There's something wrong with me

Chapter 204 Return
Two days later.

Arrived in the capital.

Zhang Feng and the Imperial Advisor completely disregarded the ban on flying over the capital.

"Greetings, Senior Qingshan...and the Imperial Preceptor..."

Even the patrolling Golden Core cultivators who arrived from the air at that moment, upon seeing Zhang Feng and the National Preceptor, perhaps having received some secret orders, could only bow in respect and dared not stop them in any way.

"senior……"

And after one of them bowed, he subtly led the way toward the palace.

Zhang Feng looked in the direction he was being directed and saw that the palace had perhaps been expanded.

It is much larger than the historical palace.

It is twenty li long and seventeen li wide.

This imperial capital city, too, is a hundred li in both length and width.

Its city walls are ten meters thick and over fifty meters high, and are made entirely of huge stones, with magic and spiritual stones embedded in them.

From time to time, Foundation Establishment cultivators patrol the city walls, taking charge of maintenance and other related tasks.

The magnificent city gave Zhang Feng a sense of awe and shock at first sight.

Even though he was a Golden Core cultivator and shouldn't have such thoughts, he had never seen anything like it before, and he never imagined that this world would develop its defenses in this way.

But upon closer examination, while this defense cannot withstand Golden Core cultivators, it can indeed prevent normal armies from attacking the city.

And if there really were a great battle, all the high-level cultivators would have died, but the city walls wouldn't have been damaged.

Given that there are Foundation Establishment cultivators who can repair the city walls, and that poisonous schemes such as "throwing corpses into the city" and "creating plagues" cannot be used, it seems that very few people can conquer such a city.

Because there are still large areas of farmland and livestock inside the city, it is a city within a city with its own farming system, which can ensure self-sufficiency.

Such a magnificent city and large population even made them want Zhang Feng to become the city lord, and to have a farming war similar to the game 'Age of Empires'.

The emperor's arrangements were truly superb.

Zhang Feng was too eager to possess it.

……

A moment later, they arrived at the palace.

Zhang Feng had lived in the palace twice before, and he felt that there was nothing interesting to see there anymore.

Although this palace is larger, it also harbors many experts who have reached the Great Perfection of the Golden Core stage.

It's really not as good as the cities outside.

As Zhang Feng pondered this, he and the Imperial Preceptor arrived at the Imperial Study.

"Tianshi!"

An excited shout came from afar.

Zhang Feng saw a middle-aged man dressed in a dragon robe walking quickly towards him.

He was the emperor of the Shang Dynasty.

He had just heard the telepathic message and learned that 'Master Zhang' had arrived at the palace, so he hurriedly came to greet him.

This Celestial Master is short for "Teacher of the World".

at the same time.

Not only did the emperor arrive, but he also arrived in less than three or four seconds.

Several elderly men dressed as princes and a middle-aged man dressed as a crown prince followed behind him.

This middle-aged man also had graying temples and looked older than the emperor.

This crown prince was actually the emperor's grandson.

Zhang Feng had already heard the Imperial Advisor mention it briefly on the way.

'This old man is going to outlive all the princes and grandsons.'

Zhang Feng looked at the crowd that came to greet him and found it interesting, feeling that this was what an immortal emperor was like.

It's quite possible that once he sits on the dragon throne, he'll be there for hundreds of years.

If his offspring do not reach a very high level, they are destined to be 'outlived'.

However, this also indirectly selects princes or grandsons with high qualifications to be the next successors.

Otherwise, in a world where martial prowess is paramount, what if the emperor were an ordinary person?

The monk might not necessarily submit.

This is also a unique cultural product that has emerged in this world in a roundabout way.

An emperor may not be so clever, or even a little confused, but the prerequisite for all of this is that he himself must be a cultivator.

As long as one is a cultivator, and with the assistance of various ministers, even if one is not intelligent, the longevity of life will at least prevent one from becoming too stupid.

