Very soon, Zhang Chen realized that the power and strength of a crafted artifact do not necessarily represent the strength of the person who crafted it.
Some people have cultivation that reaches the heavens, skilled in attack techniques. Others have low cultivation but excel in crafting various artifacts, and their cultivation strength cannot be measured solely by the artifacts they create.
"However, the difficulty in crafting these ’bricks’ exceeded my expectations, surprisingly more challenging than refining the Dragon Pearl, it’s truly headache-inducing," Zhang Chen muttered to himself, then sat cross-legged, recovering his Essence, Qi, and Spirit.
The days seemed to slow down, Zhang Chen lived each day thoroughly fulfilled, meditating during the day to enter the Spiritual World for brick moving, reading and practicing calligraphy at night, eavesdropping on various people’s news, living a leisurely life.
Soon, Zhang Chen heard news of an old acquaintance: Chen Ping from the Dragon Tiger Escort Agency, also the eldest young master of the Chen Family.
Night
The Soul-Forming Lamp flickered with candlelight, Zhang Chen watched the soul fragments within, silently calculating, "In order to condense Han Suzhen’s soul before Chen Sanliang’s discourse, my time is not enough, unless I gather the fourth path of reincarnation in the Spiritual World: the Asura Path. Assembling the power of four reincarnation paths can accelerate the soul’s cultivation speed."
"But collecting the Asura Path is indeed not simple, that Corpse Ancestor is too unfathomable. I must first move all the bricks, then use Divine Techniques to collect the Asura Path," Zhang Chen made up his mind, estimating that at his current brick-moving speed, another half a year might cause the grand formation to collapse.
Zhang Chen must ensure the formation does not collapse, he needs to stop his actions before it collapses, to prevent disturbing the sleeping Corpse Ancestor, drawing attention and ruining his plan to seize the Asura Path.
Zhang Chen now is like an insect, the formation like a piece of wood, early in the phase of boring into the tree unnoticed by humans, unless the tree is near death.
As long as someone isn’t constantly monitoring the operation of the Innate Grand Array, Zhang Chen just needs to avoid boring the tree to death, naturally not attracting notice.
According to Zhang Chen’s estimation, he roughly needs half a year of moving bricks to truly affect the formation’s operation, even causing it to collapse outright.
Zhang Chen’s gaze shifted from the Soul-Forming Lamp, his ears twitched slightly, as sounds from within a ten-mile radius flooded into him.
Ten miles of area doesn’t seem small, in Zhang Chen’s later era, it would be the diameter of a fifth-tier city.
Countless sounds came from the void, pouring into Zhang Chen’s ears, suddenly a voice caught his attention:
"Did you hear? The Young Leader of Dragon Tiger Escort Agency is back?"
"Of course I heard, it’s said that Young Leader Chen’s hand was cut off, and the agency has issued a bounty throughout Jinling City to find a method for arm regeneration."
...
Zhang Chen didn’t continue listening to what followed, as it was all about admiring the grandeur of Dragon Tiger Escort Agency in Jinling City, praising the Chen Family’s compassion, nothing but flattery.
"Chen Ping finally returned from outside? It seems he suffered many hardships, losing an arm outside indicates the danger involved." Zhang Chen felt a bit shocked; now mastering the Law of Life, allowing him to regenerate severed limbs wouldn’t be difficult.
"This matter is not urgent, I’ll aid his arm connection after leaving Jinling City. Now, with the complex situation in Jinling City, the most important thing is to stay hidden, not attract attention, then profit from the chaos," Zhang Chen muttered to himself.
A quiet night, the next morning, Zhang Chen was about to continue meditating when Huang Chao disrupted his plans, appearing at Zhang Chen’s front with a lively spirit, announcing, "Brother Zhang, let’s drink wine."
"Drink wine? Is there some good occasion?" Zhang Chen looked at him in surprise.
"My cultivation has broken through again, isn’t that worth celebrating?" Huang Chao said.
"Your cultivation broke through again? I must congratulate you then," Zhang Chen congratulated Huang Chao.
"Let’s go, today we’ll drink at Bailu Building, it’s my treat!" Huang Chao said.
"You’re going out with me, aren’t you afraid Yellow Heaven Dao will see you?" Zhang Chen teased.
"I certainly won’t use my true face," Huang Chao smiled mischievously.
As they spoke, Huang Chao’s body twisted, transforming into an unfamiliar face, pulling Zhang Chen along to the tavern for drinks.
Bailu Building is a newly emerged tavern since Zhou Qiucheng took control of Jinling City, it stands eight stories high and contains various items for eating, drinking, and entertainment, making it a gold sinkhole of Jinling City.
The two of them made their way to the second floor of the tavern, booked a refined room facing the street, ordered eight exquisite dishes, and Huang Chao poured a cup of wine for Zhang Chen. The two then raised their cups for a lively drink.
