Chapter 71: Phantom Beetle
Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Phantom Beetle
BOOM!
In the next moment, Zhang Chi’s powerful Spiritual Power shattered its limits, pushing his Cultivation to the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer in one fell swoop.
At that instant, a potent Spiritual Pressure erupted violently. The surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi surged in like a tide, all of it rapidly refined by the nine Blood Flames.
Zhang Chi’s physical body, Spiritual Power, and Divine Soul all underwent a metamorphosis, growing significantly stronger.
A few moments later, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi settled, the Spiritual Pressure dissipated, and Zhang Chi had already consolidated his Cultivation at the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer.
"Excellent!"
Zhang Chi was overjoyed.
Generally speaking, the higher a Cultivator’s Cultivation, the slower their breakthroughs.
For example, going from the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer to the sixth had taken Zhang Chi two months with the help of various aids. From the sixth to the seventh layer took four months, and progressing from the seventh to the eighth layer would normally require eight months.
But now, the Eye of the Spirit Spring had undoubtedly shortened this timeline once again.
In fact, if he hadn’t obtained the Eye of the Spirit Spring so late, four months might have been enough to go from the seventh to the eighth layer.
Now, according to Zhang Chi’s estimations, even going from the eighth to the ninth layer would take eight months at most.
Before he had the Eye of the Spirit Spring, it would have taken at least sixteen months.
Furthermore, his supply of Spirit Stones had been insufficient in the past. He had neither the Eye of the Spirit Spring nor did he use aids like Spirit Wine or Spiritual Food.
But in the future, he could make use of all of them.
This way, his Cultivation would accelerate even further. It wouldn’t take him ten years at all to reach the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer Peak.
Realizing this, Zhang Chi couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement.
He then continued his Cultivation until dawn, at which point he finally and quietly left the Cangwu Sect.
Aside from the last assessment, this was the first time he had left the Cangwu Sect in the year-plus since he had joined.
He wasn’t worried about being followed by the Xie Family now.
After so much time, it was impossible that they would have someone constantly watching him.
Besides, his Divine Thought was powerful enough to rival a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Unless his pursuer was at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, he would be able to detect them even if they were just watching from a great distance.
He also knew full well that although the Xie Family wanted him dead, they only saw him as a bothersome mosquito and didn’t truly take him seriously.
What’s more, unless Patriarch Xie appeared in person, he was confident he could escape using his Blood Escape Technique.
SWOOSH...
Still, he didn’t let his guard down. After quietly leaving the Cangwu Sect, he immediately summoned his Middle Grade Flying Boat and sped away at full throttle.
Only after reaching a desolate wilderness a thousand miles away did he stop and take out the Thousand Illusions Locking Array to set it up.
He then disguised himself before taking out a white Communication Talisman, speaking a few words into it, and crushing it.
SWOOSH...
The Communication Talisman immediately transformed into a streak of white light and flew away.
One hour later, the ground not far away trembled slightly, and two golden mantises burrowed out from underground.
They looked around for a moment before burrowing back underground.
A few moments later, a brocade handkerchief-like Magical Artifact, ten feet square, flew over. Standing on it was a charming, black-clad woman with an excellent figure. It was none other than Lan Xuan.
"Xuan’Er pays her respects to Master."
Lan Xuan flew closer and bowed respectfully in Zhang Chi’s direction, her demeanor one of utmost reverence.
In truth, she couldn’t see Zhang Chi, but she shared a master-servant connection with him. The Communication Talisman he had sent earlier was also for her. Therefore, she knew he was here.
At the same time, she was secretly astonished.
’Although Zhang Chi obtained the array, it’s a Tier Two array, and he’s only a Qi Cultivation Cultivator. Normally, he shouldn’t be able to use that array at all. Even I was only able to collect it before, not redeploy it. But now, he has clearly set up the array here in advance; otherwise, there’s no way he would be completely invisible to me.’
This development far exceeded her expectations, making her feel even more awe toward Zhang Chi.
In reality, the reason Zhang Chi could use this array was precisely because his Divine Thought was comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s, and because he cultivated a Top Grade Demon Technique, his Spiritual Power was far purer than that of ordinary Cultivators of the Same Tier.
"Mm, come in."
As soon as Lan Xuan finished speaking, a voice responded. The empty space before her rippled, and a translucent white barrier of light suddenly materialized, a gateway appearing within it.