This world also indirectly illustrates the importance and correlation between lifespan and learning.

Zhang Feng came to court today not only to see the secret manuals of the world, but also to examine the power structure of the martial arts world, summarize his experience, and see if there are any discrepancies with the reality he had created.

If there are faults, correct them; if not, strive to improve.

Looking at it today, the Shang Dynasty is quite stable under this model, and its longevity and learning structure seem to be without any major flaws.

……

Royal study room.

The emperor and others invited Zhang Feng here.

Later, the finest spiritual tea from the national treasury was served.

The emperor and his entourage stood around them with smiles on their faces.

Zhang Feng, however, took the seat of honor and became the master of the place.

This was also the Imperial Preceptor secretly communicating with the Emperor, saying that he 'm about to enter the Nascent Soul stage'.

Zhang Feng overheard these whispers.

Therefore, conversations under normal circumstances became a hierarchical exchange between 'superiors and subordinates'.

Then look at those princes and the crown prince, who are looking at him with eager eyes, as if trying to curry favor.

Zhang Feng knew that if he dared to say a few words to them, they would 'feel' that they had made contact with him.

So next up is the 'political intrigue film set'.

I have now become the 'core' of everyone.

He had been patiently cultivating himself for over sixty years, all for the sake of gaining this kind of initiative.

Moreover, Zhang Feng also knew that perhaps only the world of growth could be like this.

Because of the text's hint that 'a level seven world, possessing both extraordinary and catastrophic characteristics.'

Zhang Feng always felt that the world ahead might not be so comfortable anymore.

"Secret manuals and insights from various cultivation sects." Zhang Feng thought to himself, and without further delay, he said directly to the emperor and others, "Please send someone to fetch them."

Learn as much as you can.

Now that we've overcome the inner demons, the remaining task is to analyze and further deepen our understanding of the Golden Core.

……

In the years that followed.

The emperor and his entourage were actually quite bewildered.

Because they had considered everything Zhang Tianshi might do after arriving, such as promoting the path of cultivation, spreading the Dharma throughout the world, indulging in debauchery, or seizing power.

The emperor had anticipated these events and didn't care much, as long as Zhang Tianshi was happy and didn't lose his temper.

Or perhaps...

Even if the wise man's intention was to play around and tease the princes and crown prince, causing a chaotic palace battle.

Or perhaps they could use the officials of each department as chess pieces to draw a game of chess that they want.

The emperor didn't care, as long as he could keep the Celestial Master in check and let him guard the capital.

Of course, if the emperor were to tease the crown prince and others in this way, he would probably have some thoughts about it.

There's nothing we can do about it.

The fact that the monstrous Zhang Tianshi has already appeared means there's no solution to this problem.

But in reality...

The emperor, the crown prince, and others were dumbfounded.

Since they gave the secret manual to Zhang Tianshi a few years ago, Zhang Tianshi has been in seclusion in the Imperial Study.

Really, outrageous.

On his first day in court, he accepted the title but did not use it, and did not engage in idle chatter. He was completely isolated from the world after receiving the secret manual.

They had never seen such a person before, and even thought that such a person did not exist.

Because people are changeable, it's impossible for someone to have a fixed personality and disappear as soon as they go into seclusion.

Even normal cultivators who are in seclusion will occasionally relax and go out for a stroll.

But Zhang Tianshi stayed there for more than a decade.

……

Also in the seventy-fifth year since he came into this world.

In the imperial study room.

Zhang Feng, whose appearance remained unchanged, had finally finished organizing the knowledge of Golden Core in this world.

At this moment again.

The physical constitution is [2.7K], and the spiritual awareness is 27 li.

Although, judging from the general level of his cultivation, he should be at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

Its combat power might even surpass that of a 'Grand Completion of the Nascent Soul stage' that has never appeared in this world before?

However, his own cultivation level was only half a step into the Nascent Soul stage.

The fusion of the soul and the golden core is very slow; it has only reached 15% so far.

