Chapter 208: Zhang Chi’s Secret
"Actually, I’ve had a Top Grade Spirit Root from the very beginning. It’s just that when I first joined the sect, I was cautious and deliberately hid it using a secret technique, the Spirit Concealment Technique."
"Furthermore, back when I was a Loose Cultivator, I had a fortunate encounter and obtained a Tier Four Spiritual Object, the Hundred Herbs Spirit Fire, along with the Li Fire Scripture. While their combined effect might not match a Top Grade Cultivation Technique, it’s easily on par with an Upper Grade Peak technique."
"The Hundred Herbs Spirit Fire also helps with alchemy and, to a certain extent, purifies the Pill Poison in my body. This is one of the reasons my alchemy skills improved so quickly."
"Later, when I was on an exploration in the Demon Abyss, I was lucky enough to acquire some Core Formation Spiritual Objects. My luck was exceptionally good this time as well, which is how I ultimately managed to form a Top Grade Golden Core."
Zhang Chi explained.
Before Core Formation, he already possessed an Upper Grade Spirit Root with Qin Susu’s help. After taking the Small Heaven-Repairing Pill, he had temporarily attained a Top Grade Spirit Root.
The effects of the Small Heaven-Repairing Pill hadn’t worn off yet, so there was no issue with him claiming to have a Top Grade Spirit Root. Even if he were tested, the claim would hold up.
As for the Spirit Concealment Technique, it was a Low Grade Secret Technique designed specifically to hide one’s Spirit Root. Ordinary cultivators had no use for it, so it was relatively obscure.
But to conceal his own secrets, he had specifically and secretly purchased this secret technique from the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower a year ago and had cultivated it.
"I see. With a Top Grade Spirit Root, a Tier Four Spirit Fire, the Li Fire Scripture, and enough Core Formation Spiritual Objects, forming an Upper Grade Golden Core was practically a certainty. And with heaven-defying luck, even a Top Grade Golden Core wasn’t out of the question."
"It’s no wonder you were able to give two spiritual objects to your Second Senior Sister back then."
"Not only do these secrets explain how you formed a Top Grade Golden Core, but they also shouldn’t give the Supreme Elder any untoward ideas."
"After all, the Supreme Elder isn’t an Alchemy Master, and he’s a Nascent Soul Powerhouse himself. He definitely won’t have much interest in your Hundred Herbs Spirit Fire."
"In that case, I can finally rest easy!"
It all clicked for Master Jian. Though surprised, she didn’t doubt him and even breathed a sigh of relief.
In truth, she could have coveted Zhang Chi’s fortuitous encounters, or even attempted Possession.
But she hadn’t made any preparations, and the probability of a failed Possession was too high. Besides, that wasn’t her style.
As for the Hundred Herbs Spirit Fire, obtaining it wouldn’t change anything for her.
After all, she wasn’t an Alchemy Master. The Spirit Fire couldn’t help her reach the Nascent Soul realm, nor could it extend her lifespan.
Moreover, if she were to just seize the Spirit Fire, the Sect would definitely intervene.
Zhang Chi understood all this. He had also long since confirmed through divination that with the protection of his Jade Pendant, he truly had no reason to fear Possession. That was why he had boldly come alone with Master Jian and revealed these ’secrets’.
"Thank you for your concern, Master."
At that moment, Zhang Chi expressed his gratitude once again.
Afterward, Zhang Chi deliberately manifested the Hundred Herbs Spirit Fire and circulated his energy according to the Li Fire Scripture. Upon seeing this, Master Jian’s belief in him solidified.
And since he had already told Master Jian, Zhang Chi figured he had nothing left to ’hide’ from Qin Susu and the others.
So, after leaving, Zhang Chi immediately relayed these ’truths’ and gave another demonstration on the spot.
"So, Junior Brother, you’re actually a genius with a Top Grade Spirit Root!"
"Exactly! Junior Brother, you were far too cautious. Wouldn’t it have been better to just reveal your Spirit Root back then?"
"No wonder you were able to refine Dust Condensing Pills above your rank, Junior Brother. It turns out you had the Hundred Herbs Spirit Fire to help you!"
"Back in the Secret Realm, those Little Soul Reviving Pills you gave us... could it be that you refined them yourself?"
