Cultivation: Immunity to Negative Effects

Zhang Chi was a little surprised that the Song Family had fled, but he had already guessed as much while waiting for news.

While he had been focused on Solidifying his Pill and hadn’t been paying attention to the Song Family, he had already released his Phantom Beetles to track their members.

When he discovered the Song Family was gone just now, he had secretly activated his Beast Taming Secret Technique and immediately learned that they had reached the distant north.

The distance was so great that even with his Secret Technique, he couldn’t see a clear image and could only determine the Song Family’s general location.

Clearly, they intended to flee far away, perhaps even all the way to Yuan Bei.

And for them to have traveled so fast, they must have taken a Floating Airship.

Fortunately, knowing their general location was enough. If he ever wanted to find them in the future, he could do so easily.

But for now, he had no intention of pursuing them.

First, the Floating Airship was too fast for him to catch.

Second, even if he caught up, he couldn’t attack, as the Floating Airship was bound to have powerful Arrays and Guards.

Third, the Song Family patriarch was a Golden Core Middle Stage cultivator. While Zhang Chi wasn’t afraid of him, killing him would be very difficult.

Furthermore, Song Yuqian, the Supreme Elder’s concubine, very likely possessed a life-saving trump card from the Supreme Elder himself.

Finally, the Supreme Elder had not yet returned. Even if he were to annihilate the Song Family preemptively, he would undoubtedly offend the man.

Although he now possessed a Top Grade Golden Core, he was not yet qualified to openly oppose a Nascent Soul Elder Monster.

"Junior Brother Zhang, you are truly magnanimous. But rest assured, defecting from the Sect is a grave crime. Our Cangwu Sect will hunt them with our full power. Sooner or later, we will find and kill them."

"As for them returning, that is out of the question. Even the Supreme Elder would never allow it!"

"Furthermore, although the Song Family fled, they only took their core members with them. The rest of the clan has been left behind, and they will atone for the sins of those core members."

"Also, the Song Family has some remaining assets, such as Spiritual Veins and Spirit Fields. They will all be given to you, Junior Brother Zhang, as compensation. What do you think?"

The Sect Leader breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly gave his assurances.

He was happy to see the Song Family suffer, but he didn’t dare offend the Supreme Elder over it. That Zhang Chi was willing to let the grudge go was more than he could have hoped for.

Whether or not the Song Family was guilty, and of what crimes, would have required an investigation. But now that they have fled, it was tantamount to a confession—they had absconded to escape punishment.

Therefore, the assets the Song Family left behind would naturally be confiscated by the Sect.

"Then I must thank you, Senior Brother Sect Leader!"

Zhang Chi just smiled and offered his thanks, though it was merely a perfunctory gesture.

He was filled with disdain. ’This man lacks decisiveness. He just tries to please everyone and spouts pretty words.’

The Song Family’s Spiritual Veins and assets were a nice bonus, though.

But he had formed a Top Grade Golden Core. According to the rules, the Sect was already obligated to prepare a superior Spiritual Vein and a set of assets for him.

However, considering the man was the Sect Leader and possessed an extremely high Cultivation, Zhang Chi couldn’t just dismiss him outright.

After that, the various Golden Core Powerhouses chatted with Zhang Chi a while longer before presenting their congratulatory gifts. The Sect Leader also arranged with Zhang Chi to hold a special Golden Core celebration in his honor six months from now.

Clearly, they wanted to follow the Cyan Cloud Sect’s example and use the occasion to show off. This would also be a great boon to the Cangwu Sect’s prestige.

Setting it six months in the future was done specifically to give more guests time to receive the news and make travel preparations.

"Oh, by the way, Junior Brother Zhang, would you be willing to show everyone your Top Grade Golden Core?"

"That’s right, we still haven’t seen one!"

the Sect Leader and the others couldn’t help but ask.

Evidently, the whole thing still felt a bit surreal to them. They were worried they had misunderstood something, or that Zhang Chi had somehow deceived them.

In truth, it wasn’t just the Sect Leader’s group; even Jian Jinfeng and the others were intensely curious.

"Of course."

