Cultivation: Immunity to Negative Effects

Two of them glowed with a brilliant spiritual light; they were finished products, and their quality was quite good.

The other one was a Wasted Pill, or rather, an inferior one, but it was still quite valuable.

For Loose Cultivators or Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators from minor sects who couldn’t obtain a finished Dust Condensing Pill, this inferior version was an absolute treasure.

’It’s a pity. I was still a bit rusty this first time, or I would have successfully refined all three.’

’Still, this is good enough. I definitely earned no less from this Alchemy session than I would have from selling the two Spiritual Objects, and this is practically a no-cost business!’

Zhang Chi felt a tinge of regret, but mostly, he was filled with joy.

He waited another two months before announcing that his refining was complete. He then handed a Dust Condensing Pill to Shangguan Hui, who had come to Divine Needle Peak once again.

"Junior Brother, you’re incredible!" Shangguan Hui was overjoyed and finally let out a sigh of relief.

"This pill is excellent, even a notch above the one I exchanged for in the Sect! Junior Brother, you truly are extraordinary!" Li Ruohai was also present and couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

"Really? That’s wonderful! Oh, right, these Spirit Stones are your payment for the alchemy..."

Hearing this, Shangguan Hui was even more ecstatic and immediately tried to give him the fee for his hard work.

"No, I can’t accept this!"

Zhang Chi quickly waved his hand in refusal.

"Alright, well... besides this finished pill, I also got an inferior Dust Condensing Pill, which is more than enough as payment!" he was forced to explain when she kept insisting.

"Oh, good!"

Only then did Shangguan Hui relent.

"Junior Brother, I owe you two favors. If you ever need anything in the future, don’t hesitate to find me!"

In the end, however, Shangguan Hui still made this solemn promise.

"Alright."

Zhang Chi readily accepted.

He had profited immensely from this exchange, but she hadn’t lost out either. In fact, she had gained a great opportunity that even Li Ruohai envied.

Therefore, he felt he deserved these two favors.

"Junior Brother, if I need a Dust Condensing Pill in the future, can I also ask you to refine one? Of course, I’ll pay you well!" Zhong Yu asked.

"Me too!" Yan Tengfei quickly added.

They were both present, happy for Shangguan Hui, and looked at Zhang Chi with newfound respect.

Even Yan Tengfei was much more enthusiastic toward Zhang Chi now.

After all, a Pill Master who could refine the Dust Condensing Pill was no ordinary person. Barring any accidents, Zhang Chi was certain to become a Tier Three Alchemist in the future.

Such a figure would be absolutely pivotal, even within the entire Cangwu Sect.

Most importantly, the Dust Condensing Pills Zhang Chi refined were of very high quality.

It might only seem a little better than the ones from the Sect, but that small difference could drastically alter a Cultivator’s destiny.

Moreover, by the time he and Zhong Yu were ready to attempt Core Formation, at least several decades would have passed. By then, Zhang Chi’s alchemy skills would surely be even greater, and the Dust Condensing Pills he refined would be even better.

"I can. But this must be kept secret for now. After all, this technique of mine has many limitations, and I can’t use it often," Zhang Chi said with a faint smile.

"Of course! We’ll swear an oath of secrecy right now!"

Shangguan Hui took the lead, swearing an oath on the spot. The others followed suit.

Zhang Chi didn’t stop them; in fact, he appreciated his fellow disciples’ decisiveness.

It showed that they knew how to consider things from his perspective.

After that, the relationship between them immediately grew closer.

Shangguan Hui stayed at the Demon Abyss for a few more days before eagerly returning to the Sect with Li Ruohai and Yan Tengfei.

Zhong Yu, however, changed her mind for some reason and chose to remain stationed at the Demon Abyss.

「Several years passed in a flash.」

During this time, although the Demon Abyss grew increasingly dangerous, no major incidents occurred, as the Sect had dispatched many Cultivators.

Large numbers of Loose Cultivators and cultivators from minor families were also conscripted by the major Immortal Sects and sent over.

