Zhou Qiucheng was stunned for a moment, and then suddenly realized: "Severing the relationship is a good thing, otherwise you will definitely have big trouble in the future. Those second and third-rate families in Jinling City will definitely devour the Shen family’s properties and exterminate all the Shen family bloodlines. It’s lucky you managed to get out in advance!"
Zhou Qiucheng then talked about the matters in Jinling City, which were exactly the same as what Zhang Chen knew. When he spoke of the Shen family’s Eleventh Tier deity, Zhou Qiucheng said: "The Eleventh Tier deity of the Shen family is actually the reincarnation of the Innate Water God True Spirit, intending to destroy Jinling City. Fortunately, I activated the final power of the Treasure Tower, injuring and repelling it, otherwise, Jinling City would have sunk and been submerged by that Innate Water God tonight."
Zhang Chen thought about how he had dismembered the corpse of the Innate Water God, and his heart trembled. If the Innate Water God’s True Spirit found out, it would not end well for him.
"The resurrection of the Innate Water God’s True Spirit aims to unleash retribution in Jinling City. Although the Innate Water God was repelled by sir, it still left a significant disaster. If it returns one day, Jinling City will be in turmoil again," Zhang Chen tentatively inquired.
He knew the background of the Innate Water God; it wouldn’t be long before the Innate Water God would reach the Twelfth Tier. By then, if it came to Jinling City to cause trouble again, who could resist the Water God’s power?
Zhou Qiucheng replied, "No need to worry. A True Spirit of the Innate Divine Spirit emerging would definitely stir the interest of major families and powerful figures. Whoever can capture and refine it might hope to step into the legendary realms or glimpse the mysteries of the Ancient Era. At the very least, refining the True Spirit of the Innate Water God could grant one the fortune of immortality. Afraid that the Yellow Heaven Dao, the court, the White Lotus Sect, and the ancient families would all target this Innate Water God. It fought me to a mutual loss, and I used the Treasure Tower to seal its cultivation, suppressing its Divine Techniques, sealing it from the Eleventh Tier to the Tenth Tier. However, it managed to launch a technique into my body, attempting to ice-seal me. Neither of us benefited. Later, when the Yellow Heaven Dao’s Star God was about to descend, the Innate Water God seized the opportunity to slip away, or else today it might have ended here."
Zhang Chen looked at the frost swirling around Zhou Qiucheng, a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes. He wielded the Authority of Water Element, sensing a particularly stubborn cold entangling Zhou Qiucheng’s soul. This coldness was infused with the Law of Water, and despite his Authority of Water Element, he couldn’t remove it.
Because it wasn’t true water; it was Divine Technique!
"This coldness, although not comparable to that giant hand, still possesses incredible power, filled with extraordinary force," Zhang Chen muttered to himself.
"Father, are you alright after suffering from the Innate Water God’s methods? How can this issue be resolved?" Nearby, Zhou Zhen looked at Zhou Qiucheng, full of concern.
"No worries! I have the Treasure Tower, which can suppress all strange forces. Given time, I can dissolve this power," Zhou Qiucheng said.
He didn’t seem concerned about his injuries and, as he spoke, picked up a book from beside him. The book quickly became covered in a layer of frost.
"I’ll soon retreat into closed meditation for cultivation. Take these books to your younger siblings; teach them to study carefully, and when I come out of retreat, I’ll explain them," Zhou Qiucheng placed the frost-covered books in front of Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen glanced at Zhou Qiucheng with a serious look; Zhou Qiucheng was far from relaxed. The attacks from the Divine Techniques were severe.
Zhang Chen gathered the books, thanked Zhou Qiucheng, and then saw Zhou Qiucheng, exhausted, wave off Zhang Chen and Zhou Zhen, gesturing for them to leave.
Once they exited the room, standing under the eaves, looking at the falling rain and the dark clouds in the sky, Zhou Zhen revealed a worried look in his eyes: "I wonder if Father can withstand this calamity!"
"Dean Zhou has a benevolent heart and brings benefit to countless citizens of Jinling; he will surely turn danger into safety and give rise to boundless fortune," Zhang Chen consoled him.
Zhou Qiucheng took a deep breath, "I hope so."
Then the two parted ways, with Zhang Chen returning home. Zhang Fei was meditating on the bed; Zhang Chen did not disturb him. Instead, he raised the flame in the lamp to brighten the room before sitting at the table to ponder the upcoming issues.
"The chaos in Jinling City is inevitable; for now, it might be best to settle in the mountains and avoid leaving hastily. Tomorrow, I’ll find an opportunity to deal with the remains of the Innate Water God and the Innate Jade. Perhaps this will help me step into the Tenth Tier. With a Tenth Tier Skill, my ability to survive in Jinling City will significantly improve," Zhang Chen contemplated various thoughts:
"Should I lead my family away from the whirlpool of Jinling City? But where would I go after leaving Jinling? In Jinling, at least Zhou Qiucheng provides protection. Establishing roots again outside Jinling will not be easy," Zhang Chen stared at the lamp flame in thought.
And now that Yellow Heaven Dao has discovered his tracks and knows he is in Jiangnan, they will surely turn the world upside down to find him. Even if he leaves Jinling, can he truly hide peacefully? It might be better to stay at Chongzheng Academy under Zhou Qiucheng’s protection.
