Cultivation: Immunity to Negative Effects

Hong Jin’Er’s luck was also quite good. Coupled with her Dual Cultivation of Body and Spirit over the years, she quickly triggered a celestial phenomenon and successfully broke through.

In fact, she became a Foundation Establishment Cultivator at a much younger age than Hong Hu had.

"Martial Uncle, I succeeded! Thank you, Martial Uncle! *Sob*..."

After emerging from seclusion, Hong Jin’Er cried tears of joy. The moment she saw Zhang Chi, she immediately dropped to her knees to thank him.

Ten years ago, she never would have dreamed that she could one day truly become a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse with a Lifespan of three hundred years.

With her and Hong Hu, the Hong Family now had two Foundation Establishment cultivators. They had truly prospered, directly surpassing their former peak.

And this wonderful situation was, without a doubt, single-handedly orchestrated by Zhang Chi!

"Haha, there’s no need for that. I did help you, but this is also because Senior Brother Hong had foresight. More importantly, you worked hard enough and your luck wasn’t bad. Also, just call me Senior Brother from now on," Zhang Chi said with a hearty laugh.

With her reaching Foundation Establishment, his promise was finally more or less fulfilled.

In fact, he had been a little nervous before.

After all, her chances of successfully reaching Foundation Establishment were only about fifty-fifty. Failure would have definitely led to some trouble.

"Alright, Senior Brother. I have an audacious request, and I hope you will grant it."

"I want to become your Maid, to repay your kindness and in exchange for your protection!"

Hong Jin’Er readily changed her form of address but did not rise. Instead, she steeled herself and voiced a plan she had held in her heart for a long time.

"Why would you think of that? You’re a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse now. Where have you ever seen a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse volunteer to be a Maid for a Cultivator of the Same Tier?" Zhang Chi was taken aback, completely caught off guard.

"I’ve had this thought for a long time. Back when I was in the Medicinal Garden, I greatly admired you, Senior Brother, and wanted to be by your side. I just lacked the courage and qualifications at the time."

"Besides, my family knows about this decision, and they all support it!" Hong Jin’Er immediately added.

"I see. However, I cannot agree. I don’t need a Maid. But I understand your sentiment, and I will continue to look after you and Hong Hu, so you can rest assured."

It dawned on Zhang Chi.

But he decisively refused her. After all, he had far too many secrets to accept a Maid.

Besides, he didn’t want to be saddled with a burden.

He was not made of wood or stone. If she became his Maid and died in the future when her Lifespan ran out, he would surely be heartbroken.

But he would be powerless to stop it, unless he was willing to let his own dao path be severed for her sake.

"Alright, Senior Brother. Thank you, Senior brother!"

Having been rejected, the rims of Hong Jin’Er’s eyes reddened, but she didn’t dare to press the issue and quickly lowered her head in response.

Fortunately, Zhang Chi had promised to continue looking after her and Hong Hu, which was already an excellent outcome.

Pestering him would only be counterproductive.

After that, Zhang Chi gave Hong Jin’Er some pointers, and just then, Hong Hu also arrived, having heard the news.

He was overjoyed to learn that Hong Jin’Er had reached Foundation Establishment, and he too expressed his profound gratitude to Zhang Chi.

He wasn’t particularly surprised that Hong Jin’Er had failed in her bid to become a Maid.

Having followed Zhang Chi for a long time, he was well aware of his character.

However, since Hong Jin’Er insisted on trying, he hadn’t stopped her. After all, there was no harm in being rejected, but the payoff for succeeding would have been immense.

After that, the three of them chatted for a while before the Hong siblings finally took their leave.

A few days later, Hong Jin’Er held a celebration for her breakthrough to Foundation Establishment. Zhang Chi arrived on time and presented her with a Top Grade Magical Artifact, which drew the envy and contemplation of many Cultivators.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, Hong Jin’Er also formally joined the Upper Sect.

After all, she had reached Foundation Establishment at a relatively young age, and her potential was far greater than Senior Brother Hong’s had been back then.

The next six months brought even more good news.

