Zhang Chen was taken aback by the words, a guess flashing through his mind, disbelief written all over his face as he asked, "Does Dean Zhou want to gather the incense of Jinling City to repair that treasure tower? Is he intentionally allowing the Shen Family to be destroyed?"
"Impossible! Dean Zhou isn’t that kind of person." Zhang Chen shook his head in denial.
Huang Chao replied with a question, "Why not? The Shen Family monopolizes Jinling, becoming the true ruler of the city. But Zhou Qiucheng is the court-appointed official meant to pacify Jinling City, so an irreconcilable power conflict between him and the Shen Family is inevitable. Perhaps he did not deliberately let the Shen Family be destroyed but just gave it a little push when he saw its downfall was unavoidable."
"Furthermore, is the relationship between the Shen Family and Zhou Qiucheng really that good? If it were truly good, why would the Shen Family only receive one spot to enter the Inner Courtyard of Chongzheng Academy to ponder over the mysteries?" Huang Chao questioned.
Upon hearing Huang Chao’s words, Zhang Chen was momentarily dazed, finding it difficult to unravel the relationships within.
"You advised me to leave Jinling City, but I am advising you to leave instead. Although Yellow Heaven Dao has withdrawn from Jinling City, Zhou Qiucheng has sealed Po Jun Star Zhao Lie, and he will not let things rest. The Southern Dipper and Beidou Seven Stars are significant to the rise of Yellow Heaven Dao. When Yellow Heaven Dao is fully prepared, the entire Jinling will face an even fiercer counterattack, even if it means turning Jinling City into ruins."
"The rise of Yellow Heaven Dao cannot be disturbed by anyone, not even Yellow Heaven Lord! Thus, in the future, either Zhou Qiucheng yields, or Jinling City falls. Yellow Heaven Dao is already enraged, and with the Demon Race army crossing the border, Yellow Heaven Dao can no longer afford to care for much. Anyone daring to disrupt Yellow Heaven Dao’s grand plan will only face death." Huang Chao warned Zhang Chen, then added with a sense of pride,
"And I, staying in Jinling City to secretly develop my forces, will certainly achieve great merit when Yellow Heaven Dao counterattacks Jinling City. At that time, rising to a status comparable to those Star Gods is not out of the question."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s expression turned stern, "If what you say is true, then that’s troublesome!"
"It’s very troublesome, so I advise you to flee quickly. Besides, you are entangled with the cause and effect of Chengyu, and your presence in Jinling City is also a reason Yellow Heaven Dao cannot avoid attacking it." Huang Chao advised Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen remained silent, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes.
"Go! Leave Jinling City, the farther the better! The foundation of Yellow Heaven Dao far exceeds your imagination, something we can’t contend with." Huang Chao seemed intent on persuading Zhang Chen to leave, and with a serious expression, he continued, "Once, by chance, I overheard someone say that what the Great Virtuous Master discovered back then was not a single grand tomb, but a field of Divine Demon Tombs. The amount of Creation he gained from there is unknown. After so much cultivation time, even the Great Victory Dynasty’s three great mysteries can do nothing against him. Imagine his power!"
"A field of Divine Demon Tombs? Have you ever heard the location of that field?" Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he gazed intently at Huang Chao.
"No one knows where the tomb field is except the Great Virtuous Master. I overheard it by chance while practicing the Transformation Technique and listening to a real person talking secretly." Huang Chao explained.
Hearing Huang Chao’s words, Zhang Chen’s spirit was lifted, and he began to ponder the creations within the Yellow Heaven Dao’s Divine Demon Tombs.
"Are you leaving or not?" Huang Chao saw Zhang Chen dazed and asked again, his voice filled with helplessness, "I am telling you to leave only because you have helped me before. Otherwise, when Yellow Heaven Dao retaliates, you won’t have time to escape."
"I cannot leave; I have my own reasons." Zhang Chen replied, shaking his head, refusing Huang Chao’s suggestion.
Huang Chao let out a bitter laugh and slowly stood up, "You stubborn boy, just wait for misfortune! Remember, when you can’t escape, come find me. I’ll find a way to disguise you as a soldier and sneak you out of the city."
Huang Chao transformed into a sparrow and flew away, leaving Zhang Chen silently watching his departing silhouette. The reasons he didn’t leave were twofold: first, he coveted the mystery sealed within the Exquisite Tower, and second, Zhou Qiucheng and Chen Sanliang’s discussion was imminent—how could he just walk away?
"I truly am someone burdened with worries." Zhang Chen shook his head and returned to his room to continue contemplating the operation of the Law of Heaven and Earth.
Now, in the void, all matter operates according to laws, Zhang Chen meditated on the Law of Heaven and Earth throughout the night, feeling enrichment in his Dao Practice; although his realm hadn’t broken through, the daily progress in cultivation gave visible hope.
The next morning, when Zhang Chen returned to the academy, he found it had completely returned to calm; the waves of yesterday seemed nonexistent, only many fewer people were in the academy.
Zhang Chen had just reached a mountain path when Jiang Nan’s figure appeared, blocking Zhang Chen’s way.
Zhang Chen paused, his brows gradually furrowed, "What’s the matter?"
"Zhang Chen, leave Chongzheng Academy!" Jiang Nan eyed Zhang Chen and spoke out.
