Chapter 58

Chen Zhao inspected the hut again and found nothing; this place seemed merely a temporary residence of a Rune Master.

As for the man himself, Chen Zhao found no corpse or legacy.

"Could it be... he's still alive?"

Xin Tong murmured.

The three of them had looted the residence of a Nascent Soul friend; just thinking about it made their skin crawl.

But remembering the Sanmei Linglong Heart, a stubborn glint appeared in her eyes.

If they let him go, they might never see him again in this lifetime.

Better to die quickly than be trapped by one's constitution for life.

Fortunately, when the three reached the square, they saw no enemy ambush.

Chen Zhao turned back to the flowing water and mused:

"Do you think the water above might be the Su Family Lingquan?"

Su Muqing was instantly stunned.

If true, this would be an hourglass.

As more Spirit Springs emerge, Mohai will grow shallower.

Then what if Mohai dries up entirely?

So many Spirit Springs, plus a Second-tier Spiritual Vein...

She dared not imagine it.

Not long after, the three exited the barrier.

Chen Zhao left the Qingfeng Blade at the cliff's edge; it was crafted by Chen Qingmeng, unique and irreplaceable, yet of little use to him now.

Let it fall into the sea and see if it reappears at the Su Family.

Of course, by then, the land would have become sea and the sea land.

They emerged from the mine.

Summer sunlight fell on Chen Zhao's face; it was high noon, yet he felt no harshness—only warmth.

The Fang Clan's rebellion was over; from Robber Cultivators to Evil Cultivators, he had lived in dread too long, and now he could finally cultivate in peace.

Provided he passed the inspection.

As expected.

Two figures, one fat and one thin, guarded beside the cave.

"Young Master Chen, so dusty and disheveled—did you find anything?"

Zhang Chunfeng teased.

He had also learned of the Sect Ruins.

Such a grand sect, even at its worst, would have at least one or two Golden Core cultivators stationed; even a scrap dropped from their mouths would feed him for years.

"I did find something, but the bulk was snatched by that bastard Fang Zijing; we couldn't kill him—he escaped using a Transmission Talisman."

Chen Zhao gnashed his teeth in fury.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chunfeng immediately perked up.

A Transmission Talisman—only someone with deep spatial mastery could draw it; the Rune Master must be at least Golden Core Great Perfection.

The talisman's usage threshold is extremely low.

With only Foundation Establishment spiritual sense to lock onto a destination, it would be immensely helpful to him.

He scanned Chen Zhao's waist with his spiritual sense and was instantly disappointed.

"That kid has too many tricks; it's normal you couldn't outmaneuver him,"

Zhang Chunfeng patted Chen Zhao on the back,

"Of course, neither I nor Elder Su will take anything from you—you can rest easy."

Good thing he hadn't hidden it on his back.

Chen Zhao's face remained calm, but inside he was delighted.

If outsiders probed his soles with spiritual sense, they'd see only a blurry lump.

Like... flat feet.

While Zhang Chunfeng was speaking,

Su Can pulled him aside and whispered:

"I owe you, Elder Chen, for handling the Evil Cultivators and the Fang Clan."

"Also, the Su Ancestor wants to see you."

How?

Chen Zhao's expression turned strange.

His gaze stretched over nothing but broken walls and ruined pillars.

If the old site of Tiankui Sect counts as a ruin, then Immortal City now is... a garbage dump.

Though the False Core attack was blocked, its shockwave toppled walls and collapsed houses; of the vast Immortal City, only a few spots remained intact.

Su Family Ancestral Hall, Deliberation Hall, Duan Family Ancestral Hall.

And Lingzhu Restaurant.

And as usual, it was in the second-floor private room.

Su Can led him there, then tactfully went downstairs, glancing briefly at Su Muqing guarding the door.

Chen and Xin drank with Su Zhiyuan, celebrating their victory.

After three rounds of wine.

"Young Master Chen, after this commission, do you intend to remain stationed in the Immortal City?"

Su Zhiyuan said abruptly after clinking cups.

After several days apart, he seemed to have aged ten years, his voice like a broken bellows.

"I have already applied to your sect for ten years of protection; when the time comes, your sect will consult with me on a candidate to appoint a Foundation Establishment cultivator as temporary city lord, yet the position of Immortal City Manager remains vacant."

