Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Demon Abyss and Immortal Ascension Order
"Don’t overthink it. I’ll just take the Storage Bag and its contents. I won’t be waiting for you."
Zhang Chi smiled faintly and made his choice without hesitation.
He had long known that Xiao Yunhong had an extraordinary background. He also knew that if he rescued him, Xiao Yunhong would surely repay the favor, most likely by bringing him along to join a Demon Sect.
But although he cultivated a Demon Technique, it was only to advance faster. He wasn’t truly one of the Demon Dao.
He also didn’t want to go to the perilous Demon Realm.
Most importantly, he had secrets. Even though he had made some excuses, Xiao Yunhong would surely be able to guess.
After all, the man was no fool; he was actually quite intelligent.
Therefore, he had to stay away from him rather than get his hopes up and entrust his life to the whims of another.
Perhaps Xiao Yunhong genuinely wanted to repay him now, but there was no guarantee he wouldn’t become greedy in the future.
The human heart is the most fickle of things. He had no intention of betting his life on testing another’s character.
Besides, while they seemed to have some rapport now, if he went to the Demon Realm, he would just become Xiao Yunhong’s underling. The balance between them would undoubtedly be shattered.
Once their statuses were unequal, anything could happen.
"Are you sure? The chance to join a Sect is extremely rare. The best Spiritual Veins and Cultivation Techniques are basically all in the hands of sects and families."
"If you miss this opportunity, it will be nearly impossible to join a major power later. Unless you become a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse or master one of the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation. But both of those are incredibly difficult."
"Especially Foundation Establishment. If you don’t succeed before you’re sixty, your chances afterward will be slim. Without joining a major power, you’ll never reach the Qi Cultivation Peak before sixty."
Xiao Yunhong had actually expected this.
After all, Zhang Chi had always been far too cautious.
Even Brother Zhou could tell Zhang Chi had secrets at a glance, to say nothing of him.
It was perfectly normal for Zhang Chi to refuse further association with him to protect those secrets.
Besides, during their time together, he had also discovered that he and Zhang Chi were not cut from the same cloth.
That was precisely why he had given Zhang Chi two options.
But upon actually hearing Zhang Chi’s refusal, he still felt a sense of regret and wanted to try and persuade him.
He held Zhang Chi in high regard. There were very few people he was willing to befriend, and Zhang Chi was undoubtedly one of them.
As for the Profound Yin Sect, plenty of people flocked around him, but they were all sycophants. They couldn’t compare to Zhang Chi, with whom he had a relationship of mutual cooperation and trust.
"My mind is made up. Brother Xiao, there’s no need to persuade me further. I know you’re a proud person, and so am I. I hope to associate with you as an equal, not become your follower," Zhang Chi said, his voice still firm.
"That’s true. In that case, I won’t force you." Xiao Yunhong was a free-spirited person as well and immediately laughed.
"Yes, and I’m carrying heavy karmic ties. Following you wouldn’t be a good thing for you," Zhang Chi added, thinking of the high-ranking member of the Cyan Cloud Sect who had caused his predecessor to become a Mining Slave.
"Heh."
Xiao Yunhong, however, was unconcerned and just chuckled.
He didn’t believe in karma, nor did he think any karmic tie existed that he couldn’t handle.
"Actually, besides mastering Immortal Cultivation Techniques or becoming a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, there are two other ways to join a major power," Xiao Yunhong continued.
"What ways?" Zhang Chi’s spirits lifted.
He clearly still wanted to join a major power, just not one on the Demon Sect’s side.
"The first way is to possess an Upper Grade Spirit Root, or better. If you do, they won’t care at all whether you’ve cultivated before, nor will they care about your identity or background."
"But your aptitude is probably just Low Grade, or maybe even Pseudo Grade, right?" said Xiao Yunhong.
"Something like that. This method is indeed useless for me," Zhang Chi said, a little disappointed.
"The second way is to have a background. You’re either a member of a major power yourself, or you have the protection of your ancestors who left behind something like an Immortal Ascension Order."
