Chapter 1254 - 883: Farewell to Zhou Qiucheng

Xie Lingyun is no ordinary woman. Perhaps she lost her composure for a moment, but after that moment passed, she had already calmed down.

Xie Lingyun’s heart harbored no ordinary romantic feelings; her mind was set solely on immortality and eternal existence. However, as Zhang Chen saw it, her heart might not truly be that peaceful.

"What a miraculous elixir; I can hardly believe that one day I could break through to the tenth tier." Xie Lingyun looked at Zhang Chen, her voice still filled with astonishment and wonder.

The transition from a Yin Spirit to a Yang God is a major hurdle, but advancing from a Ninth Tier Yang God to the Tenth Tier, where one possesses the body of a jade-bone immortal, is an even greater challenge than the stage between the eighth and ninth tiers.

No strong warrior at the Ninth Tier Yang God level would dare say they are confident in their ability to break through from Yang God to the jade-bone level.

"You need to calm down and solidify your foundation; you’re somewhat unstable right now." Zhang Chen reminded Xie Lingyun.

"Of course, I know. Ideally, I should continue stabilizing my state in the secret chamber, but I’m too excited and wanted to share the good news with you," Xie Lingyun said. "Moreover, solidifying my foundation isn’t something that can be achieved in a short time. I must first resolve the issues surrounding your identity before I can continue my secluded cultivation."

As they spoke, a guard from the Inspection and Supervision Department handed over a card: "Commander, Mr. Zhou Qiucheng from the Academy is requesting to see you."

"It’s Mr. Zhou! Quickly, bring Mr. Zhou in." Xie Lingyun’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and she quickly instructed the guard.

The guard followed the order and soon saw Zhou Qiucheng walk in from outside. Over years of cultivation, Zhou Qiucheng had not aged but instead looked even younger.

"Ideally, I should have gone to visit you, but given my current identity issues, I can only trouble you to come see me." Zhang Chen quickly and respectfully performed a salute when he saw Zhou Qiucheng entering.

Zhou Qiucheng responded with a gentle smile, stepping forward to help Zhang Chen up: "The friendship we share isn’t about such formalities. Don’t worry about your identity issues; we’ll spare no effort for your sake."

"Thank you, sir!" Zhang Chen offered another salute.

However, Zhou Qiucheng’s gaze drifted towards Xie Lingyun: "Congratulations to Commander Xie for reaching the Tenth Tier, joining the ranks of those who control the destinies of all life under heaven and earth. In the future, I hope Commander Xie will guide us."

Zhou Qiucheng is definitely not a pedantic scholar; his mind is quite agile. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have the chance to lead the Academy.

Look at Chen Sanliang, he was equally talented, yet his fate and that of Zhou Qiucheng were two extremes.

"Since you are my brother’s teacher, we are like family, so there’s no need for formalities. If you ever need assistance in the future, just ask, and I’ll do my utmost for you on Zhang Chen’s behalf." Xie Lingyun replied, but her words revealed how much she valued Zhang Chen, surprising Zhou Qiucheng. He underestimated Zhang Chen’s capabilities.

The three of them sat down, and Zhou Qiucheng looked towards Zhang Chen: "Why haven’t we heard from you for years? Where did you run off to?"

"I got into some trouble and had to hide to survive. Recently the situation has relaxed a bit, giving me the chance to escape." Zhang Chen replied with a chuckle.

He did not tell Zhou Qiucheng the truth. Unlike Xie Lingyun, whose heart demon is in Zhang Chen’s grasp, Zhou Qiucheng could be trusted without a shadow of a doubt — perhaps even more than his own siblings.

Zhou Qiucheng nodded in understanding and did not pursue the matter further, turning instead to Xie Lingyun: "Commander Xie is truly fortunate to break through to the Tenth Tier at such a young age, becoming a giant of the realm. It’s truly enviable."

"I was just lucky. If you, sir, continue to stay true to yourself and start and finish with good intentions, fortune is bound to favor you. Breaking through to the Tenth Tier will be as simple as a flick of a finger." Xie Lingyun replied with a smile, hinting at deeper meanings; it was unclear if Zhou Qiucheng understood her.

Xie Lingyun implied that if Zhou Qiucheng continued to wholeheartedly support Zhang Chen as he did today, Zhang Chen would not hold back with his elixirs in the future. Xie Lingyun knew Zhang Chen wasn’t a stingy person.

But what puzzled Xie Lingyun was why Zhang Chen gave Zhong Wubai an elixir without hesitation yet didn’t directly offer one to Zhou Qiucheng.

If Zhang Chen knew what Xie Lingyun had said, he could only smile wryly. His relationship with Zhou Qiucheng was very good, but his relationship with Chen Sanliang was not bad either. Zhou Qiucheng wanted to seek revenge on Chen Sanliang, and before the enmity between the two of them was resolved, Zhang Chen naturally would not casually hand over the elixir.

The difference between the Tenth Tier and the Ninth Tier is not something that can be described as the difference between heaven and earth. If Zhou Qiucheng breaks through to the Tenth Tier, coupled with the court’s support, and if he borrows a Twelfth Tier artifact, the chances of Chen Sanliang failing are extremely high.

Zhou Qiucheng, unaware that Zhang Chen was aiding Xie Lingyun’s breakthrough, naturally couldn’t hear the hidden meaning in Xie Lingyun’s words, and he sighed quietly: "Breaking through to a cultivator’s Tenth Tier is as difficult as climbing to the heavens. Even though I have now understood the Dao Vein, proving the Dao is still incredibly difficult."

