The Clan Leader Emerges from Seclusion, Eager for Revenge

After consolidating his cultivation, he finally pushed open the Seclusion Chamber and walked out.

Old Granduncle had been waiting outside the Seclusion Chamber for several months. The moment he saw Chen Nianzhi, tears streamed down his aged face.

"Sixty-seven years. Sixty-seven years of hardship and suffering."

"Heaven has opened its eyes! My Chen Clan has finally produced another Foundation Establishment Cultivator!"

Chen Nianzhi smiled and quickly supported Old Granduncle.

Looking at Chen Changyan's aged face, his heart suddenly ached, and he said firmly.

"Old Granduncle, there is no need to worry anymore."

"From now on, the Chen Clan... has me!"

"..."

After resting at Spirit Isle Lake for three days, Chen Nianzhi decided to return to Qingyuan Mountain.

This time, he flew on a magical tool, riding the Tier 2 Magical Tool Scarlet Iron Saber Blank. He could travel three to four thousand li in a day, reaching the Clear Source Mountain Range in less than two days.

During this time, he tested his own strength and found that perhaps because he had not used a Foundation Establishment Pill, his True Essence was sharper than that of cultivators at the same level.

Any offensive spell or magical tool became more than thirty percent stronger in his hands than in the hands of ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Combined with his more abundant True Essence, the combat power he could unleash likely far surpassed that of ordinary Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivators.

"No wonder they say cultivators who establish their foundation without using a Foundation Establishment Pill often possess greater potential in the Future."

"So that was the reason."

Chen Nianzhi sensed his own True Essence and thought to himself.

Although a Foundation Establishment Pill could make True Essence gentler and increase the odds of breaking through to Foundation Establishment, it also made the transformed True Essence somewhat less sharp.

Without that sharpness, True Essence's tempering effect on the meridians would fall by thirty percent, and combat power would likewise drop by thirty percent.

Without using a Foundation Establishment Pill, one's True Essence would become three parts sharper after a breakthrough, its tempering effect on the meridians would grow stronger, and a cultivator's meridians and body would become tougher. When breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm in the future, it could even increase the chance of success by an additional ten or twenty percent.

"Unfortunately, for ordinary people, the chance of breaking through without a Foundation Establishment Pill is far too small."

"And it is far too dangerous."

Chen Nianzhi put those thoughts aside and descended from his sword light a hundred li outside Qingyuan Mountain.

He had only just broken through to Foundation Establishment. The Chen Clan's enemies still did not know of it, so he decided to conceal himself and make plans only after discussing matters with the clan leader.

After returning to Qingyuan Mountain, he immediately went outside the clan leader's Seclusion Chamber.

Although Chen Changxuan had not yet emerged from seclusion, he had obtained the Meridian-Nourishing Pill five years ago. By reason, he should have emerged within the next month or two.

Chen Nianzhi waited for more than ten days. At last, the formation within the Spirit Spring activated, and the Old Clan Leader saw Chen Nianzhi.

The instant Chen Changxuan saw Chen Nianzhi, delight appeared on his face. He hurriedly pulled him inside.

"Come in, quickly."

After entering the rear mountain's Spirit Spring, the Old Clan Leader carefully examined Chen Nianzhi, unable to suppress his excitement.

"Good, good, good."

"When did you break through to Foundation Establishment?"

Chen Nianzhi nodded. "I only emerged from seclusion half a month ago."

"Very good." Chen Changxuan revealed a solemn expression. "For now, do not tell anyone that you have broken through to Foundation Establishment."

Chen Nianzhi smiled faintly. "Other than Old Granduncle, only you know of my breakthrough."

Hearing this, the Old Clan Leader laughed freely. Stroking his long beard, he said, "It seems the two of us were thinking along the same lines."

Seven years ago, for the sake of a single Foundation Establishment Pill, the Chen Clan had been besieged by several enemies. The Chang Generation clan elders had nearly been wiped out, and even the clan leader had suffered grave injuries.

Such a great hatred was naturally engraved in both their hearts. Now that Chen Nianzhi had established his foundation, the two wished to make plans and see whether they could avenge that old grievance.

Old Granduncle excitedly discussed matters with Chen Nianzhi for a while, then asked about the major events that had occurred in the clan over the past few years.