After this battle, the Immortal City's structure will change.

Without the City-Protecting Array, Foundation Establishment cultivators will surely come to settle here.

Within the Su Family, Su Can failed to advance to Foundation Establishment, leaving only Su Boyi as a Peak Cultivator—and he is old and frail.

How can they hold onto the Rainbow Crystal Mine? Or the Sect Ruins?

But perhaps this is one of Tiankui Sect's goals.

"I intend to delay, waiting until someone repairs the Array—or until Boyi breaks through—so I may depart in peace."

Seeing Chen Zhao unmoved, Su Zhiyuan coughed several times and spoke frankly:

"I will grant you Su Muqing's privileges—if you are willing to take this post. You are a clever man; you know its weight."

He coughed harder and harder; Xin Tong could not bear it and tried to pat his back, but he waved her off with a hand.

Chen Zhao sipped his wine, still unmoved.

He certainly understood the stakes.

The Manager's duties revolve around four skills—eating, taking, blocking, demanding.

Heroes from all corners come here and inevitably offer him tribute; the profits are substantial.

And as a guest minister of the Su Family, who would dare act against them without considering his opinion?

"Does the Su Ancestor wish me to shield you from the wind and rain?"

Chen Zhao also spoke plainly:

"In the future, it will be Foundation Establishment powerhouses who command the wind and rain—how can I possibly block them?"

He does have sect backing, true, but the Su Family is now a prized morsel, and everyone wants a bite.

Chen Zhao has no desire to be dragged into this mess again—unless his strength is sufficient and the Divination is favorable.

Maintaining good relations with the Su Family is fine; binding oneself to them is unnecessary.

"Why not let Su Muqing take it? Family members are more convenient."

Su Zhiyuan sighed, stood, and clinked cups.

He had thought of it too.

But this young man is promising; a small investment now might yield unexpected returns later.

"Yet, when I healed the family head that day, the Su Ancestor promised me a chance..."

The spirit wine entered his throat; Chen Zhao changed the subject, studying the cup:

"I dare to request—may the Su Ancestor grant me more Spirit Spring?"

Su Zhiyuan blinked, then laughed, patting his chest.

"Naturally no problem. I will allocate you one-tenth of the Spirit Spring's output. If you are willing, I can even order it brewed into spirit wine."

The Su Family Lingquan has weak spiritual quality but abundant volume, and its output is gradually increasing.

Used to invest in young cultivators, the favor flows like a steady stream.

"Then thank you, Su Ancestor, for your kindness."

Chen Zhao raised his cup, preparing to take his leave.

He possessed the original brew and original recipe of Jian Zhu Chun; he could brew it himself to aid his cultivation of the Xuan Shui Chang Sheng Lu.

He descended the stairs.

There he saw Li Zhiwei propping her chin, waiting quietly at the counter.

The innkeeper ordered servants to bring out jars of fine wine and set them before her.

"The other Elders have left—Sister, are you planning to remain stationed in the Immortal City?"

Chen Zhao stepped forward and greeted her.

"No, I merely protected this place; the Su Ancestor, in gratitude, gifted me a hundred jars of fine wine."

Li Zhiwei's voice was cool and clear, and she carried no scent of alcohol.

After the False Core died, she immediately rushed back to guard the tavern, sparing it from the aftermath.

Chen Zhao was slightly surprised and studied her again—new thoughts forming.

Li Zhiwei did not care, instead speaking to herself:

"But I did come here specifically for you."

"The old man told me to pass on a message: return to the sect immediately and visit the Discipline Hall."

The old man?

Chen Zhao had not known it was the Sect Master that day—he had assumed it was a high-ranking guest summoned by Elder Zhang.

The opportunity had just come into his hands; he had no desire to stay.

Chen Zhao activated the Beast Control Tablet, preparing to recall his spirit steed.

Alas.

His spirit energy poured in like a stone sinking into the sea; he waited, but the horse never appeared.

His eyelid twitched; he drew a deep breath.

Damned Evil Cultivator—how dare you kill my horse?

Chen Zhao scanned the surroundings.

None of the cultivators in the city looked like they had a horse.

"Senior Sister, could you give me a ride for a while?"