Chapter 209: Nascent Soul True Monarch
Master Jian accompanied Zhang Chi, and when they arrived, many Golden Core Elders had already gathered in the Floating Celestial Palace.
These Golden Core Elders were at least at the Middle Stage, all of them true high-ranking members of the Sect.
However, the one seated in the highest position of the Celestial Palace’s grand hall was not one of them, but a young Cultivator in white robes. He had a handsome, graceful bearing, yet his posture was casual.
Though this Cultivator appeared young, his eyes held the profound weight of ages, as if suns and moons rose and fell within their depths. Even though he wasn’t deliberately releasing any pressure, the many Golden Core Masters present felt an immense strain.
And he was none other than the Cangwu Sect’s Supreme Elder, Lu Daoyi, a Nascent Soul Early Stage powerhouse.
He was also the Cangwu Sect’s only Nascent Soul True Monarch.
"You must be Zhang Chi? Not bad. Come with me. I have some things to ask you in private."
Before Zhang Chi even had a chance to bow, Lu Daoyi sized him up and spoke first.
At the same time, Zhang Chi instantly felt a powerful Divine Thought sweep over him.
Moreover, under that gaze, Zhang Chi had the distinct feeling that all his secrets were being seen through.
WHOOSH!
Then, before Zhang Chi could respond, Lu Daoyi waved his wide sleeve. A gentle yet irresistibly powerful force immediately bound Zhang Chi and whisked him away.
Zhang Chi felt the world spin, and when he recovered, he found himself in a secret chamber.
There was another person in the secret chamber—Lu Daoyi, the one who had brought him there.
"Supreme Elder, please ask what you will. This disciple will tell you everything I know and hold nothing back," Zhang Chi said respectfully.
Even though he had mentally prepared himself and had even performed a divination beforehand that told him this trip would be safe, he couldn’t help but feel incredibly nervous.
After all, this was a being who could kill him as easily as flicking a finger.
’If it weren’t for gaining the rights to use a higher-grade Spiritual Vein and acquiring more Cultivation resources, I really wouldn’t have wanted to publicly reveal that I had formed a Top Grade Golden Core, let alone face this Nascent Soul powerhouse.’
"What I want to ask is simple. It’s just about how you managed to form a Top Grade Golden Core."
"I’ve already looked into your background. You only had a Middle Grade Spirit Root when you joined the Sect. Aside from an exceptional Heart, there was nothing particularly special about you. Under normal circumstances, you would have struggled just to reach Foundation Establishment, let alone form a Top Grade Golden Core."
"Of course, this is your secret. You can choose not to tell us. The Sect and I will not force you. But if that’s your choice, it will be harder for the Sect and me to protect you."
"After all, sometimes a secret left unsaid is more coveted than one revealed," Lu Daoyi said, cutting straight to the chase.
"I understand, and I am willing to speak. The truth is, I have a Top Grade Spirit Root..."
Zhang Chi had anticipated this and immediately repeated the "secret" he had previously told Master Jian.
"This is the Spirit Fire, the Cultivation Technique, and the Secret Technique. Supreme Elder, please see for yourself."
Finally, Zhang Chi directly revealed the Fire of Hundred Herbs, activated the Li Fire Scripture—which was enhanced by the flame—and demonstrated the Hidden Spirit Secret Skill.
WHOOSH!
Lu Daoyi watched without speaking, then suddenly shot out a hand and grabbed Zhang Chi’s wrist.
He then sent his Divine Thought and Spiritual Power out to inspect him carefully. A moment later, he nodded slightly and released his hand.
Meanwhile, Zhang Chi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
’A moment ago, I was terrified he would discover my Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique, the Jade Pendant, and my other secrets.’
’Thankfully, my Perfection Level Divine Concealment Technique and Elemental Transformation Technique were effective enough, and I had hidden the Jade Pendant long ago. In the end, everything went smoothly.’
"Not bad. I have investigated, and you do indeed possess a Top Grade Spirit Root. There’s no issue with your Cultivation Technique either. I must say, you’ve had some incredible luck, you’re cautious enough, and most critically, you have exceptionally good fortune."
