Chapter 135, Promotion to Deputy Clan Leader and the Zhou Clan’s Secret

Translator: Raznick

 

For three consecutive months, Zhou Chun solidified his cultivation within his residence.

 

His body and soul, strengthened through the true essence refinement of Foundation Establishment, finally completed a thorough transformation.

 

At this point, his body’s skin was tough and resilient; ordinary iron swords would struggle to pierce it, and he possessed a thousand kilograms of force with a single hand, enough to lift a bull!

 

Such a robust body was naturally immune to illness and unharmed by weather.

 

Even when injured, his recovery was far faster than that of mortals, and he could endure pain that ordinary people could not.

 

He had even begun to, like certain demon beasts and wild beasts, be able to go without food for a hundred days after a large meal, sustaining himself by drinking dew and spiritual energy.

 

Even his appearance had returned to a state of twenty-three or twenty-four years old, handsome and extraordinary, with a refined air.

 

This body, which had already begun to transcend the ordinary, was the foundation for a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s lifespan to reach over two hundred years.

 

Compared to the extraordinary transformation of the body, the transformation of the soul, although unseen, had indeed occurred.

 

Zhou Chun’s Divine Sense extended for 2700 meters.

 

Whereas cultivators at the early Foundation Establishment stage, like Zhou Jiahe and Zhou Jiarui, had a Divine Sense range of only 1500 meters.

 

The strength of his Divine Sense itself increased as well, with a vastly enhanced ability to penetrate underwater and underground.

 

Before Foundation Establishment, Zhou Chun could project his Divine Sense four hundred meters above ground but could only project less than sixty meters at a depth of three hundred meters underwater.

 

The effective probing depth beneath the ground was less than three feet.

 

However, now, even when submerged in water, his Divine Sense could extend outwards for over three hundred meters.

 

At the same time, the probing depth beneath the ground varied from seven feet to ten meters, depending on the geological structure.

 

Under such circumstances, even herbs and ores buried deep underground wouldn’t escape his Divine Sense’s probing.

 

Another benefit of the soul’s transformation was that Zhou Chun’s ability to learn and cast first-grade mystical art had greatly improved.

 

He seemed to have become a mystical art cultivation genius, able to master a superior first-grade mystical art he had never cultivated before in just a few days.

 

Mystical art that he had used frequently could now be cast instantly.

 

Furthermore, some mystical art that required complex incantations to support casting was a breeze.

 

To verify this point, Zhou Chun deliberately learned some animal languages.

 

He discovered that his ability to learn animal languages was much faster than before, and his comprehension and imitation abilities improved.

 

This feeling was extraordinary, as though he had become more intelligent, but it was not quite as simple as that.

 

The principle was roughly the same as a three-year-old child struggling to lift a five-kilogram weight, while a six-year-old could lift it relatively easily.

 

In cultivator terms, he had taken another step on the path, closer to the Great Dao.

 

And the Great Dao contained everything, accommodated everything.

 

Those closest to the Dao naturally understood it more easily and more deeply than others.

 

After three months of quiet contemplation, the Foundation Establishment celebration for Zhou Chun, hosted by the Zhou Clan, began.

 

The invitations had hinted at an important announcement, so the various friendly clans and forces sent as many as eight Foundation Establishment cultivators to the Foundation Establishment celebration.

 

Every cultivator in the Zhou Clan who wasn’t on duty attended the celebration, including the Grand Elder, Zhou Mingde.

 

This level of ceremony for a Foundation Establishment was unprecedented for the Zhou Clan since they had taken root in Nine Peaks.

 

Many perceptive cultivators of the Zhou Clan, upon seeing this display of power, immediately realized that something significant was about to happen, and it would likely be related to today’s honoree, Zhou Chun.

 

As if on cue, during the celebration, Grand Elder Zhou Mingde suddenly rose to his feet, raising his hands to silence the room.

 

Then, speaking in a deep, resonant voice, he said, “Please, esteemed guests and fellow clan members, quiet down. I have an important announcement to make.”

 

His gaze swept across the room, finally resting on Zhou Chun.

 

Speaking in a solemn tone, he said, “Zhou Zhengchun, a promising young member of the Zhou Clan, rendered meritorious service to the clan since the clan established its presence in Nine Peaks. He distinguished himself time and time again through significant achievements and demonstrated exceptional talent in managing clan affairs. He often offered counsel and guidance, assisting the Clan Leader in leading the clan to prosperity.

