Awakening

Zhang Xuezhou previously believed that Zuo Quan's backlash from using Qi to circulate Incantation Technique and being struck by lightning was related to his own physical exertion. However, after seeing the Tongtian Jade Ruler, he felt that there was another factor at play.

"The Tongtian Jade Ruler should possess the abilities to warn, protect, and retaliate!"

Considering the color changes of the Tongtian Jade Ruler, the intact body of Zhou Rihui, and the fact that Zuo Quan, who was piloting the aircraft, was struck by lightning, Zhang Xuezhou quickly calculated the possible uses of the Tongtian Jade Ruler.

If Zhang Xuezhou's guess is true, this is very likely a weapon that integrates offense and defense.

This artifact is of much higher quality than the dragon-shaped jade pendant of the King of Huainan, and it is even highly likely to be related to the fortune of Dongshan.

As long as the Tongtian Jade Ruler doesn't involve any backdoors controlling Huang Daoxian, this treasure is undoubtedly a valuable artifact.

"Zuo Quan was unable to locate the source, so he could only use incantations to cast Curse, making it difficult for the other party to track down the whereabouts of the Tongtian Jade Ruler. Huang Daoxian was likely trapped in Luo'an Province and unable to come to Western Capital City. The other party had seen the Tongtian Jade Ruler on Luo Yan's body, but probably couldn't control Tongtian, otherwise this jade ruler wouldn't have been properly buried in the imperial mausoleum!"

The Tongtian Jade Ruler is a valuable treasure, and Zhang Xuezhou couldn't help but analyze its related implications.

This is a treasure that Zhang Xuezhou was unable to find even using his treasure-hunting skills.

At that moment, his luck was low, and Zhang Xuezhou found it difficult to judge whether his current collection of the Tongtian Jade Ruler would bring him trouble, or whether Zhou Rihui had brought this precious treasure with the help of a benefactor.

Like Zuo Teng, he was clearly facing a dilemma.

Is it better to choose the Tongtian Jade Ruler for protection, thereby enhancing one's abilities in matters of magic, or is there a risk of falling into a trap and being discovered by Huang Daoxian, leading to conflict?

"What kind of nonsense is this?!"

Even though Zhang Xuezhou's judgment leaned towards his own, he was still somewhat suspicious.

Whether to seize the Tongtian Tongtian Ruler, seal it off, or use it as Tongtian to set up an ambush, various options kept swirling in Zhang Xuezhou's mind.

Each choice would lead to different outcomes, causing Zhang Xuezhou to waver.

"I have lived a very long time in the predictions of future events using physiognomy. It's impossible for me to be killed so easily by a zodiac immortal. Even if I were to die, it wouldn't be in the next few years!"

After much deliberation, Zhang Xuezhou finally used physiognomy to assess his own condition and concluded that the probability of him experiencing a backlash was within his tolerance range.

This made him willing to take a gamble.

He is currently in a good position, unlike a few years ago when he was desperate and would take whatever he could get his hands on regardless of the consequences. However, as long as it is in his own interest, Zhang Xuezhou is still capable of making risky choices.

Zhang Xuezhou seeks stability, but he doesn't avoid all risks; as long as the potential profit is large enough, he can be dragged into trouble.

"As long as the fortunes of Dongshan are restored, I will transform you into a vessel that embodies my fortune, thus stabilizing the fortunes of the Alliance States!"

Zhang Xuezhou silently recited in his heart that the jade ruler changed size in his hand, and finally lay dormant again, turning into a two-centimeter-long piece of jade.

"Zhang Xuezhou, stop playing with that stick! Look at my dad, he's still lying on the ground, not fully awake!"

Zhang Xuezhou twirled the Tongtian Jade Ruler, while Zhou Tianhao looked around his father's body, a hint of anxiety in his heart.

He grabbed Zhang Xuezhou's shoulder and shook him, which brought Zhang Xuezhou back to his senses.

"Do you want your father to come to his senses?" Zhang Xuezhou asked.