Hearing this, it all clicked for the group. They were surprised, envious, and deeply impressed by Zhang Chi.
If it had been them, they would have certainly revealed a Top Grade Spirit Root to enjoy all the Sect’s benefits. They would never have run off to the Demon Abyss or adventured in that Secret Realm, forced to rely on their own efforts for everything.
However, they also understood.
After all, Zhang Chi came from a background as a Loose Cultivator, so he must have lacked a sense of security.
It was perfectly normal to be wary of everyone around him, and even the Sect itself, when he first joined.
Especially after being targeted by the Song and Xie Families, it was even less likely that he would trust the Sect enough to casually reveal his secrets.
As for these assumptions they were making, Zhang Chi simply gave a slight nod. He offered no explanation; in fact, he couldn’t have been happier about it.
"By the way, Junior Brother, when did you reach Foundation Establishment? The deaths of all those Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Xie Family, the elimination of Song Xinghai, and Song Youdao losing his arm... that wasn’t your doing, was it?"
"Yeah, and what about during the exploration? That Senior Brother Ning from the Cyan Cloud Sect... did you kill him, Junior Brother?"
"That time in the Demon Abyss when we ran into local Tribulation Cultivators, the three Foundation Establishment cultivators you lured away... did you kill them too, Junior Brother?"
"And that humanoid monster in the Demon Abyss... are you somehow connected to it, too?"
The group immediately started making connections to other incidents and couldn’t resist asking out of curiosity.
"I reached Foundation Establishment when I was about twenty. To be more precise, I had already reached it by the time of the exploration. That’s why I was able to gain so much in the Secret Realm. Otherwise, it would’ve been impossible, no matter how good my luck was."
"However, the events concerning the Song and Xie Families have absolutely nothing to do with me, so don’t spread nonsense. As for those Tribulation Cultivators, the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Cyan Cloud Sect, and the humanoid monster... they all have nothing to do with me."
Zhang Chi replied with a smile, denying everything he needed to and admitting to nothing.
In any case, no one had any proof that he was involved in any of those incidents.
He had only ’revealed’ the reason for his rapid cultivation speed, but had not exposed his other methods like swordsmanship, Corpse Puppets, and his Body Refining Cultivation.
Therefore, he wasn’t worried about being suspected at all.
"Alright."
"It’s good that you’re not involved. Otherwise, even if you have a Top Grade Golden Core, the Sect would likely have to punish you. If they didn’t, it would be impossible to maintain authority. After all, killing fellow sect members is a grave taboo."
Although the group still had many doubts, they didn’t press their suspicions against Zhang Chi any further. In fact, they even seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Clearly, they didn’t want Zhang Chi to get into trouble either.
After that, Zhang Chi temporarily stayed in Master Jian’s cavern estate, receiving her guidance while he waited for the Supreme Elder to return to the Sect.
’Now that I’ve formed a Golden Core, my lifespan has really increased, and my cultivation speed is much faster. Before reaching the Golden Core realm, the Spirit Root is paramount. But now, it’s all about the quality of the Golden Core itself. My Spirit Root still has some effect, but it’s minimal!’
During this time, Zhang Chi also calculated his new lifespan and could clearly feel the difference in his cultivation speed.
Previously, his fast cultivation was entirely dependent on various external aids.
His Spirit Root had always been a shortcoming, but now, that shortcoming was practically gone.
However, compared to before, a Golden Core Cultivator’s requirements for Cultivation Materials were also much higher.
He now not only required a Tier Three Spiritual Vein, but his elixirs, Spirit Wine, and Spirit Tea all needed to be Tier Three to have any noticeable effect.
Take the Ganlin Jade Marrow and Profound Crane Blood, for example. Although he could still use them and had no issues with building up a tolerance, his refinement speed was astonishingly fast. He would consume an entire drop in a single cultivation session, yet the improvement to his Spiritual Power and Body Refining Cultivation was minuscule. It was clear he needed to replace them with High Tier materials.
And this would undoubtedly require more Spirit Stones and better channels to acquire them.
"Junior Brother Zhang Chi, come. Follow me to see the Supreme Elder!"
Three days had passed in a flash. The Supreme Elder had finally returned. It was the Sect Leader who had personally come to find Zhang Chi, and he escorted him all the way to the Floating Celestial Palace deep within the Cangwu Sect.