Zhang Chen found it somewhat unbelievable, his eyes filled with shock: "What cultivation level is this, to actually be worthy of attracting the Three Calamities? Can it really be compared to the Monkey King?"
However, considering that a Ninth Rank Yang God True Man has already begun to comprehend the Law of Heaven and Earth and master the Power of Heaven and Earth, it is not unreasonable to say that the Tenth Tier welcomes the Three Calamities.
But if compared to novels in my previous life, doesn’t the Tenth Tier represent the last realm of immortality?
At the Tenth Tier, one undergoes a tribulation; at the Eleventh Tier, one becomes an immortal; and the Twelfth Tier is already above immortals. As for the realm of fruit, it should correspond to the indestructible Golden Immortal, shouldn’t it?
At this moment, Zhang Chen had a clear comparison in his mind regarding the cultivation world. If compared to mythological novels like Journey to the West from his previous life, the division should indeed be like this.
"Indeed, I should not be reckless. The Tenth Tier is already akin to stepping into the Immortal Dao, enduring the test of the Three Calamities, not someone I can afford to offend. However, now that I have the Fire Extinguishing Pearl and the Wind Stabilizing Pearl, I should not fear the first two calamities if I face a tribulation in the future. If I can find a way to avoid the Thunder Calamity, or perhaps forge a Thunder Protection Pearl, then the Three Calamities would be no difficulty for me. Even without the Thunder Protection Pearl, with the Authority of Earth I now possess, I may be able to use the Power of the Earth to resist the Celestial Thunder through additional cultivation." Zhang Chen thought of the conductivity of the earth and felt his idea was not far-fetched.
Various thoughts flashed in Zhang Chen’s mind, and Xie Xuan’s words pulled his attention back: "Your younger brother and sister seem to have awakened the Zhang Family’s bloodline."
"Didn’t they say that for the Zhang Family’s descendants to awaken, they must undergo a mysterious ritual within the family?" Zhang Chen asked, a look of confusion in his eyes.
"That’s not the case. In fact, as long as there is Mysterious Power nourishment, their bloodline can be awakened. The so-called awakening bloodline ceremony is merely about using Mysterious Energy to nourish the bloodline. I don’t know the level of mystery in the Zhang Family, but it definitely won’t exceed the Eleventh Tier. Zhang Shicheng’s True Dragon Flesh is already enough to replace the mysterious object of the Zhang Family," Xie Xuan said.
"Why haven’t I awakened the Zhang Clan bloodline?" Zhang Chen asked puzzled.
Xie Xuan looked Zhang Chen up and down: "It should be because you have even more dominant bloodline power within you, suppressing the Zhang Family’s original bloodline, preventing it from reviving."
Zhang Chen thought about his own Power of Blood Dao, which is the ancestor of all blood. When it comes to Bloodline Power, what power can compare to the Blood Dao?
Zhang Chen felt that his development of the Blood Dao was too superficial, unable to exert even a millionth of its power.
"This True Dragon Replenishing Soup is simply too nourishing, especially the essence of the True Dragon’s five viscera and six bowels. I’ve already stepped one foot into the Yang God realm, and in the future, I can seize the opportunity more quickly." At this time, Xie Lingyun woke up, her entire being radiant, with an indescribable aura flowing, like an immortal among mortals, showing signs of Pure Yang.
"Congratulations, sister, on passing the most difficult stage. Immortality is within reach in the future," Zhang Chen bowed and congratulated.
Xie Lingyun looked Zhang Chen up and down, a playful glint in her eyes. There weren’t so many formalities between her and Zhang Chen, so she directly asked, "At what level are you in your cultivation now? Why didn’t you show any reaction after eating this Great Nourishing Soup?"
She was indeed curious, knowing that even someone as strong as Xie Xuan would show phenomenon after consuming the Great Nourishing Soup.
"Perhaps this is the difference of the Immortal Dao," Zhang Chen replied.
Xie Lingyun knew she was on the Immortal Path, and of course, Xie Xuan knew too, so there was no need to hide it from Xie Xuan.
"Too bad the Great Nourishing Soup is gone. If we had another bowl, I might be able to directly step into the Yang God realm," Xie Lingyun turned to look at the empty pot, licking her lips.
Beside her, Xie Xuan replied irritably: "Such Heavenly and Earthly Treasures, it’s already a great fortune that you could have one bowl, do you still want to take all the benefits?"
As the three talked, Mrs. Zhang walked over. Zhang Chen was taken aback upon seeing her because the Mrs. Zhang before him seemed like a completely different person than before.
The Mrs. Zhang in front of him had delicate skin, the sense of age had faded away, her entire being seemed reborn, as if shedding an old skin, and she looked decades younger, like a girl in her twenties.
For cultivators, the Great Nourishing Soup is extremely nourishing, but for ordinary people, the effect is even greater. A bowl of the Great Nourishing Soup, and Mrs. Zhang was virtually reborn.
"This soup is truly miraculous, worthy of being a Divine Object," Mrs. Zhang’s eyes were full of joy: "I used to have hidden ailments, with frequent back and leg pains, but ever since drinking this Great Nourishing Soup, my body feels relaxed, and all the hidden ailments are gone."
"Sister-in-law, you’ve truly had a Creation; consuming this bowl of Great Nourishing Soup extends your life by at least three cycles," Xie Xuan praised.
