Cultivation: Immunity to Negative Effects

At that moment, the Jade Pendant trembled slightly, and the White Bone Demon God instantly became docile. At the same time, Zhang Chi was stunned to feel his Divine Soul strengthen by a large margin. This Refining God Technique had finally reached the Perfection Realm.

In other words, with time, even if Zhang Chi’s Cultivation remained unchanged, his Divine Soul would be comparable to that of a Golden Core Middle Stage cultivator.

If his Cultivation broke through in the future, his Divine Soul would be even more powerful, comparable to that of a Golden Core Late Stage cultivator.

"Excellent!"

Zhang Chi couldn’t help but feel overjoyed. As he opened his eyes, a divine light flashed like electricity. It took him a moment to finally adapt and retract it.

He then tried cultivating the Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique and found its efficiency had markedly increased. The same was true for his Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and Talisman Making.

It was also worth noting that his skill levels in Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and Talisman Making had all greatly improved.

His Alchemy and Talisman Making were now a step ahead of his Cultivation, having reached the Tier Two Upper Grade. As for Artifact Refining, he could finally craft Top Grade Magical Artifacts.

Of course, this was largely thanks to the vast quantities of Spirit Medicine and Demon Beast Materials he had obtained in the Secret Realm.

The Divine Refining Technique and the Alchemy Insights had also been a great help to him.

As his skills improved, his full set of equipment advanced as well. For instance, his Furnace Carbon and Flood Dragon Snake Armor were now both Top Grade.

His Flying Sword, in particular, was now at the very peak of the Top Grade, even comparable to a Celestial Grade artifact, all thanks to the Demon Flame Crystal.

However, Zhang Chi still hadn’t refined the Longevity Fruit into a Tier Two Life Extension Pill. This was because the Lifespan Extension Pill had extremely high requirements for one’s Alchemy skill, and the Longevity Fruit itself was exceedingly rare. Therefore, Zhang Chi planned to wait until his Alchemy broke through to Tier Three.

Then there were his Body Refining and Swordsmanship.

The former had not yet broken through to the next realm, but it had improved significantly. The latter, however, had already reached the Perfection Realm half a year prior.

Of course, this was all thanks to the Memory Fragments provided by the Sword Spirit; otherwise, reaching this stage would have remained a distant dream.

Moreover, with those Memory Fragments, even though Zhang Chi’s Wind and Thunder Sword Control Skill had reached Perfection, his overall level of Swordsmanship was still constantly improving.

But without having tested it in actual combat, even he didn’t know just how strong he had become.

"Senior Brother, there’s a message for you!"

After trying out his new abilities, Zhang Chi walked out of the Inner Garden. A clever and lively-looking girl of about fourteen or fifteen immediately came forward, presenting two letters with both hands.

The young girl’s name was Hong Jin’Er, a descendant of that same Junior Martial Uncle Hong. Because she was clever, eager to learn, and interested in both Alchemy and Spirit Plants, Junior Martial Uncle Hong had arranged for her to be here.

As for Hong Hu, he had gone to the Sect a year ago, passed the assessment, and officially become an Outer Disciple.

The previous batch of disciples had all since developed their own skills and strength, so they had moved on to better positions elsewhere, leaving very few behind.

Zhang Chi didn’t mind this. In fact, he was quite supportive, ’since I won’t be staying here much longer either.’

"Mm, I see. You may go."

Zhang Chi nodded slightly as he took the letters, and Hong Jin’Er quickly and respectfully withdrew.

There were two letters. One was from Qin Susu and the others. It simply reported on their Cultivation progress, gave an update on the Spirit Fields, and contained some other trivial news.

After these past few years of Cultivation, Qin Susu and the others had reached the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer. One could say their progress was steady and not at all slow.

However, reaching the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer would take them at least another four or five years, and reaching the Tenth Layer Peak would require at least another thirty. Time was tight, so Zhang Chi wasn’t very optimistic about their prospects.

After all, they were all nearly thirty years old now.

The other letter was from Chen Ling’Er. She said that she had successfully reached Foundation Establishment and would be holding a small celebration in seven days, insisting that Zhang Chi must be there.

’Chen Ling’Er actually reached Foundation Establishment? That’s much faster than I initially expected. Her speed isn’t the least bit slower than Chen Bufan’s. It seems she must have found quite a few good things during her Exploration.’

’But this is good, too. Now that she’s reached Foundation Establishment, I can also start preparing. Otherwise, by the time I reach the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, the Spiritual Vein here won’t be able to support my needs, and my Cultivation will be delayed!’

