Chapter 402 - 378: Chongming Bird Bloodline

Chapter 402: Chapter 378: Chongming Bird Bloodline

"You..."

The five men were so incensed with shame and fury that they each coughed up another mouthful of blood.

"What ’you’?" Zhang Chi cut them off. "Scram, or I’ll kill you all with a single punch. By the time the three Palace Masters get here, there won’t be anything left of you to save!"

"Fine, we’ll go!"

The five were still unconvinced. They believed Zhang Chi had won through trickery and didn’t think he would actually dare to murder his fellow disciples.

But faced with the murderous glint in Zhang Chi’s eyes, they didn’t dare utter another word and decided it was best to leave for now.

The five of them then helped each other up, preparing to depart.

The other cultivators did the same.

"Stop. Have you all forgotten something?" Just then, Zhang Chi suddenly spoke up again.

The five men and the other cultivators jolted at his words and froze.

As he spoke, Zhang Chi had taken a single step, appearing before them like a phantom.

If they dared to make a single rash move, there was no guarantee Zhang Chi wouldn’t flatten them with a punch.

"What might that be? We are unaware. Please enlighten us, Senior Brother."

One of the cultivators, unable to bear the pressure of Zhang Chi’s icy gaze, asked nervously.

"You all came to congratulate my women on their breakthroughs, didn’t you? If so, why haven’t you presented any congratulatory gifts?"

"Or are you saying you were actually here to cause trouble and snatch them away? If that’s the case, heh heh..."

Zhang Chi sneered.

"Senior Brother, we were all here to offer our congratulations."

"That’s right! Congratulations to the two Junior Sisters on their breakthrough, and congratulations to you as well, Senior Brother. Here is a small token of our sincerity. Please don’t take offense."

"I have something as well."

"And I!"

The cultivators had a sudden realization. Cursing him inwardly, they had no choice but to obediently hand over their Cultivation Materials. The offerings were substantial, both in quantity and quality.

They were all terrified of displeasing Zhang Chi.

Under normal circumstances, when a cultivator achieved Nascent Soul Formation, it was perfectly normal to offer gifts to foster a good relationship.

But they wouldn’t just give gifts randomly, and certainly not this much.

Besides, giving gifts to Zhang Chi this time was guaranteed to yield no goodwill whatsoever.

But alas, they had no choice but to yield to the circumstances, so they could only grit their teeth and endure.

After all, if five Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivators teaming up had been so grievously wounded, what chance did the rest of them stand?

If all the cultivators united, they might be able to win, but there would still be casualties, and no one wanted to be among them.

Besides, they weren’t that united to begin with.

"Alright, scram!"

Zhang Chi accepted the Cultivation Materials, not even sparing the five grievously wounded cultivators. In fact, he took even more from them.

Then, with an impatient wave of his hand, he shooed them away like flies.

"Thank you for sparing us, Senior Brother!"

Feeling as though they had been granted a great amnesty, the cultivators scrambled to get away.

’If only I’d listened to Qin Yuyan before!’

’Exactly! I can’t believe what she said was true. When she was trying to drive us away, she was actually trying to help us!’

’It’s too late now. I regret this so much!’

At the same time, all the cultivators were filled with immense regret.

’Chen Bufan, you just wait!’

Some cultivators were filled with resentment, but they didn’t dare let it show.

The five grievously wounded Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivators were a prime example.

"Third Brother, this isn’t good. They’ll surely hold a grudge."

After the cultivators had departed in disgrace, Qin Yuyan couldn’t help but worry.

She had tried to persuade the cultivators to leave precisely because she didn’t want Zhang Chi to make so many enemies.

But now, it was clear she had utterly failed.

Zhang Chi’s methods were far more ruthless than she had ever anticipated.

This made her both worried for Zhang Chi and envious of Lan Xuan and Qin Susu.

"This is all our fault..." Lan Xuan and Qin Susu couldn’t help but feel worried and even blame themselves.