Chen Nianzhi did not hide anything. He told the Old Clan Leader about his experiences over the years, as well as the news of Chen Qingyuan's failure to establish his foundation.

After Chen Changxuan finished listening, his expression changed again and again, and a trace of sorrow appeared in his eyes.

"For sixty years, in order to obtain that Foundation Establishment Pill, I sent five clan members with decent talent to the Azure Sun Sect one after another. Sadly, most did not live to reach the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining because of sect missions."

"Even your father, Qing Ming, and Chen Qingyuan—the two most talented members of the Qing Generation—I was willing to send to the Azure Sun Sect. I never imagined I would still bring harm upon them."

Chen Nianzhi's heart trembled. He had been born with memories of a past life, and he clearly remembered that when he was three years old, his father had been covered in blood, dragging his grievously wounded body as he brought him back to Qingyuan Mountain. Only after entrusting him to Seventh Granduncle did he draw his final breath.

The clan members all believed he had been too young at the time to remember those events, but he had always buried them deep in his heart. It was only because the forces behind the other party were too powerful—so powerful that he had never been willing to mention them.

"It seems the Azure Sun Sect cannot be trusted in the future."

As the Old Clan Leader spoke, a chill suddenly flashed through his eyes.

He grasped Chen Nianzhi's hand and spoke with a solemn gaze.

"Nianzhi, this old man's road ahead is likely dim and uncertain."

"But you established your foundation through your own efforts. Your prospects are likely far broader than mine. If one day you can break through to the Purple Mansion realm, or even the Golden Core realm, I hope you can settle this karmic debt."

The Old Clan Leader's figure was reflected in Chen Nianzhi's eyes. Holding the Old Clan Leader's hand, he nodded calmly.

Sometimes, a promise conveyed through a single look surpassed a thousand words. Some things needed no further explanation; it was enough that both understood.

Having received the answer he wanted, the Old Clan Leader withdrew his hand and returned to the previous topic.

"Among those who besieged me seven years ago, aside from Zhang Old Devil, there were four others. Two were the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Zuo Clan in Feng Commandery, while the other two were Rogue Cultivators from Heavenly Ruins Mountain. One was named Liu Yuyang, and the other was Lin Taihe."

"That Liu Yuyang lacked cultivation and was slain by this old man's Blazing Fire Heavenly Sword Divine Ability. The rest are all still alive."

As the Old Clan Leader spoke, Chen Nianzhi began to analyze the situation.

Among those who had besieged the Chen Clan back then, Zhang Old Devil possessed Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivation. However, the Old Clan Leader had destroyed all his Demon Treasures, while the saber embryo of his Blood-Refining Demon Saber had fallen into Chen Nianzhi's hands. His methods had now been weakened by fifty or sixty percent, so he was likely no longer a cause for concern.

The Zuo Clan was one of Feng Commandery's seven Foundation Establishment Immortal Clans, with two Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the clan.

Its clan leader, Zuo Mingxu, was a Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer cultivator. His Life-bound Magical Treasure, the Mingxu Sword, was quite extraordinary, no weaker than Chen Changxuan's Scarlet Flame Spirit Blade of old. He was a formidable enemy.

The other was named Zuo Zhouqi. He had broken through to Foundation Establishment less than twenty years ago, and seven years ago had only just reached the Foundation Establishment Second Layer. His strength was mediocre. Setting magical tools aside, he was likely far inferior to Chen Nianzhi.

Lin Taihe's cultivation was stronger than Zuo Zhouqi's, but he had been stuck at the Foundation Establishment Third Layer for more than thirty years. He was likely not worth worrying about either.

"My True Essence is sharp and abundant, enough to rival a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivator. Even if I am slightly lacking in magical tools, I should still be able to contend against Zhang Old Devil."

"Zuo Zhouqi is of average strength. Third Elder and the others should be able to handle him if they set up the Blazing Sun Heavenly Fire Array Flags."

As Chen Nianzhi spoke, he looked toward the Old Clan Leader. "As for the other two, with the clan leader's cultivation, you should be able to slay them."

Chen Changxuan nodded, stroking his long beard. "Although this old man no longer has the Scarlet Flame Spirit Blade, I can still use the Blazing Fire Heavenly Sword Divine Ability."

"Moreover, now that I have obtained this set of Divine-Burning Separation Fire Banners, even ordinary Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivators are likely no match for me. Taking down those two will be as easy as turning my hand over."