Zhang Chen heard the cursing sounds and walked out of the house, only to see the three little ones full of indignation. Upon seeing Zhang Chen, they immediately stopped their cursing, each with a guilty expression, greeted him awkwardly, and then hurried back to their own rooms.
"Something’s strange!" Zhang Chen watched the hurriedly departing backs of the three little ones, his mind communicating with the Blood God Child who escorted them to and from school daily, a trace of surprise in his eyes: "So that’s it!"
The three little ones had gotten into a fight again at the academy, and even broke a scholar’s leg, which was why they looked guilty.
"As long as they didn’t suffer a loss, it’s fine," Zhang Chen muttered to himself.
As long as the three little ones didn’t suffer a loss, even if they tore down Chongzheng Academy, Zhang Chen wouldn’t blame them one bit.
"Time to eat!"
Mrs. Zhang called out, and the three little ones obediently came out of their rooms to have dinner. At this time, Mrs. Zhang noticed the sallow complexion of Zhang Chen under the lamplight and immediately sensed something was amiss.
Mrs. Zhang put down her bowl and chopsticks, and looked at Zhang Chen with a serious expression: "Eldest, what’s wrong with your complexion?"
Upon hearing this, the three little ones raised their heads from their bowls in unison, and seeing Zhang Chen’s listless demeanor, they were all surprised. Chengyu even exclaimed: "Have you hurt your Primordial Qi?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the house went into chaos, everyone was on edge, neglecting their meal to quickly crowd around and show concern for Zhang Chen’s well-being.
Seeing this, Zhang Chen smiled lightly: "I’ve recently accomplished a major task, found a strong backing for everyone, so I’ve used up some Primordial Qi. But it’s nothing serious, in half a month, I’ll have recovered."
Zhang Chen’s voice was filled with warmth: "You don’t need to worry, don’t you know I’m always careful in what I do? Naturally, I weigh the pros and cons."
Hearing this, Mrs. Zhang’s eyes filled with tears, which then fell onto her clothes: "Eldest, we’ve burdened you."
"Families don’t talk about burden, we’re a family, we must strive and progress together." After saying this, Zhang Chen patted the three little ones on their heads: "Don’t worry, in less than half a month, elder brother’s injuries will be healed. Hurry up and eat, don’t let the food get cold."
With Zhang Chen’s words, the family sat back at the table to eat again, but the atmosphere was much heavier than before the meal.
After dinner, Zhang Chen checked the progress of the three little ones, then returned to continue his meditation practice. The next morning when he arrived at the Exquisite Tower, he saw that it had returned to its usual bustling state, with scholars lining up in front of it.
From a distance, the line stretched from the front of the Exquisite Tower to the foot of the mountain, everyone holding large bags, waiting among the mountains.
As Zhang Chen walked by, the ordinary scholars of the outer courtyard looked at him with a sallow complexion, their eyes casting a strange look.
"Is that Zhang Chen? The one who opposed Zhang Gaoqiu? He looks so sallow and weak, as if he could be blown away by a gust of wind. What’s happened to him?"
"If it were you, having offended Young Master Zhang Gaoqiu, you’d probably be as mentally and physically exhausted as he is, overwhelmed with anxiety. Living in fear every day, suffering as if a day is as long as a year." Someone joked from the side.
"Indeed, if it were me, I’d probably already be kneeling at Young Master Zhang Gaoqiu’s door, begging for his forgiveness. It’s impressive that he can still hold on, truly a strong man!"
"I heard they are related, sharing the same bloodline? Yet, there’s such a big difference between brothers. Both come from the same ancestral bloodline, but one is like the Divine Dragon of the Nine Heavens, while the other has fallen to such a state. Truly a world of difference!"
...
The group looked at Zhang Chen, whispering to each other, their eyes filled with odd expressions, discussing among themselves.
People knew the relationship between Zhang Chen and Zhang Gaoqiu, and to curry favor with Zhang Gaoqiu, they didn’t hide their conversations even when speaking ill of Zhang Chen, ensuring their words reached Zhang Chen’s ears.
Zhang Chen’s gaze swept over the crowd; they were all insignificant like ants, not worth his anger. These people didn’t even possess the Bloodline Power; as long as they didn’t provoke him, Zhang Chen had no interest in dealing with them.
Zhang Chen, with a composed expression, walked past the steps, ignoring the chatter of the crowd. He made his way into the Exquisite Tower, where he saw the spirited Zhang Gaoqiu, arms crossed, surrounded by a circle of noble descendants, engaging in animated discussions inside the tower.
"Huh, there’s a fluctuation of Mysterious Power on this guy. Has he actually mastered another Mysterious Power? But this power doesn’t seem like the Bloodline Power of the Zhang Family." As soon as Zhang Chen entered the Exquisite Tower and saw Zhang Gaoqiu, he immediately sensed something off with Zhang Gaoqiu’s Qi Mechanism.
Who is Zhang Chen? How could Zhang Gaoqiu’s changes escape his notice?
"Zhang, why do you look like this?" At that moment, Tushan Qing approached Zhang Chen with a concerned look and asked, "Are you struggling to eat and sleep because Zhang Gaoqiu has gained a great advantage, leaving you distressed and your Essence, Qi, and Spirit depleted overnight?"
