The eyes of the Great Freedom Celestial Demon were full of horror, as the body sealed within the Exquisite Tower actually began to grow stronger, which was certainly not a good thing for him.
"His power can already penetrate the seal, seeping out from that underground confinement, and the emitted qi mechanism is beginning to resonate with me. If not restrained soon, it might only be a matter of time before that power can interfere with the outside world. At that point, it might seize the moment to escape and inhabit the hearts of all beings, or even devour me, and that would be troublesome." The Great Freedom Celestial Demon stated.
"The counterpart has been sealed beneath the tower for countless years, constantly being weakened. How did it suddenly become stronger? If there is a single change, it’s the transformation of the Exquisite Tower into a Divine Dao weapon after receiving divine power." As Zhang Chen analyzed this point, his words suddenly halted, a look of suspicion and uncertainty emerged in his eyes, filled with a trace of horror:
"Do you have the ability to absorb the negative emotions of beings?"
"Of course, the essence of demons is the obsession in the hearts of all beings, which is the negative emotions therein." The Great Freedom Celestial Demon replied.
After speaking, the Great Freedom Celestial Demon suddenly realized, a look of shock in his eyes: "Are you referring to the Poison of Divine Dao Incense?"
"There is no other explanation." Zhang Chen stated.
The Great Freedom Celestial Demon fell silent upon hearing this, his eyes turned to the crystal stone ground beneath, filled with a hint of unpleasantness: "You’re right, the Poison of Divine Dao Incense is a great nourishment for celestial demons. The reason it silently became powerful is because it absorbed the incense poison gathered by the beings of Jinling City."
"So what should we do now? How can we prevent it from absorbing the Poison of Incense?" Zhang Chen asked the Great Freedom Celestial Demon.
The Great Freedom Celestial Demon forced a smile: "Unless all the Power of Faith is dissipated, or we get Zhou Qiucheng to abandon the transformation of the Exquisite Tower into a Divine Dao weapon, as long as the Power of Incense continues to gather, the poison will be absorbed."
"So it’s all a conspiracy, Zhou Qiucheng was seduced by the celestial demon below, transforming the Exquisite Tower into a Divine Dao weapon, allowing it to absorb the Poison of Incense to grow stronger, seeking the power to break the seal. Worse yet, it might use the Exquisite Tower as a medium to secretly infiltrate Zhou Qiucheng’s heart, possessing him to rebirth. That’s its true purpose!" The Great Freedom Celestial Demon’s voice was filled with shock, and he gazed at Zhang Chen with fear written all over his eyes: "Zhang Chen, you have to handle this. If you don’t, both Zhou Qiucheng and I are in deep trouble."
"I’d like to deal with it, but can I? Unless Zhou Qiucheng gives up the Divine Dao, but looking at Zhou Qiucheng’s current state, anyone who tries to advise him to abandon the Divine Dao will likely face a showdown with him." Zhang Chen sighed lightly.
Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, the Great Freedom Celestial Demon scratched his head: "It’s difficult!"
Zhang Chen said with a calm demeanor: "You need not panic; it has been sealed for countless years and escaping won’t be easy. Meanwhile, as time passes, my cultivation will grow stronger. As long as it doesn’t escape in the next three to five years, even if it does, it will only be vanquished by me."
Zhang Chen will only grow stronger over time, for him, time equals strength.
"Let’s hope so. For now, we can only deal with whatever comes as it comes." The Great Freedom Celestial Demon cursed, placing his hopes on Zhang Chen being strong enough to subdue the demon when its incarnation emerges.
He also decided that he must not leave Zhang Chen’s side lest his other body devour him.
While the two were talking, Zhang Chen’s eyes flashed with golden light. With the outbreak of True God Golden Light, Zhang Chen’s divine power continuously ascended. The True God Golden Light sought to pierce through the barrier, trying to view the Great Freedom Celestial Demon’s incarnation below, to mark the opponent. Unfortunately, Zhang Chen’s level of True God Golden Light was insufficient, and he couldn’t effectively detect the presence of the Great Freedom Celestial Demon’s incarnation.
Even when he summoned the Eye of Devouring, he still couldn’t detect the body of the Great Freedom Celestial Demon below. Since he couldn’t perceive the other’s body, Zhang Chen naturally couldn’t mark it.
At this time, a strange thought rose in Zhang Chen’s heart. When a body is split into two halves and two separate consciousnesses are born, does it still count as one individual?
In any case, after activating his soul marking skill, Zhang Chen did not sense any target hooked by his ’Soul Hooking and Soul Stealing’ below the Exquisite Tower.
Zhang Chen’s mind was filled with countless thoughts: "No matter what ancient being you are, since you’ve been dismembered, you should fall within the category marked by the ’Soul Hooking and Soul Stealing’ skill, similar to the state of the Great Freedom Celestial Demon. Once you emerge, I will hook you at the first opportunity, not giving you a chance to possess and resurrect, and you shall not cause chaos."
At this thought, Zhang Chen felt slightly more at ease, believing that everything was still within his control. He still had a hold over the Great Freedom Celestial Demon and didn’t particularly fear its emergence.
