Starting as a cowherd, he sought a way to cultivate immortality.

Chen Chi did not answer Zhao Hongyue's question.

"Is the Zhao family really unwilling to part with even a Foundation Establishment Pill?"

Zhao Hongyue hesitated for a moment, then slowly spoke:

"I must inform the head of the family about this matter and let him make the decision."

Chen Chi nodded, not pressing Zhao Hongyue any further.

The next day, Zhao Hongyue told Chen Chi that if Chen Chi could defeat a disciple of the Zhao family who was at the Qi Refining Realm in five years, Zhao Jingming would give him a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Chen Chi agreed without hesitation and stayed with the Zhao family for five years.

A few days later, Zhao Chenfeng officially resigned from his position as a deacon in the Enforcement Hall, and Chen Chi undoubtedly became the new deacon.

Some of the leaders were not convinced that Chen Chi, who was at the fifth level of Qi Refining, had become a steward, but when Chen Chi easily defeated all of them, the dissenting voices disappeared.

Zhao Hongyue kept her word and allowed Chen Chi to move freely in Cloud Mist Valley. The cultivation techniques on the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion were open to him, and he could also freely use the magical artifacts.

Taking advantage of the privileges granted to him by Zhao Hongyue, Chen Chi browsed through all the martial arts manuals of the Zhao family.

In the end, he selected several secret techniques that he particularly liked and began to cultivate them using his "Accumulate Great Power Before Unleashing Its Potential" destiny.

Chen Chi did not forget to cultivate the "Five Transformations of the Exquisite Body".

【Five Transformations of the Exquisite Body】

[Proficiency (1425/20000)]

[Accumulated strength unleashed, triple the power]

In the blink of an eye, a year has passed.

As the Zhao and Zhou families began to shrink their family power, the Sima family rose to prominence and began to fill the power vacuum left by the two families.

Chen Chi also raised his cultivation to the sixth level of Qi Refining, allowing Zhao Hongyue to see his efforts.

On this day, he was cultivating the Five Transformations Exquisite Body in his room when his divine sense sensed someone approaching.

"Steward Qi, the patriarch requests your presence in the council hall," a guard from the Enforcement Hall informed Chen Chi.

Chen Chi frowned slightly.

In the year since he became a deacon in the Enforcement Hall, Zhao Jingming has never summoned him for a meeting.

Could something have happened?

"understood."

Chen Chi straightened his blue robe, stepped out of the room, and steered his spirit boat toward the council hall.

The long table in the council hall was already filled with high-ranking members of the Zhao family.

"Master." Chen Chi bowed to Zhao Jingming and then sat down at the long table.

Zhao Jingming's expression was solemn. His gaze swept over the clan's elites and deacons, and he said in a deep voice:

"I just received news that the Lotus Sect was slaughtered by demonic cultivators overnight, leaving no survivors."

These words shocked everyone present.

Although the Lotus Sect is not as large and powerful as the Zhou family, it is still a cultivation sect with Foundation Establishment realm cultivators.

When did such a terrifying demonic cultivator appear in Donglin, capable of annihilating the entire Lotus Sect?

"The corpses of the Lotus Sect disciples are similar to those encountered by the Zhou family; they were all drained of their blood by demonic cultivators," Zhao Jingming continued.

Zhao Hongyue frowned slightly and said softly:

"Was it the work of the same demonic cultivator?"

Wei An reminded him from the side:

"To date, we don't even know whether that demonic cultivator is part of a force or a lone individual."

Zhao Jingming tapped his fingers on the table, attracting everyone's attention.

"I believe the Qingxuan Sect will investigate this matter thoroughly."

What we need to do is strengthen the protection of Cloud Valley.

He warned the clan's members that when they went to Qingxuan Market in the future, they should return quickly and not linger in the market's alleys.

Upon hearing this, everyone agreed.

Zhao Jingming then turned his gaze to Chen Chi.

"This matter will be handed over to the Enforcement Hall for supervision. If anyone violates this rule, the Zhao family will punish them severely."

Qi Sheng, are you alright?