"Stop spouting nonsense!" Zhang Chen rolled his eyes at Tushan Qing in annoyance: "I accomplished a significant feat last night, something concerning the seizing of the Water God Tomb, so I accidentally injured my Primordial Qi."
Hearing this, Tushan Qing’s eyes immediately lit up: "Did you infiltrate the Shen Family last night and then get injured by Shen Family’s experts?"
Zhang Chen shook his head: "You’ll know in due time! But don’t worry, I’ll give you a huge surprise."
"I’m quite looking forward to your surprise now. After all, a surprise that leaves you so severely depleted in Primordial Qi is really something to anticipate." Tushan Qing said with a sly smile.
"Does that guy have another boon and Creation?" Zhang Chen looked at the mysterious Qi Mechanism flowing around Zhang Gaoqiu from a distance and asked about Zhang Gaoqiu.
"The news has already spread. Last night, Princess Chai Wenji, in order to win him over, actually gave him the Great Victory Royal Family’s Secret Treasure: the ’Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Demon-Extinguishing Shuttle’." Tushan Qing’s voice was full of envy, his tone a bit sour: "What right does he have to possess such a Secret Treasure like the Demon-Extinguishing Shuttle."
"Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Demon-Extinguishing Shuttle? What’s that treasure?" Zhang Chen questioned in confusion.
"This treasure is an unknown level of Secret Treasure, its greatest effect is to pierce through any binding force, capable of penetrating any Array’s barriers. It can ascend to the stars above and return to the sea below. With just a thought, it can travel tens of thousands of miles, possessing the ability to pierce through space. This treasure was once the dowry presented by the Emperor Dasheng to the current Empress. Later, Princess Chai Wenji, dearly loved by the current Emperor and Empress, was granted this treasure when she expressed her desire to study in Jinling City. Although this treasure is not particularly strong in attack, in terms of escape, it is top-notch. In the past, the Chai Family could excavate countless tombs, smoothly penetrating numerous Feng Shui Grand Arrays, precisely because of the effect of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Demon-Extinguishing Shuttle. However, as the treasure was continuously used, its Origin got consumed, and its power gradually declined, becoming a symbolic treasure of the Great Victory Dynasty."
Hearing Tushan Qing’s words, Zhang Chen felt a stir in his heart. The ’not strong in attack’ and ’symbolic’ treasure mentioned by Tushan Qing referred to the Great Victory Royal Family, which owns three Twelfth Tier Mystic treasures.
These words are to be taken lightly. If someone were to believe them, they would be in serious trouble.
"This guy has such good fortune, living off women, really makes one envious." Tushan Qing murmured next to Zhang Chen.
"Even living off women is a skill in itself, but for Princess Chai Wenji to place such a big bet so easily, isn’t that a bit too hasty?" Zhang Chen was somewhat puzzled.
"You may not know, but the Great Victory court is currently teeming with undercurrents. This Princess Chai Wenji is backed by none other than the current Third Prince, who is now the Crown Prince. Her coming to Jinling City is not merely for the Inner Courtyard’s Mysteries, but to recruit talents for the Crown Prince. She carries the heavy responsibility of the Crown Prince’s lineage and the Empress’ lineage. Otherwise, with her status, joining Kyoto Academy wouldn’t be difficult for her, so why come all the way to Jinling, thousands of miles away?" Chai Chuanxin explained.
"Currently, political struggles in Kyoto are intense. The Eldest Prince and the Second Prince have shown their capabilities and both possess remarkable means, stirring up chaos in Kyoto. Though the Third Prince is the Crown Prince, he merely holds the legitimate title because of his noble birth, being the legitimate heir of the current Empress. However, the Third Prince was born too late, at least a generation behind the Eldest and Second Princes. Despite holding the legitimate line, the Eldest Prince may have thoughts about the Human King’s Position as well. Zhang Gaoqiu possesses access to the Spiritual World, which everyone is exploring as a forbidden zone. According to ancient records, it contains Peaches of Immortality that can extend life by hundreds of millions of years, along with countless Divine Weapons and Cultivation Techniques. These are enough to make one’s eyes red with envy, justifying the Princess’ heavy investment. Being in an advantageous position now, if she doesn’t show her resolve, once Kyoto catches wind, she won’t have the upper hand." Tushan Qing noted:
"I suspect that this princess might even place a heavier bet, possibly even offering herself."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s expression turned peculiar. He hadn’t anticipated that Zhang Gaoqiu was so adept at seizing opportunities. With his Bloodline Power lost, he should have had his future ruined and no longer able to rise within the Zhang Family. Yet now, he managed to seize a chance, eking out a glimmer of Vitality from such a dire situation.
"Damn, he actually got lucky!" Tushan Qing cursed in frustration.
While the two were speaking, someone entered from outside, approached Zhang Gaoqiu’s side, and whispered to him. Immediately, the people around Zhang Gaoqiu frequently cast their eyes toward Zhang Chen. When they saw Zhang Chen’s haggard appearance, their gazes were rife with peculiarities.
At this moment, Zhang Gaoqiu pushed through the crowd and strode over to Zhang Chen: "Zhang Chen!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen turned his head to look at Zhang Gaoqiu, who approached with a spirited bearing and eyes full of pride.