Cultivation: Immunity to Negative Effects

"This much?"

"And they’re all Tier Two resources?"

Qin Susu and the others couldn’t help but gasp, their eyes lighting up.

They knew Zhang Chi was wealthier than they had anticipated, but they never imagined he was *this* wealthy.

What they didn’t know, however, was that these were merely a portion of Zhang Chi’s previous spoils.

In total, they were only worth about fifty thousand Spirit Stones.

It wasn’t that Zhang Chi didn’t have more. Rather, they were only Qi Cultivation Disciples, and he himself was, on the surface, just a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator.

Even with Master Jian as his backer, it wasn’t wise to establish a business that was too large.

According to Zhang Chi’s estimates, the current scale of their business could be two hundred thousand at most. Anything more would attract the prying eyes of Golden Core cultivators.

Of course, once Zhang Chi revealed a higher cultivation level in the future, he could gradually expand the business.

For now, these fifty thousand Spirit Stones were the perfect amount to test the operational capabilities of Qin Susu and her group.

But for Qin Susu and the others, this was already a colossal sum.

The largest amount they had ever handled before was nowhere near this level.

Beyond their excitement, they were also incredibly joyful and grateful.

They felt this was a sign of Zhang Chi’s immense trust in them, and they were thankful for the choice they had made.

After all, even if they had thrown their lot in completely with the Chen Family Siblings, the Chens would never have given them so many Spirit Stones to manage right from the start.

"Junior Martial Uncle Zhang, rest assured, we will not disappoint you!"

Following that, they all quickly gave their assurances before carefully putting the resources away.

In an instant, numerous operational strategies had already formed in their minds.

"Mm, I believe in you."

Zhang Chi nodded slightly and then casually gave them a few pointers. They benefited greatly from his advice and left in high spirits.

Zhang Chi, on the other hand, set up a Grand Array, took out the Eye of the Spirit Spring, and cultivated for a night. Early the next morning, he went to Master Jian’s abode for her lecture and took the opportunity to circulate the Li Fire Scripture for a round of cultivation.

Although the Li Fire Scripture was an Upper Grade Cultivation Technique, it wasn’t very difficult. Coupled with his powerful Divine Thought, which was comparable to that of a Golden Core Peak cultivator, he had completely comprehended and converted to it the previous night.

When Master Jian saw Zhang Chi so brazenly leeching her Spiritual Qi, she was a little surprised, but she just smiled and didn’t stop him.

Zhang Chi was only at the Foundation Establishment Cultivation level. Even if he leeched off her, the impact over a year or so would be negligible to her.

Zhang Chi, however, discovered that by cultivating with the Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique at night using the Eye of the Spirit Spring and elixirs, and then cultivating with the Li Fire Scripture here during the day, the combined effect was equivalent to having exclusive access to a Tier Two Upper Grade Spiritual Vein.

Therefore, his cultivation progress wouldn’t be slowed down at all by staying in the sect for the year.

In fact, because he was receiving guidance from Master Jian, his cultivation would be even faster than usual.

His only regret was that he couldn’t use the Nine Flames Spirit Devouring Technique here or reveal his true cultivation. Otherwise, his progress would be even faster.

However, with the cover of an array and his powerful Divine Soul Perception, he had no problem with his regular cultivation and Body Refining in his own abode.

"I’ve prepared a Cultivation Quiet Chamber just for you. From now on, you can attend my lectures in the morning and cultivate there in the afternoon."

"Of course, if you’re not afraid that the idle gossip will affect your future search for a Dao companion, you can cultivate here at night as well. I don’t have much time left anyway, so it doesn’t matter to me," Master Jian even added.

"Thank you, Master, but that won’t be necessary for the evenings. I have to go back to practice alchemy and Body Refining at night. Besides, while you might not care about the gossip, I must consider your reputation. Also, I’m already content with leeching a bit of Spiritual Qi. How could I push my luck?"

Zhang Chi was slightly taken aback, but he quickly shook his head.

"Then do as you wish."

Master Jian couldn’t help but nod in satisfaction.

