The essence of Blood Dao power has already surpassed the Twelfth Tier, reaching the realm of ’Fruit’. It’s just that Zhang Chen’s skill level is too weak to unleash the formidable power of the Blood Dao.
The Blood God Child is absolutely not something ordinary cultivators of the Yellow Heaven Dao can detect. If it were said that the enigmatic Great Virtuous Master took action personally, Zhang Chen might find it somewhat believable.
Regarding the Great Virtuous Master of the Yellow Heaven Dao, Zhang Chen has always been extremely wary, finding their depth unfathomable. As the founder of a mysterious cultivation system a full jiazi (sixty years) ago, their path is not just the Incense Divine Dao but also incorporates the Yang God Dao. Zhang Chen can hardly imagine how high their cultivation truly is.
Especially since they have been collecting incense from the whole world for a jiazi. To what astonishing level would their strength have risen?
Thinking about the experts cultivated by Yellow Heaven Dao now, such as the Southern Dipper Six Stars, the Beidou Seven Stars, the Twelve True People, and the Yangtze River Water God, one can imagine the realm of the Great Virtuous Master.
"There’s a reason why Yellow Heaven Dao still bounces around causing trouble even under the court’s suppression and siege," Zhang Chen felt a slight sense of emotion in his heart.
"Are you confident? Are you sure that position will fall to you?" Zhang Chen looked at Huang Chao in surprise.
"I have countless methods, and so far no one has been able to see through them. Even the numerous Star Gods of Yellow Heaven Dao and the Eleventh Tier Yangtze River Water God cannot see through. If I can’t inherit this position, then no one in Yellow Heaven Dao is suitable," Huang Chao’s voice was filled with pride.
He indeed had the capability to be proud.
Zhang Chen glanced at Huang Chao. The curse origin within his body was not an ordinary simple curse but the fragmentary origin of a Demon God. In terms of the essence of power, it had already surpassed the Twelfth Tier, so it was normal that no one in Yellow Heaven Dao could perceive it.
"Then I must congratulate you in advance," Zhang Chen raised a wine cup towards Huang Chao.
"The pleasure is shared, let’s drink this cup together!" Huang Chao said with a smile.
The two drank some more wine, and then Huang Chao, tipsy, fell asleep, leaving Zhang Chen to sit in the room eating small dishes, pondering the situation in Jinling City. After a long time, he put down his chopsticks, instructed the servants to clear them away, and then went to the courtyard, washed up, and meditated on the Law of Heaven and Earth.
In fact, Huang Chao was not exaggerating. Three days later, Huang Chao was elected as one of the six decision-makers of Jinling City, replacing his superior, becoming the new ruler of Zhang Chen’s residential area.
Huang Chao becoming a decision-maker had no influence on Zhang Chen, after all, even if Huang Chao truly stepped into the decision-maker position, the resources in his hands were still like clouds to Zhang Chen, which he had no use for.
He helped Huang Chao merely as a casual chess move.
It was a seed he planted casually. If it could take root and blossom, that would be great, but if it withered halfway, it wouldn’t be a pity.
The flow of time seemed to slow down gradually, and when Zhang Chen arrived at Chongzheng Academy again on a clear morning, he saw Zhou Qiucheng, who had been in seclusion for a long time, staring silently at the broken plaque of the Exquisite Tower.
Frost circulated around Zhou Qiucheng’s body, and cold air was exuding from his pores, coating the ground he stood on with frost. The surrounding disciples avoided him, not daring to approach.
"Has the master come out of seclusion?" Zhang Chen saw the back of Zhou Qiucheng, hurried forward, bowed, and greeted him.
Zhou Qiucheng turned his head and glanced at Zhang Chen, "Came out of seclusion yesterday."
"Have you alleviated your injuries?" Zhang Chen scrutinized Zhou Qiucheng, but no matter how he looked, it did not seem like he had alleviated his injuries.
"I had no choice but to leave seclusion," Zhou Qiucheng sighed helplessly.
Zhang Chen was taken aback, "Could it be that something major happened in Jinling City?"
In his mind, only if something uncontrollable happened in Jinling City would make Zhou Qiucheng have to come out of seclusion.
"Follow me," Zhou Qiucheng said to Zhang Chen, then led him to the back mountain and into his study. He inquired Zhang Chen, "How much do you know about Chen Sanliang?"
"Chen Sanliang?" Hearing Zhou Qiucheng mention Chen Sanliang, Zhang Chen’s eyes showed a hint of bewilderment, not understanding why Zhou Qiucheng would ask about Chen Sanliang.
"I lived in the Northern Land with Chen Sanliang for a period, saying I fully understand him might not be entirely accurate," Zhang Chen replied. "Why does the master inquire about Chen Sanliang?"
Zhou Qiucheng picked up an invitation from the table and handed it to Zhang Chen, "Chen Sanliang started debating Dao at major academies on the Jiangnan land three days ago. Everywhere he passed was left in a mess, with major academies being oppressed, falling under his influence. Even this bastard sent me an invitation yesterday, stating he’ll come to Jinling City for a Dao debate with me in a year and asked me to prepare in advance. If I lose the Dao debate, I have to lead the entire Chongzheng Academy to join the Demon Race, submitting under his control for his use. If I win, he will lead the Demon Race army to retreat."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen was shocked. He glanced at the troubled Zhou Qiucheng and quickly took the invitation to have a look. It was indeed Chen Sanliang’s handwriting, and everything was genuine.
