As long as I seize this opportunity, I will definitely reap a big harvest.
Zhang Chen’s mind flashed with various thoughts, focusing all his attention on the Human Reincarnation of the Beast Dao beneath his feet. Sure enough, as the Yin Yang Grinding Disc manifested, the Qi Mechanism of the Human Reincarnation pulled, and the reincarnation of the Beast Dao began to gently tremble.
Zhang Chen stood in the grand hall, holding the Celestial Measuring Ruler in his left hand, and chanting a spell with gestures in his right hand. Using the Celestial Measuring Ruler, he transmitted his Reincarnation Curse into that dark world, and indeed saw the reincarnation of the Beast Dao transform into a stream of light that rose into the air, forming a reincarnation pattern and striking Zhang Chen’s Yin Yang Reincarnation Disc, instantly connecting with the Celestial Human Dao on the Yin Yang Reincarnation Disc, transforming into two deep black vortices, spinning below the Yin Yang Reincarnation Disc.
"It’s done!"
Upon seeing this scene, Zhang Chen was overjoyed: "Good! Good! Good!"
He uttered several "good" words consecutively, then saw the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disc turn, transforming into a stream of light that landed on those countless experience points. Unfortunately, those scattered experience points on the ground showed no movement, as Zhang Chen’s Yin Yang Grinding Disc could not help him collect the experience points.
Accompanied by his chanting spells, the Yin Yang Grinding Disc transformed again into the Power of Reincarnation, passing through the barrier of the Exquisite Tower and returning into Zhang Chen’s Primordial Spirit. So far, Zhang Chen’s actions to collect treasures counted as Merit Perfection.
"But the depths of the Exquisite Tower seem to hold some secrets that I cannot see clearly. In any case, this Exquisite Tower is definitely not that simple!" Zhang Chen pondered silently.
Consider that even with his current power, the abyss under the Exquisite Tower remained unfathomable, showing that the space beneath was definitely not that simple.
"I seem to feel familiar Qi Mechanism fluctuations." At this moment, the voice of the Great Freedom Celestial Demon sounded in Zhang Chen’s ear: "In the darkness, my body exists. My incomplete body!"
"Your incomplete body?" Zhang Chen was surprised, not knowing why the body of the Great Freedom Celestial Demon would appear in that darkness.
"Kid, hurry and leave! Don’t stay here! Below, my avatar is too fierce. Once it surfaces, we’ll be in big trouble." The Great Freedom Celestial Demon began urging Zhang Chen to leave.
Zhang Chen looked unexpectedly at the Great Freedom Celestial Demon, thinking that it would encourage him to go in and retrieve the body, but never thought the Great Freedom Celestial Demon would actively ask him to leave.
"What do you know? Beings like me, even in an incomplete body, will not experience Vitality extinction after billions of years. On the contrary, new will would arise! However, among the newly born wills, only one can rule. If he is stronger than me, he will devour me. If I am stronger than him, I will devour him. We are one but have independent intelligence." The Great Freedom Celestial Demon’s voice was filled with seriousness: "Once my cultivation enhances further, or if I lure him out, in this era he will surely decline and become like the Princess, with diminishing cultivation, eventually becoming my food. But under no circumstances can I actively descend; there it’s his domain, his strength is unrestricted, I’ll not gain any benefit going there."
Zhang Chen thought thoughtfully as he looked at the endless darkness, wanting to activate the Soul Hook chain, but felt no connection between himself and the abyss.
At this time, Zhang Chen mused aloud: "It seems you are indeed a whole, yet also independent, or else he would be restrained by my Secret Techniques. Tell me, if you and he become one, will my Soul Hooking and Soul Stealing chain also transfer to him?"
"Of course it would! Your skill is governed by the Law of Cause and Effect, and even the Grand Dao cannot sever it. If someday, I am really devoured by him, you must remember to avenge me." said the Great Freedom Celestial Demon.
"Is there a possibility, if you are devoured by him, I could pull you out from his body?" Zhang Chen asked probing.
Upon hearing this, the Great Freedom Celestial Demon instantly became serious, staring blankly at Zhang Chen, eyes revealing a hint of contemplation.
"You actually took it seriously?" Zhang Chen saw the Great Freedom Celestial Demon seriously pondering and teasingly asked.
Hearing this, the Great Freedom Celestial Demon scratched his head: "Perhaps, just faintly remembered something, but it’s blurry and vague as if never remembered."
Putting away the Celestial Measuring Ruler, Zhang Chen stepped on the staircase, examining the spacious grand hall: "Those are past matters, remembering is good, but if not, let it be, living well now is most important."
Speaking of this, Zhang Chen glanced at the Exquisite Tower’s wall, seeing countless strange carvings, feeling envy. If he could seize the Exquisite Tower, how many points could he obtain?
"Do you think I have a chance to take the Exquisite Tower?" Zhang Chen asked.