"But this secret of yours isn’t that great a matter. It could be made public to prevent others from speculating wildly. And I, along with the Sect, am fully capable of protecting you."
"Of course, to make everyone truly believe it, it would be best for you to publicly swear an oath to the heavens and then be tested by the Heart-Inquiry Treasure Mirror to prove you aren’t lying. Are you willing?"
"If you are unwilling, or if there’s some inconvenient truth you’d rather not discuss, tell me now, lest something goes wrong later."
Lu Daoyi’s words, though not accusatory, came with conditions, all framed as being for Zhang Chi’s own good.
"I am willing!"
Zhang Chi nodded at once, without the slightest hesitation.
’He might genuinely be looking out for me, but that’s a different matter entirely if I’m lying.’
’Normally, lying would trigger a backlash from the oath, and the Heart-Inquiry Treasure Mirror would expose the deception.’
’Therefore, if I didn’t want to get into trouble, my only choice would be to reveal the whole truth, and this Supreme Elder could then act as he saw fit.’
’But I am not afraid. I have no fear of heavenly oaths or the Heart-Inquiry Treasure Mirror—a fact that even Lu Daoyi could never imagine.’
’Besides, I know that while Lu Daoyi seems to be chatting with me amicably, he’s definitely using the powerful Divine Soul of a Nascent Soul powerhouse to sense my emotional fluctuations.’
’If I were a normal Golden Core Early Stage Cultivator, he would have already detected a flaw in my demeanor by now.’
’But I’m not. My Divine Soul is comparable to someone at the Nascent Soul Early Stage, not much weaker than Lu Daoyi’s. Naturally, I wouldn’t give anything away.’
’Of course, I didn’t suppress all of my emotional fluctuations, because that would have been abnormal in itself.’
"Mm, good."
Lu Daoyi nodded, satisfied.
Although Lu Daoyi was somewhat surprised by the Hundred Herbs Spirit Fire, its offensive power was only average. Just as Jian Jinfeng had predicted, he showed no intention of seizing it.
After that, Lu Daoyi asked Zhang Chi a few more questions with a feigned air of casual concern.
For example, he asked why Zhang Chi had remained hidden, and Zhang Chi explained his reasoning, which amounted to the general insecurity felt by a Loose Cultivator.
Next, Lu Daoyi asked for some details about how Zhang Chi had obtained the Spirit Fire and Cultivation Technique, and Zhang Chi answered every question.
The excuse he had concocted was simple: when he was very young, a Spirit Fire had fallen from the sky, and the Cultivation Technique was inside the flame.
He was knocked unconscious when it struck him, and when he woke up, he had inexplicably mastered both the Spirit Fire and the Cultivation Technique. Due to the unusual circumstances, he claimed to know no further details.
As outrageous as the story sounded, it paradoxically made Lu Daoyi more inclined to believe it.
After all, fortuitous encounters in the Immortal Cultivation Realm were a varied and colorful affair; the kind Zhang Chi described was not particularly bizarre.
With that, Lu Daoyi waved his hand and led Zhang Chi out of the chamber.
"So that’s how it is!"
Zhang Chi immediately announced the secret of his Spirit Fire and Spirit Root, causing a wave of understanding to wash over the Golden Core Elders.
Afterward, Zhang Chi demonstrated his Spirit Fire in front of everyone and, as prearranged with Lu Daoyi, voluntarily swore an oath that he had told the truth.
At Zhang Chi’s own request, the Sect Leader brought out the Heart-Inquiry Treasure Mirror. Zhang Chi revealed no flaws under the Treasure Mirror’s light, and thus, the Golden Core Elders no longer held even a shred of doubt.
It is worth mentioning that this Heart-Inquiry Treasure Mirror was the very same golden Treasure Mirror Zhang Chi had encountered when he first joined the sect. Because of this, he passed the test with ease.
Swearing an oath to the heavens was also no trouble for Zhang Chi, though it did cause the color of his Jade Pendant to change slightly.
’Thankfully, the Jade Pendant’s upper limit increased after my Cultivation improved. Otherwise, I really might not have been able to pass both of those consecutive tests.’
Zhang Chi had expected as much, but he still couldn’t help but let out a quiet sigh of relief.