Lan Xuan immediately flew inside. She then saw a black curtain of light, which had also been opened for her.
Upon entering, her eyes immediately fell upon a tall, imposing man with a mask and brilliant eyes. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching her.
This man was, of course, Zhang Chi.
’Compared to a month ago,’ Lan Xuan thought, ’he seems to have gotten stronger again.’
"Master, here are your Spirit Beast Bags."
Lan Xuan paid her respects again, then quickly took out several Spirit Beast Bags, presenting them to Zhang Chi with both hands.
One of them contained the Four-legged Spirit Snake, while the rest had belonged to the Foundation Establishment Elder from the Spirit Control Sect.
"Mm."
Zhang Chi took the Spirit Beast Bags and couldn’t help but nod slightly.
’There are five Spirit Beast Bags in total, none missing. The Spiritual Power imprints I left on them are also intact. Clearly, Lan Xuan hasn’t secretly inspected the bags.’
He immediately began to inspect their contents carefully, while Lan Xuan stood quietly to the side, waiting patiently.
Inside its bag, the Four-legged Spirit Snake was the same as ever, sound asleep.
However, the contents of the other four bags made Zhang Chi frown slightly.
The Spirit Beasts in three of the bags, all at Tier One Peak, were dead.
Only the Spirit Beast in the fourth bag—a finger-sized, snow-white beetle at Tier Two Early Stage—was still alive, though it looked weak and listless.
"What’s going on here? Why are these Spirit Beasts dead?" Zhang Chi asked coldly.
"Reporting to Master, those Spirit Beasts were bound to that old man by our sect’s secret Spirit Contract. Since he died, they couldn’t survive either," Lan Xuan quickly explained.
She certainly didn’t want Zhang Chi to get the wrong idea and think she was responsible.
"I see."
Zhang Chi understood. He didn’t ask any more questions, nor did he mention that the white beetle was still alive.
’In his opinion, it was normal for a Tier Two Spirit Beast to have a stronger Life Force.’
He knew a little about this white beetle, as it was mentioned in the Beast Taming knowledge Lan Xuan had given him.
The insect was called a Phantom Beetle. Its Combat Power was average, but it had special abilities: strong defense, color-changing, and even the ability to turn colorless and transparent, which was equivalent to invisibility.
Furthermore, the beetle could hide its own Spiritual Power fluctuations and aura. Paired with the relevant Secret Techniques of the Beast Taming Sect, it was an excellent tool for surveillance, tracking, and gathering intelligence.
The Foundation Establishment Elder had clearly raised this beetle for that very reason.
’That old man was so poor, he didn’t even have one decent Tier Two Spirit Beast!’ Zhang Chi grumbled internally.
But in truth, this Tier Two Phantom Beetle alone was extremely valuable and incredibly useful. He was already quite satisfied with obtaining it.
Besides, the three dead Tier One Peak beasts could be treated as ordinary Demon Beasts and sold for a good sum of Spirit Stones.
After putting away the Spirit Beast Bags, Zhang Chi looked at Lan Xuan and asked a few questions. He learned that after leaving the Grand Canyon, she had been staying in the nearby White Cloud Marketplace, renting a cave residence and awaiting his call.
And this White Cloud Marketplace, located a hundred miles away, was precisely the meeting point Zhang Chi and Lan Xuan had agreed upon beforehand.
"So, what are your plans now? Stay in Yuan South, or return to Yuan Bei?" Zhang Chi asked after a bit more conversation.
"Xuan’Er will follow all of Master’s arrangements. But... Master, do you mean I can actually decide for myself?" Upon hearing this, Lan Xuan’s eyes lit up, and her voice couldn’t help but tremble.
’I had originally thought he would make me stay near the Cangwu Sect to work for him and serve his pleasures. For the past month, this very possibility has made me extremely anxious. If that were the case, reaching Foundation Establishment would be incredibly difficult for me.’
"If it’s possible, Xuan’Er would like to return to Yuan Bei," Lan Xuan said, taking a deep breath.
"You may. That was my intention as well. Only by returning there can you gather some information for me. By the way, as an Inner Sect Disciple of the Spirit Control Sect, you should be able to receive a Foundation Establishment Pill for free, right?" Zhang Chi nodded slightly and continued his questioning.