Zhang Chen was stunned upon hearing this, looking at Jiang Nan in surprise. Had this woman gone mad? Did she know what she was saying?
"What?" Zhang Chen could hardly believe his ears.
Hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Jiang Nan’s face grew heavy as she said, "The power of Yellow Heaven Dao is immense, and Chongzheng Academy is no match for it. Chongzheng Academy cannot withstand your turmoil anymore. If Yellow Heaven Dao returns, I’m afraid the entire Chongzheng Academy will be reduced to dust under its wrath. If you truly have a good relationship with the Zhou family father and son, you should take your troubles and leave Chongzheng Academy."
Looking at Jiang Nan’s stunning face, Zhang Chen couldn’t help but sigh lightly. The more he looked at this woman, the less he recognized her.
"In what capacity are you speaking to me?" Zhang Chen asked.
Jiang Nan was stunned by the question, left speechless.
"Chongzheng Academy is not your home, nor is it your place to wield power. What right do you have to preach to me?" Zhang Chen’s eyes showed a hint of disdain. He stepped around Jiang Nan and disappeared into the forest.
Watching Zhang Chen’s departing figure, Jiang Nan couldn’t help but curse, "This fool, if only he would leave before Yellow Heaven Dao sets up the Heaven and Earth Net. Taking advantage of the unpreparedness after the Dean’s strike, there’s a chance to escape Yellow Heaven Dao’s surveillance and find a way out. When Yellow Heaven Dao returns, it’ll be too late. He is the biggest conflict between Yellow Heaven Dao and Chongzheng Academy. Once he leaves, all conflicts can naturally be resolved. As long as the teacher releases Po Jun Star Zhao Lie, Yellow Heaven Dao will never clash to the death with the teacher. This guy has no sense of the big picture at all. Truly a bumpkin from the Northern Land, completely unfit for the main stage."
Zhang Chen made his way to the Treasure Tower, finding it particularly deserted today, with at least half the people gone.
"It seems no one has faith in Zhou Qiucheng, or rather, no one believes in the court," Zhang Chen mused, but he was still not swayed to leave, after all, he did have someone backing him.
His biggest trump card was that Hu Li the Immortal had already crossed the Yellow River. As long as he gave prior notice, Hu Li the Immortal could act on his behalf, or at least take him away from Jinling City without a problem.
After all, he was a Twelfth Tier powerhouse and, moreover, a peerless force whose ancestral bloodline had been revived.
While Zhang Chen’s mind was filled with countless thoughts, Zhou Zhen came over from afar, greeted Zhang Chen, and then walked out of the Treasure Tower.
Zhang Chen watched Zhou Zhen’s figure gradually disappear, then retracted his gaze to look at the murals on the wall of the Treasure Tower. He noticed an additional image on the mural, depicting Po Jun Star Zhao Lie, with a star bearing down on him, vividly imprinted on the jade wall.
As time passed, one day, two days, three days...
On the fifth day, when Zhang Chen came to the Exquisite Tower again, he saw an overwhelming Power of Incense pouring into the Exquisite Tower. The tower was bathed in a mysterious glow, emitting indescribable fluctuations, as if the entire Exquisite Tower was undergoing a subtle transformation.
"Zhou Qiucheng has quite the method; he intends to follow the Incense Divine Dao, transforming the Exquisite Tower from a damaged Innate Spiritual Treasure into an Incense Fire Divine Artifact. Once the Exquisite Tower is transformed into an Incense Fire Divine Artifact, utilizing the mysteries of the Incense Divine Dao, it might even be completed," the Great Freedom Celestial Demon suddenly emerged, looking at the incense-filled Exquisite Tower with a trace of astonishment in his eyes.
"There’s that kind of theory?" Zhang Chen said with surprise, "What is the approach of transforming an Innate Spiritual Treasure into an Incense Fire Divine Artifact?"
"It is an indescribable transformation," said the Great Freedom Celestial Demon. "The Incense Divine Dao is extraordinary to begin with. Coupled with Zhou Qiucheng’s soul merging into it, turning into the Artifact Spirit of the Exquisite Tower, worshiped and nourished by Incense Qi, it’s like nourishing the Exquisite Tower. By then, man and tower will mutually replenish each other. If the power of incense is abundant, it won’t be long before it reaches the Twelfth Tier, and even restores the might of the Exquisite Tower at its peak."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen was dumbfounded, staring blankly at the incense-filled Exquisite Tower, watching the divine glow of the tower revive. Nourished by the power of incense, the Innate Restrictions within the Exquisite Tower began to self-repair continuously,
and the power of incense transformed into a strange energy, constantly augmenting and irrigating the Exquisite Tower.
"The power of incense played a similar role to Innate Qi, nourishing the Exquisite Tower, only... this Incense Divine Dao is born from the thoughts of all beings, there might be unknown drawbacks," Zhang Chen’s mind was filled with a tinge of worry.
He recalled the poison of all beings. Even if the Exquisite Tower is an Innate Spiritual Treasure, once turned into a Divine Dao’s Magical Artifact, falling into the Acquired Profound Mechanism, it might be hard to escape the tarnish of incense’s poison.
"Zhou Qiucheng’s move sets a precedent for all those who master Innate Spiritual Treasures in the world, but he doesn’t know whether his actions are right or wrong," Zhang Chen mused silently.