Zhang Chi, meanwhile, remained stationed at Divine Needle Peak. In addition to selling Elixirs, he started a business selling Puppets, which brought in a very good income.

Every so often, he would also take a trip to Shifang Immortal City to sell his surplus Spirit Pills, Spirit Talismans, and Magical Artifacts.

Combined with the income from selling Core Formation Spiritual Objects, he was able to maintain his extravagant cultivation even without the smuggling business.

’It’s been thirty-five years since I joined the sect, and this body is now fifty-one years old. It’s time to reveal my Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivation.’ Zhang Chi thought to himself this day after finishing his practice of the Star Sword Control Technique.

BOOM!

As he thought this, his body trembled slightly, and the Spiritual Power fluctuations emanating from him instantly grew several times stronger.

He then made a special trip to Azure Dragon City, casually purchasing some Cultivation Materials. The news of his breakthrough immediately spread like wildfire.

Early the next morning, many acquaintances came to visit and congratulate him, though many of these Cultivators also wanted to confirm whether the news was true.

"That Zhang Chi... he was almost faster than me. Thank goodness I broke through two months ago, otherwise I’d have to start calling you Senior Brother!" Chen Bufan couldn’t help but feel incredibly fortunate.

But he had no idea that Zhang Chi had reached Foundation Establishment Peak long ago.

"Congratulations!"

Zhong Yu was genuinely happy for Zhang Chi and regarded him with even greater respect.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Zhang Chi!"

Chen Ling’Er was mostly envious, and she had to admit that Zhang Chi’s cultivation was indeed faster than hers—even faster than her Brother Qi, Chen Bufan.

After all, Chen Bufan had joined the sect ten years before Zhang Chi and was also eight or nine years older.

"Senior Brother, congratulations!"

Hong Hu was also there. He had just arrived at the Demon Abyss today when he heard the good news and immediately rushed over with Hong Jin’Er.

At this moment, his admiration for Zhang Chi deepened.

"Mm, you’re not bad either. Your cultivation has improved. And it’s time for Hong Jin’Er to attempt Foundation Establishment. Hong Jin’Er, stay behind later. I’ll give you some pointers."

Zhang Chi nodded slightly, a flicker of pleasure in his heart, especially when he saw Hong Jin’Er.

"Okay."

"Thank you, Senior Uncle!"

Hong Hu and Hong Jin’Er were clan cousins, and both siblings were overjoyed to hear his words.

"Oh, right, Senior Brother. Qin Susu and the others knew I was coming, so they asked me to bring you a letter!" Hong Hu then took out a Jade Scroll and handed it to Zhang Chi.

"Mm, I see."

Zhang Chi took the Jade Scroll and began to read it carefully.

’So they’re finally going to attempt Foundation Establishment? Not bad. They haven’t wasted my efforts to nurture them.’

After reading it, Zhang Chi couldn’t help but nod slightly.

Originally, Qin Susu and the others might not have even had a chance to attempt Foundation Establishment by the time they were eighty.

But because they had become his subordinates, they had earned a lot of Spirit Stones.

Moreover, Zhang Chi had long ago rented out a vacant cave residence in the Sect for them to use for their cultivation.

Over the years, as Zhang Chi revealed higher levels of cultivation, he had also increased his investment in their business several times.

As a result, they had all now reached the limit of the Qi Cultivation stage and had managed to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills.

Of course, this was also thanks to Zhang Chi.

Many people in the Sect knew they were Zhang Chi’s subordinates. The Chen Family, Fu Hongchang, the Sect Steward, and even Hong Hu, who had returned earlier, had all looked out for them.

Therefore, it was naturally easy for them to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills; they didn’t even have to wait in line for long.

After a while, everyone dispersed, leaving only Hong Jin’Er behind.

Zhang Chi then used his old trick to remove the Pill Poison from her body. Afterward, he gifted her a Foundation Establishment Pill and had her attempt her breakthrough to Foundation Establishment right there on Divine Needle Peak.