Chapter 181: Star Divine Iron
"Even if Senior Brother is offering a fortunate opportunity, I cannot take them on as disciples. It’s also impossible for me to guarantee they’ll reach Foundation Establishment, as that ultimately comes down to luck. But if the opportunity is truly valuable, I can give them some pointers and do my best to help them have a chance at reaching Foundation Establishment more quickly."
Zhang Chi didn’t immediately ask what the opportunity was. Instead, he first stated his bottom line.
Evidently, he had no plans to take on disciples.
He had too many secrets, and taking on disciples would be inconvenient.
But with his current wealth, helping two Qi Cultivation Cultivators attempt their breakthrough to Foundation Establishment early was not a major issue.
"That will do. The opportunity I have is a token refined from Star Iron. It can emit a strange Sword Intent. You can use it to comprehend Sword Intent, improve your Physique, or even just use it directly as an Artifact Refining Material."
"I even suspect the token itself holds a great secret. Unfortunately, I was never able to figure it out. If you’re lucky, perhaps you’ll be able to discover something."
"And this, in fact, was one of my fortuitous encounters from my youth..."
Hearing this, however, Senior Brother Hong breathed a sigh of relief.
’The fact that Zhang Chi didn’t agree immediately actually showed he was more reliable.’
He then took out a black, sword-shaped token about half a foot long and explained the opportunity in detail.
According to his story, he had indeed had a fortuitous encounter in his youth and consumed one of the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, but he hadn’t found it in the wild. Instead, he had discovered an Ancient Cultivator’s Cave Mansion. Besides that one item, he also obtained some Cultivation Materials and a Star Divine Iron Token.
It was only through the combined effects of the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, the Cultivation Materials, and the Star Divine Iron that he was able to defy heaven and change his fate at an old age, successfully reaching Foundation Establishment.
But those Cultivation Materials were long gone, and now only this Star Divine Iron Token remained.
"A Star Divine Iron Token?"
Zhang Chi’s interest was immediately piqued.
As an Artifact Refiner, he naturally knew of Star Divine Iron.
This was a truly exceptional material—a Tier Four Artifact Refining Material, no less. It could be used to refine Upper Grade or even Top Grade Magical Treasures.
Adding just a small amount to a Low Tier Magical Treasure or Magical Artifact could greatly enhance its quality and Mighty Power.
It was especially effective for Magical Artifacts and Magical Treasures like Flying Swords and Flying Sabers.
Demon Flame Crystal was quite good, but it couldn’t hold a candle to Star Divine Iron. Otherwise, the word "Divine" wouldn’t have been part of its name.
It was safe to say that a piece of Star Divine Iron this large was worth several thousand Middle Grade spirit stones on its own—enough to purchase a vast amount of Cultivation Materials.
And that didn’t even account for the Star Divine Iron Token’s other wondrous uses, or the secret it might hold.
"With a treasure like this, why didn’t you sell it or hand it over to the Sect?" Zhang Chi asked dubiously, without taking the token.
"Heh, I thought about it, but I couldn’t bring myself to simply sell or surrender this fortuitous discovery. So I kept it by my side to study, not even willing to part with it and pass it to Hong Hu and the others."
"But who knew I’d end up wasting so much time for nothing? And now, it’s too late to sell or surrender it. I’m on the verge of death. Even if I gave the proceeds to Hong Hu and the others, they wouldn’t be able to hold onto them."
"In fact, even if I had sold or surrendered it years ago, I might have been targeted for the massive windfall. I might not have even lived to this day!" Senior Brother Hong explained with a helpless smile.
’That’s true. For an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator to possess such a treasure is like a child walking through the market with a bar of gold. Revealing it would surely invite a fatal disaster. Besides, no one would be willing to part with it unless they had no other choice.’
’Passing this treasure to Hong Hu wouldn’t necessarily be a good thing for him. It’s far better to trade it for their security.’
