Great Elder's Teachings! Earth Core Fire Crystal, Everyone's Shock!

Horizon Restaurant.

Inside a Spirit Qi Guest Room.

The Zhang Family's four Foundation Establishment cultivators who had come this time, along with Fifth Brother Zhang Xuanming, were all seated here.

Zhang Xuanming possessed Fire Wood Earth Triple Spiritual Roots and had decent talent. Having just turned eighteen, he had already broken through to Qi Refining Level 6—a proper Foundation Establishment seedling.

Zhang Zujun looked at the solemn-faced Zhang Xuanchen and asked in a low voice:

"Xiao Chen, the soundproof formation, defensive formation, and breath-concealing formation have all been activated. What exactly is it that concerns all our lives?"

At those words, everyone in the room turned their gazes toward Zhang Xuanchen.

After all, they had only just arrived in Worry-Free City. When it came to understanding the Secret Realm, they certainly could not compare to Zhang Xuanchen.

Zhang Xuanchen took a deep breath and delivered the explanation he had prepared in advance:

"Great Elder, during this Secret Realm expedition, casualties among the major powers may very well reach over eighty percent!"

"What! How is that possible! The most dangerous Secret Realm I know of only had casualties barely reaching sixty percent! Eighty percent! What Secret Realm is this? This is clearly a hellish land that claims lives!"

Zhang Hongqing cried out in horror upon hearing Zhang Xuanchen's words. In two and a half years of traveling and training outside, he had never heard of such a dangerous Secret Realm.

Zhang Xuanbing's expression did not change in the slightest. He had absolute faith in his younger brother.

After remaining silent for a moment, Zhang Zujun spoke. "Xiao Chen, is this information accurate?"

"Great Elder, Master Yan of Horizon Restaurant told me this. Given her status, she has no reason to deceive the Zhang Family; it would not benefit her in the slightest.

"She also told me that if we truly enter the Secret Realm, we must not go to the Central Dragon God Cave Mansion.

"We must head all the way east, or remain in the outer regions to seek opportunities. Under no circumstances must we enter the central region. Only then will there be a sliver of hope for survival.

"Master Yan only told me this because I have worked with her for many years, and she specifically instructed me not to reveal it to outsiders.

"So, Great Elder, after you inform the clan members of this matter, you must remind them of that. Otherwise, if we provoke Horizon Restaurant's displeasure, our Zhang Family will be in danger."

After hearing Zhang Xuanchen's words, the Great Elder rose to his feet. His gaze was like burning torches as he looked at the others in the room.

In a deep voice, he said, "You have all heard Xiao Chen's words. So, you all know what must be done next, yes?"

Hearing this, they immediately understood.

At once, they swore Blood Oaths that they would not reveal what they had heard today.

Zhang Xuanchen said, "Great Elder, there is actually no need for this..."

Before he could finish, Zhang Zujun raised a hand to interrupt him. "Xiao Chen, I know you trust us, but to guard against every possibility, this is the only way.

"That way, even if someone searches our souls, our enemies will never obtain any information.

"Moreover, this concerns Horizon Restaurant. We cannot afford to be careless.

"After this Old Man informs the other clan members and ensures that nothing can go wrong, I will also swear a Blood Oath!

"Xiao Chen, remember this: you may cherish family bonds! But you must never soften your heart because of them!

"Otherwise, not only will you be unable to lead the family to rise, you may instead bring about a calamity that wipes us out!

"As long as you act for the family, the clan members will understand you and support you.

"Do you... remember?"

He knew very well that Zhang Xuanchen was the most suitable person among the younger generation to become Clan Leader—without equal.

Everyone in the clan had seen his excellence.

He valued family ties deeply. That was a strength, but also his greatest weakness!

This had to be corrected!

Zhang Zujun's words were like a heavy hammer smashing down upon Zhang Xuanchen's head, jolting him awake.

After standing there blankly for a moment, he rose and respectfully bowed to Zhang Zujun.

"I will engrave Great-Grandfather's teachings today upon my heart!"

Seeing this, a gratified smile appeared on Zhang Zujun's wrinkled face.

