"There’s one more thing. If you need to summon me in the future, there’s no need to forcibly drag my soul away. Just have someone inform me, and wouldn’t I come? It truly ruins my self-esteem!" Hu Li the Immortal’s childlike face was filled with indignation: "I am, after all, an old person who has lived for tens of thousands of years. Can’t you show some respect for the elderly?"
Zhang Chen glanced at Hu Li the Immortal, a trace of indifference showing in his eyes: "Just leave now and wait for my news."
It was unclear whether Zhang Chen agreed or not.
Since the two had already made a deal, Hu Li the Immortal turned into a beam of light and disappeared, leaving Zhang Chen standing there silently watching Hu Li the Immortal’s departing figure.
"Hu Li the Immortal’s power might be usable in the future," Zhang Chen calculated secretly, "However, to make Hu Li the Immortal obey, I need to navigate through the Beast Dao’s reincarnation, help him regain his cultivation, and then seize the opportunity to craft a ploy. So my primary task now is to retrieve the Beast Dao reincarnation, which is suppressed by the Celestial Measuring Ruler. I’m unsure whether my Celestial Measuring Ruler can open the space beneath the Exquisite Tower."
Zhang Chen pondered for quite some time before initiating the escape technique, vanishing on the spot, and reappearing in his own courtyard, engrossed in meditation and cultivation.
The following morning, Zhang Chen used the escape technique to arrive at Chongzheng Academy, revealing his presence at the foot of the mountain as a sign of respect for the academy.
Zhang Chen walked towards the back mountain, contemplating various ways to seize the treasure: "If I can’t access the underground space beneath the Exquisite Tower, I could have Hu Li the Immortal intervene and relocate the Exquisite Tower. Currently, Zhou Qiucheng is being restrained by Zhang Xiaohua inside the Exquisite Tower. If Hu Li the Immortal is willing to act now, there’s hope to disrupt the Exquisite Tower and free the suppressed space beneath it."
Just as Zhang Chen was devising strategies to seize the Beast Dao reincarnation, he suddenly heard a stream of curse words coming from afar, as Tushan Qing descended from the mountain top, spewing nasty remarks.
"Brother Chai, where are you going?" Zhang Chen asked when he saw Tushan Qing cursing.
Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s voice, Tushan Qing’s eyes lit up: "Brother Zhang, disaster has struck! Disaster has struck!"
"What kind of disaster?" Zhang Chen inquired.
"Zhang Gaoqiu, by some great fortune, has managed to control that broken wooden rod leading to the Spiritual World, becoming the master of that treasure!" Tushan Qing’s voice was filled with resentment: "A wretched mongrel like him dares to obtain such a creation? It’s as if a dog has been blessed by fortune!"
Zhang Chen was stunned upon hearing this, countless question marks floating overhead: Did Zhang Gaoqiu obtain the Celestial Measuring Ruler? If Zhang Gaoqiu has the Celestial Measuring Ruler, what is in my Primordial Spirit?
"Everyone knows the grudges between Zhang Gaoqiu and you. Now that Zhang Gaoqiu has obtained the Celestial Measuring Ruler, his status in the Great Victory Dynasty will surely soar, even catching the attention of the Great Victory Royal Family. Reports have emerged that Princess Chai Wenji invited Zhang Gaoqiu for tea, intending to recruit him as a consort!" Chai Chuanxin’s eyes turned red as he spoke.
"Damn mongrel, why don’t I have such luck?" Although Chai Chuanxin possessed royal blood, his lineage extended far beyond association with the Great Victory Royal Family, thus marriage with the royal family posed no issue.
"Where did you hear all this?" Zhang Chen calmly asked.
"Jiang Nan witnessed it firsthand, surrounded by academy disciples who also saw the rod vanish into thin air within Zhang Gaoqiu’s hands. If it wasn’t subdued and absorbed by Zhang Gaoqiu, where else could it have gone?" Chai Chuanxin cursed: "That bastard’s luck is enormous, managing to subdue such a treasure. Now, all the influential figures within the academy are offering olive branches to him. That guy’s popularity has skyrocketed overnight, making him a prominent figure in Jinling City. We should avoid facing that guy from now on and never engage in rivalry with him."
Zhang Chen’s expression turned surprised upon hearing all this, realizing a random misunderstanding had birthed itself, but he wasn’t planning on correcting it. Wasn’t that ruler the treasure of the Great Victory Royal Family— not so easily obtainable?
The Spiritual World touches upon a realm unexplored by humanity. Now "Zhang Gaoqiu has obtained the Celestial Measuring Ruler," garnering attention and favor from various influential families, but once they demand he open the portal to the Spiritual World in the future, he’ll undoubtedly face troubles.
What’s most crucial is that once the Great Zhou Royal Family believes Zhang Gaoqiu possesses the Celestial Measuring Ruler, will he ever gain freedom again?
At that moment, he’ll become merely a tool for operating the Celestial Measuring Ruler.
If Zhang Gaoqiu truly possessed the Celestial Measuring Ruler, it might be acceptable. The key issue is he’s pretending, eventually facing severe repercussions.
Zhang Chen was quite pleased, still puzzled about potential troubles arising from vanishing Celestial Measuring Ruler in the Exquisite Tower, possibly ensnaring him in a crisis, but out of nowhere, Zhang Gaoqiu resolved it for him.