Zhang Chi nodded slightly, understanding their feelings.

SWISH!

Then, Zhang Chi opened his mouth, and a brilliant, perfectly round Top Grade Golden Core flew out.

BOOM!

A powerful pressure instantly enveloped the area. Even Golden Core Powerhouses like the Sect Leader found it somewhat difficult to breathe.

As for the Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the pressure was immense.

Fortunately, Zhang Chi was not intentionally targeting them and did his best to restrain the Golden Core’s pressure.

It was only because of this that the Foundation Establishment Cultivators were not injured.

"Four Dao Patterns... and such immense pressure. It truly is a Top Grade Golden Core!"

After the Sect Leader and the other senior members examined it closely, they all marveled, their doubts and worries completely vanishing.

"Dao Patterns?"

Zhang Chi asked curiously as he recalled his Golden Core.

"That’s right. The profound markings on a Golden Core are Dao Patterns, a manifestation of the Power of the Great Dao."

"Generally speaking, a Low Grade Golden Core has one Dao Pattern, a Middle Grade has two, an Upper Grade has three, and a Celestial Grade has five. Four patterns means it is a Top Grade core. As for a Fake Core, it doesn’t have a single complete Dao Pattern!" the Sect Leader explained.

"Then what grade would a Golden Core with six or more Dao Patterns be?" Zhang Chi asked on a whim.

"Impossible. Even five patterns is an unprecedented, legendary feat. Six or more is simply unheard of," the Sect Leader replied with a laugh, shaking his head.

"True enough."

Zhang Chi nodded. He had moved heaven and earth just to form this Top Grade Golden Core; anything higher than Celestial Grade was unimaginable.

"By the way, Junior Brother Zhang, would you mind revealing how you managed to form a Top Grade Golden Core?" the Sect Leader couldn’t help but ask after a moment.

"Wait. In my opinion, it’s best to wait for the Supreme Elder’s return before discussing this secret. If it’s revealed publicly and brings harm to my disciple, will you take responsibility, Junior Brother Sect Leader?"

But before Zhang Chi could answer, Master Jian had already stepped in to stop him.

"I will listen to my master!"

Zhang Chi had already prepared a story, so he didn’t mind either way, but he decided to go along with his master’s wishes.

"Senior Sister Jian is right. My curiosity got the better of my caution. In that case, we can discuss this later! Besides, it’s not that I absolutely must know, and I certainly have no intention of forcing Zhang Chi."

The Sect Leader gave an awkward laugh and tactfully dropped the subject. Then, he left with the other senior members.

He also made sure to disperse the crowd of Foundation Establishment Cultivators as he went.

Only Chen Ling’Er, Qin Susu, and a few others remained. The Sect Leader knew they were Zhang Chi’s friends and didn’t bother them.

"Zhang Chi, come with me."

Chen Ling’Er and the others looked on, full of curiosity and with many things they wanted to say to Zhang Chi. Jian Jinfeng, however, told them to wait outside for a moment before leading Zhang Chi alone into her immortal cave.

"Master, do you also want to ask about my secret?" Zhang Chi asked once they were inside the immortal cave.

"I do, but I will not force you to tell me. I only wish to know beforehand so I can help you decide what to do. When the Supreme Elder returns, he will certainly investigate this matter."

"If your answer doesn’t satisfy him, or if your secret is too great and can be stolen, he will most likely make a move against you. In that case, you would be better off fleeing immediately!"

"After all, even though he is our Sect’s Supreme Elder, for Nascent Soul Powerhouses like him, their own path to the Dao is sometimes far more important than the Sect’s future!"

"Of course, even though the Sect Leader and the others have left, they are certainly taking precautions in secret in case you decide to flee the Sect. But if it truly becomes necessary, I will help you."

Master Jian nodded.

Relying on his powerful Divine Soul, which was comparable to that of a Nascent Soul Peak cultivator, Zhang Chi could sense that Jian Jinfeng was not lying.

"Thank you, Master. But I don’t think things will get to that point. I do have a few secrets, but at my current level, they can now be revealed! The truth is..." Zhang Chi then began to recite the story he had prepared long ago.