Zhang Feng felt that this was because his overall strength was too great, making his 'soul' too strong and his 'golden core' too complex, which slowed down the fusion process.

Perhaps the invincible cultivators in those mythological dramas who have to endure thousands or tens of thousands of years to reach the half-step realm are in a similar situation to myself.

They are too strong and too complex, so their transformation is very slow.

However, once a breakthrough is achieved, the growth is also exponential, far exceeding that of cultivators of the same level.

Zhang Feng felt that this was probably the case.

Although the 'Nascent Soul process' of fusing the Golden Core and the Soul is formed autonomously, the Golden Core and the Soul are ultimately one's own possessions, so it is necessary to use one's own computing power to perfect them.

It is not like the 'original elixir' of itself, but rather a direct drawing of the 'rules of nature'.

The Golden Core of today is more like something unique to me, something I control.

It's like an A4 sheet of paper. It's blank when you buy it, but after you write and draw on it and use it for a long time, it will be covered with your own marks.

The golden elixir I possess now feels more like my own.

Of course, the A4 paper was ultimately purchased.

The soul, however, is the true self.

Then, in Zhang Feng's mind, this process of merging with the Nascent Soul was a path he had to explore on his own, and also a path he had to take.

In other words, it is a breakthrough improvement through the fusion of the 'true self (soul)' and 'nature (golden elixir)'.

If the integration is successful, then the A4 paper (Golden Elixir) will become more of its own.

As for truly becoming one, it should be about analyzing all aspects of the Golden Core, and even achieving the ability to 'mass-produce Golden Core talismans (mass-producing Golden Core masters)'.

At that time, in a sense, I had mastered the rules of the Golden Elixir and the rules of making A4 paper.

Then the Golden Elixir must also be his own.

However, the Golden Core experts they create will definitely be far less powerful than themselves. This isn't because they intentionally suppress them, nor because they feel that the Golden Core experts are getting something for nothing.

Rather, it's because their knowledge and foundation are too weak.

Even if a golden core were implanted in their bodies, they could control it and were not torn apart by the energy of the fourth dimension.

So at most, it can only exert 1% of its function, and the rest still requires time to become familiar with and master.

This learning process takes almost as long as the time required to condense the golden elixir.

However, their advantage lies in having a golden core directly, which saves them from some of the comprehension process, extends their lifespan, and makes them stronger than usual.

Of course, if one's mental fortitude is insufficient, the backlash from the inner demons that truly belong to cultivation can be quite severe for them.

This is Zhang Feng's current understanding of the Golden Elixir, and it has become much deeper.

And they want to display 'four dimensions' in the virtual world.

If it can be showcased, the whole world will rush to make it happen for them.

at the same time.

Zhang Feng watched the golden core that was fusing and also noted down this 'sense of progress' and 'insights into the nascent soul'.

If there is time in the next world to continue forming the Golden Core and begin fusing the Soul again, then with the help of enlightenment, I can quickly progress to the current 15%.

And now there are still twenty-five years of adventure ahead.

It should be around 40%.

In reality, although my constitution is only [570], with my current gains, I don't need to wait until my constitution in this world reaches around 800. I can try to condense a golden core when my constitution is 570.

Even this kind of early refinement will not affect one's future strength.

It's not that after reaching 500 Golden Core Condensation, a physique of 1500 represents the pinnacle of Golden Core perfection.

Because the upper limit of one's ability always depends on knowledge.

Knowledge does not change based on physical condition.

Furthermore, knowledge is the sole factor determining one's level of ability.

And today.

After Zhang Feng finished organizing all the knowledge about this world...

There are only two things left.

First, the Zhang family—let them see themselves, and complete the main storyline.

Second, and more importantly, let's see if the little carp has transformed into human form.

The promise of marriage was something I had thought about several times over the past ten years.

But to be honest, my feelings for him aren't as strong as they used to be.

