Chapter 1274 - 903: Ancestor

"It seems that in the Mortal World, a certain Zhang family was established, whose incense power persists to this day, still capable of providing power of incense," remarked the Innate Mosquito.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen fell silent, his eyes fixed on Daoist Wen opposite him: "Does the True Spirit of the Black Master still exist?"

"This guy is in the Daluo Realm too, and a trace of his True Spirit remains. Refining it won’t be easy. It’s a good thing I have extraordinary skills; otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to suppress him," said Daoist Wen.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s mind was filled with various thoughts. It was undoubtedly true that the Black Robed Monster was the Zhang family’s ancestor, having transformed into the River God of the Wangchuan River to preserve life. However, after the bother from Daoist Wen, most of his life had likely gone.

Though he was his ancestor, Zhang Chen didn’t hold any fondness for him, as he once tried to kill Zhang Chen. Without the help of the Innate Mosquito, he would have already fallen victim to his ancestor’s scheming.

However, if the Black Robed Monster was indeed the Zhang family’s ancestor, he must have clues regarding the Book of Life and Death. If Zhang Chen could suppress him, perhaps he could quickly find it.

Zhang Chen didn’t care about the life and death of the Black Master, but he couldn’t miss the eleventh-tier treasure, the Book of Life and Death, especially since its importance relates to his plans in the Mortal World.

The Underworld is vast and not smaller than the Mortal World. If he relied solely on himself to find the Book of Life and Death, it would be as difficult as searching for a needle at the bottom of the endless sea. However, if he had the True Spirit of the Black Master, finding the Book of Life and Death would become much simpler.

"Release his True Spirit," Zhang Chen instructed the Innate Mosquito.

The Innate Mosquito hesitated slightly upon hearing this: "This guy is extremely troublesome. I can only suppress him because of the advantage of my physical form. Once his True Spirit leaves my body, if he tries to escape, I won’t be able to stop him."

"No matter, I naturally have the means to deal with him," Zhang Chen replied with a confident smile, his least concern was soul bodies. No matter how strong the Black Master was, how could it compare to the True Spirit of the Queen Mother of the West?

Seeing Zhang Chen insist on acting stubbornly, the Innate Mosquito hesitated no more. In the next moment, a stream of black light surged out from his body, but before the light could escape, Zhang Chen’s Soul Hooking and Soul Stealing skill had already been activated. Then, a chain sound echoed through the void, directly trapping the black light in place. That black light twisted and transformed into the appearance of a black-robed figure.

The black-robed figure glared angrily at Zhang Chen: "Boy, what is this method of yours, daring to imprison your ancestor? If not for you sucking Daoist Wen’s blood, awakening him, your ancestor wouldn’t have been put in a passive state. Today, I’ll show you a lesson!"

The Black Master lunged forward, eager to possess Zhang Chen. But Zhang Chen held onto the chain binding the Black Master, preventing him from succeeding.

As the Black Master’s figure swayed, he passed directly through Zhang Chen’s body, powerless to affect him.

"How could this be?" The Black Master froze, staring at Zhang Chen with horror, as if witnessing a terrifying presence.

"Ancestor, we’ve met again. I rescued you from the body of Daoist Wen, and yet you don’t thank me; instead, you resort to violence and betrayal?" Zhang Chen asked rhetorically.

Upon hearing this, the Black Master gritted his teeth: "Thank your ancestors for eight generations! If not for you being a troublemaker, I would have already succeeded in possessing. How could I end up in this situation?"

Zhang Chen looked at the Black Master’s enraged eyes and shook his head: "You are ungrateful, truly disappointing. Now, I have something to ask you. If your answer satisfies me, I can let you go and give you a chance to live. If not, Daoist Wen will consume you until you disappear from this world, once and for all."

After hearing Zhang Chen’s words, the Black Master said nothing, only staring insistently at Zhang Chen. At this moment, the situation was beyond his control; what could he do?

"I want to ask the ancestor, where is the Book of Life and Death? As long as the ancestor hands it over to me, all our grudges will dissipate. You can continue acting as the River God of the Yellow Springs. If not, don’t blame me for being ruthless," Zhang Chen said.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, the Black Master’s face changed: "What Book of Life and Death? I don’t know. You’ve got the wrong person!"

"Daoist Wen," Zhang Chen said, ignoring the Black Master and turning to Daoist Wen.

"Here, master," Daoist Wen’s eyes brightened.

"Swallow it," Zhang Chen commanded, summoning the Innate Mosquito’s proboscis and casually tossing it to Daoist Wen.

"As you command!" Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s command, Daoist Wen’s eyes brightened instantly. If he could swallow the Black Master, it would be significantly beneficial for him.

The Innate Mosquito’s proboscis flew into Daoist Wen’s body, connecting instantly. Daoist Wen looked eagerly at the Black Master. The Black Master hurriedly said, "Wait, can’t we discuss this peacefully? There’s no need for a fight!"

"Either hand over the Book of Life and Death, or die now. Of course, if you think you can escape from my grasp, you’re welcome to try," Zhang Chen concluded.

The Black Robed Monster lowered his head to look at the chains growing from his True Spirit. What could he say?