Chen Chi cupped his hands and said:

"Don't worry, Patriarch, I will send people to strengthen the management of the Zhao family's cultivators."

Zhao Jingming nodded, glanced at Zhao Hongyue, and then said:

I trust you to get things done.

……

The destruction of the Lotus Sect by demonic cultivators once again caused a sensation in Donglin.

The cultivators all thought that after the demonic cultivator offended the Zhou family, he would disappear and go into hiding.

Unexpectedly, the demonic cultivator struck again after a year.

It's truly astonishing that even Zheng Chuanfang, the leader of the Lotus Sect and a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage, couldn't escape the clutches of evil.

As the largest sect in the East, the Qingxuan Sect sent people to the Lotus Flower Sect to investigate the massacre of the sect.

Half a month later, the Qingxuan Sect announced that the demonic cultivator who had wiped out the Lotus Sect was hiding in the Eastern Lands and called on all cultivation forces to find him.

But in reality, the Qingxuan Sect doesn't seem to have taken any action.

Seeing that the Qingxuan Sect only talked the talk but didn't walk the walk, all the forces secretly murmured among themselves.

When did the Qingxuan Sect, which has always been decisive and efficient in Donglin, become so cautious?

"Zhang Youze, the Supreme Elder of the Qingxuan Sect, left Donglin twenty years ago and has not returned since."

Without a Golden Core cultivator presiding over them, the Qingxuan Sect naturally lost its former arrogance.

Inside a cave within the Lingyun Sect, Han Xuanyu explained to the sect leader, Luo Jin.

Luo Jin's pupils contracted slightly, and he quickly asked:

"Why didn't the Grand Elder tell me about this before?"

Han Xuanyu shook his head and looked at Li Jing, who had been sitting on the Yuan-Nourishing Jade Lotus Platform for a whole year.

Even if you know this, what can you do?

The Qingxuan Sect's foundation is beyond your imagination.

Luo Jin was speechless, pointing at the unconscious Li Jing, and said with a slightly displeased tone:

"How long will the Grand Elder allow this boy to occupy the Nourishing Yuan Jade Lotus Platform?"

A few days ago, a disciple of the sect injured his meridians while on a mission and needs medical treatment.

"Is the Grand Elder really going to stand by and watch that disciple's path to immortality be cut short for the sake of an outsider?"

Han Xuanyu's eyes narrowed slightly, and after a moment's hesitation, he said softly:

"I know what I'm doing."

If this is forcibly interrupted now, Li Jing's life will likely be in danger.

As for that disciple, first stabilize his meridians with spiritual medicine, and then I will treat him once the jade lotus platform is cleared.

Upon hearing this, Luo Jin flicked his sleeves and left the cave.

A few days later, Li Jing opened his eyes and found an elderly man with white hair sitting peacefully beside him.

"I'm not dead?" Li Jing spread his palms in front of his chest, his head feeling a little dizzy.

He only remembered that he was injured between the eyebrows by a cultivator from the Zhou family, and then he lost consciousness.

"Of course you're not dead." A glint flashed in Han Xuanyu's eyes.

"Not only did he not die, but he also turned misfortune into blessing, and from then on, his path of cultivation became even broader."

Li Jing looked surprised and asked Han Xuanyu for advice.

Han Xuanyu naturally told Li Jing about Chen Chi's previous request for his help.

"I originally thought that even if you were to awaken, you would find it difficult to cultivate."

I never imagined that you would have such an extraordinary constitution. Despite damage to your meridians and dantian, you were still able to rebuild your foundation under the nourishment of the Jade Lotus Platform.

This time, you've broken through and rebuilt; your cultivation speed will only surpass that of the past.

Li Jing calmed his mind and focused on the flow of spiritual energy within his body.

Sure enough, the spiritual energy circulated more smoothly, and the dantian absorbed spiritual energy much faster.

His face lit up with joy, and he immediately knelt down to bow to Han Xuanyu, thanking him for saving his life.

Han Xuanyu stroked his beard and slowly began to speak:

"I have been cultivating for so long and have never taken on a disciple. You are quite a promising candidate."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing continued kowtowing:

"Disciple Li Jing greets Master!"