Chapter 206: The Song Family’s Decision
’Thank goodness I never offended Zhang Chi in the past, but what a shame. If only I had built a good relationship with him earlier, like Shangguan Hui did. I used to think Shangguan Hui was a little foolish for giving away a Tier Three Puppet, but now it seems I was the fool!’
At that moment, Yan Tengfei’s heart was filled with both relief and regret.
Meanwhile, Li Ruohai, Shangguan Hui, and the others stared at Zhang Chi, as if seeing him for the first time.
"Of course," Zhang Chi replied to Zhong Yu with a smile.
’Forget Zhong Yu and the others. Based on cultivation alone, even Master Jian would sooner or later become my junior. That would be completely inappropriate.’
After all, though he hadn’t spent much time with his fellow disciples since joining the Sect, they and his master had always treated him well.
"Greetings, Junior Martial Uncle Zhang!"
After the Golden Core Masters had finished their congratulations, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators all spoke up, bowing in unison.
Chen Bufan, Chen Ling’Er, and the others did the same.
’The first time I went to the Demon Abyss was the first time I truly met Zhang Chi. I even encouraged him in the tone of a senior, saying he had a chance of reaching Foundation Establishment before he turned sixty.’
’Now, he’s just over sixty, and he’s not only reached Foundation Establishment but has also formed a Top Grade Golden Core and become my Junior Martial Uncle. Life is truly unpredictable and full of surprises!’
Chen Bufan lamented inwardly.
He had always been daring and diligent in his cultivation, refusing to submit to anyone despite his average Spirit Root. But when it came to Zhang Chi, he suddenly felt powerless.
Previously, Zhang Chi’s displayed cultivation had been similar to his, and he had even schemed to leave him in the dust.
Only now did he realize that he had likely been surpassed long, long ago.
Following a normal progression, it would take him at least a hundred years to reach the peak of the Foundation Establishment Stage. After that, preparing the Core Formation Spiritual Objects would surely take several more years.
Therefore, he would likely be around two hundred years old before he could attempt Core Formation, and the Golden Core he would form would probably be Middle Grade at best.
And that was only because he possessed an Innate Sword Bone. Otherwise, the absolute best he could hope for would be a Low Grade Golden Core.
’No, wait. There’s one thing I’m better at—my Sword Control Technique is superior. If we were at the same Realm, my Combat Power would definitely be far greater than his.’
With this thought, he finally found a sense of balance.
"Junior Martial Uncle..."
Qin Susu and the others could only look up to Zhang Chi in awe.
He Shi and the others were incredibly envious of Qin Susu. To become Zhang Chi’s woman, even as a concubine, was undoubtedly a great fortune.
Before, they had actually pitied Qin Susu, thinking that with her looks and abilities, she could have found a proper Dao companion of similar standing if she tried.
’Zhang Chi is actually this outstanding? Then back then...’
Chen Ling’Er was once again reminded of when Patriarch Chen had proposed to match her with Zhang Chi.
She had decisively rejected the offer.
At the time, she had even stated her conditions for choosing a partner.
But looking at it now, Zhang Chi not only met her standards, he far exceeded them.
She used to think Qin Susu lacked ambition, humbling herself before Zhang Chi, but now she couldn’t help but envy the other woman’s foresight.
After all, barring any accidents, there was a very high probability that Zhang Chi would achieve the Nascent Soul Realm in his lifetime.
When that time came, as long as Qin Susu was still alive, her status would surely rise with his.
’No, Chen Ling’Er, you cannot let your Dao heart waver. Although Zhang Chi is outstanding, he isn’t an expert in the Sword Dao, so he doesn’t actually meet your criteria. Besides, you don’t need a Dao companion at all!’
However, Chen Ling’Er was no ordinary woman. She had her own pride and quickly regained her composure.
"Sect Leader, where is the Song Family? I think it’s time to clear some things up from the past. Also, there was a problem with the arrangement of the mission roster before. It needs to be investigated!"
Zhang Chi gave a slight nod in response to the greetings from the many Foundation Establishment Cultivators, then turned his gaze back to the Sect Leader.
He was looking for the Song Family to settle old scores.