If he could escape, he would’ve done so long ago, rather than staying here to waste words with Zhang Chen.

"To activate the Life and Death Record, it requires the vitality of living beings as a cost. You have yet to achieve the Immortal Dao and your lifespan is limited. Giving the Life and Death Record to you would actually harm you." The Black Robed Monster looked at Zhang Chen with reluctance, attempting to persuade him to abandon the power of the Life and Death Record.

Zhang Chen heard this and smiled lightly, "Daoist Wen, aren’t you going to make a move?"

"Hold on. It’s just the Life and Death Record. I’ll give it to you. But you’re not listening to the wisdom of the elders—books of wisdom are right before your eyes and you’ll suffer greatly sooner or later." The Black Robed Monster took a deep breath, reached out with his hand towards the River Wangchuan below, and the River Wangchuan’s waters began to churn. An ancient book appeared before him.

The Black Robed Monster grabbed the Life and Death Record in his hand, and the next moment his face changed with disbelief as he looked at Zhang Chen, "You are my descendant!"

The moment the Life and Death Record was in his hand, he had already learned the news from within it.

"I’m indeed someone from the Zhang Family in the Mortal World," Zhang Chen did not deny.

The Black Robed Monster’s face turned grim, "Kid, I’m your ancestor. Is this how you treat your ancestor? It’s simply turning against the heavens!"

Zhang Chen heard and gave the Black Robed Monster a glance, "And then?"

"You’re currently unaccomplished in the Immortal Dao, and your name is still within the Life and Death Record. Do you know, young lad, by just a small hand gesture, I can exhaust your remaining life?" The Black Robed Monster looked at Zhang Chen, speaking earnestly, "As long as you stop and make peace with me, help me possess the Innate Mosquito, I’ll make you the Patriarch of the Zhang Family, granting you eternal immortality."

Upon hearing this, the Innate Mosquito was immediately provoked, its eyes staring fiercely at the Black Robed Monster. It then turned to look at the expressionless Zhang Chen, asking, ’Am I now the outsider?’

"Don’t you dare listen to his deceitful words. He created the Zhang Family just to collect Power of Incense. Since Ancient Times to this day, countless ten-thousands of years have passed, with countless descendants born. You’re nothing but a stranger in his eyes. If you truly wish to return to your roots, you’re seeking your own demise. If he devours me, he certainly won’t spare you. Do you think after you’ve put him in such a dire situation, he will let you go?" Daoist Wen quickly interjected.

"To us Immortal Beings, descendants are dispensable. Mere descendants are irrelevant." The Innate Mosquito hastily tried to dissuade Zhang Chen, afraid he’d be swayed by the other.

"The discussion between grandparents and grandson is none of your concern! Quickly shut your mouth, or I’ll have my grandson deal with you." The Black Robed Monster saw Daoist Wen continuously trying to sow discord and immediately voiced his reprimand.

At this moment, Zhang Chen looked at the Black Robed Monster with a smile on his lips, "Ancestor, I am indeed your grandson. Since you’re halfway in the grave, what use do you still have for the Life and Death Record? Why not hand it over to me? I am your grandson and can rightfully inherit all of you. This Life and Death Record should belong to me."

"Dear grandson, it’s not that I don’t want to give the Life and Death Record to you; it’s just that activating it requires lifespan in return. This treasure can be extremely harmful, and I’m afraid you won’t be able to manage it. While I’m halfway into the grave, I can still preserve it for a few more years. Once I eliminate its drawbacks, it’s not too late to give it to you," the Black Robed Monster said with a squinted smile.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen’s face immediately turned dark: "Old fool, are you really not handing it over?"

"Hm! Your name is recorded within the Life and Death Record. Don’t you know, I only need to lightly move my finger to make you perish?" The Black Robed Monster coldly countered, adopting a threatening posture.

Zhang Chen’s expression turned cold hearing this: "Ancestor, go ahead and activate the Life and Death Record. I’m curious whether you can pull my soul away."

Zhang Chen in his years at West Kunlun didn’t know how many Peaches of Immortality he consumed nor how many pills he took. His lifespan was immeasurable, though not of the Immortal class, regarding longevity, even those Golden Immortals couldn’t outlast him.

Moreover, currently, in his hand, he held the Soul Hooking and Soul Stealing chains. Even if the Black Robed Monster activated the Life and Death Record, it wouldn’t harm Zhang Chen.

The Black Robed Monster looked at Zhang Chen, a trace of coldness in his gaze, "Alright, since you’re ignorant to danger, seeking to betray your master and defy your ancestor, today as your elder, I must show you formidable power."

The Black Robed Monster flipped through the Life and Death Record, and in a flash arrived at Zhang Chen’s page.

Beside him, Daoist Wen quietly watched, showing no intention of intervening, simply watching with cold eyes.

"If you kill me and I survive, then you’re the one who’s done for." Zhang Chen saw the Black Robed Monster ready to make a move and issued a warning.

"Boy, you haven’t achieved the Immortal Dao. Though accomplished, you’re still bound by the Life and Death Record. If you assist me in refining Daoist Wen, all grudges between our family will be forgiven! Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to clean the house." The Black Robed Monster threatened once more.