sword Sect, also felt a sense of relief.

In truth, after Zhang Chi arrived, he, the Cultivator from the Divine Sword Sect, and Senior Brother Ning had all received a notification via a Secret Technique from the Cultivators already present.

The three of them had then rushed over with all their might.

It was just a shame that Senior Brother Ning from the Cyan Cloud Sect was too far away and ended up being a step too late.

"Everyone, don’t worry. I’m actually a Cyan Cloud Sect Cultivator, so it won’t make much of a difference that Senior Brother Ning couldn’t make it," Zhang Chi suddenly said, struck by an idea.

’Once we’re in the Oasis, conflicts are inevitable. If I use the title of a Cyan Cloud Sect Cultivator, I can just pin the blame on the Cyan Cloud Sect if anything goes wrong.’