The two looked at each other, and Zhang Chen could feel the overwhelming dominance emanating from Chen Sanliang, as well as his absolute confidence in himself.
"Chen Sanliang actually gave me a year’s notice, asking me to prepare a year in advance. It shows he has absolute confidence in his Dao. This person’s conduct is truly domineering, he completely looks down on me!" Zhou Qiucheng cursed here, "It’s simply too much!"
Now that Chen Sanliang’s challenge post has arrived, how can he focus on healing his wounds in seclusion?
Facing the angry Zhou Qiucheng, Zhang Chen glanced at the post full of domineering words, finally understanding why Chen Sanliang was unhappy.
"You don’t have to accept the challenge," Zhang Chen slowly closed the post and advised.
"If I don’t accept the challenge, won’t it seem like I’m afraid of him? As the saying goes: ’In literature, there is no first place; in martial arts, there is no second.’ If I don’t face him in a duel, won’t the scholars of the world laugh at me? I can’t afford to be their laughing stock. How else could I prove my Dao?" Zhou Qiucheng spat vehemently:
"The most crucial issue is that if I do face him, it would settle the matter of winning or losing based on reasoning. If I choose not to engage, it’s feared that Chongzheng Academy would be reduced to scorched earth, unable to withstand the aggressive advance of the demon race, despite my Treasure Tower."
Zhang Chen’s mind flickered with a popular phrase from the internet: ’Are you going to save face yourself, or should I help you save face?’
Do you really think you can evade Chen Sanliang’s debate as you wish?
Chen Sanliang isn’t using his cultivation to bully you; he’s determining victory or defeat through discourse, giving you an opportunity, a dignified exit. If you don’t want to retain dignity, he naturally has ways to make you lose face.
Seeing Zhou Qiucheng’s troubled expression, Zhang Chen could feel his plight. Chen Sanliang swept across the Northern Land unrivaled, his Dao tempered and refined. Zhou Qiucheng knew he was more likely than not to lose.
"What’s your decision then?" Zhang Chen asked.
"You’ve interacted with Chen Sanliang for some time, do you know the essence of his Dao? Do you know the flaws in his teachings?" Zhou Qiucheng’s face flushed, realizing his behavior was improper, but he was truly out of options, unable to find a way to defeat Chen Sanliang.
Upon hearing Zhou Qiucheng’s words, Zhang Chen felt speechless. He not only knew all of Chen Sanliang’s teachings but the ’Universal Education’ doctrine was actually guided by him, which led to Chen Sanliang’s current status.
Unexpectedly, the righteous Zhou Qiucheng harbored intentions of seeking a backdoor solution.
But Chen Sanliang’s Universal Education is flawless, otherwise, Buddhism and Exoteric Teachings wouldn’t have been so suppressed by Jie Sect.
Facing Zhou Qiucheng’s inquiry, Zhang Chen shook his head and chose to refuse: "I don’t know either! Although I was in the Northern Land back then, my master was his wife Han Suzhen. Chen Sanliang had little regard for me, and I had limited interactions with him."
Chen Sanliang treated him kindly, and even if he knew flaws in Universal Education, he would never disclose them.
Does the Universal Education have flaws?
Of course, it does!
But Zhang Chen would never speak.
"Ah, this time the trouble is big!" Zhou Qiucheng sighed, eyes filled with disappointment.
Zhang Chen remarked: "Why not request intervention from the court?"
Zhang Chen knew Zhou Qiucheng faced difficult troubles this time. If not resolved, Zhou Qiucheng would probably fall, his Iron-Faced Impartiality Dao would likely be ruined.
However, Zhang Chen also felt that Zhou Qiucheng’s Iron-Faced Impartiality Dao was inherently unachievable; it was a dead end. It might be better for Chen Sanliang to destroy it completely and win him back from the brink.
"If the court could intervene, they wouldn’t have allowed the demon race to encroach so easily." Zhou Qiucheng was anxious like ants on a hot pan, eyes full of urgency; not even during the Yellow Heaven Dao’s extermination of the Shen Family did he appear this anxious.
"Has Han Suzhen ever left you any manuscripts or scholarly books? They are united, perhaps Han Suzhen’s books contain flaws in Chen Sanliang’s teachings." Zhou Qiucheng asked.
Facing Zhou Qiucheng’s query, Zhang Chen again shook his head: "Han Suzhen only taught me literacy, as for other books, not a single one."
Upon hearing this, Chen Sanliang appeared disappointed, though unwilling, he had no choice but to let Zhang Chen leave.
Zhang Chen left the backyard and coincidentally saw Zhou Zhen and Jiang Nan coming together.
"Zhang," Zhou Zhen greeted Zhang Chen from afar.
"Zhou," Zhang Chen returned the greeting, eyes falling on Jiang Nan, unsure why Zhou Zhen brought Jiang Nan to the backyard.
"Jiang Nan asked me a question today that I couldn’t answer. My father just came out of seclusion, so I brought her to ask him." Zhou Zhen explained.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen glanced at Jiang Nan, his eyes flickering with suspicion, feeling this young woman wasn’t as straightforward.
Jiang Nan had always been a calculated person, never concealing her scheming in front of Zhang Chen. Now seeing her beginning to associate with Zhou Qiucheng, Zhang Chen felt something seemed amiss.