"Of course, if you have some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to offer, some major powers might make an exception," Xiao Yunhong continued, not surprised.
"I see. Unfortunately, I don’t have any of those either!" Zhang Chi said, disappointed once again.
’Looks like my only option is to figure out how to cultivate the four legacies I obtained. But with no one to guide me and not much financial support, it’s going to be extremely difficult!’ Zhang Chi thought to himself.
"Heh, regretting it now? If you are, it’s not too late," Xiao Yunhong said with a smile.
"Don’t worry. If I ever do regret it, I’ll definitely come find you," Zhang Chi also laughed.
"Good. I’ll welcome you anytime. But without me to guide you, traveling from the so-called Righteous Dao’s side to the Demon Sect’s territory is not something an ordinary Cultivator can do," Xiao Yunhong sighed softly.
"I know."
Zhang Chi nodded slightly.
He was no longer a newcomer to Immortal Cultivation. He now had a much better understanding of the region he was in.
In fact, a lot of that knowledge had come from Xiao Yunhong.
This region was immensely vast, with a great chasm running through its center, which was how it earned the name Great Abyss.
This abyss was massive and long, bottomless, and filled with roiling Demonic Qi.
There were even rumors that the bottom of the abyss connected to the legendary Demon Realm.
For this reason, the abyss was also known as the Demon Abyss.
The Demon Abyss ran from north to south, splitting the entire Great Abyss in two. The Cyan Cloud Sect and other major powers were all located in the south.
This side was therefore also called Yuan South.
As for the territory of the Demon Dao, most of it was in Yuan Bei.
The Demon Abyss itself was incredibly dangerous, and its banks were guarded by Cultivators from both the Righteous Dao and the Demon Sects. Ordinary Cultivators had no way of crossing it.
Therefore, by refusing Xiao Yunhong, he had basically given up any chance of ever crossing over.
At least, not before he became a true High-Tier Cultivator.
"I really owe you one. How about this? Inside my Storage Bag, there’s an Identity Token of mine. You can mortgage it at the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower in exchange for an Immortal Ascension Order. There shouldn’t be any problem!"
"Once I get out, I can just redeem the Identity Token. I’m a VIP at the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower, and their business spans the entire Great Abyss. It shouldn’t be difficult to arrange," Xiao Yunhong said with a sigh of resignation.
"It can be done like that? Thank you, Brother Xiao!" Zhang Chi was overjoyed and thanked him sincerely.
’This Xiao Yunhong... he’s truly my benefactor!’
"No need to thank me. It’s rare for me to meet someone I actually respect. I just don’t want to see him turn to dust a hundred years from now."
"Besides, if you save me and I don’t help you out a little more, I’ll end up with a Heart Demon. Even though I’m a man of the Demon Dao, I believe firmly in settling debts of gratitude and vengeance."
"Oh, wait, that’s not right. The Immortal Cultivation Realm is full of dangers. Without joining a major power, you definitely won’t even live for a hundred years!" Xiao Yunhong said coldly.
He had originally intended to leave the Token for Zhang Chi to use in a crisis, either to intimidate people or as proof to seek his help.
But on second thought, that seemed rather useless.
After all, Zhang Chi was in Yuan South. Under normal circumstances, brandishing this Token would only get him hunted down by everyone.
Moreover, for Zhang Chi to find him, he would have to cross the Demon Abyss, which was practically impossible.
And if he could actually cross it, Xiao Yunhong would help him even if he didn’t have the Token.
"Haha, don’t worry, Brother Xiao. Even if you die in the future, I won’t. Don’t forget, you Demon Dao people are prone to going mad from your cultivation. So you’d better stay alive. I might even need your help someday!"
Xiao Yunhong remained cold, but Zhang Chi roared with laughter.
"Fine. I’ll be waiting."
Xiao Yunhong smiled too.
"Right, what’s the Secret Order to retrieve the items? Don’t forget to tell me. If I run out of here only to realize I don’t know the Secret Order, all this will have been for nothing," Zhang Chi suddenly remembered a crucial point and immediately asked.