With Zhou Qiucheng around, Yellow Heaven Dao won’t dare to act rashly, granting him time to develop.
Moreover, his younger siblings need a teacher to instruct them in cultural knowledge. Hiding would delay their enlightenment, leading them to become illiterate. How could Zhang Chen face his deceased parents then?
Once in seclusion, seeking a teacher for learning becomes extremely difficult since all knowledge is controlled by the nobility.
Moreover, within the Exquisite Tower are suppressed countless strange beings. Zhang Chen still needs to guide them out and imprison them in the Ice Hell to become his source of points. Furthermore, deep within the Exquisite Tower, there is the avatar of the Great Freedom Celestial Demon. Zhang Chen has too many matters to deal with; how could he just leave?
"At least first clear out half of the evil spirits inside the Exquisite Tower, then thoroughly study the avatar of the Great Freedom Celestial Demon before I can leave," Zhang Chen thought to himself.
He and the three little ones had wandered thousands of miles, and he truly didn’t want to run anymore; he just wanted to find a stable place to develop.
Additionally, he felt Ying’s injuries were not so simple, so how could he feel at ease leaving?
Zhang Chen contemplated for a long time, finally took a glance at Zhang Fei who was meditating, extinguished the lamp flame, laid himself straight on the bed, and entered a state of meditation.
On the morning of the next day, accompanied by the sound of thunder, Zhang Chen awoke from slumber. With the passage of a night, the sky still remained dark, and the downpour was like a deluge.
Zhang Chen pushed open the door and looked outside, seeing the rainwater gathered into a river, flowing downhill.
Zhou Zhen stood under the eaves, silently watching the rainwater falling from the sky. Hearing the sound of Zhang Chen opening the window, he came over and said, "Zhang, it’s time to eat. My mother has invited your family to come and eat."
Upon hearing these words, Zhang Chen responded with a guilty expression, "Originally, I should have prepared some gifts to first pay respect to Madam and Sir..."
"It’s a special time now; there’s no need for all those formalities." Zhou Zhen shook his head, "Things were already chaotic downhill since last night, and the shouts of slaughter have never stopped."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen inclined his ears, seeming to hear the thunderous shouts of slaughter coming from the direction of Jinling City. The black clouds in the sky seemed slightly tinged with blood red, and the scent of blood wafted through the air.
Zhang Chen, being a master of the Blood Dao, was most sensitive to blood. He could sense that Jinling City was overflowing with blood at the moment, the underground Sea of Blood gates wide open, countless blood converging there.
Zhang Chen led Mrs. Zhang to pay respects to Madam Zhou. After the family finished breakfast, Mrs. Zhang stayed in the room to chat and catch up with Madam Zhou, while the three little ones went to the academy to continue studying. Zhang Chen and Zhou Zhen headed towards the Exquisite Tower.
Holding oil-paper umbrellas, they parted ways. Zhang Chen and Zhou Zhen walked side by side, and along the way, encountering students heading up the mountain, Zhang Chen immediately sensed something was wrong. The mountain today seemed to carry a hint of a murderous atmosphere.
"Don’t worry, with my father sitting at the helm, all conflicts are settled at the bottom of the mountain and kept outside the academy. Anyone who dares break the academy’s rules is seeking their own demise." Zhou Zhen noticed Zhang Chen’s change in expression, mistaking it for concern over enmity with Yellow Heaven Dao, given that the matters between Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Chen were known to everyone, so he spoke to comfort him.
"I’m not worried about that. I’m just pondering how many of the descendants of nobles will fall from grace after tonight, and how many will seize the opportunity to turn the tables." replied Zhang Chen.
"All grievances have nothing to do with the mountain," said Ying.
As they talked, Zhang Chen saw Shen Ling and Jiang Nan coming over, both girls smiling as they walked up from the bottom of the mountain, holding a red oil-paper umbrella. Raindrops slipped off the umbrella, resembling crimson blood.
The two girls wore full smiles without a hint of worry, seemingly unaware of any upheaval below the mountain.
"What are you staring at? No matter how much you look, I won’t marry you!" With an arrogant glance sidelong at Zhang Chen full of pride, Shen Ling said, "My marriage with Gao Qiu is already arranged, and we will wed in three months. You have no chance, so give up on this idea! Don’t think standing here waiting for me will make me change my mind."
Shen Ling’s voice was crisp, filled with the arrogance of a noble lady, looking down at Zhang Chen with disdain.
Zhang Chen at this point was sure that Shen Ling was truly unaware of the Shen Family’s changes. He looked at Shen Ling with pity, and for once did not refute.
"Let’s go! Don’t bother with him." Jiang Nan pulled Shen Ling’s arm, and the two disappeared into the misty rain.
"They’ve been living in the mountain lately, so they probably don’t know about the upheaval below." Zhou Zhen’s eyes carried a curious meaning, staring at the backs of the two girls, his voice filled with compassion.
"I truly wonder what kind of scene it would be if one day this high-and-mighty young lady suddenly fell from the Ninth Heaven. She probably would never have imagined that such a colossal force like the Shen Family could collapse overnight, would she?" Zhang Chen’s words were filled with anticipation.