As for ordinary people being unable to handle such potent supplements?
That’s impossible. Although the True Dragon Flesh is very nourishing, Xie Xuan’s Treasure Medicine tempering had already neutralized and suppressed its overwhelming medicinal properties.
"What happened to the two of them?" Mrs. Zhang turned her head to look at the sleeping Zhang Fei and Zhang Tuowei, a trace of worry in her eyes.
Zhang Chen smiled and said, "The two of them have good fortune and are about to awaken the Zhang Family’s bloodline, becoming bloodline practitioners who wield mysterious powers."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhang was momentarily stunned, then a look of ecstasy appeared in her eyes: "Hahaha, my sons have become bloodline practitioners too? Truly heaven’s blessing."
Seeing Mrs. Zhang’s delight, Zhang Chen and the others could understand her emotions. After all, for Mrs. Zhang, she was just an ordinary person. Awakening the bloodline was indeed a class leap.
"What are the characteristics of the Zhang Family’s bloodline?" Zhang Chen inquired of Xie Xuan, to prevent the two little ones from being unable to master their bloodlines after awakening and to avoid detours.
"Soul capture, soul stealing, ghost control, mastering the life span of all beings!" Xie Xuan said, "Moreover, I’ve heard it said that the Zhang Family can open a passage to the Underworld, allowing the Night Parade of Hundred Demons, and possesses the capability to slaughter divine demons, though I am unsure if it’s true."
Listening to Xie Xuan’s introduction, Zhang Chen privately marveled at the terrifying power of the Zhang Family bloodline. Indeed, it was worthy of a great family in Kyoto, with a legacy spanning countless years.
"I have heard that the Zhang Family possesses the ability to extract others’ souls and can deprive others of their longevity, extend others’ lifespans, and command evil spirits, using celestial ghosts for battle or acquiring the abilities of evil spirits." Xie Xuan said, "Governing evil spirits is merely one of the Zhang Family’s abilities; it is said they can even command deities, though whether true or false is unknown."
Zhang Chen, hearing this, said seriously, "If so, the Zhang Family bloodline is indeed too powerful; logically, with such a formidable bloodline, how could they be suppressed by the Emperor like this..."
Zhang Chen wanted to ask about his own father, why he had been so suppressed by the court.
Xie Xuan, hearing this, looked apprehensive, "I have heard some rumors about this but dare not speak. I can only say it seems related to the soul hooking ability of the Zhang Family’s bloodline; I don’t know the specifics."
Zhang Chen glanced at Xie Xuan. The man was the head of the Inspection and Supervision Department and a strong Yang God practitioner, yet the matter scared Xie Xuan to this extent, showing its seriousness.
Zhang Chen was baffled, seeing Xie Xuan’s silence, unable to continue questioning.
However, Zhang Chen found the Zhang Family’s bloodline power intriguing, considering returning to the Zhang Clan in Kyoto to investigate if there was an opportunity in the future.
"I heard people say that the Zhang Clan’s bloodline power comes from a mysterious magic book. That book records the lifespan of all beings and can even influence the life and death of all beings through it, though I don’t know the details," Xie Xuan said.
Zhang Chen, hearing Xie Xuan’s words, felt a buzz in his mind, an instinctive term flashing: Life and Death Record!
Only the Life and Death Record can document the lifespan of all beings, capable of soul hooking and stealing.
"It can’t be baseless; I feel it’s highly likely true, only unverifiable." Xie Lingyun beside him said, "Zhang Chen, you must return to the Zhang Family in Shangjing; if you can master that mysterious aspect..."
Xie Lingyun did not continue, but Zhang Chen understood Xie Lingyun’s meaning.
"I’ve heard people say your Zhang Family has ancient figures that lived over ten thousand years, longer than the founding of the Great Victory Dynasty, though not sure if it’s true." Xie Xuan continued, "The flaw of the Zhang Family bloodline is the great limit; surviving each great limit advances the bloodline power significantly."
Zhang Chen looked at Xie Xuan in astonishment, "Lived ten thousand years? How can that be! How can a normal person live ten thousand years?"
"Who knows what’s up with your Zhang Family, though I’ve only heard of them, never seen those ancient figures from the Zhang Family myself," Xie Xuan said.
Zhang Chen fell silent upon hearing this. If Xie Xuan’s words were true, the Zhang Family’s mystery might be akin to the Life and Death Record, continuously altering their lifespan. Living for ten thousand years might not be impossible. But as heaven and earth cycle with their laws, the Zhang Family defying these to live so long must have flaws.
"So, you must return to the Zhang Family; they hold great secrets you cannot relinquish," Xie Lingyun said.
"Once I have the strength, I’ll certainly visit Shangjing," Zhang Chen said, "Do you know more about my father? Please tell me, so I can prepare in advance."
Hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Xie Xuan said, "Your father was originally from the Zhang Family’s direct lineage and was expected to inherit the Zhang Family’s enterprise, becoming its patriarch. But more than ten years ago, he committed a grave mistake causing his exile. Now, your uncle wields power in the Zhang Family. Your mother perished in that ancient upheaval, her cause of death unkown and was very suspicious, with no records even at the Inspection and Supervision Department."
"That’s all I know. The events of that year were buried by the Emperor’s maneuvers. Apart from the Zhang Family involved, no one knows what truly happened," Xie Xuan said, "Of course, you might visit Jinling; your grandmother might hold some clues."