"Of course I want my dad to wake up! I'm frantic with worry. If you have any ideas, use them. My aunt said she'll listen to you in everything," Zhou Tianhao said.

"Then hit your dad, the harder the better," Zhang Xuezhou said.

"You hit my dad?"

"If you listen, hit him; if you don't, leave him lying there!"

"This is the first time I've ever heard of treating illness requiring beatings!"

Zhou Tianhao glanced at Zhang Xuezhou.

Even if Zhou Tianhao isn't that bright, Zhang Xuezhou's method of instigation is far more rudimentary than Zuo Teng's; he's not that stupid.

But seeing that Zhang Xuezhou ignored everything and only played with the jade, Zhou Tianhao had no choice but to muster his courage.

He slapped Zhou Rihui across the face.

"Is it heavy enough?" Zhou Tianhao asked in a low voice, "Is my strength okay?"

"Let's increase the intensity by twenty to fifty times," Zhang Xuezhou asked without looking up.

"Wouldn't that mean I have to use all my strength?"

"Almost!"

Zhang Xuezhou nodded, and Zhou Tianhao had no choice but to apply a little more force.

When Zhang Xuezhou showed no reaction, and Zhou Rihui, who was lying down, also showed no reaction, Zhou Tianhao had no choice but to increase the intensity.

Little by little, Zhou Tianhao's strength continued to increase.

When Zhou Tianhao finally managed to land a powerful punch on Zhou Rihui's face, the force of the punch only knocked Zhou Rihui's head to the side without causing any injury, Zhou Tianhao realized something was wrong.

He attacked with both hands and feet, punching and kicking, even striking Zhou Rihui in the groin. Zhou Rihui was unharmed, but Zhou Tianhao suffered varying degrees of pain in his hands and feet.

"My dad wasn't this powerful before. Did he get struck by lightning and ascend to a higher realm?" Zhou Tianhao murmured.

"If you can provoke him into a retaliatory reaction, Brother Zhou should break free from this self-protective bodily function," Zhang Xuezhou casually remarked. "Or you could wait and see; without external influence, he'll eventually break free from his instinctive defenses and return to normal!"

"So that's how it is!"

Zhou Tianhao snapped out of his daze and realized what was happening. He looked Zhou Rihui up and down, then unleashed another round of punches and kicks.

"It's rare for my dad to be in this situation, so I'll help him improve his blood circulation!"

Zhou Tianhao felt he could make up for all the beatings he had suffered in previous years this time.

Although the beating was ineffective, it made Zhou Tianhao feel good, especially after confirming with Zhang Xuezhou that Zhou Rihui was in good health, which made Zhou Tianhao beat him with extreme abandon.

The crackling sounds continued incessantly, and Zhang Xuezhou eventually took the jade and hid in his study for some peace and quiet.

"You little bastard, you actually poured boiling water into my stomach! You're utterly inhuman!"

Perhaps having vented all his pent-up anger, Zhou Tianhao began to use his trump card.

A pot of boiling water was poured into Zhou Rihui's mouth, which startled him awake.

"Don't hit me, I'm just stimulating your body as Brother Zhang instructed!"

Zhou Tianhao's voice came through, sounding both evasive and tinged with fear.

By now, Zhou Rihui had finally regained his senses.

Its steel-colored body rippled with a faint light, and its fingers transformed into sharp claws. Even its head had some strange patterns on it.

Compared to his normal form, he was now a head taller than before.

Holding Zhou Tianhao in his hand, Zhou Rihui was about to teach him a lesson as usual, but his mind cleared up a bit when Zhou Tianhao mentioned Zhang Xuezhou.

"Was I revived by Brother Zhang after being struck by lightning?" Zhou Rihui asked.

"It's me! It's me! I'm the one who saved you, Dad! Look at me down here!"

Zhou Tianhao called out repeatedly, but Zhou Rihui ignored him.

After casually tossing his son out the window, Zhou Rihui also saw Zhang Xuezhou quickly emerge from the study area.