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

Looking at the Azure Sun Shield in front of Zhao Qingyun, Chen Chi did not panic in the slightest.

He originally wanted Zhao Qingyun to lose the match gracefully, but once the Qingyang Shield was deployed, he could no longer hold back.

Chen Chi unleashed the Void Step technique he had honed over the years, instantly appearing behind Zhao Qingyun, his peach wood sword energy surging forth.

Zhao Qingyun sensed something, and his back was enveloped in a protective aura. He quickly dodged to the side.

The peach wood sword energy, imbued with pure yang true fire, directly pierced through the protective mystic light.

A horrifying wound was torn open on Zhao Qingyun's shoulder.

Wounded by Chen Chi's sword energy, Zhao Qingyun's eyes turned cold. His silver sword danced, unleashing countless spiritual blades aimed directly at Chen Chi's vital points.

This offensive was clearly no longer a friendly sparring match, but a life-or-death battle.

Chen Chi once again used the Void Step, narrowly but successfully dodging the spiritual blades.

Seeing that the spirit blade was ineffective against Chen Chi, Zhao Qingyun abandoned the silver sword, and a long sword formed from spiritual energy appeared in his hand.

"Silver Flying Sword!" The Zhao family disciples watching the battle exclaimed in surprise.

This is a secret technique in the Zhao family's cultivation methods. Spiritual energy is transformed into flying swords that can lock onto the opponent's aura, leaving them with no way to avoid it.

Sweat beaded on Zhao Qingyun's forehead as he locked onto Chen Chi, his spiritual energy frantically converging into the flying sword formed from it.

Then, a sword flew out.

Chen Chi's face showed a solemn expression.

Even he felt a slight threat from the flying sword formed from spiritual energy.

Pure Yang True Fire burst forth from his body and appeared on Chen Chi's palm.

Facing the flying sword imbued with spiritual energy, Chen Chi pointed out with a single finger.

The Heaven-Burning Finger collided with the oncoming flying sword, and the Pure Yang True Fire burned away all the spiritual energy.

Zhao Hongyue, witnessing Chen Chi unleash the Heaven-Burning Finger, wore a complex expression.

The person who saved her life back then was indeed Chen Chi.

After shattering the spiritual energy flying sword, the Heaven-Burning Finger continued flying towards Zhao Qingyun.

Zhao Qingyun quickly summoned the Qingyang Shield and held it in front of him.

With a loud "boom," the Heaven-Burning Finger struck the Azure Sun Shield, the pure Yang True Fire scorching the shield and showing a faint tendency to disintegrate it.

Seeing this, Zhao Jingming in the air could no longer hold back and reached out to retrieve the Qingyang Shield.

The crowd in the square erupted in uproar when they saw Zhao Jingming make his move.

"The outcome of this battle is already decided; there is no need for further fighting." Zhao Jingming's expression was calm, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.

"Qi Sheng wins."

Upon hearing Zhao Jingming announce the results of the competition, the cultivators from other clans cheered, while the members of the Zhao family on the other side remained silent.

Zhao Qingyun stood in the middle of the field, finding it hard to accept his defeat.

Even with the help of the Azure Sun Shield, he still couldn't defeat Qi Sheng, who was at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

He felt a bitter taste in his mouth and looked at Zhao Jingming, unable to speak.

A strange light flashed in Zhao Jingming's eyes.

"To become discouraged and give up at the first sign of setback is not the way of spiritual practice."

Zhao Qingyun bowed to Zhao Jingming with his hands clasped.

"The teachings of Master Xie of Qingyun."

Zhao Jingming nodded, then looked at Chen Chi on the other side.

"Qi Sheng, you are probably unmatched in the Qi Refining Realm."

Chen Chi also bowed with his hands clasped.

"The master of the house is full of praise."

With a flick of his sleeve, Zhao Jingming conjured a jade vase with intricate carvings in front of Chen Chi.

"This Foundation Establishment Pill is yours."

Chen Chi accepted the jade bottle, suppressed his excitement, and bowed to Zhao Jingming to express his gratitude.

Upon seeing Chen Chi obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill, a hint of envy flashed in the eyes of everyone watching the battle in the square.

With the aid of Foundation Establishment Pills, the chances of a Qi Refining Realm cultivator successfully establishing their foundation can be increased by 20% to 30%.