He was now two hundred and ten years old and had devoted his entire life to the family. To him, the family was everything.

Now that the family had successors, how could he not be happy?

"Hahaha, Xiao Chen, there is no need for this. Most of those here today are your elders, so it would not be easy for you to speak.

"So, leave this matter to this Old Man."

At this point, he sighed with emotion. "If I cannot obtain a spiritual treasure for forming a Golden Core during this Secret Realm expedition, then there truly will be no more chances. I can only lie in the Small Courtyard and peacefully enjoy my remaining years."

Zhang Xuanchen looked at the old man before him. Though reluctance showed in his eyes, he still wanted to speak and prepare him mentally in advance.

"Great-Grandfather, actually... this Secret Realm is an Inheritance Secret Realm. You will most likely... be unable to enter it."

After saying this, he carefully watched Zhang Zujun, afraid that he might be unable to accept it for a moment and do something extreme.

The others also looked at the old man before them with concern.

An Inheritance Secret Realm was naturally meant to select young elites. How could the aged and frail possibly enter it?

Sure enough, after hearing Zhang Xuanchen's words, Zhang Zujun was filled with desolation.

"Alas, has even my final hope been shattered? So be it, so be it.

"This unrealistic dream of forming a Golden Core should finally end."

"No, why should it end? Great-Grandfather, you are the family's only Second-tier Top-grade alchemist and have devoted your life to the family.

"At present, you are the family's only Foundation Establishment Peak cultivator. Once we obtain a Golden Core Pill, you will certainly be the first to take it.

"When a Golden Core enters my belly, my fate is mine, not Heaven's!"

Zhang Xuanchen encouraged Zhang Zujun.

The Great Elder was the family's main pillar. If he broke through to the Golden Core realm, it would mean he could become a Third-tier Low-grade alchemist!

Though Third-tier Low-grade alchemists and Second-tier Top-grade alchemists were only separated by one minor realm, the difference between them was like Heaven and earth—they could not be mentioned in the same breath.

"Haha, 'When a Golden Core enters my belly, my fate is mine, not Heaven's.' Where did you learn that from, you brat?

"Your mouth is full of crooked reasoning."

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and continued:

"Forty years ago, this Old Man already failed the family's expectations and wasted a Golden Core Pill. What face do I have to ask the family for another?

"Even if the family can obtain a Golden Core Pill within ten years, it will certainly go to your mother.

"The family's second Golden Core cultivator will be here soon~"

Zhang Xuanchen froze for a moment before bursting into joy.

"My mother broke through to Foundation Establishment Peak?"

"That's right. Your mother bore two great Heavenly Talents for the Zhang Family—you and Xuanbing. This Golden Core Pill should rightfully belong to her."

Receiving Zhang Zujun's confirmation, Zhang Xuanchen was overjoyed.

He said excitedly, "Then buy two!"

Seeing how boldly Zhang Xuanchen spoke, Zhang Hongqing teased from the side, "You really dare to say it, brat. Every one of the Zhang Family's industries is still in its early stages.

"The operation of our various Spirit Vein sites and everything else requires a great deal of spirit stones. Where would we get the money to buy a second one?

"Are you paying for it? Hahaha."

Hearing Zhang Hongqing's teasing, Zhang Xuanchen merely grinned. "Hehe, Uncle Qing, Aunt Hongxi, Brother, Fifth Brother, I will have to trouble you to swear Blood Oaths again."

"What do you mean?"

Yet Zhang Xuanchen said nothing and simply kept taking things out.

The next moment, a Third-tier Top-grade Earth Core Blood Crystal the size of three cubic meters slammed onto the ground with a bang.

If not for the formation blocking it, it would definitely have smashed through the floor.

Of course, if the formation had not been activated, Zhang Xuanchen would not have foolishly taken it out like this.

At the sight of the treasure before them, everyone in the room sucked in a cold breath, shock flashing across their faces.

Zhang Hongqing's eyes widened. Pointing at the Earth Core Fire Crystal, he stammered:

"Th-this... i-is..."