"In that case, I accept. I will not only help Hong Hu and Hong Jin’er reach Foundation Establishment quickly, but I will also look out for them a bit after they succeed!"
Zhang Chi’s expression cleared with understanding. He nodded and finally took the Star Divine Iron Token to examine it.
The token felt heavy in his hand and did indeed emit a strange Sword Intent that could subtly improve a Cultivator’s aptitude.
However, the improvement was slow. No wonder Senior Brother Hong was willing to trade it for a single promise from him.
In truth, Senior Brother Hong had thought this through carefully. He had even considered approaching the Azure Dragon Master, but ultimately decided Zhang Chi was more trustworthy and had greater potential.
The crucial point was that Zhang Chi had already guided Hong Hu and had contact with Hong Jin’er. They already had a basic relationship to build on.
"Thank you, Junior Brother!"
Junior Martial Uncle Hong was overjoyed and immediately broke into a smile, but the smile quickly froze. His hand then dropped, and all signs of life vanished. His life had finally come to a natural end.
He had only been holding on until now because of his lingering worries.
Now that his final wish was granted, his body relaxed, his spirit dissipated, and he was gone.
"Sigh!"
This didn’t surprise Zhang Chi, but he still let out a soft sigh.
’I was even thinking that if the token held a truly great secret, I might have considered getting him a Tier Two Life Extension Pill, depending on the circumstances.’
’But he just died, so it was too late to help even if I wanted to.’
’Still, if I can help Hong Hu and Hong Jin’er reach Foundation Establishment quickly, he certainly didn’t lose out on this deal.’
Next, he put away the Star Divine Iron and informed Hong Hu and the others of what had happened.
What happened after that was not his concern; the Hong Family would naturally handle the arrangements.
At that moment, Zhang Chi called Hong Jin’er and Hong Hu closer to ask them directly.
"Hong Hu, Hong Jin’er, before his death, Senior Brother Hong entrusted me with looking after you two. Therefore, I will help you both reach Foundation Establishment as soon as possible. Are you willing to cooperate?"
"What? Is that true? That’s wonderful! Of course we’re willing!"
"Yes, thank you so much, Junior Martial Uncle Zhang."
Hong Jin’er and Hong Hu had long suspected that Senior Brother Hong might entrust their care to someone, but they had never expected Zhang Chi would go to such lengths. They were overjoyed, though they also harbored some doubt as to whether Zhang Chi could actually pull it off.
But they weren’t foolish enough to voice their doubts. They both nodded at once and bowed in thanks.
"No need to thank me. Before he passed, Senior Brother Hong gave me a High Tier Artifact Refining Material, so it’s only right that I help you. You just need to treasure this opportunity," Zhang Chi said, waving his hand dismissively.
"Understood, Junior Martial Uncle!"
A look of understanding dawned on Hong Hu and Hong Jin’er. Their doubts lessened, but their gratitude remained.
’After all, he’s being so upfront. A deal is one thing, but whether he actually puts his heart into it is another matter entirely.’
"After the funeral is over, Hong Hu, don’t go back. Stay here in Azure Dragon City with Hong Jin’er to cultivate. My cave mansion here happens to be empty, so you can use it. Also, here are some Cultivation Materials, enough for you to quickly reach Qi Cultivation Peak."
"During this period, feel free to use elixirs constantly. Don’t worry about Pill Poison."
"Once you reach Qi Cultivation Peak, come find me. I will use Bone Marrow Cleansing Spirit Liquid to remove the Pill Poison for you, provide you with Foundation Establishment Pills, and guide you as you attempt your breakthrough to Foundation Establishment," Zhang Chi said with a slight nod.
’In the past, I wouldn’t have dared to reveal this much wealth. But now that I have a Tier Three Early Stage Corpse Puppet and am one of the Sect’s True Inheritors, I don’t have to be so guarded.’
With that, he took out some Tier One Peak Elixirs, as well as Ganlin Jade Marrow and Profound Crane Blood, and gave them to Hong Hu and Hong Jin’er.