This is the key to determining the fate of cultivators.

After bestowing the Foundation Establishment Pill upon Chen Chi, Zhao Jingming glanced around before soaring into the sky and disappearing from everyone's sight.

……

Not long after Chen Chi returned to the Law Enforcement Hall, members of the Zhao family came to him, wanting to buy the Foundation Establishment Pill from him.

Chen Chi naturally refused them all.

The Zhao family members looked grim, but due to Chen Chi's terrifying strength, they dared not retaliate on the spot.

Later that evening, Zhao Hongyue summoned Chen Chi to a secluded spot in the back of the mountain.

Zhao Hongyue looked at Chen Chi with her beautiful eyes, her tone questioning:

"The Heaven-Burning Finger you used in your duel with Qingyun today was truly astonishing in its power."

Chen Chi remained calm and said:

"I made a fool of myself in front of my seniors."

Zhao Hongyue's eyes widened.

"Even now, you still won't admit it?"

Knowing what Zhao Hongyue meant, Chen Chi still pretended to be ignorant and said:

"Admit what?"

"you……"

Zhao Hongyue calmed herself down, took a deep breath, and said:

"Forget it, since you don't want to admit it, there's no point in me asking anymore."

The patriarch asked me to ask you: With the five-year term approaching, will you remain with the Zhao family or leave Cloud Mist Valley?

Chen Chi felt a chill run down his spine.

Having just obtained the Foundation Establishment Pill, if I tell Zhao Jingming that he is leaving, will I be able to walk out alive?

"The Zhao family has treated me well, and I am willing to stay with them."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongyue's face broke into a rare smile.

"That would be best. Once you successfully establish your foundation, the family head will invite you to become a retainer of the Zhao family."

Chen Chi bowed in thanks and watched Zhao Hongyue leave.

A gentle breeze blew through the woods, and Chen Chi stood still, not making a move for a long time.

A few days later, Zhao Jingming personally took Chen Chi's hand and announced that Chen Chi would continue to serve as a deacon in the Enforcement Hall.

This time, no one dared to question Chen Chi's cultivation level.

Chen Chi smiled broadly and said frankly that the kindness of the Zhao family was as heavy as a mountain, and he could never repay it.

From then on, Chen Chi continued to handle various affairs in the Enforcement Hall as before.

Two months passed in the blink of an eye.

Chen Chi piloted the spirit boat, heading to Qingxuan Market with Guan Chuqin and several members of the Zhao family.

As Chen Chi stood on the spirit boat, he sensed a pair of eyes watching him intently from the shadows.

He remained calm and, after entering the market with Guan Chuqin and the others, agreed to meet in front of the market gate two hours later.

However, two hours later, Chen Chi still hadn't emerged from the market.

"Could it be that Steward Qi has run into trouble?" Guan Chuqin asked in confusion.

The Zhao family members gradually became uneasy and hurriedly entered the market to look for Chen Chi.

"Qi Sheng has escaped!" A member of the Zhao family realized what had happened and said with a grim expression.

A cold snort rang out, and Wei An appeared before the group.

"I've been keeping an eye on him; he must still be in the market. Find him!"

When Guan Chuqin saw Wei An appear, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

The Zhao family's wariness of cultivators from other families has never changed.

Wei An entered Qingxuan Market, spreading his divine sense to search for every figure in the market.

When it was Yan Yu Lou's turn, a Foundation Establishment Realm divine sense blocked Wei An from entering.

"You are not qualified to search the Misty Rain Pavilion," the owner of the Misty Rain Pavilion said calmly.

An angry look appeared on Wei An's face. He scanned every corner of Qingxuan Market with his divine sense, but still could not find Chen Chi's aura.

"Qi Sheng is in the Misty Rain Pavilion!" Wei An said through gritted teeth.

The owner of Yanyu Tower snorted coldly, not giving an inch.

"A Foundation Establishment cultivator, and all he does is slander?"

Wei An's aura continued to rise, as if he intended to launch a major attack.

Upon seeing this, many cultivators in the market fled as if they were fleeing.

Among them, a middle-aged cultivator with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, dressed in blue, also escaped with the crowd.

He looked back and a smile appeared on his lips.

Then, he steered the spirit boat and flew rapidly into the distance.