Cultivation: Immunity to Negative Effects

The Golden Core pulsed with flames and a scorching aura, as if a star had descended into his Dantian.

Even without Zhang Chi’s conscious effort, the Golden Core would operate on its own, continuously cycling his Spiritual Power through the Circulation of Heaven, constantly purifying and refining it in the process.

At the same time, while Zhang Chi was still himself, he was now a being of a completely different level of power compared to seven days prior.

All aspects of him were greatly enhanced. For example, his Lifespan had directly increased by three hundred years.

This increase might seem the same as that of a Middle Grade or Upper Grade Golden Core, but in reality, he could maintain his Peak state for much longer. His future advancements would be faster, he would encounter fewer bottlenecks, and his strength would be far greater.

Because he had consumed Tier One and Two Lifespan Extension Pills, he had gained an extra one hundred and eighty years of Lifespan. His total Lifespan had now reached seven hundred and eighty. Subtracting his current age, he could still live for over seven hundred more years.

If he were to consume three Tier Three Lifespan Extension Pills in the future, his total Lifespan would exceed a millennium.

Furthermore, he could now directly refine and use Magical Treasures with greater Mighty Power, and his Immortal Cultivation Techniques could be elevated even further.

Moreover, in the instant of his breakthrough, his Divine Soul had advanced to the beginning of the Nascent Soul Early Stage Realm, and it could continue to improve.

At the same time, the Jade Pendant’s Level also increased again; its capacity to absorb negativity had risen by more than a hundredfold.

Next, Zhang Chi immediately began the Cultivation of the Golden Core Realm version of the Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique. With the help of the Jade Pendant, he quickly re-formed the nine Blood Flames, making them whole once more.

These Blood Flames were all more powerful and substantial than before, and they would be of even greater help to Zhang Chi’s Cultivation.

Coupled with the fact that Zhang Chi possessed a Top Grade Golden Core, his future Cultivation speed was bound to be much faster than that of other Golden Core Cultivators.

Because of his Top Grade Golden Core, Zhang Chi was no longer a person of ordinary talent, but a true, top-tier prodigy of the Great Abyss.

After assessing the changes within himself, Zhang Chi calmly and unhurriedly retracted his oppressive aura and converted his Cultivation Technique to the Li Fire Scripture.

At the same time, he also took out the Hundred Herbs Spirit Fire from the Pill Furnace. He formed a series of Spirit Techniques, and soon, he had successfully refined it and drawn it into his Dantian.

"Not bad. It really is the most docile Tier Four Spirit Fire!" Zhang Chi couldn’t help but nod in satisfaction.

’With this Cultivation Technique and Spirit Fire, not even a Nascent Soul Powerhouse would suspect that he was cultivating a Demon Technique.’

’As for the Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique, he still had no intention of revealing it. After all, it was a Demon Technique, and it was connected to his greatest secret.’

’Fortunately, he had performed a divination beforehand and knew that the Supreme Elder was indeed not in the Sect at the moment and would not be able to return anytime soon. That was why he had chosen this moment to break through.’

’And with no Nascent Soul Powerhouse present, no one could see through the fact that he had used the Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique during his breakthrough.’

’Of course, this was also because although he practiced a Demon Technique, his Cultivation did not involve slaughter, nor did he truly rely on Demonic Qi.’

’One could say that, aside from the Blood Flame and its various significant negative aspects, his Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique was not discernibly different from other Top Grade Cultivation Techniques on the surface.’

’That was how he was able to use the celestial phenomena from his Golden Core’s solidification and his own powerful Divine Thought to successfully conceal it.’

SWISH!

Then, Zhang Chi rose to his feet, opened the door of the Cultivation Quiet Chamber, and flew out of Master Jian’s cavern residence.

As for the Three-headed Spirit Snake, which had already solidified a Low Grade Peak Demon Pill, he had put it away long ago.

"Greetings, Sect Leader and venerable elders. My impromptu breakthrough has kept you all waiting. I will head to the sect gate plaza to board the ship now. I hope I’m not too late!"

Zhang Chi said with a smile, about to bow in salute to the Sect Leader and the others.

"Junior Brother Zhang, you jest. You are a Golden Core Master now, an equal to us. From now on, just call us Senior Brother or Senior Sister. You mustn’t consider yourself a junior any longer."

