Chapter 11: Ritual

“Cough, cough…”

Xu Cheng coughed up blood as he struggled through the jungle. He glanced back.

Several black shadows followed like ghosts.

“Damn it. Youlong people actually found me. For Lily?”

Xu Cheng had thought his injuries improved enough to settle old scores, but Youlong City interfered first.

All he could do now was lead them as far away as possible, keeping them from Lily’s trail.

Compared to Lily, his old grudges suddenly seemed unimportant.

“Xu Cheng, you can’t escape. Reveal her whereabouts, and you might keep your life.”

A cold voice rang out. At the same time, two large trees ahead suddenly caved inward, crashing toward him.

Xu Cheng flipped his palm. The trees exploded into countless splinters, shooting backward.

But suddenly, a black shadow flashed ahead. A whip kick struck his abdomen.

Boom!

Xu Cheng’s body shot out, snapping several trees, carving a long furrow in the ground.

“As expected of Wei Qing’s trash. Pathetic.”

A burly man walked over slowly, face full of disdain.

“Young Lord.”

The black-clothed figures greeted respectfully.

The man grabbed Xu Cheng’s head with one hand, lifting him.

“I’m Long Jing, third son of Youlong City Lord. You can talk now. Where’s my dear little sister?” Long Jing asked calmly.

Xu Cheng stayed silent.

“If you won’t talk, I have ways to make you.”

Long Jing smiled cruelly.

He’d seen plenty of tough ones, but in the end, he always got what he wanted.

A week later.

Wei Qing City.

Chen Zhao had fully controlled the municipal council. Su Qi, as wished, became Enforcement Minister.

But the plan to open the Source hub was temporarily shelved.

Lower levels knew nothing of the upper-level storm.

They simply followed orders, building five tall towers around Wei Qing City. They had no idea why; only that the proposal passed unanimously.

But closer inspection showed the five towers encircled Wei Qing City in a circle, center exactly the Source hub.

Chen Zhao handled tower setup; Zhang Yujun oversaw Wei Qing City.

She glanced at the distant Source hub. Still no movement.

Various thoughts surfaced.

This Source-achieved Foundation Establishment had greater flaws than imagined.

Chen Zhao had successfully laid the Five Tribulations Imprisoning Fire Array ritual. Though crude, it still multiplied the array’s power several times.

Once activated, even she couldn’t claim to block it head-on.

Yet the hub’s occupant had endured until now. If patience, it was beyond human.

Or… did he have another trump card?

Zhang Yujun pondered, finally deciding to meet him. Regardless, probe his strength first.

She informed Chen Zhao. After thinking, he agreed. With the ritual complete, even surprises; he could control the situation.

“Heh, your junior sister doesn’t need your worry.” A scornful voice sounded.

Chen Zhao’s expression unchanged, inwardly replying, “What did you see?”

Speaking to him was the rumored Golden Core snake demon he’d “reverse-slayed.”

That day, though gravely wounded, the snake wasn’t something Qi Refining could handle. Planning to possess Chen Zhao to escape Immortal Sect pursuit.

The plan went smoothly until the unexpected.

It couldn’t possess Chen Zhao.

At first realization, its worldview shattered. A Golden Core great cultivator’s consciousness and soul inferior to an ordinary Qi Refining disciple?

Unwilling, it dueled Chen Zhao’s will. Chen Zhao didn’t indulge; tug-of-war began.

Then, even more shocking: though only a remnant soul, Golden Core was Golden Core; even a thought should overpower Qi Refining.

Chen Zhao shattered that notion. In soul foundation, it lost. Facing slow grinding death, it helplessly proposed cooperation.

It would impart knowledge and inheritance; Chen Zhao, after Golden Core, would reshape its body and bring it into the Immortal Sect.

Hearing Chen Zhao’s question, the snake demon smiled mysteriously.

“You still haven’t noticed? She’s like you; both Foundation, but her dao foundation is perfect, mana purity far surpasses yours. Head-on, your win chance is less than ten percent.”

“Ten percent?” Despite preparation, Chen Zhao was shocked.

“I still have Five Elements Dao Body?” Chen Zhao couldn’t help saying.

The snake demon rolled its eyes. “Wake up. This isn’t some branch sect with countless geniuses. Dao Bodies aren’t rare here. Reincarnated immortals, innate immortal spirits, great merit hosts… you’ve seen nothing.”

Chen Zhao sweated. True; he hadn’t formally experienced the Immortal Sect. Arrived straight at trial grounds, now stuck here.

Then the snake demon added, “But this might be your opportunity.”

“You mean the Core Formation item here?”

Chen Zhao stroked his chin. Indeed an opportunity. Even in the Immortal Sect, Core Formation items cost dearly.

The snake demon scolded, “Idiot! What’s a Core Formation item? I mean your junior sister!”

Chen Zhao blanked, recalling that aloof yet soft face. Helplessly, “How does it involve her again?”

The snake demon chuckled. “You’re young; don’t understand. On the immortal path, what matters most? Treasures? Arts? Wrong. Thigh-hugging! Your junior sister built such perfect dao foundation; her background must be extraordinary. She intends to recruit you; isn’t that your chance? Cling tight to her thigh; will resources ever lack?”

Chen Zhao’s face darkened. He hadn’t expected this.

Thigh-hugging?

An opportunity too?

The snake demon continued. “I suffered young for not hugging a thick, sturdy thigh soon enough; ended up like this.”

Chen Zhao thought seriously. “You have some point, but I’ve accepted Senior Brother Li’s recruitment and got True Person’s jade token. Doing as you say might offend them.”

The snake demon: “…”

The aircraft hall. Su Qi and Lily sat together. Su Qi kept recounting Xu Cheng’s past; Lily listened intently, eyes still red from tears.

The fully armed soldiers around were Wei Qing City guards, not Su Qi’s subordinates; meaning they protected the aircraft, not him.

Zhang Yujun by the window suddenly looked up at the clear, cloudless sky, expression serious.

“What’s wrong?” Chen Zhao beside her asked, seeing her look.

“I suddenly thought of Elder Brother.” Zhang Yujun murmured.

“You have an elder brother? He must be worried.” Chen Zhao said. Rare for family cultivators to have such deep sibling bonds.

“No. Though he’s good to me, he wouldn’t worry. He’s not that kind of person.” Zhang Yujun shook her head.

Chen Zhao frowned; he didn’t quite understand.

Zhang Yujun glanced at him. “Elder Brother is a rare innate awakened Dao Body genius. From birth, his perception far exceeded others. He doesn’t understand the world others see, nor has normal emotions.”

“Sounds… not good.” Chen Zhao frowned.

Zhang Yujun rested her chin on her hand, speaking slowly. “I think so too, but undeniably, Elder Brother’s talent is terrifying. Perhaps… he already saw me just now.”

“Your elder brother is Nascent Soul?” Chen Zhao boldly guessed. Perceiving across worlds required at least Nascent Soul.

Zhang Yujun smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Whether Nascent Soul or not, even she couldn’t say. Last seclusion, Elder Brother was already Nascent Soul limit.