Chapter 231: Zhang Jiao

Zhang Jiao's originally lifeless face seemed to radiate light again; he walked excitedly toward the mysterious woman, Zhang Ning.

"It is me, Father!"

Zhang Ning's expression also softened; looking at Zhang Jiao, her heart was filled with mixed feelings, and she said slowly, "It was Master who saved me and bestowed me with a new life."

At this time, Zhang Liang also woke up and walked over with Zhang Bao, saying excitedly, "Ning'er, is it really you?"

"That's wonderful, you are actually still alive!"

"Do you know that Big Brother has been practicing the demonic book for all these years just to find your whereabouts!"

"Since you are alive, why didn't you come to reunite with us?"

Su Li did not speak; he watched the few of them quietly while rubbing his nose, his expression strange.

The style of this scene was changing a bit too fast.

This mysterious person was actually Zhang Jiao's daughter, Zhang Ning!

One second they were in a life-and-death battle.

The next second, they were performing a tear-jerking drama of father and daughter reuniting.

This transition, even a novel wouldn't dare write it like this.

And Zhang Ning had been helping him deal with Zhang Jiao and the others.

It was simply a classic case of "fatherly kindness and filial daughter"!

However, at this time, facing the questions from Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang, Zhang Ning's gaze suddenly turned cold: "Father, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, was the power you gained from practicing the demonic book all these years really for the sake of finding my whereabouts?"

"Or was it to pursue that method of breaking the realm and finding that higher level of power?"

"Even at the cost of entering the Dao through demons, causing the world to suffer, and how many people died because of you, with families torn apart?"

"We..."

Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang wanted to defend themselves upon hearing this.

But they were interrupted by Zhang Jiao, who extended his sleeve and sighed, saying, "Alas, the three of us did indeed walk the wrong path in pursuit of power."

"Seeing the decline of the Great Han Dynasty, the corruption of officials, and the fading of national fortune, we even attempted to overthrow the royal power and seize the Godly Dragon Vein that suppressed the Great Han court, adding it to ourselves! To suppress the demonic aura and reach the level of breaking the realm!"

"Unfortunately, it is time? And it is fate!"

"The *Taiping Essential Arts* gave us power, but it also bred our ambition."

"If we had focused solely on cultivation, perhaps we could have broken this realm on our own in the end and gone to see places in higher domains!"

"But it is useless to say anything now; the great mistake has been made! There is no turning back..."

As the words fell.

Both Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang lowered their heads in silence.

Su Li also roughly understood what Zhang Jiao meant.

Although the *Taiping Essential Arts* had demonic power and could erode the human heart.

Zhang Jiao had still resolutely chosen to practice it.

His purpose was to gain power and reach the so-called "breaking the realm."

It was precisely because of this power that Zhang Jiao had reached this point.

Attempting to overthrow the Great Han court, seize the so-called Godly Dragon Vein, add it to himself, suppress the demonic aura, and reach the level of breaking the realm.

But now Zhang Jiao had failed, making him think he had walked the wrong path.

In fact, Zhang Jiao hadn't walked the wrong path.

In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the court was already corrupt and existed in name only; what did it matter if it were overthrown?

A man born in troubled times who doesn't strive for something—how is that any different from a salted fish!

It's just that!

Zhang Jiao was too radical and too demonic.

Betting the lives of the common people on his ability to break the so-called realm.

History is written by the victors!

Looking at the wheels of history, those who disregard the common people are destined to fail, as Zhang Jiao was.

This perhaps... is what he called "time and fate"!

Su Li roughly explained these words to Zhang Jiao.

After hearing this, Zhang Jiao's gaze flickered, as if he had regained some fighting spirit, but it quickly calmed down: "What a 'man born in troubled times who doesn't strive for something—how is that any different from a salted fish!'

"It seems you are also destined to walk the same path as I did."

"Since that is the case, this *Taiping Essential Arts* Heavenly Scroll, the cultivation technique I practiced, the *Mysterious Thunder Art*, and this spirit weapon, the Nine-Section Staff, are yours."

"I hope you can take my place, break the suppression of this realm, and go see the wider world outside!"

As the words fell!

A system prompt immediately refreshed on Su Li's panel.

"Ding! Congratulations on obtaining the gift from the Great Virtuous Teacher Zhang Jiao."

"★★★★ Rare Weapon (Spirit Weapon) Nine-Section Thunder Staff, Top-tier Cultivation Technique 【*Heavenly Thunder Art*】, Special Treasure 【*Taiping Essential Arts* (Heavenly Scroll)】!"

……

Su Li's gaze hardened; he didn't expect Zhang Jiao to be so generous.

Giving all these treasures to him instead of his daughter, Zhang Ning.

He immediately felt it was suspicious and subconsciously checked the three items.

Then, he felt terrible.

【*Nine-Section Thunder Staff*】 (Eroded)

【*Quality: Rare (★★★★) (Unique)*】

【*Spirit Weapon Attribute: Intelligence +10%, Sorcery Damage +50%*】

【*Spirit Weapon Trait 1: Nine-Section (When releasing all skills, stamina consumption is reduced by 80%)*】

【*Spirit Weapon Trait 2: Tribulation Thunder (All skill effects add the Tribulation Thunder attribute, increasing the chance of causing a critical hit on top of the original thunder attribute)*】

【*Spirit Weapon Trait 3: Thunder Escape (All skill effects have their kill range increased by twofold, and damage increased by twofold)*】

【*Spirit Weapon Erosion: This spirit weapon has been eroded by demonic aura; once used, one's own abilities will be reduced by 50%, and there is a possibility of being controlled by demons*】

……

【*Heavenly Thunder Art*】 (Eroded)

【*Category: Cultivation Technique (Top-tier)*】

【*Description: A cultivation technique practiced using the power of heavenly thunder; the practitioner can comprehend and control thunder-attribute sorcery, including but not limited to amplification, debuffing, damage, healing, etc. 】

【*Cultivation Technique Erosion: This technique has been eroded by demonic aura; once used, one's personality will be affected, and there is a possibility of being controlled by demons*】

……

【*Taiping Essential Arts*】 (Heavenly Scroll) (Completely Eroded)

【*Category: Special Treasure*】

【*Description: A treasure completely eroded by demonic aura; once used, one can obtain very powerful strength, but at the same time, one is highly likely to be infected by demons*】

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