Zhang Feng felt that it was probably because they hadn't seen each other for so long, and the knowledge he had gained over the past fifteen years had made him focus more on cultivation.

This is completely 'rational'.

But it was precisely when I thought of her that I remembered the angry expression on her face as a concubine in the cold palace.

Zhang Feng couldn't help but laugh, and discovered that his Nascent Soul progress had suddenly increased by 3%.

It seems that while studying is the main thing, a balance between relaxation and rest is also necessary.

Although the inner demons are gone, love has become another catalyst.

The 'true self' of the three souls and seven spirits must be developed in a balanced way.

Previously, matters of love were somewhat less important compared to other emotional factors.

But if it weren't for the pressure of studying for so long, even if he thought of her, his progress in the Nascent Soul stage probably wouldn't have suddenly jumped so much.

'She should have reached the Golden Core stage by now, and is probably cultivating the Transformation Technique...'

Zhang Feng felt a sweet feeling in his heart, and then quickly composed himself.

I'm about to go to the Zhang family to cause trouble, so I can't let things pass by peacefully.

As he pondered, Zhang Feng's spiritual sense enveloped the entire palace, and he transmitted his voice to the Imperial Preceptor, who was patrolling the palace corridor five miles away:

"Imperial Preceptor, I have some grudges to settle, after which I will live in seclusion in the mountains and spend the rest of my life with my Daoist companion."

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Your Majesty and the Imperial Preceptor for their hospitality. I have left behind some insights into Golden Elixir and Nascent Soul cultivation, which I hope will be of some use to you fellow Daoists.

The words fell.

Zhang Feng had already left the secret chamber, silently flying more than ten miles in just five seconds, and leaving the palace city.

'A Daoist partner?' The Imperial Preceptor was taken aback, genuinely stunned.
'Zhang Tianshi actually has a Daoist partner?'
What kind of woman is she, worthy of Zhang Tianshi?

Although the Imperial Preceptor was a monk, he was aware of the importance of marrying someone of equal social standing.

Moreover, in his mind, given Zhang Tianshi's talent, the other party must also be a renowned female cultivator.

Although there are many female cultivators in the world, he has never heard of any of them being Zhang Tianshi's Daoist partner.

However, he then thought that Zhang Tianshi was already like a god descending to earth, and everything in the world was like fleeting clouds to him.

So if Zhang Tianshi liked someone, he wouldn't need to care about social status or matching families in the secular world.

"It was my apprehension that led me astray..." The Imperial Preceptor shook his head with a smile, then bowed respectfully towards the secret chamber where Zhang Feng was, as a blessing to this divine couple.

As for who Zhang Tianshi wants to settle scores with.

The imperial advisor decided against it and could only say that the other party should "seek good fortune."

He stopped offering his blessings.

……

Five hundred miles away.

Xuanhu City.

The Zhang family remains the same.

However, the Zhang family head is already nearly four hundred years old this year, which is considered old in the 500-year lifespan of a Golden Core cultivator.

That's roughly equivalent to a normal person in their sixties.

Although the Golden Core's blessing allowed him to maintain relatively peak physical functions, there was no hope for him to break through.

Because now it is the Golden Elixir that is undergoing 'minor degradation' to maintain his lifespan and functions.

This is an unstoppable repair.

After all, the basic structure of the Golden Elixir is based on the extension of telomeres.

If telomeres stop extending and lifespan no longer extends, then the Golden Elixir is theoretically impossible because it lacks the most important basic principle framework.

The cultivators in this world do not understand or know about telomeres at the microscopic level.

However, it is also known that Golden Core cultivators over four hundred years old are slowly 'aging', aging in terms of realm and spiritual energy.

The golden elixir will completely disappear when the person is over 480 years old.

In the last twenty years, a person will gradually become skin and bones, until their last bit of spiritual energy is exhausted, their life force can no longer be sustained, and they will die.

That's the situation too.

The current head of the Zhang family, or rather, the head of the Zhang family in recent years.