First, of Qin Susu, He Yan, and He Shi, two successfully reached Foundation Establishment.

Second, Shangguan Hui finally succeeded in her Core Formation, and it was a Middle Grade Peak Golden Core at that—just a hair’s breadth from Upper Grade and even slightly better in quality than Li Ruohai’s Golden Core.

Zhang Chi’s contribution to this success was, without a doubt, indispensable.

Back then, Shangguan Hui had received the Dust Condensing Pill. After returning, she used her extra Blue Crystal Grass to trade for Deer Horn Ganoderma, used an opportunity granted by the Sect to acquire Profound Pure Qi, and, with Master Jian’s help, also obtained the Blood Jade Coral.

Including the stalk of Blue Crystal Grass she had originally collected, she had a total of four additional Core Formation Spiritual Objects. With all that, it would have been difficult to fail even if she tried!

Of course, her own Spirit Root was also very important.

Furthermore, as a Puppet Master, her Divine Soul was quite strong. These were all important factors contributing to the fine quality of her Golden Core.

When the news arrived, Zhong Yu made a special trip back to the Sect, but Zhang Chi didn’t return. He simply had Zhong Yu carry a letter and a gift to congratulate Shangguan Hui.

In response, Shangguan Hui sent no reply but came along with Zhong Yu on her return trip.

Even Li Ruohai and Yan Tengfei came along as well.

"Junior Brother, I will be stationed at Demon Suppression Peak for a time. Barring any surprises, I will remain here until you leave the Demon Abyss. Of course, this isn’t me repaying a debt. I’m doing this of my own free will."

"This way, I can conveniently protect you as well, so don’t even think about refusing."

On the summit of Divine Needle Peak, upon seeing Zhang Chi, Shangguan Hui offered no words of thanks, but instead made this solemn promise.

"Alright!"

Zhang Chi was taken aback but could only agree.

Fortunately, this was not a bad thing for him.

In any case, with Corpse Puppet No. 1 present, even though she was now a Golden Core, she posed no threat to him. Her presence would only make his situation safer.

"What are you doing here?"

Besides Shangguan Hui and the others, another unexpected guest arrived at Divine Needle Peak that day.

This person was none other than Qin Susu.

She was still as beautiful as she had been more than twenty years ago, and had even gained a mature charm brought by the passing of years, making her all the more captivating.

But her eyes were filled with sorrow, and a fair amount of her hair had turned white.

Her Cultivation was still at Qi Cultivation Perfection, but the fluctuations of her Spiritual Power were extremely faint and unstable.

Evidently, while He Yan and He Shi had both successfully reached Foundation Establishment, her luck had run out, and she had failed.

The failure had caused her great physical harm and dealt a heavy blow to her spirit.

’Sigh!’

Zhang Chi sighed inwardly.

For an ordinary Cultivator, reaching Foundation Establishment had always involved a great deal of luck.

After all, not everyone could be like him and simply max out their chances of success.

In fact, the success of both the Hong Family Siblings and the He Family Siblings in reaching Foundation Establishment was entirely due to good luck.

Zhang Chi’s assistance had only been an aid, nothing more.

Therefore, when he had previously learned of Qin Susu’s failure, he had felt sympathy but not much surprise.

"I’ve come to beg for your help, Martial Uncle. I’m willing to give up everything—including myself!"

By this point, Zhong Yu, Shangguan Hui, and the others had long since departed, leaving only Qin Susu and Zhang Chi in the Peak Master’s cave residence on Divine Needle Peak.

Hearing Zhang Chi’s question, Qin Susu fell silent for a moment before suddenly steeling herself and dropping to her knees.

"There’s no need for this. We are friends, so of course I’ll help you. I have a Little Soul Reviving Pill that can help you recover quickly. After another eight or ten years of recuperation, you can try for Foundation Establishment again."

"You’ll only be around sixty by then. If you use these next ten years to prepare more thoroughly, you’ll still have a very good chance of succeeding."

"I know that, but I want to reach Foundation Establishment sooner. This is extremely important to me!" Qin Susu said, shaking her head slightly.