"Heh, they’re nothing but a bunch of ants. Unless they become Divinity Transformation Celestial Monarchs, or have one backing them up, they can’t touch me no matter what ruckus they cause. They’ll only end up learning more painful lessons!"

Zhang Chi, however, simply smiled, unconcerned.

He didn’t like to stir up trouble, but he wouldn’t stand by and be bullied.

Especially not when he had the strength to fight back.

Besides, he was in the right. Even if the three Palace Masters found out, they couldn’t possibly punish him, so he had nothing to fear.

"That’s true. Let’s hope they know what’s good for them."

Hearing this, Qin Yuyan and the other two women thought it over and, finding his reasoning sound, calmed down.

After all, they all had some idea of just how powerful Zhang Chi was.

"Besides, my brother and I will help you. If worse comes to worst, I’ll have my brother report this to the three Palace Masters," Qin Yuyan added.

"Mm, thank you, Second Sister. If it becomes necessary, that’s certainly an option."

Zhang Chi nodded, not wanting to refuse her kind offer.

Although he wasn’t afraid of those cultivators, he didn’t completely underestimate them either.

After all, even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit.

Next, the four of them entered the Cave Mansion to celebrate. Zhang Chi and the two women sent messages to Chen Bufan, Zhong Yu, and the others to share the good news.

However, they didn’t hold a Nascent Soul Formation ceremony.

For one, in the Central Immortal City, two new Nascent Soul Cultivators were hardly a noteworthy event.

For another, they didn’t really have any friends in the Central Immortal City.

However, some cultivators who were acquaintances of Zhang Chi and Qin Yuyan came to offer their congratulations and leave gifts over the next few days.

After all, over the years Zhang Chi had helped people with Alchemy and Artifact Refining and participated in trade fairs. While he hadn’t made any new friends, he had acquired a number of acquaintances.

The same was even more true for Qin Yuyan.

Zhang Chi accepted the congratulations from these cultivators and made a mental note of their names and faces.

When Chen Bufan and the others received the news, they were all overjoyed for Qin Susu, Lan Xuan, and Zhang Chi.

With the exception of Xiao Yunhong, the other cultivators at the Golden Core Cultivation stage were quite envious.

Furthermore, they all sent gifts, which were delivered through the Desert Divine Palace’s network.

Of course, all of this happened later.

At this moment, Zhang Chi and the other three were in the Cave Mansion, having personally prepared some food and wine for their celebration.

After they were done, the group began discussing their plans for the future.

After all, now that the two women were Nascent Soul Cultivators, they would need their own dedicated Cave Mansions for Cultivation in Seclusion.

Otherwise, it would certainly interfere with Zhang Chi’s Cultivation.

A Golden Core cultivator absorbed a small amount of Spiritual Qi, which had a negligible effect on Zhang Chi, but a Nascent Soul cultivator was a different story.

Besides, it was obviously no longer appropriate for Nascent Soul Cultivators to act as stewards of his Cave Mansion.

"Senior Brother, we want to establish two new Tier Four Cave Mansions near yours."

"Yes, that way we can always be close to you..."

Qin Susu and Lan Xuan had clearly already given this some thought, and they immediately shared their plan.

They intended to be self-sufficient, but they had no desire to be far from Zhang Chi. It wasn’t necessary, and they couldn’t bear the thought of it.

Zhang Chi’s high Cultivation was a huge help to them, both through his occasional guidance and through dual cultivation.

Being near him also made it easier for him to protect them.

"Alright. I’ll have the Sect divert two Tier Four Spiritual Veins to this area. Then you can establish your Cave Mansions."

Zhang Chi agreed readily.

This wasn’t difficult for Zhang Chi to arrange.

In the Desert Divine Palace, a cultivator who successfully achieved Nascent Soul Formation was entitled to various rewards, including a Tier Four Cave Mansion.