"Exactly! Congratulations on solidifying a Top Grade Golden Core, Junior Brother. The Sect mission is a trivial matter. Never mind being a few days late; even a few decades wouldn’t be an issue."

"That’s right. And this mission, with Senior Sister Jian leading and all of you accompanying her, was never really appropriate in the first place. If not for the Supreme Elder’s order, we would never have approved it..."

The many Golden Core Cultivators all responded humbly, their attitudes exceptionally warm.

The Sect Leader even stepped forward personally to support Zhang Chi, preventing him from actually completing the bow.

"That’s good to hear. My master is advanced in age and has toiled her whole life for the Sect. She deserves to live out her golden years in peace here, not go out to fight and risk her life. As for the Sect’s Tier Three Life Extension Pills, my master should be given one. What do you think, Senior Brother Sect Leader?"

Zhang Chi was quick to take the advice, immediately changing his form of address and stopping his bow. He looked at the Sect Leader with a smile as he spoke.

"It is only right. Even if Junior Brother had not said anything, I would have strongly requested it from the Supreme Elder. Now that you have formed a Top Grade Golden Core, I am certain the Supreme Elder will no longer be stingy with a mere Tier Three Life Extension Pill."

"Furthermore, the arrangements for this mission were indeed inappropriate. I can assure you, Junior Brother Zhang, that even if the Supreme Elder disagrees, I will absolutely not allow Senior Sister Jian to take such a risk again. The same goes for Junior Brother Li, Junior Sister Shangguan, and you, Junior Brother Zhang. None of you need to go to Yuan Bei anymore."

The Sect Leader quickly nodded and agreed without the slightest hesitation.

The other high-ranking members had no objections either.

In fact, they all expressed their admiration and respect for Zhang Chi, because he was both loyal and righteous.

The Sect Leader, in particular, was secretly pleased. He felt that the Supreme Elder’s previous assignment must have left a bad impression on Zhang Chi.

This would make it much easier for their faction within the Sect to win Zhang Chi over.

"Jian Jinfeng has really struck gold!"

"Indeed. Her fortunes have completely turned around!"

At the same time, the Golden Core Cultivators were all incredibly envious of Jian Jinfeng, and they deeply regretted not having done everything in their power to take Zhang Chi on as their own disciple.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Sect Leader!"

Zhang Chi nodded slightly upon hearing this. He then turned to Master Jian and bowed deeply. "Master, I’ve made you wait!"

"Good, my good disciple! I haven’t been waiting long at all. Your breakthrough was perfectly timed!"

Master Jian’s eyes reddened as she quickly helped Zhang Chi up, her heart surging with overwhelming emotions.

"Junior Brother..."

Li Ruohai, Shangguan Hui, and the others were also flooded with so many emotions that they were left speechless.

By now, they had figured it out. Zhang Chi hadn’t been freeloading in the cavern residence for his Spirit Beast, but to speed up his own Pill Solidification.

His previous delaying tactics had been for the same reason.

It wasn’t that Zhang Chi didn’t care about the Lifespan Extension Pill or his master; it was that he had his own plan all along—a more effective plan that could truly solve the problem.

Even for the mission to Yuan Bei, Zhang Chi had already planned to use his own influence to make the Sect change its mind.

And Zhang Chi had actually done it!

’Celestial Star True Monarch’s divination back then was correct after all. And this little disciple of mine not only possesses great destiny, but also has the potential to reach the Nascent Soul Realm!’ Master Jian thought, feeling both gratified and proud.

"Junior Brother, you’re too amazing! No, wait, I’ll have to start calling you Senior Brother now!"

It took a long while for Zhong Yu to manage a complete sentence.

"There’s no need. We don’t have to rank ourselves by Cultivation. You are my senior sister, and you always will be!" Zhang Chi replied with a smile.

"Really? You’re the one who said it."

Zhong Yu’s eyes lit up, as did those of the others—not just Yan Tengfei, but Li Ruohai and Shangguan Hui as well.

They all knew that if seniority were based on Cultivation, they would inevitably end up as his juniors.

They had worried that after achieving a Top Grade Golden Core, Zhang Chi would look down on them. Now they realized they had been overthinking things and had underestimated Zhang Chi.