After all, the grudge of having his cultivation path obstructed was one that had to be repaid.
The Xie Family had already been destroyed, but the Song Family had not.
Now that he had formed a Top Grade Golden Core, even if the Song Family had ties to the Supreme Elder, it wouldn’t stop him from seeking justice and collecting some interest.
As he spoke, however, he suddenly realized that the Golden Core Dwarf and the other members of the Song Family were not present.
But they had clearly been there when the Spirit Snake had its breakthrough.
"Junior Brother Zhang has a point. However, it seems Junior Brother Song and the others have already left. So, Junior Brother Zhang, you’ll have to wait a moment while I send a message asking them to come over."
The Sect Leader and the others had anticipated this move from Zhang Chi, so they weren’t surprised, but they too had only just noticed the Song Family was missing.
The Sect Leader immediately tried to contact the Song Family’s ancestor, but after waiting for quite a while, there was no response.
"I’ll go take a look!" Junior Sister Yun said, volunteering impatiently.
"Alright, thank you for making the trip," the Sect Leader said with a nod.
"Sect Leader, this is bad! The Song Family has fled. Even Song Yuqian is gone. She must have escaped with them..."
Soon, Junior Sister Yun returned, bringing shocking news.
"What? Junior Sister, are you sure?"
"Why would they run? Are they afraid Junior Brother Zhang will settle scores with them?"
"Is it really that serious? It was just a small matter back then. Isn’t Song Yuqian from the Song Family the Supreme Elder’s concubine? Is she afraid of Junior Brother Zhang Chi too?"
"Heh, how could they not be afraid? She’s not the Supreme Elder’s only concubine. And while it might have been a small matter back then, the Song Family has surely targeted Junior Brother Zhang in secret more than once over the years; we just don’t know about it. If they didn’t run, the consequences would be unimaginable if they were found out."
"Indeed. The arrangement for Junior Brother Zhang to go to Yuan Bei was very likely a false order from Song Yuqian. That’s no small matter. Besides, the Song Family has been arrogant and domineering for years, and they’ve certainly done plenty of shady things."
"Mhm, and a concubine’s status isn’t high. Do you really think the Supreme Elder would antagonize a Nascent Soul Seed like Junior Brother Zhang over a mere concubine?"
"That’s right. If Junior Brother Zhang had an ordinary Golden Core, even an Upper Grade one, the Song Family wouldn’t have needed to run. The Supreme Elder would have certainly mediated. But a Top Grade Golden Core is a different story."
"The Supreme Elder is only a little over six hundred years old and still has a long Lifespan ahead of him. He has always wanted to venture out to seek opportunities for a further breakthrough but was hampered by the lack of a Nascent Soul successor. Now that Junior Brother Zhang has appeared, he would absolutely not let a mere concubine interfere with something so important."
The crowd murmured in astonishment. At first, they were bewildered, but after thinking it over, they all felt it was a matter of course.
They even thought that while the Song Family was unlucky, they were also smart and decisive enough to flee when they knew the situation was bad.
Moreover, it was obvious they hadn’t just left; they had been gone for several days.
Therefore, even if the Sect wanted to pursue them, it was likely too late.
Of course, out of respect for the Supreme Elder, the Sect wouldn’t actually give chase even if they had the means and ability to do so.
Not unless the Supreme Elder gave an explicit order.
"Junior Brother Zhang, you see..." the Sect Leader said helplessly.
"Forget it. Out of respect for the Supreme Elder, I’ll let them off the hook this time. But they can forget about ever returning to the Sect. Otherwise, I will definitely challenge that dwarf to a life-and-death duel. Even if I’m not his match now, I will kill him sooner or later!"
Zhang Chi smiled faintly, not making things difficult for the Sect Leader and the others, even appearing quite magnanimous.
’Run? In your dreams. You will all die sooner or later! The day I reach the Golden Core Middle Stage or Late Stage will be the day your Song Family is annihilated!’
In reality, however, Zhang Chi’s heart was filled with killing intent. He never had any intention of letting the Song Family go.
After all, Zhang Chi understood the principle perfectly: if you cut the weeds but don’t pull out the roots, they will just grow back in the spring.