After three rounds of drinks, Huang Chao said, "Zhang, Zhou Qiucheng is doomed to die. Why don’t you leave Jinling City? This city is not far from descending into chaos. If you don’t leave soon, even I won’t be able to protect you."
"Why? Does Yellow Heaven Dao have a surefire plan to win?" Zhang Chen probed.
"Zhou Qiucheng has a flaw, and Yellow Heaven Dao has already grasped it. Once the time is right, Zhou Qiucheng is bound to die," Huang Chao vowed confidently.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s expression became serious. Although Huang Chao is casual, he never lies to deceive him. Since the other said they had grasped Zhou Qiucheng’s flaw, it must be true.
"Can Zhou Qiucheng possibly survive?" Zhang Chen inquired.
Upon hearing these words, Huang Chao paused his drinking, put down his cup, and replied in a deep tone, "You must understand, it’s not that I want to kill him! Even without me, other powerful figures of Yellow Heaven Dao preside over this matter."
"Of course, if you have the ability to save him from Yellow Heaven Dao, I won’t oppose you rescuing Zhou Qiucheng," Huang Chao said.
Zhang Chen fell silent, realizing the situation was not as simple as he thought. Since Huang Chao dared to speak so confidently, it meant the matter was anything but simple.
Seeing Zhang Chen silent, Huang Chao felt somewhat awkward, thinking he had disappointed Zhang Chen’s expectations, so he spoke up, "This time, Yellow Heaven Dao has invited a master from the Gong Family. It is said this person holds a peculiar treasure capable of releasing Wind and Fire Power; even a Twelfth Tier master wouldn’t dare take a strike."
"A Twelfth Tier master wouldn’t dare take a strike? Could it be an Innate Spiritual Treasure?" Zhang Chen asked in surprise.
The only item capable of competing with a Twelfth Tier master now would be an Innate Spiritual Treasure.
"I don’t know! I only know this person is the new leader of the Gong Family, representing their future hope. This person’s name is Gong Hei. Not only is their Bloodline Power strong, but they’ve also condensed a Tenth Tier Golden Body using the Power of Incense," Huang Chao said.
"Someone from the Gong Family? And it’s Gong Hei, truly a narrow escape," Zhang Chen sighed wistfully, his voice full of sentiment.
Back then, he had conflicts with the Gong Family, and later Gong Hei and Gong Bai chased down the number one Martial Dao figure, dragging him into their mess, allowing his Blood God Child to possess Gong Bai.
Since leaving the Northern Land, he lost track of Gong Family’s news, never expecting them to appear before him once again.
"How did Gong Family get involved with Yellow Heaven Dao?" Zhang Chen asked in astonishment.
"The Gong Family has completely joined Yellow Heaven Dao, becoming a part of it. As for how the Great Virtuous Master subdued the Gong Family? It’s because the Great Virtuous Master personally helped the Gong Family awaken that Secret Treasure. Moreover, the Gong Family is after the Fruit Position for the Natural God’s Incense Golden Body. We, Yellow Heaven Dao, promised to grant them a Star God position to fill the vacancy left by Zhang Xiaohua, to be managed by the Gong Family’s top young incumbent, Gong Chun," Huang Chao spoke with caution.
"The Southern Dipper, the Beidou Seven Stars, aren’t merely seven formidable figures but also represent seven great ancient forces. Plus, the twelve true people under them are all backed by ancient noble families. You can imagine how powerful Yellow Heaven Dao has become now."
Huang Chao warned Zhang Chen earnestly, "Yellow Heaven Dao can compete with the Demon Race, its power is not to be underestimated. In the future, whatever happens, never stand completely opposed to Yellow Heaven Dao. I know you might have grudges with some members within, but grudges and debts have owners. Don’t involve the entire Yellow Heaven Dao, or I’m afraid you’ll be overwhelmed by the consequences."
"I understand," Zhang Chen lifted his cup towards Huang Chao, saying, "Thanks for your concern."
Huang Chao waved his hand, "We’re as close as brothers, why the formalities? When I rise to power, I promise to crush Gu Mingyue and others for you, avenging your grievances."
As Zhang Chen and Huang Chao drank, suddenly a noise erupted outside, accompanied by curses. They saw a figure flying out of the tavern and falling onto the street.
Looking at the disheveled figure lying on the street, Zhang Chen sitting on the second floor was surprised: Chen Ping.
Why was Chen Ping thrown out of Bailu Building?
While he was puzzled in thought, a haughty voice suddenly rang inside the tavern, "Chen Ping, you have the nerve to offend the Gong Family’s esteemed guest, now quickly apologize and correct your mistake."
Then a fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy dressed in white, with oily hair and powdered face, walked out from inside, looking down at Chen Ping from a height, "You really think you’re the big young master of the household? You’re already a cripple now, yet you dare flaunt before me, truly oblivious to reality. Offending the esteemed guest, even if I break your legs today, no one would offer idle talk."
"Chen An, you’ve gone too far!" At this moment, someone else scolded, stepping out.