"This pretension is good! What a delightful misunderstanding! It resolved quite a troublesome issue for me. Now, everyone’s attention focuses on Zhang Gaoqiu, providing a convenient opportunity for me to plot against the Beast Dao reincarnation." Zhang Chen was overjoyed internally, yet his face remained calm, indifferent as he listened to Tushan Qing’s continued chatter.
Seeing Zhang Chen’s indifference, Tushan Qing became as anxious as an ant on a hot pan: "My ancestors— don’t you realize the significance of Zhang Gaoqiu seizing the opportunity?"
"It means Zhang Gaoqiu will soar into the sky, becoming a favored guest of all major powers, valued by the Human King, and his status will suddenly rise. He will have an unlimited future, endless possibilities, and in the future, he will be at the center of the era, becoming the trendsetter of the times. Eventually, even the Zhang Family in Kyoto may fall into his hands. In contrast, you two have made enemies with him. The better he does, the more trouble you, kid, will be in. People will make things difficult for you to earn favor with Zhang Gaoqiu, constantly causing you trouble." Tushan Qing’s voice was filled with anxiety.
"And then?" Zhang Chen asked a question.
"And then?" Tushan Qing was taken aback by Zhang Chen’s question: "Do I still need to tell you what’s next? You will be completely suppressed, and then one morning, when you least expect it, you’ll be tragically killed on the street."
"I won’t die tragically on the street!" Zhang Chen retorted to Tushan Qing, continuing to walk toward the Exquisite Tower: "No one can kill me."
The two of them walked up the mountain, and when they reached the peak, they saw a bustling scene in front of the Exquisite Tower. Countless external academy disciples gathered there, seemingly waiting for something.
"Do you see those hundreds of figures gathered in front of the Exquisite Tower?" Tushan Qing followed behind Zhang Chen.
"Of course I see them," Zhang Chen said.
"They are all lining up to block the door, waiting for Zhang Gaoqiu to come out of the Exquisite Tower, hoping to curry favor with him," Tushan Qing said.
"Is there really such a thing?" Zhang Chen raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"Soaring into the sky, the fish leaping the Dragon Gate," Tushan Qing smacked his lips, his eyes full of envy.
"Let’s go. Instead of envying others, it’s better to collect the mysteries within this treasure tower and make a name for yourself," Zhang Chen replied to Tushan Qing, continuing to walk leisurely along the mountain path.
"Aren’t you at all anxious?" Tushan Qing looked at Zhang Chen’s leisurely posture, unable to suppress his curiosity, and asked.
"Of course, I’m not in a hurry!" Zhang Chen smiled as he walked through the mountains: "I say, Tushan Qing, it’s best for you not to whine in my ear, or I’ll beat your dog head."
Tushan Qing indeed fell silent upon hearing this, merely watching Zhang Chen’s back thoughtfully.
Zhang Chen walked along the mountain path, opening the Eye of Devouring. His eyes scanned the Exquisite Tower, and a hint of contemplation appeared in his gaze: "The six paths of reincarnation are not suppressed in the outside world, but there is another layer of space beneath the Exquisite Tower."
Because Zhang Chen did not find the flow of mysterious power under the Exquisite Tower, it was evident that there was no anomaly beneath the tower in the outside world.
Zhang Chen walked through the crowd, the eyes of many fixed on him with inexplicable expressions, and everyone’s minds were calculating busily.
However, this is the academy, and the dean is known for his iron-faced impartiality, so no one dares to act recklessly within the academy.
Zhang Chen entered the Exquisite Tower, seeing that it was equally lively inside. All the scholars surrounded Zhang Gaoqiu, lifting him as if he were the center of the universe, inquiring about Zhang Gaoqiu’s various insights.
At this moment, Zhang Gaoqiu stood in the center of the crowd, exuding confidence. The princess of the Great Victory Dynasty, Princess Chai Wenji, accompanied him softly, clearly enjoying the moment.
"I’m going to join the fun and see if there’s a chance to take that kid’s treasure. Then let’s see if he’ll still be that arrogant," Chai Chuanxin murmured to Zhang Chen with a lowered voice, eyeing Zhang Gaoqiu surrounded at the center.
Zhang Chen ignored Zhang Gaoqiu, surrounded by the crowd. His mind was fully occupied with the reincarnation of the Beast Dao. If he could develop the reincarnation of the Beast Dao and push Hu Li the Immortal up, he would be safer and might have a chance to snatch all the Creation of the Innate Water God from Zhang Xiaohua’s hands.
However, Zhang Chen didn’t want to cause a scene, but Zhang Gaoqiu might not let him off easily.
"Young Master Zhang, congratulations on obtaining the Supreme Creation. I’ve come to offer my congratulations," Chai Chuanxin thickened his face, squeezed through the crowd, and offered his congratulations.
"Oh, who is this? Isn’t it Chai Chuanxin? Aren’t you aligned with that kid? Why are you here congratulating me? Aren’t you afraid of Zhang Chen getting angry?" Zhang Gaoqiu was intrigued by Chai Chuanxin’s words and turned to look at him, his tone full of mockery.
"As the saying goes, ’A wise man adapts to the circumstances.’ I’ve now recognized your abilities and have long since distanced myself from Zhang Chen. How could I still mix with that scoundrel?" Chai Chuanxin did not hesitate to demean Zhang Chen, his voice full of righteous indignation.