Zhang Chi was a little surprised, but also happy for her.

After all, Chen Ling’Er’s resolve in seeking the Dao was very firm, and they had maintained a good relationship over the years.

And with Chen Ling’Er setting such a brilliant precedent, his own breakthrough to Foundation Establishment a bit later wouldn’t attract as much attention.

This way, while he would still stand out slightly, it wouldn’t be to an outrageous degree. He might even reap more benefits—the balance was just right.

Then, Zhang Chi glanced at the date on the letter and realized it had been sent several days ago. Today was the very day of her celebration.

So Zhang Chi immediately called for Hong Jin’Er, telling her to look after the place, then summoned his Flying Boat and left the Medicinal Garden.

A short while later, he arrived outside Chen Ling’Er’s cultivator’s estate in Azure Dragon City.

Of course, the location of her estate had long since changed; it was now one befitting a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. The surrounding environment was pleasant, the interior was spacious and bright, and the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi was exceptionally abundant.

At this time, the estate was bustling with activity; several hundred Cultivators had come to offer their congratulations.

Moreover, these Cultivators were at least at the Qi Cultivation Late Stage or Qi Cultivation Peak. Only Foundation Establishment Cultivators were qualified to enter the inner sanctum of the estate and actually speak with Chen Ling’Er.

"Excuse me, Senior Brother, please stop. Only Foundation Establishment Cultivators are allowed inside. Qi Cultivation Cultivators may present their gifts and join the feast outside."

Just as Zhang Chi was about to enter, he was immediately stopped by a young, local Female Cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Middle Stage.

This Female Cultivator was a newly hired Servant at Chen Ling’Er’s estate.

"Insolent! This is Junior Brother Zhang Chi, my closest friend! How dare you stop him? From now on, you no longer need to work here!" But just then, Chen Ling’Er suddenly appeared and loudly berated the Servant.

"Junior Martial Aunt, I’m sorry..."

The Female Cultivator’s face went pale. She quickly lowered her head, wanting to defend herself.

’Zhang Chi?’

’Junior Martial Aunt Chen values him that much? She’s already at Foundation Establishment, yet she still calls him Junior Brother? Could it be he’s also about to reach Foundation Establishment? And very soon?’

The surrounding Qi Cultivation Cultivators, who had initially been looking forward to a spectacle, were now stunned by this turn of events.

"Forget it," Zhang Chi said with a slight smile, not bothering to argue with the Servant. "There’s no crime in ignorance. There’s no need to take your anger out on her." After all, strictly speaking, she hadn’t done anything wrong.

"Alright. Since you’ve said so, Junior Brother, I’ll let her off this time," Chen Ling’Er said with a nod.

"Thank you, Junior Martial Aunt! Thank you, Senior Brother Zhang!"

The Servant, as if granted a great amnesty, hastily expressed her thanks.

"Zhang Chi greets Junior Martial Aunt Chen. Congratulations on reaching Foundation Establishment. May your path to immortality be prosperous, and may you reach the Golden Core realm soon!" Zhang Chi said with a slight nod, formally offering his congratulations to Chen Ling’Er.

He then casually took out an Upper Grade magical artifact, a veil, and presented it as his congratulatory gift.

"Thank you, Junior Brother. I love this gift," Chen Ling’Er said, happily accepting it. "Come, let’s go inside and talk. And you don’t have to call me Junior Martial Aunt. I know you’ll definitely reach Foundation Establishment, and soon, too."

With that, she led Zhang Chi into the inner part of the estate.

She was truly very pleased with Zhang Chi’s gift.

It wasn’t just because an Upper Grade magical artifact could easily cost several thousand Spirit Stones, but also because the veil was as white as snow, with an excellent style, color, and feel. Moreover, she didn’t own such a Magical Artifact, so it was exactly what she needed.

’Damn, no wonder Junior Martial Aunt Chen thinks so highly of him! Giving an Upper Grade magical artifact as a gift... that’s not something we can compare to!’

’Alchemy Masters really are wealthy!’

’What do you all know? Zhang Chi isn’t just wealthy because he’s an Alchemy Master. He’s also explored an Ancient Secret Realm, and it’s even rumored that he saved Junior Martial Aunt Chen and her group!’

Upon seeing the gift, the Qi Cultivation Cultivators couldn’t help but break into another round of discussion, their voices filled with envy.

As for the female Servants at Chen Ling’Er’s estate, they secretly memorized Zhang Chi’s appearance to prevent themselves from making the same mistake in the future.