At this point, Zhou Qiucheng changed the subject: "Regarding the issue of this young man’s identity, is there any protocol? Leader Xie, just give the orders. I will never shy away from any challenge."

Xie Lingyun explained his plan, and Zhou Qiucheng replied: "It’s somewhat feasible, but the only difficulty is Elder Grandmaster Ji Zun. This person is very stubborn, and convincing him will not be easy. I can shamelessly ask Mr. Da to personally persuade him."

Upon hearing this, Xie Lingyun smiled and responded: "Although Ji Zun is hard to deal with, we have still managed to handle it. Zhang Chen cured the strange illness on Ji Feihua, whose importance to the Ji family cannot be overstated. We have about a seventy percent chance of persuading the Elder Grandmaster."

As they were speaking, a guard reported: "Elder Grandmaster Ji Zun and Ji Feihua have come to visit."

"You all stay here. I’ll go invite the Elder Grandmaster in." After finishing his words, Xie Lingyun turned and walked out.

Once Zhou Qiucheng saw nobody was around, he looked at Zhang Chen: "Why did you come directly to the Inspection and Supervision Department? It’s too risky! The Inspection and Supervision Department is the Emperor’s domain. If news of your arrival here reaches the Human King, and if he decides to kill you, you won’t have any chance to escape!"

Zhou Qiucheng’s voice was very low, while also using his Qi Mechanism to seal the surrounding void: "No one in all of Kyoto is trustworthy, not even the Zhang Family behind you. I’ve already investigated for you; most people in your Zhang Family are considering simply pinning you down and handing you over to Prince Pingbian in exchange for control over the Northern Land. The Human King within the Imperial Palace is also hesitant, still weighing the pros and cons. By coming to the Inspection and Supervision Department now, you’re practically walking into a trap."

"Though it may seem like walking into a trap, it’s also to test the Human King’s attitude. If the Human King orders the experts of the Inspection and Supervision Department to apprehend me directly, I wouldn’t bother striving for an aboveboard identity anymore, and all plans would be cancelled. As for the experts in the Inspection and Supervision Department, you should know my strength, yet these past years my cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds, it’s not what it used to be. Although the department has many experts, they’re still a bit lacking when it comes to capturing me." Zhang Chen’s voice was filled with powerful confidence.

Hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Zhou Qiucheng was momentarily stunned, scrutinizing Zhang Chen in amazement: "Your cultivation... forget it, this cannot be asked; it’s your bottom line for survival! However, you cannot trust anyone in Kyoto. Once you resolve your identity issues, I’ll arrange for you to enter the Academy. There is a great creation in the Academy, and the Academy seems to have discovered a new world, though the information about the other side of the world is yet to be confirmed, and the world barrier has not fully opened. You’ve arrived just in time; if you can enter that world, it will be a great creation for you. That world appears to have just been newly developed, and the order of heaven and earth has not yet stabilized; the Academy doesn’t dare to risk fully opening the space passage yet. If you can obtain the qualification to enter it, the cultivation advancements you gain from acquiring Heavenly Creation inside are unimaginable."

"Is there really a newly developed world?" Zhang Chen was startled at the news.

Zhou Qiucheng nodded upon hearing this: "It’s not a secret within the Academy, nor is it a secret to the influential people of Kyoto. The court allows the Demon Race to be rampant because all attention is focused on the development of that world. If they can manage to fully master a newly developed world and cultivate powerhouses beyond the Twelfth Tier, they could sweep across the world in the blink of an eye. Whatever Hu Li the Immortal or the Peacock Ancestor, they could be eliminated in a snap." Zhou Qiucheng noted.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s expression became serious. This news was quite shocking, filling his heart with astonishment.

Just as he was about to continue speaking, footsteps were heard outside, and Xie Lingyun led Elder Grandmaster Ji Zun and his grandson into the room. Seeing this, Zhou Qiucheng quickly withdrew the Qi Mechanism he had set up.

"Grandmaster, this is Zhang Chen whom you wanted to meet!" Xie Lingyun introduced, pointing to Zhang Chen.

"Greetings, Elder Grandmaster." Zhang Chen quickly bowed respectfully.

"Hold on, no need for formalities! I should be the one saluting you. If it weren’t for your intervention, my granddaughter’s strange illness might never have been cured. Stand there, and let me salute you," Ji Zun said as he attempted to bow to Zhang Chen, who quickly grabbed him. "Elder Grandmaster, no need for such courtesy. My encounter with your granddaughter can be considered fate; there’s no need for such grand gestures."

Seeing this, Xie Lingyun also took the opportunity to interject: "Indeed, Elder Grandmaster, you are a senior. How can a senior salute a junior? If you truly wish to repay me, there is precisely a matter I need your assistance with."

Xie Lingyun saw the chance and directly shifted the topic to the main point.

Hearing this, Elder Grandmaster turned and glanced at Xie Lingyun: "Just like your father, you always find an opportunity and are unwilling to lose out. I know what matter you wish to discuss. There’s no need to elaborate; just tell me your plan."

Upon hearing this, Xie Lingyun did not hesitate and explained the plan, then looked at Ji Zun: "Please, sir, advise us if this plan can succeed?"

Xie Lingyun’s attitude was very respectful.