They all have very bad tempers and cannot accept the predetermined fate of growing old.

His son has now reached the peak of the Golden Core stage, and is at the height of his lifespan, yet he is only a hundred years old.

It's just that compared to his original boyish appearance...

He now appears to be middle-aged.

And this moment.

In the backyard.

The father and son looked at each other in silence.

After a moment, the Zhang family head sighed and said, "Fifteen years ago, the Green Mountain Daoist suddenly appeared in the world, who was about to enter the Nascent Soul realm."

Originally, I thought there was hope for a breakthrough, and in the past few years, I went to the palace one after another, wanting to pay my respects to Zhang Tianshi and ask for the method of the Nascent Soul.

Unfortunately... fifteen years have passed since Zhang Tianshi went into seclusion, and it's unknown when he will emerge.

"Alas!" Young Master Zhang sighed as well, "Such a divine figure is not someone we can simply ask to see."

As he spoke, Young Master Zhang looked out of the courtyard again, “Father, to Master Zhang, you and I are perhaps like the ants and lowly people outside the courtyard to you and me who have entered the Golden Core stage.”

"That's right." Perhaps because his Golden Core had degraded, the Zhang family head, like his son, was now completely incapable of anything below the Golden Core stage.

And to be honest, he also thought his child's description was very vivid.

Because in Zhang Tianshi's eyes, they might also be ants.

As he was thinking, he said again, "Have you found Zhang Feng's whereabouts recently? Think about it, the Celestial Master's name is Zhang Feng, and he has been cultivating Taoism for over seventy years."

If Zhang Feng, whom you abandoned decades ago, were alive today, he would be seventy-five years old.

Is this just a coincidence?

“It must be a coincidence.” Young Master Zhang laughed. “Father, you know how careful I am.”

When throwing him away, they also checked that Zhang Feng had no spiritual roots.

How could such lowly people compare to the unparalleled genius, Zhang Tianshi?

At this point, Young Master Zhang laughed loudly again: "But that lowly commoner is also incredibly fortunate to share the same name as Zhang Tianshi."
If it weren't for the fact that it shared the same name as Zhang Tianshi, I would have completely forgotten what this abandoned baby was called.

"Indeed." The Zhang family head nodded, though he had actually forgotten.

Just as they were about to say something...

call-

A gentle breeze swept by, and to their astonishment, they found themselves silently suspended in mid-air, with the surrounding streets unfolding beneath their feet.

Meanwhile, they were wondering who possessed such magic that they could so easily teleport them into the air.

Zhang Feng appeared a hundred meters ahead of them and said:
"I already fully understand the arguments of these two ants."

"You... Master Zhang?!"

The two recognized Zhang Feng the moment they saw him, because many cultivators had a portrait of him.

But then, before the two could get excited, or even before they could wonder what Zhang Tianshi meant,

Zhang Feng's words stunned them.

"Gentlemen, I am the abandoned baby you mentioned, Zhang Feng."

The words fell.

Seeing that the mission was completed, Zhang Feng didn't want to say anything more and flew past the two of them.

Fire and wind elements intertwine in an instant.

Their bodies also turned into dust and fell from the sky.

A gasp of surprise rang out in the street.

The difference in their levels of understanding is too great. Just as they said, compared to themselves, they are nothing but ants.

There's nothing more to say about enemies and ants.

We're not on the same level.

……

The next day.

Zhang Feng arrived at the top of the lake and looked down at the little carp below, which had already achieved minor success in its Golden Core cultivation but was diligently practicing its Transformation Technique.

It seems very difficult; it will probably take at least seven or eight years to take shape.

Zhang Feng sat on the cloud for the remaining twenty-five years, not going anywhere else, but quietly watching over her and accompanying her.

She has been waiting for him for decades, so he might as well wait for her too.

Anyway, I've done everything I was supposed to get and everything I was supposed to do.

(End of this chapter)