 

“Based on his contributions to the clan and the talent he has shown in clan management, after multiple trials and tests by the Clan Leader and myself, we have decided to promote him to Deputy Clan Leader of the Zhou Clan and designate him as the heir to the next Clan Leader.

 

“Now, please, esteemed guests and fellow clan members, congratulate our newly appointed Deputy Clan Leader!”

 

With that, he stepped aside.

 

Then, Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi stepped forward, leading the congratulations for Zhou Chun.

 

Next, several Zhou Clan elders, and finally, the outside cultivators who came to witness the event, offered their congratulations.

 

As for the cultivator of the Zhou Clan below the Foundation Establishment Stage, they bowed in unison towards Zhou Chun, saying, “We pay our respects to Deputy Clan Leader!”

 

Seeing this, Zhou Chun quickly returned the gesture with cupped hands, saying, “Everyone is being too kind. I hope you all cooperate with me in the future. If there’s anything I do wrong, please don’t hesitate to point it out, esteemed elders and siblings.”

 

Speaking with sincerity, he continued, “I believe that as long as we are united as a clan, no difficulty can’t be overcome, and no obstacle is insurmountable!”

 

“Well said!”

 

As Zhou Chun’s words fell, Zhou Daoyi led the applause.

 

Then, the rest of the Zhou Clan members clapped in response, applauding Zhou Chun’s words.

 

Whether or not they had truly listened to those words, clapping was the correct thing to do.

 

Zhou Chun’s Foundation Establishment celebration gradually came to an end amidst the lively applause.

 

After the celebration, the other cultivators dispersed, and Zhou Chun returned to the Central Palace with Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi.

 

“You are now the legitimate Deputy Clan Leader of the Zhou Clan. While I’m away, you can handle all major and minor affairs of the Zhou Clan and report back to me afterward.

 

“I am confident you can handle it.”

 

Zhou Daoyi and Zhou Chun sat facing each other, speaking softly about the division of powers.

 

Given their relationship, a power struggle between them was naturally impossible.

 

In fact, for Zhou Daoyi, as long as Zhou Chun didn’t make any significant mistakes, he could continue to delegate authority to Zhou Chun.

 

The responsibility of Clan Leader, for him who now yearned for freedom, was a burden!

 

Facing his trust, Zhou Chun also responded seriously, “I understand; I will certainly not betray the clan leader’s trust.”

 

This confident reply also pleased Zhou Daoyi.

 

He paused for a moment before looking at him with a grave expression and said, “Now that you have assumed the role of Deputy Clan Leader, there are many things I won’t hide from you.”

 

“In fact, my Sky Cloud Python has ascended to a superior second-grade demon beast, and the opportunity for it to transform into a dragon has appeared. I will wait until my cultivation reaches late Foundation Establishment before I will fully support its transformation.

 

“If it transforms into a dragon, not only will the Zhou Clan gain a third-grade Flood Dragon, but I will also be able to use its power to seek my fortune to reach Violet Palace.

 

“Although you are still just the Deputy Clan Leader, in reality, from now on, the responsibilities of the Zhou Clan Leader have fallen on you. My responsibility is to teach you how to fill that role!”

 

What?

 

Zhou Chun looked at Zhou Daoyi in shock, stunned.

 

It was something he hadn’t expected at all.

 

With his intelligence, he quickly understood what Zhou Daoyi meant by the opportunity to transform into a dragon.

 

“Clan Leader, the opportunity to transform into a dragon you speak of, is it that Blue Flood Dragon from Cloud Province…?”

 

Zhou Chun looked at Zhou Daoyi in shock and blurted out.

 

Although the words were not finished, the meaning had already been conveyed.

 

And Zhou Daoyi confirmed with a nod: “That’s right, it’s roughly what you think. I did obtain parts of the Blue Flood Dragon and the Blue Flood Dragon inner core.

 

“But,” he added, shaking his head, “this matter involves another secret that I can’t reveal to you just yet. Please don’t pry.”

 

“I see. I understand.”

 

Zhou Chun nodded lightly and didn’t ask any further questions.

 

But the shock and envy in his heart were difficult to quell.

 

He never would have imagined that, after so many Violet Palace Stage cultivators wasted their efforts, the Blue Flood Dragon’s inner core would actually be obtained by Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi, a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator.