Time slowly passed, and when Zhang Chen walked out of the Exquisite Tower, he saw Zhou Zhen sitting sullenly in a pavilion in the distance, silently staring at the white clouds across the wilderness.
"Why are you troubled here, Brother Zhou?" Zhang Chen noticed the melancholy on Zhou Zhen’s face and approached to inquire.
"You have no idea, father seems to have lost his mind, thinking Jiang Nan is knowledgeable and understanding and wants to establish a marriage contract, betrothing her to me." Zhou Zhen’s voice was filled with gloom.
"Oh?" Zhang Chen was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, he hadn’t expected such a situation.
"When did this happen?" Zhang Chen asked.
Zhou Zhen said, "Just this morning!"
Zhang Chen felt a secret admiration in his heart: ’This young woman Jiang Nan has impressive means. After studying with Zhou Qiucheng for a few months, she’s already gained his approval. This woman is truly extraordinary.’
While Zhang Chen’s mind was awash with countless thoughts, he heard Zhou Zhen say, "I know my father is worried about the discourse on Dao. He absolutely believes he’ll be defeated by Chen Sanliang. If Chen Sanliang demands his surrender and submission to the Demon Race, my father would never agree. By then, the only path would be death. With Chen Sanliang’s cruel nature, he would absolutely not spare my father. Now my father wishes to set my life affair in stone before the discourse on Dao. Even if I wish to oppose it, I cannot speak out."
"Since an arranged marriage has been planned, why choose Jiang Nan, whose family has already fallen? There are countless noble ladies in Jinling City. Why did your father choose Jiang Nan?" Zhang Chen voiced his doubts.
"The interests of children from noble families are deeply intertwined. My father wants to find a girl with a clean background and scholarly knowledge to be reassured. Jiang Nan’s entire family was massacred, yet she is cultured and appreciated by my father. Isn’t she the best choice?" Zhou Zhen’s voice was full of distress.
Zhang Chen looked at the troubled Zhou Qiucheng, and with a thoughtful heart, tentatively asked, "Jiang Nan is stunning in appearance and has exceptional knowledge; marrying her would not be bad. Why do you resist so much?"
Zhou Zhen shook his head at these words, "I don’t know either; whenever I hear about marrying Jiang Nan, my heart feels uneasy."
Zhang Chen was stunned, his face full of surprise, "For that reason alone?"
"That’s right, just for that reason," Zhou Zhen said.
Upon hearing Zhou Zhen’s words, Zhang Chen took a deep breath, feeling helpless, not knowing what to say.
While Zhang Chen was considering further probing Zhou Zhen, he heard footsteps from a distance, and a steward arrived at the pavilion to bow to Zhang Chen, "Young Master Zhang, sir is asking for you."
Zhang Chen apologized to Zhou Zhen, then proceeded to Zhou Qiucheng’s courtyard, where he saw Zhou Qiucheng sitting under a large tree, gently wiping an inkstone.
Meanwhile, Jiang Nan stood quietly in the corner, copying texts.
"Greetings, sir." Zhang Chen walked forward respectfully, performing a bow.
Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s greeting, Zhou Qiucheng put down the inkstone, smiling warmly, "Please, take a seat."
Zhang Chen respectfully sat opposite Zhou Qiucheng, who then said, "I called you today because I have a matter to discuss with you."
"No need for formalities, sir, you overestimate me. Please instruct me directly." Zhang Chen replied respectfully.
Hearing this, Zhou Qiucheng nodded, "You have known Jiang Nan for a long time and once lived in the Shen Family for a period. What do you think of Jiang Nan?"
As Zhou Qiucheng’s words fell, Zhang Chen’s ears picked up a barely audible noise from Jiang Nan’s direction, revealing her nervousness as her writing hand made an error.
"Miss Jiang hails from a literary family, her knowledge is naturally unquestionable, and I admire her greatly," Zhang Chen praised her intellect, omitting her character.
As Zhang Chen spoke, he turned his head toward Jiang Nan in the corner, catching her glance filled with gratitude.
"I wish to marry Jiang Nan to Zhou Zhen, yet your senior brother is as dense as wood, showing no sign of awareness. Remember to persuade him for me. I will soon engage in a discourse on Dao with Chen Sanliang, where life or death is uncertain. I hope to see your senior brother settle down early, fulfilling my wish." Zhou Qiucheng said to Zhang Chen.
Instinctively, Zhang Chen looked again at Jiang Nan, noting she had lowered her head, eavesdropping intently on the conversation.
What could Zhang Chen say to Zhou Qiucheng’s statement?
He had no argument to make, only able to nod in agreement.
After conversing further with Zhou Qiucheng, mostly listening to him speak, Zhang Chen spent a full hour before Zhou Qiucheng gestured for him to leave.
Respectfully withdrawing, Zhang Chen left Zhou Qiucheng’s courtyard, his mind racing with countless thoughts, pondering silently.
"Jiang Nan is truly restless, and anyone who marries this woman will inevitably become entangled with her," Zhang Chen mused to himself, "In the future, I must keep my distance from her, ensuring not to get caught up, avoiding becoming an indelible trouble."