So, when evening came, Zhang Chi finally left Master Jian’s abode. He carried several jars of Tier Two Spirit Wine to the sect’s Pill Hall and soon met with the Pill Hall Steward, Fu Hongchang.

Of course, this "Junior Martial Uncle" had now become his "Senior Brother."

"You brat, you finally decided to show up? I thought that after becoming a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and a Sect’s True Inheritor, you would’ve forgotten this old man!"

Fu Hongchang was overjoyed to see Zhang Chi.

Clearly, he had already heard about Zhang Chi’s breakthrough and was very happy for him.

In truth, when he first met Zhang Chi, it reminded him of his younger self. He, too, had been talented in alchemy and had been suppressed by cultivators from family factions when he first joined the sect.

Coupled with Zhang Chi’s good performance, he had always looked out for him.

He just never dreamed that Zhang Chi would actually succeed in Foundation Establishment so quickly.

Looking back on Zhang Chi’s past stubbornness, he now understood that Zhang Chi had always had his own plan.

And even though he had received the news long ago, looking at Zhang Chi now, he still found it a bit hard to believe.

"Haha, I owe my success today to your care, Junior Martial Uncle. You even used a favor for my sake. I will naturally never forget your kindness."

"If I get the chance in the future, I will surely repay you tenfold!" Zhang Chi laughed heartily.

"It’s good that you know, you brat! Haha, but don’t call me ’Junior Martial Uncle’ anymore. ’Senior Brother’ will do," Fu Hongchang also laughed loudly.

"Alright, Senior Brother!"

Zhang Chi immediately complied, but even with the change in address, his respect for the man remained.

"Come, let’s drink and talk. Tell me all about your experiences in the Demon Abyss... Xiaohu, hurry up and prepare some dishes for us, then come pour the wine!"

Fu Hongchang nodded, then pulled Zhang Chi to a seat inside and shouted to another area.

"Right away, Master! Master Zhang... uh, Junior Martial Uncle Zhang, congratulations on your successful Foundation Establishment..."

Xiaohu appeared at once. It was Hong Hu.

It turned out that Senior Brother Hong from Azure Dragon Ridge had ultimately decided to use the favor on Hong Hu.

After all, even if he took a Lifespan Extension Pill, he wouldn’t be able to hang on for much longer. Besides, a Tier Two Life Extension Pill was too precious, and it would be very difficult for Fu Hongchang to acquire one.

As for a Tier One Life Extension Pill, he had a chance of getting one himself, so using up a favor for it would have been a waste.

But Hong Hu was different; his future was full of hope.

Although Hong Hu had managed to join the Outer Sect on his own, having someone to look out for him would certainly be better.

So, he used the favor to have Fu Hongchang take Hong Hu as a disciple and teach him the art of alchemy.

Adding to that, Hong Hu had skills in Spirit Plant Techniques and had received pointers from Zhang Chi, so he had some foundation in alchemy. As a result, he was developing very well.

At this moment, seeing Zhang Chi, Hong Hu’s face was filled with surprise and adoration.

As he bowed in congratulation, Hong Hu thought to himself, ’I knew from the beginning that Junior Martial Uncle Zhang was no simple character, and it turns out I was right! I’m afraid that even the strength he’s showing now isn’t his full power!’

He hadn’t had much contact with Foundation Establishment Cultivators before, so he didn’t know exactly how high Zhang Chi’s level was. It was only after coming to the sect, receiving guidance from Fu Hongchang, and frequently attending public lectures that he realized Zhang Chi’s standard was far beyond that of a typical Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator.

Because of this, he felt more and more that he had been incredibly lucky to have met Zhang Chi back then.

"Alright, you can rise. You’re doing well. Keep up the hard work," Zhang Chi said with a slight nod, offering a few words of encouragement.

Afterward, Zhang Chi began drinking with Fu Hongchang while Hong Hu ran back and forth, helping to pour wine and the like. Far from finding it tedious, he was enjoying himself, much to the envy of many Qi Cultivation Disciples.