 

And the news seemed to be very well guarded, with very few outsiders knowing about it.

 

What exactly had happened then? How did Zhou Daoyi obtain the Blue Flood Dragon’s inner core? Zhou Chun’s curiosity was boundless.

 

But he knew that, since Zhou Daoyi was unwilling to tell him, no amount of questioning would reveal the truth.

 

Just as Zhou Chun was secretly envying Zhou Daoyi’s good fortune, Zhou Daoyi looked at him again and said, “Regarding your other benefits after you reach Foundation Establishment, the Grand Elder will still give you two artifacts, but the opportunity to have me assist you will be gone.

 

“After you choose your cultivation method, come with me to visit the Grand Elder and claim your artifacts!”

 

Zhou Chun immediately said, “I understand. Then, please, Clan Leader, take me to choose a cultivation method.”

 

“Come.”

 

Zhou Daoyi stood and left Central Palace, heading toward a mysterious place on Pagoda Peak.

 

After following him on the mountain for a distance, Zhou Chun arrived at a stone wall covered in green moss.

 

Then, Zhou Daoyi took out a small yellow flag and waved it, inserting it into the mountain wall, and then making signs for art.

 

Suddenly, a flash of light appeared on the mountain wall, and a stone door materialized out of thin air.

 

The moss was just an illusion created by an array.

 

Next, Zhou Daoyi took out a specially made key and inserted it into the keyhole of the stone door, then turned it several times to the left, and the stone door, which was two meters thick, slowly opened.

 

With that, as the two entered, Zhou Daoyi retrieved the small yellow flag he had thrown out, and the opened stone door was once again hidden by the array’s illusion.

 

When Zhou Chun followed him into the stone chamber, he saw that the spacious stone chamber was filled with stone platforms, each about waist-high. Many of the platforms were protected by a shimmering, multicolored shield.

 

“The items collected here are truly precious cultivation methods and secret arts of my clan. Each of them was painstakingly collected by my clan’s ancestors and is the true resource of my clan!

 

“Regarding the top cultivation method you want to cultivate, the clan has a total of seven, but only two are truly suitable for your spirit root.

 

“I will take them out for you to see now!”

 

Saying this, Zhou Daoyi gestured, and two streams of cyan light flew out from his hands, falling on the shields above two of the platforms.

 

The shields above the two platforms disappeared, revealing the items inside.

 

One was an ancient golden tripod, and the other a scroll of green bamboo slips.

 

Zhou Chun looked closely and saw that the inner and outer walls of the golden tripod were inscribed with bizarre characters, which should be the cultivation method spoken of by Zhou Daoyi.

 

The bamboo slips were also inscribed with tiny, rice-grain-sized characters, which Zhou Chun couldn’t understand.

 

“This is a vessel that carries Dao!

 

“Senior cultivators recorded their cultivation methods on these instruments made of special materials, ensuring they wouldn’t be eroded or destroyed by time and the elements for thousands of years.

 

“Therefore, don’t let these two objects fool you; even a Foundation Establishment cultivator exerting their full power can’t scratch them!”

 

Zhou Daoyi smiled gently and added, “I’ll tell you a secret. All the cultivation methods and secret arts stored here are original versions collected by the clan in the past. The items that Yu Jinghua left at Spirit Beast Manor were merely his own copies!

 

“So don’t think that when the clan separated, we brought nothing with us. Actually, these things that are truly crucial to my clan’s core legacy, we would absolutely not budge an inch on.”

 

Hearing his words, Zhou Chun’s eyes flickered slightly, and he was also filled with surprise.

 

The cultivators of the Zhou Clan were deeply dissatisfied with Yu Jinghua’s splitting of the Zhou Clan, and it wasn’t unusual to call him by his name in private.

 

Yet, listening to Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi’s tone just now, it seemed that the Zhou Clan still held some trump cards, capable of rivaling Yu Jinghua.

 

It just occurred to him that there were probably even more secrets about the Zhou Clan!

 

However, this wasn’t the time to inquire about those matters. Since Zhou Daoyi hadn’t told him, it meant that he wasn’t yet worthy of knowing.

 

Therefore, he quickly suppressed his curiosity, and with an expression of doubt, he looked at the two objects on the stone platform and said, “But I don’t recognize the writing on these two objects. How can I cultivate the cultivation method recorded on them?”