It was just that ordinary cultivators without a powerful backer, even after reaching the Nascent Soul realm, would never be granted a Cave Mansion in such a prime location.

Zhang Chi agreed precisely because he wanted to keep the two women by his side—not just for personal affection and pleasure, but also because they both helped improve his Cultivation and aptitude.

This was especially true of Qin Susu. The higher her Cultivation, the more enchanting she became, and the more potent her Charm Demon Jade Liquid.

Afterward, Qin Yuyan prepared to leave, while Zhang Chi planned to take the two women to handle the registration procedures for their new residences.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out from outside.

"Is Junior Brother Chen in his Cave Mansion? Wang Chongming has come to pay a visit!"

The voice was thunderous and piercing, causing the Grand Array outside the Cave Mansion to tremble violently.

’Hmph. Who is this Wang Chongming, and how dare he be so insolent?’

Zhang Chi’s gaze turned cold.

At the same time, his Divine Thought swept out, immediately detecting a young-looking cultivator in a crimson robe standing outside, his aura immense.

This cultivator was a Nascent Soul Late Stage master, just a hair’s breadth away from a breakthrough. A Palace Master Disciple Token hung at his waist.

Furthermore, he hadn’t come alone. A large group of cultivators followed behind him.

Among them were the very same five men he had just grievously wounded.

Those cultivators wore expressions of pure schadenfreude.

’So this is the backup those cultivators went to find?’

Seeing the formation, Zhang Chi immediately understood the situation.

He was about to go out and confront them.

"Third Brother, be careful. This Wang Chongming not only has a high Cultivation, but his Combat Power is also immense. He was ranked first in the assessment cohort before mine. And his number one rank is much more well-deserved than mine was."

"Furthermore, it’s said he formed a Seven Patterns Golden Core and possesses the bloodline of the Chongming Bird, making his breakthrough comparable to someone with an Eight Patterns Golden Core. His Combat Power is even greater as a result."

"Within the Divine Palace, everyone believes he is destined to become a True Inheritor and might even have a chance to become a Divinity Transformation Celestial Monarch in his lifetime!"

At that moment, Qin Yuyan, with a grave expression, quickly grabbed Zhang Chi’s arm and filled him in on their visitor.

"Is that so? Interesting. But it’s no matter. Even if he’s at Nascent Soul Peak, if he dares to cause trouble for me, I’ll make sure he regrets it!"

Zhang Chi was slightly surprised, but that was all.

The Chongming Bird was a legendary Ancient Divine Bird of immense power. Even a Divinity Transformation Celestial Monarch was but an ant before it.

Unfortunately for Wang Chongming, he only possessed a mere trace of that bloodline, so it was hardly enough to intimidate Zhang Chi.

"How about this: let me try to negotiate with him first. If he refuses to listen, it won’t be too late for you to step in, Third Brother."

Qin Yuyan didn’t want Zhang Chi to clash with him, but she didn’t press the issue, worried he might react defiantly. Instead, she suggested a compromise.

"Alright."

Zhang Chi knew she meant well, so he agreed without hesitation.

Then, Zhang Chi and Qin Yuyan deactivated the array and walked out of the Cave Mansion side by side.

He had Qin Susu and Lan Xuan remain inside the Cave Mansion, lest he be unable to protect them if a fight broke out.

"Haha, this guy Chen is finished!"

"Exactly. Senior Brother Wang Chongming has always been interested in Qin Yuyan and has been looking for ways to improve his own aptitude. But this Chen guy has Qin Susu, a concubine with a special bloodline, and is also involved in some shady business with Qin Yuyan. It’d be a miracle if Senior Brother Wang *didn’t* teach him a lesson!"

"That’s right, all we have to do is sit back and enjoy the show. Let’s see how he’s going to act so arrogant now!"

Meanwhile, the cultivators outside were buzzing with discussion. The five men from before were particularly gleeful and filled with anticipation.

In fact, the only reason Wang Chongming had come at all was because they had tipped him off.