"What do you plan to do?" In the heart of the Great Freedom Celestial Demon, a small notebook emerged, ready to learn Zhang Chen's techniques.
Zhang Chen chuckled lightly at the words: "It's actually simple. When I stir up the greed in Monk Hai Chan's heart, you control Monk Hai Chan's body to invite the Ancestral Master of Longevity to the Nine Bends Yellow River Array, saying there's a way to break the array. Then, at that moment, shout, 'Changsheng, you treacherous dog! How dare you harm me? Even if I become a ghost, I won't forgive you!' and then jump directly into the Nine Bends Yellow River Array."
"Remember, the shout must be loud, loud enough for everyone to hear." Zhang Chen said with a smile.
"Hiss~"
Upon hearing Zhang Chen's vicious plan, the Great Freedom Celestial Demon gasped, realizing how ruthless this fellow was, extremely venomous, leaving Daoist Changsheng no way out.
Noted! The Great Freedom Celestial Demon had learned another trick.
"Zhang Chen!"
Just then, Xu Erniu came in, holding another jade bottle: "I've refined another bottle of elixir, this one will definitely improve your aptitude, paving your path to the grand avenue of cultivation."
With hope in her eyes, Xu Erniu entrusted the elixir to Zhang Chen's hands, causing Zhang Chen to sigh inwardly, uncertain how to tell Xu Erniu that he had already cultivated magical power. At this critical moment, any negligence could lead to significant problems.
Xu Erniu had a poor disposition. If he told Xu Erniu about his cultivation of magical power, and she couldn't keep it a secret, letting those ancient beings detect something, it would spell disaster.
"Alright, I'll keep the elixir. I hope I can cultivate magical power to not let down your kind intentions." Zhang Chen reassured Xu Erniu with a smile.
Xu Erniu replied: "This time, it will definitely work."
Then Xu Erniu asked: "Zhang Chen, when do you think my father will come out of seclusion? Look at my wooden sword; it's starting to weather."
Xu Erniu took out the small wooden sword from her bosom, swinging it in front of Zhang Chen. Seeing the little girl's face full of anticipation, Zhang Chen couldn't help but flinch. If he told Xu Erniu that her father wanted to kill her, how heartbroken would she be? Her spirit might collapse entirely, potentially giving birth to a Heart Demon, eventually leading to her demise under the Heart Demon Tribulation, becoming an obstacle on her path to cultivation.
Zhang Chen felt heavy-hearted, resolving never to let Xu Erniu know the truth, planning to handle everything quietly without leaving a trace. Then, a broad smile appeared on Zhang Chen's face: "Girl, since you've climbed the mountain, are you afraid you won't see your father? We are people of cultivation, with lifespans calculated in centuries; as long as you cultivate diligently, you'll see your father one day."
Hearing this, Xu Erniu sighed softly, the disappointment evident in her voice: "I'm afraid that by the time I grow up, I won't want him anymore."
Zhang Chen was momentarily stunned, unable to speak for a long time, pondering to himself: "Should I find someone to pretend to be Xu Erniu's father? Then set up a scenario, letting Xu Erniu's father exit the stage, thus resolving Xu Erniu's inner conflict?"
Zhang Chen was filled with uncertainty, unsure whether he should do so. He felt he should ensure Xu Erniu's character was as perfect as possible so that she wouldn't have a Heart Demon on her future cultivation path.
"Zhang Chen, you must cultivate well and serve the elders properly. This is an opportunity for you; if any ancestor can resolve your troubles, we will gain greatly." Xu Erniu said.
Hearing Xu Erniu's words, Zhang Chen ruffled Xu Erniu's head: "You should cultivate well. I'll put my matters aside for now. When your cultivation is higher, won't you have a better grasp of solving my problems?"
Zhang Chen didn't want Xu Erniu to delay her cultivation for his sake, lest she waste her time, so he gave her a reminder.
Xu Erniu sighed quietly: "I have all the time in the world to cultivate, but what about you? If you can't cultivate magical power, your lifespan will be no more than a cycle of sixty years."
"Don't worry about me; I've found my path. As long as I keep devouring various spirit plants under Heaven, my cultivation can quickly improve." Xu Erniu patted Zhang Chen's shoulder, speaking maturely: "Zhang Chen, rest assured, I will make sure you live on forever."
Zhang Chen smiled lightly, setting down the water jug he held, and said to Xu Erniu: "Girl, today I'll personally cook for you!"
Zhang Chen felt that after today, the entire Five Villages Temple would be caught in a storm, possibly even destroyed. After that, it would be hard to find such a peaceful moment to enjoy a meal together.
That night, Zhang Chen personally cooked beef stew, braised pork knuckles, pig's trotters, and other delicacies, making up eight dishes in total, vibrant and delicious.
Xu Erniu looked at Zhang Chen's finished dishes, her eyes full of surprise: "Zhang Chen, you've got some skills. I didn't expect you to learn such a craft."
Xu Erniu's gaze fell on the pork knuckle, her eyes burning with desire, as she directly pounced on the plate to eat.
"Let's have a drink tonight." Zhang Chen smiled, patting Xu Erniu's head.
Xu Erniu nodded: "Alright, let's eat meat and drink wine generously."
The two ate cheerfully in the room, and before long, the tables were a mess, their faces showing a faint drunkenness.
"Zhang Chen, thank you." Xu Erniu said with a flushed face.
"Why thank me? I should thank you. If you hadn't saved me back then, I might have died out there." Zhang Chen's voice was full of emotion.
"No thanks between us!" Zhang Chen poured Xu Erniu a glass of wine.
"Yes, yes, no thanks between us! No thanks!" Xu Erniu said drunkenly and fell asleep directly.
Zhang Chen touched Xu Erniu's head, carried her to the soft couch, then cleaned up the mess, hesitating for a moment, and asked the Great Freedom Celestial Demon: "Do you think if I send Hai Chan to steal the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror, the Ancestral Master of Longevity will go after the girl when he finds the Treasure Mirror missing?"
After all, the Ancestral Master of Longevity refined the Ginseng Fruit to control the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror. Once the Treasure Mirror is gone, what's the point of keeping Xu Erniu?
But he worried that when the battle commenced later, the Longevity Thief Dao might wield the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror to kill indiscriminately, which would ruin his plans. Without Xu Erniu, the thief could forcibly activate part of the Treasure Mirror's powers.
Moreover, if the Longevity Thief Dao saw things were going south and fled with the Treasure Mirror, Zhang Chen would be helpless, wouldn't he?
The Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror was a Divine Artifact; even though Zhang Chen had refined one level of its prohibition, he did not know how strong the actual powers of the Treasure Mirror were, a variable beyond his control.
The Longevity Thief Dao must die! Even if he manages to escape, Xu Erniu won't be spared!
To encircle and kill the Longevity Thief Dao, Zhang Chen didn't want to leave any uncertainties.
However, this plot was significant, so Zhang Chen consulted the Great Freedom Celestial Demon. The old fellow had lived for many years and was worth consulting.
Hearing Zhang Chen's words, the Great Freedom Celestial Demon replied: "The Ginseng Fruit itself is of immeasurable value. Your worries are unfounded!"