"You have no chance! The Life Soul of Zhou Qiucheng has already been captured by the Exquisite Tower, becoming its Artifact Spirit. He is now the master of the Exquisite Tower. Unless one day Zhou Qiucheng dies, with your ability, taking this Exquisite Tower wouldn’t be hard. But now the key is - would you kill someone for a mysterious Eleventh Tier?" the Great Freedom Celestial Demon asked.
Zhang Chen, having become Enlightened, certainly wouldn’t do that.
"Then let’s leave, one shouldn’t be too greedy." Zhang Chen sighed faintly; he had achieved his primary goal in coming to the Exquisite Tower. As for the oddities within, they have been sealed inside the Exquisite Tower, currently in a sealed state and isolated from the outside world, thus no points have fallen.
Zhang Chen’s eyes swept across the wall, filled with regret, then slowly and leisurely walked out of the palace.
Of course, although he couldn’t collect the points, it didn’t mean Zhang Chen had to leave Chongzheng Academy. He might find a way to withdraw some of the sealed creatures from within the academy.
He was contemplating whether he could confine the creatures sealed within the Exquisite Tower into the Ice Hell.
The creatures that could be sealed by Chongzheng Academy were fierce, immortal, and extremely troublesome. For Zhang Chen, they were all precious resources that could be transformed for personal use if confined in the Ice Hell.
However, since everyone had gone drinking, Zhang Chen didn’t want to stay in the academy to avoid arousing suspicions later on.
"In this Jinling incident, it would be best if I could covertly kill Zhang Xiaohua. If I fail to kill him, will Jinling City still tolerate me? Even Zhou Qiucheng may not be able to fully protect my family. If someone under Zhang Xiaohua secretly harms my family, can Zhou Qiucheng publicly break with Zhang Xiaohua?" Zhang Chen’s mind was restless with thoughts: "I fear Jinling City is no longer safe; I need to plan ahead."
As Zhang Chen pondered various ideas, he was hurrying down the mountain and encountered Tushan Qing sitting by the rockery halfway.
"Why didn’t you go to the banquet?" Zhang Chen asked Tushan Qing curiously.
"That guy is just putting on an act; he never really got that Spiritual World artifact. He’s fooled everyone," Tushan Qing muttered disdainfully. "I despise people like him, why should I care about him?"
"How do you know Zhang Gaoqiu didn’t get the artifact to enter the Dharma Realm?" Zhang Chen reflexively asked, then recalled Tushan Qing’s unbelievable Divine Techniques and realized he had already seen through the ruse.
"I naturally have my means," Tushan Qing replied with a smile.
As he spoke, Tushan Qing scrutinized Zhang Chen: "Do you know where that artifact has gone?"
"How would I know where that artifact went?" Zhang Chen retorted in an annoyed tone.
Seeing this, Tushan Qing didn’t press further and leaned in: "I noticed when you were coming down the mountain, you seemed troubled, with signs of concern on your face; is something bothering you?"
"No! I’m well-fed and warm, why would I have any worries?" Zhang Chen replied irritably, waving off Tushan Qing: "Move on, don’t block my way down the mountain."
"It must be about Zhang Xiaohua," Tushan Qing said with a knowing smile.
Zhang Chen paused, turned to look at Tushan Qing, who continued unhurriedly: "You wouldn’t be thinking of escaping when the Yellow Heaven Dao seizes Jinling, would you?"
Zhang Chen remained silent, just staring at Tushan Qing. This Fox Spirit’s intelligence was beyond expectation; no wonder Fox Fairy Nannan lost her tail in a gamble.
"I bet in less than half a year, there will be great changes in the Northern Land, and Zhang Xiaohua won’t stay long in Jinling City. If you can hold out in Jinling City for half a year, Zhang Xiaohua will definitely have to leave," Tushan Qing advised.
He didn’t want Zhang Chen to run away; his mysterious older brother still had potential to exploit.
Tushan Qing had witnessed the terrifying power of the Great Seal when Zhang Chen fought Zhuge Cheng, and he had a healthy respect for Zhang Chen, feeling he was different from ordinary cultivators. Otherwise, why else would he go to such lengths to stick by him?
"Do you have inside information?" Zhang Chen scrutinized Tushan Qing, a curious glint in his eyes.
"Within half a year, Prince Pingbian will undoubtedly die!" Tushan Qing asserted with conviction.
"How can that be! Prince Pingbian has refined his Qi Blood, his Martial Dao Cultivation is extraordinary, he’s in perfect health and has at least a century to live, how could he possibly die so suddenly?" Zhang Chen was incredulous.
"Time will tell," Tushan Qing replied mysteriously.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s curiosity was piqued, and he tentatively asked: "Could it be that the Demon Race is targeting Prince Pingbian’s Mansion?"
"Analyze your reasons," Tushan Qing didn’t deny it but curiously awaited Zhang Chen’s rationale.
As for whether Zhang Chen’s guesses would reach Zhang Xiaohua’s ears, Tushan Qing wasn’t worried. The enmity between Zhang Chen and Zhang Xiaohua was an unresolvable deadlock.